Interview with Five-Year-Old Will

I interview each of my kids on their birthdays and keep record of that here on my blog. Here are Will's five year old answers.

1. What is your favorite T.V. Show? Ninja Turtles 

2. What did you have for breakfast? Protein drink and waffles.
3. What do you want to name your future son? Shadow (Wait. What now?)
4. Favorite Food? Watermelon
5. What food do you dislike? Broccoli
6. What is your favorite color? Dark blue mixed up with black. (He was adamant that I write exactly what he said.)
7. Favorite lunch? Peanut butter and jelly. (Will doesn't have much added sugar in his diet. He almost never gets jelly. I guess it makes an impression when he does get it.)
8. What is your favorite thing to do? Build Beyblades and connect them with Legos. (He's super creative with this. It amazes me.)
9. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would it be? Disneyland (I am desperate to go to their again too!)
10. Favorite sport? Soccer, basketball, baseball.
11. What do you want to name your future daughter? Rosie
12. Are you a morning person or a night person? I'm a night person. (No. No he is not. He wakes up bright eyed and bushy tailed always.)
13. Pets? A dog named Tessie.
14. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share with us? Yep. People get Covid. A lot of times I get to hang out in my room. (I...um...okay?)
15. What do you want to be when you grow up? A police officer.
16. What is your favorite candy? A sucker with a scorpion in it. (Let me explain. My parents gave him one of these from their recent trip to Arizona. He does not routinely have them.)
17. Where is the farthest place you've ever been from home? When we went to Grandma Ginny and Grandpa Jon's house.
18. What is your favorite book? What Should Danny Do?
19. What are you most proud of? That I don't get in trouble always. (Oh, my sweet boy.)
20. What is your favorite movie? Velma & Daphne
21. Which came first, the chicken or the egg? The eggs because the mama chicken made the eggs. (I tried to argue with his logic. He wouldn't budge.)

And, for fun, the questions that James Lipton asks at the end of Inside the Actor's Studio.

1. What is your favorite word? Gymnastics (???)
2. What is your least favorite word? Broccoli
3. What turns you on? (I rephrased with, "What do you like?") Jumping on the trampoline.
4. What turns you off? (I rephrased with, "What don't you like?") I don't like that I can't watch The Incredible Hulk because Dad thinks it's too scary for me. (Ha ha ha)
5. What sound or noise do you love? The sound that I love is when you sing. (I melted into a puddle of goop on the spot.)
6. What sound or noise do you hate? The sound I hate is when someone yells.

7. What is your favorite curse word? Shut up.
8. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? Working on an ambulance.
9. What profession would you not like to do? Being a bad guy. (Okay. Phew.)

10. If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? (I omitted the "If Heaven exists" part)? You can stay with me forever and not have to go back to earth.

Interview with 12 Year Old Matthew

1. What is your favorite T.V. Show? This is Us. 
2. What did you have for breakfast? Coco Puffs. (I do not buy Coco Puffs. The school puts it in their breakfast/lunch. JUST FOR CLARIFICATION.)
3. What do you want to name your future son? Ian. (You guys! I'm just waiting for the day when my kid makes up some name and I have to forever call my grandson Craydin or something--given the prevalence of terrible names lately. IAN IS SO NICE AND NORMAL. Yay!)
4. Favorite Food? Pizza. Wait no, not pizza. Escargot. (Okay. He had escargot on a cruise with my parents. He's 12. He likes to pretend buttery snails are his favorite food. Whatev.)
5. What food do you dislike? Cooked broccoli. 
6. What is your favorite color? Red.
7. Favorite lunch? Hot dogs and hamburgers.
8. What is your favorite thing to do? Hang out with friends. Specifically my bestest friend in the whole wide world who can never be replaced, Ben. 
9. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would it be? Ireland. (He once saw this little warrior ninja girl on Britain's Got Talent. She was from Ireland. He wanted to marry her. This was back when he hadn't sworn off marriage forever. He became obsessed with Ireland. The end.)
10. Favorite sport? Soccer.
11. What do you want to name your future daughter? I wouldn't be having a daughter but...Megan. ("I wouldn't be having a daughter. 😂😂😂" Oh. Okay. Noted. BUT AGAIN WITH THE NORMAL NAMED CHILDREN. YAY!)
12. Are you a morning person or a night person? I'm definitely a night person. (His exact words from last year.)
13. Pets? Dog. Two frogs.
14. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share with us? Um. No. I don't know. I don't have any exciting news. I'm turning 12. That's exciting news.
15. What do you want to be when you grow up? An actor.
16. What is your favorite candy? Reese's.
**17. (New question this year. This used to be "Farthest place you've ever been from home?" which has been Israel ever since he was 4 and, since Israel is PRETTY far, it might be awhile before the answer changes so...new question.) Where do you want to live when you grow up? Well. I've thought about it. Ireland. (The obsession is deep.)
18. What is your favorite book? Wings of Fire.
19. What are you most proud of? Me being able to do a flip successfully.
20. What is your favorite movie? All the Star Wars movies.
21. Which came first, the chicken or the egg? The chicken. The egg had to be fertilized. (Exact same thing he said last year. He's no dummy.)

And, for fun, I asked him the same questions that James Lipton asks at the end of Inside the Actor's Studio.

1. What is your favorite word? Matthew.
2. What is your least favorite word? Jerk.
3. What turns you on? (I rephrased with, "What do you like?") Sports.
4. What turns you off? (I rephrased with, "What don't you like?") School. (For the record, he earned straight As again so I don't really see the problem...)
5. What sound or noise do you love? The sound of going to the zoo and hearing all the birds chirping in the background. Or the sound at the beach with the waves and the seagulls. (I had no idea he enjoyed bird sounds so much.)
6. What sound or noise do you hate? Styrofoam. (He doesn't even like to touch Styrofoam he hates it so much.)

7. What is your favorite curse word? Stupid. (I told him he could say any word. Any word at all and I wouldn't be upset. He said, "I know but I don't want to say those other words so...Stupid. Okay.)
8. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? Professional Baseball Player. (Interesting...)
9. What profession would you not like to do? Tennis player. (Apparently we're all about the sports right now.)

10. If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? (I omitted the "If Heaven exists" part)? Welcome to Heaven.

Interview. Garrett. 14.

I always ask my kids a series of questions on or near their birthdays.
Here are Garrett's as a 14 year old.

1. What is your favorite T.V. Show? Man v. Wild

2. What did you have for breakfast? Eggo Waffles
3. What do you want to name your future son? I don't know. I asked him, "What is a boy name you like?" I like John. I like Troy. I like all sorts of stuff.
4. Favorite Food? Snow Crab (Same as last year and the year before that and the year before that.)
5. What food do you dislike? Mushrooms. (Same as last year.)
6. What is your favorite color? Light blue.
7. Favorite lunch? Pizza.
8. What is your favorite thing to do? Go camping or fishing.
9. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would it be? Germany.
10. Favorite sport? Baseball.
11. What do you want to name your future daughter? I honestly don't know. I asked, "What is a name you like for a girl?" Kaylee.
12. Are you a morning person or a night person? Whatever I need to be.
13. Pets? I have a dog. (We just had yet another hamster die. Poor kid.)
14. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share with us? We're going on vacation in a week.
15. What do you want to be when you grow up? Army Ranger.
16. What is your favorite candy? 3 Musketeers.
17. Where is the farthest place you've ever been from home? Israel.
18. What is your favorite book? Probably Guts and Glory: The American Civil War.
19. What are you most proud of? Being tough.
20. What is your favorite movie? Black Hawk Down
21. Which came first, the chicken or the egg? The chicken.

And, for fun, I asked him the same questions that James Lipton asks at the end of Inside the Actor's Studio.

1. What is your favorite word? I love the word food. (Spoken like a true teenage boy.)
2. What is your least favorite word? Weeds. (Also spoken like a true teenage boy.)
3. What turns you on? (I rephrased with, "What do you like?") Life
4. What turns you off? (I rephrased with, "What don't you like?") Injuries
5. What sound or noise do you love? Gun shots. (OH. MY. WORD. I clarified that this was a noise he loved and he was like, "Yeah. They sound awesome. Oh dear.)
6. What sound or noise do you hate? Styrofoam. 

7. What is your favorite curse word? Well, I shouldn't like bad words. A lot of times, I would like to call people a jack ass. (Oh, me too, Son. Me too.)
8. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? Marine biologist.
9. What profession would you not like to do? Sewage plant worker. (Ew. I second that.)

10. If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? (I omitted the "If Heaven exists" part)? Welcome. Or, Welcome, Garrett. If He's using our earth names in Heaven.

Interview With 4 Year Old Will

Interview with Four Year Old Will

1. What is your favorite T.V. Show? PJ Masks.

2. What did you have for breakfast? Waffles and sausage and strawberries.
3. What do you want to name your future son? Hudson. (His little baby cousin who he is desperate to meet someday.)
4. Favorite Food? Strawberries
5. What food do you dislike? macaroni and cheese if you put pepper on it. (Ok.)
6. What is your favorite color? Blue and yellow and green and purple and violet. All the colors.
7. Favorite lunch? Peanut butter.
8. What is your favorite thing to do? Swing on my new swing.
9. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would it be? San Diego
10. Favorite sport? Baseball.
11. What do you want to name your future daughter? I wanna name her Hannah. (His cousin. Hudson and Hannah also have a sister named Hailey. I'm kinda sad that Will left her out in the naming game.)
12. Are you a morning person or a night person? A night person.
13. Pets? Only a dog. Not a cat. Because our cat ran away.
14. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share with us? I like playing on my swing.
15. What do you want to be when you grow up? I want to be an astronaut.
16. What is your favorite candy? Caramel Crispie candy.
17. Where is the farthest place you've ever been from home? Oh when we're on a trip and we're just flying and then we landed at the airport. (Mkay.)
18. What is your favorite book? Little Blue Truck
19. What are you most proud of? About my family
20. What is your favorite movie? Onward
21. Which came first, the chicken or the egg? The chicken

And, for fun, I asked him the same questions that James Lipton asks at the end of Inside the Actor's Studio.

1. What is your favorite word? Peanut Butter (He does say this word a lot. Like, always. It's almost as though he has a nervous tick.)
2. What is your least favorite word? He insisted on only making a sound. It was kind of like an extremely loud raspberry noise.
3. What turns you on? (I rephrased with, "What do you like?") flying
4. What turns you off? (I rephrased with, "What don't you like?") Peanut butter and jelly and pickles.
5. What sound or noise do you love? I love the chicken sound. Bagock!
6. What sound or noise do you hate? Loud yelling (Really? Because it's basically your default volume.)

7. What is your favorite curse word? Dumb
8. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? A police man
9. What profession would you not like to do? A firefighter.

10. If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? (I omitted the "If Heaven exists" part)? I would like for him to say, "Jesus there's a new Heaven boy who is coming in to Heaven." (I love that God the Father is talking to God the Son in this scene. And that Will is called Heaven Boy.)

Interview with 11 Year Old Matthew

1. What is your favorite T.V. Show? Family Matters (An oldie but a goodie)

2. What did you have for breakfast? Eggo Waffles (Technically, my money only buys the store brand but we can call them Eggos if he wants to.)
3. What do you want to name your future son? Marcus (WOW! If I had a grandson named Marcus, I would be so relieved.)
4. Favorite Food? Hamburgers. But there's a certain type. McDonald's McDonald's hamburgers. (Oh dear.)
5. What food do you dislike? Cooked broccoli.
6. What is your favorite color? Well. Right now it's gold.
7. Favorite lunch? Snack lunch. (This is basically a cheap charcuterie board. In a muffin tin.)
8. What is your favorite thing to do? Play with friends.
9. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would it be? Can you do a place that you've already gone? Yes. New York.
10. Favorite sport? Soccer.
11. What do you want to name your future daughter? McKenna.
12. Are you a morning person or a night person? I'm definitely night person.
13. Pets? Yeah. A dog. And a hamster. Well, that's not my pet, but...
14. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share with us? I just got all my math done. (His definition of new and exciting is different than mine.)
15. What do you want to be when you grow up? An actor.
16. What is your favorite candy? Reese's Pieces.
17. Where is the farthest place you've ever been from home? Israel.
18. What is your favorite book? Wings of Fire and Jack & Louisa.
19. What are you most proud of? That I found an AR book with 9 points on it. (In all of his life, this is what he's most proud of? Eleven year olds confuse me.)
20. What is your favorite movie? Star Wars the Rise of Skywalker.
21. Which came first, the chicken or the egg? The chicken. The egg had to be fertilized. (Well, okay then.)

And, for fun, I asked him the same questions that James Lipton asks at the end of Inside the Actor's Studio.

1. What is your favorite word? Abominable. I love saying the word abominable.
2. What is your least favorite word? Clean. Like...when I tell you to? Yes.
3. What turns you on? (I rephrased with, "What do you like?") Hanging out with family.
4. What turns you off? (I rephrased with, "What don't you like?") Going to school.
5. What sound or noise do you love? Geometry Dash music.
6. What sound or noise do you hate? When I'm in trouble and dad comes home and I hear the garage door start squeaking. (HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!)

7. What is your favorite curse word? Stupid. (He looked at me like he really wanted to say something else and then he went with this.)
8. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? Acting.
9. What profession would you not like to do? Be a janitor.

10. If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? (I omitted the "If Heaven exists" part)? Welcome to Heaven.

Interview 13--Garrett

Through a great blogging mishap, all of these answers were accidentally deleted a year later. I have miraculously recalled all but one of his answers. Thankfully, I had just read them prior to asking him the news ones. I will leave the one blank that I cannot remember and hope that, in time, it will come to me.

1. What is your favorite T.V. Show? Whale Wars

2. What did you have for breakfast? A donut
3. What do you want to name your future son? Troy
4. Favorite Food? Crab
5. What food do you dislike? Mushrooms.
6. What is your favorite color? Purple
7. Favorite lunch? Top Ramen
8. What is your favorite thing to do? Be outside
9. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would it be? A Mediterranean Cruise.
10. Favorite sport? Baseball.
11. What do you want to name your future daughter? I like Emily
12. Are you a morning person or a night person? Both
13. Pets? I have a snail named Grubby and a dog.
14. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share with us? I'm moving to Oregon.
15. What do you want to be when you grow up? Something in the military.
16. What is your favorite candy? 3 Musketeers.
17. Where is the farthest place you've ever been from home? Israel.
18. What is your favorite book? The Alex Rider books or the Wings of Fire books.
19. What are you most proud of? Being a good brother.
20. What is your favorite movie? The Hobbit Battle of the 5 Armies.
21. Which came first, the chicken or the egg? The chicken.

And, for fun, I asked him the same questions that James Lipton asks at the end of Inside the Actor's Studio.

1. What is your favorite word? Apple
2. What is your least favorite word? Grotesque
3. What turns you on? (I rephrased with, "What do you like?") Pizza
4. What turns you off? (I rephrased with, "What don't you like?") Times Square
5. What sound or noise do you love? Well, I did love Hamilton's squeaks.
6. What sound or noise do you hate? Styrofoam. 

7. What is your favorite curse word? The sh word.
8. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? Dolphin Trainer at Sea World.
9. What profession would you not like to do? 

10. If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? (I omitted the "If Heaven exists" part)? Hey, Buddy! You made it. I had some doubts along the way but you made it!

Interview With 3 Year Old Will

I always ask my boys these questions on their birthday. We decided to give it a go with Will who turned 3 today.

1. What is your favorite T.V. Show? Paw Patrol.

2. What did you have for breakfast? Pancakes and sausage.
3. What do you want to name your future son? Jack (Phew. A nice, normal name.)
4. Favorite Food? McDonald's. Marshmallows. (It's pizza but okay. He can sound like he has junk food junkies for parents.)
5. What food do you dislike? Potatoes. (He likes potatoes just fine but whatever.)
6. What is your favorite color? Green.
7. Favorite lunch? Peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
8. What is your favorite thing to do? Play toys.
9. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would it be? I would be lost. Okay, but where would you like to go on a trip? San Diego.
10. Favorite sport? Football is my favorite sport. Are you sure? What about baseball? (Because he is obsessed with baseball.) Oh, I love baseball.
11. What do you want to name your future daughter? Peanut butter is a good girl's name. (Is it though?)
12. Are you a morning person or a night person? I love the night. (Then why are you always up early?)
13. Pets? Sloth and fox. (These are his stuffed animals but he just turned 3 today so we'll go with it.)
14. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share with us? I love jumping up and down.
15. What do you want to be when you grow up? Matt. Okay, but for a job? A trash man.
16. What is your favorite candy? Mints are my favorite candy.
17. Where is the farthest place you've ever been from home? I went to Oregon.
18. What is your favorite book? Room on the Broom.
19. What are you most proud of? My birthday! I am PROUD.
20. What is your favorite movie? The one with popcorn. Okay, can you tell me a name? Elsa. Frozen? Yes. Frozen.
21. Which came first, the chicken or the egg? The egg. You think? How come? I love eggs.

And, for fun, I asked him the same questions that James Lipton asks at the end of Inside the Actor's Studio.

1. What is your favorite word? Smash.
2. What is your least favorite word? Gross.
3. What turns you on? (I rephrased with, "What do you like?") Popcorn.
4. What turns you off? (I rephrased with, "What don't you like?") I don't love playing with ghosts. (Um. Good.)
5. What sound or noise do you love? Music.
6. What sound or noise do you hate? A ghost.

7. What is your favorite curse word? Stupid.
8. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? Fireman.
9. What profession would you not like to do? A toilet cleaner.

10. If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? (I omitted the "If Heaven exists" part)? Um. No way! (We break into hysterical laughter) When you meet Jesus, what might he say to you? Smoosh the peanut butter. Seems we have some theology and Bible lessons to go over.

Interview With 10 Year Old Matt

1. What is your favorite T.V. Show? Grizzy and the Lemmings

2. What did you have for breakfast? Cereal and yogurt.
3. What do you want to name your future son? Marek (I mean, I guess I can think of worse names. It's a Slavic name that means warlike one.)
4. Favorite Food? Cheeseburgers. But I do like everything.
5. What food do you dislike? Cooked broccoli.
6. What is your favorite color? Red.
7. Favorite lunch? Peanut butter and jelly.
8. What is your favorite thing to do? Reading or watching TV.
9. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would it be? Ireland.
10. Favorite sport? Football.
11. What do you want to name your future daughter? Leia. (Simply because he likes Star Wars. Every woman wants to be named after Princess Leia, I'm sure. Insert eyeroll.)
12. Are you a morning person or a night person? I'm a totally night person.
13. Pets? Tessie. Ollie. Hamilton.
14. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share with us? I have a new cousin named Sophie. She's my biological aunt's baby. (Awww. Cute.)
15. What do you want to be when you grow up? An actor.
16. What is your favorite candy? Lollipop.
17. Where is the farthest place you've ever been from home? Israel.
18. What is your favorite book? Star Wars books.
19. What are you most proud of? That I have a good family.
20. What is your favorite movie? Star Wars. The Force Awakens.
21. Which came first, the chicken or the egg? The chicken.

And, for fun, I asked him the same questions that James Lipton asks at the end of Inside the Actor's Studio.

1. What is your favorite word? Word. (Er. Ok.)
2. What is your least favorite word? onomatopoeia (I asked him if he was serious and he said yes because it's hard to say)
3. What turns you on? (I rephrased with, "What do you like?") Going outside.
4. What turns you off? (I rephrased with, "What don't you like?") Bullies.
5. What sound or noise do you love? Tap dancing noises.
6. What sound or noise do you hate? Styrofoam 

7. What is your favorite curse word? Stupid.
8. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? A director.
9. What profession would you not like to do? Be in the military.

10. If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? (I omitted the "If Heaven exists" part)? Your sister wants to see you. (Good thing this was the last question. I'm basically a puddle of goop now.)

Interview with a 12 Year Old

1. What is your favorite T.V. Show? NCIS.

2. What did you have for breakfast? Eggos.
3. What do you want to name your future son? Troy.
4. Favorite Food? Snow crab (Same as last year and the year before that and the year before that.)
5. What food do you dislike? Sushi.
6. What is your favorite color? Brown. (Some things never change. It's been brown forever. He calls it, "a good, solid color.")
7. Favorite lunch? Pizza.
8. What is your favorite thing to do? Go camping. (Last year he said, "Go on cruises." His taste has cheapened in his old age.)
9. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would it be? A cruise to Cuba.
10. Favorite sport? Baseball.
11. What do you want to name your future daughter? I like the name Emily. (Last year he said, "Lori." I'm glad that ship sailed. I don't hate my name but it's a little dated. Emily though. Emily is timeless. I could absolutely get on board with an Emily.)
12. Are you a morning person or a night person? Either.
13. Pets? Hamster, dog, and cat.
14. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share with us? Baby Declan. (His cousin had a baby. We met him on Thursday. He's adorable.)
15. What do you want to be when you grow up? A pilot in the Airforce.
16. What is your favorite candy? 3 Musketeers.
17. Where is the farthest place you've ever been from home? Israel. That will never change.
18. What is your favorite book? My favorite series right now is Rings of Fire.
19. What are you most proud of? I'm proud of learning how to surf.
20. What is your favorite movie? The Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies.
21. Which came first, the chicken or the egg? The chicken.

And, for fun, I asked him the same questions that James Lipton asks at the end of Inside the Actor's Studio.

1. What is your favorite word? Probably the. I also like supercalifragilisticexpialidocious. (Ha ha. Bit of a difference between those two words but okay.)
2. What is your least favorite word? Beeeeeeeeeeeeeep. Ef you badness badness after that. (Okay. So, the F word.)
3. What turns you on? (I rephrased with, "What do you like?") Fishing and camping.
4. What turns you off? (I rephrased with, "What don't you like?") I don't like getting sick.
5. What sound or noise do you love? I like air raid siren.
6. What sound or noise do you hate? Styrofoam. 

7. What is your favorite curse word? Crap.
8. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? A Navy SEAL.
9. What profession would you not like to do? Plumber.

10. If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? (I omitted the "If Heaven exists" part)? Hello.

Interview on Behalf of a Two Year Old

I interview each of my kids on their birthdays and keep record of that here on my blog. Will, while a grand talker, isn't quite communicative enough to answer interview questions although I have high hopes for next year. So this is not actually an interview. It's just me filling in the blanks for him. Here goes nothing.

1. What is your favorite T.V. Show? Daniel Tiger. Although he now thoroughly enjoys Peppa Pig and Paw Patrol.

2. What did you have for breakfast? Yogurt. (In case I'm reading this later in life and wondering why I only gave my toddler son yogurt, he has a sore throat. The remnant of an icky virus.)
3. What do you want to name your future son? He'll probably follow recent horrible naming trends and do something like Jagger or Basil.
4. Favorite Food? Pizza and blueberries.
5. What food do you dislike? Avocado. Anything he simply doesn't feel like eating at the time.
6. What is your favorite color? I have no idea.
7. Favorite lunch? He likes PB&J usually.
8. What is your favorite thing to do? Undo whatever we've just done. Also, baseball is a pretty intense obsession.
9. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would it be? Anywhere with his family, I'm sure.
10. Favorite sport? Baseball.
11. What do you want to name your future daughter? See #3. Probably McKindrie. Or Basil. I feel like Basil works (read: DOES NOT WORK) for a boy or a girl.
12. Are you a morning person or a night person? Morning.
13. Pets? Tessie. Hamilton. Ollie. And currently a golden retriever puppy who hasn't gone to her new home yet.
14. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share with us? He talk talk talks all the time.
15. What do you want to be when you grow up? A baseball player.
16. What is your favorite candy? ALL OF THEM. But he really enjoys M&Ms and Skittles.
17. Where is the farthest place you've ever been from home? Phoenix, I think.
18. What is your favorite book? It changes often. Currently, it's probably a book about a helicopter.
19. What are you most proud of? Learning new things every day.
20. What is your favorite movie? He does not even remotely have the attention span involved in movie watching.
21. Which came first, the chicken or the egg? He doesn't care. I'm just glad I can finally get him to eat the occasional bite of egg.

And, for fun, the questions that James Lipton asks at the end of Inside the Actor's Studio.

1. What is your favorite word? NO! I mean, it must be. He says it 82,000 times a day.
2. What is your least favorite word? No. (If it's being said to him.)
3. What turns you on? (I rephrased with, "What do you like?") Baseball and Daniel Tiger
4. What turns you off? (I rephrased with, "What don't you like?") Having to go to bed before everyone else.
5. What sound or noise do you love? Music.
6. What sound or noise do you hate? His parents when we are disciplining him.

7. What is your favorite curse word? Well, I mean, he says a certain one A LOT when he is attempting to say Fork.
8. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? Baseball player or Lead Singer in the Band.
9. What profession would you not like to do? Anything where he'd have to sit still.

10. If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? (I omitted the "If Heaven exists" part)? On behalf of my child, I hope that he leads a life worthy of the response, "Well done, my good and faithful servant."

Interview with 9 Year Old Matthew

1. What is your favorite T.V. Show? Star Wars Rebels, Ninja Turtles, Ben 10.

2. What did you have for breakfast? Cereal.
3. What do you want to name your future son? (This is a new question. I got rid of "What's your middle name?" because, well, he's known that for years now.) Robert.
4. Favorite Food? Hamburgers.
5. What food do you dislike? Cooked up broccoli.
6. What is your favorite color? Green and red.
7. Favorite lunch? Peanut butter and jelly.
8. What is your favorite thing to do? Gymnastics.
9. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would it be? Ireland.
10. Favorite sport? Football.
11. What do you want to name your future daughter? (This is a new question. I also decided to get rid of, "When is your birthday?" because he's also known that for years.) Carmel.
12. Are you a morning person or a night person? Night.
13. Pets? Tessie. Hamilton. Ollie.
14. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share with us? I know how to do a handspring.
15. What do you want to be when you grow up? I still have time, I don't know. Maybe an actor.
16. What is your favorite candy? Lollipops, lollipops oh my little lollipops.
17. Where is the farthest place you've ever been from home? Israel.
18. What is your favorite book? My Big Fat Zombie Goldfish.
19. What are you most proud of? I'm very proud that I started a club last year on this day. It's Get Rid of Slimy Girls Club. (Ummmm. Okaaaayyy.)
20. What is your favorite movie? Ninja Turtles.
21. Which came first, the chicken or the egg? The egg. The egg came first because the chicken would hatch out of its egg and have another chicken.

And, for fun, I asked him the same questions that James Lipton asks at the end of Inside the Actor's Studio.

1. What is your favorite word? The longest word in the English language.
2. What is your least favorite word? Good. I can think of way better words than good.
3. What turns you on? (I rephrased with, "What do you like?") Gymnastics.
4. What turns you off? (I rephrased with, "What don't you like?") School.
5. What sound or noise do you love? The tune to Play That Funky Music White Boy.
6. What sound or noise do you hate? Balloons squeaking.

7. What is your favorite curse word? Stupid. Even though it's not. I can't say it.
8. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? Be in the military.
9. What profession would you not like to do? Be a nurse.

10. If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? (I omitted the "If Heaven exists" part)? Welcome.

Interview with an 11 Year Old

1. What is your favorite T.V. Show? Dual Survival

2. What did you have for breakfast? A bagel.
3. What do you want to name your future son? (This is a new question. I got rid of "What's your middle name?" because, well, he's known that for years now. Interestingly, the answer didn't change even though the questions did.) John.
4. Favorite Food? Snow crab (Same as last year and the year before that.)
5. What food do you dislike? Mushrooms.
6. What is your favorite color? Brown. (Some things never change)
7. Favorite lunch? Totinos Pizza.
8. What is your favorite thing to do? Go on cruises.
9. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would it be? A cruise through the Mediterranean.
10. Favorite sport? Football, wrestling, soccer, baseball, swimming...
11. What do you want to name your future daughter? (This is a new question. I also decided to get rid of, "When is your birthday?" because he's also known that for years.) Lori. (Oh child. I hope not. Although it is better than Brickannlie. Or some other atrocious thing he could come up with.
12. Are you a morning person or a night person? Ummmm. Morning.
13. Pets? I have a hamster. (Now that he has his very own pet, he's forgotten the existence of his dog and cat.)
14. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share with us? Um. No. Not really.
15. What do you want to be when you grow up? I want to work at Little Caesar's and then Subway. Then I want to go into the coast guard. Then I want to be a pastor.
16. What is your favorite candy? 3 Musketeer.
17. Where is the farthest place you've ever been from home? Oh. I don't know. Is it Israel, Mom? Yes. Israel.
18. What is your favorite book? Stranded series.
19. What are you most proud of? Having hammy. (The hamster. It's a pretty big accomplishment. Lol.)
20. What is your favorite movie? Gettysburg. Or the Hunger Games. (We recently let him watch the latter. His brother has not seen it yet. He really liked it. I mean, in that way that you can really like something that has a very disturbing premise. Time for him to read the books, I think.)
21. Which came first, the chicken or the egg? The chicken.

And, for fun, I asked him the same questions that James Lipton asks at the end of Inside the Actor's Studio.

1. What is your favorite word? Probably dangit. Me: That's your favorite word? In the whole world? Him: Probably. (Oh dear.)
2. What is your least favorite word? Using the Lord's name in vain.
3. What turns you on? (I rephrased with, "What do you like?") I like pizza.
4. What turns you off? (I rephrased with, "What don't you like?") Asparagus.
5. What sound or noise do you love? I like Will laughing.
6. What sound or noise do you hate? Will screaming at the top of his lungs.

7. What is your favorite curse word? Shut up.
8. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? A person who studies hamsters.
9. What profession would you not like to do? Cleaning up people's flooded homes.

10. If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? (I omitted the "If Heaven exists" part)? Welcome.

Interview with 8 Year Old Matthew

1. What is your favorite T.V. show? Ben 10.
2. What did you have for breakfast? A doughnut and some eggs.
3. What is your middle name? Eric and David. (David Eric)
4. Favorite Food? Bananas.
5. What food do you dislike? Nothing.
6. What is your favorite color? Bluish grayish.
7. Favorite lunch? Peanut Butter and jelly.
8. What is your favorite thing to do? Go to church.
9. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go? To Texas to see my mom.
10. Favorite sport? Soccer.
11. When is your birthday? February 28.
12. Are you a morning person or a night person? A night person because I'm not a morning fan.
13. Pets? I used to have Peter and Beck. The ones that are still alive are Ollie and Tessie. And Hammy.
14. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share with us? I am going somewhere with my Grandma and Grandpa but I don't know where yet.
15. What do you want to be when you grow up? A teacher like Indiana Jones and a military policeman.
16. What is your favorite candy? Me. Chocolate.
17. What is the farthest you've ever been from home? Israel. (He finally stopped calling it Isrerael. Sniff.)
18. What is your favorite book? Dino Mike
19. What are you most proud of? Having a baby. Will. (Such a sweet brother.)
20. What is your favorite movie? The Ben 10 movie.
21. Which came first, the chicken or the egg? The egg. Why do you think that? Because first the chicken has to hatch out of the egg?

And, for fun, I asked him the same questions that James Lipton asks at the end of Inside the Actor's Studio.

1. What is your favorite word? Ben.
2. What is your least favorite word? Poop.
3. What turns you on? (I rephrased with, "What do you like?") Jesus.
4. What turns you off? (I rephrased with, "What don't you like?") Satan.
5. What sound or noise do you love? Zippity Do Da.
6. What sound or noise do you hate? Wah wah wah. When my brother cries.
7. What is your favorite curse word? Stupid.
8. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? Being a missionary.
9. What profession would you not like to do? Be a doctor.
10 If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? (I omitted the "If Heaven exists" part) "Kate wants to see you." (This one basically did me in.)

Interview With a Ten Year Old

1. What is your favorite T.V. Show? Bonanza. (He's a funny kid.)

2. What did you have for breakfast? Raisin Bran
3. What is your middle name? John (Back when he was a toddler this was a funny question. Now that he's ten and his middle name doesn't change, it's kind of ridiculous.)
4. Favorite Food? Snow crab (Same as last year)
5. What food do you dislike? Avocado (Same as last year)
6. What is your favorite color? Brown and black. (Some things never change)
7. Favorite lunch? Top Ramen (Oh child, I'm ratted out forever. It's organic ramen made from vegetable noodles. With no added garbage or sodium. I'm lying. It's absolutely Maruchan. Which, by the way, is so much better than Nissan. I should know. I EAT IT TOO! #shamoftheperfect)
8. What is your favorite thing to do? Go deep sea fishing. (He's done it once. Apparently it made a BIG impression.)
9. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would it be? Uh...probably to Israel again.
10. Favorite sport? Football
11. When is your birthday? The 20th of July.
12. Are you a morning person or a night person? MORNING!
13. Pets? Two. Dog. Cat.
14. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share with us? I've got a new brother.
15. What do you want to be when you grow up? A Guy That Jumps Out of Helicopters in the Coast Guard. (See! I told you!)
16. What is your favorite candy? Him: Is ice cream a candy? Me: No. Him: Then probably a milk shake. Me: That's ice cream. Him: Oh. Then chocolate.
17. Where is the farthest place you've ever been from home? Israel
18. What is your favorite book? The Land of Stories series
19. What are you most proud of? Him: Being born. Me: BEING BORN? Him: Yeah. That's all I can think of. It's a pretty big accomplishment.
20. What is your favorite movie? The Hobbit Battle of the Five Armies.
21. Which came first, the chicken or the egg? The chicken.

And, for fun, I asked him the same questions that James Lipton asks at the end of Inside the Actor's Studio.

1. What is your favorite word? Probably supercalifragilisticexpialidocious. I say that word a lot. (Um. Alrighty.)
2. What is your least favorite word? The "F" word.
3. What turns you on? (I rephrased with, "What do you like?") Surfing
4. What turns you off? (I rephrased with, "What don't you like?") Getting hurt.
5. What sound or noise do you love? Bang! I like big bang type noises.
6. What sound or noise do you hate? Styrofoam creaking.(Same answer, four years running.)

7. What is your favorite curse word? Crap. I would say that all the time if I could.
8. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? Pastor
9. What profession would you not like to do? Cleaning out porta potties.

10. If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? (I omitted the "If Heaven exists" part)? Welcome.

Interview With a Seven-Year-Old

1. What is your favorite T.V. show? Ben 10.
2. What did you have for breakfast? Honey Nut Cheerios.
3. What is your middle name? Eric and David. (David Eric)
4. Favorite Food? A burger.
5. What food do you dislike? Nothing. I love everything.
6. What is your favorite color? Silver.
7. Favorite lunch? Peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
8. What is your favorite thing to do? Play with my nice brother.
9. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go? To Mars. On this planet? Haiti.
10. Favorite sport? Baseball.
11. When is your birthday? February the 28th.
12. Are you a morning person or a night person? A night person because in the morning Garrett bugs me too much.
13. Pets? Yeah. A dog named Tessie and a cat named Ollie.
14. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share with us? Beck died. (Well. Alright then.)
15. What do you want to be when you grow up? A military cop.
16. What is your favorite candy? You. Okay, me. I mean chocolate.
17. What is the farthest you've ever been from home? Isre-reel. (He still pronounces Israel with an extra syllable.)
18. What is your favorite book? The Bible. What is your favorite children's book? Chocolate Me!
19. What are you most proud of? Getting on to a level K book.
20. What is your favorite movie? Star Wars.
21. Which came first, the chicken or the egg? The egg. Why do you think that? Because how would the chicken be even born?

And, for fun, I asked him the same questions that James Lipton asks at the end of Inside the Actor's Studio.

1. What is your favorite word? Bus.
2. What is your least favorite word? The F word. (We have the neighbor boys to thank for the fact that he knows this one.)
3. What turns you on? (I rephrased with, "What do you like?") My family.
4. What turns you off? (I rephrased with, "What don't you like?") The first Lord of the Rings because it's kind of scary and sad because Gandalf dies. That's a sad part. Also when Bilbo says, "Give me the ring!" and his eyes go all crazy.
5. What sound or noise do you love? Songs from The Newsies.
6. What sound or noise do you hate? Garrett screaming his head off.
7. What is your favorite curse word? Dumb and stupid.
8. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? Go into the military and be a cop.
9. What profession would you not like to do? Be a nurse.
10 If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? (I omitted the "If Heaven exists" part) "Welcome to Heaven."

Interview With a Nine-Year-Old

1. What is your favorite T.V. Show? My favorite TV show has to be Dual Survival.

2. What did you have for breakfast? I had an egg and a prune and an apple and milk.
3. What is your middle name? John.
4. Favorite Food? Snow crab.
5. What food do you dislike? Avocado.
6. What is your favorite color? Brown and black.
7. Favorite lunch? Snow crab. (I think he likes snow crab.)
8. What is your favorite thing to do? Go to Israel.
9. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would it be? Uh...Israel.
10. Favorite sport? Wrestling and swimming.
11. When is your birthday? July 20, 2006.
12. Are you a morning person or a night person? Both.
13. Pets? Two. I have a puppy that's really mouthy. (She's nine weeks old. She likes to use her mouth to play.) I have a cat who is really shy.
14. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share with us? I have a new puppy.
15. What do you want to be when you grow up? I don't know. (I said, if you had to pick something.) I want to be in the coast guard. But first I want to be a little pizza guy.
16. What is your favorite candy? Cotton candy.
17. Where is the farthest place you've ever been from home? Israel
18. What is your favorite book? Little House on the Prairie and Taran Wanderer.
19. What are you most proud of? That I ran a mile in 7.22.
20. What is your favorite movie? The Hobbit.
21. Which came first, the chicken or the egg? The chicken. That's a simple question. (Why is it simple?) Because God made the animals and the animals make more animals.

And, for fun, I asked him the same questions that James Lipton asks at the end of Inside the Actor's Studio.

1. What is your favorite word? Sword.
2. What is your least favorite word? Can I say this word? Sure. I don't even know what it is but it's the F word. Wait, I think I know what it is. Okay, what? Funky. (Ha. HAHAHAHA!)
3. What turns you on? (I rephrased with, "What do you like?") Snow crab. (Oh. Boy.)
4. What turns you off? (I rephrased with, "What don't you like?") Blood. (Same answer as last year.)
5. What sound or noise do you love? The crack of snow crab. (Oh. My. Goodness.)
6. What sound or noise do you hate? When Styrofoam is rubbing against something.(Same answer, three years running.)

7. What is your favorite curse word? I can't answer that. Yeah you can. Sucks.
8. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? A pastor.
9. What profession would you not like to do? Be a tank driver. It's too deadly.

10. If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? (I omitted the "If Heaven exists" part)? Hello, Garrett.

Interview With a Six-Year-Old

1. What is your favorite T.V. show? Ben 10, Power Rangers, Ninja Turtles.
2. What did you have for breakfast? Yogurt and a granola bar.
3. What is your middle name? David.
4. Favorite Food? Pizza.
5. What food do you dislike? Actually no food. (I tried to get him to say something and he wouldn't. I don't think he wanted to hurt the feelings of any innocent food. Although, honestly, there is very little that he won't eat.)
6. What is your favorite color? Blue.
7. Favorite lunch? Snack lunch. Explain snack lunch. Lunch I eat while I'm watching a movie.
8. What is your favorite thing to do? Go to the beach.
9. If you could anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go? Hawaii.
10. Favorite sport? That's easy. Soccer. I mean football.
11. When is your birthday? July 28. (Um. Kid is really confused. He got the day right but, whoa, he's very confused on his months and, apparently, his seasons as well.)
12. Are you a morning person or a night person? Morning person.Why do you think you're a morning person? You get to play and I don't like nights because you don't get to play. (This kid is NOT a morning person. He's like a mini teenager.)
13. Pets? Yep. Like my dog, my cat. That's all.
14. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share with us? It's my birthday.
15. What do you want to be when you grow up? A cop.
16. What is your favorite candy? Lollipops. (This hasn't changed and continues to be very strange to me.)
17. What is the farthest you've ever been from home? Isre-reel. (He still pronounces Israel with an extra syllable.)
18. What is your favorite book? Green Eggs and Ham
19. What are you most proud of? That I believe in Jesus.
20. What is your favorite movie? Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Secret of the Ooze.
21. Which came first, the chicken or the egg? The egg. Why do you think that? Because how would it cross the road? (What?)

And, for fun, I asked him the same questions that James Lipton asks at the end of Inside the Actor's Studio.

1. What is your favorite word? Matthew
2. What is your least favorite word? Pop. Why don't you like pop? Because my mom doesn't like it. (I don't like referring to soda as pop. Apparently, because of this, it is now my son's least favorite word.)
3. What turns you on? (I rephrased with, "What do you like?") My whole family.
4. What turns you off? (I rephrased with, "What don't you like?") When people say, "Don't believe in the Bible."
5. What sound or noise do you love? The song, "We believe in God the Father. We believe in Jesus Christ..."
6. What sound or noise do you hate? Screaming.
7. What is your favorite curse word? Dummy.
8. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? Be a cop.
9. What profession would you not like to do? Be a doctor.
10 If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? (I omitted the "If Heaven exists" part) "Hello. Enjoy your house." Since there will be a house for me in Heaven and whoever believes. (Oh man. Beautiful.)

Interview With An Eight-Year-Old

I've been doing this now for many years. Never has there been an interview that was so similar to the one done the previously year. Quite a few of his answers stayed the same. I don't read him what he said the previous year so I guess he's starting to become the person he plans to be.

1. What is your favorite T.V. Show? Tank Battles

2. What did you have for breakfast? Eggs
3. What is your middle name? John.
4. Favorite Food? Macaroni and cheese
5. What food do you dislike? Pepperoncinis (This is the first year that mashed potatoes has been dropped as his least favorite food.)
6. What is your favorite color? Brown, black and green
7. Favorite lunch? Turkey sandwich
8. What is your favorite thing to do? Go surfing
9. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would it be? Turkey (Um...does anyone else find this one to be super random?)
10. Favorite sport? Surfing
11. When is your birthday? July 20
12. Are you a morning person or a night person? Both
13. Pets? A dog, a cat, a fish
14. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share with us? I’m having a birthday party at the beach.
15. What do you want to be when you grow up? A helicopter pilot.
16. What is your favorite candy? Cotton. (HA! This answer cracked me up!)
17. Where is the farthest place you've ever been from home? Israel
18. What is your favorite book? Laura Ingalls Wilder. I asked him which one. He replied, "The one you just finished." (That happened to be On the Banks of Plum Creek.) I'm noticing that he usually answers with whatever book we've just finished or are currently reading.
19. What are you most proud of? How fast I ran my mile.
20. What is your favorite movie? Cheaper By the Dozen. (I don't think this is actually true but he just recently watched it again so it must have come to mind first.)
21. Which came first, the chicken or the egg? The chicken. Because God had to put a chicken on the earth to lay eggs.

And, for fun, I asked him the same questions that James Lipton asks at the end of Inside the Actor's Studio.

1. What is your favorite word? Garrett
2. What is your least favorite word? Oh my God.
3. What turns you on? (I rephrased with, "What do you like?") Pizza
4. What turns you off? (I rephrased with, "What don't you like?") Blood
5. What sound or noise do you love? The sound of elephants going, "Bawereeee!” (This answer is identical to what he said last year, complete with how he made an elephant noise.)
6. What sound or noise do you hate? When Styrofoam is rubbing against something.(The sound is the same as what he said last year, he just worded it a little differently.)

7. What is your favorite curse word? Stupid
8. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? Making pizza. (Last year it was selling pizza.)
9. What profession would you not like to do? Taking the flesh off an animal (tanning hides. He saw this on TV. On that show about the world's dirtiest jobs.)

10. If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? (I omitted the "If Heaven exists" part)? Welcome home. Welcome to heaven, Garrett

Matthew's Five-Year-Old Interview

1. What is your favorite T.V. show? Power Rangers and Ben 10.
2. What did you have for breakfast? Orange and chicken and cheese. Is that what you had for breakfast? Oh. Hmmm. Pancakes and Applesauce.
3. What is your middle name? David
4. Favorite Food? Chips and chicken.
5. What food do you dislike? Oh I do not like peas. Oh and wemen. WOMEN? No. WEMEN. Oh lemon? Yeah. 'Cause it is sour and makes my face do this. Pucker face accompanied the comment.
6. What is your favorite color? Blue.
7. Favorite lunch? Noodles. Or a burger.
8. What is your favorite thing to do? Play with my friends.
9. If you could anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go? To Disneyland and Sea World. Well that's good. If I could go anywhere in the world it would be Italy. Or Fiji. Or Australia. Or England. Apparently I have richer travel blood than my five-year-old who just wants to go theme parks.
10. Favorite sport? Soccer. Basketball.
11. When is your birthday? We're going to Chuck E. Cheese's. But when is your birthday? What day? Hmmm...is it March? Oh dear. At least last year he knew that his birthday was in February.
12. Are you a morning person or a night person? Night person. I like to sleep. Indeed.
13. Pets? A dog and a fish and a cat.
14. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share with us? Yeah. My birthday.
15. What do you want to be when you grow up? A doctor and a fireman and a cop and an army man.
16. What is your favorite candy? Lollipop.
17. What is the farthest you've ever been from home? Grandma's. You think? Yeah. Where did you go last year? Disneyland. Did we fly somewhere on an airplane? Yep. Where? To Israel. Do you think that's the farthest? No. I mean, yeah.
18. What is your favorite book? In the Castle
19. What are you most proud of? I know how to read.
20. What is your favorite movie? Frozen.
21. Which came first, the chicken or the egg? I don't know what you're saying. I tried explaining. The chicken, I guess.

And, for fun, I asked him the same questions that James Lipton asks at the end of Inside the Actor's Studio.

1. What is your favorite word? Hmmm. The. That cracked me up. He has been on a "the" kick lately, finding it everywhere and pointing it out and getting super exciting that he possesses the word "the" in his name.
2. What is your least favorite word? It starts with a b. Okay, what is it? Butt.
3. What turns you on? (I rephrased with, "What do you like?") I don't quite know yet. Well, can you think of something that you like? You. And Garrett and Daddy.
4. What turns you off? (I rephrased with, "What don't you like?") The evil brain. (Krang from Ninja Turtles)
5. What sound or noise do you love? Singing.
6. What sound or noise do you hate? Screaming.
7. What is your favorite curse word? I don't like bad words. Can you just tell me one? It's okay. Stupid.
8. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? Singing.
9. What profession would you not like to do? Babysitting. ??? Okay.
10 If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? (I omitted the "If Heaven exists" part) Hello. How are you doing? Come in.

Interview With Matthew (Age 4)

Happy Birthday to my four-year-old, Matthew!

What I've learned is that getting an interview with Matthew is infinitely harder than his brother. On several of these, it was as though I was throwing him into a torture chamber and pulling his teeth out one by one by one. We persevered and the finished product is some semblance of a snapshot into the life of my four-year-old.

1. What is your favorite T.V. show? Ninja Turtles. And I like Scooby-Doo. And Power Rangers.

2. What did you have for breakfast? I ate sandwich and chips and carrots and that's all the things I had. (This is most definitely what he had for lunch. I don't feed my kids chips for breakfast. Usually.)

3. What is your middle name? Matthew David Doozleberry (First, he didn't actually say Doozleberry but his last name has been changed to protect us from murderous stalkers and kidnappers. Second, the first time he answered with Matthew David John Doozleberry--John being his brother's middle name. Then he quickly repeated it without the "John." It's funny, because he does have two middle names but we never use the second one and I don't think he even knows it exists. I wonder if this will one day cause him to have a complete identity crisis. I mean, if I suddenly learned that my name was actually Lori Elizabeth Elvira, I'd have issues. Note to self: Tell Matthew he has two middle names before it's too late.)

4. Favorite Food? Taco and I like chips. (Okay.)

5. What food do you dislike? Nothing. (This is pretty much true. He doesn't like avocado. That's honestly the only thing I can think of off the top of my head that he doesn't like. The kid is a human trash compacter. He'll eat anything. Except the aforementioned avocado.)

6. What is your favorite color? Blue.

7. Favorite lunch? I like to eat sandwiches.

8. What is your favorite thing to do? Play some toys.

9. If you could anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go? In an airplane to California.

10. Favorite sport? Soccer game.

11. When is your birthday? In February.

12. Are you a morning person or a night person? A night person. (This is SO true. Matthew will babble to himself long into the night but he only wants to get up on his terms. If you try waking him before he's ready to get up, be ready. He is one mighty grump.)

13. Pets? I have a kitty cat. And I have Beck.

14. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share with us? I'd like to share my Ninja Turtles. (I'm gonna go with, "I don't understand the question." But I am glad he likes to share.)

15. What do you want to be when you grow up? I like to be a dad. And a Power Ranger. (Ahh...the first one is so sweet. And, might I request a little girl? Pretty please? The second one--oh dear.) 

16. What is your favorite candy? Um. Gum. (Today is actually the first day of his whole entire life that he's chewed gum. It must have made a big impression.)

17. Where is the farthest you've ever been from home? Legoland. (Hawaii would actually be the correct answer. But, well, Legoland made a big impression. Apparently even bigger than Hawaii. Coulda saved some serious money, is what I'm saying.)

18. What is your favorite book? The Bible. (He actually ran into the other room and returned carrying his Bible. It was pretty adorable.)

19. What are you most proud of? I'm proud that I scored four medals in soccer. (Medals, goals, what's the difference?)

20. What is your favorite movie? I like Tad! (Letter Factory)

21. Which came first, the chicken or the egg? The chicken. The egg. The chicken. (It was all very confusing.)


And, for fun, I asked him the same questions that James Lipton asks at the end of Inside the Actor's Studio.

1. What is your favorite word? Matthew (I'm so glad he likes his name.)
2. What is your least favorite word? Dang it.
3. What turns you on? (I rephrased with, "What do you like?") I like clapping hands and singing.
4. What turns you off? (I rephrased with, "What don't you like?") I don't like Barbies.
5. What sound or noise do you love? I like music
6. What sound or noise do you hate? I don't like this one, "RRRAAAWWW!" (I wish you could have seen the actions that accompanied this sound.)
7. What is your favorite curse word? (I asked him what his favorite bad word is.) Knucklehead.
8. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? I want to fix toys.
9. What profession would you not like to do? I don't want to wash the cannon. (Somehow I don't think this is something he needs to worry about being forced to do.)
10. If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? (I omitted the "If Heaven exists" part) I want Him to say, "Thank you, you did awesome." (Ahhh.)