The following was originally posted on Kevin's blog, MyMediaDiary.com.
It's just six minutes of random videotape from 13 years ago as the kids decorate a Christmas tree. It's funny what passes for nothing at the time but turns into family legend.
Season's Screachings
The 2000 model of Abby (3) and Aidan (5) had decided it was time to add the candy canes to the tree. As a kindergartener, it was very clear to my son what the pecking order would be -- and not just for tree-trimming. My daughter, in a calm "no," simply vetoes the maneuver and moves to the front of the line when dad asks for a song.
She continues to ignore her brother, whose attempts to bastardize the classic "Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer" seem to be bothering only the director...
So Abby gets center-stage, while she continues to tackle the perplexing candy canes-in-the box puzzle -- glancing up at the LCD screen to be sure she's still framed correctly.
But will older-brother allow this performance to be unblemished? Well, what are older brothers for, if not to illuminate the younger, dumber members of the family of the fine nuances of lyric-accuracy and politically correct methods of addressing St. Nick's weight problem.
Even as a 3-year-old, Abby learned immediately how to handle a bullying coach -- act like you don't hear him, even if he's moving into the shot, tapping you and even screaming your name for the neighbors to hear.
Ever the clever predator, Aidan quickly realizes that the song lyrics may not be the performer's motivation. Her audience is the motivation. The "ah-hah" look in his eye as he carefully blocks her out of frame is countered by Abby's steadfast commitment to ignoring the pest. And, as Effective Parenting Step #1 is no good, Step #2 is needed. (I sometimes wonder if Neanderthals had to threaten their kids with being sent to their caves.)
Now, try dragging the kids out of their rooms and you're in for a battle. So, Dad decides to try another song. Aidan counters with what appears to be a rerun until he once again proves how little control his father really has. Gene Autrey's estate may very well sue over the subtle replacement of the word "reindeer" with "candy cane." If you listen, you'll hear it (all while being given a rendition of the Charleston in MC Hammer's pants).
The song picks up speed when Aidan realizes that he's got a rogue backup singer. (And I probably might have sounded a little more enthusiastic with my monotone cheers.) It was a sad day when my daughter lost her Elmer Fudd-like voice. Unlike, Daffy Duck's nemesis, however, she manages to keep singing and keep her cool while being body-checked.
So now it's time to move from the solos to the duets. What a perfect opportunity for a lesson in teamwork! Two can share the spotlight, certainly, right? (But if your partner fails you, you can certainly provide your own backup.)
In our next song, there is little friction. They are co-existing. Perhaps this has been a wonderful learning lesson. We all CAN get along.
Then, as Abby is pulled back from Rudolph Version 3.0, Aidan visits the dark-side, imagining the desolation of all Christmas trees--all at the whim of a psychotic serial cane.
That same week, I did realize a good moment when I heard it. I burned the audio to a CD along with real Christmas music and gave it to my family that year. But it wasn't until very recently, when I was converting these 8mm videotapes to digital that the kids actually saw what they were doing.
Now a senior and a junior, I stuck my good-natured kids once again in the same spot for a little flashback. And, with a bit of role-reversal, you can see who's hijacking the other's performance.
Our cameras come out so often this time of year. And somewhere along the way, you move from "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Candy Cane" to drivers' licenses and college decisions.
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.