Sebastian is our fifteen-year-old son and he says some of the funniest things–we have no idea where he gets his material since his mother and I are rather boring, serious people. 

In Korea, birthdays seem to be a big deal (I wouldn’t know since I have never been to Korea–don’t ask, it’s a sore subject) and it was a few days before my mother-in-law’s birthday (in Korean culture, again, apparently, it is OK to celebrate before one’s actual birthday, but very bad luck to celebrate after). So on Sunday night (the actual birthday was the following Tuesday), I made one of her favorites for dinner: Hachis Parmentier (essentially the French version of shepherd’s pie).

Sebastian had been gone all day at a birthday party, which involved paintball and pizza. When he came home, his mother alerted him that his grandparents were coming over for dinner in a few minutes.

Sebastian: “Ugh, I’m stuffed.”

My wife: “Well, you are going to have to sit down for dinner with us.”

Seba: “Ugh! Why? I am soooo full.”

My wife: “You have to, it is part of halmoni’s (Korean for grandmother) birthday.”

Seba: “Ugh? How many parts are there??”

Although he doesn’t want to admit it and he certainly might not look the part, Sebastian is a strong cyclist.