Most fathers probably find their seven-year-olds hilarious at times. Niall, I think, is objectively hilarious.
1. Niall and I were at the home of my father and his wife (“Nana Judy”). They have a wooden fort installed for him. He draws a sign to put at the entrance:
For your safty: no adults or
humanhumen girls allowed
My father asks him about it:
My father: It’s not safe for girls?
Niall: No.
My father: Why not?
Niall: They might get hurt.
My father: How?
Niall: They might get pushed off.
2. Niall comes to me and tells me that he wants to build a trapdoor in it. He describes it, and how it will work, carefully watching to make sure I think it’s a good idea. Then he says, “OK. Well, first I need to ask permission to use the chainsaw.” He says this Christopher-Robin-level politely — as if he could sweet-talk his way into it.
3. Nana Judy is holding a sick rabbit near their hutch, and Niall inquires after it in an unusual but endearing order:
Niall: What’s his name?
Judy: ‘Rex’.
Niall: What is he?
OK, my enamorment might be paternal sentimentalism. If so, shush. I’m going to pretend otherwise.
















For the record, on the sign, “or” was spelled “our”.
I love these stories – so cute!
A pic of Niall in the treehouse: