Sami’s Blog: Famous Houses

The best rogues in the entire world are 9-years-old, don’t you think? They are that age when they are still little and cute but a bucket of charismatic fun before they turn into teenagers where inhibitions and embarrassment take charge. They are full of mischief and curiosity but still innocent and in my opinion able to melt the coldest of hearts.

Remember that house from ‘Home Alone”? The one where 9-year-old Kevin McCallister set boobie traps to undo the criminals who broke into the iconic 1920s mansion. Well, the striking Chicago dwelling recently hit the market for $5.25 million. Our family still watch “Home Alone” every year and no other movie comes close to how much it makes my kids roar with laughter witnessing the antics of Kevin McCallister. 

I have a 9-year-old myself at home who is obsessed with setting traps around our home.  I am hyper vigilant always looking for fake spiders on the ground and whoopie cushions on seats. And his piece de resistance is placing toy cars next to windows so I go for a little skate when I am trying to let fresh air in the house. The trouble is the kid is impossible to be angry with because he has this grin that goes from ear to ear and even knows how to wink to make this mother melt.

The same son set off to a day-long sports carnival with my debit card.  He copped a long lecture about not losing the card as it was a test of his responsibility to take it for the first time. Augie was lectured he had to find his wallet to put the card straight back into after he bought his lunch. That night I asked with much curiosity if he had managed to not lose my card. Indeed, he had the card. But he had a totally different tale to tell. The canteen did not accept cash so my kid had shouted all his mates their lunch. He had screamed to all his mates who were hungry and thirsty that it was no problem to pay for their orders as he had a debit card. They lined up with empty stomachs and big thirsts. He tapped eight times for eight cans of soft drink. Then he tapped 3 more times for 3 large bundles of hot chips.  After finishing with a round of burger rings packets I wasn’t sure if I should be mortified or impressed.  My mind shot forward to him standing at the bar as an 18 year old, plastic in hand with that big grin, ready to shout his mates again. This thought made me smile.  Unfortunately this turned to a frown as I realised it will probably still be my debit card!!