I’m not big on New Year’s resolutions. Maybe it’s because I don’t make too big a deal of New Year’s overall. If we can have a nice relatively quiet evening among friends — as we managed to this year — on New Year’s Eve, I’m thrilled.

But back to the resolutions — I guess I just don’t see the point in picking what is really an arbitrary date to attempt to stick to some life-improving routines. I think people are generally as unrealistic with their resolutions as they are about their New Year’s Eve plans — and it all leads to disappointment.

Still, at some point last week we asked Ryan if he had any New Year’s resolutions.

“Yes, I’m going to be even more obnoxious!” he replied, with the smirk on his face that only comes when he knows he has said something funny. It’s quite a different look than the one we see when Ryan tries to be funny in the middle of getting in trouble. My son’s comedic timing could use some work.

Well not-quite three-and-a-half days into this new year, I have to give it my son. Long after most new gym members have stopped working out, people have stopped going to bed early and eating healthy, he is sticking with his resolution.

We had quite the blowup before leaving for school this morning. Ryan was testing limits, pushing buttons, and repeatedly ignoring what he was asked to do.

During the inevitable reflective period that follows these episodes, Ryan often wonders aloud about why he made the choices he made. Today, he was a little more direct. While not referring directly to his resolution, he went back to the old standby that boys his age are supposed to be obnoxious, so, really, he was just doing what was expected of him.

This excuse frustrates and amuses me at the same time. It could only be the product of a literal mind such as Ryan’s, mixed in with bit of his mischievous sense of humor and a penchant for limit-testing.

Though, I must admit, I am challenged to appreciate it in the moment.

Perhaps that should have been MY New Year’s Resolution.