Another year has passed; it’s our seventh year as parents. As I write this I keep looking at her past my laptop screen. She’s still happily playing with her doll house with a nature documentary playing in the background (her choice, the apple doesn’t fall far). Once upon a time, a toddler version of this little girl didn’t want much more than to lay down on my chest and have me read The Grouchy Ladybug for the thirtieth time. I…
“Daddy! Pwobwem!” (interpretation: Father, I feel the urge to bring an issue to light) “What’s the problem Hun?” “Everything is no-no.” (interpretation: It seems to me that I am denied access to virtually everything I express interest in) Did my two-year old daughter just call me out to a Come To Jesus Meeting? Outside of a suppressed smile, I honestly did not have an answer to give her. She looked hilarious. She was serious, there was no hint of a…
It was a frantic and rushed morning. It seemed like everything was working against us in getting Lyd off to her summer classes. Somehow, some way, I got her to school on time. I gave her a kiss, watched her run off to class, shut the van door and wearily climbed back in. I let loose with a heavy sigh before I put the van back in gear. Today was going to be busy, we had company coming in a…
My Funny Girl You drive me nuts. Do you know that? Several times a day, I’ve come so close to putting my head through drywall because of you. And then I hear your husky, toddler voice say, “Hey. Don’t worry dude. I got this.” That’s when I half-snort, half laugh Yes you got it, don’t you? I can’t stay angry. Always Looking Forward. Now that I’ve gotten to know you, I know why you were born three weeks early. You…
It was a long day at work. I had tougher days physically. But this one was just nonstop and unrelenting. The commute Home was difficult as well. There was an incident on the road, traffic was bumper to bumper and crawling. I came home tired, a little grumpy, and hungry. Removing my work boots was a notably pleasant part of my day. I collapsed on the couch, stretched out and closed my eyes. A minute or two later I felt…
This would be my point of view of my youngest one standing on my chest. Enjoy this little bit of abuse Dad…it won’t be much longer before she’ll be too big to do this.
Today, I washed, dressed and dropped off Lyd for her final day as a Kindergartner. With the exception of my visiting Sister-In-Law expediting, it was not an abnormal morning, it was the everyday chaos, remind Lyd to keep eating her breakfast, braid her hair, make sure her backpack is packed and ready. Before I knew it, I was dropping Lydia off at her Primary School for the final time. It began sinking in right about then. Every day my little…
I follow a Facebook group dedicated to the memories and history of my home town, Elgin IL. One of the highlights of my childhood in Elgin was when my Mom would take me, my brother and sister to the greatest playground in the world. It was the Wing Park Rocket Slide. I have some incredible memories of that place. Now that I look back at it all…oh my Lord! That thing wouldn’t have even been allowed out of the factory…
Annie was in Chicago on business for four days this past weekend. She came home yesterday afternoon. This morning she returned to work and life was back on routine with me getting Lyd ready for school. As she was eating her oatmeal, Lydia said to me, “Now that Mommy’s home, it’s your turn to go to Chicago!” “Why’s that Hun?” “Because I’m getting sick of you.” She didn’t say it in spite, there wasn’t anything mean or cruel in her…
I’m a bit of a clean freak, and today was bath day for Reg. It’s always a high point in my week when I get a chance to get crusted banana out of her hair. Plus I get to multitask. She’s playing in the tub, I’m wiping down the bathroom. We chat, all is good. However, there’s always that thought bouncing around in the back of my mind, “She pees in there…I know it.” Of course, I give her a…