Have you ever met someone that was so down to earth that you just clicked with immediately?
How about someone who can, without as much as a glance, understand your mood just by your breathing? Then know just what to say at just the right time?
Ever met someone who witnesses your glaring imperfections and NOT try to remold you into a form that is convenient to them? But with patience and encouragement show you your potential to be more than you ever realized?
A person to make you laugh so hard you think you’ll have to go to the Emergency Room?
A person who refuses to let their self image be dictated by Cosmo and Vogue. And never asks “Do I look fat in this?”
A person you respect so much that you can admit when you’re wrong and they’re right.
When the path ahead is dark and uncertain, a person who whispers “It’s ok. I’m behind you.”
A person who makes you feel like a twenty-something after you find yet another strand of rebellious gray hair.
I am fortunate to have met that person. My one and only person. Carla.
Happy Birthday.
I needed to test out my new light reflector and the Girl was happy to volunteer as my assistant, even though it was damp and drizzling outside. With all this rain I think she was just desperate to be outside for a little bit. I took a few quick shots, including this cute one, before the rain forced us to make a hasty retreat!
Is this a becoming a tradition? The excited squeals of laughing kids, hair raising thrill rides and eating your body weight in sugar. Yep, you guessed it! The Carnival is back in town! As we did last year, and the year before, we teamed up with Olivia, the Girl’s partner in sugary crime. The girls wasted no time in storming the fairgrounds hand in hand, two little seven year olds on a mission to ride and eat the night away. Of course, we were there cheering them on but our main purpose was to act as ticket dispensers for more rides and cotton candy. Ahhh, I can still smell the sugar in the air! Check the pics.
This was the only ride he wanted to go on. I love the "cool like me" pose.
As if they need more sugar!
After months wrapped in jackets and coats it’s so nice to see the Girl in a Summer dress! I really dig the colors. Although she was in a dress she still wanted to show me how high she could jump and boy did she ever!
I went to one of the Girl’s softball games recently and I must say she and her team played really well. The first game was a bit…concerning since the girls were more interested in chatting about the colors of their uniforms than in hitting the ball. But once they started to focus on the game, man, what a difference! Once in a while they still have to be reminded to run to the next base after a hit but otherwise they’re getting the hang of the game. Since this team is all about learning the basics of the game and understanding sportsmanship, they don’t keep score which was initially confusing especially for competitive parents like me! I kept asking “What’s the score? What’s the score?”. So there are no losers in these games, only winners. Check the pics.
In coming!!
One of her cheerleaders
“Do you know what I want for Mother’s Day?” The Wife said as she was knitting.
“What?”
“No bling. No flowers. No nothing. Just alone time.”
“Sooo, basically keep the kids off your back.”
“Exactly.”
I wasn’t surprised at her request. The Wife is not the where’s-my-bling-type of girl. She has never been into getting “stuff” for the sake of it. She would say a diamond ring is pretty to look at but it won’t improve your retirement savings. There is a refreshing sensibility in her approach to life which focuses on simplicity and what is most important to get the best of it. Like alone time.
So on Mother’s Day my gift was to give her as much alone time as I could by acting as a linebacker and defending her from the kids. And it worked…for the most part. While the Wife was enjoying her time gardening, I literally had to tackle the Boy when he got a boo-boo that ONLY Mommy could kiss.
“Wait!” I yelled as the boy bolted to the back door to go find the Mommy antidote.
He stopped, lower lip trembling, holding up the invisible wound on his finger. “But me need…Mommy…”
“Listen…” I reasoned with him, “We can’t bother Mommy now. Daddy can kiss it. Come here.”
He gasped and recoiled his hand as if I told him that I was going to cook and eat it. “NOOOO! NOOOO-OOO-O!”
Then he bolted for the door again. But I was determined. “Ok-Ok! Wait!” I yelled.
He stopped, glancing over his shoulder.
“How about…um,” I was struggling to think of an antidote to the Mommy Antidote. But what? What could possibly be as powerful as the Mommy Antidote? Then I remembered. “Oh! Ok, how about if I give it a-a…Superman kiss?”
His head perked up. Superman? He loves…LOVES Superman.
“Yeah! I can give it a big ole Superman kiss like this…SMMMMOOOOOCCCHH!!”
That did it. Immediately he walked over to me, wounded hand outstretched. I gave his hand a big, loud Superman smooch.
“See!” I grinned. “Only Daddy can do the Superman kiss!”
“Yeah!” He looked at his hand now miraculously healed. “All better now!” Then ran off in search of mischief.
Mommy? Mommy who?
Wow. After that I kinda feel like a superhero myself.
Today I am Daddy Man! Defender of the precious and rare gem called Mommy Alone Time. All who try to interfere will meet their fate with my sloppy but oh-so-powerful Superman Kiss! Kiddies beware!
by Dennis
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