Ten-Year-Old in the House

I don’t feel nearly old enough to have a ten-year-old in the house, but since I’ve got one as of today, I’m very grateful she’s this one.
Happy birthday, Sweet Pea. I love you more than I sometimes show and you know.

On Raising Kids Gracefully, part 2

As I have four young daughters – each of whom I dread possibly dealing with the rebellion struggles Jack Miller did with his – I chose to read his book, Come Back, Barbara. The book is not particularly well-written, but in terms of new insight, Miller’s reflection on his relationship in Barbara’s youth sums it [...]

On Raising Kids Gracefully

Though I’m not one for parenting books in general, Tim Kimmel’s Grace Based Parenting is a helpful take on what parenting by principle looks like. I liked his approach, perspective, and evaluation of what’s behind so much bad parenting advice today, namely fear. He writes:

“Parents armed with little more than a vibrant relationship with God [...]

Conflict Resolution from the Six-and-Under Crowd

Overheard this afternoon from the bathroom (I have no idea what the issue was):
6-year-old: I’m telling.
5-year-old: I’m telling Mom.
6-year-old: I’m telling Mom AND Dad.
5-year-old: I’m telling the whole world.
Silence.
I doubt the issue was properly resolved, but they’re not arguing about it anymore. It’s amazing what the threat of public accountability does for the six-and-under crowd [...]

Walking the Line Between Loss and Hope

You may not know it (I didn’t), but on July 27th of 2005, Congress proclaimed October 15th Stillbirth Remembrance Day, also sometimes called Stillbirth and Infant Loss Remembrance Day. Though you might not know it, today is a hard day for many.
It may sound like a gigantic exaggeration, but almost every couple Megan and I know [...]

Bedtime

Daddy: (tucking in a six- and four-year-old) Good night.
Four-year-old: Daddy, can I have a drink of water?
Six-year-old: Me, too?
Daddy: (sighing) Girls, in the future, you need to get a drink of water when you brush your teeth.
Six-year-old: But we can’t know the future.
Daddy: (getting the water) Good point.

Being the Minority in the Sorority

Similar to last Friday, I’m suffering from a campaign hangover after the Republican National Convention (I didn’t even watch Senator McCain last night – yawn). With 60 days to go, it’s time for a political break.
In trying to write about what I’ve been thinking of late, I confess I’m at a loss: I’ve not been [...]

2:23 a.m.

Megan: (sits up in bed, then mumbles as she falls back against the pillow)
Me: (groggily) What’s wrong?
Megan: There’s a child lying across the foot of the bed.
Me: Is it one of ours?

Beauties and a Beast

Here’s a shot from our short 24-hour stint at the farm this past weekend. Pictured above are the ladies with Bruce, a ten-year-old pureblood black lab whose owner thought Bruce needed more room to roam and some country air to breathe in these, the twilight of his years.
Slow and easy in the morning, crafts and [...]

Summer Plans

My friend, Ed, asked for a post on what summer holds. Here it is.
1. I’m one of seven Westminster teachers taking 28 high school students on Summer Seminar to South Dakota for two weeks in June. Over the course of a 12-day trip to and through the Badlands and Black Hills of South Dakota, students will explore [...]

Totally Illogical

“Spock is a main character in the original Star Trek TV series, and one of the most enduring characters from American 1960s television. He is the only alien in the permanent cast: half-Vulcan, half-Human, and serves as the science officer and executive officer of the USS Enterprise, under Captain James T. Kirk. His personal struggle [...]

Graceful Madeline

Like the bicycle she rides, she is always on the move
Like the many things she tries, something else is always new
Like the song she loves to sing, is her heart You made to fly
Like a girl with angel’s wings, is my graceful Madeline
We now have a nine-year-old in the house. Happy birthday, Madeline Grace.

Cair Paravel

If you haven’t yet, check out the pics and write-up on Megan’s blog about Cair Paravel, the imitation palatial spread I built for the girls. Three days of my life – in wood and pictures.

I’m Not Convinced Either

This morning, I had an interview for a temp job at a law firm downtown. My friend, Emily, has worked there and recommended me to them, so they actually called me, which was nice.
When I came downstairs for breakfast wearing a suit and tie, my three-year-old looked at me strangely over her cereal and asked, [...]

How We Know We Are Loved

My kids are always amazing me with what they understand about life. Here’s an exchange my three-year-old and I had this evening while cuddling (a favorite activity for all involved):
Daddy: Do you know I love you?
#4: (smiles and laughs, almost embarrassed) Daddy…
Daddy: No, really. How do you know I love you?
#4: Because I said ‘yes’.
The [...]

What a Difference 31 Years Makes

From a discussion with my four-year-old this morning:
Daddy: “So what’s on your schedule today?”
Four-year-old (quite happily): “Blah, blah, blah. That’s what’s on my schedule today.”
Ah, to be four again…

Tonsils, Be Gone! (The Sequel)

Just an update: our fourth came through her surgery with flying colors, so much so that we just got her home this evening rather than having to stay at the hospital overnight. She doesn’t seem to be feeling nearly as much pain as our third did when she had the same procedure done, but that’s [...]

Tonsils, Be Gone!

Today (and possibly the next week or so) is going to be somewhat demanding as our almost-three-year-old goes in to have her tonsils out.
I won’t bore you with the details; after all, tonsillectomies are about as routine as you can get in terms of surgery. Still, anytime there’s anesthesia involved and you have to watch [...]