Being a father is at the center of who I am today. Most of us will not leave this life having made significant contributions to the arts and humanity, or have invented a major scientific or technological breakthrough. Darn few of us will leave behind the kind of wealth to make an important impact on society.
But those of us who are lucky enough to be parents will, if all goes well, leave our children behind to make their impacts. Like ripples on a still pond after you throw a stone in, their effects will be far broader than our small efforts.
Being a father is more important that anything I can thank of. Teaching discipline without being harsh. Encoraging success without work or activites becoming all-consuming. Helping the little ones learn that respect for everyone is important. Developing a balanced sense of self, family and community.
Having great kids helps. I sure know it helped my dad! I have been gifted with two young people who humble me. I am a dance dad and a baseball dad and I love every minute of it! They have no idea how happy I am when family friends and even strangers tell me that John and Emma are smart, happy, children who value fairness and enjoy life. They've made my journey as a father far easier than I know it is for others.
I've spent the weekend in the company of some of the best fathers I know at Tabernacle's 17th Annual Pinelands Classic. Whether it's coaching the young men (and women), dragging and lining fields, or working the concession stand grills, these men have it figured out. I am lucky to have so many friends who put parenting first.
After we get moving a bit, we are headed back to Delco to celebrate our annual Father's Day Crab Fest. There, I will again be surrounded by some of the best fathers I know. People who have taught me that blood is thicker than water and that family comes first in all things. It will be a lot of work, but a lot of fun and that's why we have done some form of Crab Fest for four generations now.
A special thank you to the fathers who are serving our country both at home and abroad. The sacrifices that you and your families have endured for the benfit of the many do not go unnoticed. The police offices, fire fighters and first responders who leave the comfort of their homes each day not knowing if they will kiss their children again also deserve 'most-favored father' status today. I can't imagine doing it and all I can say is thank you.
Finally, thank you dad. I appreciate all you have done and continue to do for me, for Carin and Matt, and for your grandchildren. I love you.
Today was one of those moments as a dad.
Emma dresses herself most days. It takes about 35 minutes on a good day. An hour on a bad day. This morning she came out of her room wearing the dress and boots outfit pictured here. I raised my eyebrows a bit. It's not her usual look for school, but she switches it up now and then.
So when we got home tonight I asked her why she wore the dress today. She said 'I know it is getting too small and that it's a winter dress. I wanted to wear it one more time. My doll has a dress just like it.'
She wasn't sad, just matter-of-fact. She's growing up. A little more every day.
'Let's go take a picture,' I said. And we did and she went back to memorizing her poem for school. My little one is getting so grown up.
Robert Sherman, who, with his brother Richard, created dozens of songs for Disney over the years, died yesterday at 86. Today's Wordless Wednesday is pre-empted for a Wordful Wednesday to note his passing.
The Sherman's songs mean a lot to me as the father of an 8 year old girl, who, despite her recent interest in the more daring rides at Disneyworld, still loves the 'It's A Small World' ride with the heart of a little girl. We've been on the ride dozens of times in our visits to the park, and this image is from our December, 2010 trip.. It's with a bright gleam in her eye that she joyfully claps her hands and sings the lyrics even today, when she is just as likely to shoot you a doleful look if you ask her to sing for you.
The man who gave her just a bit of that joy passed away yesterday. He also had a hand in many other Disney classics, notably 'Mary Poppins,' which won him an Oscar, and "Winnie the Pooh.' While you can debate the musical merits of 'Chitty Chitty, Bang Bang,' you've got no heart if you don't love 'It's A Small World!'
It took about 30 minutes, but all the presents are unwrapped and the stockings are down and we're pawing through the piles of loot. Santa did a good job here according to the kids!
All is prepared. There is still some wrapping to do, but for the most part, it's all waiting now. And trying to behave!
Well, we don't have a chimney, but we did it old school on the railing like when I was a kid! We've just about wrapped up the decorating here in Medford. There's some wrapping to do today and a quick run out for 2 small gifts, but otherwise, everything's set!
How are your preparations going?
My Christmas vacation has started and one of the best parts is a little extra time every morning with Emma. Today it's a little breakfast at Dunkin Donuts!
We had a great weekend with so many family and friends and this is a wonderful way to start our week!
Emma has been dying to put her tree up, so today I made sure we had a few minutes in between running all over Burlington County to get her little pink tree set up in her room. Last Christmas it didn't come down until July!
John hasn't found the time to put his tree up yet, but he always makes sure the first thing he does when he comes home is to turn on the
lights for the big tree in the living room. My guess is he will get around to putting his up tomorrow. He was too busy texting his buddies today after returning to the land of cell phone service.
I can only imagine what the Chinese prison laborers think as they are stuffing these little trees in boxes so we can buy them for $5 and cover them with little glitter covered foam balls!
Somewhere along the line my kids started eating their pasta piled on top of their garlic bread. They also always require mac and cheese to be served with ham so they can dip the ham in the cheese sauce.
Weird kids! But no weirder than I am I guess, given that I like my red wine chilled way cooler than standard and my beer far warmer than is generally served here in the states.
Got any food oddnesses of your own?
Emma has managed to find a quiet moment after the happy chaos of last night to begin writing her letter to Santa. It's a really sweet moment for me as a dad so be sitting her happily sipping my coffee and watching her.
It's in the noises and movements of children that there is peace. I hope that you are all enjoying your time with family and friends as we go through the annual parties, gatherings and rituals leading up to the holidays.
While the kids play in Swarthmore, Uncle Kevin and I are headed over to Brookhaven to put up the lights at my parents. Then it's back to Medford for some snuggling time on the couch in front of the tree.
Have a great day!
Anyone who reads these pages knows I am completely devoted to my daughter Emma. Some days are just a bit more trying than others, though and today was one of them. Thanks to my many friends who have contacted me tonight after my exasperated Facebook post a bit earlier. You are all correct. She's a super little girl who cares deeply about everyone she meets and loves her friends and family with all her heart.
I guess maybe the wonderful weekend we had kind of made a tough day an inevitability. On Friday, Emma got a great report card, so we took her and her BFF out to lunch. Then we had a wonderfully fun afternoon visiting her best friend's house. We went to the book fair and community night at school and then out to dinner at The Pub with a bunch of our Tabernacle friends. Emma wrapped up the evening with her first sleep over at a friend's house and she loved every minute of it.
Saturday was no less packed, as Emma hosted her friend for a few hours and then we headed over to Swarthmore for my niece Ellie's 5th birthday. Cake, ice cream, presents and some very happy kids! We wrapped that night up with her second sleepover. After a communal brunch Sunday with the Ranson and Newsome clans, we headed back to Medford for an afternoon of much needed-relaxing and a wonderful pork loin dinner.
I said earlier today that I am trying to raise a young woman who is strong and self-assured. 'You're succeeding,' a friend pointed out. 'But that makes everything just a bit harder.'
So when I think back over what I am sure was one of Emma's best weekends ever, and consider all that she is as an 8 year old, I must agree with you all that she deserves a pass for today. Thanks everyone for the attitude adjustment!
Tuesday we found out that John was selected to play travel baseball again next spring. That good news came on the heels of Emma's completion of her first season of soccer and at the end of two really long days of work for me. On the spur of the moment, I decided a little family celebration was in order and we headed to PJ Whelihan's in Medford Lakes for an impromptu dinner out.
While it was a luxury we really can't afford right now, it ended up being a great night as PJs was filled with families doing pretty much the same thing we were. The restaurant hires a balloon artist on Tuesdays, so everyone had brightly colored headdresses and there was a lot of laughter in the air. Emma did her homework and chatted with classmates, John watched the big screen TVs while talking baseball and we all relaxed for an unexpected hour of fun.
I've never been a big fan of the PJ's chain, but this night may have turned the corner for me. Emma's meal, which included a drink and dessert was only $5.99. My fish tacos were $7.99. John, as usual, was the big spender with a bacon cheese burger and crab fries that topped out at $13.99. Emma enjoyed her chicken fingers, which were nothing special, John's burger was cooked just the way he likes it and my fish tacos were good-sized and had great flavor. I never knew the family night was a big thing there, but the balloon artist said the place is packed every week during the school year.
We had a chance to talk about school without me running around like a crazy man trying to get dinner together, the kids had nice night out and there were no dishes to do!
Maybe we will have to make it a tradition to celebrate the little things there more often!
Yesterday, Emma played the last game of her soccer season for the TAA "Green Machine." She thoroughly enjoyed her first year of soccer, and I enjoyed coaching her and her friends. I still say anyone must be qualified to coach soccer if I can, but it was still a great time.
Emma has begun to understand how to move to the ball and how to use her size against smaller, quicker players. She has gotten a lot better at being able run around for the whole game without losing interest or getting tired. She has been one of the first to volunteer to play when other kids don't want to.
I'm very proud of all that she learned and I wish we had her play soccer before this fall. It was a far better experience for her than the T-Ball experience two years ago! The last game was not a win, but the trophy helped the sting of the loss. Thanks to Coach Dave and Coach Jim for really doing the real work of coaching this year.
John's fall baseball season ended a while back, the last games a casualty of the freak pre-Halloween snowstorm that hit the Mid-Atlantic. His War Eagles squad really came together this fall, winning the last 5 games of the season. He is a big boy who is still growing into his long legs and big frame. He's got a lot of potential and determination, but his progress this fall was incremental rather than spectacular.
John loves playing baseball and is a darn good pitcher, but his footspeed limits what he can do in the field. His bat began to come around this fall after some coaching that found a problem with his swing. Tryouts for the spring War Eagles teams were held last weekend and he did well, and he is on pins and needles waiting to see if he made the team.
For me, this fall season probably brings to close my 6 years of youth coaching. The fall has been a struggle for me to balance coaching duties, work schedules and getting the kids where they need to be every day. As John has moved up the baseball ladder, my ability to help the teams he is on has been smaller and smaller. While Emma and I enjoyed me helping her soccer team this year, there are plenty of folks who can do what I did for the team.
Sometimes something has to give when you are a single dad, and I have known this moment was coming for some time. Coaching my kids has given me some of the happiest moments of my life. Seeing them grow and succeed, have fun with their friends and learn some hard lessons has been an absolute privilege. Thankfully, there are lots of good coaches in baseball program to be able to help my son develop. I'm still not sure how good a soccer coach I was, so I am sure someone (anyone) can fill those shoes!
I'll still be at the games, and some of the practices, but I'll be in the stands with the other dads and moms, taking my pictures, grumbling about the coaches and enjoying every minute of it!
I wish I had taken more pictures yesterday. It's a day I want to remember for the rest of my life. There was nothing super special about it, but the sum total was one of those days that you never want to have end. It was Election Day and the kids were off from school. I had made a decision several months ago to take the day as well. As it turned out, the weather was glorious, with brilliant blue skies, some orange and red leaves still hanging on, and temperatures hitting 72 degrees.
Emma and I started the day teaching each other to paint her nails. Now I am a doting father, and I don't get too hung up on gender roles, but this was not something I have done before for her. In between the color and glitter coats, I made her French toast and we chatted about school and Halloween and her friend's pug. She ate every bit of her breakfast and gave me a big hug, burying her buttery face in my shirt and saying, 'That was great, I love you Daddy.'
After we got things cleaned up, it was time to vote. Emma was very interested in voting this year, and she pressed all the buttons for me. We spent some time talking about 'important US symbols' and 'just important American stuff.' I explained what an election was, who we were voting for and why and talked about leaders and decisions. Some pretty big concepts, but she seemed to get them pretty well.
After our civics lesson, Emma begged for some time at the park, so we headed over to the swings and slides and she ran shrieking with joy from one to the other until it was time to go get her brother.
On of john's friends is having some serious family health issues right now, so John had spent the night there, but by lunch time, the air guns and Wii games were kind of boring, so Emma and I went over to pick them up. Everyone was pretty hungry after spending most of the morning outside, so we headed over to Prospector's for lunch on their indoor/outdoor patio. John saw a few of his former classmates from Mount Laurel, we all enjoyed our root beers and watched the Penn State debacle on ESPN.
After that we were looking for a way we could all go the same place for a few hours. The library had books for Emma and newspapers for me, as well computers for John and his buddy. We killed an easy two hours before heading back home.
The boys headed off to the creek to do some exploring and Emma and I enjoyed some reading time out on the porch. She headed off for a bit with a friend for some ice cream and I sat in the late autumn sun and was thankful for a day that had brought me so many small, but special moments.
In the evening it was time to get ready for the next day, organizing lunches, doing neglected homework, following election returns. The day slipped away quietly, but I wanted to make sure I wrote it all down, so that I would always have it. Thanks for sharing it with me!
While her brother is showing off his 'Moves Like Jagger' at the school dance, Emma and I are enjoying ice cream sundaes at Leo's. I hope everyone is enjoying the start to the weekend!
It's absolutely incredible to me that my daughter Emma turns 8 today. It seems like just yesterday she was a tiny little thing on a respirator, stubbornly fighting her way into the world. Today she is a sweet, sometimes sassy study of a suburban tween girl who loves her shoes, her dance, her soccer and Justin Beiber.
She's my observant child, always checking things out, noting when someone has a new haircut or a cool new pair of shoes. She's whip-smart, an enthusiastic reader who loves to write, do her art and dreams about being a dance teacher. She is a firm teacher when working with her babies and loves to help in the kitchen.
A close follower of all things Justin Beiber, Emma also follows pop music and fashion trends closely. She is a girl's girl, avoiding dirt, but really getting into things that are pink. She enjoys taking pictures and shopping, is always up for a chat on the phone and can be counted on to ask me every night to read her another book to push off bedtime just a bit longer.
Still there are days when my little angel is a bit of a mystery to me. She is often able to entertain herself for hours and will get upset if you bother her. Other times, she needs you to constantly pay attention to her and her pretty little face will cloud over if you don't have a moment for her right then. Generally she is easy going ans cheerful and very tolerant of her older brother. Occasionally (especially when she is tired) all heck will break loose over the tiniest perceived problem.
I am so grateful that she has a tough spirit and a positive outlook about everything in her life. She's had some tough times for a child and I am ever so lucky that she has come through them so well. I am also so thankful for all the people who have helped me along the way to understand my little girl. A single dad with a smart, willful energetic girl is very lucky to have such a tremendous array of moms, grand mothers and other friends and family to fall back on when I have questions. We're a happy little family with a lot of love and support.
Emma's a super little girl, one of the most perfect little people I have ever known. It makes me so happy to see her when she comes running up to me. I know there are tougher days coming as she gets older, but today I just want to see her as the wonderful kid she has always been.
Happy Birthday Emma! I love you so much!
We hope you enjoyed trick or treating as much as we did! Medford really put out a great spread for the kids! There are some really spooky houses, especially our neighbor on Filbert Street and a very cool house on Branch Street that has scary speakers set up in the graveyard.
Happy Halloween!
We are walking a busy Main Street in Medford today, taking a look at all of the scarecrows set up for the annual contest. It's a lot of fun for a nice Sunday!
It's a beautiful day here in South Jersey and the Another Delco Guy clan is getting ready for a full day of soccer and baseball with a morning meal at Medport Diner.
We all have our uniforms (and our hair) adjusted just so. Our cooler is packed with between game meals. Distracting activities for Emma are all ready to go for the second baseball game.
We are looking forward to a great day in the beautiful autumn weather. Enjoy your Saturday as well!
It's the unexpected, stolen moments that make having a little girl so much fun. Everyone have a good week!
John had a great time yesterday with his buddies Stevie and Dev at La Campagnola's Octoberfest. The fun continued at the Duffs' house last night and today the hits were plentiful as John and Stevie's War Eagles team beat up on the Marlton Reds 17-7.
We are on the way to Delco to watch he Birds with the family. Everyone have a great day!
The girls and Duff had a good time yesterday too, enjoying the moonbounce, face painting, and assorted other parking lot fun.
Yes, I know it's only September, but Emma has been persistent, so the house is now fully decorated. We got our pumpkins at Johnson's Farm again this year. It was very crowded and not nearly the dazzling day we had last year, but it was cool and easy to do all the things we wanted to do for our visit on Saturday.
On Sunday, we hit Produce Junction for some fall mums. Emma was very specific about which flowers she wanted. John stayed in the CRV. We spent Sunday afternoon eating nachos, decorating the house and hanging our Halloween lights. Yes we have Halloween lights.
Don't you?
The Marlton team didn't show up, so the War Eagles are all dressed for the dance with no dance partner.
I guess we will head home and decorate for Halloween. Sigh.
I had everything out to make breaded chicken tonight. I had salad, garlic bread, and some veggies. We were all set to go.
But my little princess is having a bit of a bad day, so we decided that a trip to her favorite restaurant might fix things. So far it seems to be working.
There isn't much time left for the fix to be as easy as a trip to Chil-fil-A, so I will savor this while I can.
We all know what success looks like or feels like. The effusive warmth of accomplishment. The buoyancy of being surrounded by well-wishers. The energy of the celebration.
We all get a few such moments in our lives. Some of us get more moments than others. Some of the moments are more ecstatic than others. There's always a coming down after a success, a period of quiet, of withdrawal. And, at least for me, of wondering. Wondering when the next success will come or if that's it for a while.
Unless you're the Philadelphia Phillies of the last 5 years.
In which case, it's just one success after another, from winning the NL East 5 consecutive times, to having a parade, to signing the best rotation in baseball.
My baseball-crazy 11 year old son John wears #34 for his baseball team in honor of his favorite Phillie, Roy Halladay. He got to witness in person the Phils clinching the NL East over the weekend. It was his second time seeing it in person, the first being that magical Spetember 27th of 2008.
I'm 41. I've only seen them clinch in person once.
Now thankfully the one I witnessed was with him in '08, but it led met to consider how my son thinks about the Phillies and approaches success in general. In his memory, the Phillies have always been a winner. There's always been Red October. He's never known the disappointment of a baseball season that is over before the dog days of August. I am not sure he's ever been to a Phils' game that wasn't sold out.
This run has almost ensured that John will be a Phillies fan for life. The excitement, the passion of the city and region, the sheer joy of it all make it a certainty. But what has it done to prepare him for the lean times that will most certainly come at some point?
Since the stadium is packed every night and the streets of Philadelphia are flooded with red shirts and hats, it may not be for a while. But one day this train will slow down. A free agent will sign elsewhere. One too many prospects will be traded away. Reuben Amaro won't pull off the miracle trade deadline deal. And Red October will fade. How will this new generation of fans approach a team that is .500. What will Citizens Bank Park feel like on a future September night when the home team is just playing out the string in front of 25,000 morose folks?
On a larger note, how has this unparalleled athletic success of the region's baseball team affected what young fans will accept as success in general. Does it have to be straight A's, or is a C in the mix ok? Does it have to be Ivy League, or is a state school ok? Is rec league acceptable, or is it travel team or bust?
I'm just not sure. But for now, it doesn't really matter. The Phils are in the playoffs and (with the exception of the NBA season) Philly sports is in a pretty darn good place. We can all live vicariously thought the exploits of men who make millions to play a game. And for a few more weeks we can savor their success as our own.
Emma is very proud of the work she did on her "Classmate in a Box" project this week. She took a shoebox, decorated it with colored paper (while I applied spray glue to my hands and living room) and then added decorations and items that are important to her.
It was hard for Emma to narrow down her important items. In the end, she included Christmas ornaments from our trips this summer to Maine and Cape May, a mini snow globe from one of her favorite spots, the Seaside Heights Boardwalk, some cranberry items from her mother's farm and a Zhu-Zhu pet mini magazine.
Her photographs were: a shot of her dance friends at their recital, one from Medford of Emma and John, one from her soccer game, one from my birthday, a picture of her with her grandparent's puppy and one of she and her mom in the NICU. The outside of the box was done one theme to a side, with stickers to match for dance, soccer, art and family things. Emma finished the project by spelling out her name with sticky letter and adding Tinkerbell and fairy princess stickers to the top of the box.
Emma did a great job figuring out what she wanted to to and putting it all together. I only helped show her how to measure the colored paper. She did the rest and was very certain on how she wanted everything to be. It's always hard to decide what to keep from school projects, but I think this project is a keeper because she can use it to store things that are important to her.
And up for tonight - John's Back to School Night!
My kids go to school where their mom lives in Tabernacle Township, one town over from where we live in Medford. It's a pretty good school district, perhaps not quite as technologically savvy as the Mount Laurel schools they used to attend, and not really very diverse, but just fine as public schools go. The teachers are good people, the kind of folks who are active in their community, approachable and well-trained.
Tabernacle is a very small town and a pretty quiet place. Everyone pretty much knows everyone else or at least knows someone who does. News travels pretty quickly and sometimes it can be a bit like being in a fishbowl. So I was pretty surprised when I began seeing singes like the one above on all of the teachers' cars in the parking lots in the morning when I drop the kids off. I read the local newspapers every day (online of course) and there had not been a word mentioned about the the Tabernacle teachers not having a contract or their decision to work though the labor issues.
I have no idea what the contract status is, where the talks stand or what the potential is for a strike. I am a firm believer in teacher unions and in their right to collectively bargain and in some cases, to strike. Usually though, the issues are fairly publicly debated, sometimes quite heatedly. It's kind of odd to see this quiet job action happening and not know what the issues are.
On one hand, I'd much rather have teachers working under contract. Everyone - teachers, parents, students and taxpayers deserve the certainty that a contract brings to a school district. On the other had, if talks are continuing and things will be settled soon, this kind of job action is really about the best you could hope for as a parent. My kids aren't affected, there aren't 'informational pickets' in the morning, and presumably the contract will soon be worked out.
I hope.
Here in the Mid-Atlantic region, we've just finished the first weekend of the school year. Temperatures are still warm and there is a goodly touch of humidity to remind us that the dreaded dog days of August are not too far in the past.
It always seems like the first week and weekend of school are jammed packed with forms to fill out, meetings, activities, games, homework and everything else under the sun. We're coming off just such a week and even after the weekend, I feel exhausted.
I started with my annual fantasy football draft on Labor Day. I was getting out this year, but my brother convinced me to come back and try to improve on my 4th place finish from last year. The draft food, provided by Shane and Maria Zack of Rosalita's Fresh Mexican was stellar and mean I probably need to make a trip out to Malvern some day soon. I picked first this year and grabbed Adrian Peterson, who immediately underperformed in Week 1. Typical.
After one last night out, it was back to school on Wednesday for the kiddies, with John starting 6th grade and Emma going into 2nd. John has a real 'big kid' schedule, with 11 different teachers including all the 'specials.' I guess I need to begin saving for his teacher holiday gifts now. Emma's teacher is actually a neighbor of ours! In a fascinating coincidence, she used to live in the house that we moved into in August. Emma now sleeps in the same bedroom as her teacher did a decade or two ago.
After dentist appointments and sports practices last week, the weekend heralded the real beginning of fall sports season. John's travel baseball team had a scrimmage against the 11U NJ state champion Sacred Heart Angels. He was our starting pitcher and worked an economical 2 innings, giving up 2 hits and no earned runs, walking no one with a K. He struggled a bit at the plate however, getting caught looking on an outside corner pitch that is his nemesis. His War Eagles dropped the game 5-1, but really played quite well for their first game of 'real baseball' on the 50-70 field.
Emma had her first ever soccer game on Saturday morning. She enjoyed herself despite the mugginess. She had one really good series bringing the ball up the field for a scoring opportunity. While she prefers to play defense, we are still working on some basic concepts with the team. Apparently ANYONE can coach youth soccer, as I have been tabbed as an assistant. Prior to Emma joining soccer this year, I am pretty sure the last time I was on a soccer field was for Mr. Logue's gym class at St, James in 1987.
Saturday afternoon marked the return of the annual Pesotski Crabfest, hosted this year by my sister Carin and her husband Kevin. Normally Crabfest is held on Father's Day, but Emma had her Dance Recital on Father's Day this year and my father was under the weather, so we re-scheduled. It was an enjoyable afternoon, not nearly as hot as some of our previous gatherings and the food, beverages and company were excellent.
An added benefit of waiting until late in the crab season is that prices were the lowest in memory, with my brother Matt snagging a bushel for the unheard of price of $150 at Seafood Connection in Linwood. I found a nice selection of fall beers at Medford Wine and Spirits, including Seirra Nevada's amazing Tumbler.
We wrapped the weekend up yesterday with baseball practice, some football on TV, John's late summer reading essays and Emma's forthcoming 'Classmate in a Box' project.
Things don't slow down at all this week with dance class starting up tonight, 2 practices, back to school night and a baseball tournament looming for the weekend. How are the other daddy an mommy bloggers handling what Jennifer terms 'the layering on of activities' that begins the school year?
School starts tomorrow for my kids and we are out for a last special night together before it's time to tote the backpacks!
It's cold and gray outside. There is a hint of woodsmoke in the air. Geese honk softly above. It's Thanksgiving in America. While this has not been an easy year For Another Delco Guy, there is still much to be thankful for.
The recession finally directly visited our doorstep this year as Char lost her job in July in the wake of Gov. Chris "Chainsaw" Christie's budget cuts to schools across our state. Through a ton of work and perseverance on her part, she has found new work since then, but it's been a struggle in a lot of ways.
We had to take the kids out of the schools they love a few weeks back, but they are adjusting to their "new normal" and have really been an inspiration to me as I have been rolling with this year's punches. There is nothing in my life I am as thankful for as the love that John and Emma bring to our home. Wether it's dancing with joy on stage or triumphantly striking out the side, they are really amazing children who have brought us so much laughter and happiness.
I'm a pretty lucky guy. I've got a solid job at a great place. I was able to get an education that has given me virtually everything I could have hoped for in life. I am able to write, travel and live pretty much as I please. My freedoms are protected by the service of men and women who I have never met and who place themselves in harm's way for my family and our country. I thank them today for their service to our nation. I also thank all the teachers and mentors who have helped me at every stop in my life. I may not be where I thought I would be, but where I am is a pretty darn good spot!
The men and women who, in 1620, came to what would become the United States left everything they knew, persevered though horrible weather and hardships that make my life look regal. After the harvest of 1621, the remaining colonists gathered with the local native Americans and shared a simple meal. From that first peaceful meal, grew the Thanksgiving tradition we have today. The values that they set forth then, of shared sacrifice, hard work, freedom of choice and providing for a community's education and defense are the foundations of our great country today.
A small tradition here at Another Delco Guy is Norman Rockwell's Freedom from Want, which always graces our page on Thanksgiving. It reminds me of the great Thanksgivings of my childhood in my grandparent's house back in Delaware County. This is our fifth Thanksgiving day post and Norman has been here since the beginning. I am thankful for a childhood that taught me to not take anything for granted. My parents and grandparents worked hard to make sure that we had all that we needed and then some. I hope I can do as well for my children.
Today is my favorite holiday. We will be surrounded by family and friends who will come from far and wide to our little house with their offerings of food and friendship. All of those who will be here and the family and friends who are celebrating elsewhere but have been so incredible to me over the years are the reason that my life is great and Thanksgiving is the best holiday of the year. We will celebrate each others company, watch football, remember those who can't be here, become thoughtful about all that we have to give thanks for and finally fall asleep against each other in front of the fire.
And that's the way it should be. Happy Thanksgiving America!
Emma is Seven! The days of me having to read Emma her birthday cards are gone and she is no longer a tiny little thing. She is a big first grader now and can read her cards all on her own!
Far from the tiny thing she was when she was born, Emma is now a poised, mature seven year old who enjoys her dance classes, drawing and coloring, cooking and taking care of her babies.
She likes all of her gifts this morning, from a new dress and some things for her Zhu Zhu pet to do as well as the new Tinkerbell DVD from her brother.
Emma is a sweet girl who makes us all happy with her smiles and her great hugs. Happy birthday Princess!
I've long thought the first day of school should be a national holiday. Given the number of posts from Mommy bloggers today, it seems that many folks either took the day off (me), or were a bit late making it into the office.
After I was informed that it was 'geeky' to wait for the bus with my newly-minted middle-schooler John, I retreated to telephoto lens distance to document his wait for the bus. Not wanting to completely mortify him, I skipped shots of him actually getting on the bus, and settled for a few during his 20 plus minute wait for Mount Laurel Schools Bus #1. He's the last kid to board and apparently some of the other parents did not show my restraint in capturing the morning's activities. Thus the delay.
As our bus (both kids ride the same bus, just about an hour apart) sped off, Emma finished up her breakfast and got herself ready for her first day of first grade by reading "Twas the Night Before First Grade." I was actually permitted to wait out front for the bus with Emma. Apparently the cutoff is Middle School. We got some nice photos of my little angel in her first day dress smiling in the long shadows of September. She was a bit less than patient during the wait. When it was time, Emma practically ran up the steps to the bus and was off!
And then there was quiet.
Now though, they are back with piles of homework for me to read and to sign, lists of more things that we need to get from Target and the Jackson Outlets. The first day went well it seems, for both the first grader and the middle schooler. John thought his homeroom teahcer, Mr. gaddy was 'cool, real cool,' and enjoyed gym the most. (We've got a guys trip to target for deodorant on tap for tonight). Emma said her teacher Mrs. Basham was 'super nice,' and lso got a hug from her Kindergarten teacher from last year, Mrs. Kinkler. Emma brought greetings home for John from his teachers last year Mrs. Siweic and Mrs. Cohen.
Both prefer the bus to being picked up and dropped off. Neither wants to pack tomorrow, both preferring to chance the 'chicken patty' over the potential of being teased for brown bagging it. Special thanks to Mount Laurel Schhols PR chief Marie Reyonlds for helping me though how to log into the cafeteria system!
Tomorrow the first full school day of the year, with lockers and changing classes as the new things for John and the cafeteria and lunch line for Emma. It's only a 2 ½ day week with the secular and Jewish holidays making for a light first week, so we will be easing back into to the school year before reality sets with 5 full days next week!
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