Thing 1: Daddy, why don’t you wear sneakers to work?
Me: I don’t know, I try to be professional I guess.
Thing 1: You’re not a professional. You don’t even play on a team!
Evidently, pro athletes are the only professionals.
Author: suburbandaddy
The President Shops At Costco
Living in a swing state, Virginia, near Washington DC, we’re getting a lot of attention in the media and from the presidential candidates. ? Today, Barack Obama will be in nearby Leesburg. ?The attention sparked a conversation this morning.
Me: ?Barack Obama will be in Leesburg today.
Thing 2: ?He just walks around the streets?
Me: ?No, he’ll be making a speech somewhere with a lot of people.
Thing 1: ?Maybe Costco! ?Costco is pretty big.
(We often go to Costco in Leesburg. ?And last week Robert Griffin III, new quarterback for the Redskins, was reportedly shopping at the same Costco.)
Me: ?I don’t think the president goes to Costco. ?He has people who go shopping for him.
Thing 1: ?Like his wife?
Thing 2: ?No, Mrs. Obama is a doctor
As Cute As It Gets
There are some things that are too cute to resist. This is one of them. I defy you not to say awwww.
The End Is In Sight
There are few milestones as exciting as potty training. The freedom that comes with having a kid out of diapers is tremendous. To say nothing of the cost savings.
Today Thing 4 went in the potty for the first time at home. She has gone at preschool a few times. We aren’t there yet, but I can see the finish line.
We have had at least one kid in diapers for almost 9 years. 9 years! That is a lot of diapers.
Victory At Last
It should never have taken this long. I blame myself, really. There were some early missteps, perhaps, but that’s still no excuse.
Until last week, both Thing 1 and Thing 2, ages 8 and 7, could not ride a bike. A couple years ago we had bikes with training wheels, and took them off to try to learn. But they had some falls, got frustrated, and developed an aversion to anything having to do with riding a bike. This was around the time Thing 4 was born, and Thing 3 was a handful and a half, so it was hard to find the time to teach them.
Finally we had to lay down an ultimatum. It was as much an ultimatum for me than for them. I told them kids their age should know how to ride a bike. It’s like swimming, reading, and tying your shoes.
But I was also thinking, dads with kids of a certain age should have already taught them how to ride a bike. Mission accomplished. Two more to go.
Beach Vacation Summer 2012
We are back from this year’s beach vacation to the Outer Banks of North Carolina. It was fun and exhausting, with some record setting temperatures again this year, but at least we avoided the major storms and power outages back home in Virginia. We did not avoid Thing 1 getting car sick 30 minutes into the ride back home, and throwing up in the back seat of the minivan.? Here is our trip in pictures.
We took a cruise on a real pirate ship. ?Thing 3 wanted the mustache but then complained it was itching so he smeared it all over his face.
Some more scary pirates
I never knew pirates did the limbo.? Thing 4 had the advantage of being able to walk underneath the limbo bar without even bending.
One of the ocean side pools we enjoyed.? This was also the view I had as I cannonballed into the water during the 4th of July Big Daddy Splash Contest.? I did not win.? Not even close.
A colorful sunset.? The picture doesn’t do it justice.
A vacation tradition.? Donuts for breakfast every day.
Another tradition.? Ice cream every day.? In this case, frozen yogurt.? Despite using 2 spoons, Thing 4 still had difficulty getting it in her mouth.
Dressed up for Fourth of July.
Thing 3 is ready for the beach.? He is the most fearless of the 4 in the ocean.? The bigger the wave, the harder the head first crash into the sand, the more he comes up laughing.
Suburban Uncle joined us for a few days.? Don’t expect to sleep late on a vacation with the 4 Things.? You may be subjected to this very early in the morning.
But sleep will happen eventually.? This is what happens at 7:30pm when a 2 year old spends the day at the beach.
On the way home, waiting for the popcorn store to open.
A Day To Celebrate
In Toy Story 3, there is an emotional scene where Andy decides to part with his childhood toys.
There was such emotion or sadness involved when I parted with some toys that have been with us for many years and have left an indelible mark on all of us.
For instance, there is the Thomas ride on train that makes train noises as soon as it moves. The slightest movement. Sometimes, it starts making noise on its own like it’s posessed. We’ve had that toy for at least 6 years and never once changed the batteries, and yet, the noise never stopped.
Then there is the tractor with seats for a duck, pig, car, and farmer. It starts playing Old Macdonald Had A Farm when all the animals are in the right slots. Or when the lights are turned off because it uses a light sensor. Again, the batteries have never been replaced, never run out. It’s possible I even removed the batteries and it still plays that song.
So, as you can see, there is no sadness on my face as I drove a car packed full of old toys to be donated to kids who need them, and their unsuspecting parents.
The Dream Is Shattered
Thing 2: Daddy, will you ever be president?
Me: I don’t think so.
He was very serious when he asked. A seven year old’s image of his father, shattered.