Singin' Girl

Meggies end of the year music program. Yes, I am months behind.

Giving Thanks

A few days ago, I sat Michael down to write a few of his endless birthday thank yous. I dread the minutes spent eeking out 3 or 4 of them. They are much like pulling teeth that are firmly rooted. The threats of returning each and every gift that has no thank you written for it is only a momentary re-focusing tool. Anyway, we sat down and got to work. We had done MAYBE two and were starting the third when he started futzing around with something (maybe the eraser on his pencil?) and I said, "Michael, don't be losing interest now!" and a look that was nothing short of revelation came over his face. He looked at me with wide eyes and said, "Well I don't have ANY interest in this!"

I think he actually thought that my belief that he was actually interested in writing thank you notes could be voided and so the need for them would also disappear.

Dad Entry #42

Michael asked me tonight, “Do Jedi have to take baths, or showers?” (We read a Star Wars book and, before lights-out, told a story with Jedi characters.) So his brain was really churning and, not surprisingly, out popped a deep question. Deep? Yes, because Michael wasn’t equating himself to a Jedi. And he wasn’t asking which they take, baths or showers. The way he asked it, I could tell Michael’s curiosity was centered around this thought, “Do beings with powers still have to do ordinary things?” Do Jedi have to clean themselves? How mundane! Do they put their pants on one leg at a time? (Maybe not since they have The Force at their disposal!). Do superheroes sleep? Do they ever make themselves a snack? What about their laundry? Do they ever reach for the toilet paper and find it down to the cardboard. Empty. Bummer. I explained that some Jedi are human. Obi Wan Kenobi and Luke Skywalker, for example. So I would assume they shower or bathe just like we do. And Anakin Skywalker is not only human, he’s also Padme’s boyfriend. I emphasized this as significant, although I think Michael was incredulous. Yep, after a long day of battling Separatists, it is Padme who insists Anakin wash off the dirt from foreign planets, the soot on his face from chasing enemies on speeders, the debris from evil battle droids he’s light sabered in half, or maybe oil stains from repairing his shot-up starfighter engines. Not to mention, he probably sweats a little, especially on Tatooine, his home planet, which is a desert climate. Then I anticipated Michael’s next question. What about Jedi like Yoda and Kit Fisto; they are both green and strange-looking, which is to say, distinctly not human. I admitted I’m no expert on alien hygiene. So I told Michael we can just pretend or believe whatever we want to. I braced myself for more questions like, “Yoda is really short, do you think he uses a stool at the sink like Megan?” (How demeaning for a Jedi Master!!!) Uh-oh, now I can't stop wondering… does Yoda have his own miniature facilities? He must. A low showerhead. A restroom like at Michael’s preschool outfitted for little people. So many things to think about…

Our Lebron

If Ted Williams Hit Righty....

Dad Entry #41

I had a visitor this morning. Meg-Pie hopped into bed with me at about 6:15. She jibber-jabbered a little and situated herself with blankets and ‘pets’ (her medley of stuffed animals) next to me. The thought of this simple moment makes my heart swell. Yes, her sweet voice, like an angel’s, her cute little self, well, like my own little heart-warmer. She was tranquil, rested, happy. Which, some days, is a Megan mood-set that seems more rare than a Cubs World Series. I was sleepy, and she was talking softly, so I don’t remember anything she said except, “Daddy, are we going to Minnesota today?”

I got teary-eyed at Michael’s first tee-ball game. There, I said it. Why? Maybe because if you added up all the hours I’ve spent on a diamond, well, it would be many weeks, or months. To see my son playing was, I don’t know, some kind of surreal circle-of-life experience or something. And he hit the ball well. And he looked excited to do it, to step up there and rip it. In the field he did okay, especially when he endeavored to pick and fill his glove with grass. But he’s having fun, and at this age there is nothing else. You can work with 5 and 6-year-olds on the very basics, but let’s be real. He’s a kindergartner. Signals and squeeze plays, the infield fly rule, throwing sliders with finger pressure... we’ll start all that next year. I think right now he prefers Pokemon, Bionicles, Legos, playing ‘kung-fu’ and ‘hide-and-seek’ with me and Megs. We do those things mostly.

Michael mentions his penis a lot these days. In the bath tub he’ll say, “Megan kicked my penis and that is really terrible for my penis.” Of course I agree and oversee appropriate precautionary measures like instructing him to turn around so when Megan submerges to rinse her hair, she doesn’t kick his penis. When wrestling, he'll remark, “It would really hurt if my penis got stomped.” Again, I nod agreement, but try not to make a big deal out of his comment. Of course, he’s giggling and I don’t want to throw gas on the fire. But now Megan is catching on; yesterday she told me her puppy has a penis.

Found a Slip of Paper...

that says:

September 2008: Michael
"I can't wait for the first time I kill a bad guy when I'm seven."

Down On The Farm

Today Meggie's preschool went on a field trip...

1. Her first bus ride!! She was only mildly impressed on the way. On the way home it was old news.

2. The big, and very red, barn. And a lovely clear blue sky.

3. Meg and this mama cow had a staring contest that lasted an unusually long time. The cow did eventually win.

4. This is mama's baby. Very timid and very adorable.

5. Megan, the original cowgirl. She was atop Maverick, who appeared to have been drugged.

6. Meg and her friend, Alanna, taming a concrete turtle.

7. Megan and Alanna = monkeys

8. Teeny little face.

9. A very gleeful roll in the grass. Not the hay, the grass.

10. This tree rocked. It was old and scraggly and just beautiful. I took its picture about 50 times, but I thought I'd at least show it to you with a little Meggie at it's base.

11. This is what life would look like if you lived on a few acres. Except I imagine the grass would not be quite so perfectly mowed.

The Painted Lady Sideshow

Guess who figured out how to apply tatts by herself? And THIS MANY...in only about 7 minutes!

Singing the Townhouse Blues

Sand box in a roll-away. Sad. And a dinosaur attack in the brush...set design by Megan Cox.

Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice

So this is Megan. Megan after a lot of outdoor play. Megan coming down with whatever Michael and I just had. Megan crying. Then Megan yelling at me to "GO AWAY!" Note tendons bulging in her neck.

Hangin' in the Fort

In case you are wondering, I think that might be carrot in Michaels mouth. Maybe cheese. They would not come out for lunch, so lunch went in.

Ode to Snakesie

Star Student

Today Michael was worried. Last Sunday, Megan left her crayon bag at church. This morning, Michael remembered that and after we dropped Megan at school (he had the day off), he asked to go over there to see if it was in the lost and found. I agreed. On the way, he was, at best, obsessed. What if we can't find it? Would someone take it? What do we do?!

Michael: What can we do if it's not there?

Me: Well, not a lot.

silence

Michael: But what if it's not there?!

Me: Well, if it's not there, it's not there. We won't see it and won't be able to bring it home and it will be gone.

Michael: BUT...

Me: Michael, look. We can't make it reappear if it's gone. I don't want you to worry. If it's gone, we'll figure it out. I will call Melissa's mom and ask her to make a new one for Megan, since she made the one that's lost. So just don't worry about it. It really isn't a big problem.

Michael: Melissa, like Bobby's mom?

Me: Yes.

silence

Michael: But I'll be dead if I lose my worry.

Easter: Post Hunt

Cute kids. Fancy pants.

The Fast and The Furious: Easter Morning

Yum

Megan's dressing up is getting pretty elaborate. This was a rockin' ensemble she created, the best part being the backwards tiara. She always wears them this way. Note the sadly and slightly grey tooth. She fell, cut her lip and a few days later the tooth went grey. Boo hoo.

Sugar Face

Papa Visits Megan's Salon and Day Spa

He's brave. And beautiful.

Good Michael Quotes from Days Gone By

November 2007

"Mom, are humans going to get extinct soon?"

"Mom!! My underwear is almost about to get swallowed by my bottom!"

[to a female server at Applebees] " I'm going to send you a picture - a really pretty one. And I'm going to send you a necklace in the mail for Christmas!"



December 2007

M "When Megan dies, I'll be happy."
Me "Michael! That was a terrible thing to say!"
M "Well, when she doesn't die, I'll be a little happy."



April 2008

"Marissa gets mad when I dance with Haley at school. I have to share my body! I know! I can do them both at once!"

[at the suggestion that he play on the rug instead of the couch] "But MOM. The couch is more dignified."


July 2008

[about my tattoo] "Mommy, did you come into the world with that?"

"Laca and caca rhyme in Spanish!"

[at my load, including his sister] "Geez! You have so many things to carry...even a large person!"


March 2009

"Wait! We have to say a prayer to bless the food! 'I pledge the chocolate into the mouth of the United States of America. And to the republic, for which it stands, one nation, under chocolate, for liberty and justice for all.'"

Dad Entry #40

Sorry, this is very long. But shoot, it’s been 4 months since I’ve recorded anything about the kids. They do a lot, and change a lot, in 4 months! Thankfully, Mommy is a terrific photographer and blogger. Pictures are better anyway (every one a thousand words, right?). I wonder what the equation is for video? Maybe we should get more – like soccer and ballet – on video. But is dilution a concern? If rare, what is captured is more precious, isn’t it? Imagine, some day, how much Michael’s family would cherish – if it was all they had – that 5 minutes of footage of him as a little dude. I do wish we had captured, forever, Megan’s so wonderful and thorough prayer below. But catching these beautiful moments is tough, unless the camera’s rolling 24/7. Our video camera rolls more like 1/1. Actually, much less than that. And staging these moments diminishes the otherwise impromptu, genuine nature that makes them so remarkable. As for Megan and prayer, most nights when I ask her if she wants to say one, or if I can say one, she declines. But I guess if she’s inspired, she lets loose a real barrage! That’s right, balance that ‘account’ with God! I might recommend some day – albeit very humbly – more consistency in this area, like in 20 years I’ll make the suggestion if so moved, when she has a little more life behind her to evaluate. Sometimes it takes a few decades anyway, before kids will listen to advice from their parents! As for a relationship with God, well, in some ways it’s premature – healthy children twice Megan’s age can be persuaded to believe in the Tooth Fairy – but I think Meggie is off to a perfect start; she has a real compassionate, nurturing instinct. She stares and appears deeply concerned whenever a kid cries nearby. At Michael’s ‘Spring Fling’ school party, there was a little girl momentarily alone, afraid, and upset on the dance floor. Megan noticed and approached, just to stand right next to her – from what I could tell – and give her a caring look. The little girl was quickly rescued by an older sibling or parent. I think Megan is special in this way; I hope life only strengthens this awareness or characteristic in her. I think it will. After all, there are great nurturers in Megan’s bloodline, not to mention all around us, who maintain this great intuitive capacity to identify and then appropriately assist or comfort a friend or family member or any person in need.

Anyway, we’ve all been busy. Sara and I – like everyone else – are concerned and working harder and longer than ever before in this tough economy. I probably should consult with Motorola attorneys before making any public comments about my employer. Suffice it to say, it’s challenging there (and everywhere). Perhaps now I have to add the old ‘forward looking statements’ disclaimer that must get stamped on anything about anything corporate these days. Maybe we are too litigious, as a society I mean, but Megan and Michael haven’t sued us yet, over too many vegetables, or too few desserts, or too early bedtimes, or Meggie’s paci being retired, or a bump on the knee that might’ve been caused by our hardwood floors or an unsafe layout of furniture in our home, like placing the ottoman two feet in front of – instead of directly against – the couch, such that when Michael launches himself off the couch with hopes of landing – like a trapeze artist – on his designated platform, the ottoman, he comes up a little short and bumps his knee on its edge.

Michael knows I have to be at work more this year and he even knows how things are ‘structured’ there, as evidenced by thoughtful suggestions like, “Daddy, take this page to work and ask your boss if you can color it.” I asked Megan the other day if I could carry her for a bit, since she is kind of a slow walker given her small stride while dawdling along in little boot-cut jeans draped over sparkly pink Chuck Taylor All-Stars. Sparkly and pink is quite the double-whammy for Meg-Pie; maybe she just stops too often to admire her own shoes. Regardless, we needed to pick up the pace (and I love to carry and snuggle her anyway) so I offered transportation. She said, “No Daddy, I have my own feet.” Our favorite game right now is ‘Monster’. It’s basically me playing dead until one of the kids comes forward and prods or tickles me. Maybe I moan or stir but am usually all still and harmless until – suddenly! – I spring to life and grab or chase them down, tickling and wrestling until they subdue me again, mostly by counter-tickling or imaginary methods like touching my arm and hissing as if shocking or injecting me with a temporary paralysis-inducing nerve toxin. Then the game repeats itself over and over; the ‘monster’ is incapacitated and motionless until, well, Michael talks Megan into approaching and rousting me once more. Yeah, it’s true, Michael usually sends Megan; he’s sort of a chicken that way. Or maybe he’s just smart. He needs a dangerous service done and has found and convinced someone else – slightly less intelligent than him, but only so because of age at this point – to do it for him at a super price (nothing). He’s destined for management and a high salary some day! Although the price really isn’t ‘nothing’, because then Michael has to rescue Megan and he is quite brave and active in doing so once the scrum starts. No doubt about it; he’s getting to be a big, strong guy! Although Megan, by having to repeatedly approach the seemingly-knocked-out-but-likely-to-pounce monster, is developing some real courage too!

HALLELUIA

Megan figured out how to BLOW HER NOSE!!!!

The Paci Fairy...

is coming to our house tonight. That's riiiight, I finally talked Megan into giving up the silicone! I've been discussing it in very low-pressure ways with her for about 2 months. We've reviewed Michael's success with pacifier quitting too many times to count. Tonight, she told me she was ready. So we called The Paci Fairy (Grammie) who visits in the wee hours of the night, takes the bowl of pacis from her doorway, leaves a gift for trade and takes said pacis to new babies. Win-win! She put them in the bowl, she didn't fight and she didn't ask for one the whole time she was going to bed. However, as I type, it is 10:11 pm. The last I heard of her was 3 minutes ago. This is a girl that typically goes to sleep at about 7:45. Tomorrow should be a GREAT day, so good thing she's going to preschool! I had to run out to get the gift after bedtime, as I was totally unprepared for her to embrace this idea for some time. The fairy is going to bring a bathtub Ariel doll and will also be sprinkling fairy dust on each of us, as requested. Michael was SO happy to hear that fairy dust gives you good dreams. He said, "Oh my gosh! That is WONderful! I won't have any more nightmares! Are you SURE she'll sprinkle me?!"

Watch Your Back, Beckham.

This was Michael's last soccer class for this session. He was embarrassed that I was taking pictures, but was happy to look at them later and NOT find that he looked "dumb" as he suspected he did when playing soccer. I think he rocks. He's worried that he's not fast enough, but I am more worried that he watches the ball roll right in front of him with no one else around and he is loathe to actually kick it. Dan promised him a quarter for each contact he made with the ball and he earned $1.50 this time! That is a RECORD.