Graduation Day

My Big First Grader.

Yesterday, Philip had his last day of Kindergarten.  My Little Guy isn't so little anymore.  He grows and grows quickly.

There's been a core group of about five of us, parents, who live in the neighborhood and walk our kids to school.  We all got a little choked up as our kids came out and we realized that they were done, and next year our babies were gonna be in school, First Grade, full-time.

It's been a good year.  We all started off a bit scared and apprehensive about how the children would handle it.  

Phil's Server Tip of the Day.

To my customer on Saturday night who ordered a Patty Melt without the bread,

A Patty Melt with no bread isn't a Patty Melt.  It's just a patty with cheese.

Yours,

Server Phil

Morning Picture Project

My Daughter and I.

So I've had this beard for about a year and a half.  It's an alright beard.  The best I've ever grown.  I've been trying to grow a beard since I was old enough to grow hair on my chin.  It hasn't always been pretty.  But I've tried for acouple of reasons:

1.  I hate to shave.  Hate it.  Dragging a razor across my face once a day just isn't any fun for me.  
   
2. The wife likes it.  Don't ask me why.
3. I guess there's only two.

But this really isn't about my beard.

What I really want to know is, by having a beard, am I insuring my daughter will always go for guys with beards?

Morning Picture Project

Parental Philosophy: Questions and Answers.

There was recently a big brouhaha in Seattle about a lesbian couple being asked to stop kissing at a Mariner's game.  That's fine and all.  Public displays of affection, by anyone, depending on the degree, would make any of us want to throw up.  That isn't what struck me about the article.  What struck me was peoples quoted reaction to the scenario.

"I'd have to explain what's going on to my kids."

That's the reason some people gave when asked why they might have a problem with two women kissing in public.

To them I say, "That's the job.  You're parents."

One constant inquiry of my oldest is on the subject of death.  We drive by a number of cemeteries out here in the 'Burbs.  Philip will often comment, "That's Heaven.  Right, Daddy?"  Or, "That's where we go when we die.  Right, Daddy?"  I try to tell him that our soul goes up in the sky (I can't avoid my Catholic upbringing entirely) to heaven, and that the cemetery is where  we put your body after you die.  Not a great answer.  Not the only answer, but the best I can do.

I also don't avoid the answer, "I don't know."  This isn't much of an answer, but I want to encourage him to find the answers himself.  These answers can often be found in books.  Books contain the whole knowledge that we have accumulated as humans.  If you have a question and no answer there is a good chance a book will have the answer you seek.

I haven't figured it all out, but it seems that avoiding subjects, within reason of course, is the wrong choice to make as a parent.

Morning Picture Project

It's so hot and humid now, seating, without moving, you still sweat.

Sepia makes everyone look good.

Uncle Herbie, Patrick and Mary, Codename:  Chubby Cheeks.

Morning Picture Project

Morning Picture Project #3 (Or, Does Phil really wear that hat every day?)

Mary was unavailable for this session as she was napping.

The answer to the above question is, yes.

Morning Picture Project #2

Morning picture Project

They grow up so fast.  I'll take a picture everyday.

Happy Mother's Day, Mom's!!

I should, at least, put some pics of the kids up...

Cute? Ain't they?

Now look that way!!

What's In Your Diaper Bag?

When I first became a parent I used to tell people who asked that running errands with a child was like going camping. You have a backpack, and/or car, full of stuff you may, or may not, need. Food, change of clothes, cleaning supplies, drinks, a stroller, toys, books, etc. That was when I had one kid. Now that I have three, I can't believe I ever thought one kid kept me "busy."

On Mon., Wed., and Fri. Patrick has class at the YMCA from 9-11 am. On Tues. and Thurs. Philip has a class at the same YMCA from 930-1130 am. Mon. through Fri. Philip has kindergarten from 1215-300 pm. All these classes at different times, in different buildings around town makes me feel like I'm in college again, but while camping.

On Wed. Patrick swims so he needs swim trunks and a towel. On Fri. he ice skates and needs extra layers of clothes and a helmet. Philip swims on both Tues. and Thurs. Between the classes at the Y and kindergarten we eat lunch. During the classes, the baby needs a bottle.

These days it feels like I'm going on an extended camping trip, while attending college, with three kids under the age of 6.

We try to pack as many supplies as we can from home so we don't have to buy food while out and about. We've done a pretty good job. Our kids don't beg for snacks or candy from the vending machine. Whenever they have asked I've always been able to pull something healthier from our diaper bag. It's a good system and I always feel good when I see another kid with a bag of Funyuns for lunch.

Contents of diaper bag on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

The Supplies.

1. Two peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.
2. Tuber ware of plain cheerio's.
3. Tuber ware of string cheese, cereal bars (without high fructose corn syrup)
4. Diapers.
5. Wet wipes.
6. Two bottles of formula.
7. Two sippy-cups of 2% milk.

The Lunch.

Beverages. (Diet Pepsi not pictured.)

Off to school.

You know what else was alot easier when I only had one? Heck, when I had two even? I lived in Sherman Oaks, California where it rarely snowed. It's so cold today.

Seven Wonders Of Phil Hendricks...

The BlogMother, Flannery Alden of Prone to Whimsy has tagged me. I must answer the call.

Seven things about me you my not know.

1. I was a Boy Scout for five years and achieved the rank of First Class. I liked Boy Scouts despite the cliche jokes their mention inspires. The best things Boy Scouts ever taught me was the Buddy System. Don't go anywhere without someone to go with you.
2. I used to have a spot of red hair behind my right ear. As a kid, I would proudly show it off to anyone I could. Now it is white.
3. My Grandfathers older brothers were the leaders of a west side Chicago gang in the '20's and '30's. In 1927 they were at war with Al Capone as he expanded his organization outward. The reports differ wether Capone was there or not, but one night he put a hit out on them. The gun fight that followed lead to the death of a Chicago District Attorney who was out drinking with my great uncles. (Wildly inaccurate Wikipedia entry.)
4. I love Diet Pepsi, and I'm thoroughly convinced that it has addictive properties. I drink about 10 cans a day.
5. I've never broken any bones. Must be something about my family because my brothers never have either.
6. I've been in the live audience of the Bozo show twice, but never got chosen for the Grand Prize Game.
7. I used to live in Bellwood, Illinois. Bellwood is known for it's huge land fill that recently was filled completely and for being the boyhood home of the last man to walk on the moon, Eugene Cernan.