Friday, June 13, 2008

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.  

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

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





Tuesday, June 10, 2008

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




Friday, June 06, 2008

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.


Wednesday, June 04, 2008