I think I reached a Dad rite of passage today. Running to the pet store while the kids were in school to replace a fish. We had an incident with Walker 1 while cleaning his tank where he got injured (probably – fish can’t talk but his attitude changed greatly). So introducing Walker 2. Kids haven’t noticed yet -and hopefully they won’t.

PS. You’ve gotta love the name, right?

What a fantastic trip. The kids all found something they loved and we got to spend quality time together. Win, win, win, win, WIN!

Cheesesteaks – check

Hershey Park fun with friends – check

Downtown Philadelphia exploring – check

Happy and tired family every day – check

Rocky Steps – check

A few things about my little guy at this magical age

• Kindergarten ready!
• Soccer goal scorer
• Loves the song ‘Waymaker’
• Loves the Lego Avengers
• Loves playing Xbox with daddy
• Loves carbs and chicken nuggets
• When in the bathroom, he always gets an extra paper towel and says ‘for someone else’
• Always wants to go to other peoples houses for events, even if he just met them
• Has such natural comedic timing – “this guy”

No one would ever have called me “handy”. I could do all the stuff that requires a screwdriver and a hammer (mainly) and change light bulbs but build something from my spare hands? Nope.

I still remember trying to build a dog house when I was in either middle school or high school. I got the sides together but the top for the roof…I think I just left it because I couldn’t figure out how to connect the two.

With the help of a good friend (and the design help of a best friend), I was able to complete a swing set for my kids a few weekends ago. They love it and I love that I was able to make it for them. It’s not the most complicated thing in the world and one of the things I’m most impressed with is how good it looks stained but it’s OURS! I’ve already gotten some side attachments to increase the fun in years to come…and have looked at ways to make it bigger in the future (my wife may not like this idea).

I only write this to say…I could have never seen myself doing this before I became a dad or even as an adult. But never just sets limitations.

I’m already at work on a platform stand and am so happy with how it’s going so far (fingers crossed). I just won’t try to attach anything for the roof 🙂

Wow…Really?!? 42! Geez….

Halfway to 84 I suppose?

We had an awesome day. Brunch at Liberty Common, Our Soup event at Nissan Stadium, some park play time, a Tiff Treats ice cream sandwich and a visit with my “niece” and her husband.

Full day. Full heart.

There is a battle of the sexes in our house.

The boys do not like pickles.

The girls do.

You have been informed 🙂

Anyone who knows me probably knows I don’t place a lot of value on things. I’m  not one to try to keep up with the Joneses or wear the latest fads. I think I’d live about the same lifestyle if I ever won the lottery – with the exception of maybe attending a few more sporting events. I want my car to have 4 wheels and run and get me and the family from Point A to Point B.

As my kids have gotten older, I got a little sad at times that I didn’t keep more things from my childhood. The old Nintendo and Sega Genesis are long gone (I guess I sold them to buy baseball cards  years ago?) I think I’ve got my old Cub Scout uniform somewhere and a few trophies from youth sports but that’s about it. There’s no favorite teddy bear or stuffed animal – even my baseball card collection (that was massive) was liberated during my Mom’s move out of my childhood home.

But tonight..oh tonight..

During bedtime, my son brought me a book to read. It was “Oh, the Places You Go” by Dr. Seuss. Every time I see this book, I now immediately who gave it to me. Allison Phelps – right before high school graduation in 1998. You will know I’m going senile if I ever forget this fact. I’m sure I read it years ago (I had to, right?) but it seemed brand new. The edges are a bit ruffled from being moved no less than 7 times.

In reading it to them for bed and seeing her handwriting, it was almost an out-of-body experience. Just amazing how life works out. They didn’t get all the words and understated messages that the GENIUS of Dr. Seuss was laying out. But it was a beautiful look at where my life has taken me in the 23 years since high school and what their next 23 years may look like when they leave home (hopefully) and spread their wings. E would be 30 and L 28. Those ages seem almost…comical. I can’t imagine them as adults.

But they will be…and hopefully, they will have something from this childhood that I hope they remember as being at least decent to hold on to. And it may not be a thing….but hopefully it’s something.

PS. Of course, my “thing” isn’t something you can hold onto and snuggle at night and feel cozy in. But it’s a thing that means more than me than something tangible.

To thine own self be true.

He just informed me that our house has 3 bath tubs – 2 upstairs and 1 downstairs (yep, I was aware of that bud :))

“What, I’m not an octopus?” (when you are coming back from daycare pickup and work and he’s carrying his cup and you are carrying a coffee cup, backpack, work bag, purse, keys, wallet, etc)

“I can smell some Pringles” –  I was not aware Pringles had a scent

He’s been REALLY into football this season. When the players get together to huddle, he says “ooh, they are making up a plan”

Out of bounds is “out of balance” – I just can’t correct this one…

“Uh oh, he was going to die them” – about Camp Cretaceous and dinosaurs (a current favorite)