Ryan is very independent about doing his homework. He usually comes home from school, has a snack, and begins working on it promptly at 4 p.m. without being asked. Only if he gets stuck on something will be even show us what he is working on. More often, he completes his assignments and puts everything […]
Read more "Tales From the Recycle Bin"Ryan had his middle school choir concert this week, and it came off without a hitch. There my son stood, with all his classmates, stock-still on the risers singing four holiday-themed songs. He was an active participant, singing with emphasis and wanting to do a good job. This no longer surprises me, but it wasn’t […]
Read more "A Pleasant Non-Surprise"It was Christmas tree-trimming time in our house this weekend. The kids actually agreed!!! to get a tree on Saturday and trim it on Sunday. The trip to the nursery to pick out a tree went pretty much exactly as it has for the last four or five years. From the moment we arrived, Riley […]
Read more "Oh, Christmas Tree"So, about that recent visit to Veronica’s extended family? Sure, we had some challenges. But there was an awful lot of good. It’s a trip we’ve taken just about every year since our kids were very young. The house is always overflowing with kids, presents and food. The kids all play together, but Ryan was […]
Read more "Connecting With Cousins"The words, as they always do, avoid any pretense or shades of gray. They offer raw, utter, unvarnished truth, and they cut like a knife. “But I thought mommy and daddy could always fix anything!” Upon hearing this from Ryan, Veronica and I make eye contact and share a quick non-verbal communication. One that says, […]
Read more "Mr. and Mrs. Fix-It"
Pucks and Puzzle Pieces 