Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Music

My lovely bride challenged me early on in our dating to sing her a song. I really didn't know what to do about that at the time feeling self conscious and embarrassed. I certainly was a closet singer when know one was looking but was not sure how to actually do it one on one. I assured her that in time I would do it for her. For several weeks I agonized about how to do this. I had a couple of tunes in mind from either James Taylor or Jimmy Buffett. I don't know if those two enjoy being lumped into my preferences together but somehow I don't think they would mind.

Well, unless I have forgotten totally, James won out and one evening while lounging on the couch, I sang to her. The song I don't exactly remember but I think I can narrow it to just a few. It was liberating and felt so good and maybe a reason she stuck it out with me.

M and her sister P sure knew the value of song. I can't even imagine how many fun songs I have learned since meeting M. Now it is fun to listen to our own household with E always belting out some tune or another. I now freely sing goofy songs while we jog "We're going to the Park" and any other number of generic tunes to which we throw in some words befitting the moment. MHM sometimes as I do, gets tired of some of the singing and says "No singing, no singing!" Too much of a good thing can sometimes be tiresome.

All in all though, it is nice to hear and music being plunked out on the piano or just the humming of a tune in the background. M had a good role model in her siter P and I am sure we both hope songs will gush forth to make P and us happy forever.

Friday, November 6, 2009

Halloween 09

With a very dreary late September and most of October, we were grateful for a dry though cool and breezy Halloween. E was very happy to repeat last years Butterfly costume with of course some new enhancements. MHM we figured was still too young to care what he wore, so we stuck him in a Tigger sweatshirt that E had worn her second year out.

We went across the street to the Witch house where E got "boiled worms". The witch has been at it many years and is a neighborhood mainstay, a real do not miss. We roped Gpa in early to help us give out candy so we could both with the kids. Gma was out and about eagerly after emergency surgery in early September. We got a wheel chair from church so she was ready, willing and able to share in the fun. We met Aunt L and K shortly after the witch house as planned and trekked around the immediate neighborhood loop. To begin with, there were many houses not participating and what seemed a low number of people out. The kids were certainly charming though and had to have one of the best nights of their lives. M and I both had warm cups of spiced wine and took turns with the kids and Gma. The second half of our trek seemed a bit more lively with some really great costumes and nicely decorated homes. MHM started to hit the skids and was showing the effects of being cold but the excitement and my frequent promises that we would be home soon allowed us to make the loop. The loot was plentiful and I was surprised (not so much) that it actually took us one and a half hours to go maybe a tick more than half a mile.

Gpa said he had a nice time and equally noticed a slow first hour. For the last half hour, E was excited to go to the door to greet other Treaters and ask their names. Both kids just ran and bounced off the walls for a time then we settled them down around nine pm or so as it was the eve of Day Light Saving time so we would theoretically have an extra hour of sleep except for the fact that these kids don't get fooled by such things a clocks and where they happen to be set...

All in all a very nice weekend as Sunday was warm and we were able to go in the back yard to do some work while MHM and E played for what is likely one of the last for this Autumn.

Friday, October 2, 2009

Fortunate me

A good friends mom once stopped me mid sentence and said "there is no such thing as luck, there is only fortune. Some of it good and some of it bad."

Anyway, I feel fortunate for many things even amidst many things that seem to be raining down about me.

My bride recently revived something very heart felt she had written to a famous person in hopes of getting a minute of fame for the both of us. She had expressed why I mattered to her and I want to let her know that I still have the thought of calling to alert her to some natural phenomenon but with her having the kidlets in tow, I think differently and don't always. I DO LOVE YOU!

My bride also pointed out to me how fortunate I am to have an extremely handsome son who loves me with all his being. That is a very nice feeling and as many times you hear it, I hope and pray that I am a good dad worthy of such adoration.....

I have a fantastic daughter who astounds us daily with her perception and grasp of all things life. She is just sooo.... I don't know how to really relate it but to say, WOW!

And in times sake, I will end with one of my favorite fortunes. I am fortunate to have a bride who is an enthusiastic cook who gets her own reward of relaxation from cooking me meals prepared with love.

Sincerely;

Fortunate me

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Enchanted

Last Saturday I went to the park with E in the jogger. Before we left, she said she wanted to pretend when we got there that she was a Princess and I was a King. So I started to ask her what kind of adventures we were going to have and what her name might be as a Princess.

E; "not yet daddy, when we get there."
Me; "OK E, then why don't you think of a good name while were on our way."


The day was nice, sunny and a bit breezy but perfect for running and playing. I thought a bit about what kinds of thing I could do to play up the part.


When we arrived I inquired as to how I might address her.

Me; "So miss E, what is the name of my lovely princess?"
E; "Princess Kavaza" was her enthusiastic reply.
Me; "Well Princess Kavaza, what shall we do first?

What followed was close to an hour of formal speaking such as Yon, Thusly, Fair Maiden, Princess and the like. Princess Kavaza really took a leap of confidence in climbing every obstacle available and having a wonderful time. It was a magical day both with weather and playfulness and I pray for many more to come.

Friday, September 11, 2009

Expressions

So MHM is quite a funny little guy. He is very expressive with certain words and body language.

First, he loves to shrug his shoulders when asked a question as to the whereabouts of Lamby, his chuchie or about any car-car. "I-have-knowidea" is the latest conjunction for him as it comes forth as almost single syllable word with his shoulders up, a slight tilt of the head and his hands both palms up. This is funny sight to behold and begs the question of... Where did he ever get that?" I have know idea!...

and B, grunts have really taken on a new level with him. It started out pretty much with noticing Car-cars and has grown to a very expressive "Oh Yeahhhh" when asked if he enjoys something. He uses a very low almost guttural tone to put this forth and sounds not unlike Tim Allen when describing His love for all things mechanical.

With his little ways, I have in my mind fast forwarded him, and see him as a person who will be able to command a room with his smile, looks and good nature. God bless him.

Both kids are amazing and it is so much fun to see day by day their interactions becoming more comparable as MHM grows and E accepts that she is the one who will for all eternity be his big sister, the one who will have to give the most at least for the time being.

Friday, August 21, 2009

Happy Birthday M

Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you!

I just want you to know I really do realize how much you do for our family. I want you to know I am very happy with the meals you prepare, Yum! and I want you to know that I am so happy that you seem to know how to make our kids happy. There are so may times I realize I should be telling you that you've done a nice job and such but it doesn't always come out. I know what a great teacher you are and you can't hide it when two former students found each other because of your passion for your work. I am also proud that you have gone in yet another direction but of course to help others who are facing a most certain loss. It really looked like a very nice bio you did for your guy and now, I I think you see the value I have been getting for quite a few years myself.

There are so many things I could continue on with and I am happy to have such a varied list of things we do for fun, I love you.

I hope your birthday is nice, and that your shower is warm!

All my love to you

M

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Bon-appetite

In week two of our "Biggest Looser" contest, I only barely lost 1 pound after 5 pounds the week prior. It is after all not easy just with diet. Anyway, our fridge is packed with lots of veggies and M is just creatin' lots of yummy salads and my favorite... salsa and baked pita chips which are heaven. Over our anniversary weekend, we went to the chick flick "Julie and Julia", a parallel story of old Julia Child and a woman in N.Y. who needed an outlet from work. The story was nice but the food looked awesome and you could almost smell it. There was a scene before the girlie even started looking at Julia's stuff where she presented her husband with a simple buttery crusty bread with a tomato vegetable concoction on top. Now that's what I'm talkin' bout!!!

Well, my mouth watered as well as M's and now it has been discussed that the single most important dish of the film is now M's quest, boeuf bourguignon. It may take some time to put into action but three things I know for sure are...

1. It sucks to be on a diet even though the pain is worth the desired outcome.
2 I can't wait to be off this diet to pig out on all the stuff I've seen that has made my mouth water for more than two weeks.
3. I am sooo fortunate to have M who so does enjoy the "Art of Cooking"