Lessons

I have learned two things this weekend. 

The first is that some bits of knowledge that you think should be taken for granted, need to be explained: When a 4yo has a runny nose and there is not a kleenex around, it is not ok to use the back of your sister's shirt that she is wearing.

The second is that kids, a rope, an old tire and a bit of good weather still equals laughter.

Just thought I would pass that along.

Sliding into childhood

How much influence do we as parents really have on our children?  How much is genetic? How much influence do friends have? How much do other adults have?  I am sure everyone has their own idea about this, but these questions become very real as your kids grow into their own, as they become a person from that little baby they once were.  These comments have almost nothing to do with the rest of the post, except that we had a great experience as a family this weekend and one that we hope they will remember, but probably will not due to their age.  Will this shape who they become?

We went to experience the “rustic mountain modern charm” of the indoor water park in Sevierville.  How does it live up to its description?  Rustic – don’t think you can have a “66,000 square foot, state-of-the-art waterpark” and still get away with calling it rustic.  Mountain – technically close, but unless you leave the waterpark, you have no idea you are near the mountains.  Modern – yes, the 3 flat screens in our room gave that away.  Charm – hard to call spending the day with hundreds of strangers charming.   BUT, what I would say is that it is a blast.

We spent the first 3 hours or so in the kiddie pool as I expected that Brown, who is generally timid, would not be so interested in the bigger slides.  He was fine with getting splashed so when he asked to go on the big boy slide I thought we would give it a try.  After a climb of some serious stairs and a time of waiting in line, he began to get nervous.  But I didn’t give him a choice to back down and soon we were hurtling down the tube.  He told me he was scared and so when we hit the water at the bottom and he started shaking, I thought I might have made a big mistake.  But he immediately said, “can we go again?”  This was not the last time we heard this question that day. 

Here is a video of our last ride of the day.  

Joseay made lots of friends.  She was too small to do most of the slides, but she had a great time running around the pools, splashing, talking to strangers, and riding the float with mom in the wave pool.

  

To say we had a good nights’ sleep would be an understatement.

4 years and counting

What does a dad say to his son on his birthday? Brown, you have only been with us for 4 years, but it seems we have always known you and could not imagine our life without you.  We have watched you blossom and continue to see new insights into who you are and who you may become.  We love you.

Now to review our time at waffle house.  We were having a great December 11th morning at the WH sitting at the bar, talking to the waitresses (they wanted to eat you up), listening to the orders get yelled, watching the cooks do their thing, talking to others at the bar and generally having a great 4yr old adventure.  Then a new gentleman joined us at the bar and sat right next to you (Brown). All was going well as he pulled out his grapefruit...            Yes, he brought his own grapefruit into waffle house.  First of all, who brings their own grapefruit out to breakfast.  Secondly, I didn't know that they even allowed food into the waffle house unless it clogged your arteries in some way.  When he asked for some saran wrap to wrap half of his grapefruit to take home, I held you just a little bit closer to me.  Ok, to each their own.  He ordered some food and then opened up his ipad on the counter.  Not sure if he doesn't have kids or whatever but setting an ipad next to a 4 year old with an orange juice cup on the same counter made me just a bit nervous.  After reading his ipad for a bit and apparently cross checking it with the paper copy of the newspaper that he also spread out on the counter, the waitress brings out the bacon on a plate to the gentleman.  He asks that she bring out all his food on one plate. She is standing there with the food on a couple of plates and she asks if he wants her to take back the food and put it on a single plate.  Yes is the answer.  She proceeds to take the bacon and eggs and hash browns back to accomodate the grapefruit bearing ipad risker. It was about this point that you reached out your fork toward the gentleman's half eaten grapefruit saying "I want a bite." 

I hope you don't remember how forcefully I grabbed your hand.

Happy Birthday and here is to many more!

This is what I cannot stand:

I've thought about it... For months- years, actually. This grosses me out way more than dirty diapers or puke. Officially, the thing I dislike most about the toddler years --- I despise the after meal cleanup under the table. It is so disgusting to me for some reason... I'm not sure why my kids can't seem to keep the majority of their food in their mouths or on their plate or at least on the table somewhere. Anywhere. But crawling on my hands and knees with a rag under the table picking up moist morsels of half eaten food after a meal... Hate it. Hate it. The end. This is Chris writing in case anyone ever reads this or wonders if Curt or Chris is the one who hates this. It's me.

Loving this weather!

I was about to post a picture of what I dislike the most about the toddler years. But I decided to first give thanks for the good things in our life- like being outside together, enjoying this gorgeous weather and doing some hiking. So after this post, I will feel less guilt about posting what I really can't stand. Stay tuned...

Food Smear time

We had another great session of food smear.  We have this ritual of food smearing that has been passed down through the generations (on the Barkers side I am sure...).  We start with just some peanut butter.  We smash it on the table, on the floor, in our kids hair, under their fingernails, under the table, both sides of the plate, in the folds of their neck, on cabinets, walls, windows oh and occasionally in their mouth.  Then we add bananas and repeat the whole process not leaving any crevase untouched. 

Some people call this time snack time, but that seems strange.  We think food smear time is more apt.

Coming into focus

Don't all dads think their daughter is perfect?  So it was a shock to my system when she recently required glasses.  And due to my poor choice, she is wearing dark gray glasses against her pale skin and looks hilarious. Studious.  Dorky. One well meaning friend even said she was cute in a quirky sort of way.  What? My crazy, funny, beautiful daughter?  Quirky?

It is in relationship that we learn most about ourselves - usually the parts of ourselves that we have kept most hidden from others and perhaps even our self.  We try not to focus on those parts but they come out at odd times and remind us that they need to be dealt with at some point.  Joseay is a beautiful girl and she remains so.  Her energy and curiosity alone are infectious and that smile melts me quickly.  Now she has an additional advantage, she can see more easily when she has her father wrapped around her finger. Not fair.

Thank you my beautiful daughter for teaching me about beauty and correcting my altered view of the situation.  We love you like crazy. 

I might look for another color of glasses...