Today while on our Volksmarch, we stopped in several fun stores in Old Town Alexandria, including a candy story that sold 18 inch long gummy snakes (Mom said no, but Dad said yes) and an Irish wares store. Connor and I quickly exited the Irish shop. It was small and crowded, and I had visions…
The Beatles’ All You Need Is Love was on the radio. Connor listened carefully, and then stated emphatically, “Incorrect! That song’s not true! You need water and food and shelter and maybe friends, too… not just love.” And he was right… sometimes, love is not enough: In Memory: James Coburn II July 30, 1975 –…
This morning I made an off-handed comment to Patrick that the skirt and top I had chosen to wear to church looked better on me last year. Ryan was standing nearby and chimed in with his usual, “Why?” Not wanting to get into a discussion of body image with my 7-year-old son, I replied, “They…
Connor is attending Vacation Bible School at our church this week. He goes from 9:00 am until 12:15 pm with apparent non-stop action. Last night at bedtime, I tucked Connor in, gave him a good night kiss, and started to walk out of the room saying, “Go right to sleep, you have another big day…
Ryan and Connor are watching Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back with their Dad. Tension and drama are high as Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker face off… and then, silence during the movie’s pivotal moment: “I am your father,” wheezes Darth Vader. A gasp of disbelief from Ryan: “They stole that right out of Toy…
Watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade is a Thanksgiving morning tradition in our home. This year’s parade provided more than colorful floats, melodic bands, and giant balloons, it provided comic relief: During a commercial break, Patrick and the kids were telling me about the Smurf float in the parade. Now as a child of the 80s,…