I Kan't Spell

 
The greatest 15 minutes of my life
*typing on phone because I didn’t want to have this feeling fade

Walking home in the dusk
Mid baltimore spring
Our neighborhood
Trees - some kind of them
——- I don’t know too many tree names
So many trees
My oldest daughter and I walking home in the dusk
She just finished lacrosse practice
She tries so hard
I’m so proud of her
I love her heart and how big it is
The smell of spring
She’s on her scooter pedaling
She wants to race me
She always wants to race me
She picks up a daffodil and makes a wish
She won’t tell me what it is
I ask her - she still won’t tell me
She picks another and says I’ll tell you
“I want you to be nicer”
It makes me sad - but still proud
She tells me to find one
So that I can make a wish
We’re in our neighborhood
She uses a big word
She uses another big word
I find a dandelion
I make a wish
She asks what it was
I say “for mama and I to start together and be happy”
She says “that’s crazy”
She sees a friend from her neighborhood
We go inside
The 15 minutes are over
I’m very happy - it’s a great way to end the day
Link posted by JVMM : 9:53 PM

 
A conversation with my daughter

So last night I talked - for real - for the first time with my daughter. From what I can recollect - this is how it went:

M: Is there anything you want to ask me about?
E: Is there anything you want to ask ME about?

We then proceeded to talk about your school, your friends and what you like to do. But it was so matter of fact - it was so "frank" (sorry for the double entendre) that I found myself feeling like I wasn't talking to a little girl. I was talking to my friend.

Then the conversation shifted.

E: What was home like for you?
M: Do you like your home?
E: Yes. But what was home like for you and grandma and grandpa.
M: Well, Jim isn't my grandpa.
E: *confused look Who is?
M: Well he isn't really around any more.
E: Why?
M: Well he wasn't very nice? Do you think mommy and I are nice?
E: Yes
M: Well, my daddy WAS nice when I was young - he was nice to me - but he had problems.

And then we talked about what school was like

E:What was school like for you?
M: Well you learn a lot more than I did. We only went for half days in Kindergarten and I didn't know how to read or add or basically anything until first grade. Well... I should say I wasn't taught most of that until 1st grade. My parents taught me a lot of that.
E: I like that I can read.
M: I know you do. I love you. Good night.



And then today she said to me "Are we continuing our conversation from last night?" I'm so in love with her I can hardly stand it.
Link posted by JVMM : 2:26 PM

 
A note to my kids

Dearest children,

Your father is sorry. I am sorry you are coming into this kind of world. I am sorry that I haven't done more to make this world a better place.

I'm sorry that we live in - what is becoming a corrupt desensitized, non-thinking culture. I hope that I can inspire you to read. That also means I have to show you how to stop watching tv. Some sports may be ok - but for the most part I need to show you how to learn - and not only how to learn - but how to value learning.

The world you will grow up in - may not value education as much as it should. There is a watershed happening within our culture and I promise you - I promise you that I will work harder to help you become the kind of people that can succeed in this world. It will be harder than it was for me - and it was harder for me than it was my parents and so on and so on.

I want your minds to be free, loving, and expansive to the point where you are curious and accepting - but also critical and independent. I know that's a tall order - and I certainly haven't achieved that... but I think you could. And... know this - you have each other. Like it or not you 3 will have each other forever and I want that to be your strongest bond - I hope for that. I hope you will help and love each other.

Anyway - I love you very much. I'm very sorry that world is behaving this way. It may never get this good again - and it's time I took my job as your father more seriously.
Dad
Link posted by JVMM : 11:11 AM

 
Happy Birthday to my Baby Boy
Have you ever met someone so sweet and loving that you just wanted to put them in your pocket and carry them around for your whole life? Well... Wells - that seems to be you my son.

You have a natural capacity for positive curiosity. You love to want to tate and try new things - you love to be around people and you are quick to forgive and hug and say I love you. You have a natural tendency to want to share and say please and thank you.

Your disposition is beautiful.

You're also tough, smart, and you love to compete. You are quick to cry a little bit sometimes but that's ok - you are learning to get over it faster and faster day by day.

Today is your birthday. In the last year you've learned how to hit baseballs, go sled riding, pee in a potty, swim a little bit, put your dishes in the sink, sit at the table, eat all your dinner, sleep in a big boy bed, and just be a wonderful.

I couldn't love you any more if I tried. I hope we are friends for the longest of times and make all sorts of memories together.

Love
Daddy
Link posted by JVMM : 9:01 AM

 
Little Proud Moments

Dear Ella.

The other day you, Wells and I went to breakfast. You had French Toast with syrup and strawberries on the side. This is now your "go to" breakfast. Wells had Strawberry pancakes and syrup with strawberries on the side.

I usually get some kind of egg and bacon.

I also get you guys your own plate of bacon. You aren't allowed to eat it until you finish the strawberries. And you both seem to love bacon. There were 5 pieces. You both started to eat them and you devoured your 2 pieces while Wells was still working on his 2nd. You left the last piece on the plate and went back to your French Toast.

As Wells finished his 2nd piece I saw you immediately take note and swoop to grab the 3rd piece. And then - you thought for a second - you did the math... you said "Well I don't think Wells has had this much" and you broke it in hald and gave him hald. Wells - the most gentile of us all said "Thank you Ella." And you nodded.

It may seem like a small thing - but one day if you have children you'll know that the autonomous consideration you showed there was very nice.

Have a great day -

Love Dad -

P.s. - we leave on our trip tomorrow - #gird
Link posted by JVMM : 5:49 PM

 
Movies, Playlists, and our trip - oh and the growth of Piper
Hey guys

I watched a movie recently about war and I thought to myself that I had yet to do anything truly great. In my life personal accomplishments aren't what I thought they would be - and I'm kind of ok with that because as you get older you aren't as idealistic as you used to be... you're more scared, a bit more weak and patient at the same time. My advice - when you feel like a lion... go be a lion - here are the things in my life that are likely my biggest accomplishments... in no particular order.

1. Being an all-state baseball player
2. Winning a national championship as part of the General Die Baseball team in 1995
3. Playing college baseball
4. Having 3 healthy beautiful children
5. Being able to buy nice stuff
6. Make a million dollars in one year
7. Acquire lots of "friends"
8. Travel to Korea and Thailand
9. Eat in the finest restaurants and stay at the finest hotels in America
10. Travel extensively across America
11. Be married


Anyway - that ain't much. And the further you get from death the more it goes down - I hope to at least do one or two more things in my life... maybe you'll help me figure it out.

In a few weeks Me, Ella, and Wells are going to take our summer road trip for a couple days. We are going to visit Annapolis, Possibly Mt Vernon Virginia, Nags Head, and see our Aunt Aggie in North Carolina.

PIPER UPDATE - the littlest one is still very little. But she is the only baby that has ever wanted to snuggle with me. When I pick her she looks to snuggle into my neck. She seems very funny - and she's also very quiet and a good sleeper. We appreciate that. Her hair is brown - she smells a little - but I think she's a keeper.

Til next time - love Dad
Link posted by JVMM : 5:49 PM

 
Piper James
Ya know - I think that when a baby comes out you can tell what their personality is going to be.

When Ella was pulled out over 5 years ago she didn't want to be held. She fought the swaddle and didnt like it when they put antibiotic goop n her eyes. I Held here - she didn't cry. She just stared at me as if to say "what's next?" - I was very surprised by the sudden time I had a lone with my newly minted daughter that I didn't know what to do. So I told her my life's story and who everyone in our family was. All the time she was very awake and fighting to see and move.

As you will soon come to know Ella you will see that she is not dissimilar to this disposition. She is very smart. She is very determined. She demands attention and your full and honest approach to her initiatives. She is very special and loving. I have a good feeling she'll be a great big sister for you. If I had to wager - knowing her the longest out of the 3 of year... she'll protect you, fight for you, fight with you, and be very loving in an honest demanding way.

When Wells came out he was like 8 pounds of butter. He immediately snuggled and cooed to me. He slept for about 4 days straight before we took him home. He had these great big lips that always pouted and he was a beautiful baby. Not to say that my girls aren't beautiful - but for a boy baby he was striking. When I first held him he didn't fight anything - he took right to your mama and wanted to snuggle from day 1.

Wells loves you very much. He's a little too young to understand what being a big brother is all about but he follows Ella around and wants to do everything she does. He calls her "my Ella" and once Ella held and fed you he immediately wanted to do it. Now - from what I can tell - you will be the Algonquin horn of our evenings as Ella and Wells clamor to feed you before they themselves go to bed... most likely because they don't want to go to bed. He's a gentle soul - but he's all boy - he makes everything into a gun - and likes to smash and go fast and doesn't mind when he scrapes his knee... he only gets sad when Ella makes his life hard. Other than that - he's wonderful to be around all the time. He's very polite - and says thank you and please to almost everything - he has a wonderful vocabulary and I expect big things from him and for him to have a wonderful happy life.

Last week at 7:40 am you were born. And since you were my third child I was waiting to see what you would be like since the first 2 had personalities similar to their first minutes of being alive. We didn't give you a name for a couple days because - well - that's how your Mama works. We considered Sawyer, and Charlotte (same with Ella), I wanted something more formal and attached to the world - something less flowery and more slated - I suggest Emerson and lots of goofy names that your Mother immediately vetoed.

When you came out - you smiled. Neither of my other children smiled. You also were wiggly and a little smaller than the other ones. You had a calm about you that was also inquisitive. You seemed measured and bright. The two things that came immediately to mind were funny and explorer. The way you move your head and track with your eyes - you also seemed like you were going to be funny to your Mother.

Your name Piper has no real meaning - other than - like your Brother and Sister - we liked it. Your middle name however is from your maternal Grandfather James Wentzel. Your mama loved her Daddy very much.  She has been waiting for the day to give the name James to someone that she could love just as much again. He passed away long before you came to the world - but from all accounts - and your Mother can fill you in - he would have loved you very much.

You have been a very much welcomed joy to the household in your first 7 days. You are very much loved. And we will see what the future will bring for you. I hope that you have a special and happy life. I'll be working hard to help you as much as I can.

Your best - with all the love that I have left -
Dad
Link posted by JVMM : 8:50 AM