Vacations

As you can see, not everyone enjoyed vacations all the time. 

Or maybe Comfort Suites wasn't so comfortable. 

William Walters - 1932-2013

My father passed away on September 8th, 2013.  He was a wise and generous man.  Here are some of the things he taught me.

• It’s all just Physics. 
• Treat your wife special. 
•  Eat Supper with your family.
•  Toys can be found in empty barrels.
•  Don’t be afraid to create the tool you need.
• Boys need dens. 
• If it’s not Physics, it must be theology.
•  Be bold.  You can always paint over it.
• Just because you saw the wrong end off, doesn’t mean you can’t use it somewhere else.
• Don’t shy away from something because it’s complicated.
•  There’s no shame in going back to a job you love. 
• Money doesn’t grow on trees…
• However, don’t be afraid to spend money on important things.
• Take time to rest.
•  Spend good time with Family.
•  Pay attention.
•  Give thanks for your daily bread.
•  Old sleds are better.
• Try to win, but don’t let losing bother you.
• It’s all relative. 
• Music doesn’t need words.

This was supposed to be published on September 9th, but apparently there was an issue between the keyboard and the chair. 

New Parent Advice: Read to your kid

Goodnight to the old lady whispering "hush"

Today, we are visiting our sorta-granddaughter.  One of our exchange students stayed in the country, got her degree, found a nice Russian immigrant to marry, and settled down.  Since she is the closest of our "kids", we get to see them more than our own progeny.  Sophia was born on Friday, and we finally get to go see her tonight. 

We are going to bring her a couple of traditional English language books since both her parents are natural Russian speakers.  Then, we will sit down and read to her. 

As our children were growing up, we read to them constantly.  They would crawl up on our laps, relax and listen to the stories.  And we collected stories. 

The public library once put a hold on Gail's card because she had the maximum number of books checked out (60).  Valerie came home crying one day because her teacher had given the students homework of counting all the books in the house.  I taught her about estimation that day, for the total we came up was north of 1000.  The girls were reading Harry Potter books in second grade. 

All of my children are eloquent, and all still read.  I firmly believe that reading to them stretched their mind, as well as formed the parent-child bond both physically and mentally.  So, put down the phone, remote, video game controller or dirty dishes, and read to your kid.  You both will feel better. 

New Parent Advice: Let the kid explore

Hey dog, I won!

Between my daughter who is due in September, and one of our Exchange Students who was due a week ago, it may be time to start doling out random advice for new parents.

Today's advice:  Let the kid explore.

They sell those door/drawer locks for kitchen cabinets and drawers to prevent toddlers (and others) from getting into them.  Don't buy them.  Put the unbreakable stuff in the bottom cabinets and let the kids explore.  Keep the knives and glassware up high, of course, but let the kids empty out the cabinets.

It lets them see how things work.  It allows you the opportunity to teach them about putting things away, and just as important, it keeps them busy.  And it works all over the house. 

So you have to wash a few more things.  So the house looks a bit cluttered.  So the child's inner drummer will come out when they find out that metal pans make a lot of noise.  Just rinse off the pan before you use it.  Don't try to control what the kid should be doing, let them explore.

We acquired this plaque when the kids were young.  Truer words were never spoken.