I had a bunch of inquiries today as to why I didn't take the opportunity to play the quasi-single dad card and stay home from church (let alone stay the whole three hours). To those that are curious, I have but a simple answer for you: nursery.
Yeah, we had to get cleaned up and into our church clothes, but that just gave us something to do. And giving me something to do with these little people beats the pants off of them just hanging off my leg and pestering me because they're hungry/bored/tired/etc. Having that two hour break (even if one of those hours was spent with bratty 14/15 year-olds) where other adults were in charge of their physical/spiritual well-being? Totally worth it.
Uh, and of course we went to church today because we wanted to learn more about churchy things. Doy.
Proof that they're so cute that even their father couldn't mess them up.
I'll try my best to set the scene wherein I made another dad glad he had a male offspring:
I'm at the pool with Amber and Elle. Elle and I are out of the pool getting her dried off. Amber, still in the water, calls to me, "Papa, look at my new trick!" all excited like. What's her new trick? She's got her legs wrapped around the pool's railing and she's spinning around it. Yes — my three year-old daughter is essentially pole dancing and thinks it's the greatest thing ever.
To her joyful announcement I can only respond: "Well, that doesn't bode well for my future."
Here's where the other dad comes in: he hears my response, looks to Amber to see what elicited such a retort, makes eye-contact with me, looks over at his small boy, and smirks a smirk that can only translate as "sucks to be that guy in 10 years!"
For my part, I'm glad I could make another father appreciate his child just a tad more. _________________________
Tangentially, here's a quick video of Amber's first days of swimming lessons from July. As a dad (who goes and hides at work all day), I often miss these kinds of events in my childrens' lives so I'm grateful Christina thinks to take some video for me to see and share.
Not to be outdone by her sister, Amber also awoke this morning inquiring, if not much more casually, about the whereabouts of her dear mother. When I told her mama was still in Oregon, Amber quite resolutely pronounced:
This morning, Elle invented a new way to find mama when she's not in the house (or state, for that matter). After toddling around all the rooms of the house saying "Mama? Mama?" and satisfying herself that mama was in fact not in any of her usual hiding spots, Elle sat down with me on the couch and uttered the following: "Mama? Ta-dah!"
Poor dear — me thinks she thought the pronouncement of the magical declaration would pop her dear mama out of some hat right there in her own living room.
Howdy all — J here again. As has become mytradition when Christina goes out of town sans children (she's hanging in Oregon with some buddies), I'm taking over this blog for a few days to post all sorts of random stuff. Random stuff like this video of Elle showcasing her mad dancing skillz:
And before I forget in the whirlwind that is semi-single parenting, I'd just like to give a huge shoutout to Grandma Mary and Grandpa Max. They're watching the girls during the daytime hours and letting me run off and hide at work. Thanks!
So today J and I have been married for 8 whole years (warning: this entry may be a little mushy and contain what others may see as too much information so read at your own risk) . It just seems like yesterday I was compiling pictures for our 7th anniversary. The time just keeps speeding up every year and I wish it would slow down a little. I am so lucky to have been able to spend these years with J. It doesn't seem possible that it has been this long, to me anyway, maybe he would say differently. We have shared a lot of fun memories together and I can't wait to share more. Here are eight reasons (I am sure I will leave very important ones out) why the last eight years have been great.
1. You always know how to make me laugh. I have a couple picture that I would love to show in regards to this but I would be in so much trouble that it isn't worth it.
2. We have gotten to experience a lot of new/first time things together (after wedding activities, cars, first apartments, our home, become parents, raising kids...)
3. Before we had kids, those quiet 5 years that we went and did so many fun things. I can't wait to be able to do some of them again together (hike, bike, rock climb, camping, weekend get aways, traveling...)
4. How special you make me feel and how loved that I am. You are always telling me how pretty I am or how smart or... and there has not been a day that we have been married (that I can think of) that you haven't told me that you love me.
5. Knowing that you are always there for me. I know that I can tell you anything and that (may say that I am crazy) you will listen and talk me through it.
6. That we know each other so well that we can complete each others sentences. That you are able to understand me even when I talk in Christina speak. And that we sometimes say or think the exact same thing all the time.
7. That we have such a healthy active relationship in the bedroom (sorry I warned you). You always now how to take care of me. I could say much more but I would embarrass myself and you readers (all 2 of you).
8. Having you as the papa to our children. Amber and Elle just love you and it is so fun to watch you with them. They both have you wrapped around their little fingers.
I loves you my honey honey and thank you for the beautiful flowers.
Here are a few pictures showing what we have been up to the last week or so.
Amber starting taking swimming lessons
She has learned to float on her back
One of her favorite things is to use the pink kicking boards
This is when one of her teachers gave in and let her use one again
Elle enjoying a fruit leather while Amber swims
We went to Jumpin Jacks for the first time and Elle wasn't sure about it in the beginning
Amber helped Elle see that it was too much fun to miss out on
She even started trying going up the big slides by herself - she would have if she were a little longer
Amber made a new friend Haylee
I didn't see much of Amber after she met Haylee
So poor Elle got stuck with me the rest of the time
Tara and me just chatting as the kids played
On Saturday we decided to go to the pool and show Papa (hiding behind the camera of course) all the fun new things Amber was learning at swimming lessons
