The tooth fairy ain't made of gold kiddo!

I got home from my business trip on Thursday evening. Katie was already at dance class. I headed over to the dance studio. When I got there, the first class had just ended. Katie saw me coming and ran and gave me the biggest hugs! She really made my day. She kept telling everyone how it was her "lucky day" since she had lost a tooth and her daddy came back home.

Later that night when Katie went to bed, she placed her tooth under her pillow. I keep the golden dollar coins handy for these special nights. Just before I headed to bed myself, I tip-toed into her room to check on the tooth fairy. I reached under her pillow to look for the tooth. What I found was the tooth and the following note:

It is the memories like this one that make my life worth living and make me always look forward to getting home from my trips!

I thank my kids for a uplifting weekend

As most of you know from my last posting, things at home have been extremely stressful. It takes a toll on everyone when there is turmoil in the house. This past weekend was the exception. It was an awesome weekend. Each of the kids found some joy and happiness and were literally giddy with excitement.

It started Saturday morning with Tyler. He is my middle child. He is 14 and a real ladies man. Most of his friends are female and every time I turn around there is another one that he is hanging out with. However, he is very adamant about them being strictly friends. .......till now that is. Apparently he asked out a girl named Kaitlyn. She said yes so, he has his first "official girlfriend" The smile on his face and his practically giggling all day was just so nice to see. Kaitlyn came over that afternoon. I was a little surprised by the dyed jet black hair with purple highlights, the lip ring, and the skulls on her purse, but she seems to be a sweet girl. As long as he is happy.....

Kevin, my oldest son, has bee trying for awhile to find a job. He is now 18 and striving for his independence. Saturday night while I was at work, he called me and sounded all excited. He had been out and looking to hook up with some friends. They didnt get back to him so as he was out wandering, he decided to stop into a local restaurant. When he inquired about a job, they asked him if he could start on the spot. So he spent the next 5 hours bussing tables. Since he spent last summer working in a camp kitchen, he had no trouble here. They told him he was a very hard worker and that they would be calling him to set up a schedule.

And finally, my daughter Kaity. Sunday my wife, Kaity and I went into New York City. My wife had homework to do that involved heading to the Hayden Planetarium. We took the train in and walked from 34th street to 79th street. We walked through Central Park. It was an awesome day weather wise. Kaity wasn't too interested in the museums but, perked right up when we agreed to take her to the American Girl Doll store at 49th & 5th. We told her we were simply going to look around. Seeing her that excited when we were there was the little push I needed and I agreed to buy some clothes for her doll. She is still bouncing off the walls with joy.

The wife and I are talking at least. It sure beats the way it was, but things are still up in the air. None of it mattered this weekend though. I was just happy my kids found something to each rejoice in.

Kaity and I in Bryant Park behind the New York Public Library

Kaity seeing how much she would weigh on the moon.

On the train heading to NYC

Across the street from the Ed Sullivan Theater where David Letterman tapes his show.

Happy 18th Kevin

My oldest son Kevin has reached one of the major milestones in his life. Today is his 18th birthday. I know he is excited by it. Part of me is too. The other part of me is being a parent and wondering just where all those years have gone. Today has been filled with many moments of daydreaming. Remembering back to so many happy memories.

I just can not help but smile when I think back to things like the day you were born. I was scared to death. Would I be a good dad? Would you grow up healthy and happy? You were not an easy delivery either. At 8 lbs 10 oz and 21" you gave us a scare when you got stuck. Obviously you turned out just fine.

I find myself laughing about some of your crazy statements. Like when your slot car flew off it's track and you threw your hands up and yelled, "Crazy woman drivers!" I have no idea where you got that one. Or the night you were in the bath and called out to us about the water being too cold. We heard you say, "My nipples are getting hard!"

I smile when I think back to how you could not say the word shishkabob ( I am sure I spelled it wrong) and you called them "Squish-a-bobs" Or how amazing it was that we could mix peas into your mashed potatos and spoon feed them to you and yet somehow you would swallow all the potato and spit out the peas. You thought grapes were evil and would put them on the tray of your high-chair and smash them with your fist. Oh and how can I forget the time you scared a baby sitter so bad that we never heard from her again because you shot your imaginary family for being too noisy. You were about 4 at the time. Or how you and I would lay on your bed at bedtime and make up our own story. It was the only way I could get you to tell me what was going on your life. You always would have the characters do the things that you had experienced and I would always smile because you had no idea that you were revealing the secrets we needed to hear. I am still not sure why you chose the name "Ear-butt" for our little alien main character. lol

You still amaze me with your sense of wonder. Even back in kindergarten you wanted to learn languages. Here you are today and you speak English, French, Japanese, some Spanish, and you have taught yourself some limited German and Russian. While other kids were reading Curious George in 5th grade, you were reading "Alexander the Great" and the "Biography of Lucille Ball" When you set your mind to doing things you do everything you possibly can to accomplish them.

And I find myself looking back and getting teary over things like the time you dropped your Oreo cookie and it broke. You looked at me and said, "Fix it daddy" and I knew I couldn't. You cried and cried even though I gave you another one. Or the day Michelle passed away. That dog was your best friend. You picked her out and named her yourself. Again, no matter what I did, I knew I could not fix it. That was the first time I watched you hold in your pain and to this day you do it far too much...and I can't fix it. Or when the other kids would distance you because they just had no idea what you were talking about much of the time. (You even stunned your teachers with your knowledge levels). As a result you became a loner for many years...and I couldn't fix it. I know that you have many more obstacles to overcome in your life...and I can't fix it no matter how badly my heart wants to. Sadly, they are lessons you must experience to learn. Just know I am here for you to lean on.

Today you are out with your friends instead of home with us on your birthday. I know soon you will be home and we will have that cake you wanted, but I also know this is just a part of your growing up. There will come a day when you move out on your own. Please just remember this: No matter where you go in your life, you are forever going to be my son. I love you more than life itself and always will. Happy Birthday Buddy.

Family Ties? Who's family?

I am trying to figure out just what planet my mother lives on these days. She seems to have lost all touch with this one. Let me explain.

For many years my mom has always said she loves the closeness of our family. Apparently we have different ideas of what a close family is. We all live within several miles of each other but do not see each other all that often. Family functions are the primary times. Or so it used to be.

Last Sunday my brother had a BBQ to celebrate his daughter's birthday. They do it every year and always the same weekend. The past 2 years my parents decided to plan vacations for that weekend. So this year when they didn't, we all thought they would be attending. Okay, in fairness they did show up. They stayed for maybe an hour. The entire time my mom made sure to say repeatedly that they would not be staying long since they had another party to go to. Now correct me if I am wrong, but wouldn't your 10 year old grand daughter take priority here? The party they were going to was at a friend's house. They have commented in the past about how they are not all that close to these people. In any event, off they go to this other party. I should also point out that the weekend before my sister had a party for her daughter and my parents were there early and were among the last to leave about 6 hours later.

A little while after my parents left my brother's house, my sister's daughter took a knock to the head when she walked behind the swing set. Because she fell on her butt and looked a little dazed, my paranoid brother-in-law called an ambulance. (That is a whole other story and by the way, she is fine). So, off go my sister, her husband, and my niece to the hospital. They left their son behind at the party. It was not very long after that my mom shows up to pick up my nephew. I guess none of the other 8 - 10 adult relatives are capable of watching a 7 year old boy? Now my brother is hurt and rightfully so. Not only was his family put aside when my parents left initially, but apparently my sister's kids are top priority.

Fast forward to Tuesday. (Yesterday). My daughter developed a fever while in school. Since Swine Flu is a scare these days, the school demands that you pick up the child immediately and keep them home an extra day. My wife also works in a school but, in another district. She knew it would take time to get home and I work even further away. So she called my mom. In the past my mom has told us many times that if we ever have an emergency she is here to help. Well, I guess she didn't think this was so important. She was asking what time Katie gets off the bus. My wife explained that she had to be picked up. So mom says, "You mean like now?" "Oh I don't know. I really have....." At this point my dad tells my mom to forget it. He will pick her up. I think he sees the favoritism being shown here. Why is it that my mom can drop everything to go get a grandson that is fine with other relatives, and yet can not take 20 minutes to pick up a sick grand daughter? All she had to do was bring her home where my oldest son was waiting. But nope. She could not be bothered

I know my brother was planning to confront her on the party issue. I think I will give him a call and see how that went. I also wonder how long it will be before the other grand kids catch on that they are all treated as if they are beneath my sister's kids. I already know both my boys see it. They have actually pointed it out........tm