Raising Boys

Soon after becoming a dad I read this book, Raising Boys by Steve Biddulph. The author describes 3 stages of boyhood.

1) Birth to 6 years - where boys get most of their security and comfort from mom. Even though dad plays a big role, they are basically a momma's boy.
2) Age 6 to 14 - they adore their mom but they get interested in becoming a man and being more like dad. This is the time for dad's to really step up.
3) Age 14+ - boys will pull back from their parents, and they need influence from good male mentors such as coaches, teachers, grandpa, etc.

So... we are solidly in the Stage 2 area with all 3 boys (Kurt-6, Erik-7, Peter-9). It's daddyo time!

Wrestling

I have mixed emotions about my kids wrestling. I love the sport, and it's a great character builder. But it's tough for the kids, and it's hard on parents. There are long hours of waiting for only a few minutes of action, injuries are likely and somewhat common. On the upside, it helps establish self esteem when they do good, and it teaches humility when they get beat. And boys just like to wrestle. At home we are always saying "no" and "stop it", but when they go to wrestling we can say "go for it and have fun".

Crazyness

It's been a crazy new year. Our basement sprung a leak on Christmas morning. We spent the morning celebrating Christmas, and then the afternoon and evening trying to control the water seepage. During the following week we moved most of the furniture, pulled back all the carpet, and fixed 2 big cracks in the wall. We thought it was fixed, but after 2 weeks it was all wet again. So last week we trenched the inside of the footing and installed drain tile and a new sump. It's a real mess. Today was an especially busy and chaotic day, and Peter came to me and told me a new poem he thought up. I thought it was nice.

Blast at sea,
listen to me,
to the vast,
down the mast.

2009 Photo Slideshow

Here is a 2009 year-in-review photo slideshow. Many great memories, including a Florida winter vacation, Kurt starting Kindergarten, Erik losing his 2 front teeth, Peter's big fish, family & friends, and much more. Happy Holidays!

Thanksgiving 2009

Here's a short video of Thanksgiving that was hosted in the flatlands of Illinois. A good time was had, but we missed John, Tom, Iker and families. Happy Holidays!

Tire Failure

A friend sent me this photo. It was taken after his tire blew out while landing his MD80 in Burbank-CA. It happened because the anti-skid system went haywire.

Google Voice

This is pretty cool. Google Voice gives you a free phone number, and you can make free calls from your computer, your cellphone, or home phone. You can direct the calls to your Google number to ring any number you want (home, work, cell, etc). Try it! Click on the link below, or call me at: 847-220-8844.