My future movie maker

This is what appeared on my new iPhone. It appears that the seven year old, director, producer and actress is practicing. I love when I find these things on my phone. This is a kid at play!!!!

Spending time with my youngest lady

My youngest and I had some good quality time together this week. We attended events together, went to football games, a bonfire at a friend’s house, did bedtime reading, just hung out and traveled together. It was very special to see and hear life from the perspective of a six year old. Don't get me wrong, chronologically she is only six. She is beginning to outpace me in the maturity area due to the influences of her older siblings and her Mom. She is lots of fun and has a heart the size of the state of Texas. The time together will be the subject of a three post series.

Little Brother/Little Sister

Sweet thing did ask this week if she could be a big sister. This caused her Mom and me to give each other a couple of looks. It appears that Dabba has heard from friends at school about how you become a big brother or big sister! WOW! (This is the five alarm fire announcement that puts you on your toes)

My though is oh! I can't wait to see what she has learned after only about four weeks in Kindergarten. And I was wondering what the President was going to say to the kids. At this point I'm thinking his message, whatever it is, was going to be is kind of late!

"So, Mom and Dad, if we put our name on the list we can have a baby brother or sister!" More looks exchanged between the parental units. Relief! And confusion is the first two things after hearing the request. Okay, so science and biology class in Kindergarten haven't advanced that much since I was in over forty years ago, expect for the fire and the electricity thing. (Mimi, we have another entry for the book!) Not sure about the list but this will be an okay discussion.

Smiles now appear on the face of the relieved parents. See, as the six year old explains, there is a family in school that has recently applied for adoption. So, putting your name on a list is how you get a baby brother or sister. And, Dabba, doesn't want to be left out. She also has an Aunt and Uncle that live near Washington DC that are expecting any day now so there have been some baby discussions. Again, relief about the biological understanding thing. Thinking this might be a good time to have a redirect about a pet!

The topics passed after we discussed we might want to be off the list while we focus on her and her other siblings. There are hugs exchanged. I can tell this is not the last time we will have this discussion. Cause being the "baby" in the family isn't much fun if you don't have a little brother or little sister.

Another Entry for The Book

We keep a family book of things that the kids say. The Book is maintained for, one, entertainment and two, to help us remember the things that are said. Over the years there have been some classics. Keeping The Book also helps us to communicate the stories to other members of the family.

Dabba our youngest decided that she would like to have input on which member of the family would be putting the angel on the advent calendar. My wife's aunt, I guess making her my aunt-in-law, hand sewed a beautiful large advent calendar with pockets and hand made ornaments for each day of December.

Dabba decided that working with her Mom and providing a suggestion might help the task she would like to perform fall a little closer to home. There are four kids in the house so there is a one in four chance that Dabba would be chosen for the task.

So, The Book, entry sounded like this. "Mom, when we pick who will put the angel on the calender on the 25th who will get to do it? Mom, well we will have to see. What do you suggest?, Mom says, to the five year old. Could you please have us pick a number between one and three? Then, Mom, could you make the number be two?

Okay, there are four kids. But the message was clear. We either have a future ballot box stuffer in the house or this young lady has already learned the art of making your own luck! No pun intended.

When I heard the story I laughed myself silly. What a great way to make things in the world go your way. Thus, another entry to The Book.

Holiday Programs Abound

It is time for the holiday programs at school. Yep, the holidays are here so the schools are cranking out the events. We had school parties for Thanksgiving. He have class programs for Christmas. We have had evening singing and visits to Santa. On Saturday there are classmate get togethers and a city parade. On Sunday there is a school sponsored participation in a parade. Its all good and fun. Just a lot going on.



I really enjoy getting to see my kids as they experience the parties, goodies, and crafts. The parades are some of my favorite.


Wednesday evening Dabba had her school program. She marched out on stage with her antlers and red nose while wearing a dress. In front of the throng of parents going crazy with with cameras, videos and shoe phones, making like preschool paparazzi. She was fearless..well kind of. After scanning the crowd and waves to her siblings she was ready to perform.

Fifth little one from the left

We heard jingle bells and a couple of other holiday tunes. Then a bow. Then we all lined up to talk with jolly olde Saint Nick.

The Soccer Machine Continues

The number this weekend is Five. Yep, the goal scoring machine has applied her skills again. She went out with the other members of her team and played some serious soccer. Dabba scored five goals on her own.

Prior to the game soccer team pictures were taken. There was the individual shot taken then the team picture. I can't wait to see those developed.

This young lady is serious about her soccer. Early this morning there was 15 minutes of practice kicking with me and her older brother, in the house. It was fun to see the serious preparation. All of the years of watching the older siblings get ready for their events has rubbed off. Beautiful intensity.

There was only one game today so we will have our next installment of Dabba soccer in a week.

It appears the only thing that went wrong at the game was my camera. It was very warm.

This little lady is 5

Today is a special day in our house. Below is the arrival of the youngest member of our family five years ago today. Here is how our Princess arrived.

This is the picture that appeared on the cake of the five year old. We celebrated this evening with cards, gifts, cake and candles.

Tomorrow is also the first day of school for this lady. Happy Birthday, beautiful.

Giving someone the "Stink Eye"

This may surprise my readers that occasionally I have a day to two that makes me somewhat cranky. Without words I can share my mood with a look, a stare, or a head shake.

A few years ago my sister shared a phrase for the look that absolutely cracked me up. She called it a "Stink-Eye." We laughed so hard hearing the description. She just couldn't show us what a good "Stink-Eye" looked like at the time. So, time passed before we could actually find an example.

The strange thing about the joke and the description is that the perfect example came from a beautiful young lady who is our youngest child. While taking pictures with her mother she turned toward the camera and presto. A "Stink-Eye" was captured.

The next time time you are having a rough day or disagree with something you have heard, bust out a "Stink-eye"

Another One Jumps from the Board

The summer is moving along. There are summer programs, reading at the library, fishing, spend the nights with friends and swim lessons. All of the elements of a kids summer.

Our family has passed a milestone today with the accomplishment of our youngest child. Princess Dabba, during swim lessons, made the leap from the diving board. When my lovely spouse called to tell me about the event I could tell this was a big deal for her. (Dabbing her eyes.) There is video, calls, and we talked about it a bunch.

So, this is it. We can all now swim and we can all jump off the diving board. This has to be an accomplishment of 6 up, 6 in. A family that cannon balls together stays together.

A Degree of Rhymes

Yes, Sam I am, Graduate I can. In a gown without a frown. Play my music sing on key that's the plan. Watch me graduate, yes I can. Princess Dabba has graduated from Mom's Day out to Kindergarten.
She was beautiful. Can you see the proud parents? It was fun to see the dress rehearsal for high school, college, and medical school. She announced when she grows up she wants to be a doctor.

Your arms are the best pillows

We are at the time in the development of our fourth child that sleeping in her bed for the entire night is the topic dejur. We have progressed through this stage of life differently with each of our four kids. So, this isn't a post about what does Spock say, how do we do it in the modern world, or what the "no one can lose" society are saying. It is just a time of life. I needed to share this with you to set the stage for the our latest entry into "The Book".

Two nights ago it was late. The little figure appears at the foot of the bed. Then begins the climb into the area between me and lieber in our King sized bed. I'm just about to sit up and take the small invader back to her original snoozing location when from the mouth of babes, "Dad, I just need to get comfortable. Your arms make the best pillows." Next thing i know, this little person in one motion is in the bed, under the covers, snuggling, on my arm.

Well, far be it from me to send the sweet child back to her room. Lieber gave me the eye that spoke volumes about the habit I was rewarding. I was about to say, But, honey, didn't you hear how sweet and cute she was???

Just then I get a quick kiss from the small invader. Do you think she knows about conning her old dad?

Princess Scores First Goal - Soccer Career Finally Launches

Ladies and Gentlemen,

After years of being made to go to soccer games as a newborn, hauled to matches as a toddler, and as she got older being asked to behave or play with the other kids while a different sibling was playing....it has finally happened!!! (Drum roll please!) The Soccer debut of our youngest child. (Cymbals Crash, crowd cheers, and proud parents dab away tears.)

Okay, I have to admit. In 28 degree weather, with wind and snow flurries, at 8:30 on a Saturday morning, there were a few distractions. Like pre-game pictures with friends. Our Princess is on the left that is her good friend from down the street on the right.

But, it warmed my heart to have all the family, minus one who spent the night with friends out, to root for one on my favorite members of the Garage Door Brokers team or "The Doors". At least they will have cool theme music. But man, it was cold.

Things got warmer as she scored her first goal. "The Doors" are a machine. We have another game at 12:30 today. It appears to be headed to a balmy 32 today when the sun comes out.

The day has arrived. All the crew are in activities, sports, church, a school program. Let the coordination games begin.

Last night as we prepared for the events it was like an ops briefing for the D Day invasion, minus the Stormin Norman video and charts. Maybe the charts would have helped. One game at 8:30, another at 9:30, two at 12:30, luckily on fields across the street from each other. Pick up child spending the night out, feed the whole combined crew, clean cleats, spruce up uniforms between games, addition to the op order, have much warmer clothing just in case. Prepare for the away matches for other teams.

It is on, full blast.

My wife is a Soccer Mom, minus the Mini-Van and the wind suit, thank god! I am the grumbling soccer dad, trying to stay calm and be a good soccer parent. With three different levels of soccer players I have to remember the rules for each level. Just lining up for the Garage Door Brokers will be enough, older brother, Sam's, has some more rules, but not offsides. Then eldest sister, Select, has the whole book.

Have to hurry. There is a Soccer/Family operations briefing about to start in kitchen. I have started saving my tasks in my TREO so I get the reminder. This is great. I can have my electronic reminder working for me at work and at home, one stop shopping for telling me what to do. Oh! this could be a conflict with the spouse since she does that job also! (Did I just use my outloud blogging voice?) (Just kiddin honey, Stormin Norman, Sir, sweetie.) Once that TREO buzzes I am like one of Pavlov's dogs trying to figure out where I am suppose to be and what and who I am to have with me.

Will keep you posted on "The Doors", Sam's, and Select, the three soccer teams. Oops, the Treo is reminding me about the ops update.

Have a great Saturday.

Dad, Why?...Another One for the Book

Having four young people in the house I have the opportunity to hear this question a lot. Dad why.....followed by the question.

As a parent I am glad to see that my children have the inquisitive nature to explore situations, events, and even analyze my own behavior. Sometimes I am astounded by the depth of the question and the advanced understanding it takes to formulate the question. (Being a guy, questions dealing with understanding, human interaction, and emotion are all in my advanced, even beyond me, category.)

Recently, as we watched the Cars movie on television for the 30th time, my youngest daughter, Princess Dabba, was curled up in my arms, having a nice father daughter Kodak moment, looked up at me and posed one of those questions I just had to post about. Dad, why..... (Here comes the question) do you have hairs up your nose? What?, chocking on popcorn? Lieber who was sitting with us starts to laugh hysterically. A couple of the other kids in the room chuckle then want to focus on the movie and my answer.

Granted, I had to overcome the urge to laugh out loud. But, not wanting to discourage the little inquisitor or make fun of her question I decided to try to understand what caused the question. This pause also gave me time to come up with the age appropriate answer, one more suited for a 4 and a half year old, and gave me time to realize from her vantage point she see up all our noses all the time.

So I gave her the answer that we all have little hairs up our nose to filter pollutants from our respiratory system. It helps to prevent infection and keep us healthy. She looked at me horrified! She was grossed out. The other kids listening nearby also made sounds of being grossed out.

This means it was time for a dad answer. Princess, as you get older, hair will grow from your ears, your eyebrows, and the stuff grows from your nose. Oh! Okay she said, back to the movie.

I knew I just had another entry for The Book!