Fishing Rod

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Roddie Report: You're Finally 4!

Roddie, I can’t believe you’re actually 4 years old! In part because the time has flown by since the summer of 2010 when I was so, so very pregnant with you… it was a long summer for me with heat waves and all, but your arrival was worth it all in the end.  Do you know, we almost did the house addition that summer?   We must have been crazy to consider it, and in many ways I am glad we didn’t do it until later.  I think part of why you and your sister are so close is that you shared a room for the first 3 years of your life! The bigger reason I can’t believe you’re 4 is because in my mind, you’ve been 4 for months already.

As an oldest, I always figured, that if I had two kids, that there was no way that I’d treat the older and the younger the same.  Well, buddy, I’m here to tell you, sometimes you just can’t help it.  Sometimes this isn’t the best thing, for you, as I expect too much, and Norah, when I don’t give her enough freedom.  Dad and I are working on this, so be patient with us, and rest assured you will NOT drive a car at 14 just because your sister is.

You’re a mama’s boy right now, and I love it.  I know that someday soon you’re going to outgrow it, and prefer smelly boy stuff over your mom, so for now I cherish each and every kiss and snuggle.  It happened with Norah (around age 4 in fact), and it will  happen to you.  You are a sweet, cuddly boy, generous with your hugs.  Don’t tell Dad, but I look forward to your visit every morning for a snuggle before I get up.  You’re a smart kid, you never show up too early.

Mamas boy or not, a boy needs his Dad, and I see you light up when you and Dad get to do guy stuff together – not runs to the “po, but fishing, or T-Ball, tossing a football or catching a wave.  I can do these things with you, but I was never the athlete Dad was and it really doesn’t seem to hold the same shine.  Buddy, just so you know, that’s just fine with me, I’ll be there cheering you on no matter what you’re playing. 

It freaks me out to think that you’re starting school soon. I feel like I spent more time on readiness with Norah, but then I remember, you just turned 4!  You know all your letters and their sounds, you’re doing great with counting, you know the days of the week, all your colors and you’re able to understand and remember the plots of all your favorite stories – including some long ones I would never have read to Norah.  You see buddy, that’s the up side of being the second in line, sometimes when you get pushed a little, you rise to the occasion!

You like all things fast – the obvious things, like cars and planes, but also fast flip flops and shorts.  I am not totally clear on how you define such things as fast or not, but it’s clear to you.  I guess you’re just a fast guy!

You do a great job at keeping up with the big kids.  I don’t know if you’ll remember this when you’re older, but there are a lot of kids Norah’s age in the neighborhood, but not so many your age – at least not that we know yet.  Don’t worry though, I’m on the lookout for pals for you, and I am certain that we’ll find them when you start school next year.  Plus, the big kids won’t seem so much bigger as the years go by.  And, they’re mostly girls, so I am guessing that you’re going to go to a lot of proms.

You love music, especially your guitar.  When you’re a little older, we’ll start you on some music lessons.  This is important, because we have something called the “Family Jam Band”, and I’ve been pretty lacking in my contributions.  I hope you can make up for meJ 

You’re a little anxious at times, and I worry about that.  I hope that you’ll outgrow it, at least a little.  There is so much life to live that I would hate to see you miss out.  Dad and I are doing our best to build you up and give you the confidence you need.  See, this ins one of those times I forget you are only 4.  I think this is one reason why you have a few close pals and are not the social butterfly your sister is.  That’s ok buddy, quality over quantity when it comes to friends. 

We’re going to give hockey a try this year.  We’ll see how you like it, you’ve shown a consistent interest in hockey, or at least the idea of it since you were pretty young.  I am sure it was re-enforced by Papa, when he gave you those hockey sticks a few years ago.  You see, you and Papa seemed to have a special bond since you were very young.  Maybe because he waited almost 40 years for a boy in the family.  Anyway, that could all change soon, you have 2 more cousins on the way!

So Roddie, these are the things I want to remember about you when you turned 4.  I hope you forever remain my sweet loving boy, and it’s ok with me if you also move on to smelly boy stuff too.

Roddie Report: Happy Birthday Roddie!!

Roddie turned 4 this past week, which is kind of funny, since I've been thinking of him as 4 for quite some time already. I guess it's a second child thing, where you assume they are really closer in age to the older sibling than they really are.  

In any case, a few weeks ago when we were on vacation at my parent's house, I took the kids for a walk and while we were out, I asked him about what he wanted for his party, cake etc. For the cake he said "Chocolate - Cake, NO cupcakes, with chocolate frosting, and rainbow sprinkles and a hand, with a number 4 candle - not 4 candles - in the middle"  He did not waiver from this request (except for the very last minute request to add an airplane (!) ) so, I gave the little man what he wanted:

As requested!

He was beyond excited when I told him early on Saturday morning what I had made for him and proudly showed it off to all his buddies.  So far, I have no idea what was behind the hand.  When asked, he answered simply, "I like hands".  

We had a dozen or so kids total over.  His pals from school Dominic, Alex, Evan, Tori and Bree as well as a couple of older siblings and Jack from next door and out old friend Courtney.  His Best Buddy Kendall, as well as neighbor pals Erin and Allie were on vacation and didn't make it.

Rod actually seemed to enjoy being the star of the show this year and relished blowing out the candle and opening his presents.  We loved actually entertaining in the back yard - we had the pool set up, a little T-Ball, bubbles, water pistols, a pile of beach balls and a parachute were all called into service.

Courtney (hidden), Dominic, Tori, Bree, Roddie, Norah, Jack, Hailey, Elsa, Alex and Evan

Adventure Chronicles: Mid Week Fishin' Fun

Matt called me around 4:00 yesterday, saying he was leaving work.  this is early for him, but I guess it wa prom night at the school he's working on, so it was best just to get outta town.  He wanted us to go somewhere, but he was being kind of vague out his plans.  Turns out it was a great plan, how can one argue with this:

He went home and packed up a dinner for all of us, and then took the kids fishing at a local conservation area.  I joined them as soon as I got home and enjoyed a few (tall?) tales about what they had caught before breaking for dinner.

The great thing about this fishing hole is that the fish are plentiful and easy to catch.  I guess Roddie actually did catch a bass of some sort that was a good size, though the majority of the kits were small bluefish called sunnies.

Both Rod and Norah seemed pretty into the whole enterprise, no doubt supported by actually catching fish! It was field day at Norah's school, so she's got a kitty-cat face paint job on, which I think really enhanced the whole fishing experience.

We made it back home before dark and before anyone had a meltdown, though we were cutting it close. It's been a long time since we've felt like we've been living life and not a slave to the house in one way or another.  I joke that we have PTSD from the whole experience, which isn't that far from the truth.  It feels like this spring, we're finally getting back to normal... with 2 kids and 2 working parents, normal is busy enough, but it includes things like fishing (on his own and with the kids) more already this year than in the past couple combined, and we're gearing up for a fun summer!

Foto Finish Friday

Foto Finish Friday

Foto Finish Friday

Foto Finish Friday 2014

Foto Finish Friday 2014

Foto Friday - special guest

Foto Friday bonus shots

Foto Finish Friday

Foto Friday

Roddie report: picture day

On Monday this week, while on a business trip, I get an email from one of Roddie's teachers, asking if I intended for him to get his school picture taken that day.  Ooops.  Given that he was dressed as a ragamuffin, in old sweats and a faded T-shirt, I most certainly did not!  I didn't forget, but I did get teh day wrong.  Anyway, Matt looked after it, sending him in the next day in his Easter clothes, and as you can see, he was more than adorable!

Foto Finish Friday: 2014 Week??? Still winter

Roddie Report: Checking Himself Out

Foto Friday