One of the hardest things to do it seems is to get all my kids together. There are a lot of factors involved in this – jobs, appointments, certain people, and schedules in general. However, over the weekend, all of my kids got together with me to celebrate Father’s Day.
We met at one of the local parks and we had pizza. We had planned on eating under the pavilion, but there were people there for a high school graduate’s open house. We found some bleachers by the baseball diamond and had our picnic lunch there.
The youngest kids wanted to hurry up and eat because they wanted to play on the playground. my older boys were filling me in on stuff at work, school, and other things. My younger ones were quite persuasive and got their older brothers to eat a bit faster so they could go and play.
As their father, it gave me the warmest sensation inside to watch them all play together! What a joy to see them all running around and chasing each other. It was hard to tell who was having more fun, the younger kids or the older kids. Andrew chased Dante’ up the stairs to the curly slide and on his way down, Dante’ got stuck!
Different slide, a few minutes later, Dimitri came down and conked his head on the way out.
After a lot of running around, screaming and laughing, they slowed down a bit as Ella and Andrew wanted to swing on the swings. Naturally, they wanted their big brothers to push them.
I found myself trying to take in every moment of this, but also wanted to get some pictures. Their interactions are something that is so special. Ella and Andrew love them so much, I truly wish that my older sons knew just how much.
I have two favorite pictures from the day. The first is because of the sheer delight in Andrew’s face as he chases Dante’ around the playground.
The second is a recreation of our Father’s Day picture from last year, only this time it is on the bleachers.
I’m a lucky man to be called “Dad/Daddy” by these kids. Thank you for a wonderful time together. I love you all!
They kids are all set for summer. Sam and I got them a huge inflatable water slide a few months back and we finally got the chance to put it up. We’ve had some summer-like weather and we’ve all had some fun with it.
This thing is really cool. There is a shower at the top of the slide that keeps water on the slide itself. Then at the bottom there is a water cannon that shoots water on the end of the slide. There is a “tunnel” with a sprinkler you can walk or run through, as well.
At some point Sunday, Sam decided that she was going to sit in the water with the kids, which led to a whole lotta splashing.
The asked me to come over, so I put my phone down and next thing I know, all of them were splashing me. The water was from the hose and it was freezing! But after about 30-40 minutes playing in the water as a family, I can honestly say it was a blast and worth every second.
Even Daisy found it fun to play …
The kids kept shooting her with the cannon and she kept biting at the water.
I will be sure to remind my wife of the fun we had when the water bill shows up!!
This was the first Mother’s Day since becoming a mom that Sam had the day off. I was so glad that she was able to take the day and spend it with us. She worked the night before and on the way home, she called and told me to make sure the kids were dressed. We were heading out somewhere when she got home.
I hurried and got the kids dressed, got myself dressed and was ready when she got home. She came in and changed clothes before we left, so I just assumed we were all going to go out to breakfast. Instead, she drove to the cemetery where my mom is buried. She told me she wasn’t going to let Mother’s Day go by without taking me there.
The innocence of my kids always chokes me up. As we walked up, Sam said, “We have to see grandma on Mother’s Day. She was daddy’s mommy.” When we got to her headstone, Andrew said, “I can’t see grandma.” That was the first choke up. Then Ella had found what she called a “heart shaped rock” and wanted to put it on her headstone. “I want grandma to have it.” Choke up number two. In the car, on the way out, Andrew starts to get upset. Sam asked why and he said, “Grandma can’t hold me.” Choke up number three.
When we got home, Sam got to see the gifts that the kids got for her.
They each drew her a picture/card and we placed a paint handprint inside. We bought her some hair stuff (hair ties, clips, a mirror, and stuff she uses to get ready). The kids also picked out a beautiful dozen roses for her. Finally, we made sure she got a delicious cake!
When our Head Start friend came over, we made feet flowers for her with her favorite colors.
After we opened her presents, she got to laid down and nap since she worked the night before. Then the kids and I went outside and we detailed her car.
We debated doing a BBQ for dinner, but she said she was really craving some Chinese food, so that’s what we got! By 7pm, the entire family was just exhausted and we were all in bed and asleep by 8! LOL
I am so happy that we got to celebrate her for mother’s day!! She is so special to all of us!
With the baseball season in full swing, and my daughter getting ready to start T-ball, I was reminded of those great days when I helped coach my two oldest boys. I was not the best coach, that is for sure, but we had fun. I coached T-ball, coach pitched, and player pitched teams. Eventually, my boys decided that it wasn’t for them.
Now with Ella and Andrew, I hope that they enjoy the game like I do. With my schedule I won’t be able to coach, but I have already put a plan in place to be able to see some of her games. I cannot wait to start playing catch with them.
I found this poem online and have no idea who wrote it, but I love it. It is about a boy, but I know plenty of girls who love the game, too, so it can easily apply to a girl as well.
If You Give a Boy a Baseball
If you give a boy a baseball, he will want a bat to go with it.
You’ll buy the best bat you can find, and then he will probably want a bucket of balls and a glove and some cleats too.
When he realizes he can’t carry all these things with his own two hands, he will want a bat bag.
Then he will want to spend hours begging you to go out in the yard to play with him even though you just want to sit on the couch and watch TV. He will insist. And his insistence will win!
When you go out in the yard to hit, pitch, throw, and catch. He will not want to go back in the house for dinner and will swear that even at dusk there is enough light to continue playing!
Next the backyard will get too small and he will want to go the baseball field to see how far he can hit and throw. Finally he learns to catch and then he wants friends to play with.
When a boy gets a jersey, he will want pants and socks and a belt and a hat to go with it! And a TEAM!!!
Then life as you know it will end!
There will be no more lazy weekends. You will see more sunrises than you ever thought possible! Every spare minute of your time will be spent hauling buckets, bags, stinky cleats, and crazy boys all over tarnation for practice and games. Your house will be a mess, and your car will be dirty.
All because you gave a boy a baseball!
Your weekends will be spent freezing in the cold or burning in the hot summer sun in a lawn chair! His weekends will be spent gaining confidence and friends, learning new skills, and having fun getting dirty. So dirty you will learn a whole new way to do laundry! Like going to the car wash using a pressure washer!
You will be there the day he has his first strikeout, double play and hits his first home run! And he will make you so proud. The other parents will congratulate you. But you feel weird saying thank you because it’s not you at bat or on the mound. It’s all him . . . He did this.
His smile will grow bigger and bigger! And each year that he plays with that baseball, he will get better and better. And his love for the game, and confidence in himself will grow right along with his jersey size!
Right before your eyes, your little boy will be transformed from the baby who spun around with his head on the bat, (because he loves attention), into a pitcher. Because he still loves attention. Then he might try to be a catcher, outfielder or infielder because baseball teaches him he can be anything he wants!
When you give a boy a baseball, you give him more than just a ball. You give him a sport, and a talent, and hope, and dreams, and friends, a new family, a place to learn about life, room to grow as a person where he can push his limits, and bravery, and courage and life, and memories. He will have all of these things, simply because you gave a boy a baseball.
Because you gave a boy a baseball, you too will develop new/lifelong friendships, developed solely from the same passion for the game and love of your team. You will cheer together, all because you gave a boy a baseball.
Then one day, many years from today . . . he will be in his room and a baseball will roll out from an old dusty bat bag underneath his bed. And he will pick it up and realize instantly that when you gave that boy a baseball, you also gave him a childhood that he would never forget! Then he will hug you, and your eyes may leak – because you realize that everything YOU gave up along the way . . . was worth it!
My wife was on the schedule to work on Easter Sunday. The family made sure that she would be included in the weekend happenings. My sister-in-law hosted a brunch on Saturday, which was just awesome. She had eggs, bacon, sausage, fruit pizza, and biscuits and gravy.
In past years, we’ve filled eggs with candy and coins and just left them around the yard for the kids to get. This year, each kid had their own color basket, which matched their egg color. Everyone got the same number of eggs. It made things so easy for them.
After brunch, we headed back home so that my wife could get ready for work that night. We also had the kid’s baskets out for them so that she could see them get their loot.!
Each of them got a new Tonie for the Tonie Box, a chocolate bunny, a toy, some play dough eggs, and new outfit. I think they both ate their bunny for breakfast!
On Easter Sunday, we were invited over to my in-laws, but my brothers-in-law were sick. With Andrew’s surgery coming up this week, we didn’t want to risk him getting sick (more on that in a sec).
Sam brought home donuts on Easter morning and we all enjoyed them. After breakfast, the kids were off playing with their toys. I grabbed a cup of coffee and tuned in to one of my pastor friend’s church service. It was a tremendous message and I am glad that I had the chance to sit and watch it. The message was on the resurrection of Christ and how it benefits Christian believers. It was a wonderful message that I really needed to hear with all that is coming up.
As I mentioned, Andrew is having surgery to repair the cleft that is between his vocal chords this week. I have taken a couple days off, so I may or may not post on here. I have a few things I might schedule ahead of time, but I will be back as soon as I am able with an update. He will see one of the docs a day before surgery to discuss some other possible diagnoses. We are also waiting to see a neuromuscular doctor. Not sure what we are looking at, but if you wouldn’t mind sending along positive thoughts and prayers, I would appreciate it.
My father-in-law could also use some good vibes and prayers, too. He is post op and needs to have another procedure done this week. Thanks in advance.
I had to do some quick testing a few weeks ago to see how the ADHD medicine is working. I will follow up with that doctor tomorrow. I’m not sure what to expect. You know how it is, in some ways I think it is helping, in other ways, I’m unsure. Hoping for some good news there.
I know this blog was a bit up and down emotionally, so I apologize. Know that I am ok, just thinking a lot.
There is never a dull moment at our house! The other day my wife and I are in our room. We hear Ella from the bathroom “We’re playing dentist. The pink kitty has a cavity and having a tooth pulled”. Sam looks at me and says, “You better check on that, I’m not sure what they are doing is dentistry!”
I walk in and the patient is in the “chair.” The flashlight is there to provide light. Andrew’s wearing medical gloves. Ella has a timer she is using as a thermometer. And the drill is on the ground, ready to prepare for cavities.
Looks like dentistry to me …..
We went back to Meijer to swap out bikes for Ella. The one we had came with two left pedals. Rather than just let me grab a right pedal from a box, I had to swap out the whole thing. On the way out, the kids see the penny horse ride. Someone was nice enough to leave a bunch of pennies on the base for kids who wanted to ride. Ella got right up and loved every minute. Andrew lasted about 3 seconds and wanted off. Naturally, Ella got to finish out his ride. (Yes, she is wearing unicorn slippers!)
It didn’t take long for our photos from the kid’s Spring Mini Session to come back. The kids love doing these because they get to pose with a live bunny! Our photographer, Beth, at Enjoy the View always amazes us. The kids were so out of control during the session, we really thought there wouldn’t be any good ones. We were wrong! She was really able to catch some fantastic shots.
After we downloaded the photos, we once again said to each other, “we really need to get these printed so we can hang them on the wall.” Seriously, the last photos that we hung on our wall was when we did family photos at Andrew’s newborn session! So today, Sam and I finally sat down and went through almost four years of pictures to have some printed. We ordered some canvases, and some 8 X 10 prints that we’ll be hanging in the living room.
Andrew was watching me upload pictures on my computer. He wanted to play on his own computer. He opened up the DVD player I use for my classes and I had to stop him. It is the only one I have and cannot afford to have that break. So I went downstairs and grabbed this old laptop my dad had given me a few years back. He was elated.
Because it is old, it is bulky. But it opens and he can bang on the keyboard. He was carrying it everywhere. I took the dog outside earlier and when I turned around, there was Andrew in the yard … with his laptop!
These kids bring me so much joy! There truly is never a dull moment.
We woke up this morning to the news that Sam’s grandma had passed away. It was not a surprise, as she’d been in hospice for a short time. She was 94 years old.
After Sam and I were married, I got to meet Gigi for the first time. She welcomed me into the family with open arms, literally. She told me, “In this family, we hug!” Sam and I visited her often and she always had stories to share with us. I loved listening to her. She was like my bonus grandma.
When the kids came along, she loved on them a lot! My kids loved seeing their Gigi. It is not often that a child gets to meet and interact with the great grandparents. Both of our kids were lucky enough to do that!
Gigi was all smiles holding Ella when she was only 6 days old.
She was just as happy to hold 13 day old Andrew.
Despite the noise they made when we went over to visit, she loved watching and listening to them. Every once in a while, Sam would visit and I wouldn’t be there because of work or something. She’d tell Sam to make sure I stop by with her the next time she went.
One of my favorite pictures of Gigi is with Sam at her baby shower.
When visits were over, I always made sure to give Gigi a hug and tell her that I loved her. She always told me she loved me too. Sam and I both had the chance to stop and see her before she passed. We went separately so one of us could keep the kids.
When I went to see her, it was difficult. It took me back to those final hours before my mother passed away. Gigi was more alert, though. She was talking, but much of it I couldn’t make out. I told her that the kids sent their love and wanted her to know how much they were going to miss her. I talked about Ella and she said clear as a bell, “She’s smart!” I agreed with her.
I thanked her for all she has done for us. She then said that Sam and I were “lucky to have each other.” I told her that I was the lucky one and how I couldn’t live with out Sam. She smiled. I asked her if I could pray with her. She took my hand without me asking and I prayed.
Afterward, she started to doze off. Sam’s Aunt Tana came in and sat next to me. We talked a bit and Gigi would occasionally start to say something to us. As I got ready to leave, I again told her that I loved her and told her to say hello to my mom and the rest of the family when she arrived in heaven. She clearly said, “Bye bye” and I kissed her on the forehead. I hugged Tana and chatted a bit with Sam’s Uncle before I left to go to work.
If you would be so kind as to keep my father-in-law, my wife, and her family in your prayers in the days and weeks ahead, I’d appreciate it.
Obviously, this is a pre-hug photo with Aunt Tana and me,
Gigi had a very strong faith and I know that we will be reunited in the future.
It is Groundhog Day. The above critter is not a groundhog, I realize. Perhaps, I should have posted an appropriate groundhog picture? Hold on a sec ….
…. Ok, I’m back. I have one.
You’re welcome.
The kids each got to enjoy a special day today. Andrew got to spend the day at Nana’s house and Ella got to go shopping with mommy. They both had lots to tell me about their day when they called me tonight. Both Sam and her mom said that each kid is very different when they are alone. They obviously missed each other. Tonight at bedtime, Sam sent me this:
I don’t know what is funnier – the sunglasses, the fact that Ella is reading my Columbo book, or that Andrew is staring at a blank page! LOL
Our pup is growing so much. She is like a Moose! I turned on the TV the other day and was laying on the couch. She was laying on the floor next to me. I was scrolling my phone when all of a sudden she jumped up on the couch and on me. She obviously needed attention.
I am not a tattoo guy. I’ve never really felt the need to get one. I have heard that once you get one, you tend to get more. There are plenty of tattoo horror stories. People get one with a name of a lover and then they break up and stuff like that. I saw something online the other day that just made me shake my head.
I have posted about the excitement I had over the Detroit Lions season this year. I had hoped that they would win the Championship game and go on to the Super Bowl. Some people chose them to win it all. I really can’t imagine being so confident that I would go and get the following tattoo:
One can only hope that they can change that year to 2025!
Coming Soon:
I’m excited for the next round of Turntable Talk, which is going to be about great movie soundtracks. Which movie soundtrack would you pick as your favorite?
I’m also taking part in the 10th Annual Favorite TV Show Episode in March. It is hosted again by Terry of A Shroud of Thoughts. I’m going with one from a show I have written about before, but worth being featured again.
“Although no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending.” – Carl Bard
2024 rang in quietly at my place. Sam worked New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. I was in bed and asleep by 11:45pm on NYE. I didn’t even hear the fireworks and gunshots. At 5:45am, Daisy was barking to go outside. I got up, got dressed, and took her outside. The sad thing about this who scenario is that the first kiss of 2024 for me … was from the dog!
Sam came home and went to sleep and the kids and I prepared for my dad’s visit. Each of us had things going on over the holiday, so he said he’d drive up on New Year’s Day. He brought the kids their Christmas presents. Ella got a Barbie Camper and Andrew got a Little People car wash. Naturally they fought over the toys while my dad and Rose were there. During one loud batch of screaming, I looked at my dad and said, “By the way, I was hoping you could babysit the kids for a few days.” LOL
Rose doesn’t like her picture on the net, so I cropped her out of the picture. It is always nice when the kids get to see them.
I’m glad I got to see my dad. I feel like I see him less now with my new schedule, but we still talk all the time. There’s nothing better than seeing each other in person, though.
My yearly recap is coming and a pretty big thing happened today that brought me to tears. More on that next blog.
Christmas has come and gone. I hope that you and your family had a wonderful holiday! We had a lot of fun moments, for sure. Here is my Christmas recap.
I want to start by saying that this had to be the least “Christmassy” Christmas in a very long time. Part of that could be that there was no snow on the ground and it was about 50 degrees. The sounds of the holidays were certainly there (musically), but it was very difficult to get into the Christmas “mood.”
That being said, I had Friday off and I needed to get a few last minute things for my sons. They had asked for a couple video games and I couldn’t find them. I could have ordered them, I suppose, but all the sites were saying that they would not arrive until January. So I improvised. I took Ella and Andrew with me and we went shopping. I found them some things (that I am sure they thought were not fun) that were more … adult.
Dante’ is 21 and Dimitri is 16 now. I got them things I knew that they could use or needed. It’s hard when you ask them what they want for Christmas in the fall and they have no clue. Or better yet, you find out that the thing they told you they wanted, they went out and bought for themselves with the money they made working. I didn’t want to do gift cards. That just seems easy, boring and requires no thought. I couldn’t help but remember when I started getting the more adult gifts….sigh. The Christmas magic fades too soon.
It was nice, however, to have all the kids together on the morning of Christmas Eve. I made a big breakfast and we had some good conversation. Dimitri had to work that day, so they weren’t at my house more than a few hours. It is a rare occurrence to have them all together in one place.
Christmas Eve night, we went to Sam’s folks for dinner. It was quite a spread: turkey, ham, meatballs, mac and cheese, baked bean, potatoes, and just about every dessert you can think of. Sam’s mom set up some cups on a table for the kids to toss cheese balls in to win prizes. Afterward, $200 in play money was handed to each person and gifts were auctioned off. I won the bid on a nice “evening in” bag – popcorn, candle, candy, hot cocoa and slipper socks. We also played a board game called “Something Fishy” or “Sounds Fishy” where you had to lie about a question that was asked. It was a fun night.
We left later than we expected and got home to get the kids in bed. Before we could do that, we had to leave out cookies and milk for Santa. One of our neighbors (the one who has the box to mail Santa letters – and answer them), messaged me to say that they had something special for Ella and Andrew. I went over Friday and they handed me a beautiful board for Santa’s milk and cookies.
Once the cookies and Egg Nog were in place (we were out of milk and I told them that Santa liked Egg Nog), the kids were off to bed. It was then that Santa began building toys! Ella asked for a Barbie Princess Castle and Andrew wanted a train table. It wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be, as it only took me about 3 hours to put every thing together.
The dog started barking earlier than normal and I was up to let her out. Andrew was up first and he ran to get Ella because Santa had arrived. For one brief space of about an hour, we felt like it was Christmas. The magic of watching them walk out and seeing their toys ready for play! Wow, do I remember that feeling! It is one of the most powerful memories in my life. That initial walk out to the tree … pure magic!
They were so excited that they didn’t open another present for some time!
Ella got this HUGE Barbie. It is almost as big as her. She loves it!
Andrew loves to take pictures with our phones and his tablet. We found a cool camera that he had a lot of fun with.
Christmas day was nice because we just got to chill out at home. After we played a bit, we watched The Polar Express together. It is such a great movie. We napped because we were all up early, and then got ready for dinner. A Christmas Story was on and I had yet to see it this year, so I watched as we cooked up our ravioli dinner.
Sam’s folks stopped by to see they kids and what they got for Christmas. After they left, we ate and got ready to call it a night. Sam and Ella were in our room relaxing and I was out in the living room with Andrew. I was getting ready to turn off the TV, but he was engrossed in The Wizard of Oz. He couldn’t take his eyes off it. When the commercials came on, I told him we’d have to finish it another day and we went to bed.
I tried to be more in the moment this year. I neglected to take a lot of pictures. Playing with the kids, chasing them around the house, snuggling them in our bed….yeah, those were the moments! It was a Merry Christmas for us!
Oh, and as a Christmas bonus for guys like me who have been waiting a long time … The Detroit Lions clinched the division. Merry Christmas!!
I hope you had a wonderful Christmas with your family. I can’t wait to read about it!
Various Ramblings of a Nostalgic Italian 