Peter Dan

So....I've been thinking.....

I know, insert all the jokes here:

Did it hurt? Do you want an award? etc.. etc.. etc....

But seriously....Captain Hook's nemesis...Peter Pan didn't have it all right. You see....Peter Pan never wanted to grow up. He had it partly right...

That's why I've decided that I am going to change the philosophy.....and call it the Peter Dan view on life.

Peter Pan didn't want to grow up. As I have been reflecting....Peter Dan just doesn't want to grow old.....

But I am thriving on "growing up".

Don't get me wrong...15 years ago my biggest concern was whether or not I left my credit card at the OP. For those UNI alums you know this was a popular bar on "the hill". I was known there. I had MANY great nights there...most of which I remember. Great times...with great friends...and multiple pitchers of beer.

Back then, I did not have a care in the world...but today I have so much more to care about. So I am thankful that I am now a "grown up".

I think I am still "young at heart"...but I would not trade my life today for then.

The joy of becoming a grown up is gettng married, and having children. Have you ever talked to an adult who has said "I wish I still could party all night, with no one to answer too......"

My girls are 4 and 2 years old. I cannot wait to get home, give Katelyn "100 hugs" and learn whether or not Maddie bit either of them at daycare. I can't wait to learn what they will create with play doh or what picutre they will "paint" of daddy with his "muscles".

You see, there is nothing wrong with growing up. It is play doh today... and it is prom and then marriage and grandkids in the future.

I am in no hurry. I will enjoy each step along the way...but seriosuly...being a grown up has too many perks to not be excited.

So, I am Peter Dan.

Growing up....but not growing old.

Because they bring countless smiles....I love my girls.....

Odd Ya See.......

Sorry....I meant Odyssey.



My garage now looks like this:







That's right....after much deliberation....the convertible dad wanted took a back seat to the Honda Odyssey. That's not to say that Kelly WANTED a mini-van...she is just more practical than I when it comes to getting kids into car seats.



MOM- WE ARE NOT CURRENTLY PREGNANT. But for those of you who don't know....my wife is a planner. The "plan" is to have a third kid...and since the lease was coming up on the Infiniti....my argument of the need for a convertible held little water.


So....I have talked to a few mini-van owners prior to joining the club and they all have said "you will not know how you ever survived without one". I have owned one for three days now...and I am pretty sure the biggest winner in this whole experience are my little girls.


They currently sit in their back seats cruising.... watching the pop down DVD, listening on their wireless headsets, in the dual zone comfort control of the back seat. Chillin' with their chocolate milk in the removable middle console cup holders.....It is like "pimp my ride" for toddlers.



Seriously....wireless headsets???? I remember catching a ride with the Gillham's one time to school and H.J. and I got to sit in the way back. That was living.....no wireless headset...no DVD...just the opportunity to sit in the "way back" of the station wagon was excitement enough for us kids...



Side note here...we were rear-ended on that ride by a Chem-Lawn truck that shattered the glass of the station wagon and we all walked away without a scratch. Therefore, I am not convinced that my kids need to be in a car seat until they are 9 years old or weigh 185 pounds ....in fact, according to the regulations...I am pretty sure my wife should still be in a booster seat... but that is a different blog.



So....we are still cruising around in the Infiniti until the end of the month as the lease is paid through then....but at that point I officially become "Mini-Van Dan".


Side not hear.....cool people give themselves nicknames before anyone else can.


Because even though the wireless headsets were designed so mommy and daddy could listen to the radio while the kids watch their DVD....they choose to sing along at the top of their lungs to whatever they are watching....I love my girls...

Rain or shine....

So, I typically drop the kids off on Wednesdays and stay at work late....but today was a little different. I had to be at work early for a meeting in which we discussed "Global Human Resources Restructuring to Prioritize and Emulate Corporate Strategy and Senior Leadership Vision"......

I learned this morning that this really meant "Let's review the new org chart...."

But since I had to be there for the meeting, my wife agreed to drop off the kids at daycare. The kids enjoy this because as dad runs them out the door to get them to daycare and off to work...mom spends time with them on their outfits, and what shoes match what .....blah blah blah...

Today, my wife had them all ready to go to daycare when she realized it was raining. We have had two umbrellas that we were going to give as Easter presents....but for some reason my wife decided that the kids should have them today. We were going to give them as a present on a holiday that celebrates Jesus...but reality is that God made it rain today....so who am I to argue. The result is as follows:

They love it. Mom loves that there outfits are so darn cute and that they have umbrellas. Dad is confused is to where all of these new things came from...

I have a feeling that this is just a glimpse into how much having two girls is going to cost me in regard to clothing and accessories...

On another note...as I was putting Katelyn to bed tonight she told me she wanted to be four forever. When I asked her why, she said "Because I always want to be your little girl.....'

Seriously....I teared up writing that...... You HAVE to agree that is one of the cutest stories you have ever heard. Not sure where it came from....not sure why she said it...but I promise you I gave her one of the biggest hugs I have ever given.

Because when today brought rain, they shrugged it off and were excited to use their umbrellas reminding all of us that every cloud has a silver lining....I love my girls....