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.....
Friday, March 26, 2010
Monday, March 15, 2010
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...
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...
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
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:
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....
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Thursday, February 4, 2010
The conversations make me giggle
So...life is stressful.
More stressful the older you get.
So.....my profound advice is that when you have a stressful week /day / minute.... you should have a conversation with a four year old.
You will soon realize that there is nothing more important then the innocence we so often let go of as we get older.
My week has been horrible... deadlines, deadlines, deadlines...but please let me share with you some snippets of conversations I had with my four year old when I have put her to bed that have kept me going:
Monday
Me: Goodnight Katelyn
Katelyn : Daddy, is Miss Tammy sick (Tammy is our daycare provider who got strep this week)
Me: Yes, she isn't feeling well
Katelyn : Oooohhh....Poor thing. I think she will be better in twelve days.
Tuesday
Me: Goodnight Katelyn should we say a prayer?
Katelyn: Yes..you start and then I will go and then you go and then I will go.
Me: Dear Jesus
Katelyn: Thank you for the food
Me: (not quite sure why she is thanking for the food at bedtime but none the less I went with) And thank you for our family
Katelyn : And thank you for our cousins
Me: And Jesus, please make sure mommy gets everything she ever wants
Katelyn: And daddy too
Me: And Katelyn too
Katelyn: And Ashley too......except...well.......not everything she wants because she wants to stay up past bedtime sometimes and she shouldn't get that.
Wednesday
Me: Goodnight Katelyn
Katelyn: Goodnight daddy...do you like Barbie or Hello Kitty
Me: Hello Kitty, do you like Hello Kitty or Tinkerbell
Katelyn: Hello Kitty duh...can we color?
Me: No it is time for sleep, do you like Tinkerbell or Barbie?
Katelyn: I like everything you ask about. So whatever you say, I will say I like them
Me: (because it was a challenge) Do you like Monsters?
Katelyn: NO!
Me: (not willing to let it go) Where do monsters live?
Katelyn: I don't kn.....wait....in caves.
Thursday (tonight)
Me: Goodnight Katelyn
Katelyn: Did you toot, because it smells in here
So...as you can see in the previous conversations, my four year old and I did not solve all of the world's problems this week.
But as you can also see...I laughed and smiled and hugged the cutest 4 year old I know. I realized because of her this week that whether or not I hit my deadlines, or whether or not I was praised by superiors or whether or not I move up the corporate ladder....my four year old just wants to make sure there is hello kitty, and no caves that monsters live in nearby.
Innocence is profound.
Because if I were to tell them that daddy is stressed, they would most likely tell me that Ursula is mean and Ariel is beautiful.....I love my girls.
More stressful the older you get.
So.....my profound advice is that when you have a stressful week /day / minute.... you should have a conversation with a four year old.
You will soon realize that there is nothing more important then the innocence we so often let go of as we get older.
My week has been horrible... deadlines, deadlines, deadlines...but please let me share with you some snippets of conversations I had with my four year old when I have put her to bed that have kept me going:
Monday
Me: Goodnight Katelyn
Katelyn : Daddy, is Miss Tammy sick (Tammy is our daycare provider who got strep this week)
Me: Yes, she isn't feeling well
Katelyn : Oooohhh....Poor thing. I think she will be better in twelve days.
Tuesday
Me: Goodnight Katelyn should we say a prayer?
Katelyn: Yes..you start and then I will go and then you go and then I will go.
Me: Dear Jesus
Katelyn: Thank you for the food
Me: (not quite sure why she is thanking for the food at bedtime but none the less I went with) And thank you for our family
Katelyn : And thank you for our cousins
Me: And Jesus, please make sure mommy gets everything she ever wants
Katelyn: And daddy too
Me: And Katelyn too
Katelyn: And Ashley too......except...well.......not everything she wants because she wants to stay up past bedtime sometimes and she shouldn't get that.
Wednesday
Me: Goodnight Katelyn
Katelyn: Goodnight daddy...do you like Barbie or Hello Kitty
Me: Hello Kitty, do you like Hello Kitty or Tinkerbell
Katelyn: Hello Kitty duh...can we color?
Me: No it is time for sleep, do you like Tinkerbell or Barbie?
Katelyn: I like everything you ask about. So whatever you say, I will say I like them
Me: (because it was a challenge) Do you like Monsters?
Katelyn: NO!
Me: (not willing to let it go) Where do monsters live?
Katelyn: I don't kn.....wait....in caves.
Thursday (tonight)
Me: Goodnight Katelyn
Katelyn: Did you toot, because it smells in here
So...as you can see in the previous conversations, my four year old and I did not solve all of the world's problems this week.
But as you can also see...I laughed and smiled and hugged the cutest 4 year old I know. I realized because of her this week that whether or not I hit my deadlines, or whether or not I was praised by superiors or whether or not I move up the corporate ladder....my four year old just wants to make sure there is hello kitty, and no caves that monsters live in nearby.
Innocence is profound.
Because if I were to tell them that daddy is stressed, they would most likely tell me that Ursula is mean and Ariel is beautiful.....I love my girls.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
While I'm traveling for work.....
So....I am in Florida on business this week. My wife is taking care of the kids. Good news though...tonight was "Kids Eat Free" night at Perkins.
Both my kids ate pancakes with sprinkles and whip cream. Although both had the same thing, there were two very different reactions.
First, Ashley:
Tonight they were discussing whether or not the stimulus package is working to save the economy. Now, I would normally find this an intriguing topic. My issue is that is "expert panel of guests" included Tonya Acker, Stephanie Miller, Ben Stein, and Penn (of Penn and Teller).
I am not kidding...let me break that down for you: Someone I have never heard of. Another unknown, although apparently she hosts "The Stephanie Miller Show", a guy who is best known for saying "Bueller" repeatedly in a movie about Ferris' day off, and a magician.
This is why I don't tune in. The expert panel of guests next time will most likely be Fred, Shaggy, Velma and Daphne with special commentary by Scooby Doo.
Because they will learn of current events through conversations and schooling versus watching a TV host that looks like Skeletor....I love my girls.
Both my kids ate pancakes with sprinkles and whip cream. Although both had the same thing, there were two very different reactions.
First, Ashley:
Who apparently thought my wife was force feeding her liver and onions...not a plateful of sugar.
Then Katelyn:
Who apparently loved the plateful of sugar and was already feeling the effects.
Tonight they were discussing whether or not the stimulus package is working to save the economy. Now, I would normally find this an intriguing topic. My issue is that is "expert panel of guests" included Tonya Acker, Stephanie Miller, Ben Stein, and Penn (of Penn and Teller).
I am not kidding...let me break that down for you: Someone I have never heard of. Another unknown, although apparently she hosts "The Stephanie Miller Show", a guy who is best known for saying "Bueller" repeatedly in a movie about Ferris' day off, and a magician.
This is why I don't tune in. The expert panel of guests next time will most likely be Fred, Shaggy, Velma and Daphne with special commentary by Scooby Doo.
Because they will learn of current events through conversations and schooling versus watching a TV host that looks like Skeletor....I love my girls.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Star in the making,,,,,
As many of you know...my wife owns a marketing agency. As many of you also know... I have no idea really what this means. She talks in a code that only other marketing professionals would understand with phrases like: "I talked to creative last week and they are running the blah blah blah..."
Creative is not a person. You cannot talk to "creative". Unless of course...you own a marketing agency.
I was excited though as a few weeks ago...my wife was "talking to creative" and they needed a small child to model for a photo shoot. Katelyn's new career was born.
Creative is not a person. You cannot talk to "creative". Unless of course...you own a marketing agency.
I was excited though as a few weeks ago...my wife was "talking to creative" and they needed a small child to model for a photo shoot. Katelyn's new career was born.
You may think the fact that my daughter got to star in this photo shoot was because my wife's company was paying for it. I like to think that the start to her illustrious modeling career was due to her unsurpassed beauty that was unmistakeably given to her through her father's genes.
Either way, Katelyn got to participate in a photo shoot for Land O Lakes. Once she is granted the rights as the official spokesperson for Land O Lakes Cheese...I will retire and pursue my dream of living in a tricked out RV while touring the world for her other photo shoots.
Because both are beautiful...and at least one will soon be famous....I love my girls.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)