Yet again it has been a while since I last posted here and once again a lot has happened. The kids have had their first teeth cleanings at the dentist. While it was Becca's second visit to the dentist it was a first for James. The highlight of his appointment was when he told the dentist the polish tasted horrible. Is it polite to laugh at the dentist? They both did well though James really enjoyed watching cartoons. When he was done James even asked to stay in the chair with the headphones on to keep watching TV.
They both love the smile for the camera.
Let James watch TV and he doesn't care about much else.
Becca was a little more attentive and listened to the dentist.
James started school and is doing very well. I found out his teacher knew both Karen and I. It was one of those little things that confirms to me that someone up there is keeping an eye on us all and helping things along.
James' first day of school. It took a bit for him to stop making faces.
The kids love going to the park even though we have a swing set in the back yard. They have started being more adventurous when playing on it though. James has hit his head on the poles a few times and even fallen a time or two. I sometimes think childhood is measured by bumps, bruises, cuts, and other injuries more than by days, months, and years.
The little daredevils on the swing set.
The annual fathers and sons camp out was fairly recent. This year I only took James instead of both James and Becca. James had a ton of fun trying to be a little pyro. For the sake of safety I told him if part of a stick went in the fire then all of it had to go in. He even started telling the other boys the same thing but not many 7-10 year old boys will listen to a 5 year old, especially if it means less fun!
The fathers and sons camp out.
Now that summer is over and fall is about to start I have been thinking about endings and beginnings. It seems as though whenever there is an ending there is also a beginning. Life is like that in a lot of ways. Usually there is a transition and not a clear defined ending. In my life I want the clear cut ending and the defined beginning but really life is about gradual change. The end of bottle feeding and the start of real food is done in increments and overlaps for a long time. The end of childhood and the start of adulthood can't come soon enough for a teenager but what teenager really wants, or is ready for, all of the responsibilities of life; rent, job, bills, choosing between food and bills, insurance, a spouse, and a family of their own.
We grow into life gradually filling the space around us much like a plant. In much the same way I am growing into the role and life of a single parent struggling to make sure everything gets done and that my kids have the best opportunity for long term happiness and fulfillment. Some things, the worthwhile things, take a long time to work out so I am learning to accept my own shortcomings while continuing to work towards my long term goals, one of which is finding a wife and companion to share the rest of my life with.
Braden
