Relationship is Central

I drove down my street one afternoon this week and sure enough, there they were.  My nephews, Caleb and Isaiah, zipped up and down driveways on their shiny, silver scooters.  I rolled down the window to greet them, “What’s going on, guys?” “Hey Luke!” Caleb said as he whipped past me and manually motored down [...]

Why Having a Toddler is Like Being at a Frat Party

A guaranteed laugh, especially for those of us who’ve lived in both worlds. Why Having a Toddler is Like Being at a Frat Party 10. There are half-full, brightly-colored plastic cups on the floor in every room. Three are in the bathtub. 9. There’s always that one girl, bawling her eyes out in a corner. [...]

Swim Story

“I don’t think I’ve ever heard her laugh (or seen her smile).” The swim teacher handed me two dripping and giggling girls.  I led them over the lollipops for their post-traumatic reward.  Both girls focused on getting to the bowl of suckers.  As I toweled them off, they decorated the poolside with Dum-Dum wrappers.  Another [...]

Fireworks on the Beach

I’m sitting on the balcony enjoying last night’s leftovers.  Not dinner, but fireworks.  A cool wind encircles me as the waves crash over one another.  An occasional blast of pink and gold glitter illumines the beach below.  Tonight, only a couple of people launch fireworks into the Florida night.  Last night’s display put Disney World [...]

Treading Water in the Baby Pool

Today I filled up our toddler pool in the backyard, this time with water.  Last week it needed air.  I went knocking on doors in search of an air compressor only to walk home empty handed.  I psyched myself up to inflate the entire pool (which could double as a white water raft) with only [...]