Wednesday, November 20, 2013

28 rules for Fathers of Sons


Came across this on Facebook and really liked it...(copied from a blog called Diapers & Daisies to a post written back in May called 28 Rules for Fathers of Sons.)
28 Rules for Fathers of Sons

1. Love his Mother. He will learn to love like you love, and hate like you hate. So choose love for both of you. Devote yourself to it. Love with your whole heart and express that love each and every day. Then, someday down the road, you will see the way he loves his own wife, and know that you played a part in that.

2. Let him drive. Every child remembers the first time they drove on daddy’s lap. For that one moment, he will believe that he is just. like. you.

3. Teach him to be picky. Especially when it comes to women and burgers. Teach him to never settle.

4. Take him to a ball game. There is something about sharing a day of hot dogs, sunshine and baseball with your father.

5. Love with Bravery. Boys have this preconceived notion that they have to be tough. When he is young, he will express his love fully and innocently. As he grows, he will hide his feelings and wipe off kisses. Teach him to be a man who rubs them in instead. It takes courage for a man to show love: teach him to be courageous.

6. Talk about sex. Sometimes, boys need to know that all men are created equal.

7. Teach him to be a man’s man. Show him how to be brave and tough around the guys. Then, remind him on the ride home that it is okay to cry.

8. Share secrets together. Communicate. Talk. Talk about anything. Let him tell you about girls, friends, school. Listen. Ask questions. Share dreams, hopes, concerns. He is not only your son, you are not only his father. Be his friend too.

9. Teach him manners. Because sometimes you have to be his father, not just his friend. The world is a happier place when made up of polite words and smiles.

10. Teach him when to stand-up and when to walk away. He should know that he doesn’t have to throw punches to prove he is right. He may not always be right. Make sure he knows how to demand respect- he is worthy of it. It does not mean he has to fight back with fists or words, because sometimes you say more with silence.

11. Teach him to choose his battles. Make sure he knows which battles are worth fighting- like for family or his favorite baseball team. Remind him that people can be mean and nasty because of jealousy, or other personal reasons. Help him to understand when to shut his mouth and walk-away. Teach him to be the bigger better person.

12. Let him dance in tighty whiteys. Dance alongside him in yours. Teach him that there are moments when it is okay to be absolutely ridiculous.

13. Share music. Introduce him to the classics and learn the words to the not-so-classics. Create a rock band with wooden instruments, share your earphones, and blast Pink Floyd in the car. Create a soundtrack to your lives together.

14. Let him win. Sometimes he needs to know that big things are possible.

15. Teach him about family. Let him know family is always worth fighting for. Family is always worth standing up for. At the end of the day, he has you to fall back on, and pray to God that you will have him.

16. Father him. Being a father—to him—is undoubtedly one of your greatest accomplishments. Share with him the joys of fatherhood, so one day he will want to be a father too. Remind him over and over again with words and kisses that no one will ever love him like you love him.

17. Listen to him now. If you don’t listen to the little things now, he won’t share the big things later.

18. Let him try on your shoes. Even if they are old and smelly. Let him slip his little feet in and watch him as he hopes like hell that someday he can fill them. He will fill them.

19. Give him bear hugs. The kind that squeezes his insides and make him giggle. The kind of hug only a daddy can give.

20. Give him baths. Because Mom can’t do everything damnit.

21. Teach him how to pee standing up. Let him pee outside- such is the joy of being a man. Mom cannot teach this talent, so someone has to.

22. Know the answers. He will assume you do. If you don’t know them, pretend you do and look them up later.

23. Toss him around. Because little boys love seeing the strength of their father. Throw him up in the air, so that he knows you will always be there to catch him on his way down.

24. Ask his mother. He will come to you with questions that he won’t always want to ask his mother, about girls and about love. Ask her anyway, she will know the answers.

25. Love him like you would love a daughter. Little girls are not the only ones who need hugs and kisses. Love is the color yellow of emotions. It is both happy and gender neutral.

26. Grow a big belly. Because every child should get the chance to rest their head on the absolute softest pillow ever. Daddy’s belly is the best place to land.

27. Don’t say, do. American inventor Charles F. Kettering once said, “every father should remember that one day his son will follow his example instead of his advice.” Be a good one.

28. Be his hero. You are anyway. To him, you have the strength of Batman, the speed of Spiderman and the brain of Ironman. Don’t disappointment. Prove to him that Daddy’s are the biggest heroes of all. Only Daddy’s can save the day.

After all, good fathers make good sons.

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Annual Alzheimer's Walk, Football with Friends and The Painted Pony


Saturday morning, we attended the annual Alzheimer's Walk, and this year, Brody and Wade helped to register the runners and pass out t-shirts! What a great cause...
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That afternoon, we headed over to the Laird's house to watch football and welcome Rich back home! Another evening, filled with the chaos of rambunctious little ones, filling every square inch of a house with giggles and mischief.

Sweet Rylee and Jack, reunited!/ Trying to encourage some down time with a movie. You can imagine our plan didn't work out so well..
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Sunday morning, we loaded up the kids and headed to Tallahassee to meet Allie and the kids at The Painted Pony...We rode horses (again, everyone but Jack...), explored the farm, played with the animals, ate ice cream and got to help paint the horse!
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Although Jack didn't want to partake in the horseback riding activity, he found a lot of others ways to keep himself busy, as well as entertaining others! Whew!
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It was a jam packed weekend, but throughly enjoyed by all!

Mystery Fever


Jack had high fevers for a few days, with no other symptoms, so he obviously could not attend school...Grammie came over to watch him during the day so we could go to work! Thank you Grammie!

A little bit of fun with Grammie while we were cooking dinner:
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Little guy was tuckerd out from the virus...
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But the virus eventually rans its course, and without skipping a beat, Jack was back!! My crazy little guy..............
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Random iPhone pics...


Just a few moments, captured on my phone...

Wearing Green to school because it's Jack's favorite color/ No big deal...just Mater in the fridge.
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Sleepy boys, all cuddled up with Momma/ Our new sign!
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Apple festival at school
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Holland Farms


We arrived in 4 sperate vehicles...that is what it took to get 9 kids(6yrs old and under) and 5 adults(who should have been drinking...) to Holland Farms! The kids had an absolute ball and the parents were exhausted. Wheww! Kelly was the one one who had her husband with her...the rest of ours were at the FSU/Miami game! The kiddos were filled with so much energy, thank goodness they had huge areas to run and yell!

We rode horses(everyone but Jack, who would not even get close to a horse...), zipped down the zip line, played in the corn box, went on a ahyride, slid down the double hill slide, ate boiled peanuts and slurped blue and red icee's. It was a wonderful day! Can you tell from their shirts that it was gameday?
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The Hayride...we are missing Kelly and Emery, but who do you think took the pic??
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A little taste of the crazziness...


This cracked me up. Kelly went into the little store to buy an icee, and ended up having to purchase an apple, because a certain someone took a bite out of one!! hehehe
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The Patch and Trick-or-Treating


Same Patch...different year! This is our 6th year coming to the same pumpkin patch, with one exception. We were not able to come until Oct 30th this year, and there were barely any pumpkins left. It was kind of funny, but the boys still had fun and memories were made and our tradition was followed!

2013:
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Follows in his brother's exact footsteps...well, almost...ha!!
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The past years...

2012:
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2011-2008:
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We decided to have a low key Halloween this year, and I am so glad we did. We trick-or-treated in our own neighborhood, for the very first time since the kids have been born! We took our time, going from house to house, soaking up all of the little moments that tend to get lost in a big crowd of people. (How Jack was always 2 steps behind...his little boxer cape and candy bag, dragging behind him...How at first they were all nervous to ask for the candy, but by the end, they were bolting across the yards...How Brody and Wade held Jack's hand, shared their candy with him and introduced him to all that would come near. They are such proud big brothers!) To me, Halloween is the epitome of childhood. I am cherishing these innocent years! I will always remember marking the days off my calendar in anticipation of the exciting day of parties, costumes, and loads of candy. One of my favorite memories is dumping my overflowing bag of candy onto the floor and trading with my friends!
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We were finally forced inside by the rain...and after quick baths and showers, we poured through our loot!
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Annual Halloween Parade at School and FSU game!


I look forward to this event each year....the annual Halloween Party at their school! This is an event that parents, grandparents, friends, siblings, etc...all come out for. Each class has its own time to shine: 1st the teacher is announced, then each child, individually, then the whole class performs a song for the crowd!

This year, Wade was the first one out...he was so uncomfortable up there on stage for the whole crowd to see...barely cracked a smile. But, as soon as he jumped off stage, he was all good! Introducing SuperMan Wade!
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Next up was our spotlight lover, Navy Seal B-man! He loved being on stage, grinning from ear to ear. (Todd nearly had a heart attack when Brody debuted his entire costume...said he looked more like a terroist. The Black hood went into the garbage immediately...hehehe)
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Last, but not least, was Boxer Jack Jack! He played the part...stared the crowd down, from right to left, and even threw his hands on his hips at the end, for good measure! He rocked it!
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After the Halloween Parade, we visited with Nanny and Gator, grabbed snacks and took pics with our friends, and then we literally bolted out the door, cause Mommy and Daddy were hitting the road for Tallahassee!! Todd and I were able to spend a child-free weekend, attend the Bobby Bowden Day and FSU v. NC State game and hit the town with some dear friends. Thank you Nanny and Gator/ Pop's and Donna for spoiling our little crew...we gladly welcomed the break!
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Mini Destin Fishing Rodeo Tourney


The Harrell's and The Wood's teamed up together at the Annual Kid's Destin Fishing Rodeo, Rootin'Tootin' Rodeo Round-up mini-tourney...and all that we managed to catch was a seagull. I am not kidding.

First up...the kids had a blast, even if we never caught a fish...
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I kid you not, Todd actually "caught" a seagull. His little wing tip got wound up in the line. He was able to reel him in and bystanders cut the line away and he flew off, unscathed. Poor Todd. When he saw that his line was pulling, and he looked over the edge, he muttered, "Oh no....". To add to the excitement, someone down the way ended up hooking a sea turtle...had to slowly guide it to the end of the pier, where a guy was able to remove the hook from his poor mouth, and he swam off, unharmed, as well...So, = Fish-0/ Random Animals-2
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Quick visit with Grandmother


The boys school was closed on Monday for Columbus Day, so we loaded up the family and headed over to Great Grandmothers house for some R & R...

They literally played on our chalk raceway that I made for them one morning for hours and hours on end. It provided the best entertainment, for the kids and the adults!
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We slept in, took naps, watched football, went to a park and loved on on Grandmother!
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Soccer Shenanigans


These boys....the are all just plain crazy. No big deal, just laying down with our legs up in the air, to eat our after game snacks!
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But, have no fear. The apple doesn't fall from from the tree! (2013 The Best of the Emerald Coast)
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