Coming of age

Dylan, You're about to turn 18. We've been working toward this all your life, haven't we? I want to take a moment to say I love you and I'm proud of you. This past weekend you sent in your first three college applications. I hope you find a place you really love and people you love learning and growing with. You also finished your Eagle Project to culminate your career as a Scout. I really can't say how pleased i am to see you achieve this milestone. That my father didn't make Eagle because he didn't complete a project, despite accruing an excess of merit badges, always felt emblematic of his unfulfilled potential. The symbolism of seeing my son exceed my father is in a way redemptive and also validating: With successive generations we are evolving toward our ideals. We also found time for a long conversation about life, money, danger, trust, sex, college, death, and family. I look forward to many more in the years ahead. You're a fine young man. It has been an absolute honor to watch you grow up. Dad

Speed Reading

Dylan,

You received this 515-page book Wednesday morning as a Christmas gift. You finished it Thursday. Good thing they gifted you the whole series.


Dad

Body Art

Ruby,

I came home from work to find you covered in self-applied ballpoint pen body markings. "I don't want to talk about it" you said when I inquired.


Dad

Three!

Two...

One...

Drum Circle

Ruby,

We biked downtown for dinner after swimming class one night while Dylan was in Seattle. You were welcomed into a drum circle happening nearby.

Ruby's first haircut

Ruby,

A week ago I took Dylan to get his (and my) hair cut.  It made you want a haircut too, and you weren't going to let me forget it.

I cut your hair in the backyard on Sunday.  Just one snip after wetting your hair and brushing it all straight back.  You expected it to hurt.  Even after I showed you what I had cut off you insisted that I hadn't given you your coveted haircut yet.  You asserted that we were supposed to drive somewhere and come back with a lollipop.

I have to say, it looks really really cute.  Especially with the new barrettes Mommy bought for you yesterday.  I need to add a photo.


Dad

Daddy's boots

You're a beautiful princess.

Ruby-safe

Ruby-

You've somehow figured out how to open the child-proof cap on your bottle of "star vitamins". It makes me worry (and I've relocated them off the counter) but I can't help but be a little impressed as well.


Dad