swimming

Dylan,

Mom told me last week that you were able for the first time to take a breath while swimming on your own.

This week she sent this great pic of you jumping into the pool:



You're the blur in the middle, wearing black trunks and a blue shirt.


Dad

31 Flavors

Dylan,

I donated blood at work the other day and got a coupon for a free pint of ice cream (which, the coupon explained, in our state actually meant a 12 oz. container -- go figure) so I took you on your very first trip to the ice cream store.

I picked you up so you could see all the flavors. You gravitated toward the pink ones, but ultimately surprised me by choosing the chocolate fudge. It was a joy to watch you eat it.







Dad

hold my hand

Dylan,

I picked up a new management tool from one of your teachers.

When I'm getting frustrated with you for refusing or delaying after I've asked you to go do something, rather than escalate my tone of voice or threaten consequences, I just say "why don't you hold my hand and we'll walk there together".

Your combativeness dissipates in a heartbeat. You take my hand, walk to wherever, and usually take care of business.


Dad

race ya

Dylan,

You're a budding competitor. Any time we want to encourage you to complete a task more quickly -- such as getting dressed or putting on your shoes -- we just have to challenge you to a race.

"I'm gonna race you...", we say". "No! I'm gonna race you!" we hear back.

You almost always win.


Dad

note

Dylan,

You told Mom tonight that you wanted her to write you a note. She told you to go get your bath ready. Before you put your jammies on, you found a note waiting for you in your room:

Trains and airplanes and things that "go"
Are the toys you favor

You spend your free time building track
With your daddy or your neighbor

Tonight before you go to sleep
Before you hit the sack

We'll read the book you chose today
About Thomas and a crack in the track

So put on your jammies and brush your teeth
And meet me in your room

We'll climb in bed and rest ourheads
And read by the light of the moon

I love you

Mommy

Dad

hunger

Dylan,

After too many meals where we've worked way too hard encouraging you to eat your food, I'm thinking you lack a useful understanding of the ramifications of not getting enough. I suppose you can't very well be expected to understand it if you've never had to go without.

We've never sent you to bed without dinner. Maybe we ought to keep that option open.


Dad

tools

Dylan,

Buy high quality tools.

There's a pretty significant spread between the cost of the cheap tools and the quality ones, but a good tool -- properly cared for -- can last you forever.

And poor quality tools lead inevitably to poor quality results.

Thanks for listening.


Dad

Christmas eve

Christmas is different as a parent. Especially when your kid is old enough to appreciate presents. The excitement of it all is now so externalized: I'm so looking forward to sharing his Christmas morning with him that I've become almost disinterested in (or at least not actively thinking about) what the day portends for me. It pales to insignificance.

I guess if your heart is going to walk around outside your body, you might as well live vicariously through it, eh?

whispering pirate

Dylan,

Out for dinner to celebrate Yaya's birthday (over huge servings of tasty Afghan food) Aunt Lisa commented on the argyle pattern across the front of your sweater. Soon, at your request, Uncle Marc was up and showing you his argyle socks.

At the mention of the word "pirate" you responded with a hearty, swashbuckling "ARRRRG-YLE" to the amusement of the entire table. Recognizing amidst the adult reaction that you'd found a real winner, you decided to play that card again and again, instinctively emboldened to ratchet up the volume to full.

Back in his chair across the large table from you, while the rest of us were just starting to worry about the bucaneering fear you might strike in the hearts of other patrons, Marc had the quick sense to ask if you could "say that like a whispering pirate". Without missing a beat you leaned your face in over your plate and laid down a quietly jolly 'arrrrg-yle' to pleased faces all around.

Dad

cooking solo

Dylan,

"When I am a grown up I will be able to cook all by myself. And I can heat up cheerios".

Looking forward to it.


Dad