meet my son, Ryan Howard
I got home and unearthed the swingset and then moved it two feet from the neighbor’s fence so my chillins don’t grow another inch and start hitting the fence whilst swinging. Van, Viv, and I then tested it out for a while with some good swinging (and tickling on the swingback too).
Van and I had a catch and then practiced hitting. He’s number 6 in t-ball, just like Ryan Howard and everything he does is just like Ryan Howard does it. And he’ll tell you so too… “Dad, did you see me throw that ball just like Ryan Howard?”, “That swing there, that’s a Ryan Howard swing.”, or “See me smack that ball Dad? Ryan Howard hits them almost that hard.”
they’re like twins
The kids got their tubbies and had some dinner. While Dana took Viv to go get a new bike, Van and I did his homework, then read together and got to bed. He actually asked to read a non-We Both Read book last night along with me. I’m amazed at how well he’s doing with reading. He did a great job on When Papa Snores.
Speaking of the Phils, I watched the first 6 innings of the Phils-Giants game last night (on the west coast) and I am happy to report that Brett Myers got his first save, hopefully of many. I can definitely feel for Tom Gordon’s inflamed rotator cuff and hopefully he’ll be back, back I think he’d serve the team best as the 7-8th inning setup guy for Myers.
I also finally got around to removing some entertainment center doors in the playroom that the kids had cracked. I finished some more NitroVideo work and uploaded some changes for the Wheelies website.
I woke up again this morning with Viv nestled on my chest. I have no idea what time she does this each night/morning, my little sneaky cuddler sure does make her daddy happy.
- Planktoon – pretty impressive French animation
- Spatula of Death – an antisocial networking site
- Orson Whales
May 4th, 2007 at 9:06 am
This is going to sound dorky but I’ve read “When Papa Snores” and it’s pretty good! I liked all the bright pictures and the crazy sounds. I wish adult books had pictures and sounds. I guess that would just make them movies …
May 4th, 2007 at 10:53 am
T-ball sounds like good times, and “Ryan Howard hits them almost that hard” cracked me up. It’s got to be great waking up to your daughter being all cuddly … that’s great stuff, man.
Oh, and yeah, you should try riding your bike to work. Not sure how far your commute is, but I find it’s pretty damn enjoyable.
May 4th, 2007 at 1:03 pm
I’m just saying, it’s much easier to be a sports fan on the West Coast. Sundays during football season rock.
May 4th, 2007 at 1:20 pm
Ryan Howard. That’s Ron Howard’s brother, right? He did stand in work for Ron on “Happy Days” and all?
Anyhow, I keep forgetting to tell you how much I hoot–really loudly–at your comments on my blog. The “you sank my battleship” and “pancakeret” in the last weeks have killed me.
May 4th, 2007 at 1:34 pm
Sarah – When Papa Snores is an American classic right up there with Moby Dick and Huck Finn, no shame. I read it to both kids and the giggle at the snore noises I do, sometimes…I even improvise…because When Papa Snores is like jazz too
apertome – I’m definitely going to ride to work after July or so, everyone in my family is worried I’ll be run over so I might need to break down and get that helmet I’ve been putting off for so long
egan – when we lived in Austin, TX that extra hour (CST) ruled.
Jocelyn – yes, he was excellent in The Spy Who Shagged Me and every other movie Ron made and threw him a bone. You know they served pancareet omelettes on the destroyers in the south pacific during WWII, pancareets were commonly found on Bikini Atoll per blowing it the fuck up with the test A-bomb
May 4th, 2007 at 2:58 pm
What a warm and lovely post. Your kids are so happy and secure.
I melted at the thought of your daughter sneaking into your arms during the night. I never got much affection from my father, and it would have made such a difference in my life.
You’re my hero-dad. It sounds as if you do everything right.
May 4th, 2007 at 4:09 pm
The similarities between Ryan Howard and your son is uncanny! I can barely tell them apart. Have a good weekend.
May 4th, 2007 at 5:03 pm
Sneaky cuddles are the best.
May 4th, 2007 at 10:25 pm
Oh! I can TOTALLY see the resemblance!
May 5th, 2007 at 5:34 am
I almost had trouble telling one from the other (luckily the jersey gave it away).
Are they even called jerseys in baseball?
How lovely that Viv went bike shopping with her mum. I think there are few things as special to a kid as a new bike.
May 5th, 2007 at 7:47 am
heart in san fran – I don’t do everything right, I do love my kids a whole bunch though
Corky – he gets me into the coolest clubs in Philly
mamatulip – amen
Chris – the only real difference is Bubba hits righty and Ryan is a southpaw
Jay – they are called jerseys in baseball and in Jersey. Viv loves her bike with a tenacity unforeseen by Viv-kind…as long as her brother will stop riding the pink bike
May 5th, 2007 at 5:50 pm
You know, you seem like an amazing dad! I never woulda had the nerve to sneak in and cuddle with my dad.
May 5th, 2007 at 9:23 pm
Wow, Tball! Good times! It’s been so long since my boys have played ball. They grow up way too fast!
My 16-yo actually was going to try out for the high school baseball team, but decided his love of hockey comes first. He’s playing in a spring league.
May 6th, 2007 at 6:53 am
leelee – I’m trying. Cuddles with my little monkey are always welcome…also cuddling with my daughter (or son) are too.
kate – ahh, hockey…I miss it. One day when I actually have some disposable income, I might get ice hockey gear so I can play in an old guy league and horribly injure myself
May 31st, 2007 at 9:00 am
[...] night and he did a pretty good job of not filling his glove with sand constantly (which is probably how Ryan Howard started playing better too – as Van pointed out to me). I had to take over all the pitching duties since the other’s team coach wasn’t there [...]
June 6th, 2007 at 10:17 am
[...] The last t-ball game of the season was last night. Tons of parents came out to the field, the kids really enjoyed the game. I was thanked by all the parents for coaching. It seemed odd to me, because well, to be able to coach my son was something I always wanted to do. I’m not sure if I’ll have a chance to coach, let alone attend any more of Bubba’s sporting events. I got so many pats on the back and thank you’s, the truth is I should be thanking all of them. I am so grateful for those months of correcting batting stances, putting batting helmets on, and lining them up for after the game handshakes. Below you can see Bubba getting one of his final hits of the season, I’m the ugly guy pitching in the grey shirt. Remember Bubba, keep that back elbow up, head down, and step towards the mound when you swing, ok pal? Just like Ryan Howard. [...]
July 22nd, 2007 at 10:19 am
[...] over with a 6 pack of beers and we watched the Phils stomp a new mudhole into the Pads thanks to my son…I mean Ryan Howard belting two sweet dingers. Doug and I both are coveting the retro Padres visors we noticed a lot of [...]
August 13th, 2007 at 7:56 am
[...] while munching on my dinner and watching the Phils play a great game to recapture second place. My son…I mean Ryan Howard hit a nice Earl Weaver and J-Roll provided me with more fodder for my on-going argument that he [...]