Archive for the ‘books’ Category

baseball, The Duck Song, and some hockey up close

Thursday, September 29th, 2011

First off… what an amazing night of baseball last night! The Phils knocked the Braves out of the playoffs, got their franchise record 102nd win of the season, and made Charlie the winningest manager in Phillies history. I do feel bad for my BoSox/Bravos friends out there, that is just a crushing way to end a season.

At our last visit to Longswamp, Abbe’s mother, Jane shared The Duck Song with us and I knew I had to get a copy of the book for Viv to read. Lo and behold, what arrived via intralibrary loan yesterday? Oh yeah… and I think someone else is enjoying the book too…

Tonight, Bubs and I are going to the Flyers-Devils preseason game. I got really lucky on some incredible seats – we are going to be right behind the player benches, 2nd row! They haven’t announced the line-ups yet for tonight’s game, but I really hope we get to see Jagr skate tonight.

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slow myself down

Friday, August 5th, 2011

I am a little proud of myself for despite being in the midst of a crazy day, I stopped and did something to slow myself down and breathe yesterday. After a great meeting with a brand new client, I called up Abbe and asked if it was OK for me to come have lunch at the cheese shoppe. So I got to continue finishing up phone calls and working (thanks to the free wifi), see my lovely lady, get my daily allowance of Locatelli Romano and Ewephoria (my new favorite), and I got to do it all sitting outside. Perfect.

Books We’ve Been Reading…

The Circus Ship – great rhymey storey with a bit of Where’s Waldo mixed in a couple pages. Viv really enjoyed this one.
Oscar and the Very Hungry Dragon – this one has an Brother’s Grimm feel to it, but with a happy ending.
The Sandwich Swap – sweet story that teaches kids a bit about diversity and sharing through sandwiches.
Those Darn Squirrels and the Cat Next Door – pretty good follow-up book, the kids hope Muffins the Jerk Cat shows up in later tales.

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Oh it’s crazy hat day today at camp in case you were wondering…

Monday, July 18th, 2011

The Blazing Canons season came to an end yesterday. I was atrocious at the plate for the day and played OK in the field. It was a great season, very happy to have spent a few hours each Sunday with this group of guys. Afterwards we drowned our sorrows at PJs in some wings and beer and that made it all better.

Oh it’s crazy hat day today at camp in case you were wondering…

Oh, and thank god Breaking Bad is back on!

Books We’ve Been Reading…

Pierre the Penguin – very sweet tale about a penguin that loses his feathers and is given another chance by a caretaker that devises a special wet suit for her waddling buddy, both kids liked this one.
Go, Dog. Go! – I had never read this book and after seeing my friend Liz’s murals she had to paint over due to some room swapping between her youngest and oldest kiddos, I had to get this one from the library. What a classic, wish I had read this sooner.

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Growing Up

Friday, July 15th, 2011

Bubs and I had a little longer baseball catch last night and his wrist is still loosening up. He had his first full day of camp yesterday and did well. I think he really missed the freedom of being able to ride a bike and be around his buddies all day long.

Last night was probably the first of many moments of this new phase of fatherhood for me – my son wanting to let go of some of his comforts of being a kid and growing into a young man. He asked if he could skip reading stories with Viv and I. I told him it was fine, but I could see some uncertainty in his eyes. I asked him what was wrong, and he broke down a little bit. He told me he didn’t want to upset me. I told him I’m fine and if he wanted to join Viv and I at any time, he was welcome. He was still sad, and then as he reached for his book to read in his bed – I asked him, “What are you going to do before bed?”
“Read my Percy Jackson book.”
“And who taught you to read?”
“You did.”
“And do you know how happy that makes me?”

He gave me a big hug and sobbed a little bit in my shoulder. Truth be told, I was pretty misty too at this point. And after Viv and I were halfway through her Olivia book, Bubs climbed into my bed with us with Even Monsters Need Haircuts in his hand. 10 is a tough age, but we’ll figure this one out together buddy, no worries.

Movie Review…

True Grit – this was good. I haven’t seen the original or read the book, but I thought although the story was a bit slow and plodding in spots, the acting won me over.

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much better

Wednesday, July 6th, 2011

Both kids had a great first day of camp. I got the headlight replaced in my truck (much easier when I have the correct bulb). The water heater is operational again. We headed over to Mom’s for a swim and some dinner. And then the kids got to meet the neighbors new dog cat, Rocco.

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