Bex-&-Berks-to-Be

"And Then What Happened?"

End of "Solo Papa Week"!!!

Just received a text from Karla from the DFW Airport. 

She's back in TX.

And now on her way home.

"Solo Papa Week" is over.

Yeah!!!!

 

That Duck is a Goner!

Any Toy She Wants!

Seriously.

Does papa have a chance with those eyes?

And Lord help him in the wrapped-around-her-fingers years to come!

Guess She's Already Read that Book?

Eye on the Candy Prize

At the beginning, papa uncapped the Sharpie pen before putting it into Bex' hand to guide the creation of the calendar day 'X' on each square.  As the days went on, however, Bex began saying, "I do it myself, papa!", and papa figured, "Hey, what's the worst that could happen?"

One pair of papa's dress pants marked by a black Sharpie later, papa figured, well, at least he's getting better at making an "X" all by himself.  And he's figuring out how to count-down to candy Nirvana once Halloween draws near.

Kilroy Was Actually in the Tub

Nothing Is Better Than Mushy Peas, Litle One

A Text-Messaged Nail Biter Under the Lights

Last night in Dallas, The Trinity Valley School Trojans faced off against the Oakridge Owls -- mama's and papa's schools respectively -- for the private high school league football championship game where TVS beat Oakridge 40-35 in the final minutes.

Sadly, what would have been a truly perfect date-night under the stadium lights, both of us on the edge of our seats about one of the best football games we've ever been associated with, turned out to be a text-message affair.

Karla was in DC.  Papa was in Dallas. 

But they did have their iPhones.  And their thumbs.

The game was a true nail-biter.  Unbelievable heart-driven plays, constant scoring both ways, and literally it all coming down to the final play.

And while only one school can win the championship, it was an honor to be be affiliated with both schools.  And to be reminded what it means to be a young person putting everything on the line in front of 2 amazing sets of fans/schools.

So, the time has to come to say:

Congrats, Karla! 

If we had to lose to anyone this year, I'm glad it was you guys!

Hallway Sibling Rivarly

Always On the Move

Life in the Backseat

Scene: Berkeley keeping an eye on papa pumping gas at the 7-11.

A Girl's Best Furry Friend

Unlike Bex, Berky seems smitten by the furry critter laying around the house.

When he was her age (and older), he barely noticed Tucker (or Flaco, rhymed with taco).  Just seemed to ignore 'em both.  Or might have been weary).  She, on the other hand, can't get enough clumps of fur in her hand.

Gonna be a lovely relationship for many years to come, one can imagine.

Up the Water Spout

Last week's letter was "S".

And today in class the kids/teachers found a real spider crawling around under a table.  No screams.  Just fascination.  The way it oughta be with nature.

Smash-Up Derby, School Style

A couple of papa's 11th grade students/advisees playing "smash-up derby" with some of Beckett's toys that he keeps in his classroom for the little man.

Shhh.  Don't tell Bex. 

There will be toddler-hell to pay if he finds out!

In Memory of Dennis Fleming

Earlier this week, Karla's school lost someone near-n-dear to them when Dennis Fleming unexpectedly died of a heart-attack in the middle of the night.

[note: see link for his story]

Dennis was a 30+ year educator/administrator at her school.  Most recently he served as the Associate Head of School after leading the upper school for years, and also was the key organizer for all alums.  Plus, he was the 'voice' of her school on fall Friday nights as the football team's announcer.

Maybe most importantly -- to us -- he was a kind and welcoming presence when Karla joined her school's admin/teaching team when we moved to TX 6 years ago.  

Sadly, Karla was not able to be at school this week after the unexpected passing early Sunday morning.  She was in Washington DC on her annual 8th grade student trip -- a trip, ironically, that Dennis was supposed to be co-chaperoning with her -- and had to miss the school's wake.  

As a related/side note, Karla was able to do something quite special in Dennis' memory while at Arlington National Cemetery.  The following was sent by a teacher on the trip:

The next leg of the day took us to Arlington National Cemetery for some reflection and a deeper appreciation of many who gave so much for our nation.  While touring the grounds, Ms. Long spoke about Mr. Fleming (who always loved chaperoning this trip with us) as we observed a moment of silence at one of his favorite sites, the John Kennedy grave-site. All were moved by the significance of the occasion. 

And this was sent by Deb, Karla's assistant and a great voice on behalf of the school:

Ms. Long called to share with us that they were going to have a moment of silence in memory of Mr. Dennis Fleming today. As it turned out, they visited Arlington National Cemetery this morning and she was speaking to the 8th graders about Mr. Fleming. Ms. Long, the students, and chaperones were standing shoulder-to-shoulder at Kennedy's gravesite (a picture perfect moment) as she shared with them that Mr. Fleming was also a Democrat :-) and other facts that they found most interesting and endearing. Our students either knew him, knew of him, heard him announce games...in one way or another he had an impact on their lives. Immediately after they stopped their conversation, there was a 21 gun salute in honor of one of the Generals. As the kids were silent and thinking of Mr. Fleming with the guns going off -it was a most powerful moment - as if the gun salute was in honor of Mr. Fleming.

Afterwards, they quietly remarked about how perfect the timing was for the guns to go off as they had just finished speaking about a great and wonderful man. He is now a most important part of our history. Students that were especially close to Mr. Fleming were coming up afterwards and thanking Ms. Long for allowing them to stop and honor him. She also wants you all to know that the kids were incredibly respectful during this important and emotional  morning as they have been during the entire trip.

Pretty proud to be married to that gal.  A truly class act for the right reasons.

Along with both kiddos, I headed over there -- to help Karla be there 'in spirit' and to give our family's condolences to Dennis' wife and son.  While we certainly didn't expect to be photographed, the school just sent us a shot of us seconds after we met with Dennis' family.  The kids were amazing (never once complaining/crying) in spite of being tired and in a crowd of over 1,000 people.

Afterward, Beckett asked me:  "Papa, what is a sick heart?" as he tried to make sense of why everyone was gathering to honor the 'missing' Dennis. 

I still haven't figured out how to answer that question.

I'm not sure I'll ever be able to.

Just glad that I had the 2 of them in my arms as I tried to find an answer.

Little Miss Tippy Toes

Art Imitating Life Imitating Art

The Papa Halloween 2009 List:

• Kid in costume, check.
• Candy bag in hand, check.
• iPhone on, check.
• Twitter updates, check and double check.
• Digital glow upon the face, check mate!

Let's go, kiddo!

***

Confused?

Here were a few snippets from Halloween -- via my Twitter updates -- as Bex and papa walked around our neighborhood in the dark, house to house, in search of candy nirvana.

Seems that life imitates art imitating life imitating art, no?

 

In Stitches, But Ain't No Belly Laugh

Just a kid laying on the couch.

Watching TV.

Being lazy before a Sunday trip to the grocery store.

And not much else.

***

Next thing we knew, there's an ominous 'thud' followed by a scream followed by a kid clearly racked with pain and fear followed by parents searching Bex' head followed by blood on papa's shirt/face followed by the funky realization that our son's ear doesn't normally look like a prize fighter's or a cat in a cat fight.

***

Rush to the Emergency Room.

His 2nd time -- for stitches -- since May.

Even the docs/nurses remembered him.

[sigh]

***

Luckily, no cartilage tear. 

Just flesh.

A few stitches and watery eyes and quivering lips.

And a nurse letting Bex watch a "Thomas the Train" episode on her iPhone.

***

And then home as if nothing every happened.

Kids.

They just rebound.

Parents, on the other hand, we need a bit more time.

[sigh]

Giving Buzz a Buzz

First-Ever Trick-Or-Treatin' with Boo

Rarely call him Boo any more. 

Seems appropriate -- once again -- all of a sudden.

Even though he's been a bit hesitant as of late when it comes to anything he deems "scary", he fell in love with going door-to-door on his first-ever Halloween trick-or-treat walk.

Papa never imagined how polite he'd be at all those houses, saying, "Trick-or-treat?", "Happy Halloween!", and "Thank you" at every single one.

And after 20 or so, he ran home to help give out candy on our front porch before calling it a night.

Lovin' My Girls

Proud Papa Treat

Costumed Sibling Rivalry

Our Little Pink Unicorn

Sadly, our little girl spiked a 102+ deg fever tonight, so the only Halloween event she managed to take part in was putting on the pink unicorn suit for a few minute in her room before going to sleep. 

Years from now we can re-write the history books to suggest she was out-n-about the neighborhood all night, grabbing candy with the best of 'em. 

But between you and us, she gave us a great smile and called it a night before we peeled back her pink horn and let her snooze as soon as possible.