Raising Watsons

The pictures aren’t great but the dude had three birthday parties, it’s been busy. First party was at Grammy & Bumpa’s in Naples, FL. Second party at Grandma Cupcake and Grandpa Cookie’s, Sebastian, FL. And the third party, the Batman bash to rule them all, featured about 20 kids running around our house. Between the bouncy house, the race track and the playroom we kept them busy, but now you know why there aren’t many pictures.

Tucker is writing his name.

It’s been a long month.  Tucker has had three birthday parties.  Ben and Tucker went to Florida for two weeks, Emilia and I for three weeks.  After seven years I quit my old job and accepted a job to build a new school in downtown Los Angeles.  And my father passed away.

Becoming a parent does funny things to you and, for me anyway, it changed my relationship with my parents.  In short, I guess you stop being such a jerk.  I considered myself emotionally distant to the situation, but it turns out I wasn’t and I’m gonna miss that guy.  I’m thankful that my father had a chance to know and play with my children.

Leaving David&Goliath wasn’t easy, but now that I’m out I can see the ways it held me back.  My new job is an adventure.  I commute to downtown LA every day, sometimes on mass transit (an adventure of its own), and every day is different.  Granted, I’m on my third day but I’ve spent hours pouring over blueprints, discussing door security systems, wiring, networks, servers and today I migrate their mail system.  It’s crazy and exciting and a wonderful opportunity with some really cool people.  Lately I reflect on how lucky I am with a happy and healthy family, but it just keeps getting better.

There’s an annoying song on the radio right now called “Ways To Go” that is stalking me (and the rest if the radio listening public).   The chorus goes:

I’ve got a little bit longer

I’ve got a ways to go

(Repeat)

And well, the past month has reminded me that I have a ways to go but at least it feels good to be on the path.

It’s been a while but life with two little kids is a little crazy. Interesting milestone today as Emilia took her first poopie in the potty. She’s been starting to get comfortable sitting on it and playing around. Tonight while Tucker was still in the bath she was sitting down and singing a song when all if a sudden she shot straight up in the air to standing. I saw the drops in the potty and I started to get excited when two little pieces fell down. She jumped off the potty and starting gesturing at it yelling, I believe, at the poopie. She seemed angry that it was in her potty. Ben and I cheered and high fived her but the whole time she looked very suspicious.

Good job, kiddo.

Halloween –  another reminder that your children are independent spirits who 1. would like to wear the same Spider man costume that is worn 3-4 times a week and 2. have absolutely no intention of wearing the cute fairy costume with the glitter and the wings, thank you very much.  Alas, I present to you, Spiderman and our little Pumpkin.

We paraded with other Super friends in the morning.

BFF Lily was dressed as Snow White.

Class picture of the Dolphin Room.

This picture doesn’t just explain Halloween, it’s every day.   Tucker aggressively cuddling and Emilia not appreciating it.

After school, Aunt Lindsay dropped by and we visited a neighbor for dinner.   Then we headed home and prepared for the 1,000 kid onslaught that happens in our neighborhood.

1,000 pieces of candy.

Emilia is not quite at PBJ sandwich age, but that doesn’t stop her as she loves snagging she can from Tucker.

Our pirate friends stopped by for a little trick or treating too!

Another great Halloween!

Last August, I put this post on Facebook.

One morning last week as I’m packing lunches for the kids Tucker walks up to me and points to a spot on his pajamas.  “See that Mom?  That’s Batman’s wings.  I told you he could fly.”  And walked away.

THREE MONTHS LATER he is still having this argument with me and not giving an inch on his position.

At this point, I think he won.

Walking into my mothers house is usually pretty scary for little people as she has two 100 lb golden retrievers who bark loudly when someone enters the house. Not for Emilia. On sight she walked right up to the dogs and put out her hand to touch them. She’s 15 months old, 20 lbs and stands an inch or so shorter than the dogs.

All weekend she gravitated to the dogs.  Hugging them, petting them, she even fed Riley her dolly at one point.

Future veterinarian? I sure hope so!

Well, I’m pretty ashamed it’s been so long since I updated the blog. Here’s some-what recent pictures from our trip to Solvang with our friends Courtney, Tom and Caris.

Tucker has decided to start taking ice skating lessons.

Here’s some video’s from his first time on the ice:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZfKc-ysNI10

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EoquhmTkVTc

Second lesson features first time with a hockey stick:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzDORidshvA

And a solo skate: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJliBQTA7EI

Third lesson:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTlRHfR91cQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_h8h8BKGL8

At his third lesson Tucker was learning how to stop and balancing on one skate (very briefly).

The tot hockey classes start at age 4.  His coach said she’s comfortable starting him early because he’s already surpassed the skills that kids usually learn in the beach babies class.  Which basically is how to fall and get up.   Looking at these videos now three weeks out it occurs to me he barely fell at all during his last practice.