Like any good husband, I try to make sure to let my wife know that I love her in different ways. But sometimes the question comes to mind on the spur of the moment and she needs to ask. And on those occasions I like to have a romantic answer ready for her. She’s a [...]

Wednesday night is usually one of not-well-organized chaos. After picking up Michael, I come home to a house overflowing with teenagers, as my own girls are with us for dinner. They’ve usually got a huge stream of updates for me. This night was no exception. Just before dinner, my 14-year-old daughter L came running up [...]

We’re watching “Shrek The Third” at Michael’s request. As usual, he’s watching it mainly with his mouth: “Why he’s green?” “What’s the cat doing?” “Where are they going?” “The donkey is mad.” “Shrek has a big hand. He’s loud, too.” And on, and on, and on. From the first frame, Michael continued to make observations, [...]

This morning Michael and his mommy were having a tickle war. Michael launched a neck assault, and his mom countered with an arm pit fusillade. “Hey, no fair!” Michael said. “What, I can’t tickle your arm pits?” “I don’t have arm pits,” he said, suddenly serious. “You don’t?” “No. Not until I grow up.” “Why?” [...]

Michael’s mommy is relaxing, going through the Sunday paper in search of valuable coupons and ads for shoe sales. Then, from the kitchen: Michael: “Mommy! I’m a big boy!” (followed by nearly simultaneous sound of Rice Krispies cascading down the counter on to the floor and milk being spilled out of a small bowl, coating [...]

Sometimes my little boy surprises me with his sensitivity. I mean, on the one hand, he has no problem delivering a smackdown to any of his sisters if he feels like he’s getting a raw deal. And though his aggressive behavior has improved quite a bit, he still occasionally gets in trouble at school for [...]

Sunday. The church service just ended. Michael’s Mommy, his sister and I headed out to get Michael from the kindergarten room. I took a detour for a pit stop and told my wife I’d catch up with her. When I got to the top of the stairs I saw Michael greeting his mom and sister. [...]

Michael: “What’s for dinner, daddy?” Daddy: “Nachos.” Michael: “Yummy! I love nachos! What are nachos?” Daddy: “Taco meat, tortilla chips, salsa, other stuff if you like.” Michael: “No cheese?” Daddy: “Not for you. I know better than that.” Michael: “It’s like a taco?” Daddy: “Basically. It’s a taco in another form. A deconstruction.” (brief pause) [...]

Michael’s currently enrolled in a private, in-home kindergarten. We decided against sending him to public school this year, and the decision was not made lightly. We felt he wasn’t ready for public school yet. More accurately, it could be said that public school isn’t ready for Michael yet. But whichever way you slice it, we’re [...]

On our way to school and work, Michael and I step out of the front door and onto the porch. A bitter chill greets us as the wind whips along the walkway. “Brrrr!” Michael says, pulling his coat close around him. “Yes, it’s chilly! It’s the cold front from the east seeping over this way,” [...]