Referring to his 7 y.o. daughter...

"Today was the first trip she’s decided she will push the cart. She’s progressed from sitting in the cart to pushing it. Happens much quicker than you expect. I still remember coming out of Target in the rain, seeing her giggle in the seat under her new Hello Kitty umbrella. One of those memories where you not only hear Time’s Winged Chariot, but feel the hoof hit you in the back of the head."

James Lileks

During the fireworks last night I couldn't help but remember when my daughter was so scared of them I wrapped her in a blanket and held her close. She was scared but didn't want to leave. Now she is an MP in the Army. I talk to her almost every day but I still miss her being around. The boy, he left then came back, I am not in a hurry to have him leave again, but at times I would willingly pack and move him myself. :)
Gotta love being a parent.

Just out at the cabin now for the summer..... wife and I are feeling the empty nest syndrome that is about to happen with our youngest being 15 now. We love our kids (5), but we're going to enjoy being empty nesters too.

Lots of good memories here, some with swimming pools ;)

I could write a book... I have hundreds of great memories burned into my brain.

We were at Myrtle Beach one April for a long weekend when our youngest was about 2 1/2. The four of us had just come back from breakfast, thrown on our suits, and were the only ones in the pool. It was probably around 9:30 or 10, and there was a chilly wind blowing off the ocean... overcast day.

The pool was heated, so one is quite comfy until it comes time to get out. We had been in about 15 minutes when our little kiddo in the 2 foot deep kiddie section leans over the bar and whispers to his mom, “I need to tee tee.”

Mom considers the agony of drying him and one of us off in the cold wind, running to the elevator shivering, going up to the room, etc. and whispers back, “It’s okay... you can tee tee in the pool.”

His reply: “Okay.”

About 20 seconds later, we’re talking and we hear the sound of running water... we turn and see him standing with his toes curled over the edge of the pool and his trunks down around his ankles... shivering... his whole body quaking while holding his tiny manhood with both hands, his chin in his chest... with a nice, long yellow arc going into the main part of the pool.

”JOEL!!!! WHAT are you DOING????” inquires Mom in a loud whisper.

”I’m lettin’ it fly, Mom.” (A phrase her dad had taught him when they’d “let it fly” into the hedge in his backyard.)

With a big smile on his face. He's shivering so hard that his knees are vibrating.

An older couple watching from a balcony several floors up were laughing their butts off.