Water (melon) Boy!

Benjamin ENJOYED his first "solid" food last night, in honor of his maternal grandmother ... WATERMELON!










As you can see, he is quite seriously about his watermelon.

Another character trait from his maternal side....

For Laurie

Last Sabbath, one of Toby & Seth's favorite youth ("Ollie") and I went to visit another of our local youth (Laurie) who had to have a golf ball size mass removed from the base of her brain unexpectedly just after Christmas break. The doctors were able to remove the mass, but unfortunately it was rooted into the base of the brainstem and so that part had to be left. She had been home for several weeks, but had to return this week to begin a second course of treatment that will make it impossible for her to have visitors for the next several months. So, we wanted to see her before she left again and since proper edicate says you shouldn't show up on someone's doorstep empty handed, we decided to bring something she didn't have....

Sunday, I decided that if I was going to it, it was ALL or nothing and "cleaned" it up a bit.

Don't worry, it is already starting to grow back!

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to all that merit that greeting today!

We have progressed from last year's..."We put gas in her van! (why do we have to get her anything else)" but just barely.

For starters, I took much thought, due to our current economy to select one, functional and useful, even desired gift for my children's mother this year. I was so proud of my restraint and purposefulness. That was until Friday when the afore mentioned package arrived. My wife took one look at the box and said; "That's not the thing from RedEnvelope is it? We bought that already!"

So, no official Mother's Day gift and I head off to the local grocery store to by a cake mix with the hope I can get the boys to "make" a Mother's Day cake. At the grocery store I remember that my children's mother is sick--so sweets are not the best idea--head to the cake isle any way. Wife loves chocolate, but due to there being 7 different types of chocolate cake and she wouldn't be able to see her precious children's art work on a dark cake (and a little bit the sick thing), I go with carrot cake--I love cream cheese frosting!

As luck would have it, son #3 was sick as well and both mother and child took a lengthy nap the next afternoon. Which allowed the 2 older sons and me to bake the cake--boys actually did all the measuring, mixing and even put the cake in the oven. So far, so good. Now all we needed was to keep the cake a secret for the rest of the day and get it decorated before Mother's Day. Son #2 solved that problem by telling Mom; "There is a surprise on the stove, don't look at it, it's for Mother's Day!"

Sons #2 & #3 woke me bright and early Sunday morning (much earlier then necessary if you ask me) and then woke up son #1 so that we could finish the cake while Mom got to sleep in. This is by far the gift she was wanting (sleeping in, not all 3 kids up before 7AM on a Sunday making cake) more then anything for Mother's Day--or any other day for that matter!

The boys who last year thought a full gas tank was gift enough, this year felt the elaborate cake and all the sleepless efforts were not enough. So that locked themselves in the office and "made" gifts using about 1/2 a ream of printer paper to constructed paper airplanes, baseball card holders, envelopes, notes, games and of course wrapping paper. We do keep the recycling industry in business! I should not complain, because the big hearted boys didn't just make gifts for Mom on Mother's Day, but gifts for everyone!

However, my favorite memory from this Mother's Day is the quote from my #2 (of course) son, when asked by my mother-n-law; "Do you know who made me a mother?" ...

"Ye, Grampa!"

In Honor of Julia & Patrick

In honor of my #1 niece and nephew, I spent my personal, private, me-time yesterday afternoon with ... Zac Efron, though I prefer to think of it as spending time with Matthew Perry.

Yes, as the family took off for a day with friends at the local "Pioneer Days" and I chose to spent some of my special and rare "quiet time" catching Matthew Perry (and Zac Efron) in 17 Again.

Definitely a "chick flick," but from a guys perspective. Cross Freaky Friday and It's A Wonderful Life. High school jock blows chance at college basketball scholarship when girl tells him they are pregnant just as the big game begins. Fast forward 17-20 years. Guy's life is a failure because he gave up scholarship to "do the right thing." Wife files for divorce. Guy wishes for "do over," falls off bridge after trying to stop a strangers "suicide," wakes up 17 again. Re-enrolls in his old high school. Learns his daughter is dating the jerk-jock and son is varsities "punching bag." Decides his "spirit guide" wants him to help his kids...since he apparently was not doing so good as an adult in that department. Calls out jerk-joke in cafe embarrassing him in front of the whole school. Makes basketball team. Gets son (new "bff") on team. breaks up jerk-joke and daughter when she falls for him. Guy convinces ex-wife to postpone divorce hearing by "reading" a letter from adult self that turns out to be paper with only directions to the court house on it. Decides he should make the most of second chance and win college scholarship...wife comes to game...go ahead, take a guess. So heart warming, Disney should have made it!

Oh, by-the-way...SPOILER ALERT!!! Was I suppose to start with that?

1 out of 5 for Story premised on teenage pregnancy

5 out of 5 for Line making reference to Zac Efron looking gay

5 out of 5 for Remembering why you first fell in love

6 out of 5 for Setting the movie in the great year 1989

Over all (despite being a "chick flick") 4 out of 5

EAT YOUR HEART OUT SCRIV!!!!

My "dear" brother-n-law is always writing these nifty blogs about the wonderful and amazing things that he and his kids do, like going to the Tour de France and getting pictures with drugged up cheating adults that ride bikes for a living.

Well, this blog is dedicated to him, Mr. C. Jonathan Scriven of frenceforawhile.blogspot.com.

Tonight my beautiful wife, 3 precious sons, and myself attended the inaugural game of the Port Charlotte Stone Crabs, the single A baseball affiliate of the AL Champion Tampa Bay Rays with PopPop and GiGi.

This is PopPop and Benj getting settled in for Benj's SECOND professional baseball game at just over 4 months old.

This is Seth and Toby standing at the fence right in front of where we sat.

This is Toby's dream come true (being a Tampa Bay Ray).

This is our buddy, Billy.

This is Billy's big brother and co-owner of the Port Charlotte Stone Crabs making an lasting first impression on Ben.

And this is Cal greeting Toby and GiGi.



Hope you're having a good time with your "friends" in France Scriv!

The "Behind"

Toby and Seth are very intreged with the "Behind" in baseball. If you are a little confused, maybe this picture will give you a little hint.

Also, a bonus shot to give evidence to my suggestion that Seth pitch or play the out field!

Like Parents, Like Kid

Ben has finally found his thumb!