Happy Summer 2019, Big Tyke!
Here’s a summer post before we leave for our epic trip. Right now, I’m at school typing and you are across the street on the field at Pedalheads camp, doing sports in the morning and biking in the afternoon. Like all things except candy, you are shy and hesitant at first to try them, but then warm up and are ok with the activities we make you do as our kid. Here are some Pedalheads pics.
You’ve been exhausted after each day, barely making it out of the car or off the bike, but you’ve enjoyed it. On Tuesday, when I rode the Yuba family bike to pick you up, you wanted to bike home, a good 5 miles over very hilly terrain. You made it for a good portion of the trip. I was so proud of your new independent feeling of being able to bike confidently. It is such a lifelong skill; I’m so glad you’re starting when you’re young. Seattle is such a bikeable and bike-friendly place.
Back in May….Over Memorial Day, we continued our Guemes Island tradition. This year, Rachel, Denny and Eliza joined us and the Carneys. We ate well, played hard, and had just as much fun as the last years even though Boo wasn’t with us. On the ferry wait to get to the mainland, we met Knox the sheepadoodle.
We were pleased to see that our gift to Boo’s favorite coffee shop, Grumpy D’s, was appreciated.
Over June to July handoff, we three were in the Bay Area for Arianna’s wedding and then you and I went to IL for Peabody Grandparent Camp. You recently finished your Halloween candy, but now have more after the Watseka 4th of July parade. You spent some quality time with your cousins, Gaga and Grandpa, and Great Grammy Dorothy.
You and Alden celebrating his birthday at Kellart Lake.
You and Grammy Dorothy discussing what camp is like.
I used to live in this house with my friend Ray. We called it the Party Palace…West William Street in Decatur, IL
Here’s Nana, Poppop, and your Aunties (and Mack) having breakfast in the hotel after Ari’s wedding.
You and Gaga waiting for candy during the parade.
Gaga and Granpda sponsored a trip to the historic Lincoln’s New Salem, where Abraham Lincoln spent his early 20s as a small store co-owner before entering political life.
On the way back from New Salem, I visited Millikin, where I attended undergrad and then worked for seven years.
A Grandparent Camp selfie….thanks to Grandpa’s arm.
Painting rocks took up one “crafternoon.”
The latest 1 Second Everyday Video:
What you’re doing these days:
One afternoon, after I picked you up on the bike from LE, we were pedaling and singing, and just to go up Phinney Ridge. A car passed us, and then…..”BAM ssssssss.” I thought we’d hit something, ran over a balloon, or something, but it wasn’t that…..we blew a tire on your Crosby assist wheel. We pulled over and looked at the damage….a large gash in the outside tire. We would have to hoof it back home. Because of the sound and the fact that it happened right under you, you started to cry and plead to me not to tell Mommy. It really startled you and you couldn’t stop crying. We made it home and you eventually came to a point where you were asking questions about how the tire blew (I don’t think you know that there’s an inner tube like a balloon under the tire), how we would fix it, and if Mommy would be mad. I tried to convince you that blowing a tire was a good experience that we could count as growth as bikers.
The next day you had a joke: “What did the tire say when it blew up?” “I’m re-TIRE-ed.”
I remember the time when you did not get the Interrupting Cow Knock Knock joke……you’re growing in the joke-telling field, too, kiddo!
A recording
Here’s a listen to you singing some odes to some of your loved ones and friends, with guitar.
You don’t treat me very well or give me a fair shake on things, especially when Mommy is present with us.
In my life these days:
This summer has been epic, the longest ever for me. I just finished a Coursera Psychoogy course, am working on my Spanish, and working at school for hiring a new teacher and planning for my new classes.
Here is our Math Department. I finished my second year as chair this year.
I’ve been out on my bike a lot, just riding around or transporting you to your activities. When I have free time, I’m playing frisbee, practicing some piano, and managing all my videos, photos, and songs.
In the news:
There are more Democrat Presidential Candidates now than there are fingers and toes for most people. We are hopeful that a good one will emerge and end the nightmare that is the Trump Presidency.
Much of the press these days is about the poor treatment of children (and adults) on the US-Mexico border and the separation of family members.
The US Women’s National Soccer Team defeated The Netherlands 2-0 to capture their second straight trophy and their fourth overall title. Mommy and I watched some of the game before I left for my frisbee tournament….you watched Sponge Bob.
A summary of a book or podcast I liked:
The Little Book of Huygge – suggestions on finding happiness from the Danes
Shores Beyond Shores: From Holocaust to Hope by Irene Butter. I heard Dr. Butter speak on an NPR article, and put this book on my list. She grew up in Berlin with her family, but moved away Amsterdam to escape the Nazis in 1939. She and her family were driven out of Denmark and enslaved in two camps, Westerbourg and Bergen Belsen. Her story is heartbreaking, but she leaves the reader with hope that humans can create a peaceful future.
I’m excited for our trip, little one.
Love, Dad