Truer words have never been spoken typed:
Toothpaste
Tell Me You Have a First Grader Without Telling Me You Have a First Grader
As a former first grade teacher and now the parent of our second first grade child… It’s pretty simple if you ask me:
All emptied out of our first grader’s backpack the day after a four day vacation (in which he was sent to school with a completely clean and organized bookbag.
PS: Insert eye roll 🙄
Thanks for Filling My Bucket
In a world that so often focuses on the negative, it can be exhausting trying to be a positive for so many people. Sometimes, a kind act, even a …
Thanks for Filling My Bucket
I Love Watching My Sons Compete
I love watching people compete. I love more than anything the fire that drives athletes to do things no one thinks they can do. Not the champion, not the MVP, but the little extra that pushes people to be the best at what they do (read Slaying the Dragon by Michael Johnson).
When I was younger, I couldn’t ever imagine anyone having the drive that I had because at the time I thought it was just me, like nobody else could understand it. However this fall I watched my boys show up every weekend side by side with their teammates to a game that were so new to them. I watched the fire in their eyes burn and the excitement for each other and their teammates as the weather got colder and the games grew more important.
My sons who showed grit, determination and teamwork. Neither were ready to sign NFL contracts and neither still have a firm grip on the rules (IE Oliver’s stiff arm through defenders, or Jax’ suplex block of a linebacker), but the love they showed for the game itself and what it meant to be a teammate could not be measured by a score or a championship.
While both boys’ teams had a chance at a championship, both feel just short. Short of a win, but not short on the desire to keep playing. Oliver’s loss in the playoff semifinals resulted in him asking if they can plan another game right after, even if it didn’t count. Jax refused to agree to turn in his jersey and helmet, “I don’t want to dad, I love being part of this team!”
While we obviously want them to earn those victories and at times, those are the games we celebrate most, Steph and I just want the boys to have fun and embrace these years doing what they love to do. Of course we want them to develop strong athletic skills (which I sort of sarcastically describe here):
And here:
I want them to develop strong character traits, self-control, discipline, respect and teamwork, because those traits will last a lifetime. One thing I learned this season, is the drive that I thought only I had… (that young naive thought)… my boys have it and I couldn’t be more proud!
Top GLOBAL Dad Blog
I’m very thankful to The Baby Spot (one of the top parenting websites on the internet) for naming us one of the TOP GLOBAL DAD BLOGS!!!
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (Brothers’ First Read Aloud)
This blog entry will Chronicle (pun intended) a father and second sons’ first time reading the Harry Potter series together. This time around it’s a twist… As Oliver enters the magical world, this time the narrator will be both dad and big brother!!! I’ll update it after each chapter so that I can capture the most memorable moments. Come back often and check in on our progress and leave us a note or some feedback. Oliver, welcome to Hogwarts!!!
Finally! “I did my waiting! Twelve years of it!” (Well clearly it hasn’t been another 12 years, but I know Oliver has been asking for ages)! I thought we’d be able to make it a bit longer, however there was no keeping this little guy out of Hogwarts any longer. Tonight Oliver and I begin our journey at 4 Privet Drive, Little Whinging… to Platform 9 3/4 and finally on to Hogwarts! Wish us luck… then again, we won’t need luck… we’ll be with Professor Dumbledore (and Jax).
Chapter 1: The Boy Who Lived
Oliver: “What’s a Muggle?“
Dad: “What do you think a Muggle is?”
Oliver: “Your Butt.”
Nothing like a good butt joke one chapter in!!!
Chapter 2: The Vanishing Glass
It’s been a bit since all three of us could actually sit down to read together, but tonight provided some much needed magical reading time.
Jax read a few pages as Oliver rolled around the floor, but like his dad he could seem to pay no attention while completely comprehending the entire chapter.
Oliver’s most important part of Chapter 2: acting out Harry talking to the snake:
Coming Soon
Check back often to see updates from our progress reading each chapter! For now check out Jackson’s Chapter by Chapter:
Sorcerer’s Stone: Jax’ Chapter by Chapter Read Aloud:https://chroniclesofanewdad.com/2021/07/01/harry-potter-and-the-sorcerers-stone-our-first-read-aloud/
Quidditch and Chores
I’m not sure how many other households have broomsticks hanging from their children’s bedrooms doors, but here it’s a common occurrence. The problem is the brooms are just about as good for flying as they are for sweeping.
The question becomes, how do you get your children to do “chores?” I feel like it should be an innate sense for the children. They should just know how to do things. The developmental stages should look like this:
Periods of Human Development
- Prenatal Development= NO CHORES
- Easy… your parents fall in love and then you’re born.
- Chore Example: Just sleep and don’t keep your parents up all night.
- Easy… your parents fall in love and then you’re born.
- Infancy and Toddlerhood= EASY CHORES
- Brain development happens at a remarkable rate, as does physical growth and language development. Infants have their own temperaments and approaches to play.
- Chore Example: Acknowledge your own mess and at least watch us put away your crap
- Brain development happens at a remarkable rate, as does physical growth and language development. Infants have their own temperaments and approaches to play.
- Early Childhood= MID LEVEL CHORES
- At this stage your child is busy learning language (with amazing growth in vocabulary), is gaining a sense of self and greater independence, and is beginning to learn the workings of the physical world. This knowledge does not come quickly, however, and preschoolers may initially have interesting conceptions of size, time, space and distance
- Chore Example: Complain that it’s time to clean up your mess and put away your own crap, but still do it once things start getting taken away.
- At this stage your child is busy learning language (with amazing growth in vocabulary), is gaining a sense of self and greater independence, and is beginning to learn the workings of the physical world. This knowledge does not come quickly, however, and preschoolers may initially have interesting conceptions of size, time, space and distance
- Middle Childhood= REGULAR CHORES
- Now the world becomes one of learning and testing new academic skills and assessing one’s abilities and accomplishments by making comparisons between self and others.
- Chore Example: Pay close attention to how everyone else cleans up after themself and make sure you at least replicate that in order to not embarrass your parents in front of their friends or colleagues.
- Now the world becomes one of learning and testing new academic skills and assessing one’s abilities and accomplishments by making comparisons between self and others.
- Adolescence= ADVANCED CHORES
- Teens typically struggle to become more independent from their parents. With that being said, friends become more important, as teenagers strive for a sense of belonging and acceptance from their peer group
- Chore Example: If you want independence from your parents and adults in your live then clean up your own crap.
- Teens typically struggle to become more independent from their parents. With that being said, friends become more important, as teenagers strive for a sense of belonging and acceptance from their peer group
Flag Football
Flag Football?… Not what I’d expected, but I know enough about football in general to know that Oliver would enjoy a sport where he could run non stop and then occasionally (even though it’s against the rules) tackle someone! He bought in quickly last year. He enjoyed his best friends being on his team and his cool neighbor being his Head Coach (even if said neighbor only had the second best lawn on the street).
Clearly though, I couldn’t just watch from the sideline… I had to coach him. (Which is so completely different from Jax who flourishes on his own and does leaps and bounds better in football without me as his coach).
I soon discovered that football wasn’t just something Oliver would do for fun. It was quickly becoming an identity. One that was also becoming something of a slight obsession. He carries a football around the house and even after two hours of practice he asks if his friends can come over and practice (mind you it’s pitch black outside on a school night).
I can’t help but see how these games are like a practice run for the hurdles and setbacks of life. This football season has so far been a lesson in adjusting expectations. For him and for us. We watched him run for passes he couldn’t reach, have his flag grabbed at crucial moments, and be run over by kids who were bigger and more experienced than he was.
Oliver though, at least to his mom and dad, even in a loss has outshined our own expectations. While his smile is big and he enjoys goofing around with his teammates more than anything, when the whistle blows something happens to him. He changes into a lion, Barry Sanders to be specific. He had exceptional agility, balance, and acceleration.
Oliver, like Sanders has such a low center of gravity (probably because he’s six years old) allowing him to make rapid cuts and change directions on a dime. He uses unbelievably quick jukes (or as he calls it “a Boop” to evade tacklers, making defenders miss with ease. “The BOOP” as it’s been called (he literally couldn’t say the word “Juke” and started calling it a BOOP) has absolutely left multiple broken ankles on fields across the shoreline this summer. His ability to stop and start abruptly, combined with his burst of speed, have made him one of the most elusive runners in K-1 Flag Football history.
All joking aside, while I’m sure the other coaches can agree he can use a bit more work on his listening skills… his love for his coaches, teammates and the game itself is growing by the day and the fun his dad is having coaching him is too!
Tackle Football
Last weekend, I sat on the sidelines reliving my Pop Warner and high school football days. With that being said, I’ve finally come to the realization that I’m officially living vicariously through my sons. This was never more evident than it was this weekend when I helped Jax strap on his shoulder pads and pull over his white #87 jersey.
It was surreal watching him walk towards his teammates as he buttoned up his chinstrap and helmet as I had all those years ago. Except, unlike I had pictured, he didn’t my help. He jogged off towards the field, but turned around just quick enough to give me a thumbs-up.
I had to stop and take in what was happening. He didn’t need me anymore… at least not then… because he had his teammates. It is so evident that his growth and independence continues to develop as his confidence levels increase.
I’ve watched him grow from the first practice- to now- more than I’ve ever imagined possible. I can not believe how much his coaches and teammates (and biggest fan: Oliver) have influenced him. Jax has shown drive and determination that I’ve never seen in him before.
His first game this weekend was a success as they won 30-6. A win is even more important when it involves waking up at 6am on a Sunday. But but if it ends in watching him and his teammates celebrate their accomplishment together, then it was all worth it.
However, as much football is a team game, there was a moment in this game in which I saw something in him that I wasn’t ready for.
There has been:
“The Ice Bowl”
“The Catch”
“The Immaculate Reception”
“The Philly Special”
But until this weekend there hadn’t been “The Block”
I’m not even sure many professional players would be capable of what Jax was asked to do. He was sent in at wide receiver a position he had never played and was asked to make a block. I’ll block on someone very athletic, quicker and faster.
As he lined up and he’s number 87 jersey thoughts of Jordy Nelson, running past a cornerback for a deep touchdown thrown by Aaron Rodgers in the Super Bowl, ran through my head… but instead… Today, on this play, Jackson charge toward the cornerback and put on one of the most technically sound blocks I have literally ever seen. He created a massive hole that you could drive a dump truck through… And his teammate broke a long touchdown.
He had many other impressive plays… And plenty of times where I had to laugh as he chirped in the ears of the other players he was bulldozing!!! I don’t know what he was saying, but I saw a different side of Jackson today and while I was incredibly proud of him… The most important part was, he was incredibly proud of himself and in the end, isn’t that what matters most, that you can look yourself in the mirror and say today I did the best that I could for myself and for others.
He’s show leadership (that I’ve always seen), but today he was named Captain, by his coaches and followed by a round of applause by his team… the smile on his face and the pride is his voice when he told me will forever be remembered. Thank You Football, thank you coaches and most of all THANK YOU JACKSON!
#BackToHogwarts2023
Continuing with tradition (for the ninth year in a row) I tweeted at JK Rowling for advice in dropping the boys off at Platform 9 3/4.
I’m sure by now you know that September 1st is a sacred day for witches and wizards everywhere! Back to Hogwarts Day is when the Wizarding World boards the Hogwarts Express from King’s Cross Station heading to Hogwarts.
The hope being JK herself will acknowledge my tweet and show some love to two little wizards who have the unfortunate luck of being born to the biggest Harry Potter fan this side of Privet Drive.
The problem this year????? We were running incredibly late. Almost 10:00pm and by the time we got to Kings Cross Station the entrance to Platform 9 3/4 had sealed itself!!! That’s what we get for procrastinating… or maybe it was Dobby?!????
Sorry Son: Chronicles of a New Dad 