Author Archives: Peter

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Happy Fourth Birthday Oliver

Dear Oliver,

Another year has come and gone, yet this one, this year specifically is like none other that any of us have ever experienced. This year you spent almost all of 12 months in lockdown. The Corona Virus Pandemic and this Quarantine led the way for an unprecedented time for a three year-old to grow up.

However, this day isn’t about viruses, Covid, or vaccinations. It is about you. A little boy who seems to have grown three feet over the past year. While you still might spell your first name with two Ls and forget the numbers 13 and 14 when you count (and maybe say your favorite number is “blue”), you have developed into a voracious reader, who can’t get enough Chica Chica Boom Boom or Paw Patrol.

You have survived as the second child, which has to be so difficult… just ask your uncle Vinny. The thing is, you are forging your own path. You aren’t just a shadow of someone else, you have your own personality. You are hilarious, energetic and so incredibly brave. Braver than I think I could ever be (I’m scared that the bravery is just craziness, but that’s for a different blog entry). You follow your brother’s lead when you want to, but also kick him down the stairs when you want to lead the way.

I watch how others act around you and how they they react to you. Your aura is invigorating. You can turn a lazy, snowy Sunday by the fire into a dance party. You can raise anyone’s spirit, even after the most stressful day… and for that I owe you. You make being a dad so worthwhile. You make being your dad so rewarding… and for that I owe you more than you’ll ever know.

Oliver Peter, keep asking questions and defying the odds, keep trying things that other people don’t think are possible, but most of all… keep being you.

Happy 4th Birthday.

I love you,

Dad

January 31, 2017
January 31, 2018
January 31, 2019
January 31, 2020
January 31, 2021

“It matters not what someone is born, but what they grow to be.” -Albus Dumbledore

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Into the Night to Save the Day!

Everything is different, so it’s pointless to make a big deal about the impact of Covid-19 on daily life and the impact on Halloween this year is no different. Masks and candy shoots seem par for the course in 2020.

However, for some reason (at least for a guy who really isn’t a fan of Halloween) this year seemed pretty fun. It was just enough and yet, it was still perfect for the kids.

A downtown stroll from small business to small business was just what the doctor ordered (pandemic pun intended). We ended the night with great neighbors and a lot laughs.

If there was ever a quote to exemplify our 2020 Family Costume this is it: “Night in the city, and a brave band of heroes is ready to face fiendish villains to stop them messing with your day.”

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Brotherly Love

It’s hard enough being an educator during this pandemic… Add in the fact that having your own kids who are in school is beyond anything like we’ve seen before.

I know it because I’m living it in my professional and personal life. If you’re a parent and are looking for somewhere safe loving caring where you can feel comfortable sending your child there’s nowhere better than Oliver’s preschool.

The bond that our boys have is so amazing. And having Mrs. Ta take a few minutes out of her busy day to send us updates about our boys is what it’s all about.

Today we got this message from the owner of Ollie’s daycare:

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Cobra Kai (Karate Kids)

Dear @CobraKaiSeries @ralphmacchio @WilliamZabka,

I watched #KarateKidMovies with my boys for the 1st time this weekend. They are obsessed with the series and apparently, they are now both entering the All Valley Tournament.

#NoMercy #SweepTheLeg #ChroniclesOfANewDad

(Apparently Negotia is their term for Karate?!??)

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Fall Beach Day

We’ve lived by the shore now just about 3 years and the dog boys have never been to the beach. As they get older we wanted to make sure they experienced it, so that’s what we did today ❤️❤️

They very much enjoyed digging in the sand, barking at other dogs and also seeing a horse or two, which I believe blew their minds as they both stopped mid walk in awe and stared as they walked past (of course Max then added 45 minutes of high pitched barking).

All in all, it was a great way to spend an afternoon with the family.

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Fall Beach Day

We’ve lived by the shore now just about 3 years and the dog boys have never been to the beach. As they get older we wanted to make sure they experienced it, so that’s what we did today ❤️❤️

They very much enjoyed digging in the sand, barking at other dogs and also seeing a horse or two, which I believe blew their minds as they both stopped mid walk in awe and stared as they walked past (of course Max then added 45 minutes of high pitched barking).

All in all, it was a great way to spend an afternoon with the family.

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Back to Baseball

Spring or summer baseball wasn’t a thing for little leaguers and major leaguers alike. But fall provides everyone with cool, crisp air, the new beginnings of a new school year and for Jax and his friends it provides the opportunity to get back on the baseball diamond.

Thursday night practices and early Sunday morning games await the team (and parents). No bleachers, no picked dugouts and masks where applicable also await all of the little leaguers just as they did for the major leaguers who have set the example for Jax and his teammates.

Now if we can just get this switch hitting power bat to stop rolling around in the outfield with Miller instead of paying attention we will be all set!!!

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First Day of First Grade

First grade? First grade?!?? Wait what happened to kindergarten? This pandemic, this homeschool your kid even when it’s impossible to homeschool your kid when you’re prepared to do so… that… that was nuts, but not as nuts as waking up today and realizing we have a first grader in the house.

This little dude was up at 6:00am and got himself dressed and ready for school by himself. He even made me a cup of coffee. Granted he woke up everyone in the house in order to tell us he had brushed his teeth and was hungry for breakfast, but I digress. With only about three hours to burn before drop-off this morning, we were able to play catch, ride power wheels and change outfits four times.

I’ve taught first grade. I was a first grade teacher for seven years. It’s the (in my opinion) the most challenging and complex grade level to teach and in turn has to be one of the most complex grades to be a student.

This is going to be such an interesting and even more challenging year for Jackson (let alone mom and dad). Then again if this morning is going to be any indication of how the school year is going to go… I think we’re in for a successful year.

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Back to Hogwarts

September 1st has a significant meaning and evokes deep “feels” for all those who follow the Wizarding World Calendar. September 1 is day the Hogwarts students return for a new term by boarding the Hogwarts Express (or occasional a flying a Ford Anglia).

While schools across the United States prepare to go back to school virtually, or in some sort of hybrid model, as J.K. Rowling has said, “Whether you come back by page or by the big screen, Hogwarts will always be there to welcome you home.”

So in keeping with tradition, for the 6th year in a row I tweeted @jkrowling to get some advice for parents dropping off their children at Platform 9 3/4. Every year September 1st rolls around, I tweet the same thing to JK Rowling “Dear @jk_rowling any advice for parents sending their little ones to #Hogwarts for the first time?!?? #BackToHogwarts”.

I never get a response or any advice from her, but maybe this year will be the year! So for now, Stephanie and I have to do our best as Muggles to figure out how this whole Platform 9 3/4 thing works.