Waiting to have children after 35 was a great move for me. I am way less reactive and have more patience, I have more time and money to devote to the children and I have a greater appreciation for life and all that comes with it! Julie and I have been blessed with three boys, Elliott (6), Grayson (3), and Lawton (1-month) and they are the only grandchildren on both sides. I have learned a lot from being a dad and I learn something new everyday it seems. Here is a short list of some things I have picked up on as a Parent!
Life is good, wake up happy. – Everyday, Elliott and Grayson wake up HAPPY! Excited about the new day, eager to see what the day has in store, thrilled to embark on life’s challenges and take advantage of every opportunity.
Clothes are overrated – There is nothing more exhilarating than running through the house with little to no clothes on. If Grayson had his choice everyday, he would be naked on warm days and wearing skibbs on cold days. His outlook on life is always happy and simple.
Cartoons can make you laugh out loud. – The producers of cartoons have got to be some of the most creative minds on the planet. Who would have ever come up with concepts of a Builder named Bob, a Train named Thomas, a Monkey named George, and a super hero team named Paw Patrol?
Thank You is part of our everyday vocabulary. – We have arrived at auto pilot with our two oldest kids, they are very appreciative, it makes your heart smile when you get a thank you for a glass of apple juice or an extra waffle at breakfast.
I love you is something we say everyday. – Probably not a very manly thing to do, but I tell Elliott and Grayson that I love them multiple times daily! The best part is to have it resonated back – life is really about the little things.
Peanut Butter is good on almost everything. – We should have bought some stock in Peanut Butter before we had kids; we help keep that industry thriving. We eat Peanut Butter every single day on something! It’s great with syrup, jelly, jam, bananas, crackers, waffles, pancakes, pretzels, apples, celery, chocolate, and off the charts as a cookie!
You can never drink enough apple juice. – It’s so smooth and refreshing in the morning. Grayson drinks more apple juice than everyone in the household combined. An apple a day will keep the doctor away and a gallon of apple juice a week will keep mom and dad at the grocery store 4 times a month.
All of our vehicles have names. – I don’t know how this all started, but all of our vehicles have names instead of makes and models. The Avalanche is called “Avy”, the 4 x 4 pickup is called “Whitey or Diablo”, the Z71 is called “Big Blue”, the SUV is called “The Burb”, and the Taurus is called “the Brown Hornet”.
Berry Told is something I will say for the rest of my life. – When Grayson was 2 he was still developing his pronunciation and very cold was always pronounced “Berry Told”… It’s Berry Told out here dad, lets go inside and get warm. Oh the things kids say!
“What do you need?” is a question and an answer. – This is a reply that I would always give to Julie when she would summons me for projects. I would always reply with “What do you need?” She didn’t like it then and she doesn’t like the phrase today. I now have to deal with Elliott and Grayson giving me the “What do you need dad?” routine.
Tommy Milligan, Short and Spiky