Last week, my family and I visited a historic local restaurant, an amazing old-fashioned delicatessen with lots of natural light and the comforting aroma of fresh bread and pasta wrapped in a century old building. The kids, as usual, were their lively selves, chatting and giggling, but mindful of their manners. We’ve worked hard to… Continue reading Twenty-Six: Reflections on a Restaurant Compliment
Tag: stories
Twenty-Three: Dad Strong, Part Four – Sharpening Your Intellectual Strength
A dad’s mind is a tool that needs constant sharpening. In a big family, where questions fly from “Why is the sky blue?” to “Daddy, in what situations would I need a gas mask?” (you might laugh, but that’s a real question from my eight-year-old/survivalist son), intellectual strength means staying curious and informed. By always… Continue reading Twenty-Three: Dad Strong, Part Four – Sharpening Your Intellectual Strength
Twenty-Two: The Great Hand-Me-Down Hullabaloo: Four Boys, Two Girls, and a Wardrobe Reboot
As I stood over my fourth basket of laundry yesterday (I think it was four, anyway), I had a distinct thought about the majority of the clothes I was sorting: they’re nearly all hand-me downs. Hand-me-downs are the ultimate family heirloom as far as I’m concerned. I grew up in my older brother’s clothes. I… Continue reading Twenty-Two: The Great Hand-Me-Down Hullabaloo: Four Boys, Two Girls, and a Wardrobe Reboot
Twenty-One: The Beautiful Mess of a Big Family in a Little House
Our house is small, much smaller than most people would probably believe. I know people with half the kids I have who live in a house that’s literally 3.5 times the size of our house (not a joke or an exaggeration either) because they “outgrew” their previous house which was only twice the size of… Continue reading Twenty-One: The Beautiful Mess of a Big Family in a Little House
Fifteen: Why the Slate Truck Sparks Joy for Our Big Family of (Almost!) Eight
A little something different today…. As a dad of five (soon six!) rambunctious kids, I never thought I’d be daydreaming about a two-seat electric pickup. With car seats, baseball and ballet gear, and enough snacks to feed a small army, our family’s rides usually scream “minivan or bust” (actually, our Honda Pilot isn’t a minivan, but I… Continue reading Fifteen: Why the Slate Truck Sparks Joy for Our Big Family of (Almost!) Eight
Random Musings # 6
I recently had the opportunity to take a group of students to hear author Stephanie Land speak about her book, Maid: Hard Work, Low Pay, and a Mother’s Will to Survive. It was quite the experience to hear her speak about how she knew she had a good story to tell but didn’t think anyone… Continue reading Random Musings # 6
Eleven: Cherishing Moments: A Dad’s Very Brief Guide to Raising a Girl and Lots of Boys
The author reflects on parenting four boys and the importance of spending quality time with them while also acknowledging his daughter’s changing interests as she grows up. He emphasizes the need for parents to cherish moments, whether grand or simple, and to make time for meaningful experiences together before children become more independent.