“I’m trying to be a better son, too, Dad”

Griff and I are emotionally maturing together.  The other night I was frustrated at his getting-ready-for-bed pace:

Griff:  “Dad, I don’t like it when you get angry with me”

Me:  “I don’t like it either –I’m trying to be more calm and helpful for you.  I want to be a better dad, and you've got to try your hardest, even when you're getting ready for bed.”

Griff:  “I want to be a better son, too, Daddy!”

Turks Highlights

Wow it’s been a while and we have the pictures but its worth capturing the top memories from Turks and Caicos, where we were for a week and a bit in early May.

• Vera in the swimming pool “swimming” by herself with the arm floaties and foam vest.  She immediately started with cute little legs running underwater and even started lounging back and just floating.  Either way, giant smile.
• Griffin and Vera sharing a room and waking up (and falling asleep) alternately saying “HI!”  “HI!”  “HI!”  with a rising tone accent.  Also Griffin occasionally saying “Its okay Vera” or bringing her a stuffed animal or blanket when she cried out.
•  Early mornings and late afternoons/evenings on the beach.  In particular the sunset evening on Grace bay beach where we took a bunch of pictures and watched as the tide slowly eroded the defenses of Lookout Point.
• Lookout Point – a castle we built.
• Oreos.  Vera started saying “O-eYO!”
• The French bakery.  And its lovely proprietor who complemented our kids and treated us to a free box of caramels after we spent 10 minutes admiring and purchasing just about one of everything.  And eating the stuffed breads.
• Taylor Bay.  The best kept secret just off Sunset Bay Drive.  Just walk behind the tennis courts on your left.  We’d have missed it except for the tourists from Maine who were unloading their car road-side and showed us the path.
• Napping Vera in the backpack while I walked three or so miles of grace bay beach.
• Nissan Sunny.  What a P.O.S. rental car – and only $80 per day.
• Cold Coconut water at the fish fry night.
• Cats!  Officially the hotel staff called one of the semi-domesticated feral ones “Mama”, but Vicki was calling her Nickels.  

Awesome Father’s Day

Griffin said “Happy Father’s Day Daddy” three separate times on father’s day.  And it was only prompted once (thanks Vicki!).  Here’s how the day went:

·         Walk/scooter to Dunkin’ Donuts

·         I took Griff to swimming and then Crosby’s

·         Lunch.  Vicki made egg bake and it was awesome.

·         I mowed the lawn while the kids were napping, then did some ceiling strapping and framing in the basement.

·         Water balloon slingshot!   We launched probably like 20  balloons high in the air into our own yard and accidentally into the neighbors a few times.

·         Dinner at Five Guys.  Griff and Vera ate a TON of peanuts.

·         Orange Leaf for frozen yogurt take-out, which we ate in the driveway and did some chalk drawing.

·         Bath and Bed for the kids.

·         And then three episodes of Orange is the new Black for mom and Dad.