Saturday, July 27, 2013

On the Run

I went running for the first time with Caz today.  Sure, we have run 5k's and the Ruckus together.  But this was the first time we went out on the road to run together.  I wanted to get him kick started on his training.  I also believed that if I got him out on a route, he would be comfortable enough to run on his own later on.  He's a nervous kid.  If this is what it takes, then I will do it.
     I don't worry about Caz on the street.  I worry about the knuckle head drivers on the road.  People drive way to fast on these back streets.  The brush sticks out in the road, which decreases visibility, for both the runners and the drivers.  The drivers also seem to be distracted on their cell phones.  That is why I like to run early.  Far less traffic then.  With Caz sleeping in all the time, I will have to take what I can get today.  Sure we are running in the heat of the day.  But he's out running.  Baby steps.

Monday, July 22, 2013

Going Cross Country

I am trying to work with Caz.  He has decided to not play football in the fall.  He does want to run track but that is a winter and spring sport.  That is fine.  But he needs to be active in the fall.  That sort of leave cross country as his only option.  He doesn't really want to.  Or better put, he says he doesn't want to.  But he doesn't motivate for much these days.  He's a typical teenager.
     Caz started out on the elliptical trainer today.  Not exactly what I wanted him to do.  I wanted him to go out running.  Out on the street.  But I will take it for today.  Its a start.

Monday, July 15, 2013

No Shirt, No Shoes, No Service.....and Food Does Not Leave the Kitchen

Well, both the boys failed one of the Golden Rules of this Summer.  It was really rather simple.  Food and drinks do not leave the kitchen.  They both brought food and drinks into the basement.  Yes, one of the spilled.  Accidents happen.  But they disobeyed.
     This is why they were picking weeds when I got home from work.  No XBOX and manual labor.  Seems fair.  They were warned numerous times.  They chose not to obey.  Time to pay the piper.

Sunday, July 14, 2013

No Day At The Beach

"I don't like the beach"
     The statement of a typical spoiled Duxbury kid.  It hits all Duxbury kids at some point.  They take the nature beauty and attractions of the town for granted.  You can tell by the excuses - "Sand gets everywhere" or "It's too hot" or "There's nothing to do"......Blah Blah Blah...It's all crap!  There will come a day when the kid, in this case Caz, will realize how good he/she has it.  It's the typical sentiment for all the kids that eventually come back to town with their families.  And there are a lot of them.
    Today we left Caz home.  I certainly wasn't going to fight with him to go the beach.  I made a solid pitch.  I also communicated the expectations.  There would be one room with A/C.  No food or drink was to leave the kitchen.  The lawn would be mowed upon my return.  No one in the house without permission.  Your standard stuff.  Pretty simple.  A chance to prove himself.  Time will tell.
   

Friday, July 12, 2013

Jr Detective

Coco had a really good time at camp.  He got to go through police training simulators.  His group visited the local correctional facility, which is currently the home of Whitey Bulger.  He solved some very tough detective training puzzles.  Today he fired off 10 rounds at the gun range.  I think he was most proud of those puzzles though.  He's a smart kid, so I am not surprised.
     Tonight ended up that just the 2 of us were around. In celebration of this good week, I took him out to dinner.  He wanted to go to Pizzings.  There was a theme to his planned menu.  Garlic Buffalo wings and Buffalo pizza.  See the trend?  Hey, if the kid want to eat a whole through his belly, who am I to deny him?

Monday, July 8, 2013

The True Start of Summer

Today is day one.  The holidays are over.  Family vacation is over.  The kids needs some activities.  Coco is off to Junior Police Academy Camp.  He's looking forward to it.
     Caz is the X factor.  I had him draw up a list of activities today.  This list included a lot of detail.  From brushing teeth & eating breakfast, to chores such as weeding & laundry.  It's going to be interesting to see how he manages the list.

Thursday, July 4, 2013

Independence Day

Happy 4th of July!
     I know that Demi wants to go to the beach today.  I would like to go to the beach.  Coco can be talked into it.  But Caz is not going to want to do.  I know this.  I feel this.  So I talked to Demi about letting him stay behind.  With certain parameters, of course.
     As I started to formulate those parameters, good fortune struck me.  Caz's buddy, Steve, rang the doorbell.  I sent him up stairs to roust Caz out of bed.  Before I know it Caz was brushing his teeth and getting dressed.  I asked him what his plans were.  He responded that Steve needed help with a float in the Duxbury 4th of July parade.  Steve's dad had entered a float, sponsored by his business.  Steve had to hold a huge balloon, and could hand out candy while he did so.  Caz was going to help hand out candy.  I know Caz normally would not want any part of the parade.  But a friend needed something, and he was helping out.  Good for him.

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Sleep Overs

Some much for getting back to reality.  Both the boys are starting with sleep-overs at friends houses.  At least they are being social, interacting with others.  I know Coco is swimming and playing outside.  I suspect the older boys may not be so active but I guess I won't know for sure.  Can't prove it, right?  Maybe this time, after so many days of just family time, it is ok for the boys to be off on their own for an extended period.  Demi and I could actually have a nice quiet night together.  A nice change for all of us.

Monday, July 1, 2013

Back to Reality

Today is the first day back from vacation for the family.  Demi and I know that we will have a stack of things to do in the office.  However, we will let the boys ease back into reality today.  They can sleep in.  They can lounge around.  They can even play some XBOX.  But come tomorrow, they need to get up at a decent time.  They need to get themselves up at a reasonable hour, brush their teeth, dress, and attend to some chores.
     Better live it up today boys.  Tomorrow things start happening.  Don't get me wrong.  I am not talking about getting up at dawn and plowing the back 40.  But they will help out around the house, then find something to do outside, with friends, and play.  Just like when we were kids..  Got out and play all day.  Come in when the dinner bell rings, then go back out until dark.  Kids these days have seem to have lost that.