Sunday, July 27, 2014

Tiger Training Day

Yesterday was a great family fun day.  Demi's boss got this company together on Duxbury Beach for a BBQ.  It was a long day. But a great day.
    We stormed Duxbury Beach on the Bay side.  We had tables of food, a huge tent and grill.  Our kids took it all in stride.  They were by far the oldest kids.  Again.  They played with the young kids.  Again.  They really were terrific.
     Caz showed some growth.  He meandered about the beach on his own.  He walked up to his friends house on his own.  He normally doesn't do stuff like that.  I had planted the seed.  He did the hard work to overcome his natural tendencies to be shy and find a way to stay put.  I was proud of him for taking the initiative

Friday, July 11, 2014

Father/Son II

Tonight it was Coco's night.  Although, as the day started, I really thought it was going to be disaster.  He came home from a sleepover and was a complete basket case.  He was a moody little son of a.....Anyway, he rallied.  His buddy set them a tee time.  He came home a different kid.
     When I finished working, I told him to grab his shoes.  When he looked at me, I told him we were taking Gizmo for a walk on the beach, then grabbing some grub at a new joint.  He almost played the Tired Card but didn't.  We drove out to the beach and he had Gizmo in his arms, head hanging out of the window (Gizmo, not Coco) the whole time.  We walked Gizmo around the beach.  Coco grabbed some little blue plastic bags, just in case.  The sun was out.  It was a comfortable temperature.  It was a perfect night for this.
     Then we drove to the Green Harbor Lobster Pound.  As we did I told him how his grandfather used to buy us lobsters there, all the time growing up.  I think he got a kick out of that.  I let him order a fried shrimp plate.  I got The Best Lobster Roll around.  (That is a story for another time).  I let him get some pink lemonade.  He picked out a spot on a picnic table.  We ate outside as the sun was starting to go down.
     I read to him out on the porch when we got home.  I actually took some time for me too, grabbing a beer and cigar, as I read.  Two nights.  Two fantastic Father/Son nights.

Thursday, July 10, 2014

Father/Son Night

This could have been a disaster of a night.  Caz had been home all day, unsupervised.  He had slept late.  He claimed to have done everything on his list.  I couldn't get out of work early, as planned.  Demi was in NY for a funeral.  Coco was at his cousin's.
     On the way home, I decided to try to make it a guys night.  I walked in, said hi.  I told him that I was going to change and after I did, we would go get ourselves running shoes.  I promised dinner too.  He was very agreeable.  He shut off the TV and got ready to head out.
     He was really a good sport in the store.  He let the store clerks watch him walk, study his movement, and see him run.  They trotted out 6 different styles of shores.  He tried them all on.  He even chuckled when we remarked about his reserved nature, eschewing the more exotic colors and styles.  He did up his game and settled on some new running shoes with some wild trim.  Baby steps.
     Then we went over to Windy City Dogs, for hot dogs.  He got a giant corn dog, double cheeseburger and fries.  We watched the end of the Sox game.  A walk off win  We had some great conversation.  He even took the good natured ribbing, as I tried to pry some information on a girl he had his eye on, out of him.  We went out for ice cream after.  I let him pick his favorite place.
     When we got home, we settled onto the couch.  I read to him for a long time.  Somewhere along the line, he fell asleep.  It was just like when he was a toddler.  It was really a perfect evening.

Wednesday, July 9, 2014

Patience Runs Out

Tonight was the night.  Caz's luck ran out.  Because my patience ran out.  He left the house without his phone.  Again.  He did leave a note.  So it wasn't too bad.  But when we couldn't get a hold of him, all bets were off.  I came home tired, and had to go back out to get him.  Except when I got to his buddy's house, none of them were there.  My friend, his buddy's dad, told me he had just dropped them at the mall.  Caz had left the neighborhood without asking permission.
     All holy hell broke out when he got home.  Actually, it could have been worse.  I tried, very hard, to curtail any shouting.  Caz started down his list of excuses.  Demi and I were having none of it.  But it was late.  We all needed to go to bed.  Instead of drawing it all out, we let him go to bed.  Go to bed with the expectation of punishment forthcoming.  That might have been worse than the actual punishment.

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Patience

I exerted a lot of patience today.  Caz had left the house without completing his task list.  Again.  He left without his phone.  Again.  But instead of flying off the handle, I took it very calmly.
     I called him at his friend's house, knowing his whole crew was there.  Even when he started to answer like a smart alec, I bit my tongue. I explained the things he neglected to do.  He owned up to him.  I told him that my first instinct was to drive over, pull him out of there, and embarrass him in front of his friends.  I told him to be home by 9 and attend to everything on the list, plus some new add-ons (as punishment).
     When he came home early, I thought he was making an attempt to make amends.  And I think he was.  But he kept getting distracted. He still missed things on the list.  We got through the night but it was not easy.  I really wanted to go to bed early, after sleeping poorly last night.  This whole episode kept me up longer than planned.  Better luck tomorrow.

Saturday, July 5, 2014

Social Engagements

The boys were really good today.  We have been getting together with the same families, at the same house, and at this same holiday time, for years now.  The boys are the oldest children by far.  They really have nothing in common with the other kids.
     However, when it came time to get ready for the party, the boys got ready with no hesitation. Caz even sent his friends home.  He dressed up very nicely.  He was probably the most dressed up of the bunch.
     Coco and Caz were the stars of the show.  The other kids were ecstatic when they arrived.  They came running from all corners of the house to see them.  Caz and Coco played outside with them the whole time, swingset, baseball, and dancing.  Yes.  Dancing.  The girls had a dance party, once it got dark and dragged the boys onto the dance floor.  The boys were hot sweaty messes by the end of the night.  All the parents appreciated it.  Especially, Coco and Caz's parents.

Friday, July 4, 2014

4th 2014

Happy 4th of July!  Thank you to our troops and their families.  A safe and happy holiday to you all!

Thursday, July 3, 2014

Pay Day

Caz got his first paycheck today.  You should have seen his face as he opened it.  It was priceless.  He was so proud of himself.  He was excited to show it to me, then his mother.  This is honestly the reaction for which I was hoping.  A true teachable moment.  

Tuesday, July 1, 2014

First Shift

Well, it's official.  Caz has entered the work force.  He completed his first shift at the supermarket.  It was something else to see him all decked out in his official work outfit.  He seemed to be into it.  I hope he keeps it going.  But it is an important milestone in a young man's life.  Good job, son.