Scott's million dollar idea

I don't know why my posts are the only ones that get these random comments.  Whatev.  So Scott wants to make an invisible blanket, like the one Harry Potter uses.  Today, at school drop-off, he said, "We can make it out of something clear.  Are there any clear chemicals?"

We talked about gases, oxygen and nitrogen, and then got into the phases of matter.  He seemed interested and I was glad because my chemistry background has given me a good knowledge of how stuff works.  Gotta run.

Food preps and Winco

I make breakfast for the kids.  Mostly, I do what I'm in the mood for, but we rotate through waffles, pancakes, oatmeal, and cracked wheat.  In dental school, I ate cold cereal for breakfast every morning.  There's enough sugar to get your blood sugar to a good level and there's enough fat in the milk to satisfy your entero-gastric reflex.  But cereal's too expensive.

I'm excited about oatmeal because it's cost-effective and good for your heart.  We have to sweeten it with brown sugar and the kids like to add maple syrup.  I've been making my own syrup since high school (Dan-o's mom's recipe), and it's not so much a cost thing as a taste thing.  We got a gallon of high fructose corn syrup with sodium hexametaphosphate for like six bucks, which is quite reasonable, but the taste was lacking.  Then, Heidi somehow picked up some "lite" syrup which the kids didn't like.  So I make my own.  I also like to beat some heavy whipping cream, and today, we had chocolate chips in our pancakes.  

I did some slow-cooked beef in the crock pot for Sunday dinner.  I added some ground chipotle pepper but I don't think it was enough.  Still, the meat was nice and soft and tasted good.  I also did some pinto beans and we all enjoyed burritos with cheese.  Growing up, I didn't like leftovers, and certain things don't keep as well as others, but my burrito components last about a week and it's hecka cost-effective.

And then there's Winco.  I really enjoy shopping there because I feel like I get good bang for my buck.  If we hunkered down and ate my dental school diet, we could thrive on less than $50/week.  We splurge on the milk and desserts to keep me and the kids happy.  I survived on $11/week in school.

Ever since we dumped the stupid condo, Heidi and I have stressed less about money.  I like having my money in the bank, but I've been able to enjoy it more, by buying chocolate chips and bacon.  Mmmm, bacon.  I even got some new shorts.

Okay, time for my burritos.

Doughnuts and Dads

Tyler's kindergarten hosted a doughnuts with dad's day, in order to celebrate Father's day during the school year.  Tyler was excited for me to go, which was nice, because for a while, he was waking up and grumbling, "I just want Mommy."  

The students sang a few songs, we ate our doughnuts, and then we threw around the balls outside.  It was fun.  The iPhone is convenient for taking photos when I don't have the big SLR or the didge, but its image quality is fair at best.  But a bad photo is better than no photo.

Tonight, at FHE, Tyler gave the prayer.  He said, "Bless that we won't be wiggly worms during FHE."  He has come a long way.  He has been able to keep his temper under control and he is doing well in school.

Backyard

The kids have been spending more time outside, which is good.  They need a media fast.  Scott, Tyler, and Kira are into climbing into the tree.  Tyler is into having his picture taken.  

Here, the boys prepare the garden for some strawberry starts.

Three weeks later, this is how they look.  I am impressed at nature and how dormant plants just know what kind of tissue to generate.  I guess it's evidence of God's role.  

The boys have been into practicing baseball.  They like shagging tennis balls from around the community, so it's no great loss when they go into the golf course.

 Blakey likes to just tag along.

I don't know what Kira's doing here, but check out that bird's nest of hair.  She's also into wearing pajamas 24/7 and she likes princesses.

Why no posts?

Heidi is the primary author of this blog.  You'll note that most of the posts this year have been from me.  I take some pictures and add a few words.  Then Heidi goes back and adds commentary.  I don't write that much on the family blog because I think some of my opinions would offend the majority of her readers.

But this is also a diary, and since she doesn't keep it anymore, I'll write.  To start, I am complacent as an average husband and father.  I used to get discouraged that I wasn't the best.  Now I'm incredibly average, and that's going to have to do.  I try to do chores around the house and go to most baseball games, but I can't make all of them.  I make the kids breakfast and do the school drop-off, but I could do more.  A colleague and I had lunch this week.  He said his wife thinks he's a good dad but a bad husband, because when he comes from work, all he does is play with his kid.  She thinks he should do a better job balancing his relationship with his wife.

In his eyes, he's doing her a favor by giving her a break from the kid, because we all know that parenting is hard work.  I said, "Man, that's tough.  At least she told you how she felt, and at least she thinks you're a good dad."

At least I don't feel pressure to keep up with the Joneses.  I'm pretty sure we're not the Joneses, either, but who cares?

The rubber dam crusade at the school is going well.  People think I'm the expert.  Yeah, that's cool, but not really, because the students like the iso-lite.  I think it's crummy.  But whatev.  So what's on for today?  I rode the VFR to Walnut Creek to see patients.  I left at 6:00 this morning.  Then Scott had his baseball game, and I got to see the end of it.  Heidi's parents came out, and apparently, Scott caught a fly ball and got a triple.  That's good, because sometimes he cries when he strikes out.

Last night, while Heidi went to bunko, Tyler and Scott and I played catch in the back yard.  Scott said, "Daddy, what do I need to improve in baseball?"

I told him his attitude.  Surprisingly, he didn't cry.  Eh, I was a great parent until I had kids.  Okay, gotta jet.

Easter

Happy Easter!!  I have done a lot of thinking about Easter and the resurrection this week.  In the past I always focused more on our Savior during Christmas than Easter.  I don't know why, but Easter this year really became a time that I reflected on the resurrection and all that means to our family.

My parents had a wonderful Easter celebration at their house.  They are the most generous, welcoming people I know.  Their home is always full of people, food and love.  They had friends over, Heather invited her friends, Danny invited a mission companion who just moved to San Francisco and the house was full of kids, food, fun, laughter and love.  It reminded me of the celebrations we will someday have in heaven with all those we love.  Those who have passed on and those who will pass on are only gone for a short time until we are with them again.  And that is all possible because of Christ and the resurrection.

I know we will be with Carl again in heaven. We are able to allow Tyler to live a normal childhood because we are not fearful of his heart condition.  It is such a marvelous miracle that we will all live again.   I am so grateful for that knowledge!  And thus so grateful to celebrate Easter which reminds us of this wonderful gift!

Kira and Blake's BD party at Grandma and Pop's

Good times with Grandma and Pop.  The kids were very involved with the candle and happy birthday song.  We had to sing it a few times so they could take turns blowing out the candle.  As usual, Pop's cakes didn't disappoint.