For the First Time in a LONG Time: THE BEACH!

After going to Europe in Summer 2019 and then, you know, a global pandemic making summer 2020 kinda off-limits for major travel for us, we ripped off the band-aid, rented a little airbnb in Galveston just for the 4 of us, and we drove to the BEACH!

It was so nice to be back in Galvestion: the warm waters, the "sand," La Kings and the strand, yummy food, and just amazing family time.

We combed the beach, rode the waves for hours (Wave riders forever!), ate tons of ice cream, had some movie nights, bought matching t-shirts, did some beading and reading and foosball and sand castles and crab-dip eating. 

We saw a snake and a rabbit, some dead crabs (one of which y'all named "Deathany"), and swam with dolphins!. We just had a wonderful, peaceful, truly relaxing and energizing trip to the beach.

You wrote your names in the sand. We had missed you Galveston, our old friend.  It may not be a world-class beach, but it sure makes us feel like we're on island time, where troubles and worries just melt into the sand and suncreen. 

Julia's First Piano Recital

Well, Julia, you've been taking lessons via Facetime with Miss Amy for more than a year (thanks, Covid!)

And with masks on you finally got to meet her in person as well as your duet partner (Frankie from school!) in person for a few dress rehearsals.

The big day finally arrived, and you dressed the part in a pink cardigan, white dress, and your 'orphan boots.'

And you played "Heart and Souls" with Frankie!

And then, your solo piece, "Fur Elise."

You may have been nervous, but it didn't show! You rocked it!

We were so proud of you!

SNOWMAGEDDON 2021!!!!

 It got cold. Then it got colder. And it started snowing...and kept snowing. And most of the city...most of the state... lost power and/or water. We fortunately lost neither...and we went on snow hikes and made snow angels and tried and tried and tried (and finally succeeded at) sledding. There were snowball fights and capture the flag and tossing snowballs to the neighbor's dog, Winnie. There were snowmen and icicles and plastic-bagged feet and frozen snot and eye juice. There was stew. Lots and lots of stew. And cold nights and warm hearts.

It was the first real major snowstorm in Dallas since I was younger than both of you. And we are so fortunate to have spent the snowmageddon with you two snow bunnies by our sides!

Aidan is 11

 Aidan, on this your 11th birthday, I want to tell you something important: I admire you.

Your beautiful brain works a little differently than most other people's brains; and that's okay! It's what makes you YOU- silly, sweet, resilient, loving, innocent, empathic, feeling, loyal, and a little fiery (as per your namesake). And that's beautiful! It has dawned on me over this past year that your brain's wonderfully, different beauty means that some tasks, connections, emotions, and steps that I take for granted take you a little bit of extra work and self-reflection and self-control to get there. In other words, a lot of people's starting points is already like step 4 for you. You have to work a little bit harder to get there than others'. And you do it in stride, without a chip on your shoulder, without remorse or sadness self-pity, with quick (and getting quicker) recoveries. In short, you are an AMAZING young man. Who has already in his short 11 years on earth done SO much hard work and growth and learning. It's why your heart and brain and spirit are SO strong, and why we love you so much, and admire you.

At 11 you are growing tall and strong. You are sweet and innocent and full of love and laughter and music. You LOVE your sister and mommy and me. You are loyal and true, and feel things deeper than most. 

You love music. Your favorites are on repeat all the time. Some recent all-time best hits incldue: "Dancing in the Moonlight," Maroon 5, Coldpay, "Hallelujah" (Pentatonix version) and the Zombies soundtrack. 

You love video games and legos and squishies.Mario and Luigi are about the best. 

You love books of all kinds. It's not uncommon for your backpack to be loaded down with 20 pounds of books. Your reading continues to improve. 

You love animals and babies...especially Toby; the two of you have bonded a lot over the past year.

Your laugh and smile sustain my heart for a hundred years; your cry breaks my heart. Your laughter and smiles are contagious. You try to make Julia laugh (with fart noises) when she is sad.

You are a story teller. Especially in the morning. 

You love movies and shows...and love to inhabit them into your being. I did this when I was a kid too; so I'm more than happy to do it with you as an adult. For example, after we watched "The Temple of Doom," you were Shorty, I was Indie, and Julia was a village Princess and we had to save the artifact! After "Kong vs. Godzilla", you were Kong and I was Godzilla, and we battled until the bloody finish when we teamed up to beat Mecca-Godzilla together time and time again!

You love board games, and playing games, and swimming. You're not a big fan of walks, but you join us anyway and wind up having a blast.

You are funny; and -most importantly- you can laugh at yourself.

You are a hard worker; and a proud one too. You love science, and work hard on math ("I'm a math genius!") at school and with Mommy. You are an artist- you love drawing and sketching, stencils and finger puppets and little doodles.

You are amazing. You are eleven. You are the one and only one like you. You are Aidan. And I'm so proud to be your Daddy.