Magic Lives Here

There's a magical place in my house.  It is the source of love, comfort, and peace.  It heals wounds and broken hearts.  It makes time slow down and giggles erupt.  Somehow, there is always room for one more person, despite the limited space in the magical place.

It is the one, magical place my children long to be...on Daddy's lap. None of them are immune, they crawl up (or down in Baby Boo's words) to snuggle in his strong arms. When I entered the room this morning, Miss 11-year old Rosarita was awkwardly perched on the magical spot.  Not really fitting, having to lay back to put her head on his shoulder, but positively glowing as she felt her Daddy's peace surround her.  She's been longing for that peace for weeks.  She was home and happy in that moment.

With our bellies full from dinner, Daddy sits down at his computer.  It is finally fixed after a year of problems and he sure does love some PC gaming time.  Little boy can't resist getting his dessert and "waa" and calling "dow" and "u-pup-pup" so he can watch the screen with Daddy.  My heart grows 3 sizes as I watch him mimic Daddy's movements and points excitedly at the screen.  They ooh and aah over the videos, games, and the occasional bird or dog.  He leans over to nibble at his brownie, but never takes too long.  He doesn't want to miss a second of watching his hero.

It's always tough to decide which game to play; but with prodding from Mom and Baby Boo, Daddy settles on Don't Starve.  The opening music is a siren's call to 4-year old Doodlebug. It's her and Daddy's game.  It doesn't matter that Baby Boo is already firmly ensconced on Daddy's lap.  She clambers up on the other leg, leaving Daddy a 4 inch viewing space between two little heads.  But that's okay, Doodlebug watches the screen for him.  It is her job to provide the non-stop game narrative.  "OK, Daddy, what did we do last time?", "Daddy, you need wood.", "Daddy, where's Chester?", "Oh look, Daddy, there's an eye bone.", "You need to eat, Daddy", "Daddy, it's getting night, you need to build a fire.".  It's her time;  her time with her Daddy and their game. They laugh and giggle and try to define 'distinctive'.  He cannot convince her that it doesn't mean stinky.  Daddy sets Doodlebug to the task of watching for rocks.  It is the most important task in the world right now...because Daddy needs her help and it's their game.

So, yeah, I've discovered that real magic exists and my children have limitless access to it.  I thank God every day that I have this man and that he shares his magic with my babies.

Of Princesses and Pistachios

Dear Doodlebug,

Sometimes I feel like my family is just a bag of mixed nuts. This is especially true after the holidays, where we get to visit with extended family and the associated parental terrors of cousin comparisons – nervous breakdowns, anyone? You can find them at the nearest all-family meal! Indigestion comes free of charge, too!

But I digress.

What we all know about mixed nuts is that some are especially delicious. You spy them in the holiday-themed bowl. You carefully choose a precision handful that captures as many as possible without seeming indulgent. You eat around the handful, scarfing the less appetizing ones first. You fall in love with your favorites (pistachios!) and sing them sweet lullabies while they tantalize you with their delicious aroma. You set them aside for savoring. Finally, that moment comes when you give in and lose yourself in the best the bag has to offer.

Or, if you’re my Doodlebug, you just pick out the tastiest ones and let the other suckers have the dregs.

That’s my girl. She’s not one to mince words or stand politely aside when there’s something she wants. She’s more of a “shoot first and ask questions later” type. And I love every delicious, delirious moment of it!

This holiday, one of the greatest gifts I received was a chance to spend some time with this beautiful girlie. She is definitely a stand-out in the whole handful of us “nuts”. She’s always been an observant little one, but she has lately sprouted into a precocious pistachio all by herself. She reminds me of Shirley Temple in the way she often spouts off in the vein of “from the mouths of babes”-type observations.

We knew we had a special kiddo with this one. When we started our family together, my wife and I had a pair of “only-children”, and weren’t planning on having more. But life happens, and when Doodlebug came along, she became our third “only-child”. But really, she’s the sparkling ball of glitter-glue that holds us together.

Like many little girls this age, she's in love with princesses, too. Oh, and she likes Super Hero Squad. She's a Ninjago freak, and she loves Barbies. She says what she hears (we're hoping she doesn't say 'freakin' too much, or worse!). I don’t know what we’d do without her. Although we might have some quiet, I don’t think we’d find peace to match. Even in the midst of familial whirlwinds, fits of crying and fits of laughter, her presence brings a light of love to the room. We just couldn’t get along without her smile, her spirit, or her sweet disposition.

So, I love you, little Princess Pistachio. I love you so. Keep on being the precocious, stubborn, and sweet little thing you are - because you’re good at it!

With Love,

Daddy