Date Night

I live for Tuesday nights. After the crazy run around getting all the big kids to scouts, I get a 45 minute Nate Date before the Big Kid Round Up begins. Forty-five precious minutes of one-on-one with my favorite four year old. Munching cold fries at BK is a weekly highlight. It doesn’t matter how stressful my day has been, I can count on a meal filled with laughter and smiles as we discuss the mysteries of life. Here is an excerpt from tonight’s table chatter.

Z: Natey, do you know what holiday is coming up?
N: (Eyes light up) Kwistmas!!!
Z: Can you think of anything you would like Santa Claus to bring you?
N: Wets see. Hmmmm.... (finger tapping chin) Maybe he will bwing me a fake lellow car.
Z: A fake one?
N: I'm not big enough to push a real one. Silly Mommy!
Z: O.K., Turbo. Anything else on your Christmas list besides a fake car?
N: A fake zombie.
Z: A what?!?!
N: A fake zombie doll... to sweep with in my little boy bed. And a fake chair for a human.
Z: What do you need a fake chair for?
N: To sit in!
Z: Of course, to sit in. Nate, do you know why we celebrate Christmas?
N: Cause it’s Jesus’ burfday. It was the day he was borned from heaven. Hey, I know! Wet’s make him anuder burfday cake. Wif lellow icing and lots of sprinkles. And candles, Mama! We need burfday candles! We can sing him Happy Burday and help Him eat His cake!
Z: (Laughing) Yes, Natey. Christmas morning, we will wake up and have our birthday party.
N: But Mommy (now totally distressed), we need to get Him pwesents. He has to have burfday pwesents.
Z: What do you think Jesus would want for his birthday?
N: Hmmmm. I don’t know. Maybe, He doesn't need pwesents. I fink He just wants a party. And His cake! We can’t have a party wifout cake.

Tonight, Nate reminded me that Christmas isn’t about long wish lists and shoestring budgets. It isn't about yellow Hot Wheels or fake chairs. It’s about remembering Jesus. The time and traditions I invest into the people around me will be remembered long after they have forgotten what do-dad I gave them Christmas morning. I am counting the days until my next Tuesday Night Nate Date... If everyone could be so lucky as to share cold fries with a cool kid like him, the world would be a better place.

Thanks for keeping me real, Little Man.

Crunchy Leaves

I live for autumn afternoons. Crisp air. Crunchy Leaves. There is something about the changing seasons that makes my heart sing! We needed a break so I packed everyone up and played hookie at our local park. I love days like this!

Election Day 08

After a month long government study, the zoo anxiously watched the polls. The numbers poured in as home made graphs were colored and victory dances celebrated. Once the outcome was obvious, I headed to bed while the guys stayed up to watch Obama address the country as president elect.

The next morning was full of questions. What happens next? When does Obama take office? What happens to President Bush? What should McCain supporters do? It was yet another conversation that left me reminded that my little ones are growing up. When were discussions of Scooby Doo and Pokemon replaced by questions of politics and moral responsibility? I was again reminded of the awesome responsibilty we have as parents to educate our children.

Fantastically Four