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Children Learn What They Live - A Parent's Creed

If a child lives with criticism, he will learn to condemn. If a child lives with hostility, he'll learn how to fight. If a child lives with ridicule, he'll always be shy. If a child lives with shame, he will always feel guilty. If a child lives with tolerance, he'll learn the art of patience. If a child lives with encouragement, he will be confident. If a child lives with praise, he'll see the good in others. If a child lives with fairness, he will learn justice. If a child lives with security, in others he'll have faith. If a child lives with approval, he'll learn to like himself. If a child lives with respect, he'll love his fellow man.

A resolution

Reposted Monday, May 29th, 2017, by Daddy

Hey little buddy. It's such a busy time of year. The last few weeks have gone by as a blur what with all the decorating, the shopping, the visiting, the eating, oh the eating.

I've learned something, though, while trying to keep up with your Christmas enthusiasm - coming up on my fortieth birthday, I'm in trouble if I expect to be able to keep up with you in the years ahead.

A few people have mentioned to me that I'm kind of "mature" to have a two year old, this day in age. Facebook and Twitter have passed me by so what in the world am I doing with a two-year old? It wasn't that long ago that a complete stranger commented on my "maturedness" one morning when we were having our weekly meal of french toast at A & W. I didn't think much of it at the time, but the last few days, with the aches and pains that have followed lifting, spinning, bench pressing, wrestling and playing with the heaviest two-and-a-half-year-old I know, I've come to realize I'm in BIG trouble.

You've made me notice that it's time to get serious and get back into shape. You deserve a Daddy that can keep up, not fall apart, as you get even more excited about the world you are discovering and the adventures that lie ahead. A three-year-old shouldn't have to visit his Daddy in the hospital following a hip replacement.

So it's a perfect time to renew focus on getting back in shape, so let's make a resolution of sorts, to meet on your third birthday in the best shape of our lives. With some smart eating, a lot of playing and some adventures along the way, we can easily get there.

That is the best birthday present I can give to you, sweetsy peetsy.

To infinity and beyond

Posted Saturday, June 04, 2011, by Daddy

Buzz Lightyear, of "Toy Story" fame, coined the phrase, "to infinity and beyond" and just a couple of months ago, you added this definitive statement to your ever-growing vocabulary.

Admittedly I don't know many 20-month olds, I know even fewer who manage to mimic Buzz the way you did at that tender age.

You're two years old now and as I reflect a little more on Buzz's words, that multi-million dollar combination of vowels and consonants clearly define what I think about when I look back over the past couple of years, and they describe perfectly the places and spaces I know you will be going on your future adventures, whether real or imaginary.

Your potential is indeed beyond infinity; I know this just from the countless jaw-dropping, "oh-my-goodness" moments you have already shared with us, barely two years into your precious life.

Now part of this may just be a proud father talking, but so what, I'm entitled. Make no mistake, Andrew, every day you do something that stops us dead in our tracks and leaves us wondering, "did he just do that?"

You make me smile, you make me cry, you make me wonder.

The images of you walking across the kitchen floor the first time you "let go" plays like a high definition movie in my mind, it still fills me up. Another milestone, another moment we will never experience again for the first time.

I shake my head in disbelief when you point out, with great accuracy, the different flags of Canada, North America, and most recently Europe and Asia. Huh?

Everyday Andrew, you teach me a little something about the world in which we live; you change the way your Daddy sees things; you simplify what life is all about.

Keep going, baby. To infinity and beyond.