Smart Boys

I have 2 very smart boys.

Last week Chase came in first place in the first grade in a writing contest.

This week Seth took a test that is to prepare him for next year when he has to start taking the standardized tests and he got a 100 on it.

I am very proud of them...

Entrepreneurs

The boys are becoming entrepreneurs.

This weekend the first edition of the Cripple Creek News went out. Seth wrote the first edition of our street newspaper. I will leave it to Shelley to post a copy of it but it was very cute but also impressive. His delivery system was the old fashioned paperboy. Chase rolled each one up, put them in a canvas bag and hit the streets on his bike. They were all quickly distributed and I'm sure our neighbors are anxiously awaiting the next edition.

They have also gone into the recycling business. I bought them a trash can and an aluminum can crusher and they are now crushing cans with the plans of selling them for a little cash.

They are both very industrious and I'm anxious to see what they come up with next.

Happy Birthday Seth

I am a couple days late on this post but I still wanted to mark the occasion with an entry.

On Saturday Seth turned 9. He is really growing up to be a special boy.

We had his birthday party at Rangers Ballpark. I think everyone enjoyed it, especially me. We got a tour of the ballpark and got to see things like the press box, a suite and the underground hitting area. When we entered the hitting area my heart jumped a little because you could hear someone in there taking batting practice. Who is it? Josh, Michael Young, Mitch Moreland??? No, it was some high school kids whose Dad worked for the Rangers.

Despite that disappointment, it was a great tour that ended in the Rangers' dugout.

Seth had invited four friends to his party. Isaiah Brogan, Cameron Bitz, Mason Jordan and Holden Skinner. I got the duty of driving them around and having a car with five 3rd graders can be an experience. But, on the way home the boys started singing Chris Tomlin's "Our God" and then they went into Hillsong's "mighty to save." It really warmed my heart.

Having a 9 year old is making me feel old and I realize the time is going way to fast. It seems just yesterday when we were in the ICU unit feeding him with all these wires and sensors connected to him.

Seth, I love you.

Growing Up

Our boys are growing up and there is nothing I can do about it. It wasn't long ago (just a few months) that when it rained at night, the boys were getting in bed with us. I typically moved to the couch because there wasn't enough room and Shelley would often move to one of their rooms. But, they received some level of comfort by sleeping in our room even though neither of us were in there.

Well, last night we had some horrible storms with big lightening and loud thunder. They both stayed in their rooms all night. I happy they slept well but I already miss getting awaken at night.

Chase Rides His Bike

Yesterday I took Chase out to try and learn to ride his bike. It was going to be a nice day and we haven't given it a try in quite sometime so I thought it would be a good time to try. This was something Chase did not want to do. He has had a considerable amount of fear regarding this and I have had to practically force him to do it. He really was afraid of getting hurt so our past efforts were always very brief.

I knew that if he would ever give it much effort he would be able to do it because he was really close.

So, when I brought up what I wanted to do, he started to cry. He really did not want to go. I finally convinced him but he continued to negotiate. We were only going to try two times but I didn't give in to his demands.

Out we go with helmet, knee pads, elbow pads and gloves all protecting his vulnerable parts. I pushed him around a few times with him demanding that I don't let him go. Then Shelley took over and pushed him around just to give him a feel. Shelley went in so it just left the two of us out there. I pushed him and let go and he took off and went at least 20 feet on his in own. I was far more excited than he was because I'm sure he realized that I wasn't going to stop now that he had done so well. I sent him in to get Shelley and with her watching he rode his bike right to her. Again, Shelley and I were far more excited. He just wanted to get off and go inside to get the cookies Shelley promised to bake if he would just try.

But, he can now ride his bike.

A new year

We have started a new year and I suspect it will be a doozy. I am going to do my best to write more but I will always have Shelley's blog.

We will see what this year brings but I am committed to making it a great year.

Email

The boys can now check and send emails. There are some pretty cute exchanges.

Seth Dowdle	5:06 PM (1 hour ago)
to Chase

Yes, I will read to you. I love you s much

Seth

On Mon, Nov 28, 2011 at 5:01 PM, Chase Dowdle <chasedowdle@gmail.com> wrote:
I love you.And can you read to me.

Chase's Two Front Teeth

This past week Chase lost both of his front teeth. I can't imagine a worse time to lose your front teeth than Christmas because everyone, including myself, is beating him down with singing "all I want for Christmas is my two front teeth." He is tolerating it well for now but we will see what his attitude is like in a couple of weeks.

A Poem

I haven't blogged in awhile but I needed to make sure this got documented.

Seth has started emailing a lot and he is using it as a way to express his feelings. Below is a poem he wrote and emailed me.

I love you so much,I love your heart.I will never forget you, never forget.

I love watching TV with you.

I love the Texas Rangers just like you.

I hope you like his poem,because I like you.

Father/Son Retreat

This past weekend Chase and I got away for a little Father/Son time. We went down to Glenn Rose, Texas and stayed at some cabins that Shelley, Seth and I had once stayed in. We had a great time and visited Big Rocks Park, Dinosaur Valley Park and Fossil Rim. We also did archery and went swimming.

I had told Chase at the beginning that this weekend was all about him and we would do whatever he wanted.

At one point I was trying to talk him into going and looking at something I wanted to see and he said he didn't want to.

Chase - "I don't want to, remember this is all about me."

Yes, it was all about him....

Vacation 2011

We just wrapped up our summer vacation and as always it was an adventure.

This was our most adventurous road trip to date. According to Google maps we travelled a minimum of 1,543 miles or the equivalent of 28 hours of driving. This doesn't include the side trips we took which I would say added another 3 hours to our journey. Below is a map of our journey.

View Larger Map

Shelley's blog contains a day by day account of our journey so I will just refer to that. This was an adventure and had a western theme as we visited Dodge City Kansas, road horses in Colorado, visited an actual ghost town and then ended our journey in Amarillo.

I imagine our boys wish we were like other parents and just took them to Disney but someday I hope they appreciate the adventures we shared.

A Good Sports Year

This past year has been a pretty good sports year.

It started right at a year ago when TCU made it to the college world series. They lost but it was still a big accomplish.

Then it was followed by the Rangers making it to the World Series. Again they lost but it was a big accomplish.

Then TCU won the Rose Bowl.

Finally, last night the Dallas Mavericks won the NBA finals by beating the hated Miami Heat.

The last time there was a championship in Dallas was 12 years ago when the Stars won the Stanley Cup. The Stars won the Cup right after Shelley and I got married and in fact they won game 3 on the day we got married. So, it was only appropriate that the Mavs won on our 12 year anniversary.

Happy Birthday Chase!

Today you are 6 and I can't believe it. I love you so much...

Piano Recital

This is just a note to Seth.

Friday night was another piano recital and I just have to tell you how impressed I am by you. You have worked very hard and it shows.

You have been playing the piano for a number of years and you have gotten very good. I know it has taken a lot of work on your part and I am very proud of you.

I love you

What Makes A Good Baseball Player

The best baseball players have been described as 5 tool players. Five tool players hit for average, hit for power, have speed, have a strong arm and play good defense. Well, I have been involved in the boys' youth teams since they have been playing baseball and I know have a new definition.

A five tool player doesn't complain, does what the coaches ask, plays with joy and excitement, are good sports and they try their hardest. I'm proud to say that Seth and Chase are both 5 tool players.

Reading

I just need to note this.

Last night I listened to Chase read Green Eggs and Ham for 20 minutes. It is amazing how well he can read. He reads the story with the proper emotion and I just love listening to him.

I know these moments go fast and I will miss them.

14 years ago

Fourteen years ago Shelley and I had our first date. We went and ate at Pappadeux's and saw the movie Absolute Power. Little did I know that Shelley didn't like seafood and didn't like to go to movies. I must have done something right because we are still together after 14 years. :-)

A Thoughtful Gift From Seth

Today Seth took is own money, almost $40, and bought Chase a DS game that Chase wanted. It was a very thoughtful gift.

Riding a Bike

I have been working with Seth to learn to ride his bike without the training wheels. Yesterday he made great progress and was able to ride about 30 feet without any assistance from me.

Progress!

Quote from Seth

As we were walking along, Seth said:

"I don't think many of my friends know the true meaning of Christmas."

I am impressed with my little man and his concern for others.