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.