Porter, you are awesome!

Pid -- I just wanted to let you know I am so very proud of you! Last night at soccer practice, you held your own against the big kids, and you really are one of the best out there on the field. You have so much energy -- I know you get it from your mom! When you were playing tag at the end of practice, no one could touch you.

You are becoming very powerful in what you want, and how you want to do things. I know you get frustrated when people don't listen to you, or hear what you have to say. But you make sure we know, you sure do.

You make me laugh with your songs that you sing -- you have a great sense of creativity that is really coming out in the songs you make up. You have a wonderful sense of music and sounds; I really enjoy your singing.

Porter, I love the fact that I can watch you grow and become the person you are. I'm glad that you like to be around me, and that you always come to the table while Mom and I are eating and sit to eat a little snack with us. I like how you hug me and come up to me to be held.

I'm glad to be your Dad, and I miss you when I'm on the road. Porter, I love you.

Boys Stuff Weekend

Katie went to see her sister on Saturday, which meant this weekend was a Boys Weekend. I took the boys to Jackson's soccer game on Saturday morning -- pictures were first, then game. Since we had to get there early, Porter and Jackson had lots of time to run around with Joe, Avery, Skylar and the rest of Jackson's team and school friends. Jackson was a super-happy boy for photos, but Porter was sad that he was left out. It breaks my heart to see him that way -- he's not left out, it's just not his turn yet -- but how do you explain that to him with tears as big as his?

By the time photos were over, Jackson's energy was over, too. He didn't get picked to be the first group on the field, and that was the beginning of the melt-down. Once he did get on the field, he stood there watching everyone for a while. When it was his turn to kick off, he did, but someone kicked the ball right back at him -- hit him in the shin and top of the leg. He started crying, and basically I knew that was it for the day's game. He perked up after the game, but when he didn't get the Smores Ritz snack (he got peanut butter instead) he went off again. We made it to the car, though.

I had promised both the boys we'd go to BW3 after the game, and Porter had his heart set on mini-corn dogs; Jackson's mind was on pizza pockets. Well, seems BW3 just changed their menu: no pizza pockets. We ended up leaving -- Porter was really upset -- and I got McDonald's for us all. To top things off, they gave us Hello Kitty girl toys instead of GI Joe Action Figures.

After lunch we all rested, though, and the rest of the day was perfect -- We walked up to the Village and had a few root-beers at the G-Man (Porter got root-beers, Jackson got a root-beer float, I got Sierra Nevada IPA). We played 'favorites' and just talked about how much we liked being together. When we got home, it was time to get our bellies full and get clean. A little while later, Katie was back, and the day was done.

Today we had BBQ for lunch, played around at the park in the afternoon, and just hung around the rest of the day. All in all, a good weekend.

Long hard work week

The trip to NYC was super, but it set me up for a long, hard week. Monday I spent mostly working around the house in the morning [phone calls / email], and then it was off to the airport. We got to NY and checked into our room around 5, and then it was time to hit the town for a little strolling. Katie and I had drinks at a nice little Italian place, checked out the record stores and bakeries for some treats, then off to Tribeca for dinner.

Tuesday was conference day, but that afternoon I hooked up with Katie for a while before heading to the Yankees game. We took the subway, and due to 'an ongoing investigation' part of the line we were on was shut down between Grand Central and the Brooklyn Bridge. We were going the other way, but it still delayed the trians -- took us 30 minutes just to get on. We got to the ball park right at the National Anthem, but ended up walking all the way around the park to find our entrance. Game was a treat -- so was the Nathan's hot dog and hot pretzel...

Wednesday I got up early for a call for work, but then did some sight-seeing before heading back to Houston.

Thursday was the shock back to reality day -- project issues cropping up, and me feeling like the mole in the Wack-a-Mole game... Today more of the same, with a marathon con call among the team to get ourselves back on track and prepared for the rest of the work.

Long week, and I'm glad I'm home for 4 days straight. I'm going to go to Dallas on Monday just for the day and get back in time for Jackson's soccer practice -- then go back to Dallas Tues-Thurs. I need to be there on the ground, but I'm not going to miss the boys activities unless it's an emergency.

Mainly, though, I'm just glad to be home for a bit. I hear that Hurricane Ivan regrouped in the gulf as a tropical storm and we might get some rain this weekend. It can rain the whole time as far as I'm concerned -- I'm just going to vege out with Katie and the boys.

Back from the Big Apple

Spent a few days in NYC, but back home now. I really missed the boys and am a bit tired. More later, but needed to get some thoughts down. Highlights:

- Drinks in the East Village
- Independent music stores galore
- Dinners: Tribeca Grill, Cafeteria, Ray's Pizza, hotdog at Yankee Stadium...
- Walking and walking -- checking out the neighborhoods
- Union Square Greenmarket

First-time Surfer Boys

Great weekend at the beach!

Mom and Row joined us down at the beach for the long weekend -- We headed out about mid day on Friday and were at the beach in plenty of time for hanging out before having to get dinner ready. It was forecast to rain all weekend, but it really only was bad on Friday afternoon. By that evening, the clouds had cleared away enough that the sunset was fantastic. Mom and Row got down about 5, and by the time they were unpacked and settled, we had the crab traps in and were ready to get the fried fish on for dinner.

Saturday, Sunday and Monday were clear and bright -- perfect temp, too -- not too hot. We set up everything on the beach and set out for beach exploring. We found several floaters (one big one, and a few fishing bobbers) and I picked up some cool shells.

Saturday was also the first time the boys caught a wave -- we taught them how to boogie board! I figured that they were comforatable with the surf after the past few times down that they could take a try at riding a wave on their bellies. Within 10 minutes, they were both experts! Jackson really loves it -- and although he wiped out more, Porter likes it, too. Porter's just a little more wary, since he got stuffed under the surf a few times...

We caught 28 crabs this weekend, and had fantastic crab cakes on Sunday night for dinner. (Saturday night was fajitas.) All around, we had a nice, relaxing weekend. Sunsets were beautiful each night, and mornings came too early at 7:30 every day. Long days in the sun and sand made for tired boys, though --

Now it's back home. Katie has been washing clothes for hours; boys are getting stir-crazy; and I'm planning my travel for the rest of the week. Wish we were still at the beach...

Happy Birthday Jackson!!

Wow -- how fast 5 years goes by!! Happy birthday to my very first little boy -- the boy that made me a Dad!

Jackson, you really seemed to have had a great day -- I had a wonderful time with you and your friends at recess and lunch today. It was special to spend time with you at school. You were so animated, I can tell you are doing fine in your new class.

Your teacher told me how excited you are to be 5, and she said you told her all the things you wanted to get for your birthday. I hope we got you the things you wanted -- I know you love the laboratory and the dinosaur books and toys. I'm glad we had a chance to go to dinner at your favorite restaurant (El Meson) and have enchiladas and puff queso. Ice cream afterwards was a treat too!

I hope all your birthdays are as peaceful and happy -- and that you always celebrate them with your friends and your family. Thank you for being my son and making me a Dad. You are very special!