Jumping Firecracker

K, you are a jumping firecracker when I walk you to school.

See, every morning has been the same the last couple of weeks.

We roll up in my truck about 7:30 for drop-off.

H, grabs her backpack, jumps out, gets a goodbye hug and is off to class.

You move a little slower getting out of the truck and always ask me to carry your backpack.

As we walk down the sidewalk against the church you start jumping and kicking like a little jumping firecracker.

You become a jumping bean.

You pull up on my hand and use it to swing towards the rock wall of the church.

When you near it, you kick off the wall and swing back they way that you came.

It happens fast and looks like a karate move.

I love it.

And I love how pleased you are with yourself while you are doing it.

Honestly, that walk from my truck to your class is one of my favorite parts of my day.

You won’t always want me to carry your backpack. You won’t always want to hold my hand. You won’t always swing and pop and kick like a firecracker.

And kindergarten will be over in a blink.

So thank you for the now.

And thank you for being sweet and silly with your dad on our short little morning walks.

I love you.

-Dad

First Fishing

Girls girls girls.

All of you went fishing for the first time this Sunday!

Nothing fancy, we went with Pop to the playa behind mom’s office.

Pop bought each of you fishing poles for your first day.

We stayed for an hour and a half or so.

Although nobody caught anything – I’m still gonna call it a win.

(I think we need smaller fish hooks and better bait – but nobody asked me. 😉)

We shared a first, spent some great time together, and all enjoyed being outside.

To be honest, I am a little embarrassed that I did not take each of you sooner.

Let’s go again soon.

I remember fishing with my dad as a kid too. We would go to Pine Log Creek. I would fall asleep in the cool of the early morning and wake up to the sound of water under the boat. We would eat sandwiches and drink Cokes in the shade and ease through the afternoon without a care in the world. Just the two of us.

I love you.

-Dad