Raising Opie and his sister in the most wholesome town in America.
And for those who have been anxiously awaiting the answer, the animal is a cheetah. If you voted for that, or wanted to but were confused by my intro, you win. You also win if you picked leopard, because I concede that those two can look quite similar. The overwhelming answer we get out in the world is … tiger. Stripes, spots, what’s the diff?
{ 2 comments }
It is very, very rare for me to indulge my children when they ask for something frivolous in a store. I don’t want them to get the idea that if they pitch a fit in the checkout line, they’ll get whatever it is they are asking for. So the answer is almost always a cheerful “Nope!”.
I can’t remember why I broke my own rule when it came to this particular item. It was one of the book/stuffed animal combos that Kohl’s offers—usually, $5 or $10 buys you both, and proceeds go to some charity. Apparently I was in a generous mood the day my son spotted this (oh ha ha I didn’t even do that on purpose!).
And that was that. The fuzzy one has now accompanied us on half a dozen trips and must be tucked in beside his boy each night.
I haven’t told you his name yet because that would spoil my next question. What animal do you think he is? Because he’s so well-traveled, he’s been noticed and commented upon by people in airports and elsewhere along the way.
And no one EVER correctly identifies him. And so I ask you (all choices are based on real responses we’ve heard):
{ 7 comments }
Here’s something else I love: Having a kindergarten class dad who takes photos like these and shares them!
{ 7 comments }
We had a milestone recently. When you think about it, it’s kind of a gross one, akin to the day when the belly button scab flakes off, or Baby’s First Diaper Blowout.
I’m talking about the bloody, saliva-soaked event we call losing the first baby tooth. Opie had a wiggler recently, and we knew the time was coming. When we went to the craft store to pick up science fair supplies, I told him we could get a little wooden box for him to use as a Tooth Fairy drop box.
Of course, none of the 573 boxes in stock were suitable. Too big, too small, too heart-shaped, too boxy, too windowed. Finally we found a kit to make a small wooden castle. His Highness deemed this acceptable for temporary tooth housing.
We went home, painted, and assembled; Daddy even made a special flag to alert the tooth fairy that there’s a tooth present (kind of like when the Queen is in residence at Buckingham Palace). And the very next day, it was time to try it out! 
And now, there’s a tiny tooth stuffed into the pocket of my jeans. Most of Jo’s seem to have gotten lost before they ever made it into her tooth fairy box (ever looked for a 1/4-inch white object in the bottom of a wave pool?). So we’re still wondering …
{ 13 comments }
The assignment was to draw a picture of what job you’d like to have when you grow up. Opie: I don’t want a job. I just want to be a dad.
We’re hoping a future assignment will cover “marrying well.”
{ 6 comments }
J (indignantly): I kissed him and then he wiped off his face! Watch!
She kisses him on the forehead, he dramatically applies his sleeve to the area.
O (oh so smooove): I’m just making room for more!
{ 4 comments }
Weird mom confession: I kind of like going through my kids’ backpacks at the end of the school day. I have yet to come across any moldy food or illegal items, and sometimes there are gems like the principal’s hand-drawn diagram of the new circular drop-off area: “This map is not drawn to scale, for Mr. J. should never be confused with a cartographer.”
(Anyone else muttering “North to pick up! South to drop off, moron!!”)
Also, when you open up the backpack of a kindergartner, you might find a treasure like this one.
And then you’ll feel hape too.
{ 13 comments }
Recently my little concerned citizen/fanboy asked me to help him write a letter to President Obama. He dictated, I typed.
Dear Barack Obama,
From Opie. How much work do you have to do? I bet it’s a lot.
How fast is on board Air Force One? What do you like about on board Air Force One?
I would like to be a pilot of on board Air Force One.
I like basketball too. And my mom loves Honest Tea.
How fast does on board Marine One go?
Is Bo a good dog? How are you doing?
Bye.
P.S. I think you are doing a good job.
I wonder if it could make the daily top 10?
{ 7 comments }
