On Tuesday night of Easter week, a community of trivia stalwarts filled the Boulevard Grill banquet room. Trivia provides adults the opportunity to evaluate what they know, what they never knew, and what they have forgotten. This night had a little bit of everything in support of one local organization.
Mom's House was established in 1983. The organization appeared to have a simple and impactful purpose - help single mothers. That purpose has endured. A year after the foundation of Mom's House, I came into the world. My world consisted of two, hard working, loving parents. Those parents still live in the house where I grew up. They have evolved into two retired, loving grandparents to our two daughters. The hard work endures.
I was blessed and am blessed by my parents. I learned a lot on this trivia Tuesday - about Calvin Coolidge, the compass, Deion Sanders, the trumpet, Miles Davis, the unicorn - but the biggest light bulb shined on parenting. One of my teammates was my wife. We have answered a lot of life's questions together. Recently, we have been unable to answer the question, "How do you get your 3-year-old to go to bed?" The journey continues. My kids are the ultimate trivial pursuit. My wife is the true champion.
When four rambunctious rounds of trivia were in the books, our Super 7 finished 2nd. It was actually the round centered on numbers that ended up being critical in our leaderboard charge. It would have been nice to finish first, but sometimes 2 feels better than 1.
Support Mom's House and the monumental challenge that is single parenting. In my 3+ years as "Dad", I cannot imagine where I would be, where my kids would be, without "Mom"; without my parents; without my wife's parents; without the Johnstown community.
Thank you Mom's House, Boulevard Grill, and to all those parents giving it their best.
Friday, March 30, 2018
Monday, March 19, 2018
The Irish in Us
Our 1st daughter was born exactly 10 months after my wife and I boarded a plane to Ireland in 2014. On Saint Patrick's Day 2017, our 2nd daughter entered the world. We've been blessed by some sort of Irish magic. Today, those two girls are growing and eating all the marshmallows out of the Lucky Charms box. Magically delicious.
This year, we celebrated our Saint Patrick's Day baby surrounded by family, friends, and Irish reminders - tales, songs, and signs of our connection to the Emerald Isle. We did not eat a Full Irish breakfast this holiday, a traditional plate dominated by meat. Google searching "Full Irish" will clog your arteries. My wife and I did not think blood sausage should be on the birthday breakfast menu. Some Irish traditions need not come home. In all its chaotic glory for Saint Patrick's Day 2018, I ate the most important meal of the day with the most important people in my life - that birthday girl, her wild and bright 3-year-old sister, and the mother who keeps our boat afloat. The main course was eggs and as always, a lot of food ended up on the floor.
For lunch, we went to the Boulevard Grill, our home away from home. As our family and appetites have grown, the Boulevard has been our celebratory stomping grounds. Their Irish menu satisfied our Saint Patrick souls. Before leaving, our eldest and wisest child stated, "I wish this was my place". Thanks to all the Boulevard staff who make all our family nights out feel like a holiday.
Pre-birthday party. I got a glorious nap in with my birthday girl. Pre-napping with my birthday girl, I got a nap in with the daughter who wants to live at the Boulevard. It was a triumphant sequence of snoozing for this father. Taking care of my daughters while they rest is my Dad duty. Serve by sleeping.
On Saint Patrick's Day evening, we were all awake. Friends and family filled our basement for a jolly, green time. Children frolicked as Irish songs filled the air. No one was injured, but some feelings were hurt. My oldest daughter was traumatized by the idea of the party ending. Her sister, the birthday party recipient, gladly went to bed.
As my girls grow, I imagine Saint Patrick's Day will present unique challenges. Every day as a parent is a challenge. Allegedly, teenage girls are a challenge like no other.
For now, I'll enjoy the naps.
Saint Patrick, pray for us.
This year, we celebrated our Saint Patrick's Day baby surrounded by family, friends, and Irish reminders - tales, songs, and signs of our connection to the Emerald Isle. We did not eat a Full Irish breakfast this holiday, a traditional plate dominated by meat. Google searching "Full Irish" will clog your arteries. My wife and I did not think blood sausage should be on the birthday breakfast menu. Some Irish traditions need not come home. In all its chaotic glory for Saint Patrick's Day 2018, I ate the most important meal of the day with the most important people in my life - that birthday girl, her wild and bright 3-year-old sister, and the mother who keeps our boat afloat. The main course was eggs and as always, a lot of food ended up on the floor.
For lunch, we went to the Boulevard Grill, our home away from home. As our family and appetites have grown, the Boulevard has been our celebratory stomping grounds. Their Irish menu satisfied our Saint Patrick souls. Before leaving, our eldest and wisest child stated, "I wish this was my place". Thanks to all the Boulevard staff who make all our family nights out feel like a holiday.
Pre-birthday party. I got a glorious nap in with my birthday girl. Pre-napping with my birthday girl, I got a nap in with the daughter who wants to live at the Boulevard. It was a triumphant sequence of snoozing for this father. Taking care of my daughters while they rest is my Dad duty. Serve by sleeping.
On Saint Patrick's Day evening, we were all awake. Friends and family filled our basement for a jolly, green time. Children frolicked as Irish songs filled the air. No one was injured, but some feelings were hurt. My oldest daughter was traumatized by the idea of the party ending. Her sister, the birthday party recipient, gladly went to bed.
As my girls grow, I imagine Saint Patrick's Day will present unique challenges. Every day as a parent is a challenge. Allegedly, teenage girls are a challenge like no other.
For now, I'll enjoy the naps.
Saint Patrick, pray for us.
Sunday, March 4, 2018
NatureWorks!
On Saturday morning, our troop headed to Bottle Works for an interactive event known as NatureWorks. It was free, fun, and a free-for-all for our little squirts and many other regional squirts. It was an excellent showcase of community, education, and spring fever. Here is what I learned:
1) You can never go wrong with gigantic building blocks.
As an adult and ex-child, I gravitate toward building blocks. Advanced architecture never was my thing, but elementary block building is in my wheel house. NatureWorks had a three + foot high tower of blocks. My oldest daughter enjoyed being a human wrecking ball dressed in a camouflage T-shirt. There was nothing stealthy about her building block destruction. Once she got the go ahead from friendly staff, she wrecked it like Ralph.
2) When an expert says you can pet a snake, you can pet a snake.
Not exactly sure what her credentials were, but a snake-holding young lady made it clear that this slithery guy was fine to touch. In nature, I recommend not touching snakes. I have no reptilian credentials, but my parental instinct is to never encourage my children to touch Mother Nature's serpents.
3) My girls were made for the water.
At the Benscreek Canoe Club exhibit, both my daughters got experience in a kayak, My three-year-old put on a helmet, grabbed a paddle and let her imagination run wild. My almost one-year-old just enjoyed being in the vessel. No helmet. No paddle. All smiles.
4) Thanksgiving is not the only time to talk turkey.
A turkey expert, not a pilgrim, educated us on the gobbler. We enjoyed touching feathers and recognized that this bird is not just a November meal.
5) If you are awesome at painting fish, you paint fish.
Our family met a fishy artist named Ryan Keene who had a display of his water colored, aquatic animals. He humorously pointed out that there was not a lot of ecological diversity in his paintings. The man knows how to bring fish to life through art. In addition to his fish skills, he grows an awesome beard on his face. Thanks, Ryan - great artistic and facial hair work.
6) Race season is almost here.
The Johnstown Running Club, a yellow T-shirt herd you may have seen zipping around town, had a sneak preview setup of regional runs. While I'm not an official JRC member, I've enjoyed running around Johnstown's neighborhoods and supporting local causes via foot. I'm signed up for the Wings of Hope, scheduled for Easter Saturday, and I am looking forward to the 2018 race season. A shout out to JRC and their dedication to staying active and promoting local events.
7) We are not ready to fly fish.
The one hands-on exhibit our family did not go hands on was the fly fishing setup. It looked cool, but I'd rather touch the snake. I just imagined my daughters being entangled in fishing line and screaming.
8) Ink stamping animal tracks is pure art.
In a corner pocket area of Bottle Works, kids got to stamp a variety of tracks in a range of colors. It was a vibrant, jolly good time. My oldest daughter and I made a Michelangeloesque mix of claws and paws.
9) A bike has 2 wheels and LHORBA has 6 letters.
The Laurel Highlands On and Off Road Bicycling Association (LHORBA) is a western PA cycling group that seizes the day on trails, mountains, and roads. As a family of four, we anticipate more pedaling adventures in the years to come. We took home a red LHORBA key chain to inspire us to power through the training wheels and take advantage of the local biking scene.
10) It is fun to watch something and someone grow.
My three-year-old created a mix of dirt and seeds to start a growing process. We took instructions home on how to make this ball of potential into a plant. My father inherited this ball of dirt as he is the expert gardener in our family tree.
My daughters are growing fast and it has been a blessed, full speed ahead journey. NatureWorks was a fantastic family event. The myth that nothing is happening in Johnstown was debunked on Saturday. On our rivers and streams, on our roads and trails, in the minds and hearts of our community's kids, there is a lot going on.
Be a part of the adventure.
1) You can never go wrong with gigantic building blocks.
As an adult and ex-child, I gravitate toward building blocks. Advanced architecture never was my thing, but elementary block building is in my wheel house. NatureWorks had a three + foot high tower of blocks. My oldest daughter enjoyed being a human wrecking ball dressed in a camouflage T-shirt. There was nothing stealthy about her building block destruction. Once she got the go ahead from friendly staff, she wrecked it like Ralph.
2) When an expert says you can pet a snake, you can pet a snake.
Not exactly sure what her credentials were, but a snake-holding young lady made it clear that this slithery guy was fine to touch. In nature, I recommend not touching snakes. I have no reptilian credentials, but my parental instinct is to never encourage my children to touch Mother Nature's serpents.
3) My girls were made for the water.
At the Benscreek Canoe Club exhibit, both my daughters got experience in a kayak, My three-year-old put on a helmet, grabbed a paddle and let her imagination run wild. My almost one-year-old just enjoyed being in the vessel. No helmet. No paddle. All smiles.
4) Thanksgiving is not the only time to talk turkey.
A turkey expert, not a pilgrim, educated us on the gobbler. We enjoyed touching feathers and recognized that this bird is not just a November meal.
5) If you are awesome at painting fish, you paint fish.
Our family met a fishy artist named Ryan Keene who had a display of his water colored, aquatic animals. He humorously pointed out that there was not a lot of ecological diversity in his paintings. The man knows how to bring fish to life through art. In addition to his fish skills, he grows an awesome beard on his face. Thanks, Ryan - great artistic and facial hair work.
6) Race season is almost here.
The Johnstown Running Club, a yellow T-shirt herd you may have seen zipping around town, had a sneak preview setup of regional runs. While I'm not an official JRC member, I've enjoyed running around Johnstown's neighborhoods and supporting local causes via foot. I'm signed up for the Wings of Hope, scheduled for Easter Saturday, and I am looking forward to the 2018 race season. A shout out to JRC and their dedication to staying active and promoting local events.
7) We are not ready to fly fish.
The one hands-on exhibit our family did not go hands on was the fly fishing setup. It looked cool, but I'd rather touch the snake. I just imagined my daughters being entangled in fishing line and screaming.
8) Ink stamping animal tracks is pure art.
In a corner pocket area of Bottle Works, kids got to stamp a variety of tracks in a range of colors. It was a vibrant, jolly good time. My oldest daughter and I made a Michelangeloesque mix of claws and paws.
9) A bike has 2 wheels and LHORBA has 6 letters.
The Laurel Highlands On and Off Road Bicycling Association (LHORBA) is a western PA cycling group that seizes the day on trails, mountains, and roads. As a family of four, we anticipate more pedaling adventures in the years to come. We took home a red LHORBA key chain to inspire us to power through the training wheels and take advantage of the local biking scene.
10) It is fun to watch something and someone grow.
My three-year-old created a mix of dirt and seeds to start a growing process. We took instructions home on how to make this ball of potential into a plant. My father inherited this ball of dirt as he is the expert gardener in our family tree.
My daughters are growing fast and it has been a blessed, full speed ahead journey. NatureWorks was a fantastic family event. The myth that nothing is happening in Johnstown was debunked on Saturday. On our rivers and streams, on our roads and trails, in the minds and hearts of our community's kids, there is a lot going on.
Be a part of the adventure.
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