How to Be a Dad

Homemade Birthday Cards: Cody’s 1st, 2nd and 3rd

Posted by Andy on May 26th, 2011, under SNAPSHOTS

You could ask my boys, “What’s it like to have a designer for a dad?” Lucas would point to his head and say “bonk,” but that’s just because of his limited 2-year-old vocabulary and his passion for headbutting the world at large. Cody and Max would probably say “Birthday cards!” … Or “Coffee!” but you [...]

The Call of Nature!

Posted by Andy on May 19th, 2011, under NOTEBOOK

The older boys, Max and Cody, and I headed out for a hike on the weekend. About 5 minutes in, the blazing eye of the sun microwaving my neck reminded me that I didn’t bring any sunscreen. But, as I explained to Lizzie later (as she applied aloe), there is a difference between forgetfulness or [...]

Blind Hula Hooping (First Time I Was So Proud That I Got Mad)

Posted by Andy on May 5th, 2011, under NOTEBOOK

Sometimes you experience such a strong emotional response to something that it’s kind of upsetting when others around you fall so short of the mark. After a long day at the beach, the family decided that going to the pier was a better way to handle our hunger than shaping sand into the vague shape [...]

Something Weird This Way Hops

Posted by Andy on April 22nd, 2011, under NOTEBOOK

I love Easter. I remember the delight of waking up to that castle of wicker and crimped plastic grass, surrounded in its cellophane force field, protecting its treasure trove of candy and grocery-store-grade toys. But, having kids gives you perspective. What was once a bright-eyed bunny made of chocolate can start to look creepy and [...]

A Slow Motion Moment

Posted by Andy on April 1st, 2011, under NOTEBOOK

Maybe moments don’t ever really happen in slow motion, but some are as slow as Neo’s bullet-limbo when replayed in the theater of the mind. So… The family was gathered around the dinner table to play Go Fish. Cody said, “Let’s do voices!” A family tradition where we all adopt an accent or character’s voice [...]

Ye Olde Kings Head

Posted by Andy on April 1st, 2011, under SNAPSHOTS