THE WALDRONS

I was proud of him the other day; he knew exactly what I was asking for. He had gone to his first “big boy” birthday party (you know, parents drop off their kids instead of staying to watch – a welcome advancement, by the way) and we were leaving the other boy’s home when I asked Austin, “Did you express your gratitude to Scott [the boy’s father] for being so kind to you today?” Austin turned to Scott and replied, “Thank you, Scott, for inviting me to the party, for the food and for letting me play on the bounce house.” Not bad for a 4-year-old, right? Now, let’s fast forward a little to last night: while eating dinner, he wanted Christine to place some more noodles on his plate in a specific place. Austin: Put it here. Me: Hey…stop being bossy. Austin: I’m not, Daddy. I am just telling […]

Linus’s blanket was inspired by the blankets that my first three children dragged around the house.” —Charles M. Schulz Much like her brother before her, Victoria has a security blanket too: She has pink and purple blankets, and a white blanket too. But our lovely little lady? Only baby-boy-blue will do. Is it the length of the tassels? Is it’s texture just right? No matter. She rests. She grins. She sleeps all night.

Imagine for a moment a strange and unfamiliar world where everyone understands that a penny saved is a penny earned; there is value in sweat equity. Everyone knows to do the job right, the first time. Humility is the gold standard and people understand that they are not entitled to anything; they are motivated to earn everything. Being a good neighbor does not mean that you are always there, only that you are always there when needed. Every parent understands that the interests of their children are paramount. Every child understands that there is a difference between being unique and being special. Each student is encouraged to spread their wings, but is reminded that a career choice should have value to their community, not just themselves. Every child watches/discusses today’s news in the home with his/her family, affording them the knowledge to avoid repeating histories mistakes and learning from histories […]

Victoria is becoming more expressive; at 14 months of age she is beginning to find ways to communicate with us through speech. Most often, she says, “MaMa,” calling for Mommy. She will often call the dog, “Hah-Hee,” when she sees him across the room or when Harvey is licking food out of the hand she dangles from her high chair. When she wants to be lifted from the floor, she pulls on our pant legs, “Uh. Uh.” She is asking for “Maa,” and says, “an ooo,” when she gets what she asks for. (more and thank you, respectively) She calls Austin, “Bra,” (for brother) and her favorite blanket, “Ba.” As her vocabulary continues to expand, there is nothing that can melt this father’s heart more than walking in the door after a long day, looking at her excited smile and hearing, “Hi Da-dee.” Well, nothing except the kiss she blows […]

Austin was dressed casually, but handsomely, as were his classmates. It was a warm spring evening, and we were proud as he sang his heart out at the concert, even if he looked odd as the only child in the group holding a pretend song book so he would not forget the words. Later, we smiled a bit more naturally than he did when he received his diploma; the pictures are proof of this, and when I see our son with his forced “four-year-old smile”, it makes me grin from ear to ear. At least once a week throughout the school year, I would walk through the door and he would have something to show me from his day at school. For instance, he was proud of himself for participating in barefoot day, something he had been too anxious to do the previous year. And in that instance, and so […]

While shopping at mega-sales, cooking hot dogs, drinking a beer, and not going to work on Monday, I encourage you to take pause and remember the quiver in this man’s voice.

We wondered aloud whether it was something that we should do or if it was something that we could even afford. In the end, our hearts won out and we spent the $200+ to take a very deserving 4-year old boy to his first rock concert. Even after the tickets were purchased, we second-guessed our decision: Would he want to go home when they weren’t playing is favorite songs? Would he be too fidgety to stay at his seat? Would he be able to stay awake lonnggg past his bedtime? .      .      .      . At 11:30 in the evening on Thursday night, Austin was exiting the car and said (spontaneously), “Thank you, Daddy. That was the best day ever.” In 4 hours, he had gone to his first theater, spent the evening with Mommy and Daddy, and watched all of his favorite songs performed […]

Austin will likely be the youngest concert-goer at a Joe Bonamassa concert tonight. At 4 years of age, Austin can sing about 7 of Joe’s most popular songs imperfectly (who amongst hasn’t butchered the lyrics of songs we love only to find out the artist was saying something else altogether?), but the tune is always right. He has emulated Joe’s style for half of his life, so when seats were available in the front row of the balcony, offering him an unobstructed (and affordable) glimpse of his favorite musician, we couldn’t resist. Why Joe? Austin chose him, not us. Never exposed to children’s music, he has been “rocking out” to Daddy’s music since he was only a month old. A VERY fussy child who always needed to be held, I would bounce with him in my arms for hours every day, in rhythm, while watching assorted concert DVDs. For 4 […]

To the all women in our lives who are always there for their children… …providing their love without condition or strings attached… …putting the individual pursuits and desires of their children above their own… …and understanding that “to love” has greater value than “being loved”… …may your day be filled with memories of the simple pleasures and experiences that only you may appreciate. We Love You.