October 30, 2011 Dear Alex,

Dear Alex,
Here's a few things I wanted to share:

1)  Last week you were getting ready to go with me to a Titans game.  You were very excited to be able to go wearing your football chones.


2)  I heard this quote from actor/director John Turturro that I wanted to share.

"It's better to be tired because you're challenged then tired because you're bored."

Too frequently I've been bored because I was bored.  I found few people who could successfully motivate me.  I found ways to challenge myself.   Most of those ways have been healthy.  I've been able to stop myself from doing silly things just to challenge myself.

I hope you figure this out for yourself.

3) You complained this week that you don't like to go to the playground because the kids are rough.  "They call me small," you said.  "What do you do?"  "I make funny faces at them."

4)  Another quote.  This one from singer Tom Waites.

"Sometimes I wonder if I am eccentric or just wearing a funny hat?"

You, Alex, wear some funny hats.  You are wonderfully humorous, silly and sly.  Yet you are under control.

October 16, 2011 Dear Ghost of School Past,

Dear Ghost of School Past,
We had our first parent/guide conference for Alex at Abintra today and I thought about all the schools I went to.  I remember being told things like I was a good student, I was a good athlete and I was a good kid.

I don't remember ever being told that I was a good learner, I was excited to learn and I helped others learn.

Every time Irma and I talk to the guides or attend a school function we get more excited about the education our boys are receiving.

The schools I went to were labeled "good."  Perhaps their test scores were above average and perhaps a high percentage of the graduates did go on to college.

However, I'd label my education mediocre and boring.  I don't remember a single teacher inspiring me to care enough to do the bare minimum to get my B average.   A couple moments here and there, sure.  But nothing sustained.

My boys are five and three.  They love learning.  They love exploring.  (And as I was told today, Alex is very social).

I don't want any of that to change.

October 6, 2011 Dear Adam Smith,

Dear Adam Smith,
If I have my way, my kids are going to disappoint you.

We took them to Disney on Ice tonight.   At the end of the night, we let them each buy one gift.

"Exactly," you say." That's what it's all about.  Getting the kids to want things."

Well, I know they're my kids and I'm a bit blind to some stuffs.  However, I'm proud that they've learned that we don't buy stuffs just to buy and it's unusual that we go to things like this let alone buy stuff.  At Disney for a week last year:  one watch each.  At Disney on Ice:  one binoculars and one Buzz Light Year.

The economy aint going to turn around based on my kids' spending.  And that's a good thing.  Perhaps painful to the American Way of Life.  But good for the planet.

September 15, 2011 Dear Ted,

Dear Ted,
You didn't make the move to the new house right away.  Perhaps you stayed behind for awhile because you just weren't ready to leave Eat Nashville.  Perhaps it was because your getting older and just weren't quite up for the move.  Or perhaps this job of being a Bear to a boy's two sons has been a bit overwhelming and you just needed a break.

Today you came to our new house and you went right to work.

When we got there we found Alex upset about something.

"He Alex," I said.  "Look who I've got."  He ran over, smiled and said "Ted."

"Ted hasn't seen our new house.  Can you give him a tour?"

Alex forgot about what ever he was upset about and took you for a tour.

About a minute-and-a-half and one room later, Alex pronounced "He likes it."  He then put you down and went on to play something else.

Not sure what it is about stuffed animals in general and you, Ted, in particular.  There is some sort of magic that my boys -- especially Alex -- and I believe in.

Thanks Ted.