Five years ago today, I couldn't quite find the words to express how I was feeling. Since then, I have managed to find words. Lots of 'em, in fact. About fatherhood. About learning. About teaching. About fun. About exhaustion. About growing up and getting older (which are not the same thing...people can get older without … Continue reading Day 1,826
Author: Brian Martin
Year 5, Day 365
Tonight we all bundled up and ventured into the dreary weather to attend Charlotte FC's season opener at Bank of America Stadium. Miles insisted he needed several scarves to keep warm. After I told him who he reminded me of, he replied, "Who's Johnny Deaf? Is Johnny Deaf a kid?" It's been a while since … Continue reading Year 5, Day 365
Year 5, Day 364
On our way out the door this morning, Miles snagged two bags of Pirate's Booty. Almost as though he sensed what I was going to say, he quickly interjected, "One's for me and one's for you, Daddy." Oh, okay then. When we got to the car, he only had one bag in his hand. The … Continue reading Year 5, Day 364
Year 5, Day 363
The callous, embittered phrase "back in my day" is as pervasive as it is eyeroll-inducing. Tell me you're an old man without telling me you're an old man. Live long enough, and you will inevitably utter it*; especially now, when the development of new technologies has made such an experience gap possible for even the … Continue reading Year 5, Day 363
Year 5, Day 362
"Daddy look!" he said, proudly holding a drawing up for me to see. "I made a real-life treasure map." My immediate fear: did he bury something of mine somewhere?
Year 5, Day 361
Over the last five years, Miles has come a very long way. From walking, to potty training, to getting his first big boy bed, at this point he's transformed into a completely different kid. Well, almost. There is one lingering remnant of his younger days... We've often wondered when it would be "the right time" … Continue reading Year 5, Day 361
Year 5, Day 360
As noted yesterday, we went out to eat last night. It was a last-minute decision made because neither Jaclyn or I wanted to cook and it was getting late. You'll be amazed at who wasn't a big fan of the idea. However, Miles's disquiet had nothing to do with wanting to stay at home and … Continue reading Year 5, Day 360
Year 5, Day 359
I found a good solution for the "we're out at dinner but Miles is getting punchy" dilemma: have him sit on the side of the booth where the television showing silly animal videos is in full view. As an added bonus, it also works on spouses. Of course, eventually the food came out and the … Continue reading Year 5, Day 359
Year 5, Day 358
MILES: "Can I make a slide on the stairs?" ME: "No, you cannot make a slide on the stairs. It's unsafe, and we won't be able to even GET up and down the stairs." MILES: Why does he even ask me?
Year 5, Day 357
Regular readers know I lost my coveted reading room last week after I had to fill it with all of Miles's toys. With that nightmare over, I was finally able to kick back, grab a new comic book, and -- GAH! WTF?! No, this wasn't inadvertently left behind when I returned everything to Miles's room. … Continue reading Year 5, Day 357