Invasion of the Dinosaurs

Daddy John: I came across Benjamin Roy quietly reading to himself and suddenly realized he and his joined-at-the-hip bestie Pete Dakota hadn't actually been palling around lately.

I started to approach to ask if they'd been arguing or fighting or something when Pete Dakota came around the corner, carrying something.  Looked like the normally shy Pete had taken the 'bull by the horns' himself, so I backed off to see how things developed...

Pete: Um, hi, BR.  Would you like to put this puzzle together with me?

BR: Hi, Pete.  Sure, that looks like fun!  Are there many pieces?

Pete: No, I don't think so.  It's a wooden puzzle, so it's sturdy and will stand up by itself!

BR: Good, I don't like puzzles with a lot of pieces.  Dinosaurs are pretty cool.

BR: These directions are kind of confusing.

Pete: We'll just take it one piece at a time.

Pete has punched out the first piece, and they're off!

BR: Hey look at that!  We've already got the head and spine together.  This isn't too hard.

Pete: That's the head, spine, and tail.  Next come the back things--the ribs?-- and arms and legs.

I checked in on their progress and saw they'd taken a break halfway through.  They looked deep in serious conversation, so I kept out of it.  Must have been a good talk as they finished the puzzle on a high note!

BR and Pete: RRRAAAWWWRRRGGGHHH!!!

Daddy John: Nice job, my little T-Rexes!

BR: High five!

Stephen Orange: Cool dinosaur, fellows!  Now would you like to try this Lego set with me?  There are only 198 pieces.

BR and Pete: Uh-oh!

Doll Therapy

Daddy Steve:  In our part of the world it's difficult not to be a little depressed this time of the year.  The holidays are over, and it's cold and dreary.  Springtime is still a long way off.  It helps, of course, to have someone to talk to. 

We are lucky in this respect here in Gregoropolis because we have Kaveh, our resident therapist.  Kaveh is very empathetic and compassionate.  He helps the other boys with their worries and problems by listening carefully and occasionally offering sound words of wisdom...

Anthony: Sometimes I feel a bit rigid and inflexible.  I don't bend very well.  Maybe I'm a little too tightly strung. >sigh<

Kaveh: You're also a lot of good things, Tony.  You're kind and caring.  You look out for us and keep us from getting into trouble.

Kaveh: Well, Sasha, you know if Bigfoot does indeed exist, there's nothing to say that he's mean or dangerous.  Perhaps he's a very nice chap who's just a bit shy or socially awkward.  Maybe he's just trying to find his way.

Sasha: Gee, I never thought about it that way.

Giancarlo: Emile drives me crazy!  I like him well enough, but...!  He always tries to get my goat!

Kaveh: I don't think he means to do that.  Emile is just very passionate about what he believes in.  You can't change him, but you can make your goat less 'get-able,' if you know what I mean?

Giancarlo: Hmmmm...you may be right.

Duncan: Sometimes it seems like there are so many bad and scary things happening in the world.  It makes me very depressed.

Kaveh: Yes, it's true.  Sometimes the world can seem like a very scary place.  When I feel this way, I try to remember the words of Fred Rogers, the host of Mr Roger's Neighborhood.  He once said "When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, 'Look for the helpers.  You will always find people who are helping.'  To this day, especially in times of 'disaster,' I remember my mother's words and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers--so many caring people in this world."

Of course, some boys' thoughts are inscrutable.

Frank: I dream that I am a giant cupcake and start eating myself.  Is that significant?

Kaveh: Well...I...hmmm...what kind of cupcake are you?

Plunk-Plunk-Plunk (Cabin Fever Strikes)

Daddy Steve: Daddy John!  Get my ear plugs!  BOYS!

Blake: Someone wake up Frank!  He's fallen asleep at the pedals again!

Attack of the Cute

Daddy Steve:  Lately I've been trying to use up some of my vacation time at work before it expires.  I've been taking an occasional Friday or Monday off with the idea of catching up on household tasks: cleaning, organizing, laundry, repair projects...you know, fun stuff.

At least, that was the original plan.  The boys, of course, had other ideas.  They couldn't understand why I would want to do all of those 'boring things' when I could pay attention to them.  I must admit that they can be quite persuasive...

Ravi: Daddy Steve, won't you please join us for tea?

Daddy Steve: Well, I was going to clean the bathroom.

Patrick: Oh pleeeeeeeeeaaaaase?

Daddy Steve: Maybe just one cup.

When Patrick looks at me with his gooey butterscotch eyes, how can I, or anyone, possibly refuse?

Likewise when Sasha asks me to read him a story.  Sasha and I have been together for over 45 years...he basically has me wrapped around his little finger.

Sasha: But Daddy, wouldn't you rather read us a story?  You can wash the kitchen floor any time.

Daddy Steve: Yes, that's true.

Miguel: And after that, you can read us this one!

There's always a sense of urgency in Tyler's and Mikko's plans.

Tyler: Daddy Steve, come outside and help us build a snow fort!

Daddy Steve: Perhaps in a little bit, boys.

Mikko: But we have to do it now!  If we wait, all the snow will melt!

And what kind of parent would I be if I didn't encourage my kids' musical development?

Bowie: What's more important, the laundry or listening to the new song Sebastian and I wrote?

Sebastian: Yeah!

Emile explains it to me as only he can.

Emile: Papa, you really must cultivate a joie de vivre!

Later that evening...

Daddy John: So what did you do today?

Daddy Steve: Well...I, uh, played with the boys, and, uh...ummmm, oh dear...