First Day of School

So as it happens to so many of us. Our little tad-pols grow legs and hop away. My little girl had her first day of school today. I was not present for the blessed event but my wife says it went off without incident. I suppose it was good that she escorted my daughter in that I tend to take the, "Finding Nemo" Approach to parenting.

And no, I'm saying I wish my daughter's mother was eaten by a Barracuda (although we have our moments), rather I'm implying that I am the more conservative parent, which tends to fear the worst. I'm sure of course that this has nothing to do with my employment in the mental health field.

But I digress, and I know it sounds cliche but they do grow so very fast. One minute your cradling them in your arms, the next there bounding off to school. You find yourself standing in place holding a baby blanket wondering were the time has gone? I'm selfish this way. I don't want to share my little girl with anyone. I wish she could stay home another year. "Whats the rush I say?"

"She's ready." My wife calmly replies. She's half right. My daughter is ready. I'm not.

I love you so my little Nemo. Go swim, play, and have fun. Remember to watch for sharks, as you ride the current with your fellow turtles finding your way.

Your loving Marlon

Vacation

Vacation is a complicated term. It can mean many different things. It is oft referred to as time to relax, reflect, and re-energize in a respite of some capacity allowing a reprieve from said career activities. These "Vacations" often involve trips to exotic locations such as the beach, a lake house, some might go to Vegas, or even Europe. Often times people just want a change of venue, if you will, a sort of "Anywhere but here" scenario.

Now, having said this, I am going to add one small word. A one syllable six letter word. FAMILY. There I said it. Family. Lets insert the word Family just in front of Vacation; and see what we find.

Family Vacation, an opportunity for one to reflect and appreciate the mundane consistencies of Career Work. A chance to reflect, and re frame one's views on whats really important, and really annoying. An opportunity to re-address ones short-term memory as per, "I could swear I promised myself I would never do this %^$**in trip again.

And let me say this, for those of you with children, if I never, NEVER, SEE ANOTHER freakin WEBKIN as long as I FREAKIN LIVE it will be too FREAKIN SOON.

If you don't know, Webkins are these freakin teddy bear stuffed animals that come with software. A kind of simulated life, shop, exercise, shampoo, your poodle, giraffe, whatever, thing. My dad views them as educational. I on the other hand, view anything that creates conflict between my daughter and my niece as a strain. Cousin's they love each other dearly except when it comes to......... I don't know EVERYTHING. So trying to make piece in a condominium on the 16th floor with 4 kids, 2 grandparents, 3 parents (the smart one stayed home *ucker) has its complexities, throw a lap-top plugged into miniature pincher into the mix is at best idiocy. I know that it is the grandparents duty to spoil the children; but at what point does spoiling spill over to torturing the adults.

Recipe for disaster: take two sets of kids with staggered ages ranging 3-8 add one kind of several different toys, such that sharing would be difficult for a group of well fed Buddhists, then take them out at only the best times. Bed-time. Nap-time. FREAKIN DAY OR NIGHT TIME.

Doth I sound a tad bit edgy. Perhaps. You'll have to forgive me, I lost my "Koala Webkin" at the beach, and I just can't sleep without it...........