Lessons from a Frog

I am used to being the cool dad, having things go my way. But last night, all of that changed...and I think everything is going to be just fine.

About a month ago my child came home with a frog. The scene was straight out of a children's book. She had a shoebox poked full of holes. Inside was a stick, a few rocks, a handful of grass, and what we later determined was Fairy Frog. As soon as we got home we outfitted Fairy Frog in a brand new king-sized box, freshly stocked with natural surroundings. She even got her own pool! The habitat was fit for a queen, and I even pondered for a moment that if only I would kiss the frog, perhaps she'd turn into that beautiful princess I had been looking for. Alas, the thought was fleeting and there we sat with the frog.

For four weeks we catered to this frog, occassionally heading out to the front yard to turn over a stone or two in search for a few worms. I learned that rollie pollies are not only a tastely treat but are also no where near extinction. Blame it on my bad mood or maybe my sensibility, but one day I finally had enough. "The frog has got to go," I declared! Who wants to live a life stuffed up in a box anyway? You would think that this line of reasoning would appeal to her better nature, but my little girl wanted nothing to do with it.

Needless to say, I went from super dad to super dud in about three seconds. Despite her pleading efforts, I held my ground and we found a nicely shaded area in the flower bed. For the next several hours, the world might as well have come to an end. We even had to call one of her friends so she could tell her how horrible life was (she's only 5 for crying out loud...is she really pouring her heart out on the phone already?). I got a good scolding from the other 5-yr-old on the other end of the line.

We quickly found another distraction (Disney's Enchanted) and life seemed to be back to normal. Believe it or not, the frog was still there the next morning, huddled under the same little plant. Maybe that was its way of letting us know that change sometimes comes slowly. When we got back home that afternoon, the frog was gone and my daughter seemed to be pacified by the thought that the frog was out looking for worms.

We've all but forgotten about Fairy Frog and my daughter is back to chasing boys. Maybe the frog wasn't that bad afterall. I've learned a lot from Fairy Frog. I've learned to hunt worms; make a cardboard box into a rain forest; and I've learned that sometimes we have to let things go. It might be hard at first, but eventually...life goes on.

Swallowed a Fly

There was an old lady who swallowed a fly...I don't know why she swallowed a fly.
Perhaps she'll die.

This favorite children's song has such a playful adaptation in a book by Simms Taback. You'll find yourself tapping your foot as the old lady grows more and more adventurous in what she swallows. Will she die? I know I would if I swallowed a cat. Despite its lunacy, my daughter has fun with this book and I know you will too.

Oliver & Company

I guess it is only fair to talk about Disney Princess this week since we gave our props last week to a non-Disney princess. Disney's Princess Collection is filled with short story versions of our favorite Disney ladies. Hidden between the pages of mermaid fun and glass slippers is one of our favorites - Oliver & Company. To say that my little girl loves kittens is an understatement, so it is no surprise that she has been choosing this one over and over. Fittingly, in Walt's way, there is a happy ending to the story and our hero saves the day. We highly recommend this story for a little feline fun!

Teach your children well

The best advice I can offer today can be heard in the words of Crosby Stills & Nash in their song, Teach Your Children Well. A recent performance on American Idol reminded me that being a dad is so much more than just being present. In more ways than one, they are our shadows - little images our ourselves following closely behind. What do they see and what image do we cast down on them? If there is anything we do well in life, let it be to teach our children well.

On a side note, I think Brooke White is going to be a star and I cannot wait for her first album to come out.

The best day of my life

Lately it seems my daughter has been using the phrase,
"this is the best day of my life!" A few weeks ago we spent a Saturday doing all kinds of imaginable fun. We spent time with friends, we played soccer, we had a picnic, played in the park, and ended it all by going for ice cream (frozen custard actually). I think it was as we were sitting there eating our frozen custard when she declared that this was the best day ever. I couldn't help but smile and a warm tingling sensation swept across my body. Score! I thought to myself. After all, that is the way we want it, right? A few of these days have happened and the savored mark of success has been declared, "Dad, this is the best day of my life!" I found myself smiling as I thought about this the other day. You know the feeling when you are reminded of something cute your child has done or said. That is one of the joys of parenthood. But as I sat there reminiscing, I caught myself thinking about the meaning of it all. Every day really cannot be the best ever. Eventually, the processes of life will get in the way. I mean, who really has the best day ever when they are cleaning their room or taking out the trash? I remember quite clearly a day when I was about four. I was at the babysitters and supposed to be taking a nap. The other boy there with me decided to instigate a game of tickling. He got up, tickled, then ran back and laid down. Then it was my turn. Well I was the one who got caught in mid-tickle and I am the one who got the spanking! Can you believe it? People used to spank children for misbehaving, whether it was at the sitter, at school, or at home. That memory has stuck with me all these years and was certainly NOT the best best day of my life! So while I recognize that every day is not going to be the best ever, I treasure the ones that are. And I am hopeful that these will be the ones she remembers years from now. Even if they are not, I know that these are the days that build that relationship between me and my daughter.

Rapunzel

This week I'd like to draw attention to one of the stories in our Treasury book we talked about previously. Lately it seems we have been coming back to the story of Rapunzel. It contains all the things that make a story great (a hero, a villain, adventure, romance, and for my little girl - a beautiful maiden with long braids of shiny golden hair). My daughter has reached that age when she is infatuated by boys - older boys at that (yikes!). At this point it is innocent so I'll leave my shot gun in its case (truth be told, I don't own a shot gun, but I have no problem getting one when the time comes). But at the speed in which these boys are running from her, I don't think it is them that I need to worry about for now. I guess it is no wonder she loves stories where a handsome prince comes in to save the day, and he and the fair maiden live happily ever after. In a world inundated with Disney Princess, I forgot there were classics out there that are still just as much fun to read. Give it a try. I know you'll like it!

Picnic time

I have been counting down the days and eagerly watching the weather forecast for that perfect day. A day when the breeze is no longer too cool to sit outside for more than just a few minutes. A day when the sun is shining and the warmth of its rays doesn't turn you into a sun-dried tomato. A day when the mosquitoes are yet to be seen. That day was yesterday. And so, my little girl and I packed the best picnic a basket can hold, we grabbed our ever-favorite waterproof picnic blanket from Mambe blankets, and we headed to the park. My city has the perfect place to picnic and spend the day playing at the Jordan Valley Park downtown. We found the perfect shade tree for our picnic. After we finished, we headed down to the water fountain for a splash in the fun. I tried to fly a kite while my little girl had fun with the other kids running through the jets of water coming up from the paved surface below. It was a day to remember and was made perfect with a stop off at Andy's Frozen Custard on the way home. If you have never heard of Andy's Custard, then I pitty your soul and I encourage you to make the stop the next time you find yourself driving through the Ozarks in Southwest Missouri. It's worth it!