Last Day of School

Woo hoo! The last day of school! You may be wondering why I am so ecstatic. Well, yes, I will be happy to have my kiddos around the house again. There is something entirely wonderful about having them nearby. However, that is not it. The reason I am so extremely excited to have them out of school is because that means I can get some full days of work in. These last two weeks have been ridiculous. It seems like everyday there has been some kind of ceremony, celebration, or half day. I suppose it also hasn't helped that Ainsley has been sick. But, that is not the point. On Monday, Claudia will be here. There will no longer be 30 minute commutes to and from school every morning and afternoon. I will go from working 9 hours per day to 10 or 11 or maybe even 12 and, better yet, I will get to see the kiddos even more often.

Yes, I am excited.

Now, a quick update on twerplet number 3. We visited Dr. Debbie yesterday and it has been confirmed. She has an ear infection. No exposure. No contagion. Just a simple ear infection. Now I am just hopeful that this little infection does not go through the rest of the kiddos. Yes, I know that ear infections are not contagious. But, as I will clearly point out to Dr. Debbie, they are in my family. Look at our history. It is the most amazing medical coincidence in decades.

Regardless, we are off to celebrate.

Have a great day!

We will be purposefully celebrating.

A febrile birthday

Unfortunately, Ainsley's fever did not stay down. By about 8:00 AM Ainsley's temperature was back in the normal range. Given that and her desire to go to school, we decided to let her go. It did not last too long. By about 11:30 the school had called. Her fever was back and it was time for her to come home from school. This was bitter sweet. She did get to go to school on her birthday. However, this exit would also mark her last day as our Jewish Dungan family representative. This would be her last day of school at the Lil Goldman Early Learning Center. With a fever, she is not allowed back at school today and tomorrow is a Jewish holiday. Although this school would continue for another two weeks, Ainsley will not be attending as she will be staying at home with Claudia who is coming back on Monday to care for the kiddos throughout the summer. We will be taking her back to school for their year end party but, as of yesterday, well that was pretty much it for Ainsley.

The good news is that after Ainsley's afternoon nap she made a pretty speedy recovery. I can't really tell you whether she had a fever or not as we kept the Tylenol flowing but I can tell you that she woke up this morning fever free. Regardless, the point is that she got to enjoy her birthday evening. The crowning moment was the receipt of Grammie's gift, her very own Tinkerbell big girl bike.


It wasn't long before she was hitting the streets on her very own.


Watch out America! Purpose on wheels!

Happy Birthday Ainsley!

Today is Ainsley's 4th birthday. Wow, is it amazing how time flies!?! I can't believe our youngest is now 4. That makes me 35, 36, 37 - really old! I have found that, as my kiddos grow older, I seem to age exponentially. Lynley and I seem to measure ourselves by our youngest. You can still be young when you have a 2 year old or a 3 year old. This rings true even if you have another child that is 15 or 16. However, once your youngest is getting up there in age you can no longer fake it. You are just old. We just vaulted over that milestone. We are now decrepit.

I guess this entry really should be more about her than my own age insecurities. After all it is her birthday. However, I wasn't the only one to steal her thunder this morning. It seems she woke up feeling sick this morning. A quick check with a thermometer showed a temperature of about 100 degrees. We gave her a dose of Tylenol which seems to be improving the situation but we know we are just masking the symptoms. A 6:00 AM mom report alerted me to an ever reddening throat. I am guessing that part of her birthday surprise will include a trip to see Dr. Debbie. I am quite sure that was not in her birthday plans. We are debating whether she will still attend school. As long as her temperature continues to respond and she seems well enough, we will let her go. As you might imagine, this is a big day for her and she doesn't want to miss it. There is nothing better than celebrating your birthday at school.

Well, I had best be off. I have a little munchkin that needs some attention.

Purpose awaits.

Remeber why I am here

Well, I guess you could tell that it was a long Memorial Day weekend. It seemed as though, just as quickly as it began, it was over. I am quite sure that feeling will continue throughout this short week. You see, this is the last week of school. The twerp excitement alone could be enough to make this week seem short. Couple that with a holiday yesterday, a shortened day on Friday, a mass of end of school events and what you have left is almost no school at all.

Of course, that is just fine with the gaggle. It would make them happy if summer simply began today.

Yes, it does not matter to them. This is all just high time in the life of a kiddo.

Unfortunately, for us big kiddos it is a bit of a different story. We have this little thing called work that we have to "work" around it to make sure we can attend all of these end of school festivities and shortened days. This, of course, left me working most of last weekend. I have several deadlines and, of course, they are all due this week.

I just have to remember by job as a Dad.

Don't bring the stress home.

It is all about the purpii.

A day at the zoo

Good morning! Today is a day of hooky. But, shhh, don't tell anyone. This morning I will be going with Ainsley and her class to the Fort Worth Zoo for a day filled with animal revelry. I have often wondered whether a group of 3 and 4 year olds get more pleasure from seeing the animals at the zoo or whether it is the other way around. I am guessing that today I will find out.

This little escapade has been in the plans for quite a long time. The first time it was cancelled due to weather. It was then rescheduled and again canceled, but that time, due to the swine flu. Today I have my fingers crossed. The weather is perfect and I don't think we are any more at risk of disease than we would be on any other normal day that we would be surrounded by a grubby gaggle of 3 and 4 year olds.

It should be a great day and a wonderful opportunity to spend some quality time with Ainsley.

It should be uproarious - and purposeful.

A lesson on the horizon

This morning will be a very quick update. Sydney has a part in a production at chapel this morning and needs to be there quite a bit early. I am happy to say that her swimmer's ear is greatly improved. I am hopeful that by the end of the week she will be ready to hop back into the pool.

I do have a few minutes so I will tell you about something that is in the plans. On Monday night at Tae Kwon Do it was announced that they will be having a tournament in about 4 weeks. Tournaments include sparring, breaking, and forms. Sparring is a form of fighting. They will wear padded helmets and protective gear. Breaking is the act of breaking boards. Forms are a form of choreographed fight. They have to perform a series of kicks, punches, and movements in order. We signed both Graham and Sydney up for the competition and they will be participating in all 3 areas. Graham was ecstatic. However, it sent Sydney into fits of hysteria. This was an expected reaction and, frankly, one that we were looking forward to. It is getting through these bouts of fear that is exactly the reason that we put Sydney into these classes. You might think that the fear is from being hit. That is not it. The fear is from being embarrassed and laughed at. YOu might think this is a small fear, however, for Lynley and I who have battled with this fear in our lives know that it is far stronger and for more dibilitating than the fear from bodily injury. This is about establishing the cornerstone of confidence. This is about teaching her to believe in herself. This is a perfect opportunity to teach her that she can do anything that she sets her mind to and will hopefully instill the confidence she lacks. The irony in the whole situation is that, for the most part, she is far superior in talent than the others in her class. Whether she knows it or not (she doesn't), this is an easy challenge for her. In my eyes, this is a perfect opportunity for success. I truly believe this tournament is going to mark a significant turning point in her life.

She will begin to believe in herself.

She will find purpose.

A refueling weekend

Good morning! Well, it is now Tuesday morning and I am guessing that everyone must have realized from my phase 1 post yesterday that, even though I did not discuss it, somehow, we must have made it through the weekend. That was indeed the case - although barely. My mean, slave driving (yet beautiful, intelligent and love of my life) wife relegated me to yard staff. She went nuts. I can't say that my life was any more difficult than hers. After all, she planted some 150 to 200 plants herself. My only point is to say that I did not get my well deserved nap. Additionally, she also made me trim the holly bush. It is evil - and pokey. Had I received a nap and had she not made me trim the holly you probably never would have heard a peep from me. However, since she did and this is the only form of protest I can get away with, you get to listen to me whine and complain.

I will show her.

The children survived the weekend as well. However, I can't say that they were particularly happy either. Saturday brought in a cool front and significant rain which kaboshed all plans for pool filled weekend. With pool temperatures falling below 74 degrees and air temperatures starting in the 50s, itn was not conducive to their dreams of swimmers delight. In all actuality, this was not a bad thing. Sydney has already developed her inaugural case of swimmer's ear and needs to be staying clear of the pool for a few days anyway. She is back on Floxin for the next 5 days and is under strict orders from Dr. Debbie to keep her ears from getting wet.

Other than these two issues the weekend went off with out a hitch. Somehow the kiddos found a way to keep themselves happy and my wife ended up with a beautiful back yard.

You know what that equals, don't you?

happy kiddos + happy wife = one ecstatic hubby

Life is good! My purpose is refueled.