My son Caleb doesn't really get a lot of coverage in this blog. Most of the post's are about my daughter. It's not that there is bias, I love both my kids, but my son doesn't do a whole lot yet that makes for interesting reading.
Part of this is because his life revolves around Caelyn's schedule. He has Gymboree and Music Together but most of his outings are dictated by his sister's activities. He comes along for her Taekwondo and dance classes. He goes with us on her play dates. It is just the existence of a two year old in a five year old's world.
The other reason he doesn't get a lot of coverage is because his activities are pretty much the same every day. He eats and sleeps. He watches some t.v. He screams and throws a lot of tantrums. He starts fights with his sister by pulling her hair or taking the one toy she has decided to play with. If he is not doing one of the things mentioned above, he generally is either tearing something apart or just throwing everything he can reach on the floor.
It's fortunate for Caleb that he is so cute or else he would be one of the most hated kids at the do jang and dance studio. He is every bit the two year old boy with a vengeance.
Which brings me to something that scares me terribly. I get a lot of parents with older children who watch his antics and say to me, "They are so much fun at that age." This shocks me because they aren't, not really. He is not much fun most of the time. Just ask his mother who almost had a large clump of hair pulled out by the roots yesterday. It's not much fun at all. I can't wait for him to grow out of it.
Sure, there are times that are cute and clever and I enjoy them immensely but for every cute thing he does, there are probably 20 tantrums or bouts of destructive behaviour.
So I wonder about these parents. Did they somehow have perfect two year olds? Maybe they are the type that look back at that time and just forget the screaming fits and tantrums. Or are things so bad now that their kids are older that handling a two year old seems easy by comparison.
I guess I'll find out in about a little over 10 years when he becomes a teenager.
Monday, July 25, 2011
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Summer Has Taken Off
After a slow start to our summer, we have seen a flurry of activity over the last few weeks. We spent the first week and a half after the end of school dealing with one illness or another. Our time was filled with long, slow moving days as one member or another of our family was ill and we had to stay close to home. Then, starting with Caelyn's date things just took off and I have been treading water ever since.
While the discovery of Caleb's peanut allergy was an unwelcome adventure, most of it has been quite fun. There are many stories to tell and I plan to do so in more detail over the next week or so but for now, here is the recap.
Since Caelyn's date we have had Caleb's allergic reaction to peanuts and his first trip to an allergist a little over a week later. Kerry and I are now learning to read labels on everything and to check out every restaurant, fast food joint and food vendor before giving anything to our son to eat. This has not been fun.
However, most of our time has been spent more enjoyably.
The last few weeks have seen two trips to Madison Square Park with the kids for concerts. It has seen Caelyn earn her red striped belt in Taekwondo. There was the fourth of July parade and town picnic. Caelyn has acquired a new bike while Caleb has staked his claim to her old one. I think he likes that it is pink and purple.
There have been play dates, playgrounds and of course, there was our mini vacation in the Poconos. While there Caelyn and I hit the Warped Tour in Scranton and Kerry and Caleb hit the playground and the woods of Big Bass Lake. The whole family went to visit a train museum in Scranton. The weekend there brought lake time and a late night at a county fair complete with a fireworks display. We came home needing a vacation from our vacation.
It doesn't look to slow down any time soon. The next couple of weeks will see us planning Caelyn's birthday party which is always a time consumer.
Next week there will be at least one more concert and starting in August, Caelyn will have a week of gymnastics camp followed by a week of dance camp and then cousin Kali arrives for a few days. Nana will be here around Labor Day and then school will start again.
I started out this summer wondering what I was going to with the kids and if they would bored. Now I am just trying to keep up with all that is going on. It's a pretty cool feeling.
While the discovery of Caleb's peanut allergy was an unwelcome adventure, most of it has been quite fun. There are many stories to tell and I plan to do so in more detail over the next week or so but for now, here is the recap.
Since Caelyn's date we have had Caleb's allergic reaction to peanuts and his first trip to an allergist a little over a week later. Kerry and I are now learning to read labels on everything and to check out every restaurant, fast food joint and food vendor before giving anything to our son to eat. This has not been fun.
However, most of our time has been spent more enjoyably.
The last few weeks have seen two trips to Madison Square Park with the kids for concerts. It has seen Caelyn earn her red striped belt in Taekwondo. There was the fourth of July parade and town picnic. Caelyn has acquired a new bike while Caleb has staked his claim to her old one. I think he likes that it is pink and purple.
There have been play dates, playgrounds and of course, there was our mini vacation in the Poconos. While there Caelyn and I hit the Warped Tour in Scranton and Kerry and Caleb hit the playground and the woods of Big Bass Lake. The whole family went to visit a train museum in Scranton. The weekend there brought lake time and a late night at a county fair complete with a fireworks display. We came home needing a vacation from our vacation.
It doesn't look to slow down any time soon. The next couple of weeks will see us planning Caelyn's birthday party which is always a time consumer.
Next week there will be at least one more concert and starting in August, Caelyn will have a week of gymnastics camp followed by a week of dance camp and then cousin Kali arrives for a few days. Nana will be here around Labor Day and then school will start again.
I started out this summer wondering what I was going to with the kids and if they would bored. Now I am just trying to keep up with all that is going on. It's a pretty cool feeling.
Saturday, July 2, 2011
So This is What a Food Allergy Looks Like
To say last night did not go according to plan would be an understatement. Anytime you end up in the ER with a crying two year old who is fighting off nurses and doctors, you know your evening has gone off the rails.
The night started simple enough. We would walk about a mile over to Brookdale Park where the U.S. Military Academy Band was performing followed by a fireworks display. We were to meet up with friends, relax and enjoy the show while the kids played then head home with two tired children who would promptly go to bed.
Well, that was the plan. Before the night ended though, I was in the ER with Caleb as he experienced an allergic reaction and Caelyn was on her first sleepover, with a boy no less. Definitely not how I expected the evening to go.
When we arrived at Brookdale for the show, I got word from our friend Amy that she and her son Matthew who is Caelyn's age were there and they made their way to where we were setting up our spot on the lawn. Interesting enough, we were at the same park last year for a concert and fireworks display with Amy when Caelyn got lost in the crowd. Perhaps we should stay away from fireworks displays at Brookdale in the future.
Caelyn had been eyeing the ice cream truck at the back of the crowd since we arrived so we took the kids to get ice cream. Kerry got ice cream as well. It was an ice cream bar with Reese's Peanut Butter Cups mixed in.
While we had never given Caleb peanuts before, we were not concerned about him having an allergic reaction to them. We had them in the house and didn't hesitate to give him foods that warned they had been processed on equipment that handled nuts. So when Caleb begged a bite of ice cream from is mom, it didn't even cross our minds that there could be a problem.
Caleb ate a few bites of ice cream then started running around again. About 1/2 hour later his nose was running, his eyes were red and watering, his face was getting puffy and he started scratching himself all over.
Having had eczema problems periodically for most if his life, Caleb's itching didn't raise any alarm bells at first. He was over tired and out in a field. We just thought something in the grass was bothering him.
As things started to get worse, Kerry remembered the peanut butter in the ice cream. Amy remembered the EMTs at the park and volunteered to watch Caelyn while Kerry and I took Caleb to be checked out.
The EMTs took all of two minutes to decide the best and safest course of action was to take Caleb to the ER. I took him and headed to the ambulance while Kerry went back to look after Caelyn.
It was my first time in an ambulance. The EMTs were wonderful. They kept close tabs on Caleb and didn't leave us until the triage nurse called us in shortly after we arrived.
The triage nurse and the ER doctor provided quick care and determined that while Caleb was definitely having an allergic reaction, there was no immediate danger. His oxygen and pulse rate were fine and he had no trouble breathing.
For his part, Caleb was pissed. He did not want people messing with him. So when it came time to administer the shot of Benadryl, it took me, the doctor and the triage nurse to hold him still.
The Benadryl kicked in and Caleb quickly fell asleep with me lying next to him. Oddly enough, the ER room we were placed in was the same room I was placed in when I had to be hospitalized for high blood pressure years earlier. We spent the next couple of hours keeping tabs on Caleb before it was fully determined the Benadryl was doing the job and Caleb could be discharged.
While all this was going on at the ER, Kerry and Caelyn were still in Brookdale Park. Kerry was worrying about Caleb while I would periodically send her updates. Caelyn was caught up in the excitement of the fireworks. According to Kerry, it was hard to tell whether our daughter or the fireworks were louder.
When the fireworks were over, Amy asked if Kerry wanted Caelyn to come home with them since Kerry would be heading to the ER soon. Caelyn heard the question and that sealed the deal. Her first sleepover was to begin and Caelyn went home with Amy and Matthew.
Caelyn had never spent the night away from both Kerry and I before so we fully expected to get a call in the middle of the night. That call never came. Caelyn had a blast. She and Matthew watched a show then went to sleep on the futon in the play room and didn't wake until morning though according to Matthew, Caelyn snores which is something Kerry and I already knew.
Caleb spent the night in bed with Kerry and I. Neither of us slept that well. We had to give Caleb a 3 a.m. dose of Benadryl and our minds had a tough time winding down from the days events.
When morning came, I went to pick Caelyn up. When we got home and she saw her brother, her relief was evident as she exclaimed, "He looks OK."
Now I am getting used to the idea of having a child with a food allergy. I will be picking up epi-pens later on today. They will now go everywhere we go. I threw out the peanuts I had in the cabinet and will now need to read every label to look for things processed on equipment that handles nuts. I also have to watch out for things cooked in peanut oil. All things I never thought about less than 24 hours before.
Life is funny that way. Just when you think you know what's what, the world shifts. So now we shift with it and thank God that Caleb is home safe and sound.
The night started simple enough. We would walk about a mile over to Brookdale Park where the U.S. Military Academy Band was performing followed by a fireworks display. We were to meet up with friends, relax and enjoy the show while the kids played then head home with two tired children who would promptly go to bed.
Well, that was the plan. Before the night ended though, I was in the ER with Caleb as he experienced an allergic reaction and Caelyn was on her first sleepover, with a boy no less. Definitely not how I expected the evening to go.
When we arrived at Brookdale for the show, I got word from our friend Amy that she and her son Matthew who is Caelyn's age were there and they made their way to where we were setting up our spot on the lawn. Interesting enough, we were at the same park last year for a concert and fireworks display with Amy when Caelyn got lost in the crowd. Perhaps we should stay away from fireworks displays at Brookdale in the future.
Caelyn had been eyeing the ice cream truck at the back of the crowd since we arrived so we took the kids to get ice cream. Kerry got ice cream as well. It was an ice cream bar with Reese's Peanut Butter Cups mixed in.
While we had never given Caleb peanuts before, we were not concerned about him having an allergic reaction to them. We had them in the house and didn't hesitate to give him foods that warned they had been processed on equipment that handled nuts. So when Caleb begged a bite of ice cream from is mom, it didn't even cross our minds that there could be a problem.
Caleb ate a few bites of ice cream then started running around again. About 1/2 hour later his nose was running, his eyes were red and watering, his face was getting puffy and he started scratching himself all over.
Having had eczema problems periodically for most if his life, Caleb's itching didn't raise any alarm bells at first. He was over tired and out in a field. We just thought something in the grass was bothering him.
As things started to get worse, Kerry remembered the peanut butter in the ice cream. Amy remembered the EMTs at the park and volunteered to watch Caelyn while Kerry and I took Caleb to be checked out.
The EMTs took all of two minutes to decide the best and safest course of action was to take Caleb to the ER. I took him and headed to the ambulance while Kerry went back to look after Caelyn.
It was my first time in an ambulance. The EMTs were wonderful. They kept close tabs on Caleb and didn't leave us until the triage nurse called us in shortly after we arrived.
The triage nurse and the ER doctor provided quick care and determined that while Caleb was definitely having an allergic reaction, there was no immediate danger. His oxygen and pulse rate were fine and he had no trouble breathing.
For his part, Caleb was pissed. He did not want people messing with him. So when it came time to administer the shot of Benadryl, it took me, the doctor and the triage nurse to hold him still.
The Benadryl kicked in and Caleb quickly fell asleep with me lying next to him. Oddly enough, the ER room we were placed in was the same room I was placed in when I had to be hospitalized for high blood pressure years earlier. We spent the next couple of hours keeping tabs on Caleb before it was fully determined the Benadryl was doing the job and Caleb could be discharged.
While all this was going on at the ER, Kerry and Caelyn were still in Brookdale Park. Kerry was worrying about Caleb while I would periodically send her updates. Caelyn was caught up in the excitement of the fireworks. According to Kerry, it was hard to tell whether our daughter or the fireworks were louder.
When the fireworks were over, Amy asked if Kerry wanted Caelyn to come home with them since Kerry would be heading to the ER soon. Caelyn heard the question and that sealed the deal. Her first sleepover was to begin and Caelyn went home with Amy and Matthew.
Caelyn had never spent the night away from both Kerry and I before so we fully expected to get a call in the middle of the night. That call never came. Caelyn had a blast. She and Matthew watched a show then went to sleep on the futon in the play room and didn't wake until morning though according to Matthew, Caelyn snores which is something Kerry and I already knew.
Caleb spent the night in bed with Kerry and I. Neither of us slept that well. We had to give Caleb a 3 a.m. dose of Benadryl and our minds had a tough time winding down from the days events.
When morning came, I went to pick Caelyn up. When we got home and she saw her brother, her relief was evident as she exclaimed, "He looks OK."
Now I am getting used to the idea of having a child with a food allergy. I will be picking up epi-pens later on today. They will now go everywhere we go. I threw out the peanuts I had in the cabinet and will now need to read every label to look for things processed on equipment that handles nuts. I also have to watch out for things cooked in peanut oil. All things I never thought about less than 24 hours before.
Life is funny that way. Just when you think you know what's what, the world shifts. So now we shift with it and thank God that Caleb is home safe and sound.
Friday, July 1, 2011
Did My Daughter Have a Date?
Yesterday, Caelyn, Caleb and I travelled into Manhattan with friends and it has me wondering, did my daughter have a date?
Kid's rocker Aurdrarox was playing a show in Madison Square Park yesterday morning. Based in Brooklyn, she plays regularly in the area and is one of Caelyn and Caleb's favorites. When discussing our plans with a friend whose son Aiden is Caelyn's age and whose daughter Kiera is just a little older than Caleb, the conversation turned to seeing if they wanted to go with us. Fortunately, they did.
Caelyn and Aiden have and interesting relationship. Basically, they adore each other. They have been taking Taekwon-do together for close to a year and their favorite classes are the ones where the other is there with them.
Due to school schedules, though, the first time they have been around each other outside the dojang was yesterday. This did not stop Aiden however from declaring that he was going to marry Caelyn in 25 years or Caelyn from saying she agreed to the proposal.
Aiden's mom Lazette and I put together the details. We would load all four kids into our van, travel into Manhattan for Audrarox's show, then hit a playground and eat nearby.
With this plan in place, I started to get nervous when Caelyn's high fever early in the week stubbornly persisted. By Wednesday, it was still present but lower than before. I contacted Lazette to she if she wanted to change the plan but we both agreed, unless there was a serious downturn, we were going ahead.
While I was not there to see it, I understand Aiden did a dance on the porch when given the news about Thursday's plans. When Caelyn and Aiden saw each other later that Wednesday at the dojang, Aiden was beside himself, talking quickly and loudly about the next days trip into the city.
As Caelyn had yet not been told about it, she looked a little confused. It just didn't click for her that Aiden was discussing plans he had with her. When I told her later on about the plan, she stared at me in disbelief. Then she smiled. It wasn't just her mouth that smiled, but her whole body. Then the bouncing started.
Yesterday morning, Aiden was waiting on the front porch when I pulled into the driveway. We had an uneventful trip in but it was loud, very loud. Caelyn and Aiden were sitting together in the back of the van trying to see who could talk the loudest and the fastest. At least, that is what it seemed like to me up front.
Meanwhile, Caleb and Kiera were the calm ones. Caleb bounced happily to the music while Kiera colored in her coloring book. Lazette and I just talked and laughed at the noise coming from the back as we made our way through the last of the morning rush.
Fortunately, the church we attend in Manhattan is near Madison Square Park so I was able to get street parking in the restricted area in front of it. We made it to the stage about 5 minutes before the show began.
Caelyn, Caleb and Aiden made their way to the front where they watched and danced. Sometimes they danced alone, sometimes Caelyn and Aiden danced together and sometimes they just watched while holding hands.
After Audrarox finished her set, it was playground time. The playground there in the park was a madhouse. Tons of kids, running, screaming and playing. They had a blast.
When it was time for lunch, Kerry was able to sneak out of her office for a bit to join us.
After I told Lazette Kerry would be joining us, she responded, "Good. Another set of hands." And boy did we need them. None of the children acted badly in the restaurant but there were four of them. Two are five, one is three and the other is two so you can imagine how that went.
After our escape from the restaurant, Kerry went back to work and Lazette and I walked the kids to Union Square for playground number two.
Finally, the kids were done. They had nothing left in the tank so it was back to the van for the drive home. The ride back was much quieter. All four children fell asleep. It was a sure sign of a day well spent.
After goodbyes were said and I was driving home, I wondered to myself, "Did I my daughter just have a date?"
After all, they saw a show, went out to eat and walked through the city hand in hand at times. It certainly sounds like a date. And they do plan to be married.
I guess we will just have to see what time brings but I know this, if they do end up getting married in 25 years, I will be reading this at their reception.
Kid's rocker Aurdrarox was playing a show in Madison Square Park yesterday morning. Based in Brooklyn, she plays regularly in the area and is one of Caelyn and Caleb's favorites. When discussing our plans with a friend whose son Aiden is Caelyn's age and whose daughter Kiera is just a little older than Caleb, the conversation turned to seeing if they wanted to go with us. Fortunately, they did.
Caelyn and Aiden have and interesting relationship. Basically, they adore each other. They have been taking Taekwon-do together for close to a year and their favorite classes are the ones where the other is there with them.
Due to school schedules, though, the first time they have been around each other outside the dojang was yesterday. This did not stop Aiden however from declaring that he was going to marry Caelyn in 25 years or Caelyn from saying she agreed to the proposal.
Aiden's mom Lazette and I put together the details. We would load all four kids into our van, travel into Manhattan for Audrarox's show, then hit a playground and eat nearby.
With this plan in place, I started to get nervous when Caelyn's high fever early in the week stubbornly persisted. By Wednesday, it was still present but lower than before. I contacted Lazette to she if she wanted to change the plan but we both agreed, unless there was a serious downturn, we were going ahead.
While I was not there to see it, I understand Aiden did a dance on the porch when given the news about Thursday's plans. When Caelyn and Aiden saw each other later that Wednesday at the dojang, Aiden was beside himself, talking quickly and loudly about the next days trip into the city.
As Caelyn had yet not been told about it, she looked a little confused. It just didn't click for her that Aiden was discussing plans he had with her. When I told her later on about the plan, she stared at me in disbelief. Then she smiled. It wasn't just her mouth that smiled, but her whole body. Then the bouncing started.
Yesterday morning, Aiden was waiting on the front porch when I pulled into the driveway. We had an uneventful trip in but it was loud, very loud. Caelyn and Aiden were sitting together in the back of the van trying to see who could talk the loudest and the fastest. At least, that is what it seemed like to me up front.
Meanwhile, Caleb and Kiera were the calm ones. Caleb bounced happily to the music while Kiera colored in her coloring book. Lazette and I just talked and laughed at the noise coming from the back as we made our way through the last of the morning rush.
Fortunately, the church we attend in Manhattan is near Madison Square Park so I was able to get street parking in the restricted area in front of it. We made it to the stage about 5 minutes before the show began.
Caelyn, Caleb and Aiden made their way to the front where they watched and danced. Sometimes they danced alone, sometimes Caelyn and Aiden danced together and sometimes they just watched while holding hands.
After Audrarox finished her set, it was playground time. The playground there in the park was a madhouse. Tons of kids, running, screaming and playing. They had a blast.
When it was time for lunch, Kerry was able to sneak out of her office for a bit to join us.
After I told Lazette Kerry would be joining us, she responded, "Good. Another set of hands." And boy did we need them. None of the children acted badly in the restaurant but there were four of them. Two are five, one is three and the other is two so you can imagine how that went.
After our escape from the restaurant, Kerry went back to work and Lazette and I walked the kids to Union Square for playground number two.
Finally, the kids were done. They had nothing left in the tank so it was back to the van for the drive home. The ride back was much quieter. All four children fell asleep. It was a sure sign of a day well spent.
After goodbyes were said and I was driving home, I wondered to myself, "Did I my daughter just have a date?"
After all, they saw a show, went out to eat and walked through the city hand in hand at times. It certainly sounds like a date. And they do plan to be married.
I guess we will just have to see what time brings but I know this, if they do end up getting married in 25 years, I will be reading this at their reception.
Monday, June 27, 2011
Day With a Sick Daughter
I have a sick daughter today. Nothing serious. According to the doctor it's just your run of the mill make you feel like crap virus.
Caelyn started coming down with a fever yesterday at church. Looking back at how she was acting before we left for church, she was probably coming down with it then but we had no idea. We just figured she hadn't slept well.
When we got home and checked her temperature, it came in at around 104. I know some people who read this think that is high but we didn't even blink. We've been there too many times before.
Caelyn and fevers have a long history of taking things to the extreme. She almost never gets a temperature of 101 or something like that. It's either normal or at least 103. Once her temperature was so high the doctor's response was, "Well, if she was going to have seizures, she would have done it by now."
So, 104 did not particularly alarm us. We treated it with medicine that knocked it down to 101 where she was much more comfortable.
There is nothing and no one so pitiful as Caelyn when she is feeling ill. She whines and whimpers. She complains over and over again about this or that not being right. Everything is a battle and her volatility goes off the scale. It is a fight to get her to eat or even take medicine she knows will help her. Any and every little thing can set off a meltdown. The only thing she wants to do is curl up and whine.
This morning I gave Caelyn some medicine to take. She had finished the flavor she liked so she had to try something new. The result was Caelyn throwing a fit about how she didn't like the taste. She finally drank it but because she had gotten herself so worked up, she spit a bunch of it up on her nightgown.
Once I cleaned her up, it was time to take her to the doctor's where after a strep test came back negative, he declared it the above mentioned virus. Considering I know of at least 2 other families with kids with similar illnesses, I imagine it is just one making the rounds.
Much of the rest of the day was spent on the couch with Caelyn. Fortunately, her brother took a very long nap giving Caelyn time to rest and even sleep a bit.
As I write this, Caelyn is in her room with her mommy trying to go to sleep. Hopefully, she will sleep better tonight than she did last night and the fever will have broken by morning. It's tough seeing your kid suffer, even when it is something as common as this.
I want to take it all away from her. I want to be able to just reach my hand out and remove that which makes her feel so bad. Unfortunately, I can't. But what I can do is hold her, comfort her, and care for her until she feels better. Here's hoping that will be soon.
Caelyn started coming down with a fever yesterday at church. Looking back at how she was acting before we left for church, she was probably coming down with it then but we had no idea. We just figured she hadn't slept well.
When we got home and checked her temperature, it came in at around 104. I know some people who read this think that is high but we didn't even blink. We've been there too many times before.
Caelyn and fevers have a long history of taking things to the extreme. She almost never gets a temperature of 101 or something like that. It's either normal or at least 103. Once her temperature was so high the doctor's response was, "Well, if she was going to have seizures, she would have done it by now."
So, 104 did not particularly alarm us. We treated it with medicine that knocked it down to 101 where she was much more comfortable.
There is nothing and no one so pitiful as Caelyn when she is feeling ill. She whines and whimpers. She complains over and over again about this or that not being right. Everything is a battle and her volatility goes off the scale. It is a fight to get her to eat or even take medicine she knows will help her. Any and every little thing can set off a meltdown. The only thing she wants to do is curl up and whine.
This morning I gave Caelyn some medicine to take. She had finished the flavor she liked so she had to try something new. The result was Caelyn throwing a fit about how she didn't like the taste. She finally drank it but because she had gotten herself so worked up, she spit a bunch of it up on her nightgown.
Once I cleaned her up, it was time to take her to the doctor's where after a strep test came back negative, he declared it the above mentioned virus. Considering I know of at least 2 other families with kids with similar illnesses, I imagine it is just one making the rounds.
Much of the rest of the day was spent on the couch with Caelyn. Fortunately, her brother took a very long nap giving Caelyn time to rest and even sleep a bit.
As I write this, Caelyn is in her room with her mommy trying to go to sleep. Hopefully, she will sleep better tonight than she did last night and the fever will have broken by morning. It's tough seeing your kid suffer, even when it is something as common as this.
I want to take it all away from her. I want to be able to just reach my hand out and remove that which makes her feel so bad. Unfortunately, I can't. But what I can do is hold her, comfort her, and care for her until she feels better. Here's hoping that will be soon.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Punk Island Redux: Part 2 - Rambling Observations
I imagine this happens with all parents but there are times when I wonder if my own opinions are pushing my children in one direction or another. I wonder if I am projecting my own likes and dislikes onto them. In this particular case, I wonder if my musical taste and tendencies are pushing my daughter in the direction of what I like rather than what she likes.
Then I see her at an event like Punk Island this past Sunday and I know, it's not just me. This is her thing as much as it is mine.
Caelyn was dressed Sunday in her punk rock best. Well, the best that we will allow her to have at the moment. Dyed blood red hair, Ramones t-shirt, blue jean shorts and mis-matched pink and purple Chucks. Tattoos and piercings will have to wait until she is older. =-)
What is so interesting to me about all this is she is not playing dress up. As one friend remarked, this is who she is. I wasn't some excited dad trying to relive his youth though I was excited and had a great time. I was a father allowing his daughter to be who she was and flourish in her element. And a festival loaded with a bunch of punks was just that, her element.
Caelyn was completely comfortable being surrounded by people with multi-colored hair, giant mohawks, and tons of piercings and tattoos. She got excited and pointed out each Ramones shirt or pair of Chucks she saw. She loved the music and demanded to be either right in front or on my shoulders so she could see. She was also thrilled by the mosh pits. She only wished she could join in.
We met one of the bands, The Furiousity, while waiting for the ferry. Caelyn was shy for about 2 seconds and then joined right in. They were great to us and especially to her. They not only gave her some stuff to keep but made her a part of their group. For a while she was in charge of their mascot. Their singer came over to her a couple of times during their set and whenever we would run into them throughout the day, they made a point of waving Caelyn over and talking to her. Caelyn loved every minute of it.
As a parent, nothing makes me feel happier than seeing my child happy. And when that happiness comes due to the kindness of others, I feel particularly fond of them. So while they probably will never read this, I can't thank The Furiousity enough.
In addition to the music, people everywhere were making a fuss over Caelyn. Particularly the girls and women at the show. Punk is a pretty male dominated scene and Caelyn had many girls of all ages come over to say hi and they liked her hair or her shirt or her shoes.
We were approached by the drum instructor for Willie Mae Rock Camp for Girls in Brooklyn to tell us about their program for when she gets older. Caelyn also had a lot of cameras pointed her way throughout the day including one posed shot of the two of us together.
I don't know what exactly it was that did it, but Caelyn had some of the toughest looking punks fawning over her. And not one person looked at her or treated her like she didn't belong.
When the day was over and the last band had finished, we made our way to the pier to catch the Brooklyn ferry. Waiting on line for the boat to come, she met another little girl slightly older than her.
This girl was with her parents and they were simply there to explore Governors Island. It took the two girls (Caelyn in her punk outfit and the other in her pretty summer dress) just a few minutes to become fast friends. They spent the wait time playing in the dirt, walked hand in hand to the ferry and had to stay together through the trip back. When it was time to go our separate ways, there were big hugs.
We spent the ride home listening to the Cd's Caelyn had gotten while she tried to convince me her hair should stay red for school the next day. It was fine with me but she had been in the sun all day and was covered in sunscreen so a shower was a necessity and the dye was wash out. Fortunately for her, Johnson's Baby Shampoo' didn't do such a great job on the red so she was able to keep it for school on Monday.
Then I see her at an event like Punk Island this past Sunday and I know, it's not just me. This is her thing as much as it is mine.
Caelyn was dressed Sunday in her punk rock best. Well, the best that we will allow her to have at the moment. Dyed blood red hair, Ramones t-shirt, blue jean shorts and mis-matched pink and purple Chucks. Tattoos and piercings will have to wait until she is older. =-)
What is so interesting to me about all this is she is not playing dress up. As one friend remarked, this is who she is. I wasn't some excited dad trying to relive his youth though I was excited and had a great time. I was a father allowing his daughter to be who she was and flourish in her element. And a festival loaded with a bunch of punks was just that, her element.
Caelyn was completely comfortable being surrounded by people with multi-colored hair, giant mohawks, and tons of piercings and tattoos. She got excited and pointed out each Ramones shirt or pair of Chucks she saw. She loved the music and demanded to be either right in front or on my shoulders so she could see. She was also thrilled by the mosh pits. She only wished she could join in.
We met one of the bands, The Furiousity, while waiting for the ferry. Caelyn was shy for about 2 seconds and then joined right in. They were great to us and especially to her. They not only gave her some stuff to keep but made her a part of their group. For a while she was in charge of their mascot. Their singer came over to her a couple of times during their set and whenever we would run into them throughout the day, they made a point of waving Caelyn over and talking to her. Caelyn loved every minute of it.
As a parent, nothing makes me feel happier than seeing my child happy. And when that happiness comes due to the kindness of others, I feel particularly fond of them. So while they probably will never read this, I can't thank The Furiousity enough.
In addition to the music, people everywhere were making a fuss over Caelyn. Particularly the girls and women at the show. Punk is a pretty male dominated scene and Caelyn had many girls of all ages come over to say hi and they liked her hair or her shirt or her shoes.
We were approached by the drum instructor for Willie Mae Rock Camp for Girls in Brooklyn to tell us about their program for when she gets older. Caelyn also had a lot of cameras pointed her way throughout the day including one posed shot of the two of us together.
I don't know what exactly it was that did it, but Caelyn had some of the toughest looking punks fawning over her. And not one person looked at her or treated her like she didn't belong.
When the day was over and the last band had finished, we made our way to the pier to catch the Brooklyn ferry. Waiting on line for the boat to come, she met another little girl slightly older than her.
This girl was with her parents and they were simply there to explore Governors Island. It took the two girls (Caelyn in her punk outfit and the other in her pretty summer dress) just a few minutes to become fast friends. They spent the wait time playing in the dirt, walked hand in hand to the ferry and had to stay together through the trip back. When it was time to go our separate ways, there were big hugs.
We spent the ride home listening to the Cd's Caelyn had gotten while she tried to convince me her hair should stay red for school the next day. It was fine with me but she had been in the sun all day and was covered in sunscreen so a shower was a necessity and the dye was wash out. Fortunately for her, Johnson's Baby Shampoo' didn't do such a great job on the red so she was able to keep it for school on Monday.
Monday, June 20, 2011
Punk Island Redux: Part 1 - Timeline
Fathers day has come and gone. Now is time for the memories of a day well spent with my little girl.
As mentioned in a previous post, my father's day plan was to spend the day with my daughter enjoying Punk Island 2011. The event, which took place on Governors Island, brought together 8 stages of mostly local and regional punk bands. The day ended with a set by British anarcho-punk band Zounds whose only other U.S. show took place the night before.
Father's day started off with my daughter joining me in our room and snuggling me for about 1/2 hour before it was time to get moving. First, I had to find the present she created for me. I was informed it was hidden somewhere in our room so I searched until I found it.
It was then time to go downstairs where I was not to see what Caelyn and her mother were doing. A little bit later I was brought a very delicious egg sandwich which I happily ate.
After breakfast, it was time to get Caelyn ready for Punk Island. This began with a very clueless daddy breaking out the Manic Panic and dyeing a very excited little girl's hair vampire red. I can't claim it was a great dye job but she loved it and the overall results turned out pretty good once I got a little practice.
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Around 9:45 a.m. Caelyn and I headed to Brooklyn to catch the ferry to Governors Island. We arrived with plenty of time to catch the first of that days boats.
While waiting for the boat to arrive, I noticed the women in front of us had guitar cases and a bass amp with them. I mentioned to Caelyn they were probably one of the bands playing the festival.
They introduced themselves and gave Caelyn a couple of buttons and some stickers with the name of their band, The Furiousity, written across them. We spent the next 15 minutes or so talking with them. When it came time to board the ferry, Caelyn asked if we could sit with them and they made sure she had a spot with them on the boat.
We spent the trip to the island talking music. During the conversation it came out the I had recently been to Governors Island and knew the layout so I became the navigator. As we walked with The Furiousity to their stage assignment, Caelyn was talking, smiling, and in charge of their mascot.
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Once the set was over, we hung out with the band for a while longer and then it was time to check out more music. We picked up a CD and while we would see them several times throughout the rest of the day, we didn't know that then so we said our good-byes.
Caelyn and I took a snack break with more ice cream before going to check out The Homewreckers. It was a good set. Caelyn, of course, had to be right in front. A pit broke out behind us but she was oblivious to it. If someone came close, I just knocked them back and she was none the wiser. After the set, Caelyn met with the band and picked up some more stickers and a CD.
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By this time, it was getting late in the afternoon and the little girl needed to just run around so we played tag and checked out a sculpture exhibition contained in one of the old houses on the island. Then, we just rested for a bit before ging to see Zounds, the last band of the day.
Zounds is an old British punk band that dates back to the late 70s. They are right in my wheelhouse and sad to say, I was not familiar with them even though I know a lot of their peers. I was excited to see them as was most of the crowd. Zounds had only played one show in the U.S. before Punk Island and that had been the night before.
They were good. Really good. Caelyn was up on my shoulders for this set and we made our way as close to the front as possible.
Shortly after Zounds started, much to Caelyn's joy, a pit broke out around us. I moved us over to the edge and keeping her balanced on my shoulders with my left arm, shoved people around with my right. When the pit closed, we moved toward the front again.
When the pit started a started a second time, I moved back once again. This time I was about two feet or so from it's edge. Caelyn started moving back and forth, kicking her heels at me like she was riding a horse until I moved over the pit's edge and could shove people once again.
When Zounds ended, I asked if she wanted to try and meet them. She did so we made our way over and met the singer/guitarist. After speaking with him for a few minutes Caelyn noticed a large, partially blue cymbal with bumps all over it on the drum kit. She asked me what it as for. I didn't know so I told her she should ask the drummer as he was still there breaking down his gear.
As he was telling Caelyn about the cymbal, he reached down and pulled out a clearly used drumstick and gave it to Caelyn. She was thrilled and in a rare occurrence, speechless. After leaving the drummer we ran into the bassist who commented he had a four year old and thought it was great to see Caelyn at the show.
Walking to catch the ferry back to Brooklyn, Caelyn held up her drumstick and proclaimed it the best music day ever. I just smiled, a lot.
As mentioned in a previous post, my father's day plan was to spend the day with my daughter enjoying Punk Island 2011. The event, which took place on Governors Island, brought together 8 stages of mostly local and regional punk bands. The day ended with a set by British anarcho-punk band Zounds whose only other U.S. show took place the night before.
Father's day started off with my daughter joining me in our room and snuggling me for about 1/2 hour before it was time to get moving. First, I had to find the present she created for me. I was informed it was hidden somewhere in our room so I searched until I found it.
It was then time to go downstairs where I was not to see what Caelyn and her mother were doing. A little bit later I was brought a very delicious egg sandwich which I happily ate.
After breakfast, it was time to get Caelyn ready for Punk Island. This began with a very clueless daddy breaking out the Manic Panic and dyeing a very excited little girl's hair vampire red. I can't claim it was a great dye job but she loved it and the overall results turned out pretty good once I got a little practice.
A Work in Progress
Around 9:45 a.m. Caelyn and I headed to Brooklyn to catch the ferry to Governors Island. We arrived with plenty of time to catch the first of that days boats.
While waiting for the boat to arrive, I noticed the women in front of us had guitar cases and a bass amp with them. I mentioned to Caelyn they were probably one of the bands playing the festival.
They introduced themselves and gave Caelyn a couple of buttons and some stickers with the name of their band, The Furiousity, written across them. We spent the next 15 minutes or so talking with them. When it came time to board the ferry, Caelyn asked if we could sit with them and they made sure she had a spot with them on the boat.
We spent the trip to the island talking music. During the conversation it came out the I had recently been to Governors Island and knew the layout so I became the navigator. As we walked with The Furiousity to their stage assignment, Caelyn was talking, smiling, and in charge of their mascot.
Once we reached the stage, Caelyn was reluctant to leave the band. They graciously told us we were welcome to hang out as long as we wanted but as they had a lot of work to do before they played, I convinced Caelyn we would see them later and should get out of their way.
We grabbed some lunch and roamed the stages until a band called In Circles caught our attention. Led by a powerful female guitarist/singer, Caelyn was taken in immediately and made her way to the front. After the set, she spoke to the singer for a little bit and left with a CD.
Up Front for In Circles
It was now ice cream time before heading over to see Born in a Cent followed by Titfit. While watching Born in a Cent, we ran into some members of The Furiousity once again. This would be a reoccurring theme throughout the day with us seeing them many times both before and after they played.
Ice Cream Time
When Titfit finished it was time to see The Furiousity perform. As we arrived at the stage, Ashley, their singer, waved Caelyn over to join her sitting under her umbrella away from the sun where Caelyn stayed until it was time for them to go on.
The Furiousity's set was tight. There were some technical problems with the stage but they put on a really good show. Caelyn was jumping up and down and dancing and she wasn't the only one. It's too bad they are from Boston and don't play around here a lot or I would be taking Caelyn to see them regularly.
Ashley singing to Caelyn
Caelyn Dancing
Hanging Out After the Set
Once the set was over, we hung out with the band for a while longer and then it was time to check out more music. We picked up a CD and while we would see them several times throughout the rest of the day, we didn't know that then so we said our good-byes.
Caelyn and I took a snack break with more ice cream before going to check out The Homewreckers. It was a good set. Caelyn, of course, had to be right in front. A pit broke out behind us but she was oblivious to it. If someone came close, I just knocked them back and she was none the wiser. After the set, Caelyn met with the band and picked up some more stickers and a CD.
With The Homewreckers
By this time, it was getting late in the afternoon and the little girl needed to just run around so we played tag and checked out a sculpture exhibition contained in one of the old houses on the island. Then, we just rested for a bit before ging to see Zounds, the last band of the day.
Zounds is an old British punk band that dates back to the late 70s. They are right in my wheelhouse and sad to say, I was not familiar with them even though I know a lot of their peers. I was excited to see them as was most of the crowd. Zounds had only played one show in the U.S. before Punk Island and that had been the night before.
They were good. Really good. Caelyn was up on my shoulders for this set and we made our way as close to the front as possible.
Shortly after Zounds started, much to Caelyn's joy, a pit broke out around us. I moved us over to the edge and keeping her balanced on my shoulders with my left arm, shoved people around with my right. When the pit closed, we moved toward the front again.
When the pit started a started a second time, I moved back once again. This time I was about two feet or so from it's edge. Caelyn started moving back and forth, kicking her heels at me like she was riding a horse until I moved over the pit's edge and could shove people once again.
When Zounds ended, I asked if she wanted to try and meet them. She did so we made our way over and met the singer/guitarist. After speaking with him for a few minutes Caelyn noticed a large, partially blue cymbal with bumps all over it on the drum kit. She asked me what it as for. I didn't know so I told her she should ask the drummer as he was still there breaking down his gear.
As he was telling Caelyn about the cymbal, he reached down and pulled out a clearly used drumstick and gave it to Caelyn. She was thrilled and in a rare occurrence, speechless. After leaving the drummer we ran into the bassist who commented he had a four year old and thought it was great to see Caelyn at the show.
Walking to catch the ferry back to Brooklyn, Caelyn held up her drumstick and proclaimed it the best music day ever. I just smiled, a lot.
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