Place of Deer

I'm in Mazatenango (Mayan for "Place of Deer"), Guatemala. I miss Katie and the kids and I'm only a day in.

The streets are crawling with skinny, diseased dogs that make me a little queazy and the sweet stench of compost is ubiquitous. On the bright side, the drive from Guatemala City to Mazatenango was breathtaking as we dropped 4,500 feet in about 15 miles. There is a volcano for every flea-infested, open-sore covered dog. And the food is awesome.

I spent three hours today trying (failed) to dig a well in densely rocked terrain. Blisters. Back ache.

I've been assigned ten local businesses that have received micro-credit loans. I hope I can help.

Sister's Keeper

With plastic eggs engorged of candy and casually hidden, we set the children loose for Easter festivities. Running. Laughing. Pointing. Finding. Then, something a little magical to this dad:

Caleb found the first pink egg. He looked at it for a moment and then ran to Maddie. "Your favorite color." And he gave it to her. Then they looked together for all the pink eggs. Caleb gave them all to Maddie.

Good work, little man.

Overheard

Caleb: I can't go skiing, the flying bench (ski lift) is too scary.

Maddie: Don't worry, buddy, I'll catch you if you fall.

Caleb: Will you be scared if I'm scared?

Maddie: Of course, buddy.

Caleb: Ok, let's go skiing.

Can't Kid a Kidder

With every ounce of deceptive enthusiasm I could muster, I gleefully asked Caleb:

"Do you want to help me take the garbage out, buddy?"

"Um, Daddy..." he put his finger to his chin, obviously choosing his words carefully. "I think you're crazy."

The Finisher

After nearly five years, I'm beginning to understand and become comfortable with my role as a father: I finish half-eaten food.

Half a banana on the counter. A little bit left in this juice box. A bowl of soggy breakfast cereal.

I'm the scavenger on our Savannah.

Duh

A new semester is getting the best of me. Thus, no blog posts for some time.

Caleb: Mom, can you get me a magic wand?

Mom: Sure, bud. Do you need a real one or a pretend one?

Caleb (confused): Um, I need a magic one.

Good Idea

Maddie was helping me shovel snow this morning. Helping, you know, like pushing snow back into the sidewalk and such.

After shoveling, I picked up the bag of salt to spread around.

"Maddie, will you help me melt the ice?"

"I don't know how to melt ice, dad. But salt knows how, so why don't we just use that?"

Stroke of Genius

Daddy, that's me, by the way, had the brilliant idea to put a miniature Christmas tree (with lights) in the kids' bedroom. Naughty bedtime behavior is now quickly thwarted by the threat of removal.

My hat's off to whoever came up with all this about "You'd better not pout, I'm telling you why."

A family afternoon

Photos brought to you by Heather Hatch @ redtulipphotography.blogspot.com

A Post from Katie

While dining at the Creamery yesterday with the children, an elderly - by elderly I mean in their 80s - couple was enjoying an ice cream behind us. Tim and the kids were in line while I remained in the booth with Henry.
"Miss, is that your husband there?"
"Yes"
"Is he a return missionary?"
"Yes, sir." I start thinking, "cool, this guy knows Tim from his mission."
"I like the way he parts his hair. You don't see many youngsters parting their hair today."
"Well, sir, we are in our 30s."
"Still, most youngsters don't bother with the part anymore. His hair looks nice. Good job."
"Thank you sir. I'll be sure to let him know."
A compliment?

Indoctrination

Each night, Maddie assigns me a topic for her bedtime story. The pattern is pretty clear ("about a princess named Aurora," "about a princess named Brenda," "about a princess named Cleopatra," etc.) but I always wait for my assignment. Once the name is established, however, the details are up to me. A few examples:

Badelia the German auto-manufacturing princess from the magical kingdom of BMW.

Conagra the food marketing princess from the land of Naperville.

Debra the doctor princess from Harvard castle.

Helen the private equity princess..."Daddy, tonight can Helen just be a dancing princess?"