Building with Paige

I guess I'm about due for my once per decade posting.

I had a great weekend hanging with the girls and working in the garage. Paige and I had a lot of bonding in the garage. I've been working on putting up shelves and making the garage look a little more organized. Paige was nice enough to accompany me to Lowe's for some Daddy/Daugther shopping. I figured that it was time for her to have her own hammer and screwdriver. She picked out a great little hammer and a flatheard screw driver. I was trying to talk her into a Phillips, but she instead that the flatheard would be better for carving whales out of wood. (we recently went to Sea World).

I remember back to the good old days when I had my first hammer. I also remember what I use to do with that hammer. Some of the things I cannot list here because the statute of limitation is not up. One of my favorite things was to go out to the garden, get a bucket of rocks, wash the rocks, name the rocks, and then break the rocks. Where did this ritual take place? Right on the porch in the backyard. I believe that at times I use to chip off more of the concrete stairs then the actual rocks. Why smash rocks? Why not. Never tried? I really think that you should look into smashing rocks. They make such a great spark when struck and the slivers of rock in a person's face really feels great.

Back at the Garage . . . . . While I worked on doing some stuff in the garage, Paige proceeded to take nails and wood and make some amazing toys. She really has quite the imagination. We made a jump for her cars and even raced up the ramp. When all was done, she informed me that we'll be making a work bench for her so she can make toys and sell them to the kids in the neighborhood. Ahhh, that's my girl. Takes after her dear old dad. I can't wait to get the garage more organized so I can make a work bench right next to one for me so we can imagine and build together.

I wish to share how much I love and appreciate my wife. Carrie is such an amazing woman and always so considerate of the girls and their needs. She's always concerned for them and whether they are entertained. It could be so easy for her to just plop them in front of a TV for hours, let Paige play PBSKids on the computer, or let Mia watch XUXA over and over but she is constantly trying to find things for the girls to do. I know that it can be so tough for her to do the many things as a mother and then find the time to continue with her career as a professional photographer. (We won't even throw into the mix the fact that she's married to a small child).

Thank you, Carrie, for all that you do. Thank you for always thinking of the girls feelings, emotions, and needs and making sure that they will grow into amazing women that will be just like their mother. I love you.