Carnival time!!

At Luke and Kate's school, every year they have a Fall Carnival.  Last year was great.  They have blow up inflatables, ring toss, cake walks, petting zoo, arts, crafts, basketball games, and of course, food.

Jim Adams asked me to help him out last year with the concessions.  He had put together a team of people on the island that I know and drink with.  I thought it sounded like fun.  I get to see the inside of the school cafeteria, and I didn't have to volunteer to work the ring toss or something like that.  Little did I know what I was getting into.  Jim's youngest son was in the 5th grade.  What that means is that this was the last year that he would be running the concessions stand at the carnival and he was needing to pass the torch onto someone.  Sure, I said.  It will be fun, I said. 

So, fast forward to this year.  I get reminded that I had agreed to do this.  I have to go to PTA meetings and listen to critiques of last year and suggestions for this year.  Oh, and BTW, I have to create a menu, purchase all the supplies, including cutlery, and cook, and serve.  I tapped on Jim for advice and his files from last year.  He will get me a copy of the receipt he has from Sams Club, he says.  That will make it easier.  So, he and I discuss the menu over emails, and he has some suggestions for me.  How many people do I need to cook and buy for, I ask?  Ask Trish, ask the PTA leader Angie, they all say.  And don't forget to recruit volunteers, they all say.

I develop my team, thanks to all the ladies help.  Trish volunteered her husband Trent, and their friend William.  And Amy volunteered her husband Patrick.  Sweet, I now have a team of 4.  That should be enough, I think.  And Patrick has a mobile grill.  And William is an expert at grilling.  This thing is working out great, only I still don't know how many people to buy or cook for.

As the day grows closer, I decide to throw out a number to Trish. How about 250 people?  Do you think I should plan on cooking for 250?  Yes, she says.  That should be about great.

Ok, Jim and I go over the list one more time before I head to Sams Club.  Don't forget this.  Don't forget that.  And BTW, plan on about 500 people.  WTF, now I need to double my stuff.

I spend Thursday night doing a Sams Club recon mission.  I write prices of everything down.  Then come home to finalize the menu.  The final verdict:  Frito Pie, Cheeseburgers, Meatballs, Chicken Skewers, Corn Dogs, Hot Dogs, Sausage on a Stick.  Also thrown in, pizza delivered from Pizza King.

On Friday, I hit Sams Club twice, and WalMart once. On Saturday, I hit WalMart again and we finally have enough of everything.  It is time to cook.

I slipped on my chef jacket and really enjoyed myself.  I got to know some of the kids teachers and heard nothing but good things about the food, even though I know it was all up to snuff.  William helped out tremendously and I enjoyed working with him so much, I volunteered to be on his cooking team at next month's BBQ cookoff in CLS.  Patrick's help was also greatly appreciated as he was the runner for WalMart twice more during the event as well as the main food runner and head dish washer.  And Trent was awesome as well.  He came right from his main job and

I have ideas for next year, and will have at least some sort of idea of how many people to cook for.  I intend on keeping my records.

To concuss, or not to concuss, that is the question....

Well, it finally happened.  Luke got knocked on his butt in practice and fell backwards and hit his head on the ground.  It shook him up pretty bad and he was seeing stars for a bit.  But let me back up just a bit.

The previous weekend, during Luke's game, the other team took some very cheap shots including several late hits.  After one particularly troublesome one, one of the parents on our team ran onto the field.  Marlina saw a concerned dad running to check on his injured son.  I saw an angry dad running onto the field to confront the opposing coach about the late hits.  Either which way, the game was called and we took Luke home.  Later that evening, Marlina and I of course discussed the days events where she gave me her version of what happened.  She said she would have done the same thing and running out there to protect her boy would be what any normal rational person would've done.  I decided to let it go by saying "At least where Luke plays on the offensive line, the collisions are violent enough for him to get hurt like that."

Fast forward to the very next week in practice where Luke gets his bell rung.  The very next week.  Anyways, I got a good ration of "I told you so" when they got home.  I asked Luke what happened, and you could tell he had been bumped pretty good.  He took some Advil and relaxed on the couch for the night, with his mom right by his side all night.

The next day, he went to school and complained of a headache. When he saw his mom in the hallway, he told her he was having trouble concentrating.  This set off a tidal wave of fear into Marlina and she immediately wanted to contact the doctor.  The next appt. wasn't until the next day, so Luke went to practice (not participating of course), and then came home.  The next morning, I asked him how he was feeling, if he felt any pain, if he had a headache, if he was dizzy or nauseous, if he saw stars, if he was having trouble concentrating.  All of which came back a resounding NO.  I made the casual suggestion to my wife that he is fine and I didn't think he needed to go see the doctor.  How do you think that went over?

Anyways, she took him to the doc.  The verdict:  mild concussion.  Maintain rest and no contact sports for a week. 

I bring all of this up not to illustrate a difference of opinion between me and my wife.  Not even to illustrate the differences between moms and dads.  I bring all of this up to ask the question, is my son trying to act tough for his dad, and is he being totally honest with his mom?  In other words, it is really tough being a parent.  The tugs at the heart are strong and evenly matched with the knowledge of the brain that every kid must grow up.  No parent wants his kid to get hurt and it is very painful watching him when he is not at his peak.  Does it make me a bad dad because I said that a bump on the head might be good for him in the long run?  That challenges, including physical ones, will help him grow up?  That the best stories in life are ones of overcoming adversity?  I don't think so.  Especially when I have the ying to my yang, perfectly contrasting my every move, right by my side, to make sure I don't go off the deep end, as is my job with her.   

I love my neighborhood!

So, after an exciting day of watching football, from Pee-wee leagues to the #6 ranked Houston Cougars, we headed back home for the rest of the evening.  Lo and behold, it is block party night in CLS.  As most of you know, I live on an island with two ways on/off it.  The block party is where the city puts up barricades on one of the entrances and we literally have a party on the bridge with the adjacent neighborhood.  Neighbor Priscilla put together an awesome singer and there were multiple refreshments there for everyone to enjoy.  Katie even tried a Pina Colada cupcake that she gave two thumbs up. 

From there, the party moved approx. 500 feet over to the pavilion where Jammin On Jarboe was just starting to take shape.  Jammin is a monthly concert put on by island locals as as way for us to come together and party as an island.  Everyone drives their golf carts up, brings their own refreshments, and socializes with the neighbors.  The band changes every month.  This months band was rocking.  I enjoyed some Tom Petty, CCR, and even some Bob Segar music.

After a long day, Marlina had had enough, so she and Katie headed back to the house.  Luke and I stayed a bit longer, then headed up to the food trucks so I could get some dinner.  Yes, at the front of the neighborhood on weekends, we have different food trucks lined up.  I enjoyed some quesadillas from El Guajillo and it was a perfect way to cap off the evening.

August, where did you go?

I looked up and August is about gone.  It seems like the last month of summer flew by.  Mainly because we were so busy.  August 1 started Freshman Football, and Mermaid Cheerleading.  When I say start, I mean full on, pedal to the metal, jump in the deep end starting of football season.  This is Luke's first year to participate in youth football.  Five days a week for the first week, then jumping up to 6 days a week for the next two weeks, and after school starts, we go down to 4 days a week.  Cheerleading isn't quite so hardcore, they only practice 4 days a week. 

Luke and Marlina went to pick up his uniform and helmet.  Luke chose #1 after Cam Newton (his favorite football player at the moment).  When he got home, he put the uniform on and we went outside to throw some passes and to "try it out."  He ran a few routes and caught a few balls.  I made him drop and give me some pushups; basically anything to try and get him used to the uniform.  And thats when it hit me.  I pulled him aside and said to him, "Luke, I almost forgot one thing.  Up to this point in your athletic life, in basketball, t-ball, tae-kwon-do, baseball, etc, all of your coaches and parents and friends and relatives have told you that you were awesome and that if you just try hard and do your best, you will succeed.  Football coaches are a different breed, a different style. They yell.  They scream.  They tell you to try harder, that you are not doing enough.  They bully you.  But in the end, if they are good coaches, they will get the best out of you.  It isn't personal, they do it to everyone.  I just want you to be prepared."  "Ok Dad, whatever", is the response I got.

After the first few days, when it was 100 plus degrees, I could tell he was having a bit of a hard time.  But the little guy persevered.  He got hit and started to cry.  He popped back up and got in line.  He got to play multiple positions and learn an awful lot about football.  He made it through his first football training camp. 

Opening day came with nervous excitement.  He was ready.  He is the starting right offensive guard and he plays on all special teams.  Most of the other boys on the team have played football for one or two years already, so Luke starting has a nice ring to it.  Katie was not as excited as Luke

She was a little nervous, but soon another Mermaid grabbed her by the hand and led her out on the field.  Once there, she fully participated and had a great time.

Other than me having the flu, Opening Day was a huge success.  Marlina even won a Yeti cooler in the raffle contest.

On to the next games.  In case any of you need us for the next three months, we will be at youth football/cheerleading.  Go Sharks/Mermaids!

Glove World, FTW!!!

"Dad, can I have Glove World? Dad, can I have Glove World?  Dad, can I have Glove World?", that is what I heard about a thousand times on Sunday.  "Dad, do you know what would be cool?  If you got me Glove World!"  Katie has become infatuated with Glove World for SpongeBob Squarepants.

It is SpongeBob's theme park where they ride all these rides and play games, etc.  All day long, she kept asking me and asking me.  I had just about hit my limit when she told me, "Dad, I have an idea.  How about I do some chores around the house to earn enough money to buy Glove World myself?"  I stood in amazement, but quickly shouted, "That is a great idea!!!"  The next task was coming up with enough chores that a 5 year old can do well enough that I won't have to do them all again.  I raked my brain but finally came up with some chores for her.  On Sunday, Katie took out the trash all the way to the can outside, took out the recycling, put away the dishes, set the table, helped cooked dinner, wiped down the table and countertops, put away her laundry, cleaned up her room, straightened the upstairs playroom, as well as a few other misc. chores that I know I am forgetting.  I then sat her down and explained calmly to her that, due to her constant nagging, there was no way I was going to buy her Glove World, but that because she decided that she would work for the money, she had earned enough to buy it herself.  I was so proud of her.  She then explained to her brother the whole process and she even went so far as to tell him "Good things come when you go to work!"  I will definitely mark this in the parenting win column.

Glove World, For The Win!!

Rain, rain, go away....

Well, Thursday and Friday of our time in Maryland-Washington-Delaware was a washout, but we were determined not to let that stop us.  We had grandiose plans to hit the beach again, and maybe check out a few other beach towns.  Well the beach part of it was out due to rain, but we still got to travel around a bit and check out other parts of the area.  After a late start (we were with the Millers!) we ventured up to Rehoboth Beach, and specifically, the Dogfish Head Brewpub for a pint and an appetizer. 

When we got there, it appeared that the entire area had the same idea.  Approx. 1 hour wait for a table.  After taking shifts, sometimes guys at bar with kids outside, sometimes girls at bar, sometimes couples at the bar, we finally were seated upstairs where we enjoyed a wonderful charcuterie board with local cheeses made with Dogfish Head beer.  Marlina has me looking for some Stilton style blue cheese that I think I can get at HEB. 

Next up, we headed next door for some dinner at a restaurant that Ian and Ashly wanted to try.  I knew as soon as I looked at the menu that Marlina would not be happy.  The restaurant was seafood only.  In fact, the only non-seafood dish on the menu was a chicken dish on the kids menu.  She was a trooper and ordered that while the three other adults ordered a dozen raw oysters.  This is the first time I was ever asked what kind of oysters I wanted and was given an oyster menu.  Living on the gulf coast, you only get gulf oysters.  Up here in Yankee land, apparently there is a big difference in where the oysters are grown and how they are harvested.  In fact, one of the oysters that we ordered was called Smoke on the Water because the salt they use in the growing process is smoked sea salt thereby producing what they called "the worlds first smoked raw oyster."  It was ok, but then again, I am not much of a raw oyster person.  After the oysters, I had a wonderful scallop dish with pea puree that was wonderful.

 The next morning, we got up and watched it rain some more.  At that point, it was decided that we should head to Ocean City, Maryland for some brunch before it was time to head to the airport.  Ocean City was huge compared to the small beach towns we were in before.  We walked along the boardwalk in the rain, hitting shops when the rain got too hard or we needed to warm up.

  Then we fell into the Ocean City Taproom for some wonderful breakfast and a sunshine cocktail.  The kids ordered short stacks of pancakes that ended up being larger than the plates complete with whipped cream and all the syrup they wanted.  Marlina even found something she would eat there.  I ordered a breakfast cheesesteak sandwich which ended up being pretty good except that they had too many eggs in it.  Then we walked outside to watch a couple of F-18's doing some practice runs before the big airshow the next day.  Man, those things are loud. Finally it was time to head to the airport.  I am not exaggerating when I say five minutes after getting in the car headed westward, the skies cleared and sun was everywhere.  At least the ride back was warm.

We had a blast with the Millers and definitely enjoyed our stay on the Mid-Atlantic coast.  Can't wait to do it again.  Thanks again Ian, Ashly, Blayne, Caden, and Ela.  We love visiting ya'll, but come back home to Texas soon.

Here fishy fishy fishy....

As mentioned previously, the boys and I headed out fishing on Wednesday morning.  Early.  O Dark Thirty early.  We left the house at 4:20 to meet the captain at 4:45.  With an 8 year old and a 6 year old.  Both of whom were stoked to be going, however.  We climbed aboard the Captain Ike II (a little ominous for us coastal Texans who still remember the 2008 storm) and settled in for a long ride.

Captain Dave called us the night before to discuss the itinerary.  The tuna were located well to our south, so that was out of the question.  The tautog was out of season, so that was a no go.  Sharks were a plenty, and thats what the boys wanted to catch anyways, so shark fishing it shall be.  As we made our way out of the channel we watched the sunrise.

The fishing grounds were over 60 miles off shore, so the ride took a little while.  The boys closed their eyes ( I think I did too), and we motored offshore.  About 90 minutes in, some chatter started on the radio.  Someone had caught a tuna.  Good for him.  About 10 minutes later, someone else had hooked up.  We watch as the captain's eyes grow a little wider.  10 more minutes pass and Captain Dave turns to Ian and I and says, "We can fish for sharks like we planned, or we can just go a little further where they are catching tuna.  Your call."  Ian and I look at the kids, who were both sleeping, and nod in agreement, "Go for the tuna!."

We trolled for a quite a while searching for the fish.  The two families had to decide which one of us would reel in the first fish, so we solved it the best way we knew how: we did paper, rock, scissors.  Damn you rock.  Anyways, it was decided that the Millers would get the first fish.  All we had to do now was hook one.  After about two hours, finally, fish on!!

A nice tuna!  Then it was our turn.  I only prayed that it wouldn't take two more hours of trolling to find another one.  But the captain knew what he was doing and we had another hook up about 30 minutes later. 

Another nice tuna!!!  After that, the captain put us on some tilefish.  I had never heard of a tile fish, but we caught two different kinds: blue tilefish, and golden tilefish.  Both supposedly are great eating.  After the boys had caught a few, I insisted that I get a chance to drop the line and set the hook for myself rather than the deck hand doing it for me.  I learned this from Mark as he did the same thing the last time we went fishing.  This way, I truly knew what it felt like to get a hook up.  The same time we were tilefishing, Luke hooked into his catch of the day.  He hooked into a baby leopard shark.  It was pretty cool looking and both boys were excited about catching a shark.

All in all, we had a blast.  The boys got to go fishing with their dads.  The dads caught some tuna.  The boys caught a bunch of fish, and even a shark.  The Millers have enough tuna to last them all summer.

We had so much fun, I can't believe it was almost time for us to head back to Texas.  Almost.......