Today was Blake’s first full day of Kindergarten.
How do you describe the velocity of time as it relates to the aging of your own children? Once again the importance of the word “today” as this is all we have. Proverbs 27:1
- Kyle
There’s nothing like fresh. Fresh rain. Fresh vegetable. Fresh fruit. Fresh idea. Fresh wife.
I found a few fresh things at the farmers market last Saturday. I enjoyed the company, the conversations, the visuals, the atmosphere. Just a really refreshing morning.
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I was inspired. We’ll see if my inspiration actually leads to anything. If it does, you’ll see it here at a later date.
- Kyle
My grandfather’s brother is still in the business. He farms the original Dreier farm in Central Kansas. One late afternoon my dad and I took the boys to get a small taste of farm life.
My uncle talks of using GPS to steer tractors while we look at one of his huge tractors then we venture over to the side of the barn to see the remnants of an innovative device he and my grandfather built 60 years ago.
Blake, Jacob and Matthew where having more fun than if we’d let them loose in a Toys-R-Us. I was, too. The history. The visuals. The open air. But, I admit, I’m pretty ignorant to the hard work it takes to run a farm.
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Only 30k miles. Original tires. Still in service.
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Old equipment my grandfather and Nelson built.
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“There’s Frank!” the harvester.
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A lesson in separating wheat.
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Barrel full of things.
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Ready for the ascent.
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My dad and Nelson. Dad is 6′3″. Those are big tires!
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$1,200 to fill ‘er up.
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So, now I sit here and wonder how to engage my own desire and the curiosity of my boys like that day at the farm from here in a subdivision with 2,200 homes on one quarter of the land that my great-uncle farms.
-Kyle
Rather than me go into a long-winded diatribe about the poisoning of our children with TV and video/computer games I’ll simple let these photos tell the story and make my case.
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A special thanks to Jaden and Colsen for their tender friendship and to cousin Brad and Rose for their burlap gifts.
Here’s to more backyard fun for all!
-Kyle
(aka Mr. Critical)
How do you explain the taste sensation associated with a crawfish boil? For me, this was my first. I’ve been to New Orleans and had crawfish in a restaurant but that’s not at all the same. There’s something to be said about being outside and experiencing the process up-close and personal.
Thanks for some locals here with roots that are south of New Orleans, this crawfish boil here in Franklin, Tennessee was a great way to set the bar high right from the start for me.
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I will admit, one of the difficult tasks is digging in with both hands while also trying to manage a camera and a 5, 3 and 2 year old. Making things even a little more precarious was that our 2 year old is allergic to shell fish and he was eying these tasty morsels all afternoon. I’ll give 99% of the credit to Amy for watching after the boys and particularly Matthew while I mingled with my camera in hand.
I’m sharing the following link to over a hundred shots for those who wish to print out for personal use. Click here to order prints via Costco or view slide show. (side note about the photos … the resolution is good enough for 4 x 6 prints.)
A big thanks to everyone for such a fun and tasty event. Thanks to the Murray’s for the invite. I hope we behaved in such a manner that garners an invite for next year.
-Kyle Dreier
One could probably make a pretty quick, and accurate, assumption about what speaks volumes to my love language simply by reading my blog entries. Simplicity (if there’s a way to actually speak that into someone love language) would be one. Another? Let’s see, hmmm … what could it be. Food maybe? (In the Church Lady voice.)
Yes, food is and has been for as long as I can remember a very strong part of my love language. I enjoy a good meal. I enjoy preparing a good meal. I enjoy a good meal being prepared for me.
Love languages are interesting. I find that because I like food I try to use that as a love language to my children. I enjoy doing a big batch of French toast for my kids (although it’s been weeks since I’ve done this because of our new low sugar lifestyle.)
I also enjoy the art of food. “Presentation is everything” is my motto. I also enjoy the adventure of food. Amy and I recently had a nice date evening and at one of our favorite restaurants we let the waiter choose one of our entrees. What he brought our was a fantastically presented and very tasty dish. (I’ll blog on this at a later date.)
Friday night I experienced a carrot cake that was tops. I’m not just saying that. Just to give a little perspective here, you know how most guys at their wedding have a grooms cake? So far all that I’ve seen have been chocolate. Yes, I love chocolate, but at our wedding my grooms cake was carrot.
Friday night’s cake was the best carrot cake I’ve had. I mentioned this to the host, Susan McKinney, who informed me she was the baker. I should have know. She’s an excellent baker, cook, chef … food maker.
So where did this lead? Church Sunday morning I’m handed a half carrot cake! What a great gift. What a huge deposit into my love language account! It was so good, I had to take a photo.
I ate three pieces Sunday.
-Kyle Dreier
A technique suitable for children (and dogs).
I can’t tell you how often I will say a command to my children multiple times. “Please put your toys in the toy box. Put your toys in the tox box. Toys. Box. Now.”
One rare occasions when I’ve got my wits about me I make a conscious effort to say what I want one time, and if it’s not followed with obedience then I take action in the form of consequences. In our house, consequences look like separation from the others for a few minutes (aka “time out”) or loss of a privilege like TV for a day or no dessert after dinner.
I’ve observed other parents who will ask their child to do something and the child does not respond. This starts the process of “by the time I count to 3…” which then becomes the norm. I’ve told myself I’m not going to do this. But, what I’ve found is that I am asking my children to do something over and over. No more. I’m tired of my behavior and how that affects my children’s behavior.
Yep, I’m taking responsibility.
We were having issues with our dogs a number of years ago. They wouldn’t come when we said “Come! Come here. Daisy, come come come!” We hired a “Behavior Specialist” to consult. She made it very clear that she wasn’t here to change the dogs behavior, but change our behavior.
I’m convinced our frustration with our children when they don’t listen is due to our lack of consistency and consequences. They’re only doing what we’ve allowed them to do. My behaviour must change.
- Kyle Dreier
In an attempt to raise courteous, respectful and well mannered boys I find myself working to get them to look into the eyes of adults when they are either speaking or listening. As I do this, just like many other things about parenting, I find myself more aware of my eye contact with others.
I realize this might be asking a bit from a 5 year old and a 3 year. To be honest, I think we don’t expect enough of our children … at least in the area of manners.
The other day I’m at the grocery store picking up a few things. I’m a little appalled and my own behavior. Somewhere along the way I’ve gotten into the habit of making it more important for me to look at my change, my receipt, etc. With a small conscious effort I can look up at the eyes of the cashier and say “thank you” or “have a good day.”
I think it’s the little things that make a difference in one’s day. I know I feel much more appreciated and respected when someone makes an effort to slow down enough to look me in the eyes. Just think about all the junk some people have to deal with each day. Why not share a look in their eyes with a smile and a few nice words.
Now that I’m getting better at this I think my next step is to simply ask their name, or read their name tag and use their name. People love to be called by their name. Don’t you?
I do.
-Kyle