The Cause and Effect Game

It is the third time Quincy has dropped his sippy cup onto the kitchen floor. And for the third time I’ve picked it up only to be greeted by his mischievous seven-tooth smile and then down the cup goes again. And down I go to recover it.

It’s called the Cause and Effect Game and Quincy has mastered it to my utter dislike.

It was fun the first few times we played the game, but now it’s irritating. Not only does he do it from his high chair, but from his crib also. He’ll drop pacifiers, stuffed animals and other toys from his crib to the floor and no sooner than I pick them up, I hear a chuckle and then he releases another item from above the railing. And let me fail to pick it up, he’ll launch into a dramatic cry that’s Oscar-worthy. So daddy finds that playing the game and keeping the tike entertained is the only way to win. So I’ve learned to make silly sounds and funny faces when I pick them up and Quincy finds those to be even funnier, which in turn encourages the game and extends its length.

But it’s fine, though, he’s only going to play this game in this form in one phase of his life (He’ll play less entertaining versions of the game as a Deion and Jordan are playing right now!). And as irritating as it can be, I can live with it and do it because he loves it.

Chris

Quincy’s 1st Birthday

It’s hard to believe that one year ago we had our baby. And yesterday, we celebrated his first birthday with a small gathering of friends, some burgers off the grill, Wal-Mart brand potato chips, soda, iced tea, yellow cake with chocolate icing and French vanilla ice cream.

Quincy made quite the mess and posed well for eager photographers flashing his signature pose: smiling with his finger lodged in his right nostril. Where he got that from I’ll never know.

Among the gift he received were cash, wipes, a cool cookie jar shape matching toy, clothes and a pair of New Balance running shoes (but never mind that he can’t yet walk!).

He also got his first haircut. And to my surprise he sat and didn’t shed a tear or put up a fight. He sat in his high chair and watched his curly brown locks fall to the towel draped over his chest. We saved some of his hair for his baby book and his grandmothers and gave the rest away, as my wife likes to say, as party favors. It sounds weird, but all of our friends love his hair and were greatly appreciative to have some of his strands.

Speed Racer
Meanwhile, Jordan is preparing for tomorrow’s soap box derby. He finished in the top 8 last year, his first time racing. He’s really hoping to finish first overall this year. He’ll be driving car 143, for those who are going. So pull for him to finish first so he can advance to the regional round this year.

Chris

A Test of Character

Last Saturday, we celebrated Jordan’s 11th birthday at St. Clair Brooks Park. It was certainly one for the books. We were in the wide open when the clouds broke open and flooded us with rain. We scrambled to move the food and gifts to shelter beneath a canopy of trees. But even 45 minutes of torrential rain couldn’t deter the celebration. We ate, celebrated and played 6 innings of exciting kickball in the downpour. All of us were soaked to the skin, but happy to be making memories that we’re not likely to forget for a long time.

But what was most memorable wasn’t playing through the rain or video games half the night at the sleep over, but Jordan’s remarkable character. His maturity always amazes me.

After we left the park we brought all of the boys to our house to stay the night. Jordan and another boy decided that they wanted to go to Wal-Mart to buy extra snacks to share with their friends at the party. So I took them. When we got home they were running and playing and having a ball when Jordan walked over to me and said that he needed to go back to Wal-Mart. He pulled a small container of mints from his pocket. He slipped them into his pocket accidentally when they were in the store because his hands were full. The remorse on his face and in his voice was genuine. We went back to Wal-Mart where he paid for the mints.

They say that character is who you are when nobody is looking. No one but God saw Jordan nab the mints unintentionally. He could have left it at that. He could have rationalized it and thought that it was no big deal now that he was home and no one knew. He could have been selfish and continued to play first then handle responsibility later. He didn’t. And that made me so proud. He stopped in the middle of playing a game of tag and wanted to correct the situation with haste.

That’s character. That’s my son.

Chris