A family about town

Been around town a lot lately. Sometimes it seems like our family stays at work and home incessantly, but not this week. We've been movers and shakers.

Thursday night the children and I went to the North Mason Chamber of Commerce After Hours. It was hosted by the local Methodist Church. A nice place with a great ministry for homeless youth. The children loved it. A root beer float and free reign of a church nursery full of toys. I had the opportunity to talk to a few people, business folks and church folks. The best part was getting home and listening to the children tell their mother how they had fun at the party.

Friday night the whole family went to see a fantastic production of Shakespeare's Henry V, put on by the South Kitsap High School. Real swords, smooth dialog, stunning costumes, and the whole family. For over a two hour play, the children were exceedingly well behaved. They were corrected constantly, but it's hard for them to sit still and listen to words they don't understand.

Tonight, it's off to work to broadcast the South Kitsap Wolves play-off football game.

Go Wolves!

Getting the children ready for Christmas

Tis the season to get busy, spend too much money, and in general get frustrated with life. Or not. That should cover everyone. The people who can't stand the holiday season and those who love it. Regardless of your stance on the season, as a father, it is your responsibility to lead the family into this joyous season. As the natural leader of the family, I find that I must decide to let the holidays be joyous, or I am doomed to watching my family struggle and bicker.

I've planned on involving the family from the children, my wife and I, to grandparents and aunts and uncles in Christmas activites. From a nearly weekly craft night, to baking, and singing.

To get myself into the Christmas spirit, I've watched my favorite Christmas movies, The Nightmare Before Christmas and It's a Wonderful Life. While nightmare has little to do with Christmas, I still love it. It scared my kids, with the monsters. Wonderful life, reminds me how everything is not about me. The world does not revolve around me, but I am a part of it. I must do my best for my family and friends. I will never know when I do something that saves one of them from a cruel fate. Also, no matter how bad things are, they could be worse... I could be George Bailey and short $8,000.00, about to go up the river.

Tomorrow night we plan to begin making Christmas cards. We hope to spread our cheer soon after Thanksgiving.