Moving On
August 20, 2009
Let me clarify a few things:
1) I had never been to a skate park. I had no idea what it was like. My children had been numerous times with their friend and there was never any mention of helmets or danger or 12 ft drops.
2) It just never even occurred to me to have them wear helmets. Before we left that morning I turned to them in the car and said, “Should you bring helmets?” and they all scoffed that they only have bike helmets and you don’t wear bike helmets to skateboard. And furthermore, no one wears helmets at the skatepark. Okay.
3) At the skate park there were at least 30 other kids there. Not one had on a helmet, or any other protective gear. My kids were not lying about that. So I am not the only “negligent” parent. There were also several adults and the only one with any protective gear was the man I mentioned in the post. Which brings me to…
4) I did not write that the man needed a valium because he was wearing protective gear. I wrote he needed a valium because he was totally hyper and talked really loudly and well, he was just strange.
5) My kids were not dropping in on the 12ft drop, thank you baby jesus. They are still waaaaay to inexperienced to attempt that. The last photo of my 8 yr old balancing on the edge with his skateboard is only about a 2- 3ft drop with a much gentler slope. Frankly at the level of skating they are I am more worried about them breaking their wrists.
6) I have nothing against helmets. My boys will be getting some skate helmets if they think they are going back to that park. And that fact has nothing at all do do with being chastized on the internet.
I’ll be back later to tell you all about back to school shopping (kill me, now), picking up schedules and textbooks at the middle school for my middle schoolers (really, I am begging you to just shoot me), and the elementary school teacher visit that is happening tonight (clearly this will be the highlight of my day).
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Were people posting stuff about you not making them wear helmets? I just can’t understand people worried about the way you parent! What I was thinking as I was reading your post about the park was how great the photos looked:) Guess I would fall into the category that they all think you are in:) LOL
August 20th, 2009 at 5:50 pmChris, Did you homeschool back when you lived in the Connecticut? If so, I’d love to hear about why you’ve decided to send your brood to a formal school (public? private?) now that you’re in Texas. Will you write about that decision? I send my girls to private school here in California, but am very interested in the comparison among the different educational experiences and perspectives. Thanks! Jody
August 20th, 2009 at 5:51 pmGood Lord!! I didn’t even notice that the kids weren’t wearing helmets. When I was a kid and watched the boys skateboard, none of them wore helmets and I am sure not all of them are drooling into cups as adults. Some might be, but for totalling different reasons.
August 20th, 2009 at 5:59 pmMy youngest, Bailey is autistic, and he drops in, he will not wear a helmet but has his mouth guard tucked safely in his pocket… at least his hip is protected!
Good luck with the back to school stuff, it’s a pain but the pay off is all those hours of free time where you can get a peddi, hair cut, massage, chat to friends on the phone! Oh who am I kidding, wash floors, clean clothes, garden and all that other motherly stuff.
August 20th, 2009 at 6:01 pmOh, gosh who has the time to attack you? Whatever. I just enjoy your stories, your writing and seeing those oh so very beautiful children of yours! Really, I can not say enough times how lovely they are. When you can have kids as good looking as that…..well hey why stop?
August 20th, 2009 at 6:04 pmWow. That’s funny because when I read your post yesterday all I thought was… cute kids, looks fun. The helmet thing never even occurred to me. Not sure why some people need to pick apart other people’s pictures to find things they think are wrong.
August 20th, 2009 at 6:13 pmYou know what Chris? I totally hate that you always have to defend yourself from the holier than thou crowd. A great post can’t be just that, it has to be blown up into something that is just plain out redonkulous.
You are a great mom, you know what’s best for your kids and I doubt you would put them in any danger. Any one reading this blog should know that by now.
August 20th, 2009 at 6:13 pmWelcome to hell. On a good note, it’s (well mine’s) almost over (for me…I have 18 days, 15 hours and 53 minutes til I drop off the youngest two to school…I’ve been counting for about 2 weeks). Just wait until conference day…when all the schools hold all the conferences on the same day. This is my last year that I will have 4 in 3 schools. NEXT year I get to have 4 in 4 DIFFERENT schools, one who is open enrolled so I get to drive her.
Congratulations on your immersion into public education!
August 20th, 2009 at 6:15 pmIt ain’t so bad. ;-p
Good luck with all of that back to school stuff. That’s one of the reasons I’m very thankful to be homeschooling. And I always admire your risk taking parenting. We always wear helmets, but that’s more about my own fears. plus, if i have to take them to the er at least i can say they were wearing helmets while they jumped off the roof or whatever other crazy thing boys dream up doing.
August 20th, 2009 at 6:19 pmI think it’s awesome that you took your kids to a skate park and you all lived to tell the tale. It’s really got to suck a little at times getting criticized via the internet.
August 20th, 2009 at 6:27 pmWishing you well with the back to school stuff, must be a shock after homeschooling, and to have to start off getting SIX ready for school.
August 20th, 2009 at 6:28 pmHA! Didn’t even notice they didn’t have helmets on! Just looked like there were having fun to me!!!
August 20th, 2009 at 6:32 pmIt cracks me up that people think you need advice!
August 20th, 2009 at 6:36 pmDon’t ya just love hate mail.
Somehow we managed to grow up unscathed (mostly anyway) and we rode horses, 4 wheelers, dirt bikes, shot guns, used real knives, etc all without protective gear. My kids do the same now and it’s not the end of the world (IMO not negligent parenting either). Sure, I want to wrap them in bubble wrap, but then I take a valium.
August 20th, 2009 at 6:54 pmHelmets or no helmets. You are the parent. What ever happened to if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.
Not to mention I didn’t see any pictures of them doing tricks and perhaps they had helmets on when you weren’t taking pictures.
I’m an avid reader, think you’re awesome, and enjoy the peek into your family and life. Thank you for your posts.
August 20th, 2009 at 6:58 pmTell the haters to chill.
Good Gravy!!! Everyone should mind their own business about the helmets. It is your choice to make. If they get hurt it is you who has to live with the guilt. Everyone needs to parent their own kids!!!!! Sheesh
August 20th, 2009 at 6:59 pmMan, I love your blog!
August 20th, 2009 at 7:17 pmI must be really terrible because I didn’t think anything was wrong with the pictures. I guess I am from the generation of no helmets so it always seems weird when I do see people wearing them.
August 20th, 2009 at 7:17 pmI always feel bad for the parents at this time of the year having to spend so much money for back to school. We always put on the school lists that the crayon-pencil-eraser stuff can be used. You don’t always need to buy every year. I also limit the amount of items I put on my back to school list for my class.
RE #4, Skatepark Guy
Is it just me, or are there a lot of kid-type activities that attract older guys who feel like they missed something in childhood and come back way over-prepared? Is it one of those mid-mid-life crisis things?
August 20th, 2009 at 7:23 pmJust wanted to let you know that I for one didn’t even notice the lack of protective gear in the skate pictures. Guess that makes me a bad mom.
I think you are a super mom since I feel like I am going insane with just 2 boys (granted my youngest is embracing the horrible threes - and yes I know this too shall pass in to the next phase of maturity).
I really enjoying your blog. You have a great writing style.
Good luck with all the back to school madness!
August 20th, 2009 at 7:24 pmOh, bother….. Sucks when you have to write this kind of post.
August 20th, 2009 at 7:33 pmSeriously. I read yesterday’s post. Giggled and moved on. I wish I had a fraction of the amount of time that some people apparently have, such that I could attempt to parent other people’s children, judge every mother on the internet AND parent my own kids. Wow.
August 20th, 2009 at 7:34 pmWow… I had to backtrack and read the comments from the last entry. Whew! It also never occurred to me that they didn’t have helmets on when I looked at the pictures. But that is probably because I am a self-confessed free range slacker mom. And proud of it!
I am also sorry that you have to endure people that think they know what is best for your children.. I put them right up there with parents who think their kids are perfect; and people that think they know everything.
August 20th, 2009 at 7:53 pmBut, are they going to wear helmets to school? No? Okay, how about bullet proof vests? Negligence, I tell ya.
August 20th, 2009 at 7:55 pmYou shouldn’t have to clarify anything for anyone. It’s your children, your blog, and your business. Some people are like vultures, just waiting for you to post something so they can “throw up” all over your blog. I’ve said it before……if you don’t like what Chris writes or the pictures she posts, get yaself familiar with that red X at the top of the page. It’s not like you will be missed!
August 20th, 2009 at 7:59 pmWow! It always amazes me that after 14 years and 7 kids, people who don’t know you presume to advise you based on a few pictures of one afternoon rather than assume that since your children are all alive and healthy, you might know what you are doing. I also love your ability to clarify without getting defensive.
August 20th, 2009 at 8:04 pmok, i recognize i’m not a parent so probably don’t understand — but seriously, why are people always asking you to defend the way you parent? i don’t get it. if they like you enough to follow your blog… can’t they keep their opinions about various safety gears, sunscreens, and other parental rules that, even without kids, i can remember changed from household to household, to themselves? and they’re always in this uber-passive aggressive tones, too. come on, y’all. it says “submit commit,” not “submit judgement.”
thanks for bearing with it, chris. i’d have quit by now if i were you, and to be frank, watching you even this remotely parent has inspired me to be a better one when i finally do have kids. thanks for that.
August 20th, 2009 at 8:18 pmBa-golly-jeesus - your blog is exhausting. First you’re so freaking organised - it makes me tired reading as I sit on my behind sipping away on my java when I really should be doing…Stuff. So I just get another cup.Being one of your readers is TIRING… Moving house. Football. And skateparks. By golly does the internet fire up when kids are being kids. Hey, at least you go with them/let them go - it’s actually called honest parenting because I’m sure that every reader out there did “Dangerous” (gasp) stuff when they were kids. Its evolution - kids thinking they are one step up on their parents, and that they can be a little more daring, and if Mom says no then some of them will just work out a way of doing it anyways. And its called GROWING UP. LEARNING. FINDING LIMITS. It’s what kids do. Have been since we lived in caves. It’s also HEALTHY. Sometimes it hurts. Damn, lesson (usually) learnt. There is not a person out there who didn’t take a risk or 2 when they were kids. Adrenalin is GOOD for you. And I laugh out loud to the people who will go to a skate park and make a choice of head/safety gear based on Chris’kids! “Oh, my kids aren’t because that nice lady at Notes From The Trenches didn’t”. Seriously. (For those of you who do I hope those Harry Potter wands are working out well for you) Your kids will be awesome leaders through the choices you are letting them make, and the known fact that their mother supports them to trust their own instincts, not ones put on them. Hope your 8 year old runs for President. What a rant. I need another drink.
August 20th, 2009 at 8:22 pmI didn’t know there was a difference in a bike and skate helmet either - I was schooled when the boys got boards this summer. I also got mouth guards for the oldest because of his braces - have fun at meet the teacher. it’s always a joy.
August 20th, 2009 at 8:26 pmMy thought on it was, I’m glad they didn’t have those when my kids were teens. A unicycle was bad enough, we lived on a hill! And they hadn’t even thought of bike helmets.
August 20th, 2009 at 8:29 pmThere are probably some things I don’t agree with you about but I wouldn’t begin to think it was my place to tell you about it. Good Grief!!
Some people will always think they know better than you. Chris, you’re a great mom, I for one didn’t once question that. Love reading your daily trials!!
August 20th, 2009 at 8:31 pmDoes no one give you credit for keeping them alive so far?
It’s amazing you keep talking to us considering how often you are judged for your parenting. That’s my big fear if were to ever have a successful blog (but I’d have to update for that to happen).
Anyway, the skate park near us is literally next door to the fire dept. I think they planned it that way knowing kids won’t wear the protective gear and emergency services can get there quickly. I do think it’s funny that when it comes to skateboarding, the pros wear the protective gear, but the novices don’t. Although, I make mine wear a helmet when he goes (which is next to never), but then, he fell and hit the back of his head on the street playing catch with his dad and bled all over the driveway, so precedence has been set.
August 20th, 2009 at 8:38 pmI can’t wait to hear how the visit goes for your kids! I use to teach at the school that your kiddos will be attending and it was by far my FAVORITE event of the school year! I hope it lives up to their expectations!
August 20th, 2009 at 8:58 pmIt is soo stressful, but also so exciting. It’s like all your kids are going into kindergarten at the same time, but your oldest may not like it if you cry when dropping him off. Best of luck, and start mixing that big drink.
August 20th, 2009 at 9:09 pmI hope you are more fortunate than our family with the schools taking your homeschool past seriously. My oldest (7th grade this year) went to public school for the 1st time. They put him in bonehead everything, despite the fact that we did pre-algebra last year. I complain, they look at me like, how nice, mom here thinks she did something with this kid, looks on their faces. I won’t last long with it like this.
August 20th, 2009 at 9:10 pmoh jaysus. moms are so annoying (not you). yes, i judge sometimes, but at least i have the decency to do it silently. how is me telling someone else how to raise their kid going to help anything?!
August 20th, 2009 at 9:16 pmThe fact that you even had to post something as crazy as this just makes me pissed. It’s times like this that I’m glad no one reads my blog (link not provided because I want to keep it that way).
Stay strong, Chris! You’re a dang good mother, and a reasonable one at that.
August 20th, 2009 at 9:23 pmChris don’t feel like you need to explain yourself to us. Moms always feel the need to share their opinion with every other Mother even when unsolicited. Helmet/ No Helmet, Home School/ Non Home School, Stay Home with Your Kids/ Work Away From Home and the list could go on forever. We all need to sit back, get a cup of coffee (or tea) and enjoy watching our kids experience life.
August 20th, 2009 at 9:25 pmChris,
August 20th, 2009 at 9:34 pmHi! Longtime reader, first time commenter (is that a word?). Anyhoo, I just wanted to say that I love your blog and your parenting style. Your kids are stinkin’ cute. My favorite part is your REFUSAL to give into all of the crazy fear that some people walk around with ALL.DAY.LONG!
Oh, and I didn’t even notice they weren’t wearing helmets because I am just not that scared of life.
August 20th, 2009 at 9:35 pmDo people just read your blog to criticize you or what? They are lamesauce and you are a wonderful mother. I ENJOY your posts!
thanks
August 20th, 2009 at 10:02 pmSeriously people? Shut the hell up about the helmets already!
Do your thang Chris! ;o)
August 20th, 2009 at 10:19 pmThese are just SOME of the reasons that I keep on homeschooling! And to think - you haven’t even begun to address the homework issues every night. Yes, come the end of September you will still be begging us to shoot you. *Grin*
August 20th, 2009 at 10:24 pmAwww, geeze. I have two boys so I know a thing or two about them and the wearing or not of helmets, and I’m a road cyclist, and I have even developed a safety device to hold a cyclist’s ID in case of an accident, and I still didn’t look at your pictures and think anything other than, Gosh her kids are cute!
August 20th, 2009 at 10:30 pmI’m w/ the others who have commented. I really do *try* to keep helmets on my boys….but half the time they’re discarded on the side of the road (which I don’t see until they’re flying down the hill). Yes, I’d rather them wear the helmets since we live on a steep (crazy-ass) hill, but I’m more concerned w/ them being outside playing w/ friends.
August 20th, 2009 at 10:58 pmI will be anxiously awaiting your next post about elementary night. ehehehe… Ahem, I mean, it will be great, I’m sure. Because we all LOVE elementary night. *snort*
August 20th, 2009 at 11:00 pmElementary school teacher visit? Oy…
August 20th, 2009 at 11:06 pmI missed something - are you sending all the kids to school or just the oldest?
August 20th, 2009 at 11:08 pmIt confuses me that people mention helmets to you as though you grew up in an extremely small, conservative, cult-like religious sect in which helmets were forbidden and never to be spoken of. Oh, wait, fuck, maybe you did and now I’ve offended you terribly…..
August 20th, 2009 at 11:40 pmWow… people need to lighten up, eh? Jeez.
August 20th, 2009 at 11:42 pmI carefully read all the comments both for this post and the previous one and seriously do not read any “hate mail”. I actually thought that it was weird that so many readers felt compelled to tell you it was ok that your kids were not wearing helmets - huh? Like what is up with that? Why comment one way or the other about either thing, and I have to agree with one of your readers that it was downright weird that people were mad at those who were concerned. Hell - why shouldn’t people write about their concern? If you write a blog, people read it and supposedly they are going to comment. Nobody was out of line in my opinion. I just find it beyond strange that some of your readers go out of their way to defend you. I have never met you, but you do not strike me as needing any help at all whatsoever. I am certain if you did not want comments you would close them as I notice you do occasionally. Anyway, these two posts were notable for their comments!
August 21st, 2009 at 12:27 amToday I made my daughter’s friend wear one of our helmets to roller skate because she said her mom makes her at home ( I do not make mine for roller skating). My kids have been exposed to lice in the last week, though we are not showing any infestation as of yet. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm which would you choose . . . . . . your child’s head protected from concussion, but possibly exposed to lice, or left to crack open like a melon but bug-free ………………….. what would the helmet nazi’s choose???????
I guess I could have told her she couldn’t skate if she hadn’t brought her own helmet, but I just didn’t have the heart.
August 21st, 2009 at 12:49 amSchool supplies are kinda fun…until you are buying in multiples! Don’t be shocked when the first day of school they come home with different lists.
August 21st, 2009 at 1:00 amScheduling can be a nightmare. I have one in highschool and one in middle school this year, and because our school is very very small, scheduling is truly a bad thing. I feel so sorry for our guidance counselor. She is up to her neck in it.
So, not a lot of help here, but just a mom saying “You’re not alone!”
Oh for crying out loud. Who cares whether or not your kids wear helmets. You probably got more comments like “can’t wait to see how many people complain about the no helmets” than actual complaints from the helmet patrol. Please just never mention helmets again, even if you have nothing else to blog about. Sometimes silence is golden.
August 21st, 2009 at 2:10 amI read about your adventure/outing to the skatepark (we actually even have one in our small town) and only know about skate helmets because someone gave one to my son - but we thought it was just a bike helmet. Came to learn, wow - there are such things as skater helmets. Never seen anyone wear one at our skate park either. Gads - I figure, you’re a grown up and KNOW how to handle your OWN kids, you have a few.
I don’t know…I am overwhelmed in my own life with school beginning, the start of the parental fretting, the social climbing, the problems being raised that really are not there…COME ON people, quit your fear-mongering and LIVE, and let Chris and family alone in their own lives! ;P
August 21st, 2009 at 2:20 amFunny, I didn’t notice the lack of helmets on your kids, but mine always wear theirs - it’s the rule at my house. If it has wheels, they wear a helmet. Of course my youngest has broken his arm 3 times. No amount of protective gear will prevent that. It’s all about “Learn How To Fall.”
August 21st, 2009 at 2:55 amI’m not sure where I was going with this, except that you seem to have a great family life and fab kids. Keep it up
My 11 yr.old daughter gets me to take her and a friend to the skate park every so often. I got her all these pads for elbows and knees because there was a sign saying that stuff (and helmets) required. No one wears pads, but helmets always. And, she never goes down any of the cool looking skate stuff at the park. It is way to scary. I think she just likes being there.
August 21st, 2009 at 3:35 amI hate all the back to school stuff, which started today. But, I do love that back to school free time. Good luck w/ all the kids starting school. It will be fun for all of you.
wow. funny all this natter. i wanna see a pic of old dude. the only major injury sustained by our whole non-helmet wearing neighborhood of kids other than wee scrapes etc was the time one kid sat his butt on the board and rode down the extremely long steep alley behind our house in his el cheapo flip flops and completely wore through them and burned holes in his feet trying to stop at the end. it was hilarious to watch ala bad english comedies nonetheless… i hope my kids are slightly more clever - at least in footwear choices - than he was.
and personally i hate helmets for cycling and only wear one in “dangerous” situations or if required by state/country i’m living in.
August 21st, 2009 at 3:36 amCan i just say that i am so pleased you keep blogging even though eejits will attack you every now and then - it’s ridiculous that they do it, and i don’t think i could deal with it if i were you (i’d get so fricking angry and upset all at the same time). So ignore those judgemental folks. And i know i don’t comment all that much, but yours is the first blog i open when i get into work - i love reading about your family and seeing your gorgeous photos.
August 21st, 2009 at 5:05 amDidn’t notice the lack of helmets but come to think of it, I’m surprised that helmets aren’t required at the skate park. …My son wears cool looking wrist guards when he skateboards. Your kids might agree to wear those.
Looking forward to hearing about your kids’ adventures at public school. Your kids are so sociable that I’ll bet they’ll do fine. My son went from a small Montessori school to a big public middle school and he missed having a personal relationship with his teacher and the size of the place bothered him. But your kids still have a close relationship with their former teacher, you, so maybe it’ll be easier.
August 21st, 2009 at 5:06 amA quick google of skatepark deaths reveals that no records of anyone dying from a skatepark injury, so all the naysayers can rest easy.
most kids break a bone during childhood, skating, falling off horses, falling out of trees. that is what kids do!
hope yours enjoyed the skatepark
August 21st, 2009 at 5:21 amAnd you’ll buy them skate helmets, and when they go to the skate park without you, they won’t wear them anyway :o)
August 21st, 2009 at 7:24 amYou know, just like we rode bikes, rollerskated, etc, WITHOUT HELMETS. And we’re just fine….right?
Helmets, helmets, helmets!
It’s funny how people across the country feel judged by what you do or don’t let your kids do. I guess it’s probably pretty flattering for you, although it probably becomes harder to write stories if you have to watch that every picture is PC.
Good luck with that
August 21st, 2009 at 7:26 amI just started laughing when I read today’s post. Shame on you for not requiring protective gear! Lol. Methinks people have waay too much time on their hands. That and no boys. My son never gets hurt in conventional ways. Riding a bike or climbing trees? Nothing happens. Get on a bunk bed and he nearly kills himself handing big sis a book! Our new neighbors were extremely worried about our son and the pool when we first moved. Me? I was more worried about him and 2nd floor living room that over looks the tiled foyer. It only took him about 2 hours to ask big sis to jump over the railing with him! Thankfully, she disinclined to acquiesce to his request!
P.S. - Since you have obviously lost the award for mother of the year, may I have it?
jk. Have fun getting ready for school.
August 21st, 2009 at 8:12 amMy next door neighbor can’t take it that I don’t make my kids wear helmets to ride their bikes up and down the sidewalk. Her kids are trained to scream at mine, “Where are your helmets? Don’t you know you can crack your head open?” She has gone so far as to put her own extra helmets on my children when I’m not looking. When I saw your photos, all I thought was, “Boy those kids are having the time of their lives” and I admired you for taking them…because I won’t even go outside if it’s above 90 degrees.
August 21st, 2009 at 9:13 amI trust your judgment about safety gear. You’ve got enough experience with ER visits to know when it’s needed and not.
August 21st, 2009 at 9:33 amI was going to say, maybe wrist guards would be a good idea but you beat me to it!
We all know you’re a great Mom, you didn’t have to explain yourself, but it was nice that you did. Keep on rockin’, Mama, you’ve got a good head on your shoulders.
August 21st, 2009 at 10:14 amOh funny. As soon as I saw the pics I thought, “oh crap, the helmet aficionados will be bringing it on.” People are strange when they’re a stranger…
August 21st, 2009 at 1:02 pmI salivate over the school supplies that are on sale right now. I wish I had six children starting school as an excuse to buy the 4/$1 pack of crayons and .50/pack pencils and unmarred notebooks. I have no idea why, but I have always loved brand new school/office supplies. But I guess maybe dithering over lunchbags and backpacks would suck. Let us know how it all goes!
August 21st, 2009 at 1:33 pmSeriously? People are still posting about helmets and safety and how much you don’t love your kids? Don’t they realize that if things were half as bad as they thought, you’d be missing some kids by now?
August 21st, 2009 at 1:47 pmhaha… I didn’t even notice they didn’t have helmets on. and if I had, it’s none of my business. people…good grief…can you even believe them!
August 21st, 2009 at 10:49 pmLike I said- helmet or no helmet you’re gutsier than I am. I could not watch at all. I would be that mom that (gasps!) at (gasp!) every (gasp!) move hiding my face behind my left hand, with my right hand on speed dial for 911….. not for THEM, for me silly.
August 22nd, 2009 at 12:20 amI completely agree with Amy.
FYI…http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00273
August 22nd, 2009 at 2:10 amHelmets…Smelmets.
August 22nd, 2009 at 3:04 amBoys will be boys.
All that jazz.
Enough already.
Oh, for crying out loud! If you were a negligent parent, I don’t think you’d have seven children, some who have reached the teen years. Obviously, you’re taking good care of them. Sheesh. Lighten up, people.
While I’m glad my kids’ school days are over, I still feel an overwhelming urge to buy new school supplies every August/September.
August 23rd, 2009 at 1:42 pmYou know, honestly I think most of you all might be thinking about the helmet commenters the wrong way around. Because I’d like to think that the concerned people are not coming from a critical direction at all, but more from an angle along the lines of (no sarcasm intended here): “Oh, Chris, we love you and your beautiful children so much - we read about them at the time and have taken them into our hearts, and gosh, we would just about die if anything happened to them that would cause you to have to make another trip to the ER!” And then they dispense their loving advice, just in case you hadn’t thought of it (which of course you have). Sort of like one of those worry-wart Grandmas. Even though they can annoy the heck out of you? Really, it’s coming from love.
August 24th, 2009 at 2:20 pmI saw the pictures and my first thought was “Man Christopher would love to spend a day at that park”…
Look like a grand time!
August 24th, 2009 at 7:55 pm