Braggadocio
One of the most life-affirming side effects of writing this site is the door it has opened for me to reconnect with people I haven't seen or spoken to in years. It happened again this week. An old high school and summer camp friend named Mikhail surfaced in my inbox the other day -- a guy about whom I'd long since forgotten but was so pleased to hear from. I remember thinking he was a pretty smart, entirely cool kid back in the day, and it turns out he's become something of an intellectual big shot in the NYC educational community.
During the course of catching up, we exchanged the standard demographic information: family, job, location of residence, and so forth. That's sometimes an odd exchange for me, especially when it comes to describing my kids. In business, people are trained to develop an "elevator speech" -- an explanation of the mission and products/services of one's company that is short enough to be delivered within the span of one elevator ride. I've tried over the years to develop an elevator speech about my kids for use on occasions such as this reconnection with Mikhail, but I just can't do it.
When I start talking or writing about my kids, logic and restraint get trampled under a stampede of gush. I find so much to love and applaud about them that my mind develops a mind of its own. I suppose I used to feel as though that isn't OK -- that bragging too much about one's kids is off-putting and a recipe for making the listener tune out.
I decided this morning that I want to change that, and I want your help. I want us to brag about our kids. I want us to shoulder restraint into the gutter and let the gush flow. I'll start:
My son is the boy I wish I could have been. He's aware of his strengths, confident in them and unafraid to show them off. He's a leader, comfortable around other people. He has a zillion friends, and I'm certain I'd want be one of them if I was seven. He is in his second month of first grade but last night he read a book labeled "second grade reading level" cover to cover. He is a very strong baseball player, a good roller-blader for his age and, when he wants to be, an extraordinary big brother. I always dreamed of having a son, but I never knew how wonderful having one could be. He is a great, great kid.
My daughter is the most adorable child I've ever met. She's enthusiastic, bright and has enough energy in her tiny body to power the state of California for a week. She treats her dolls like human beings, her brother like a bully, and her daddy like king. She loves to give kisses and tight squeezes around the neck. Because of some food allergies she has to eat a rather uninspired diet, but she knows why and she hardly ever feels sorry for herself. She reminds me of her mother, and I love that about her, too. She is insanely loyal -- to her dolls, her favorite books, her "boyfriends", and her TV shows. Our father-daughter is like nothing I've ever felt before. I'm so lucky and proud to be her daddy.
Your turn.
D,
I need to brag today. Today didn't start off so great with my son and I. So, I'm going to take this time and brag on him.
My wonderful, caring loving four year old little boy is my hero. My son has endured more in his short little life than I have in 29 years. He also has severe food allergies and never complains about not eating a piece a cake at a friends birthday party. My son is strong, independent, head strong, very intellant, stubborn. All these qualities will make him a successfull grown man. My son is so caring that he will offer you a hand if you need one, or maybe a bandaid if you need one. He is my hero. My life will never be the same since my wonderful son came to me. If I could pick any son, I would of picked him out of a million sons available.
Thanks Danny. I'm feel better.
My eight year old daughter is incredibly smart, kind, generous, patient and just downright GOOD. If we had the opportunity to craft a perfect child, it would be one just like her.
My five year old son is ornery, blatantly honest, a kid who likes to push all your buttons until you're ready to scream, then push them just one more time for good measure. But, he has survived eight surgeries and lots of health problems, and he's awfully tough to take all the crap he's been dealt. He's hilarious and full of energy. Energy we never thought he'd have.
I am a happy Mommy, and so glad these kids are mine! Thanks for letting me share!
My son will be 2 in less than 10 days, and as wonderful as I think he is now, I know he'll only get better as his personality emerges and his discoveries continue. He has an amazing sense of humor, especially for being so young, and he really gets my brand of "teasing" already. He is sneaky in that way where you know he's brilliant. He's willful in the way that lets me know he'll be able to think for himself. He talks constantly, and I never want him to stop because he's SO entertaining. He has strong opinions. He isn't shy. He's thoughtful and sweet and has the most kissable cheeks EVER. And it has been verified by outside observers wherever we go that he is one of the most beautiful kids that people have ever seen, and they don't even get to know him. He is my gift and my joy. He makes me want more kids.
My four kids are fabulous and my reason for being. G/age 9: smart, enterprising, sensitive. He is honest and good, and will be a fabulous husband and father some day - just like his dad. A/age 8: She is goodness and light. Equal parts tomboy (especially on the soccer field) and girly-girl -- if I could freeze her in time I would. E/age 3: Naughty, naughty, naughty but funny, funny, funny. This one is smart as a whip, sensitive -- "Bless you honey" she says when I sneeze, and can manipulate the hell out of us. She is a joy. A/age 18 mos. today!! Ah, my baby. He is so sweet. When I open the door in the morning and he's jumping up and down in his crib, saying "Mama! Mama!" - well, what more could you need? He is good-natured and cute, with killer blue eyes and a gooey smile. He's also strong (especially dealing with his jealous older sister - see: E/age 3 above). I call him my danger baby -- spending time with him puts me in danger of going for number five. In short - my kids are life themselves.
I wish I had my 2-year-old son's energy. He's constant motion. He loves to read, to swim to wrestle and talk about everything under the sun. He can't wait for Halloween, and I can't wait to take my little "Elmo" door-to-door and to hear him yell, "Tricker Treat." I love how sweet he is around other kids, and love that he doesn't throw a fit when me or his dad leaves for work. I love how crazy he is about his grandparents. He loves to go over to their house. And, I LOVE their over-night visits.
Thanks Danny!!
Preston is ten. He is intelligent, funny, caring, and protective - he has two younger sisters, and is the best big brother that they could wish for. He helps his sisters and mother when asked, and frequently without prompting. He wants to be a cartoonist as an adult, and eagerly devours whatever print or animated cartoon series that he can get his hands on... as long as it meets HIS standard for being appropriate. language needs to be clean, or he won't watch it. Violence needs to be sanitized, or he turns it off. Women need to be modestly dressed, or he will reject it. And none of these standards were given to him; all we said was that we wanted him to have appropriate entertainment, and to become the best person he can be. He won't watch movies rated R, and he won't play games rated T. He won't be friends with people that pull him away from his standards, and he's the center of a great bunch of kids. He just wants to be good, and it humbles me that he still looks at me as a role model.
Elizabeth is 8. When she was 5, I told her once that I enjoyed the way she would run and kiss me when I got home from work. Once. She hasn't missed a day sending me off or greeting me since. She wants to make everyone's life brighter, always working on presents to give to the various people in her life. She's quiet, playing alone for most of the day, reading her books and making little stories to live out with her dolls. She didn't abandon her hermit crabs when one dug a claw into her palm, and she faithfully cares for them even though they are ungrateful little bastards in shells. (Um, that's my view, in case you can't tell.) She's loyal in the extreme, which is why she has adopted her brother's high standards (which makes her Dad quite happy.) And she's abominably cute - think a miniature Audry Hepburn with bigger brown eyes.
Amanda is 15 months. She is a blonde with red highlights, which is a fair warning about her temper. She's intelligent and stubborn - we've never been able to distract her by removing a toy from her sight. She knows that things are out there, even when she can't see them, and she will do what it takes to get them. Two months ago, she picked up a broom and used the handle to try and knock keys down from our key rack. Even though she's demanding and loud and obstreperous, she's also loving and affectionate and wants to be part of our lives (we can't sit down to put on our shoes, because she will pick them up off the floor and hand them to us, as we're trying to put them on.) She gives kisses and hugs when she winds down from the day, and she loves to play with her brother and sister.
I love my kids. And I'm amazed that they like to have me around. Preston has to talk to me every day. Elizabeth has to kiss me goodbye and hello from work. Amanda has to wake me up by pouncing on me in bed. My wife give me more love and support and encouragement than all the kids combined. I wouldn't trade my life for anything.
Bossy is too melty to form sentences. Nice going.
My oldest daughter, 7 is smart as a whip. She can read at such an advanced level and loves to read chapter books. I've been able to share books from my childhood with her because of it, she's already read Charlotte's Web and the Narnia series. She is very personable and has a ton of friends. She is an amazing dancer and when not practicing for her dance recitals is choreographing her own routines to music she listens to. She has an incredible imgination.
Twin A (4), she has NO fear. She is never afraid to try something, and loves meeting new people and doing new things. She has an increidble sense of humour. She has a stubborn streak a mile long and it will serve her well later in life. She has so much compassion and empathy as well.
Twin B (4), is just so genuinely caring. She's super indpendent. She's also shy but once she warms up to you, is just the sweetest, friendliest person to be around. She loves to snuggle, and is always telling me that she loves me. She has a severe speech delay but doesn't let that hold her back, she sings songs with the rest of the kids in her school, she makes friends, and even though she has to go to speech therapy twice a week right now, she never complains.
My son (3), i never imagine myself as a mother to a boy, but i have been blessed with the most amazing son. He fought to survive after his birth, he is so strong. He's a true momma's boy. He loves to snuggle and kiss me. He always wants to sit on my lap. He has such a sweet spirit, but at the same time he's such a boy...loving all things trucks, cars and most especially trains. He loves his sisters wholeheartedly, he loves to play dressup with them. He has the most amazing blue eyes i have ever seen in my life.
My son, Donovan, is a little over 4. He is gorgeous, with large, light brown and gold eyes and olive shaded, creamy skin. He is already sarcastic and funny - he rolls his eyes at my missteps, makes wise-ass one-liners at his step-father's expense when psuedo-dad gets too goofy. He loves action figures and trains and matchbox cars, but has an enormous (and possibly suspect) penchant for broadway and feminine celebrity. He knows all the dialogue, lyrics, dance moves and motions of the movie/musical Chicago. He taught the children at his school to sing Carrie Underwood. He can recite The Little Mermaid backwards and forwards and backwards again.
Some people are inclined to tease his affection for broadway show tunes and dressing up, but I can only laugh at their narrow-mindedness. He is an amazing child, talented and silly and weird. He is particular with his food, will leave you in stitches with his dead-on impression of his father, and blow your mind with his clear and accurate perceptions of the world.
He will also rat you out to the nearest cop with a quickness about that time you ran a red light, almost 2 years ago.
He's awesome.
I have to join in:
My Step-Son is 8 years old. He is spoiled and he knows it. SO many people love him and he loves them all back. He has a huge heart and is SO smart it scares me. He has hopes and dreams and at 8 is already coming up with a long term plan to reach them.
He asks SO many questions but not one of is "stupid". I love to talk to him and could for hours on end.
Well, I started an entire blog to talk about my kids so how to sum that up in a comment? LOL
You know...I agree. There is no easy way to sum up my kids. As you find yours amazing, I also find mine pretty incredible.
I have two girls, almost 3 and almost 6 and is that ever a big trip.
Well, my Big Monkey is, like every other child here, bright and sweet and sensitive. She's also 11 and is starting to get hormonal and she scares me a little. haha
My Little Monkey....when God was creating US Marines, he had this little guy in mind as the Wee Prototype. Fearless, loves the girls, and if he was tall enough to reach the liquor store counter, he'd probably be a big fan of Jack Daniels.
'Nuff said.
I'm a very blessed woman.
My son is 13 and I love him more than life. Anyone that hasn't experienced a middle-schooler, whew! Katy bar the door!!!
Anyway, he's such a loving person how did I ever live without him?
Thanks Danny.
Perfect timing, as my kids BOTH are on the bulletin board at school as "Peace Prize" winners for their respective grades.
My daughter, 10, is smart, funny, wise beyond her years, and has more confidence in her little finger than most people do in their whole bodies. She is also kind and compassionate. In first grade, when a homeless man approached us for food, she gave him the McDonald's gift certificates she'd gotten in school for good grades and good citizenship. And last year she decided to assist the two boys in her class who have mental disabilities. Nobody asked her to become a student aide. There's no program for that. But she just decided those kids needed her assistance and took care of business.
My son, 8, is one of those people that you can just tell is brilliant. And eccentric. For his after school activities this year? When all the other boys are in chess club or karate? He's in guitar and hip hop dance. He's an amazingly adventurous eater and loves to help out in the kitchen. And, most importantly to me, he loves me more than anyone else in the world could ever love me. I'm humbled to receive such unconditional and passionate love from him.
Thanks for asking!
My daughter is only fifteen months, but I am constantly amazed by her unique spirit. She is brave and intelligent and already has a wicked sense of humor. She has a sparkle in her eyes that lets you know who is boss. And she is beautiful--including the large rainbow scar that crosses her belly and constantly reminds that she is my little warrior.
she's 18. goes to a local college so she is home everyday. i don't think i would have survived her leaving just yet. she is a strange one and has been since she was born. we thrive on her strangeness and applaud her resiliences in a world not keen on strange. she is my first born and is what made us a family.
he's 16 and omg insane. this past weekend was homecoming at our high school. he decided that to get the crowd going he and a friend would streak across the new turf field at halftime and pump up the crowd. he wore bikini mens briefs, sneakers and a ski mask with "go eagles" printed on his back. the crowd went wild and a legend was born. he has no fear and i am proud to call him my son.
he's 13 and my baby. i lavish attention on him cause he's my last and he knows it. he smiles with his crooked mouth and i melt. he's sensitive and cries easily and makes me love him more each day. he takes after his father in build so he is already 5'10 and towers over his puny 5'3 mother. but always always kisses me hello, goodbye and inbetween. he tells me all the time that he won't move away, like his brother and sister will, and take care of us. (not sure yet if thats a good thing??)
i have three teenagers..and life is good!!
My son is the love of my life and my daughter is my heart. They touch me in special ways; she leaves love notes in my bed or night stand, while he runs to me whenever he hears "Wonderful World" by Louis Armstrong so we can dance to "our song." They take care of each other too: when the lights flicker during a storm he gathers all the lanterns and flashlights and sits next to her so she won't be scared; last night she helped me canvass three stores for face paint and hair paint for him to use at today's fifth grade Spirit Day festivities.
Are they perfect? Heck no! They fight, argue, whine and compete with the best of them; still, the deep respect and affection they feel for each other is a sign of a wonderfully healthy relationship that will sustain them for the rest of their lives.
Sometimes I find myself thinking "Who are you, where did you come from, and what did I do to deserve these remarkable people in my life?"
At this stage, Pumpkinpie is looking like she'll shape up to be a better version of me. She has my good attributes - ease with language, good memory, a love of books - and is, like I was, a pretty smart kid. She's also been mostly a fairly nice kid, easy to get along with, agreeable, and not wild, but not too quiet, either. She looks mostly like me, but with slightly finer features, and nice extras like longer eyelashes. She's going to be beautiful. And she bests me in areas I wish I were better in. She is sporty, and actually really coordinated, not like me. She is braver, more outgoing than I was, and bounds into things more easily than the shy kid I was. She charms the pants off of everyone she meets, and I am not excluded. She's just exactly right.
Our sweet daughter is 3 going on 13. She is very bright and extremely loving. She adores her friends and family and always wants to give hugs. She is bossy and strong willed but willing to compromise when given a good argument. She is a wonderful mommy to her baby dolls and loves to dress-up in the most unique outfits. She has a quick mind and asks some hard questions. She amazes me everyday.
My son Holden is 5 1/2 months old and the cutest little guy ever. I mean come on: http://chrisjennbaby.vox.com/library/photo/6a00c2252aed6c549d00e398af3c4f0004.html
He's the happiest, smiley-est baby I or anyone else has seen. People make comments about it all the time (and I gush inside!). Even daycare plays favorites with him in a room of 16 babies! He's so easy to care for...did I mention how happy he is? He ate rice cereal AND found his feet all last week--how proud am I!? I just melt at the love I feel for this little person who's been in my life for such a short time yet. I know he's going to be an amazing little boy and a fantastic man. Love love love. Pure love.
The picture link got cut off and I am clueless as to how to add a link in a comment (is it just HTML tags?)...Let's try this:
http://a7.vox.com/6a00c2252aed6c549d00e398af3c4f0004-500pi
My son is 13 months old and I don't remember what life was like before he came into this world. He's very curious and knows many of the important words already, including stinky, caca, and baseball. He loves to have you read to him. He greets me every morning and every evening with a smile and a "Dada!" No matter how tired I am when I get home from work, his smiling face and enthusiasm to play with me fill me with energy. I love him so much and can't wait to get home to see what new thing or word he's learned that day.
Sounds like your son and my son could be great friends, Danny. Noah is six, fearless, popular, and fun to be around. I've done plenty of bragging (and complaining, too) about him on my own blog.
He's always taken very quickly to any physical pursuit. When he was 3 1/2, I taught him to ride a two wheeler, no training wheels, in about 30 minutes. He has a wicked curve ball, throws a football in a tight spiral, and has regional swimming records for his age group. He doesn't care too much for soccer, but he wants to play since all his friends are out there. He tends to be the team clown, doing pratfalls and making faces as he runs around the field.
He proudest accomplishment this summer was diving off a 30 foot cliff into a lake. He's the first grade Johnny Knoxville. I'm stunned we have never had to take him to the ER.
He has some allergy issues, had this tonsils and adenoids ripped out to allieviate some congestion problems, and his head blew up like a big red balloon when he ate some cashews. So he's not invincible.
He's on the young side among the first graders, but he's doing really well. He's proud of his homework and has aced all his spelling tests so far. He's no genius, but he'll do just fine.
He's a great kid and we love him dearly. He's a blend of the best (and some of the worst) of his mom and me. When he was a toddler, we used to call him "50/50".
I think six is a great age. I wish we could make it last a few years.
Wow, am I the only one reading you, Danny, who is old enough to have grown children? My daughter and son are my Magnum Opus...smart, sensitive,loving...not on drugs, working full time since high school, healthy, happy human beings! I could have had no gteater blessings in this life. Thank you, Powers That Be...I am truly grateful. I was proud of them when they were small; as official "grown ups" now, I am in awe at how well they turned out-in spite of their parents! Parenthood-I highly recommend it (just remember it ain't for wimps!)
I look at my son Indy and I think I'm seriously going to have to stand at my front door with a big stick to keep girls away when he's a teenager. His humour is surreal, he makes us all laugh and like me, he likes cinema silence when he watches telly. What's not to like?
Junior Misssy, ahhh...my girl. She is the funniest, most loving little beast in my world. I may have to have her surgically removed from my side when she goes to University (which I am sure she will; the clever wee monkey)
Thanks for the brag-space, DGM.
I have three truely amazing kids. Caitlin is almost 12 and she is so smart and caring. I remember when she was younger and we were lost on our way to the zoo, we saw a homeless man. She was 7 and cried her eyes out, then made me go back around so she could give him the money she saved to buy something at the zoo. She is very compassionate and loving. She helps out with her younger sister and brother and is such a great person. I am very proud of her.
Samantha is 5, she is a leader and a very popular child. She just started kindergarten and we can't go any where without her knowing someone! She is smart and witty. She loves soccer and is just a generally outgoing person (she must have gotten that from her father!).
Nicholas is 3, he used to be the most loving child, but has to wipe all my kisses off right now. He still has his moments of wanting to cuddle. He is a problem solver, watches everything so he knows how to work it, and will use anything handy to help get what he wants done.
All three of them are beautiful and I love them all more than words can say. I am one of the luckiest people on earth to have the loving husband (and awesome dad), and the incredible children. They make life worth living and I wouldn't want to know life without them!
Oh, I love this! My parents are gone, so I don't have them to brag to anymore, so I appreciate this opportunity. :)
My son is 12 and in the 7th grade. He doesn't really give me a moment of trouble. He is warm, loving, funny, kind, considerate, polite and is an amazing student. He has been on the honor roll every semester of middle school (this is his 2nd year), even getting As in honor classes. He is also amazing at sports; he excels at everything he does: baseball, soccer, basketball, tennis, racquetball, golf. Doesn't matter what -- he excels. On top of that, he is a great artistic and even will sit and scrapbook with me! He is amazingly well-rounded, well-liked and I honestly could not be prouder or ask for a better son.
My daughter is 8 and in the 3rd grade. She is very bright, cute, funny (amazing sense of humor), animated, outspoken, confident, artistic and compassionate. She understands humor that would go over some adults' heads! She keeps us laughing and we keep her laughing. She is full of life and drama and has more personality than I can keep up with at times. If I were 8, I'd most certainly want her as a best friend. She cares deeply for people and will stand up for the underdog in just about any situation. She has a passion for life and a deepness to her that goes deeper than her 8 little years. I admire her so much!
Thanks, Danny.
I have to say that I was very touched reading all of these comments.
So often, as parents, we get caught up in the busy-ness of our lives and the chaos, and I think we get frustrated and focus on the negatives rather than the positives.
It's really refreshing to hear how PROUD everyone here is of their children--how in love with them they are. I hope the children always realize how very happy, and complete, they've made all of us.
11 year-old Cindy has the most refined sense of humor.
After a recent trip I took to the Grand Canyon I exclaimed, "I'm just so tired. I must have picked up a bug."
To which she knowingly replied, "Wow, that must have been some big damn bug!"
Oh, I'm so glad I'm not the only commenter who has grown children! It would be terrible to be the only old fart. (Sorry, other commenter.) Our daughter is 27 and is beautiful, smart, a wonderful and talented graphic artist and was considerate enough to present us with the perfect grandson almost two years ago. Our son is 23 and is loyal, loving and affectionate, also smart and very good with computers and any kind of technology. Both of our children live in town and we have family dinner every Sunday. They like us enough to go out to eat and to the movies with us often and drop in just to visit. They are absolutely, completely perfect.
this is so sweet. i'm loving reading all of it and it's making me teary.
my littles are rad.
boy-7. He's super sensitive, smart, kind and loving. EVERY kid in his school knows him and likes him. At soccer practice, he can barely play because his friends are always hugging on him. He's finally learning to stick up for himself from his sister. He's the only kid I know who can get away with wearing stretch velour snakeskin pants to school AND soccer practice and TBall games. And he RIPS on the dance floor.
girl-4. She's STRONG! Physically and emotionally. She's sure of herself and loves to push it. She's smart, knows what she wants almost all the time. She's "way ahead" of the other pre-k'ers in her class, writing, drawing. I love to hear her sing and she's always making up her own songs. She's not always huggy and kissy, but when she gives you a hug and kiss, you know she means it. Always sincere. Heart on her sleeve. She LOVES her brother so much I think it hurts her sometimes.
I love my littles.
I "want us to brag about our kids" too. What a crazy world it is when that's not socially acceptable.
My son is 1 year and 2 days old. He is fearless and stubbornly independent. He doesn't need me close by him - he's already dashing away from me to explore when we're out - but he still likes to take me by the hand and show me all the fascinating things he sees. He surprises me with kisses rarely, but his kisses are the greatest slimy, spontaneous things in existence.
He has a phenomenal love of books and will climb up onto the sofa with them and snuggle in for me to read. He can turn the pages by himself, almost perfectly, and not just with the board books; the paper ones too. His appetite for reading has no bounds, and he constantly surprises me with the number of words he understands, in spite of his first nine months with a hearing loss due to his cleft palate (now fixed). And now he wants to write... taking my pen and scribbling in the crossword puzzle book he sees me using. He is drawing colourful scribble-pictures already.
He loves animals and plants. He is gentle with them. He doesn't smile inanely at everyone. He rewards people with smiles once he's examined them. He is discerning, but joyous nonetheless.
He is also relaxed and flexible and curious about everything. Even at six months he would interestedly sit with me at a conference, listening (as best he could) to the key note speakers and staying awake past his bedtime, uncomplaining, because he didn't want to miss a thing. He is willing to try everything twice, whether it is a skill beyond his ability or strange foods. What child his age comes back for more wasabi? Mine! There isn't anything I can do to "overstimulate" him - he is always hungry for more experiences.
What an amazingly strong, intelligent, self-contained, ambitious, generous little humanist he is already.
My turn:
My almost 4 year old is an awesome little girl. She has very curly fire red hair which is a dead giveaway to her personality, wild, stubborn, and unique. She's a performer at heart, singing at the top of her lungs or dancing all over the room. She's an amazing big sister that gives the best hugs and kisses.
My 1 year old is a fighter. She had trouble breathing when she was first born, but she fought so hard and now is doing just great. She has an extreme appetite for everything and hasn't met a food she hasn't liked. She loves to learn wheter it's sign language, a new word, or how to walk and she picks it up so fast, it's amazing. Her smile could light up any room and her baby belly laugh makes me just melt.
My 3-year-old can remember ANYTHING. She remembers if we drank a different brand of milk on a road trip and will tell you a month later when she sees the brand again. She remembers who gave her Valentines last year and still recognizes the cards. She is extremely lovable, though incredibly grumpy at the same time. She's going to give them hell one day, and I love it.
My 1-year-old has, seriously, the most easy-going personality ever. He can get in trouble and still smile at you. He loves older ladies, makes friends with everyone and is a born leader. I've seen 8-year-olds follow him around at the park hoping to play with him. I have a feeling he will be very popular as a teen and in college, probably due to his love of sports (kid has AIM) and his Mad Dancing Skills.
My 7 year old daughter is the love of my life. She is so clever and funny and has been breathtakingly beautiful since she was born. She is all legs, and she has red hair, like her mother. Her name, Keagan, means "little fiery one". She is my dancer, my gymnast, my sun. She is empathic, sensitive, and loving. Unfortunately, she also got from me a tendency towards depression and anxiety, and I will never forgive myself for that. We are making strides together towards mental & emotional health. She is my buddy, and the best big sister her brother could ask for!
Her 2 year old brother, Owen, is my angel. He spent the first 7 weeks of his life in a NICU because he had trouble breathing and then wouldn't eat enough. He was fed through a tube when he came home, first through his nose, then through his stomach. The tube has been out for about a year now, and he is eating like a quarterback. No one has ever been able to determine why he wouldn't eat. He is so sweet, funny, sassy, and adorable. He's a hugger, a kisser, a lover not a fighter. He is my funny little man.
My kids love each other to pieces, it is so wonderful to see! I couldn't ask for lovelier or more well-behaved children.
Thanks for giving me the opportunity to brag!
My eight year old son is incredibly smart- he gets 100% grades on most of his work. He reads three levels higher than most of his class and loves books. He's also damned cute.
My triplet 2 year olds are heart-achingly beautiful and fun. My daughter has overcome massive odds to be where she is today. In fact, all three of them are healthier and higher functioning than most doctors expected when they were born three months early. They all have soft blond hair with perfect curls and amazing laughs.
(Thanks for the braggin opportunity)
Thanks, Danny, for the plug and the kind words. I sat down in front of the computer the other day, clicked on my beloved Stumble! button and there was your just about distantly familiar face grinning at me.
Ok, here's mine:
My 3 year old brings out in me every aspect of who I am -- the good stuff and the not so good stuff. He makes me face both what I like and don't like about myself in just about every interaction we have.
He is a gadfly, card, a ham and a bit of a saboteur. He has an amazing sense of humor and knows very well when he is being funny. He is at the same time exceedingly rational and ridiculously irrational (maybe because he is three). He is the friendliest, sweetest, most inquisitive person I have ever met and maybe the loudest. He has a sibling due to arrive in about three weeks and I know he will be an amazing big brother.
My children are the reason I believe in God.
I am 25, married, and in professional school. I do not have children and was not entirely sure that I wanted any until I read this post. But still not until school is done.
Thanks all. :)
I am 25, married, and in professional school. I do not have children and was not entirely sure that I wanted any until I read this post. But still not until school is done.
Thanks all. :)
Thanks for this, Danny. I am in an incredibly bad place right now, so bad that I feel like I'm running in circles, but this really put a smile on my face. Kids are so wonderful - the only thing I've ever really wanted in this world was to be a mom and I feel so incredibly lucky.
And now, my kiddos!
My son is 5 years old and is one of the sweetest boys you'll ever meet. He makes friends easily and always seems to have an entourage with him. He wants only for people to be happy and gets extremely emotional whenever he feels like he's let someone down. He has energy to burn and has been getting into "trouble" at school lately because he's so easily distracted. If he had his way, he would be running and playing 24 hours a day. He's super smart and talkative - I am always amazed by the information he retains. He's just an all-around good guy.
My daughter will be 3 on Sunday. I love watching her grow but am also incredibly sad that my baby is not really a baby anymore. She is fearless and loves to get right in there with the bigger kids. She often tries to get into the kindergarten line with her brother and if she was actually allowed to go, I think she would be a star pupil. She loves puzzles, crafts and colouring - all the "calm" stuff her brother could do without. She is fiercely independent and not only does she dress herself completely each day (right down to shoes and jacket), she feels the need to pick out my clothes for me as well. She gives the best bear hugs and kisses ever and loves to cuddle.
Thanks again for this! I needed to think about something wonderfully positive for awhile. It helps me to remember the truly important things in life. :)
Another older than dirt mom to chime in.
My first born made me a mother. He also made me realize why some species eat their young. HA! He is incredibly brillant, was a challenge to his teachers and parents every day. He continues to astound people. He is the golfer....a thinking and solitary sport. Yet, the house was always filled with the guys! He was never easy. But deep down he has such a capacity to love! And I love him fiercely. He is now the father of my darling grandson 7 months old. Living to see your child become a parent is so heartwarming.
Son #2 is still adored by small children, old ladies, and everyone in between. He is in grad school now soon to be married. He was the president of everything and won all the awards. People are always telling me that they will vote for him, because he HAS to run for something. He is the charmer and so very bright. He sang and acted in school.
So very different children made for a very interesting household. We had great vacations together and made lots of memories.
Both of them stay in touch with each other, and the women in their lives like each other and we love them. We all still continue those vacations together.
All phases of life have their special times...I miss the babies they were, but I adore the men they have become!
My son isn't old enough yet to brag about his sports abilities, or his social life. He turned 4 months old on Monday and is the best thing that has ever happened to me.
Sure, we have bad days (we're teething...), but those few bad days don't even come close to ruining even one smile. He loves to play and interact and he will until he is so tired that he can barely hold his eyes open anymore.
He's made days better for so many people. Someone will come home from work while we're visiting. They'd been having a bad day and they'll pick him up.
BOOM- Sunshine and unicorns.
I love my son more than I thought I could love anyone/anything.
Im bawlin' too. Hard times in my house right now with a brand new 17 year old boy...and an almost 13 year old Bipolar girl. I just woke the girlie up who didnt set her alarm and is now late, not a good sign, so I will try to put that aside, and the giant wobbly tears that are falling over the wonderfulness of everyone else's post and tell ya'll about my little sweet peas!
The boy, as we have always affectionaly called him, was probably one of the most wanted babies alive! Couldnt wait to get to hold him, but despite the fact he was hanging out in there for 42 weeks, he was MUCH too busy for that! He stood up in his crib at 4 months, and walked at 7 solo!! Hang on boy... mamma wants a BABY!! He talked early and flashed those blue eyes at all the right people and ended up making a commercial! Sweetness..... After hurtling through his childhood, in gifted schools, He is now a gorgeous man/almost (of course, he looks like me!) and has a "sense of humor" (though now its more howard sternish, and I hope it doesnt stay that way!!!eeek) and fiercly loyal to his girlfriend. He loves to talk... but unfortunatly not always about the best topics with certain people... and I fear on a daily basis that something terrible will happen because of such! He can pick up instruments and play them without knowing how.. I HAVE NO CONCEPT of how this is possible... but he does!! And he drives me crazy mad every single day. But when he works his way over to hug goodby and goodnight to me... even though he is 17... I cant help but love the crap out of him.
My girlie.... I worked SO hard to get my sweet E. I wanted ONLY a girl, so It took a little bit longer than expect but out she came! A sweet cuddly bug of a sleeper. Which was like the calm before the storm!!! EEK! Poor girl by 18 months was suffering night terrors, and by the time she was 3 we knew something was terrible WRONG!!! She was beyond Obsessive Compulsive, and life with her was hard hard hard. You'd want to just cuddle and hold her and make it all go away, but the screaming was So loud. But now... at nearly a teen... we have survived so much together, and learned, and on a sunday afternoon with shopping and errands to run, there is NOBODY I would rather come share the day with me, than Her. Despite her problems, she read regular books at age 4. She put 100 peice puzzles together when she was 3, and has been tying her shoes by herself since 3 as well. When, that is ..she wants to PUT THEM ON!! She was so gifted in her testing, that the physciatrist warned us that because of this, it would make her MORE gifted in the artistry of manipulation... and boy does she TRY!!!!!!!! I think, however, she will never beat the master... ha... ME! She is a fabulous photographer and has MY eye....(I am also a professional photographer) and loves to sing, like her father did.
I fear for what may be in store for her in life most.... and know that if we can keep her safe and do our best... She will succeed even though she has this disease! I love my E soooooo much. I only hope she will keep on remembering that...
ok.. I'll shut up now... and go bawl some more in the corner. Thank you for letting us brag about our kids, and for helping us to realize how much we stinking love them.
My two year old Isaac is the joy of my heart. Guiding him through each new day of his life is my biggest responsibility and my proudest accomplishment. He speaks well above his age level, counts to 20, is gentle with our two kittens, and loves spicy food. He's affectionate, outgoing, has tons of "best friends", and a baby doll named Katherine that he baths and tucks in every night. He can throw a baseball in a straight line and operate my DVD player.
He also curses like a sailor on occasion. Sometimes I'm not so thrilled with what he's learning from me.
I love him so much, he can make any day brighter just by giving me one of his crazy over-the-top little boy hugs.
Thank you for giving me free rein to brag! And everyone's kids sound great. I've got a smile on my face now that won't go away any time soon.
First time commenter. You can't expect me to stay quiet when I get an opportunity to brag on my kids! My kids are the reason I live and breathe. I am a single mom of 4 of the coolest kids on the planet. I claim other people's kids as my own as well - my one nephew has been my soul mate from the day he was born. My nieces might as well be mine, they are at my house enough!
I have two biological kids and two adoptological kids:
T/9 - He is the person I wish I was. I think he is the definition of the term "a man's man". Gifted academically, musically talented, a good friend, one hell of a dancer, quite the artist. It blows my mind how he can just plunk down in front of a baby grand and play like it is a simple keyboard in our living room. He can get up in front of thousands of people and dance (tap, jazz, acro) like it is a stroll in the park. I could never do that. Talking to him is so scary sometimes - he's a deep thinker and such a smart a$$.
W/7 - just home from China for a couple of months. Such a resilant soul, to be ripped away from all you have ever known and given to this crazy white lady whose Mandarin grammer sucks to high heaven. The kid has had a tough row to hoe but meets every day and every challenge with a huge smile and a willingness to give it his all. He is the strongest person I have ever met. Very caring, compassionate, and forgiving.
M/5 going on 35. What a brain this child is. She has the whole weight of the world on her tiny shoulders and in a blink of an eye she could save us all. At first impression, you think to yourself, boy this kid is super quiet and lazy as all get out. Yes, she's quiet, but absolutely nothing intellectually takes any effort for her to accomplish. Academically she is somewhere in the stratusphere but she can't strap herself in her carseat or get her shoes on the right feet to save her soul - mundane things are below her notice. She likes to play by herself way too much and is best friends with the second naughtest boy in class. She has a calming affect on everyone and being around her makes you want to be a better person. Loves babies and her animals more than anything on this earth. Cries when she thinks about being as old as grandma. Oye...
B/5 - 4 months younger than M. Adopted from China when she was 26 months old. Beautiful strawberry blond (she's an albino) with a fiery temper and a terrific "screw you and the MAN for trying to bring a sisTA down" attitude. She is a human roman candle - larger than life and creates a big bang where ever she goes. A true force of nature. Resilant beyond all reason - her personality was NOT appreciated by her orphanage caregivers. She still has a heart breaking cringe reflex if you move too fast towards her. There is nothing this child cannot physically do - she is a gymnast by sheer force of will. A monkey who scares me to death with all of her flipping and cartwheeling. Loves with all of her might and is a serious busy body. Takes after her brother T in instrument playing. She is the perfect kindergartener at school and holy terror at home. 8)
I love my kids more than life itself... Thanks DGM for letting me comment!
My three girls are so special, each in their own way.
Raven, will be 18 in May, is now almost as old as I was when I got pregnant with her...it was a tough decision keep her and raise her but one that I'll never regret. She's only 4' 11" but dynamite comes in small packages! She doesn't take any crap from anyone. She's smart, funny, very competitive athletically, beautiful, a very talented singer and dancer, has a ton of friends and is hoping to go to the police academy after she graduates.
Danielle will be 15 in March. She is one of the sweetest kids I know. So caring, giving and sensitive and growing into such a lovely young woman. She loves to sing and play the flute, she's also in the color guard. She absolutely loves babysitting little kids and babies and will be a wonderful mother some day.
Maggie just turned 10 in September. She's is a total handful, a ball of fire but I wouldn't have it any other way. She's an amazing artist, loves all animals but horses are her favorite. Like her mom and her sisters, she loves to sing and has a beautiful voice. She's one of the best readers in her class.
More often than not with these girls, I've been a single parent. My one wish is that I didn't have to struggle so much financially and could afford to give them all the things they need and more of the things they want. They deserve it!
Thanks for the chance to toot their horns Danny...yours is by far my favorite blog on the web!
Oh I love reading all the comments about how we all love our kids!! Just makes me smile and feel warm all over!
My oldest son (17) has such a strong character and is really a young MAN in every sense of the word. He is focused, mature and knows what he wants out of life. He is a soccer player extradinaire and is going to college next year on a full scholarship. Thanks to him my job as soccer mom has been SO exciting. I couldn't be prouder of him, but I also find that I rely on him and his friendship. We are 'buds' in the best way and I love that he shares everything in his world with me. I love the way he treats his girlfriend and it just shows me that someday he will be an awesome husband and father - like his Dad is.
My little guy (14)...ok, he is little to me. He is 5'7" and towers over me. He is the entertainer in our house. He smiles and just gets away wih murder. He is so talented musically and I just love that! I love being a band mom and am proud of his accomplishments, both vocally and instrumentally. He is a touchy, feely kind of kid and I love that he still likes to spend time with me, even though he is a teenager. LOL! I can't wait to see what he will "be" when he grows up. He could sell glasses to a blind man...I swear. :)
I love my boys and thanks Danny for the chance to brag on them. LOVE your blog...you make me laugh and goodness knows I always need a good laugh.
PSU_Oscar will be six next month. He is his daddy's best friend and his mommy's snuggle buddy. He is incredibly smart and his curiosity often gets him into trouble. He loves to run (he's SO fast!), jump, and play catch in the backyard. He is enthralled by nature...especially by the squirrels, chipmunks, and groundhogs that live in our backyard as well as our pond fish. He eats his vegetables without complaining (unlike his dad, PSU_Chris) and will do just about anything for baby carrots and frozen broccoli! He can tell when mommy or daddy doesn't feel well and knows to "tone it down a notch" and just be a loving little guy. Biologically, he is not our child because he is a dog. But to us, he is our son and probably the closest we'll ever get, so we're incredibly grateful and blessed to come home to his unconditional love every day.
Hi I'm not really here to brag about my kids. I just found your site a few days ago and have been reading your archives. I must say that I probably should stop reading you at work because my coworkers are wondering why I am sitting at my desk laughing so much. You are the funniest blogger I have read for a while and I am enjoying reading your archives. That's all. Oh and my kids? Both grown, both college graduates, both contributing members of society. That's about as braggy as I get!