“That umpire is as blind as a bat!” Ken shouts at the television. “Actually, Dad”, seven year old Eric corrects, “not all bats are blind. Most use echolocation to see where they are going.” Its hard not to appreciate seven year old logic even if the erroneously called strike prematurely ended the inning.
Ken's passion is sports. A few years ago during the Women’s Soccer World Cup, he set his alarm for 3:00 a.m. so he could watch the game live instead of catching the tape delay at a more reasonable hour. And in the days BC (before children), he played softball, baseball, volleyball, soccer and rugby – sometimes all in the same day. Eric is a lot like Ken. He has tons of enthusiasm and throws himself into the things that interest him most. Right now, he is engrossed in learning about three subjects – hockey, bats and Pokemon. It would make him really happy if he could find a Pokemon that was also an ice skating bat. Ken and Eric are alike in another way. They both can chatter the tail off a squirrel. Sometimes when we are driving Eric home from swim class the only way we know Eric is no longer awake is that he has stopped speaking. Like his Dad, he has a million thoughts in his head all trying to escape at the same time.
Emily, is more like me. She is bright but will often sit thoughtfully by herself as if she is drinking in the emotions of the room. She has a fiery temper that can scorch and burn if you’re not ready for it and she isn't afraid to speak her mind. Both of us have full, loud laughs that erupt from our bellies and burst out of our throat. Of course, Emily's fashion sense is far superior to mine. I could never pull off a lime green halter top with fuzzy pink bunny slippers.
Ken's passion is sports. A few years ago during the Women’s Soccer World Cup, he set his alarm for 3:00 a.m. so he could watch the game live instead of catching the tape delay at a more reasonable hour. And in the days BC (before children), he played softball, baseball, volleyball, soccer and rugby – sometimes all in the same day. Eric is a lot like Ken. He has tons of enthusiasm and throws himself into the things that interest him most. Right now, he is engrossed in learning about three subjects – hockey, bats and Pokemon. It would make him really happy if he could find a Pokemon that was also an ice skating bat. Ken and Eric are alike in another way. They both can chatter the tail off a squirrel. Sometimes when we are driving Eric home from swim class the only way we know Eric is no longer awake is that he has stopped speaking. Like his Dad, he has a million thoughts in his head all trying to escape at the same time.
Emily, is more like me. She is bright but will often sit thoughtfully by herself as if she is drinking in the emotions of the room. She has a fiery temper that can scorch and burn if you’re not ready for it and she isn't afraid to speak her mind. Both of us have full, loud laughs that erupt from our bellies and burst out of our throat. Of course, Emily's fashion sense is far superior to mine. I could never pull off a lime green halter top with fuzzy pink bunny slippers.
I’m not sure who Beth resembles most yet. She’s very determined and strong willed (translate pig headed), a bit like me. On the other hand, she’s a fountain of energy, more like Ken. But her mischievous smile is all her own.
Like most parents, I secretly hope the kids will inherit my best qualities – like enthusiasm and empathy – and avoid my worst – like my temper. On the other hand, I am excited all the ways that Eric is uniquely Eric, that Beth is uniquely Beth and that Emily is uniquely Emily.
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