Walker was out, maggie couldn't sleep, so she crawled in bed with me as I watched The Family Stone, which is not appropriate. At one point we broke for the kitchen to get cheese. 'This cheese is good' I said. 'ALL cheese is good' she answered and we fistbumped.

I'm starting to see that the endless nights of vomit & teething & night terrors are redeemed when they turn about 9. It's still hard. Hormones loom on the horizon and they can make teething look like babyplay. But then there are the moments when your kid shares your love for stinky cheese and laughs at appropriate times in grownup movies and you go, oh yeah....this is why we had you. Cause you're so cool, and I so love hanging out with you, in bed, watching movies and eating cheese.

A few years ago I wrote Missy Hooks Dollahon some haiku poetry.

I do that from time to time.  LIKE A BOSS.

Beauty atop bed

Chestnut hair, legs akimbo

Cocooned, warm, at peace



Fingers point, rushing

To the car, children stalling

Pod cast ready, wheels screech



Sly smile, lips are pursed

Fragrant spinning, donning jewels

Shoes lost in a pile



Fingers dance, wine ready

Words leap, brow is furrowing

Thoughts bolt through the web

'Ike, if you don't let your lizards go, I think they're going to die soon.'

'Yeah, but Jack & Nate and I decided that when they die we can, you know, learn more about 'em.'

Future surgeons or future psychopaths? Only time will tell...