Hello Everyone.
Today, Friday September 26, at 11:16 a.m., my daughter Neva was exactly 4-years-old. Four years ... 1461 days ... a little over 35,000 hours or 126,230,400 seconds give or take a few. Amazing huh?
Happy sweeping,
Bob Gunther
Webmaster, ContestHound.com
Friday, September 26, 2003
Wednesday, September 24, 2003
Clipping Chaos and Other Ordinary Things ...
Hello Everyone.
A few weeks ago I was writing how I was troubled about having to write something exciting or funny. I received some wonderful encouragement from quite a few readers and I believe I have overcome that fear of the ordinary ...
Earlier today my 4-year-old daughter Neva and I went to get my haircut. Now, I have been going to the same fella for close to 20 years and he is quite fond of both my children, having met both of them soon after birth. Now ordinarily, before Rob gets started, he usually will chase Neva with the hairdryer, spray her with his water bottle, toss a towel or two at her and relentlessly tease her.
This is how it is when I get my hair cut. Ordinary? Perhaps not from and outsider's point of view, but certainly it is for me. Well, ordinary with the exception that today, as I sat in Rob's chair, Neva spent the better part of my haircut standing on my legs pretending to be a cheerleader.
Happy sweeping,
Bob Gunther
Webmaster, ContestHound.com
A few weeks ago I was writing how I was troubled about having to write something exciting or funny. I received some wonderful encouragement from quite a few readers and I believe I have overcome that fear of the ordinary ...
Earlier today my 4-year-old daughter Neva and I went to get my haircut. Now, I have been going to the same fella for close to 20 years and he is quite fond of both my children, having met both of them soon after birth. Now ordinarily, before Rob gets started, he usually will chase Neva with the hairdryer, spray her with his water bottle, toss a towel or two at her and relentlessly tease her.
This is how it is when I get my hair cut. Ordinary? Perhaps not from and outsider's point of view, but certainly it is for me. Well, ordinary with the exception that today, as I sat in Rob's chair, Neva spent the better part of my haircut standing on my legs pretending to be a cheerleader.
Happy sweeping,
Bob Gunther
Webmaster, ContestHound.com
Tuesday, September 23, 2003
Hot, Hot, Hot ...
Hello Everyone.
My 16-month-old son Milo is beginning to understand us when we talk to him. He has learned that when something is "hawww" that he best not touch it. He has never gone near the stove or the BBQ and he blows on his food before he eats it.
Lately I have been tempted to tell him that other things are hot. Like all the books on my bookshelf and the toilet paper and those button on the front of the computer. But most importantly it's the TV remote, now that's red hot!
Happy sweeping,
Bob Gunther
Webmaster, ContestHound.com
My 16-month-old son Milo is beginning to understand us when we talk to him. He has learned that when something is "hawww" that he best not touch it. He has never gone near the stove or the BBQ and he blows on his food before he eats it.
Lately I have been tempted to tell him that other things are hot. Like all the books on my bookshelf and the toilet paper and those button on the front of the computer. But most importantly it's the TV remote, now that's red hot!
Happy sweeping,
Bob Gunther
Webmaster, ContestHound.com
Monday, September 22, 2003
Gone to the Dogs ...
Hello Everyone.
Our neighbors down the street had invited us for dinner and being a family of four we were customarily late. In fact their kids came to get us since they had been wondering what was taking us so long.
When we finally got there my 16-month-old son Milo discovered they had a dog. He instantly befriended Chloe and for the rest of the evening he followed this poor dog everywhere. Down from the porch, around the yard and back up again, over the deck, into the house and back outside.
Chloe needed a break and into the kitchen she went with Milo close behind. No one was paying any attention to either one. Chloe just drank from her water bowl with Milo mesmerized at her side. My wife Kathleen eventually made her way into the kitchen to investigate Milo's whereabouts. She found him lying on his tummy, there at the edge of the kitchen, drinking from the dog bowl.
Happy sweeping,
Bob Gunther
Webmaster, ContestHound.com
Our neighbors down the street had invited us for dinner and being a family of four we were customarily late. In fact their kids came to get us since they had been wondering what was taking us so long.
When we finally got there my 16-month-old son Milo discovered they had a dog. He instantly befriended Chloe and for the rest of the evening he followed this poor dog everywhere. Down from the porch, around the yard and back up again, over the deck, into the house and back outside.
Chloe needed a break and into the kitchen she went with Milo close behind. No one was paying any attention to either one. Chloe just drank from her water bowl with Milo mesmerized at her side. My wife Kathleen eventually made her way into the kitchen to investigate Milo's whereabouts. She found him lying on his tummy, there at the edge of the kitchen, drinking from the dog bowl.
Happy sweeping,
Bob Gunther
Webmaster, ContestHound.com
Friday, September 19, 2003
School Daze ...
Hello Everyone.
My 4-year-old daughter Neva started Junior Kindergarten two weeks ago. The first few days were a little rough but I think we have the hang of it now. Though Neva often gets sidetracked with something or another, we still manage to get her to dress herself, put some food in her belly, find her school stuff and get there before the doors close.
Having to keep an exacting schedule has been quite the change for all of us. My wife Kathleen and I both work out of the home so routine in our household is about achieving flexibility without going crazy.
I was thinking that I was handling and accepting all this change but then, just before I sat down to this story, I caught myself trying to count the days that we'll be getting up to send our kids to school. It's been 9 days so far ...
Happy sweeping,
Bob Gunther
Webmaster, ContestHound.com
My 4-year-old daughter Neva started Junior Kindergarten two weeks ago. The first few days were a little rough but I think we have the hang of it now. Though Neva often gets sidetracked with something or another, we still manage to get her to dress herself, put some food in her belly, find her school stuff and get there before the doors close.
Having to keep an exacting schedule has been quite the change for all of us. My wife Kathleen and I both work out of the home so routine in our household is about achieving flexibility without going crazy.
I was thinking that I was handling and accepting all this change but then, just before I sat down to this story, I caught myself trying to count the days that we'll be getting up to send our kids to school. It's been 9 days so far ...
Happy sweeping,
Bob Gunther
Webmaster, ContestHound.com
Thursday, September 18, 2003
Peter Piper ...
Hello Everyone.
My 16-month-old son Milo likes to help me in the vegetable garden much like his sister Neva, who'll be 4 next week. She was rather helpful all summer since she has begun to understand the point to growing vegetables; not that she eats most of them. Milo, on the other hand, has a great appetite for veggies but his gardening skills need some work.
I was puttering around yesterday tending to the onions while Milo busily wandered around. He rambled into the pepper plants that are as tall as he is. He disappeared in between the bushes and suddenly one plant began to move vigorously. A moment later, out comes Milo holding a sweet pepper, red as they come. He looked at it, took a bite and tossed it onto the ground as he turned to go back into the pepper plants.
When all was said and done, Milo had picked 5 peppers, bitten two of them, and deposited them all over the place in the same not-so-gentle manner.
Happy sweeping,
Bob Gunther
Webmaster, ContestHound.com
My 16-month-old son Milo likes to help me in the vegetable garden much like his sister Neva, who'll be 4 next week. She was rather helpful all summer since she has begun to understand the point to growing vegetables; not that she eats most of them. Milo, on the other hand, has a great appetite for veggies but his gardening skills need some work.
I was puttering around yesterday tending to the onions while Milo busily wandered around. He rambled into the pepper plants that are as tall as he is. He disappeared in between the bushes and suddenly one plant began to move vigorously. A moment later, out comes Milo holding a sweet pepper, red as they come. He looked at it, took a bite and tossed it onto the ground as he turned to go back into the pepper plants.
When all was said and done, Milo had picked 5 peppers, bitten two of them, and deposited them all over the place in the same not-so-gentle manner.
Happy sweeping,
Bob Gunther
Webmaster, ContestHound.com
Wednesday, September 17, 2003
AH-CHOO!
Hello Everyone.
It didn't take long. Not even a week after my 4-year-old daughter Neva started school we all have colds. Except Neva.
Happy sweeping,
Bob Gunther
Webmaster, ContestHound.com
It didn't take long. Not even a week after my 4-year-old daughter Neva started school we all have colds. Except Neva.
Happy sweeping,
Bob Gunther
Webmaster, ContestHound.com
Friday, September 12, 2003
All Washed Up ...
Hello Everyone.
It's interesting the things toddlers like to imitate. My 15-month-old son Milo has learned to wash his hair. Whether he's in the bathtub or at the sink, he grab's the soap and rubs his slippery hands over his head.
The problem is he hasn't figured out what to use for soap if he isn't near the tub. So if you see Milo with sticky, gummy hair, just remember he's been washing it all by himself. With banana, peaches, cream cheese, yogurt, spaghetti sauce ...
Happy sweeping,
Kathleen Gunther
Editor, ContestHound.com
It's interesting the things toddlers like to imitate. My 15-month-old son Milo has learned to wash his hair. Whether he's in the bathtub or at the sink, he grab's the soap and rubs his slippery hands over his head.
The problem is he hasn't figured out what to use for soap if he isn't near the tub. So if you see Milo with sticky, gummy hair, just remember he's been washing it all by himself. With banana, peaches, cream cheese, yogurt, spaghetti sauce ...
Happy sweeping,
Kathleen Gunther
Editor, ContestHound.com
Tuesday, September 09, 2003
"Hello! C'mon in" ...
Hello Everyone.
She hardly ate anything yesterday and even forewent her usual bedtime snack. Even though my soon-to-be 4-year-old daughter Neva fell asleep without too much trouble, she did spend the entire night tossing and turning.
This morning, the bundle of boundless energy that often greets us had been replaced by a somber and unenthusiastic grunt. Dragging her out of bed in time was challenging enough but we had to make sure that she didn't fall face first into her cereal.
Having finally gotten her dressed, I carried her the entire way just so we wouldn't be late. Somehow this was not how we imagined her first day of school. My wife Kathleen and I were quite excited yet anxious ourselves, but Neva's enthusiasm had evaporated. Understandably, she was nervous, even scared. But never had we seen her this afraid.
As we waited for her teacher to open the door to let in this year's junior kindergarten class, I could see the stress on all of our faces. Slowly, the door opened, and we were all greeted with a cheerful "Hello! C'mon in". Slowly at first Neva went towards the door but upon seeing her friend Lynton, the little girl from down the street, Neva was suddenly transformed.
Gone was the sluggish walk, the cranky voice, the weight of unimaginable misery. She didn't even say good-bye ...
Happy sweeping,
Bob Gunther
Webmaster, ContestHound.com
She hardly ate anything yesterday and even forewent her usual bedtime snack. Even though my soon-to-be 4-year-old daughter Neva fell asleep without too much trouble, she did spend the entire night tossing and turning.
This morning, the bundle of boundless energy that often greets us had been replaced by a somber and unenthusiastic grunt. Dragging her out of bed in time was challenging enough but we had to make sure that she didn't fall face first into her cereal.
Having finally gotten her dressed, I carried her the entire way just so we wouldn't be late. Somehow this was not how we imagined her first day of school. My wife Kathleen and I were quite excited yet anxious ourselves, but Neva's enthusiasm had evaporated. Understandably, she was nervous, even scared. But never had we seen her this afraid.
As we waited for her teacher to open the door to let in this year's junior kindergarten class, I could see the stress on all of our faces. Slowly, the door opened, and we were all greeted with a cheerful "Hello! C'mon in". Slowly at first Neva went towards the door but upon seeing her friend Lynton, the little girl from down the street, Neva was suddenly transformed.
Gone was the sluggish walk, the cranky voice, the weight of unimaginable misery. She didn't even say good-bye ...
Happy sweeping,
Bob Gunther
Webmaster, ContestHound.com
Friday, September 05, 2003
Changes ...
Hello Everyone.
I'm pretty sure that when I put him to bed last night he was still a baby. But when I looked over at my 15-month-old son Milo this morning, for whatever reason, it struck me how all of a sudden he looks like a boy. He doesn't look like a baby anymore and it seems to have happened overnight.
At first I couldn't explain how his face had changed, all I knew is that it seemed different. I gazed at him for quite some time carefully looking at his features but I came away with no clue as to what had changed.
I questioned most of our neighbors this afternoon how they saw him. "Does he look like a baby or a boy to you?" I asked. And they all answered the same; he looks like a little boy. Which now leaves me wondering whether lately I just haven't been looking closely enough.
Happy sweeping,
Bob Gunther
Webmaster, ContestHound.com
I'm pretty sure that when I put him to bed last night he was still a baby. But when I looked over at my 15-month-old son Milo this morning, for whatever reason, it struck me how all of a sudden he looks like a boy. He doesn't look like a baby anymore and it seems to have happened overnight.
At first I couldn't explain how his face had changed, all I knew is that it seemed different. I gazed at him for quite some time carefully looking at his features but I came away with no clue as to what had changed.
I questioned most of our neighbors this afternoon how they saw him. "Does he look like a baby or a boy to you?" I asked. And they all answered the same; he looks like a little boy. Which now leaves me wondering whether lately I just haven't been looking closely enough.
Happy sweeping,
Bob Gunther
Webmaster, ContestHound.com
Thursday, September 04, 2003
Me Neither ...
Hello Everyone.
Have you ever watched your children fall sleep? I mean after all the fussing and complaints have subsided and the repeated trips to the bathroom are finally over and done with. And after refilling the drip proof cup for the umpteenth time and remaking the bed and chasing them down the hallway six times and picking yourself up off the floor after you tripped over who-knows-what because you turned off all the lights an hour ago.
... have you ever fallen asleep watching your children?
Happy sweeping,
Bob Gunther
Webmaster, ContestHound.com
Have you ever watched your children fall sleep? I mean after all the fussing and complaints have subsided and the repeated trips to the bathroom are finally over and done with. And after refilling the drip proof cup for the umpteenth time and remaking the bed and chasing them down the hallway six times and picking yourself up off the floor after you tripped over who-knows-what because you turned off all the lights an hour ago.
... have you ever fallen asleep watching your children?
Happy sweeping,
Bob Gunther
Webmaster, ContestHound.com
Wednesday, September 03, 2003
Ordinary ...
Hello Everyone.
Regular readers may have noticed that there hasn't been a newsletter in the past three weeks. I do apologize for the extended absence as we stretched our family holiday from one week to almost three. I had become disillusioned with the stories I write about my children.
They are meant to be a journal of my experiences as a parent, as a stay-at-home/work-at-home dad, as a father. They were meant to chronicle my thoughts and interpretations of the everyday but somehow over the spring and early summer they became a burden. I felt I had to write about something novel, something interesting, something funny.
My wife Kathleen was attending an out-of-town seminar and she took our 15-month-old son Milo with her. I spent 4 days with my soon-to-be 4-year-old daughter Neva. We played together. We watched movies. I read her stories and told her tales. We went for walks and visited neighbors. We did chores, went out to eat and fell asleep together.
It was nothing, nothing out of the ordinary.
Happy sweeping,
Bob Gunther
Webmaster, ContestHound.com
Regular readers may have noticed that there hasn't been a newsletter in the past three weeks. I do apologize for the extended absence as we stretched our family holiday from one week to almost three. I had become disillusioned with the stories I write about my children.
They are meant to be a journal of my experiences as a parent, as a stay-at-home/work-at-home dad, as a father. They were meant to chronicle my thoughts and interpretations of the everyday but somehow over the spring and early summer they became a burden. I felt I had to write about something novel, something interesting, something funny.
My wife Kathleen was attending an out-of-town seminar and she took our 15-month-old son Milo with her. I spent 4 days with my soon-to-be 4-year-old daughter Neva. We played together. We watched movies. I read her stories and told her tales. We went for walks and visited neighbors. We did chores, went out to eat and fell asleep together.
It was nothing, nothing out of the ordinary.
Happy sweeping,
Bob Gunther
Webmaster, ContestHound.com
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