"Murphy was an optimist!"
From the mouths of babes November 19, 2019 10:00 am
Posted by Doug McCaughan in : Daily Life, Evan, Family, From the mouths of babesSon: “Dad, you should get up at 5am and cook breakfast. You handle sleep deprivation better than I do.”
add a commentI played chess with my son July 12, 2019 9:32 am
Posted by Doug McCaughan in : Daily Life, Evan, Family, Of Being DadLast night, as I prepared dinner, I asked my youngest (14) if he wanted to play a game of chess. He eagerly agreed and after finishing his battle on his computer game, set up the chess set on the table. We started playing. I made a move then prepped an ingredient for dinner. Made another move, prepped. After I stood up for the third time, my son said, “Dad, I’m going to go do my school work before it gets too late.” That hit me in the feels. Fortunately, dinner was ready to go into the oven for 30 minutes. I felt I was a few moves away from checkmating him so I said, “I’m about to end you. Let’s finish. This will be quick.” He perked up and I gave my undivided attention to him and the game. In the blink of an eye, the oven beeped. 30 minutes passed in the flash of an eye and the game had turned. Two terrible moves by me gave my son control of the board and he destroyed me. Then he returned to his room to either study or game or both. It was a great moment.
I wish I could turn the clock back 19 years and make every night like last night. I have allowed busy to replace bonds. Excuses to prevent experiences. I have great children. They have had good lives. I could have done so much better. With the time I have left, I will do so much better!
add a commentFrom the mouths of babes May 27, 2018 11:30 am
Posted by Doug McCaughan in : Daily Life, Evan, Family, From the mouths of babes, Of Being DadMe: "Happy birthday! What do you want to do on your special day?"
Evan, 13 today: "I’m going to spend the day at the pool with two girls from West High School."
Me: *Well, that escalated quickly.*
So excited that I’ll wait October 8, 2017 3:45 pm
Posted by Doug McCaughan in : Daily Life, Evan, FamilyI have all the parts to build my new keyboard. I am on a pseudo-vacation this week. Building and programming the keyboard was one of my intended projects. At the airport, my 12-year-old son asked me not to build it because he wants to help. You can darn well bet that putting that keyboard together can wait a couple more weeks!
add a commentFrom the mouths of babes September 5, 2017 9:05 pm
Posted by Doug McCaughan in : Daily Life, Evan, Family, From the mouths of babesEvan: "Daaad, I know how to brush my teeth. I’ve been doing it for 12 years."
add a commentFrom the mouths of babes August 3, 2017 12:22 pm
Posted by Doug McCaughan in : Daily Life, Evan, Family, From the mouths of babesEvan, entering the house with an Amazon package: "The postman says we are his best customer!"
add a commentFrom the mouths of babes May 16, 2017 7:27 pm
Posted by Doug McCaughan in : Amy, Daily Life, Evan, Family, From the mouths of babesEvan, ruefully, to his sister Amy: "You get to walk to the mall from school. I get to eat ice cream on the track."
add a commentFrom the mouths of babes January 25, 2017 8:12 pm
Posted by Doug McCaughan in : Cathy, Daily Life, Evan, Family, From the mouths of babesMother: "Do you know you’re driving me crazy?"
11 year old boy: "Now I do!"
From the mouths of babes November 21, 2016 12:17 pm
Posted by Doug McCaughan in : Daily Life, Evan, Family, From the mouths of babes, Of Being Dad
Context: Evan, our 11 year old, helped me drop one of the cats off at the veterinarian for a comprehensive exam last Wednesday. Behind the scale is this sign. Recently, both our 12 year old and 9 year old German Shepherds died.
Evan, 11 years old, studies the sign: "Dad, I think our next dog should be a three, four, or five."
Me: "Evan, that’s not a menu."
From the mouths of babes November 5, 2016 9:49 am
Posted by Doug McCaughan in : Daily Life, Evan, Family, From the mouths of babes, Of Being DadMe: "Alexa, play the Ramones."
Alexa: *jams*
Groggy 11 year old Evan walks into the room: "Dad, could you turn down the music?"
Me: "What are you guys doing?"
Evan: "Sleeping…"
From the mouths of babes April 23, 2016 7:20 pm
Posted by Doug McCaughan in : Daily Life, Evan, Family, From the mouths of babes, Of Being DadMe: "Do you want steak for dinner?"
Boy child: "Do we have barbecue sauce?"
Me: "Ok, sirloin for you."
Today begins a new chapter in my children’s lives April 9, 2016 11:08 am
Posted by Doug McCaughan in : Amy, Daily Life, Evan, Family, Of Being DadThe state of TN is at war with public education. They are out to destroy public education and my youngest two children are on the front lines. We are testing our children to stupidity. The teachers have no time to provide a quality education because we are constantly prepping for the next test. I am pro-gadget, pro-electronic and want my children absorbed in this fascinating digital world with their easy access to all of humanity’s knowledge. However, my ten year old’s generation is suffering as the first generation to be raised from birth with screens in front of them. Their craving for information and multitasking is on par with a cocaine addict, alcoholic, or gambler.
I personally have fallen. I have failed to dedicate time to my children. Today changes that. Today we began meditation and reading aloud (Jonathan Livingston Seagull). Today we began to learn about First Things First with a discussion of the four quadrants and how to live in Quad II. Today is a good day and will be followed by so many more.
add a commentFrom the mouths of babes March 23, 2016 9:56 pm
Posted by Doug McCaughan in : Daily Life, Evan, Family, From the mouths of babesEvan, 10 years old: "Dad, I need you to do me a favor?"
Me: "Okay."
Evan: "My friends want you to draw one of those pictures on my lunch bag for the field trip tomorrow."
The great destructor of all happy March 12, 2016 12:22 pm
Posted by Doug McCaughan in : Amy, Daily Life, Evan, Family, Of Being DadI fell…
add a commentFrom the mouths of babes March 11, 2016 7:33 pm
Posted by Doug McCaughan in : Cathy, Daily Life, Evan, Family, From the mouths of babes, Of Being DadMe to wife: "You’ve made me old with snapchat."
Disembodied 10 year old voice from the back of the house: "Yeah, you are old" "hahaha!" "Get wrecked." "W-r-e-k-e-d"
