This weekend was the yearly Father/Daughter dance.  My girls really look forward to it each year.  You may not believe this, but I’m not that much of a dancer .  We started the night with a nice dinner with nearby, and then off to the dance.  Well, as many (most) fathers stood off the dance floor watching all their kids dance, I was promptly dancing and sweating all night as I watched my 6 and 7 year old sing all the words to “I’m sexy and I know it” (not my favorite moment of the night).  I was sporting my TWO boutonnieres (purple and yellow for the Lakers, and blue and white for the Dodgers as it was explained to me).  They each got a wrist corsage from me that they proudly sported all night, trying so hard not to bump it.  Ego, embarrassment, and shyness all go out the window when you watch those two happy faces so proud to be there with their dad.  I can’t wait ’til next year.

A “new” friend asked if I could help him out by shooting a small event at a bar in the city that was going to feature the sale of some of his new t-shirt line.  Turned out not even my friend was able to make it, but I still was there to get some fun shots at a cool bar with some really nice owners.  It felt like a throwback to a an old neighborhood  watering hole.

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Remember when you weren’t so worried about getting wet, and puddles and the rain bouncing off the brick was so much fun.  I almost can’t remember . . until I watched my daughter.  Watching her with complete excitement is so fun.  It makes you remember those important moments in your life that don’t necessarily seem so important until they’ve passed by.

Over the weekend the family went to the Disney Museum in the Presidio.  Unfortunately, I couldn’t grab too many photos. . .very strict about photographs inside. . . not even the GIFT SHOP!  The girls had fun seeing all of the characters and presented in a very Disney way.

Worth a visit. . . .

There has always been something so intriguing about a tattoo.  But, you have to OWN it. This girl does.  She was a guest at a wedding I shot.  I don’t know that I could ever (besides, my mother would have HATED it).  If I were to ever get a tattoo (and even though my mother is no longer here, I don’t know that I could do it to her), I’m sure it would have to be Lakers related. . . .I don’t know, but something about me is so impressed with the confidence that this girl has in being herself.

missing all my good friends from jobs past. . .

I don’t know, but I don’t remember getting this much in 1st and 2nd grade . . .

Book reports, stars of the week, shadow boxes, heritage papers. . .  I need to quit my job to make time for homework.

For anyone that’s read my blog or who knows me, it’s obvious that my kids are everything to me.  So much so, that my wife and I rarely get time for ourselves.  I think since the first of my two daughters were born 7 1/2 years ago, I think we’ve both spent a night away from home ONCE for a wedding that we attended.  Sometimes I’ve had to travel for business with a night or two away, my wife even less.  Well, my wife made plans for a night in a hotel she’s been eyeing in Santa Barbara (my old college stopping grounds).  Thanks to Grandpa and Aunt, the girls would be well taken care of and we could enjoy some “silence”.  Leaving at noon on Saturday, and back in the car at 2pm on Sunday, didn’t give us a lot of time, but the total round trip of 700 miles was certainly the most peaceful car ride we’ve had in some time.  Lots of uninterrupted conversation.  We got to enjoy a nice hotel, walk down to the beach, have a nice dinner, catch a movie (and not the Alvin and the Chimpmunks variety), and my wife even got a massage in the morning. . . wow.  A little time on Sunday to walk around State Street and then back home to bathe the kids and get ready for school/work the next day.  I am so grateful to my wife for being so incredibly dedicated to our children, but I think having some time for her (and us) makes doing all she does a little more do-able.  Thanks Amy for a nice day.

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In relation to my last blog post, my older daughter had a performance at school the other day where her class was to sing in front of the school as they hosted the church service that day. I got there early to get a good seat .  Well, as I looked back at the entrance to the church, I saw my daughter upset.  I know the face.  I got up to see what was wrong, and she said her stomach hurt.  This was a pretty clear case of anxiety and stage fright.  Now, my daughter has done things like this before, but for some reason, this was not setting well with her.  Even though she’s the “older” child, she’s by far the more “cautious” and calculated.  She’ll let her little sister lead the way (similar to the kings taster. . if it doesn’t kill the taster, then it’s safe for the king to try).  Well, her teacher saw her crying with me and saying that she didn’t want to go up there.  The teacher obliged her and let my daughter sit with her and watch the performance.

Afterwards, her stomach may have felt much better, but her pride did not. As the crowd recessed from the church, my wife took my daughter aside to talk to her about what she was feeling.  She explained that weather it was an upset stomach, or simply nerves about performing in front of everyone, it was totally understandable and ok.

I was able to catch this vulnerable and comforting moment.