Busy Minds Lie Sideways And Often » Cali

Been so long – grown so much

Lucas — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 15:18:34 +0000

There is no excuse for having let this blog go for so long. Apologies are futile and there is not reason. The only thing I can offer is an apology to my readers and a vested interest to regain the belief that my updates will be more regular.

I am done apologizing. Life does occur faster then it can be recorded.

My girls are now 7 and 4 years old. I look at them now and realize that they can both comprehend much more of the world and how it treats others and the impact of their own actions. They have witnessed one of the most remarkable moments in history, they were old enough to realize the impact of the event when the first black political candidate was voted in to the United States of America as president, Barack Obama.

They have now both experienced in school the power of will, the threat of bullying, the power in numbers, the courage of individuality and the comfort in friends. As parents that is all you ask. You ask for your kids to experience everything, both good and bad. Even when the bad moments hurt and you hurt for them it is better to be there so you can explain it to them and make them feel like the whole world is not against them but just a moment in a long life of moments.

My wife and I have given them every perspective of the purpose of things and why things are done the way they are. I hope for both of them that they learn from it but also challenge the way things are.

I hope that they push the envelope and dont accept the status quo and forge their own path and make a new path for other like minds to follow

They are both stunningly beautiful, witty, intelligent, polite and loving. They are one of the reasons I woke up and one of the biggest reasons why I have valued the statement –

A promise is a promise

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Munx is a seven year old girl

Lucas — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 04:03:22 +0000

Cali turned 7 and I tried everything in my power to not let that happen. I tried to persuade her to postpone it. I asked if we could double up next year. I pleaded that she stop growing at least. None of which came with a yes – It was No No No.

Dang! Minus my efforts to keep her 6 another year she had a great birthday. She had 10 friends over for a salon party that got their hair “DID” and nailes and a collection of girly things – Mom organized the event with a lof of help from Nanny and Nana. It was cute to see but it hurt to hear.

Being in a contained area with 10 females under the age of 10 is deafening.

Cali had a lot of smiles on her birthday weekend and she loved the gifts we got her. Two gifts that stood out above all the rest was the mp3 player we got her and the the Jonas brothers meet and greet tickets that Uncle David got for her. I think her head did literally pop off.

Munx, when you smile at me I remember every second of your birth. Every birthday you have gauges to me how simply amazing the human life cycle really is but most of all –

Every birtday shows me how much of a little lady you are becoming – I am very proud of you.

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The signs of boredom at school

Lucas — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 03:35:21 +0000

Every day at dinner we ask our children what they learned that day.Today, was no different then any other and the ritual commenced. Most days we learn about a new form of mathematics one of them had learned or a craft that was made but today at the dinner table my 6 year old daughter explained to me what she had leaned…It almost made me pee myself.

This is when you know when your child is not challenged scholastically.

Mom, Dad…I learned how to sleep with my eyes open today.

The best part about this statement was Cali’s facial expression – One that was beaming of pride and fascination that she could do such a thing.

Its the end of the year and I imagine it is time to rest the brain until the fall. Regardless of why it happened – its what had happened that made me smile.

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Santa is one of this worlds last magical figures

Lucas — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 04:10:58 +0000

I am an adult that believes that you should embrace all the good things that different beliefs have to offer. It may be in the form of religion, passion, atistic freedom or childhood naivety. No matter what the form or the origin of the belief, to see good things happen to people of that belief and what it causes to those around them warms my heart. I was the proud father of two girls today. I was more proud then I have been in a very long time and for no other reason then because my girls were smiling. They were smiling from ear to ear.

I looked into their eyes this morning and saw the best I will ever see in our species. The best in children is the acceptance of the unexplainable.

What can ever stop your heart more then seeing a child ecstatic at the fact that the nicest of men hsa visited and bestowed gifts for no reason other then they had acted as good children should and are rewarded accordingly.

Munx and Fudz bounced all the way downstairs and vibrated through mounds of chocolate and gifts and wrapping paper to a place in the heart of young ones that resonates and adults adoration to cause them to realize….

Christmas with your own child is hands down one of the gifts that will never take away from you but only build you to a stronger and more appreciative place.

Thank you Cali and Macy for allowing me to be part of your experience. Jen made the day fantastic is a million ways I can never enunciate properly. As the butterfly I know her to be she was beautiful in ever yaspect and I thank her for giving me the two most precious reminders of purpose a man can ever be given.

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Chicken Pox Part II – Cali gets demo’d

Lucas — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 01:24:52 +0000

Cali started showing spots and instantly the itch started. Cali did not suffer from any fever and seemed relatively in tune with everything that was happening. What she did suffer from was an extreme blast of the POX – she got at least double maybe even triple the amount that her sister Macy had received.

Cali has always been a tough cookie who never gets sick. When she does get sick though, nobody feels it more than Cali. She is a bit dramatic on the best of days and this was no different….actually, probably the worse. Cali moaned for three days and in her head felt the itch before it was possible.

She finally got some sleep and normal Cali returned.

Jen and I felt really bad for her because she got them in the worst places. She had chicken pox in her mouth in her ears and a bunch on her head. She did get really itchy and it made her very unpleasant and agitated. Through it all she was able to crack a smile or two and loved it when she was offered to go spend 5 days with Nana and Papa until the end of the week.

Having Cali away from us was very weird. When a parent has a child away from them there is an odd sense of longing that you can not describe in normal words to another. You feel incomplete until it is returned to normal order. I love her and even though I was short with her because she is a bit of a whiner….It broke my heart to see her in pain

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Thanksgiving Interview with the Clements sisters

Lucas — Sun, 07 Oct 2007 21:49:25 +0000

This is a collection of questions that were asked to both Cali and Macy on Thanksgiving Sunday. Some moments or sayings are missed because they are not recorded when they occur. That is initially all my fault. I try but alas, not all days are successful. So here are the questions posed to Cali who is 6 years old and Macy who is 3 years old.

Cali’s Interview

Question: What do you want to be when you grow up?
Answer: A Veterinarian
Question: What is your favourite thing to do?
Answer: Play with my Bratz (dolls)
Question: What is your favourite colour?
Answer: Black
Question: How would you describe your younger sister?
Answer: Most of the time she bugs me. Sometimes she is too close and sometimes tends to bite (interviewer: FALSE STATEMENT). She is crazy and she makes up words.
Question: How can you tell a person is a true friend?
Answer: They help you do stuff and are there for you when you are sad. They also teach you stuff you did not know
Question: If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?
Answer: Hollywood, California – U.S.A
Question: In one word how would you describe your Mom?
Answer: Protective
Question: In one word how would you describe your Dad?
Answer: Nice (interviewer: FALSE STATEMENT – I am the one interviewing – true answer will follow)
Question: What is love?
Answer: Love is when people keep you safe.
Question: What is the best thing about being a kid?
Answer: You get to learn how to do about a whole bunch of stuff and you get to lose your teeth.
Question: What is your happiest memory?
Answer: When Dad was teaching me to ride my skaeboard – (interviewer: Unsure STATEMENT – questionable – this is a recent memory)

Macy’s Interview

Question: What do you want to be when you grow up?
Answer: A bug
Question: What is your favourite thing to do?
Answer: Make puzzles
Question: What is your favourite colour?
Answer: Blue
Question: How would you describe your older sister?
Answer: Sometimes she hits me an she is nice and my best sister ever
Question: How can you tell a person is a true friend?
Answer: When they give me hugs and kisses
Question: If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?
Answer: Binbrook
Question: In one word how would you describe your Mom?
Answer: Good Hugger
Question: In one word how would you describe your Dad?
Answer: Funny
Question: What is love?
Answer: Huggies and Kisses and butterflies
Question: What is the best thing about being a kid?
Answer: Like having baths
Question: What is your happiest memory?
Answer: No Memory – she is Bubba the bulldog reincarnated

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Dad to a skate betty – How cool is that?

Lucas — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 02:38:30 +0000

Cali is always up for trying new things, some more successful then others but a desire to learn all the same. Today was no different. Ever since she was three she would see me every once in a while take out the board and cruise around. There is something beautiful about coasting on a skateboard that unless you have done it, you will never really understand. She has always shown great interest in riding so today we had our first lesson. Helmet pads and all.

I told her to put on the helmet and the pads but in the back of my head I was like, dude – your not going to make her wear that are you? – You would have never worn that stuff.

I did make her wear it but more because she has a balance issue. She doesn’t have much.

After a few quick tips on the driveway she was PUSH, PUSH – GLIDE!. I was so proud of her and I let her know it. I love that I could be there for that moment.

I will remember that smile for years to come because it was a moment that her and I shared and I cherish every single one that Munx and I share. I hope she wants to ride all the time.

If I could influence Cali into the world of skate culture and all its positives I could sleep well at night.

No other pastime has had that much of an impact on my life as skateboarding. If Cali catches that feeling of freedom and absence of structure that skateboarding offers then I know she will stick with it.

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First Day of School

Lucas — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 04:00:25 +0000

Tomorrow is going to be the day I send my baby girl into the system…The school system. She is starting grade 1. I am so excited for her as I remember how much I loved school. She has every school supply packed her outfit is packed and beaming. I love it when she beams that level of happiness that makes her cheeks red. She is going to ride the school bus and i am going to watch my baby go.

It is a very surreal feeling to trust another with your child. I dont so that is why this is a bit of a killer concept – I know and understand it – just dont like it.

I hope she loves every second

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Little Steps To Toilet Training

Lucas — Mon, 09 Jul 2007 05:29:01 +0000

Toilet training has to be one of the most talked about steps in raising a child. Our first daughter, Cali was so easy to train that we did not understand what all the fuss was about. She had no problem learning and was eager to never be sitting in a wet diaper or underwear.

Our second daughter, Macy has made us rethink the ease of toliet training. Macy has been in one form or another slowly training for a couple of months with no real success. She either has no interest or is oblivious to the warning signs of an oncoming accident.

Straight to Underwear…Caused a Break In The Cycle.

Today we put her in underwear and carefully monitored her, we must have placed her on the toilet every 20 – 40 minutes. She went almost every time and was so proud. We tell her each time how proud we are of her and she beams with self assurance.

On one such occasion, after she went she looked up at me and said;

Daddy Happy?…Now Do The Pee-Pee Dance.

I laughed and did the semi-spazmatic version of the running man / junk shakin’ holler and she giggled.

I think we are definetely on to something, minus the Pee-Pee dance, I hope it sticks.

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Exposing Children to Vast Amounts of Music

Lucas — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 02:13:50 +0000

Every parent knows that as soon as their child was born, even before – in utero, had a disposition to certain types of music. Some professionals believe classical music enhances brain activity, others believe the natural rhythm of reggae and soul touches the unborn in ways that we are only starting to understand.

As a parent of two, it was obvious from the start that my two children had very different tastes in music. Both my wife and I have always had music playing. It varies from Ben Harper and Eryka Badu to The Beastie Boys and Death Cab For Cutie. Everything in between has been at some point played to them or around them. Their responses have been totally different depending on what style or artist is coming through the speakers.

Music touches all people both old, young, big and small. From birth and every day going forward, expose your children to all different types of music. It is a resource to them as it is to us, to dream and to live vicariously through lyrics and beats. If nothing else

never force your musical opinion on to them. Let them make their own decisions.

They do it anyway and it is a great bonding tool. I speak from experience.

My eldest daughter Cali, who is six, share similar interests in some bands and we sing in the car as if no one is watching and she belts it out and knows all the words. She will ask me what a lyric means when she does not know and we discuss what she thinks the song is about. I have loved music since before I can remember and I believe that it is a vital part of living.

By watching both my girls shake it down to a track or belt it out makes my heart stop and I dont ever want that to change.

Love your kids and let music take them where you can not.

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