Category Archives: Family

I took my three eldest children to a high school basketball game this evening. One of the teams was coached by a childhood friend of mine. The last time we visited this school, my father fell and broke the fall … Continue reading →

My favorite time of day is pre-dawn. I’m the first one in the family to rise in the morning, so this is my time of solitude — when I can do what I want without anyone interrupting me. After an … Continue reading →

Our twins were born yesterday. Since I was at the hospital until late last night, the three elder children stayed the night at my parents’ house. When they woke up this morning, they got the news that they now have … Continue reading →

Our two-year-old son calls himself “Ham” — we’re not sure why — so my wife teased him today and called him Ham Sandwich. He laughed, thought for a second, and then made up a nickname for her: Salami Mommy.

My late grandfather owned a restaurant for much of his life. After he retired, he was amused (or annoyed, I’m not sure which) by the whole concept of eating outside on one’s patio. To him, you ate inside and performed … Continue reading →

First day of school today. First, we took our eldest to her second-grade classroom, where she gushed over the fact that she now, for the first time, has her own desk. Then, in the afternoon, we took our 5-year-old to … Continue reading →

On a hot summer day when I was a kid, my grandmother would peel cucumbers (for dinner) and stick the peel on our foreheads. It actually did feel quite cool! But I bet we were the stupidest looking family in … Continue reading →

I caught my five-year-old daughter emptying a watering can on the cat. When I scolded her, and asked her why she would do such a cruel thing, she started crying and said, “I don’t know why I did it. My … Continue reading →

Our six-year-old daughter was chasing the four-year-old in the house this morning. The younger daughter screamed with either excitement or fear, leading to the following conversation: Eldest daughter: “Are you having fun?” Youngest daughter: “I’m having bad fun.”

My daughters often ask difficult questions. From my six-year-old: “What came before God?” Our answer: Nothing. We think. Maybe you should ask Father Michael (our priest). He has a close personal relationship with God, and maybe this is something they’ve … Continue reading →