Hey guys.
So, this A to Z Challenge really kicked my butt. It happened in the home stretch of soccer season. It fell during a time we stressed over Elise’s college status (she got in!) and lots of work workload. Spring’s a time of renewal, too. Although it’s mostly pollen.
If my guest post list were a troubling of goldfish, they’d mostly be belly up.
As readers might remember, when I have a guest-post Wednesday without any guest posts, I turn to my phone. I pick 11 random pics and share them here. Let me know what you think. I promise to have something from an awesome guest next week.
Probably.
I love to take my girls to work with me. The three joined me at Red Ventures on a Saturday, watching sports, playing pool, bowling, etc. This is Grace looking something up online. To her, it was all that, and a bag of chips. (Really. Look by her hand.)
It’s not advisable to take a photo on your smartphone while your Pontiac screams along at 70 mph. It was a beautiful morning after a dark night, and the light seemed custom-made for me. To capture it would be the least I could do.
Standard grub at your regular-season Carolina Panthers game. Sometimes, the main course is a roast beast, so you load up on, clockwise from top left, a Krispy Kreme, some garlic bread, pasta with veggies, and salad with ranch dressing.
Before Madison fell in love with Warren Wilson College, we visited Nova Southeastern. We raced against a major storm on the way south that would devastate Columbia, S.C., with flooding. On Day One, it was just a rainy day and Chick-fil-A.
From the same trip to Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. By this time, we’d talked about how Nova Southeastern wasn’t a fit. We were about to leave and visit Stetson University. But first, a morning walk on Pompano Beach.
Oh, food. This is Camdyn, worshiping at the shrine of pizza. I can’t remember the name of the place, but the pie was good. Grace requested meatball pizza, because she’d never had it. We managed our Friday pizza tradition on the road for a soccer tournament.
Second-place medals aren’t Camdyn’s favorite, but I’m awfully proud when she plays, medal or not. We stopped off after that tournament final (she’s still in uniform) at Harris-Teeter. Never too old to ride a dragon, apparently.
Camdyn and her friend after a showing of Knight at Dawn, a theatrical take on the Magic Treehouse book of the same name. After a performance, I love to bring my girls flowers – even ugly ones.
I got tickets from work to visit Carowinds theme park. Camdyn had never been. She boarded this monstrosity, called The Intimidator. It’s visible on I-77 – 5 miles away. As the ride began, Madison turned to Camdyn. “This is your first rollercoaster, isn’t it?”
Yep. That’s Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers. My girls love the guy. He’s a fantasy keeper, of course. On this day, though, he fielded questions about why he tossed a Microsoft Surface after reviewing a late-game mishap.
Finally – Hayden! I chose these photos at random but held out for this last one to be of her. She, Camdyn and I totally got skunked at Frank Liske Park that day. But we did wind up with a big package of off-brand Oreos. Life was good.
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Just a dad ... 
I kinda like the pictures better. Does that make me wrong? What kind of Pontiac do you have? Obviously, I haven’t paid attention.
Duly noted on the pics. I think they’re an okay alternative sometimes, but I’d rather feature someone else’s writing.
It’s a 2003 Grand-Am. Looks like a stormtrooper when clean, a tusken raider when not.
Her name’s Gabby.
Lovelovelove this one.
thankthankthank you, Nikki.
I always love getting a peak into your world like this!
There’s lots of food inside, isn’t there? And soccer.
pretty sweet, coach.
Thanks, Rachel. I can’t complain.
Love these! Makes your readers see you are a real person with a real life…
Thanks Angela. It’s pretty real, and sometimes, there’s even salad.
Football, food, and your girls – perfect combination of photos from Eli’s phone. I’d expect nothing less!
Enjoy the whirlwind of the end of senior year – it’s a crazy ride, isn’t it?
That’s all that’s on there, Dana. No Renoirs or shots of the Bay Bridge. The moment you buy the cap and gown the rest flies by, prom, exams, college letters, senior week, final games in school colors, state playoffs, dreams realized and dashed, hope and renewal, the future ahead. It’s exhausting and even more beautiful.
Love that last quote, Eli and looks like you did totally enjoy and concentrate on the important things. Oh and Grace’s face with that pizza was the best!! 🙂
They’re always in focus, Janine. I thought she’d actually lick the pizza. I don’t know where she learned that.
Love the quote at the end – that pretty much sums it up, doesn’t it?
Absolutely, Lisa – what perfect therapy, a line in the water and hours ’til lunch.
Congrats to Elise! That’s fantastic, and your girls are just gorgeous and bursting with personality.
I am so with you on post A-to-Z burnout, I’ve gotten so behind on my blog visits. It’s tiring!
Thanks so much I.L.! Glad you enjoyed the glimpse into life with these girls. Maybe our employers should give us April off to do this challenge properly.
Great sneak peek into Coach Daddy’s life. I love all 5he shot but it looks like Grace loves her pizza as much as her father!
Thanks brother. She’s a chip off the old (cheese) block.
LOL food and soccer…what’s not to love 🙂 I love Krispy Kremes!! Had one the other day for the first time in ten years (I kid you not). I might even have another one today 😮
It’s all I need, Lyn. I limit myself to one Krispy Kreme on game day – who am I kidding? They’re gone in an instant, so I’m lucky to get one.
One of my favourite posts!!! Just so much goodness here. So much life and joy captured – these small and big moments. Big Life Coach!!