18. Treat others with respect.

Treat others . . .

with the same love and respect you deserve. Manners and patience will take you places.

This week I watched as it was your turn to "teach your class." 

You are such a natural. You stood up before the class, timeline cards in hand. You showed the class each card and had them repeat after you - just like your teacher has done in the weeks before. 

I was so proud of you. 

Always remember that being in charge means that you are held to higher standards. 

You teach people how to treat you - treat others with respect, and they will respect you.

17. Follow your heart.

Follow your heart.

Remember kid, there's heroes and there's legends. Heroes get remembered but legends never die, follow your heart kid, and you'll never go wrong."The Babe" - The Sandlot

Your favorite movie is The Sandlot.

We've seen it at least 25 times. 

Even I have memorized your favorite lines.

"Man, this is baseball. You gotta stop thinking. Just have fun. "

"The Great Bambino"

and your favorite "You're killing me Smalls" - you say it everytime you get frustrated with one of us.

And we all laugh.

For now, your heart is all baseball. Baseball in the morning. Baseball in the afternoon. Baseball until it is too dark to see the baseball.

16.Date your daddy. Forever.

Date your Daddy

She spins and she sways
To whatever song plays
Without a care in the world
And I'm sitting here wearing
The weight of the world on my shoulders

It's been a long day
And there's still work to do
She's pulling at me
Saying "Dad, I need you

There's a ball at the castle
And I've been invited
And I need to practice my dancing
Oh, please, Daddy, please?"

So I will dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Oh, I will dance with Cinderella
I don't want to miss even one song
'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone...

15. Be joyful in everything you do.

Be joyful

You don't raise heroes, you raise sons.  And if you treat them like sons, they'll turn out to be heroes, even if it's just in your own eyes.  ~Walter M. Schirra, Sr.

When I look at this picture, it makes me smile.

Just like every picture of you does.

You are always smiling! 

What a joy it is to be around you - you are a blessing to all you encounter.

14. Pamper Yourself. You deserve it.

 

 

 

Pamper Yourself

For Christmas this year, you got a big box of bath supplies - facial masks, bubble bath, Calgon (take me a away), foot scrub...........no more character bubble bath, just a big bottle of relaxing ocean scent bubbles for you.

Sweet Daddy thought I was crazy.

But I know you.

You love to pamper yourself.

You loved every single item in your bath kit - in fact, you used it for the first time within hours of opening it! 

You linger in a long bath until your fingers look like raisins. Until the water is no long hot and cozy. Until I insist you get out.

And I love every minute of watching you - pure joy. The simple things.