Your first recital...

Hi Max!

Your first recital was last night. Yes, you are 2 years old (and call tell me so!). It was an interesting night. Two of your parents' weaknesses came to a head last night. They combined to take away from your experience. I'm not sure if many parents would think about it, but of course, I think about everything. What most would see is a little boy (taller than anyone else in the class) who was uncomfortable, crying, and perhaps a case of stage fright from being in front of a large audience. Here's what really happened and I bet a lot of parents can relate...

We are to be at the Community Center at 6:40 p.m. Mom who enjoys a busy schedule manages to get home to order pizza to get there early at 6:00, but in the meantime has to get a Webinar e-mailed to me while I wait in the office (with high-speed Internet access) to send it out to our BOOSTers (clients). The first effort blows up because these are huge files. The video editor had tried to compress the video and it did not turn out well. I needed the original. She uses the service to send over the larger file. I waited...

Mom also had to get you dressed and ready in your nice clothes. I waited until 6:00 and at that point, it was time to go. No file and wouldn't have time to forward. I get caught in rush hour traffic and a 20-minute drive now takes 30 minutes. I get to the house at the same time as the pizza. We eat quickly and make it out of the house at 6:45 (we are five minutes late). We arrive at 7:00 - time for the event to start. I need to be more conscious of time. If we get there early, you are comfortable and relaxed and have had time to separate yourself from mom a little bit. You would have had a chance to get used to being with Finley, Brenna and the rest of your class. Instead, we rushed in, put you in front of all the people, and you blew up. It was almost embarrassing (if I got embarrassed :).

You immediately started looking for mommy and once finding her, you did what gets her attention most. You whined. Then she made a look as if, "oh, so cute, he needs me." Then it was all she wrote. You went ballistic. I picked you up but there was one and only one thing you were looking for at that point - the caressing, motherly mom. The sympathetic looks followed as mom held you.

I wonder what it might have been like. Let's say, we get there early (I vow to have you EARLY to every event from now on). I take you in and get you with the class. Mom stays behind so you don't have that "crutch". You get comfortable with your class. Mom sneaks in late to watch. You belt out Jingle Bells. The crowd applauds. You love it, ham it up, and smile. We all get cookies afterwards and you sit on Santa's lap - comfortable, smiling, and fun-loving.

Lesson learned. Be on time. Have a plan to maximize YOUR experience. Please forgive us. We are new at this parenting experience. It was our first recital. We messed up, but we'll do better. Mom will work on helping you become more independent. I will be more time-conscious and punctual. Thank you for helping us improve.

To Your Success,

Max's Dad (Michael)

The Rear-view Mirror and the Windshield...

Hi Max!

As you drive today, please realize there is a very important metaphor right in front of you. Your future is so much bigger than your past and all you need for proof is that every car is made with the windshield 100 times bigger than the rear-view mirror. You should keep your eye on the future with a few glances to the past, not the other way around. Have a great day everyone! +m2
9 hours ago · Like · Comment · Promote
Connie Deter Webb, Errol Wuertz and 9 others like this.
Peggy Pierce I like this....I am going to share it..
8 hours ago · Like ·
The Seven Levels of Communication: Go from Relationships to Referrals Share away! :) +m2
5 hours ago · Like
Kelli Reynolds Pearls of wisdom - Thank you!
5 hours ago · Like ·
Heidi Highe Absolutely AWESOME!!!! thank s;0)
2 hours ago · Like ·

Kelli Reynolds Michael - You had a post recently that was so great - I have lost it :( Can you please repost or send it to me by email here? It was about the windshield being bigger than the rear view mirror. Loved it and I can't quite quote it. Thanks for ALL you do - you keep me entertained and EDUCATED!

Max, wanted to share this great metaphor with you. It is a constant reminder that we need to be focused on the future rather than the past. Check it, learn from it, and keep it in perspective, but don't dwell on it. Focus on what's in front of you. Check your settings - your speedometer, odometer, and gas. That is your present - do you need to speed up or slow down, perhaps your engine is running hot and you need to gear down, and everyone has to stop occasionally to re-charge the battery and get re-fueled. Your windshield is your future - stay future-focused.

As the road lays out in front of you, stay awake and aware, check your GPS occasionally to make sure you are on the right road, and keep your eyes on the road - not the obstacles. Every once in a while, stop to get some help and education - don't be afraid to Windex the window and ask for directions. Daily affirmations and visualization are the Rain-X for your windshield so practice those. Of course, there will be bugs who try to stop you, but they will be smashed as long as you keep your momentum. And remember, don't drink and drive, text and drive, or phone and drive (without hands-free).

Of course, save that shotgun spot for someone special. :) Someone who will help you view the road through the windshield and help guide you. That person will support you and be able to communicate with you throughout your drive. Sometimes you'll even be able to stop and fog the windows. Life is good. :)

Love you son. You are growing so quickly!

To Your Success,

Max's Dad (Michael)

Planning Time: Doing Things Differently...

Hi Max!

Here's a story with a point that I thought you would eventually appreciate (once you're older :)

Doing Things Differently

By: Michael J. Maher

Before going to Europe on business, a man drives his Rolls-Royce to a downtown New York City bank and asks for an immediate loan of $5,000. The loan officer, taken aback, requests collateral. "Well then, here are the keys to my Rolls-Royce," the man says. The loan officer promptly has the car driven into the bank's underground parking for safe keeping and gives the man the $5,000.

Two weeks later, the man walks through the bank's doors and asks to settle up his loan and get his car back. "That will be $5,000 in principal, and $15.40 in interest," the loan officer says. The man writes out a check and starts to walk away.

"Wait, sir," the loan officer says. "You are a millionaire. Why in the world would you need to borrow $5,000?" The man smiles, "Where else could I find a safer place to park my Rolls-Royce in Manhattan for two weeks and pay only $15.40?" :)

To Your Success,

Max's Dad (Michael)

P.S. Max, just wanted you to see that there are different, creative ways to do things. I love you son! :)

Sunday is Son-Day October 3 2010...

Hi Max!

Boy, I have been delinquent in my posts. Something I have noticed is that the more I can talk to, interact with, and goof off with you, the less I post on here. I will set up a standard time to post. It may not be every week, but I need to post more often.

You are a routine-lover like your father: Some highlights are that you have a sandbox now so you can play in what you call "Max's Dirt". Every day, it is "Max's Dirt? Max's Dirt? Max's Dirt?" :) You love to play in the dirt and in the sandbox. Also, you are in the rhythm of "Cars". Every day, you watch Cars, the movie. You know all the characters - Lightning, Chick, Doc, King, Luigi, Guido, Sally, etc.

You are so smart! The teachers at La Petite comment all the time how you pick up on things so quickly. They have had you hanging out in the 2-year-old room for a couple of months. According to the teachers, you have been holding your own. You are now speaking in sentences your mom and I can understand and converse back to you. Still need to get you working better with a fork and start your potty training.

Today, we are hanging out. Guess what? You've watched Cars. You've played a little in "Max's Dirt". You've eaten lunch exactly the same time as you always do. You've taken your nap at exactly the same time. The schedule works. You are so happy when you are on schedule. Why don't adults time block? When everyone is on time, on pace, and expectations are known, things run so much smoother.

To Your Success,

Max's Dad (Michael)

P.S. I love you!

Sunday is Son-Day August 22...

Hi Max!

Let's Play Ball!

Sunday is Son-Day for August 22 was exciting for me (probably more exciting for me than you). For the first time, you were going to see ME play ball. Softball is a love of mine and I've always looked forward to the day when my kid could watch me play ball. And the Sunday league games were normally at 9 and 10 - way after your bed time. But the make up games for Sunday were at 2 and 3. Perfect - and the weather was pretty nice. Warm, but not unbearable. It was great seeing you at the ballpark. At less than 2, you probably didn't get much out of it - BUT I did hear you yell Good Job Daddy! That made me smile after hitting a double against the fence. It was like you understood - and maybe at a deep level you do. :)

Love you son and cannot wait to watch you play ball - and it will happen soon.

To Your Success,

Michael

Sunday is Son-Day August 8...

Hi Max!

I've fallen a little behind with my blog updates to you. My apologies, but it is so much better just to talk to you directly - your vocabulary is REALLY improving.

Sunday, August 8: It was a guys' shopping trip! I had a special surprise for you. It was time to get you a Big Wheel! One of MY favorite toys when I was a kid was my Big Wheel. My brother, Rob (your Uncle Rob) and I rode our Big Wheels so much that we wore holds in the front plastic tires! Loved those Big Wheels - then it was time for bikes. :) You love Cars, the movie, so much (SO MUCH!) that I was just thinking, Boy, it would be great to get you a Cars Big Wheel. I did a quick Google Search and what started out as a hopeful, positive, and optimistic search turned out to be one of frustration. I really wanted to combined these two cool things - Cars plus pedal car/Big Wheel. No pedal cars branded with Cars - anywhere on the Internet. I was thinking, seriously?! So, it was time to go. In all the searches, the Radio Flyer Big Wheel continually came up and Target was the store. So, together, we headed to Target.

We found the Big Wheels and bikes aisle. I was focused on the Radio Flyer Big Wheel. It was great. It was $34 and I had a budget of $50 so we were good there. But, I worried that it was too big. The age said 3 - 7 and it just looked too big. In the cart, you were squirming a little bit so I let you out to walk around a little bit. I'm still looking at the Radio Flyer Big Wheel and looking for a smaller one when I hear a "CARS! Racecars!"
I thought, "Oh no." I turned to see you pointing at Lightning McQueen, on a box - on a box for a pedal car! I couldn't believe it. I was so focused on the Radio Flyer that I missed the box that was PERFECT! It was a three wheel pedal-car outfitted like Lightning McQueen with the horn, the sounds, and the lights just like your push car! It was PERFECT! I was so excited and happy for you and YOU were happy.


An interesting thing did happen though... we were looking at it and I had to get you off of the box to put it in the cart and when I lifted you off the box - you started to throw a fit. You were getting ready to pout and cry. I hesitated to put the box in the cart. I didn't want to encourage you to cry, pout, and throw a fit. What if we weren't getting the pedal car? How would you have acted? I really thought about not getting it - after all the stars were aligned for us to get it. Instead, I lifted it into the cart. I was going to have you walk alongside us, but you were having none of that. You looked up at me, raised your arms, and said, "Up?" I smiled, and picked you up. I lifted you over the edge of the cart and put you in the back of the cart with the new "car" so you could push the sound-makers. You were so happy. I was so happy.

What a great Sunday! What a great Son-Day!

To Your Success,

Max's Dad (Michael)

P.S. By the way, the price? $44. Ended up just under, you guessed it... $50.00. :)

Sunday is Son-Day August 1, 2010...

Hi Max!

Did we ever have a blast on Sunday (Sunday is Son-Day!)!?! You love the water, my son. It was so fun to take you to Thomas (Tony) Soetaert Park in Shawnee. We played in the sprinklers, slid down slides, ran through bubbling fountains, and took a turn in the adult pool. We even floated around the lazy river a few times. You're a fish! I can't believe how much you loved getting into the pool. We stayed the perfect amount of time as well. We got a little sun, but not sunburned and you were getting tired by the time we took this photo.

All in all, a trip to the Aquatic Center was good for both of us and we both deserved a nap afterwards. :)

Sunday is Son-Day!

To Your Success,

Max's Dad (Michael)