Sunday, January 31, 2016

Happy Birthday, Renaissance Dad: A Roundup of the Last Two Years

Renaissance Dad just turned two. It has been a wonderful two years of watching my kids grow, learning new skills, gardening, building, cooking, and writing. I so appreciate all of the people who have supported Renaissance Dad by reading and sharing. Here's a look back at the last two years with the first paragraph from some highlighted posts, along with links to continue reading them.


Most Read Article: 

Seven Things Every Teacher Wants Every Parent To Know - September 7, 2015

"This school year marks my 14th year in education. I have been a teacher, a curriculum writer, a coach, an Athletic Director, an Assistant Principal, a Principal, a Director, a Head of School. Basically, if it needs to be done in a school, I have done it. Yes, I have even filled in as a crossing guard and a janitor from time to time. Every year, as the school year starts off, I feel like one of my biggest jobs is to bridge the gap between school and home. When two groups of people as passionate about their jobs as teachers and parents are come together, it can feel like clash of the Titans. That's why I decided to share my list of Seven Things that Every Teacher Wants Every Parent to Know." (read the rest of the article here).

Most Commented On Article:

 Goodbye to an Old Friend - March 24, 2014

"I had to say goodbye to an old friend yesterday. It was really sad. I have known this friend for 14 years. We met at my birthday party in 2000, and since then, we have spent almost every major holiday together. We typically got together 3 times per week. Whenever people came to the house, this friend was there, and was almost always the center of the party. I will miss this friend. I actually wept when I had to say goodbye, and as I write this now I am getting somewhat choked up. This friend was my Weber Performer grill. And no, I'm not joking about getting choked up." (read the rest of the article here).

Most Underappreciated Article: 

 Grilled Dark Chocolate Raspberry Burritos - October 8, 2014

"Okay, I know that in my last post I promised a two part post about new tools, but this one is too good to pass up. I also know that a lot of my posts make "life changing" claims, from Limoncello to fall beverages, from Italian Feast to Lemon Pound Cake. But this, my friends, just may top them all. It is simple, takes merely four ingredients and a few minutes to make, and will cause your wife to want to get lovey-dovey no matter what kind of day she's had. Here is one of the simplest, most amazing desserts you will ever, and I mean EVER, make." (read the rest of the article here).

My Wife's Favorite Article: 

A Teacher's Reflections on Autism - April 22, 2015

"April is Autism Awareness month. I was asked to guest blog on my experiences as an educator. I chose to write about my experiences with a student who became such a delight to have in class, on the stage, and as a runner." (read the rest of the article here).

Thank you, dear reader, for making it so much fun to write over the past two years. Here's to many more years of building, gardening, cooking, and raising kids in hopes of not screwing them up too much!




Monday, January 25, 2016

Bruised Knees, Broken Wheels, and Perseverance: A Journey Toward Riding a Two Wheeler


Two years ago my mother-in-law bought my then five-year-old a two wheel bike. Big E hadn't learned to ride a two wheel bike yet, so I took this as the perfect opportunity to get her going. I envisioned taking her to the park, starting her in the short grass, having her ride up and down the field while daddy jogged alongside of her - basically I would have her riding a bike in ten minutes, maybe fifteen tops.

HA!

Two skinned knees, torn leggings, and a few tears later, I was carrying the blasted two wheel bike and my daughter home. Once I stopped crying, we tried again the next day. And the next day, and the next day. We were not progressing, so I talked with a friend of mine who worked in a bike shop for years, and he said that kids are ready for two wheels at different times. I figured that maybe Big E wasn't quite ready for two wheels, but this bike didn't have any training wheels. I jumped on Amazon and found some inexpensive, somewhat well rated, aftermarket training wheels.

So the new plan was to put the training wheels on, leaving them slightly off the ground, to help Big E with her balance. She would get the hang of balancing on two wheels and only use the training wheels on tight corners. She would be on two wheels in two weeks. Three weeks tops.

Look at those bends...
HA!

She rode the tar out of those wheels. They got so bent up that her bike would turn on its own because of the angle of the training wheels. I was so frustrated with the wheels, their cheapness, their poor quality. I was ready to blast them with a review on Amazon. And then I realized something.

The poor quality caused the wheels to bend. The bend caused the bike to pull and slow down. This caused Big E to try to avoid the pulling and slowing down, which caused her to balance, which caused her to learn to ride a bike on her own.

So last November, we decided to take the training wheels off. Big E and I went to the park, and with zero help from Daddy, she started riding laps around the park. No running, no skinned knees, no training wheels. Nothing but huge smiles from Daddy and daughter. And yes, daddy did shed a small tear that day, because I realized that my little girl is growing up. A two wheel bike means independence. But that independence was earned with the perseverance that Big E showed in her refusal to let cheap training wheels slow her down.

Independence earned with perseverance. That's a life lesson that I can definitely hold onto.

Sunday, January 3, 2016

Happy New Year

Happy New Year from Renaissance Dad!

As I plan for the new year, I want to know what types of blog posts you would like to see this year. More recipes? More house projects? Do you have any projects that you're planning for the year?

You can comment below, comment on the Renaissance Dad Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/Renaissance-Dad-528669940607245/), or send me a message on Facebook and let me know what this year entails for you.

May 2016 be a year full of tools, dirt, and fun!