You're Grounded

So you have to stay with me. Because I love you. Those are some pretty touching and hilarious words. You definitely say the darnedest things. I'm sorry that you had a little scare at my gym today, but I'm glad you overcame it eventually (I hope parents didn't judge my handling of the situation). I'm sorry it rained as well, but at least you had a jacket. Hopefully you were warm enough. Looks like today is the last day of rain for now. I'm worried still how cold your swim class will be Friday (it's not on the calendar...)

Anyhow, you did good and you ate well so far. There will be a treat waiting for you when you wake up. Mommy can help you figure out that "snack" we bought at the store today. Not sure what's for dinner, but please continue to eat well. Back to So tomorrow...

Golf Saturdays

I have to be honest, I actually shot a 79. It says 77 because that's what it should have been. Anyhow. I hope you're okay with me not going to Jiu Jitsu with you and mommy. If it makes you feel better, apparently, I'm going with you next Saturday (so I can't golf, www). And I'm going to be with you all day tomorrow :)

I hope you find something positive and productive you can turn to for enjoyment and relaxation (hopefully not something negative and detrimental like drugs). It's important to have good hobbies and good habits and good friends for that matter. It was just Uncle Peter and me, but it was still fun. It's too bad Uncle Tao can't golf anymore. I wonder if he wants to go hang out on the course. I hope they'll remain part of our lives for a long time.

And Then There's One

Just Vinh. Fin Fin and Lucas went home. You can still call and ground them if you want. I'm sorry they're not the nicest cousins. I hope you didn't pick up any habits. I'm also sorry you have to treat them differently for now. I would normally tell you it's okay to smack people who harass you, but I don't think mommy is going to be okay if you smack them.

I'm sorry Finley didn't share with you and I told you it's okay since she's leaving tonight and that you need to still share with her. In general, I don't think you should let people make you do bad things. Sharing and not smacking people are good things, but there will be times when you have to break that rule. Maybe next year I'll be okay with you smacking them. You're starting school soon and you'll need to learn to develop the skills to defend yourself and knowledge to know when. I need to stop confusing you with complex rules that differ for family and strangers. Family may not like it, but if they misbehave, they need to be smacked or disavowed. You did a good job ignoring them as much as you could. I'm proud of you for that. 

Quiet Time

Man, the house is so quiet. I guess it's like this on normal days when I'm working from home, but it feels different at night being so quiet. Sucks that I couldn't go with you to Wolf Lodge, but it also sucks that I can't really do anything cool while you're gone. So I guess it balances out. 

I cleaned the house, did the laundry, did the dishes. So just a normal night, but quiet. Don't be sad okay? Have fun with your family. I'll see you tomorrow. You're my favorite :)

Frienemies - Team Vinhley

That's your relationship with Finley. I know you try. I know you shared with her and she didn't share back with you. I know you play with her and she doesn't play with you. It's okay. At least you're doing what you're supposed to do. The real world is not the same as your home...You're going to spend the next few days with her and without Daddy. I hope you'll be okay. It's good to get some time away. Maybe you can build a deeper bond with mommy or something.

I'll be waiting here when you get back. Then Finley and Lucas and Aunty Trang will go home. It'll just be Team Boba and Ong and Ba. Life moves fast. I know you'll want to go home and see me, but I'll be here. Enjoy your time with people that won't be here for a "long time". Don't pick up any bad habits okay? 

Photos By Vinh

Haven't seen your photographs yet, but the photos of you photographing are amazing. Maybe you can be a photographer priest? You can make miracles happen and photograph them? 

I don't know how much was not captured by the photos, but it appears you had a great time today. Glad you were able to spend time with your family. Hopefully, this time away from So won't have the regression effects your "vacations" usually do. You still have to go back tomorrow, but then you get to skip So on Thursday and Friday. You'll probably be confused what day it is and where you're going now LOL. See you in a bit buddy. Guess who else is coming? Ong and Ba from Syracuse. Unfortunately, Uncle Brother Boy is not, but you'll see him in a few weeks for a little bit.
 

Manic Monday

Only half a day with the Howards and man, what a day...I'm sorry that they didn't want to play with you at some points, but that's okay. I don't think mommy should have forced them too. They don't know how cool you are and that you don't want to play with them either. I do hope you guys figure it out though. They're only here for a week. Time goes by face.

By the way, Finley beat you at Tic-Tac-Toe. I don't think you understand that you need 3 Xs or Os in a row. She got 3 O's... Remember, it's okay not to be the winner. You can't win everything. You can't get everything when you want it. Patience and losing gracefully are going to be good life skills and good for your emotional intelligence.