MSM & Parenthood

Last weekend I (along with 5 other leaders) took a group of MSM 8th graders to San Luis Obispo for their 8th grade trip. Middle schoolers are a special group and considering some of them occasionally read my blog I will leave it at that. Anyway, a highlight of the trip was probably the time when all of the guys were in an arts and crafts store trying on authentic medieval armor. I knew it wasn't a great idea to let the students try on the items (conveniently priced between $80-150 each) but my lesser instincts (kindness) prevailed and I caved. We took pictures, laughed, and pillaged and then I decided we should put the armor back before we break something. Student 1 (not the sharpest sword) bends over to take off his helmet and bumps in to the display stand behind him. If it was only one stand it wouldn't have been that bad. However, much like in dominoes, there were about 8 stands perfectly in line, each holding a ten pound metal helmet and like humpty dumpty each helmet came tumbling down. I could go on and on with the humpty dumpty parallels but I will refrain. Needless to say it was hilarious/humiliating. That was at the end of the trip. The trip was a lot of fun and taught me a lot about how I want to raise Tate, both for better and for worse. One final moment of enlightenment...Before leaving the church to head down to SLO, as usual, several parents hung around to see us off. This used to stress me out a bit. However, while they were waiting, carefully watching us load the vehicles and make final preparations, I had a strange epiphany. When Tate is in Middle School you better believe I will watch with the careful eye of a bomb technician as the zit-faced, college aged and young adult leaders prepare to haul my child, my beloved Tate, hundreds of miles from home. Not only that, I'll probably tag along to ensure his safety. I will now welcome whatever parents want to stick around and scrutinize the process of departure because I am empathetic to their cause. Crap...I'm becoming my father.

The group atop Madonna Mountain.

Here's the second episode on the MSM interview show, Getting to Know You.

Cuzo + T - D/Madonna (not the singer)/Baby Belly

On Friday, Joshua and Christopher (the self-acclaimed "Cuzo) and Tyler Moxley (+T) had a birthday hoedown out at the ranch. It was festive. wally Moxley cooked up some of his famous tri-tip, the Cuzo boiled crawdads and I went and played some softball to preserve my sanity. Sadly we lost our game 17-2 (in 5 innings). We played some Wii and hung out. It was grand. The next morning Mel and I headed for the luxurious, eclectic, and just-plain-freaky, Madonna Inn, in San Luis. To say that this place was gaudy would be a drastic understatement. We stayed in the "Chestnut Foal" room (each room has a specific theme and decor). Each wall was adorned with some sort of freaky equestrian homage on top of a bright lime green palette. Sleeping was difficult. In all actuality, the place was a lot of fun and is a must see for all grandparents. We hung out in Pismo and downtown San Luis for a while. It was a fun little road trip. The Melly Belly has grown considerably as of late. The baby is due in less than 9 weeks, and try as they may, no one has guessed the name. Last night we went to dinner at the Conde house. Amy and Mandie cooked and it was quite magnifico (don't know why I said that). We chatted with video-chatted with Pati online, which was equal parts fun and nerdy. Tonight my coed softball team has a game at 7:45 at the sports park in Pleasanton for the VBC coed league. We are undefeated. In fact, we may even be able to beat my Friday night men's team. Be there!

My parent's puppy, Bella.