The Adventures of Captain Imperfecto

You are here: Home » Hook, Line and Sinker Christopher (left) and Nico getting ready for the first day of school. Nico in 1st grade, Christopher in Kindergarten August 17, 2015 I was sitting in the doctor's office waiting room for my son to be called into the backroom for therapy. He's okay; it's only a speech delay. He sees a therapist weekly to help him with his word enunciation. When parents embrace situations like this, they allow their kids to defeat any development that could hinder their potential. After it's all said and done, I wouldn't be surprised if he became the next Bob Costas or Al Michaels. (Amazing broadcasters) I tell myself, "Self, it's okay; all kids develop differently." That thinking is for my assurance, not your reassurance. For any parent, being told about anything that could affect your kid's life and/or health, no matter how small, has a rippling effect on one's ability to cope with it head-on, no matter how ...

You are here: Home » Searching for Willy Wonka Nico and Christopher (right) enjoying ice cream in the Magic Kingdom in Fantasyland August 6, 2015 The shrieks and shrills from Nico and Christopher could be heard all the way to aisle 19. We had just turned on aisle two, the cereal aisle  only  17 aisles away. Who would have thought such joy could be found at a grocery store? "Dad, Captain Crunch? Fruit Loops, Coco Pebbles, oh my, wow!" My boys shouted as they piled the boxes in the grocery cart as if they found gold up in the hills of some California cave. "No. Put it all back." Ever since they first went for "a ride" to the grocery store, the boys have seen all the treats and snacks stacked along the shelving. They wanted to indulge in anything that looked good to eat. My kids must think that each trip to the grocery store was a visit to Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory. Of course, they didn't pay any attention to the price tag on the lit...

You are here: Home » Baseball and Ice Cream Nico and Christopher getting ready for baseball. July 22, 2015 Sending my sons to practice their first-ever attempt at baseball was easy at first. They first discovered baseball when they saw other kids playing on a baseball field nearby. "Hey, Dad, we want to do that!" Are you sure, guys, you want to play baseball? When we sign up for it and buy equipment, it will cost about $240.00. "What is money, dad? Money is what I just paid to purchase that ice cream. That money will now go to sliding pants and a groin cup, and less money will go to ice cream. "Is there ice cream in this groin cup?" Nope "Can I have a groin cone instead of a groin cup?" A groin cup protects your "privates," guys. If I stick a cone down your pants, there will be a lot of explaining as to what the hell is going on. We will stick with the groin cup, less the ice cream. "Hey, dad,"  the coach said,  "w...

You are here: Home » Happy New Year! Birthday Accountability Nico (rear) and Christopher (front) Checking out a train before dinner outside the restaurant.  July 13, 2015 I just had a birthday. "Yay, happy birthday to me," thank you for your happy birthday wishes. Your thoughts are implied. It's New Year's Eve in July! So, another year in the books, and a new chapter begins as my (blah, blah) year-old begins. How will my life in the next "fiscal year" be written? Will I finish out a whole 365 days and see another birthday? What characters will I develop and add to my life along the way? I am writing my life by living without a computer, pen, or paper as my new year unfolds. Most people reset their lives at midnight on New Year's Eve. Many make New Year's resolutions for which they will never hold themselves accountable. I begin my fresh start in life on my birthday. As this year starts, the word that always seems to fit the mood is accoun...

You are here: Home » Common Sense Nico, Daddy and Christopher enjoying a summer/spring day June 25, 2015 I’m in the prime of my life. I’m supposed to be smarter and wiser and improve with age. What do they say, “aging like fine wine”? Sure, I’m still stuck in the ways that I have grown accustomed to when I was a child. My parents instilled my values like I would hard wire a stereo system in my car as a child. Those values morphed into my beliefs, which I learned from trial and error and common sense. Common sense is really all one needs, though, isn’t it? I mean, we don’t rob banks. That’s common sense because we should know that robbing a bank will lead to jail, and jail, from what we see in the movies, is a horrible place. I should realize eating this donut is terrible for me. For crying out loud, it’s dough made in a bowl of flour, fried in oil, and sprinkled or stuffed with artificial sweets. Common sense tells me to avoid it, but the other common sense tells me not ...

You are here: Home » Fun in a Box                                     Christopher doing his best to squeeze in to one of the many pool boxes. June 10, 2015 All good things come in a box. I guess, except for a car. A new car would be great. But who places a brand-new car in a box? Many pleasures can come in a box. Condoms, for instance. An ice cream cake and desserts in general. Holidays come in a box. Pick a major holiday and think of all the fun you've had out of a box. Food! Except for the box, it's all edible and delicious Chinese food, pizza, and cookies. And Cats, who don't feel all warm inside when their cat curls up in a shoe box! You get the hint that I'm big on everything in a box, except a wooden box, made for your burial, if you elected to meet a gunslinger in the middle of the street in the old American West. I can think of so many other things, but who would have thought...

You are here: Home » Parenting Skills May 19, 2015 I sat my defiant son in the office writer's chair I sit in to write my blog and the thousands of words for a memoir. He had his little arms folded across his body. His eyes slanted to the left, and he let out a loud, "Humph!" Nico is now seven, the sweetest, kindest, and most considerate child, but when did this attitude happen? I really need to hone my parenting skills to curb this attitude. But is this unavoidable? His personality is developing. But this was going to be a moment that I would test myself as I searched for the right words to say to instill confidence and power as a part of his developing self rather than tear him down. I love both my sons' age now because at the ages of 5 and 7, both my kids want to be just like me. So I have both of their attention. This is when I can build Christopher, especially Nico's, positive attitude. Eventually, Nico and Christopher will hit puberty and won't ...