Christmas Time is Here...and Gone

We had what everyone should have for Christmas: family and friends, peace and love, beer and coffee. It was a fantastic time, the giving was absurd and the accepting was delightful. What a great time!

Santa came and brought presents. He drank our milk, ate our cookies and kissed our kid. Then he was off again. Let's face it, the man is pressed for time.

Atticus was actually afraid of Santa, which is odd, seeing as how the guy came bearing gifts. You can see in our initial visit how unsure he was, and then with the home visit he just hid. I really think he was uncomfortable with the thought that Santa entered our house while we were asleep and drank our milk. He finally came around once the gifts were handed out.

Dog Days

Atticus and our dogs have developed a real strong bond over these past two years. He rides them, chases them, uses them as pillows, and in return they chase him, lick him and protect him from things and people unknown.
Atticus is very concerned today because Harley, the older dog, does not appear to be feeling well. It seems like the cold weather or something unknown is causing her pain when she moves.
Atticus is not riding her today, nor is he giving chase. He is giving Harley hugs and kisses and checking on her constantly. He tells me she needs a band-aid for her boo-boo. I tell him she just needs love and he nods and hugs her again.
Harley is 13 years old, but she is still spunky and playful. However, I've never seen her act like she is and it scares me.
She is sleeping now by my feet and she is comforted with the best band-aid we have, hugs and kisses from a little boy that loves her.

Boy Decorates Tree

I had to lift him up to put the topper on. It was a little iffy, since the topper and the boy, not to mention me, are breakable.

She's a sassy little thing.

W.W.A.D?

Atticus is no longer accepting gifts this holiday season. Our tree will no longer provide ample coverage or protection to any more parcels regardless of size or content. As it is the rest of us are lucky to have staked out a piece of floor about a block from present pile adjacent #9B. We are still accepting gifts.

It's not that Atticus isn't deserving. He's about as good a boy as I could ever have hoped for. He is on the top of many lists for a reason. However, enough is enough. At this rate he will still be opening and playing with gifts come next Christmas. If you would really like to do something that Atticus will appreciate, then donate a toy to one of the numerous drives in your area. He loves to buy things for other kids. He's a giver that boy. Remember that this is the kid that said he had enough candy about an hour into our trick-or-treat excursion.

There are plenty of places to donate toys, coats and food for children this holiday season. There are even places to donate pet toys and food for hungry and cold animals. Don't you think that's a better use of your $4 than another latte? Plus, there aren't any shipping fees.

Atticus would do it.

Getting Better

We're all doing better over here. Thanks for all the flowers, cards, phone calls and well wishes. Actually, we didn't get any flowers or cards, but that's ok. I'm not going to send you anything either.

Idle Talk is Seldom Smart

You know how you watch a sporting event and the announcer says something like, "this is a chip shot" and then the guy misses- it's almost like the announcer jinxed the player. Well, today I jinxed my little player. Atticus got sick alright. He had a fever come out of nowhere and spike high enough that he had another seizure, and of course as it was last time, I (Dad) was home alone with him. I didn't panic as much as the first time, but seeing your baby convulse and go limp is not something you ever take in strike. I called Tricia and she raced home and together we drove to the hospital.

They made us sit in the waiting room for nearly an hour, as if people with sinus infections and stubbed fingers have priority over burning babies. When we got in his temperature was 105.3, which as you know is pretty darn high. The doctor was concerned, saying it was the highest fever on a child he had seen in years, and wanted to ensure that he didn't have pneumonia or a few other things that escape me now. Apparently he doesn't. He just caught the bug that Tricia and I can't shake and it was powerful enough that his body threw everything it could at it, hence the high fever.

When his fever became relatively lower, 102, they let us leave- some 5 plus hours later. Turns out I also was running a fever of 102, which explained why I was shivering in a sweatshirt while others were sweating from the heaters.

I think we are going to be fine. He says he's happy, and appears to be in good spirits, albeit tired and not caring for his medicine. My fever has been overdosed away, hopefully for good, and Tricia is catching up on some much needed rest.

It's the real deal this parent thing. It can throw you for a real loop. Can't say I would change it.

Bunch of Sickies

It seems like Tricia has been sick forever. I've been fighting an on-again/off-again fever and a throat that feels like I drank a gallon of lava. Somehow the boy has managed to stay clear of it all, despite his crawling into our bed at some point every night. He has himself on a pretty strict diet of Kids+ orange juice, fortified with everything, and Flintstone vitamins, so perhaps that is providing his defense. I just hope it can hold up. He woke up this morning with a cough, but after taking some medicine (partially, he didn't care for it) he hasn't coughed since. I wish I had medicine that worked that well.
Of course, as I sit here writing this I can hear him coughing again in the livingroom. Hopefully we can nip this.

Christmas Past

The ghosts of Christmas past are not the things of Dickens imagination. They may not be tangible, but they are real nonetheless. They linger in our hearts and collect dust in our scrapbooks. Memories of Christmas stay with you always.

This will be the third Christmas for Atticus. He is pretty excited. He sings along to Jingle Bells and gets very inquisitive regarding the growing number of presents we are "hiding". He picked out decorations for the home and even helped with some shopping.

The weather is changing here. It is colder and the nights are long. The streets are busy and the stores are overflowing. It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas. Make room for new ghosts.

Words of Wisdom

People will look anywhere for wisdom. The more popular choices include television, rap albums, and Google. Yet an older way still exists amongst the literati- books. Sure there is the bible and dummy guides and self-help stuff, but for some real knowledge look no further than these two titles:

tips on fashion and imagination

acceptance and the power of humor

Doesn't get much better than that.

Thanks Day

The boy entertained for the holiday. He hung out with family and friends, ate some food, messed around and got a triple-double. I guess you could say he had a good day.

Atticus & Grandpa in Yard

Atticus & Nana at Table Aunt TT & Doggie
Goodnight Grandpa
Goodnight Pizza

Na-Nu, Na-Nu

This is how tired Atticus is. The boy that won't sleep fell asleep standing up. He took two steps into the house, took a seat ala Mork, and started snoring. He must have been there 5 minutes before I realized he wasn't pretending.

He gets that from me.

Boy Colors Turkey

Fairly often we go to storytime at Barnes & Noble. There is usually a coloring session afterward. Here is the festive latest.

For Anthony

My friend Anthony was upset that his visit to the corner did not have any pictures of our recent Disneyland trip. Here you go Anthony. I hope this makes you feel better!

Test Flight

Atticus built an airplane the other day. Then he taught himself to fly. It's amazing the things he can accomplish.

Chicken Little Review

The sky fell. It was cute. Tricia and Atticus laughed quite a bit. I didn't find it nearly as humorous as its Pixar counterparts, or the Dreamworks movies(Shrek, Madagascar, Ice Age)for that matter. It was good, don't get me wrong, but to me the jokes seemed forced and obvious and there weren't nearly as many gags for the parents like those that I've come to expect from the above mentioned films.

Atticus called the theater "Chicken Little's house", and was not happy when we left. He was tired when we got there and I didn't think he would make it through, but he sat upright and riveted the entire time- a true mark of a good film in any parent's book. Since then he has mentioned Chicken Little pretty often, even falling asleep mumbling his name.
Me: Atticus, do you give Chicken Little 5 stars?
Atticus: yesh

The Sky Falls @ 1:15 in Theater 6

Today is the day! We are going to go see Chicken Little. Attiucs is very excited. Stay tuned for his review.

Honea... Atticus Honea

Atticus is internationally known. The site meter on this page allows me to see a list of locations where our visitors are viewing from (don't worry, that's all it shows!). We have had guests in the past three days from Germany, Australia, Canada, Belgium, Mexico, Turkey, Israel, Argentina, United Kingdom, Dominican Republic, Chili, Philippines, Spain, New Zealand, Indonesia, Taiwan and 9 U.S. states. How cool is that?

On behalf of Atticus & Co., welcome all to our little corner. I hope your visit here has been a happy one.

Hello, Laphi, Horos, Kumustas, Salud dit, Masialasang, Bon jour, Gidday, Shalom, Selam, Hola.

A NAP IN THE LIFE

A Nice Atticus (Namesake) Story by Lance Mannion

I came across this blog entry on Lance Mannion's site. Nice story. I guess I said all of that in the link. Oh well.

Boy Seeks Endorsement Deal(s)

Atticus is currently using your product and really enjoys it! Please email with offers of opportunity and cash money.

Where's the Fire?

Atticus & Dad dressed up for Halloween as firemen. We had a great time! He would say "trick or treat" at about half of the houses, but overall a good first outing.
















Hubba Hubba!

1,000th Visitor Wins New Car...

...would have sounded pretty cool. Regardless, we here at the Corner have had our 1,000th visitor. Thanks for coming. Have a Kit Kat.

Fall Finally Falls

As you can see by the mix of inside activity and brisk outdoors, fall has officially begun here. It's about time. Now instead of 100+ degree weather and heavy gusts of wind we have 60ish degree weather and heavy gusts of wind. Atticus doesn't seem to mind.

A Letter to Two

Ah Two, how you mock me so with your promises of terrible times and campaign of fear. True, you do induce the occasional flight and spark random fires of rebellion by planting such weapons as "no" into unsuspecting, and otherwise innocent, conversation, but you have not broken me as you promised. You have a sweet side Two, and for all your prodding and mischief you cannot help but encourage smiles and tenderness in those that you touch.
The boy has welcomed you and taken your teachings to heart. He has embraced you Two, and your sprite-like ways. He is full of spunk, wit and playfulness. You have done well here Two, and while your arrival was marked by the tintinnabulation of party favors and cheers from well-wishers, your stay has been gauged in acts of coquetry for all things puerile and tricksy. I can only imagine that your eventual departure will fall short of being the panacea that is promised for various reasons, namely that I am a realist, but also that I am rascal at heart as well; and I cannot help but think that you never left me some thirty years plus, but rather took refuge somewhere deep inside, allowing for the sequential arrival of Three, then Four and so on, letting them in and then spitting them out.
Thank you Two, you are welcome here.

Hey Atticus, where the heck 'ya been?

It's an old story: Boy eating box of popcorn,
boy gets mauled by dog...


boy eats dog and has a lemonade.
boy calls out all takers,
monsters would rather hide in closet.
Pirates decide (wisely) to be friendly.
Tigers try to squash boy....and the kid cuddles with his pal on the ride home.