Dance in the City 🤵🏻♂️
And my failures as a parent
The following is how we got to this table^
Branch (6), Wynnie (4) and I went to the zoo (confession: we snuck in) because the zoo was celebrating Spongebob’s 25th anniversary.
These kids have never seen a full episode of Spongebob in their life—just the clip of Smitty WerbenJagerManJensen which is a hit every time. So the zoo was mostly for me, and I thought there would be Spongebob/Patrick/Sandy costumes but was sorely mistaken.
A QR code in front of the aquarium was what we got instead—leading to an aquarium scavenger hunt, which maybe could’ve been fun except the QR code/internet didn’t work inside the aquarium. So we zoomed through the exhibit expecting Spongebob on the other side and were met with a zoo worker instead telling us “Nope, that’s it.”
We were at the zoo for a total of 15 minutes.
It helped that it started to rain so we went back to our car and watched their first full episode of Spongebob: chocolate. Then I told them we could go to the bakery. (See pic).
I like this picture because my children seem peaceful in conversation with one another. They don’t know how their Dad is clueless on so many things regarding parenting—things that can (and will) affect them for years and decades down the line.
But for all my failures, I’ll try to be present—for as many of the 940 Saturdays between birth and age 18.
Just not this Saturday…because Lauren’s visiting her parents and I need to work.
Muffins aren’t free. But sneaking into the zoo together is.
In my gym locker room, I use this tongue scraper and have had multiple people ask over the years, “Gross—what are you doing?!”
Scraping my tongue, that’s what.
Then I tell them their tongue is gross, too. And so is yours. Unless you’ve been using your own tongue scraper, of course. Then kudos to you.
Plaque that builds up from not brushing your teeth contributes to bad breath as well, but many don’t realize how much build-up accumulates on one’s tongue, which makes matters worse. I’d mention how much cleaner my mouth feels after each use, but instead of that mental picture, I’ll just leave the link here.
Lauren and I are watching Seinfeld this summer. It’s her first time all the way through, and it’s been too long for me. We’ve loved going through each episode—fun to watch characters evolve, and it’s just a great 20-minute way to end the night. This throwback segment from 60 Minutes is a fun peak behind the curtain.
Pierre-Auguste Renoir was one of Claude Monet’s main sources of inspiration. This painting is the same series as Dance in the Country and Dance at Bougival (which I’m convinced features Travis Kelce).
But you, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high.
I call out to the Lord, and he answers me from his holy mountain.
Music: More new Forrest Frank. And Cory Wong. And Parris Chariz. Schmuck sent me Catholic Lofi which has been funny and great.
Food: So many sunflower seeds—over the past few months from Sprouts, which are low sodium which is key with seeds. Also, I know it’s 100 degrees in America but would love any new tea recommendations…
Podcasts: A good amount of TD Jakes lately. And Brennan Manning on compassion.
Reading: Too much about the Kansas City Royals. But it’s hard not to when we finally have a superstar.