Treasure Hunting and Catching Our Own Chicken

Geocaching.

Following a map, even if it is a GPS enabled phone is treasure hunting to a boy of three.  Every parent should try this, and if you don’t own a smart phone a GPS device is fairly affordable.  I think you can get one for under $50, and I may look into investing in one rather than use a phone.

Our trip started with a little dress up of a pirate hat and an eye-patch, though that came off after the car ride to the park because a toddlers attention to surroundings and the loss of depth perception is just a combo platter nightmare.  So we left that little number behind.

300 meters from the car, not far, except pace is set by the shortest legs and a detour out to the island across a man-made rock bridge.  Not the brightest idea but we did snap a few cute photos in the middle of the island, no smoke monster on this deserted isle.

By the time we traveled the remaining 220 meters he had soon to forget about his quest and was talking lunch.  Chicken on the picnic tables.  Problem is, we have no chicken with us, maybe we can catch one in the woods.  After all I am I guy, I have it in my blood to know how to de-feather and skin a chicken with a sharpened rock tool, if I could just find a caveman to give me a crash course in outdoorsman life.  O.K. we got this.

So the GPS counts down to 10 meters, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4 ,3… it’s right here somewhere.

Scanning, nothing.

5 minutes, 10 minutes.

Kid has completely lost interest.

5 more minutes

Wife says she quit.

Only dad is looking and he can’t read a map, even if it is a digital one.

So we will cheat a bit, read the descriptions of other hunters who have found the booty.  A 3 by 5 box, really 3×5?  That is the size of a cigarette pack.  I am not just looking at my feet we have 100 sq feet of the woods to find a box that may be in the trees, under the leaves, under a rock or buried under ground.  RIGHT!

5 more minutes, oh the GPS says the cache is on the other side of the path, renewed persistence from everyone.

Another few minutes and the GPS has recalibrated and pointing back to the other side of the path?  O.K. This is starting to get annoying., and everyone is getting hungry.

If I had an hour and no distractions I could find it, but with a 3 year-old you don’t have even 10 minutes before they are off and moving onto the next adventure, even if the activity they are running from is a treasure hunt.

Time to catch that chicken, convert the phone into a hunting device.

978.632.4493

“Hello, Duguay’s Chicken”

“Hi could I order a 6 piece meal with jo-jo potatoes please?”

“Be ready in 10 minutes”

Chicken hunt, successful.

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Walking Home from The Lorax

While we were waiting for the corned beef to cook and mommy did what ever women do at a baby shower we walked down to see The Lorax.  Another remake in the age of noting original, though it is not really a remake, but more of a second adaptation.  And a very loose adaptation at that, but very nicely done.

He really enjoyed the film, and for a children’s movie I did rather enjoy it… not like the three times I sat through Chipmunks Part 3 this summer.  Made by the guys who created Despicable Me and almost as good, Lorax would get an A- from the in child in me.  My wife would say my inner child dominates my personality, she may be a bit more right than wrong.

On the way home I thought I would try to be philosophical dad and talk about nature and how important it is to all of us and he looks up at me and says:

GG: Dad You silly! I like trees, but Lorax wasn’t about trees!

Me: Well what is it about?

GG: I don’t know.  (His favorite words, even when you know he knows the answer)

Me: Is it about promises?  Or maybe doing what you are told when a wise man warns you not to?

GG: Yes, bad things happen when you don’t keep your promises.

Me: Well then just remember what you promise, your word is very important to keep when you make a promise.  Ok?

GG: (Looks at his feet for a moment) Ya…..

GG: (Then looks up with the epic-eyes that I know I am in for something good)  Dada, I promise I will never let you down.

Me: (Speechless) Thank you bud.  (What else can you say when a 3-year old drops that line.)

We may think we are the teachers of our children, but sometimes they surprise us and let us know that they have it under control.

Love you bud.

Not-Dad-of-the-Year

I know it is going to happen so let us just put it out there now.  “Not Dad of the Year” does not mean I am a dead beat dad, I think I am a great father… or at least I hope I am.  But I am not in a running to win an award for buying my son the best education (I have no money), dressing my son to the nines (I have no style), or helping him become a child superstar (I have ethics).  Fatherhood is not a contest, it is a gift.

I would like my son to grow up with the best childhood possible and be a happy boy.  I want him to learn life lessons the right way and make friends regardless of race, class, and/or social groups.  My success is solely the result of his success in life.  Not financially, but based on being happy in his future.

You don’t win awards for doing the right things, the right things are expected as a parent.

That said, no one should try to be Dad-of-the-Year, just be Dad.

This is a blog chronicling my quest for my son’s happiness and hoping he follows in my footsteps to one day be a father as proud as myself.

And regarding the logo “Raising a Geek of the Future” please don’t take it as an insult, a few people called Stephen Hawking, Brian Greene, Lisa Randall, Jack Dorsey, and Stephen Spielberg were once called geeks, today they lead their industry.  Whether or not my son is a physicist, scientist, computer wiz, movie producer or maybe a midfielder I will be happy, but a love for sci-fi, books, math, comics, football and Bruce Lee is highly likely for a child raised in this household.  Too have a son be smart is never an insult.

I hope you read, and I hope you share your thoughts as we grow.