the daily dye: March 2009

3.29.2009

Drama at the grocery store

On our way home from my parents house we stopped by Smith's to pickup a few things (we probably should've just waited until tomorrow). Anyway, we split up to different parts of the store and I was pushing Kate in one of those carts with the car front. I just picked up the milk and was walking back towards the center of the store to meet up with Brittney. This little boy, probably 3-4 years old, was walking towards our cart and extended his hand telling us to stop. I stop, thinking that he just wants to play crossing guard or something like that. Then he moves to the side and out of no where smacks Kate across the face. I immediately feel a rush of adrenaline and this is how the drama unfolded...

Me yelling at little boy who thought his actions were ok: "You DO NOT hit her!"

His mom then approached and grabbed him by the arm and gave him a spanking on the rear.

She asked him "why did you hit her?"

He replied "cause I don't like her"

This whole time poor little Kate shuttered away inside the little car with her head down.

I say to the mom "you need to keep a leash on him, he's obviously out of control"

She replies "he's not a dog and we don't treat him like one" (I think ya right, he just learned tonight that it's completely acceptable to approach a stranger, a little girl for that matter, and just smack her across the face)

By this time Brittney heard my yelling and found us. The lady's mom and little boy's g'ma was also approaching. We had a few more heated exchanges which ended with the g'ma dropping a few F bombs towards us. As we walked towards the front of the store to check out we could still hear her yelling at him, hitting him and him screaming from the back of the store.

In retrospect I wonder if I could've reacted differently or if my actions were in line. Obviously I'm Kate's dad and am there to stand up for her. Honestly, I've never thought through a situation like this to prepare myself how to react.

Have any of you experienced a grocery store encounter like this or better yet any random act towards your child that was completely unwaranted? What did you do?

3.28.2009

Win HAROLD THE DUCK!

Click here to enter.

or buy it here.

A husband a wife team up to create Harold the Duck. A story many can relate to and beautifully illustrated.

3.24.2009

Before + After.

I love doing home projects and my list is continually growing. A few weeks ago i conquered one of the "big" things on the list, which was to switch the guest room and kate's soon to be new room. So one saturday i woke daniel up too early in the morning and made the switch... which included painting (both rooms), moving furniture, adding furniture and all, not to mention i also changed around the loft. Thanks to daniel, ron, kathie and darren the day ended and the switch was complete.
Kate got this headboard for christmas last year, it's perfect because i could reupholster it to whatever i wanted. I finally decided on kate's bedding, it was ordered, delivered and i used the flat sheet to cover the existing fabric of the headboard. My mom was in town yesterday and we completed yet another item on my list. Now kate's bed is ready for her! (thanks mom!) Although i haven't made the switch from crib to big girl bed yet (i'm a little nervous), hopefully we can move her soon.
Here is the before:

and after...

3.20.2009

Plam Springs.

We are so very grateful to Ron and Kathie for allowing us to go on this little vacation. We had so much fun in Palm Springs, going in the pool, park and especially watching some good tennis! We love you guys! This little gal certainly enjoyed herself.

my favorite match, r.nadal.