Annapolis

Tonight the kids and I were enjoying a walk at the Naval Academy when we spotted a statue of their mascot, the goat, which prompted a rather comical discussion.

We talked about how the goats are the navy mascot, to which my 3 yr old responded, “But mom, goats aren’t scary.”   I then said that the Army is afraid of them b/c when they play each other in sports (not war) then they are against each other and don’t want to lose to them.  We then discussed the Army donkeys and how they are afraid of the Navy goats to which my three year old again responded, “But mom, donkeys aren’t scary.”

My 6 yr old then said, “Now, skunks would be scary.  If I saw a skunk I’d be real scared and need lots of tomato juice!”

“Yes,” my four year old responded, “and snakes… Snakes are scary too!”

There you have it folks, the circus family has spoken.   To the high ranking officials at West Point and the Naval Academy.  The circus family proposes you change your mascots from the goat and donkey to something a little more frightening…

snakes and skunks

Looking forward to the next Army/Navy gathering in December.  Should be really interesting!

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It’s funny how a simple thing like dinner on a Wednesday night can have an dramatic impact on your life. 

7 years ago we went out to dinner with another couple in downtown Annapolis on a Wednesday night.  If you know anything about summer in Annapolis then you know that Wednesday nights mean sailing races. (Truth is I grew up around here and just learned that fact 7 years ago).

When I saw the boats I thought “Hmm nice boats, cool.  Ok, what’s for dinner?”   But Scott and Tim talked nonstop about the boats and races.  Turns out Tim had a sailboat and was setting the stage for recruiting crew.

That fall Scott joined Tim on his boat for a Saturday fall race.  Little did I know that was just the beginning. 

 Daddy sails the spinnaker

That spring our son was born and sailing season started a few weeks later. 

And the rest is history.  

Every Wednesday night from late April till early September for the past 6 years, he’s been out on the bay. 

And as much as possible, the kids and I are cheering him on. 

I can remember when it felt like so much work to go out there with a baby.  More often than not I stayed home.  But I did make it out there a few times that first summer and several more the next summer. 

watching the sail boats

 IMG_6679

And then I had two kids and realized how easy it was to go out there with just a baby as I was now chasing a toddler and pushing a baby. 

Hmmm no pictures of the sailing watching in 2006…must have been too busy juggling two.  Here is one of the two shortly before they became three.

watching for Daddy's boat

Once I had two toddlers walking around we moved from our spot on the bridge, to a spot with more room to run while we waited for Daddy to sail by.

Funny thing is that when I had our third child we found ourselves out cheering Daddy on more Wednesdays than not.  baby wearing

And as the kids grew bigger they really began to love it.  waiting for Daddy

They  get so excited when they spot his boat in the distance.  They start screaming and jumping and dancing.   

 cheering on Daddy

here he comes

Tonight they started talking about how they can’t wait till they grow up enough to go out and race on the boat with Daddy.  (I know that’ll be a dream come true for Daddy too).

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