Staying a-float up in the air

Ken: Growing sunflowers

Greetings, my fine readers!

Ken here -- assuming my proper penning post as the eldest cherub of the Corrigan Conrad household. I'm feeling like a bit of a shirker in my blog duties, for the pace of this springtime has been one unmatched in recent years. That is to say, we're not overly busy. We're simply working through more than a few transitions as of late. And transitions, I'm told, can leave a body up in the air: lifted a few inches of the ground, searching for the swiftest way to rid the mind and heart of the beat of the unknown, the rhythm of a holding pattern and wait-and-see circumstance.

Bikes!

Allow me to share a few of the more interesting transitions as of late. Some have raced themselves to resolution, others are still floating those precious inches, looking for a landing one step at a time.

The bike: I acquired a pedal bike from the Easter Bunny. Dad acquiesced to the need for training wheels while I learned the finer points of actually pedaling while balancing on a bike. (For, when a guy grows up on a Strider bike, this concept of balance-while-pedal can be a trifle overwhelming.) I'm proud to say that I shed those training wheels faster than a winter coat in July, and the ride's never been more fun.

The book:I can read! The narration is a bit choppy, varies in volume, and sometimes trips over those tricky silent letters, but bit by bit, I'm the master of my own adventure, flipping from page one to page last with ease and confidence. Some favorites: Go Dog, Go, The B Book, Hop on Pop and The Berenstain Bears Tell the Truth. Any other recommendations for me, dear reader? Wait and see: I plan to be a regular at the local library this summer.

L to R: Sam, Ken, Georgia

The nanny: Bria hung with us for 21 weeks and 6 days -- just missing our average nanny tenure of 22 weeks. We just like her. We're transitioning now to new-nanny-Sarah, who seems to fit the bill nicely. Note: The common denominator in almost all nannies hired by mom and dad these last two years: They're rock stars. I know this because -- after a few months on board -- each of the rock stars falls in love with us and then lands smack dab at the start of a dream job. Do you know anyone in search of a dream job? Send them my way! I'll teach 'em how to be my nanny, after-which, all of said nanny's career aspirations will begin falling into place.

Ken & Sam: Swimming

The pool: I'm so proud of Sam. In six short weeks, he's transitioned from a primal fear of water to a regular tadpole. We've been hanging out at the YMCA one night per week in order to improve our aquatic skill, and I do believe we're both fully ready for the water holes of Minnesota this summer. Bring on the sunscreen and the life jackets! We're ready.

Georgia: Age 2

The toilet: The sibling pride extends to my kid sister. Gone are the days of diaper bags and wet wipes, for it's Georgia's grim determination that's transitioned her from the blue potty chair to the porcelain god of body waste. Georgia's the only almost-three-year-old who thinks she's five, and if you tell her she's too little to do what Sam and I are doing, you'd better duck. Far be it for Georgia to be left behind. Buckle up. She's a woman who knows what she wants.

The place-of-employment:These are turbulent times at Mom's place place of employment, and while Mom's still gainfully employed there, she says that it's by far one of the most intriguing experiences in her professional career. While the pundits claim the company's transformation will set a new pace for this almost-international retailer, the current transition leaves those still employed feeling a bit up in the air, wondering just what's around the next corner, and attempting to land one step at a time. 

Sam: Finding caterpillars

And...the season:One full day of school remains, then we'll launch into three glorious months of schedule-free days full of outdoor extravaganzas like picnics in the park, dips in the local pool, and regular searches for caterpillars, lightening bugs and mosquito spray. We'll fill our evenings with new-found bike paths and chocolate dipped ice cream cones; perhaps an outdoor movie or two. Mom says we might even try camping this summer.

Until next time, dear reader, may this note find you working through your own transitions with a skip in your step and a prayer in your heart. And if you're feeling a bit up in the air, a-floating through your own holding pattern, know that you're not alone. What challenges you changes you, and change is the stuff of life. Keep growing, keep going, and know that you'll land on your feet, one step at a time.
 -- Ken