...but I guess you just can't trust labeling these days.
From January 23, 2013
Daddy,
I am so sorry; it looked like such a tasty treat. Based on Mommy's reaction though and the taste I don't think I will request this for snack anytime soon. I found this really neat box that had this mysterious white powder in it so I thought, "I'm brave! I'm a big boy and try new treats. I'll give it a taste! Mommy always says, 'try at least one bite'"
Well Daddy, one bite was one bite too many this time.
Mommy scraped it out of my mouth, called some place called "Poison Control" (do they provide culinary advice?) and made me drink water (which I thought was pretty fun).
The biggest lesson I have learned is that "all natural" doesn't mean "all num-num". I will read labels more carefully in the future Daddy and also ask if it's local.
Upon the recent celebration of my birth I decided I should make a habit of looking back over the past year and considering how God has blessed me and helped me change.
I'd say this year was somewhat impactful.
It went from this:
To this:
In fact, I may venture to say this past year has been the best year of my life! Possibly the most memorable, one of greatest growth, and potentially even the year I gained the most weight! (That's a good thing right?).
Then:
Now:
Then:
Now:
Then:
Now:
Then:
Now:
Now I'm gearing up for some equally big goals for the coming year!
Early admission to Harvard Business School? I'm ready. Just working on the whole "proper English vocabulary" piece of my application.
Continuing in our new TBT series: a letter from Daniel from 2/17/13.
-------------------------------------------
Dear Daddy,
I have heard many stories of how students
in college have to stay up late or even all night to study for their
classes. Quite frankly until last night I wasn't sure if I was cut out
for such a task as that! Thankfully I think I have demonstrated the
fortitude and vocal strength necessary. Thanks for staying up with me from 3am-9am as I tested out my crying skills. With you and Mom's help I am sure I am ready to take on more all nighters as needed.
Later today I tested out one other story I have heard about the college experience: dorm food.
I
have heard it can be quite disgusting. I figured if I could eat a whole
raw onion I could handle any concoction served up at a college
cafeteria. Well let's just say I will need to keep working on that one. I
only managed one bite before Mom caught me more pressing matters called my attention away.
Thank you for all of your help Daddy. I'm sure there
will be a few more things to figure out before I am quite ready for
College.
Since word has gotten out that I write interesting letters to you I've basically become a local celebrity. Fans have gone as far as to come up with adoring nicknames for me such as "Joshie", "Josh-Josh" and even "Jossua".
Like any self-respecting public figure these days I decided I really ought to take up twitter to share my unfounded political insights, mundane thoughts, and style tips. Ultimately I think its a great way to connect with my fans and make them feel like they can identify with me despite my fast-paced life.
In learning how to wield the power of twitter I have discovered that regardless of what I'm writing about or experiencing one hashtag seems to always perfectly sum up my emotions and thoughts.
#ball
Here are a few recent posts that highlight this powerful tag:
Although I typically prefer to turn my food into artistic masterpieces I've begun to realize that civilized people (aka everyone else at the dinner table in our home) tend to just eat their food at meal times. So I've really tried to make an effort to follow suite... which brings me to the perplexing issue of smash cakes.
Why?
After attempting to learn to use proper implements at mealtimes, drink beverages from proper receptacles, shake my hands to sign "all-done" when reminded and all while perched in a precariously high footed seat... all the adults in my life turned the tables on me after singing a song called "Happy Birthday".
So confusing.
I assumed it was a toy or something at first but it tasted too...well.... red.
I certainly didn't want to display any bad manners in front of all my extended family who for this particular meal had decided to sit theater-style and stare me down as I attempted to decipher what game it was we were all playing while trying to keep my feet out of the stickiness.
It didn't help that whenever I take my shirt off I find my rolls so distractingly fun to poke.
Finally Daddy rescued me with a fork. That was the end of that mound of mystery sludge!
I mean every man, especially one as handy as me, needs the proper tool when he finds himself facing a complex problem.
Anyhow I was able to completely decimate that confection in no time much to the cheers of those around me including my highly lovable Uncle Eric and Aunt Kristina.
Exhibit A
Exhibit B
Oh did someone say chocolate? It was made out of CHOCOLATE?!!!
Why didn't you mention it earlier?! I forgot to taste that part!!
Lately I've been trying to push the milestone limits as I rapidly approach my first birthday. I already know how to use smart phones, am quite the humorist, walk, have a small collection of poetry recorded, and have made many forays into the engineering world including mechanical engineering...
But the spoken word... that is the key area I have really been focusing on lately.
Language really is a means of survival for people my age.
"Mama, Dada"... both are quite useful for when you have a nightmare in the middle of the night, a big owie, separation anxiety or just for declaring your undying, slobbery-kiss-manifesting love.
"Nana"... is really helpful when trying to tattle on your big brother, get him to share his toy with you or if you really cannot stand another sonata in D on the accordian and are yelling his name to get him to desist!
"Uh, oh" really applies to all unintentional and intentional spills, messes and for when you break something very valuable.
Thus it follows naturally that the next word necessary for daily functioning would be:
"BALL!"
And you would be amazed how many types of "balls" are out there!
Let me explain the various denotations:
1. Ball - (noun) a small, bumpy blue sphere for biting and throwing.
2. Ball - (noun) a tasty, rotund fruit that is most excellent for biting and then spitting said tasty pieces around the house.
3. Ball - (noun) a curious floating shape of any sort that magically suspends from the sky and brings great delight to children about to celebrate their birthday.
4. Ball - (adjective) a general exclamation of happiness, especially when helping Mom around the house.
