Maddie's World

As I reflect on the year since last Thanksgiving I realize how much I am thankful for.

• The opportunities life gives me to be a better person, a better husband, and a better father
• Even though it drives me crazy some times, I am thankful for my job and the people with whom I get to work each day
• That I am not Michael Richards
• That Maddie is a good kid even with her "terrible two" moments she shows how kind and compassionate she can be when someone is sad or having a bad day
• Thankful for the food, shelter, and clothing that I am lucky to have
• My family
• Sheira's family
• Thankful for how amazing Sheira has been and is. I know those of you who still may be reading this know her longer and differently. I can tell you that she is such an amazing human being and in turn makes me better in all aspects of my life. I've probably said it before but it's still worth saying: I am so lucky that she is in my life and how blessed I am to be her best friend, husband, and mother to Madeline
• And just about everything else that I have and don't have

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!!!

We thought it would be fun to take Maddie to the Big Apple Circus. Couldn't think of anything that she wouldn't like there. Sheira mentioned to Maddie a couple days ago there would be clowns. To our knowledge she's never even seen a clown before. Maddie's response, "Ooh Mommy...I'm scared of clowns." She was reassured up and down that we would keep her safe and that clowns are funny and won't hurt her at the circus.

First clown she sees was pretty innocent. Dressed in a black outfit with a hat and a little makeup. So far so good. Then Grandma Clown came. From a distance she was o.k. and a little amusing to Maddie. Once "she" came towards the audience - to say she might be a little traumatized by the experience might be an understatement. We tried hanging around but it got a bit too much for her.

Lesson learned: 2 1/2 years old might be too young for the circus. We'll try again when she's maybe...7.