Posts
Monday, April 20, 2009
Friday, April 17, 2009
Dancing Boy
I looked at some of the tags on this blog site and Drew was clearly lacking attention. So, here's some long overdue Drew love.
When I was a little kid, my Dad played Harry Chapin songs pretty much daily. If my father had theme music it would be something by Harry Chapin. In my opinion, Chapin is probably the most underrated singer songwriter of his generation. Few singer-songwriters have the ability to write songs that take on new meanings as you get older.
Dancing Boy, was a song that my father played when I was about Drew's age. At the time I remember thinking it was an excuse to get me to dance, which I often did. Well, I'm a father now and I have my own Dancing Boy. Drew will be four in June and he continues to amaze me everyday. His humor, his antics, his unabashed approach to life, and well, his dancing. Drew's got a thing for Kid Rock, Ray Lamontagne and the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse "Hot Dog" song. Quite an eclectic taste and he's probably game for some Harry Chapin - sooner rather than later.
So I started thinking about this song and of course there are no live version of Chapin singing Dancing Boy so I had to make my own video. I'll be honest in saying that looking back at these pictures stirred some great memories inside of me. And if you know Drew, it should stir similar emotions in you as well.
As you watch the video, I encourage you to read the lyrics. I was going to bold the lyrics that make me pause and reflect on this little man I have the prevelidge to call son, but it seems like every word of the song was written for a father and son. My dad's a whole lot smarter than I ever gave him credit for as a kid.
And now that Harrison is here, all of six weeks, I get to have two dancing boys. A good way to go through life, don't you think?
Harry Chapin's, Dancing Boy
When your daddy plays guitar,
You dance without a smile.
Kid you may not have great rhythm,
But you sure got style.
Just four years old and still it seems,
You've got it figured out.
When daddy sings, and then you dance,
The people clap and shout.
Cuz, you're my dancing boy,
And it's so scary how you trust me.
Just one look from you,
And I come pouring out like wine.
Dancing boy, I'm sure by now that you must see,
You're dancing means much more to me,
Than any dream of mine.
Yes, I'm so proud when you are with me,
That my heart digs in my throat.
And when you stop to strut your stuff,
My eyes go all afloat.
And when I have to leave you home
As sometimes it must be.
I feel that with my leaving
I leave far too much of me.
Yes, you're my dancing boy,
And it's scary how you trust me.
Just one look from you,
And I come pouring out like wine.
You're my dancing boy,
I'm sure by now that you must see,
You're dancing means much more to me,
Than any dream of mine.
You know the time will come my dancing boy
When you're dancing days are done,
And when daddy and his dancing boy
Will have dwindled down to one.
You know the world will've taught you other steps
To match the march of time,
So you'll have to keep our dancing days
Dancing in your mind.
Yes, do your dancing, boy,
Cuz it's so scary how you trust me.
Just one look from you,
And I come pouring out like wine.
Do your dancing, boy.
I'm sure by now that you must see
You're dancing means much more to me,
Than any dream of mine
When I was a little kid, my Dad played Harry Chapin songs pretty much daily. If my father had theme music it would be something by Harry Chapin. In my opinion, Chapin is probably the most underrated singer songwriter of his generation. Few singer-songwriters have the ability to write songs that take on new meanings as you get older.
Dancing Boy, was a song that my father played when I was about Drew's age. At the time I remember thinking it was an excuse to get me to dance, which I often did. Well, I'm a father now and I have my own Dancing Boy. Drew will be four in June and he continues to amaze me everyday. His humor, his antics, his unabashed approach to life, and well, his dancing. Drew's got a thing for Kid Rock, Ray Lamontagne and the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse "Hot Dog" song. Quite an eclectic taste and he's probably game for some Harry Chapin - sooner rather than later.
So I started thinking about this song and of course there are no live version of Chapin singing Dancing Boy so I had to make my own video. I'll be honest in saying that looking back at these pictures stirred some great memories inside of me. And if you know Drew, it should stir similar emotions in you as well.
As you watch the video, I encourage you to read the lyrics. I was going to bold the lyrics that make me pause and reflect on this little man I have the prevelidge to call son, but it seems like every word of the song was written for a father and son. My dad's a whole lot smarter than I ever gave him credit for as a kid.
And now that Harrison is here, all of six weeks, I get to have two dancing boys. A good way to go through life, don't you think?
Harry Chapin's, Dancing Boy
When your daddy plays guitar,
You dance without a smile.
Kid you may not have great rhythm,
But you sure got style.
Just four years old and still it seems,
You've got it figured out.
When daddy sings, and then you dance,
The people clap and shout.
Cuz, you're my dancing boy,
And it's so scary how you trust me.
Just one look from you,
And I come pouring out like wine.
Dancing boy, I'm sure by now that you must see,
You're dancing means much more to me,
Than any dream of mine.
Yes, I'm so proud when you are with me,
That my heart digs in my throat.
And when you stop to strut your stuff,
My eyes go all afloat.
And when I have to leave you home
As sometimes it must be.
I feel that with my leaving
I leave far too much of me.
Yes, you're my dancing boy,
And it's scary how you trust me.
Just one look from you,
And I come pouring out like wine.
You're my dancing boy,
I'm sure by now that you must see,
You're dancing means much more to me,
Than any dream of mine.
You know the time will come my dancing boy
When you're dancing days are done,
And when daddy and his dancing boy
Will have dwindled down to one.
You know the world will've taught you other steps
To match the march of time,
So you'll have to keep our dancing days
Dancing in your mind.
Yes, do your dancing, boy,
Cuz it's so scary how you trust me.
Just one look from you,
And I come pouring out like wine.
Do your dancing, boy.
I'm sure by now that you must see
You're dancing means much more to me,
Than any dream of mine
Monday, April 13, 2009
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
20 years ago today
As many of you know, on April 8, 1989, I was in a serious boating accident that changed my life forever. At the time of the event, I could not have imagined anything as horrific occurring in my life. I almost died, I almost lost my leg, I'd never be good at baseball again.
I could not have made it through without the great support of my family and friends. Many of those friends have reconnected with me on Facebook, and for many of them, their first question is, "How's the leg?" which always makes me smile.
I was overwhelmed with visitors to the hospital, sometimes up to 10-15 at a time, watching movies with me, bringing in Chinese food from Cantons (my favorite), care packages sent from far away or people just sitting with me talking for hours to create some sort of normalcy.
Sometimes it takes something horrible to learn how loved your are.
Since so much time has passed, I actually go days, even weeks at a time without thinking about the accident. Its become a part of who I am, what I have gone through and after the initial shock wore off, I just learned to deal with it. As one friend said recently, "I am glad you have found peace with it." She couldn't be more right.
As I told my children this morning about the anniversary, they seemed surprised when I said that if I had to do it all over again, I would have still gone water skiing that day, that I would have still been in that accident, and gone through all the pain and physical therapy it took just to walk again. You may be surprised to hear that as well.
The events of that day and the years to follow changed my aspirations from baseball and sports, to band and creative writing. It led me to the University of Missouri, a place I would have never considered going before. I would have never met my wife, never had four great kids and never felt a such a strong connection to so many of you that are reading this now.
And for that I thank all of you and ask that your memories of that day, of the accident be positive. I know that it has been for me.
I could not have made it through without the great support of my family and friends. Many of those friends have reconnected with me on Facebook, and for many of them, their first question is, "How's the leg?" which always makes me smile.
I was overwhelmed with visitors to the hospital, sometimes up to 10-15 at a time, watching movies with me, bringing in Chinese food from Cantons (my favorite), care packages sent from far away or people just sitting with me talking for hours to create some sort of normalcy.
Sometimes it takes something horrible to learn how loved your are.
Since so much time has passed, I actually go days, even weeks at a time without thinking about the accident. Its become a part of who I am, what I have gone through and after the initial shock wore off, I just learned to deal with it. As one friend said recently, "I am glad you have found peace with it." She couldn't be more right.
As I told my children this morning about the anniversary, they seemed surprised when I said that if I had to do it all over again, I would have still gone water skiing that day, that I would have still been in that accident, and gone through all the pain and physical therapy it took just to walk again. You may be surprised to hear that as well.
The events of that day and the years to follow changed my aspirations from baseball and sports, to band and creative writing. It led me to the University of Missouri, a place I would have never considered going before. I would have never met my wife, never had four great kids and never felt a such a strong connection to so many of you that are reading this now.
And for that I thank all of you and ask that your memories of that day, of the accident be positive. I know that it has been for me.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Introducing...
HARRISON THOMAS FLEMING
stats: 8lbs, 10 oz, 20 inches, healthy and happy
look at that face!
Hello to all of Josh's readers... this is his other sister, Whitney, here to update. We Flemings are blogging maniacs and each time the family grows, one of us takes over the new mom/dad's blog, so here i am.
Little Harrison joined the family yesterday morning and we're all excited, especially, it seems, are his siblings.
some pictures of him and his sibs:
these two are going to be good buddies, i can tell
it seems being born takes a lot out of you!
and with his adoring parents:
i had to include this picture. Not to embarrass anyone, but this is one hot mama. its not easy to look this good, i speak from experience. this is right before harrison's debut =)
stats: 8lbs, 10 oz, 20 inches, healthy and happy
look at that face!
Hello to all of Josh's readers... this is his other sister, Whitney, here to update. We Flemings are blogging maniacs and each time the family grows, one of us takes over the new mom/dad's blog, so here i am.
Little Harrison joined the family yesterday morning and we're all excited, especially, it seems, are his siblings.
some pictures of him and his sibs:
these two are going to be good buddies, i can tell
it seems being born takes a lot out of you!
and with his adoring parents:
i had to include this picture. Not to embarrass anyone, but this is one hot mama. its not easy to look this good, i speak from experience. this is right before harrison's debut =)
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Returning the Favor or Welcome to the World Baby Boy!
Five months ago almost to the day, my brother Josh hijakked my blog and kept people up to the minute on the birth of our daughter, Austin Elouise.
Now it's my turn.
This morning when my phone rang, I held my breath. "What are you doing?" Josh asked as if it were any old day, as if we all hadn't been waiting (impatiently!) for the newest Fleming to arrive.
"Ha ha, Josh, what are you doing?" He then told me how I had a nephew, how Daina was feeding him for the first time right then, how he was perfect, and everyone was fine. My mom says he even has red hair! We didn't chit chat, and they hadn't (haven't?) picked a name yet, but I hung up and gushed. And then I told my daughter all about him.
See, this really great thing has happened to my family. All three of us Fleming kids have had babies in the past 5 months. They'll all be the same age, in the same grade, three little Flemings will all graduate from college the same year! And there's just something amazing about that, something about sharing all the excitement that is so very nice, and so VERY FLEMING. Cause when one of us celebrates, we all celebrate. And I tell you, these three babies have earned themselves one helluva party.
But today is "Quatro"'s birthday, and while he may have to fight his girl cousins for attention in the future, he gets every sparkly shiny second of attention today.
I just tried to call the big kids, Bella, Caroline, and Drew to get a few sound bites, but there was no answer...Perhaps they're meeting their brother?
Welcome to the world, Baby Boy. I can't wait to love you!
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Random shots
Quatro Countdown
I was going to wait to post untilt he baby arrived. Well he/she hasn't and its been a rather antsy experience. We are scheduled for a C-section on Monday morning, March 9. So unless Marshmallow IceCream / Quatro comes earlier we'll have a baby in six days. Can't wait.
Caroline
All three kids have strep throat so they are all on meds. So after an 8:30 run to Walgreens and $45 in co-pays they were on the road to recovery. I have to get the stuff flavored so they can handle it and they have a routine where they absolutely must have a drink of water in their hand to consume immediately after the dropper of medicine is consumed.
Caroline told us that even though its flavored, she still doesn't like the taste. She said, "The medicine tastes like when I lick my finger and touch my ear then I put my finger in my mouth. Daina says, "So it tastes like your ear?" And she nodded yes. Go figure.
Over McFlurry's the other day at McDonalds, Caroline asked me about allergies. She wanted to know what people were allergic too. We discussed this in great detail. She asked me if anyone was allergic to kids. I laughed.
Drew
So after five coats of paint on a perfectly beautiful white bed, we have a somewhat imperfect navy blue bed that is now Drew's big boy bed. I painted the room, khaki color, this was after three paint samples that didn't make the cut with the boss. Oh yeah, hung a curtain rod and curtains too. And then, we invested in some new boy bedding, train themed with shams, you get the picture. It was a pretty sizable investment, mostly of time, but the room is great. The nesting process seems to be over for now. Hope Daina doesn't read this post. Anyway, for whatever reason, Drew still enjoys sleeping in his crib. Go figure. He's agreed that as soon as Marshmallow comes he'll move to his big boy room.
Isabella
We got her report card and were pleased to find out that she has progressed significantly since the last Fall. She is now at a second grade reading level and she really excels at math. Her art work has real potential. Looks like she got the math side of Daina and the creativity of her Dad. She's always interested in making up games to pass the time in the car and will go to great lengths to make art work for Daina and I every day. All around, a really great kid that I am proud to call my own. She is getting to be a little cool though. Not holding my hand at church, being a little argumentative, but I can't complain.
Daina
In all four of her pregnancies she has never looked as good as she does today. I think its all the time on her feet working and chasing after the kids. The baby is so big that her stomach is actually bruising from the inside out. She loves when the kids want to see the baby moving inside of her. The baby is more active than the other three were which makes for a pretty strange Alien movie without the blood effect. We think the kids can feel a real attachment to their new sibling already.
More good times ahead for the Fleming fam.
I was going to wait to post untilt he baby arrived. Well he/she hasn't and its been a rather antsy experience. We are scheduled for a C-section on Monday morning, March 9. So unless Marshmallow IceCream / Quatro comes earlier we'll have a baby in six days. Can't wait.
Caroline
All three kids have strep throat so they are all on meds. So after an 8:30 run to Walgreens and $45 in co-pays they were on the road to recovery. I have to get the stuff flavored so they can handle it and they have a routine where they absolutely must have a drink of water in their hand to consume immediately after the dropper of medicine is consumed.
Caroline told us that even though its flavored, she still doesn't like the taste. She said, "The medicine tastes like when I lick my finger and touch my ear then I put my finger in my mouth. Daina says, "So it tastes like your ear?" And she nodded yes. Go figure.
Over McFlurry's the other day at McDonalds, Caroline asked me about allergies. She wanted to know what people were allergic too. We discussed this in great detail. She asked me if anyone was allergic to kids. I laughed.
Drew
So after five coats of paint on a perfectly beautiful white bed, we have a somewhat imperfect navy blue bed that is now Drew's big boy bed. I painted the room, khaki color, this was after three paint samples that didn't make the cut with the boss. Oh yeah, hung a curtain rod and curtains too. And then, we invested in some new boy bedding, train themed with shams, you get the picture. It was a pretty sizable investment, mostly of time, but the room is great. The nesting process seems to be over for now. Hope Daina doesn't read this post. Anyway, for whatever reason, Drew still enjoys sleeping in his crib. Go figure. He's agreed that as soon as Marshmallow comes he'll move to his big boy room.
Isabella
We got her report card and were pleased to find out that she has progressed significantly since the last Fall. She is now at a second grade reading level and she really excels at math. Her art work has real potential. Looks like she got the math side of Daina and the creativity of her Dad. She's always interested in making up games to pass the time in the car and will go to great lengths to make art work for Daina and I every day. All around, a really great kid that I am proud to call my own. She is getting to be a little cool though. Not holding my hand at church, being a little argumentative, but I can't complain.
Daina
In all four of her pregnancies she has never looked as good as she does today. I think its all the time on her feet working and chasing after the kids. The baby is so big that her stomach is actually bruising from the inside out. She loves when the kids want to see the baby moving inside of her. The baby is more active than the other three were which makes for a pretty strange Alien movie without the blood effect. We think the kids can feel a real attachment to their new sibling already.
More good times ahead for the Fleming fam.
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