Cole's First Birthday Celebration Week

Proud mom and dad share cake with Cole

Cole Robert Kreienkamp, age 1

Toby, Ripley, Cole and JoJo and Grandpaw

My week in Missouri comes to an end today, as we pack up the Volvo and head back south to Florida.  I must admit it's been a great time to be a grandfather, even with the obligation (once) to have sole duty and change an actual diaper.  I've got to say, they're a whole lot easier, without those darned pins.   In fact, the best thing about a grandson is that you can always hand him back to his mom, or dad, not to mention Grandma who is always willing to step in.  Cole is really an ideal child, whip smart, and on the whole quite easy to deal with - he seems to have his mother's joyful temperament and his father's unflappable sense of calm love.  My daughter did OK in the marriage department, as Matt is a great dad and it's clear that Cole loves him as much as she does.   Not all children have this to grow up around, so as grandparents, we're truly blessed.

When J.B. and Caitlin were growing up, my wife was a stay at home mom, and I was out chasing a career.  Granted, that career was a good one, and provided for educational opportunities for both my children, the fruits of which are coming to pass in this less than ideal economy of today.  When one looks around to see how many lack jobs and nice homes, you come to appreciate your own good fortunes.  Cole is growing up in a nice home, with two loving parents, and two small dogs.

As to those dogs, I'm not sure either would have been my own choice, and I'm quietly convinced that Matt would have preferred something in the way of one larger animal, but JoJo the Dumpster Dog (actually rescued from a dumpster in Detroit of all places by a high school friend) and Toby the Toy Fox Terrier without tear ducts (making it two dogs with one good eye between them) are part of the package.  At least for one week, Ripley the beagle showed Cole what a dog is supposed to be.  Non yapping masculine bark, patient with small hands learning to to pet "gently", handsome as the day is long (like his daddy) and award winning breed (we all remember Uno, who won at Westminster K.C.).   Although, last night, as we were repacking suitcases, I did hear him exhale a sigh of relief that we'd soon be "on the road again".

So, as the dawn breaks, and the household awakes, I'll end this missive by saying "while you can't go home again", you can visit your children and enjoy watching them grow up to adulthood.  Next year, Cole will be walking, and talking, and probably having a lot to say........I can't wait.