Now We Are Six

When I was One

I had just begun.

When I was Two,

I was nearly new.

When I was Three

I was hardly me.

When I was Four,

I was not much more.

When I was Five, I was just alive.

But now I am Six, I'm as clever as clever,

So I think I'll be six now for ever and ever.

now we are six - A.A. Milne

Daddy Daughter Dance

This doesn't happen often in the Erickson household. No. Not true. This has NEVER BEFORE HAPPENED in the Erickson household - Anna Rose asked if she could get a dress!

That's right. Self-proclaimed Tomboy-Farm-girl-I-don't-want-to-bathe-no-way-not-ever Anna Rose asked if she could get a new dress for the Adventure Princess Daddy Daughter Dance. 

To which Lia said, and I quote, "When Anna Rose asks for a dress, we get her a dress."

Not that Anna Rose always gets what she wants. She doesn't. (But more than I care to admit.)

Usually I'm the softee. Not this time. Lia was not going to miss this opportunity. 

So while I was up in the mountains at the Leader Retreat, Anna Rose and Lia went to the mall and picked our this:

Beautiful, right?

I said, "Wow! That dress really reflects your personality, Anna Rose."

Lia laughed. "That's exactly what Anna Rose said!"

Two Gigs

Man. I love that picture. Kenya circa 1997. Guitar. Singing "Amazing Grace," as I recall, in the middle of swarm of beautiful children wondering who the heck is this white guy?

There was clapping and tears and giggles and the one old dude. It WAS amazing.

Well, a couple weeks ago, I had the opportunity to "teach" about my second home to Anna Rose's second grade class. What a blast!

Here is Anna Rose and I playing a little duet.  

We talked about the land, the animals, the food, the people…I was worried about filling forty-five minutes…that turned out not to be a problem (as you probably imagined).

Not to toot my own horn or anything but they already asked me if I'd give my presentation again next year.

Speaking of yearly events…We had our annual Young Life leader weekend up at the cabin. We set a record at 57! Holy Smokes! Tell the truth I think we could have squeezed in a few more (here's to lack of furniture!) As always - such a great time, which once again started off with a trip to my favorite place in the world - the Allegheny Jubilee.

Here is me in a Charles and Charlie sandwich.  

They named me an honorary member of the Rise and Shine Band! I'll tell you - life is good. 

2nd Graders and Mountain Folk.

Two gigs I won't soon forget - and won't have to if they become annual.