Career Day 2016

I had a wonderful experience this week speaking to Kate's first grade class for career day.  It was certainly a challenge to bring the conversation of a legal career down to a first grade level, but I believe it went well.  We spoke a lot about conflict resolution and that the courts are a way for adults to resolve their differences peacefully.

Kate and me

My welcome sign from the class

  

Activities at Dad's Office

The girls have a much easier time entertaining themselves at the office these days.

Daddy Daughter Dance 2015

This year was a significant time for the annual Girl Scout "Daddy Daughter Dance," as my youngest Kate was finally able to attend.  

We had a great time and my firm was proud to be one of the sponsors this year.  

Kate and Grace get along very well and as is typical, little sister adores her older sibling and older sibling doesn't appreciate it.

I always like the annual picture and I typically ruin it by closing my eyes.  Kate had a solution for her shot.

Lots of great activities:

Father's Day Program

The end of April is obviously too early to celebrate Father's Day, but it is time for the Kindergarten Father's Day/Mother's Day Program.  One of my favorite songs was "Three Cheers for Dad on Father's Day."  It may have been just me, but I thought Kate had an extra special smile on her face when she was singing about her dad.  

A little preview of the entire show:

Very Special Christmas Card

I was delighted to receive a nice Christmas card from one of my "kids," James Michael. Usually I send all of his cards, so I was most impressed when I saw that he took the initiative to send me a card on his own.

Label Maker

We are constantly buying new tape for our label maker and it is primarily because of the little people who take it and use it when they come to the office.  Kate really likes the label maker and used it to do the following, which I found on my back: 

Her spelling was impressive for a 5 year old.  However, my good feeling soon evaporated when I found the next sticker (and she obviously had help from her older sister):

Surprise in a Legal Pad

I like having the girls play in the office.  Every once in a while I will be in a meeting and will find evidence of their presence.  It is always a nice surprise.

New Adventure for our Babysitter

Kaci was a great babysitter for my girls, but she is no longer available to serve in that role, primarily because she is now a world away.  She is spending a year serving the people of Nigeria.  The girls and I are excited about her new adventure and wish her all the best.  You can learn more about her experience at her blog below:

http://kaciw.blogspot.com/

Retirement

Kate spent a lot of time with me in the office over the holiday season.  She actually thinks she works with me and is an attorney.  I am expecting a letter from the Alabama State Bar regarding the unauthorized practice of law any day now. 

One day I was working at my desk and she walked in the room, put her hands on her hips and in her most official voice said "Daddy, if you work really hard I might retire you some day."

Things You Find When You Leave Your IPad Unattended in the Office

Maybe They Do Listen

I was most proud of Kate this week. I have a piggy bank in my office (Fathers day gift from James Michael) and she cleaned it out. I told her to put it back, but she said "daddy, it's for charity." She wanted to give it to a homeless man she had seen off 280. She said he looked like a farmer (because of his hat) and he did not have a home or a wife. She also snagged a box of cookies from a gift basket we received. We have both items in the car ready for him and as you can see see made a note about where the funds are going.

Her back-up plan if we do not see him is to give the money to "the Army." It took me a minute to figure out which army she was referring to (hint: think red).

A Very Special Christmas Party

The girls and I regularly take our friend James Michael to a monthly support group meeting offered by the Alabama Head Injury Foundation. This year my law practice (Carney Dye, LLC) and my church (Prince of Peace Catholic Church) were honored to help host the groups annual Christmas Party. It was a lot of fun and the participants really appreciated it.

One of the "moms" brought some amazing BBQ nachos (pictured below), which were my personal highlight of the day. We also sang karaoke, but the microphone was dominated by Grace and Kate. We sang a few Christmas Carols, but before long were singing "Call Me Maybe" and "You Don't Know Your Beautiful." I got a very strange look from my friend Lisa when she caught me singing the latter to myself later in the evening.

We ended the event with some bingo, complete with fabulous prizes. Of course it was a little awkward when Grace won the first game and Kate won the last. God or Lady Luck was looking out for me on that last win because we all know you things don't go well when one child takes a prize home and the other does not!

I know that the Carney Family is already looking forward to next year's party.

Art Adventure

The girls and I enjoyed some Christmas festivities as the Birmingham Museum of Art. You cannot beat or turn down a free activity!

Cowboy Lunch

One of the highlights of the 4k year at St. Stephens is the annual Cowboy Lunch.  One would think we were in Texas.  I enjoy having a flexible work schedule, as it allowed me to volunteer at this year's lunch.  I was the official portrait photographer.

 

 

Stick horse race

 

Creative treats

 

One of my portraits

 

 

Notes on my Ipad

I found a few notes on my ipad left by 4 yo Kate, such as:

Katefgvfvdfsxfhfdg
Dad

And:

Katehyftseasdtgyijhhgkygfddsaswet
Dad mom
Graces

The Littlest Witness

Kate was in the office with me last week and is under the impression that she works with me as an equal. I had a signing meeting with some clients (who brought their one year old grandchild). I allowed Kate to come in to say hi. However, she took a seat at the table and demanded to serve as a witness. Fortunately, the clients had their draft copies, which Kate signed. She even put the date of 9-9-13 (it was backwards, but she did get the point)

Looking Out For My Partner

I was out of the office taking care of the kids this week.  Grace heard me making several appointments with clients for the next day (when I would be out of the office).  Her response was - "You are making a lot of appointments for Mrs. Shannon.  More than you ever have.  You have not even given her time for a break!"

I do need to point out that I did not book any appointments for the lunch hour.

Fun With Dad

I had a friend open a new business the other day. There was an open house and as I had the girls with me, I took them to the event. They of course did great. Afterwards, I asked Grace if she had a good time. She said "yes Dad, it was a lot of fun. You usually only take us to funerals and stuff."

Child Friendly Office

One advantage of having a child friendly office is that all kids of cute kids drop by:

 

My niece Isabella

 

Baby Sam

Chocolate Work-Product

One of Grace and Kate's primary jobs at my office is to bring me documents that I print on my copy machine. I actually really miss them when they are not at the office (as I have to repeatedly make the trek back and forth from my office to the copier). The other day Kate brought me a letter. Fortunately the chocolate fingerprints were pretty evident on the document and I was able to reprint it. Someone secretly dipped into the office chocolate supply! I must admit that a little bit of chocolate would have made my demand letter a little sweeter for the recipient.