Asking for Trouble

Grace has now completed her “Mother’s Day Out” program, which means that she becomes an additional child to juggle during the busy work week. Last Monday my wife went into her office and I had the girls. I made the mistake (?) of scheduling two signing meetings with clients. In addition, I had another client planning to drop by to sign his estate planning documents.

I did of course disclose to the clients that there was a chance for the meeting to be most disruptive. No one seemed to mind and everyone was excited about seeing the girls. I am happy to say that things went better than I expected. Kate was her usual happy self and she either smiled at everyone or slept in her car seat.

Grace was also good and was most polite. While her Daddy explained the documents, she sat in the corner and played with golf balls and a golf towel (I know, strange toys, but she claimed a golf tournament goodie bag of mine as her own). At one point I did feel a little tap on my arm and Grace was standing there next to the conference room table with the towel on her head. She was just beaming and she received the laughs she was looking for from all of us.

I really do appreciate the patience of my office staff and clients that allow me to make the girls a part of my practice.

Race Day

Enjoyed a fun trail half-marathon today. The Twisted Ankle Race takes place every May in Summerville, Georgia. It is an understatement to call the course "hilly." My brother-in-law and I had a great time and as you can see below, we had a fairly decent time (considering we took a wrong turn at one point and had to double back). Even more importantly, we had great support from family and friends!

Another Monday Meeting

My wife typically heads into the office for a few hours every Monday morning. I usually forget this fact and schedule at least one client meeting on Mondays. My three year old usually attends her "Mother's Day Out" classes, which means I am typically left with Kate. We recently had another one of our Monday meetings, where I was discussing an estate administration with a client. I had Kate in her car seat in a chair next to me. For some reason, she decided to crane her neck and stare down my client. She appeared mesmerized by what he was saying.

As he was talking to me, I could see him glance over at Kate and try his mightiest to keep from smiling. He eventually gave in and just started to laugh. I apologized for my little distraction, but the client thought it was great. Kate, you add much needed levity to some serious conversations. I wonder if I can get away with bringing you into the courtroom?

Shopping for Office Supplies

I outsource a lot of my copying and office needs to Staples (where I am a proud Rewards Member). I took my 3 year old with me today. She was very upset that Staples did not have "anything for her." Nonetheless, she was able to find something she wanted. She was proud that she brought some money with her (3 pennies) and I did not have the heart to tell her that she did not have enough (I was more than happy to make up the difference).

The picture below shows my girls playing with her new purchase (a roll of tickets):

Putting the Day in Perspective

It was quite a busy day: some traveling, some work, preparing dinner for the family, etc. Once I arrived home and began to prepare dinner, Grace asked me to play with her. I quickly told her that I was busy and that I would play with her later. Her response was "But Daddy, you my best friend." You could hear my heart melting. Nonetheless, we had to eat, so I finished dinner (but I sure did dote on her for the rest of the evening).

Your Documents

I occasionally review documents at home (when the kids are occupied). My five month old daughter has developed an obsession for paper and she began to lunge for my work and was able to even grab a page. My three year old came bounding into the room shouting, "Daddy, Daddy, she trying to get your documents!"

On a similar note, Grace occasionally brings me a page from one of her coloring books and tells me that she needs me to sign some documents. I guess that is what I get when I take her to Will signings.

Happy Easter

I had an opportunity to spend the Easter weekend participating in a variety of family activities, including, but not limited to: church, two Easter egg hunts and a meal at Cracker Barrel. I also had an opportunity to conduct a Will signing. Some of my clients (who reside in my parents' hometown) decided that the Easter holiday would be a great time to get together and sign updated estate planning documents. One couple and two of their children all signed documents (all at the same time). We had a great time and I felt like a member of their own holiday table (there was the exchange of lots of family stories and memories). I was also impressed that a family would use their holiday time together to address such an important aspect of their lives. It was truly a testament about how they felt about one another.