Last Year as a Teen

July 22, 2024 by Adam in Duncan

Jeaux is the usual birthday organizer, but I managed to order a cake and Duncan invited a couple friends over for an impromptu birthday shindig.  It was cool hearing Duncan talk about how college was so much better than high school and how well he was doing.  Plus it was fun seeing these kids I remember in first grade now as adults, reflecting on all their time together and enjoying each others' company.

I got Duncan some extra memory for his computer, hopefully making video editing a little easier.  I think Kevin wants to help with another computer upgrade, so I've got some disassembly in my future.

Anyway, it's cool seeing Duncan move another year into the future and become even cooler.

Adulting

July 21, 2023 by Adam in Duncan

Duncan's been adulting lately, quite literally as of yesterday, though even more before then.  Jo and I went off for a vacation, leaving him alone with cats and enough frozen burritos to survive a couple nights.  All went well and seems promising for the days to come.

His birthday was a pretty low-key affair, cake and gaming online with friends.  It was the kind of thing he wanted, plus he's getting over his second bout of COVID, extremely mild like the time before.

French Immersion

June 12, 2023 by Adam in Duncan

Duncan, Jo, and I went back to Charlemagne school for the French Immersion graduation.  It was surprisingly emotional, seeing these kids who for the most part grew up together, along with the parents who were our comrades-in-arms.  Hearing about each of the kids' favorite memories along with what they're doing in the fall was a highlight.  Apparently sliding down the hill in pizza boxes was a favorite pastime for many.

Getting Duncan to this point has been a struggle, but he's gotten into a groove the last few months.  He seems excited about the fall and numerous adults talked about the quality of the media program at LCC.  Jo and I are certainly relieved, but proud of him too.  Each of our kids had challenges making it through high school and it was good seeing another one make it there, whether by luck or effort or the support of everyone around him. 

Duncan visited with friends and teachers.  After the ceremony we went out to the playground where we'd rustled up Duncan and Ben countless afternoons.  I kept thinking about all the kids' and their destinations in a few months, some near and some far away, dandelion seeds scattered to the wind.  I hope they all find fertile soil and sunny days ahead.

Another Birthday Boy

July 21, 2020 by Adam in Duncan

Duncan had his friends over for a socially distant, mask-wearing birthday party.  At times it looked more like a gathering of revolutionaries than a birthday party, but I suppose this is the future we live in now.

It's strange seeing fifteen year-old Duncan with all his proto-manly friends, all much more grown up than my memories of them as little kids running around.  Ah how time passes.

Joanna did a great job with the cheesecake and modifying all the birthday traditions for pandemic times.  Duncan appreciated all the banners we hung up - my favorite was the unicorn banner, though the Minecraft one was pretty cool too.

Slightly Less Wise

June 16, 2020 by Adam in Duncan

Duncan got his wisdom teeth out yesterday.  All went well, though he emerged quite loopy and wanted to record the experience.  We checked and he was fine sharing his hijinks with the world.

Minecraft at Mopop

November 12, 2019 by Adam in Duncan

Duncan's video editing continues to impress.  He threw together a little video of his Minecraft exhibit visit in Seattle while coming back on the train.

First Day of School

September 05, 2019 by Adam in Duncan

Duncan started his first day of school yesterday, heading to South with his friend Josh.  I grilled him when he came home and he generally seemed to like his classes.  He said his French classes aren't going to have much homework and he liked his Geography teacher.  He was also missing a fifth period elective, and there were so many kids in the same boat that they created a Computer Fundamentals class for them all.  I think he wants to do video editing.

14 Year Old

July 21, 2019 by Adam in Duncan

Duncan turned 14 today.  We were all remarking on how big he seemed and that he starts high school in the fall.  After breakfast we made him open various presents - mostly cool t-shirts and various forms of cash that he turned into video editing software.

Around four the horde of teenage boys started to arrive.  They ran around the basement, talking loudly, went to the park, ate pizza outside, and now are downstairs playing Monsters Seeking Monsters, a monster dating video game.

That's our boy.

Graduated from Middle School

June 18, 2019 by Adam in Duncan

Duncan had his Roosevelt promotion ceremony tonight.  Joanna, Emma, and I went down with all the kids looking sharp.  We happened to sit behind Jason and Bridget, along with BJ and her mom.  It was cool seeing familiar faces.

As for our goofy boy, he was easy to spot with his rainbow hair and wore an Infinity Gauntlet oven mitt, getting a handshake from the principal who probably shouldn't have encouraged him.

Thirteen

July 13, 2018 by Adam in Duncan

Duncan technically doesn't turn 13 for another week, but as he's heading out to Rochester tomorrow, we've been throwing various celebrations for him this last week.  First up was a gathering of other teenage boys.  They went to VR, played a ton of Jackbox games, ran around the park and ate pizza, and eventually got to sleep sometime after 1 a.m. in the morning.  I think he had a great time.

Last night we had a family gathering, with Sam coming over for dinner.  Duncan got some computer and video related goodies - a green screen holder and custom filters, a copy of Jackbox to play with his Rochester crowd, and Emma swapped her new monitor with Duncan's.

Duncan's been really great this year and I try to tell him how much I appreciate how good natured and funny he's become.