Unless the show is on Nick, Disney, or the Cartoon Network - its pretty rare that I watch it.  For the most part, I don't mind.  But once in awhile, I like to watch TV shows before they are released on DVD.  Tonight I'd like to watch the super bowl - more for the commercials and the hoopla than the actual game.  In order to talk Sophie into it, I've come up with a two-part strategy:

1. Food: Snack buffet.
2. Games: Super bowl Bingo.

For many years  the kids and I have played a game in the car where we identify things we pass by their logos.  They've gotten really good at it, correctly identifying all kinds of businesses even before they were able to read.  To help increase the likelihood that we'll be able to keep the game on today, I've made bingo cards to match up with likely commercial contenders.  I'm hoping we make it until halftime.


Want to play along?

Print it: Super bowl Bingo 2010

Last year Martin participated in wrestling, and by that I mean that we went to twice a week practices for one looong season, but he never actually entered a tournament.  He was new to the sport and I could tell that he didn't really understand how an actual match would go when he was on his own, so we thought he ought to wait until the next season.  At the end of last season, he wasn't totally sure that he wanted to take wrestling again.  I think he was kind of tired of the practicing, and in his defense, he hadn't gotten to experience any of the thrill of an actual match (whether that thrill is victory or defeat).  I wasn't sure if he'd take it again, but told him just to think it over.

This year when we moved, the first two guys he met were about his same age - and wrestlers.  On the spot, he decided that he'd definitely take wrestling.  And a few months later, I found myself sitting in the wrestling room of my old high school watching this:


The wrestling room still smells exactly the same - a combination of sweat and hard work and energy.  There are at least half a dozen kids in the program that are the children of people with whom I grew up.  And about half a dozen coaches that I cheered for from the mat or the stands when we were in high school.


Two weekends ago, Martin participated in his first tournament.  I don't know if he was nervous, but I sure was.


He stood ready - waiting for it to start.  Each of us had a role to play - his dad coaching from the side of the mat, I was taking pictures, Sophie was running up and down the bleachers and chugging pop when I wasn't looking. 


After three rounds of wrestling, Martin took fourth place.  Which was okay by him.  "Sure there were only four people, but its still FOURTH!  And I got a medal!"


On the heels of his first experience, we decided to take Martin to another tournament.  He was excited, interested, and it was nearby - good criteria for participation.  And with a combination of luck and gaining some skill, Martin improved his performance - THIRD.


Not only that, but he got his first PIN.


I was so proud.  So proud, that I've added a video of his first pin.  Also so proud (but in a different way) that I've edited out the audio - the audio where I'm yelling "GO GO GO!" for the entire length of each one minute period. 

Download | Duration: 00:02:19

I've had a lot of favorite babies over the years (mine, yours, pretty much any one that comes my way), but this one is something special.  Meet my new favorite baby - Jonah.


I'm thrilled to welcome the son of Sevda and Blake.  He just arrived yesterday, and we've been waiting for him for a long time.


I know that no one waits for the arrival of a new baby quite like the parents or maybe the grandparents, but I think I was pretty close to the top of this list.  It was crowded up there.


He's really handsome, don't you think?  And smart, too.  You can tell.


Jonah, I adore you already.  And can't wait to meet you.  Be good to your mama, she's pretty special.

Martin: I slipped her a note today.
Me: What did it say?
Martin: I love you.
Me: And what did she say?
Martin: She just stared at me. Shocked.

We started Halloween celebrations early this year, and kicked off the Halloween Season on Tuesday.  Martin and Sophie each had their own parties that night, they have one this afternoon, another one tomorrow, followed by ACTUAL trick-or-treating on Saturday evening.  At first, they planned on wearing the same costumes, but now I can't be sure.  This morning they packed up costumes that were different than the ones they wore on Tuesday - but really, it hardly matters.  As long as it can be put together out of something we have, can be adhered with tape/glue/staples, and requires no papier mache, I'm all for it.

Here they are on night one - Martin as a Policeman and his K9 Partner, Sophie as a Ghost (old school style).


I like this shot because it makes me think of an opening shot for a new TV show.  Maybe CSPD Blue & White.  Or Martsky and Boo.


My favorite part of Martin's costume is his K9 Partner, obviously influenced by the K9 dog competition we attended this summer.  And he'd like to thank his sponsor.  He thought he might take along a few samples in case he ran into any dogs who needed energy.


Last night we whipped up a few batches up cupcakes for each of the parties.  I sure hope they last that long.


I could eat this WHOLE TRAY.

This fall Sophie and I signed up for a preschool class through the school's early childhood program.  Each week we explore a theme - learn a related song, visit stations on the same theme, play with her friends.  Its that last bit that has really caught Sophie's attention.  Learn about leaves?  No thanks, she'll play babies.  Want to make art about families?  Not now, she's still playing babies.  Each week we strike the same deal - do at least two stations, then she can play babies.  And each week its the same response, stand at the station, stare at me, move one item, head on over to the babies. 

So far, the only thing that has been strong enough to rip Sophie's attention away from playing babies, is the time each week where a student puts the spotlight on their family.  The student brings in a poster that shows family pictures and tells stories to explain each one.  Each week, there's been at least one photo that really caught her eye.  Two weeks ago Sophie told me that she had a plan for her own board.  She wants to re-enact the best photos from each of the previous boards.  That kid who had a photo after eating a blue sucker?  Nothing compared to Sophie's re-creation: 


The kid enjoyed going to the water park with his family?  Done.


I hope tonight some kid brings in a picture of their whole family sitting down for a quiet dinner, everyone happily eating whatever is on the table. Because THAT'S something I'd really like to see.

Seeing DUDE IT'S SUMMER still on this page makes me feel as if I've left the Christmas tree up and its well past Easter.  At some point, its time to clear it away and get back to regular living again.  So, I'm sweeping up the figurative dead pine needles and blowing the dust off this blog.

Its been a difficult time, and I guess that's reflected here in my absence.  While I haven't been posting, we still have been living - the kids and I have moved, Martin's enjoying first grade at a new school, and Sophie is semi-patiently waiting to turn FIVE when, according to her, everything good really starts to happen.  Let's hope we don't have to wait that long for the good to get even better.

3-D Glasses: Different design, still totally fantastic.

Dude, it's definitely not summer anymore.  Its been so long since I've posted anything here, that its kind of hard to know where to start.  What better way to kick things off than with a video about my birthday.  After much consideration (and collusion on the part of my mother), the kids bought for me the item which they believe that I've always wanted.  Here they are, giving a product demo of The Finest Birthday Gift Ever Given.

Download | Duration: 00:01:53

The kids went to get haircuts today, Sophie explaining to the stylist that she wanted her hair to look just like Dora.  And although she may have wanted a Dora, when she looked back at me, all I could see was Ramona Quimby, Age 8.

There's nothing like swimming in the lake on a hot summer day.  At first, the coolness of the water is a shock to your warm body, but before you know it, the water feels fine.  In some places you can feel where the water changes temperature, toes dipping into the layer of cool water below.