Category Archives: Family

Pool mice

Family


I grew up in the water.  In my hometown, there is a large earthen dam which was built in 1940 to help with flood control on the Allegheny River.  The outflow from the dam forms a really cool creek/small river that has been called the beach since forever.  It really is sort of beachy since it has imported sand, a lifeguard chair, and a concession stand.


Anyhow, since the age of 4 or so, my Mom took my brother and me to the beach every single weekday.  A few days ago, I mentioned that we were outside all summer long.  Part of that was facilitated by our daily trips to the beach where we soaked up tons of vitamin d as we played, unprotected, in the sun.


Part of the beach experience was swimming lessons.  We took swimming lessons 2 or 3 days a week all summer, every summer.  My brother and I became proficient swimmers in the murky, sometimes fast moving, freezing cold water of the outflow of Tionesta Creek.  I worked as a lifeguard at a pool all through college but that was about my only experience with a pool.  We were river rats…we lived in the river and drank enough of it to be part fish.


We have no such opportunity for my kids and it just doesn’t seem right that my kids are not yet great swimmers.  The kids’ aunt and uncle paid for swimming lessons at the local rec-center and we’ve enjoyed watching the kids learn to swim.  Isaac has actually gotten pretty good, due especially to his frequent swim trips with his summer camp friends.  He is actually the most proficient swimmer in the class which leads me to the funny part.  The last 2 classes, the instructor has tried to get the kids to jump in the deep end.  Most of the smaller kids have “manned up” and done it but poor Isaac hasn’t yet found his nerve.  I took this video of him preparing to jump in this weekend.  It’s worth the download time to watch!  I love that little boy!

So, my kids are not yet river rats…they are more like pool mice…but they are well on their way and I am proud!

Momma told me to go fly a kite

Family, Fun, Thoughts, ,

Flying a kite

Like Mommas everywhere, mine was always happy for a nice day to come along in the middle of winter.  My brother and I undoubtedly drove my parents crazy in our modest home where we grew up.  Whenever the sun was up and it was above 10 degrees (or 5 degrees on days when my brother and I were in rare form), we were outside.  Same thing in the summer – if the sun was up, we were outside.  We didn’t have air conditioning so we might as well be. Anyhow, the point is, we were outdoor children.

Flying a kite
Mom used the few indoor moments for instruction, of course.  Trying to instill in us an interest in engineering, aerodynamics and materials, I remember once when my Mom helped us make kites and told us to go outside and fly them.  She seemed to be in a huge hurry for us to get them built and outside…yeah, I didn’t buy all that stuff about aerodynamics either.  Indoor moments were really just accidents where they didn’t work it right to get us outside!

Flying a kite
So, we had an absolutely beautiful weekend here in WV and we decided to do an experiment with our kids.  We gathered up a few kites that we had collected at various times and headed for a flat field (there are only a few here!) since the wind was blowing on Saturday.  We unwound and untangled the strings and got everything put together and took off with the kites.

Flying a kite
Abigail’s flew pretty well and she ran around the field until she was completely covered in mud.  Isaac had no luck flying his kite though.  It was a Star Wars Episode 5 storm trooper kits which was all kinds of awesome but it flew like an AT-AT walker.  He ran all over with it and got him self covered in mud as was proper.  He really tried, dragging that kite though muck and mire as it crashed along behind him.  Every now and then, the wind would catch it for a moment and toss it up in the air, only to drive it headlong back down to the mud a second later.

Flying a kite
It just would not fly for anything.  The poor kid, Isaac was terribly frustrated and I was no gem by this point either.  He did help us to scientifically confirm our hypothesis – flying kites is still every bit as miserable as it was when I was a kid.  I don’t know if anyone (me as a kid, or my kids) learned a thing about aerodynamics or materials, but I think there is a chance that both kids added to their vocabulary this weekend…

Refried Ambrosia (and other dips)

Family, Food, Fun, ,

Layered bean dip

There is a family football tradition each year hosted by Emily’s brother and sister-in-law, L1D1 where we all come to their house, eat their food, and enjoy the Super Bowl on their multiple big screen tvs.  This year, however, L1D1 are expecting L2D2 (you really have to follow the link for an explanation),

Layered bean dip

so we all brought something different to share the burden.  Our task was to bring 7 layer dip, though I don’t think we put in 7 layers.  Anyhow, here are the layers we used:

7 layer dip

1 can refried beans with some taco seasoning to taste
1 pint sour cream
1 pint salsa
1/4 head of lettuce, shredded (just enough to satisfy your inner-rabbit)
1 or 2 tomatoes (to taste) cut into chunks
1 bag Mexican cheese (you know, the cheese blend)

Layer all that stuff in a pie pan in the order listed and refrigerate a bit to let it set up. Serve with chips and enjoy the awesomeness!

Steelers fans Superbowl cake

So, I really dig that and ate way too much (just ask the family).  Anyhow, Emily’s Mom brought the cake shaped like a football stadium which Abigail and L1D1 decorated with icing.  There was lots of other food as well including L1D1’s renowned football-shaped-calzones.

Football calzones

We had a good feed and I enjoyed the dips…all of them…especially the ones walking around!  One of my favorite dips got pretty bored 7 minutes into the game and turned to reading his book.  That’s typical Isaac.  Emily’s grandparents were pretty funny to watch…they were a house divided…one cheered for Steelers and the other for the Cardinals.  I kept bringing the Steelers fan cookies and cake.  I think we need to honor the right decision!  I really wanted to segregate the Cardinals fans in the broom closet but I didn’t think PETA would appreciate that too much.

House divided

Reading at the Superbowl

Anyhow, I genuinely like hanging with out with these dips and had a great time overeating and watching the Steelers eek out a Superbowl win!

My Dixie dream come true!

Family, WV,

The WV car show came to town this weekend.  In general, I couldn’t really care less about new car models, horsepower, etc.  I mean, I like horsepower.  I used to like to drive fast until I got my first ticket.  That first (and last) ticket came in 1995 and cost me $155.  The cheapskate in me kicked in and I rarely speed any more.  It just costs too much.  Anyhow, I don’t read Car and Driver or Off-Road Hero or anything of the sort.  I like a car/truck/van to get me where I am going and that’s about all I care about (point of proof, I drive a man-van..the dreaded minivan…but it’s outfitted with XM Radio so I can blare the hottest hairband tunes from the 80s).

Anyhow, so I don’t care much about cars, but Friday was date night + kids…the extended version.  The kids got their report cards and they looked pretty great so we went to celebrate by eating at the local Japanses steak house.  Isaac and I especially like the part when the chef lays down a path of corn whiskey and sets the place ablaze for a moment.  Anyhow, normally on such a special night, we would finish dinner, then head to Sam’s and finally to the tastee-freeze to cap it all off!  Sam’s was too busy so we headed to Kroger where they happened to have  free tickets to the WV car show laying around…<ding>FREE TICKETS!</ding>  “Yes, I’d like 4 please, and hurry so we can still hit the tastee-freeze!”

We jumped in the man-van and headed downtown to check out the latest from Detroit.  Upon entering the door, what do my wonderous eye behold, but the General Lee…yes, THE General Lee.  Now, in case you don’t recall, I sort of have a thing for the Dukes of Hazzard .  Emily bought me the entire DVD collection of the Dukes for Christmas this year.  The Dukes rate second only to my M*A*S*H DVD collection.  My children mean almost as much to me as these collections.  Just kidding…anyhow, the kids and I (they are so awesome – the kids like the Dukes a lot too…we’ve been watching episodes  over and over…still on Season 1!) stood and drooled over the General for at least 10 minutes.  We didn’t speak.  We just had a connection.  It was 3 with the machine.  We were mere inches from my Dixie Dream!  I suppose there were other cars in the auditorium, but I had seen the promised land!

Us with the General Lee
I wish I had a better picture than this but the lighting was awful…still, I am proud to share this special moment with you!

I had to spit on him

Family, Fun,

A few months ago, we got a new cat Mohinder.  Our other cat Madeline is pretty well trained to stay off of tables and counters.  It could be that she’s old and too bitter to jump, but I prefer to think of it as her getting a proper upbringing in a loving home.  Anyhow, Mohinder is a much younger, testosterone-fueled cat (though he must have an alternate source as his normal testosterone makers are no longer in his possession).  He’s starting to get that stubble on his chin typical of a male going through puberty.  

So, we’ve made training Mo a family affair.  We keep a water bottle around to squirt him when we catch him doing something teenager-like.  Speaking of that, have any of you with teens tried a water bottle for training?  Isaac is only 4 years from it and I am already preparing my passport so I can exit the country. 

Well, we have been progressing along pretty well and Mo is pretty bright as cats go.  Isaac was so proud awhile back and had to tell me of his efforts in training Mo.  Apparently Mo was on the dining room table.  Isaac caught him but did not have the spray bottle handy.  Being a resourceful bugger, Isaac came up with the only water he had available.  He told me, “Dad, I had to spit on him.  It was the only water I had.”  Now let me tell you, I look at our dining room table with a more cautious eye and thank my lucky stars that Mo was not doing something wrong in the bathroom!

Uncle Warren

Family, Fun,

I loved the movie “Uncle Buck” when it first came out several years ago.  I think every kid ought to have an Uncle Buck – the kind of no-nonsense guy who sort of watches out for the kid, no matter what.  I liked it so much that my kids call my brother Uncle Buck – no, they really do –  I doubt they know his real name.

So Emily’s brother and sister-in-law are expecting which means Emily and I will be an aunt and uncle sometime in August.  I am typically a pretty no-nonsense guy so I am pretty much declaring myself to be L2D2’s “Uncle Buck” (though I hope he/she doesn’t call me that). I actually just got a hat very much like Uncle Buck’s a few weeks ago…

So, L2D2 you ask…what does that mean?  We don’t know the name or the gender of this child but we have to have to call the little bugger something.  We though about superhero names (Emily’s brother has a Superman tattoo) but that seemed sort of gender specific. I’d feel bad if I had called little Becky Spiderman for 9 months.  I considered going with Neonate 1 or Zygote Alpha in the style of the Presidential code name system but that didn’t seem to work either.  Emily and I both love Star Wars so we decided to go with L2D2, using the initials of the parents and the 2 for…well…version 2 of said parents.

So, without further adieu, I’d like to introduce you to L2D2, my niece/nephew!  

 

Congratulations L1D1! We are certainly very excited!

Sarah the Penguin

Family, Nature,

Making a penguin Making a penguin

 Abigail is in kindergarten and her class is doing a study series on penguins.  She brought a form home telling of her assignment.  First off, the class adopted a penguin in the Falkland Islands.  I read a little about the World Wildlife Fund adoption program and it sounds pretty neat.  I also learned that Emperor penguins can grow to 4 feet tall and weight 80 pounds…that’s the size of Isaac!  Anyhow, her class decided to name their adopted penguin Crystal. 

Making a penguin Making a penguin

Each student was to research a type of penguin, write a report, and make a model of their penguin.  There are around 23 students in her class and each student was assigned a different type of penguin.  I had no idea that there are more than 20 different types of penguins!  Holy moley!  Anyhow, Abigail was assigned the Little Blue Penguin so we hit wikipedia and learned a lot about Little Blue Penguins.  I read each section to Abigail and she responded back with sentences that described what she thought was important.  I typed in her words and she completed her first school report!  You can read her report here if you’d like.

Making a penguin

Next, we had to work on a model of the little blue penguin.  We brainstormed a little to come up with a base around which to build her penguin.  We finally settled on a 2-liter bottle (it’s about the same size as a Little Blue Penguin).  Emily and I found a pear shaped ornament holder on sale at the local craft store which worked perfectly as a head.  I had to help some with cutting the bottle but Abigail sawed the wooden dowels for legs and used the hot glue gun to fasten it all together.  So, we attached all of the pieces and she covered it all with masking tape (to give her a base to paint and to hopefully give it a feather appearance).  Abigail finished painting it last night and glued the eyes on to complete Sarah, the Little Blue Penguin.

That’s a funny thing about Abigail…she names almost everything..and she always uses the names Sarah (with an ‘h’, of course), Elizabeth, or Kylie.

Another funny thing about Abigail, she was not named Grace for a reason.  The poor child painted the floor, the table, herself and me in the course of painting Sarah.  I can’t help but laugh most times- I am pretty hard on our dining room table as well.  I just hope our house makes it through!

The real use of a garden tub

Family, Fun,

Boots in the garden tub

When we bought our house, the main bathroom had an enormous garden tub with jets and big fancy knobs and drains and room for 2.  We were sure that it would get a lot of use and be a great thing to have in our new old house.  We quickly found, however, that our 50 gallon hot water tank would not fill our 80 gallon tub and, more importantly, our 80 year old floor joists would probably not support 50 gallons of luke warm water plus two hind-ends.  So, here we are, stuck with an enormous garden tub in our bathroom that never sees any use.  Yesterday, we found a perfect use for it – a place to let snow melt off of boots!

Dance-Dance Revolution

Now let me back up and tell you the events leading to this.  We got some snow so the kids were off of school.  I went in to work in the morning but was owed a half-day of time for working over the holidays.  I came home for lunch and knew I had to stay as Emily and the kids were driving each other crazy.  We decided to bake some cookies and invite the neighbor kids over to play.  We started with a lively game of Dance-Dance Revolution.  It’s a ton of fun and I can get a mean dance on when I need to out-do my kids!

sled riding

After an hour or so, we decided to make use of the snow that had fallen so we headed to a cool hill nearby where we wore every last bit of snow off.  By the end, we were sledding on pure mud and I ruined a pair of jeans!  Anyhow, we had a great time playing but were so dirty when were were done, we didn’t know what to do.  Normally we strip and make a mad dash through the house, but it was too cold for much of that.  We made it to the bathroom and got into the bathtub and got rid of the snow and mud.  It was a perfect use for the garden tub.

sled riding sled riding - the flash

As I think of it, we may just leave it in the bathroom now after all.  I had planned to make it a real garden tub and haul it out back and stock it with fish.  I don’t know what we would do with snowy boots if I did that, though!

Just Playing Around

Family, Fun,

We got a bunch of new games for Christmas this year. We have been in an all out game playing marathon this week. I’ll give you a quick rundown on a few of them. Family game night has lots of options now! Anyhow, here is my impression of a few games…

Game night options

Apples to Apples – holy moley, this is an awesome game! Basically, each person gets 5 cards, each with a word. Each person puts down their card that most closely describes the “target word”. It’s a lot of fun…especially with small kids. For example, once the target word was cuddly. The submissions were basketball and lobster. As the judge, I had to decide which was most cuddly. Interesting game for sure!

Guess Who? – sort of like Clue with out the murder. You get 25 people and have to eliminate faces based on characteristics like eye color, beards, etc. We’ve had a bunch of fun with this one.  Abigail is a master!

Life, Pirates of the Caribbean edition – If you know the regular game of Life, you pretty well get this edition…just add a parrot on your shoulder and say “arrrrr” a lot more.  You pay in dubloons rather than dollars!

Dominoes – this has been our big time winner. We’ve played just under one million rounds of Mexican dominoes in several different variations over the past week. The kids have a fun time playing this although I think the adults (we’ve played with everyone) have had the most fun. I had no idea dominoes was actually a cool game!

Playing dominoes Playing dominoes

We are working hard to institute a regular family game night.  We play games a lot but I suppose as the kids get older that it will be more difficult.  I figure we’ll start a tradition now if we can and hope it sticks.  Do most people have a family-something night?