"Snow is Falling the Size of Cupcakes" --Puppy

Where to start, hmmmmm, so much has happened since I've last blogged.

Well, I have to tell you, I am pretty excited about this, I found a new way to shovel the driveway. I know what you're thinking, how is it possible for there to be a new and different way to shovel snow?! But hold on to yer Grannie panties here it comes, well first I have to preface. Take a deep breath and be patient. Down the road literally and figuratively there is a man who likes to run, he likes to run in the hot, hot sun. And this is not an, "oh me, oh my, what a lot of wonderful things go by. . ." thing. He runs, all day, from here to there in none other than his underwear. Anyways, enough said about, "underwear running man". Or as Puppy likes to put it, "the man who likes to run in his undies." Back to prefacing, he was shoveling his driveway on Sunday, when we only had an inch or so of snow, with his inside/outside broom (the kind that the janitor pushed around when you were at elementary school). I was stunned into rubbernecking, I am ashamed to say.

I couldn't wait to try out this new fangled idea. So, yesterday, I figured it was time to shovel the snow off the driveway before we got seven more inches on top of the three that we already had. I used the push broom, and I have to tell you, it was pretty stinkin' fun! For all of you who have back issues and still want to be able to enjoy the pleasure of shoveling the snow, the pushing action that is utilized in this method is very gentle on the back (Not only am I the president, I'm also a client!).

So, WOW its still snowing. It was ice last night, so there is a layer of ice under the fresh snow. That is always fun for Lilly. Well, its fun for me to watch as she runs outside in the snow to find a place to squat (she loves the snow as much as I do and is in a hurry, let me tell you!--as in NOOO don't do it on the porch!). Anyways, the crunch and fall that ensues every step is funny as she looks at me like I can do something for her. Actually, Rice has dug out a spot for her before, but that's another story.

I know how much you are loving the videos and would have more, BUT my digital camcorder is on the fritz! Can you believe it? I was just singing its praises, and now, it won't turn on, well it will, but all you can see is the start up screen. No play back or visual to take new videos. We called the company and they said to take the batteries out for 48 hours, I am trying to figure out how that is going to fix it, but will keep you posted. So while we're trying to get that straightened out, you're just going to have to visualize. Work with me here!

On top of that, I know you're thinking, "What? There's more??". As we were trying to download the last of the videos from the camera, we realized that the memory in the computer is full. I don't think that has happened since 1995! (I'll have to call the Book of World Records to find out). So, Rice did a little checking and we found out this computer has exactly as much memory as his ipod. One word. SERIOUSLY?!!? For real?? How could that be??
So, we need to get one of those external dew-hickeys so I can even post the totally freaky pictures I took of all the icicles hanging down off the porch like millions of daggers.

To top it all the soy sauce (see introduction) has been running around and definitely NOT using their inside voices ever since this new snow storm started yesterday. Its like they slept in a vat of maple syrup and through osmosis (I know that only refers to water--just go with it) their bodies absorbed all the sugar and they have been on a high fructose corn syrup high ever since they woke up. The little boy that I babysit's Dad said he could pick up his little one early when he saw the state of the soy sauce this morning (it was that bad!). I think he was just kidding, but will keep the phone close by all day just in case.

Speaking of phones, Rice has a two hour delay. I didn't know that was possible for grown ups. I told him I wanted one too, but he says it doesn't work that way. He decided to stay and work from home rather than try to fight the crazy traffic (you would think the people here would know how to drive in the snow by now!). As he headed down to the basement to get started he says, "If you need me, I'll have my cell phone." Okay I have to say it again, SERIOUSLY?! Apparently he was. I can't wait to call him later and tell him his lunch is ready.

Here we Go AGAIN!

I know all kids like to do their favorite things over and over and over again. BUT, if I have to hear Salty sing this song again, I think I may go crazy. I have to preface this, so you can understand what it is I am talking about here. Salty is allowed a little T.V. time pretty much every day, as long as she hasn't been misbeahving too badly. Everything is pretty normal so far . . . this is where it gets a little interesting. Every day she wants to watch the same movie. Okay, you say, lots of kids have a favorite movie. But oh no, not like this. Salty has to get ready to watch her movie. She has to dress like Barbie. So, she changes into a skirt or dress, fancy shoes, necklace, magic wand (that looks like the magic mirror in her movie), backyardagain guitar, lightsaber for a microphone, pillow and blanket (those two were a no brainer). If something is missing, she has to pause the movie in order to find the misplaced item. Then she is ready. She promplty skips to her favorite part of the movie (the last five minutes) and watches it (and acts it out) over and over and over again for her half an hour of television viewing privilidges. She usually does not get to the end of the thirty minutes before her brothers, Dad or I have had enough of this song. I find that I am humming it while she is gone to pre-school and am having dreams about Barbies and best friends. I think its growing on me :o)

It's a Snow Day!

We were really excited to have loads and tons of snow last week. The kids couldn't wait to get outside in the negative 20 degree windchill to play in the snow. Seriously ever day the boys would ask if they had school. They would be SO mad when they realised that snow does not equal no school. They were ecstatic to find out that sub-zero freakishly cold weather equals no school in Columbus. Of course, Rice had to remind us that he never had a Snow Day growing up in Canada. Not even when it was so cold and windy that he had to walk to school backwards . . . I'd like to see the kids do that now~a~days!

T-dawg's tips on how to annoy your favorite girlfriend

tip 1 You must pester the girl by complimenting them on how beautiful they are repeatedly. (Some compliments are '' There's a hot girl!, You're a hot girl! and Ooo laa laa, you're hot!)

tip 2 You must also constantly remind the girl of funny things they have said. (This is easier if you have known your girlfriend for a long time. If you have just started dating, see the bottom of this page.)

tip 3 To annoy the girl at full power, team up with a friend and combine the tips above. (If you can't reach your friend or have no friends do one of the following: 1 Get a friend. 2 Annoy the girl as best as you can without one.)

Alternate mode for tip 2: Spy and eavesdrop on the girl as best as you can. Then do tip 2.

Dance Class

Well, all y'all know how much Salty loves dancing. She started a tap/ballet introduction class in January. All Christmas long she would ask, "What does January mean?" At first we were unsure what she meant. She had recently learned the, "Deese are the Month's of tha Ye-aaarrr" song (you should ask her to sing it for you). But, after a few times we realized that January meant DANCE CLASS! So here is some much anticipated footage of said Dance Class:

Raising Cane and Other Blunders

Today, while running around town, we noticed that there is a new fast food joint coming to town. There was a big sign saying "Raising Cane" would be coming soon. On the sign the "raising" was smaller and in cursive writing and the "cane" was larger and printed in script.

Rice says, "Cane. What kind of food do they have?"

I reply, "I think it's a chicken place. And it's RAISING Cane."

T-dawg pipes up, "Well, it sounds like a place where old retired people go to get their chicken fingers!"

*no offence if you like Raising Cane, are retired, or like chicken fingers.

Later the same day. . .
Salty was dressed up in her leotard, practicing her tap moves, when she needed a bathroom break. After a minute she called me in there.

"Umm, Mommy, what is in the toilet?"

(Here is where I do NOT want to talk about potty things--again!) I lean over to peer behind her and see her scrunchie that was holding her hair up floating in the toilet. "Oops, I guess your scrunchie fell off, huh?"

We laughed about it for a second, then I took a deep breath to ready myself (for she had already tinkled )and reached in. I held it over the bowl for a second to dry out before removing it when I hear, "Mom, something's dripping on my bhhhhuuuutt!"

I guess you have to hear the way she says that last word, okay its not really a nice word and hopefully you won't hear her say it, but it is totally funny.

Needless to say, we're headed off for baths :o)

Here is a link to another wonderful blunder http://nathanandemily.blogspot.com/2009/01/you-wan-piece-of-me.html --promise you will giggle

Puppy's First Goal!!

November 9, 2008, early in the morning, at a chilly ice rink in Central Ohio, Puppy scored his first goal! We were so excited for him. During the whole game he was on fire. He had at least five breakaways and tons of shots on goal, but the goalie was just as ferocious - not letting any pucks pass the goal line. The Bruins were leading by a goal with thirty seconds left in the game, in a desperate attempt to tie it up, the Flyers pulled their goalie. Puppy broke loose on another breakaway. He shoots! He scores!!!
Since then he has been tearing it UP, scoring two goals at his next game.

This picture is one of his near goals, but the goalie made a great save!

This is Puppy going for it, full throttle ahead!

The previous weekend, Puppy took his first turn ever in the net. He played an awesome game and made lots of saves. It was pretty cute when he missed this one because he wasn't paying any attention since his team was dominating. When he finally decided to quit day dreaming and focus, he was a little too late. He has such a cute little sheepish look in the picture--like he's saying OOPSY I forgot! The whole situation was pretty funny because all week, when we would ask him how he felt about playing goalie, he would arrogantly reply, "It's going to be soooo easy." Then the night before the game, I asked him again--he was looking a little worried. He said, "Mom, what if I can't stop the puck?!" "Don't loose your confidence now, you're going to do fine." I told him, and he did great :o)

He's just too cute! Puppy so schmuppy!

I Just Got to Shovel the Driveway, YEAAAAAA~!

I don't know how well you know me, but now you'll know a lil' secret. I LOVE to shovel snow. Right now you may be rolling your eyes up toward the ceiling, speculating on how long I will keep up the sarcasm, but I'm serious. Tingling fingers, wet crusty snow stuck to the bottom hem of my pants, runny nose and all.

Growing up in Eastern North Carolina, I didn't really have many chances to practice shoveling snow, but ever since we lived in Cleveland, I have come to love the monotonous feeling of bend, shovel, throw--don't slip (for I have on many occasions). I first started shoveling snow out of necessity (we lived in Cleveland-duh!), for we had to shovel it many times a day there, but I really grew to enjoy and look forward to the shoveling. I liked it so much, that even nine months pregnant with Salty, I would still run to beat Rice to the shovel, so I could do the shoveling.

It feels like it has been forever since I've gotten to say this, but I am happy today because I got to shovel snow. :o) By the looks of it, I may get to do it again before all is said and done, YEAAAA!!

*post script--the dog ran away while the fun was going on and has been out in the snow ever since--keep you updated on the frozen doggie. ..

*post post-script ..update, she's back and thawing :o)

Our Visit to the Great White North (actually non-white, but there was snow)

We had a great time visiting with Rice's family in Canada over the Holidays. The boys were way excited for the road trip (meaning in kid language lots of free nintendo time in the car). Salty was excited to see Auntie (that means new Barbie movies and lots-o-shopping :o) and she wanted to share her impressive Vietnamese vocabulary (which consists of: shark, chair, telephone and classroom) with her Grandma & Grandpa. The kids were really glad to see everyone, especially their two-year old cousin that they haven't seen for nearly a year and a half. Rice was almost just as excited eat rice (something he hasn't seen in almost as long he jokes) with every meal while we were visiting.

I call this one the telepathic cousins, it would seem that they had some form of communication going on, I just couldn't put my finger on what it was. If you listen carefully, (not to the inane yelling) you can hear the little Ookie (the little monkeys from Mario Party) saying gunnng, gunnnng gunnnnnnnnnnng, Salty seems to understand the Ookie language better than I. My best guess would be, "Sit there and try to look bored whilst I pick my cute little nose." but I am no expert. I am just kidding, he is a smart, sweet little Ookie who stays up way past my bedtime, but I hear that's when he gets all his good learnin' in :o)

Little did we know, when we set out on our Northern Expedition, that we would find a New Light Saber Guy, but we did. The kids had a great time playing with their Uncle!

All in all we had a wonderful visit with family and Rice's old friends. Its wonderfulness was amplified by the use of our Family present of a GPS. Wouldn't you know it, that guy was always right! I have to admit, we doubted tom-tom from time to time. But he hit the mark every time--even if he did have a slight speech impediment. It was nice being gone, but even nicer to be home and back to our busy life. Here's to Family ;o)