Catching Up (a little at a time)...

On a little project... Before floor = white tile, After floor = pretty laminate.

Notice the time stamps. Yes, it did take me nearly a month of procrastinating, but it is done.

NEXT!


I enjoy these kinds of blog posts, because I don't have to think too much. Which is good. Right?






Here is Cuddlebug in her communion dress...


No Benjy or Jessie in this pic. Why? Glad you asked, because they were definitely there. They were singing in the choir, and we never got a chance to get all six together at church. Crazy mobs of people, let me tell ya!I like this picture, even if Katie doesn't look all there. I see my Cuddlebug and her crazy/ditsy/sharp-as-a-tack personality all rolled up in this one picture. Whereas you see a cute eight year old. Pretty cool that perspective thing, don't you think?


Katie and Monsignor Daniel Deutsch.



Finally, we have...

All Aboard the Disney Express! Yep my baby girl is in Disney World as we speak, probably dreaming of her dinner tonight with Cinderella and the other princesses. I'll have to post the picture that the in-laws sent up of Mags in her very pretty dress. Now if they could just get her to try a ride or two...



Off they go, to a wonderful world of magic. I am so jealous, but at least we will be going later this year in December. Woo- Hoo!!!

I think that catches us up. I promise to have more details later regarding all of these and then some - I'm like that you know. Right now, I am in need of my pillow, because 3am will be here before I know it.

Ugh.

Good Night and God Bless!

The Grand Finale

Okay, I don't know how grand it will actually be, but this is it. The last day of March, thus the last day of lists. (Yippee!!)

So, what kind of list will I make? Definitely not one with 100 points to it. That's just CRAZY!

Can I have a list of one? Has that ever been done before? Let's try it okay?

Actually, I think that would be cheating so I will just go with what is in my head (I know, scary) and we will see where it ends up.

THINGS IN MY HEAD

1. Why do the Presidential candidates all SUCK this year? I mean really. I'm not buying Obama's shtick, can't really stand Clinton, and McCain well let's just say I'm not particularly fond of him. The person running for President that I agreed the most with, would probably have to be Ron Paul. Except for maybe the wackier parts - whatever that means.

2. Why is it that Benjy can NEVER get to bed before 11PM

3. Now that the snow is gone, can we have a little sunshine instead of rain.

4. Please.

5. Pretty Please.

6. Do I really want to make a commitment and go back to school? Will I be able to do it and still provide for my family? Ugh. Why do I have to grow up. :)

7. FTB is playing softball now. This is SO cool!

8. Cuddlebug and FTB are doing Irish Step dancing, again, so cool!

9. Baby Girl is going to Disney in a little more than five weeks. My how time just flies.

10. I want to be a successful writer someday, that is what I think I truly want to do with my life. Now why can't I get off my lazy butt and do something about it. There are at least 20 good, if not great, novels in my head. Heck I even have actors in mind to play the parts in the movies. ( Sorry for the bad sentence, it's getting late).

11. I love God and everything that goes along with that. Just try to prove to me that God doesn't exist. Go ahead, give it your best shot.

12. I love my wife. There is no better person in the world for me than Jenni. I really don't know what I would do without her, and don't want to find out.

13. I love all my children and pray that they will grow up to be great pillars in society, or at least whatever town they end up in. And all their kids are just like them! :)

14. I don't really care for my job, and I am afraid that I will be stuck there for a really long time, unless I do something about it. (Like write your freaking novels already!!)

15. I love having conversations with myself. (And apparently sharing them with you.)

16. Is there anything better than ice-cold water to drink?

17. Ice-cold Diet Coke.

18. I'm tired.

19. How the heck am I going to write thirty letters next month, and be entertaining, and thought-provoking, and funny, and I used a lot of "ands" in that sentence. "Ands" looks funny, even in quotations.

20. Check out the awesome two-plus minute video that my son put together. It's down there. Under this post, you can't miss it. Really, just go. This is the last thing on this list anyway.

Good Night and God Bless!!

A Movie List (Make That Movie Quotes)

My blogging buddy The Philosopher-Mom had this on her site, and I completely bombed it, so... I figured I would borrow it. Now, mine will be very, very easy - think of the movies I would more than likely be seeing, right? Anyway, here goes:


MEMORABLE MOVIE QUOTES (that the Bug can remember, kind of. )

1. "Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die." (see easy)

2. "We've known each other for many years but this is the first time you've ever come to me for counsel or for help. I can't remember the last time you invited me to your house for a cup of coffee, even though my wife is Godmother to your only child. But, let's be frank here. You never wanted my friendship and you were afraid to be in my debt."

3. "What did I do to deserve this? I've never lied, except when necessary, and I always bought mom and dad expensive gifts... using their credit card of course."

4. "I may not be a smart dog, but I know what roadkill is."

5. "Hiding behind your little friend won't work anymore. Didn't I tell you? We got fired this morning. New rules."

6. "Now it isn't that I don't like you, Susan, because, after all, in moments of quiet, I'm strangely drawn toward you, but - well, there haven't been any quiet moments. "

7. "A dream is a wish your heart makes when you're fast asleep. In dreams you will lose your heartaches. Whatever you wish for, you keep. Have faith in your dreams, and someday, your rainbow will come smiling through. No matter how your heart is grieving, if you keep on believing, the dreams that you wish will come true."

8. "Fraulein, is it to be at every meal, or merely at dinnertime, that you intend on leading us all through this rare and wonderful new world of... indigestion?"

9. "You are a sad, strange little man, and you have my pity. Farewell."

10. "There's no way on earth we're going to get out of here tonight. We'd have more luck playing pickup sticks with our butt-cheeks than we will getting a flight out of here before daybreak."

11. "*Po-tay-toes!* Boil 'em, mash 'em, stick 'em in a stew... Lovely big golden chips with a nice piece of fried fish."

12. "If you're so smart, tell me something, how come you go to M.I.T. for 8 years to become a cable repairman?"


Okay, there is a fun dozen quotes for you, and the whole family got involved. How? Good question. Quote #2 came from Cubbie's movie choice, #3 from FTB, #4 from Benjy, #6 from Cuddle bug, #7 from Baby Girl, #8,9, and 10 are from Jenni, the rest are my fault.

Hope you enjoyed it, and let me know how you did, guess-wise, they are pretty easy - maybe. :)

Have a good night. God Bless.

Ya Hey Dere! Them Be Chickadees!!

The girls were in Minnesota this past weekend, at the International owl Festival. They had a good time and learned a lot about all different kinds of owls. As a bonus, they were able to spend some time with their Great Aunt and Uncle. This is the same Uncle of all the bird photography. Anyway, the girls had seen a picture of Alan with a Chickadee feeding from his hand, and wanted to give it a try. So, they bundled up (it is cold in Minnesota, dontcha know?), and grabbed some peanuts (who knew Chickadees liked peanuts, anyway?) and waited. And waited. And waited.





FTB says that she waited the longest, about ten minutes... Doesn't she look happy. :) I actually thought she looked to be frozen in place, but as you can see, success!! A chickadee has landed.





Next up it was Cuddlebug's turn, I guess she didn't have to wait too long. Apparently FTB woke the chickadees up and let it be known in chickadee world that there were peanuts to be had.

Baby Girl really didn't want to try, but then she did and said that it felt weird. I think little Mr/Mrs chickadee could feel her trepidation and took off, to Baby girl's surprise! Alan captured the moment very well, and now the blogosphere knows all about it. :)

While Baby Girl was "playing" with the chickadees, this deer was checking her out, trying to figure out if she was a friend or foe. Plus, I think that the deer is normally used to having no one around, so was a bit curious. Once Baby Girl let out her little yelp of surprise, I believe that the deer bolted for the security of the surrounding woods.

Like I said, the girls had a good time and I want to thank Alan and Jo for being great hosts. Who knows. (pun slightly intended) Maybe we'll all be back next year.

Owl You Need To Know About Owls (in a convenient list)

Actually, it should be titled:

12 Things YOU Can Do To Help Owls

1. Don't waste paper. Recycle paper when you are done with it, and buy recycled paper. When forests are cut to make paper, it hurts the birds that require older forest growth. Another way you can save paper is to stop getting junk mail. www.obviously.com/junkmail has information about simple things you can do to get less junk mail.

2. Keep your cat indoors. House cats occasionally kill or injure small owls, but the bigger problem is that they kill a lot of owl food(mice and voles.) This makes it harder for owls, especially smaller species, to survive where there are a lot of cats. Keep in mind that it's healthier for your cat to stay indoors for a number of reasons, but one of those is that Great Horned Owls are known to eat cats! For more information, visit www.abcbirds.org/abcprograms/cats

3. Don't let your dog chase birds. When an owl kills a large prey animal, it sometimes spends several minutes on the ground eating. During this time, it can easily be killed or badly injured by a dog. Young owls just learning to fly are especially vulnerable to dogs.

4. Support an owl rehabilitation/research/education center near you. Some of these facilities give you the option of "adopting" an owl. Your adoption fee goes to help an individual owl, and in return you get a certificate and the satisfaction of knowing you helped make a difference in the life of an owl.

5. Don't even think about having an owl for a pet. Owls are protected by law, so it's illegal to keep them in captivity in the U.S. without a license. But at least as important, owls are wild, natural beings requiring a wild, natural life.

6. Consider becoming an owl researcher. There is so much that isn't known about owls yet, especially owls in tropical regions. For some species, virtually nothing is known even about their basic biology. Science doesn't have all the answers, but we need interested and dedicated individuals to help find the answers.

7. Don't pick up young owls on the ground unless you know that they are sick, injured or BOTH parents have been killed. Fledgling owls normally spend a week or more on the ground before they can fly. At this stage they have fully developed wing feather and short tails, but the rest of their body id still fuzzy. Their parents are usually somewhere nearby taking care of them. If an owl does need help, contact a local wildlife rehabilitator immediately. Do NOT FEED IT!

8. Remove any unused barbed wire on your property. All too often owls get hung up in barbed wire. They either die a lingering death, are killed by another animal, or, if rescued, often need to be euthanized due to the extent of their injuries.

9. Avoid using poisons and pesticides. These in effect wind up poisoning your local owl food supply. Some owls eat mice, some eat rats, some eat insects... and dying animals will always be easier to catch than healthy prey. Even if you don't poison these species directly, pesticides are still likely to work their way into the food chain.

10. Leave dead trees standing when they aren't dangerous. Dead trees make wonderful nesting and roosting sites for many species of owls (as well as other critters.)

11. Put up owl nest boxes (or make artificial burrows) if you're in the right location. The type of nesting structure and location are very important choices to make. Visit http://owlpage.com/owlboxes.html to find out more about providing owl housing.

12. Habitat, habitat, habitat! If you own land, consider the needs of the owls who might be living there. Consider a permanent conservation easement to protect the land after you're gone. If you don't own land, support organizations that support habitat conservation.

I want to thank my beautiful wife, Jenni, for providing me with today's list. She brought it back from the International Owl Festival in Houston, Minnesota... I am sure that she will be posting some good stuff over there, if not I will. :)

Who knew Owl ran in the family...

Happy list, day 2!!

A Few More Changes

I got called out this evening.

Apparently LHS, doesn't like being called LHS. So I need a new nickname. Also, he doesn't like the nicknames for #2 and #5. So to show that I am quite the compassionate father that I claim - okay, I never really claimed it, but it sounds good, right? Right?

So here come some changes, and not just for #1, formerly LHS. Now, let's work this out together, shall we?

#1 - He is a he. So it has to have a male connotation, otherwise he might get really upset. So names like Suzy Snowflake, are out. Besides Suzy would NEVER call out her father in such a public manner as the former LHS. So, female names are out.

What else is there? Let's see he likes to play the drums... and Guitar Hero 1, 2 and 3! He likes the Wii, and loves doing his school work in a timely manner (okay Bug don't go down that path, otherwise we'll just be calling him LHS 2, and he might not like that one either.) He loves his iPod, but I am afraid of Apple suing me for some sort of copyright infringement - I have NO money, so please do not sue me. :-) That leaves the Cubs... can I call him Cubby? Or is that too immature? How about Wrigley? Or will you kind readers think that he is gum? That's weird, right? Hmmm. Maybe by the end of this post I will have it worked out.

#2 - Benjy. I like Benjy. The name fits perfectly, however the son that is now known as formerly LHS (for now), thinks that I am showing favoritism. Give me a break. The kid has been called Benjy from day 1, actually from BEFORE day one. When we came up with names he was initially going to be Nicholas Alexander - in honor of my Russian heritage (or something like that). That was perfect, after all naming a child is a trying task. Just ask ANY parent. So we had a boy name picked out and we were pretty sure that he was going to be a boy, so... The dang neighbor named her son Nicholas.

Panic!!

We can't have the same name now. That is just so wrong. She stole our Nicholas! Okay, so we calmed down after a while and moved on to our second choice. Benjamin Alexander, it doesn't flow as well, but I liked the initials, BAM. Within a week, we were at Jenni's parents having a baby shower, I think. When my Mother in-law (who I get along with really well, praise God) started with saying something along the lines of how is little Bam-Bam? I think you can guess what happened. Yep. "We can't have our son made fun of about Bam-bam." - Yes, dear.

The day finally came and little Benjy (I know, we're okay with that but not Bam-bam) still needed a middle name. For some reason Thomas came into play, and it stuck. Something else that sticks is me calling him Benjamin Thomas Franklin Pierce.

No. I don't know why. Anyway, I like Benjy, and Benjy has been his nickname forever, well at least for the last thirteen and a half years (yes, all the kids call him Benjy and I believe that he is quite proud of his name, although my neighbor keeps calling him Ben for some reason), so Benjy it will remain. Sorry Formerly LHS, it can't be changed and it won't be. My blog after all. :-)

#3 - SPLG and SAPLG - acronym Hades. Especially since I couldn't remember either one. I know, it's pretty sad that I can't even remember my own child's nickname; even when it is one I invented. I would call her princess, but that could lead to problems with my other two princesses. :-)

Lately she has been very fond of her email, but what kind of nickname would that be... exactly! She is doing Irish step dancing, so... Of course what do I do if she quits? This is quite a commitment of time that I have invested here and I don't want to do it again, if I don't have to. She used to be into American Girl dolls... Used to.

Ooh, Jenni just gave me a great idea, and it fits... FTB - Favorite Third Born. Perfect. Also it is way more kinder and gentler than the previous nicknames, well one of them at least.

#4 - Another long-time nickname, Cuddlebug. Why? It's simple, she always cuddles with me. Well, as long as #5 isn't bumping her out of the way. She also loves the princesses at Disney (who doesn't?), and she is getting into Irish Step Dancing, as well. She loves horses, she could be my friend Flicka - no! Besides, I didn't write that title properly, so we'll just move on. I almost feel obligated to fill in more space here, lest she feel slighted by only one paragraph. What can I say though, her name fits.

So it stays.

#5 Magpie. Not really a fan of this name. contrary to what the former LHS thinks. I mean a Magpie is a bird, not a child. Spoiled would work, since everyone (including her) thinks that she is my favorite. Every parent knows that there are no favorites when it comes to child-rearing. Right? Did I mention that everyone thinks she is my favorite, even at church. I hear this so much, that I'm starting to ... I don't know, lash out. It's not fair to her, I mean she is just a very strong-willed little girl who happens to love her daddy very much.

What can I say? :-)

So, what do I call her?I think I will defer to Jenni once again, at least until something better comes along, and call her FFB - yep, Favorite Fifth Born. Or Baby Girl. Now, I am torn... Did you see how my mind quickly countered that offer of FFB? It really did happen as fast as you read it. Amazing. So, like the former LHS, I will have my final decision at the end.

#6 - He was called #6 for a while, and I don't like it. First of all, it shows a lack of creativity on my part, and secondly it just isn't cool sounding. Or something like that. I think.

His was recently changed to 'Monster' and it actually fits very well. I even call him that in person, so I think we have a winner. I should remember to put the quotation marks in, don't want anyone to be confused. :-)

So, what did we decide....

#6 will be 'Monster'
#4 will remain Cuddlebug
#3 will be FTB (Favorite Third Born)
#2 will remain Benjy

So that leaves me with #5 and #1...

#5 will be Baby Girl

and finally.... drum roll please....

#1 will be Cubby!

That's it, I'm done.

Good night.

So You Want to be Confirmed?

Yes we do...

Okay, I already have been - when I was three.

We are having a great year for banner events in the household this year. Cuddle bug receives her first Holy Communion in May, Benjy is confirmed in April along with my God daughter, Jordan. Call Portillo's now for the catering!!

Okay, this part is more for me than anyone else, and this is the best way I can think of, since I normally look here more frequently then I do my email... Bug, check out the website http://www.pnac.org/ to find out more about the Lenten Stational Churches...

Okay, that is going to be it for tonight; I'm tired, and my computer sounds like it is ready for takeoff, so it needs a rest. More tomorrow, I'll be at work, you know. :)

I Have 122 Minutes

to come up with something here, or else I will have failed to Blog 365.

No pressure.


Actually there is, because for the first time in fifty-odd days, my mind is not working. Okay, it is working, but it just doesn't seem to have that pizazz that I like it to have. Jenni says I'm a little wound up, or was it tightly wound? Either way, it is not good for the writing process, especially MY writing process; which entails, just going for it.

I still need a catalyst though.

Nothing.

This sucks, let me tell you. I mean I could understand if I was writing great fiction and had a real deadline - not that Blog 365 isn't a 'real' deadline, but if I don't blog, well I can still eat. You know what I'm saying?

You know what I'm saying? What the HELL does THAT mean? I mean really? I am at a loss for words, actually it's because my head is full of giggles whenever I hear that phrase. Kind of like when I count the number of times the word 'like' is misused in teen aged speak. If you want to have some fun, just listen and start counting. THEN mention it to them, and see what happens. It's marvelous, really it is.

Right now the girls are in bed, well Cuddlebug and Magpie, and so is Monster. The other three are at the HIAL conference with their mother.

Okay, Monster just yelled out "Daddy!" Now he is up to six, seven... Okay, there is a pause... I think that he is going back to sleep... Nope. Let me check on him. His ears must have been burning. :) Or my typing is too loud.

I think it was the "loud" typing, because once I stopped, he stopped. Now I am back, for now.

Need a new train to hop onto though, since the other one left me in it's dust.

LHS got the Cubs tickets. Now I just have to get the money from him; which should be easy considering I'm the only person that can make withdrawals from his account - or if I were in Alabama, Withdrawls :)

My Father in-law went through an official mass to make him an official DIT (Deacon In Training). At least that is the best I could come up with, to describe it. So in three years we will have a Deacon in the family, two if you count his cousin. Both will become Deacons in three years. Pretty cool, if you ask me.

Extra space, for no reason at all.

Maybe I should write like Larry King. In bullets. Of course, does he even still write an article? I have no idea, because truth be told, I didn't really care about what he wrote. I just like the short bullets. Kind of like short chapters in books. James Patterson does a great job of that - I know there are others, his name just popped into my head first.

Over at Kalynne's blog you can read what it is like to give birth to nine kids. Some pretty humorous stuff. Especially the twins. Good stuff. If I were to include mine for my six, they would mostly consist of me passing out. Really. I kid you not. One time I had a nurse scare the crap out of me because she was waving one of them ammonia sticks at me. Yes I said AT me, almost like it was a weapon, because I had o leave the room for air. Hey Cuddlebug had arrived safely, I saw that part... I just needed to recuperate, that's all. :) Besides the real fun with her started at out one, the following morning. I'll save that for a future blog... I can tease too, you know. :)

Okay, aren't you glad that I had "nothing?" I must stop, because my oldest children and their mother will be arriving shortly. In fact, LHS just walked through the door.

So goodnight to all, and God Bless!

Guitar Heroes Ruin School Work for Hard-Working Man (Yeah Right)

Oh my!

I only posted a little blurb about changing the template and that was it. The Blog365 people are going to be mad at me. Excuse me for having a tough day....

Worked ten hours, or was it twelve? And this was actual work, not sit around with free moments galore work. I was getting frazzled. Even my lovely bride told me that I should leave and get away - oh and to pick up LHS from work (he's still grounded from driving). Do being the dutiful husband that I am, I came home.

Then I had the tough task of taking control of the Wii for a little more than an hour, playing Guitar Hero III.

Yes I did.

Got myself a couple of five star reviews even.

Maybe I should move up to Medium, eh?

Or not. After all, I have a goal of getting at least four star reviews before moving on to the next song, much to the annoyance of my family that has to listen to 'My Name is Jonas' by Weezer, six times in a row. Okay, maybe not for THAT song, but there have been songs that I play over and over and... I think I am at level five now, after just besting the "European Invasion" section.

Hey go over and check out Manic's site later today. She is hosting an awards show for all of the blood donor's in Manic's First Annual Blood Drive. There were thirty-three donors in all, that is ninety-nine lives saved. How awesome is that? Yea Manic!!

Back to my 'tough' day.

I then watched my kids play GH III, after all the family that plays Guitar Hero together stays together. :)

The rest of the eveing is a blur... I remember looking at my school work that is due, then I came up with excuse that because I didn't have a three-hole punch I just couldn't concentrate. That and Metallica's "One" on Guitar Hero might of had something to do with it. Can't wait until we get that second guitar!

Then there was the half-hearted attempt at making something to eat, my five-year old little Magpie decided that throwing away the rest of the dinner that was prepared for all, was necessary. Of course, this also happened while I was playing the game. I think. So I took some radiotore (sic) pasta, some corn, some tuna, some cheddar from Vermont (thanks again for the gift Mom and Dad!), some pepper, garlic salt and mayo. Mix it all together and you have, something. Tasted alright to me, although the cheddar was a tad bit sharper than I was expecting. Magpie said it smelled, Monster kept saying "some, some" until he tried it and made that sucking on a lemon face, Cuddlebug said she liked it. Those were the only comments I remember from it, if the other four people in my house said anything about it I don't recall it.

Last thing I remember was watching Benjy playing "Anarchy in the U.K." while I was lying on the coach.

You guessed it. At 4:17am my alarm went off and I was still on the coach. So restful. Not.

Now I am back at work, trying to make amends for yesterday, BEFORE the work begins. I love my job. Really, I do.

I think.

***Extra Note -- before anyone gets the misguided idea that all we do is play video games, I must point out that the boys could not play until they had all of their school work done, the girls were busy "cleaning" their rooms. Rooms that looked really good AFTER mom went through the inspection process (i.e. cleaning up after the cleaning). So there. Besides, isn't Tuesday night game night in your households?

Have a great day!

Heroes and Disney Meet the White Dress!

This is going to be a boring post because I have to get up in a little over five hours and I am tired, so...

I played my first "Hard" level on Guitar Hero 3 tonight. Uh, it was hard! Go figure, right?

Monster is cute when he talks now. It's amazing how much he can say with one word, over and over again. :-)

Cuddlebug got herfirst Holy Communion dress tonight. Her first choice. She said it was the best that they saw all night.

Okay, I'm tapped, seriously. I need to get a few hours of sleep, before I spend my hour with Jesus in the morning. I'll just have to do more tomorrow, I guess.

Or later, when I can't fall asleep because I am listening to all the "Guitar Heroes" in my house.

I guess Monster will be playing 'Jack Sparrow' for Halloween, some year. Just can't pass a deal up, I guess.

Poor Monster is crying because he saw a mimi(Mickey) bag. As in the mouse.

Okay, it's all nonsense now, and I will look back on this someday and wonder what the heck was going on. The only concrete thing I've written is the state of my fatigue.

So, Good Night and God Bless.

Guitar Hero 3 Must Die!!

Okay, maybe I am being a bit extreme here, but this stupid video game is turning my kids into evil and violent little brats!

Well, one at least.

No, not Monster (note: new nickname, in case you missed from previous episode).

I'm talking about Cuddlebug. Such venom, such anger, such another word that means the same thing. I hate when I do that! Anyway, the girls, CB and SAPLG came home from Irish Dance classes. I said that they could play the game for the next 30 minutes, then it was prayer time. (we're trying to pray a Rosary every night - we'll get it sometime) SAPLG was up first and played her tune. Now it was CB's turn.

CB: Okay SAPLG, it's my turn.
SAPLG: Just a minute, I need to finish.
CB: Dad! She won't let me play.
Me: SAPLG you need to finish up and let CB have her turn.
SAPLG: Okay, but I was just finishing up here.
Me: Okay. CB, when she finishes you will get your turn.

The next thing I hear is one of the worst shreaks I have ever heard, from both of them.

Me: That's it! Both of you get your jammies on and go to bed!
CB: But Dad!
Me: Now, young lady.
CB: But Dad!

SAPLG actually did what she was told and got her jammies on and went to bed. Meanwhile...

CB: No, Dad!
CB: But Dad!
CB: No!
CB: No!
Me: 1, 2, ...

Then CB did something that I am still kind of in shock over. She put the guitar (from the game) over her head and went to turn on the television, and the game.

Me: ALL THREE NAMES!!! Get your butt in bed, right now!

That did the trick. Of course she whimpered in bed for another thirty minutes, before falling asleep. I couldn't believe that she would do that. That she would even think about it. That makes four of my six fighting hard for their independence. I guess I'm getting old.

***Note: Benjy is looking over my shoulder and just said "All three names?" So, I figured if he didn't get it, maybe I should explain it. ALL THREE NAMES, is in place of her first, middle and last name - the dreaded whammy, when you knew that you had crossed the line. And since I am paranoid, I guess, I just did that instead of saying Louisa May Alcott! Got it? Good, I hope. Note ends here***

GIRL SCOUT COOKIES: Are in! We loaded up cars and everyone should be expecting to get their wallets out to pay for these diet breakers, maybe I'll share my experiences with the frozen world of Batavia later, let's put it this way, I'm still thawing out.

Good Night All!

Let's go Out to Eat, part one

So there I was working hard on a homework assignment, watching the kids, playing video games. When the phone rings...

Me: "Hey."

Mrs. "Hey, Church is going to run long tomorrow, we're just now getting out. (it's 5:45 and Mass started at 4:15 - yep, it was a little longer than normal). So, what are we doing for dinner?"

Me: "I don't know, not really hungry and the kids (I had #6, Cuddlebug, Magpie and LHS at home with me) haven't asked for anything, yet."

Mrs. "Well, what are you making?"

Me: "Nothing."

Mrs. "We'll be home in a few minutes, you can get the kids ready then."

Me: "For what?"

**** Editorial note - I'm not putting in quotations from this point until I do, okay? So, no complaining. :-)

Mrs. So we can go and get something then, it's almost six and I know that I am hungry.

Me: I don't want to go out.

Mrs. I thought that...

Me: Let's just order a pizza

Mrs. I don't want pizza

Me: Well I don't feel like going out and I'm not dressed for it.

Mrs. What, are you in your shorts? Just put on some pants and we can go when I get home.

Me: Don't really feel like going anywhere.

Mrs. Fine, you better start making something for dinner then.

Me: Like what?

Mrs. I don't know, just not pizza.

Me: Okay, sure. Bye. (Clearly distracted at this point, because the creeps in the game I am playing are making it through my last defense. I HATE THAT!)

Mrs. Bye.

Ten minutes later the Mrs. is home and dinner is made, dinner is started, I completely forgot everything from the above conversation.

Mrs. What are we having for dinner.

Me: What are you making?

Mrs. Are you serious? You could have had the kids ready to go at least, instead you are sitting there in your stupid fat shorts.

Me: They aren't stupid

Mrs. Yes they are.

Me: I said that we could order a pizza, because I didn't want to go out.

Mrs. I thought we were going to get something to eat.

Me: We can eat pizza, you know.

Mrs. Fine, whatever. You eat what ever it is you want to order, I don't want pizza. I wanted chicken, or something like that.

Me: We can order from KFC then.

Benjy: Yea, I would love some chicken.

LHS: No chicken

Magpie: I want chicken

Me: See.

Mrs. See what?

Me: Order chicken from KFC, and since you are already dressed and still have your jacket on, you can pick it up. (smiling)

Mrs. No. I don't want KFC.

Me: Then it's pizza.

Mrs. Goodbye. (Leaves in a huff and closes the door a little harder than necessary)

SAPLG: Dad, where's mom going?

Me: I don't know. I think she was going to go out to eat, and then go to Target.

Magpie: I want to go to Target!

Cuddlebug (CB): Me too!

LHS: Me too, I want to get a new game for the Wii.

Me: What game?

LHS: Rayman

Me: Is that the one with the crazy bunnies, or something?

LHS: Yes.

The door opens and back walks in the Mrs.

Mrs. What are we doing?

Me: I don't know.

Mrs. Just put on some pants and let's go.

Me: I don't want to.

Magpie: Daddy put on some pants, please.

Me: No I'm quite comfortable, thank you

Magpie: But Daddy, I want to go out to eat. (This goes back and forth for a little while, but eventually I relent)

Me: Fine.

The Mrs. had left again while we were all discussing this, the next thing I know is that SAPLG is talking to the Mrs. and trying to convince her to come back and get us. (She never left the driveway, by the way. It is part of the 'game' we play. You know of what I speak. She wants to do something, I don't and state that fact, she huffs a little, I puff a little more, she leaves, I wonder if she is actually leaving while acting like I don't care, yada yada yada)

SAPLG: No Mommy, Daddy has his pants on. Really. Okay. You are? Um, okay, bye.

SAPLG: She's in the driveway waiting.

Me: Okay kids lets go.

LHS: (Playing Mario Olympics) I don't want to go.

CB: I don't want to go

Magpie: Daddy can you tie my shoe.

#6: Noooooo, noooo, nooooo ( We're trying to put his shoes on, at this point. Followed by more Noooo's when we try to get his jacket on.)

Okay, so everyone is loaded into the van (yea!), Benjy has the "shotgun" seat, because he called it. So I get settled in the third row of the van seats. Not bad, could use more leg room, but then again, how often am I sitting there? Not much, I tell you.

LHS: Mom, #6 - Monster, (he just got a new nickname because Benjy, who also wants a new nickname so I will have to think of something appropriate, didn't like his baby brother being called #6, I asked him what should it be, and he said "Monster." So when "Monster" grows up with that name he will have Benjy to thank. Isn't stream-of-consciousness writing cool?) smells.

Mrs. Did he poop?

LHS: Smells like it.

Me: I just changed his diaper, he's not poopy.

Mrs. Are you sure?

LHS: Smells like it to me.

Me: Fine, but he isn't poopy, I tell you.

Five minutes and a clean diaper later (I know) we're off!

Mrs. Where do you want to go?

Me: You're asking me? I don't care, in fact, I'm not even hungry.

Mrs. Well pick something.

CB: Olive Garden.

SAPLG: Chili's!

Magpie: Yeah, Chili's!!

Me: I don't want Chili's

Me: How about KFC?

Magpie: No! I want Chili's!

CB: Olive Garden

LHS: On the Border, or TGI Fridays

Benjy: KFC!

Clearly, this was a bad idea.

Continued later... Maybe

New Pictures - Life at Home

Hot off the presses!!

Or should I say, 'Hot off the Scan Disc?'


Here's LHS! Playing games on his iPod Touch. We are both so excited that we have every feature that the more expensive iPhone has - except the phone and camera, of course. Alas, we have a decent cell phone plan already, so why spend $600 for a phone that will end up costing us thousands a year, due to all the data time that we would be using. So now we can use our iPod Touches to surf the web and check our email. As long as there is an open Wi-Fi and believe me, there are plenty of them out there; you have your Starbuck's, Panera Bread, various bookstores, and of course, homes without secure networks. Gotta secure them networks folks!

Next we have #6 and Magpie munching on some popcorn. They LOVE their popcorn, then again who doesn't? Okay some people don't, something about getting kernels in their teeth, or the fact that popcorn tends to "pass" through the digestive track a little smoother than other foods.

Next we have SAPLG - yep, when this picture was taken that was how she was. Isn't she precious? Five minutes later, she turned into her alter-personality SPLG. Gotta love bedtime! Actually it's that surreal time twenty to thirty minutes BEFORE the actual bedtime, which also inevitably goes, at least thirty minutes PAST said bedtime.

Here is Benjy trying to, simultaneously, hide from the camera and hide the popcorn from #6. By the way, I really need to come up with a better nickname for the boy. Something that will match his good-natured, with a touch of meanness that only a two year old could have.

Next up we have my beloved wife, and Cuddlebug practicing their knitting. SAPLG tries, but SPLG shows up instead. One of these days she'll realize that practice is okay, and that mistakes will happen. Anyway, these two have been patiently working on three or four rows, then pulling them apart, only to redo it all over again. Like I said, practice is okay, and it will take lots of practice to master this art form/craft.

Next up we have the mysterious Benjy. Once again, he has escaped the camera's eye. He was getting the Wii set up for fun and frivolity, or whatever. We love the Wii, and we all play the Wii. There are some fun games, that are able to keep everyone involved. Okay, that was pretty much a crap sentence, so if you didn't like it, just know that neither did I.

The next two pictures will truly demonstrate why I am actually blogging at this point in time... No further words are required. :-)

Yes, it is MY turn to clean the kitchen. Thankfully, SAPLG showed up to help me - by actually cleaning it up! I am sooo bad, and lazy. My excuse is that I am practicing my craft. And when I sell my first million copies, of whatever it is I finish, I will be able to pay someone to keep the house clean. By the way, the patience that I said my wife has plenty of.... Yep.

Gotta Go!