Sleddin'

DitzyDanzer and Zman missed the last snow. We were in St. Louis and didn't see a single flake and didn't get home until after dark. So you can imagine how excited they were to wake up to a white yard and a "no school" announcement. When I got home from work, we bundled up and headed out for some sled time. When grandpa got home we kicked it up a notch.

They managed to hang on for about 15 minutes before grandpa lost them on a sharp turn. As an unbiased observer, I'm not so sure it was entirely an accident.

Hunter got quite the workout.

Once the cheeks turn scarlet, mom calls an end to the party!

Chess Anyone...

For those of you who aren't aware, Rahel graciously agreed to take over Zachary's cub scout den this year as they were without a male role model to lead them. Our fearless cubmaster gave him training and direction as to the best way to run his meetings. One suggestion was that he find an activity that he could consistenly use at the meetings as a time filler. Rahel, in all his wisdom, chose chess. Now let me just say I had my doubts. Let's face it, in our fast paced world of video games and computer chat rooms, what appeal could chess hold for seven 10 year olds. Never let it be said that I won't admit when I'm wrong. The boys absolutely love it and insist that they be allowed "chess time" during each meeting. Zman is so into the game that he asked for a chess set for his birthday. I can't imagine anyone will be surprised to learn that Nana and Papa fulfilled that request. This is a frequent sight at our house. At least twice a week the board comes and and Papa takes not prisoners.

Fall Fun...

I was looking for a particular picture on the computer last night and instead ran across a group of pics that DitzyDanzer and Z-man must have taken last fall. This is what happens when you give a teenager a camera with no rules...

Pinewood Derby

One of the highlights on the cub scout calendar is the Pinewood Derby. Each scout is given a block of wood, four nails and four plastic wheels and asked to make themselves a car that not only looks good but is capable of racing down a track. While our boys didn't walk away with any speed awards, they can each proudly say that they built and decorated their cars. And it is a great morning of fun and laughs for all of us.

Infommercial Insanity....

Anyone else seen these commercials? I don't know what she's been watching but DitzyDanzer can recite the entire infommercial and is totally taken in by the marketing promotion they've got going on. Grandma Jackie got a Magic Bullet for Christmas and DitzyDanzer's been itching to try it out. It was agreed at Christmas that when we came back down they would be making smoothies. So Sunday evening we all received a realtime demonstration of the incredible ease and versatility of the Magic Bullet.

"It's as easy as 1 -- 2 -- 3..."

"Check out the Magic sipping ring."

Remind you of something?

When I got home from work on Friday, this is what I found.Now I realize I'm probably dating myself but does that remind you of anyone...

Just like dad...

Well DitzyDanzer and Z-man have both gotten bit by the "show biz" bug. WIKK asked them to record a PSA for the boys park summer league sign ups and they both now consider themselves professionals. I have to admit they sounded pretty good. Listen for yourself.

Like a Dog With a Bone

After two weeks off from school the kids had completely exhausted their "home" entertainment and were more than ready to head back to school on Monday. Only to find out Tuesday morning that they were iced in for the day. While Z-man quickly adjusted his mindset and the sheer boredom was almost more than DitzyDanzer could bear. So sometime around lunch she pulled a 1000 piece puzzle out of her closet and spread it out on the table.

When Grandpa got home at 3:30 he took one look and announced that we should all get used to it since it would most certainly be taking up space for several weeks. In an effort to preserve her sanity, at 10 pm with less than 150 pieces to go, DitzyDanzer had to be forcibly removed from her seat at the puzzle table and sent off to bed. She ignored the table completely yesterday but sat down this evening and announced moments ago, she was missing pieces.

Thats 992 pieces in three days.

Sally Hits the Hardwood...

At the request of the newly appointed girls jv basketball coach Sally agreed to pick up her basketball again after three years away from team play and last night we were able to see her for the first time since 7th grade.
Sally gets ready to take her turn on the floor.

Coach Bear gives some instruction to his team.

Coach Bears montra for the night "Find your man... stay on your man"

Sally's on her like stink on a pig...

Where do you think you're going?

Coach Bear's frustration gets the better of him.

Sally's all over her.

Hold on, I'm coming with you.

Half of Sally's cheering section.

News Flash...

For those of you who haven't read my profile, and are unaware, among my numerous personality quirks lurks a moderate to profound case of OCD. Couple that with my need for organization and neatness and you can begin to sympathize with my family. That said, my daughter is 14 and rebelling against any form of organization or neatness. I try desperately to remember that it's just the teenage"ness" but sometimes the utter chaos of her room is more than I can be expected to bare. This weekend was one such instance and I kindly -- okay maybe not so much -- informed my daughter that her room would be returned to some sort of order before heading off to school on Monday. In typical DitzyDanzer fashion she ignored my "polite" request until Sunday afternoon when I had to send her off to her room whilest the rest of us got ready for a heated Pinochle tournament. To her sheer delight both of her aunts and Sally took pity on her and the three of them tore through her room like a tornado -- fyi, both aunts suffer from different degrees of the same heredity disorder -- and in no time at all DitzyDanzer was released from her imprisonment and was able to take her seat around the table.

Digital Photography 101...

The first thing the camera salesman tells you when you make the switch from 35mm film to digital is "This camera is much more sensitive to its environment." In layman's terms that means don't get it wet, cold, hot, etc. So after returning home on New Year's Eve at 1 am the camera inadvertantly got left in the car until yesterday evening. So that you can all learn from my mistake... here's what happens when you expose your camera to excessive temperature fluctuations...
For those of you needing a little help discerning the photo content... this is a picture of DitzyDanzer in one of her adorable new sweatshirts from our day-after-day-after Christmas shopping spree.

Ringin' in 2009

A sure sign Supafreak and I have lost your cool factor... Our idea of a "rockin" New Year's Eve Party is game night at Aunt Debbie's. I remember the fancy dresses and extravagent parties... does that count for anything?

Yes, I got put at the "kid" table while the adults played pinochle.
You gotta be sure of yourself to pull off this number.