Superbowl Reality

I predicted, but didn't close the loop.  Final score - NO: 31 Indy: 17.

Daddy/Daughter Valentine's Day Tea Time

Yesterday, we had Daddy/Daughter Valentine's Day Tea Time at Gracie's school.  She had been talking about it for weeks - ever since her school gave her the flyer to bring home.  Everyone around here seems to be fighting a second round of sickness, but there was no sickness that was going to keep us away from this.

It was precious.  We got all dressed up, her in a dress and me in something I'd wear to church.  She watched me the whole time.  When we got to the church, we had to stand in line with all of the other daddys and daughters to get our pictures taken.  There were so many daddy/daughters there!  We took our picture on a little bench, Gracie in a boa.  I can't wait to see them.

Then, we went into the gymnasium and found two empty seats.  None of her good friends were around, so we sat at a table and met new people.  Then, one of her friends from her class, Kendall, showed up and sat across from us.  She was happy about that.  And I met Kendall's dad, John.  Nice guy.

Then, we played BINGO.  Gracie was one of the first to get BINGO, but instead of saying "Bingo," she had to say, "Daddy."  She got stickers for winning.  And then, we played until everyone won.  There were M&Ms and Sweet-tarts - she was in hog heaven.

After BINGO, they brought out tea and goodies to the tables.  The goodies were cookies, icing sandwiches and more cookies.  Gracie loaded up :)  We talked together, about the different candies, about her friends that weren't there, about Kendall, about the tea gloves that she didn't want to wear - it was really a great time.

Then, before we left, the teachers told everyone - "Daddy's look over at your daughter and tell her how much you love her and daughters, give your daddy a kiss and tell him how much you love him."  I hugged Gracie hard and told her how much I love her and that she is the light of my world.  She gave me a kiss and said, "I love you, Daddy."

What can be any better? 

Fun in the Snow

Snow, snow, lots of snow.  We woke up Thursday morning to snow on the ground and had all-day snowing.  I went into work that morning, but came home early so I could avoid the ice.  When I got home, we took the kids outside to play in the snow.  For the first time ever.  Well, I think Gracie played in the snow last year when there was maybe an inch on the ground.  This was enough to where we could make a snowman and snow balls to throw at each other. 

The kids loved it!  Gracie wanted to do everything that Steph was doing - snow angels, snow balls, throwing, running - everything.  Max and Nick loved it, even though they didn't know what to make of it at first.  Once they figured out that it wouldn't hurt them, they played and played.

Friday morning we woke up to more snow on the ground and icy conditions.  So, I stayed at home (which working from home for me and Steph both is not everything it's cracked up to be), and there was more playing-in-the-snow.  The kids and Steph went over to the Penn's and played and built.  Max liked to stomp around in the sludge.  Nick just liked to wade in the snow.  Gracie wanted to do snow angels most of all.

There were a few dejavu moments for me and Steph from New York.  Snow is great.  And I am so grateful that we had a chance to all exprience it together at such a young age for the kids.  I've got some video that I'll post soon!

SuperBowl Prediction

Super Sunday is here, but it doesn't feel like a Super Sunday.  Steph and I even watched a movie (Extract)?!?!  It was just OK, but now, I wish I would have watched more coverage.  I've thought a couple of times about our experience two years ago in the hospital room.  I will remember that Super Bowl forever.  I hope this one is good.  My prediction - NO 38 Indy 35.  Go Saints.

Movies = some semblance of adult life again

We have been movie watching fools lately.  It's such a good thing, because I remember not too long ago, when watching anything, much less a movie, for any length of time in one period was a challenge.  This is an indication that we have some semblance of an adult/together-time life back again.  The movies that we've watched since Christmas:

1.  The Hangover - hilarious.  Not to watch with your mom :)
2.  Julie & Julia - Yes, chick flick, but I really liked it.  Both Amy Adams and Meryl Streep were good.  Meryl Streep was great, actually.  Good, inspiring story for writers. 
3.  Duplicity - (Clive Owen & Julia Roberts) - just OK.
4.  Public Enemies - very good.  By the same director, Michael Mann, who made Heat.  This one had very much of a Heat-feel.  It's long, but I recommend.
5.  500 Days of Summer - good indie film.  We had recently watched "Away We Go", which has an indie-feel to it, too.  I compared the two, and because of that, it lessened my preference for 500 Days of Summer.
6.  The Heat Locker - intense.  Great insight into what war does to soldiers and their assimilation into 'real' life back home.  We can't thank the soldiers enough, for sacrificing in many more ways than we can comprehend, for us.  Very much recommend.
7.  Up - what you would expect from Pixar, as they evolve.  Good story.
8.  Inglorious Basterds - what you would expect from Quentin.  Good.  Pulp Fiction is better.
9.  The Illusionist - (Edward Norton) - good movie.

Today, we are going to watch "Extract" from Mike Judge.  Then, it is all about the SuperBowl.  With the Stovalls for the first half.  Go Saints.  :)

Nick's vocabulary - 7 words

Nick is starting to talk.  Simple words.  Yes, no, door, dadda, momma, ball, football. 

Max not so much.  He understands, but doesn't talk.

Gracie is learning how to spell.  I would say that she has 2 words in her spelling cache.  Gracie.  Bell.  We've got a spelling game that Steph (and I when I can) are starting play with her.  In a month, let's see how many she's got under her belt. :)