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And now for something completely different . . .

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Okay, not completely different, but after all the pictures, we will monologue about and recommend items about life, literature, popular culture. . . really, whatever strikes us at a particular time. It might not be funny, but it will always be real. :)

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And now, on with the show . . .

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Your puny stairs are . . .ummpphh . . .no challenge to me . . .okay, that's one . . .

Someone told me there were animals in here.

Cool new dino PJs

Paying a visit to a friend under the weather

At the beach again - now that's a walk with a purpose

For the kids: The books of Bill Peet are some of the most entertaining and fun books for kids that I know of. Peet was an animator and creator for Walt Disney for many years, and the illustrations in his books are vivid, expressive and colorful. The stories are varied, but the themes are simple and strong, and the primary characters are usually animals. Highly recommended for children 3 and older. Fun for kids, and fun to read to kids!

For the older set: No Country For Old Men has brought the name Cormac McCarthy into the general conciousness, and it isn't even close to his best book. It is simply the most cinematic. In 2006, McCarthy won the Pulitzer prize for literature for what I think is a stunning story of a father's love for his son (and hit close to home) in The Road. While not an easy read, and containing some disturbing passages, this novel is at its core a beautiful description of how a father cares for his young son in a world that has become a theatre of horrors and challenges that no child should ever have to experience. If you choose to pick this book up, I don't think you'll be disappointed.

And - I dare you to watch "The Office" and not laugh. I. . .dare . . .you.

Finally . . .

The kangaroo at the local zoo was somehow managing to escape every day, so the zookeepers constructed a 10-foot tall fence around his enclosure to keep him in.

The next day, the zookeepers found he'd escaped again, so they built a 20-foot tall fence around the enclosure.

Again, the kangaroo escaped, so the zookeeper contructed a 40-foot wall with spikes at the top and electrical wire along the bottom to prevent him from jumping out.

In the next enclosure, the giraffe asked his friend the kangaroo, "How high do you think they'll keep building this wall?

The kangaroo replied, "I don't know, maybe a thousand feet. Either that or until someone stops leaving the gate open at night."

Random Events

A busy life in still life. :)

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Just a few random items.

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Hard at work

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Same kid, different basket

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Now he has a roll cage

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Audition for the role in "Little Jack Horner"

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Ready to shoot some hoops

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Blowing bubbles

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Little man, big ocean

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Random thoughts:

Getting Married after being happily single for 35 years is a surprising and amazing experience. Finding someone that can deal with you when you're a fully formed person and still wants to share your life is a long shot. I know I hit the jackpot.

Having a Baby when you're not even trying and you never though you'd be lucky enough to have a child is lightning striking twice.

Not to sound overly dramatic, but having Karen and Connor in my life is like nothing I though I would ever be fortunate enough to ever have. Karen is the most wonderful partner I could ever hope to have in life, and our little guy - wow - difficult to express how Happy he makes me. He is sweet, challenging, funny, sly, tough, loving, interesting, happy, expressive, smart - the best I could have hoped for and so much more.

I know thousands, millions, of people feel the same way about their little boys and girls, and they're absolutely right, too. To all of you, you have my salutations, and to those who've lost their wonder and their way, remember that you're children are relying on you to show them the way. Tell you children you love them often, and tell them why - make sure they know you believe in them and support them - help them become good people - caring people - smart people. Hug them. Instill in them a sense of right and wrong, and teach them to do right. Teach them to stand up for themselves and those that can't stand up on their own. Teach them to be kind to animals. Teach them that love is stronger than hate, and that doing the right thing sometimes means doing the hardest things. Anything worth having is worth working for.

For those still struggling, don't forget that patience is the one thing a parent needs more than anything else. Remember that your child has simple motivations. They aren't trying to make you mad: They are just hungry, or tired, or aren't feeling well. They want to go outside, and can't understand that they can't because it's cold and rainy. And, if YOU need help, ask someone.

Dale

March 29, 2008

Easter Update

Again - thanks for your patience - hectic schedules and hectic days make it tough to update as often as we'd like. The important thing is to spend time with the most important people to us.

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Connor has enjoyed a terrific couple of weeks - Easter was a lot of fun, and he has been able to do explore his world more and more each day. Enjoy the photos (and the video)!

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Eggs are a symbol of the new life that returns to nature at Easter Time. The custom of exchanging eggs began long before Easter was celebrated. It was a custom of the Egyptians and the Persians. They exchanged eggs decorated in Spring colors. They believed Earth hatched from an egg which contributed to this custom. Early Christians used red colored eggs to symbolize the Resurrection. In England they began writing messages and dates on their eggs and exchanging them with friends and loved ones. In the 1800's, candied eggs were made. They were open on one end and a scene was put inside. They were used as table centerpieces.

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Smart boy - waits until Daddy isn't there . .

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What did the Easter Bunny bring you?

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I found the egg . . . I found the egg!

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Filling up the basket in a hurry

(inside 'cause the Easter Bunny didn't wanna get wet).

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Must . . .get . . .egg . . .

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Vroom Vroom! Red wins again!

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pfffff, pfffff - turn pinwheel, turn.

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Rocking Elmo to sleep. .
Yeah Daddy . . .Gulp . . . Your creamed brussell sprouts

are . . . gulp. . . really good. . .

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Make sure you eat all of it Kitty . . .yum!

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Ooh boy - this place is huge

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I WANT PIZZA!!

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The headgear collection:

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Bubbles? Nope, not there yet.

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Basket? Nope not quite.

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Getting closer . . .

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Ahh - just right!

Now look out ya slippery sidewinders!

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Yolks for this week:

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A country preacher decided to skip services one Sunday and head to the hills to do some bear hunting. As he rounded the corner on a perilous twist in the trail, he and a bear collided, sending him and his rifle tumbling down the mountainside.
Before he knew it, his rifle went one way and he went the other, landing on a rock and breaking both legs. That was the good news. The bad news was the ferocious bear charging at him from a distance, and he couldn't move.
"Oh, Lord," the preacher prayed, "I'm so sorry for skipping services today to come out here and hunt. Please forgive me and grant me just one wish . . . please make a Christian out of that bear that's coming at me. Please, Lord!"
That very instant, the bear skidded to a halt, fell to its knees, clasped its paws together and began to pray aloud right at the preacher's feet. "Dear God, bless this food I am about to receive . . ."

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Definitions for the week:

Boy: Noise with dust on it.

Chickens: The only animals you eat before they are born and after they are dead.

Dust: Mud with the juice squeezed out.

Mosquito: An insect that makes you like flies better.

Raisin: A grape with a sunburn.
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A man walks into a flower shop "I'd like some flowers please.""Certainly, Sir. What did you have in mind?"He shrugs "Well I'm not sure, I uh, I uh, I uh...""Perhaps I could help. What exactly have you done?"