I remember in college, those of us who lived out of state would purchase large cardboard boxes (think a refrigerator box), fill it with clothing or other belongings we could live without over the summer.  School would store them and we’d find them in our new dorm room the following year.  Whenever you got to your room, you’d open it and invariably find all sorts of items you had completely forgotten.

Opening the tubs of x-mas decorations is a little like that.

Dayna would think she was done and I’d say, ‘There’s another tub down there’, in which we’d find something else that was a mainstay of our holiday décor but had been forgotten till that point.  This year it was the giant nutcracker that Dayna puts in the first floor bathroom that Brody continues to turn towards the wall so it won’t watch him use the bathroom.

In one box she found the stocking holders (no, not a garter belt….that’s upstairs in a lingerie bag!  DUH!) for the mantle.

First it was the letter ‘S’

Then the letter ‘H’

Then the letter ‘I’

At this point she remembered we had these (it was a new acquisition last year) but for the life of her could not recall what the stocking holders spelled out….’Hmmmmm S-H-I?’  Doesn’t seem very Christmassy on the surface now does it?’

Took a while before she found the final letter and it all came back to her.

I’m trying to burn our entire cd collection to the computer.  It’s new, so we’ll have it a while.  At first, I really just enjoyed rediscovering artists and albums I hadn’t listened to in a long time: the four Shemekia Copeland CD’s come immediately to mind (and for you xmas shoppers out there; she’ll be in concert in traverse city next year…I need one ticket and a gas card!).

Spending so much time with iTunes also got me poking around other music.  I’m a big Flogging Molly fan (Irish punk) and my sister mentioned a recent Dropkick Murphy’s concert.  Got me in the Irish Punk section and the next thing I know I’ve added a band called ‘Enter the Haggis’ on my wish list! 

Poked around a lot of obscure blues and folk – Did you know there was a punk – folk band whose album is named ‘Reinventing Axl Rose’ (for those who know me, Gun’s and Roses is my favorite band – don’t care how much a loser Axl is now – GNf’nR are the best EVER!).  Folk Punk? 

I then found myself on the top 100 downloads for Dance music.  So 180 degrees away from Axl and all my Gaelic Punks but ‘Wow’, dance is pretty cool.  Did you know the them to ER (or is it Grey’s – all those melo-dramatic, horny doctor shows run together) is on the Dance chart?

I can tell I won’t get much sleep tonight.

Took the day off for some ‘Me’ time. 

That means burnings CD’s to iTunes; reading a book and comics; catching up on correspondence; cleaning a little and practicing my guitar.

As I was cleaning I came across a little yellow golf ball.  The golf ball was brought over by our babysitter.  She would hide the golf ball and the kids would try and find it.  It was amazing how much the kids LOVED playing this little game. 

Finding it today hit me as ‘funny’:  today is the biggest shopping day of the year.  Millions of people are out buying toys that cost hundreds of dollars. 

Well, I’m only a month behind, however here are a few photos from Halloween 2007.  (as always, click to enlarge)

I had fallen behind on Mo’s laundry and she needed something warm to wear outside to play.  Dayna grabbed a pink-camo (for turkey hunts in Claire’s or Icing)that we had for years and was only slightly too big.  She also needed a hat.  So of course the coordinating pink supergirl knit hat (with the appropriate bling outlining the ‘S’ shield).

She comes out of the house and up to me and says ‘Dad!  Look!  I’m Avril!’

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CAoo71VEYhs

http://www.avrillavigne.com/

http://www.werkshop.com/avrilmerch/item.action?product_id=86432&subcat_id=104

Dayna and Brod are traveling so Mo’ and I went out for dinner and then did a little shopping.  She is (was) in need of some clothing so I thought to take advantage of some pre-holiday sales.

I’ve not done this with her alone…and it was fun.  She INSISTED on picking items out and giving the ‘thumbs up’ or ‘down’ on items I selected.  When she didn’t like something she’d give a perfectly good reason:

-          I don’t like buttons on the front of my shirts.

-          It’s not a skirt or a dress; sorry, NO pants!

-          Dad, is brown ‘pink’ or ‘purple’?  I think not dear padre’.

-          That is the fugliest piece of crap I’ve ever seen; I wouldn’t wipe my @$$ with that!

Okay.  She didn’t actually say the third one…but it was insinuated at times.

Once we had tops and skirts selected I thought we could go. NOPE!  Got to try things on; so off to the changing rooms.

She tried on every item, had to be part of an ‘outfit’ (BTW Men – women are genetically incapable of buying a single item to add to their wardrobe.  Skirts beget blouses; Slacks, trouser socks; belts, shoes or boots; Headbands, bracelets or earrings.  Still trying to take that IQ Test Formula to complete the following:  skirts are to trouser socks as _______ is to thigh highs…I’ll consult the latest from Hawking). 

Each outfit was closely examined in the mirrors, including the requisite hair shake and a walk.  Fortunately all items selected met with her approval. 

Now, I’m a 21^st century kind of guy and I know that if you get your daughter skirts in the winter, you’ve got to get tights.  When we got to the tights Mo went into the cart, pulled out each outfit (top and skirt); laid them out on the ground and then selected herself which tights were best for each outfit.  She would then place place the selected tights on the outfit.  When all outfits had a coordinating partner, we could go.

So we’re on the way home from the circus (see following post) and Maura says…

‘I just realized something: ‘gun’ rhymes with ‘fun’!’

????

We took the kids to see the circus this weekend.  Both had a really great time. 

I won’t bore you with a detailed set up, suffice it to say that there was a woman leading the circus who would help people but having sparks pop out and items lowered from the ceiling.  After she did this a couple times Maura looked at me and said ‘I knew that they were in cartoons, but I didn’t know that there were real magical people in real life!’

Neat to see a child still amazed in this day of CGI.

At the end of the show, said magical lady gave a short speech.  They had been on tour for two years and this was their final performance (as a touring company) together.  They were all very tearful and it explains why, during the pre-show activities, the circus folk were signing each other’s programs and t-shirts versus those of the fans. J 

Brody didn’t quite catch the nuance of what occurred and was quite distraught that the circus would never come to town ever again.

I still don’t think he understands, but he seems to believe us when we tell him they’ll be back.

I’m in the den but I can hear the television downstairs.  It appears to be the reunion special of the most recent Bachelor season.

OMG, the dumbing down of America is at full throttle.

I realize that in addition to the advanced treatises I oft read on bioinformatics, astrophysics, evolutionary psychology,  I enjoy my comic books…

but seriously!  Suspension of disbelief is less taxed by flying men in underwear than it would have to be to believe that anyone on the bachelor was in love with anyone other than themselves or anything other than airtime.

Last week a new Salvation Army store opened in Brighton.  As the kids had outgrown their summer clothing and shoes long before the items had shown a lot of wear, I had several bags to donate.

Usually I donate at the collection center in Waterford.  However, it’s a bit of a drag having to drive all that way out there on a weekend; it’s a lot of time and gas.  So I must admit, nerd that I am, I was pleased that this one was opening in Brighton.

So I thought, ‘What better way to celebrate the opening of the new location than by donating items?’

Well, when we got there, you would not believe how crowded it was.  Seriously! The parking lot was full to capacity; the surrounding landscaping was covered in cars, as was the car lot next door and the shoulder of the road down for a quarter mile. 

Obviously I’m glad they are selling items, helping people and making money to help more.  However, the cynic in me also had some additional reactions.  First, it was unfortunate that the economy is such that so many have to shop there. 

The second, upon seeing all the $35,000 SUV’s, Audi’s, Lexus’s (or is that “Lexi?”) and other automobiles of persons of means (or persons of good credit), was a little disgust.  I think at no other time in our history is our country one of zombie-like consumption.  We have more than anyone on the planet, yet we want more…and we don’t want to pay a lot (ergo – Wal-Mart, Target, GM, et. al. have to have things made overseas so they can continue to sell it cheaply and then we’re out of jobs - - - the poor economy is a result of Americans wanting so much shit).  So I was disgusted that so many folks who can afford a car that cost more than my first house wanted more stuff so badly they packed the Salvation Army to get it.

I never did find a parking spot so the items are still in my trunk.  I hope to drop them off this weekend so some View-watching, BMW-driving, faux-DG sunglasses wearing Mom can get a few dresses for Ashley Marie instead of that poor family in Stockbridge.

(As a note: It does bring back the recent incident in which after having donated at the Salvation Army I saw a kids motorcycle helmet and I wanted to buy it for Brody.  Brody was disgusted that I would even think to buy something out from under the less-fortunate, that he insisted I put it down.  He was on the verge of tears.  Makes you feel as if you’re doing something right).

I see many traits in the kids that I or Dayna possess.  (Maura tends to have few, and the one’s she does have, appear to come from her Aunts?!).

Fortunately, one Brody has inherited or learned (depending on your preference of Nature vs. Nuture) is his desire to do well, and do so quickly (the trade off is the frustration that comes when one doesn’t do well the first time out).

One of the very first projects they did when starting Second Grade, was weave this apple.  It was to be hanging décor for open house. 

Brody, who can read made up words in a Star Wars Early Reader (‘Davijaan piloted a Venator Class ship during the Battle of Boz Pity.  They launched from Ro-Ti-Mundi and later fought in the Battle of Utapau’); figures out words we spell backwards that we don’t want him knowing ( “s-t-r-a-t-s  s’y-e-r-G   e-r-o-f-e-b  d-n-u-o-r-a  l-o-o-f  d-n-a  y-r-t  o-t  t-n-a-W?”); and can tell you how many Weight Watchers points an Arby’s Big Montana is, could not WEAVE?

Nope and it drove him nuts.  He skipped several recesses just to get this done in time.  It, by far, was not the prettiest, but it seemed the best to me.

It actually is a childhood item I’ll treasure for a long time.

We recently had Brody’s ‘Parent-Teacher’ conference. 

Brody’s teacher is once again very nice and has done a nice job of engaging him in the classroom.  She provided detailed feedback and really, confirmed much of what we know about Brody.

There was one anecdote she shared that we found quite humorous:

She had mentioned that in the classroom, Brody is very calm, quiet and attentive. 

I’m sorry…what?  Are you talking about Brody ‘ the Starbucks Snorting Tasmanian Devil’ Britton?

Oh yes.  He is always in his seat and sits very still?

Riiiiiight?  Have you got him mixed up with Nick G?  They look a lot alike you know.

So for the teacher, she had only seen this model of decorum (whom we’ve never met).  Someone was creating a movie on helping kids with physical disabilities.  Brody happened to be standing next to the boy in the lunch line and was ‘caught on tape.’

The teacher shared with us that Brody was a human ‘super ball.’  He couldn’t stand still, he was all over the place and how she was soooo shocked!  Every one watching the video commented on how during that section, he (either was the ‘center of attention’ or the ‘scene stealing extra’ – your call).

She was more surprised by how active he was out of class…we were stunned by how still he was in class!

When Brody was a kid (LOL), he really didn’t like to draw or color.  It’s just been recently that he’ll do so and enjoy.

Maura on the other hand, has really taken to doodling.  She has incredible motor skills and is certainly coloring at a five year old level (Stanford here we come!).

This is her first commissioned piece.  She did this while traveling on goodwill mission in Mexico. 

Brody has a good sense of comic absurdity.  That point in a movie or cartoon when a character, at the oddest moment yells ‘REMEMBER THE ALAMO’ or ‘I AM NOT A CROOK!’ and then drops trau and runs off screaming.  He gets it. 

So when I look at this little art project he did, I don’t over analyze and consider it a call for help.

"Yoda Says...I have no idea what I'm doing!" 

On weekends I tend to stay up late surfing the net, reading, playing PS2, catching up on the DVR recordings or watching something on Turner Classics.  Occasionally I will fall asleep and come to bed late.  I would honestly say this happens once or twice a month.

Dayna (the most incredible person on the planet of whom nothing negative could ever be said) regularly cautions me…’Don’t fall asleep down there.’  Delivered in a tone that would lead one to believe I maintain a separate residence downstairs.

YET, I would say D falls asleep there several times per week.  The pattern is pretty consistent.  Kids are in bed between 8:30 and 9:00 p.m.  If it’s not ‘Dancing with the Stars’ night (Go MARIE!) we’ll watch the nine o’clock drama du jour.  About ten minutes before the show ends I’ll excuse myself to check my e-mail. 

I have this problem where I don’t like to watch uncomfortable relationship issues unfold on screen (romantic comedies are incredibly painful for me, such that I buy a larger pop just so I’ll have occasion to excuse myself during the scene where the female leads sees her love interest in the embrace of another woman and storms out, not knowing that the other woman was actually a psychotic ex-lover who feigned a sprained ankle in order to be held..OUCH…these parts are usually before a comedic chance scene or a melancholy musical montage.  But I digress).  I don’t know why, but such squeamishness appears to be genetic as Brody also refuses to watch an episode of a show where ‘feelings’ are hurt.

So anyway….I leave at 9:50, Dayna indicates she’ll be right up.  I end up surfing till 10:30 or 12 and lo and behold D is asleep on the couch.  I’ve long since given up on waking her.  So there she sleeps, like a sexy throw pillow or alluring afghan while I go bogart both pillows.

Well, that behavior too is apparently genetic in the maternal line.  (hang on, I’ll get back to this)

Tonight D and Mo went shopping.  Mo is a little light on winter clothing.  She is very anti-jeans, preferring dresses, and we haven’t had occasion to really build up her wardrobe as she is very rough on her clothing. 

When I got home Mo said she and Mommy were going for a ‘girlfriends’ night.  Dinner, shopping, trying on clothes, the whole gal-shebang (hm…’she’bang), Mo loves it. 

When they returned Mo told me all about trying on the clothes, the choices she had to make (she had a budget and understands stretching a dollar while still picking up the occasional indulgence), and how much she loved trying stuff on.  She laid everything out and described it, also indicating which items mixed and matched with others.

Well!  Dayna and Mo went upstairs and next thing you know they are both asleep on the bed.  At about midnight I carry Mo to bed, but she refuses.  Says she is not tired!  No matter how eloquent my argument, there was no convincing her that she was tired.

Oooookay.  So I offer to let her sit in the chair in the den while I finish up on the computer.  Next thing I know she has a blanket and the lights are out. 

And if I turn around I can she her looking like a rag doll tossed on a chair, completely asleep. 

Nah…she wasn’t tired!