Future Poltergeist

This morning I was trying to teach DF a song with the letters of his name.  After a few attempts he stopped me and said he couldn't learn because 'he's too dangerous'.  And no, I'm not sure what was going on there either.

Yesterday Relia told me that she was teased at school for being the smartest one in class.  Now, she comes home with stories about teasing on a pretty regular basis.  Upon questioning, most of them turn out to be largely a consequence of her flair for drama.  This may have been more of the same, but it game me an opportunity to talk up the 'smart' thing. This morning I sat her down and told her that I couldn't be prouder of her for being the smartest in class.  I said that she doesn't need to show off but if she has brains I want her using them and using them and using them.  And if the other kids don't like it, well, that's their problem. I continued and told her that I often felt like the big ol' smarty pants when I was growing up.  You get used to it.  And you grow to see the advantages.  Now, maybe this is different for girls, though I hope not.  I want her to confidently be herself and this is a big time for cementing that. So go out ...

Ok, so after reading this , I've made up my mind that we should actually plan on a trip in the future to Disneyland (or Disneyworld or other great park).  It seems that it would be best if our youngest was at least five so that means summer of 2017.  Hans, Heidi, grandparents, let's make this happen, ok? If others want to join in, well, the more the merrier.

Here in Minneyota we're 'enjoying' the coldest day in about three years.  Sure wish I was in Greece, enjoying this cave . . .

Stories like this make my blood boil.  Seriously parents, point to some things on the map every once in a while.  Play some Risk with your kids.  Get an atlas. Embarrassing.

The other night I got the urge to hear the music from the Industrial Revolution part of the 2012 London Olympics opening ceremony.  I got out my recording and watched (well listened) to that part three or four times.  I'd looked for the music on iTunes and Amazon but hadn't been able to find it.  Finally I hit paydirt on YouTube.  It's long and it's loud so you may not want to listen. Which is fine. This is mostly here so I can come back to it. By all means, enjoy it if you'd like. It's quite rousing.

While we're putting the kids to bed, we've been reading the 'Little House' books.  DF is a little young for chapter books but he's gamely putting up with it.  Relia is kind of getting into it.  The FP Gal told me I should be recording some of the stuff they say.  (This may be a series, we'll see.) The first book takes place in the Big Woods of Wisconsin, in the 1860's.  After a few chapters Relia told me that she was afraid of the forest.  She was sure that she'd meet a bear.  I assured her that the forests near us are very bear free.  I might have convinced her. DF took a different tack.  He said that he would use a sword and cut up any bears that he met.  I told him that I was sure he would, but I hoped it didn't come to that. For Christmas, all of the girls get a pair of red mittens.  Can you imagine what would happen if we gave Relia a single pair of red mittens for Christmas next year?  I'm sure Child Services would ev...

10 years ago today, at about this time, I was swerving on an icy road, trying to decided if I should risk hitting the oncoming minivan or go in the ditch.  I picked the ditch and we hit a tree, going about 60mph.  It was like being punched with an I-beam.  Pictures show that my chair, the driver's seat, actually broke loose.  I probably hit the door frame but it could have been the steering wheel.  (Later surgery showed four or five major facial fractures when most accidents have one.) We (me, my brother and his new wife, Rachel) were obviously shaken up.  She had been thrown from the back seat, spun 180 degrees and ended up facing backwards between the front seats.  She'd hit the gear shift and broken one arm, some ribs and suffered a collapsed lung.  Hans wrenched his shoulder.  Me?  Well, at first I thought that my left eye was swollen shut and I couldn't talk clearly. Hans had me call 911.  I could still reach my cell phone an...

Last night we stayed in to celebrate the New Year.  About 630p, I set off some fireworks on the front sidewalk to thrill Relia and DF.  Then we put the kids to bed and watched 'Moulin Rouge'.  When that was done we prepared for midnight.  We had some drinks ready and was ready to go back out with some more fireworks.  But DF started yelling for me. I went upstairs and he told me that the noised were keeping him awake.  Relia was also awake enough to talk.  There were some scattered fireworks in the neighborhood but nothing all that loud.  But I guess they woke him.  I held him for a bit, turned on their music and then counted them back to sleep. I didn't kiss the FP Gal at midnight.  More like twenty after.  And I didn't rush out to do fireworks.  I guess I had other duties.