Sleepover, PS2 and wheelies

Well we managed to get rid of Mad for the night. The problem is that it was an exchange sleepover, and we got the loud end of that deal. So far we've managed to survive through dinner time and chased them up into the bonus room for a fun filled evening of PS2 and movies.

Sul's little friend got heelies for Christmas (you know, the shoes with wheels in the heels). Of course Sul wanted them for Christmas and we made him pitch in to buy a PS2. Certainly Couldn't afford a PS3. Funny little side story about the PS3. While I was taking back the first PS2 we bought (we originally got a used one and then decided that it was worth $30 more to feel comfortable that it would last for a little while), a guy was in with his daughter asking about game systems and the kid at the counter (maybe 20) was trying to convince him to get the PS3. He says, "Its only $647," to which the guy responds, "I didn't pay that much for my first three cars." The kid at the counter makes some smart alec comment back that I can't remember, and I wanted to say, "You probably still live at home. If all you have to spend your money on is video games and fast food, $647 doesn't sound like much." I settled for a chuckle. As the guy left the store his daughter (~9) said, "See dad, that's why I need to get allowance." I laughed out loud and said, "it would take a long time to save $647 in allowance." As I'm checking out with the new PS2 the counter-kid says, "we really need to get you into a PS3." More loud laughing. Pay the guy with tears in my eyes. Anyway, back to my original story. So, we conviced Sul that he might get wheelies for his birthday and he should help pitch in to get the PS2 since he would play it anyway. Now whenever he is around his friends who have wheelies, he somehow convinces them to let him borrow them. So, he ends up rolling around and bumping into people and things, while his friends get to wear his stinky-old flat-soled footwear.

Christmas with Dec

I'm trying to get some pictures from Christmas morning posted for the family and friends. Dec liked this toy when he got it and has had LOTS of fun building with it. Well, I should say that I have had lots of fun building the little ball depicted on the front every time Dec smashes it while having LOTS of fun playing with it.

Learning to read and learning to read tarot cards

Dec's teacher sent home a note saying that they had reading tests for his kindergarten class and he has not only passed the first two levels but is reading where he is supposed to be by the end of the year. That isn't too bad for less than half-way through the year. While Mom was telling me about this, he just sat there with the biggest grin on his face. I love to see my kids feel good about their accomplishments.

As I was looking through Sul's homework, he had a fill-in-the-blank vocabulary worksheet that taught about forcasting the future. Interestingly, it was mostly about fortune telling and included a discussion of tarot cards and tea leaves. Hmm. Not sure I'm happy with that lesson.

Images-Waiting for release

I can almost hear these leaves saying, "We were once beautiful. We have served our purpose. Now we are just waiting for our release from this life." In their own way, they are still beautiful.

Adams-"If I did not believe in a future state, I should believe in no God"

I believe in God and in his wisdom and benevolence, and I cannot conceive that such a Being could make such a species as the human merely to live and die on this earth. If I did not believe in a future state, I should believe in no God. This Universe, this all, this [totality] would appear with all its swelling pomp, a boyish firework.

John Adams, early 1800's, from a letter to Thomas Jefferson as quoted in "John Adams" by David McCullough, pages 625.

Images - A felt fungus

I saw this mushroom along a greenway near Bond Lake. It looked so soft. (taken 12/23/06)

"Stooop it Daddy"

I've been enjoying my time at home. It is nice to spend time with my wife and boys. I love all of my boys, but I end up posting more about Can because he is still in that period of his life when he does new and funny things. I've noticed that when I'm working on the computer he usually sneaks in about every 10 minutes and climbs up on my lap, sits there for a minute and then wanders off to continue playing. I love that he comes in to check on me. I also love to tickle him during his visit. He giggles in the cutest way and if I tickle him enough I can get him to say, "stooop it daddy," in his own high-pitched bubbly way. It warms my heart. I'll miss this when I'm back at work every day.