It's all fun and games until someone gets kicked in the eye

Today was a beautiful, bright, sunny, and windy day. The perfect winter day for sledding. I know I have already told a sledding story, but this one has a twist. You have all heard the saying "It's all fun and games until someone get's poked in the eye," well today's tale falls along those lines and poor Julia ended getting the poke....well not really a poke....

As you have heard the girls and I went sledding in the backyard. It was great first time out for the season, but the slope is small. When we went to the dentist on Thursday we spotted a good mid size hill or as Lexi says "mountain." And we decided that we would make the time to sled on it this weekend. Saturday arrived and with it the perfect opportunity to go. We had a 10:45 and 11 showing and that left us with time to kill. So the girl's begged Joe to take them to the mountain to sled.
When we started to get ready to leave Julia decided she was not going sledding. She would get out with us, but there was no way she was going down that mountain. So Joe headed up the hill with Lexi in tow. Getting the track started so that Lexi could go fast and far. Julia and I hung back froze and took pictures. We like doing that. I took her picture and she took mine. Then I took Joe's...we looked as cold as we felt. Lexi and Joe Finally made it to the top and they sledded down.

It was a great experience for Lex. She is so adventurous and loves all things exciting. She went a bunch more times. When she went alone she had a good time and landed safely. Each time she went with Joe she wiped out. So as Julia watched she decided she wasn't going to go down.

Even though I only had on jeans, I couldn't resist the action. I took a turn with Lex and we had a fun and crash free trip. I noticed that Julia was watching closely and started to seem interested. So I offered, well more like cajoled, Julia into taking a try. She finally agreed and I promised her a crash free and completely uneventful trip. I was not as right as I planned on being. She got to the top on the track and we got on the sled. By this time she was actually excited. So as we headed down I was muttering words of reassurance and excitement. Just as I was confident this was going to end with her begging for more, we lost control. That's when it happened. We fulfilled the prophecy of "fun and games and getting kicked in the eye by your mom"...Yup, I was the kicker. See as the sled was headed out of control I felt the sled tilt and I knew I was going to land on top of her. Apparently she realized that she was going to get crushed, so as I moved to keep from hurting her she moved to keep from getting hurt and in the ruckus, her eye made contact with my boot. Then her face made contact with the snow and of course, no crash would be complete without the sled whacking you in the back of the head.

So needless to say there were no more sled trips for Julia, but there were lots of tears. And I felt horrible. What a mom! I tried to encourage her and show her it would be fine and instead I tortured her.....so she went back to making her snow house. And of course immediately wanting to leave. It took some of the shine off of the day for her and me, but it didn't stop Lexi.

Lexi had a great time. "Mom, just 5 more times" then 5 turns later "Dad, just 3 more times" and so on. You can see where this is all going. In the end, we were all freezing and had to practically drag Lexi off the field. By the time we got back to the truck we were all in better moods. Julia made her snow house and that lifted her spirits.

Of course the fact that Joe said he would take them out for hot cocoa didn't hurt anyone. In the end we are all looking back on this as a fun time. Julia now has a little snow rash on her cheek bone and her ego is a bit bruised, but after many apologies, a few rounds of hangman, and some hot cocoa with a cookie to wash it down, she too has some fond memories of the day when there were lots of "fun and games until someone got kicked in the eye."

Snow Fun

Today was one of those great funfilled winter days for the girls. We woke up this morning to another 8 or so inches of snow. It was unexpected, but from the girl's perspective very welcomed! As I was out cleaning off my car and grumbling at 5:30 this morning in the freezing cold. The girls were chomping at the bit to get outside and help dad shovel. Since today was a planned day off from school the kids were already in a great mood knowing they would be going to Granny and Papa's house for the day. Everything was going their way.

Once they got to granny's they were armed and ready to play their handheld video games. That is always pure joy for them. After being there a while, they were unexpectedly surprised by a visit from not only Aunt Brenda and Kevin, but also Aunt Linda. Aunt Linda took them outside and they built their first snowman this winter. The girls were so excited and proud when they told me about it.

As it was a holiday, I was able to get out of work a bit early and I picked them up. Once we were headed home I asked how they would like to go sledding. The snow we got was nice and fluffly, but after being packed down a couple times the sled glided gracefully down the slope in the backyard. Well if you call the girls each falling off separately or them tromping up a perfectly wonderful sledding track graceful. To them it was pure bliss. This was an especially great time because this is the first year that Julia was excited about sledding. In years past she would always decline. Lex would trudge along in the kiddie sled letting Joe tug her around. Now they couldn't wait to take a turn. I was finally able to sneak in a quick ride down the yard, but I was barley finished my turn when they were begging to have another turn.

When I was finally ready to go in because I was turning into a popsicle, the girls were still hanging out. The could not get in enough fun. It was great to see them out an enjoying themselves. I went into the kitchen to make them a special warm up treat and I watched them playing like two best friends. Sharing turns, pulling each other down, riding together and all the while laughing and having the time of their lives.

Once they finally decided to come in. They unbundled still laughing all the way. After talking about how cold they were they suddenly realized the kitchen smelled like warm chocolate.
They couldn't wait to sit down and dig into their favorite hot cocoa mugs. There is something really special about using mugs with your name on it and whipped cream piled up high.

After Lexi started in and got her first sip she was already on the road to contentment. Julia couldn't wait for her first indulgence and immediately rushed over. Do you remember those days when you just dug right in and enjoyed those sweet indulgences with great abandonment.....they were definitely living that kind of day today.

Expect the Unexpected

Alexa at 5 months old

When you find out you are going to have a baby girl, there are some things that you Never Expect to see. She won't be mischievous or like smelly things or be inappropriate like a boy.

A girl is sweet and kind. She is clean, well mannered, and she knows the proper way to behave.

Well, at least that is the delusion that festers while she is growing in your belly and you fantasize about how perfect and well behaved she will be. Bottom line, there are some things you think you are saved from because you had a girl and not a boy.

At least that is what we thought until we had Lexi. One day last week I was rushing around getting ready for work in the morning. As usual I had no time for anyone. When I suddenly heard little feet enter my room. Right at that moment all I could think was "I know anyone who has little feet should be in their room dressing." The next thing I hear is a little voice saying "Mommy look". I turned around getting ready to send Alexa back to her room when I see she is grinning ear to ear. Then I stopped to really look at her wondering what she is grinning about. After a moment I realize she is standing there with her underwear on her head and her hair poking out of the leg holes like Mickey Mouse ears.

Of course, instead of admonishing her, I cracked up laughing. It was just the break everyone needed that morning. Once I stopped laughing I sent her down to Joe so he could take a picture. These are the moments that make us glad our girls aren't always sweet and polite and just pretty. They love life and aren't afraid to show it. There is nothing that Lexi loves more than making someone laugh even if it means being a bit silly and just having fun. The lesson here is whether you have a girl or a boy you should ALWAYS expect the unexpected.

Nerd Quest Laser Tag

Jim "The Target" Dreselly

The Infamous Sharlene

The Laser Tag crew - L to R
Lauren, Joe, Dan, Noelle, Shelly
Jim and Sharlene









Raise your hands if you can honestly admit (or just admit) that you have been to laser tag before? Not many hands I see. My limited knowledge of this (do I call it a sport?) thing, has always conjured up images of techno geek star trek wannabes running around blasting away at each other giggling wildly like school girls. That is, however, until I had the chance to enter this realm this past weekend. Shelly and I joined our friends, Jim, Sharlene, Lauren, Dan and Noelle to play laser tag at the Kings Quest Laser Tag in Berlin CT. Anytime there is some sort of quirky adventure you can bet Sharlene is behind it. Sharlene works with Shelly and since I met her I have been to Laser Tag, mechanical bull riding and last but not least Rolloer Skating. Yes, Roller skating. Remember WAY back in the 80's when we kept our comb poking out of our back pcoket and our hair was feathered? Shalene has an appetite for the unique and loves a challenge. That being said we all met at the place after work. When Shelly and I arrived we checked out the surroundings and wondered how the whole thing worked. The rest of the crew arrived shortly and we paid our admission. Once the admission was paid we were led into a room that was not unlike a ride at Disney. You know where you go into a dark room that starts to sent the scene for the ride you are about to take. Here though, we were in the room to get directions for playing laser tag. It told us how to put on our laser tag vest and how to gain points by shooting your opponent. Everyone agreed the only reason we were here was to shoot Jim. Jim just has this look about him that makes you want to take him out. Ha ha ha! After the video we were told to put on our laser vests and shown how to operate the gun. This was all fun and games but to me I could feel my competitive juices flowing. My gun identified me as "Black Hawk" I suddenly envisioned myself as a mercenary who wouldn't be taken without a fight. Once the doors opened we all ran off wildly into the dark and soon were faced with maze like corridors, stairs and obstacles to hide behind. The room was filled with blinking lights, smoke and a criss cross of red lasers everywhere. I surveyed my environment and soon made my way to a bunker to take up my position. Through the smoke I noticed someone in the corner behind a wall. I crept up slowly and slid along the opposite wall to get a better shot. As I aimed my gun I could make out that it was Shelly. Our eyes locked as I peppered her with my laser and soon her vest was blinking wildly indicating she was hit. Proud of myself I scurried away smugly. The game continued with each of us darting into the line of fire and running up and down stairways to avoid the inevitable laser shots. In all the excitement poor Sharlene took a header onto the floor while trying to escape. While she was lying on the floor I did what every gentleman would have done. I shot her repeatedly to pad my own score then ran away and hid. Each of us had our moments ..Noelle was mostly a walking target, Dan played sniper from the crows nest on the upper level, Jim shot people in the back and Shelly refused to move from her perch behind the wall. Tired and beaten up a little we then headed to Shea's in Manchester for a few coldies to rehash our adventure. Shelly and I had a great time and couldn't remember the last time we stayed out that late. We both secretly admitted we enjoyed laser tag and I'm considering wearing a laser tag vest as part of my regular wardrobe. If you ever get the chance to go play "tag" jump on the opportunity. If nothing else, you will have a chance to let all your worries go and just have fun.

Bowling Fun

On Saturday we asked the girls what they wanted to do for fun. Julia picked duckpin bowling. So ,we trekked over to T-Bowl on the Berlin Tpke in Newington. The place is pretty nice and seems to be designed more for family fun than any type of competitive bowling. For example, the balls they provide had "divots" in them and bounced down the alley as they rolled! Despite this the kids really enjoyed themselves. Alexa has her own style which is to jump up and down after each throw. She didn't care if she missed the pins or not, just was more interested in jumping. Julia showed her competitiveness when she pumped her fist after getting a spare. Shelly and I attempted to convince each other that we were playing "for the girls" but secretly each of us wanted to beat the other! Throughout the game Shelly double checked my score keeping to be sure I wasn't cheating. Me? Can you imagine??! As usual the camera was out and we took some fun pictures. It was a good time.

Happy New Year

Happy New Year everyone. We spent a quiet night at home to ring in the new year. The next day I thought I'd get the family out and decided to take a ride to Northhampton Massachusetts. I have heard many good things about the town and figured it would be a good way to spend the day together. I looked up a few restaurants in the area and decided we could have lunch and walk around the shops in town. We drove about 45 minutes to reach Northhampton. If you have never been there its a quaint, artsy type of town. Store fronts, and many different type of restaurants of all ethnicity's. I decided on a little restaurant called Jakes. I understood it to be a "pubby" type restaurant. Shelly had her mind set on having a real hamburger and fries. We all walked into this place and settled at our table . The waitress handed us our menus and I looked around at the other people eating. I noticed everyone seemed to be eating only breakfast. I looked at my watch and saw that it was 1:30 so I was confused. We asked the waitress and she said they were only serving breakfast. Uggh . We had already eaten breakfast at home. Already settled in we decided to just go with it and had breakfast again. After we ate we headed out to walk the city streets and check out the shops. On most days this would be a fun thing to do, however it was about 15 degrees out and we discovered most of the stores were closed due to the holiday...Uggh... Despite the disappointments, we still managed to spend some quality time together and had a nice walk around the town. Next time I think I'll do a little more research before taking a day trip!