Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Friday, June 27, 2008
Waiter, I’ll have the Chilean Sea Bass
For the past several weeks, Sarah has been taking the kids to a story time held at a fish/aquarium store close to my office. She has of course mentioned that the fish store is “close to Daddy’s office” to the boys, and Marshall has repeatedly asked to come and see my office. So today, we decide to oblige, let them see my ultra-exciting office space, and then we will head out to dinner. At the office Marshall is somewhat shy, Layne is of course charming everyone in sight, and Susie is mostly asleep. They enjoy my desk, mostly because of the pictures of themselves on display.
So we head out to Chuy’s for a yummy dinner of fajitas, their wonderful creamy jalapeno ranch sauce, and possibly (likely) a margarita. At the restaurant Sarah and I are looking at the menu, mainly trying to decide what to get the kids. I glance over at Marshall, and he has the kids menu open, he appears to be reading it, and states he wants a cheeseburger. The whole thing just looked hilarious given that he of course can’t read, but it sure came across that he was.
Dinner was wonderful and the margaritas strong. Layne enjoyed the creamy jalapeno, but then again he seems to love any kind of dipping sauce. Oh, and Marshall ate a grand total of 1 bite of the cheeseburger he wanted.
So we head out to Chuy’s for a yummy dinner of fajitas, their wonderful creamy jalapeno ranch sauce, and possibly (likely) a margarita. At the restaurant Sarah and I are looking at the menu, mainly trying to decide what to get the kids. I glance over at Marshall, and he has the kids menu open, he appears to be reading it, and states he wants a cheeseburger. The whole thing just looked hilarious given that he of course can’t read, but it sure came across that he was.
Dinner was wonderful and the margaritas strong. Layne enjoyed the creamy jalapeno, but then again he seems to love any kind of dipping sauce. Oh, and Marshall ate a grand total of 1 bite of the cheeseburger he wanted.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Planning for Sarah’s birthday
Actual discussion shortly after dinner last night. Marshall started to sing ‘Happy Birthday’ to me, when I told him my birthday was last week. He then stated that mama’s birthday was next. I told him yes, then the following occurred:
Me: What should we get mama for her birthday?
Mars: I don’t know.
Me: Well, you are not any help.
Mars: You can give me more money so I can buy more toys!
Hilarity ensued. 3 years old, and already begging for money.
Me: What should we get mama for her birthday?
Mars: I don’t know.
Me: Well, you are not any help.
Mars: You can give me more money so I can buy more toys!
Hilarity ensued. 3 years old, and already begging for money.
Casey Jones you better watch your speed – 6/21/08
So we have decided that we should try and do at least 1 big outing a month with the kids. Last month was the zoo when Susie was all of 9 days old. Today we finally decided we should check out something we have been eyeing for over a year. Up in Hockley, about a 30-40 min drive northwest of us, is a group called Houston Area Live Steamers (HALS) who build and maintain (relatively) large steam model trains. Once a month during the spring and summer they offer free rides to the public.
We made the decision to go late Friday night, so the boys had no idea what was in store for them. I tell Marshall during breakfast that we are going to ride mini-trains, and he looks nominally excited. Not exactly the reaction I was hoping for, but at least he wasn’t outright opposed to the idea (which is always a distinct possibility).
We get to the park in Hockley shortly after 9:00, and there doesn’t appear to be too many people there yet. I unload the boys and Sarah stays in the car to feed Susie. We go up to the building and I scope out the situation. They have a clear box for donations which has some model trains in a mountain setting. I let Marshall put a dollar in the box, this only mildly amuses him, he now wants to open the box and play with the trains.
Sarah and Susie finally come up, and we decide that I will ride with the boys while Sarah waits with Susie for the first ride. So the boys and I get in line and wait. And wait. They actually did great waiting; I don’t think we have really ever dealt with lines quite like this. I think they are a little nervous though, lots of people, and the trains going by are not all that quiet. I keep trying to build up their excitement, but Marshall remains somewhat quiet, saying he is excited but not really looking the part. As we get closer, he starts telling me he wants to ride every train that comes by: “I want to ride the blue train”, “I want to ride the black train”, “I want to ride the orange train.” At the last turn in line before the front row, there are some little kiddie benches, then the front row has normal benches. Layne has a blast playing on these, climbing up and down, over and over.
So up to this point the boys have been great in line. Then our turn to finally board the train comes and Layne flips out, screaming and trying to run away from the train. I have to grab him and carry him, and luckily he calms down as we sit down. Marshall was a bit nervous I think, but was still eager to get on. The seats are basically just a wooden bench you straddle; Layne is between my legs and Marshall is in front, holding on for dear life. I told him to hold on tight, and he took it quite literally. Glad he listens to me every now and then. The train whistles and departs, and as we pass the station house we wave to Sarah who was waiting to get pictures of us.
The setup of the track is pretty cool. They have many scale station houses, water mills, signs, etc, along the way. There appear to several routes to take as they have lots of forks it is not just a simple circle or anything. This group has put some serious thought into the layout. There are also many bridges along the way, some a pretty impressive length as well. A good portion of the track goes into the woods and alongside a creek. This is a nice break from the sun and makes it more interesting than just riding around in an open field. The ride lasts for about 10 minutes. As we approach the station house again, Sarah has switched sides so we can again wave and get our picture taken.
After the ride Sarah and I switch off as she gets in line with the boys. Unfortunately the line is much longer this time, but we think there should be enough time to ride again before we have to head home for lunch. I wait under the cover for 10-15 minutes holding Susie, then decide to move to the other side so I can get pictures of them departing on the train. Think I moved too early because I end up waiting in the sun for well over 20 minutes. Susie had fallen asleep and was covered in her stroller, so I wasn’t worried about her in the sun, but I got stuck. Plus, I am sure she was still quite hot. I was basically on the sidewalk backing up to the parking lot, so I ended up moving the stroller next to a van so it could be in the shade. I felt odd leaving her out in a parking lot, but I was never more than 5 feet from her, so it really wasn’t a big deal. I ended up sitting in the shade of the van as well for a good part of the time. Not a lot of shady spots there, but I guess they didn’t really build this for spectators. Plus, it is free and all, so I shouldn’t complain too much. Once I saw Sarah and the boys make the last turn in line, I had to hop up every time I heard a train whistle to make sure I didn’t miss them on the train.
Except for the sun, it was a good time. Marshall said he enjoyed riding the trains, but wasn’t as talkative about it as he normally is about things. Layne seemed pretty happy on the way home. We will probably go again, but maybe do it earlier in the spring next time.
We made the decision to go late Friday night, so the boys had no idea what was in store for them. I tell Marshall during breakfast that we are going to ride mini-trains, and he looks nominally excited. Not exactly the reaction I was hoping for, but at least he wasn’t outright opposed to the idea (which is always a distinct possibility).
We get to the park in Hockley shortly after 9:00, and there doesn’t appear to be too many people there yet. I unload the boys and Sarah stays in the car to feed Susie. We go up to the building and I scope out the situation. They have a clear box for donations which has some model trains in a mountain setting. I let Marshall put a dollar in the box, this only mildly amuses him, he now wants to open the box and play with the trains.
Sarah and Susie finally come up, and we decide that I will ride with the boys while Sarah waits with Susie for the first ride. So the boys and I get in line and wait. And wait. They actually did great waiting; I don’t think we have really ever dealt with lines quite like this. I think they are a little nervous though, lots of people, and the trains going by are not all that quiet. I keep trying to build up their excitement, but Marshall remains somewhat quiet, saying he is excited but not really looking the part. As we get closer, he starts telling me he wants to ride every train that comes by: “I want to ride the blue train”, “I want to ride the black train”, “I want to ride the orange train.” At the last turn in line before the front row, there are some little kiddie benches, then the front row has normal benches. Layne has a blast playing on these, climbing up and down, over and over.
So up to this point the boys have been great in line. Then our turn to finally board the train comes and Layne flips out, screaming and trying to run away from the train. I have to grab him and carry him, and luckily he calms down as we sit down. Marshall was a bit nervous I think, but was still eager to get on. The seats are basically just a wooden bench you straddle; Layne is between my legs and Marshall is in front, holding on for dear life. I told him to hold on tight, and he took it quite literally. Glad he listens to me every now and then. The train whistles and departs, and as we pass the station house we wave to Sarah who was waiting to get pictures of us.
The setup of the track is pretty cool. They have many scale station houses, water mills, signs, etc, along the way. There appear to several routes to take as they have lots of forks it is not just a simple circle or anything. This group has put some serious thought into the layout. There are also many bridges along the way, some a pretty impressive length as well. A good portion of the track goes into the woods and alongside a creek. This is a nice break from the sun and makes it more interesting than just riding around in an open field. The ride lasts for about 10 minutes. As we approach the station house again, Sarah has switched sides so we can again wave and get our picture taken.
After the ride Sarah and I switch off as she gets in line with the boys. Unfortunately the line is much longer this time, but we think there should be enough time to ride again before we have to head home for lunch. I wait under the cover for 10-15 minutes holding Susie, then decide to move to the other side so I can get pictures of them departing on the train. Think I moved too early because I end up waiting in the sun for well over 20 minutes. Susie had fallen asleep and was covered in her stroller, so I wasn’t worried about her in the sun, but I got stuck. Plus, I am sure she was still quite hot. I was basically on the sidewalk backing up to the parking lot, so I ended up moving the stroller next to a van so it could be in the shade. I felt odd leaving her out in a parking lot, but I was never more than 5 feet from her, so it really wasn’t a big deal. I ended up sitting in the shade of the van as well for a good part of the time. Not a lot of shady spots there, but I guess they didn’t really build this for spectators. Plus, it is free and all, so I shouldn’t complain too much. Once I saw Sarah and the boys make the last turn in line, I had to hop up every time I heard a train whistle to make sure I didn’t miss them on the train.
Except for the sun, it was a good time. Marshall said he enjoyed riding the trains, but wasn’t as talkative about it as he normally is about things. Layne seemed pretty happy on the way home. We will probably go again, but maybe do it earlier in the spring next time.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Life is a Highway Part 3
Marshall has still been singing "Life is a Highway" non-stop, and it is getting to Sarah. He is also constantly asking what the rest of the words are to the song. So last night, Sarah asked me to download the song and make a CD with it on it. We both figure this will make him insanely happy.
Well, "insane" was certainly the operative word here. This morning as we were getting ready for breakfast, he starts singing again. So I tell him I have a surprise for him and put the CD on in the kitchen. He is very excited about the concept of the surprise "What surprise? What surprise?" he asks over and over. But when the music starts, he immediately goes and stands in the corner between the fridge and the counter. Then, when the chorus kicks in, he lets out a huge whine and starts crying. I ask him what is wrong, and he says he does not like that song. I ask him “if you don’t like it, why are you always singing it? And don’t you want to hear all of the words?” “But I don’t like that song!” is his only reply. Well, so much for that CD, back to the radio I guess.
Well, "insane" was certainly the operative word here. This morning as we were getting ready for breakfast, he starts singing again. So I tell him I have a surprise for him and put the CD on in the kitchen. He is very excited about the concept of the surprise "What surprise? What surprise?" he asks over and over. But when the music starts, he immediately goes and stands in the corner between the fridge and the counter. Then, when the chorus kicks in, he lets out a huge whine and starts crying. I ask him what is wrong, and he says he does not like that song. I ask him “if you don’t like it, why are you always singing it? And don’t you want to hear all of the words?” “But I don’t like that song!” is his only reply. Well, so much for that CD, back to the radio I guess.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
speaking of dorky
Bought 4 tickets to see Neil Diamond this October. The greatest songwriter of this or any generation. Now I just need to find a sequined shirt to frame my chest hair. And a babysitter, for a Tuesday night of all nights. Who cares, it will be a blast.
One thing to know about our love of The Neil. Our daughter was very close to being named Caroline, as in Sweet Caroline (bum bum bum). In fact, had Layne been a girl, that would have been its name. By the time Susannah came along, we had begun to change our minds slightly, and felt it went better with Marshall and Layne.
One thing to know about our love of The Neil. Our daughter was very close to being named Caroline, as in Sweet Caroline (bum bum bum). In fact, had Layne been a girl, that would have been its name. By the time Susannah came along, we had begun to change our minds slightly, and felt it went better with Marshall and Layne.
Now that I am (finally) caught up
Been posting in the past thus far. I decided a good point of time to start this blog was the day Susie was born, as it was pretty momentous. Plus, one of the main reasons I wanted to have this blog was for my own sake. I have a terrible memory, and need to jot down such little stories so I don’t forget them. I have tried actual pen and paper journals in the past, but have had trouble finding time to sit down and write. Advantage of the blog is I can post from work or home, so when I find time to post I can. Which is partly why it has taken so long to catch-up, between work and 3 kids, any extra time is pretty rare.
So maybe I can keep up with it now. And maybe someone will actually read this one day. Of course that implies I tell someone it exists. Even then, the only people that will likely care will be my wife, and maybe the kids’ grandparents. That is if I get to the point of posting pictures as well.
So maybe I can keep up with it now. And maybe someone will actually read this one day. Of course that implies I tell someone it exists. Even then, the only people that will likely care will be my wife, and maybe the kids’ grandparents. That is if I get to the point of posting pictures as well.
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