Matthew had two soccer games this weekend; both were disasters. Just not a lot of effort on either day from the team. On Saturday, it felt like a loss, but, Soccerzone reports the score as an 8-8 tie; the other team must have gotten out to a 7-1 lead and a whole lot of Matthew in the third and fourth quarter helped to close the gap. I still think the other team won; the post game speech reflected a loss!
Sunday's game was against another U7 team and they were beating us 16-1 before some Matthew goals in the fourth made it 16-4. It's hard to say a goal in a 16-4 game is pretty, but Matthew had one of his dribble-through-the-entire-team-back-and-forth goals at the end.
Kevin's Figs lost 6-5 Sunday night after blowing a 4-1 halftime lead. Discouraging result. Kevin played well, I thought, but, hey, I always think that way!
Monday, March 31, 2008
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Kevin said "Post this for Aunt Melanie!"
So I did. Kevin started, about a month ago, to add vibrato to his viola playing....you can really hear it here.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Avant et après
Didn't have time to do this at 11 something last night, so, spent some time over lunch pasting it together.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Kitchen 5
Almost done! Huzzah! Huzzah!
Still need to add some drawers (to the pantry) and adjust some doors (specifically, above the refrigerator), but, at least by the weekend the kitchen will return to somewhat normal.
Still need to decide what to do about the countertop...for now, it will be plywood until we do the rest of the kitchen and pick out what we're doing.
Still need to add some drawers (to the pantry) and adjust some doors (specifically, above the refrigerator), but, at least by the weekend the kitchen will return to somewhat normal.
Still need to decide what to do about the countertop...for now, it will be plywood until we do the rest of the kitchen and pick out what we're doing.
Birthday!
Happy Birthday Matthew!
An ode to the number 6.....a most appropriate subject too!
Matthew took doughnuts into school today; delivered one to Christopher's teacher, who also is having a birthday today. I brought lunch to the boys at school, and we all went out to Applebee's for dinner.
Matthew was pleading this morning to open a present early, so, we let him open one of his choice. He chose the new microscope (he's been into 'science experiments' lately). While happy with the present, he did ask if he could open another one so that he had a 'good one'. That being said, when Matthew and Christopher got home from school, all they did was clean up their seashell collection for microscope viewing.....
While Matthew was happy with all presents (and Christopher was a bit moody and jealous), Matthew seemed particularly taken with Kevin's gift....a lacrosse stick!
An ode to the number 6.....a most appropriate subject too!
Matthew took doughnuts into school today; delivered one to Christopher's teacher, who also is having a birthday today. I brought lunch to the boys at school, and we all went out to Applebee's for dinner.
Matthew was pleading this morning to open a present early, so, we let him open one of his choice. He chose the new microscope (he's been into 'science experiments' lately). While happy with the present, he did ask if he could open another one so that he had a 'good one'. That being said, when Matthew and Christopher got home from school, all they did was clean up their seashell collection for microscope viewing.....
While Matthew was happy with all presents (and Christopher was a bit moody and jealous), Matthew seemed particularly taken with Kevin's gift....a lacrosse stick!
Monday, March 24, 2008
Kitchen Post 4
A small step; we've grown concered that our cover panel (1/2" thick) wasn't going to fit in between the fridge cabinet and the wall cabinet. One of the considerations on whether it will fit is whether the door to the pantry will open enough to allow pull-out drawers.
So, we installed one of the pantry doors and a drawer
So, we installed one of the pantry doors and a drawer
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Kitchen Post 3
Progress Sweet Progress!!!!
1) Getting that cabinet above the fridge installed was a real pain in the arse! First attempt (refrigerator pulled out, Dad, Mom, and Kevin lifing) ended in complete failure with Kevin thoroughly demoralized and Mom complaining of a sore neck. Finally had to put the cabinet on the refrigerator and push it up into position.
1) Getting that cabinet above the fridge installed was a real pain in the arse! First attempt (refrigerator pulled out, Dad, Mom, and Kevin lifing) ended in complete failure with Kevin thoroughly demoralized and Mom complaining of a sore neck. Finally had to put the cabinet on the refrigerator and push it up into position.
2) You can see the final color of the cabinets (with doors) in pictures one and two. We need to add one of those pieces (a cover panel) between the above fridge cabinet and the wall cabinet.
3) Need to cut out for the microwave outlet. Need to add the microwave base. Probably need to cut part of a cover panel apart for that.
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Tennis update
Kevin won his match this morning, 6-3, 6-4, but, lost in the finals 6-3, 6-2. The plaque identifies him as being a finalist. A lot of improvement since the first tournament last November.
In the picture, you can see the huge gap between Kevin's front teeth because of the jaw expander.
Matthew's team won their 1st soccer game and lost the second. They played at 12:30 and again at 2:20... a lot of tired boys at the end of that second game. The second game was against U7's (Matthew's team is U6) so, we trotted out Christopher as a helper since we knew we'd have a lot of tired boys, and Christopher played really well; he was awesome in his turn in goal!
Friday, March 21, 2008
Old Man Winter
Heavy snow advisory for Mid-Michigan tonight....boys are signed up for the flashlight easter egg hunt tomorrow; we'll see how that goes! Another easter in snow boots and warm clothes!
Kevin won his first match at the tennis tournament, 6-3, 6-4. Moves on to the next match tomorrow at 10 am; his opponent is another boy in his class. Kevin's been saying pretty consistently that he usually wins the competitions that go on in class, so, here's hoping he can move on to the finals by winning tomorrow morning.
Kevin won his first match at the tennis tournament, 6-3, 6-4. Moves on to the next match tomorrow at 10 am; his opponent is another boy in his class. Kevin's been saying pretty consistently that he usually wins the competitions that go on in class, so, here's hoping he can move on to the finals by winning tomorrow morning.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
FF Miles
Last Kitchen post was from Erie International Airport, this Miles post is composed sitting at the Max & Erma's at Detroit Metro watching March Madness.
Guess I should mention that this rant here earned me 5,500 miles in a "we're sorry" email from Northwest. And I didn't rant very much, my email was very similar to the post.....mechanical delays, ok, I understand that, weather delays, that's ok too. A leisurely taxi around Metro to get paperwork; not so much.
So, the work here at CH has me flying more (but, perversely, travelling less), and frequently, those flights are short hop / full coach fares. So, Northwest has promoted me to the world of the 'Elite'. Only Silver right now, but, we're expecting bigger things in the future! Had my first pleasant surprise yesterday morning when I was automatically upgraded into first class (ok, so it's only the Lansing to Detroit 20 minute in the air flight, but, still....).
The latest 'coup' is the Great Race promotion that Northwest is running....you have a captain (me) and your teammates have to be people who have never flown on Northwest before or people who haven't flown in 2 years. So, I had registered for the promotion and included Christopher and Matthew on my team. You only get the points if someone OTHER than the team captain flies, so, I figured I was hosed but signed up anyway...you never know. And then I remember that 'soeur' Melanie was flying the big N to Ohio. So, I bullied her (that's not the right word, the right word is did-everything-but-sit-in-the-seat-and-fly-from-Atlanta-to-Pittsburgh) and she has a new frequent flyer number, and, well, if Melanie can get on the plane and get off the plane, she'll get 3,000 bonus miles, and so will Matthew, Christopher, and myself.
Viva le miles!
Guess I should mention that this rant here earned me 5,500 miles in a "we're sorry" email from Northwest. And I didn't rant very much, my email was very similar to the post.....mechanical delays, ok, I understand that, weather delays, that's ok too. A leisurely taxi around Metro to get paperwork; not so much.
So, the work here at CH has me flying more (but, perversely, travelling less), and frequently, those flights are short hop / full coach fares. So, Northwest has promoted me to the world of the 'Elite'. Only Silver right now, but, we're expecting bigger things in the future! Had my first pleasant surprise yesterday morning when I was automatically upgraded into first class (ok, so it's only the Lansing to Detroit 20 minute in the air flight, but, still....).
The latest 'coup' is the Great Race promotion that Northwest is running....you have a captain (me) and your teammates have to be people who have never flown on Northwest before or people who haven't flown in 2 years. So, I had registered for the promotion and included Christopher and Matthew on my team. You only get the points if someone OTHER than the team captain flies, so, I figured I was hosed but signed up anyway...you never know. And then I remember that 'soeur' Melanie was flying the big N to Ohio. So, I bullied her (that's not the right word, the right word is did-everything-but-sit-in-the-seat-and-fly-from-Atlanta-to-Pittsburgh) and she has a new frequent flyer number, and, well, if Melanie can get on the plane and get off the plane, she'll get 3,000 bonus miles, and so will Matthew, Christopher, and myself.
Viva le miles!
Kitchen 2
Aside from having to change my camera so I'm not peering into the future, you can see that we're ready to hang cabinets. *That* adventure begins this weekend. Note the elevated outlet (you can see it in the 2nd picture) ready for the new microwave location.The success here (even though we had to call for help) has possibly emboldened Suzanne to maybe think of removing soffets throughout the kitchen. We'll see....
Another long day
Another early start to catch a flight, another late night due to the last flight into Lansing rolling in at 11:10 pm (if, IF, it's on time!). Today, it's lovely Ashtabula Ohio as the destination. I should make a video, "Industrial landfill sites of Ohio". Wish I'd been a little brighter and not scheduled a more than full day of travel on the first day of March Madness, oh well.
I think we have the early morning routine worked out so that my early early departures don't disturb the rest of the house. Wiley is the main problem here; he doesn't settle down quite as easily when he sees me leave and for a long time, it had meant that Suzanne couldn't get back to sleep. Last early morning we tried something new; crating Wiley in the basement. Seems like Wiley likes that arrangement, it makes him think that it's just a normal day with everyone leaving and he stays quite until everyone else starts waking up.
Matthew received an early birthday present, Mario Super Smash Brothers for the Wii, so, we haven't seen much of the boys recently as it's been a "rush to the basement" to play the new game.
Busy weekend on deck: Kevin has his last tennis tournament, Matthew has 2 soccer games in 3 hours on Saturday, the family has the flashlight Easter Egg Hunt Saturday night and the kitchen remodeling project should go into full swing now that the professionals have had their way and made everything 'better'.
I think we have the early morning routine worked out so that my early early departures don't disturb the rest of the house. Wiley is the main problem here; he doesn't settle down quite as easily when he sees me leave and for a long time, it had meant that Suzanne couldn't get back to sleep. Last early morning we tried something new; crating Wiley in the basement. Seems like Wiley likes that arrangement, it makes him think that it's just a normal day with everyone leaving and he stays quite until everyone else starts waking up.
Matthew received an early birthday present, Mario Super Smash Brothers for the Wii, so, we haven't seen much of the boys recently as it's been a "rush to the basement" to play the new game.
Busy weekend on deck: Kevin has his last tennis tournament, Matthew has 2 soccer games in 3 hours on Saturday, the family has the flashlight Easter Egg Hunt Saturday night and the kitchen remodeling project should go into full swing now that the professionals have had their way and made everything 'better'.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
See, they do come in threes!
Another one bites the dust.
Always liked his short stories more than the novel. Know I have a huge hardback collection of all of hem downstairs...may have to dust it off for a rereading.
Always liked his short stories more than the novel. Know I have a huge hardback collection of all of hem downstairs...may have to dust it off for a rereading.
Six Small Countries
In decreasing order of size:
Liechtenstein
San Marino
Tuvalu
Nuaru
Monaco
Vatican City
I realistically think that nobody has ever heard of Tuvalu and Nuaru.
Liechtenstein is also 'doubly landlocked'...which means that not only is it land-locked, but, it's completely surrounded by landlocked countries. There's one other country that's doubly landlocked; it's here.
Liechtenstein
San Marino
Tuvalu
Nuaru
Monaco
Vatican City
I realistically think that nobody has ever heard of Tuvalu and Nuaru.
Liechtenstein is also 'doubly landlocked'...which means that not only is it land-locked, but, it's completely surrounded by landlocked countries. There's one other country that's doubly landlocked; it's here.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Spring(?)
Partly Sunny, high temperature of 40. What does that mean? Kids are outside 'en masse', trampoline is back in full service, bikes are out, and the Michigan-spring has begun.
It *was* pretty nice out......
Soccer Saturday: Matthew and the Chargers rout another opponent; Kevin and the Figs blow out their opponent also. Kevin had the 'hat trick' for his first (and second, and third) goal of the season. Mentioned to Matthew that Kevin had three goals (Matthew and Christopher were off in the Soccerzone play area and didn't see the game) and Matthew's response was essentially "yea, what's the big deal? That's an off day for me." It's all about perspective (Matthew had 5 goals on Saturday.......and spend 1/4 of the game in goal.)
Christopher's been walking around saying "Guten Tag", or, "Mommy, have you had a guten tag?".
Today's countries were: Lichtenstein (it's the 6th smallest country in the world...name the 5 that are smaller. Kevin could only name 3 of them....), Liberia, Kenya, and Thailand.
It *was* pretty nice out......
Soccer Saturday: Matthew and the Chargers rout another opponent; Kevin and the Figs blow out their opponent also. Kevin had the 'hat trick' for his first (and second, and third) goal of the season. Mentioned to Matthew that Kevin had three goals (Matthew and Christopher were off in the Soccerzone play area and didn't see the game) and Matthew's response was essentially "yea, what's the big deal? That's an off day for me." It's all about perspective (Matthew had 5 goals on Saturday.......and spend 1/4 of the game in goal.)
Christopher's been walking around saying "Guten Tag", or, "Mommy, have you had a guten tag?".
Today's countries were: Lichtenstein (it's the 6th smallest country in the world...name the 5 that are smaller. Kevin could only name 3 of them....), Liberia, Kenya, and Thailand.
Friday, March 14, 2008
around the world in 80 days
The geography immersion has ramped up to new and unseen levels. Dad is being dragged along for the ride. So, I'll know more about world geography than I never thought I would (capital of Chad? 3 regions of the Czech republic? largest lake in Cambodia?) by the end of this.
But some of it is funny. Today, we were talking about Chad....named after Lake Chad, and Suzanne, chimes in, yeah, but what does 'Chad' mean? So, go to wikipedia, look it up, and it means "large body of water" or "lake".
So Chad is named after Lake Chad, which means, well, lake....
In other news:
Wiley, beneficiary of too many misplaced meals by Christopher and Matthew, has been ordered to a 'lite' diet by the vet. So, of course, tonight, Matthew's meal was left 'low' and Wiley cleaned up for him......
Kevin's report card came....avoided the 'B' in language arts that we were sure he was going to get. Did include a note from the science teacher "sometimes is disruptive".....Kevin says it's all lies.
Everyone but Kevin went to "Build a Book" night at Bennett Woods. Two books created, 'Christopher's Trip to San Diego' and 'Matthew's Sport's Adventures'.
Oh, the answers above: N'Djamena, Bohemia, Moravia, and Silesia, and the Tonle Sap.
But some of it is funny. Today, we were talking about Chad....named after Lake Chad, and Suzanne, chimes in, yeah, but what does 'Chad' mean? So, go to wikipedia, look it up, and it means "large body of water" or "lake".
So Chad is named after Lake Chad, which means, well, lake....
In other news:
Wiley, beneficiary of too many misplaced meals by Christopher and Matthew, has been ordered to a 'lite' diet by the vet. So, of course, tonight, Matthew's meal was left 'low' and Wiley cleaned up for him......
Kevin's report card came....avoided the 'B' in language arts that we were sure he was going to get. Did include a note from the science teacher "sometimes is disruptive".....Kevin says it's all lies.
Everyone but Kevin went to "Build a Book" night at Bennett Woods. Two books created, 'Christopher's Trip to San Diego' and 'Matthew's Sport's Adventures'.
Oh, the answers above: N'Djamena, Bohemia, Moravia, and Silesia, and the Tonle Sap.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Update Updated
Should have waited a day...the Friday afternoon trip to Ohio is now rescheduled to early Saturday morning.
Matthew Video
Two highlights to look for; Matthew's goal 'on the bounce' and his stop and sudden change in direction (he trotted out this move a lot in the last game; Kevin only caught it once on tape)
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Updates
Remodeling first. Professionals consulted. Problems have solutions. All is well...project will move forward soon.
Geography Bee. No news here
Sports: Kevin's Figs lose Saturday, win Sunday. Matthew's Chargers win going away Saturday. Matthew video coming soon.
Music: Purchased "The Boxer" by The National. 2 thumbs up.
Books: Read "Until Proven Innocent" about the Duke Lacrosse case. Unbelievable. Read "The Last Town on Earth" by Thomas Mullen....good, but, wasn't as impressed as the reviews I had read.
Geography Bee. No news here
Sports: Kevin's Figs lose Saturday, win Sunday. Matthew's Chargers win going away Saturday. Matthew video coming soon.
Music: Purchased "The Boxer" by The National. 2 thumbs up.
Books: Read "Until Proven Innocent" about the Duke Lacrosse case. Unbelievable. Read "The Last Town on Earth" by Thomas Mullen....good, but, wasn't as impressed as the reviews I had read.
Saturday, March 8, 2008
The Kitchen Remodel begins
Technically, it had begun a few weeks ago, with a trip to Ikea and purchasing of the new cabinets. They are, thanks to Suzanne, mostly assembled and scattered throughout the house. But, last night, the project began in earnest. We figured we'd begin with the wall with the refrigerator before moving on to try and tackle the rest of the kitchen.
Before Photo #1
Before Photo #2. You'll note the hole in the soffet above the pantry. We wondered if we could go to full height in this portion of the kitchen, so, made a 'viewing window' and it sure did look like all that ran back there was a few electrical wires. So, we bought full-height cabinets and planned on going all the way up to the ceiling.
The base cabinets and wall cabinents have been removed. The top wall cabinet was a pain in the ass; it was nailed to the pantry and the cabinet above the refrigerator and it took a lot of work to get it out of there.
and this picture shows problems a), b) and c) that we're working through currently. 
Before Photo #1
Before Photo #2. You'll note the hole in the soffet above the pantry. We wondered if we could go to full height in this portion of the kitchen, so, made a 'viewing window' and it sure did look like all that ran back there was a few electrical wires. So, we bought full-height cabinets and planned on going all the way up to the ceiling.
The base cabinets and wall cabinents have been removed. The top wall cabinet was a pain in the ass; it was nailed to the pantry and the cabinet above the refrigerator and it took a lot of work to get it out of there.
and this picture shows problems a), b) and c) that we're working through currently.
Problem a) is the big one, this pipe is for our central vac system, the corner you're looking at is above the refrigerator (thus, I didn't see it though the 'viewing window). So, we'll either have to cut the cabinet around that or do something with the pipe (the top part extends up above the ceiling to the second floor, so, this might be a possibility).
Problems b) and c) are the drywall and the electrical wires. Going to have a drywall guy come in and redo the ceiling and wall, and hope that he has a good idea or two about the wires as well. I hope we don't, but, we might have to have an electrician come in and rewire/move a few things.
Friday, March 7, 2008
Thursday, March 6, 2008
RIP
Second line, Weird Al makes sure I'm "White and Nerdy"
"Got skills, I'm a champion at D&D"
Yes, I linked to a blog called "nerdworld". And I *won* a D&D tournament. I have the street cred.
Deaths come in threes, right? Cope, Gygax.....Shatner and Nimoy better watch out, those would be the only two that would fill in the trilogy I guess.....
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Think Spring!
Christopher is......I really enjoy that Christopher has taken his kindergarten's teacher's urging to add detail to his pictures.
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Icarus
Kevin has his greek-tragedy moment yesterday. After reaching extraterrestrial heights with the arrival of the US Mail on Saturday, Kevin came crashing down to earth with the arrival of the dreaded assignment sheets for parental signature on Monday night and the news that he had failed to turn in not one, but two assignments in the last week.
The worst part is is that he actually did the assignments, he just failed to turn them in. We're not sure why this is....we've been trying to show him the importance of filling out his planner everyday and this recent misstep just helped us to drive that point home. One missed assignment, in social studies, will have no impact on his grade, but the other, in language arts, combined with the 'other' assignment he missed in January, is going to drop him a whole letter grade when report cards come out next week.
Of note. Kevin thought it was best to bring the assignments sheets to me for signature, not Suzanne. Didn't save him from the wrath of Mom, but, a novel tactic nonetheless.
Other news: Figs won a 7-5 thriller on Sunday night....one of the most exciting games I've seen in a while, Figs went up 3-0, other team tied it 3-3, Figs went up 5-3, other team tied it 5-5, Figs go up 7-5 and hold on for the win.
The worst part is is that he actually did the assignments, he just failed to turn them in. We're not sure why this is....we've been trying to show him the importance of filling out his planner everyday and this recent misstep just helped us to drive that point home. One missed assignment, in social studies, will have no impact on his grade, but the other, in language arts, combined with the 'other' assignment he missed in January, is going to drop him a whole letter grade when report cards come out next week.
Of note. Kevin thought it was best to bring the assignments sheets to me for signature, not Suzanne. Didn't save him from the wrath of Mom, but, a novel tactic nonetheless.
Other news: Figs won a 7-5 thriller on Sunday night....one of the most exciting games I've seen in a while, Figs went up 3-0, other team tied it 3-3, Figs went up 5-3, other team tied it 5-5, Figs go up 7-5 and hold on for the win.
Saturday, March 1, 2008
The college board has spoken
No real need to post the scores, but...
on the reading, Kevin scored better than 22% of college bound seniors
on the math, Kevin scored better than 41% of college bound seniors
on the writing, Kevin scored better than 21% of college bound seniors.
Todays sports news. Kevin's basketball teams undefeated season came to end on the last game, in a 20-17 loss. Christopher's team lost, but played well. Matthew's team won.
on the reading, Kevin scored better than 22% of college bound seniors
on the math, Kevin scored better than 41% of college bound seniors
on the writing, Kevin scored better than 21% of college bound seniors.
Todays sports news. Kevin's basketball teams undefeated season came to end on the last game, in a 20-17 loss. Christopher's team lost, but played well. Matthew's team won.
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