What a night!

The Caps lost. Not very often that they lose a home game. Still, our OLDEST SON (OS) had a wonderful time playing hockey at the Verizon Center. He didn't make a goal. I understand nobody did (something about the ice tonight must favor the Carolinians out there). But, I'm sure it is a night he will remember for a very long time. We were not allowed to take video, but the Coach was allowed and so we hope that turns out and we can get a copy. In the meantime, I'm going through pictures to see if there is a way to post those we've received on Snapfish from Coach.

So, when OS and hubby went off to the Verizon Center, the baby and I went to Ikea for dinner and shopping. When we returned to the car to unload our stuff, I noticed my wallet was gone. We locked everything up, headed to Lost and Found, and found nothing! We were about to give up, when, over the intercom, someone called me to "please return to the Lost and Found." We went to the office and lounged on the comfy sofa as we waited for someone to bring us the wallet.

We returned to our car, only to realize my keys were GONE! Boy was I in a bad state or what!?! We went back up to Lost and Found just as the Lost and Found Lady was leaving. I asked her if she had seen any keys and she said, "sorry, no."

We tried to look inside the car one more time (before I called our auto club, I wanted to know my keys were actually inside the car). However, with tinted back windows and parking garage lighting, I wasn't able to see a dang thing. As I thought through my options (very few indeed), I decided to go check with the Lost and Found lady one more time. This time we actually walked into the office (we didn't last time as she was on her way out and we just asked her directly). Wouldn't you know, the keys were sitting right there in plain view, on a table next to that comfy sofa. Oh, thank G-d! We made it home without losing or forgetting anything else. Thank G-d. The baby was no worse for the wear, but boy was I! What a night!

Hanukkah Harry

As a child, my parents told the story of the Hanukkah Man, who delivered presents to my brother and me. Somehow, he would slip into our house as we lit the Menorah and leave a present for each of us in the hallway. This is such a wonderful memory for me and I want the boys to have it too. So, we continue on with the story. However, we've added some changes thanks to Jon Levin (sp?), we now know his name is Harry (though I like to think of him as Hanukkah Hershel). We, like Levin, believe he lives a top Mt. Sinai and is good friends with Santa. However, instead of donkeys leading him on his nightly duties, we have told the boys he rides a magic carpet. I know this won't last forever, but it is so fun to see them run up the stairs after we light the Menorah to see what Hanukkah Harry left them this year.

Why not a kitchen for a boy

So, for Hanukkah, I decided the baby needed a toy kitchen in which to play. So he could cook for me, while I cook for him (instead of him holding on to my leg while I try to cook).

I looked around all the store ads and on-line to find the kitchen with the best reviews for the best price. This time, unfortunately for me, it was at Wal-Mart. At first, it appeared they were all gone as there were none in the toy section and the guy working there said they sold the last one in the morning. Oh well. While I was there, I went to their outdoor section as we needed some hardscape yard supplies--trying to dog proof the digging spot and figured it cannot hurt to see what Walmart has available--not much. Wouldn't you know, in the outdoor area, I saw high-up on a (yes I know that is relative) more toy kitchens!!!! I went to ask for help, as obviously there was no way I was reaching that by myself. The baby was with me during this adventure. The woman, climbed a ladder to get it down and as we were loading it into my cart, she says, "oh, do you have a daughter at home." I said, "no, this is for him." She was astonished and made no bones in telling me that it was "a toy for a little girl." This is a Step 2 kitchen, with neutral colors! Hmmm, I knew there was a reason I prefered Target.

Hobgoblins or what?

Ok, so I'm starting to wonder if hobgoblins have taken over my children during their sleep this week, so they can wake with fusing, complaining, procrastinating attitudes. Each morning this week, we've left for school later and later and later. The baby refuses to wear a coat or even a sweatshirt, cries for every toy in his brother's room that his brother of course does not want him to have and throws a fit everytime we call him by any name other than "Star Wars." All the while, big brother keeps playing with his toys instead of getting ready for school. And, to add insult to injury, the dog decided to dig up the yard this morning and I let her in (not realizing what she had been up to), so now need to steam clean some carpets--ugh!!!!

Well, at least all my Hanukkah shopping is done, good thing since it starts tomorrow night! I do still need to wrap the gifts. But, Hanukkah Harry only leaves one/child/night, so worst-case scenario I can wrap each night's presents the night before. Wonder from where my oldest gets his propensity to procrastinate. Hmmm????

GWL and the Adaams' Family daughter

Besides the water park, one of our favorite activities at Great Wolf is the Magiquest game. The game entails using a magic wand to complete quests around the resort. There are check-in screens throughout the hallways to check your progress. Such fun, until you notice you are being followed by the daughter from the Adaams Family (Wednesday was her name, I think?).

She was a 10 - 12 year old girl, wearing gray colored clothes, with dark hair and sullen eyes with (her) Grandfather lurking in the distance. We would check our status and use our wand to hit exit on the screen. Now, sure, maybe we did it wrong the first time. But, I know we exited properly subsequent times. She would suddenly appear from nowhere, I swear she wasn't there before! And, in a very dreary, sarcastic tone, say "are you done? " Clearly we were done, we had just walked away from the screen. And, anyway, was she following us or something!!! Ok, besides Freaky Wednesday and some problems with the safe and coffee maker in the room (no problem, they just didn't work), we really did enjoy our time at the lodge. The baby is still going around saying "Star Wars go to waterpark."

Star Wars and Roller Skating

The baby has decided to change his name to Star Wars. Whenever we call him by his real name, he gets so upset and insists, "no, Star Wars!" Ok, "Star Wars," wonder how long this one will last? Oh Vay!

This weekend we went rollerskating with some friends. What a fun time. Even Star Wars got in on it. He was clearly the youngest skater there and did well for a two year old. Our oldest was very happy as he won the race for fastest boy skater under 10. I guess ice skating and in-line skating must not be so different from one another. Though certainly not the skater he is on ice, he did very well on the in-lines! Hubby and me, well that's another story. Hubby fell a few times, but kept trying and seemed to have fun through it all. I didn't fall, but a teen who was racing her brother, knocked into me and sent me down hard. And, boy, do I have the sore bum to prove it.

Target

Ok, ok, I guess I really must like Target. Today, after dropping my oldest off at school, I asked the baby, "are you ready to go the gym?" Mind you, I was already really not in the mood to go! He says, "no gym, go to Target." I'm thinking, what a great idea. Didn't take much to convince me! As we pull into the Target parking lot, he keeps saying, "go to Target, go to Target." I guess the previous bribe of a juice box has now become an expectation. So, I think his real reason for wanting to go to Target is for that juice box. I think this because as soon as we are walking to the front door of Target, he starts saying "juice, juice, juice!" I signed up to be a shopper for the Secret Santa shop at my oldest son's school. Hey, what a great way to shop, you get reimbursed for it! So, after about $100 worth of $1 items we were pretty good to go. Except, of course, I had to do some of my own shopping too. And, no, I didn't consider this my exercise. When we got home, I took the baby on a lovely walk through our neighborhood for about an hour. Such a beautiful day!

The round-about conversation

Dinner conversation with our hockey playng 6 year old the other night.

Son: Girls really like hockey players.
Me: Really, what makes you think that?
Son: I don't know. . . .
Son: I really like the penguins at the zoo, why didn't we visit the penguins last time we were in Portland.
Me: I'm so sorry, we didn't have time.
Son: Do you like penguins?
Me: Yes, but I find the penguin exhibit at the zoo really smelly.
Son: Hockey players are really smelly too.
Que husband and myself laughing hysterically.

If you've ever been in the players locker room area as a hockey game is finishing up, you have no doubt experienced "the smell." I guess even 6 year old boys notice it!

Monkey Man

So, I have a variety of "pet names" for the baby all having to do with monkeys, because he's a monkey! I often call him "monkey man." This morning we were at Radio Shack. They were having trouble with their computer system, so we were standing around waiting, waiting, waiting. My two year old started to wander off just as the cashier thought he was finally ready. So, without any thought of who was around me, I said "come here monkey man." Well, apparently an older gentleman thought I was talking to him. I was so embarrassed. I immediately pointed out that I was talking to my two year old who was now by my side. We both smiled with relief at the misunderstanding. But, oh boy, perhaps "monkey man" is a pet name for my two year old that shouldn't be used in public.

Spiderman Wars

Well, we are having quite a dillema in our home with our two year old. He has some Spiderman summer clothes that he loves. He is now refusing to wear anything else. I tried dressing him in warmer Spiderman clothes even, but he wouldn't have it. He is a strong, wiggly little bugger. I spent 20 minutes getting him to put on pants instead of shorts. After much crying, and struggling, I finally got those on him. He was not happy, crying and screaming. I tried to talk him into a sweatshirt or coat, but at this point was so worn out--ugh!!! So, wearing a tank top and sweat pants (hey, at least I got the pants on him), I carried him to the car so we could get big brother to school. How do you convince a two year old he needs to wear warmer clothes???? I brought his sweatshirt with us, he even commented "I'm cold." But, still REFUSED to wear his sweatshirt. What to do???? I'm at a loss!

Cub Scout Badge Magic

After reading my friend's blog about the pain and suffering she endured to sew on the cub scout badges, I was in great fear! I mean, if my amazing friend with all she does and all she accomplishes had trouble, how in the world could I ever hope to get those dang badges attached to my son's uniform--no way, no how! So, when ordering my boy's cub scout shirt from scoutstuff.org, I was surprised to find. . .Badge Magic Patch Adhesives. It's on its way. I'll let you know if it works! Here's hoping. . .

Hockey, Birthday and Sukkot--oh my!

Here it is 1:25 AM and I still am wide awake. Too much caffeine today I guess.

We started off our day at the hockey rink where my littlest one actually took apart his trains (he carries 4 with him wherever he goes, along with blue elephant and a fake cell phone) and gave two of the trains to a little girl to play with by his side. They used the bleachers for tracks and played together for pretty much the whole hour to my surprise--except when the fire alarm went off and everyone had to vacate the building of course.

After hockey, it was off to a friend's birthday party--he turned three today. This little friend comes to our house from time to time as his Mom and I trade baby-sitting. Our two year old has his own little nerf hockey set so he can be just like big brother. Well, his friend LOVES this hockey set and went home the other day saying "hockey, hockey, hockey." So, of course, we had to get him his own. His parents loved it too--whew!!!

Then home for the baby (and Mommy) to have a nap. Big mistake!

Then it was off to Synagogue for Sukkot. They actually had Sukkot Under the Stars with Sushi and Saki (and pizza). The perfect melding of cultures that perfectly represents our family. Of course, only kosher ingredients were used. This was followed by a camp fire and roasting marshmallows under the stars.

What a busy and memorable day. So, why can't I sleep!?! Caffeine and afternoon nap, not such a good mix afterall!

Cub Scout shooting badge

Ok, so my oldest joined cub scouts and even though he has so much on his plate as it is, he just LOVES it. I think promises of BB guns, fishing and camping have a lot to do with that. Last weekend, he went to the Cub Scouts Day Camp and sure enough, they had BB guns for all to try. He learned about safety and wore special goggles and learned to shoot, earning a badge for his efforts. My husband is loving this and thinks its fantastic. As a Mom, I cannot help but wonder if a 6 year old shooting BB guns is really such a great thing. But, I'm just going to suck it up and let the boys enjoy these "special" activities together. I guess its time to buy the official cub scout uniform.