Speeding bullets

Time is in short supply around here... I've been wanting to post, but just not feeling like I had the time. So tonight you're getting the bullets.

• Brian made it home safely Sunday. We celebrated by taking the kids bowling that afternoon.
• Halle and Noah had their fittings for their orthodontia on Monday. Tomorrow morning they'll get their bands on, Halle will get her palate expander, and Noah will get his reverse-pull headgear.
• We've been playing Hot Shots Golf on the PlayStation with Noah the last couple of nights. It's been a while since we played this game and we'd forgotten how much fun it could be.
• No decisions on the church front yet. We visited one place for the month of February and are going to try a new place this weekend.
• Missed AI last night and am catching bits and pieces of the girls tonight. I think my thoughts on who should leave are going to be pretty much the same: Alaina and Antonella.
• What I did NOT miss this week was Heroes. No words for how much Monday night's episode rocked. It is the best show on this season.
• I have several tidbits saved up to share... hopefully I can get to that tomorrow night or Friday.

Happy last day of February!

It's Friday; are we having fun yet?

If we aren't, it isn't for lack of trying. I know the boys are... they've been playing Emily's "Sims2 Pets" on PlayStation and are having a good time with it. The girls are battling the crud... Halle has been sniffing, snorting, sneezing and coughing; last night she had an earache that is thankfully gone today. Emily is congested and coughing as well. I let her go in late to school today and then picked her up after 5th period. If she hadn't wanted to go in and take the 2 tests she had scheduled for today, I would have let her stay home. I stopped in at the commissary and bought some Robitussin for her and now she is esconced in my bed watching a movie.

I got an email from the folks at the Disney company last night to let me know they are building 2 new cruise ships. They won't be ready until 2011 and 2012, but I am still excited about this. Hopefully more ships will mean it will be easier to get one of the larger cabins... and maybe they will even consider putting more of the family-sized cabins on these new ships. Currently, there are only 4 cabins that will accommodate more than 5 people.

This is the first year I have ever watched American Idol. (I know, where I have been the last 5 years?) I was not too happy with last night's outcome as far as the girls were concerned. I had picked Antonella and Alaina to go home first and they both got to stay. I thought the 2 that were sent home were much better than either of those. And I am the only one who got just a little choked up when Amy had to sing I Can't Make You Love Me as her departing song? I am definitely interested in seeing what happens next week. Hopefully those two will get the boot.

Links for your enjoyment this weekend:

Make your own "chick" at Blessthischick.com. (HT to Robin at Pensieve for this one.)

Check out this Japanese potty-training video.

More Music and Lyrics videos on YouTube... Somehow someone has a copy of the movie and has uploaded clips of the different musical numbers. See Hugh and Drew (hey, it rhymes!) singing Way Back Into Love, Hugh performing Meaningless Kiss at a class reunion, Hugh performing at a theme park, Hugh and Haley Bennet singing Way Back Into Love, and Hugh singing Don't Write Me Off. Yeah, I guess I'm obsessing about this movie just a bit.

Last, but not least.... the amazing Bobby McFerrin:

Is it bedtime yet?

So I don't think I mentioned that this past weekend was the monthly single-parent weekend for me, as Brian was doing his moonlighting gig in Sacramento. We managed to keep things together while he was gone, even had the house in pretty good condition when he got back Monday morning.

After a little more than 24 hours home, he was off again today... this time to Orlando for a conference. He'll be back Sunday afternoon. And how are things going this time? It remains to be seen, but here's a short recap of what we've done:

• Halle and Noah went to the orthodontist. They each had photos taken and impressions made, plus got spacers placed in their mouths. Noah only needed 2; Halle has 8. Oh, make that 7. She already broke one. I'll have to take her back in tomorrow. Aren't I glad the office is just a mile down the road?
• Stopped by Blockbuster on the way back from the ortho and picked up some movies: Man of the Year, Flushed Away, and Zoom. I tried to watch Flushed Away earlier tonight, but kept falling asleep. Same thing happened trying to watch American Idol.
• Halle and Joel engaged in one of their typical sibling altercations about 30 minutes before we needed to pick Emily up from bowling, and Halle wound up hitting her head on my bed, making a small slice in her scalp. Anyone ever notice that scalp wounds take forever to stop bleeding? Thankfully it did finally stop and a trip to the ER was averted.

Gee, only 5 more days to go. What will we think of next? For now, all I can think of is going to bed.

80s anyone?

Emily and I went to see Music and Lyrics earlier tonight... Hugh Grant and Drew Barrymore were so cute together. Hugh's character is a former 80s pop star, 1/2 of a duo called "Pop!" He needs to write a song to resurrect his career and recruits Drew's character to help him. The music and dancing in the movie were so much fun to watch.

This video is of Pop! I swear, if you didn't know better, you'd think it was real. It is so 80s.

Here's the song the two wrote together... along with still photos from the movie. The person who uploaded it to YouTube was kind enough to include some of the lyrics as well (the entire lyrics are on the YouTube page for this video):

Anyhow, it's a fun movie... the music and dancing are great to watch. You'll leave the theater singing/humming/dancing.

A view of a Bridge

We just got back from seeing a wonderful movie a few minutes ago. I can't think of anything that would have made Bridge to Terabithia a better film. Anyone who hasn't read the book might think it is just a film about 2 kids and a magical place; that's certainly all the trailer would lead someone to believe. So I worried a little about exactly how the movie would handle the real story, and whether my kids would feel cheated or upset by the unexpected turn in the action. I needn't have been concerned. My kids (11, 8, and 6) all loved it. My 6-year-old whispered to me that "We're going to buy this on DVD, and when I grow up and move out of the house, I'm taking it with me." I'd say that's pretty high praise. I appreciated the film's sensitive handling of some difficult themes... bullying, grief, abusive parents, financial struggles... I loved what one reviewer from the NY Post had to say: "Since there aren't any dumb jokes or hip visuals, it's easy to get caught up in the simple messages: Be good to your sister, don't be a bully, use your imagination in a pinch." There's an especially good scene in which the 2 main characters are discussing Jesus/God/the Bible after attending an Easter service... one of them has never been to church before and the other has been raised believing in God. Which one do you think "gets it" more?

The film could easily provide you with hours of discussion with your family. I'm looking forward to talking to my kids about it some more.

There is a lot I could say, but I don't want to spoil it for people who haven't read the book or seen the movie yet. I just don't see how someone could walk away from the theater dissatisfied after seeing it.

If you'd like a professional's opinion, I liked this one.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Wishing you showers of love from above and here on earth.

Do you ever find yourself in this dilemma??

If you enjoyed that, here are a few card sentiments from Hallmark's dysfunctional section. (Angie, these are for you!).

1. I always wanted to have someone to hold, someone to love. And
now that you've come into my life.... (Inside card) - I've changed my
mind.

2. I must admit, you brought religion into my life.... (Inside card) - I
never believed in Hell until I met you

3. As the days go by, I think how lucky I am.... (Inside card) - That
you're not here to ruin it for me.

4. Congratulations on your promotion. Before you go.... (Inside card) - Will you take the knife from my back? You'll probably need it again.

5. Someday I hope to marry.... (Inside card) - Someone other than
you.

6. Happy Birthday! You look great for your age.... (Inside card) -
Almost lifelike!

7. When we were together, you said you'd die for me.... (Inside card) - Now we've broken up, I think it's time to keep your promise.

8. We've been friends for a very long time.... (Inside card) - What do
you say we stop?

9. I'm so miserable without you.... (Inside card) - It's almost like
you're still here.

10. Congratulations on your new bundle of joy.... (Inside card) - Did
you ever find out who the father was?

11. You are such a good friend. If we were on a sinking ship and there
was only one life jacket.... (Inside card) - I'd miss you terribly and
think of you often.

12. Your friends and I wanted to do something really special for your
birthday.... (Inside card) - So we're having you put to sleep.

13. Happy Birthday, Uncle Dad! (Available only in Arkansas, Mississippi, and West Virginia)

14.Looking back over the years we've been together, I can't help but
wonder.... (Inside card) - What was I thinking?

15. Congratulations on your wedding day!.... (Inside card) - Too bad no one likes your husband

Bowling, burgers, and books

Well, it took a while, but the rains have finally come to northern California. Today is our 3rd or 4th straight day of rain, but we didn't want to spend all day just sitting around the house. So after dropping Emily off at a friend's house for a birthday gathering, Brian and I took the other 3 kids to the base bowling alley and bowled a couple of games. I started off pretty strong, with a 133 (my first 2 frames were actually strikes!), but only managed a 111 in the second. Brian had a 76 and a 140, Halle's scores were 63 and 76, Noah's were 73 and 82, and Joel's were 82 and 93. (Halle and Joel were using bumpers.)

After we finished up there, we had lunch at Burger King... and then went to Barnes and Noble to use a gift card and 15% coupon (I forgot about the gift card when checking out, though.... darn! I might have to go back again.) The kids each got books to read plus some sticker books that were "Buy 2, Get 1 Free." I picked out a Francine Rivers book I haven't read yet, The Scarlet Thread.

So now we can enjoy our rainy afternoon curled up with some books. Definitely beats housework!

Acrostics

Today during school, we learned about acrostic poems and wrote our own. Finally, a form of writing that hasn't sent the kids running away and screaming in terror! Here are Noah's:

Needs to watch wrestling

Often plays fighting games

Always bugging my dad

Hyper

****************************

Watching every week

Randy Orton is dumb.

ECW is cool.

Submission

Table, ladder, chair matches

Legends of wrestling

Iron man

No wimps allowed

Gets on my mom's nerves

And Halle's:

Has a pretty face

Able to do a cartwheel

Likes to play with friends

Likes to play with Mom and Dad

Everyone likes to play with her

******************************************

Fun and funny

Riding bikes

In the sun

Eating together

Nothing better

Dancing together.

And here's mine:

Checking email and

Online gaming

Meeting new friends while

Posting on blogs

Until my fingers are numb; I need a

Twelve-step program.

Error messages make me

Reboot

Someday I'll get a Mac.

My sweet em-brace-able kids

No, this isn't a "cute things my kids did/said" post. This is more of a "cha-ching" post. Halle and Noah both had orthodontic evaluations yesterday, and unsurprisingly, they are both ready to begin a phase 1 treatment for their dental issues. Noah needs a few braces and an appliance to bring his top teeth forward, while Halle needs a spreader to widen her palate, followed by braces to get everything moved into place. It's times like these I am thankful for dental insurance, which will cover about 1/2 the cost.

Thanks for the comments on the last post. Emily wasn't too pleased with me for posting it. She said she looked "fat." Oh, to look so fat.

You make me feel like dancin'

Here is Emily, all decked out for her first school dance. (Click to biggify... the picture looks much better full-size!) Brian is chauffering her and 2 of her friends to San Francisco and this place, where her school is having its Winter Formal. This is all new to me; the fanciest dance our school ever had was prom, and that was still in the school cafeteria!

I'm looking forward to hearing all about it when she gets home tonight.

I got links

It's been a while since I've done my fun links for a Friday, but I'm ready today. The kids and I did double school yesterday to free up our day for a trip to the local performing arts center to see a play of Charlotte's Web this morning. That leaves me with a little free time for this post.

So first up: Hat tip to Wonderdawg for leading me to this gem: RotoRooter is sponsoring a "Pimped Out John" sweepstakes. You have to see this one to believe it. You might never have to leave the bathroom again.

Hurry over to MyFreeMusicFriday.com for 3 free downloads today: Sara Groves, Jake Smith, and Shaun Groves.

OK, so I didn't have a whole lot to pass on today... but I'm out of time anyway. Enjoy!

Didn't mean to leave anyone hanging

Brian is much better. We both slept well through the night, although I admit I woke up a couple of times and looked at him to make sure. He went on into work today and when he was finally able to talk to his allergist, the allergist confirmed our suspicions that the reaction he had last night was due to some Motrin he took an hour or so beforehand. Apparently when he is already having issues with his urticaria, NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) often cause this type of reaction. So now he needs to stay away from ibuprofen. Brian is just happy he doesn't have to take the 21-day prednisone regimen the P.A. from the ER prescribed.