Party Time?

We have entered day two of Luke’s actual birthday celebrations.

Yesterday was his actual birthday, today will be his ‘birthday observed, with friends’ (friend/neighbors party), and tomorrow will be his ‘birthday, observed, with family’ (the family party).

There was such a buildup, I wasn’t sure his birthday would live up to the lofty expectations that had been established by several weeks of Charlotte referring to him as the ‘birthday boy,’ giving him ‘birthday hugs and kisses,’ and directing, “Raise your hand if you’re the birthday boy!” (Luke obliged each time, lifting his hand in the air while saying “meeeeee” gleefully.)

Surprisingly, she also deferred to him on most decisions involving what games to play and what snacks to have, for the most part.   On one occasion, she let Luke pick the teams for a game, and he chose Mom as a teammate.  Charlotte clearly wanted to be on Mom’s team (that’s right, I’m usually chosen last – it’s like sixth grade gym class all over again).  It seemed like Charlotte was going to go along with his decision, for a moment, until she exclaimed, “Wait!”, began gesticulating dramatically, waving her arms around in a circle as she said, “Let’s mix things up!”  She then reassigned the teams.

Luke has been completely swept up by the birthday wave, sometimes too excited to sleep.  Earlier this week, when we put Luke in bed for a nap, he called to us for a half an hour, pleading with us to come get him (“I’m awake, I’m upstairs, come get me, ok?”)  He then began to get pretty upset, negating any chance for a nap.

When Karen brought him downstairs, he marched into my office and happily announced, “Dad, I woke up!  I’m ready!  I had a dream about my birthday!”  (Apparently, Luke dreams during his non-naps.)

But I digress.

I’m happy to say that the birthday excitement has been sustained through his birthday.  When he woke up on his birthday (following, as Charlotte is referring to it, “Luke’s last night as a two year old,”), he was quite excited to see the birthday signs up in the kitchen.  He counted them repeatedly, “One… two… three…  three signs!  For my birthday!”

He was also thrilled to see that our life-size Albert Einstein cut-out was wearing a birthday hat and wishing him a happy birthday (via a voice/dialogue bubble, like those used in comics, taped near his mouth).

Taking it all, he turned to us, said, “It’s my birthday,” paused, and asked hopefully “Where are my friends?”  We quickly explained that we weren’t having his party at that moment, at 7am on a Friday, and that his friends would be coming over the next day.

I’m glad to note that the first thing he asked about was not his presents, but his friends.  It seems like he’s looking forward to celebrating with his friends more than opening his presents.  I hope that lasts throughout his childhood (and adulthood).

That being said, we did get him presents.  He opened his presents from Charlotte after Karen and I finished work and before we went out for Luke’s birthday dinner.  He loved his ‘My Little Pony’ from Charlotte, Rainbow Dash, who came to dinner with us.  He was also thrilled with his bathtub alphabet, which they used in the bath that night.

Then, after dinner and bath, we gave him his present from us, the table-top foosball table.

He was over the moon.  As soon as he unwrapped it, he said, “This is awesome, Mom and Dad.  This is really awesome!”

Unfortunately, we had taken the ‘limited assembly required’ note on the box at face value.  Not so much.  In fact, extensive assembly was required (with poorly detailed directions), which was complicated by Luke and Charlotte trying to play with it as I put it together.  “I’m helping you, Dad,” responded Luke several time after being asked to take a step back.  (Luke’s ‘help’ consisted of inadvertently jamming my hands with the rods, knocking pieces off, and kicking pieces and the balls around.)  All the while, Charlotte happily noted numerous times, “Luke really likes his gift!  Luke’s really excited!”

Eventually, we got it together (it was a pretty good gift), and Charlotte and Luke played a few rounds of foosball before bed.

As I gave Luke his gift tonight, I asked him, “So, Luke, did you have a good birthday?”

“Yeah, Dad.  It was a lot of fun.”

That makes two of us, buddy.  Happy birthday, big guy!

I hope you enjoyed today’s serving of ‘mac & cheese.’ (I know I did.)

A Boy Named Boobie…

Last Thursday, Uncle Mike and Aunty Lori called from Hawaii to announce that they were expecting their second child in September.

The kids were very excited.  Charlotte happily exclaimed, without any sense of irony, “Another cousin who lives really far away!”

Then, on Sunday, Aunt Kate came over to tell us that she and Uncle Chris were expecting their second child in August.  (Uncle Chris would have come, but let’s just say he was feeling under the weather.  Aunt Kate tried to force him to come anyway, given the import of the announcement, but that wasn’t going to happen.)

Needless to say, we’re all very excited.  Another two rounds of speculating if each new cousin will be boy or girl, when the arrival will be, how big or small, short or long, what type of personality (whether they’ll sleep well or not), and the endless discussion of name possibilities.

Oddly enough, Charlotte guessed the name of her first cousin in Hawaii months ahead of time.  Uncle Mike had asked her what she thought the name would be, and she apparently replied “Kaiya,” quite matter-of-factly.  Her uncle was a little taken aback because 1) ‘Kaiya’ was, in fact, the name they had chosen, 2) it isn’t a very common name (particularly in Massachusetts), and 3) they hadn’t told anyone.

If Charlotte’s accuracy holds true this time, her new cousin’s name will be ‘Tree-Tree.’  (She’s insisting her new cousin will be a girl named ‘Tree-Tree’ with a middle name of ‘La-La.’)  Luke’s initial guess was ‘Kaiya.’  When asked, “So both of your cousins in Hawaii be named ‘Kaiya’?”, he replied simply, “Yes, two Kaiyas.”

But after giving it further thought, he reached a new conclusion, and when we asked him again about his future cousin, he announced his final (relatively speaking) verdict: 

            “A boy.  A boy named Boobie.”

Regardless of names or gender, I’m just thrilled to be an uncle to two more nieces/nephews.

I’m also happy to say that each new niece or nephew will not only have an excellent big sister (congratulations, Kaiya and Nora), but wonderful cousins, cousins who are counting down the days to their arrivals. 

I hope you enjoyed today’s serving of ‘mac & cheese.’

Having a Ball, a FOOSball!

The countdown continues: seven days until Luke’s birthday party, and the excitement keeps building.  We’ve even wrapped his present already.

Usually, we’re not this on the ball, but since Charlotte’s been so excited about Luke turning three, she’s been heavily promoting birthday preparations.  Plus, we bought his present over a month ago, back when we were shopping for Christmas gifts.

For his birthday, we got Luke a… wait for it…. drum roll, please… TABLE-TOP FOOSBALL TABLE!!!! (Is that redundant? Is there such a thing as a table-top table, or is that too many tables?  )

Luke absolutely loves foosball.  (Apparently, foosball fever is sweeping the nation.) 

This summer, we took a family trip to Vermont, and the house we rented had a foosball table.  Luke couldn’t get enough, despite the fact that we had to either hold him up to the table or prop him up on a chair, which he almost fell off of several times.  He also got poked with the foosball rod several times when one of his opponents kept forgetting that he was playing a 2 ½ year old (at the time) propped up against the table on a chair.  (Guilty as charged.)

Then, around Thanksgiving, we went to a party at a friend’s who had a foosball table.  Luke spent most of time at the foosball table, standing on a coffee table to play.

He loved it so much that I actually checked for one on Craig’s List before realizing how ridiculous it would be to get a full-size table for a three-year old.  (Although I’m sure the rest of us would have gotten some use out of it, too.)   Plus, those things are expensive. 

So we were thrilled when we saw a table-top foosball ‘table’/game on sale during the Christmas season.  We bought it tout suite.  (We also thought it would fit in with the Olympic-themed party we had been planning.)

Charlotte had many gift suggestions as well.  She and Luke have been having fun with their Thomas Train, and two of their friends got a train table with what seems like just about every Thomas Train piece for Christmas.  A couple of weeks ago, Charlotte began listing all of the Thomas Train pieces that Luke needed to get for his birthday (trains, bridges, tunnels, etc.)

Naturally, we assumed that she’d be getting him something Thomas-related.

Then, last week, someone asked her what she was getting her brother for his birthday.  She responded, quite matter-of-factly, that she was giving Luke a ‘My Little Pony.’

That’s right!  Charlotte had received a ‘My Little Pony’ for her birthday in June, and Luke really liked it, so Charlotte decided he needed one.  Not long after her birthday, she and Karen came across one on sale and got it for him, probably with the intention of giving it to him for Christmas, but we must have forgotten about it.  Until Charlotte reminded us.

Sure enough, Karen checked the present shelf in the closet, and there it was.

Let the birthday countdown and preparations continue!

I hope you enjoyed today’s serving of ‘mac & cheese.’

On Demand

Luke’s going through another stretch of early morning wakeups.  This morning, he woke up at about 5:30am.  We brought him down to our bed with the deluded hope of getting him back to sleep. 

One of his new favorite shows is Dragon Tales on PBS, which comes on at 6:30am.

Shortly after getting in our bed (again, not long after 5:30am), he begins asking to watch it, repeatedly.

Luke: “Let’s watch Dragon Tales.” (Short pause, no response.)

Luke: “Can we watch Dragon Tales?” (Another short pause, still no response.)

Luke: “Can we watch Dragon Tales… please… please?”

Karen: “Luke, you’re asking very nicely, but Dragon Tales isn’t on right now.”

Luke: “Yes, it is.” (insistently)

(Longer pause.)

Luke: “Can we watch Dragon Tales… please… please… PLEASE?”

Karen: “Luke, I’m telling you, it’s not on right now.”

Karen then attempts to explain to him that we cannot watch specific television shows at whatever time we want because they’re on at specific times.  (We don’t have a dvr or ‘on demand.’)  Luke keeps insisting that it is on and continues asking, as nicely as possible, to watch it.  (I think he may have even put sugar on top a couple of times.)  We’ve gone through similar things with Curious George and other tv shows of the moment.

So after about 45 painful minutes of his pleading as we teetered on the edge of wakefulness and soothing slumber, Karen turns on the television because it is now, in fact, 6:30 and time for Dragon Tales.

Luke props himself up excitedly, turns to me, as happy as can be, and says, without any hint of irony, “Dad!  We’re watching Dragon Tales!”

I hope you enjoyed today’s serving of ‘mac & cheese.’

‘The Birthday Boy’

Apparently, Luke’s birthday celebration is going to last three weeks (at least).

Luke’s birthday is almost two weeks away, but Charlotte has been referring to him as ‘the birthday boy’ for the past seven days.  Plus, she’s been giving him frequent ‘birthday hugs and kisses’ (sometimes he’s willing, sometimes not so much).  And whenever we count up to three or mention the number three in pretty much any context, she’ll ask, “Did you count to/say three because Luke is almost three?”

Lately, if anything comes up for debate, (or, more accurately, when the kids think something has come up for debate,) Charlotte will declare, “Luke gets to decide because he’s the birthday boy.”  She’ll then turn to him and ask, “Luke, what do you want to do?”  This usually occurs when I’m trying to get Luke to do something he doesn’t want to do.  I’ve found myself making statements like the following:

            “Charlotte, even if Luke is the birthday boy, we are not…

                        …having candy for breakfast.”

                        …watching television all day.”

                        …staying up late to watch tv.”

                        …letting Luke go outside without a hat or jacket.”

Luke has definitely caught birthday fever from Charlotte.  Over the course of the past week, when he wakes up from his nap, he’ll dramatically declare, “Dad, I had a good dream!”  (Sometimes, he substitutes the word ‘beautiful’ for ‘good.’  He’s been having a lot of ‘beautiful’ and ‘good’ dreams.)  When we ask what he dreamed about, the answer is usually: “My birthday party!”

So the birthday preparations have continued.  Earlier this week, we went to the party store to investigate piñata options.  I couldn’t believe how many piñatas they had hanging from the ceiling all around the story.  There must have been almost 100 (well, at least 50).  Luke and Charlotte were quite excited.  We eventually settled on a tyrannosaurus rex piñata to go along with the Ice Age 3: Dawn of the Dinosaurs theme.  We’re planning to fill it with gummy treats and lollipops – two of Luke’s favorite things.

Last night, Luke informed me that he was going to have lots of balloons at his party.  Oh, really?  This was the first I’d heard of it.  When I asked him where he got that idea, he avoided the question.

Must have come to him in a dream.

I hope you enjoyed today’s serving of ‘mac & cheese,’ (and don’t forget to save room for the birthday cake, even though it is still two weeks away).

Taking a Bite of the Big Apple…

Aunt Jen recently relocated from Hartford, CT, to New York City.  So last weekend, we took a day trip into the city as part a weekend visit to Grandma and Grandpa’s in Connecticut. 

The kids were very excited to see Aunt Jen’s new place and to visit New York.  Going to the big city was a common theme as the kids played in the weeks leading up to the trip.  Luke would frequently say, “I’m going to New York City!”

It was his first trip to the Big Apple.  (Charlotte had been there a couple of years ago when we went to the Central Park Zoo.)  It was also Luke’s first time using his new, rolling suit case that he got for Christmas.  Charlotte helped him pack.  She would pick out clothes from his draw and hold them up so Luke could decide if it was in or out.  (Karen did double check to ensure they had enough appropriate clothes for the weekend.)   

Aunt Jen’s new place is in East Harlem, right near the river, close to the Triborough Bridge.  Her apartment building faces a school and is close to a park, which the kids loved.

It is also a couple of blocks from the subway.  The kids weren’t a huge fan of all the walking (there were many appeals to be carried), but they did enjoy the subway rides.

Each time we boarded a subway car, someone would stand up to give Charlotte her seat, almost always right next to the door.  Charlotte would climb right up, with a silly grin on her face. 

First stop on our trip through the city: Grand Central Station.  As fans of the animated film Madagascar, the kids liked seeing the setting of the of the movie’s big scenes  — when the escaped animals are captured as they try to escape to the wild: Connecticut (via Grand Central Station and the Metro-North Railroad).

We then went to the main branch of the New York Public Library: the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building  at 42^nd Street.  We immediately checked out the lion statues on the front steps (the kids are frequent viewers of the PBS reading show Between the Lions) and took the requisite photos of the kids (and me) standing by one of the lion statues.  Inside, we checked out the main hall (very impressive), before heading to the Children’s Center, which houses the original stuffed animals that inspired A.A. Milne’s Winnie-the-Pooh.  We also attended a performance by a musician/storyteller, ‘Story Songs, with Bob-a-loo.’ 

It was a beautiful day, particularly for a January (sunny with temperatures in the high 40’s), and we witnessed the tail end of a wedding in Bryant Park, which is right behind the library.  Bryant Park also features ‘The Pond,’ a huge skating rink with free admission for the public.  It was quite picturesque.  We didn’t skate, but we did enjoy the people-watching while eating huge pretzels purchased from a street vendor.  Quintessential New York City.

We then re-boarded the subway for a trip to Central Park.  The kids loved seeing all the horse drawn buggies, and Charlotte had a blast playing on a playground in the park as Luke slept.  He fell asleep in my arms on the walk to the park.  He was all tuckered out.  After Luke woke up and Charlotte was done at the playground, we popped into The Plaza (Aunt Jen wanted to use the bathroom) and checked out the portrait of Eloise, heroine of the famed children’s book series.

At this point, everyone was pretty tired, so we headed back to Aunt Jen’s neighborhood and ate at a local restaurant before returning to Aunt Jen’s apartment for some hide and seek and for the kids to change into their pajamas for the car ride back to Grandma and Grandpa’s.

At this point, Luke was pretty much resigned to walking everywhere.  As we left Aunt Jen’s apartment building, Luke stated matter-of-factly: “We don’t have the car.  We’re walking to Grandma and Grandpa’s.”  I told him it was over 60 miles and an hour away, but he insisted that we’d have to walk.  Kids.

Even with all the walking, they’re very excited to go back.  There’s so much we’ve yet to do.

I hope you enjoyed today’s serving of ‘mac & cheese,’ potentially with a bite of apple.

Evolution of a Party…

Luke’s third birthday is less than one month away, and there have been many different discussions related to the theme of his party: first between Karen and I, then between us and the kids, and then between Charlotte and Luke.

As you can imagine, we all have different visions, and each of these visions has continued to evolve over the past month.

The Winter Olympics: Light the Fire Within

Luke’s birthday is one week before the start of the Winter Olympics, so Karen and I thought that the Olympics would make a GREAT party theme.  We could have games and pseudo competitions in the snow.  There would be sledding, fort building, snowball throwing (for distance and for targets), and racing in the snow, potentially pulling other kids in sleds. 

It was going to fantastic.  We were going to award medals and play the National Anthem.  We talked about it with Luke and he seemed to like the idea.  Until…

Enter Charlotte: Ice Age

Charlotte didn’t like the idea as much as Karen and I.  She suggested a different direction:  “Luke, do you want an Ice Age birthday party?”  Of course he did, partly because he really likes the Ice Age movies (as does his sister) and partly because he really likes his sister (for the most part) and is usually willing to go along with her.

No big deal. We could combine the themes because Ice Age allows room for outdoor games in the snow.  Besides, the Olympics doesn’t really mean too much to the kids at this point (although that could change when the kids see them on tv next month).

Charlotte and Luke also decided that they would put on an Ice Age show during the party, based on Ice Age 3 (because it has dinosaurs).  They began assigning roles, giving me the role of Manny, the wooly mammoth voiced by Ray Romano, and Karen the role of the tyrannosaurus rex. 

Enter the Piñata.  

For the past couple of weeks, we’ve been reading (and re-reading) a book Luke got for Christmas: Skippyjon Jones.

Skippyjon Jones prominently features a piñata.  Then last week, Charlotte had Mexico day at pre-school (they’re exploring the world), and they made piñatas. 

So we’ve had a certain degree of piñata fever around the house the past week.  It combines two of Luke’s favorite activities: smacking things with sticks and eating candy.

So, it looks like we’ll be having a piñata at the party, which doesn’t really fit in with the Ice Age theme (although it would fit in quite well with the international Olympics theme).

Enter the Super Bowl

Last week, we finally felt as though we were relatively set on the party and were getting ready to make invitations, albeit somewhat late, when today we were informed by a concerned relative that the planned date conflicted with the Super Bowl. 

And we’re somewhat limited on dates because a couple of family members work Saturdays.  So it was either Super Bowl Sunday or the following Sunday which is… checking the calendar… Valentine’s Day.  Great.

So Super Bowl Sunday it is.  Yet another theme possibility.  (Yesterday, Karen suggested small footballs as a party favor.) 

Let’s hope this party’s a touchdown.

I hope you enjoyed today’s serving of ‘mac & cheese.’

Mental Hygiene

While I was working from home earlier this week, the kids were making brownies.  As they were getting ready to cleanup, I caught site of Luke’s face, which was covered in brownie mix.  He looked like the Joker because of the heavy concentration around his mouth. 

As I emerged from my office, he was being instructed to go to the bathroom and cleanup.  He emerged surprisingly clean, aside from a few brownie smudges on his forehead.

“Nice job, Luke,” I said. 

 “I used your toothbrush,” he stated proudly, looking at me (for approval, I think).

Karen and I shot each other a concerned look, and Karen immediately asked for clarification: “You used your toothbrush or Dad’s toothbrush?”

He looked at me again and said emphatically, “Yours!”, prompting Karen to remark, “Oh, I’ve gotta see this.”  (Luke’s been known to leave quite a mess.)

Luke led us into the bathroom and picked up my toothbrush, “This one!”

There was no trace of brownie on it – he had done a superb job of cleaning not only his face but my toothbrush as well, which left me with a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach.

The fact that he had used my toothbrush and cleaned it so well that he left absolutely no trace made me very worried, very worried, indeed.

What else he could have used my toothbrush for without my knowing it? 

A question that’s probably better left unanswered.

I hope you enjoyed today’s serving of ‘mac & cheese.’

Danke Schoen…

Karen’s really good about writing thank you notes.  She’s also good about encouraging me and the kids to write them (though not always successful).

Recently, she and the kids were set up at the kitchen table working on thank you cards for the abundance of Christmas presents from relatives and friends.  The kids like to decorate them with stickers.  (They love arts and crafts.  Luke’s on a scissors kick.  He absolutely loves using scissors.)

Needless to say, Karen was quite pleased when Charlotte leaned in to her and whispered, “Mom, I want to make a thank you note for Luke for my Pinkalicious book.”  (Luke was sitting at the table on the other side of Karen at the time.)  Karen, trying to contain her excitement, calmly told Charlotte she thought that was a wonderful idea.

Charlotte began to work on the thank you card for Luke as surreptitiously as she could (seeing as he was sitting at the same table) and said, “Mom, tell Luke not to look.”  She also provided commentary as she did it:  “Mom, I’m putting on candy cane stickers because Luke likes candy.”

Charlotte was very proud of the finished product.  She had printed Luke’s name on it and added a number of stickers.  When Karen asked her if she wanted to mail it to him (Karen thought that would be pretty cute), Charlotte insisted on giving it to him then.

Luke had finished working on his cards (for the time being) and was getting down from the table, moving on to his next activity, when Charlotte gave him his card. 

He seemed to appreciate it (though he wasn’t quite as touched as Karen was). 

After giving Luke his card, Charlotte politely asked him, “Luke, do you want to make one for me?”

Luke paused, considering the possibility briefly, then said, “Yes,” while nodding his head in the affirmative as he returned back to the table, on a mission.  He quickly began working on a card for his sister thanking her for The Knight and the Dragon (his favorite book in the world).  Looking at the stickers available to him, he picked up some mice stickers and asked, “Do you like mice Charlotte?”

Charlotte, who was in close proximity but pretending she wasn’t watching, responded, “Yes, Luke, I do.”  She then added, “You could put five mice stickers on it because I’m almost five.”  (By the way, Charlotte’s been ‘almost five’ pretty much since the day she turned four.) 

Luke hadsthe best of intentions, but he also has a short attention span – only two mice made it onto the card.  Oh well.  I suppose that when making thank you cards, much like giving gifts, it’s the thought that counts.

I hope you enjoyed today’s serving of ‘mac & cheese.’ 

I have seen the Old Maid, and it is I…

Last Sunday, I played a spirited game of ‘Old Maid’ with Charlotte and Luke.

Unfortunately, I ended up as the ‘Old Maid.’ 

For the record, I definitely don’t let my kids win at games, but I also try not to take advantage of them.  For example, when they inadvertently wave their cards around right in front of me, I try not to look, and I encourage them to reshuffle their hand frequently (because sometime I just can’t help it).  I also stopped holding the ‘Old Maid’ card slightly higher than the rest of my hand when Charlotte was picking.  (She was a sucker for that maneuver – grabbed the ‘Old Maid’ almost every time.)

But back to the game in question.  After it was determined that I was, indeed, the ‘Old Maid,’ Charlotte jumped up, yelled, “We’re the winners,” and started dancing around.  Luke immediately followed her lead.  They even high-fived several times.  Heck, they probably would have cabbage-patched, if they knew what it was.

It was bad enough losing to a four and a half year old and an almost three year old, but to then have to watch their victory celebration?  If it was the NFL, they would have been assessed taunting penalties.  (We were watching an NFL game at the time, which might have been part of the problem.  I hope they didn’t learn such sportsmanship from me, although it is a distinct possibility.)

Needless to say, I should probably work on helping them to win graciously.

The whole thing made me think of when Charlotte took soccer for the first time (she was about three).  Here’s an excerpt:

During the week after the first practice, Charlotte kept talking about “the winners,” as in “the winners said this,” or “I want to show the winners that.”  We eventually realized she was talking about the coaches (high school kids who help run the program.)  At some point, one of them must have said something to the effect of “we’re all winners,” and Charlotte took it to mean that that’s what they should be called.

I hope you enjoyed today’s serving of ‘mac & cheese.’

I’ve Got a Secret…

A couple of days ago, Charlotte announced during dinner that she had ‘a secret’ to tell me.  She proceeded to walk around the kitchen table on the bench, lean in with her hands cupped around her mouth and my ear, and whisper, “Dad, your cup looks like a mouse.”

That night, I was drinking a mixture of milk, egg nog, and chocolate syrup – a rather tasty concoction.  Because the kids were so excited to try it, my cup ended up having two straws in it, which provided a certain ear-like effect. 

After Charlotte finished telling me her secret, she then informed me that I needed “to secret” Luke.  (She’s devised some interesting verb forms for secret, and she also occasionally mixes up the words ‘secret’ and ‘favor,’ as in, “Dad, I have another ‘favor’ for you!”) 

At Charlotte’s behest, I leaned in and whispered Charlotte’s secret to Luke.  He looked at my cup, considering ‘the secret.’  When Karen asked Luke what the secret was, he leaned over to his mother and pseudo-whispered, “Dad’s cup looks like a BUNNY.”  (Apparently, he had decided to change the secret.)

Throughout dinner, there were several more secrets/‘favors.’  Some were lines from nursery rhymes, some were comments on the appearance of the food, and all were quite entertaining as they were passed around the table, some morphing into something altogether different than what they had started as, like in a game of telephone.

I just hope that the kids are always as willing to share their secrets with me.

Then again, maybe not.

I hope you enjoyed today’s serving of ‘mac & cheese.’

Dropping the Ball…

For the past month or so, I’ve been ‘growing a beard’ (in the loosest definition of the term – I’ve always been follicly challenged in terms of facial hair).  It began as a playoff beard for the over-30 basketball team that I play on (the whole team wasn’t doing it, just me, but we were eliminated in the first round) and evolved into a yuletide beard.

Now, it’s about to become a symbol of the New Year – of a break from the past.  That’s right, I’m going to shave it off (which will make Karen happy).  I’m also getting a haircut today (which will also make Karen happy – my hair’s been a little out of control).  That’s right, 2010 is bringing a whole new me (by ‘whole new me,’ I mean essentially the same old me with a shave and a haircut).

Of course, the new year also brings a renewed determination to become a better person – to accomplish and finish many of the things I’ve been putting off (including some home projects and the book I’ve been ‘working on’ for the past couple of months).  I’d also like to get in better shape (by exercising more and eating healthier), watch less tv (on second thought, more tv), and read more.  Plus, I’d like to have a more productive year business wise, both in terms of work output and financial income.  (I’d love to get a new laptop, preferably an MacBook).  But let’s be realistic. If I reach just a couple of those goals, I’ll be pretty happy.

This past year was certainly memorable and a lot of fun to look back on (which I can do pretty easily through ‘mac & cheese’).  It’s also exciting to look forward to a year of new adventures and hopefully fulfilled potential, the chance to achieve some of the things I wish I’d been able to do in 2009 (or in 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005…)

And so, I end this serving, and begin this year, in the same way I ended the first serving of 2009 (Where the Sidewalk Begins), with a poem by Shel Silverstein:

Invitation

If you are a dreamer, come in.
If you are a dreamer, a wisher, a liar,
A hope-er, a pray-er, a magic bean buyer . . .
If you’re a pretender, come sit by my fire,
For we have some flax golden tales to spin.
Come in!
Come in!

I hope you enjoyed 2010’s first serving of ‘mac & cheese.’  Have a great new year!

Home for the Holidays…

A few more thoughts on Christmas before turning to the New Year…

This is the third straight year we’ve hosted a Christmas celebration at our house (and, not coincidentally, the third year in our ‘new’ house).  Two of the celebrations have been on Christmas, and the other was on the weekend before Christmas for Karen’s side of the family.  And that year, we spent Christmas morning at our house before heading to my sister’s.

There’s something wonderful about staying home, about getting up and not having to worry about going anywhere (although we do have to worry about preparing Christmas dinner, cleaning the house for visitors, and putting on the pageant).

Each year, we try to prepare a formal menu, partly because it makes it easier for planning, and partly because it’s fun.  This year’s menu was described by my father-in-law as “The Putney Plan for Christmas Magical Merriment Menu.”  So here it is:

Christmas Dinner 2009

(aka ‘The Putney Plan for Christmas Magical Merriment Menu’)

Appetizers

Herbie’s Edamame Hummus

Fa-la-la Fresh Fruit

Jumbo Shrimp of Galilee

Night Before Christmas Nuts 

Soup & Salad

Feliz Navidad Chicken Taco Soup

Merry Mixed Greens

 Main Coursers

Holiday Ham

Jingle Bells, Santa Smells… Spinach Pies

 Sides

Good King Applesauce

Rudolph’s Ginger-Glazed Carrots

Balthazar’s Broccoli Casserole

Deck the Yams with Loads of Walnuts

Dessert

Assorted Christmas Cookies

Mele Kalikimaka Kona Coffee

Rudolph’s Red Velvet Birthday Cake

Christmas Spirits

Hot Cocoa ~ Water ~ Soda ~ Juice ~ Wine ~ Milk ~ Egg Nog

 The Annual Putney Family Christmas Pageant was also a hit.  It included a performance of Mele Kalikimaka by Grandma and Grandpa (accompanied by Luke on his luke-elele and by Charlotte dancing); an interactive performance of The Twelve Days of Christmas; a stirring rendition of Silent Night by Aunt Kate, Uncle Chris, and Nora; and Charlotte singing Go Tell It On the Mountain (complete with hand motions).  She even gave an unsolicited encore performance, but the encore lacked the hand motions because Charlotte decided it was more important to hold the karaoke microphone.  And when she was done, didn’t want to give up the microphone and attempted to take requests before we got the pageant back on track. 

We also performed what I like to call Jingle Bells in the Key of T (Karen playing Jingle Bells on her trombone while the kids and I shake bells and sing along).  We were able to get some ‘Behind the Music’/’Making of the Putney Family Christmas Pageant’ footage from an early rehearsal, which I’ve included at the end of this post. 

And Christmas would not have been complete without a Skype session with Uncle Mike, Aunty Lori, and Kaiya in Hawaii. 

Of course, the presents were also a focus of the day.  Thankfully, Charlotte and Luke were almost as excited about giving presents as getting them (almost, but not quite).  One of the highlights for me was when Charlotte and Luke exchanged gifts with each other.  They were both very excited.  Charlotte had gotten Luke one of his favorite books, which we had borrowed from the library many times but hadn’t bought yet:  Tomie dePaola’s The Knight and the Dragon.  Luke was beyond thrilled (and has requested it be read to him every ‘knight’ since).  Luke gave Charlotte a book she’s been wanting: Pinkalicious.  Both seemed to really appreciate each gift.  Hugs were exchanged. 

Charlotte and Luke are still young enough to be excited about clothes.  Charlotte got several new outfits, and the day after Christmas, when she was talking to my mother on the phone, she excitedly told her, “I’m wearing the outfit you gave me, and I look spectacular!”

At the end of the day, we had a lot more stuff, many new Christmas memories, a ton of leftovers (especially ham), and a backload of laundry that had built up over the previous couple of days.

All in all, a wonderful Christmas.

In the spirit of Christmas Past, I’ve linked to some Christmas memories/posts from last year.

A Putney Christmas Retrospective:

Going Places…

The Casualties of Christmas

Remains of the toy tornado… stuff!

I hope you enjoyed today’s yuletide serving of ‘mac & cheese.’

 And now, for a special presentation of ‘Behind the Music’: The Making of the Putney Family Christmas Pageant:

He once was lost, but now is found…

The kids have a Little People manger set that they absolutely love.  During the Christmas season, they frequently play with the small figures for extended periods of time: the shepherds, Baby Jesus, Mary, Joseph, the Angel, and the animals.  They act out little plays and skits, some related to the Nativity, some not so much so, speaking in different voices for each ‘character.’  It’s very entertaining (although some people might consider it sacrilegious).

Except this year, they somehow lost Baby Jesus.  One day he was there, and the next day he wasn’t.  No one was sure what happened to him.  He went missing a week or two before Christmas.  We took the usual attitude when things get misplaced.  “He’ll turn up.”

Except Christmas came, and Baby Jesus did not. 

Thankfully, Santa Claus did come.  And Charlotte could not have been happier.

We got in late on Christmas Eve – the kids fell asleep in the car on the way home from Aunt Maura and Uncle Steve’s.  They did scatter reindeer food in their cousins’ yard, but they weren’t awake to make any preparations at our own house.  As soon as she woke up on Christmas morning, Charlotte asked:

            “Did you put out the cookies for Santa?” (We informed her we had.)

            “And the carrots for the reindeer?” (Yes, Charlotte, we did.)

She seemed satisfied and declared: “This is the day I love.  I love it.”

(We were pleased because her immediate focus wasn’t on the gifts but was on being hospitable to Santa and his reindeer.  I’d like to think that if Charlotte was the inn keeper, she would have made room for Mary and Joseph, and any other desperate travelers.  Although maybe not, because they weren’t carrying presents, though they were carrying a gift.)

After we opened our presents and went through our stockings, Charlotte was effusive in her excitement and appreciation:

            “Santa got our letter!”

            “I got everything I wanted!”

            “This is the best ever Christmas that I’ve ever had!”

She then yelled:

            “THANK YOU, SANTA!”

            “HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JESUS!”

Yet the fact remained, birthday or no birthday, there was still no Baby Jesus.

After breakfast and presents, we went to Church, where there’s a beautiful wooden manger scene set up in front of the altar.  (This one had a Baby Jesus.)  We told Luke that we’d go look at it after Mass.  But apparently, he couldn’t wait.  Shortly after we arrived and got settled, he strolled out of the pew and headed up the middle aisle straight toward the manger scene.  Thankfully, Karen was able to sweep in and grab him before he got to close to the altar (at the time, the priest was speaking), returning him to his seat without making too much of a disturbance.  Hey, who can blame him?  The Magi traveled from the Far East to see the Baby Jesus.  The only thing between Luke and the Baby Jesus was an empty aisle.

Back at home, after family had arrived, Grandma and Aunt Kate were looking at the manger set and, noticing the absentee savior, asked where he was.  Charlotte announced, quite sadly, “We lost Baby Jesus.”  She was very somber, as if her best friend had died.  Luke shared in Charlotte’s despair.  Of course, Grandma and Aunt Kate laughed hysterically.  (It was hard not to.) 

We told the kids that it wasn’t important because Jesus wasn’t really lost but that he lived in our hearts.  We reminded them that, according to the stuffed Polar Express Santa (when you press the button on his hand), “Remember, the magic of Christmas lies in your hearts!”  (And no, they didn’t buy it.) 

Anyway, Jesus or no Jesus, Christmas went on.  Presents were opened, a feast was consumed, and still more presents were opened.

Then, toward the end of the day, as we were cleaning up some of the wrapping paper and toys, someone must have looked under the couch and found, you guessed it, the Baby Jesus.

There was much rejoicing.  Luke excitedly declared, “I FOUND JESUS!”  He sounded like he was giving a witness at a revival meeting.  (“Can I get an ‘AMEN’?”)

I suppose it just goes to show that even if He sometimes does get pushed aside (or under a couch) during the tumult of Christmas, He’ll always turn up in the end.

I hope you enjoyed today’s serving of ‘mac & cheese’ (and that you had a Merry Christmas).

Hitting the Slopes…

“Dad, there’s snow everywhere!”

Those were the first words Luke said to me this morning after waking up to a winter wonderland.

A storm had covered the yard with a few inches of snow, and he and Charlotte were quite excited.  They absolutely love playing in the snow.  This was the second significant snowfall of the year, and their tolerance for the cold has definitely increased from last winter.  They can play outside for long periods of time and rarely, if ever, complain about the cold. 

Although this year Luke has demonstrated a certain reluctance to sled.  (By ‘reluctance,’ I mean ‘refusal.’)  While we’re sledding, he’s content to just walk around in our snow-covered yard, playing with his shovel and high-fiving sledders as they careen by.  (By ‘careen,’ I mean ‘gently coast to a stop by Luke.’)

Meanwhile, Charlotte is really into sledding this year.  We have the perfect slope in our yard.  To be more exact, we have two slopes because the hill flattens out in the middle before a second descent starts.  This is important because it prevents us from building up to much speed, making it easier to avoid the hazards, which include trees and our swing set.  Our swing set is positioned at the bottom of the slope.  The goal is to sled right under the crossbeam (which is where the swings hang in the summer), but it doesn’t always work out that way.  Just in case something goes awry, I’ve had the kids practice what I call ‘bail drills’ in the event that a collision is imminent. 

A ‘bail drill’ essentially consists of the kids sitting in the sled (not moving); my yelling, “A tree! Bail!”; and the kids tipping over off of the sled and into the snow.  The first time we tried it, Charlotte just leaned over and didn’t tip all the way because she was hesitant to fall in the snow if it wasn’t necessary.  Luke was all about it.

And today, we finally convinced Luke to make his first sledding run of the season.  All four of us piled onto our toboggan (it’s a purple, heavy-duty, plastic toboggan that comes apart in the middle for easy storage and transportation) and set off down the hill.  Luke LOVED it.

The first thing he said when we slowed to a stop at the bottom:

            “I want this for my birthday!”

I hope you enjoyed today’s serving of ‘mac & cheese’ (along with a cup of hot chocolate, the kids’ beverage of choice after playing in the snow).