Christine signed Kaitlin and William up for "book buddies" at the local library. It's a bi weekly summer time event with story tellers and kids get to check out books. It's been the hit of the summer thus far. Kaitlin got her first library card and boy was she so excited. Now that's all she wants to do. Free entertainment! Daddy likes that. With KK so excited about her new card, William has been disappointed because his card has been missing in action. A few weeks back, we searched his room for it. Our response, no big deal, we'll get you another one the next time you go.
So Monday night, Christine took them and the new card idea completely bombed. Free replacement cards are no longer issued. There is now a $3.00 replacement charge - ha, ha. On principal alone, Christine said no thanks and said that we would find his old one or he could use hers. For some reason, that didn't resonate very well with William. Poor guy, can't say I don't blame him. We knew it was in his wallet but had no idea where. There is nothing free anymore including replacement cards. When I was a kid, I bet I lost at least 10 of them. Only got new ones because of school assignments. What do kids do these days that can't afford it? Anyway, I digressed. Super Mommy saved the day like she normally does, once they got home. Needless to say, Will was very happy - he's now back in the game. Money was also in his wallet - I'm impressed.
With the program, the kids normally bring home a bag full of books and have a contest as to who can read the most books. Not sure where they get their love of reading from, Christine and I don't read books and weren't the best students growing up. What's the saying about gene's skipping a generation? Maybe this proves it is true. It's exciting to see their joy and passion for reading. Both are doing super and we are so proud.
With the book that William was reading tonight, he was near the end of the book, turned the page and started reading. I immediately saw that a character was called William and thought this might be cool. William got to the sentence, noticed his name and gave a big pump of his arm and said "YES". My name is in the book. William the character in the book turned out to be a weasel, so William the Weasel it is.
On a completely random thought - Madison is doing great. She's finally started to stand, hasn't attempted to walk yet. It's coming soon. She's climbing all over the place and gets into everything! Maybe that's a byproduct of being the baby of three. She is much more active at this stage then Will and KK were. She's a bundle of personality as well (yes I'm biased and should be). She's pretty laid back (like her daddy) and hasn't had a care in the world - very mild mannered.... Well that's until the last week or so, not sure if someone is spiking her food or what. All of a sudden she has gotten nuts. Loud and crazy.. Guessing that maybe she figured out that is the only chance she has to get a word in edge wise. Time will tell.
We're excited about the pending 4th of July holiday. We give thanks and salute all those that serve in the military, have served or have given the ultimate sacrifice to provide and protect us of the freedoms that we have today. Think we're hitting the lake and making a day trip to the mountains. Can't wait.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Friday, June 18, 2010
William's first World Championship Game 7
Mommy had a tennis match tonight so it was just William, Madison and I. KK was at Nana's for her weekly overnight visit. Tired and worn out when I got home, William quickly informed me that tonight we would be making chocolate chip cookies. A Barnes household favorite. Now mind you, we're not talking about the kind you buy and spoon on to a pan. Homemade toll house cookies - simply the best. Not sure where he got the idea today but he was set on it. It wasn't the first thing on my list, but I find it incredibly difficult to turn down homemade, hot cookies. We got Maddy to bed and then started. William did most of the work himself. He gets a kick out of turning the blender on and hopes that a cloud of flour will hit Daddy. It got him tonight! Cookies were delicious and well if you eat 4 or 5 right before bed time that will jack you up.
Both William and KK love to cook. We've got some rules though. I'm stating them now simply for reference as they get older (life advice here kids) -
1) Hands must always be clean. (teaching food safety here)
2) Don't play while you cook. (Pots and Pans aren't drums)
3) Sharp knives will really cut you and hot stoves will really burn you.
4) Patience must be demonstrated (It really takes 9 minutes for them to cook)
5) Clean as you go (not practiced while Daddy cooks, however, have to add for Mommy's sake)
As we finished up, the Celtics and Lakers were coming on for an epic Game 7 championship game. I'm not fans of either franchise and really dislike both, but we're seeing history here. A game 7, you have to watch and you have to pull for one team. We decided on the Celtics, mainly because of the Big 3 in Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce. They are aging veterans and well, Daddy's getting old and can more relate to the older guys. I explained the importance to William of the game and he was excited to be watching. Think the culprit was probably because it meant that he would be staying up later.
Anyway, we sat on the couch talking basketball and eating cookies. It just doesn't get better than that. William quickly grew to dislike timeouts, for they meant long commercials. Wow - it starts early. The Celtics took early control and were up most the first half. It was not a well played offensive game, but the intensity and defensive pressure was good. Entertaining and Kobe Bryant - Laker superstar was having an off half. As we got into the 2nd quarter, about 9:15, William was starting to tire. He went for a few more cookies and ended up not eating one. A while later, he started playing possum - acting like he was sleeping. A few minutes later, he jumps up and starts eating the cookie that he placed on a table. He looks at me and says " Dad, I was asleep and had a dream about eating cookies and woke up and just had to eat one." Yeah right - I was rolling. As the half came to an end, he was getting very tired and restless. At the commercial break, he looks at me and out of the blue says "Dad, you want a piece of me? and starts flexing his arm...." He wanted to wrestle at 10pm - way past his bed time.. I answered no and off to bed he went. He crashed hard!
Sad to report, the Celtics lead throughout the 3rd quarter and the Lakers rallied to win down the stretch in the 4th quarter. Derrick Fisher, a long time point guard for them hit a critical 3 pointer to swing momentum. I can remember my first super bowl, NCAA championship's etc. All around the same age as William is now. Maybe he'll remember it 30 years from now. I know that I will.
Chad
Both William and KK love to cook. We've got some rules though. I'm stating them now simply for reference as they get older (life advice here kids) -
1) Hands must always be clean. (teaching food safety here)
2) Don't play while you cook. (Pots and Pans aren't drums)
3) Sharp knives will really cut you and hot stoves will really burn you.
4) Patience must be demonstrated (It really takes 9 minutes for them to cook)
5) Clean as you go (not practiced while Daddy cooks, however, have to add for Mommy's sake)
As we finished up, the Celtics and Lakers were coming on for an epic Game 7 championship game. I'm not fans of either franchise and really dislike both, but we're seeing history here. A game 7, you have to watch and you have to pull for one team. We decided on the Celtics, mainly because of the Big 3 in Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce. They are aging veterans and well, Daddy's getting old and can more relate to the older guys. I explained the importance to William of the game and he was excited to be watching. Think the culprit was probably because it meant that he would be staying up later.
Anyway, we sat on the couch talking basketball and eating cookies. It just doesn't get better than that. William quickly grew to dislike timeouts, for they meant long commercials. Wow - it starts early. The Celtics took early control and were up most the first half. It was not a well played offensive game, but the intensity and defensive pressure was good. Entertaining and Kobe Bryant - Laker superstar was having an off half. As we got into the 2nd quarter, about 9:15, William was starting to tire. He went for a few more cookies and ended up not eating one. A while later, he started playing possum - acting like he was sleeping. A few minutes later, he jumps up and starts eating the cookie that he placed on a table. He looks at me and says " Dad, I was asleep and had a dream about eating cookies and woke up and just had to eat one." Yeah right - I was rolling. As the half came to an end, he was getting very tired and restless. At the commercial break, he looks at me and out of the blue says "Dad, you want a piece of me? and starts flexing his arm...." He wanted to wrestle at 10pm - way past his bed time.. I answered no and off to bed he went. He crashed hard!
Sad to report, the Celtics lead throughout the 3rd quarter and the Lakers rallied to win down the stretch in the 4th quarter. Derrick Fisher, a long time point guard for them hit a critical 3 pointer to swing momentum. I can remember my first super bowl, NCAA championship's etc. All around the same age as William is now. Maybe he'll remember it 30 years from now. I know that I will.
Chad
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Let's get it started
Hello world,
Maybe that's a bit of an overstatement and the world isn't viewing yet, but Rome wasn't built in one day. So I've been nominated, well directed to become the designated blogger for the Barnes of Bucknell Ave. I've been told that cousin Paige has gotten quite entertaining and her "blogs" seem to be a frequent highlight. My hope is that one day I can be 1/10th the blogger as she is. For the record, our original blogger resigned due to creative indifference. I figure that I'm really struggling to keep my hand written journals for the kids, so this might be a better avenue to create lasting memories. Evidently, you can make a book out of this? Paige really? Sign me up for a clinic.........
The reality is that I'm still in the early 1990's regarding technology. I prefer rotary phones, like Sega - Madden Football the best (NY Giants with Stephen Baker the touchdown maker and Mark Bravaro, was unbeatable), I don't get the purpose of texting or Facebook and am not impressed with the idea of 3D TV. Give me ole Andy Griffith in black and white and life is just fine. For those that don't know me, I'm a pretty simple dude. So enough back ground on the new chief blogger.
With that said, I'm not sure what this experience will be. From time to time, I may rant, I may poke fun at, I might not make sense or even disappear for long periods of time. Quite possibly, I could offend folks by accident or document embarrassing moments that my kids will have to live with for the rest of their lives (already planning to have good wedding materials to share)... For that, let me apologise in advance - no harm intended. William, Kaitlin and Madison - you'll understand one day. My goal is to document for our family key events/milestones, provide a lasting memory of different stages and fascinations that the kids have (yes, the mascot really is a person) and to capture some of the daily grind (ie - 20 years from now it will be really funny that Mommy stepped out the back door bare footed and landed on a monster black snack). And along the way, provide a quick laugh and connect with family and friends.
Ultimately, I need to come up with a Pen name. Maybe I'll let the kids decide what that will be.
This movie is just starting, so let's get it started!
Chad
Maybe that's a bit of an overstatement and the world isn't viewing yet, but Rome wasn't built in one day. So I've been nominated, well directed to become the designated blogger for the Barnes of Bucknell Ave. I've been told that cousin Paige has gotten quite entertaining and her "blogs" seem to be a frequent highlight. My hope is that one day I can be 1/10th the blogger as she is. For the record, our original blogger resigned due to creative indifference. I figure that I'm really struggling to keep my hand written journals for the kids, so this might be a better avenue to create lasting memories. Evidently, you can make a book out of this? Paige really? Sign me up for a clinic.........
The reality is that I'm still in the early 1990's regarding technology. I prefer rotary phones, like Sega - Madden Football the best (NY Giants with Stephen Baker the touchdown maker and Mark Bravaro, was unbeatable), I don't get the purpose of texting or Facebook and am not impressed with the idea of 3D TV. Give me ole Andy Griffith in black and white and life is just fine. For those that don't know me, I'm a pretty simple dude. So enough back ground on the new chief blogger.
With that said, I'm not sure what this experience will be. From time to time, I may rant, I may poke fun at, I might not make sense or even disappear for long periods of time. Quite possibly, I could offend folks by accident or document embarrassing moments that my kids will have to live with for the rest of their lives (already planning to have good wedding materials to share)... For that, let me apologise in advance - no harm intended. William, Kaitlin and Madison - you'll understand one day. My goal is to document for our family key events/milestones, provide a lasting memory of different stages and fascinations that the kids have (yes, the mascot really is a person) and to capture some of the daily grind (ie - 20 years from now it will be really funny that Mommy stepped out the back door bare footed and landed on a monster black snack). And along the way, provide a quick laugh and connect with family and friends.
Ultimately, I need to come up with a Pen name. Maybe I'll let the kids decide what that will be.
This movie is just starting, so let's get it started!
Chad
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