Up North (& Out There doing it)

Just missed the train this AM

If you just miss the train and are going to be late for work, there are worse places to be stuck reading a book.

Can you help me?

These are words that are very hard for any parent to say 'No' to. So when it came up during some special iPhone game time, I was curious what D wanted.

He handed over the iPhone, where he was playing this free motor bike game (which is mildly entertaining to adults, wickedly entertaining to a 6 y.o.), and said I need help buying this.

D has already figured out in other 'virtual currency games' how to buy upgrades by himself with the coins he's collected by playing the game so I was curious what this was going to be about.

I quickly look at the screen and saw my Apple ID credentials and looked at what he was trying to get.

A $19.95 update to his motor bike. $20!! Are you kidding me? I don't understand the demand for virtual currency but I can relate to how efficient it can be in removing money from your pockets (hints on Snappers anyone? I've probably dropped $20 over time on that --ugh -- embarrassing).

But no, the answer was no. If you want to play the game enough to earn the bike, fine but I'm not spending $20 on digital goods that aren't even at the app level but within the app level.

Legos

At Lyndhurst. So fun.

Amazing

It's been an amazing 4+ months. Of which, I've not posted nearly enough thoughts on the little ones, but a couple of quick recaps.

1) The Boys have been amazing and remain really into little V (surprised the novelty hasn't worn off by now)

2) Our family feels big and it feels wonderful.
3) Having S home on Maternity leave -- simple amazing.

And today, V rolled over!

Seen here, in her fashionable Adidas Gear from Aunt G -- straight from Germany!

Great way to start a day!

Great way to start the day!

Oh, the Irony

15 minutes later. The guy is singing the 'Big Mac' song from McDonald's.

Really?

If you are to complain, take action

At the Bagel shop this morning, standing in line between the 'typical' NYC parents and two tween children

For some reason, they are reading the sugar levels on the single serving cereal packages. As it turns out Total Raisin Bran, so it would sound, has more sugar in it than Corn Pops.

And Froot Loops is actually less than Raisin Bran.

Yada yada.

He continues to speak loudly in 'disbelief' to his whole family and then in the end, goes for the Froot Loops.

I wear my sunglasses...

At the dentist.

Boy do kids have it good these days.

What's wrong with this picture?

What's wrong with this picture of a new drive thru ATM in the neighborhood?

I think it's the braille letters on the drive thru.

Is there a valid reason to have braille in place that's assumed you drove up to it?

Guess it could say 'Perhaps you shouldn't be driving.'

Crosby & Nash

Not too bad seats. Fortunate enough to be at the Crosby & Nash fund raising event for 'OpenDoor Medical'.

Great seats, excellent dinner and great night overall!

Witty iPad Case

Most cases I don't think are that 'smart' or 'clever' but this one was an exception.

Make your iPad look like a Etch-a-Stetch.

This is why we live here

Great walking paths like this. V and I are out enjoying a great day out.

Looking it the other way

The modes of transportation.

Scooter Biking

With little V too! Great day.

If you must...

If you must buy a minivan, I believe I found the only way to do it last night.

Couple of guiding ground rules:

1) It helps to have a kid old enough to appreciate a 'new' car.
2) It helps if said kid really likes cars.
3) It helps if kid is young enough to see a minivan for what it is (very practical, empowering for little kids and basically 'different'.
4) It helps if said kids are not old enough to have picked up negative vibes on mini vans.
5) It is totally worth it to make it a surprise 'adventure' for the whole family (final pick up mind you, not test driving, negotiating, etc. ).
6) Doesn't hurt to have stopped by a dealer at least once quickly with kids (for really no other purpose than to look).

Set the stage and it made for a great experience.

The night ended with 'Thank you M&D for buying us a mini van!' and a collective shout out from D&G of 'I love you Toyota!' as we pulled into the driveway.

It was awesome.

It was also greeted by a first thing request on Sat AM 'Where can we go in the new mini van?'

Been Busy

I've been busy. I'm still here, but been spending a lot of time with RunningThree65 but am going to be firing up more in 2012. 

Stay tuned.

Love this

Got a text from G's teacher. It read:

" daddy I want you to come. I want you to pick me up. I want to put my pajamas on. from G. sign hug."

This was sent at 2:14 in the afternoon. Too funny.

Sign hugs are a creation of G's associated to the sign and I've mentioned them before.

They are the best and I loved this message.
Sent on the Run from my BlackBerry

Two awesome things

Two awesome things happened this week.

 

1) I got my first dinner table school lesson from D about the pilgrims coming to North America.

" You know it was dark when they got here. They didn't have any lights"

"You know, they had to get their own water and find their own food."

2) D read his first book, with a little help to me (Lego City, 3,2,1 Lift Off!') 

Both felt so awesome.

10/29

This can't be Oct 29th. (At least Mr Weatherman was really right.

Why the Marathon is awesome

Ad in the Subway.

Alex White. 3:01:40 in 2010.