Missy, Crazy Uncle and Kids in Disneyland

Artwork by Missy

Curly Hair

I babysit my friend's daughters once a week. When her three year old is here I like to attempt to do her hair. She has the curliest hair I have ever seen! It is so different than doing my girl's straight hair. Sometimes it turns out looking great, other times not. Here are a couple of my latest attempts.

What a cute little girl!

Global warming is here (oh wait, I mean Spring)

I read an interesting article in the National Post yesterday. It appears that snow cover across North America (and many other parts of the world) is at its greatest since 1966. I sent the story over to Al Gore but haven't heard back yet. Sounds like he is pretty busy since winning a Nobel Peace Prize. The Smoking Gun reported in July of 2007 that Al Gore was charging $100,000 per "Environmental Lecture". This got me thinking ~ maybe I can profit by instilling fear in the hearts of my fellow citizens. Here's my list of "theories" that are sure to make it big. Hmmm....

Do I smell a Nobel Peace Prize in my future?

1. Global cooling. We sure got a lot of snow this year. If we don't stop eating ice cream the world will freeze over. Please help your fellow man, eat more Hot Pockets.


2. Earthquakes are becoming more frequent. Recently there was one in Nevada and the UK (today). These are caused by obesity. Too many overweight people moving at once causing a shift in the tectonic plates. Fast food is prevalent and there is no regard for what we put into our bodies. Stop earthquakes. Eat more vegetables.


3. Hurricanes are increasing in force. This is caused because of yawning. Everyone knows that yawning is contagious. The more people yawn the higher the Category of hurricane. Please cover your mouth when yawning.


4. Tornadoes are a direct result of poor plumbing. Tornadoes are caused by over stimulation of sewer lines. When too many people flush their toilets at the same time, the "funnel effect" is released into the atmosphere. Trailer parks have antiquated sewer lines and are hence more prone to tornadoes. Stay away from trailer parks and only flush the toilet if your home was built in the last 5 years.

Alright, I was going to go on but this rant has already served its purpose. I feel much better than I did ten minutes ago.

And yes, I know that there is a cause and effect to all things. I just like making fun of people that seem to take advantage of their public profile. I mean, come on, you already gave us the Internet.

PB

Build-A-Bear

Amy's parents gave the kids each a Build-A-Bear gift card for Christmas. We finally got everyone together (including Grandparents)last weekend. Everyone had a great time. Here is a photo of Cutie after she stuffed her bear. She was really excited. Hey, what is that blur running by the bottom of the picture? PB

Crazy Brother

Today is my CRAZY bro's birthday. My girls say that they love their uncle because he teases them, is nice, funny and wonderful.

Here are a few reasons why I think my brother is wonderful:

• My bro is unconditionally loving. He will always love you and be supportive of the decision you make. This is a great quality his future wife will love!


• He will spend hours if necessary playing the Wii with his nieces and nephews to entertain them (even if he doesn't want to) and he even lets them win every time.


• Growing up he was known as the Finder Boy. When something was missing around the house he could find it every time. I wonder if he still can? (Babe-O is my Finder Girl)


• Every time he sees my kids he pretends like he is going to eat their toes. They giggle and run away, but if he forgets they remind him every time. This is something that my kids are going to remember for many years to come.


• He is willing to come with us to Disneyland! I am so excited! He will make some great memories with my family.

LOVE YOU!

Is Peach a Republican?

Peach, who is four years old, asked me how a person gets red dots all over their body. I explained that they are called the chicken pox and that she will not get them because of the shots she has had at the doctor's office.

She thinks for a minute and then asks, "Can a Democrat still get them?"

Peach's Perfect Day

It was Peach's turn today to go on a date. She picked to go to the arcade and out for ice cream. Her favorite game is air hockey. Peach beats me everytime. I think she may go pro someday:

This was her second round of her favorite treat:

Peach told me she wants to marry ice cream some day ~ I'm fine with that. Hopefully, legalized marriage to consumables will be right around the corner.

PB

Date Week

The kids all go back on track next week so I decided to make this week DATE WEEK. Babe-O and I went on our date today. She picked to go miniature golfing and play at the arcade. Then she wanted to go out for pizza and ice cream. She begged me to let her take a picture of me in the car with my cell phone. Here it is:

We had a lot of fun and played games while we ate pizza. My favorite game is paper, rock, scissors and Fire Dragon. Fire Dragon beats paper, rock and scissors every time. It is my secret weapon and I only use it as a last resort.

Here is a picture of a smiley face that Babe-O made from her pizza crust and miscellaneous items:

And finally, here is a real smiley face:

PB

Will there be sushi in heaven?

I really hope there is sushi in heaven. I met some colleagues of mine for lunch at my favorite restaurant, Tona's on 24th street today. This place always leaves me with a big fat cheesy grin on my face. Here is a sample of what I ate:

Oops! Sorry about that. Wrong picture. Hopefully there were no small children or Disney fans reading this. Here is the real sushi from today:

Good stuff and good for you. Unless you eat as much as I did. But hey, that's what treadmills are for.

PB

My faceless friend

It is a good friend's birthday today. She loves to have her picture taken when she is pregnant and has no makeup on (ha ha).

Hey new mom - Happy Birthday to you! I am so thankful that I have you in my life. I remember back to when we first got to know each other. We had such an interesting time serving together in the primary. Remember our crazy teachers and primary kids? We tried so hard to do a good job! Looking back I think that we had a positive influence on some of the kids. I will never forget that experience as long as I live. I am thankful for it because I was able to meet you!

I love that you are such a postive, uplifting person. Everyone that knows you would say that you are a sweet person with a strong testimony. Maybe after knowing you for an another ten or twenty years some of your sweetness will rub off on me.

You are a great mom that loves your kids so much. I am so excited that you have four kids now. Isn't life great! I also think that it is AWESOME that your hubby gave you your first flower 18 years ago. You two were meant to be together.

Thanks for being my friend and putting up with my crazyness. Love you!

Happy Birthday Mommy!

Today is my mommy's birthday. Yea!! We spent the day with her going shopping and having fun. For Christmas my parents gave all of their grandkids Build-A-Bear gift certificates. We redeemed them today with my mom, dad, sister and brother-in-law. What a great time we had watching the kids pick out their bears and then personalize them with sounds and clothes. I love that each kid has a bear that fits their personality.

Thanks for the great present!


Here is a short list of some things that are great about my mom:

• She loves It's A Small World at Disneyland and has been on it countless times with my kids. I am sad that she will not be going with us this year. Peach will definitely miss her!
  

• She loves to read and learn new things. She has instilled that love of knowledge in all of her kids and we are in turn passing that on to our kids. I think that it will continue on into many generations.
  
• My mom is very supportive.
  
• She is someone that I can call for advice on topics ranging from potty training to cooking healthy food. I call her for advice quite often.
  
• My mom loves me just the way I am.


• My mom is a positive person who will not speak ill of other people. She does not gossip.
  

I asked my girls why they love their grandma. They said they love her because she is nice, sweet, smart, pretty, and exercises. But most importantly ... just because.

Mom, you are truly wonderful and an inspiration to me. I hope that I can be as great of a mom as you are. Thanks for all that you have done for me! I Love You!

Paellaboy's Bucket List

There is a fairly new movie out called The Bucket List starring Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson. I haven't seen it yet but I've heard it is pretty good. The premise is that the two men are in a cancer clinic and only have a short time to live. They leave the hospital and set out to do all the things they've always wanted to do before they "kick the bucket". I thought it might be fun to make my own bucket list and invite all of you to do the same. These are the top five things I would like to do if I found out I only had one year to live. No surpirses here, there is something involving the Yankees on the list.

1. Return to my birthplace (Honolulu) and visit some of the places my parents often talk about.


2. Learn to drive a stick shift. (Yeah, I know)


3. Attend the Masters at Augusta National in Georgia. A few days after the tournament, play Augusta and walk in the same footsteps as some of the greatest to ever play.


4. Go to a game at Yankees Stadium (I've never been). Before the game, I would like to hang on the field during batting practice and throw a few pitches to my favorites: A-Rod, Jeter, Posada and Johnny Damon.


5. Live everyday like my last. Tell every member of my family how much I love them and show my gratitude towards them daily.

Ok, that's my short list. I'd love to hear bucket lists from all of you!

Tagged (Stuff about Amy)...

What were you doing 10 years ago?

PB and I were both going to school and working full time at an amusement park. It was a great time in my life. Just PB (who is my best friend) and I spending all of our time together. Wouldn't trade it for anything.

5 things on my "to-do" list today...

* Make dinner
* Play the Wii with all 8 kids at my house
* Help kids do tumbling tricks and have a handstand contest
* Watch Hannah Montana with kids
* Finish this post

6 Snacks that I enjoy…

* Cookie dough
* Blimpie sugar cookie
* Kettle popcorn
* Tootsie rolls
* M&Ms
* Diet pepsi

3 Bad habits...

* Eating too many M&Ms (I love sugar!)
* Breaking things
* Staying up late at night

If I were suddenly a billionaire I would...

Have PB quit his job and spend all of our time playing. Nothing sounds better that playing with the family. I would also have a LOT more kids (sorry PB). I love being a mom!

3 Places I've lived…

* Alberta, Canada
* Texas
* Utah

5 Jobs I've had…

* Making copies, etc. for customers at the Copy Center
* Babysitter (I was the best)
* Games department at amusement park
* Marketing at amusement park
* Applebee's server (aka Crapplebee's)

5 Things people don't know about me…

* I hate country music.
* I would love to have many more children.
* I have my elementary teaching degree.
* I flew first class to Spain with PB and stayed for 10 days. I have also been to Egypt, Canada, Mexico, and France.
* I am going to Disneyland in 2 1/2 weeks and I just planned the trip last night!

5 People I'm tagging...

* Uhh... I don't know anyone that has a blog (that has not been tagged already).

Tagged (Stuff about Paellaboy)...

What were you doing 10 years ago?

I was a newlywed working at an amusement park. Those were fun times. Walking to the dollar theatre from our $300 a month hole in the wall. I was just finishing up school and really enjoying the quality time to just hang out with Amy. Wouldn't trade it for anything.

5 things on my "to do" list today:

• Call dad to make sure Spring Training accomodations are secure
• Check on transportation from Orange County airport to Disneyland
• Confirm tomorrow's appointments with Las Vegas customers
• Set up lunch appointment with new Cisco Account Manager
• Check movie times for tonight's shows at the South Point

6 snacks that I enjoy:

• Sweet chili flavored brown rice chips from Costco
• Laughing cow on crackers
• Key Lime Pie yogurt
• Amy's chocolate chip cookies
• Spicy hot wings
• Yogurt parfait

3 bad habits:

• Air-typing (like air-guitar)
• Rolling my socks up into a ball and throwing them into the dirty clothes
• Buying Yankees hats for my collection

If I were suddenly a billionaire I would:

Buy the New York Yankees. My family would be well taken care of and I'd have the most coveted job in the sports world. And a dream job at that.


5 places I've lived:

• Honolulu
• Las Vegas
• California
• Spain
• Utah

5 jobs I've had:

• Parking lot clean up boy at the Texaco gas station
• Tasty Donuts door to door salesman ("Hi would you like to buy some nice fresh delicious tasty donuts today?")
• Roto-Pugs (don't ask)
• Manager of games department at amusement park
• General Manager of movie theater

5 things people don't know about me:

• I have two adopted brothers that have disappeared
• I was born in Hawaii
• Went to Cairo, Egypt for two weeks with my wife to celebrate our anniversary
• I vehemently despite all professional sports teams from the Boston area (Red Sox, Celtics, Patriots)
• I enjoy going to the movies by myself

5 people I'm tagging:

Stay tuned...

Puketastrophe (the sequel), Plastic spoons and Paella

IT IS SAFE TO READ. THERE WILL BE NO PHOTOS OF PUKE.

It's 3 am and once again another puketastrophe. It was Bubba and Amy's turn. This brings the official family cookie tossing count to 12. Right now everyone has "whistled beef" except for me. I am holding out for more money and hoping to renegotiate my contract. We'll see how that goes. I'm starting an office pool. Yet strangely enough I don't have an actual office, just an airplane and this laptop. Here's today's poll question: how long will Paellaboy last before puking? Anyways, leave your bet in the comments section and cast your ballot ~ winner takes all.

Akward transition...

I played a fun game with my kids in the car today while waiting for Amy at the Michael's Craft store. (This is the one place I have boycotted. I'd rather shove plastic spoons into my eye over and over again.) We started making up questions and they each had to answer with their favorite. Here were some of the questions and their responses---

Favorite french fries: Carl's Jr, Mcdonald's and tater wedges from Wal-Mart.
Favorite toy: Leapster, iPod and Lucy from Las Vegas (Polly Pocket).
Favorite dessert: Mom's cheesecake, Mom's cupcakes, Mom's chocolate cake (I'm seeing a pattern here).
Favorite restaurant: Golden Corral, Red Robin, ABC Mandarin
Favorite food: Chinese rice, Domino's pepperoni pizza (twice)
Favorite beverage: water, lemonade, Dad's orange juice (Sweet, I made the list).

In case you were wondering , I played along too. Here are my favorites...

French Fries: Garlic fries from Safeco Field (home of the Seattle Mariners). My Yankees jersey still smells of them more than a year later.
Favorite toy: Golf clubs
Favorite dessert: Yogurt parfait from Starbuck's.
Favorite restaurant: Ra (Sushi) and Cafe Ba-Ba-Re-Ba (Authentic Spanish cuisine) in Las Vegas.
Favorite beverage: Cranberry juice. I get this every time on the plane. Nothing washes down the Honey Roasted peanuts better.
Favorite food:

Yummy. Seafood paella at 3 in the morning still sounds good. And that's with the smell of fresh puke wafting in the air. Amy and Bubba finally fell to sleep. Guess it is my turn.

PB OUT

Welcome Baby!

A great friend of mine had her baby today. Yea!! He was 7 lb. 5 oz. and 20 1/2 inches long. He came a lot earlier than expected but both mom and baby are doing well. I am so happy that he is breathing fine and should not have to stay longer than usual in the hospital. She is now the mother of 2 girls and 2 boys. What a wonderful family. I love this family!

Hey baby's Daddy - Happy Birthday to you too! What a great present!

Happy Chinese New Year 2008

I'd like to be among the first to wish you all a very Happy Chinese New Year! I hope you all enjoy this very special day. Please celebrate safely and enjoy the festivities. Remember to think twice about what you are eating this year when you go out for Chinese. After all, 2008 is the year of the rat.

TOP TEN REASONS PATRIOTS LOST

Ok, last one about the Superbowl (until next year). I was wondering what it must have been like to be in the Patriots locker room after they lost. Do you think they made a list of excuses for why they ended their perfect year with such a horrific loss? Well, my good friend the janitor pulled this handwritten list of excuses out of the garbage can.


TOP TEN REASONS WE LOST SUPERBOWL XLII


1. Bad Karma (for cheating that is).
2. Our bodies coudn't adjust to the warm desert air in Arizona.
3. Our fearless QB (Tom Brady) hurt his toe during a recent photo shoot.
4. The undefeated 1972 Miami Dolphins used voodoo dolls to poke Randy Moss in his eyes.
5. We are over rated.
6. Our head videographer ran out of video tape after the first quarter making it impossible to record the Giants sideline.
7. Our baseball team (Red Sox) already represented.
8. We watched the movie, "Almost Famous" the night before when we should have been watching tape from our extensive video library. (The one the NFL commissioner thought he destroyed).
9. Our offensive line was too busy grooming their lumberjack beards in preparation for the upcoming Campbell's Chunky soup commercial.
10. Arrogance


PB OUT

Cheaters Never Prosper (Paellaboy's rant...)

Yeah, you guessed it coming to you live from Las Vegas...

Unbelievable! I was awestruck and giddy Sunday night. Honestly, that was one of the best Superbowls that I can remember in a long time. Maybe it was because the media was constantly talking about how great the Patriots are: "The best team of all time", they would say. HA! Here's a large slice of crow pie baked fresh from my oven. In fact, maybe you guys would like to eat the whole pie in one bite.

Much has also been said about the Patriots and their cheating over the course of who knows how long. You may remember that the NFL busted them a few weeks into the season this year in what was known as "Spygate". For those of you that were stuck on a desserted island, let me
recap:

"NFL commissioner Roger Goodell announced Thursday night that he would fine Belichick the maximum amount and dock the team $250,000 and a first-round draft pick next year (or a lesser pick if the Patriots miss the playoffs). It was the biggest fine ever for a coach -- it represents 12 percent of Belichick's scheduled 2007 salary, which is believed to be $4.2 million -- and would be the first time in NFL history a first-round draft pick has been confiscated as a penalty.In doing so, Goodell branded the Patriots as cheaters." (For complete article on ESPN.com click here).

Ok, give me a second while I jump down off my two-story soap box.

Good, I'm back. So as I was watching the end of the game Sunday night a thought came into my head for what might be an appropriate headline in the New York papers Monday morning: "Cheaters never prosper".

And one more thing. All this talk about Tom Brady being "dreamy and a total hunk" is making me nauseous. Sure I'm a happily married man but come on, does anyone else see this----

Is it me or does he have a second butt on his chin? This gives new meaning to the term buttface. Hey Tom, why don't you go home to your girlfriend and cry yourself a river. Don't worry about where the tears go. They'll end up in the large crevasse located at the end of your buttface.

Greatest team of all time? NOT

Greatest QB of all time? DOUBLE NOT

Man I feel better ~ sometimes it can be theraupetic to get these things off your chest.

PB

Lookin' good #2

Peach created this adorable outfit today (notice the three different patterns).

Puketrastrophe

Caution! This post has pictures of throw up.

Last night Babe-O was complaining that her stomach hurt (usually that means she needs to go to the bathroom). I put a puke bowl right by her head before she went to sleep, just in case. During the night she woke up ready to puke. She forgot that the puke bowl was there and could not wait until she reached the bathroom. There was a steady trail of puke from her bed to the toilet. The color was atrocious.

Paellaboy and I tried to clean it up with some carpet spot cleaner. It did not work. I thought that we were going to have some serious stains on our hands. We still have our house on the market and I was picturing our agent explaining to people where the gross stains came from. So around midnight he went to Wal-mart a rented a Rug Doctor.
What a great machine! I was amazed at how easy and efficient it was. There is not even a trace of puke left on the carpet. I always thought that carpet cleaning machines for rent were a joke. Why have I been paying professionals to clean when I could have done it myself? I would dare say that it even looks better than a professional cleaning.

I now have two kids throwing up but I am prepared with extra puke bowls, towels, and blankets. With a little bit of luck I should not need the rug doctor again today.

Building a snow fort

Today was a great day to play outside in the snow. Paellaboy and the girls had a great time building a snow fort in the backyard (I think he did most of the work). The girls love to run around in the snow. I can not imagine living in a place that doesn't have snow. I love the weather in Utah!

Lookin' Good!

Our third daughter, Peach, loves to pick out her own clothes. She loves to mix patterns and colors. She always says that she is "lookin' good" even if her older sisters tell her that she dosen't match.

Peach also enjoys designing her own hair styles. I have done many unusual things to her short hair (three pony tails in the back, braids everywhere, crazy ribbons and side pony tails). Sometimes she just does not want anything done to her hair.

She also loves to design her nail color and patterns. She loves having them painted by her dad. They could sit for hours talking and doing nails.

Sometimes I even let her go out in public dressed in her own designs. I think that it is important for her to be able to express herself and feel confident about the decisions she makes. Will she be a future fashion icon? Probally not (unless mixing patters becomes the hot thing to do). Regardless, I love this creative little girl!