Yeah, all b.s. to get out of bed. Smiley's asleep and dry as a bone. No liquid within five yards.
Published writer, compulsive reader, Old School Whovian, Match Game enthusiast, NKOTB fan, data hoarder, and - surprisingly, given that list - married with four kids. Welcome to my take on life, fatherhood, entertainment, and whatever strikes my fancy. Enjoy!
Friday, July 3, 2009
GRRRR
God(bleep) it. I thought the kids were asleep but they just ran downstairs all full of fake terror, giggling over Smiley having an accident in bed. I'm not even 100% it's true. I wouldn't put it past those girls to dump water on him and fib just to ruin his night.
My Day
Just got home 10 minutes ago. A long day, and i look forward to reading/writing in a quiet house. I still have to make that cake, but that *shouldn't* be a big deal. Famous last words, eh?
Ok - here's the casualty report for day 1 of temp. solo parenting
Now that you all have had plenty of time to go out and buy a copy, here's a link to my column.
** *** ***
Lisa just texted that she's "having fun at Rock Island". I have no idea where or what that is, but I'd imagine it involves a lot of booze and music. Meanwhile here in Milwaukee my responsiblities have been cut in half. While I was at work my mother-in-law picked up the baby for the night (a planned event, not related to this business) and when I dropped off my babysitter/sister Smiley weaseled his way into a sleepover.
So right now I have Lulu upstairs in my room "watching TV", but more likely passed out in front of it with her mouth open, and YaYa on the couch watching Ghostbusters II.
Today went ok. After I picked up Lu we all hit the playground for half an hour before lunch (which included a veggie).
This last pic is of Smiley, ever the camera hog, telling me to take a picture. He'll make some sound and then flick his thumb and forefinger together like he was taking a shot.
After th e playground I put the baby down for a nap, secured the others in front of the TV for 'rest time', and accidentally fell asleep on the couch. That was a tactical error, as I woke up to a house that was all but ransacked by the demons.
But all in all, a solid day. Hell, I even changed the kitty litter.
Here's the big plans for tomorrow: clean the basement, in the process finding some outfits for these kids to wear. Lisa usually has clothes magically ready and waiting each night before bed, whereas I get so confused with the sizes that the buzzing in my head literally starts to hurt. I'd also like to take my Dad to pick up his grill, retrieve Smiley, and visit with Ginger. I almost forgot - if the planetarium is up and running tommorow, I'd like to take Lulu and YaYa to see a show.
Oh, and bake a cake for the 4th of July.
But that's all :)
* * * *
I'm listening to Ghostbusters II and laughing out loud. update: I gave up and went and watched it with her. Ramis can, or at least could, write a hell of a script, and Bill Murray was just perfect. YaYa WIGGED out when the Titanic showed up, and said that now we have to buy the film for sure. She also said that I look like Dan Akroyd. "You look a lot alike. You have the same kinda face, and the same eyes, and the way your hair kind of poofs up like that. He should wear glasses tho'"
At least she didn't say I looked like Vigo.
BTW, I finally saw Caddyshack for the first time EVER last week. There were funny bits, but overall I thought it was only so-so. Sorry everyone.
** *** ***
Lisa just texted that she's "having fun at Rock Island". I have no idea where or what that is, but I'd imagine it involves a lot of booze and music. Meanwhile here in Milwaukee my responsiblities have been cut in half. While I was at work my mother-in-law picked up the baby for the night (a planned event, not related to this business) and when I dropped off my babysitter/sister Smiley weaseled his way into a sleepover.
So right now I have Lulu upstairs in my room "watching TV", but more likely passed out in front of it with her mouth open, and YaYa on the couch watching Ghostbusters II.
Today went ok. After I picked up Lu we all hit the playground for half an hour before lunch (which included a veggie).
This last pic is of Smiley, ever the camera hog, telling me to take a picture. He'll make some sound and then flick his thumb and forefinger together like he was taking a shot.
After th e playground I put the baby down for a nap, secured the others in front of the TV for 'rest time', and accidentally fell asleep on the couch. That was a tactical error, as I woke up to a house that was all but ransacked by the demons.
But all in all, a solid day. Hell, I even changed the kitty litter.
Here's the big plans for tomorrow: clean the basement, in the process finding some outfits for these kids to wear. Lisa usually has clothes magically ready and waiting each night before bed, whereas I get so confused with the sizes that the buzzing in my head literally starts to hurt. I'd also like to take my Dad to pick up his grill, retrieve Smiley, and visit with Ginger. I almost forgot - if the planetarium is up and running tommorow, I'd like to take Lulu and YaYa to see a show.
Oh, and bake a cake for the 4th of July.
But that's all :)
* * * *
I'm listening to Ghostbusters II and laughing out loud. update: I gave up and went and watched it with her. Ramis can, or at least could, write a hell of a script, and Bill Murray was just perfect. YaYa WIGGED out when the Titanic showed up, and said that now we have to buy the film for sure. She also said that I look like Dan Akroyd. "You look a lot alike. You have the same kinda face, and the same eyes, and the way your hair kind of poofs up like that. He should wear glasses tho'"
At least she didn't say I looked like Vigo.
BTW, I finally saw Caddyshack for the first time EVER last week. There were funny bits, but overall I thought it was only so-so. Sorry everyone.
Who's Playing Summerfest? July 3rd
Yup, can't find a single act I'd be happy to see today. All I know about Kenny Chesney is he was married for a minute to Renee Zellweger, and she allegedly hinted he was gay after they split up. But hey, Renee? Come closer. No, closer, I don't want people to hear, this is just between you and me. He probably isn't gay, he just ignored you because he was afraid you'd shatter on your wedding night. What happened to the cutie from Jerry Maguire? You look like a dried up twig. Eat something. Even a salad. Go ahead, it won't hurt. I promise.
Anyhow, the 4th is coming up - what are your plans?
Anyhow, the 4th is coming up - what are your plans?
Thursday, July 2, 2009
On Poop
If you have some issue with reading about poop or pee, stand aside.
A few minutes ago Ginger pushed open the bathroom door, grabbed her shorts, and pointed to the toilet. Then she got very vocal and gestured again , so I took off her diaper. Too late - she'd pooped. Together we dumped the business in the toilet with great fanfare.
She continued to gesture at the toilet and so I figured, "eh, what the hell" and lifted her onto the seat. For a good three or four minutes she sat there (I held her arms) grunting and visibly trying to poop, but it was no go. She climbed off and I had her flush the toilet. On her own she waved to the flushing water and we said "bye bye poopie".
This marks Ginger's first time on the potty (eh, for all I know Lisa's had her shower and shaving already, but this is the first *Daddy* time). It also, to my knowledge, her first genuine interest in going to the toilet. Usually she'll just bring you a diaper, put it in your hands, and lay down on the floor with a look that says "change me slave".
Maybe we're almost out of the diaper era - but I doubt it.
* * * *
I got the kids awake, dressed, and out the door in time to get LuLu to class. I put her hair in a ponytail, but I'm afraid it wasn't very good. I can do the basics of girl hair if it's straight, but this curly business is for the birds. Thank God I married a Nordic/German with stick straight hair, because I'd hate to deal with this on a daily basis.
After that I bought a paper to see myself in print, gave my sister a ride to my Mom's, and took the kids grocery shopping.
So far so good, but we're only four hours into this thing. Fingers crossed people, fingers crossed.
A few minutes ago Ginger pushed open the bathroom door, grabbed her shorts, and pointed to the toilet. Then she got very vocal and gestured again , so I took off her diaper. Too late - she'd pooped. Together we dumped the business in the toilet with great fanfare.
She continued to gesture at the toilet and so I figured, "eh, what the hell" and lifted her onto the seat. For a good three or four minutes she sat there (I held her arms) grunting and visibly trying to poop, but it was no go. She climbed off and I had her flush the toilet. On her own she waved to the flushing water and we said "bye bye poopie".
This marks Ginger's first time on the potty (eh, for all I know Lisa's had her shower and shaving already, but this is the first *Daddy* time). It also, to my knowledge, her first genuine interest in going to the toilet. Usually she'll just bring you a diaper, put it in your hands, and lay down on the floor with a look that says "change me slave".
Maybe we're almost out of the diaper era - but I doubt it.
* * * *
I got the kids awake, dressed, and out the door in time to get LuLu to class. I put her hair in a ponytail, but I'm afraid it wasn't very good. I can do the basics of girl hair if it's straight, but this curly business is for the birds. Thank God I married a Nordic/German with stick straight hair, because I'd hate to deal with this on a daily basis.
After that I bought a paper to see myself in print, gave my sister a ride to my Mom's, and took the kids grocery shopping.
So far so good, but we're only four hours into this thing. Fingers crossed people, fingers crossed.
Reminder
Just a reminder - a column of mine will appear in today's Journal-Sentinel. If you're in WI, kindly pick up a copy.
update on the Kansas trip:
Got a text from Lis @ ~12 saying they were 75 miles outside of DuBuque, IA. West of the Mississippi my city to city geography gets a little sketchy, so I have no idea if they're making good time.
Lisa's NKOTB Trip
In a few hours Lisa will be leaving to join her friends Jolenne and Jenny on a road trip to Kansas. The purpose of the 12 hour ride? They have tickets to a New Kids on the Block concert near Witchita.
Not just any tickets. These are what are (officially) called Five Star tickets that include 7th row (or better) seats and most importantly, a personal meet and greet with the group backstage before the show.
[The funds came from my time at Job Prior, back when I *thought* money was tight.]
It is, quite literally, a lifelong dream come true for her. I'm very happy she's going. When she mentioned feeling guilty over the money I told her to knock it off, just as she did when we sucked it up to send me to Bush's second inauguration. Forty years from now we won't remember what bill was due this month, or what the balance is on our auto loan. But just as I'll remember my trip to D.C., she'll carry the memories of this forever.
The hardest part of packing has been deciding what item to have them all sign. We have an extensive collection of NKOTB merchandise, truthfully more than we thought. We have all the CD's, LP's, cassettes, sheets, dolls, clothing, boxes of sorted and filed magazines, exclusive imports, press releases, lunch boxes, slippers, a sleeping bag, towels, folders, buttons, the infamous marbles, trading cards, books - you name it.
She's going to take an assortment with her and decide in Kansas. We also gifted my sister a Donnie photo to have signed.
The only bad part of all this is that she'll miss most or all of July 4th with the family. It's her favorite holiday of the year. The parades and whatnot will fall on my shoulders this year.
I can't tell if she's super excited or super nervous. Probably a lot of both.
"God, I hope they aren't having a bad day," she told me. "It would suck if they were as*holes."
Yeah, I bet it would. But somehow I'm doubting she'll even notice if they were :)
Not just any tickets. These are what are (officially) called Five Star tickets that include 7th row (or better) seats and most importantly, a personal meet and greet with the group backstage before the show.
[The funds came from my time at Job Prior, back when I *thought* money was tight.]
It is, quite literally, a lifelong dream come true for her. I'm very happy she's going. When she mentioned feeling guilty over the money I told her to knock it off, just as she did when we sucked it up to send me to Bush's second inauguration. Forty years from now we won't remember what bill was due this month, or what the balance is on our auto loan. But just as I'll remember my trip to D.C., she'll carry the memories of this forever.
The hardest part of packing has been deciding what item to have them all sign. We have an extensive collection of NKOTB merchandise, truthfully more than we thought. We have all the CD's, LP's, cassettes, sheets, dolls, clothing, boxes of sorted and filed magazines, exclusive imports, press releases, lunch boxes, slippers, a sleeping bag, towels, folders, buttons, the infamous marbles, trading cards, books - you name it.
She's going to take an assortment with her and decide in Kansas. We also gifted my sister a Donnie photo to have signed.
The only bad part of all this is that she'll miss most or all of July 4th with the family. It's her favorite holiday of the year. The parades and whatnot will fall on my shoulders this year.
I can't tell if she's super excited or super nervous. Probably a lot of both.
"God, I hope they aren't having a bad day," she told me. "It would suck if they were as*holes."
Yeah, I bet it would. But somehow I'm doubting she'll even notice if they were :)
Reminder
Just a quick note to remind everyone that a column of mine will be running in today's (Thursday 7/2) Journal-Sentinel. Look for it on the editorial page.
While we're on the subject, don't be a cheapskate. Spend the 75 cents instead of just browsing the online version, then write the editor and tell him how great I am.
Or at least stop writing and telling them I suck. I'll settle for that.
While we're on the subject, don't be a cheapskate. Spend the 75 cents instead of just browsing the online version, then write the editor and tell him how great I am.
Or at least stop writing and telling them I suck. I'll settle for that.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)