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The weekend is close to over, with Jamie retu...
January 30, 2006 by Adam in Family
 The weekend is close to over, with Jamie returning around noon, a bit early after missing the kids. Fortunately my illness left as suddenly as it came and I felt pretty normal after this morning.
The kids both slept really well and they got pink pancakes by request of Emma. We puttered around until eleven or so, heading out to a place called Minds in Motion to visit with Jenny and her kids. It had some neat things, and a few things that were a bit odd. There were an awful lot of games that you had to pay for after paying to get in. Destin went a little crazy and ended up getting hundreds of tickets. Sam was in awe of his cousin hitting the jackpot. Emma had a good time until she went into a huge play structure and saw "shark teeth". I had to climb in to extract her.
By the time we got home, Jamie had returned. It was actually a bit ackward having to coordinate everything with another person. Mostly we played with the kids. Now Emma's sitting on my lap and Sam's watching me type. Time to get started with the evening ritual.
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Well, Jamie made it up to Portland safe and sound
January 28, 2006 by Adam in Family
 Well, Jamie made it up to Portland safe and sound. The kids tired me out swimming last night, and they all went to bed quite easily. Emma crawled into bed with me at around four in the morning, but otherwise slept great until seven o'clock or so.
Unfortunately I started getting sick last night, with a headache so bad that it woke me up around one. I popped some Advil, but still felt miserable in the morning. A couple more Advil later and two strong cups of chai tea later, I felt somewhat human.
The kids and I puttered around before going to the library for music and books. I had another double shot cafe mocha, which made my headache vanish and gave me super-daddy powers. Emma started getting pretty cranky at the end.
We've now returned home where the kids are watching Barbie Princess and the Pauper. Lunch is cooking. I think we're going to take it easy for the rest of the day.
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Ah, Mocha Friday already
January 27, 2006 by Adam in Family
 Ah, Mocha Friday already. I'm actually still at home, waiting for a few more minutes before I jump into the shower. For whatever reason, I woke up early today, which gave me a chance to watch Wednesday's Lost. Not as good as some of the previous ones, but it's up there with Veronica Mars and Battlestar Galactica. All other shows pale in comparison.
I scurried home yesterday as I was supposed to leave early and Jamie had to call and remind me. Tuesday and Thursday are the new gym days for Jamie where she has a class at four o'clock. She returned sore and exhausted, so I think she still managed to get a full workout in.
The kids were in excellent spirits. I was all ready for unruly children, but they were cheerful and happy. The entire time before Jamie returned was spent doing physical activity, from obstacles courses to sit-ups to a little pillow punching. When dinner rolled around, they were quite hungry.
Sam also regained his lost computer privileges from earlier in the week. After dinner we played a bit more Zelda, sailing the seas and exploring various islands. Though very cartoony, it's an excellent game and fun to play. After his time was up, Sam ran downstairs and began to build Lego pirate ships.
Jamie's leaving for her mom's house this weekend. I think she's leaving tomorrow and returning Sunday sometime, though she's been fairly vague on her exact plans. I'm trying to make sure the kids are suitably entertained for the two days. We've got swimming, a library trip, movie night with pizza, and some play time with Jenny and her kids. I should probably call Dave and see if he wants to visit too. Keep 'em busy, I say.
I'm very excited to hear about Sadie's news. Last weekend we chatted like school girls and I was sworn to Internet secrecy. It sounds like the necessary people have been told and she can now announce her upcoming move. Flights to San Francisco aren't quite as cheap as I had hoped, but I'd still like to visit after she gets settled.
Well, the shower and the mocha call to me. Time to get ready for work.
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Jamie got some news about my grandfather, tho...
January 25, 2006 by Adam in Family
 Jamie got some news about my grandfather, though I feel like I'm playing phone tag and not quite getting all the details. Evidently he fell, is a bit malnourished, and has a spot on his lungs. The plan at this point is to keep him at the hospital for awhile and then discharge him to a rehab center of some sort. My mom still plans on returning this weekend.
On the home front, life has been relatively uneventful. Sam was in a good mood and very helpful, quite the contrast from his wild night the day before. Emma on the other hand was napless and pretty wonky. As long as she was distracted she did fairly well. Ah, the joys of parenting.
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I'm hoping that yesterday's phone tag finally...
January 23, 2006 by Adam in Family
I'm hoping that yesterday's phone tag finally worked out, though I haven't heard from my mom yet today. We'll see how things go.
Yesterday was mostly spent hanging out with kids, though I had a surprisingly fun time doing so. We went to the park where they got cold and muddy, especially Emma. We stripped off her shoes, socks, and pants, and then went to Humble Bagel to munch away. The afternoon was spent playing, painting, doing Sam's homework, running about the play room, and watching some movies.
I got a chance to talk with Sadie, which was very exciting. It was fun discussing her potentially secret plans. I even chatted with Jenny, hoping to get together next weekend when Jamie's out of town.
As for today, I have tea to drink and an application to write, not to mention far too many meetings. Busy, busy.
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It seems we may have a bit of a family crisis
January 22, 2006 by Adam in Family
It seems we may have a bit of a family crisis. Meg called reporting that Grandpa Bill was being confused and now she's trying to get in touch with my mom. I know you're traveling today, mom, but if you happen to read this in an airport or something, please call Meg. If you don't have her number, feel free to call us.
Hopefully all is well, but Meg sounded somewhat concerned.
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It was quite the day yesterday
January 22, 2006 by Adam in Family
 It was quite the day yesterday. In the morning, I played with the kids non-stop until Sam's friend Ben Anderson arrived. He's an older kid from his school and they had a good time at their play date. Somehow during the morning the kids got Jamie and I creating pirate necklaces. Emma got a bracelet and fairy wings along the way too.
The rest of the day was fairly uneventful. I took Emma to the grocery store where she sweet talked the cashiers out of stickers. Jamie took the kids for awhile, giving me a couple hours to myself. The evening was spent playing with PlayDough, watercolors, and pretending to be superheroes in the basement. Sam tought Emma how to hold her fingers like Spiderman when he wanted to shoot a web.
As for today, I don't think we have anything too exciting happening. Jamie might go for a walk with Angie. Perhaps the kids and I will go off to a park if it's not too wet. We'll see how it goes.
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Mmm
January 20, 2006 by Adam in Family
 Mmm . . . Mocha Friday. It is pouring down rain this morning, so it was bags on the feet for the ride in. My friend Jim and I walked to the corner of Starbucks through the sheets of water. It's crazy how wet it's been this last month.
Dave and Kirsten came over last night, mostly to play with the kids. They loved it, of course, and bid them a sad farewell when the left.
Otherwise it's been fairly quiet the last couple days. Sam and I continue to have fun playing the new Zelda game. He explained that it was "basically educational" since he has to do a lot of reading in it. I'm not sure Jamie buys it, though.
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The week is slowly moving along
January 19, 2006 by Adam in Family
The week is slowly moving along. Work is its usual chaotic self, with lots of miscellaneous requests popping in. It seems like I haven't had a moment to breathe since I walked in the door.
Jamie's started evening workouts on Tuesdays and Thursdays, in contrast to the ones that would happen in the middle of the day. That means I have a short lunch and leave a little early. I think Jamie likes being able to go to a step aerobics class, though I sometimes miss the kids during the day.
Jamie is also try to find a way to go up to Portland by herself in a couple weeks. I'm trying to line up things for the kids and I to do, so if anyone has interesting suggestions, let me know.
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I swam to work this morning
January 17, 2006 by Adam in Family
I swam to work this morning. It's amazing how wet it's been this last month. I even tied plastic bags to my feet, which seemed to help with the soggy shoe problem at the expense of my usual stylish appearance.
I took Monday off from work, though it wasn't precisely a carefree vacation. I watched the kids for a bit in the morning and Sam was a little wild. I drove Emma around and spent a couple hours in the car as well. Fortunately my whining got me a couple hours here and there without kids.
At the end of the night, we all talked about our favorite parts of the day. Emma talked about a book being read to her. Jamie enjoyed her new food processor and making soup. Sam declaired that it was his time with me, playing his new Zelda game together. Finally all eyes went to me and I had to admit that the Zelda game was my highpoint as well.
After the kids went to bed, Jamie and I watched half of the 40 Year-old Virgin, which is raunchy, hysterical, and sweet. It was hard stifling the laughter so that we wouldn't wake up the kids.
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It was a rather exciting day yesterday
January 16, 2006 by Adam in Family
 It was a rather exciting day yesterday. We did a family hike at Hendrick's park first thing in the morning. It was a little chilly and we headed back to the car in a half hour or so. After that it was off to Humble Bagel for some tasty treats. I played with the kids until Jamie left for Mama Mia with Angie. She wouldn't return until after dinner, which was a bit longer than I expected.
My mom showed up around two and played with Sam for much of the afternoon. They had a good time, working on making arrow heads from obsidian and going off to the museum of natural history.
Emma and I made cookies and I spent a frustrating couple hours trying to get her to nap. Unfortunately it meant that she's was in a bad mood for the rest of the afternoon. Dinner time was the worst, with Sam overfilling the basement sink and flooding the floor, and Emma grumping about.
Hopefully today I can get some R&R time, which I so very much deserve.
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Towards the end of the afternoon yesterday, J...
January 15, 2006 by Adam in Family
Towards the end of the afternoon yesterday, Jamie was feeling much better. It made for a much more relaxing evening as I finally got a break from the kids for awhile. By that time, I'd taken Sam to his play date at John's, Emma to the library for nearly two hours, hung out in the car as Emma slept, as well as the usual feeding, changing, and playing.
Sam gets to spend some alone time with Grandma Sue today, working on their arrow making skills, I believe. Emma really wants to play with them too, but I think she'll be stuck with me for most of the visit. Jamie's off to see Mama Mia with Angie this afternoon. As a quick aside, Angie is pregnant and very excited. Since she's told half the world already, I might as well tell the rest.
As for me, I might take tomorrow off. Some down time might be nice.
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Jamie went out with Victoria last night and t...
January 14, 2006 by Adam in Family
 Jamie went out with Victoria last night and the kids and I did our typical Friday swimming session. Afterwards we made cookies, with me in "directive dad" mode in order to keep things moving along. I eventually got them to bed around nine o'clock, after a somewhat difficult bedtime. Jamie arrived home around ten, we chatted briefly, and went to bed.
It looks like Jamie's not feeling well this morning. She handed Emma to me and reported that she's been throwing up. Looks like the start to a fun weekend.
Update: Emma and I went out to Metropol for coffee and lemon poppy seed scones. It was lots of fun, though upon our return it looks like Jamie and Sam are still sleeping away. It's nearly nine in the morning.
Now she's playing with Sam's Legos and singing Jingle Bells. I think Christmas had a lasting impact on her personality. She's always talking about Christmas lights and what sort of presents she'll get at the next Christmas.
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Sweet, sweet mocha Friday
January 13, 2006 by Adam in Family
Sweet, sweet mocha Friday. I picked up some Starbucks this morning, courtesy of Santa and his gift card. Jamie's been pretty tuckered out the last few days, so hopefully this weekend will be a nice change for her. Since it's Friday, both kids are in school for at least the morning. With luck she'll have time to pretend she's a normal person again.
I think there's a lot of miscellaneous things going on this weekend. Jamie's going to see Mama Mia, which evidently has a lot of dance numbers set to Abba. I think Sam has a play date lined up for Saturday. As for me, I'm hoping for a little R&R, and maybe getting outside if the weather permits.
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Okay, I admit it
January 11, 2006 by Adam in Family
Okay, I admit it. I was in a grumpy mood last night. It quickly went downhill when Emma slipped on her skirt and twisted her ankle. By bedtime, she was doing better, but for awhile she'd cry every time she tried to walk.
The kids and I spent a long hour playing with Playdough, which was evidently cathartic for all. We went to bed in much improved moods. Emma was fast asleep in her bed when I woke up this morning, a rarity these days.
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Another weekend has come and gone
January 09, 2006 by Adam in Family
 Another weekend has come and gone. This one was pretty good, with everyone in high spirits and doing well. On Saturday I spent a fair time with Emma, who was quite cheerful, while Jamie had lunch with Jenny and Sam went to play with his friend Gavin. Emma and I made cookies, played with Playdough, and walked about a bit. Later in the day, Ray arrived with presents for all the kids, our final Christmas bash.
Ray is quite the avid shopper, so we were soon wading in toys. Emma got a Furby, which strangely enough she immediately recognized. She and Sam vied for it's attentions, and I had to settle more than one dispute between the two. Emma got a new outfit which she proceeded to wear for the next two days. Sam also got this vast game involving building a battlefield, moving around creature figurines, and rolling dice. It seems even Ray can appreciate the value of encouraging a young nerdling.
As for Sunday, it was pretty low-key. Sam and I played the previously mentioned game. There was lots of hanging about. Sam and I took his new football down to the park and got very muddy. Dave came over for dinner.
Now we're all off to our respective places for the day. I'm going to work and Emma and Sam are going to school. Emma's increasingly excited about school these days, which is a good sign. Finally, Jamie gets a few hours of relaxation, well deserved.
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Mmm
January 06, 2006 by Adam in Family
 Mmm . . . Mocha Friday. Well, not yet. I still have an hour or so before I head into work. I'm still rubbing my eyes and waking up.
Last night Sam spent a long time outside playing with a foam airplane. There was an elaborate reenactment of WWII or something similar. I never quite caught on to the entire thing, as my role was merely to bark out orders through the basement window. Eventually I hauled him in through the window and made him change his muddy clothes.
I had Emma yesterday, which was quite nice. She entertained the front desk people at my work (we call them "the ladies"). After that, it was off to Barry's bakery to very slowly eat a poppy seed muffin. Emma also used a Christmas gift certificate to get a toy cooking set. We spent much of last night chopping vegetables, cooking noodles, and baking muffins. It's funny how much our kids like their gender-specific games. Of course, I was right there cooking with her, so I suppose there's hope for a broader outlook on life.
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The week keeps chugging along
January 05, 2006 by Adam in Family
 The week keeps chugging along. Thursday already. I've been at work for most of the week, slowly catching up. I think the kids drove Jamie a little batty on Monday and Tuesday, though with Sam back at school, things are returning to normal a bit.
Dave and Kirsten were over to watch the kids last night. Jamie and I watched an old movie called Call Northside 777. It's funny how movie making has changed over the years. A modern version would likely have more car chases and explosions. Still, Jimmy Stewart put on a good performance and the pictures of old Chicago were fun to see.
Otherwise, life is pretty normal. I think Jamie's dad is coming down this weekend to do a final Christmas present giveaway. Then we're holiday-free until Valentine's Day.
Today's picture is Emma today, as a nice contrast to yesterday's post.
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Happy New Year! We've been taking it easy fo...
January 01, 2006 by Adam in Family
 Happy New Year! We've been taking it easy for the last couple days, recovering from the holiday madness. The kids are a bit sick, sniffling and coughing from time to time. I think they'll recover in time for school.
I did a bit of errands yesterday, picking up way too much cereal at Costco. We've also finished up the bathroom, doing some painting and hanging up towel hangers. Jamie went off to a New Year's party briefly, returning around nine o'clock because she missed us. The high adventure for today was going for a walk when the weather cleared.
Tomorrow I'm back to work, which seems odd after so much time off. In some ways, the routine will be nice, but I miss hanging out with the kids.
The picture for the day is actually from last year. Emma has grown immensely over the last year. It's fun to watch her grow.
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