It's been a bit of a crazy week, compounded b...

January 30, 2008 by Adam in Family

It's been a bit of a crazy week, compounded by the weather. This morning I got a call from a horribly excited Emma, letting me know they couldn't go to school because the car wouldn't start. Ironically, today is the day Jamie was going to take it in to get the starter rebuilt.

Things seem very busy. I woke up early, went to work, came home, took Sam to fencing while entertaining Emma, helped Sam with homework, ate, took a bath, and collapsed to sleep. At least work is becoming a little less crazy after some of the insanely busy days of weeks gone by.

It didn't snow much last night, but the roads...

January 29, 2008 by Adam in Family

It didn't snow much last night, but the roads were icy this morning and school was closed. I worked from home and tried to help some with the kids. Now that it's the end of the day, Jamie looks pretty tuckered out and I best go help soon.

The neighbor boys continued to build up the fort. Hopefully these pictures give a good feel for the relative size. The one with Emma climbing the hill behind the fort makes it look massive, but the walls are really only three or so feet high. In the afternoon, we had six kids running around throwing snowballs in all directions. A good time was had by all.

Jamie took Emma on a long walk to Metropol for bread. I've pretty much stayed at home for the last couple days. Tomorrow I'm going to try and brave the weather to head in to work. Wish me luck.

It's snowing! I woke up this morning to a ...

January 27, 2008 by Adam in Family

It's snowing!

I woke up this morning to a thin blanket of snow, which turned into a thick blanket of snow and constant, fluffy snowfall. I don't think I've seen this much snow in Eugene for a long while. Sam's been outside all morning, forgoing breakfast so he can play outside.

I spent an hour or so this morning assisting Sam, Ben, and Sebastian with a snow fortress. It's pretty gargantuan, complete with a window made from a big circle of ice. Initially it was Sam versus the neighbor boys, but building the fortress became a common good that they could all pitch in with.

In terms of the rest of the weekend, I took Emma swimming Friday night. Sam was tired and grouchy, and didn't want to go. Emma's been sniffly, but was still up to a swim with her dad. Saturday I did a library run and Jamie went to the gym. Later in the evening we had dinner with Barbara and Zoltan. Barbara observed a unique quality about the English language - we have a ton of different words for "butt". I guess we're like Eskimos and snow or something.

It's a Mocha Madness Friday

January 25, 2008 by Adam in Family

It's a Mocha Madness Friday. My coworker Summer came down from Bellingham for SharePoint training and she got me a second mocha after I finished my first. I expect I'll soon need a shot of adreneline to the heart, just like Pulp Fiction. I can already hear the angels singing and hope to be speaking to God at any moment now.

It's been a bit of a rough week, with me under the weather for a couple days there. I'd head home early from work, take a nap, pop some Advil, and try to feel semi-normal. Yesterday I felt much better and today I feel perfectly fine. Emma's been complaining about being ill as well, though I suspect that may be a school avoidance technique.

The kids and I continue to play our little games after work. Last night Emma and I played Guitar Hero. She made some pretty good progress at actually playing notes, though she ended up putting on rock star makeup instead. Later on the three of us disassembled the great Lego city that's been sitting on the play table for days. Emma and Sam worked on destruction while I sorted by color. Now Sam's making a moon base, as he explained that the Lego city technology has improved considerably.

Sam did his presentation on Degas yesterday. Jamie and Emma snuck in quietly to watch. They said it went well and Sam pronounced his name perfectly. He also pointed out that Degas and I share the same birthday.

Tonight I'm hoping to take the kids swimming. Tomorrow we have dinner with Barbara, Zoltan, and family. Hopefully the icy cold weather will improve somewhat and we can run around outside a little.

I don't normally post gaming things on the ma...

January 20, 2008 by Adam in Family

It's Mocha Friday and I just finished up with...

January 18, 2008 by Adam in Family

It's Mocha Friday and I just finished up with that delicious elixir. Plus it's casual day, so I get to wear jeans and a black t-shirt to work. It puts me in a "l33t programmer" mood.

Work has been crazy busy as of late. There's a lot of high-profile projects related to the new hospital at Riverbend that seem to be falling to me. I suppose it means people recognize I'm a capable worker, though I could probably do with more praise. Perhaps I can arrange for my coworkers to carry me around on their shoulders through the cubicles while cheerleaders shout out my name.

Emma continues to be as cute as a button. She made a snowman (L'Homme de neige) puppet at school. We took turns hiding behind the chair and putting on shows. Even Sam thought it was pretty cool. Last night I arrived home to find her wrapped up in a shawl, along with an umbrella. I wasn't aware of the storm warning for our living room, but it's good to be prepared.

Sam is his usual self. He finished Super Mario Galaxy, is reading a spy novel, and built a weird contraption out of Legos last night. It started out as a gatling gun powered by a Lego motor. Later it turned into a massage/tickle device that he kept trying to get us to try out.

Jamie's been pretty busy all week, going to dinner at Barbara's house, heading to the gym, and going for a hike with Pat tomorrow. She made some pretty great soup last night, which I'm eager to eat for lunch.

In terms of the weekend, Jamie and I have date night tonight. Tomorrow is the usual library visit. I'm going to see if Sam and I can see the monster movie Cloverfield tomorrow. We'll see how it goes.

It's Mocha Friday and for once I'm still sipp...

January 11, 2008 by Adam in Family

It's Mocha Friday and for once I'm still sipping away as I post. It's been a whirlwind week, returning from Bend, readjusting to ordinary life, and trying to catch up with work.

Nothing much exciting has been happening lately. Jamie got Sam a reading pillow with speakers that he loves. Emma wanted to rough-house with Sam and me last night and she ended up bonking her nose. She's quick to say "I'm okay!" but I still feel guilty anyway.

For the first time in a long while, there's nothing exciting planned this weekend. I'd love to take the kids swimming, go to the library, and do ordinary things. Maybe Sam can do some bike riding and Emma can play at the park. We'll see how it goes.

We're at Eagle Crest, getting ready to head home

January 08, 2008 by Adam in Family

We're at Eagle Crest, getting ready to head home. I've got a mocha beside me and the girls are checking out. The snow is coming down hard and our neighbors mentioned an avalanche in the pass. Looking at Trip Check, it looks like we can make it over, though I suspect we'll be going pretty slowly. If we don't make it back, well, it's been good knowing you all.

Our little trip has been pretty fun. We played a lot of Bookworm Adventures, frolicked in the snow at Sunriver, saw Brant's new house, and visited the swimming pool a bunch. Sam and I watched School of Rock last night, which was sort of awesome by definition.

Tomorrow brings school, work, and the routine of life again. I think we're done with most of our vacations for awhile. A bit of normality sounds pretty good, though.

Update: We took a wrong turn, but made it home. We're all exhausted after being in the car for so many hours.

Happy Mocha Friday to all

January 04, 2008 by Adam in Family

Happy Mocha Friday to all. I actually didn't have a mocha this morning, as I'm working from home. Jamie did fix up a pot of coffee, however, and I indulged myself thoroughly. Josh is in tow with me, supposedly learning how to become a web developer. He did put together a rather snazzy online game with Scratch.

We're getting ready for our big Bend trip tomorrow. I'm strangely excited to play in the snow and generally hang out. I realized I actually don't take that much time off from work the other day, so I don't feel too bad playing hooky a little longer.

Happy New Year, everyone

January 01, 2008 by Adam in Family

Happy New Year, everyone. Evidently mom read my last posting and decided I had to get out of the house. We went to the Hult Center to see the Magic Flute, staying out until fairly late. The production was good, though the story was somewhat obscure. The comedic sidekick saved the show, and people watching was always fun.

I'm busy taking care of all the things I promised Jamie I'd do while she was out. Emma's doll's leg has been reattached with thread and bathtub caulk. The recycling was taken out. Laundry has been done. Now I'm off to do some shopping and fill up the fridge.