A Hockey Night In Pittsburgh!

I'm supposed to be posting about February's Before 40, but I have something I need to do first.

Jim has been wanting to take Dylan to a hockey game for a while.  We looked at tickets, but they were pretty expensive, so we decided against it.

Last week, Jim went in to his office after a staff meeting, and there on his desk was two Penquins tickets, with simply a note that said "Have fun!".  We still don't know who gave them to him, but we were thrilled!

Jim sent out a mass email asking who they were from and expressing his gratitude.  Turns out, that prompted SOMEONE ELSE to give him two more tickets!!  So, they went to a game on Friday night and Sunday afternoon!

There were only 2 tickets for each game, so I didn't go.  On Sunday, I did laundry, cleaned, organized, and basically did everything I've been needing to do for months.  On Friday night, I went shopping for clothes for myself.  What can I say about that?  I can say that on Saturday, I went on a diet.  (Sigh)

Jim said something about hot babes cleaning the ice, and Dylan said "I wish I could go to every game!", so I guess they enjoyed themselves.

Before 40: January

Yes, I do realize that it is actually MARCH.  I might not blog about the Before 40 activities when I'm supposed to, but I am happy to report that so far, I have indeed done one new thing each month since my birthday in August.  January's Before 40 definitely isn't the most exciting.  January kind of got away from me.  I found myself driving to the grocery store on the last day to get supplies for the "Fruits We've Never Tried".

I love fruit, and I've tried most kinds, but I had never had...


                                                                            1.Papaya

My impressions on Papaya?  Yuck.

2. Mango

Better than papaya, but still yuck.

3. Avocado (It IS a fruit, right?)

Perhaps you are only supposed to eat avocados in recipes?  Because,  YUCK!

4. Starfruit

This is the only one I actually finished and somewhat enjoyed.  I wouldn't buy it again, because it is expensive, but it wasn't bad.

(I would like to apologize for the atrocious quality of these photos.  It was dark outside and the lighting was horrible).

As an extra... a few days ago, Dylan, Jim, and I were discussing fruits that start with the different letters of the alphabet.  We were stuck on "K", until we thought of "Kumquat".  "What do they even look like?", I asked Jim.  "I've never seen them in Giant Eagle".  Of course a couple days later, while doing my weekly shopping, there was a bag of Kumquats just staring at me saying "Hello?!  We've been here all the time!"  Today we tried some.  

Personally, I think they taste like a cross between an orange and a lemon.  (They look like an orange, but are much smaller).  Dylan made a face like he just sucked on a lemon, and said "Blech!"  That's okay.  Now I know why most people have never had one!

What about you?  Know of any unique fruits I should try?  Have you had any of these?  Are you completely disappointed by my efforts in January?  Don't worry.  February is better.

All Sports Review

Dear Dylan,

Since you love sports so much right now, I decided to sign you up for a class at the YMCA, called "All Sports".  I was very nervous about it.  I was worried you would be too aggressive for the other kids.  I was worried you would always hog the ball.  I was worried you would have a total meltdown if you lost a game, or missed a goal.  I wasn't being very optimistic, was I?  Good thing I don't have to put a penny in "Mr. Negative Pig" for negative thoughts!

Turns out, I didn't need to spend my time doing all that worrying.  You loved the All Sports class, and I loved watching you.  Unfortunately, I had a "mommy brain" moment, and forgot to take you to the first class (again... sorry!), so you missed Soccer.  You were sick for Flag Football.  You got to try Kickball, Tee ball, Basketball, and Hockey.

These are the things I want to remember...

*How adorable you and the other kids looked doing the stretching exercises.
*Your funny version of jumping jacks.
*For Tee ball week, the way all of you would run like maniacs after the ball, and pile on top of it, no matter where on the field it was hit.
*The time all of the boys were piled in a heap, fighting over what you thought was the ball, when the one and only girl in the class, suddenly popped up beside the heap with the ball!
*How happy you were that "Daddy" and "Mi-Mi" and "Bubba" came to see you at the last class.
*How excited you were about making baskets, getting hits, and getting the goal!

I was proud of how hard you tried, and yes, I was happy when you did well.  My absolute favorite and most proud moment, though, was when you congratulated someone else for making a goal.  That is what it is all about.  That is why I want you to play sports, and why I spend the money for classes.  More than anything else I want you to learn to be a good teammate.  You're off to a great start.

I love you,
Mommy

The Past Month in Pictures

I think I am in blog withdrawal!  I miss this place!  To get caught up, here are the photos from the last month...

I was sick of standing in the grocery store, trying to decide what kind of apples to buy, so we had a taste test.  The three apples we tested were Gala, Fuji, and Braeburn.  I had a sticky note with the names on the bottoms of the plates, so we would know which we picked as our favorite.

Dylan chose Braeburn.  Jim and I liked Fuji.

I reached a new low, when I completely forgot to take Dylan to his first "All Sports" class, and my absent minded husband had to do this to remind me of the next one.  I found this when I got in the car that morning.

While going through more papers to put in my new file cabinets, I found some photos of when Dylan was getting physical therapy for the torticollis.  Can you say "OUCH"?!  Actually this one hurt the most...

Yep, that's him, crying and reaching for me to make it stop.  Not fun.

We went sled riding/tubing.  My guys are so cute!

SNOWBALL FIGHT!

This was when we ended up spinning around, and flying down the hill backwards at top speed!

Not sure you can see it, but this is when I had to lay down to stop us from flying into the woods!

My favorite outtake from the Valentine cards!  I can't look at it without laughing.

Dylan had a "Beach Party" at school.  He said a certain girl looked the best.  When I asked why, he said "Her belly was showing"?!?  What?!

We celebrated my Dad's 71st birthday with dinner at Olive Garden, then the Super Bowl at our house.

Coming soon... a post and video from the "All Sports" class!

Snowed In Saturday

Long time, no see!  Why have I been away so long?  Well, the week after Jim's dad died, I started a new nanny job.  At the moment, I'm working 3 days a week.  It has been an adjustment, to say the least!  I have to say that I don't know how you women with kids and a full time job do it!  So that, plus preparing for a consignment sale, plus filling out school applications for Dylan... I'm a tad overwhelmed.  I've decided to put the new blog (Get Your Mom On) on hold for now.

What's been going on with all of you?  We were snowed in today.  Well, I guess we could have gone out if we really wanted to, but with near zero windshield factors?  No thanks.  Being "stuck" in the house gave us the time to make these...

and these...

Jim is very upset with the paper quality, but they're done!  I came up with the concept, took the photo and picked the font.  Jim used his awesome computer skills to make it happen.

Dylan signed them, counted out the Hershey's kisses, and put them in the bags.  It was a fun family project, and now we are in the mood for the big V day.

Wipeout and All Sports

One night, I was on the computer, and Jim was watching "Wipeout".  We never watch it, but there was nothing else on.  Dylan was supposed to be sleeping, but all of a sudden he appeared in the living room.  "Wow!  What's this?", he asked, mesmerized.  We told him he needed to go back to bed.  "Can you tape this for me?"

That is how there came to be "Wipeout" stations all over my house.  Pillows are bouncy balls, a footstool is a jumping post, couches are landing zones, and I am praying we don't take a trip to the ER.  He gets one hour of TV a day, and for the past 7 days that hour has been spent watching the same Wipeout episode.  He can do the commentary word for word at this point.  Seriously.

I decided the kid was in desperate need of some structured physical activity - "structured" being the key word.  I signed him up for a class at the YMCA called "All Sports".  Could there be a better class for Dylan?  Well, they didn't have a Wipeout class.  We missed the first class because my mind has ceased to perform properly (which is a fancy way of saying I completely forgot).  I think they did soccer for the first class.

This week they did kickball.  One thing I love about Dylan is how he just jumps in head first to everything.  Even though he missed the first class, the minute we got in the gym, he ran over, ready to start.  The class is for 4-6 years olds.  There are a number of 6 year olds, which is great, because Dylan needs to get used to not being the best at everything.  He did get upset that he wasn't getting the ball every single time someone kicked it, but he kept his composure enough that I think I was the only one who noticed.

I had a blast watching him in the class.  This week is tee ball.  Considering the fact that last summer he hit the ball so hard it almost broke our neighbor's window, I'm a little nervous.

Duda Daze

Most of you know that I started a new blog, right?  Well, today I'm featuring a Pittsburgh artist!  Go see her work here, and enter to win 3 of her prints.

Please give her some love in the comments!