Magic House

Kristen and I took the niece and nephew to the Magic House this morning and into the afternoon.  I hadn't been there since the MAJOR additions/renovations... in fact, I hadn't been there in about 15 or 20 years!!!  It was a lot of fun though, and actually somewhat educational.  They had a lot of hands-on stuff for the kids, which was perfect for my 2-year-old niece, but they also had a lot of brain-stimulating exhibits for my 5-year-old nephew.

The new place is cool.  If you remember it as I did - the small actual house with a few fun things, a big slide, and an electromagnetic ball that makes your hair stand up - then you wouldn't be disappointed because all that is still there.  Instead, they have just added an incredible amount of new spaces and features, including a museum shop and cafe.  My favorite exhibit of course was the construction area.  They had all these half-built things and a lot of stuff for the kids to do.  They got to dig gravel and scoop it into a concrete hopper and Nathan even got to sit in a REAL Bobcat (the machinery, not the feline)!!  They had a room built like a construction office and in there were some architectural drawings, so I was able to show him what his uncle does for a living.

They had several other learning exhibits - a Senate legislation auditorium, a forensics lab, and said construction site.  Some of this stuff was a little advanced for my little toddlers, but they got a kick out of it anyway.  They had a little kid area that Bella just loved!  They had sand, a grocery store, and a kitchen.  Nathan played in the sand also, and he was allowed to play in the water area since the smocks fit him.. haha.  There was a fishing area that Nathan liked also.  Another one of my favorites was the bubbles area which is just like it sounds.  You could pull up these chains and it would make bubbles in different shapes, you could blow air into a tub and make a giant bubble, you could lift up a bubble "wall" and blow into it, and, finally, you could pull a rope and lift up a tube-shaped bubble around you... this was anticlimactic as it bumped into your leg and burst about half-way up your body so you couldn't surround yourself inside a bubble like the sign said.  The last cool thing for Nathan was a Lewis and Clark expedition where, besides walking in front of an Asian kid getting his picture taken, he ran through this dark, enclosed obstacle course where we had to locate a badger (painted on the wall), all while negotiating a rope swing, rope bridge, and log bridge.  

We were about to finish our trip when I remembered the electromagnetic ball.  Nathan went up by himself, but his hair is so short that he didn't get much of a reaction..... but then it was Bella's and Aunt Kristen's turn... that's when hilarity ensued.  They got their long hairs raised up pretty well, but of course Kristen was disappointed that her hair didn't stick up long enough.... haha.  Regardless, the photo was worth buying and we later had it made into a magnet....  that was Bella's souvenir.  So, to the souvenir shop we headed.  Nathan picked out a couple of super balls.... he said one was for him (it had a rocketed space shuttle inside) and the other was for Bella (it had butterflies in it).  Later when he got home he changed that last one to the butterfly ball being for his mommy and he apologized to his dad for getting him nothing... haha!  Kids say the darndest things.

When we left the Magic House we hit up McDonald's for a late lunch.  The kids had McNug happy meals.  When Nathan was finished he played in the Playland.  Bella was content laughing at him and screaming "brother".  After lunch we dropped the kiddies back off to very welcoming and grateful parents.  All-in-all it was really a great day and I'm so glad we took them.  ALL of us had a blast, not just the little ones.  They were so well-behaved and it was really a breeze to be with them - it didn't feel like babysitting or a hindrance or anything.

Can't wait for our next outing!!  Maybe in Chicago ;)...

So I realize I have not written in well over a week... sorry about that.  I have been seriously busy.  Let's recap what I've been up to!

Last Wednesday I played in a golf tournament with my brother-in-law, a guy from his work, and a buddy of ours.  None of us had played yet this year... and it showed.  We were horrible.  We weren't even under par and we didn't hit any birdies.  It was overcast and the forecast was rain, but it actually turned out to be a beautiful day, after a 45 minute rain delay, that is.  It was so nice in the afternoon that I got a mean sunburn on my forehead.. should have worn that hat I brought.  After they fed us, we left and that was pretty much my day.

Last weekend Kristen, Jake and I went to Kansas City to visit Justin, Lacey, Jax, and Jersey.  Lacey was having a girls-only shower for her wedding coming up in July.  Kristen did that while Justin and I played 9 holes of golf with his friend B-Fost - I know, lots of golf for me...  Unfortunately I didn't shoot much better than the round three days prior.  After the round of golf we were supposed to meet up with the girls at a winery, but they beat us there and said it was too crowded.  We ended up at a local bar, instead, in the town where Justin lives... Buckner, MO about 45 minutes outside of Kansas City.  I just can't say the name of that town without wanting to say it with a country accent.. haha - also as evidenced by the nature of the bar.  It was actually really fun although I could tell I was out of my league as a city boy.  Apparently Lacey and Justin go there all the time, so it was all good and we didn't stick out too badly.  They had the standard bar fare and it was pretty tasty.  Justin, B-Fost and I mainly played pool the whole time, with Justin reigning victorious in all of his matchups (thought I'd say it before he does.. haha).  We left there and headed back to their house for a quick game of washers that we didn't finish because we were too buzzed to hit shit.  We finished the night off with a few board games to exercise the brain cells that weren't already being consumed by the booze.  Apparently a little Wii fitness ensued after board games, but I had fallen into a deep drunken slumber at this point.  We woke up the next morning and Justin and I went to get Sonic breakfast for everyone...  Delicious!  But I had jalapenos on my breakfast burrito and my stomach's limit on jalapenos is apparently three servings in two days because I was not feeling well the rest of the day...  I'm getting old I guess.  Pretty soon after that (and after J's 1200$ vacuum cleaner demonstration), we hit the road.  Drive home wasn't too bad.

Still on Sunday, we dropped Jake off at home and headed to my 7-year-old cousins' (twin girls) birthday party - we arrived fashionably late, but made it before the ceremonious cake-cutting.  It was good catching up with the fam, some of whom I hadn't seen since Christmas!!!  Shame on me, and I live in the same town ;).  That pretty much wrapped up this past weekend.  Monday was my 5-year old nephew's pre-kindergarten graduation.  His preschool actually threw quite the production.  It was neat to see my little buddy getting his first of many diplomas.  The funny part was that he had to go back the next day for daycare (aka summer camp)... haha!  Oh well, at least they care enough to do it.  We went to O'Charley's afterwards for dinner - I haven't been there forever, but it was good.

This week I have just been trying to stay busy and get stuff done.  Last night our softball team won our fourth game in a row.  For the first time this season though, we let up double digit runs in the game.  Regardless, we are 4-0 this season and on our way to our first league championship!!  Thanks to a few fresh faces on the roster, we are a much more solid team than we were in years passed.  I'm pretty pleased.

That's the update, folks! 

Cafe

I should preface this article by stating that I am not really much of a coffee drinker.  There is; however, a cafe + bakery right next to my office that sells delicious coffee.  I also only tend to drink coffee that has chocolate in it... so your mochas and such are the fondest choice for yours truly.  Since said cafe is right next to my office, my co-workers were tempted into going there everyday for their ritualistic cups of joe.  They would drink anywhere from one to four cups per day per person... that's some serious java imbibing!  Well, since the economy is so fickle these days and no one is really sure what tomorrow brings in terms of work and income, my co-workers have ditched the 5$ per cup habit and gravitated toward brewing their own coffee here in the office.  It's a smell I am not particularly adverse to, and I can see how the addicts of today are drawn to the aromatic temptress.  

I was walking Jake the dog yesterday, and I caught a hint of the smell of freshly brewed coffee emanating from one of my neighbor's front doors.  I thought, "Mmm, that actually smells pretty tasty, chocolaty or not!"  We don't drink or brew coffee at home (unless Kristen grabs one from QT and it has chocolate in it) so the feeling sort of passed.  Well, that was all until I got to work and the brewing was under way.  In the office, they choose a deep roast that is rich and tickles the nostrils.  That strong of a coffee smell tends to waft amidst the air.  So after a while I was tempted to have a cup... but to my dismay the hotplate was turned off and the coffee was too cold to enjoy.  This is a testament to either A) how deeply roasted those beans are to have such a strong smell after not even being warm or B) our office ventilation system that circulates the air such that it lifts the smell from the coffee urn and carries it into my office 10 yards away.

So this morning I came into the office and they had just brewed a fresh pot.  Since I was so tired this morning and ready to get wired, I decided to indulge.  I grabbed one of the 10 million porcelain coffee cups we have in the cabinet (slight exaggeration), and filled it half way.  I added a packet of Equal just so the bitterness wouldn't knock me on the floor.  I drank it down and it was actually tasted as good as it smelled.  I was pleased with myself that I didn't even need chocolate swirling around in the cup to make it worthy of drinking - I was drinking like a grown-up!  

I should note that this is not Folgers we are talking about... these people are serious about their coffee and it's subsequent caffeine rush.  It doesn't really affect me much unless I drink more than 20 ounces.  This was pretty smooth and I am ready to tackle the rest of the day now because of it.  Don't worry, I'm not going to become a junkie or anything...

Dear Mama

When I was young, me and my mama had beef, 17 years old kicked out on the streets. Now back at the time I never thought I'd see her face, ain't a woman alive that could take my mama's place. Suspended from school, scared to go home - I was a fool with the big boys breaking all the rules.

Okay, so that is not my original thought and most of it isn't true. It's a few lines from Tupac's hit song, "Dear Mama", circa 1994. I just wanted to write today to give out a warm, heart-felt "Happy Mother's Day" to all women out there who have either birthed a child and have raised/are raising them AND/OR to all those mothers of our furry little friends (wink, wink). Our mothers sacrifice a lot for us and continue to love us unconditionally no matter our actions or our mis-treatments towards them. It is a sacred and inexplicable bond between a mother and child, to be cherished each day. However, on this one day per year we can take time out to especially thank Mom for all she has done and continues to do for us, and remind her how much we love and appreciate her as not only a mother, but also a human being. We also get to give her something nice that we either made by hand, or bought with our hard-earned money.... he he.

Tugging at the heart strings a little on this Sunday morning, I know. So if you haven't taken time out yet to wish your mom a Happy Mother's Day, please do so soon. If mom is no longer with us, tell her anyway... she'll get the message. Moms are resilient like that, and despite our best efforts sometimes, as arrogant and bad as it is, mom will always be mom and she will always be there overseeing and caring.

Love you, mom and Kristen. Happy Mother's Day, everybody!

The best baseball movie

First off, I want to thank all of you who participated in the poll.  I think there were about 9 votes, including mine, so that is a good indication of how many (or few) people actually read this silly thing, or at least those that contribute.  I want this article to simply open the discussion on the topic and have people share their opinions, as well as their votes (only if you want to).  I am willing to defend mine to get the ball rolling.

I got the idea to post the poll on this blog when I was sitting around one afternoon watching television - AMC I believe it was.  Actually, I was just flipping through the channels, but I stopped when I came to this one, in particular.  What caught my attention and made me think of great baseball movies was the onscreen portrayal of Roy Hobbs smacking the crap out of a baseball, as played by Robert Redford in 'The Natural'.  This was the movie for which I voted.  I know I'm not the only one because it got one other vote.  'Field of Dreams' got the most votes with three and this is where I want to begin the discussion.

'Field of Dreams' is a great movie, hands down, and out of the list on the poll, it may be the best movie overall.  However, I do not consider it to be the best baseball movie on that list.  When I watch a good baseball movie (or any sports movie, for that matter), I want to watch a movie about a game or a series where something is on the line and it shares the same intensity as the sport itself.  I want to feel like a fan at the game I am watching.  I think sports are so exciting and they are one of my favorite things in the world, so I want my sports movies to "move" me similarly emotionally.  You could argue that 'The Natural' isn't necessarily about one big game or series, but it is about a team who's in the dumps and there is this one player who comes in and turns it around, physically and psychologically.  When you watch the movie, you want to be in the stands watching those NY Knights games.  PLUS, the rest of the story is so good and fulfilling, that it makes the movie complete (not unlike the great story told in 'Field of Dreams').  So, that is why I voted for it.

For the record, I also think the 'Major League' franchise is a close second because it DOES have the big series excitement AND it's a comedy...  In discussing this poll with a few other people who may or may not read this blog, they let me in on a few other "baseball" movies that I forgot at the outset of the poll, so feel free to comment on them as well, or any others.  They are:  'Eight Men Out', 'Pride of the Yankees', and '*61'.

The forum is now open... start threading.