Ice Skating

Took the kids ice skating yesterday at the Portland Ice arena's public skating. It was Emily's first time on skates, and mine in about 10 years. We puttered around the edge, shuffling along and managing to hold each other up. Meanwhile Michael was doing laps zig-zagging among the crowd, showing off his skating ability.

Rastafrozian

Today we went to the Ice Derbyfest on Sebago Lake. This is a 3-day winter festival out on frozen Sebago Lake. It has a midway with concessions and local organizations' booths. Everything is out on the ice: hundreds of people, snowmobiles, ATV's, cars, trucks, airplanes, helicopters. Today featured an air show with biplanes doing crazy aerial stunts. I can't believe the contortions they get their planes to do. At one point, right after a biplane finished his stunt show, and everybody in the crowd was looking in the same direction, a stunt jet flew low overhead from behind and startled just about everybody there. Skydivers, ultralights, wingwalkers, the works. This was such a surreal event; all these people and machines out on a frozen lake doing normal festival things in 20 degrees, sunny, no wind (my favorite weather of any season). To top it off we enjoyed the sun to a live reggae band, complete with tams, dreadlocks, and parkas!

We love Maine.

Disney On Ice

Took the kids to see Disney on Ice tonight at the Civic Center. It was the Toy Story 2 show, a movie with which my kids are very familiar. We brought Emily's friends Johnny and Caelyn. Everybody had a good time. Michael said he was just there for the snow cones, but I could tell he liked it. The little ones were clapping and dancing, especially Johnny. They all fell alsleep on the way home. Tomorrow is Mike's last hockey practice of the season, then we plan on heading to the air show at the derbyfest on Sebago Lake.

Winter Fun

The kids played outside yesterday and today with the Petersons. Cold (20's) but sunny and no wind. It rained last week, but still lots of snow. At least a foot of hard frozen snow cover plus a couple inches of fluff made for ideal sledding conditions. After the last couple snowfalls, they couldn't really play out there; it was too deep. Emily couldn't walk at all as it was waist deep for her. Mike tried sledding, but the sled would founder in it. But the rain hardened everything up and now they can walk on top. They had a blast. I'm glad they're making the most of a pretty snowy winter. Afterwards we watched the Daytona 500 while the kids played some more.

Michael has only 2 hockey practices left. It has been a long season, but he enjoys it so much and has really been improving. His effort has been outstanding all season. Now it's a couple of months to baseball. He wants to try out for Cal Ripken (their version of Little League), but he has to be 9. One more year in the farm league. We'll try to get him in some swimming lessons in between hockey and baseball. Emily could use swimming lessons too, so she'll be a little more self-sufficient this summer at the beach.

Well, that's all for now - still trying to get into a rythym with this blog thing.

Valentine's Day

We had a great Valentine's Day. Chris went to my workplace on her way to work and decorated my cube with streamers, sticky notes, and Reece's Peanut Butter Cups, and a dozen roses. I guess you could say I was surprised when I got to work. Chris received a dozen of her favorite flower (tulips) in her favorite color (purple) at work. Emily made us a very sweet valentine's card at daycare, and Michael got all kinds of valentine cards and candy at school. We topped the day off with an excellent dinner at home.

Winter Sunset

Victory Dance

We had the Clarks and the Smiths over for the Big Game. After some Vinny T's lasagna and more snacks than we could eat, we all settled down in the Movie Loft for some football and commercials. A good time was had by all, and as you can tell, we were pleased with the result.

Go Pats!

The week before the Superbowl, we decided it would be good karma to give Michael's room a Patriot touch. It turned out to be a good decision.

Sweet Dreams

Chris and I took the week after Christmas off from work and decided to do a little home redecorating. Chris and her Dad painted Emily's room pink and Chris hand-painted these retro flowers all over the room.

Happy 35th!!!

We took Chris out to her Birthday dinner at Bugaboo Steak House. We had a great time. I think Emily wanted a kiss too.
Kiss the Moose!

I had a little run-in with a car who cut in front of me on 1/14/05. He was making a left-hand turn in front of me and I guess he thought he had more room than he did. I was the only one in the car and no one was hurt. It was totalled. We were planning on getting a new car this summer anyway. Replaced it with a Chevy Uplander.
A Total Loss