A Year Later...

It would seem that keeping this blog current is more difficult that we imagined.  Between Facebook and ... Facebook, we don't seem to have much incentive to write here.

Of course, that's ridiculous.  Facebook provides us with a platform for snippets of activity, but nothing more substantial.  That's what a blog (and photo sharing) is for.  A site like this one also serves as a family journal, a log of what's important to us, rather then a stream of consciousness dump of snarky, observant and (allegedly) humorous bits and bytes.  In theory, this should be more fun (but with fewer cat pictures).

So as we launch into the 2012-2013 school year, soccer season, Fall scouting adventures, and other stuff, we'll try to keep this better updated.  Either that, or we'll see you next year, when we try again.

Summer 2011 Kickoff

This kids are done with school for the year, which is really hard to believe. D has completed elementary school, and is moving on to middle school next year, which is even harder to believe. Both of them had a great year and are looking forward to a fun-filled summer.

Holly and I are trying to take as much time off as possible this summer, and we have a few trips planned, both to the beach and the mountains. We are all looking forward to some whitewater, some camping, and some lazy time off.

Both kids are playing summer soccer, which is about as informal as you can get; it basically amounts to two pickup games per week. It's casual (or supposed to be), and it let's the kids keep their skills fresh until the Fall travel season starts up again.

Speaking of travel soccer... both C and D made Tallahassee United teams for 2011-2012. That's awesome news, as it will (hopefully) mean more family travel where both kids are playing the same tourneys. We'll see. It's a big change for D, as he is leaving behind some great friends and awesome coaches at TOF. C's U10 team should be very strong, coming off a really awesome U9 season. They ended up playing the U10 bracket at all their tournaments, which was just some awesome experience for them.

D has started running cross country this week in preparation for the Fall middle school season. He loves it. I'm not sure if he sees it as a sport unto itself, or just a fun way to increase his stamina on the soccer field, but either way we'll stay behind him. It doesn't hurt that he found that he's actually pretty decent at it as well.

We'll be trying to keep this better updated as the summer progresses!

Soccer Returns!

via youtube.com

Excerpt from this mornings game. This is U12, Capital Soccer Association, and D3 plays for the Battlesharks (navy blue). They are all nine and ten year olds who are playing up and having a great time.

Naps

So D3 and I are sitting here watching Holly's car get washed. We are chatting about nothing important, when he says, "I wish I could take a nap."

"Well," I reply, nodding to the bench, "go ahead."

He thinks about that for a minute before replying, "No thanks. I don't want to look like a hobo. Or a homeless person."

I think everyone sitting around chuckled at that one.
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Sent from my BlackBerry Smartphone

Spring Break 2009

This week is the school system's Spring Break. Rather than have a week of 'bring your kids to work day', Holly folks graciously offered to let the kids come visit for the week, meaning Holly and I don't have to burn vacation time.

So D3 and C are down in Fort Lonesome, killing time with the grandparents. There's a pool, a golf cart to drive (yikes) and plenty of room to ride bikes, so I'm sure they are having a good time. They went to the beach yesterday, and C tells me she found lots of shells.

Holly and I enjoyed a couple of evenings of not having to feed/bathe/cater to children, but that's worn off and we just kinda miss them now. Friday we will all link back up, and we are headed to Kennedy Space Center this weekend with the scouts. We get to sleep overnight there, and do all kinds of great activities that I... I mean the *kids*... are looking forward to.

It's been a busy month. Soccer has started back up, scouts has kept D3 and I busy, and the work pace has picked up for me. I hope to get a bunch of new photo albums posted as soon as I can. Bear with me.

Everyone have a great April Fools day!

Talking at the Speed of Sound

Holly and I look at each other in confusion as C tells some story about school... or her toys... or soccer. It was impossible to tell since she was talking at about 900 miles per hour. I just shrug my shoulders.

"I don't know what you just said. Was that even English?" asks Holly.

"Who me?" replies Chase.

"Uhm. Yes." I tell her.

"I don't even know. How am I supposed to know if that was English?"

I just grinned and shrugged my shoulders again as she skipped off, happily talking to... Whoever was listening.

I give up.
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Sent from my BlackBerry Smartphone

You Want What?

"Daddy, can I get real earrings?"

"Hmmm?"

"Can I get earrings that are real?"

I stare at her for a second.

"You mean, you want to have your ears pierced?"

"Yes."

"Talk to your mother."

That's the broad outline of the conversation I had with C last week.  After reading about it in a book, she had decided that she really wanted to have her ears pierced.  With a sharp object.  This is the same girl that has a pathological fear of needles, so I decided on the spot that I was recusing myself from this decision.  After holding her down so the doctor could stitch up her eye, the last thing I wanted was to voluntarily get into this conversation.

As I continued to work in the kitchen, I could see C talking to Holly.  And I could tell that we'd be going somewhere that weekend to get the deed done.  Now don't get me wrong, I'm not against C getting her ears pierced.  It's one of those things that I really don't have much of an opinion on one way or the other.  It's not the same to me as girls wearing inappropriate clothes or makeup, so I kept quiet and let Holly steer it the way she wanted to.

So on Saturday we headed to the mall.  And after a little shopping, C and Holly stopped into one of the accessory shops, and a few minutes later C walked out with two tiny gold earrings.  She was (rightfully so) very proud of herself.  So for the next  6-8 weeks we will be cleaning and disinfecting and making sure nothing goes awry. 

On a funny note, as we were walking back to the car, C asked how long we had to keep the earrings in.  Holly told her "six to eight weeks", to which C stole a line from Madagascar 2 and replied, "Sixty eight weeks!"  We apparently have a budding movie quoter in the family.  I have no idea where she gets that from.

Planetarium Fun

Last night, MFT headed to the FSU Physics Department planetarium for a new show called "The Little Star That Could". While this was a Cub Scout event, Holly and C decided to join us, and I think that everyone had a great time.

The show was geared toward elementary school age children, and I think it did a great job of teaching while entertaining. I heard C say things like, "Awesome!" at several points during the show, which is pretty high praise from a 1st grader. D thought that perhaps parts of it were too "babyish", but I think he still liked hanging out with his friends.

Thanks to the the FSU Physics folks for providing such an awesome free service to the community.

The Year is Off to a Good Start

So January is off and rolling, and it hasn't waited for us to be ready. School got back into full swing the week after New Year's, which allowed Holly and I to get back into the routines at our respective offices.

School and the kids activities are going very well and they are keeping us busy. D has Scouts and soccer this winter, and C has soccer and gymnastics. In fact, C got invited to be on her first 'real' gymnastics team, and she is working hard and loving it.

D's soccer team is 'playing up' an age division - and still winning consistently. It's amazing and fun to watch. C's team is also going through the competition with ease, to the point that the league organizers are pushing to move them up as well. I don't think that this is appropriate yet, but it's fun to watch.

Grades came home last week, and both kids are doing great as always.

Work is going well for both Holly and I, and keeping us busy. That's fine, as long as the checks keep coming.

I'm trying to write more and keep things updated, so we'll see how that goes.

Free to Good Home...

Hello all, Fat Sam here. That's me over on the left, you know, the family dog? The best pet in the house? The *only* pet in the house? Well, for some reason, unknown to me, the family decided that a lovable pug wasn't enough and brought home... a cat. A grey, furry, sneaky, cranky, cat. And they leave me home alone with it every dang day. It's almost enough to drive a dog to chew on something.

Yes, it's a decent cat... for a cat. It likes to play with me sometimes, if you call getting jumped on from high places 'playing'. I'm normally an easy going pug, but sometimes that cat drives me to chase it around. A dog has to show who's in charge sometimes, am I right?

They named the cat 'Cody'. Well, the kids named it Cody. Holly and David call it 'Evil', which in my educated dog opinion is just about perfect. It's Evil, plain and simple.

Anyway, everyone wants to know what it looks like, so I asked David to post this photo... I think that it shows his true side pretty well.

I think we'll work out a relationship, as long as that cat remembers who's in charge around here, that's me! I'd hate to have to keep 'educating' him about who runs the house! He also needs to remember that all the toys that are laying around are mine! Mine!

Oh well. So if anyone wants a cute(ish) gray cat, just drop me a line. I'll hook you up. Promise.

Christmas 2008

Well, Christmas 2008 has come and gone already. I don't know about the rest of you, but it went by really fast for those of here in MFT (Merrick Family, Tallahassee). Everyone had a great holiday, and this one was really special since we had both sets of grandparents in town, as well as my grandfather.

The kids were spoiled again, but who's complaining? David got a Red Ryder BB gun, which was fun for everyone, and Chase got an American Girl doll and more clothes for it that I think I have in my closet. A good time was had by all.

For Christmas Dinner we had our traditional fare - Chicken Marsala, pasta, and salad. I think it came out great, if I do say so myself.

We aren't doing anything special for New Year's Eve (as evidenced by the fact that I am writing this), but I wish everyone out there a safe and happy New Year.

Here is the link to more Christmas photos. Enjoy!

Wow! Over a Month

Yes, it's been a while since we posted anything here.

We had a good Thanksgiving, down at my folks house in central Florida. Lots of family made the trip, which made things even better. We also celebrated both my parents birthdays that weekend.

Besides Thanksgiving, we've had a busy month. Work has kept both Holly and I hopping, and the kids have been doing great in school.

C came down with a nasty case of pneumonia in early December, but a dose of antibiotics bounced her right back. She thought the chest x-ray was awesome; she got to see her own film, and thought was 'totally awesome' that she could see her ribs, etc. Of course, any trip to the doctor that doesn't involve a needle is a good day for C.

Anyway, the holiday season was upon us before we knew it, and that led to a great Christmas, which I will write about separately.

Blue Angels and Scout Camping

Last weekend, half of MFT (Merrick Family, Tallahassee) headed over to Pensacola with the Scouts to camp out. I say only half because for a variety of reasons the girls decided not to go.

So D3 and I made the long drive to Big Lagoon State Park last Friday, loaded down with camping gear. While driving through Pensacola, I nearly wrecked the car several times while distracted by the Blue Angels, who were flying as we drove in. At one point, there was an F/A-18 only about 500 feet above the road.

When we got to camp, it was 81 degrees and about 120% (yes, it's possible. This is Florida) humidity, and overcast. Not a great start. We got the tent up during a pause in the drizzle, and then he went to play, while I and the other Pack leaders made rounds helping families get set and (semi) comfortable. Since Pensacola is Central time, it was pitch dark by 5:20pm, making everything even more of a challenge.

It rained on us again that night, squashing almost any hope of an actual campfire. Of course, I thought I would try to build one anyway, resulting in me looking slightly foolish as I spent thirty minutes to produce a pathetic, smokey fire that put out zero heat. Of course, we were all sweaty and damp, so I didn't want to get any warmer. Note to self... never again try and start a fire (in the wet) while fifteen Cub Scouts are standing around watching you. It's not going to work. Ever.

It quit raining around 9pm, the cloud cover blew off, and the temp started to dip. By Saturday morning, it was windy and in the 60's and never strayed far from there all day long.

We headed out to NAS Pensacola around 9:30am (local time) and stayed until the Blue Angels were finished around 3:30pm. The skies were clear and blue, and except for the 25mph wind all day, it was beautiful weather. The air show was amazing, and I have a few photos to put up here at some point. The Blue Angels put on their usual awe inspiring performance, but we also got to see an F-16C Viper demo (loud), F-15C Eagle demo (louder), and an F/A-18F Rhino demo (stupid loud). The USAF put on their "Heritage Flight" with the F-15 and F-16 flying formation with a WWII era P-51D Mustang. That was really cool.

We got back to camp in time to start cooking, and the Pack fed over 70 people that night as we all relaxed and had a good time. The boys all practiced skits, and after dark and dinner we put on a campfire program that I think everyone enjoyed.

I slept like a rock on Saturday night, when it got into the 30's. Good camping weather.

Sunday was the chore of breaking camp, including dealing with a tent that had been pitched on wet ground and was now coated with dirt and mud, and driving home. Once again, I'm no fan of that 3 1/2 hour drive. I-10 through there is booooring.

The next camping trip is to Marianna, and the Florida Caverns State Park. I'm pretty sure the whole family will make that one, we'll see.

Crazy Squirrels

Holly and I are debating on the number of acorns in the yard. With all the oaks, we basically have a carpet of acorns from one side to the other. Wall to wall nuts. So what are the squirrels doing? They are burying acorns. Yes. Like there's going to be some recession fueled acorn shortage. Fellas, its a smorgasbord of acorns out there. Not to mention, if you run short, the government will surely pass the Squirrel Acorn Relief Bailout Act of 2009. So relax guys, you're covered.

Yes, this was useless filler. Actual content coming soon. Unless it doesn't. At which point I will promise more, and you will still come back to read. Funny old world, eh?

Quiet Here, Becuase Its Not Quiet Out There

We've been really busy lately, and I haven't found the time to write about much of anything since Halloween.   

We've wrapped up the soccer season, and I'll have a report on that shortly.

We are headed over to Pensacola this weekend to go camping (and see the Blue Angels Homecoming Airshow).  Everyone is looking forward to that.  

More to come! 

Halloween 2008

We had a great time on Halloween, and the kids brought home a record haul of candy. The weather was great, and I know everyone had a great time.

Here are a few pictures from the event.

Even the Pug Loves Halloween

Yes, it's true. Fat Sam wanted a costume and is looking forward to handing out (slightly chewed) candy to all the kids on Friday. At least that's what we thought. However, once we got the costume on her, the looks she gave us may have meant something else... something like, "If you don't let me take this off, I'm going to show you what 'devil' dog really means." C had her hands full keeping her still for this picture, she was just *that* excited.

Anyway, she loves it. Really. And she and I will be manning the door on Friday to fend off the hordes of costumed children. They better stay off my lawn.

Eleven Year Anniversary

Saturday was Holly and I's eleventh wedding anniversary. Happy Anniversary, baby!

Halloween Approaches. Be Afraid.

It's hard to believe, but October is just about half way gone. Which means... only a few weeks left before Halloween arrives on our doorstep, wearing a cute costume and saying, "Hey! Gimme candy!".

To that end, we spent some time this weekend doing several Halloween related tasks. First, I crawled around in the attic, looking for all the decorations. Once we had those back down on terra firma, Holly started going the boxes, sorting out the 'cool' from the 'why do we still have this'?

The kids, of course, are most excited about costumes and trick-or-treating. So yesterday we tooled around town looking for just the 'right' costume. I'm not going to reveal what the kids are going to be this year... yet.. but they are both looking forward to it. After Target, two costume/party stores, Toys R Us, Wal-Mart and K-Mart, we had... nothing. Afterward, Holly did some hunting online, and had some success there. C's costume has been ordered, and Holly will be heading back to Target today to pick up D's. More on that later on.

After Holly sorted out the decorations, we went to work putting them up in the front yard. We've got a flying ghost, huge spider webs, and Snoopy as the Red Baron riding a pumpkin. I'm thinking about adding some more, but that will have to be next week sometime.

Aside from Halloween, it was another weekend of soccer, scout popcorn, laundry and chores. I need another day off.

Take care all.

"I can't believe I'm doing this!" - C Gets Some Stitches

You know it's never a good thing when your child's school calls you in the middle of the day. So this afternoon, when I looked at my ringing phone and saw it was the school, I knew the my day was about to derail.

It was the school nurse, who was very nice and reassuring, telling me that C had poked herself in the eye with a pencil. An un-sharpened pencil. While walking down the hall. There wasn't even any horseplay or other silliness to blame.

They told me they had the bleeding stopped. (Never something you want to hear, trust me. Yes, it's good that she wasn't gushing blood, but... you get the idea.) And suggested that she go home right after school. Oh, and they put an eye patch on.

Huh? Which is it here? A serious injury requiring a phone call, direct pressure on bleeding, and a frikin' eye patch, but you don't want me to come get her now? Talk about mixed messages. So I told my office that I would be gone the rest of the day and went to pick her up.

When I got there, she was in a good mood, and was wearing a piece of gauze over her left eye. When we got home, I took off the gauze and saw a gash about an eighth of an inch square right next to her left eye. Another half inch to the left, and it would have hit her eyeball. Now, the gash doesn't look serious, but I can already tell that it's going to heal weird unless someone does something. I was already afraid that the 'something' would translate to 'stitches'.

Now, Holly is out of town, and has called me about four times by now, looking for an update. I tell her that I'm calling the doctor, simply because it looks like it might heal 'funny'.

The doctor's office get's us an appointment and in we go. C has already said about three times, "I don't want a shot". You see, my daughter has a pathological fear of needles. She's not afraid of much of anything else, but needles are *not* her thing. We get there, sign in, and are taken back after waiting ten or fifteen minutes. I want to point out that C is telling me it only hurts when you touch it ("So stop touching it.") so I'm not worried about her comfort. Her eye itself isn't red, and she can see fine.

The nurse and doctor clean it up better than I could (better to let them do it, was my thought) and start looking at it. Sure enough, they think that it needs something to hold the flap in place or she's going to have a scar there.

Plan A was a steri-strip and super glue, but what do we know about plan A? It never works, that's what. After several attempts to get the strip to stick, hold, and do some good, the doctor gave up, and whispered to me, "I think a stitch is the only way to go."

Two things here.

First, C has hearing like a hunting dog, so she heard that, and is already tearing up. She didn't cry at all when she jammed the pencil in her face, but just thinking about the big evil 'stitch' is freaking her out. I blame Disney. Would you want this guy on your face? He drools.

Second, no doctor is going to do just one stitch. Not when more are better. Simple fact. :)

So I spend the next ten minutes, with D3 helping (he had stitches last year), trying calm her down, and coax her back to the table. Promising ice cream helped. Write that down. I convince her that it's going to be alright, and that I'll hold her hand the whole time. The nurse is trying to help by telling her, "When you are sixteen, your going to be really happy that you don't have a scar on your face." Well, C is having none of that. She is scared out of rational thought.

We get her to lie down, and it goes downhill from there. She kicks, yells, and generally freaks out. Can't blame her. In the end, I get her to lie still while the doctor injects the lidocaine/whatever and once that stops hurting, she calms down. A lot. She still wasn't happy, but she was at least talking to us.

How many of you read the title and thought that was *my* line? Wrong. About the time of the second stitch was going in, C pops off and say's "Oh my God, oh my God, I can't believe I'm *doing* this." I think everyone in the room about cracked up. She was a trooper.

So she got three stitches, we went to TCBY afterward, and she's feeling fine now. A few days and the doctor will pluck them out (I've already had to assure her that won't hurt - no needles) and she should be good as new.

Careful of those pencils, folks, they can be vicious.