Monday, August 29, 2005
Ryan in Virginia
Close friends of mine lost their 5 year old son to cancer last week. Ryan had been battling the disease for over a year, seemingly up hill the entire time. My heart aches for his family.
If you have children, regardless of their ages, give them the biggest hug you can and make sure you tell them how much you love them.
To learn more about Ryan (and to find out about funeral arrangements or make a contribution to his preferred charity) go to:
www.ryanholt.com/support.htm
-Eric (Dad)
If you have children, regardless of their ages, give them the biggest hug you can and make sure you tell them how much you love them.
To learn more about Ryan (and to find out about funeral arrangements or make a contribution to his preferred charity) go to:
www.ryanholt.com/support.htm
-Eric (Dad)
Wednesday, August 24, 2005
Eric's 20-Year High School Reunion
This past Friday I flew out to Va. Beach for my 20 year reunion (Nora and the kids decided to stay at home). I had a blast. I got to catch up with some folks I haven't seen in 20 years.
While in Va. Beach I also got to visit with Doug and his family. Of course, they're doing great and I wish I could have spent more time with them. I also took the opportunity to fill my Mom's long-standing request to get rid of some boxes I'd been storing in her attic since I'd moved to the Kansas City area. On Thursday I expect the UPS arrival of several boxes of 25 year old comics, fraternity plaques, and misc. certificates. I think I tossed about half of what was up there in the trash.
While I was out there I shorted myself on sleep, so of course I've caught one helacious cold. I officially sound like Darth Vader with a cough.
The family is doing well. Anna continues to rake us over the coals about bedtime. At a minimum she's staying up an hour after we put her to bed. The interesting thing is she's picked up a habit of meowing. When she's tired or upset she stops talking and meow's at us. Very strange...
Pierce should be starting school in a couple of weeks and he's, of course, looking forward to it. He'll be going full days this year instead of half days. Anna is continuing to work on her potty training. She still won't tell us when she needs to go, but if we put her on the toilet she'll usually urinate. Probably the cutest part is that she'll then take a small piece of toilet paper and announce "Wipe front to back", then actually do it!
-Eric (Dad)
While in Va. Beach I also got to visit with Doug and his family. Of course, they're doing great and I wish I could have spent more time with them. I also took the opportunity to fill my Mom's long-standing request to get rid of some boxes I'd been storing in her attic since I'd moved to the Kansas City area. On Thursday I expect the UPS arrival of several boxes of 25 year old comics, fraternity plaques, and misc. certificates. I think I tossed about half of what was up there in the trash.
While I was out there I shorted myself on sleep, so of course I've caught one helacious cold. I officially sound like Darth Vader with a cough.
The family is doing well. Anna continues to rake us over the coals about bedtime. At a minimum she's staying up an hour after we put her to bed. The interesting thing is she's picked up a habit of meowing. When she's tired or upset she stops talking and meow's at us. Very strange...
Pierce should be starting school in a couple of weeks and he's, of course, looking forward to it. He'll be going full days this year instead of half days. Anna is continuing to work on her potty training. She still won't tell us when she needs to go, but if we put her on the toilet she'll usually urinate. Probably the cutest part is that she'll then take a small piece of toilet paper and announce "Wipe front to back", then actually do it!
-Eric (Dad)
Monday, August 15, 2005
Our Omaha Road Trip
This past weekend we drove out to Omaha, NE to visit with my Dad and his girlfriend, Mary. We had a blast.
We left Saturday morning, and after driving through a pretty nasty storm made it to the Henry Doorly Zoo. The zoo is often cited as one of the best in the country and its quite deserving of its reputation. They have entire ecosystems set up that patrons can walk through including a rain forrest, desert, and aquirium.
When we got there the weather was still poor, so we visited the (indoor) rain forest and aquarium first. The aquiriam was probably the hands down favorite. There is a shark exhibit with a tunnel running through the shark plexiglass tank that needs to be seen to be believed. After a quick lunch we met my Dad (he came out to the zoo) and hit the desert dome (a completely enclosed desert biodome), gorilla valley, orangatang village, and bear village. We finished the zoo visit with Nora and Anna taking repeated rides on a ferris wheel while Pierce, Dad and I took a train ride around the zoo. It was over an hour wait to get on the train, with the actual ride taking about 12 minutes. Pierce was both a patient "waiter" as well as an enthusiastic rider. Very fun.
We pushed Anna on her nap so we could get a full day in and she actually fell asleep on my shoulders on the way out to the car. We found a great hotel near to my Dad's apartment (Double Tree, highly recommended) and, while Anna took a nap and Nora relaxed, Pierce an I hit the pool. We finished the day off with a steak dinner at Dad and Mary's place with lots of visiting.
We finished off the weekend with a trip to my Dad's pool the next morning to "show off" Pierce and Anna's swimming acumen a great brunch at the nearby Harrah's Casino. Then, of course, was the long drive back to KC. Pierce and Anna were both smart enough to fall asleep in the car (and, with Nora driving, I took a nap too) so the ride went by quickly for most of the family. We finished off the day with pizza and movie night (Cinderalla).
-Eric (Dad)
We left Saturday morning, and after driving through a pretty nasty storm made it to the Henry Doorly Zoo. The zoo is often cited as one of the best in the country and its quite deserving of its reputation. They have entire ecosystems set up that patrons can walk through including a rain forrest, desert, and aquirium.
When we got there the weather was still poor, so we visited the (indoor) rain forest and aquarium first. The aquiriam was probably the hands down favorite. There is a shark exhibit with a tunnel running through the shark plexiglass tank that needs to be seen to be believed. After a quick lunch we met my Dad (he came out to the zoo) and hit the desert dome (a completely enclosed desert biodome), gorilla valley, orangatang village, and bear village. We finished the zoo visit with Nora and Anna taking repeated rides on a ferris wheel while Pierce, Dad and I took a train ride around the zoo. It was over an hour wait to get on the train, with the actual ride taking about 12 minutes. Pierce was both a patient "waiter" as well as an enthusiastic rider. Very fun.
We pushed Anna on her nap so we could get a full day in and she actually fell asleep on my shoulders on the way out to the car. We found a great hotel near to my Dad's apartment (Double Tree, highly recommended) and, while Anna took a nap and Nora relaxed, Pierce an I hit the pool. We finished the day off with a steak dinner at Dad and Mary's place with lots of visiting.
We finished off the weekend with a trip to my Dad's pool the next morning to "show off" Pierce and Anna's swimming acumen a great brunch at the nearby Harrah's Casino. Then, of course, was the long drive back to KC. Pierce and Anna were both smart enough to fall asleep in the car (and, with Nora driving, I took a nap too) so the ride went by quickly for most of the family. We finished off the day with pizza and movie night (Cinderalla).
-Eric (Dad)
Friday, August 12, 2005
Anna's Compliments
Yesterday morning I got up early to play tennis with a friend. As I was getting ready Anna walked in and climbed into bed with Nora. The following conversation ensued:
Anna: (as I was putting on my tennis shirt) "Dad, you've got on a black shirt."
Me: "Is it only black?" (the shirt is half black, half white)
Anna: "Its white too." Pause, "Daddy?"
Me: "Yes?"
Anna: "I really like your black and white shirt!"
Me: "Thank you. I really LOVE you Anna."
Anna: "Daddy?"
Me: "Yes?"
Anna: "I really LOVE your white shorts too."
-Eric (Dad)
Anna: (as I was putting on my tennis shirt) "Dad, you've got on a black shirt."
Me: "Is it only black?" (the shirt is half black, half white)
Anna: "Its white too." Pause, "Daddy?"
Me: "Yes?"
Anna: "I really like your black and white shirt!"
Me: "Thank you. I really LOVE you Anna."
Anna: "Daddy?"
Me: "Yes?"
Anna: "I really LOVE your white shorts too."
-Eric (Dad)
Wednesday, August 10, 2005
A night on the town
Last night Nora and I went out to dinner to celebrate her birthday (Nora's Mom was kind enough to stay with Pierce and Anna). We went to the Peppercorn Duck Club, Kansas City's "only 5-star restaurant", and our traditional Nora birthday place. As usual it was awesome. Between the booze and the food we were wiped out by the time we got home.
Pierce and Anna made Nora birthday cards (with assistance from Grandma) while we were out and they were waiting on the table for Nora on our return. Nice. Neither kid was asleep yet so we even got to say our "goodnights".
Lately Anna has been on an "anti-sleep" kick and its just killer. We put her to bed around 8:30 and she'll stay up until 10:30 or later. Every 20 minutes or so we have to tell her to get back into her room and go to bed. She's alway agreeable, but then gets up again within a few minutes. Of course last night was no exception. At one point I told her we were about to go to bed and asked if she was going to go to sleep too. Instead she asked if she could watch us go to sleep. Sigh.
-Eric (Dad)
Pierce and Anna made Nora birthday cards (with assistance from Grandma) while we were out and they were waiting on the table for Nora on our return. Nice. Neither kid was asleep yet so we even got to say our "goodnights".
Lately Anna has been on an "anti-sleep" kick and its just killer. We put her to bed around 8:30 and she'll stay up until 10:30 or later. Every 20 minutes or so we have to tell her to get back into her room and go to bed. She's alway agreeable, but then gets up again within a few minutes. Of course last night was no exception. At one point I told her we were about to go to bed and asked if she was going to go to sleep too. Instead she asked if she could watch us go to sleep. Sigh.
-Eric (Dad)
Tuesday, August 09, 2005
Nora's B-day party and the Arcade machine
This past weekend was a busy one. Nora's birthday party was on Sunday and my Mom surprised us by coming out for it (nice!). She got in Friday night late, with no luggage (thanks Delta), and spent several quality days with us. She even got to go to the pool to see our two fish swim.
The Arcade machine I've been building for the last couple of days was finished on time and was a huge hit at the party. I've had several requests for help from others who'd like to build one. Here's a couple of pictures of Pierce and Anna putting the machine through its paces:
Nora's party was a success. We barbecued burgers and dogs, Nora's Mom made pasta salad and coleslaw, we had lots of chips, veggies, beans, beer and soda. The kids played lawn darts and video games and there was lots of Nora reminiscing all around. We only had two no shows so our guest count was probably about 35-40 adults and children.
We had some pictures of Nora from her younger days hanging on the "Nora's Wall of Lost Youth" (quite a hit -thanks to Carrie for supplying the pictures). There was a lot of discussion of the pictures that were not posted due to delicate sensibilities.
By the time the last guest left I was wiped. I dozed on the couch while Nora and my Mom visited.
-Eric (Dad)
The Arcade machine I've been building for the last couple of days was finished on time and was a huge hit at the party. I've had several requests for help from others who'd like to build one. Here's a couple of pictures of Pierce and Anna putting the machine through its paces:
Nora's party was a success. We barbecued burgers and dogs, Nora's Mom made pasta salad and coleslaw, we had lots of chips, veggies, beans, beer and soda. The kids played lawn darts and video games and there was lots of Nora reminiscing all around. We only had two no shows so our guest count was probably about 35-40 adults and children.
We had some pictures of Nora from her younger days hanging on the "Nora's Wall of Lost Youth" (quite a hit -thanks to Carrie for supplying the pictures). There was a lot of discussion of the pictures that were not posted due to delicate sensibilities.
By the time the last guest left I was wiped. I dozed on the couch while Nora and my Mom visited.
-Eric (Dad)
Tuesday, August 02, 2005
A quick note
Wow, I know I've been busy lately but I didn't realize 2 weeks had gone by without a posting.
August is going to be a busy month for us. This coming Sunday is Nora's 40th birthday party, we're having a BBQ with lots of friends and neighbors coming over to help us celebrate. My Mom's even flying in for the weekend for the party.
The following weekend is my 20-year high school reunion (back in Virginia) and the weekend after that we're heading out to Omaha to see my Dad and visit the zoo out there.
For some unfathomable reason I decided to build, from scratch, an arcade machine like the ones use see in the arcades. I started about two weeks ago and am almost finished. This project has taken on a life of its own. Its turning out very well, my goal was to have it ready in time for Nora's party (I think we're going to make it).
Nora, Pierce and Anna are all doing well. Nora's loving her new job and the extra time she's able to spend with Pierce and Anna. Both kids just started their second round of swimming lessons. Pierce is really swimming like a fish and constantly surprises us with what he can do. Anna's very bold in the water but has lately been protesting the swim lessons. We're hoping she relents soon.
Everything else is, of course, status quo.
-Eric (Dad)
August is going to be a busy month for us. This coming Sunday is Nora's 40th birthday party, we're having a BBQ with lots of friends and neighbors coming over to help us celebrate. My Mom's even flying in for the weekend for the party.
The following weekend is my 20-year high school reunion (back in Virginia) and the weekend after that we're heading out to Omaha to see my Dad and visit the zoo out there.
For some unfathomable reason I decided to build, from scratch, an arcade machine like the ones use see in the arcades. I started about two weeks ago and am almost finished. This project has taken on a life of its own. Its turning out very well, my goal was to have it ready in time for Nora's party (I think we're going to make it).
Nora, Pierce and Anna are all doing well. Nora's loving her new job and the extra time she's able to spend with Pierce and Anna. Both kids just started their second round of swimming lessons. Pierce is really swimming like a fish and constantly surprises us with what he can do. Anna's very bold in the water but has lately been protesting the swim lessons. We're hoping she relents soon.
Everything else is, of course, status quo.
-Eric (Dad)
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