Top Ten List

Due to sensitivites expressed by one nine year old girl, the following is a list of the Top Ten things this blog entry was NOT allowed to be titled:

10) Brace Face

9) Metal Mouth

8) Railroad Tracks

7) What Radio Stations Can We Get?

6) The iErika

5) Owieeeeee

4) Erika, Now In High Definition

3) We Don't Need A Charger Anymore

2) Portable Radios

and the Number 1 Title this blog was NOT allowed to be given is....

1) A New Southern Crew Can Opener

Continued Interaction W/ The Girl Child

I sent her a joke (which I will include, with the following caveat: Don't hate me because I'm funnier than you are). She responded... and the following was the result.

Start with the joke from me:

What goes “oooooooooo”?

Answer?

A cow with no lips


She replied:

dear dad I am sending you a high-ku

did you make that up

i mean did you make the joke

i really liked it


Back from me:

What a nice haiku.

You did very well young child.

I think you can stay.


Dad – Haiku’Master-san


And from her:

ah but can you beat

me in the art of haiku

old pupil daddy


If only she were Japanese, and it were a millennium or two ago, she would have a lot of potential.

Thoughts From An Email Exchange

While home for lunch today, I received the following email from Erika...

Dear dad I can;t tell you all that much right now because I have a ton of e-mail that i have to answer right now but I promise I will get back to you as soon as possible,
Love,
Erika

----

This was in reference to the following email I had sent her:

Are you having a great time?

Can’t wait to hear all your stories.

I love you.

Dad

-------

Thoughts:

1) I don't ever remember being overwhelmed by email when I was 8 years old. Granted, the late 70's were a bit slow on the email front, but I'm not sure I remember being overwhelmed by anything when I was 8.

2) The email she is referencing is one I sent her a couple of months ago when she was up with her grandparents in Indiana. Those were the stories I was looking forward to hearing. She seems to have missed the date stamp in the midst of her frenzied email-answer-a-thon and thinks this is a current email from me.

3) I saw Erika yesterday afternoon. It doesn't seem to surprise her that I would be waiting anxiously to hear all of the stories that have accumulated in her life in the last 14-20 hours. Granted, it's summer and she's doing what kids do during the summer, that is to say very little, but still she will have stories to tell.

4) I actually am looking forward to hearing them.

Very Quick Update

Farmor and Farfar have come to visit us in Memphis. Amid the rest of the chaos, we went to Mud Island today to see a scaled down replica of the mighty Mississippi River, along with other downtown Memphis landmarks.

Only In Memphis

Joel came home from walking to Chick-fil-a. He was scared and had no food.

When dad asked him why he didn't have any food he said, "There was a cow, a D.J. and Elvis."

And so dad and me went with him with courage and numbers to get the food. As it turns out, there WAS a cow, D.J. and Elvis. It was the 50's costumers' appreciation night. There was also karaoke.

We got the food and left as fast as we possibly could.

Daily Rituals

A new daily ritual to our lives. This is similar to the device in Erika's mouth, and every morning, we will be inserting a pin into those holes to rotate the device 1/4 turn (approx .2 millimeter). One down, 4 months' worth to go.

Most Serious Yet

Today I had a very serious appliance at my orthodontist Dr. Buildings office. As you can see from the pictures they're pretty serious. Anyway where you see a bottom retainer I only have to wear it in the night. But the top one is actually glued to my teeth, and no I'm not joking they really glued it on.

Anyway that little thing I am holding is a little cleaner thing what is does is those little things on the side actually move they make the brush move back and forth so that it can get everything it needs to get. Anyway if you want to make a comment or have any questions just type them on the COMMENT button.

Growing Old

Joel's Promotion Day today... from now on he's a 6th grader. Well, once he completes his extended vacation. More pictures and videos to follow.

like the song?

Last sat., Erika did a self made play. She's the one in the jersy, it's FUNNY.

A Crew Contribution

We set up a new fish tank recently. When we do this, we purchase a few fish... they are typically given names like "ToughLuck", "Fodder", etc. Our last round involved "Thing 1" and "Thing 2."

Here's the story of one of the fish, as written by Joel, Erika, and I.

A fish named Posidon we knew
Who's original name was "Thing 2"
He outlasted his friend
Who died in the end
So tonight we'll have "Thing 2" stew

Happy Limerick Day

Today is the day we celebrate the invention of the limerick. In honor of the artform, here is a favorite:

There was an old man from Milan
Whose limericks never would scan
When told this was so
He said, 'yes, I know.
But I always try to get as many syllables into the last line as I possibly can.'

You're All Invited

I'm sure I speak on behalf of everybo... ok, on behalf of Erika, when I say you are all invited to see her perform on Saturday at 10:30 at the community theater. She's going to be wearing a basketball jersey and will be the one pretending to be slightly embarrassed by all the attention. Typecasting at it's finest.

Revenge

These things tend to go in trends and cycles, and the latest obsession around the crew seems to be funny songs on YouTube.

Here's Joel & Erika's current favorite, shared for your listening pleasure...

More Experiments

We did some experiments with Non-newtonian fluids. We all had a great time. Erikas going to bring some in to her class for show-and-tell. Take that Sir Isaac Newton!

Earth Day Experiment

To day a lot of things went on wii played with the we. I mean we played with the wii.I know that we haven't said anything about the wii, but apparently Joel got a REALLY late Christmas present.Any way we did a lot of other things to. We did an experiment I made a weather forcast. All went well.The experiment worked the weather forcast is hopefully right.And now you get to watch it all.(Exept for the wii part.)

Celebrations

There is so much to report... look for a few blogs in the next few days.

To start with, National Tuna Rights Day is today. The kids and I celebrated by having sushi. But we treated it with the utmost of respect. And wasabi.

We also celebrated what appeared to be a successful testing for second stripe Red Belt. Watch this:

Easter Weekend

Last weekend as you should have known was Easter Day.It was very fun.You might have seen the blog on my caterpillar, Snoozer.I miss him very much and for all I know, and between you and don't tell my dad I said this (But I don't really think Snoozer wanted to go, after all when I took him outside to let him go he woulden't leave my hand).Any ways by folks.

The Eggs...

Easter Fun

Erika's Weekend Friend

But why oh why do we have to set Snoozer (who was later to be renamed Rascal) free? What if he doesn't WANT to go see him family and friends again?

From The Wayback Machine...

Contacted some old friends from the Fort today, and they were commenting on how much the kids had grown since we left the North to become the Southern Crew. Here's a picture much more fitting with their memory, taken in 2004, about a year after we left. The kids are more kid-like.

From The Tooth Fairy

Message received from Erika. Compensation for tooth commensurate with pain that had to be endured. Just don't make a habit of this.

TF

Pictures From Erika's Experience

Teeth Pulled

Today I got two teeth pulled, it wasn't fun at all. it hurt, tasted bad, and uh hurt. Infact I even had to miss school.Anyway that is the only thing I have to blog for tonight.

Last Full Day

Ok... so we trailed off the blogging toward the middle / end there. You missed a quick earache (Erika), two or three books read (Joel), a St. Patrick's Day Party (all), and various times on the trampoline.

Today, we hang out a bit and then head up to San Fran where our flight departs bright and early tomorrow morning. Tuesday, it's back at it for Joel, while Erika gets a bit more time off to have a couple of teeth pulled. This is the last step before braces, which should begin shortly thereafter.

Look forward to pictures of that.

Nothing like dinner and a pool

This is my brother Joel, cousin Katie, and me having dinner by the pool. It was really fun. And then after we played on the trampoline. Katie is teaching me how to do a front handspring, and it is really fun. Well that is all folks.

Another Day

Woke up late. Played with cousins (who decided it would be fun to put make-up on Erika). Spent time in the pool (don't be jealous). Basically, another perfect day in paradise.

Pop Princess

Pop princess for sale! Very good at looking 19 even though she's not quite 19.

Another Day - Another Cousin

Today I got to meet my cousin Katie at her volly-ball competition, we had a lot of fun. First, we watched her play in her tournament. Then, we watched her dance compititon. Next, we went out to dinner at Logans Road House. Finally, we went back home and I learned many little cheers (Katie taught them to me and she learned them from her volly-ball team).

Arrived

We landed in SF at about 9:30 California time, and then made the 2 1/2 hour drive back to the Central Valley. By the time we arrived, it had been just short of 16 hours since we left the house.

We're just rolling around to start our Sunday.

For those of you who follow these types of things, we're expecting a high of 81 degrees today. Dance recitals... volleyball tournaments... and lazing around. This is the kind of agenda one can wrap one's arms around.

Most Excited About

I am most exited about Califonia.It will be fun. We are going to swim in our grand mother and grandfather's pool, it will be fun.
P.S. The pool has a diving board.

Most Excited About

I'm most excited about the pool. It's BIG. It has a diving board, and toys. It'll be really fun.

California Dreaming

The crew is on it's way to Cali. We leave this morning and arrive sometime after midnight tonight, CA time. Just in time to lose another hour (or is it gain)?

Updates this week with some frequency, hopefully.

Still Blogging

Haven't updated in awhile, and there's lots to update. For now, though, Joel and Erika successfully passed for their Tae Kwon Do Red Belts. One more step and they'll be Blackbelts.

Aweeeeeee - A New Nephew

Tennessee Snow

Last night an impossible thing happened. It snowed in Tennessee! Dad's not very happy about it. Me and Erika are really excited about the snow day, though

If You Give A Cat An Airblower...

... she'll want to run and hide.
And if she runs and hides,
She won't eat.
And if she doesn't eat,
She will meow and meow incessantly.
And if she does that,
You want to put her in front of the airblower even more.

But I've been good. I moved her next door where it's peaceful.

Sarcasm Alert!

What a perfect way to end yesterday.

Snow.

Wheeeeeee.

This photo was taken late last night.

Thought we'd end up w/ a school cancellation today, but it was not to be. Disappointed kids.

Dry Land To Separate The Waters

4 of these dryers scattered throughout the apartment. The carpet's gotta go in 2 days, but they're drying the underlying surfaces.

Repair - Step Dos

Color me impressed with their progress. We may have a living space before it's all over.

Repair - Step Uno

Remove offending dripping ceiling.

Riddle Me This

What do you get when you add:

1 Part Plugged Up Toilet Upstairs

+

1 Part (Same) Toilet Stuck In Full-On State

+

1 Part Child Who Flushes And Then Goes To Bed


So that said toilet is free to run for a long time. Until the sounds from the following alerted said child...

New Baby

Dear World,
We have gotten a new baby cousin he is really cute. We will have some pictures but right now we don't. He grows really fast so he probably looks a little bit diffrent by now. His full name is Samuel Cooksie Johnson. He is right now at most about one month old. He has a lot of hair for a baby at his age. any way I got to go.
Sincerally,
Erika

Watch The Future

Incredible. Simply incredible.

Well worth watching this 10 minute YouTube of Jeff Han demo'ing how we will interface with computers in the future.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKh1Rv0PlOQ

Brrrrrrr!

I thought this was why we moved to the south. I guess there is nowhere safe right now, though, so I shouldn't complain.

But I will.

(Erika would like it known that she made tonight's fire.)

Earrings

See my earrings?

Honors

I got honors in my report card. We had an assebally to give everyone a chance to be given a award and shake the princable's hand and stuff like that. And the parents can come to. And then the parents can take pictures and stuff. First through third grade can come. So that was a great day.

School Days

Joel's in 5th, Erika in 3rd. Both consider themselves very lucky to have the teachers they do this year. Joel has two, Ms. Nanny and Ms. Butler. If you feel the need to make a joke here, don't stop yourself... everyone does.

Erika has Mr. Reeser, the only male teacher at school. He seems to be the perfect 3rd grade teacher, at least from what I gather from Erika's growing descriptions of him.

New Year's Resolution

Following the chaos of the last few years, one of my New Year's Resolutions is to settle in to a nice, consistant pattern of keeping in touch with those I love, and those who love me and my crew.

This is Step 1 toward that goal. First couple of posts will probably be generalized updates, but after that you can expect all the consistant ramblings of a group of folk that make blogs bloggy.