The Blind Side/Theater Dog

The other night Ashley and I went to see the movie, The Blind Side. All I can say is WOW!! What an amazing movie. This was again just an amazing TRUE story. There was not a bunch of garbage thrown in or anything else. Sandra Bullock's character was a good Christian woman and they portrayed that well. Sometimes when I go to the movies I feel like they constantly bash on religion and God. It was refreshing to see a movie that revered it. All I could think when we left was how much difference one person (or family) can make. I would love to be able to help a person as much as they were able to. It truly changes both persons lives. What an amazing movie and story.

When the movie had barely begun, there was a 20s something girl and her boyfriend/husband that sat right next to me. They were getting their treats all out and everything. She was opening her purse and out of the corner of my eye, I saw something moving. I looked and she pulled a dog out of her freakin' purse. What the heck! I sort of laughed it off and whispered to Ashley that we were very privileged that we get to sit next to Paris Hilton and her dog tonight. Next thing I knew the manager was coming to ask the people about the dog. Apparently the people behind us had a huge problem with it. They retorted that it was a service dog (small enough to fit in a purse mind you). I mean what does it do, protect this girl's mascara? She would step on it before it led her anywhere, were it a seeing eye dog. So the fight went back and forth between the people behind us and them. They complained the people behind kept hitting their seats and all kinds of stuff. The people behind complained that they "MIGHT" be allergic to dogs, etc. In the end, I think this: I cannot imagine that dog was a service dog of any kind, especially because if it were, you would not have to sneak it in your purse. On the other hand, the people behind were a little bit over the top and making WAY too big of a deal about it. Either way, I got another sweet weirdo story for the blog.

Zoo Lights

Tonight we went to the Zoo Lights at Hogle Zoo. It was a lot of fun and actually quite a bit better then I imagined it was going to be. Most of the animals were asleep and/or away for the night, but the tigers (including all three babies) were still out. The lights were really pretty spectacular all over the zoo. We all had a great time. They even sold hot chocolate there (at, of course, outrageous prices). I bought one of their "souvenir cups" complete with free refills all night. We shared and I knew the kids would down more then a couple of cups. I feel very confident that we got our money's worth out of the deal. It was a lot of fun. Seeing the lights is kind of expensive, but we would still recommend it. I will have to post pictures when I get them all downloaded from the camera.

Fat Cats

My Brother's family came into town for Thanksgiving weekend, and so they could be here for the BYU v. Utah game. We had a lot of fun with them while they were here. All the kids could not seem to let the Wii ever turn off. They kept challenging each other to game after game. I thought the console was for sure going to start smoking. On Friday night, my parents took everyone to Fat Cats for pizza and bowling. It was a lot of fun with all of the kids. They also gave all of the kids some tokens to play the games. McQueen definitely loves this Speed Boat game, he can't get enough of it no matter where it is. He is actually quite good. Tinkerbell just loves any game that she thinks is going to give her lots and lots of tickets. Despite our bowling scores, we all had a lot of fun as a family.

Black Friday

I have never before participated in the whole Black Friday thing. A little while ago my laptop seriously melted down (I will never buy a computer with an AMD processor as long as I live). I have been borrowing an old laptop from my parents to get by, but since it is going on seven years, it is having issues as well. I went to all the websites for the sneak peaks at their leaked Black Friday advertisements. I went between three stores in the last week, down to two in the last day, and then finally found what I think was the very best deal. The doors were to open at Office Depot at 6AM, but tickets for items (so as to avoid people being trampled, etc.) could be handed out as early as 5AM. Ashley wanted to come with me to participate in the big event. I was more then happy to have her come along. We left the house at 3:50 and got to Office Depot just before 4AM. We were the 13th people in line. There were only 10 of the particular laptop guaranteed per store. I started asking what everyone was getting. People were really hesitant to tell me, as if I was going to start shooting people who wanted the same thing. Finally people started sharing and I knew I was safe. So we braved the VERY cold morning. Office Depot employees arrived at work, handed out the tickets in an orderly way, and took care of every customer need (not want). By the time the doors actually opened, there were easily 100 people gathered outside. I am now the proud owner of an amazing laptop found at an amazing deal. My only hope is that it lasts for many many years to come. We also made trips to Gymboree and Old Navy afterwards and found some pretty good deals there as well.

Even at 4 in the morning with no sleep to speak of, she is as beautiful as ever.

Thanksgiving

We spent Thanksgiving with Ashley's family this year. Her Mom made such amazing food, and it was a great meal. The food and the company was great, and we all ate plenty.

Here is my best buddy all cuddled up next to me on the couch with a nice full stomach

Ashley's sister and brother-in-law were so cute with the kids. They totally let them help with what is clearly an adult puzzle. I am sure they did most of the work, and the kids LOVED being a part of it. In the evening we decided to go to a Thanksgiving movie. We checked out the new "Planet 51" movie. It was a cute movie and entertaining. It also did not have a lot of weirdness to it. Many of the kids movies coming out lately are too in-depth, have political agendas one way or another, are more geared for adults, etc. This for the most part just seemed like a normal entertaining movie.

Tinkerbell learned a new song at school and wanted to sing it for everyone.

The Reward

I felt the kids needed a reward for doing a good job on the Primary Program. I want those things to be something special and neat, not something where they feel like Dad is always on their case. So, for their reward (emphasizing the good things they did), we went to the Kangaroo Zoo. We actually went to the Kangaroo Zoo that we have never been to before. This one is a little bit bigger and offers some different inflatables. The kids had a great time as did Ashley. Since she weighs less then 150 lbs. she gets to go on all of them. Some of us weigh SLIGHTLY more then that on the most physically fit day of our lives. We had a lot of fun, hung out, had pizza, etc. I think it definitely scores near the top on the kids list of places to go.

It was obviously really noisy in "the zoo," so Ashley and I went in the Parent's lounge for a few minutes where we could still see the kids. Tinkerbell must have thought it was so cool, because she would keep coming in and out of it, and closing the door way too loudly (on accident) each time. We couldn't resist snapping the above picture.
The kids playing together

WOOOOOOO

HOOOOOOOO!!

• McQueen commented that this was the fourth best day of his life and proceeded to tell us the three better days. Surprisingly enough, the day he was born only landed at #3, therefore making the other two less meaningful in my mind.
• Tinkerbell then told us this was the third best day of her life. When she told us the two best days of her life, they were merely things that had ALSO happened that day.

Primary Program

Today in Sacrament Meeting was our annual Primary Program. It was a great program that centered on Eternal Families. McQueen and Tinkerbell each were given a part where they talked about how their Dad strengthens their family and then how they strengthen their family. The both did great on their parts. The Primary Presidency and teachers were fantastic in getting all of this organized and planning it out for everyone. They were so kind and patient with all of the kids and really did a tremendous job. All the kids worked really hard as well and really practiced a lot and gave it their all. I was really proud of McQueen and Tinkerbell and really excited to see their Primary Program. They ended up doing a great job. They sang the songs, did their parts, etc. I must say that it did not come without incident though. The Primary was practicing just before Sacrament. Their teacher got me out of Sunday School because McQueen had become scared that he would have to do his part in front of the whole ward. He ran out of the chapel and they could not find him. I frantically searched everywhere and within ten minutes, he was afraid to be in trouble, so he came back into the chapel. I talked to him and he expressed his fears. I asked him what would make it better. I thought for sure he would ask for a new toy or something. Instead, he wanted to call Ashley to make sure she would be there and said that would make him feel better. He also had to make sure we were sitting closely to him, where he could see us. Tinkerbell, on the other hand, was born to perform. I think she loves the excitement of it all and loves to share her talents. In the end, they both did a great job.

As with any Primary parent, you watch your kids like a hawk at these things. Since we were sitting on the second row, it was easy to do. I felt like I was giving the "stern look" to my kids almost the whole program. I was also folding my arms, and they would get the hint to do likewise. I even pulled out my finger snap once or twice. I think things like this have to be treated carefully though. I feel that as a parent you should be doing as much as you reasonably can from the audience to keep your kids in line during the program. After the program is over though (unless your child has killed someone), you just need to heap on lots of praise. They have worked really hard, are bored, are used to playing with toys, having treats, etc. during Sacrament Meeting. I think it really takes a lot out of them at that age and you must appreciate that and help them see the good they have created. So, here are plenty of moments I was either correcting the kids, or putting my head down to laugh hysterically so they wouldn't see me during the program:

• McQueen wears one of those zip up ties. It was hanging down, so I motioned for him to zip it up. He looked at me funny and then took it completely off. I then motioned for him to put it back on. He did, albeit, totally crooked with his collar muffled all over the place. The Primary President was nice enough to sneak up there and fix it for him.
• When their class was supposed to stay standing after a class solo, most of the kids (including McQueen sat down). Tinkerbell (not very quietly) told all the other kids that they are supposed to stay standing. Her words even included a "McQueen, you are supposed to stay standing, get back up here !"
• McQueen is very sweet to Tinkerbell. He will often even give her kisses on the cheek. After Tinkerbell did her part, he leaned over to give her a kiss. She turned funny and he ended up kissing her eye. She once again (not so quietly) said, "McQueen, why did you kiss my eye?!!" He (actually quietly) explained what had happened.
• This year the kids sang this cool new "I Am a Builder" song (don't ask me what it's called). Just before the song, McQueen slouched down in his chair and pretended to be asleep. I thought he would get up when all the other kids stood up. NOPE. I thought he would get up again when the piano started to play. Nope. I thought he would get up again when all the kids started singing. Nope. He just sat there, pretending to be asleep......until...they started doing the actions. No, that didn't cause him to get up. He sat there pretending to be asleep and then started doing the actions to the song "in his sleep." When he heard laughter, he only smirked and continued with his sleep actions. He only got up and sang the last part of the song after hearing my fingers snap. I would have snapped them sooner, but I was ducking my head for obvious reasons.
• Tinkerbell for some weird reason kept pulling her dress off of her shoulders and exposing her bare shoulders. I don't know if she was hot or what, but I have never seen her do that before. I thought it especially inappropriate in that setting.
• Our Primary pianist, is an amazing musician. During one point in the practice the day before, all the kids were getting bored. He started to play the theme from Star Wars and Indiana Jones and a few other favorites to keep the kids together. The kids all loved it. During the real program, McQueen wanted to whisper to me to see if I remembered when he did that and how cool it was.
• The night before, Tinkerbell hurt her middle finger (I am sure we all know which one). During a quiet time in the program, she raised only that middle finger and pointed to it with her other hand. She was showing Ashley and I that it still hurt. Yes, my innocent child flipped off our whole ward.
• While singing the last song, McQueen raised his suit coat up like he was Batman or something. I snapped my fingers for him to put it down. He then moved his tie back and forth in front of his eyes. I snapped again. At that point, he decided he was done and sat down for the rest of the song. I think he thought I was getting after him sometimes when he was not doing anything wrong, when I was really getting after Tinkerbell. Since they were sitting right next to each other, I am sure it was hard to differentiate.

In the end, the kids did their parts, sang their songs, and worked hard. We were proud of them and took a lot of solace in the fact that all the kids were doing one thing or another here and there. You just notice every little thing with your own kids that much more. Since the program, we have only quietly laughed about all the incidents when the kids aren't around. In their presence we only talk of the great job they did and how proud they truly made us. They are great kids and we love them so much.

Marshmallow Guns

While I was fixing a trunk latch on Ashley's car, the kids wanted to show her their marshmallow guns. It didn't take long to fix and we had a great time with them for a few minutes before our hands got cold.

We then went to the store. Tinkerbell's boots were too small, so we went in search of new ones. She seems to really love the new ones. McQueen got to pick out a Christmas present for Tinkerbell on the other side of the store with Ashley (something Tinkerbell already has done for McQueen).

Primary Program Practice

This morning we went to a practice for the Primary Program. The kids did great. I especially love the song they sing in the video below.

NaBloPoMoSucko No More

Yes, it is true. I agreed of my own free will to participate in NaBloPoMo and post 30 posts in 30 days in the month of November. Up until now, I have been NaBlo-sucko. That has all changed though. I am proud to say that this concludes my tenth post in one night and I have kept my word (so far). I am now all caught up. One can say that I don't follow the rules very well and that I should be doing one post a day. To them I would respond, that rebels like me make their own rules. :) Also, blogger has this sweet thing where you can throw whatever date and time you want on a post. Further, correct me if I am wrong, but all I remember the rules saying is that I agreed to do 30 posts in 30 days. Most of you are not insane enough to participate in this cause (no offense to you Jared; it is you and me against the world brother), so you probably don't even know the rules. I think next year I am going to do 30 posts in one day, on the last day of November and just get it all over with in one foul swoop. Anyway, I have just added a whole bunch more torture......I mean really, really interesting and insightful pieces of wisdom that I am willing to share with you all as we embark on this journey of life together.