Where in the hell is my dad?

If you are a regular reader of this blog you know that I'm pretty much an open book.  There's not a whole lot about myself that I won't talk about.  There is one area where I've always held back though.  Oh, don't pretend you don't know what I'm taking about.  I know that you've read my blog and thought to yourself "Well that's a great story about her cervix and all but why hasn't she ever talked about ... you know, that thing she never talks about?"

You're in luck folks. Today is the day I break down that final barrier.

Today is the day ... I post a video ... of my dad ... dancing.

It's a parody of the Where In The Hell Is Matt? videos that the college my dad works at put together for student orientation.  If you want to get right to the best part skip to 3:39 to see my dad. He's the one who stops dancing to point at the car.  Not even his job (which pays him and requires him to do things) could force him to dance for three seconds in a row.

There.  Now there are no more secrets between us.  I know I feel much better now.  How my dad will respond to this remains to be seen.

Updated to add: When I showed this video to the kids Elle said "How did Paga do that?  When we went to New York did he come to our house and sneak into our computer?"  My baby is crazy smart ya'll.

One year ago today I found out I was pregnant with twins.
Three years ago today a pharmacist tried to wound me.

HBO is not good for people over 50

My parents were at my house the other day and I overheard my dad ask my mom something. She responded with "Most def."

I told my brother about this and he told me that he had been over for dinner one night and the words "You need to get up in this here rice." had been uttered.

My parents aren't allowed to watch The Wire any more.

Disney overload

You know how you can tell that you've stayed up too late looking at Disney World pictures on Flickr? You have dreams about looking at Disney World pictures on Flickr.

It was a pretty Disney-ish weekend for me all around. On Saturday Jesse and I took the kids to see Wall-E. It was Elle's first movie in a movie theater and she did really well. I was a little worried when we started to walk into the theater and Elle shrieked in terror because the room was so big and dark. Opps, guess I forgot to warn her about that part. Once we explained that it was just like watching a big tv screen she was cool. It's all good in Elle's book if tv is involved. We all really liked the movie a lot and I would recommend it to anyone (even if it did make Joseph cry twice). It's really good.

On Sunday Elle and I went to my parent's house and my dad and I worked for hours on Disney autograph books for the kids. Yes, I know you can just buy them but ours are going to be special and the kids are going to love them. At leas they better because we spent a lot of time on them. Ok, confession. As we were putting the book together my dad and I kept saying things like "Let's use this picture of Jasmine! She'll like that!" and "Sleeping Beauty will like it if we use a picture of her in this dress!" If you ever encounter someone talking like that, don't even bother trying to get them help. They're too far gone.

I was looking through some stuff on my computer and I came across a ton of Disney pictures that I totally forgot I had taken. I'm going to be throwing them up on Flickr so if you're the sort of person who likes to kill time looking at other people's vacation pictures then you can check it out. In the meantime here's a picture I took of Expedition Everest as it was still being built.

Halloween overload

Let me just say that Joseph can throw one hell of a Halloween party.

Yes, the party was a big success. To wrangle eight kids we had six adults (me, Jesse, my parents and two moms who stayed during the party) and I don't think we could have managed with even one less adult. My parents did a lot of the "behind the scenes" stuff like getting games ready and cleaning up after each activity. Jesse and I ran the games and activities and the two moms jumped in whenever needed. It all went really, really well.

The kids really seemed to like the cookie decorating and the pumpkin decorating. I'm sure their parents loved having them come home with their Halloween costumes covered in glitter glue and frosting too. We got very lukcy with the weather because it ended up being such a nice day that we were able to do a lot of the games outside.

The most important thing was that Joseph seemed to really enjoy himself. I think he really got a big kick out of playing host for his very first party. He's already talking about doing it again next year. We'll see what my parents think about that idea. (Thank you again mom and dad for all that you did for the party. The food, the decorating, the dressing up, the fact that you allowed eight 7 year olds loose in your house - it all meant a lot to all of us.)

Other Halloween activites so far have included:
My dad and I taking the kids to a Halloween carnival where they ended up with (and I am not exaggertaing here) a grocery bag full of prizes.

My dad and I taking the kids Trick or Treating at the college where he works. Kids get to walk through the dorms and students pass out candy and ohhhh and ahhh over the costumes. Joseph's Harry Potter costume was a huge hit. Everyone thought Elle was Eeyore. Not a single person knew that she was Stitch. Also, she refused to say "Trick or treat" and instead opted for "I want some!". But both kids always remembered to say thank you.

Upcoming Halloween events include:
My parents taking the kids to a local grocery story that puts on a big Halloween party. There's trick or treating, a cookie walk (whatever the hell that is) and more.

Actual trick or treating on Halloween. My mom and I will be taking the kids to my grandmother's apartment complex. We figure it's better than wandering around our increasingly yucky neighborhood and praying that we don't stumble across a meth lab. Plus, we already have 8 million pounds of candy and at this point trick or treating on Halloween is more of a formality than anything else.

Man, when did Halloween become a two week event? I'm beat already. I better go have some candy.

Holy crap!

I can't believe how soon this baby is coming. I was talking about it last night with Becky and Jesse and I'm totally freaking out. I tried to comfort myself by saying I had gotten Joseph this far without any major damage but I'm worried I won't be able to have the same luck twice. I just know I'm going to drop this kid on it's head or feed it window cleaner on accident or scar it emotionally when I don't respond exactly the right way to it's cries. Ack!

In lighter news, the weekend was good. We went to the Mall of America with Judy on Saturday. That was fun. Jesse and Joseph got cute matching Viking jereys and I got way to much make-up. Joseph went on some rides at Camp Snoopy, including a ride that nearly scared the living daylights out of him. Basically you sit on a bench and get strapped in and then the bench kind of bounces up and down. He said he liked it but it was kind of hard to tell by the way he was slumped over in his seat hanging onto the lap bar and the little boy next to him for dear life. No big shock that he didn't want to go on it again.

Yesterday Jesse, Becky and I went to a show at the Chanhassen Dinner Theater. (Yes, we were just there but we were able to get a really good deal on tickets via a promotion they were running. For a while it didn't look like we would be able to go but then everything just kind of fell into place and I'm glad it worked out.) It was a two man show depicting the history of the world. It was very funny, it had a lot of laugh out loud parts and we all enjoyed it very much. We also all agreed that the best part was the song about the Potato Famine. Who knew starvation made for such awesome dinner theater?

So, a good weekend. It was nice to be out and doing stuff since in a few weeks we won't be able to pick up and go as easily.

Happy be-lated birthday to my dad (even though I already said it to him on the actually day of his birthday). I had a dream last night that we were making sushi and you kept putting mushrooms in everything. I woke up cursing your name.

That's good irony

Yesterday was mine and Jesse's 6th anniversary. Thank you for a wonderful 6 years sweetie, I love you!

We had a very nice time having dinner and seeing Beauty and the Beast at the Chanhassen dinner theater. The show was almost as good as the gaint piece of cake that we split for dessert. We had really good seats too, right in the center in the second row up.

The only sad thing about yesterday was that my fingers have swollen up all of the sudden and I had to take of my wedding ring. It was turning my finger blue and I was barely able to get it off. My stretch marks and ever-widening bottom don't bother me but I was really sad to have to take my wedding ring off. The good news is that I have my grandma's wedding ring to wear and it's quite a bit bigger than mine so it fits me for now. I hope my fingers won't swell up too much more since they already look like big puffy sausages to me. Oh well, all the better to match my ankles I guess.

Mom and Dad brought over a handmade shelf and three pictures frames for the baby's room. They are so cute! We hung the shelf on the wall over the changing table and mom gave me some pails filled with baby stuff (like diaper cream) to put on it. Fun! It's really starting to look like a baby's room. I guess that's a good thing since I'm due in just 8 weeks. Ack!

Happy (belated) Father's Day!

I meant to post this on Sunday but I just didn't get around to it. I'm a slug.

So, Happy Belated Father's Day to Jesse and (or course!) my very own Dear Old Dad. In honor of Father's Day here are some Dad memories that I wanted to share.

1- When we lived in California we would go to The Fisherman's Wharf and Dad would always try to get Ben and I to eat these little marinated squid that he would buy. We always said no but he would always try. Finally he offered us a quarter to do it. I did, Ben did not. I can't remember how it tasted but I do remember how pleased Dad was that someone finally tried one. Now that I think about it I can't figure out what he was so determined to get us to eat those slimy little things.

2- I used to have these ceramic Raggety Ann book ends when I was little. One time Ben was in my room and broke them. I was so sad that Dad made up a song about a broken Raggety Ann. I don't remember how it went but I do know it made me feel better and I always wanted him to sing it after that. Dad also does a killer version of "Home, Home on the Range" ("They plaaa-aaay all daa-aaaay").

3- When I was on the swim team Dad (and Mom!) would come to every meet that Ben and I had. During every race Ben and I were in Dad would stand by the pool and yell for us. I can so clearly remember being underwater and not being able to hear anything except Dad's voice loudly cheering me on. Even though I kind of sucked as a swimmer he would always yell for me just as loudly as he did for Ben who was awesome.

4- This is not a specific memory, but it is one of my favorite things about Dad. We can talk for hours and hours about Disney stuff. How to have the perfect trip, what rides are the best, where you would eat if you only had one meal in DisneyWorld, what movie deserves it's own ride, the list goes on and on. You'll never meet someone who puts as much thought into Disney stuff as my Dad. He's always planning his next trip there even though he only gets to take one trip for every 10 he plans.

5- When I was 17 and wanting to buy my first car Dad was the one to take me car shopping. After a few fruitless outtings Dad came to see me at work one day. He had gone out and found the perfect car for me all on his own! Looking back I realize that it was probably easier to car shop without a moody 17 year old tagging along but it still meant a lot to me. It was a good car too and I had it until Jesse and I had been married for about 2 years.

6- I seem to have this vauge memory of Dad coming over to build new steps for our front door. Could that be because he did it this last Sunday? Oh yeah, that's right! My dad (and Jesse) spent Father's Day building new front steps for the house. He's done a ton of work on this house. Putting shelves in Joseph's closet, putting HUGE shelves in the basement, fixing the shower drain (that invloved tearing down a wall), ripping out plaster walls and putting up sheetrock in Joseph's room, the list goes on and on.

I LOVE my dad. He's such an amazing person, so funny and generous and laid back and handy (the man can fix anything!). I feel very lucky to have him as a father and very lucky to have him as a Grandpa for my kid(s). Joseph wanted to add something too:

Thank you for taking me to the movies. I like going to your house. You're a good fixer. Thank you for fixing the new steps. It's very fun when you play with me all the time. You are good at computer games. You made me a shirt. That's all. Love, Joseph.

I love you Dad!

Hide and go what?

Today Joseph was watching a show and they little characters on it were singing a song called "Hide and Go Boo!". I swear the first 12 times or so that they said it I thought they were saying "Hide and Go Poop!". I asked Joseph if that's what they were saying and he laughed so hard he fell of the couch. He clued me in but made me say "Hide and go poop" about 20 more times and now the dumb song is stuck in my head.

Oh yeah, go to my dad's site to do the new Disney poll thingy.

Warning!

Eating too many Twizzler Sours will give you a little bump on your tounge that hurts like the devil.

In happeir news my dad's new Disney poll-thingy is up. Check it out!

The Final Four

The final four round of Disney Villain March Madness is going on right now! Check it out!

Wait a second! How did Shan Yu beat out Ursula? Foul I say! At least Clayton is no longer in the running. He was only around for so long because he was up against some weak competitors. I'm stikcing with Frollo now because that guy is bad news. He tried to throw a baby down a well, he was cruel to poor Quasi, he tried to kill Demi Moore and tore of part of Norte Dame with his bare hands in order to squish some ants.

Can't think of a title

I'm in a big funk today. Yesterday and today have been rough. Even with my medication I have not been able to keep any food or even water down. I actually hurt myself throwing up yesterday. I threw my neck all out of wack and I think I strained some muscles in my abdomen. The chiropractor helped with my neck but there's not a lot that can be done about the other stuff.

Jesse has been a huge help, coming home in the afternoon to get to Joseph on the bus and take him to his therapy. Thank goodness his work is very understanding.

On the plus side I learned some new things. A handful of popcorn may seem harmless but feels like razor blades coming back up. A single jelly bean can turn vomit bright orange. If you're sick Joseph is very sweet and brings you his blanket to "feel you better". What a cutie.

To Dad: Haha! Half off pants. I get it.

To everyone else: Check out my Dad's site that is linked on the right. Even though he makes corny jokes his Disney March Madness site is pretty fun.

An awesome way to kill time

Check out this thing my dad came up with. He rocks. http://www.employees.csbsju.edu/wstorkamp/mar_mad.htm