Torn

We started off our spring break with Alex's first motorcycle ride around the block. No, Brad didn't buy a motorcycle. This is his Dad's beauty that currently resides at our house since they moved into a smaller town home. Seeing it every day draws Johnny's attention and he kept asking Brad for a ride. "When it warms up a little I will take you for a ride" Brad would tell him. Well it warmed up a little and Johnny chickened out. So Alex cautiously took his place and rode once around the block holding tight to her Dad's waste. The first time I met Brad he took me on a ride around the block on his motorcycle. Then he picked me up on a motorcycle for our first date. I always thought they would be a part of our lives and loved the thought of it. Then a few months into our relationship an SUV pulled out in front of him just a couple of blocks from my apartment, knocking him unconscious and giving him a minor case of amnesia. I guess in a way I should thank that non-observant driver because it knocked a little sense into Brad about his own mortality and that's when he started thinking about marriage. Hmmm. Well, I would've been on the bike with him if my sister hadn't been in town. He was going to ride the bike back to his place and pick up his car so he could fit all three of us. Ever since then, as much as I love motorcycles I have been weary of Brad riding them for fear I would some day lose him because of it. I have warned my kids that they can be dangerous in the past and apparently they still remember it because they were both scared to climb on the back for a quick ride around the block. I was torn between wanting my daughter to have no fear and enjoy the thrills in life that I have always loved and wanting to use her fear to keep her safe the rest of her life. I guess the key is to teach them safety while enjoying the experiences. Luckily Brad doesn't have his motorcycle license and so he just starts it up once in awhile to make sure it's still running fine. I almost want him to get it though just so he can take me out on the town for a little nostalgia.

Pinch Me!

So I know this is a little late but we celebrated St. Patrick's Day by getting over the flu. We're finally a healthy household though and back into the swing of things. I would've loved to put Alex's hair in a couple of pig tails and lots of curly green ribbon. But alas, we are still in "comb over" stage after the hair cutting incident a couple of months ago. If Alex looks tired in this picture it's because she was up in the middle of the night with a tummy ache. The one behind the camera is rather tired too. :o)

Having a little Irish in them, the Day's always keep a look out for people to pinch on St. Patrick's Day so the kids and I are very diligent when picking out our clothes each year to make sure our green is very visible. And green pancakes are a must for breakfast in the morning.

Updates?

The kids started soccer practice this week. Alex is excited that she is on an all girl's team now (as opposed to 2 years ago when it was coed). Johnny was excited to be out running around with kids his age. He is so used to Alex being the one with all the friends that he claims any kid his height as his "new friend" whether they know it or not.

I finally finished painting the laundry room so I am aloud to start on my next project which will be Alex's room. I've always told her that we would paint her room in our new house but it looks like the new house will have to wait a few years so plans are in the mix to spruce up her space now.

Last but not least, I bought peas, green beans, cucumbers, green onions and cherry tomato seeds today. The sun is shining and it's time to pull out the gardening gloves once again. It's the best way to get my kids to eat their vegetables!

Annual Park City Ski Trip

Every year Brad and I can count on making a couple of trips down to Utah. Once in the fall for football and once in the winter for skiing. Even though this was a ski trip, it was also a chance to visit with Bret and Jolene. So we took the kids bowling the night we got there. Johnny was so intent on doing his best from having his fingers in the holes when carrying the bowling ball to watching the ball creep it's way down the alley until every last pin is cleared. Alex however, would just toss the ball and walk away. We'd make her turn around before the ball hit the pins so she can see the fruits of her labors. I'm not sure if she was embarrassed, tired, or just plain annoyed but she definitely wasn't impressed with bowling that night.

After bowling, the kids (Bret included) wandered over to the adjoining arcade. Alex sought after the games with the biggest pay out, collecting tickets left and right. Johnny was attracted to any game including a car/motorcycle or guns. Bret challenged Jo to 4 games of hoops before admitting defeat.

It was a fun night and a good way to get some energy out after the many hours spent in the car earlier that day. That night we arrived back to Bret and Jo's house 10 minutes before a mandatory power outage took place. We found a couple of flashlights, which the kids confiscated to locate the bouncy balls they had earned at the arcade and quickly lost as soon as we entered the door. Luckily Jolene had plenty of candles available to illuminate the room without the use of the flashlights.
The next day was our day. The kids hung out at the house with a babysitter while the adults took off to Deer Valley for a great day of skiing. It was by far the best mountain I have ever skied on, with great views, great runs and at least for the day we were up there, great weather.
And to top it all off, we made it through the entire trip without any tantrums in the car on the way to or from Park City.
Thanks Bret and Jo for yet another great, all inclusive, resort stay weekend!

Wii Time

I just uploaded a bunch of new videos of the kids playing the Wii. Including racing, boxing, and hula hoop.

They're fun, check them out!

http://www.youtube.com/user/laurelday