Famille Du Pentium

Well I’ve been threatening this for years, and now I’ve gone through with it.  After years of watching the famous Chicago New Years fireworks at home, on TV and wishing I could see it live – but not really wanting to actually stand in a crowded, noisy, smelly bar or on Navy Pier in -20 degree weather, I have (drumroll please) made reservations at a Navy Pier viewable Hotel (Swisshotel in this case, naturally) to watch the fireworks from my Executive Suite with Panoramic views.  Although it might not seem like it, this is a very exciting thing for me (which tells you a little bit about yourself, if you’re an avid reader of my blog). 

I don’t know why you’d be interested in this insignificant morsel of my life.  I’m very excited.   

Hannukah is coming up, and I’ll be posting my daily play-by-play here each night of Hannukah, along with pictures, like last year.  If you want to keep an eye on the family related stuff (e.g. you want to ignore Mike’s political rantings and ravings) just go here… http://famille.org/blog/kids_family/

Bookmark that page for easy access 🙂 

So we figured we probably should get Ethan started with some activities now, and Soccer doesn’t start ’till next year for him.  The Skokie Park District offered a special, pre-season skating lesson – three 1/2 hour sessions for 10 bucks.  It’s really a teaser for their 20-week full program, but it’s a nice way to find out if your kid is a prodigy or an ice buffer for less than the usual 60 bucks. 

Initially, Ethan did great on the ice… so great, in fact, that he got himself going too fast and fell directly on his head straitaway.  Since then, he’s been afraid to move around very much on the ice.  

Still we’re going to go ahead and give the full lessons a try.  Marla is going to re-learn to skate with adult lessons at the same time as Ethans, so they can learn together.  

Here’s pictures of his first three lessons: http://gallery.famille.org/main.php?g2_view=core.ShowItem&g2_itemId=903&g2_fromNavId=x5abdf8b8 

It’s been too long since I posted a blog entry, so here’s a quick catch-me-up that’ll explain why we’re being our usual anti-social this summer.

Well, anti-social isn’t the best word for it, it’s more "too busy to say boo".

• Aaron’s in summer camp, the "Summer Crafts  and Creations" class
• Spent 4th of July weekend "up north" with the Andersons and Kiesels
• Mike going to Portland, OR at end of July
• Family going to Harrisburg PA and Sesame Place (near Philadelphia), 1st week of August
• School starts late August
• Soccer starts early September (Mike’s back to coaching)

We’ll try to keep you filled in as our summer progresses.

New pictures of the kids are up at http://gallery.famille.org .  Enjoy!

Like father, like son.  

 I guess I’m not the only one in the family who thinks that a chip sandwich is a tasty snack.  Although, I would add some Miracle Whip.  Yeah, I know, I got that from my Dad.  The circle of life, and all that rut.

Here’s the sandwich:

 And Here’s The Eatin’:

Marla has one of those phones that lets you assign ring tones based on who is calling you (by their caller ID).  She goes to the Skokie Dog Park many nights per week, and has a regular clatch of friends who meet there with her.  The usual evening routine is, around the time I start getting the kids ready for bed, she starts getting phone calls from her Dog Park friends, and then she bundles up and takes Eeyore to the park. 

The thing is, Eeyore has figured out that certain ring tones mean, soon he’s going to the Dog Park.  And now whenever he hears those ring tones, whereever he is, he starts howling and barking to get inside, so he can get his collar on.   

So this is the last night of Hanukkah, at least for 11 and 1/2 months.  This year was a really great Hanukkah.  Normally it boils down to getting candles lit early enough (but after sundown) so that we can move on with other stuff after they burn down.  But this year was different.  I spent the entire week of Hanukkah at home, with the family.  Everyone was off (more or less … Marla still had to work a few days, but was otherwise home the whole time too) and it was a great time.  We ordered out dinner every night, then lit candles, sang Hanukkah songs, opened presents, and then (not having to get up first thing in the morning for work) Marla and I would spend the evening getting new gifts put together.  It was really a great time.

There is a particularly good picture of Justin, it’s in the gallery, but I’m going to post it here too…  http://gallery.famille.org

I think that picture about sums up our Hanukkah this year!

Now for the obligatory Menorah picture…

Thanks to all the Grandmas / Bubbes / Nanas for all the kids presents, everyone loves their giftrs.  Everyone have a happy, safe, and prosperous new year! 

Happy New Year from Chicago

So first, some business… in case you’re wondering why all the Hanukkah pictures are of the kids with their toys, well that’s why I set up the photo gallery.  So that people who sent or left gifts can see the kids opening and enjoying them.

If you’re one of those waiting to see the pictures of your present:  http://gallery.famille.org

Oh yeah, the answer to today’s trivia: "How many nights will we light Hanukkah candles in 2006?"  And the answer is: Nine.  Bet you didn’t see that coming!  

We will light candles on January 1, 2006 (the eighth night of this year’s Hanukkah) and eight nights starting December 15, 2006.