Famille Du Pentium

In my younger days, I used to, uh…. use… yeah, let’s say use 😉 DEC-10 systems running TOPS-10.  This was my learning ground when I was a kid.  Now, Paul Allen has ressurrected some PDP-10’s & 11’s over at PDP Planet.  You can even request a PPN!  Just follow the links to "Community…" 

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.

Heh I just thought of this last night as I was driving between Skokie and Naperville. 

 How many nights will we light Hanukkah canldes in 2006?

The answer will be posted later… 

So we did it.  We broke down and let Aaron open his "big" gift from us.  I must admit that I’ve had reservations since it was circled on a Toys R Us flyer for me to buy on Black Friday.  But now, the deed is done and there’s no going back.

 Aaron has a drumset.

On the upside, he’s going to spend the night at Matthews tonight.  🙂  That’ll give us time to put it together.  Yeah.  I’m psyched. 

 Ethan has begun associating lighting candles with getting gifts.  That’s not entirely a bad thing, but hopefully he begins to understand the meaning of Hanukkah soon.  Aaron sure does.  I think Justin is just having fun having me around the house all the time.

Well, Happy Hanukkah, it looks like Marla almost has the drum set together, soon it’s time to pack up the kids and head out to Naperville.

 Oh yeah, pictures this time… http://gallery.famille.org .

Had to skip pictures tonight.  Partly, I forgot and left my camera in my coat pocket.  The other part is, it was just stuff we bought each other, so nobody should be looking for "their" gift. 

 So, catching up…

Aaron and Matthew had a great time together the last couple of days.  I think they played video games most of the time.  Aaron had written out a schedule, and he and Matthew followed it closely.  Mostly, it consisted of "Play Video Games".  Aaron has this new video game whereby the object is to crash your race car and cause as much monetary damage as possible.  It actually rates the value of each object you hit, or cause to crash, and you get more money for causing more damage.  Lots fun.

I’m playing Shadow, the newest in the Sonic franchise.  I also have been playing "Sonic Collection", which is a bunch of games going back to 1991.  So between the two, it’s amazing to see how far the Sonic franchise has come in thes years. 

First, if you want the pictures, go to http://www.famille.org/gallery .

Tonight we went to Marla’s cousin’s house for their Hanukkah party.  The kids made a mess, but then made desert. 

Matthew stayed over to visit Aaron.  He’s quite excited.

Sorry this is short but everyone seems to want my attention today.

Here’s some musings from today.

 First, after putting unpacking my kids presents from yesterday, I am convinced that global toy companies are completely disfunctional.  Every component in every box is "wired" (literally) to the back of the box.  What ever happened to the days when they just put the damn toy in the box?

Heres some lovely pictures of our evening.  First, I know Bubbe is waiting to see this one. 

Next, Aaron opens his gift:

That’s Ethan in a yarmulke and underwear.  Sigh.

More to come.