There is SO MUCH to tell you, so lets talk!!!

Sunday, June 29, 2008

I know, I know...


... I'm always bragging about my kids, but it's hard not to. (At least it's hard for me - smile)
See, they just did their dance recital and they did so well.

See?


A little bit after this pic, he did a "lift" and it came out perfectly! She was up there, in the air - smiling, and he was doing his darn best to make it seem it was effortless for him. I wish had caught it on camera, but it came out too blurry...

Then the older two did a dance together and the ARMS! THE WONDERFUL PERFECT ARMS!



If you ever took dance (or talked to a dance teacher) you know that it's hard to get the kids to make their arms actually look good and not look like limp noodles, so that's why I was so proud of them.

Then they did their tap numbers so that means a change of costumes and I was particularly impressed at how cute, and HOW LONG my girlie girl looked in this:

Anyways, just thought I'd share those with you folks and see whatchat think. So, whatcha think?

Oh, I almost forgot, all three auditioned for the upcoming Musical around these parts, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Coat, and all three made it! They've been rehearsing with the cast for a few weeks now and it was funning driving with them in the car this weekend. I put on the "Joseph" cd and there they were, singing in 3 part harmony in the back of the car, along with the cd! They actually sound really good!

Okay, are you done reading about my children yet?

Sunday, June 15, 2008

Hop on Pop!

or "Happy Father's Day!"





My kids are awesome! This is what they gave me for for Father's Day and it was the perfect gift because I used to read this story, "Hop on Pop", to them when we all still lived together and they wanted to let me know how much they remembered and missed this. I'll always remember such a thoughtful gift.

Of course, they're still children, and, it matters, they're still MY children, which means that they aren't just going to hand this to me. Oh, no. They thought it would be more meaningful by "hopping on pop" as a means of waking me up on Sunday morning, and that is what they did!

I'm just lucky to be alive to write about it.

See, the Little guy weighs close to 60 pounds, the Girlie girl stands in at 51 pounds (she's the poster child for Ethiopian famine relief) and the Big Guy is up at 80 pounds. Hoping on Pop without giving pop a chance to "get ready for the assault" could be a deadly proposition.

So, they asked what I wanted to do for Dad's day, as if I would actually get to pick the activity for the day. Before we left the house, they "convinced" me I wanted to Dollywood, so that's what we did. "KidsFest" was going on so it was really fun!



Photobucket

I also took this really cool picture of them, hatching; appropriate for the theme for the day!

Photobucket

That "does" explain a lot, come to think of it!

We had a really great time but it was also insanely hot and so the kids found ways to cool off, but the little guy was the most creative about it:

Photobucket

Photobucket
-----------------------------
I've been a dad for a while now, and while I don't pretend to be an expert at anything, much less children, I have figured out a few things as a dad and from what my kids have shown me...

1. Time really flies... Have fun with your kids (and without them) because soon they'll change and things will change and it's just not the same. Enjoy the time with them.

2. Practice saying no. It won't kill them, (although they'll pout.)

3. Don't miss anything your kids will do, not if you can help it. You'll regret like like nothing else later.

4. If you have more than one kid, try to spend quality time, one on one, with each of them every so often. You'll really appreciate it, and so will they.

5. Don't expect a clean car.

(About number five, can anyone out there tell me how old your kids have to be before you "can" expect a clean car? I really want to know...)

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Are you thinking about Buying a House?



I owned my own home when I was married, but soon after my marriage ended I moved out and the house was sold. I've been renting since then and I like the place; a small townhouse where all I do is pay rent. I don't have to mow, paint, take care of appliances, etc... It's a beautiful thing, really.

Renting does have it's disadvantages when it comes to tax season. Namely, it won't help you at all when its time to do your taxes. I started getting ideas about buying a small home where my kids could have a backyard to play in and I could take advantage of the tax benefits. But buying a house is a bit like buying a car; EVERYBODY in the freakin' world has their hands in your pockets! Sheesh! Lawyers, Real Estate Agents, Appraisers, Fees for just about anything you could imagine...


It was the same when you try to sell a house; everyone thinks they could charge you just about anything. Your buyer, on the other hand, doesn't think your house is worth anything.


Your house:


as seen by you:

Photobucket

As seen by your buyer:

Photobucket

As seen by your lender:

Photobucket

As seen by your tax assessor:

Photobucket

You know what? I'm going to rent for a while...

How about you? Are you fed up with this crazy housing market, or are you just happy owning your place, unaffected by it all?

Thursday, June 5, 2008

Do you like art?

I do too. Art takes on several forms and my two favorite are music and paintings so I wanted to tell you about an artist in each category that I've been enjoying so much as of late.


First is Diana Krall


Okay, this amazing lady was born in 1964 and you can't imagine just how she can play jazz piano the way she does as young as she is. Oh, and then she sings as good as she plays the piano. I got her dvd when she played in Paris with some jazz greats. Here she is playing "Cry me a river."





She finished up the concert with this amazing version of Joni Mitchell's "A Case of You."





Amazing, huh? Did I also mention she was pretty easy on the eyes to boot? (smile)

Okay, next subject is this amazing artist from Kentucky and fellow blogger Heather B. Truman and her blog is called Bad Kitty Art Studio. Go visit her blog and view her amazing paintings and other art work. If you have a bit of disposible income and want to beautify your wall, check out her latest work. (I hope you don't mind that I borrowed your pic, Heather; but you're simply too amazing not to share. If you do, let me know, though.)



Is that not just wonderful? I'm afraid my education in painting and its proper terminology is woefully inadequate, but I know what I like, and I like Heather's talent. Go check her out!

Tuesday, June 3, 2008

Happy Birthday, Little Buddy!!!

Yesterday was my little buddy's birthday! He turned eight and was very proud to do so. I took him to a dinner show over in Pigeon Forge called "Hoot n Holler," at Wonderworks and he had a wonderful time! Here is his waitress singing Happy Birthday to him:



Later on, he was selected to do a part in the show and he had a blast!



He eventually managed to get all three plates spinning in the air. rofl!!!

Happy Birthday, buddy. You'll never know what you mean to everyone around you and especially what you mean to me. I'm proud of you for being you; kind, funny and sweet.

Go have fun! But be careful; look both ways before crossing the street. (You didn't think I would stop being your daddy just 'cause you're eight now, did you?)