Monday, February 2, 2009

A Brother Abroad


Though I put an end to personal birthday wishes (I have a terrible memory and simply cannot handle the guilt of potentially missing someone), I am sending a very special 4th birthday wish to one of my very favorite little guys......
Happy Birthday, Drew!!!!
I cannot believe you are FOUR today!!!!
And, yes, his dad is wishing him all the love in the world too...from a far away land.
This is Day 20.

Groundhog Day

Though I can't ever remember a year when Spring came early, I know a lot of people get very excited in the fun of the tradition.

I do not.

However, if that little guy comes out and tells me that in six weeks I will:

1) Be able to release the hounds from the home in which they are cooped and enjoy some fresh air.

2) Not have to hide in remote locations so that I may pounce on my children and wrestle them to the ground with winter coats, gloves, and hats.

3) Not to have to buckle my children in car seats with winter coats, gloves, and hats.

4) Not have to drive to the mailbox (I'm not kidding....though I usually get the mail when I'm going out or coming in...and my driveway is evil).

5) Set up the kiddie pools....there is nothing like water play to keep the little ones happy.

6) Start powerwalking with the stroller...the hoolah hooping a la Wii Fit isn't quite doing the job.

7) Send the kids outside after dinner to roll around with their dad while I peacefully clean the kitchen.

8) Eat ice cream when it's seasonally acceptable (and not in the dark confines of my living room where it feels illegal, while still satisfying).

9) Wear flip flops

10) Chase the butterflies, draw with chalk, have picnics, pick flowers, swing on the sings, and spend an entire day not at all thinking about the toys or television inside.


....Then I will be a very happy mommy. Come on, Phil....
BTW: If Phil looks anything like the corpulent fellow pictured above, how couldn't he see his shadow?

Quote of the Day

"Being a dad is the greatest, except for assembling things." -- Conan O'Brien in People

Picture of the Day


When aren't Irish eyes smiling?

Send your favorite kid pictures to: dalessandrochristine@gmail.com

Sunday, February 1, 2009

And for my other brother.....

As military brats, there was never any home grown football team for which we'd all cheer. With parents as native New Yorkers (my mom was born and bred Bronx), the only family team was the Yanks, but that ended with baseball.

So, I'm guessing our unique tastes in teams may have something to do with the influences that might abound while we came of football appreciation age. My brother Paul, the eldest, was a Cowboys fan for a long time before a family intervention forced him to forego his lonestar state allegiance and settle with the Giants. My father has always been a Patriots fan, but most of that has to do with which Michigan players go where (M go Blue). My own introduction came around when we were stationed in the DC area and my 5th teacher threatened failure to any kid who didn't cheer for the 'skins. Unfortunately, that was also the season Joe Theisman suffered a stomach turning injury that would be replayed on our nightly news for an entire week.

That successfully turned me off football. It would take marriage, the spirit of the downtrodden, and a relocation to Philadelphia to reaquaint me with the sport.

My mom? She makes a mean dip.

So, since the only one with any interest in tonight's game is Mike...I might have to pull for the Steelers.

But what would an annoying little sister do?

More Super Bowl Stuff




Nicely done.

A Brother Abroad: The Superbowl Addition I

I'll admit that yesterday's countdown post lacked a bit, but it took a lot just to string it together...the keyboard looked fuzzy. Now, that's not meant as a whine....just an apologetic explanation.

However, now that I am officially back on my feet and two pounds lighter, I'll make today's post a more robust one, which is fitting given the sports fanatic that is my older brother.

The apropos Super Bowl subtopic?

Beer

For most people, a complete Super Bowl picture includes a large television, betting boards, lots of artery clogging snacks, and beer. It can be a keg or a can, fancy microbrew or the High Life, but it's part of the package (my non-alcohol drinking Grandpa even enjoys a few O'Douls...).

If you happen to be waging war in an Islamic country, alcohol is banned. That's right...after a long day in the hot desert sun, putting yourself in clear and present danger, there is no happy hour, no cold brew with which to unwind.

Except Super Bowl Sunday. On this hallowed, holiest of Americana holidays, every soldier is granted two beers in honor of the big game....and they wait all year for it.

We just got word via Nurse Julie that my brother has already imbibed his and, since his team is not one in the final championship game (he's a Giants fan....poor guy), he will not be waking at 2 am for the televised broadcast.

But he did enjoy the beers.

This is Day 19.