Christmas (12.25.2005)

Christmas was a really significant moment to me this year since this would be the first time my family and Michael's family held together. Also, this was Fai's last Christmas before she headed over to Guinea for her work in the Peace Corps. I hope you and yours had a wonderful holiday!


Anita showing Goong Goong how to play Jingle Bells on her new piano from Santa Claus.


Jamal and Auntie Fai... Aren't they cute?


Fai, Aunt Lily, Robin, Goong Goong, Jamal, Yummer, Me and Tien.


Robin, Aunt Lily, and Eddie posing in front of the Christmas tree.


Pau Pau and Yummer.


Back of Yummer's head and Minnie the Bow Head!


Eddie with his new presents from Robin. I like the bionic glove.


Aunt Lily impressing us all with her lovely Coach wallet from Robin.

Christmas Eve (12.24.2005)

Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas Eve! :O) Grandma and Grandpa Michaud made it into town this afternoon. We kicked back and relaxed... Later in the afternoon, we made pizza and opened presents. Now, the four Santas have some work to do, so I must depart! Enjoy the pics -- Stay warm and safe!


Kids, presents and Christmas Tree


The kids and their Paint N Swirl... Minnie is in his soccer jersey.


Grandpa, Granny and Anita. Anita made Dad a 2006 calendar for a Christmas present. It was a hit!


Anita and Minnie have treats all ready for Santa and his reindeer.

Farrand Class Field Trip: A2 Hands On Museum (12.21.2005)

Today, two classes from Farrand went to the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum. One of the classes was Anita's class, and I volunteered to be a chaperone, which was pretty exciting since this was my first time doing it. I was responsible for Anita and three of her classmates. It was also exciting for Anita since it was her first time riding on a yellow school bus. I think she enjoyed it more on the way back from the museum. :O)

Our first hour at the museum was in a classroom building simplified circuit boards. To me this was the best kind of education fun since it was hands-on. The kids got a kick out of it 'cos they were able to see how electricity worked by building circuit boards following a documented process. After that was lunch and then the kids and chaperones were allowed to explore all four floors of the museum. Below are a few of the pictures I captured below. Want more? Want to see Anita play an electric harp that has no strings? Well, you know what to do ... :O)


Kara, Grace P, Anita and Audrey are getting ready to head to the bus!


We're here! Their sign greets us in the lobby.


Anita is climbing the rock wall.


Anita and Audrey in the bubble wall.


"I'm looking through you, you're not the same ..."

Academic Gardens: Holiday Recital (12.19.2005)

Tonight was the big night! This was the reschedule of the concert from last Thursday. Minnie and his classmates did a wonderful job singing the Christmas songs. Anita had a good time singing along with the songs in the program. It is really sad that this is the last year that we'll be at the school's recital after attending four of them. They are so much fun.


Ben (or Joey?) in the background, Minnie, Caitlyn Rose and Anita before the recital.

Send yourself an e-mail 20 years from now

This is pretty cool like an e-mail time capsule. Check it out at: http://www.futureme.org/what.php. Twenty years from now, I hope to be retired - kids are in college excelling still - everything's all paid for - Michael and I kick back and just C-H-I-L-L out. I like the thought of that a lot. I'll be 50 though ... urgh. Ahahahaha!

The 2nd Farrand Movie Night: Madagascar (12.16.2005)

Woo hoo! Movie night again at Anita's school, and this time it was Madagascar. Althought it was a pretty good movie, there was a lot of adult humour in there. I volunteered to be a "monitor" for the event. I didn't have to raise my voice or do much 'cos all of the kids that were there were really good.


The second Farrand movie night with Nick (again), Minnie, Liana and Anita.

The Farrand Fox (Anita) and Student of the Week (Minnie)

What an incredible week ... Last week, Anita was the Farrand Fox for her class. A Farrand Fox is selected from each class, and each child gets the following:

- A collage that they get to decorate with photos and pictures. This is displayed in a glass case (See picture below).
- Lunch with their parents and Principal Kuhn in the media center. They also get to skip to the front of the line for lunch.
- They also get to bring a friend from class to the lunch. After much controversy, Anita chose her friend, Madison (See picture below).

Due to last Friday's snowstorm, school was cancelled. The Farrand Fox lunch was also cancelled and rescheduled for today. Michael and I went to the school and had lunch with Anita and her friend, Madison in the Media Center (AKA the library). It was nice to see the students and their parents and Principal Kuhn.

The funny thing is that I actually had to go to Farrand FIVE times today. Here are the reasons why.

1. Drop Anita off at school.
2. Farrand Fox Lunch.
3. Math Game Volunteer at school.
4. Pick Anita up from school.
5. Movie Night at Farrand.

Geez ... :O) That's OK though ... It's definitely worth it.

Minnie was also Student of the Week this week as well. I haven't seen the Newsletter with his "interview" yet though ... Don't worry - I will address this on Monday. :O) In the meantime, enjoy the pictures!


Anita & Madison getting ready for the Farrand Fox lunch. Anita's (laminated) collage is on the bottom row and the second one from the right.


Minnie was also Student of the Week at Academic Gardens. Here he is with Connie.

The Day After The Snowstorm

Well, the snowstorm came and went. We received phone calls to pick the kids up early from school. When we came home, Michael showed the kids the work he did on the luge run while they were gone. The kids gleefully took turns going down the tube and smoothing out the path. We also rolled a chunk of ice into a huge ball that became the base of our snowman. As you can see, the snowman is looking at the luge run.

More later!


The day after the storm ... the luge run and our snowman.


Standing on top of the luge run and looking down ... It's about five feet tall now!

Playing in the Snow

The kids having been playing outside for the past two hours. They just came in to warm up for a minute and then left again. I forgot how fun it could be playing outside in the snow and cold. I think all of those years wearing only a hoodie, jeans and docs as winter gear have numbed my fingers and toes. Now, I wear globes, a scarf and hat with my jacket and shoes. Scarf and jacket are Barbour and the hat is Kangol of course.


Minnie loves to fall in the snow.


The kids are outside smiling and having fun in the backyard.

Building the Luge Run

Anita and Minnie spent several hours this morning building the luge run in the back yard. Later in the afternoon, Anita continued with the process, and dad videotaped her inside explaining the process and providing the demonstration outside.


"Let me explain to you the process..."

Walk out to Winter (12.09.2005)

Yesterday's "dire" projection of snow produced three - four inches where we live in Southeastern Michigan this morning. Schools were closed, so Yum and Minnie are enjoying their first snow day of the season today. They have just eaten breakfast and are measuring themselves. Maybe it will be a white Christmas after all!

On this note, I'll end with this:

Walk out to winter, swear I'll be there.
Chill will wake you, high and dry
You'll wonder why.
Walk out to winter, swear I'll be there.
Chance is buried just below the blinding snow...


First major snow of the year!

Own your own piece of land!

I found this pretty funny website where you can actually own a piece of land in any state of the United States. The cost is the best part ... The land is FREE! Of course, the size of your plot is only an inch. At least you don't have to worry about paying taxes on the land. Just make sure you don't make improvements to your property. :O)


This is the actual size of your plot.

Happy Birthday, Cin!

Cin's birthday is tomorrow, December 7! Woo hoo! So is her brother's and so is her cousin's ... Amazing all on the same day.

Brownie Troop # 84 Excursion: Exhibit Musuem of National History (U of M Ann Arbor)

Anita's Brownie Troop went to the University of Michigan's Exhibit Museum of Natural History in Ann Arbor today and participated in the Dinosaur Discovery Day event. There were several other Brownie troops as well. I drove Anita and two other girls there. We were part of three minivans that caravanned there, and thankfully we were able to secure free parking at the building. Woo hoo!

We started off participating in a Dinosaur Track workshop (- see pictures below -) followed by a presentation in the Planetarium. After the Planetarium, the girls made dinosaur hats. Then, to the second floor to view dinosaurs and the third floow to view life-size exhibits of animals (a polite way of saying "stuffed").

Finally, we had lunch at the Pizza House on Church Street. We had a great time with the other moms and Brownies. The girls acquired another fun badge (one with a Dinosaur on it) and a triad.

When we arrived home, Dad and Minnie finished doing laundry, played with the big train and had lunch at Bode's. It was a busy day!


Brownies getting ready to make dinosaur footprints. From L to R: Samantha, Destiny, Andrea, Liana, Anita and Gina.


Anita & Lauren getting their shoeprints drawn by me inside a T-Rex footprint. I was tracing the footprint of each of the girls as part of this activity.


Brownies in the Planetarium. From L to R: Lauren, Liana, Destiny, Andrea, Anita and Sabrina. Gina and Sabrina are twins. Anita calls them, "Geenie and Sabrinee."

Farrand Pancake Dinner (12.01.2005)

Tonight we went had pancakes and sausage for dinner at Farrand Elementary School. It was another fundraiser for the school, and Michael volunteered to help. One of his responsibilities was to ensure there was no running through the area. Later, he had a one hour shift as the cashier in the Holiday Gift Shop in the library. While he was working, I ended up following Minnie, Yummer and her friends all around the school.

Finally, the last information that I will impart to you ... Anita won a prize in the raffle held after dinner. She won an inflatable spaceship that flashes and made noises. Very cool.


Going inside and getting ready to help out! Notice the mismatched shoes? He just started doing this yesterday ... ai yi yi ... ;O)


First ones in line to get pancakes and sausage ...


The Asian contingent!

Fai's Birthday

Fai's birthday was today! Happy birthday, dear!

Turducken

I forgot to mention that we had Turducken for an after Thanksgiving dinner courtesy of Uncle Karl and Annie. Apparently, Karl special ordered the Turducken from his local grocery store in Nashville. I thought it tasted very good. But, I digress ... "What is a Turducken?" Find out here.

Wiki's entry here.

Thanksgiving 2005: Cousins Picture Day (Last Day)

We decided to get the kids together and schedule an appointment to have all five cousins photographed together. You'll have to wait to get the cards in the mail to see the image, but here are some photos before our session. Check out Anita, Otto, Olivia and Minnie singing "Oompa Loompa." If you can't get through, just send a note or ping me.

One more bit: We enjoyed ice cream at a parlour sitting at tables outside of the building after the photos. It was another beautiful warm day in Nashville. We leave for home tomorrow.


The two youngest cousins - Minnie and Amelia Monet Bjarkadottir Olafsson... CUTE!

Thanksgiving 2005: Black Friday (Day after Thanksgiving)

We participated in the mad frenzy called "Black Friday" and hit the Best Buy and picked up a few things (- really good deals - seriously! -) including the new Madonna album which is pretty damn good! Afterwards, we went to Bath and Body Works to purchase another Wallflower holder and peony refills. It will tide me over until our peonies bloom again in the Spring. Yum!

FYI ... Check out Madonna videos at this site. She looks AMAZING at the MTV European Awards from November 3, 2005.


I can only HOPE I look as good as Madonna when I'm 47 ... Bloody hell! (courtesy of madonna.com)

Thanksgiving 2005: Happy Turkey Day Everyone!

Michael and I were fairly ambitious and decided that we were going to walk / run The Boulevard Bolt this year on Thanksgiving Day. It was a beautiful day for an event like this one. Warm, sunny and not snowy / cold like home. Karl's wife, Annie, accompanied us on the route. She has always been a runner and runs the Bolt route regularly ... Well, you can imagine, she took off pretty fast and left us in the dust. I'm proud to say that we ran part of the way and walked to the end of the race. A great way to kick-start Turkey Day!

The family later had a delicious dinner at Karl and Annie's house. Finally, the original Willy Wonka movie, Trump and a sleepover for the cousins topped off a great Thanksgiving.


At the beginning of the Bolt...


Michael and Annie at the start sign.


On the way back to Uncle Karl and Annie's house ...

Thanksgiving 2005: A Relaxing Day

Today, we prepared our part of Thanksgiving Dinner (Deviled Eggs, Desserts, Veggies / Dip and Fruit Bowl). The kids are outside playing by the creek behind Granny's house. We have an action packed day tomorrow with beginning with the five mile run-walk (walk in my case!) called The Bolt. Proceeds go to benefit Nashville's homeless.

If you were not there to sample our desserts, check them out below.


Our version of the California Rolls comprised of coconut (rice), fruit roll-ups (seaweed wrap), white cupcake (body), cucumber / carrot (gumdrops), wasabi (green coloured frosting).


Acorn cupcakes. Chocolate cake (body), with almond (stem), caramel ("top half") and chocolate frosting ("bottom half").

Thanksgiving 2005: Morning at the Tennessee State Museum with Dr. Rau

This morning, Michael and I went with his Uncle Karl and friend, Walter, to the Tennessee State Museum to view the Rau Collection again. It was more inspiring the second time around, and it really reinforced my opinion that Sisley and Pissaro were powerful painters. Although they were founding members of the Impressionist movement, it seemed like they were overshadowed by their peers. At this exhibit, they have found equal footing. Some other highlights also included a Cassatt, Fragonard (six at the DIA), and the two below.


Hendrick Ter Brugghen
Backgammon Players | circa 1627
Oil on Canvas.


Lucas Cranach the Elder
The Elder Judith | circa 1525
Oil on wood.

Thanksgiving 2005: Morning at the Frist Center

We went to the Frist Center today and attended two exhibits. One was "The Splendid Palette" which featured 14 privately held (!!!) pieces of art by some of the best known and well-renowned French artists including Bonnard, Cezanne, Fantin-Latour, Monet, Pissarro, Redon, Renoir, Sisley, van Gogh, de Vlaminck and Vuillard. Note the words "privately held" ... The owners of these pieces were kind enough to loan these pieces so the public can enjoy them. It's amazing to think that each one of these actually sit over someone's fireplace or desk.

Also, Thomas Cole and The Hudson River School were featured prominently in the other wing. To me, it was just stepping back and viewing landscapes the way nature intended before machines and the Industrial Age. There were several paintings of Niagara Falls in the 1830's with farmhouses in the backgrounds and dirt roads around the rim looking towards the Horseshoe Falls.

Another interesting exhibit was an installation entitled "Neural Architecture." The kids enjoyed stepping past the motion sensors to turn on the lights. We did not have a chance to check out the Murano exhibit unfortunately .... Maybe we will come again this week!

One place we did make it to was the ArtQuest room. The kids loved this area where families can paint, draw, sketch and participate in many activities. One area we really enjoyed was the area for printmaking. Anita and Dad designed and scratched out own unique prints. The volunteers admired Yummers piece and said it was one of the best ones they had seen from someone her age. Minnie etched out a Monet one from the exhibit, and I etched the one of the Sisley pieces. All of our prints came out wonderfully. We are going to have the kids' framed!

Also, The incredible Rau Collection is in Nashville at the Tennessee State Museum at its final appearance before it travels to Europe. We saw this impressive collection last year in Cincinnati. Michael wants to go see it again... we'll see. :O)

Finally --- Admission to the Frist is free through December 31, 2005 if you donate a can of food. This is the second time we have been to The Frist, and we are still very impressed that Nashville has such a fine art venue. There are beautiful and well-done brochures for all of the exhibits, and the staff are very friendly and eager to answer questions. It's a definite "must-do" if you're there!


The kids and I standing outside of the Frist against "The Splendid Palette" backdrop.

Thanksgiving 2005: En route to Nashville

This year, we decided to spend Thanksgiving with Michael's family in Nashville. As our typical "break" from the drive down, we decided to make a visit to the Speed Art Museum in Louisville, Kentucky on our way to Nashville. We were pretty impressed with their solid collection of art including a Cezanne, Monet, Sargant(!!), Tissot, Lichenstein, Gainsborough, Charles Peale and a remarkable Rembrandt. One room was totally dedicated to a paneled parlor that was removed from a home in Devon, England. The woodwork was one-of-a-kind and certainly would not be seen in many newer homes today.

There was also a retrospective of Mary Ann Currier who impressed us with her use of oil pastel and unique composition of everyday objects with famous scenes and artists. As with all art work, photographs do no justice to these pieces when you are vieweing them in person. The Rembrandt was particularly impressive 'cos it looked like a photograph of the sitter.


Doesn't this look like a photograph? An item of beauty by the incredible Rembrandt.


The kids and I by a Monet landscape.

Jens

Our good friend from Eastern, Jens, came for a week-long visit last Thursday. The last time we saw him was three years ago, and when he walked through the back door, it seemed like he never left. :O)

Let me tell you: Jens is a really easy house guest putting up with our current renovation situation (- OK, "current" means two years here -). He also helped Michael with a snaking project in the basement where the water did not go down the drain easily (and then at all). We rented the 50 foot eel (i.e. sewer snake) from our friends at The Home Depot and when that did not work, we had to go back for the 100 foot eel.

Remember this folks:
1. Never flush baby wipes down the toilet. You will be VERY thankful you heeded my advice.
2. Anyone who will stand with you and puts up with crap (literally) and be fairly enthusiastic about it is a true friend.

We miss you already, Jens. Hopefully, we will have made some more progress on the house by your next visit!

'Tis the season ...

It's been a while since I've been to Costco, and I'm amazed at some of the products that they have available now. I've highlighted two items below.


holla if you got the dolla(r)s ...


"honey, i'm going to pick up some cheese, toilet paper, and my casket..."