Breakfast at Big Boy's Restaurant (01.11.2006)

We had breakfast with Fai right before she left for the Peace Corps staging event in Philadelphia, PA.


Breakfast at Big Boy's!

Last Weekday of X-mas Break (01.06.2006)

I went into the office today, and left Dad with the kids. As I was noshing on sushi with Auntie Fai and working, Dad had a great time playing with the kids on the last bit of the Luge Run. As you can see in the pictures below, it has been warm in Michigan. Compare that to the first pictures that I took of the Luge Run in its prime. Cold day, but at least it was sunny... and yes, the kids had a blast heading down the run then coming in for a cup of hot chocolate and marshmallows.


A really nice picture of happy Minnie.


Yummers having fun on the last bit of the Luge Run.


The kids on what's left of the Luge Run.

Native American Culture at the Plymouth Library (01.05.2006)

To alleviate a little bit of the Holiday Break boredom, I registered the kids for the Native American Culture program at the Plymouth library today. Reg Pettibone and his wife, Marca, performed several dances that celebrated Mother Earth, ancestors, and parents and explained how his nation, the Ho-Chunk, once lived. It was a very interesting program and included a tale on how the raccoon got his mask. If you have the chance to catch him, it's a must-do!


Reg Pettibone and his wife, Marca, in traditional Ho-Chunk garb.

Family Game Night at the Plymouth Library (01.03.2006)

The Plymouth District Library held its first Family Game Night where the library supplied a ton of games, pizza and soda. We had a lot of fun and played multiple games of gin rummy. There was also several kids who were playing chess in the corner, and Anita would go over there to casually observe while Dad was shuffling cards. We also played Uno which I haven't played since I was about ten. The next night we went to Target and bought some Uno cards and have been playing every night since. The kids even played each other in the parlour this morning. Minnie has really become a great Uno card player. Pretty amazing.


Anita enjoying her pizza. She had seven pieces!

Fw: For those who are coming to Detroit for the Superbowl !!

This one came from my old friend, Candace, who now lives in Colorado --- I had to chuckle at this one.

For all the visitors, from other than Michigan, coming to the Super Bowl in January....

1. First, you must learn to pronounce the city name. It's Deh-troit. NOT DEE-troit. If you pro-nounce it DEE-Troit then we will assume you are from Toledo and here for the country Music hoe-down.

2. Forget the traffic rules you learned elsewhere. Detroit has its own version of traffic rules... Hold on and pray!

3. The morning rush hour is from 6:00 am to 10:00 am. The evening rush hour is from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Friday's rush hour starts Thursday morning. Weekends are open game.

4. If you actually stop at a yellow light, you will be rear-ended, cussed out and possibly shot. If you're first off the starting line when the light turns green, count to five before going across the intersection. This will avoid getting in the way of cross-traffic who just ran their yellow light to keep from getting shot.

5. Schoenherr can ONLY be properly pronounced by a native of the Detroit metro area. That goes for Gratiot too.

6. Construction and renovation on I-94, I-96, I-75, I-275, I-375, The Lodge and The Southfield Freeways are a way of life and forever. Just deal with it.
EDITOR'S NOTE: 96 has IMPROVED since they finished with the construction earlier this year! No construction there or 275 as of today.

7. If someone actually has their turn signal on, it is probably a factory defect or they are "out-of-towners"
EDITOR'S NOTE: Not true ....

8. All old men (or women) with white hair, wearing a hat and who flip you off have total right-of-way.

9. The minimum acceptable speed on I-696 and I-275 is 85 regardless of the posted speeds. Anything less is considered downright SISSY. Oh, and don't even think of allowing more than one car length between cars!

10. That attractive wrought iron on the windows and doors in Detroit is NOT ornamental. DO NOT get out of your car to take pictures.

11. Never stare at the driver of the car with the bumper sticker that says "Keep honking, I'm reloading", they really are!

12. If you are in the left lane, and only going 70 in a 60 mph zone, people are not waving because they are so friendly in Detroit. I would suggest you duck.

13. I-275 and I-696 is our daily version of NASCAR.

14. It's not M-10, it's "the Lodge".

15. Michigan might be the gateway to the great lake but THAT's not one of them, it's a pothole.

16. If someone tells you it's on Outer Drive, you better hope you have a map.
EDITOR'S NOTE: AMEN!

17. The Michigan left turn is simple. If you want to turn left, go a 1/4 of a mile past your turn, get to the left, then make a left, then make another left, then make a right when you get back to the intersection where you wanted to turn left in the first place. NOW you have gone left.

18. And those 2 really ugly arches over Telegraph???? DON'T EVEN ASK!! WE DON'T HAVE A CLUE!!!!!

WELCOME, ENJOY YOUR STAY, BUT AVOID EYE-CONTACT WITH THE LOCALS

New Year's Eve 2005 (12.31.2005)

Happy New Year ... The kids didn't exactly make it all of the way to 2006. But, we were able to rouse them up right 15 minutes before the ball dropped in Times Square. Wasn't Dick Clark amazing?


I think these special cookies say it all!


Minnie right before the ball dropped...


and Yummer right before the ball dropped.

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 ...