Sandwich of Choice

Today was a beautiful day, so it was time to start grilling again. Messy chicken sandwiches are a favorite around here, so Jeff went all out. The boys love the pineapple, but that wasn't their favorite part tonight. Instead, they preferred sandwiches made from bread, leaf lettuce and mayo/teriyaki/sesame seeds. Who knew?

Furniture Shopping

To avoid the cleaning at home, we all decided to go furniture shopping today. I also wanted to get it done before moving so we know what colors to paint the walls and can just relax when we're all done with the move.

The boys were a bit rambunctious, to say the least, when we first started. Jumping onto all the couches, sliding on the ottomans. Then, they found Larryboy. I'm fairly certain they didn't actually move the whole time they sat there. We went to two more stores after that one, and only got them through that because they knew we were going back to the first. I'm not a huge fan of TV, but zombies are sometimes nice.

2010 Census

I have no problem whatsoever with the census, although I have always wished we would get the long form (which doesn't apparently exist this time.) This year I've been less than impressed with the money being spent on it, though. How much did that Super Bowl commercial cost? And the letter we received last week asking us to please complete the census when it came? And the letter I'm sure we will get next week reminding us to complete it?

Today, Liam and I sat down to fill it out. He really wanted to do it himself, but I figured we should at least have an adult do it. I think he would have done fine. Last name: ENG EL HAR DT, enunciated just the way I do, to make sure people get it right. Middle name: Patrick Roy. He even guessed Jeff's age correctly.

A Real Goalie

Much of our boys' lives involve goalies. They're named after them. They're cared for by one. They're coached by another. Their mom watches one in particular. So it's a little interesting that aside from Jeff, they haven't actually ever met one.

The Mavericks auctioned off their third jerseys again this year, and it was one I really liked. We weren't sure whose to buy at first, but then had a lot of fun watching first year Phil Cook. He's exciting to watch, plays well, has Cookie Monster on the back of his mask, and should be around a few years.

All of us went on the ice after the Mavs' 4-2 win over St Cloud State tonight. The boys seemed a bit in awe because they wouldn't talk to him. He was very nice and cute, too. His favorite goalie is Martin Brodeur (sound familiar?) which is probably the reason for #30. It will be a lot of fun to watch him play the next few years.

Let's go Canada!

Let's be clear. Those words did not come out of my mouth.

As Olympic coverage transitioned from the 50 km to hockey, Liam and Cole decided to play hockey. Liam said, "Let's go Canada!" We questioned whether he really wants Canada to beat the US, but he has repeated it multiple times, in addition to the simpler "Go Canada." He has also stood at attention and sung O Canada.

Jeff decided to put on his USA jersey in response, so we had very clear delineation of loyalties. We laughed a lot, though, when Canada scored. Liam's first response? "Oh, no!"

(2nd period, after the US finally scored: We cheer. Liam comes out and realizes why we're cheering and screams "NOOOOOO!!!!!" Jeff & I started chanting USA, and Cole joined us. Liam started chanting Can-a-da, and Cole joined him.)

A Knight by Cole

Cole has never been all that interested in drawing or coloring, preferring to express himself with Trios or Legos instead. It's amazing, really, how many fewer projects he comes home with from preschool than Liam did.

All that seems to have changed recently. I find drawings all over the craft room that I know are not Liam's (fewer colors, fewer geometric shapes, no facial features). This one is one of my favorites. He spent many minutes describing it to me today, including the sword, the "protector thingy", his brown legs, his helmet including the feather on top, and his shield. I was very impressed.

Master of the House

Liam has a lot of fun helping Jeff in the kitchen. Mostly they do mixing things, since Jeff's a little worried about Liam near the open flame of our range. While we were eating this evening, Liam said he was a cook. Cole then said, "Liam's a cook, Daddy's a cook, I'm a cook." I then asked if I was a cook, and he replied, "No, you're the master."