Big Birthday Weekend

Good weekend to follow a good week.

Friday we went to Nicholas's after-school YMCA program dance show thing. it was cute.
Nicholas and the other Kindergartners learned a dance routine from their class leaders (who apparently are the actual people that "you got served" and "take it 2 da streets" are modeled after).. Mostly it was loosely choreographed jumping. But very cute. It's fun to see nicholas with his buddies- he's about 6 inches taller than everyone... also one of 2 or 3 white kids in his class, which probably helps the height thing.


Then, Saturday, we celebrated the 29th anniversary of the day when a great and glorious light shone down upon the little town of St. Paul, Minnesota, and the world was then blessed with one J.D. Laurion, monstrous head and all. Truly a great day. Just think of all that has improved. Just months after being born, a great president was elected, the economy began about 20 consecutive years of double-digit growth, bikinis got smaller every year and someone invented triathlons. You're welcome, planet earth.
But back in reality my darling wife made me a monster breakfast with super tasty egg scramble, hash browns, sausages, fresh O.J., English muffins and Cinnamon Rolls with 29 candles in them.


Got a good haul present-wise as well!

Sammy got me a Rip-Stik, which I can ride well downhill but have no idea how to propel- can't get the shimmy movement thing- I'll figure it out.

Nicholas got me a super awesome toy helicopter that we flew around all day, crashed into sammy's head and had to spend some time removing hair from the tail rotor, but played with some more (seriously, if you have little-or big- boys on your christmas list this thing is a blast and not too 'spensive)


Then Mommy gave me some handy stuff- a laptop pad that I'm using right now in bed,
handy bracket to install my ipod touchie in the car,


and a new iPod shuffle, blue, with "Run, fast boy, Run!" engraved on the back... how sweet. And she thinks I'm fast! I could use the encouragement right now.


We made presents for Grandma that afternoon and then in the evening the Bride and I went to her company's Christmas Ball. Free good food and drinks. BIRTHDAY WIN.



Today we got a lot done, I did yardwork and the boys scooted/tricycled

Later Sam helped me take apart my old mountain bike for fun.


I was really digging into it. The only thing I didn't take apart was one of the wheel hubs. When I took the bolt out and four or five ball bearings dropped out, I figured I was doing more harm than good. But it's a fun learning experience and helps me understand the creaks and clinks on my good bikes.

Man hands:
Sammy approves of this bloggy posting.