hawkchilds

Hey Kids, Let's Put on a Show!

2012-02-13T12:57:00.001-05:00

No one is dancing where I am POINTING!

Guys and Dolls at Victor High School March 8-10!

Snow Cone

2012-02-06T12:21:00.002-05:00

Very odd winter this year- a lot of sunshine, and no snow. Here we are in the backyard after one of our three snowfalls.

Pond Hockey, Eh?

2012-01-23T12:34:00.003-05:00

The perfect storm of weather events left us with an ice rink in the backyard this weekend. Rain to flood the entire backyard, freezing weather, and limited snow. I feel like Wayne Gretzky's dad.

Here, Henry is "foilin' up for the game, Coach!"

Another Rose Bowl Loss

2012-01-13T13:53:00.002-05:00

Even Beast Mode couldn't help Bucky beat the Duckies.

Henry is a little confused with all of my favorite sports teams. I think he has Wisconsin, the Bears, and the Brewers down. But the Mets, and now Syracuse (orange?) are giving him trouble.

"Who are da bad guys, daddy? Are da good guys the guys dressed in orange? Which one are da ducks?"

Last time he visited, Page was reading a book about wolverines. On the phone, Page reminded him about that, and how it was now his favorite animal.

Henry looked at me and asked, "aren't those the bad guys, Daddy?"

Where's Leo?

2012-01-11T13:29:00.002-05:00

He's either taking a nap or up at Eagle Provisions picking up some Kielbasa.

Where'd all these kids come from?

Happy New Year!

2012-01-09T14:25:00.003-05:00

Enjoyed a beautiful day at the Brooklyn Bridge Park over the new year. Tons of new fantastically-fun-family-friendly playgrounds with a great view of the city.

Meltdown on Flatbush Avenue

2012-01-04T17:14:00.002-05:00

Henry! There's the original Junior's Restaurant!

I don't wanna walk anymoooooooore Daaaaaaadd-yyyyyy!

Henry, this is where Duke Snider and Andy Pafko were cheered after the Dodgers won the 1955 World Series!

I WANT MY PANDA!

A Christmas Memory

2011-12-28T12:15:00.005-05:00

"Peace! Elsa: OUT!" Ah, city schools. Love it! Elsa is wandering around the house banging into walls while reading. Love it! Thank you Mrs. LaRussa! Thank you School 46!

Last night cuddling in bed with Henry:
Jeremy: Henry, what do you love most about Mum?
Henry: Hugging her.
Ruth: What do you love most about Dad?
Henry: Hugging him.
Jeremy: What do you love most about Elsa?
Henry: Tackling her.

Elsa on Hans Christian Anderson's story, The Little Match Girl:
Dad, she's DEAD FROZEN at the end! I would have gone home for a spanking instead of ending up DEAD FROZEN!

Henry stared at Santa's half eaten cookie and the reindeer's half eaten carrot for a good 15 seconds on Christmas morning. I could just feel his little brain trying to figure it out.

Elsa and Henry had Christmas tacos for Christmas dinner. Ruth and I opted for crab cakes and lamb chops.

Henry asked to transform his transformer into a car 30 times. Ruth was a good sport, and spent a total of 45-60 minutes working on it throughout the weekend.

While throwing sticks into Lake Ontario on Christmas Day, Ruth got her new mitten snagged on one and tossed it 15 feet into the icy water. I took off boots and socks and retrieved it.

Henry Shningledorf

2011-12-20T08:54:00.002-05:00

This parenting thing just gets better and better.

In the immortal words of Duncan Chase, "He is my joy-mentor."

Happy Birthday Elsa

2011-12-14T10:19:00.001-05:00

Elsa is 7 today! We will have cake tonight with the family, and host her party on Saturday. Taking eight kids to see The Muppets!

Thanksgiving Menu

2011-12-02T11:51:00.002-05:00

Grilled Turkey with Mushroom Gravy
Mashed Potatoes
Fennel, Cabbage, Apple, and Hazelnut Salad
Brussels Sprouts and Carrots with Honey
Green Beans with Almonds
Cranberry Sorbet
Pumpkin Pie
Cranberry-Blueberry Pie

The Handyman Can

2011-11-30T14:08:00.002-05:00

Well, Brian visited for four days and spent four hours on a ladder fixing my motion light.

Hey, it's not my fault my father chose to sunbathe and read The New Yorker on his down time instead of teaching me how to hunt or fish or fix motion lights!

OT

2011-11-18T10:06:00.003-05:00

Listen, Emily, I’m going to tell you why I’m not going to Agriculture School. I think that once you’ve found a person that you’re very fond of…I mean a person who’s fond of you, too, and likes you enough to be interested in your character…Well, I think that’s just as important as college is, and even more so. That’s what I think.

The show was a big hit. Great cast, they worked hard while I was out and pulled off a great production. I'll remember it for a long time, or at least until Guys and Dolls auditions next month...

Self Portrait

2011-11-07T12:24:00.001-05:00

Henry modeled his pumpkin this year on his very own grimace. GRR!

He drew it, I carved it.

Beast Mode!

2011-10-14T12:50:00.003-04:00

"Come see what's Brewin'!"

Oh my god, the Brew Crew are tied with St. Louis, 2-2 in the NLCS! I can't believe this is happening.

Henry can, though. They've been in the playoffs in two out of the four seasons he's been watching baseball.

I am surprising a lot of people here in western New York with my SWEET Brewers gear. Most of them have never met a Brewers fan.

This picture was taken last weekend as we were apple picking, right before Henry needed to use a porta-potty. It was 120 degrees inside the porta potty.

Henry: Dad, why am I so itchy?
Dad: Because we are in a porta-potty, it is 120 degrees, and you are wearing a vintage polyester Brewers uniform.
Henry: Oh.
Dad: I've been holding on to that uniform for 29 years, in hopes that my kids would wear it someday.
Henry: What?
Dad: Go Brewers.
Henry: (simulating Beast Mode as he sits on the potty) Come see what's Brewin!

Yankee Doodle Dandy

2011-09-26T11:39:00.002-04:00

Ruth's a citizen!

She's a Yankee Doodle Dandy
A Yankee Doodle, do or die!
A real live nephew of my Uncle Sam
Born on the Fourth of July!

She's got a Yankee Doodle sweetheart
He's her Yankee Doodle joy
Yankee Doodle came to London
Just to ride the ponies
She is that Yankee Doodle Gal!

CORN (and Brat)!

2011-08-29T11:04:00.010-04:00

Wisconsin!

2011-08-19T08:41:00.004-04:00

W ater parks at the Dells
I ate 3 pieces of fish at the Village, Brad had 13
S aw the Brewers win 8/9 games
C ast Schmantz (team name - Brian and I) crushed Page and Brad at badminton
O nly two more weeks of summer vacation (hard being a teacher)
N ew Jay Cutler jersey from ShopKo!
S layed by Dad's anniversary speech
I got somethin' in my eye!
N eed some sleep

Schweddy Balls

2011-08-06T19:21:00.002-04:00

A coupla Schweddy Balls in the kitchen tonight. This is chive and basil oil hovering in cheesecloth, but you could have fooled me.

Ruth's reference. Really.

On Wisconsin

2011-08-03T18:00:00.003-04:00

Actually, the W stands for (W)illiam Shakespeare.

Hey, if the shirt fits, wear it. And if the plaid shorts do too, wear them.

This was Henry's idea. Really.

Hockey Drills

2011-07-25T15:39:00.003-04:00

Henry's Daily Hockey Routine:

15 minutes: Neutral Zone regroup/dump and chase
15 minutes: Pass/Shoot/Tip from a regroup pass
15 minutes: Fighting technique
2 minutes: Change out of Superhero costume because it is padded and it is 95 degrees out
15 minutes: Review the history of the NHL
2 minutes: Snack Break: Fruit Gushers and Pretzels
10 minutes: Double Chip with Shot
10 minutes: Transition Drills
15 minutes: Czech Flow Drill
2 minutes: Put Band-Aid on blister from wearing Spiderman sandals in 95 degree heat
15 minutes: Dry-land squat thrusts
30 minutes: Stick Handling: Soft Touch, Around Body, Hip, Blinders, Yo-Yo, Figure 8, Hand Slide Wide, Reach-Pull, Stick Flip, Toe-Tap

Hot Dogger

2011-06-28T09:50:00.002-04:00

This present from Ben cooks six hot dogs in one minute. Because you NEED six hot dogs to be cooked in a minute. Think of the time I will save.

Fashion Spider Man

2011-06-16T14:47:00.001-04:00

Spider Man Spider Man
Does whatever a spider can!
Wears his hair like a punk
Jumps into the car trunk!

Look out! Here comes the Spider Man!

Screen Time

2011-05-24T10:11:00.002-04:00

Helping to raise a nation of computer geeks! Here they are checking their Facebook accounts.

Biker Gang

2011-05-19T12:20:00.003-04:00

All we need are two Harleys. Actually, the bandanas are to wear under our bicycle helmets. It finally stopped raining yesterday and we were able to go.

Give Uncle Chris a Kiss

2011-05-04T07:56:00.004-04:00

The camera barely survived this photo shoot- between Henry whacking it with the plane and then slobbering all over the lens.

Henry-isms

2011-04-24T14:52:00.003-04:00

"Go away! You 'Sconsin Boy-head!"

Dad: "Hakuna Matata!"
Henry: "Fo duh rest of YODAZE!"

Spooked by Indians after watching the first Little House on the Prairie, he now first asks: "Dad are there Indians in Little House on the Fairy?"

Ruth: "Henry we have to go up for a nap in two minutes."
Henry: "Five minutes?"
Ruth: "Three minutes."
Henry: "Four minutes?"

When the light isn't on in his room: "I can't see my eyes!"

"Elsa you're not being a good listener! (pause) Daddy, am I being a good listener?"

Whenever the four of us are together: "We're a FAM-UH-LEE!"

Super Hero

2011-04-21T11:25:00.003-04:00

Elsa is Tightie-Whitie-Man. That's Henry's underpants serving as the mask.

Boo Boo Dance Party

2011-04-12T08:23:00.003-04:00

Boo Boo can really shake his booty. Here, Henry is trying to keep up with him.

Boo Boo might be tired. He visited Elsa's kindergarten class to tell them about Tanzania, he read lots of books to the grandpeeps, he fixed the composter, he swam at midtown, he was awoken by the kids every morning at 6:30AM, he drank Oban with Dad, he made sweet potato fries, he went to a Saturday night college party for Africa Bridge, and he walked in the woods and collected sticks with Henry.

Phew.

Buck Tooth

2011-04-05T14:29:00.004-04:00

Well, this tooth held on for a couple of days. Elsa especially liked yanking and twisting it in front of me because I would get the heebie-jeebies so bad. I'm still traumatized from all of my adolescent orthodontia.

Tooth fairy picked it up last night.

Elsie I'm saving this photo. If I don't like your prom date in 2022 he is getting a copy...

Elsa getting Political

2011-03-29T15:52:00.005-04:00

Elsa and her friend Liliya gave potential mayor Tom Richards a talking-to about potential school cuts!

Scroll to the last photo in the gallery:

http://www.democratandchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Avis=A2&Dato=20110329&Kategori=MULTIMEDIA03&Lopenr=103290803&Ref=PH&odyssey=mod|galleriespic|umbrella

Good Luck Brad!

2011-03-22T13:34:00.001-04:00

Brad is off to National Championships next week in Hartford, CT. Go Thunderbirds! Go Brad!!!

It's a Wrap!

2011-03-14T14:19:00.002-04:00

...and what fun was had by all! I had a really enjoyable time this year. I think I am getting better at delegating responsibility, and parental involvement helped and was really great this year. It's fun watching parents positively interact with kids.

Elsie loved the costumes (look at that robe!) and on Saturday during the show was flanked by her grandmother Gigi and kindergarten teacher Mrs. Seybold. She sat in my lap for Act 2. I will remember that forever.

Aida this Weekend!

2011-03-09T14:36:00.000-05:00

March 10-12 at 7PM! Victor High School!

Best Restaurant in the World

2011-03-04T11:11:00.004-05:00

Or at least in Western New York.

Ted's in Buffalo! We downed three hot dogs, fries, onion rings, and three loganberry drinks. Four stars. Outta sight!

Winter Park

2011-03-02T13:16:00.002-05:00

Elsie was a mountain girl last week. We visited Chris, Linda, and the boys in Denver, and headed up to Winter Park for a couple of days to ski. Uncle B came along, Elsa had her first ski lesson...and a lot of chocolate. If you look close enough, you can see that Dad had not gotten to her with a handkerchief after her choco-banana explosion while Apres-Skiing...

Hey Kids, Let's Put on a Show!

2011-02-15T10:59:00.003-05:00

Aida is coming! March 10-12, 2011! Directed by Elsa Hawkinson.

Street Rider

2011-02-09T20:38:00.003-05:00

Henry look behind you!

Just kidding dear blog reader. There wasn't a car in sight. I was two feet next to him and prepared to toss him into the nearest snowbank.

I almost did two hours later when he went boneless as I put him into his crib.

Snow Day!

2011-02-04T08:26:00.001-05:00

To the library, Bruegger's for dinner, then Ben and Jerry's for dessert.

The Day After

2011-01-24T08:19:00.003-05:00

Elsa at 6:25 PM last night:

"Dad, why don't you just become a Packer fan? It would be a lot easier."

I am Iron Man

2011-01-07T16:36:00.002-05:00

Oh, SURE Henry, get into comic books NOW for crying out loud. If you had started collecting 75 years ago maybe this would be worth something...

Mr. Ketchup Frog and the Giraffe

2011-01-01T10:23:00.002-05:00

Daddy, Mr. Ketchup Frog runned into the giraffe in the tree.

I'm making mudpies on the gwound, Daddy.

In the car the other day:

Elsa: Henry, stop copying me!
Henry: Stop copying me!
Elsa: Henry, do you even know what copying means?
Henry: (long pause) I don't know what copying means.

Potty Training Incentive

2010-12-29T10:16:00.001-05:00

Dude that is CHILLY-WILLY!

Diaper change at 18 degrees. Ah, Henry, maybe you should think about using the potty next time!

Mr. Smorgie!

2010-12-25T15:02:00.002-05:00

The annual Christmas Eve Smorgasbord was renamed by Henry this year.

"MR. SMORGIE!"

We had shrimp cocktail, Ukranian sausage, Swedish meatballs, poblano cole slaw, croque monsieurs (ham and cheese sandwiches), and black cherry jello!

Tradi-TION! TRADITION!

You know Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and...Henry

2010-12-15T13:31:00.002-05:00

Hen, when you wake up tomorrow there is going to be a lot of snow on the ground.

Mum! Tomahwo, when we waked up dare's going tuh be...a LAUT UFF SNOW UN DA GWOUND!

Happy Birthday Elsa!

2010-12-13T14:16:00.001-05:00

Ice cream cake yesterday after everybody went to see Tangled!

Looks like everyone is having an OK time, eh?

Ich Zeiner Schwann's!

2010-12-07T14:12:00.003-05:00

Ah, oh! Ich zeiner mein Schwann's, yah? Yah! Ein und mit deutsch niesel deiner mit ladle Elsie Bean, yah, en und Schwann's en ROCHESTER, NEW YORK! En zuner mein WURST wassen GOOT, yah! Bitte mustard freine SYRACUSE, NEW YORK yah! Vas drinken mit SCOOP too, yah! Zer goot! PROST!

Honey and the Honey's Companion

2010-11-29T15:33:00.005-05:00

The first batch arrived on Wednesday morning. A little late, tired from flight delays and an overnight in Chicago, but ready to go nonetheless. The honey's companion was a little tired from flight delays as well, but rallied as usual. Rallied to make an amazing oyster chowder, and followed that up with an oyster-chorizo dressing to accompany the bird. The companion was a jolly young man, and we were all glad in the end that the honey invited him along.

The companion watched football, hung out in the man-cave with Dad, took a trip to the zoo, napped for three minutes on Friday afternoon (literally), listened to Neil, stirred the cranberry sorbet, watched some more football, and along with Dad contributed mightily to Dad's bottle recycling efforts.

Fun was had by all, until the honey's companion had to make the long trip home, leaving us behind with a sweet taste in our mouths.

Crossing Swords

2010-11-15T08:25:00.006-05:00

Sir Dad and the Honorable Henry Hawkinson are hereby given the dubious title of:

Sword Crossers of Distinction and Merit

On this Day

Sunday November 14

In the Year of our Lord 2010

After years of apprenticeship as a page in diapers under Sir Dad and the Fair Lady Mum, the Honorable Henry Hawkinson participated in a private ceremony in which he crossed swords with his noble father. He was bestowed the title of Sir Henry, and has promised to Defend The Weak, Respect The Poor, Treat Ladies With Respect, and Not Dribble On The Bathroom Floor.

The Fair Lady Mum has rightfully requested that no Photos Be Posted To The Worldwide Web.

Henry's Pumpkin

2010-11-08T07:57:00.002-05:00

Henry designed this pumpkin and I carved it. It has sort of a befuddled, confused look...but it's VEDDY SCEDDY!

Fighter Pilot and Elphaba

2010-11-01T12:27:00.002-04:00

This was taken 30 minutes before the rain hit! The rain that turned into freezing snow. Ruth soldiered on while I ducked out on the trick or treating...hey, somebody had to get the potatoes out of the oven and hand out candy to kids!

Henry wore Brad and Brian's fighter pilot jacket, and Elsie went as Elphaba from Wicked. I couldn't get her to sing, though, which was a first. She almost fell asleep on the couch when she got home. A big day.

Big Boy

2010-10-25T07:50:00.002-04:00

"I threw those diapers AWAY, Daddy!"

Way to go Hen. He went pee in the potty twice this weekend and was showered with gifts: matchbox cars, jelly beans, new legos, a new puzzle. It was, like, his greatest weekend ever.

Strider Bike 2

2010-10-04T11:04:00.003-04:00

H-Man has mastered the Strider Bike. We took it to our local bike shop (which is four blocks away- he biked the whole way) yesterday to show it off. He carried it up the steps and inside, and told the guy he wanted to go "superfast".

Charles Visit

2010-09-16T13:42:00.002-04:00

Charles and Elsa had some QUALITY time last week when he visited. Don's Original for cheeseburgers, House of Guitars for t-shirts, and we power-zooed-! ...saw the whole zoo in 45 minutes before going to see Despicable Me. Elsie had a "small" raspberry slushie that was like 40 ounces. A little hammock time. Some good eats, awesome weekend.

First Day of School

2010-09-04T11:20:00.003-04:00

"I'm nervous and excited all at the same time. It's all sort of tangled up inside.."

Turkey and cheese sandwich, yogurt, banana, twenty pencils, Purell, extra set of clothes, and $7 all adds up to a very heavy backpack.

Day One went well. I asked her if she wanted to go back and she rolled her eyes and said, "Of course Dad!"

Strider Bike

2010-08-31T21:59:00.003-04:00

OK, so Dad dropped a hundred bucks on my new bike after the "guys" at Tryon Bike Shop said I needed a Strider Bike, and he saw multiple youtube videos, and they were on sale at Luvaboos! Luvaboos (hollah!) is our local retail cloth nappie location with other essentials...such as Strider Bikes.

So here I am. Specialized helmet. Lance Armstrong Yellow Strider Bike. Elton John Butterfly Sunglasses.

Let's Ride!

Wisconsin Weekend

2010-08-22T16:20:00.003-04:00

Goodbye to Bumpa at Mitchell Field. Not always at the top of our list of "Fun Things To Do in Wisconsin"!

But what was at the top of the list:

1. Ice Cream Everyday (cherry dip for Elsa, chocolate vanilla twist for me)
2. Swimming Everyday at the village beach
3. Fireworks (front row)
4. Shopping at Kohl's for sweet Brewer gear for Dad, dresses for Elsa
5. Brewer games with Mom
6. The Corn and Brat!
7. Sausages from Rig-A-Tony's
8. Late night trip to the emergency room (wait, wrong list...)
9. Quiet time at night to watch Brewers, read Stieg Larsson...ah summer...
10. Pancakes for Else in the morning made by Chef Ron
11. Ass Coffee (oh wait, wrong list again)
12. Spotted Cow!
13. Leinie's!
14. Chat with Dara and Henning
15. Catching up with the Quicks
16. Elsie playing with Henry and Alex
17. Mojitos with Shannon!
18. Looking at pics with Mom
19. Puttering around the house
20. Usinger's pit-stop!

Thompson Beaver

2010-08-10T14:08:00.004-04:00

"Natalie likes to listen to...I don't know what his name is...that Beaver guy."

"What Beaver guy?"

"Oh, come on Dad...I don't know...that Beaver guy."

"The Leave it to Beaver guy? Beaver Cleaver?"

"No. I don't know. Oh...Thompson Beaver!"

"Thompson Beaver?"

"Yeah."

"You mean Justin Bieber?"

"Yeah. Oh. Yeah, right...Justin Bieber."

Tooth Fairy

2010-07-30T08:12:00.002-04:00

Elsie lost her first tooth the other day. It hung on for a while, shooting straight out, bleeding... No tears though! She put it in a little box under her pillow and woke up to a dollar bill in its place. We counted her total savings: she's at $5.11.

Swedish Fish Pancakes

2010-07-14T15:33:00.001-04:00

The best thing about camping is having to think on your feet and improvise. No syrup? Garnish with Swedish Fish!

Religion 101

2010-07-12T13:58:00.005-04:00

The scene: A bathroom. Elsie is on the pottie, Dad is sitting on the sink.

Elsie: Dad, God controls everything in the world from heaven.

Dad: Really?

Elsie: Yeah, from a little room in heaven, he controls everything we do.

Dad: What if I want to take off my shoe and God doesn't want me to?

Elsie: Then you won't take it off.

Dad: (takes off his shoe) I just took it off.

Elsie: Well then, I guess God wanted you to do that.

Dad: What about the bad stuff that goes on in the world, like when people get sick? Does God control that?

Elsie: (pause) Well, then, I guess a button is broken in God's room...

We're Back!

2010-07-02T19:24:00.003-04:00

We got a new camera! Niese just struck out three in the first inning! I don't have to go back to work until September 7th! Cronmiller didn't die on Mt. Rainier! (but didn't summit...) Barry and Hazel are here until Tuesday! I found Utica Club beer at Beers of the World! Barry is refurbishing the Composter 9000! My kids love the Mets! (or, well, wear the clothing we put them in...)

Life is good...

You Gotta Have Faith

2010-06-15T08:24:00.003-04:00

Elsie told me she believes in five things:

1. Santa Claus
2. The Tooth Fairy
3. The Tooth Mouse
4. God
5. Mother Nature

She added a sixth, "my family" but then took it back when she realized she can "see us" and she can't see the other things. One of her friends at school said Santa's outfit was "just regular clothes" and not a costume at all. She's got the tooth fairy on her mind because she's about to lose one of her lower front teeth. She's into Mother Nature right now- all the bugs in the garden are "part of nature and important". We didn't get into the whole God thing...

What's up with no blog photos?

Camera is broken, hope to get a new one this week...

Farmall Mountain Bike Challenge

2010-06-01T08:07:00.002-04:00

http://www.ariumillusion.com/RVEbike/RVE-2010-Spring-05-25-10/12136825_Jdvbz#880287137_fkXjk-L-LB

"Dad, did you winned the bike race?"

"Ah, no Elsa, I didn't."

"How did you do?"

"I, ah, well...I quit."

"What?"

"The bike race. I quit the bike race."

"Why?"

"I didn't want to widow your mother."

"What?"

"I was supposed to do five laps, and I quit after three because my heart was about to burst out of my chest."

"What?"

"I was super tired."

"Oh. So you quit?"

"Ah. Right. I quit."

"Oh. Does Pa Ingalls mountain bike?"

Deck Destruction

2010-05-19T10:09:00.001-04:00

Stop by on Saturday, May 29th to watch our deck get destroyed!

Father Figures

2010-04-27T07:49:00.006-04:00

So, Elsie is 5 1/2 years old...same age as Laura Ingalls Wilder in Little House in the Big Woods and Scout in To Kill a Mockingbird. Besides the disbelief that goes with her growing older, I think about the FATHERS in those two girls' lives. Jeez. One fights prejudice and one fights bears...literally. We are reading Little House now, and Pa Ingalls is a badass! Hunting fox all day in the dead of winter, prepping food for the long winter, running from panthers, and then making time for playing fiddle at night for his girls, walking eight hours into town to trade pelts for dress material for Ma and the girls. I can't measure up! And don't even get me started on Atticus...

Coal Tower

2010-04-15T09:29:00.002-04:00

If you are ever in Pittsford, NY on a weekend, make sure to stop by the Coal Tower Restaurant and try their potato pancakes. I think it's the fluffiness, or the chives, or something...they are DE-lish.

Happy Birthday Part 2

2010-03-29T12:01:00.003-04:00

The party continues! Henry decided to keep wearing his hat, and Elsie went along with him.

Pretty gosh darn cute picture!

Happy Birthday Hen!

2010-03-24T08:47:00.002-04:00

Dinner:
Fish Sticks and French Fries, Peeps Cake from Mum

Baseball cards!

Three Matchbox cars!

A Nerf Hoop from Dad!

A Tee Ball set from Uncle Ben!

A lighthouse from Bob and Andrea!

A bus from Bumpa and Judy!

(I especially dig the noisemaker and "It's My B-Day!" badge in this photo...)

Chocolate Pudding

2010-03-17T12:06:00.001-04:00

Elsie doing the work, helping Henry with his dessert...

Seuss Photos

2010-03-10T10:18:00.006-05:00

I can't believe it, but I think I got the POST-SHOW blues! Everything came together this year. Elsie loved it, which made it an even better experience...

Gertrude, Mayzie, and the Cat

2010-03-09T08:23:00.002-05:00

Goodbye Seussical!

Elsie and I have the post-show blues, and we got 'em bad!

Charlotte the Snow-Woman

2010-02-22T10:22:00.001-05:00

Dad, look at my head. OK? OK! Now, make Charlotte's head the same size!

Understudy

2010-02-17T11:08:00.004-05:00

If anyone goes down for our upcoming production of Seussical, Elsie can fill in. She knows every song by heart and is my creative collaborator.

Dad, I think you should make the sky pink, and then purple when the Jungle of Nool starts.

OK Elsie, we'll do that with the cyc.

Dad, I think Mayzie should have a 100 foot long tail.

How would it fit on stage?

Dad? You can do anything! You're the director!

Chef Henri

2010-02-12T08:20:00.004-05:00

Allo? Ze specials too-night arr ez fullows, pleez leesahn verry carefulee!

Ah haf mid uh verry nos bif stec forr uu too trah! Eet eez mid uff plastique, end eez a pard uf ze greel set Elza gud frum mah Ooncle Rubbie a while bick! Dare eez corrn and grin beeens on ze side fur yer donning pleazure! Uh-huh!

Fur dezzert Elza haz renderrd a rilly nahs waterr/ veenegar /vaneela flavoreeng concocshun fur u too trah! She hiz pud eet in ladle muffin containerz. Eet eez vary byootiful end delishuus, uh-huh!

Ah hope u anjoy yur tom toonight, herre at Chef Henri's! Playse excuuuse may now, ah musta returrn too mah soo chef Panda, end zee how he ez dooing!

The Frozen Tundra

2010-01-22T08:46:00.002-05:00

...of Durand Beach!

Look at this Winter Wonderland. There is so much snow and it is so cold that the beach extends out into Lake Ontario about fifty yards. Arctic explorers!

Riley's Visit

2010-01-20T08:01:00.002-05:00

MLK Day weekend with Riley and Ben!

Barbies and Polly-pockets!

Pork shoulder and waffles!

Exciting jaunt to Wegman's!

Dance party to Princess and the Frog!

In bed at 8PM both nights!

So tired!

Momofuku...

2010-01-14T07:58:00.004-05:00

Dad's been reading David Chang's new cookbook, so we were very excited about his attempt at ramen. We were hoping for a better result. Henry and I came to the consensus that Dad should have roasted some pork bones and added a little more star anise to the stock, but we ate it anyway. He also used egg noodles which gave the wrong mouth feel- not springy enough, you know?

We were listening the The Muse, Phantom Planet, and Tinted Windows during dinner. Really loud.

Christmas 2009

2009-12-31T16:17:00.004-05:00

I made a full recovery from my stomach flu for Christmas morning (it was a chicken noodle Christmas Eve). Just in the nick of time as well. Elsie came down to a new dollhouse "I can't believe this Dad it is so amazing! Santa just left this here for me?" and Henry got four new cars that he has played with nonstop. It's funny, Elsa likes to dress up her polly pocket dolls while Henry makes car sounds and crashes them into walls. Are we encouraging stereotypical gender roles? They do see that Ruth likes to bake and I like to cure and smoke meat. But Ruth goes to boot camp twice a week at 6AM and I make homemade jam in the summer!

Maybe the H-Man will be the first openly gay USC Heisman trophy-winning quarterback...

Other holiday highlights:

Getting my mojo back on the squash court

Taking Elsie to see Fantastic Mr. Fox at the Cinema

Henry hugs (he's really into Dad right now)

Pork roast with glazed turnips and carrots on Christmas Day

Scotch from Santa

A phone chat with Charles

Badgers over the U!

Bears over the Vikings on MNF!

Cribbage games with Ruth

Hearing Henry say Santa (SIN-duh!) - just like he said LIN-da last summer in Wisco...

Lucky Penny for Santa

2009-12-23T14:54:00.003-05:00

Santa is one penny richer this Christmas season. Elsie was intent on giving him a "lucky penny" when she met him at the Children's Museum last week.

She's a believer! It's fun to listen to her rationalize his existence in the face of some offhand comments she hears from bigger kids - "he has to live at the North Pole, someone has to take care of the reindeer..." Ah, the innocence of youth! She wants to give him a big fat carrot and other "healthy snacks" (under advice from Mum). I keep hinting that what Santa really wants is scotch.

Elsa is 5

2009-12-16T13:50:00.002-05:00

On Sunday we took six of Elsa's friends to see The Princess and the Frog, then after had ice cream cake. Monday night we had a family party- complete with rose petals decorating yet another cake.

That's our son Henry in the bottom left hand corner.

Tie Me Up, Tie Me Down!

2009-12-10T10:58:00.005-05:00

Cross the laces, pull tight, make two loops, wrap them together, pull tight.

At 4 years, 351 days, 12 hours, 35 minutes, and 4 seconds: Elsie learns how to tie her shoe!

Thanksgiving Day at Mendon Ponds Park

2009-12-01T07:56:00.002-05:00

We took a hike at Mendon Ponds Park Thanksgiving morning and visited the Birdsong Trail. Finches and Nuthatches eat seed right out of your hands. It was great. Henry tried but he started eating the seeds himself. He much preferred the off-road strollering.

Pumpkins

2009-11-16T13:38:00.002-05:00

Elsie drew the faces, and I carved the pumpkins. It was truly a collaborative project. She has a certain style already. You can tell, look at both faces- they are similar. The mouths sort of remind me of the way in which she draws princess gowns. The little crayon just goes and goes and goes on a wide arc.

Don't Back Up

2009-11-12T11:50:00.003-05:00

Mountain biking at the "Grand Canyon of the East" last weekend: Letchworth State Park. That's the mighty Genesee River cutting through in the background. I fell several times. It's hard to see the roots under all those leaves.

Mr. Rabbit and the Queen

2009-11-06T11:49:00.004-05:00

Armed with my trusty holstered carrot, Elsie and I took to Marion Street with a vengeance in search of Kit Kats, Snickers, and Sour Patch Kids. We were successful, but I did freeze my cotton tail off. We had to convince Elsa to wear her fleece, which she finally consented to in hour two.

Here we are relaxing on the porch enjoying our bounty at around 8PM on Halloween night. I heard Elsa wake up about four hours later crying, "my tummy HURTS!"

Family Walk

2009-10-26T07:47:00.002-04:00

Elsa, we're going for a walk because it's a beautiful day. And then we'll read a book. The more books you read and the more walks you take, the bigger your brain grows.

Dad, is your brain at the top of your head? Is it the squishy stuff inside your head?

New Bear Fan

2009-10-07T07:45:00.004-04:00

Ladies and Gentlemen! Please welcome! One of the newest Bear fans!

Mr. Henry Hawkinson! (loud cheer)

Thank you, thank you everyone. It really is a pleasure to be with you. The Bears are 3-1 going into their bye week, which came at a great time. Hester, Knox, and Idonije can rest up. I am eagerly awaiting the Sunday night Atlanta game, even though I will be in my footies and asleep in my crib. Dad keeps telling me to not take Jay Cutler for granted, but I don't know what he's talking about.

Again, a pleasure to be with you Bear fans!

Hot Dogs!

2009-09-29T08:36:00.002-04:00

146 Hot Dogs!

We were a little concerned about the amount of MACE that the recipe required, but they turned out to be delicious. This is late in the evening on Saturday after about 12 hours of smoking.

Now all we have to do is get 24 hot dog bun packages.

Fast Break

2009-09-17T07:55:00.002-04:00

"Henry Hawkinson gets the outlet pass from underneath the Honda. He checks down court for an open man. There's no one! He's on his own! A fast break! He dribbles past the Oldsmobile, around the scooter. He slips on the oil slick in the driveway. Is he injured? No, folks, he's just lost a shoe. This may be tricky. Opponents are bearing down on him. There's still time! He gets up and continues WITH ONE SHOE! What a fighter! He shoots! Ah! The ball goes three inches in the air and in the OPPOSITE direction of the hoop. Hawkinson doesn't seem to mind. He runs into the garage, and pulls Dad's bike on top of him. That's got to hurt."

19th Century Washerwomen

2009-09-08T14:38:00.004-04:00

Ruth is good. She's good. She invented a game called "19th Century Washerwomen". In it, Ruth and Elsa dress up as 19th Century washerwomen and clean the house. I am the master of the house, who threatens to send them to the poorhouse if they don't work hard. I wear Dickensian pantaloons and speak in a very authentic Wisco-Cockney accent while waving a cane...

Elsa washed several windows, and scrubbed the floor. Ruth is good. She's good...

What Were You Thinking?

2009-09-01T09:52:00.003-04:00

in tribute to Phil Hartman interview of Dana Carvey's Walter Mondale on SNL...

Jeremy: Mr. Bowlen, are you aware that Jay Cutler passed for over 4,500 yards last year?

Pat Bowlen: I know.

Jeremy: And Mr. Bowlen, do you know that he set a franchise record with that stat?

PB: I know.

Jeremy: Do you also know who Cutler had to pass to get that record?

PB: I know.

Jeremy: John Elway?

PB: I know, I know...

Jeremy: Do you know who you got in return for Cutler?

PB: I know.

Jeremy: Kyle Orton?

PB: I know, I know.

Jeremy: Who broke a nail on Sunday night's game and had to leave?

PB: I know.

Jeremy: So, Mr. Bowlen. I have one last question for you. What were you thinking?

PB: (pause) I...don't know.

Pain in the Neck

2009-08-28T13:42:00.003-04:00

My neck has been giving me such problems lately. It must be all that air travel, my hard crib mattress, the car seat that Dad lashes me to. Thank goodness Brian introduced me to this neck pillow. I feel fantastic! Now all I need is something for my tennis elbow.

Lifeguard Mike

2009-08-18T09:44:00.001-04:00

Easy there Lifeguard Mike! That's tight enough! Isn't this thing supposed to save me? I can't breathe!

Summer Fun 2009!

2009-08-13T09:31:00.002-04:00

Looks like Elsa would rather be eating tacos with Ramon or swimming with Lifeguard Mike! Alas, another Corn and Brat Weekend has come and gone. But what a success! We all learned so much:

Henry learned how to say "Lin-DA" (emphasis on the second syllable)

Chris learned how to correctly put on a life preserver

Ben learned how to properly store Tanqueray

Jeremy learned that no one in Williams Bay remembers him because he was called Ben twice and Chris three times at the Corn and Brat (even OLE called me Chris! Wha?)

Brian learned how to tube 7 feet in the air

Page learned to never offer to read "Cinderella" again

Brad learned that Pepto-Bismol is a good thing

Ruth, Colleen, and Linda learned that the beds are still itchy at McDonald House

and...Elsa learned how to pray! Alright!

Heluva Good French Onion Dip

2009-08-02T13:31:00.002-04:00

Growing up in Wisconsin we ate Dean's French Onion Dip. Henry likes Heluva Good French Onion Dip, made in Sodus, NY. He eats it as a main course, with fresh vegetables and grilled meats on the side. But he also uses it as a moisturizer/exfoliant. Here he is giving me a foot massage using the dip, diluted with a bit of kiddie pool water.

Kindling

2009-07-25T20:56:00.004-04:00

"Go collect some kindling!"

kin⋅dling: noun
1. material that can be readily ignited, used in starting a fire 2. the act of one who kindles

I stared at a blank expression. We were five miles outside of Ithaca, NY, camping deep in the woods, maybe a quarter mile from county Road 34. Five feet away from the car, sure, but we needed kindling! Brian still stared at me. Brad knew the definition, but only because he had a few more years of vocabulary building, and he still had no idea how to collect it. Anyway, it's their Dad's fault for not initiating them into manhood properly.

"Look around you! Use your man instincts!"

Still blank. So we got in the car and bought some Topps Supermarket Firewood for 5.99 a bundle. I dropped a gallon of water on the way out and we ran without waiting for cleanup.

Going to be cold. Stopped at the VOA Second Hand for some pants and a flea infested sleeping bag. Bought a 34 waist what was I thinking I said goodbye to that years ago but the sleeping bag was awesome.

Blinded everyone with my sweet new Platz headlight all night (paid $40 for that at Eastern Mountain Sports after a 22-year-old salesman with cool sideburns said he couldn't live without it when he was winter camping in the Adirondacks). Bradley slept through my Evinrude Outboard Motor snoring but Chris didn't, he reminded me about it three times during our Coleman Gas Stove breakfast. I told him Ruth doesn't say I snore. Note to self: Don't grill toast over propane.

Brad and Chris schooled us at badminton (although Brian's overhead amd my Lin Dan serve will resurface with ferocity at Apple Valley next week), we swam in 62 degree water, we ate meat, ham, and twizzlers. All around a successful camping expedition in Western New York.

Major League City

2009-07-08T21:53:00.002-04:00

I always told Ruth that when we moved from NYC, it had to be to a city with a major league baseball team. Ha! Here we are in Rochester, home of the Triple A Red Wings. Lots of no name players, no tailgating, no visits from the Brewers or Mets. But you know what? I couldn't care less (see above photo).

Strawberry Fields Forever

2009-07-03T15:25:00.002-04:00

Berries in Bucket:

Dad - 13 pounds of berries

Elsa - 2 berries

Dad, Put the Cheetos Down

2009-06-20T23:08:00.003-04:00

It's OK to wear pants in the house. I know there is a LOT of delivery pizza in the fridge. Organize the recyclables for godsake. Do some laundry! And, get back on my time schedule, start waking up earlier tomorrow and Monday, because I will return on Tuesday. Oh yes, I will return on Tuesday.