The Big Wish

2009 is the City of Rochester's 175th Anniversary. To commemorate this event, and to kick the Anniversary celebration off in style, the City is bringing in 2009 with their New Year's Eve Big Wish Celebration.

What is the Big Wish, you ask? Great question. It is an invitation to the Rochester community to send in their hopes and wishes for the City's 175th Anniversary and New Year. The wishes will then be placed in a 10' diameter steel globe that was built by a local sculptor. The globe will be located on the Sister Cities pedestrian bridge in downtown Rochester, and at 9:30 pm New Years Eve, will be set ablaze in hopes that the wishes inside will come true.

So, why am I so interested in this? Well, as part of the celebration for the Big Wish, the City has assembled 175 local children to participate in the Big Wish 175 Community Chorus, and Gavin has been selected to participate! The chorus will kick-off the Big Wish celebration at 9pm by singing When You Wish Upon a Star around the Big Wish Globe, before it is ignited. Then, they will all have a front row seat for the fireworks display at 10pm.

Saturday morning, Gavin and I went down to the Blue Cross Arena for the event rehearsal. He was very cute. A bundle of nerves, and excitement. He is the youngest child participating, and he asked me on our way in the door of the Arena if the older kids would make fun of him for being so little. I can remember that terror from my childhood. He wore such a brave face, and made me so proud as he stood up on the risers in the FRONT ROW! As expected, within the first hour of the rehearsal, he had made two new friends, and all of the nerves were gone.

Gavin has been practicing the song all week, and knows the words perfect. We are all very excited for Wednesday nights big event. If you are available, I highly encourage you to join us downtown for the event. 9pm at the Sister Cities Pedestrian Bridge (by the Convention Center). Donna and I will be easy to spot in the crowd. We will be the parents GLOWING with pride.

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYBODY!

Angel Choir

This morning we stopped by Isabelle's pre-school to listen to the Angel Choir perform. The Angels, were our little "Angels", and the word choir is used pretty loosely in this context. But, it is a Christmas event at St. Paul pre-school, and we love seeing it, as much as the kids love learning the songs, and singing them for us.

Isabelle was absolutely adorable and all smiles. And even though she didn't know every word, she was obviously having a great time and thoroughly in the Christmas spirit.

In a moment of nostalgia, I couldn't help but remember the first time we watched the Angel Choir two years ago when our then little Gavin was singing. I found myself amazed at all that we have experienced and enjoyed as a family since that day.


Boy, how time flies. I love all that this season produces in all of us. Past, present, and thoughts of future, all come together as we spend time with loved ones concentrating on what is important in our lives.
Funny how something as simple as an Angel Choir can bring these things forward into our minds and leave them there throughout the Holidays.

White Christmas

I LOVE a white Christmas. In fact, I am one of those that has a difficult time finding the Christmas spirit if the temperature is above 30 degrees, and the grass is green. So, I was very happy when the forecast called for a winter storm to hit on Friday that would bring us a white Christmas. So, it started to snow. And the wind began to blow. And the thermometer plummeted. And the snow blowers hummed. And I smiled.

Then it kept snowing. And the snow blowers hummed again. And I smirked.

And then it snowed some more. And my neighbors borrowed my snow blower so that they could enjoy the hum. And the wind chill went into the negative. And I lost my smirk.

And it is still snowing. And my arms hurt, and the gas can is empty. And I am now tired and frowning, and sick of looking at the pile of my wet clothes by the front door. So, to that I say...ENOUGH ALREADY! Even the lovers of white Christmas have their limits.

Santa on Shoreway

It's that time of year again. The man in the big red suit made his yearly surprise visit to Shoreway Dr. Monday night. As usual, Gavin, Isabelle, Ryan, and Jessica were falling over themselves excited when they opened the front door and saw that red suit with the unmistakable "ho-ho-ho".

We reached a milestone this year, as all of the kids are finally old enough that noone cried when Rudolph came into the room. Poor Rudolph....he never gets any respect.

We are realizing that our years are numbered with Gavin and Ryan, as the school bus talk is already resulting in some difficult questions about whether Santa is real, and how he does all these magical things. We weren't sure if they were going to continue to buy into the magic of the season, and all that the red suit represents. But, as soon as Santa stepped into the room, you could see the light in their eyes. They were still believers, all the way, with no shortage of magic this year.

As always, Santa did an amazing job and spent a perfect amount of time with each of the kids, handing out gifts, singing songs, and refreshing the magic of Christmas in each of them. This night truly is one of my favorites, and one of the great gifts of living on our street. We all look forward to it year, after year.

Hallelujah

Now if this doesn't break you out of the funk that this year has induced, and remind you of what this season is all about, nothing will. Take a listen to Pops Welch, backed up by the Greece Choral Society and the Greece Symphony Orchestra, performing Handel's Hallelujah Chorus. What a sound!

The Natural

Saturday was Gavin's first day on his new skis. The Bunny Hill at Bristol Mountain was still closed, and we didn't have enough snow in our yard, so we packed up and headed over to Grandma's house to make a few runs down Mt. Anderson.

Gavin was looking the role of a pro before he ever even clicked his skis on.

But, the most impressive part of the day came once he did click into his bindings. We talked about how to stand, balance, and steer. Then, he pointed his skis down the hill, and went...all the way down. He's a natural!!

What I was most happy with was that he was having just as much fun falling in the snow, as he was on the skis. As, anyone who has learned to ski knows, falling in the snow is a very important skill to enjoy.

Here's Gavin making his way down Mt. Anderson. Check out that first day form.


We had a great first session filled with lots of fun, cheers, and of course, giggles. Gavin loved skiing, and wants to know when he can go on the "big" mountain. They are calling for a foot of snow tomorrow, so he may just get his wish very, very soon.

A Christmas Message

Here is one of my all time favorite "modern" Christmas songs, by what I believe to be one of the most gifted composers of the late 70's, early 80's, Greg Lake. The song is a classic, with an eerily timely message. Scary how similar situations are from 1975 to today. Here's wishing everyone a 2009 filled with the opportunities of renewed hope, inspiration, and joy.

Check it out

Wow. Just, wow.

Typealyzer

Following Molly's lead, I checked out this site which claims to analyze your blog writing style, and then predict the type of person you are. I had it analyze Cadence, and here is what it came up with:

ESFP - The Performers

The entertaining and friendly type. They are especially attuned to pleasure and beauty and like to fill their surroundings with soft fabrics, bright colors and sweet smells. They live in the present moment and don´t like to plan ahead - they are always in risk of exhausting themselves.

The enjoy work that makes them able to help other people in a concrete and visible way. They tend to avoid conflicts and rarely initiate confrontation - qualities that can make it hard for them in management positions.

I will have to say that I do not agree with this assessment. Either, I write as a different person than I am, or I am a different person than I believe.

So, what do you think, those that know me. Is this assessment of my writing an accurate statement of who I am?

Let me know.

Got myself a buddy.

I finally have myself a buddy. A ski buddy. I have to think that every father has the same thought when they are handed their first son. "Now I have a buddy to do things with. Father and Son." Then, if other father's are anything like me, the next few years are spent waiting and wondering. What will we do together, and when will it be? Will our Father, Son activity be fishing? Biking? Music? Cub Scouts? Skiing!

The weekend before Thanksgiving we went to get Gavin his first set of downhill skis. Man, was he excited, and so was I. Here it was. Our first activity. Donna doesn't ski, so this time would be all mine from start to finish. Gavin was perfect as we went from the skis, to the bindings, to the boots, to the helmet (more on this in a minute), to the goggles, to the gloves, to the jacket. The whole nine yards, from head to ski tip, smiling the entire time. Now, what was his favorite part? The helmet and goggles. Gavin picked out a cool shiny red ski helmet, with flames down the side. It was the first one he picked off the rack, and after trying on several others, it was the one he stuck with. He was so proud of his helmet and goggles that he wore them through the rest of the store, and all the way home. If only I had my camera to capture the huge grin staring back at me from under the helmet in the rear view mirror.

I picked his skis up from the shop on Monday, and he put them on as soon as he got home from school. He walked all around the family room with them on with surprising ease. Again, with both of us wearing a huge smile.

I am not sure which of us is more excited for our first trip together, but I am checking the slope report regularly just waiting for that bunny hill to open up for us.

Heavy Metal Follow Up

A follow up to my previous post from September, Heavy Metal. Simply put, the fireplace is wonderful! We had our first fire in the "new" fireplace the other night, and it was picture perfect. Right out of a storybook. Donna, Gavin, Isabelle, and I all gathered around the fire and watched Frosty the Snowman. As always, the fire had it's typical effect on Donna, and she was sound asleep, all cozy and warm, in no time.

A special thanks goes out to Dan Schreiner for the generous donation of firewood that will provide us plenty of warm, fireside family time this winter.

Commentary on Thanksmas

I wanted to devote a quick minute to comment on the every increasing prevalence of Thanksmas. You know what I am talking about. At what point in time did Thanksgiving, and Christmas blend into the Thanksmas holiday? I consider myself a traditionalist. I like my holidays separate. I want to enjoy the fall colors and decorations. I like to see the pumpkins sticking around a while after Halloween. I enjoy the anticipation leading up to Thanksgiving. Good food. Time with my family and friends. Winter is just around the corner.

However, the past few years, my Thanksgiving anticipation has been rudely interrupted by Christmas music, decorations, Christmas sale advertisements. Thanksgiving is no longer a stand alone Holiday, but merely a convenient family get together sandwiched in between Halloween and December 1st used to plan Christmas shopping, Christmas gifts, Christmas parties.

Now, please don't take this the wrong way. I had a terrific Thanksgiving this year with my family, and enjoyed plenty of fantastic food. However, I did see some Christmas gifts lurking around, and overheard more than one Christmas related conversation. Noone is to be faulted. We were unknowingly participating in the new Thankmas Holiday.

We too fell victim this year. No sooner had my tryptophan induced slumber worn off, I was pulling the Christmas decorations from the basement and completing the transformation of our house from Thanksgiving to Christmas. Thursday we had pumpkins and scarecrows on the walls. Friday, we had Snowmen, Santa Claus, garland, and lights. Thanksmas strikes again.

So what can be done. Which Holiday is next in line to be absorbed by the ever increasing vortex of Christmas season? Will it be next year that we shop for the Happy Hallogivmas cards? We are pretty close to that today.

The Binky Fairy

We achieved yet another huge milestone in our house. The Binky Fairy came to visit Isabelle. She has grown into such a little girl, it still amazes me everyday how much she has changed from the little pink bundle that was handed to me just yesterday. Okay, I know it was three years ago, but in Parent-time, that was yesterday.

Anyway, Isabelle was a very big girl, and has adjusted very well to her binky being gone. The visit was a very special occasion, which is best told to you by Isabelle herself.



Now, if I can just get her to let me put her big-girl bed into the room....

Happy Birthday Izzy

My little girl turns three today. Seems like just yesterday I was handed that tiny little bundle wrapped in a pink blanket. Never thought I would find so much fun in having a little girl.

Have a great day today little peanut. Daddy loves you!!

The American Pride

What an amazing day yesterday was to be a part of. Not just due to the historic nature of our country electing it's first African American President, but in being a part of the return of genuine American Pride. Yesterday our country was alive like I have not seen it in almost a decade. Everywhere, there was an energy. People were out, talking, participating, taking in everything that is great about being in a free American society.

Yesterday was filled with joy. Everyone I had the opportunity to talk to, or witness, seemed filled with pride, and wore the smile of anticipation that comes with taking action towards making a difference. People waiting in line were smiling. People working, were smiling. People driving their cars were smiling. Yesterday was a tremendously gratifying day to be an American.

Yesterday was a historic day. The discussions on which part of history would be written were discussed in every media outlet, school, office building, and corner store. Gavin's class learned the importance of the day, and even got the chance to vote for who they wanted as President. Gavin brought this home today, and all I could do was smile with pride. He says it is Barack Obama, and his Vice President. We'll be keeping this one to show him in the future.
I am still riding the high that yesterday's demonstration of true American pride gave me. I am a realist, so I know that very soon, it will disappear, and we will all be back to what was. However, what is important to remember, is that even for just a few days, as a country we were able to unify, talk, participate, and most of all smile with pride. Just knowing the possibility of that still exists is enough for me.

Historically Important Day

Tomorrow could be one of the most important days of our lives, and certainly that of our children. Way too important to miss.

Lots of Halloween fun

Whew! We packed some serious activities into this Halloween week. I guess we better start getting used to this lifestyle. The older the kids get, the busier we are going to get. We'll just keep looking at Barb and Dan, Dan and Julie, and Bob and Mol to see how nice life will be once we are back on the relaxing side again.

We started out last weekend with Mema and Papa coming by for dinner and pumpkin painting and carving. Gavin and Isabelle both liked the painting, and Mema did her best to show them the way, but not so sure it worked out. Once we moved onto carving, there seemed to quite a bit of interest in the designs, but not so much in the cleaning out, or carving of the pumpkins. For a kids activity, Papa and I seemed to be spending quite a bit of time with the knives in our hands. Of course, this didn't stop Isabelle and Gavin from critiquing our work once we were through.

Thursday was the big Halloween party and parade at Isabelle's pre-school. Her class has been working the last couple weeks on putting together their clown costumes, and they all looked great during their parade.

Friday was Gavin's turn. The entire school took part in a half day of special activities including special gym and music classes, as well as a costume parade around the school. It was great to see the entire school so into it. Isabelle even got to try out Kindergarten for a couple of hours. She loved learning.Halloween night started out with the traditional visit to Mema and Papa's neighborhood to kick off the trick or treating, and to get some special Mema gifts. Kind of the Halloween version of throwing out the first pitch at a baseball game. Gets the evening started each year, and the kids always look forward to it.Our neighborhood came alive around 6pm this year, and both Gavin and Izzy were bouncing off the walls excited to hit the streets. They had been practicing their "trick or treat" all through dinner. We paired up with our next door neighbors, and headed out. The weather was perfect, with a breezy 55 degrees. This year was a first, with both Gavin and Isabelle making it all the way around the neighborhood, and hanging in until both of their pumpkin buckets were full with goodies. It was a great sight to see little "Elmo" heading up to each house with her pumpkin, laden down with her night's rewards, slung over her shoulder, too heavy to carry in one hand.

The week was a blur, but looking back on the pictures, the smiles tell all. Stories to share around the dinner table until next year.

The two P's

I finished Isabelle's "big girl" room, and it is best described as the two P's room. Pink and Princesses. Lots, and lots of pink. Two different shades on the walls, with complimenting shades on the sheets, curtains, furniture, and wall hangings. And all of the Disney Princesses. My Princess is surrounded by Snow White, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, and of course Belle. Isabelle's favorite, and the one thing she HAD to have in her room? Cinderella's castle. I am pretty happy with the way it turned out. But, most important, Isabelle loves it, and it is the first thing she will show you if you stop over to the house.
Now, you may have noticed something missing from the pictures. Something typically found in most "big girl" rooms. Yep, you are correct. No bed. That is still the crib in the room. I blame this on a little Donna brainwashing. We have a bed, but Izzy won't let me set it up. If you ask Isabelle if she wants a big girl bed, she will respond with a very vocal, very distinct, "NO!!". Now I wonder who could have convinced her of that.......

Nightmare

I had a nightmare and thought I would share it with you.



Thanks Molly, for this very vivid reminder. PLEASE, everyone get out and vote. Go Obama!

Uncle Dan's Firehouse

In recognition of Fire Prevention Week, Spencerport Fire Dept held an open house Sunday with several fun and educational events for adults and kids. It was a great opportunity to see some cool trucks, but most of all, we couldn't miss a chance to visit Uncle Dan's firehouse.

The weather was perfect, a balmy 75 degrees in October. Well, perfect if you could attend the event in a t-shirt and shorts. I felt kind of bad for some of the firefighters that had to endure the sun as they put on their demonstrations in full gear, complete with helmet, mask, and airtank. At least they looked cool.

Uncle Dan taught us all the proper way to put out a grease fire in the kitchen (very useful for Donna and Barb who were in attendance), and even came close to using Donna as his beautiful assistant with the fire extinguisher. Gavin got see what it would be like to be a real firefighter as he dressed himself in a helmet and turnout gear. Does that say Schreiner on it?!?!


Gavin needed a little help from cousin Jon to lift the firehose before he could take his turn putting out the flames on the practice house. What a cool squirt gun!

Then, after Gavin and Isabelle made a few trips through the bouncy house, and a stop at the donut table, we all got to watch Uncle Dan in action as the Spencerport boys demonstrated a car accident victim extrication. Dan made short work of the windshield with his saw, and then went to work on the a-post of the car. It was a great "real life" simulation that I am sure most in attendance had never seen before.

Spencerport did a great job hosting the day, and much thanks to Dan, Barb, and Jon for taking such good care of us. Gavin and Isabelle had a great time, and even learned a bit about fire safety. Gavin even reminded us the other night that we can't leave the kitchen towel sitting on the stove. And best of all, Donna now knows what to do the next time her dinner flares up. Which reminds me, I still need to show her where we keep the fire extinguisher. Ha!

Stokoe Farms

Saturday, we joined the Hewitson's and headed on down to Stokoe Farms for some fun Fall activities, and pumpkin pickin'. This was our first year trying Stokoe's, as we had always enjoyed Fall at Brown's Berry Patch. But, due to an untimely scheduled 5k run and craft show, this year we were diverted to Stokoe's. And we were all (especially the kids) very glad that we were. There was more to do than we could fit into the few hours we had allotted.

Upon entering the gate, we were greeted by a clown driving a souped-up, fire spewing, Hot Wheels, classic John Deere tractor with a bubbling Elmo head on the front. This, of course, scared Isabelle to death, and put her into instant tears. We spent the rest of the day playing "keep away" from the "Elmo" tractor so that Izzy would stay happy.

Once inside the farm, Gavin and Ryan made a bee-line for the giant slide in the middle of the fun. They had a great time sliding down on their burlap sacs, and since Izzy and I also gave it a whirl, I can say it really was a good time. Right next to the slide was the pyramid of hay bales, with six tunnels running underneath. We "lost" the boys here for quite some time, as they climbed over, and under, and through the pyramid non-stop. This gave Izzy and Jessica a chance to check out the giant play pit full of corn kernels (think sand box, with REALLY BIG pieces of sand), and Scott and I a chance to scope out the fresh Kettle Corn stand.

Then we hopped a convenient hay-wagon ride out into the fields, to try our hands at some more fun. First stop was the pedal bikes. Gavin, Ryan, Scott, and even Donna and Isabelle had a great time doing a lap of the course. Scott was the victor of the day, turning a great lap time ahead of the boys. Donna and Izzy brought up the rear, but ended with all smiles.

The wagon wheel race proved to be a demonstration of patience, timing, and agility as we paired up to try our hand at using our body motion to roll a very large wagon wheel down and back across the field. Gavin and Ryan did incredibly well in their wheel for carrying such a low total team weight. Scott and Jessica, and Me and Isabelle took the slow and steady approach as we maintained a balance between moving the wheels forward, while not getting out of control that we spun our smaller partners up and around the wheel.

Then, got to test our marksmanship with the pumpkin shooters. What a blast. Three mini pumpkins for a buck, bought you the opportunity to do what your parents always lectured you not to. Put a pumpkin into a GIANT slingshot, and send it hurtling towards any one of the targets set up in the field. A large hay bale, a small plastic boat, or, the target that everyone strives for, the full-size Chevy van. Yep, so much for "don't point that thing at cars". Whoo-hoo. Game on!

Finally, with the kids just about at their limit, we headed out into the field to acquire our main purpose of the day. Pumpkins. Gavin and Isabelle have apparently been finely trained in the art of pumpkin picking, as they found quality, round pumpkins in a matter of minutes. Preventing the long walk across the field with a whining child (or whining parent). So, with our bodies tired, and arms full of pumpkins, we called it a day. We only covered about half of the farm, so we all agreed that we will have to make the trip back next year to try again.