Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Leon Crump at 71
"The Legend" Leon Crump is doing pretty well at 71 years. It sounds like the 58's aren't happening anymore, but I bet he can shoot his age (or rather, he probably bets he can shoot his age). Click for the article. If you golf and haven't read his book "Drive for show, putt for dough" - suggest you add it to your reading list - Leon is a classic character. Thanks dad for bringing the article, and thanks to Larry Strawser for collecting that piece of history - Leon's old lead-taped 3 wood. Good stuff. The world needs more classic characters.
Owen's Vocabulary - 27 March 2007
Bubba = Bubble
Mama = Kristen
Dada = any man including dear old dad
wahwah = water
AahAah = Jack
Kah = car (Boston style) (also the movie "Cars")
Coooo = cool
Waaah = wow
Up
ByeBye
DooDoo = (poop)
DooDooo = sound a rooster makes
ButtButt
ShhhShee = (pee)
ShhhShee = fish
Nu = Nose
MuhMuh (almost a grunt) = dog
PawPaw = Grandpa Dave
NihNih = Goodnight
What else is Owen up to these days? He gives kisses, makes goofy faces - including an "o" mouth face and a funny squint face, flutters his eyes (bashful?), and grabs things and runs. He's discovered how to move the kid chair next to the counters so he can reach things he shouldn't (cell phones usually, also knives). He won't stay out of the fridge (see "Why Toddlers Shouldn't Play With..." below) and he has a great dance where he bends his knees and bounces (more or less) with the music. Owen is extremely rough and tumble - he wrestles with Jack and Olivia and routinely plays pretty dirty (slaps and hits to the face are his normal cheap shots). As a consequence of all this, he tends to be a bit rough with kids his own age and is generally a terrror at playgrounds (Mama has to be close at hand or there will be lots of tears and angry first-time moms huffing around). Despite his well deserved reputation as a brute, he is a happy kid that laughs all the time. He has recently mastered a fake cry where he squints his face up and cries but no tears come out. He will take short breaks from this and look around to see if anyone is paying attention. His favorite place is the backyard sandpit - where he will happily sit for long unattended periods getting filty and eating sand etc. Owen enjoys playing the "guess what I have in my mouth" game - where he comes up to Kristen and loooks at her while he chews with his mouth closed. When she asks him what he has in his mouth he gladly spits out whatever was in there (recently a rock, a penny, various small toys, sand, etc.) and hands it to her. This is similar to the "is this dangerous?" game - where he blindly feels around the countertops until he finds a dangerous object (screwdriver, knife, lighter, box of screws, etc.) that he brings to Kristen while sporting a look of mock concern. We're hoping he doesn't combine the two games.
Mama = Kristen
Dada = any man including dear old dad
wahwah = water
AahAah = Jack
Kah = car (Boston style) (also the movie "Cars")
Coooo = cool
Waaah = wow
Up
ByeBye
DooDoo = (poop)
DooDooo = sound a rooster makes
ButtButt
ShhhShee = (pee)
ShhhShee = fish
Nu = Nose
MuhMuh (almost a grunt) = dog
PawPaw = Grandpa Dave
NihNih = Goodnight
What else is Owen up to these days? He gives kisses, makes goofy faces - including an "o" mouth face and a funny squint face, flutters his eyes (bashful?), and grabs things and runs. He's discovered how to move the kid chair next to the counters so he can reach things he shouldn't (cell phones usually, also knives). He won't stay out of the fridge (see "Why Toddlers Shouldn't Play With..." below) and he has a great dance where he bends his knees and bounces (more or less) with the music. Owen is extremely rough and tumble - he wrestles with Jack and Olivia and routinely plays pretty dirty (slaps and hits to the face are his normal cheap shots). As a consequence of all this, he tends to be a bit rough with kids his own age and is generally a terrror at playgrounds (Mama has to be close at hand or there will be lots of tears and angry first-time moms huffing around). Despite his well deserved reputation as a brute, he is a happy kid that laughs all the time. He has recently mastered a fake cry where he squints his face up and cries but no tears come out. He will take short breaks from this and look around to see if anyone is paying attention. His favorite place is the backyard sandpit - where he will happily sit for long unattended periods getting filty and eating sand etc. Owen enjoys playing the "guess what I have in my mouth" game - where he comes up to Kristen and loooks at her while he chews with his mouth closed. When she asks him what he has in his mouth he gladly spits out whatever was in there (recently a rock, a penny, various small toys, sand, etc.) and hands it to her. This is similar to the "is this dangerous?" game - where he blindly feels around the countertops until he finds a dangerous object (screwdriver, knife, lighter, box of screws, etc.) that he brings to Kristen while sporting a look of mock concern. We're hoping he doesn't combine the two games.
Monday, March 26, 2007
Vadar family theme song
Jack loves Darth Vadar. He knows he's a bad guy - but he still loves him. Robin Miller dressed up as the dark lord himself (herself?) for a surprise visit for Jack's 4th b-day party. Jack was geeked. Kristen has a Darth Vadar dashboard figurine in the mini - push a button and he breathes heavily and repeats some recognizable quotes (my favorite: "most impressive"). Jack watches the original Star Wars triolgy pretty regularly, so I guess we shouldn't have been too surprised when Owen's first recognizable hummable was the Darth Vadar theme song. He even hums it for his sleep song... it is pretty creepy.
Anyway - I was following a You Tube link and ran across a very funny short called "Chad Vadar - Day Shift Manager". Jack loved it. There is a series of episodes - though the first was our favorite.
Anyway - I was following a You Tube link and ran across a very funny short called "Chad Vadar - Day Shift Manager". Jack loved it. There is a series of episodes - though the first was our favorite.
Sunday, March 25, 2007
"You could not have written a script...
... that would match the drama here!" In life you are lucky to have a couple of truly amazing moments - John Skinner had one of those yesterday. John is an in-law of some variety - he is married to my brother's wife's sister (so I guess he's my sister-in-law's brother-in-law - at least that is the best I can make of it after some quick research). John rescued Jack last summer from a strong rip-current at Emerald Isle NC and likely saved his life - so we are big fans of John in any case. He's also a strong SCRABBLE player - but that isn't what this post is about. This post is about the 2007 NCAA Divsion II Basketball National Championship.
John is a volunteer assistant coach for the Barton Bulldogs. Barton is a tiny school (less than 1000 students) in Wilson NC - that has a solid basketball program. They finished the regular season ranked 15th in D-II and went on an unbelievable run in the NCAA tournament, beating some much bigger schools in route to a finals matchup with Winona State - winners of 57 straight games and defending D-II champs (and the team that knocked Barton out in the Elite-8 round of the tourney last year). So this is where is gets good - the game was shown on national television and the kids and I gathered around the tube trying to catch glimpses of "uncle John" on the bench. We did see him a few times - and the kids went crazy and we'd rewind the DVR to watch it again in slow motion. Well - the game was very competitive but Barton was down 7 points with about 45 seconds to go and it didn't look good. And that's when the magic started - Wilson's own Anthony Atkinson drove and hit a layup with 39 s remaining to make it 74-69. Barton fouled on the inbounds sending Winona's MVP Malvik to line for a 1-and-1.
Here is John looking slightly concerned about being down 5 points with Winona State's senior MVP going to the line...
More National TV coverage for Uncle John. Head Coach Ron Lievense was working hard.
But Malvik missed the front end, Barton rebounded, and Atkinson drove the length of the court and hit a 12 footer with 26 s left, score 74-71. Somewhat unbelievably, Barton's Kelvin McLean stole the inbounds and got it to Atkinson who was fouled while making a layup with 22 s left, score 74-73. The 82% free throw shooter was heartbreakingly short on the game-tying foul shot, and as soon as Jonte Flowers of Winona rebounded, Barton fouled. Flowers (75% free throw shooter on the year) bricked the first and made the second, making it a 2 point game (75-73) with 19.4 s on the clock. Yet again, Atkinson drove the length of the court and made a circus-quality reverse layup (this was probably the most clutch play imaginable) to tie it up with 7.6 s left. The inbounds pass went to Malvik (who looked absolutely focused on hitting the game winner) when 5' 11" freshman Billy Buffaloe (Fuquay-Varina NC, I couldn't make this up) made a great steal from behind with 4 seconds to go (this was incredible - you just didn't see it coming) and passed to the lightning-quick Atkinson - who dribbled in for the uncontested game-winning layup as time expired. It was movie script - it was better than movie script because no one would believe it in a movie.
Check the clock on this release - can't be much closer than that...
Mayhem ensues... John demonstrating pure bliss...
Group hug!
Amazing game - and it couldn't have happened to a better volunteer assistant coach! Congrats John! and CONGRATS BARTON!
John is a volunteer assistant coach for the Barton Bulldogs. Barton is a tiny school (less than 1000 students) in Wilson NC - that has a solid basketball program. They finished the regular season ranked 15th in D-II and went on an unbelievable run in the NCAA tournament, beating some much bigger schools in route to a finals matchup with Winona State - winners of 57 straight games and defending D-II champs (and the team that knocked Barton out in the Elite-8 round of the tourney last year). So this is where is gets good - the game was shown on national television and the kids and I gathered around the tube trying to catch glimpses of "uncle John" on the bench. We did see him a few times - and the kids went crazy and we'd rewind the DVR to watch it again in slow motion. Well - the game was very competitive but Barton was down 7 points with about 45 seconds to go and it didn't look good. And that's when the magic started - Wilson's own Anthony Atkinson drove and hit a layup with 39 s remaining to make it 74-69. Barton fouled on the inbounds sending Winona's MVP Malvik to line for a 1-and-1.
Here is John looking slightly concerned about being down 5 points with Winona State's senior MVP going to the line...
More National TV coverage for Uncle John. Head Coach Ron Lievense was working hard.
But Malvik missed the front end, Barton rebounded, and Atkinson drove the length of the court and hit a 12 footer with 26 s left, score 74-71. Somewhat unbelievably, Barton's Kelvin McLean stole the inbounds and got it to Atkinson who was fouled while making a layup with 22 s left, score 74-73. The 82% free throw shooter was heartbreakingly short on the game-tying foul shot, and as soon as Jonte Flowers of Winona rebounded, Barton fouled. Flowers (75% free throw shooter on the year) bricked the first and made the second, making it a 2 point game (75-73) with 19.4 s on the clock. Yet again, Atkinson drove the length of the court and made a circus-quality reverse layup (this was probably the most clutch play imaginable) to tie it up with 7.6 s left. The inbounds pass went to Malvik (who looked absolutely focused on hitting the game winner) when 5' 11" freshman Billy Buffaloe (Fuquay-Varina NC, I couldn't make this up) made a great steal from behind with 4 seconds to go (this was incredible - you just didn't see it coming) and passed to the lightning-quick Atkinson - who dribbled in for the uncontested game-winning layup as time expired. It was movie script - it was better than movie script because no one would believe it in a movie.
Check the clock on this release - can't be much closer than that...
Mayhem ensues... John demonstrating pure bliss...
Group hug!
Amazing game - and it couldn't have happened to a better volunteer assistant coach! Congrats John! and CONGRATS BARTON!
Unseasonal Caroling...
Olivia and (slumber party) Sloane belted out the following carol this evening... "We wish you a merry Christmas, we wish you a merry Christmas, we wish you a merry Christmas and a happy new year! The tidings are hung, and we bring to you, the tidings are hung, and a happy new year!" etc etc. When I told them that those aren't the traditional lyrics they simply sang their version louder. Quite hung indeed.
Saturday, March 24, 2007
Princess Olivia's precious things...
Not to be outdone by her brother, Princess Olivia assembled her most precious things and prepared them for their photo shoot. They include her soccer trophies, a set of Japanese dolls, a picture of Luna (the former family "Bichon Frise" that was given away for being a tiny, cotton ball Kujo), some foreign coins, a discarded cell phone, a diamond ring (Christmas present from Tudi), a working camera, etc. She is very proud.
Jack's precious things
These are Jack's special things this week. A couple rocks, a rusty bottle cap (Bud Light - where the heck did he find that?), a clipped electrical connector, and a part from a long-retired Spider Man toy.
Why toddlers shouldn't play in the refrigerator
In addition to being smeared with eggs - his face is covered in yogurt. He's learned how to open the fridge and he likes to take things out and eat them or bring them to us. Last week he brought a small glass container of horseradish into the bathroon and smashed it on the floor. He also enjoys the tiny Texas Pete hot sauce containers.
Nap Time
Anybody seen Jack? I haven't heard a peep from him in a long time...
Found him - asleep under the bed.
The flash disturbed him and he rolled over.
Found him - asleep under the bed.
The flash disturbed him and he rolled over.
Monday, March 19, 2007
Bloody Bracket
Well - the sweet 16 is decided and my bracket is looking a bit bloodied.
I've managed to pick 10 of 16 - but I've got 3 carry-over losers in the Great 8 - so that is not the best situation.
My best pick so far? Duke losing to 11 seed VCU in the first round. Winthrop over Notre Dame was pretty good too.
My worst picks? Hard to say - there is a giant disaster involving GWU and Oral Roberts that I'm hoping Georgetown will salvage in the Great 8, and of course picking Virginia to make the Final 4 isn't looking that great at the moment. Looking at it - I just realized that the ACC is down to UNC... GTech, VTech, and MD all tagged out. Yikes.
I've managed to pick 10 of 16 - but I've got 3 carry-over losers in the Great 8 - so that is not the best situation.
My best pick so far? Duke losing to 11 seed VCU in the first round. Winthrop over Notre Dame was pretty good too.
My worst picks? Hard to say - there is a giant disaster involving GWU and Oral Roberts that I'm hoping Georgetown will salvage in the Great 8, and of course picking Virginia to make the Final 4 isn't looking that great at the moment. Looking at it - I just realized that the ACC is down to UNC... GTech, VTech, and MD all tagged out. Yikes.
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Family Dental Floss
Kristen helps Liv and Jack floss their teeth every night before bed. Last night Jack asked something to the effect of "Mommy, do you floss daddy's teeth like you floss me and Livy's?".
Matthew Brown quote
Kristen had the boys over today after school. She loaded up Matthew Brown, Cameron Komae, Jack, and Owen into the van to head over to the Y for a swim. While Kristen was buckling Owen in, Matthew chimed in from the back seat "Missalemmons - I wish I lived here."
Saturday, March 10, 2007
Owen's first (proto) sentence?
Jack was taking a nap this afternoon and Owen saw him sleeping. Owen came rumbling into the living room and said "Da Da, Jack Jack nigh nigh!" and then pointed towards Jack's room. Kristen figures it was Owen's first sentence - we were very impressed.
Earlier in the day, Randy and Dave caught epic CYO with light winds and a wrapping NW swell - just the two of us - and that place was bowling beautifully. Every ride was just a speed rush - it was one of those days you think about for a long time.
Tonight we caught up with Ron & Robin and Dave & Tash (and kids) over at Bob & Mila's place. Their house looks great - they recently finished up laying flagstone decks up the front stairs and around the pool. Great dinner - nice to catch up. Owen punched William in the forehead.
Earlier in the day, Randy and Dave caught epic CYO with light winds and a wrapping NW swell - just the two of us - and that place was bowling beautifully. Every ride was just a speed rush - it was one of those days you think about for a long time.
Tonight we caught up with Ron & Robin and Dave & Tash (and kids) over at Bob & Mila's place. Their house looks great - they recently finished up laying flagstone decks up the front stairs and around the pool. Great dinner - nice to catch up. Owen punched William in the forehead.
Thursday, March 8, 2007
Day at the Children's Museum
(04 March 2007)
Beautiful Sunday - perfect day for the Children's Discovery Museum! Owen had a friend over - little Hope is a cutie and Liv and Jack think that Owen has found his true love...
Jack developing some future job skills under the hood...
Puppeteering 101...
Beautiful Sunday - perfect day for the Children's Discovery Museum! Owen had a friend over - little Hope is a cutie and Liv and Jack think that Owen has found his true love...
Jack developing some future job skills under the hood...
Puppeteering 101...
Uncle Brennan stops by for a visit
Uncle Brennan stops by for a visit with Darth Vadar and the kids...
Olivia, Jack, and Owen all say g'day matey to Daisy and Skagen and Aunty Peta
We had a few brews and had to say goodbye - back to Australia for Brennan...
Olivia, Jack, and Owen all say g'day matey to Daisy and Skagen and Aunty Peta
We had a few brews and had to say goodbye - back to Australia for Brennan...
Beer is served...
One-upping even his well-deserved reputation for generosity, neighbor extraordinaire Brian Felix drops off a beautiful, stainless steel dual-tap kegerator - stocked with 5 gallons each of Keoki Gold and Mirror Pond Pale Ale - and instantly renders bottled beer largely irrelevant at the Lem compound.
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