These are the days

Blogging, trawling the blogosphere, checking hockey scores, checking soccer scores, checking what crazy shenanigans Britney’s been up to lately… all of this has taken a back seat of late as the computers around here get tied up with far more important (though surely less thought-provoking) activities. Case in point: the Russian-looking fella shown below has been hogging the computer lately, having recently begun his assault on the internet with “dressing up the girls” sessions on PollyPocket.com. His enjoyment level is tempered, every few minutes, by the inherent frustrations of his questionable/ beginner-level navigational nimbleness. Lucky for him, a helpful sister can always be shouted at to run and give assistance to her “sweetie”!


Effie has dug deep into all things Star Wars. Along with her expanding action figure collection (thanks Max and Otto!) and SW movie viewing, she is building up a library of used Star Wars novels and is very excited about the one that “is just about Princess Leia ya know Daddy!” Last night she was yacking away/ going on and on/ wonderfully re-enacting an entire two minute scene from Return of the Jedi complete with subtle voice alterations and everything!

Auntie’s old lunch box has been re-invented as a transportable SW collector’s case:


Tiki’s been busy with a number of projects and, having recently greeted visitors at 4 pm while still in her pyjamas, is beginning to re-think them all!
Ghostly pj’s: they’re not just for Halloween (or bedtime) anymore!


Meanwhile, my “Nintendo numb-thumb” is starting to give me considerable grief. Grief to the extent that scrolling through the iPod has become erratic and unpredictable and has resulted, on one occasion, in an extended listening of Gregorian Chants by the Benedictine Monks of Santo Domingo de Silos when all I wanted was some Beta Band goshdarnit.

Currently, I’m having a heck of a time trying to master World 8 of Super Mario Bros as attempts to dodge bullet bills, swooping crows, balls of fire and persistently peripatetic pumpkins proves nearly as difficult as the time I had to battle the mega-goomba in Bowser’s castle without the added weapon support and security of being Fire-Luigi or any extra 1-ups! Bugger, eh? Impressive though, considering I was the guy who up until recently had only Pong, and a smattering of Guitar Hero, on his gaming resume.

Weekend Roundup

Funky and amazing friends Rachel, Martin and family sent us a HUGE box of treats recently including some much coveted car dots (as seen at L&L 2007, North Carolina). Slowly they're making it from our front door to the vehicle.


All the cool kids don't wear socks outside but mittens inside when eating blueberries!


Yesterday we saw the sun. It was cool.


A typical scene from "cold weather wrestle-polining"


"Effie, stand over there next to the fallen tree. Stop smiling... its for scale not a fashion shoot!"

Brad "Dad" Richards

Prior to my birthday, Effie asked me who my favorite player was from the assorted hockey cards lying around the house. Not really having a favorite, and not really paying much attention at the time, I think I said "this one" or something like that. A couple weeks later the card in question showed up as my birthday present - aided by a couple wee modifications. With "LOVE DAD", Brad Richards has never looked finer. My best birthday card ever!

We've got the whole wide world in our yard to explore

Fergus experienced his first ever professional theatrical performance yesterday as he and I braved the under 5 set for a rousing rendition of Backyardigans Live. Ferg seemed to think the whole thing was pretty cool. He especially enjoyed halftime when he got to run around the foyer and terrorize the pristinely done-up girls and their exasperated chaperones.




Fergus tells me I should "skip out of work" one day this week and watch Backyardigans on tv with him. Hmmm....

BEST. MUSICALS. EVER.

Here are Effie's top movie musicals of the past year - painstakingly ordered and sorted with loving care and attention. As per any critic worthy of their credentials, she has most likely viewed each movie a minimum five times.

1. Fiddler on the Roof
2. Kiss me Kate
3. Show Boat
4. Easter Parade
5. Camelot
6. Hello Dolly!
7. White Christmas
8. Meet me in St. Louis
9. Singin' in the Rain
10. Bye Bye Birdie
11. Hairspray
12. Anything Goes
13. Cats
14. Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
15. High School Musical
16. Bride & Prejudice
17. The Harvey Girls
18. De Lovely
19. The Sound of Music
20. Brigadoon
21. The King and I
22. My Fair Lady
23. West Side Story

Three Degrees of History

Nintendo game: Barbie’s Island Princess, circa 2007
Movie: Kiss me Kate DVD, circa 1953
Clothes and Accessories: Medieval England, circa 1372



More Medieval Days modelling (it's taken two years for Ferg to want to wear this frock!)

Hair today...

The beaver tail/ rat's nest at the back of her head was becoming too uncomfortable to sleep on so, after a day of angst, Effie concluded that it will grow back eventually. We normally toss cut hair outside to help the birdies build their nests. This oughta give them a challenge.

Hooray for burning season...

Hooray for Effie becoming a "broom-puller"!!!

Could someone please invent a use for this noxious weed - we'll share a portion of our resulting millions:






Marshmallow ending:


Effie: "Since the fire is going so well I think I'll go cut some more broom"
Daddy: "Okay"

I'm sure this is how they do it in Sweden!

Apparently some people in the household found this funny enough to document, but really - is there a more effective way to de-trim the xmas tree?

Ariel adventure (part deux)

Aaaaaaahh


It's a veritable thrill-a-minute at our house!

Ariel adventure

Effie's new game for her DS, The Little Mermaid, involves singing into the built in microphone. Singing! Into a hand-held game!! How weird is that? Singing the notes moves Ariel through the ocean and when Effie's playing it, it's like "aaaah, aaah, aaaAAAHHHHH" for half an hour straight. Its the darn cutest thing. And the most hilarious. I tell her she sounds lovely (which she does) and then duck around a corner and laugh my head off.

The many faces of...

Tam Man


Track Star (he refers to himself as "Diddy Kong")


Scurvy Fergie


Nacho Fergre