Jacob's Early B-day Gift

I've successfully convinced Jacob to be a Chicago Bulls fan. Of course, with Derrick Rose and a team full of likable players that win at an impressive rate, it hasn't taken much coercion. For some odd reason, we get WGN on our very limited TV channel menu, so we're able to see an occasional game from home plus those that are shown on ABC. I knew months ago what I wanted to do for his birthday this year and it worked out that the Bulls would be in Charlotte on a Friday night this season. Therefore, on February 2nd (1 month before his birthday), we gave him gift #1.

This past Christmas, Jacob had announced that he wanted a D-Rose jersey next Christmas. Fortunately for him, he also has a birthday! After trying it on, we asked where might be a good place to wear that jersey for the first time. He quickly understood what we were inferring, so he had a week to eagerly anticipate this past Friday night.

After picking him up from school on Friday afternoon, we made our way towards Charlotte with a stop in Concord, so that I could see the Charlotte Motor Speedway for the first time. Jacob, having been there with Jennifer once, had fun showing me around. It was pretty thrilling to see that venue from the inside with basically nobody else around. Anyway, we soon made our way to downtown Charlotte and were in line (with hundreds of Bulls fans) at 5:30, so that we could watch the teams warm up until tip-off at 7:00.

Jacob had a blast. Even with the Bulls up 30 in the 3rd quarter, he was cheering like it was a 1-point game! Oddly, he was wearing one of about 500 D-Rose jerseys we saw Friday night. They were all over the place! It was NASCAR night at the Bobcats game, so he got to see Jimmie Johnson's 48-car.

In the end, the Bulls destroyed the Bobcats even without an injured Derrick Rose.

Jensen Our Gymnast

Jensen has recently started doing gymnastics once a week. Immediately, it was clear she's in her element as there's been no hesitation. It's one of the highlights of her week. Here are a few pictures which aren't the highest quality but give you a sense for she's up to.

All Worn Out

Proehlific Park Bulls

At first glance, this K/1st team may look like your run-of-the-mill group of 5, 6 & 7-year-olds. However, I can assure you this wasn't an average team. Since December, the Bulls have put on an impressive display of basketball. Jason and I had fun coaching them each week as we could see them getting better game to game. Some became better shooters while others learned to box-out and look for passes to open teammates. It all led to what a couple of them described as an "undefeatable" season. Jason & I have joked that we should probably retire now since we probably won't be affiliated with such a successful team ever again.

Most importantly, these are a bunch of good kids who you could observe being genuinely excited for each other as a fellow teammate achieved individual success during a game.

Date with Jensen

Jensen and I got to go out for an early Valentines date on Saturday. At her suggestion, we dominated some games at Chucky Cheese (with half of Greensboro). At my suggestion, we went to a restaurant a step or two above her first choice (Chx Fila). I think I won her over and we'll be going back because in her words "I liked the mashed potatoes and vanilla ice cream". It was a sweet time for both us!

Birthday Gift

Several months ago, I found myself caught up in a PBS special that was featuring Will Ferrell of SNL fame. His was winning some sort of lifetime achievement award for comedy. Personally, I find it comedic that such an award exists, but it was mind-numbing television after a long day. Side note, it's interesting to me that Ferrell's true personality is far different than those he often portrays when in character. Anyway, throughout the program, clips were run of Ferrell's most famous SNL skits and movie scenes. One that caught my attention, which I'd forgotten about, was a classic skit in which a 70's-era rock band (Blue Oyster Cult) is in studio producing a "gold record" thanks to the direction of the Bruce Dickinson (played by Christopher Walken). Ferrell and his band mates, a collection of SNL stars, are portraying the members of BOC. The song being recorded features the cowbell which Ferrell famously plays (do you play a cowbell?) or taps while wearing a vintage 70's shirt that was a couple sizes to small for him. Walken famously repeats over and over again, "I gotta have more cowbell!". I won't go any further in describing the scene, but it was funny enough that Jimmy Fallon (the "drummer") was unable to control his own laughter during the skit.

All that said, over the ensuing weeks I would often out-of-nowhere exclaim to the kids and Jennifer, "I gotta have more cowbell!". Jennifer, as she does so well, jumped on that and ordered me a t-shirt for my birthday. She and the kids whispered about it for weeks leading up to the big day, so I knew something funny was in the works. They were all so excited when I opened it, and we got a good laugh.

I've worn the t-shirt just once so far and have already received several funny comments.

Sleeping Pics

Perhaps we're a bit odd (or very odd), but it's not uncommon for one of us to find the other briefly watching our kids sleep before heading to bed ourselves. Recently, Jennifer grabbed a couple pictures...