Icee & Wall-E

They make a fine combo!

Little Bear and I went to the talkies today; it was Bear's first time at a movie theater! She loved the whole experience, especially the shared Icee and popcorn. ( I shouldn't have had any popcorn--it tastes good, but movie theater popcorn always makes me ill--I think it's the oil they use)

The movie was.....wow. The message (can't believe they went there with a "kid's" movie but am so glad they did) was dark and timely and right smack dab on. Very, very good. It's not too dark for kids, but grown ups will get the darker stuff. A little touch that I loved: the credits rolled over a bunch of stills of the movie characters, done in various art styles--I saw Impressionism, sketch, Atari block-y ET/Pitfall style, tile mosaic, watercolor, etc....it was neat.

If you are thinking you want to see this movie, I encourage you to do so. I loved it, and so did she---it totally works on so many different levels. Pixar have truly outdone themselves.

Sigh. I love Alltop.

I have been wasting so much time the last several days browsing around Alltop.
It's so much fun; try it. Click on a subject that interests you. You'll get addicted, I promise.

They just added a tennis section and I couldn't be happier about it. I've been reading tennis related blogs entries and articles all night. Tennis gossip is the best. And hey Justin Gimelstob--newsflash, you douchelord, as if Anna Kournikova would ever, ever have sex with you. I mean really. And you know he's so vicious about her because he has to hate her before she can say (or even think really hard) "I'd never sleep with you". He's totally that guy.

My man got a promotion!

He's kicked ass at work lately, and totally stepped in when there was a big crisis a few weeks ago and pretty much single-handedly got things under control. He kicked SO much ass, in fact, that the big shots decided to offer him a raise and a promotion...a pretty substantial raise, and a very substantial promotion. He really rocked it, and they all knew it. Congratulations baby!!!

I know I'm gushing, but I can't help it. I'm super, really, extra proud of him.

Welcome to the Universe

We're all family here.

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/06/080618-meteor-earth.html

I think this is so awesome. That word is overused, and I'm guilty of overusing it, too---but in this case, I really truly mean it. This is awesome.

Some of life's raw ingredients may have originated in space, says a new analysis of an Australian meteorite that adds more fuel to the controversial theory. Researchers discovered the organic molecules uracil and xanthine in the meteorite and confirmed they could not have formed on Earth.

These molecules, called nucleobases, are precursors to DNA, a set of genetic instructions for organisms on Earth.

"Emergent life systems may have adopted nucleobases from meteoritic fragments for use in an early and primitive genetic material, enabling them to pass on their successful features to the next generations," said study leader Zita Martins of Imperial College London.

We have cousins out there, roaming amongst the stars. Molecules, sure, but who knows where else they've been seeded, and what those seeds have grown into? Shivers.

Hey, I'm a finalist!

Well, alright!

I got an email this morning informing me that an essay I wrote is in contention for a grand prize trip for 4 to either Disneyland or World. WOW! I pretty much entered on a whim. I really want to take Lila to Disneyland, so I've been entering any and all Disney trip sweeps that I can find. But, I usually stay away from essay contests because I feel like my writing skills are not up to par. Since this sweep was for a trip to Disney, I decided to give it a shot.

Here is the link to where the finalist entries will be posted, although they aren't up yet.

http://www.coolcookie.com/0806/ourpicks_disney.asp

I know this is cliche, but honestly, I'm happy just to have been chosen as a finalist. It has built my confidence for essay contests and I think I'll be entering them more. That said.....think good thoughts that the judges pick me and I can take my kid to The Mouse House!

Dog Mechanic

Wegman Dogs are the best! I love this and I can't stop watching it. It totally makes me laugh; the washer fluid, the fan belt, the dogs' expressions....high-larious.

Do you know who this man is?

Phil Pfister, king among men. Or something. He's a World's Strongest Man dude, and he's hardcore.
I highly, highly recommend watching a World's Strongest Man marathon on a lazy weekend day. It's the cure for what ails you, especially if what ails you is a hangover. (Greasy food helps, too. )

Phil Pfister, master of the Fingle Fingers and the keg toss. My hat is off to you, sir.

I lead a charmed life

I feel so incredibly lucky and blessed, and I'm trying to remember to give thanks every day for the wonderful life I have. I have a beautiful, funny, exceptional child, a husband who loves me and treats me well and who I love dearly in return, family and friends that I cherish, I get to stay home with my kid, there are beagles snoring on the floor beside me.....everything is grand. I wish our closest friends lived closer, and I'd like to travel more, but damn....life is so.good.

Giant Microbes

Oh my god I love these! They are so, so cute. I bought the brain cell one for a friend who just got her MBA, and I so wish that I had a reason to buy a whole array of them, for myself or as a gift for someone else. I want them all.


The fat cell plushie is so apropos for me....


http://www.giantmicrobes.com/

Some recent pictures

Lila, in her first dance recital costume, May 2008












Justin and Lila, Hawaii, November 2007

Block Party!

Woo! It's kind of sad, how excited I am for a neighborhood block party. Our street is throwing a 4th of July block party, and I'm super psyched about it! There are a TON of kids on our street, so I want to set up some stuff at our house that will be fun. I'm thinking a bunch of sidewalk chalk, bubbles, and.....maybe some kind of yard game? I don't know. Our front yard is sloped so that might be difficult. We'll haul out some lawn chairs, a grill, and a cooler full of drinks and I think we have some tiki torches that we can light.

Yes! Block Party!

Back in the blogosphere!

Not that I've been missed or anything, but I'm back. I thought I'd give blogging a go again...why not, right? This will be my place to update on what's going on with our family, share random musings, and blather about whatever strikes my fancy....hopefully on a somewhat consistent basis. Here we go!