Dreaming What Ifs...

Olympic Review - Hockey!

I admit, going to the Olympic Games, I really wasn't a big hockey fan.  I would maybe watch the Stanley Cup Final, but only if nothing better was on or Dave had control of the channel changer.

Well, that has all changed now.  I LOVE HOCKEY!!!!

I love the crazy fans and the love and support they show their team.  These Czech guys were a hoot and taught Dave the proper way to chant for the team.

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I love the intensity of the face-off.  You can just feel the pressure of those sticks going after the puck.  I watch the referee to see how quickly he can get out of the way.

I love the goalie, and seeing how quick his reflexes are in response to how fast that puck is flying in at him.

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I loved being 6 rows from the ice, seeing the sweat, hearing the blades as they cut into the ice, and watching the incredible strength of the players.

  

There is beauty to the game.  There is an art to passing.  There is an intricate balance of getting the puck across sticks and bodies to the goal.  And sometimes there is blood.  It's all good.

Olympic Review - Day 1 - Meeting Up With our "Internet" Friends

1.  Kobe is the best behaved dog in Canada.  Okay, maybe not all of Canada, but the Entire Western Half....okay, that might be stretching it a bit too.... maybe just the best dog in Vancouver B.C. - that I can say with a most definite "Yes!"

He only slobbers when you give him Apple-flavored dog treats.  And he only sticks his nose in your crotch after getting him hyped up playing with his favorite squeaky toy.  Other than that - he definitely deserves the title Best Dog in Vancouver B.C. (and possibly all of Canada)

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#2 - Dirty Uncle Mark is NOT dirty....I repeat...not dirty.  I did not see any mud or grease anywhere on his person.  In fact, he seemed quite clean.  AND - Marnie , contrary to what her blog USED to say - did not blame me for anything.

But most importantly is this fact:

Mark and Marnie are absolutely wonderful hosts!!!   In fact, they are so great, I think they might actually be a little crazy.

They let us stay with them :

A - Dave and I could have been freaky hippy swingers

and

B - They had just moved into their brand new apartment - and hadn't even been there a week!!!  Yes, that is right - NOT EVEN A WEEK.  (I don't know if I could have handled that kind of stress.)

And seriously - they went out of their way for us, driving through crazy Olympic traffic (coming to pick us up in the middle of the night when the SkyTrain had a 3 hour wait) and introducing us to their beautiful city.

I can say for a fact, our trip to Vancouver wouldn't have been as nice without spending the weekend with Mark and Marnie.  I feel so fortunate to have met them in person.  There is a room in our house that will always be available if they have a need or just want to come visit!

 

Olympic Review - The Border Crossing or When You Should Not Say Too Much

"What is your Business in Canada?"

"We're here for the Olympics."

"Where are you staying?"

"We are staying with some friends."

"How do you know them?"

"From Blogging."

Dead Silence.  Not a good sign.

"Blogging?"

"Yes, the internet."

"What internet site did you meet them on?"

"Um....no site, just their blogs."

"Have you ever met them in person before?"

"No, but we've been e-mailing for 3 years to each other."

Dead Silence.  A nod of the head.

"I am going to search your vehicle."

A quick search revealed nothing incriminating.

"Well, since I don't see any riot gear you are free to go through.  Enjoy your visit to Canada...... and good luck meeting up with these internet friends."

Road Trip: Olympic Bound

Clean underwear - Check

Toothbrush - Check

Mapquest Directions - Check

Vancouver BC Trans schedule - Check

Dog bones for Kobe - Check

American flag - ..... uh oh.  I guess I could bring the little one Buttercup made for me out of yellow construction paper.  It looks more like a red sickle than a flag.  Maybe they will sell flags at a concession stand. 

My excitement is building.  Apolo Ohno - I am ready to see you win Gold (or Silver, or Bronze)  Saturday evening.  I am ready to see the World's Greatest Hockey Player (according to Dave) win for Russian against the Czech team (although we will be rooting for Czechoslovakia.)

Oh - kids snacks - Check

kids bikes - Check

kids clothes - Check

Kids toys - .....oh yeah, Grandma Beckie has a huge trunk full of toys.  We don't need to bring ours.  What a relief.

Three full days of Olympic Games without kids - HEAVEN!!!!!!

I will be posting when I return - full of stories.  And for those who can't wait?  I've figured out how to post to Facebook via cell phone.  So - I'll post some updates. 

My ramble is over - time to go pack the car.

Car Games

* the picture has nothing to do with this post - I just thought I'd share the last picture taken of all three kids. 

We spend hours in our van driving to all our various events and activities.  Living in the country has its perks, but there is one definite downside which involves travel time.

Over the past two months Jammin' and Buttercup have devised a game in which they count cars.  It keeps them occupied.

#1 - Magic Cars are worth 10 points (Cars that have bright white Halogen lights.)

#2 - Spy Cars are worth 25 points.  (Any sporty looking car that has double headlights)

#3 - Trailers are worth 20 points.  (Any truck or van towing something behind it).

I had been listening to them shout "Magic Car" or "Spy Car" for a few weeks and decided to add a new option that had belonged in my childhood. 

"Popeye!"  I yelled and slammed my hand against the roof of the van.

"What's that?"  Jammin' asked, intrigued.

"A Popeye is when you see a car with only ONE headlight.  The other one has to be burnt out."  Pretty soon, the kids were screaming Popeye and hitting the roof all the time.  Even the Caboose was into the game, yelling "Popeye".

After a few days of Buttercup yelling "Popeye" and then admitting she hadn't seen such a car, my headaches began.  I can only handle the yelling and banging for a little while.

"New rule!"  I said.  (We are always adding new rules to our games).  "If you yell Popeye and there wasn't really a Popeye, you lose ALL your points."

Jammin' thought this was a great rule.  Buttercup wasn't so delighted.

It only took a few days before she yelled the word and Jammin' was on her.  "You lose all your points.  That wasn't a Popeye.  It only had its blinker on!"

Buttercup started sobbing.  "I don't want to lose all my points."  Real tears flowed down her cheeks.

"Buttercup, chill out."  I said, 'It's only a game."

Her eyes widened in disbelief.  "Only a game?  Why didn't somebody tell me it was only a game."

"What did you think you were playing?"  I asked, astounded.

"I thought it was for real.  We were getting real points."

"What were you going to do with the points?" 

Buttercup looked at me, "Trade them in for money."

POPEYE!!!!! 

How You Know A Toddler Might Be In Your House

#1 Crayon Marks on the Wall.

  

#2 - A Screaming Fit

#3 - Insistent behavior that things can be done without help.

 

  #4 Extreme Cuteness!