The Nino File » Holidays

Easter Eggs And Broken Blow Pop Sticks [Holidays]

ninophile — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 14:33:56 +0000

The remnants of the Saturday evening egg decorating extravaganza that Madysen and Speed were way too cool to participate in.

On Easter morning, Emma was the first awake (as always), and she took pictures of the Easter Bunny baskets. (This first picture was taken with the ToonPAINT app that I quickly became obsessed with and then soured on just as quickly.)

After Madysen, Speed, and Layla returned from church (Emma stayed home and in her pjs because that’s “the rules for egg hunting.” Pay special attention to Emma’s marbled eggs with eyes and Layla’s Madysen and Speed eggs. (I’ve included some ToonPaint versions, which intrigue me but seem completely pointless, which explains most of my days.)

The decorated eggs were hidden in the backyard where Layla and Emma went in search for them.

We also had over 100 plastic eggs stuffed with candy of everyone’s choice. Speed had chosen Blow Pops, which didn’t fit well in the eggs. So Holly broke the sticks to make them fit. Surprising how much a broken Blow Pop stick can impair one’s enjoyment. Anyway, Madysen and Speed hid the eggs inside the first floor. Speed’s effort at hiding declined aggressively over the 3 minutes he invested, which is why there were 20 eggs laying in open site in the dining room.

One final ToonPAINT. I think my ToonPAINT dalliance is over.

Omnibus Christmas Staycation [Holidays]

ninophile — Sat, 01 Jan 2011 03:01:00 +0000

It’s been a busy day around here as we try to get caught up on the December happenings. In case it’s not already clear, the Christmas Letter tradition continues on hiatus for the second straight year. And I would not count on seeing one any time in 2011.

For the holiday break, I was not up for any travel (in case you wondering about the c-word thing: I’m doing okay, but I’m at about 50% of my pre-C-word speed), so we generally stayed around town.

The kids helped Holly decorate the tree by hanging their ornaments.

Speed is a great tree decorator

Madysen gets her ornaments in prime position

The finished tree

Madysen and Emma made and decorated Christmas cookies–and then delivered them to Madysen’s friends. I think I got one. Weak. Sauce.

No idea how these taste

Yummy deformed arm cookies

For whatever inexplicable reason, I’ve become one of those guys who spends many hours at the public library. So I took Emma and Layla one Saturday morning–after feeding them delicious Cafe Brazil breakfasts–but they had no idea how long we’d be there. They managed.

We are all fans of breakfast

Three days before Christmas, I deluded myself into thinking that the mall wouldn’t be so bad. I was so wrong. And for the second year in a row, I had someone swoop into a parking spot I was waiting on. I told the old man what I thought of him.

People--specifically this guy--suck

We made it to Christmas Eve to watch A Christmas Story and opened the Christmas pajamas sent by Nana and Pop. Nana might notice that neither Emma nor Layla are holding the correct box in the picture below. We discovered this only after Layla opened her gift, who promptly blamed Emma for grabbing the wrong boxes.

Christmas Eve pjs

Emma is the only Christmas early bird in the house, but she waited on me before she plunged into her stocking. A couple hours later, Layla, Speed, Madysen, and Holly (in that order) emerged from their slumber so that the festivities could get underway in earnest.

Emma oogles her Santa present--at 7 a.m.

Can we open them? Huh? Can we? Please?

Funny story about Layla’s gift to me. Holly had told me that I was going to hate one of my gifts. Layla’s was the last gift I had to open, and my earlier gifts were not of the hate-able kind, so I was puzzled as I unwrapped it. Layla had made me a nutcracker out of a Pringles can at school–and it is really well done. But my face clearly did not show joy since I was trying to figure out what was hate-able about it. Turns out, nothing.

My new nutcracker

After Christmas, Holly took the girls to Norman to see her parents for a few days (where, among other things, Layla ate a pound of ribs on her own and the girls went “sledding” at Bricktown Ballpark, which makes no sense to me). Speed went to San Antonio with Aunt Kim to see OSU whip Arizona in the Alamo Bowl. It seems it was just an excuse to eat ridiculous large food items–a 37″ pizza, a 48 oz chicken fried steak, a gigantic cinnamon roll, and the ginormous donut below.

That's a big donut--and better tasting than you'd think

Even Madysen says she is disappointed that the Letter remains unwritten. This will have to suffice for now. Merry Christmas.

Update: I guess Holly was holding out on me. I happened across a handful of photos on her iPhone of Papa taking the girls to the Science Museum Oklahoma (the Omniplex when I was a kid).

Budding astronauts

Can decide whether these seats look super comfortable or super uncomfortable

Our Final Elementary Winter Program [School]

ninophile — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 23:59:22 +0000

Of the many services provided herein, covering school programs is one. Just to name a few, Madysen in Kindergarten, Emma’s preschool program (and one of our first posts ever), Madysen and Speed (in a tie, no less!) in a band concert, Layla as Honest Abe on Biography Day. And there are more to come from the archives.

A few weeks ago, Emma and her Fourth Grade compatriots presented “A Winter Celebration!,” a handful of carols and songs of the season. It was cute.

As they file in, Emma's right in the middle in her red skirt

She's singing, or at least her mouth is open

Enjoy this snippet of “Deck the Halls,” which has a couple of fa-la-las that are just out of reach.

My baby's done grow'n up

A Mad-Hatted And Buzzing Halloween [Holidays]

ninophile — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 22:43:49 +0000

Halloween has come and gone again. This year there was no OU football to interfere, but Madysen and Speed only cared enough to get some of Layla’s and Emma’s candy. Speed did answer the door, but we only had four groups, so it’s not like it interrupted his normal couch position.

Still too cool for costumes

Holly took the girls out on their quest for free candy. They even saw the nice policewoman who once visited our house.

The Mad Hatter and the Bumblebee

Madysen and Speed were even too busy to carve pumpkins. I think Emma’s pumpkin was soft as it was looking pretty moldy after just a couple days.

Emma's soft ghost and Layla's two-face mask

Plenty of candy and a pleasant evening all around.

Happy Halloween

Only A Virtual Merry Christmas Coming Your Way [Letters]

ninophile — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 10:05:28 +0000

Many of you have been lucky enough to be on the super special annual Christmas letter (1 part picture, 1 part information, 7 parts funny) that has been a staple since 2001. Or you could have just read them here.

Well, I’m here to tell you that the 2009 iteration isn’t coming. We have had quite a bit going on around here, and I just haven’t felt up to the whole production. Didn’t want you all to think that you’d been cut from the list. Maybe you have, but it’s immaterial this year.

Don’t know whether this is a temporary hiatus, whether we’ll start mailing it in like so many of you do with a cookie cutter photo card (I’m looking at many of you, but especially Number Three and Kirkland), or whether we’ll come back stronger than ever next year. I’m betting on none of the above.

Heck, the last two days were almost been more than I can handle as Holly and the kids spent 22 hours making the >5 hour trip back from Erick because of the snowstorm that hit north Texas. They pulled in at 8 a.m. Christmas morning. Never thought I’d see the day that my kids would wander right be the presents on Christmas morning to go take a nap. It. Happened.

Poor neglected tree

As I post this–at 4 a.m.–Madysen, Emma, Layla, and I are on our way to board a flight for Ft. Lauderdale, FL for a soccer tournament for the rest of this year. We’ll see grandparents, aunts and uncles, and cousins from my family. Hopefully I’ll abide.

Merry Christmas to you all.

The closest thing you'll get to a Christmas picture of the kids

The Mall Near Christmas Is Painful [Dance]

ninophile — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 02:46:46 +0000

Last time I saw Layla dance, there was a tree lighting and fireworks. This time was nearly so celebratory, but it was at NorthPark Center on the Saturday before Christmas. Which means it was a crazy scene.

They danced the 2 same numbers as last time, and Emma and I were in poor viewing spots (looking down from the second floor and from behind), so I just snapped a couple of photos. We did share a cuatro leches cupcake from La Duni afterwards that was might tasty.

Speaking of a crazy scene, Emma and I had words with a man (clearly not a gentleman) in the parking lot who swooped into the parking spot we were waiting on. If only I had a Cousin Eddie to get me a gift related to teaching him a lesson.

If Holidays Are For Family, I’m For Fewer Holidays: Thanksgiving [Holidays]

ninophile — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 02:53:45 +0000

Holidays with my family is as painful as it gets for me. Add one sister as a new Aggie, two sisters bringing dudes (one an Aggie himself, the other, um, well, words don’t really do justice), and an “Amazing Race” contest–and I’m ready to lay in front of Dad’s tractor.

Too painful for me to even take pictures. So most of these are courtesy of my former sister, current Aggie Kate. It was nice knowing you Killa.

Nephew K-Beck is pretty good company for Emma

Team Feast--this isn't going to end well

Team Salty Dogs--a little more team love

Though Emma was a quiet leader in the egg course, it went well

This went better than expected--until Speed freaked out at the end

I see no way this ends well

Emma did better than any of the kids

One picture of Speed eating an MRE is all I can stomach

So, you know, a fun holiday.

Lighting Up A Tree And The Sky [Dance]

ninophile — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 14:59:20 +0000

As you’ll recall, Layla’s been dancing for a long time, and she’s really quite good. The struggle has been ballet vs. other junk (my term) like hip-hop. I’m in favor of the former, she’s in favor of the latter.

So this fall, she started at a new dance school, taking 5 different classes a week, including ballet. And one of those classes does quite a bit of performing. In the last six weeks, she’s performed at a craft fair, some charity event at SMU, and a little thing at Highland Park Village on Friday.

And last weekend, she danced at a Christmas Tree lighting at Firewheel Town Center. Her group did two numbers, and I can’t tell whether they are supposed to be in sync or not. Whatever. She had fun.

Nothing says Christmas like Mariah Carey (Layla’s on the far right):

I’m far too old to know what this song is (I know it’s not a Christmas tune) and I’m too tired to look it up.

After after, they lit the tree, see shaky iPhone pic below, and set off fireworks. Cause nothing says Christmas before Thanksgiving like fireworks.

Candy And Football [Halloween]

ninophile — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 03:23:47 +0000

I decried last year how Halloween seemed to be receding into a holiday no longer impacting our lives–mostly because Madysen and Speed are getting too big to cuddle.

That was true again this year, maybe even more so since Madysen and I were in Norman for the OU game against Kansas State. It was a beautiful day, though Madysen almost missed it all since I woke her up at 2 p.m.! Anyway, the game looked to be a walkover as we had an early 21-0 lead, but the lead was cut to 6 points twice in the second half, which had me awfully nervous. But they won 42-30, and I think Madysen enjoyed herself. A big treat that she got to see the Pride play “Thriller” at her first game.

(image via SoonerSports.com)

Meanwhile, back at home, Emma and Layla and, to a lesser extent, Speed, got their Halloween on. The girls decorated pumpkins with Mr. Potato head parts and carved a pumpkin with bats and stars. Speed carved a skull pumpkin.

Though hard to see in this picture, Emma went dressed as a candy corn (most people thought witch because of the hat, which irritated her greatly) and Layla as a bumblebee in a costume made by her friend Rachel. Emma made the bigger haul, which pleased her.

Celebration Week: 36 Is A Lot [Birthdays]

ninophile — Sat, 16 May 2009 02:52:49 +0000

Last week was busy what with all the soccer, the FOTC concert, and the track meet. In addition, it had more than it’s fair share of celebrations. As my mother noted, Monday was my 36th birthday, which definitely means I’m on the downhill slope. We cheated a bit and had dinner and opened presents on Sunday night. Dinner was cajun food at Dodie’s, followed by homemade Key Lime Pie. The kids–minus Speed–put plenty of effort into decorating the wrapping paper for my presents.

Speed tries to look cool

Emma and Layla's present

Something tells me this isn't Holly's work

Madysen took two shots and got both wrong

Then Saturday was Holly’s 36th. For dinner, Speed grilled–he loves fire a little too much. And we had a special dessert made by the girls.

Nerd alert

You can't tell from this side, but it's a cake that looks like a cooke with ice cream filling

The next day, Sunday, was Mother’s Day–will the celebration of Holly ever end. She celebrated by sleeping in late, running errands, and eating leftovers. Yes, two of those things don’t make any sense. Additionally, she wanted everyone to see Earth. Expertly and coolly narrated by James Earl Jones, it beautifully documents a year in the life of a polar bear family, an elephant pack, and humpback whale family, along with short looks at other animal life. The kids really enjoyed it, though Speed would probably deny it.

Glad that week is behind us.