Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Computer Problems
Please forgive me for failing to blog in several weeks. I have a perfectly valid excuse, however. Our computer crashed a few weeks ago, and for a long time we simply could not connect to the Internet. Thankfully, however, my amazing father fixed the computer, and now I can continue blogging to my heart's desire. I appreciate your patience!
Monday, June 14, 2010
Crown Point Visit
This weekend, we stayed with my grandparents in Crown Point for my mom's 2nd Grade Reunion (yes, it was a 2nd grade reunion).
On Saturday, we woke up to a breakfast of waffles and sausage. After saying goodbye to our grandparents, we drove to Lakes of the Four Seasons, the site of the reunion. My brothers and I played with our friends Lucy and Gina on the playground, and we nearly caught a frog lakeside.
Thunderclouds had been hanging in the sky, threatening to unleash a storm all day, and they finally did, just as we finished building canals and dams by the lake (we christened the city "Elusive Frog City" in homage to that tricky frog that we just couldn't catch).
Sitting under the pavilion wasn't much fun, so we headed to our hostess' house, where we watched Man Vs. Wild until the rain stopped. We then got out a few fishing poles, dug up some worms, and tried our luck at fishing. Surprisingly, we did catch quite a few fish - one of them David caught with a makeshift fishing pole: a crude, Huck Finn-style pole fashioned with a line tied to the end of a stick.
Soon, the mosquitoes came out by the hundreds (I counted 14 bites on my legs alone), so we sat around a bonfire, roasting hot dogs and attempting to evade the merciless mosquitoes.
After a fun day, we said goodbye to Lucy and Gina, and headed back to Grandma and Grandpa's house. We got back at around midnight, and we all fell asleep quickly and easily.
On Sunday morning, we visited my Aunt Marge, who lives a few doors down from my grandparents. The kids soon tired of the adults' talk, so we watched Tom and Jerry until my parents came home.
The rest of our time was mostly spent packing, and as soon as we had loaded the van with our suitcases, we waved adieu to Grandma and Grandpa. We stopped at Uncle Dave and Aunt Michelle's house, and watched Germany slaughter Australia in the World Cup. The kids headed downstairs to play, but after about ten minutes, we were back on the road, heading for my Grandma and Grandpa Speckhard's house.
We had an enjoyable time there, sitting on the swing talking to Cousin Sarah, talking and laughing with family at cocktails, watching Youtube videos, and watching the Eyewitness video about reptiles.
All too soon, we hit the road and arrived home at 1:00 AM.
On Saturday, we woke up to a breakfast of waffles and sausage. After saying goodbye to our grandparents, we drove to Lakes of the Four Seasons, the site of the reunion. My brothers and I played with our friends Lucy and Gina on the playground, and we nearly caught a frog lakeside.
Thunderclouds had been hanging in the sky, threatening to unleash a storm all day, and they finally did, just as we finished building canals and dams by the lake (we christened the city "Elusive Frog City" in homage to that tricky frog that we just couldn't catch).
Sitting under the pavilion wasn't much fun, so we headed to our hostess' house, where we watched Man Vs. Wild until the rain stopped. We then got out a few fishing poles, dug up some worms, and tried our luck at fishing. Surprisingly, we did catch quite a few fish - one of them David caught with a makeshift fishing pole: a crude, Huck Finn-style pole fashioned with a line tied to the end of a stick.
Soon, the mosquitoes came out by the hundreds (I counted 14 bites on my legs alone), so we sat around a bonfire, roasting hot dogs and attempting to evade the merciless mosquitoes.
After a fun day, we said goodbye to Lucy and Gina, and headed back to Grandma and Grandpa's house. We got back at around midnight, and we all fell asleep quickly and easily.
On Sunday morning, we visited my Aunt Marge, who lives a few doors down from my grandparents. The kids soon tired of the adults' talk, so we watched Tom and Jerry until my parents came home.
The rest of our time was mostly spent packing, and as soon as we had loaded the van with our suitcases, we waved adieu to Grandma and Grandpa. We stopped at Uncle Dave and Aunt Michelle's house, and watched Germany slaughter Australia in the World Cup. The kids headed downstairs to play, but after about ten minutes, we were back on the road, heading for my Grandma and Grandpa Speckhard's house.
We had an enjoyable time there, sitting on the swing talking to Cousin Sarah, talking and laughing with family at cocktails, watching Youtube videos, and watching the Eyewitness video about reptiles.
All too soon, we hit the road and arrived home at 1:00 AM.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Blackhawks Win Stanley Cup
For the first time since 1961 (the year that Barack Obama and Wayne Gretzky were born), the Chicago Blackhawks have won the Stanley Cup, defeating the Philadelphia Flyers 4-3 in an intense, seesaw series, which ended last night in Philadelphia.
The Hawks were hoping to repeat their Game 5 dominance, in which they steamrolled the Flyers 7-3. However, the Flyers had other ideas, and the game was tied 2-2 at the end of the second period.
When we scored, midway through the third period, our hope was renewed. We were mere minutes away from winning the Stanley Cup. It was so close, we could smell it. However, the Flyers, being the resilient team that they are, took advantage of our lazy defense and scored with four minutes remaining in regulation to tie the game, 3-3.
Game 3 had gone to overtime as well, but the Flyers had come out on top. Needless to say, we were very worried that Philly would win, causing a Game 7 in Chicago. I don't think I could've taken the anxiety and stress of a Game 7, so I could hardly watch the overtime, fearing a Philadelphia win.
However, we didn't have to fear for long. Four minutes had barely elapsed in the extra period when Patrick Kane received the wide-open pass from across the ice, wove his way around a defender, and fired the puck at Michael Leighton from a bad angle.
The game-winning goal was a bit anti-climatic, because nobody realized the puck had gone in. . . except Patrick Kane. He took off down the ice, dancing with joy and shedding equipment as he went, and we were still staring at the TV screen, not daring to believe that he had actually scored. Soon, the other Hawks came barreling toward the celebrating Kane and Niemi, and the the number 4 ticked onto the scoreboard. We realized that the Chicago Blackhawks were the NHL champions and began jumping around the family room, slapping high-fives and yelling at the top of our lungs.
The replay of was shown, and the puck just barely slipped through the pads of Michael Leighton and into the goal, where it was stuck in the pad of the net.
Jonathan Toews was soon presented the Conn Smythe Trophy, the award given to the MVP of the playoffs (This decision, however, was somewhat controversial. Most people agree that Patrick Kane deserves the Trophy, since he had more goals than Toews and, more importantly, he scored the Stanley Cup-winning goal. Others think that Antti Niemi should've won it, since he was phenomenal throughout the playoffs.)
Then, the moment that we'd all been waiting for arrived. The Stanley Cup was brought onto the ice by two gloved, reverent Hall of Fame hockey players. It was gently, respectfully set on a table, where the NHL Commissioner presented it to Jonathan Toews. After pausing for pictures, Toews performed the most coveted, dreamed-of act in hockey. He hoisted the Stanley Cup. The ultimate goal of every hockey player on the planet.
After whooping with glee along with his teammates and kissing the gleaming cup, he handed it to Marian Hossa, who had played in three consecutive Stanley Cup Finals with three different teams, to no avail. . . until now. The cup was passed to each team member by age, and chills went up and down my spine as they celebrated with the most storied trophy in sports.
I later pointed out to my dad that this is my first championship. I have never witnessed the Packers win a Super Bowl. I have never witnessed the Cubs win a World Series (I don't think anyone currently alive has). Now, I have witnessed the Hawks break the Stanley Cup drought.
Is this the beginning of a Chicago dynasty? We have all the ingredients. We've locked in Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Marian Hossa, and Duncan Keith for a few years. We have the momentum. With luck, next year we can win the Blackhawk's fifth Stanley Cup of all time.
GO BLACKHAWKS!
The Hawks were hoping to repeat their Game 5 dominance, in which they steamrolled the Flyers 7-3. However, the Flyers had other ideas, and the game was tied 2-2 at the end of the second period.
When we scored, midway through the third period, our hope was renewed. We were mere minutes away from winning the Stanley Cup. It was so close, we could smell it. However, the Flyers, being the resilient team that they are, took advantage of our lazy defense and scored with four minutes remaining in regulation to tie the game, 3-3.
Game 3 had gone to overtime as well, but the Flyers had come out on top. Needless to say, we were very worried that Philly would win, causing a Game 7 in Chicago. I don't think I could've taken the anxiety and stress of a Game 7, so I could hardly watch the overtime, fearing a Philadelphia win.
However, we didn't have to fear for long. Four minutes had barely elapsed in the extra period when Patrick Kane received the wide-open pass from across the ice, wove his way around a defender, and fired the puck at Michael Leighton from a bad angle.
The game-winning goal was a bit anti-climatic, because nobody realized the puck had gone in. . . except Patrick Kane. He took off down the ice, dancing with joy and shedding equipment as he went, and we were still staring at the TV screen, not daring to believe that he had actually scored. Soon, the other Hawks came barreling toward the celebrating Kane and Niemi, and the the number 4 ticked onto the scoreboard. We realized that the Chicago Blackhawks were the NHL champions and began jumping around the family room, slapping high-fives and yelling at the top of our lungs.
The replay of was shown, and the puck just barely slipped through the pads of Michael Leighton and into the goal, where it was stuck in the pad of the net.
Jonathan Toews was soon presented the Conn Smythe Trophy, the award given to the MVP of the playoffs (This decision, however, was somewhat controversial. Most people agree that Patrick Kane deserves the Trophy, since he had more goals than Toews and, more importantly, he scored the Stanley Cup-winning goal. Others think that Antti Niemi should've won it, since he was phenomenal throughout the playoffs.)
Then, the moment that we'd all been waiting for arrived. The Stanley Cup was brought onto the ice by two gloved, reverent Hall of Fame hockey players. It was gently, respectfully set on a table, where the NHL Commissioner presented it to Jonathan Toews. After pausing for pictures, Toews performed the most coveted, dreamed-of act in hockey. He hoisted the Stanley Cup. The ultimate goal of every hockey player on the planet.
After whooping with glee along with his teammates and kissing the gleaming cup, he handed it to Marian Hossa, who had played in three consecutive Stanley Cup Finals with three different teams, to no avail. . . until now. The cup was passed to each team member by age, and chills went up and down my spine as they celebrated with the most storied trophy in sports.
I later pointed out to my dad that this is my first championship. I have never witnessed the Packers win a Super Bowl. I have never witnessed the Cubs win a World Series (I don't think anyone currently alive has). Now, I have witnessed the Hawks break the Stanley Cup drought.
Is this the beginning of a Chicago dynasty? We have all the ingredients. We've locked in Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Marian Hossa, and Duncan Keith for a few years. We have the momentum. With luck, next year we can win the Blackhawk's fifth Stanley Cup of all time.
GO BLACKHAWKS!
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
End of 2009-2010 School Year
Strangely, our last day of school was on a Monday. This caused many raised eyebrows, but since it was the last day of school, nobody really cared.
I got up early on Monday, determined to end the year right. In fact, I got up even before my dad, and I was ready to go at 7:40, while my dad, Benjamin, and Luke were still eating breakfast.
Once I finally got to Holy Cross (yes, I was early), my class and I started cleaning out our desks and lockers, the dreaded task that faces students once a year.
After our book bags were stuffed to their absolute limit with books, notebooks, pencil cases, and papers, Mr. Albertin put in a Three Stooges, one of his favorite shows.
Next, we headed across the street to Lions Park, where we played on the playground, tennis courts, basketball court, and baseball field for two hours. All of us were growing a bit bored (Jessica even claimed that she would rather be doing schoolwork than stay at Lions Park), so we walked back to Holy Cross for the cookout.
The cookout tradition started about five years ago, and it's always a great way to end the year. The whole school eats hot dogs, chips, and a dessert outside on the playground or in the field. This year, we went over to the preschool playground, and lunch was followed by an epic, intense pine cone war. We all went back inside scathed and scarred, but it was a really fun time.
At last, we headed to the church for perhaps the most anticipated yet unexciting event of the school year. The end-of-year chapel service.
After the short chapel service, we sat through the award ceremonies.
Not only are you bored out of your mind, but your hands grow numb from clapping, and towards the end of the ceremony, the award-winners hardly get any applause at all.
For me, the only exciting occurrence was when I won three awards, Honor Roll, National Physical Fitness Award, and Spelling Bee Recognition. The most unexpected award I won was the National Physical Fitness Award. I didn't think I did exceptionally well in PE. Apparently Mr. Schroeder, my PE teacher, thought so.
Finally, after our librarian handed out awards for AR winners (a third grade student broke the school AR points record with 1,500 points), we were released.
I had previously invited my friend Meron to participate in our end-of-school year tradition of going to Atz's, a delicious ice cream shop near Holy Cross. We said goodbye to friends, and then headed to Atz's.
Several other friends join us for this ice cream tradition, including Parker, Joseph, Madison, and their families. It's a fun but somewhat hectic time (for the moms).
I ordered a plain old chocolate shake (Not just any shake, though. An Atz's shake, which is two huge glasses filled to the brim with rich, thick chocolaty goodness.) Ben had a peanut butter sundae, Meron had a cherry sundae, Luke got vanilla ice cream smothered in whipped cream, and Jacob and David shared an Oreo split.
As always, we had an excellent end-of-year celebration.
It's summer!
I got up early on Monday, determined to end the year right. In fact, I got up even before my dad, and I was ready to go at 7:40, while my dad, Benjamin, and Luke were still eating breakfast.
Once I finally got to Holy Cross (yes, I was early), my class and I started cleaning out our desks and lockers, the dreaded task that faces students once a year.
After our book bags were stuffed to their absolute limit with books, notebooks, pencil cases, and papers, Mr. Albertin put in a Three Stooges, one of his favorite shows.
Next, we headed across the street to Lions Park, where we played on the playground, tennis courts, basketball court, and baseball field for two hours. All of us were growing a bit bored (Jessica even claimed that she would rather be doing schoolwork than stay at Lions Park), so we walked back to Holy Cross for the cookout.
The cookout tradition started about five years ago, and it's always a great way to end the year. The whole school eats hot dogs, chips, and a dessert outside on the playground or in the field. This year, we went over to the preschool playground, and lunch was followed by an epic, intense pine cone war. We all went back inside scathed and scarred, but it was a really fun time.
At last, we headed to the church for perhaps the most anticipated yet unexciting event of the school year. The end-of-year chapel service.
After the short chapel service, we sat through the award ceremonies.
Not only are you bored out of your mind, but your hands grow numb from clapping, and towards the end of the ceremony, the award-winners hardly get any applause at all.
For me, the only exciting occurrence was when I won three awards, Honor Roll, National Physical Fitness Award, and Spelling Bee Recognition. The most unexpected award I won was the National Physical Fitness Award. I didn't think I did exceptionally well in PE. Apparently Mr. Schroeder, my PE teacher, thought so.
Finally, after our librarian handed out awards for AR winners (a third grade student broke the school AR points record with 1,500 points), we were released.
I had previously invited my friend Meron to participate in our end-of-school year tradition of going to Atz's, a delicious ice cream shop near Holy Cross. We said goodbye to friends, and then headed to Atz's.
Several other friends join us for this ice cream tradition, including Parker, Joseph, Madison, and their families. It's a fun but somewhat hectic time (for the moms).
I ordered a plain old chocolate shake (Not just any shake, though. An Atz's shake, which is two huge glasses filled to the brim with rich, thick chocolaty goodness.) Ben had a peanut butter sundae, Meron had a cherry sundae, Luke got vanilla ice cream smothered in whipped cream, and Jacob and David shared an Oreo split.
As always, we had an excellent end-of-year celebration.
It's summer!
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