Well, it turns out we could not watch the hockey game last night because we do not get MSNBC. NBC and CNBC were showing curling and ice dancing in HD, but you had to have MSNBC to watch a great hockey game? What's that about?!?!
From the highlights, it looked like the US had a pretty good game and our Ryan Miller had a great game. USA! USA! USA! USA!
We're all enjoying the Olympics this year. Little Gerard was hooked from the opening ceremonies and loves to watch speed skating and ski jumping. We haven't watched any hockey yet but the US plays Canada tomorrow and I'm sure he'll be very excited about that. Morgan has enjoyed watching figure skating. We were hoping she'd develop a greater interest in skating herself, but she seems content to sit on the couch and watch.
We've been keeping track of the medal count and Gerard updates our chart each night.
In honor of the Olympics and Gerard's hockey "playoffs" this weekend and next, I made gold medal cookies for the boys on his team. I am not much of a baker, so I thank Darci for putting up with all my calls and e-mails and ridiculous questions about cookies. I finally made them using THIS RECIPE for the cookies, THIS RECIPE for the icing, and pearlized gold crystals on top. I think they turned out really cute.
Go USA!
Are you watching American Idol this season? One of my early favorites, although I don't think this was her best performance so far....
A 9 and 7 record won't stop this Steelers fan. 
Actually, it is more about the dress than the team, but don't tell big Gerard! Whatever her motivation, I think she looks adorable!
Friday was Gerard's Valentine's Day party at school. I helped out and we both had fun making mailboxes, eating red food and playing games that involved various heart-shaped objects. Ah, to be in 1st grade again. Nothing like some heart-shaped jello jigglers and tin-foil covered shoe boxes to brighten your day!
Then to celebrate their 100th birthday, the Cub Scouts had a special event at the hockey game Friday night. They enjoyed birthday cake before the game and $1.00 hotdogs at the game.
Gerard is a member of the team's "Kidz Club" which means, among other things, that he gets to pick up the "chuck-a-pucks" during the 2nd intermission. Morgan wanted to go too, but she wasn't allowed on the ice so she and Big Gerard had to wait off to the side.
Gerard had hockey practice on Saturday. Then Luke, Darci, Chad and Ashley all came to his game on Sunday to cheer him on. His team won 8-3 and Gerard definately enjoyed having "his fans" there. After the game Luke came over to play and he skated out back for the first time. He was very good! Even Morgan joined in the festivities and tried skating again. She did much better this time, but I still don't think she loves it. Yet.
Oh, and in case there is any doubt that Morgan is a real girlie-girl, check out her all purple outfit, baby blue skates, pink helmet, pink hockey stick and pink puck. It's Barney meets Pepto Bismol.
This week promises to be just as busy as usual, so I'll try to post sometime in the near future!
I disagree with Kay Jewelers. I would bet that on any given Friday or Saturday night more kisses begin with Miller Lites than Kay.
(Very true, but I cannot take credit for this. Someone sent this to me in an e-mail.)
Schools were closed today due to yesterday's "storm" (and the Buffalonian in me uses that term loosely). Gerard went to work and I went to the gym with the kids, so it really wasn't that bad out. In fact, it turned out to be a really nice day. Not too cold, no more snow, and bright sunshine. We played outside this morning with half of the neighborhood.
Morgan was soaking wet and freezing by the end of it, so we came in, dried off, had some hot cocoa and cuddled under a blanket.
Yesterday Gerard had his winter Cub Scout hike. They take the same hike in each of the four seasons so that they can understand how things change over the course of the year. They look at the flora and fauna but the most significant difference for 6-year-olds is the clothing they have to wear. Yesterday was pretty cold and windy, so they had to get all bundled up. Even with the snowpants, coat, hat, gloves and boots, Gerard came home all wet. I think it was a combination of sweat and a big snowball to the face from one of his fellow scouts. According to big Gerard he totally deserved it!
While the boys were out enjoying nature, Morgan and I were enjoying a heated house, indoor plumbing (YAY MORGAN!) and some Play Doh.
And last night was Morgan's 9th night without her pacifier. We have officially kicked the habit!!! 
Gerard had a hockey game yesterday and practice today and once again I took some video. Hopefully I'll have that posted in the next few days.
I hope everyone enjoys the Super Bowl!
Morgan has trouble saying her "f's", but we've been working on it. Last night I pointed to her foot and said, "What's this?" Instead of her usual "soot", she said "ffffoot" deliberately emphasizing the "f".
Then I pointed to her fingers and she said "ffffingers".
"What animal says ribbit?" "FFFFFrog."
I was so excited! I put up my hand to give her a high five and said "Gimme...". What I got was "fffffhand."
Guess we've still got some work to do!
Oh, and for those of you who were concerned about Gerard's punishment for his wall art, I decided not to punish him. I just made him clean it up.
I owe my mom an apology because I forgot to post a picture of the pillow she made for Gerard's room. It's completely custom-made and one-of-a-kind. She made it just to Gerard's specs. He loves it and sleeps with it every night.
I'm glad Gerard has something so nice he can cuddle with in his bed, because he's in trouble and he's going to be spending some time in his room when he gets home from school today!!!!! He wrote on the wall in the front hall!!! Of course, how can I be too angry, when the grafitti in question says "I love you"?????????
