{happy birthday, dr. seuss}

In honor of Dr. Seuss' birthday today, the kids at school could dress up as a character from one of his books. Last year Gerard and Ashley went as Thing 1 and Thing 2. This year, Gerard was a character from Ten Apples Up On Top.

{american idol}

Since the American Idol link on an earlier post no longer works, I thought I'd share new videos of some of my favorites this season.
Crystal Bowersox: Hand In My Pocket - Performances
Didi Benami: The Way I Am - Performances
Casey James: Heaven - Performances
Andrew Garcia: Sugar, We're Going Down - Performances
Lee Dewyze: Chasing Cars - Performances

{go USA!}

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!

{gold!}

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!

{idol}

Are you watching American Idol this season? One of my early favorites, although I don't think this was her best performance so far....

{cheerleader}

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!

{weekend festivities}

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!