Ben's Chili Bowl

Dad was in DC this weekend, and told me all kinds of great stories when he got home. They were all about Riley.

"Uncle Dweyemy, can you read Little Bear to me?" Dad gave Riley an anthology of Big Bear Little Bear stories so I bet she was psyched. He also told me that he read her two stories the Friday night he was there, and by Sunday night Uncle Ben said she asked to "look at the menu" which was the table of contents. She must be pretty smart. Dad told me he never mentioned the "menu" or "table of contents" so nice job, way to go Riley.

I missed those cheese fries though dude-and the chili dog. Dad said a chili dog portion, no matter what the size, is always too small.

What an intellect is he.

Claire

Claire has the coolest clothes. Look at that sweater. She is going to be a big sister like me. Tanya is due in like a couple of weeks.

Matchbox City

I heard Dad say the other day, "Tinkerbell costume? Best present ever. Better than...Matchbox City."

Dad got "Matchbox City" in 1978. Uncle Chris made it for him for Dad's matchbox cars, on a sheet of plywood. It had a two-story parking garage with a working car elevator, model train-style trees that bordered the parkways, and a skyscraper with a patio on the roof. Dad said Bumpa and Judy threw it away when he was in college but kept the "Welcome to Matchbox City" sign and put it in his Christmas stocking. He said he never felt so betrayed. Maybe my tinkerbell costume has helped to dim that awful memory.

Vegetarian for Life

"Dad I don't wanna hold up my T-bone! It's too cold and it's hurting my fingers!"

This got a little weird. I just kept smiling until he took the photo.

Candlelight Dinner

Usually on Fridays Mum and Dad have a candlelight dinner, but Mum is still in Pittsburgh, SO! Dad and I had one. He made T-bones, peas, and "Potatoes Nicolas Sarkozy" (he's a big fan of inventive potato dishes and the new French President). Dad said he grated russet potatoes, dried them in the oven at 200 degrees, then mixed them with eggs, nutmeg, and rolled them into tiny balls and pan-fried them in oil. I don't know. I was in the other room for only 20 minutes while he was making them, watching Yuletide Wiggles, and then I walk in to "Potatoes Sarkozy"? I was suspicious so I checked the garbage. And saw the Ore-Ida Tater Tot bag. Sorry Dad.

But nice touch with the candles. And the peas were microwaved to perfection.

P.S. I Love You

Mum left for Pittsburgh today, in her PITTSBURGH CAR! But Dad told me it was only a rental. She's going to be there for a week. So, Dad did some quick diversion, and at bedtime, blasted the Supremes and hopped into the tub with me and I helped him shave. I got out and we both smelled like Aqua Velva, but I guess that's OK. We watched the first half of Open Season (a new movie I got for Christmas) and then read three chapters of Winnie-the-Pooh. We found out how Pooh got his name- his nose was itchy but his arms were stuck in the air, so he tried to blow on his nose- "pooh-pooh-pooh!" Very interesting, said Dad.

The Badgers lost in the Outback Bowl. Dad said we'll never eat at Outback Steakhouse again! But I don't think we ever have!

I had a good time today, but Dad watched a little too much football. Mum- he even brought out my little chair and we had ham, fritos, and carrot sticks while we watched.

Bye, Mum- see you Monday!

P.S. I Love You!