Cubs Win! Cubs Win! Cubs Win! (Cubs 101)

While Paul was in Chicago he managed to squeeze in a Cubs/Cardinals game. As I share these pictures, I have decided to educate those(including myself) with the Cubs essentials.















1. Wrigley Field

It is one of the oldest ballparks. The outfield wall is covered with ivy. They say that on some parts of the wall the ivy is up to 2 ft. thick. Paul tells me some balls gets lost in the ivy and aren't discovered until winter when the ivy dies. There is this whole story about a billy goat and curse... and they haven't won a World Series since then(supposedly) because of it. It is actually in the middle of a neighborhood and there are bleachers on the top of surrounding apartment buildings.





2. Wrigley
Field
Score
board


What's so special about this? That is exactly what I was asking. Well, this thing is manually operated. Paul tells me there is a man inside that physically changes the numbers. (Look real close under the second "A" in "NATIONAL" 4 squares down--there is the man!). When the Cubs win, they display the "W" flags on the lower electronic part of the board as seen the picture.



3. Jim Edmonds #15
This guy used to play for the Cardinals (the Cubs/Cardinals are one of the biggest rivalries in MLB) and now he plays for the Cubs. Evidentally, this is a big deal with Cub fans.




4. Harry Caray
This beloved Cubs announcer, with his trademark black frames is famous for his slightly lispy "Cubs win, Cubs win, Cubs win!" . Will Farrell did a great impression of him on SNL (back when he was part of the cast).

Paul also got a chance to eat lunch at The Billygoat restaurant. Believe it or not, he really did go to Chicago to work. You know what they say..."all work and no play..."

Another one of Juliana's Pets

Here are pictures of the (transformed) caterpillar Juliana found. Of course she wanted to keep it "as a pet", and I let her keep it in a jar for a couple of days. I did not take any pictures of the caterpillar stage, mostly because I did not intend on keeping it, so I am not sure what type of moth this is. Little did I know it was about to enter the chrysalis stage. Then I wanted to keep it. A few years ago, I found a chrysalis of a Viceroy butterfly (they are Monarch mimics) and I missed it's coming out by 10 minutes. I was hoping for a second chance to witness the emergence with this caterpillar. Well, I missed this one too. It happened during the night after about a week. The kids were pretty excited to find a moth that morning. Juliana reluctantly let it go after breakfast. She is currently looking for new pets.

We Have Assimilated

In case you see someone riding about Olive Branch in a blue minivan that looks exactly like me, do not be alarmed...no, it is not my nice twin...we have succumb to the demands of suburban living and bought a (used) minivan. It needed some minor repairs, but it was a great deal! Thanks to Vickie for finding it for us. The kids love it and we are enjoying the extra room. It is also the same color as the Taurus, so don't think I am in possession of a vehicle transforming ray gun. Trust me, I would have used it years ago. As for the Nissan, well, we are keeping it with hopes to surprise Andrew with a car on his 16th birthday. What 16 year old boy wouldn't love an antique Nissan Sentra?

The First Day of School

Both the kids started school today. Andrew is now in 2nd grade and Juliana is starting kindergarten. She was very comfortable and had no problems with going to school. We walked Andrew to his class first and Juliana then informed me that she "did not need me to walk her to her class"...I quickly responded with, "yes I do, I need to take your picture!" *FYI: Second grade boys DO NOT get their pictures taken by the classroom*

Juliana's first day of kindergarten

It Was Bound to Happen

Considering that both his parents are visually challenged, it is no wonder Andrew would need glasses. It really became apparent when we where at Disney pointing out things in the distance and Andrew told us he couldn't see them. Andrew got them on Tuesday, just in time for Meet the Teacher night at school. He currently sports the Sponge Bob Waterlogged frames with the glow-in-the-dark feature. Where were the cool frames when I was young?

Andrew with his new glasses

Who Needs Jellyfishing When You Have Dragonflying?

Every year, about this time, dragonfly mating season begins. In the years past, we have only noticed them swarming on the soccer fields. This year, they were in abundance---EVERYWHERE! Even in the new Target parking lot. We have never had them in our backyard before and the kids wanted to catch them (of course). They used genuine Ohrberg Dragonfly Catchers. Here's how to make one:

Supplies:

• 3 foot piece of scrap wood/moulding (Have you seen our garage?)
• wire hanger
• kitchen garbage bag
• duct tape (a must for all good inventions)

Take the hanger and straighten out the hook. Then bend the triangular section into a circle. Using duct tape, attach the straightened section onto the end of the scrap wood. Place the open trash bag around the circular section of the hanger. Position the open bag so that it can be folded over the hanger and back into the bag. Secure the bag by taping on the inside. You are ready to go. Don't forget your jar!

The kids "dragonflying"

Steady...steady...

Got one!

The victim, I mean specimen

*As for the reference to jellyfishing, if you are not aware of this term, ask any grade school child who watches Sponge Bob.