The Hanson entourage visits MOA

We had a rare Saturday evening with the kids (I know, we're spoiled by our parents), so we made a beeline for the Mall of America (I know, we're crazy). 

Surprised to see about 3.5 million other Minnesotans had the same idea. Geez, and here I thought we were in a recession. 

A few nuggets from the evening:

* Matthew loved the frog at Rainforest Cafe. Amy, not so much "Nooooooo" was heard anytime we got within 15 feet of the frog.

* Amy was enamored with Camp Nickelodeon, or whatever the theme park is called these days. Couldn't get enough of that big balloon.

* The over/under on how long our kids will sit at a table at eat dinner in a socially-appropriate manner: 16 minutes. One minute longer and we're talking major throw-yourself-on-the-soda-soaked-floor meltdown. You think I'm kidding?

* Amy--much like Matthew at a younger age--LOVES the escalator. The kid would ride it up and down all night if we let her. I'm not sure if it's the up-and-down motion or the metallic interlocking teeth that have the ability to suck her into the escalator. Either way, she loves it.

* Turns out Amy likes to throw shoes on the floor for some odd reason. No idea why, she just likes it. And I let her do it--much to the chagrin of the Footlocker staff.

* Amy loves dogs. Live ones, stuffed ones and pink ones in the Victoria's Secret foyer. Closed circuit to my daughter: That is the LAST time you will set foot in that store. Hope you enjoyed it.

He said WHAT?

Actual conversation between Angela and my son this morning.

Matthew: "Mommy ... what are you doing?"
Me: "Getting dressed."
Matthew: "What are those black things again?"
Me: "Tights. Remember, girls wear them under skirts or dresses."
Matthew: "Why are you pulling them up onto your tummy?"
Me: "Because, I have to pull them up to my waist, just like you pull your pants up to your waist. They are kind of like pants under a skirt."
Matthew: "Oh yeah ... when I grow up ... and when I'm a girl ... I am going to wear a skirt. I like skirts."
Me: "You are a boy, you will always be a boy."
Matthew: "NO! Not now! When I grow up and turn into a girl ... that is when I am going to wear tights and skirts."

So, not only does my son want/think he's going to turn into a girl at some point in his life, he also likes tights and skirts.

In the words of the Sports Guy, "I will now light myself on fire."

Joe Dirt, Elvis and Marty McFly at the Chili Open

After a week filled with runny noses, puking and minimal sleep this Dad needed a brief respite--even if it was just for a few hours on Saturday afternoon.

My refuge? The frozen tundra of Lake Minnetonka and the 25th annual Chili Open.

My partners in crime? My brother, my college friend, Dave Zuercher, and a few of my brother's friends.

For those outside MN, The Chili Open is a golf tournament played on the frozen waters of Lake Minnetonka (don't ask me why we play golf in MN in the month of February--it's pure lunacy). The chili is also a double reference to the weather and the multiple pots of chili you'll find throughout around the course. Each year, the tourney has a different theme--this year was filled with Hollywood references. As a result, Joe Dirt, Elvis, Beyonce and Rocky Balboa all made cameo appearances.

Conditions for this year's event were fair. Weather was favorable--highs in the upper 20s. However, greens only stimped out at about a 2 and the cups were cut a little rough (OK, I'll stop with the meaningless golf references). In any event, we had a great time and look forward to making this an annual event and growing the group next year. 

Morning Funnies

It has been a while since we posted anything to the family blog. Tonight, I decided to share with everyone what is like to spend 15 minutes in the car with Matthew. Here are a few snipits from our drive to daycare this morning:

Matthew: "Mommy ... do you want to ride a donkey?"
Me: "What?"
Matthew: "Do you want to ride a donkey?"
Me: "Not really, do you want to ride a donkey? What made you think of that?"
Matthew: "Shrek rides a donkey. We could be like Shrek."

Interesting.

A few miles down the road, we started talking about why chimneys have "smoke" coming out of them every morning. I explained that the air coming out of the chimney is warmer than the air, so it makes smoke. Kind of like how your breath makes "smoke" when you blow air out of your mouth on a cold day. Of course ... the conversation couldn't end there. This is what followed:

Matthew: "Yeah ... like smoking. We don't smoke though ... right Mommy?"
Me: "That's right, we don't smoke. Smoking is really bad for you, it could make you really sick."
Matthew: "Only big people can smoke."
Me: "Actually, big people shouldn't smoke either. It is bad for everyone."
Matthew: "Yeah, it is bad for everyone ... except giants. Giants can smoke."

I don't know where he comes up with this stuff! It is so hard to capture it on a regular basis because he NEVER stops talking. I have so much material every morning, but it gets erased in my brain with whatever hilarity comes out of his mouth in the evening. It is just a constant stream of laughs.

I equally look forward to - and fear - the day that Amy can speak in sentences. She is proving to be quite the communicator already. I am going to have so much material, I may need to start a book! Tonight she had Arik and I cracking up at the dinner table because she was growling like dog while she was eating. We have no idea where that came from, but It was so funny.

Happy early Friday everyone! We love you for laughing with us.

Thank you Masters family!

Big shout out to the Masters family (Jason, Sara and Maren) for donating a bagful (literally) of Maren's clothes to Amy this weekend. Very generous and much appreciated. Lots of very adorable little ditties for little miss Amy to wear this winter, spring and summer. Thank you!

The lesson for all you young parents out there: always pay it forward (we donate/give away all our kid clothes to friends/family/colleagues). It always comes full circle.

10 reasons Angela Bonello Hanson rocks my friggin' socks off

OK, this isn't your garden-variety HWH post, but as we wind down 2008, I feel the need to recognize the leader of our little tribe and all the great things she does for our family. what she means to me and the kind of person, wife and mother she has become. All at once now: awwwwwwwwww...

In traditional top 10 style, here's my list of why Angela Bonello Hanson continues to rock my friggin socks off (tip of the cap to the "D"):

10--She's passionate. Yeah, she might raise her voice once in a while, but I'll take passion over indifference every day of the week. No question. 

9--She puts family first. I have a tendency from time to time to get sucked into my work. But I've always admired Angela for putting family first and for the most part, leaving work at work each day.

8--She's willing to try new things. One of the things I love most about her. Always enjoys trying new food, vacation destinations or impromptu "field trips."

7--She's a sharer and a helper. If you're in need or your family is hurting, Angela is usually one of the first to jump in and help. I've seen her do it a number of times just in the last few weeks. 

6--She loves to cook. OK, I'll be honest, I'd be enjoying a steady diet of Oreos, chocolate donuts and pizza rolls if it wasn't for her penchant for creating culinary delights. 

5--She knows how to relax. This is why we vacation so well together. We both enjoy just getting away and unplugging for a week or so. Of course, we haven't done that for four years, but we'll get back to it. Just taking a little haitus here the last few years.

4--She wants to be a better person. She went back to school a few years ago. She reads. She meets new people (hello Nokomis Mom's group!). She tries new things (see #8). She looks to help people (#7). Clear signs of someone striving to be a better human being.

3--She's a good communicator. Think I would marry someone who didn't know how to hold a conversation? Great writer, too. Love our late-night conversations--when I'm not on the computer that is. Recently got her hooked on FB. Next up? Twitter.

2--She's a throwback. I say this in an endearing way. She cooks, she cleans, she takes care of our family. She's old school. But in so many other ways she's contemporary. Love the mix and balance of the two in her.

1--She loves me. Well, most days. 

Love you #2. 

Ok, family, friends, what do YOU love about Angela? C'mon, let's let her feel the love...

Christmas 2008 II: The Gremlins Strike Back

OK, first let me clarify the title a bit for any first-time HWH followers. My brother recently dubbed the kids "gremlins" in reference to their "behavior" when they haven't eaten in two hours, need sleep, want to play with the same toy, etc. Christmas Eve, we celebrated with the Hansons over in Woodbury. Kids were pretty darn good--minimal meltdowns. 

Thursday night, we spent the afternoon and early evening with the Bonellos. Enter gremlins. Actually, they behaved the bulk of the day--it was the 5-7:30 pm timeframe where the green, slimy creatures made their entrance. After two solid days of three Christmas' I think they were just overtired and overwhelmed. That said, I'm just having a little fun with the headline of this post--the kid were really very good overall. 

Great Christmas with the kids. Santa paid us a visit early on Christmas day--as evidenced by the cookie crumbs and short note. Kids got some great gifts, we got what we wanted (sleeping in until 6:30--believe me, that's a treat) and we were then off to spend the afternoon with the Bonellos where we enjoyed egg nog shots, turkey dinner, figgy pudding and some good conversation. And like I said, the gremlins didn't show up until late in the day, so we can't complain too much. Of course, when they did make their appearance, things tanked quickly, but we still had a great time. Thanks Grandma Jane, uncle Rocco and aunt Meg for a wonderful Christmas!