Dave's CNN Debut

I worked for some time at Harvest Research Center and they set up different focus groups and other research groups for any and all types of companies. Dave has been in groups testing beer, talking about processed meat, and doing a dial test for political debates. He responded to an email from them about an upcoming group and qualified. He knew it was about the state of the union speech but had no idea he would be on live tv on CNN.

Off he went and I finished up dinner and turned on CNN to catch a glimpse of Dave on TV. Oh, and to watch the speech too. ;)

Of course, the only channel that doesn't work is CNN. I couldn't believe it. Obviously it had been out for awhile but it isn't a channel we watch regularly so we didn't notice. I talked to the lady at directv to try to get it fixed to no avail. I logged on the computer and watched from there.

I was bummed that he didn't get to talk. Or more accurately avoided being talked to at all costs. Each time they were on break he would avoid eye contact with the producers who would go around to talk to the participants and take notes on who would be a good candidate to interview on live television.

Living in Des Moines you think is such a small little city we wouldn't be much of a difference maker, but when it comes to politics we seem to be a go to. Good or bad, it does make me feel kind of important. But more than anything this hat makes Dave seem pretty important.

Why Not? Fun Night

With nothing on the agenda we decided to have a Why Not? fun night. We first headed downtown to go to Zombie Burger. The last time we went there were people in every inch of space throughout the restaurant. We though early on a Saturday we might beat the rush.

We were very, very wrong. But we somehow snagged a seat on the self seating side and Dave waited in line to put in our order. We ate our burgers while people around us literally stood in the walkways trying to eat their dinner. The place is crazy! It was very good and unique burgers to try but we will have to find a time that is a little less hectic. We haven't found the time quite yet but we do know anytime on a Saturday is definitely out!

Asher ready to eat his burger with his 'I just woke from the dead' hairdo.

 

This is Jaxson after I told him to "be a zombie" 

We were already downtown with an Iowa Energy game starting in just 30 minutes we decided to head over. We got tickets in the cheap seats, ended up with a couple foam fingers, and watched most of the game before the boys lost steam. It also was a big night for Asher with this being his first major outing with underwear. I was terrible about following him around asking if he needed to go and got worried as he sucked down his lemonade in record speed at dinner. I made him try several times, with one successful try. He made it home with dry pants and I was a combination of relieved, excited, and exhausted from worrying constantly about my child's bladder.

I am not sure but this is what I got after asking him for a smile. :) 

Cold Day

Our temperatures plummeted around here last night into tomorrow. It is really cold. Cold enough to cancel school and delay it tomorrow just because it is cold. Our actual temperatures reached -12 with windchills reaching -40 below. Our basement pipes are frozen and our cars barely started. It has been awesome. Not. Although it was pretty nice to not have to go out to get Jaxson from school today!

So if you can't go sledding when it is this cold what does a 32yr old man do instead? Cold weather tricks like blowing bubbles in the freezing temps and throwing a pot of boiling water in the air and watching it evaporate immediately into a big puff of vapor. It was actually pretty neat...

Some other facts about our weather today from the news story "5 Facts To Tell Your Friends" It seemed fitting...

1. The 112 degree difference...
If it feels like 72 inside your house or at work and the wind chill outside is -40 -- that's a 112 degree difference.

2. It's colder than Alaska...
In Iowa on Monday it's colder than...   Anchorage, Alaska, where the high temperature will be 32 degrees compared to our -10 to -20.

3. It's just as cold as Antarctica...
In Iowa on Monday it's just as cold as...  Antarctica at the South Pole where the high Monday is -11 and with wind chill -30.  So with wind chills Iowa will be colder than the South Pole -- it's summer there you know.

I feel like every year though we talk about how it is so cold and we can't believe it. But I can believe it. We live in Iowa! Yes, usually it isn't quite this cold but really it always gets pretty ____ cold. I guess warm weather causes cold weather amnesia... every year. :)

Officially A Fan

If you ask Jaxson who he is a fan of or who his favorite team is, he gives the right answer (for this household.) The Hawkeyes.

But last night as Dave was watching the basketball game against Wisconsin Jaxson quickly noticed the score and sat down with Dave to watch the game. And he sat there intensely watching the entire game. He would "ooh" and "aah" at the same moments as Dave. His eyes would get wide when they threw the ball up, and would sigh when the shot would miss the basket. He asked to stay up to watch the end of the game. Dave was happy to put him to bed after the game and spent some time explaining the rules for him. He is a sports fan in the making. 

The Year of the Board Game

My boy loves games and was excited to find two new games under the tree. It so much fun to sit and play with my little guy. He still is so strategy minded, once understands the game he has no problem playing both defense and offense. And winning often.

Dave loves games as well, Monopoly one of his favorites. Tonight he brought home a version of Monopoly Jr. and decided this year was to be the year of the Board Game. So far this has been the case having played several games per day, every day this year. And usually when there is a board game being played it is always best of three, and it's not rare to do best of 7. Playing just one game around here is somewhat unheard of...

P.S. Jaxson did win the first Monopoly Jr. game by doing some pretty hard-nosed negotiations with Dave who wanted to buy some his properties. 

Baby DIY

Maybe he has been on Pinterest with all the DIY Asher has been into lately. He wants to do everything himself. Everything. And many times he does it without asking. Like get himself snacks. Luckily it was just raisins and yogurt. I have to admit that sometimes it is helpful that he can grab himself something but other times when he has already had more than enough and he has helped himself (again and again) it can be a bit frustrating.  But I guess it is better than a kid that can't ever do anything for themselves. Look on the bright side right?!