Google It

For anyone that knows my husband much at all, you will realize that this cartoon strip personifies him to a "T"! I love you sweetie. And, for the record, I did recently actually tell him to google something.

My U2 Concert Experience

there is a red arrow pointing to our spot but it didn't come out too well!

I am not much of a concert-goer... can't even tell you the last time I went to a big stadium concert. New Kids on the Block when I was thirteen years old, maybe?!

Four years ago Gene went to see his beloved U2 in concert during their Vertigo tour. He and his buddy Ray got in line at 6 am and sat there all day, then stood inside the stadium manning their spot for several more hours. There were conscious attempts not to consume food or beverage in order to avoid a trip to the bathroom. It all seemed a bit much to me. I like U2, but not as much as Gene. But he came home ecstatic that they had made it on the front row, and I have to admit I was a bit jealous... he was on cloud nine for days.

So I decided to go to U2 this year with the hubby. We were able to stumble upon some great special tickets only available via auction. They are still on the floor and relatively close to the stage, but without the waiting-all-day long. Also kinda' cool that the profits go to Bono's charity work in Africa. That being said - we did still get to the stadium around 4 pm. At 5 pm, we were allowed inside, and I didn't realize that Gene expected me to run all the way. (He's the one training for a half-marathon...not me!) We did secure a spot "on the rail" and right next to the outer cat-walk part of the stage used by the Band throughout the show. Oh..... that's why we had to run! Then, we waited.... and waited.... and waited. U2 came on at 9 pm, after four hours of standing in one spot. My back was aching before Bono sang a note!

I was feeling far too old for my own good, till I realized that the average age of the U2 fan is right about mid-thirties - that's me! (Side note: My friend's teenage babysitter asked her 'Who's U2' - whaaat?!) The concert was, admittedly, amazing - the energy defies description. Do they ever know how to give their fans their money's worth. Around 10:30 I started to realize I was not feeling so great anymore after all that standing and denial of food and beverage. They were scheduled to play till about 11. At 10:45, the thought entered my head that I might throw up, and reason kicked in! I abandoned my spot on the rail and sat down for the last 15 minutes of the concert.

These four fifty-something rock stars boggle the mind... they have toured together for over 30 years now and are obviously still the best of friends. Clearly they aren't doing it for the money anymore but for love of music and providing amazing entertainment for their millions of devoted fans. The stamina that their shows require is unbelievable - no standing around in one spot for these guys. I don't know how Bono can even sing as much as he runs around on-stage.

If U2 can do it, I can too.... next time they come through Dallas I'm "in" for the experience again!

Big Enough for Board Games?!

KK just spent a couple of days at Nanna and Pop-Pop's while Gene and I experienced all that is U2 (post coming soon). Now that Pop-Pop is retired, Katelynn gets lots of good time with him doing a lot of the same things that I got to do growing up. On this particular trip, he broke out the pre-school board games, which I had no idea they had even kept.

I would have never thought KK was ready for Candyland or Chutes & Ladders, but the grandparents proudly reported that she paid attention through a full game of each with Pop-Pop! Not even three years old yet... it makes me a little sad, really. She is getting sooooo big! So this is another thing that has been added to the "ideas for Katelynn gifts" list that I keep on Amazon.

Bible Verses

Would you believe that a class of two year-old pre-schoolers can learn 26 Bible verses? I wouldn't have either, but it's happening! Katelynn has already learned two verses, which are coordinated with the letters of the alphabet:

Ask and it will be given to you. -Matthew 7:7

Believe in Jesus. -Acts 16:31

When they are able to recite the verses they are awarded with a small treat. KK's version of the first verse was "ASK... GIVEN to ME!" On a side note, I'm not 100% sure about the prudence of teaching that verse to a toddler!

The director also sends out fun emails that give a little insight to her day. This was the latest one: "Today in chapel, we sang Happy Birthday to three students. Everyone said the Pledge to the Flag and Pledge to the Bible. Nurse Jeannie was our community helper and she talked about not spreading germs when you cough or sneeze. We sang “I’m in the Lord’s Army” and “If You're Happy.” The motion and listening song was “Silly Dance Contest."

I think that I often underestimate KK's abilities. I know this is just pre-school, but I'm glad that her pre-school has high standards for the kids.... it sets a great tone early in life.

Fall in Texas

I love the Fall in this area. We get nice cold fronts, but it is almost never miserably cold. There are a plethora of free festivals and pumpkin patches. We get to experience Aggie football for better or worse, but a weekend trip to College Station is always a good thing regardless of the scoreboard. My allergies go away. I do wish we got a little more "fall color" around here, but with all the "pros", I can live with this "con."

One example of a lovely fall DFW activity occurred last weekend when I took Katelynn to the Flower Mound Pumpkin Patch along with friends, and we also met up with my family. Griff & Jen brought Izzy, but she didn't get to stay too long. The poor little baby girl was freezing cold! My dad did get to capture this gem of a picture:

Katelynn was not in performing mode and most of the pictures turned out like this one. I was the exact same way as a little girl; I even remember crying and screaming my way through family pictures.

KK also demonstrates another characteristic of her mommy - fear of the bounce house. I remember hating trampolines from an early age. I always had a lot of natural fear about any activity that was remotely aggressive. She warmed up to it after awhile though.

All in all it was a fun time!