Guess Who's on the radio

Being that my children spend more time with Kate than they do with me, they are exposed to a great deal of country music. In an attempt to ensure that the kids are well-rounded, I counter the country with a broad spectrum of music. While we were in the car Saturday afternoon (on our way to a 'High School Musical' event at Ikea) I tuned in to the local oldies station. To my delight I found The Guess Who's 'American Woman'. This was the following exchange:

Me: Hey guys, this is The Guess Who.
Whit: Who?
Me: This band on the radio.
Whit: Who is it?
Me: The Guess Who.
Whit: I don't know. Who?
Me: No, that's their name.
Whit: Who?
Me: No, not the Who. The Guess Who.
Patrick: She doesn't know. Just tell us the name.
Me: That is their name.
Whit: Whose name?
Me: The name of the band. It's The Guess Who.
Whit: I don't know! Just tell me!
Me: (sighing) It's Pink Floyd...

White Christmas

For the first time in a long time we had a white Christmas. But the snow did not stop Santa Claus from finding the Shirley kids. Here are a few pictures of the festivities...

Samantha loved the doll house. Her High School Musical Dolls have taken up residence there.

Whitney got her own digital camera from Mr. Claus. She's already filled the one gig memory card.

Patrick playing the Smart cycle, which plugs into the TV

This picture was taken on Christmas Eve at Pat's. All of the children had opened their presents except Bean, who refused, because she was more interested in other kids' presents.

The biggest hit of the holiday: Patrick (aka 'Flea') and his new guitar. Note the grungy shirt, baggy pants and shaved head. The only thing missing is his skate shoes...

Dance, Dance Your Pants Off

This week Kate and I attended Whitney's Winter Ball down at the elementary school. Then tonight we all attended Samantha's first dance recital. Enjoy the video of both.

Boy's Night Out

Tuesday night Patrick and I went to the Jazz game. It was the first game of the year for both of us. I am really glad school is out. The Jazz got thumped by a Portland team that they were supposed to beat. Despite the awful excuse for basketball we witnessed, P and I had a good time.

During a timeout they dropped T-shirts by parachute from the rafters. One came right near us, but I couldn’t get close enough to grab it. It floated down to the portal, where Ard appeared and snagged. A guy who tried to get it away from him spilled beer all down the front of Ard’s pants. What people won’t do for free crap… Patrick was excited when Ard gave him the T-shirt and parachute. He was more interested with the chute and was mad that I wouldn’t let him play with it (I didn’t want him licking the beer off of the plastic).

Later in the game a guy wearing a basketball hoop above his head and secured to a backpack came by. Ard flagged him down and asked if P could take a shot. My boy swished the shot, so the guy let him keep the mini-basketball. Between riding the train to the game, the free t-shirt and mini-ball, the nachos I got him and the sno-cone Kat got him, Mr. P was in 7th heaven. I had a pretty good time too.