Fooling with the webcam

Visit with Amie

My friend Amie came over today with her girls, we had so much fun! First we headed to the Fox Run hill for some sledding. Lena and Ryder got to use their new GTs, man those things are wicked! Good job, Levi and Amber, the kids love them. Amie's girls and my big boys tried them out, too. Way cool. Even Amie and I got on the big black sled and took a few runs (and omg was THAT hilarious). Then we came back to our house for some pizza and chips and caesar salad and pop and chocolates. Oh, and we had a Kinect party! Amie got her girls an Xbox Kinect and some games for Christmas, so they brought them out; they had Wipeout (the tv show game), Twister Party, Dance Central 2, and the Black Eyed Peas dance game. Added to our Kinect Adventures, Dance Central 1, Kinect Disneyland, and Kinectimals. Amie and I delighted in embarrassing our kids with our lame dance moves, and her girls kicked everyone's butts at the Twister game. Even my boys got into the spirit of it all, which I thought they might lame out and just sit on the couch, uncomfortable with goofing around like that in front of her cute girls. Amie's littlest one, Izzy (who is 7), was a dancing queen at Dance Central, and Lena wowed us all at how good she was at Kinect Adventures. 


F-U-N!!!

BEP Dance Party

We were watching tv, flipping through the channels hoping to find a Christmas cartoon, and we saw a Black Eyed Peas special on MuchMusic. Well! The kids just had to lay down a blanket ("That's our dance floor!") and bust a move. 


Warning: the 2nd video contains audio of me singing. I am absolutely mortified but alas, I am unable to stop myself from singing along to songs I like. Just ask the kids. In the vehicle, around the house, out in public, if I hear a good song, I just gotta sing! lol

My brain & body don't get along :)

My brain gets me in trouble. It convinces me that I'm invincible, that my body's inner workings are still in their 20s. It makes me forget I am actually a decade older. My brain whispers that since I am having so much fun, one more can't hurt. 


And then the next morning, my body tells my brain, "This is all your fault, asshole!"


So Saturday was the Bantam hockey parent's party (the parents of Gunnar's teammates). I know most of them from years before, but there's still a few that are new to me. I had been feeling a little anti-social that day, didn't want to have to get all done up and find nice clothes to squeeze into. But Ty reminded me that this might be the only parent's party for this team this year, and did I really want to miss out on all the fun? So I pulled up my big girl panties, hunted down an outfit, straightened my hair and put on the smoky eyes. 


Sent Ty to the liquor store while all this was happening (because, y'know, being a guy it only took him 5 minutes to get ready, dammit). I was in the mood for caesars instead of syrupy-sweet coolers so the sweetheart got me two 4-packs, both different brands to "see which was better". Honey, its tomato juice and vodka, not gonna be much difference. But whatever, 8 is better than 4, right?


Right before we left I discovered a premade shooter and a lone cooler in the fridge (from the Pearl Jam concert) so I quickly chugged those down. 


Gunnar was our babysitter for the night, an easy $20 for him as the kids were all fed, house was tidied, etc. He had strict instructions to have Ryder and Ardan in bed by 9pm, as Ardan had a game in Stettler the next morning (smart-thinking me arranged a ride for him). Assured him I had my cell if anything happened. The kids settled in for a movie and away we went.


Off to a shaky start as we couldn't find the house at first. I knew Fern Crescent must be somewhere in Fox Run but in my mind it was up past the school. We drove around and around, finally pulled out the GPS which didn't recognize the street. So we headed back to the Fox Run entrance and there it was, the first street on the right. Found the house right away. 


When we walked in, there were only 2 other couples there as well as the parents hosting the party. And we were an hour late, so I thought that didn't bode well. But sure enough, couples started streaming in. Music was cranked, the Oilers game playing in the livingroom for all the guys, everyone setting out their food (it was potluck) in the livingroom. We brought Ty's smoked fish and some ripple chips as our contribution but when we'd first arrived, Ty was like, "This is the last of my smoked fish so I'm going to 'forget' it out here and only come get it if someone asks what we brought, okay?" Haha. 


So, one by one my premade caesar coolers disappeared. The night went by, god I can't even remember what all us hockey moms talked about but I just remember laughing hysterically, at one point my cheeks were literally aching from smiling so hard. I think our conversations covered everything from childbirth and labor, to how brainless 13-yr-old boys are, to drunken idiot husbands, Vegas vacations minus our men, etc.


Two moms in particular, Robin and Dorothy, were definitely the life of the party. I've written here about Robin before (her daughter is Rayna), how she reminds me of my bff Kelly in the way she's  so outgoing and hilarious but slightly scary, haha. And oh man, was she FUNNY that night. And this Dorothy chick! She's a dead-ringer for Catherine O'hara (of SCTV fame) only an older-looking version. Apparently she gets that a lot. (Oh, and her husband could be Steve Carrell -- the Office --, like a perfect clone.) This chick was telling stories that had us doubled over in hysterics. So Dorothy and Robin kept us in stitches.


At one point, Robin started dancing, this hilarious chicken-wing-flapping thing. Even the men had to watch. SO EFFIN FUNNY. Then I commandeered the ipod and put on an Adam Lambert song (If I Had You, the only one on there, boooo, I'd have preferred Strut) and me and Robin started bustin' a move. Then Dorothy got up to dirty dance with Robin, except it was more like two big broads both doing the chicken-wing and bumpin' butts. We were screaming with laughter. 


My drinks were disappearing fast, then someone brought out the Jaeger. I'd heard of it, who hasn't, but never tried some so there went a couple of shots. Tastes like black licorice. S'okay. 


Couples started leaving around midnight. Looked like most of the men were the DD's and just let their women party hard, thought that was nice and kinda cool. Not MY husband, of course (first time he'd drank since the gout incident a couple months ago, so I let him have fun, we were gonna get a cab home anyway). Eventually there was just us, another young couple (the girlfriend was convinced she knew me somehow but we couldn't figure out how, since she's from out east), and the host couple. Our cab never showed so the young couple drove us home; they'd arrived late and didn't really drink. 


I don't recall too much about what happened after we arrived home. I DO know I updated my facebook status and commented on some people's pictures, I saw what I'd written (posted at 2:13am)--


mAY BE just be a taddd bit tipsy onght, parents hockey party ,, wooha. Gunnar earned his first $20 babystitting money. GOod job kid. Came home to a quiet house, kids in bed. LOOOVeee these hockety parents, had a great time onight. Mayy have dance d to a Adam Lambert song, diryt danced with robyn. fun fun fun


I woke up at 4am (know this because I remember glancing at the clock), chugged two water bottles back-to-back with two super-strength Advil migraine pills. Staggered drunkenly back to bed. Next thing I knew sun was pouring into the bedroom. Stumbled into the kitchen, 11-frickin-30am! 


"Where's Ardan!? Did you wake up in time to get him ready? He's gone, right?"


Ty calmed me down. "Yes, your alarm woke me up at 7:45. I got him up, fed him breakfast, gave him $20. Dawn came and picked him up around 9. Don't worry."


Phew. Funny that I didn't even remember setting the alarm. Looked down at myself, PUKE on my shirt. What the hell? Did not remember puking. 


Gunnar teased me about how he had heard me upstairs when we came home, laughing and giggling and bumping into things. I looked at Ty, "Don't look at me, I was passed out on the couch." Huh. I don't remember any of that. Don't even know how I got to bed.


Oh, and there's a HUGE dark reddish-brown bruise on my inner forearm that I have NO CLUE how it got there. Hurts like a mutha but how or when I got it that night is a mystery.


My hangover didn't let up until about 6pm on Sunday, despite drinking water bottles non-stop and taking two more of those Advils. (I ignored the warning, "Do NOT exceed more than 3 in 24 hours, only take one pill every 4 hours. Pffft!)


Gunnar had a game starting at 6:15pm. Even though he's off because of the concussion (they recommend two weeks before returning to the game), players are still expected to show up so we all decided to go. After all, half the fun of drunken debauchery is talking about it the next day. Plus, I wanted to see if everyone else's hangovers were as bad as mine. 


Ty dropped me off at my vehicle (we'd left it there) and first thing that hit me when I opened the door... the smell of fish. Those damned stupid effin' smoked fish had sat in there all night and all day. GROSS!


At the arena, our team manager, Nikki (a Type-A if I ever saw one, but it looks good on her), said she had video of us ladies dirty-dancing. I was smug, "No-no-no, it was Robin and Dorothy who were dirty dancing, not me.", "Oooh girl, YOU WISH." Whaaaa?? Then she said her phone had died just as she started recording so there wasn't any 'evidence' to convict us. Phew! LOL


So yeah, that's the story about my night of drunken debauchery... and I'm sticking to it.

'One Time' by JB feat. Lena

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

THE happiest girl in the world!

She won! She won! Lena won the Justin Bieber tickets! Can you believe it?!

Late last night, around midnight, I had this thought that I should leave a message on fb for Big 105, just a little note saying how much she deserves to win. I said that unlike all the other girls who've entered, Lena's love for him isn't so much a 'crush' as it is admiration and respect; that I overheard her telling an older boy-cousin that she'd like to see HIM get up on stage and sing and dance and not be embarrassed AND earn enough money to buy his mom a house! That she may not have tons of JB swag like the other girls but that is because she spends her own hard-earned money on what she does have (may have exaggerated a bit but she has bought some stuff). That she's been sick and the only bright spot in her day is waking up early to hear if her name's been called, and then having to ease her broken heart when its not. I asked that they not overlook her entry among the hundreds they've received so far, because she is such a sweet special little girl and really deserves to win.

So there we were, standing by the radio at 7:15am this morning, and when we heard them say "our next winner is a very special 5 year old...", we looked at each other with wide eyes, mouths open, holding our breath, "....Milena Kasha!" And we just screamed!!! Daddy and Ryder woke up and came running, "What, what? Did you win?" And we all stood there listening as the radio DJ went on and on about how special Lena is, how she uses her own money to buy JB stuff, how she's been sick and they hope this will make her feel better, and so on. Lena was literally jumping up and down, she was so excited she could barely articulate. Of course, there I was, tears streaming down my face. The only thing she could say was, "Call Grandma!" lol

So Lena has won three tickets to the 3D movie, a prize package consisting of special limited edition JB glowsticks and other fun stuff (can't remember it all right now) and an entry for the grand prize of dinner at Sam's South and a limousine to the movie that night.

Dreams do come true!

WTF

Flash Mobs!

One more thing to add to my Bucket List: join a flash mob!



















A youtube commenter (on the Oprah vid) said that there's something about the idea of complete strangers coming together for a common goal that makes her emotional, and I totally agree. Some of these videos, especially the Irish school children doing Do Re Mi, actually brought a tear to my eye! (That flash-mob is, of course, modelled after the original from the Antwerp train station, but I mean, c'mon, these are KIDS doing the moves! Way cooler.)

So Mom, get out the Kinect Dance Central 'cause I need to perfect my dance moves. I WILL be in a flash mob at some point before I die!

Addicted to Status Updates

Is it just me or does this chick look like Gwen Stefani?

BeauSaxon Kasha...

was told by Gramma DD that I've lost weight in my bust. "Actually Gramma, I'm just not wearing my push-up bra today. But thanks." I guess flat boobs = losing weight.

has a nose stud that apparently thinks its in jail, keeps trying to escape my nostril. I find myself having to check it every five minutes and once again, its sliding halfway out. Get back in your cell, damn you!

has a new obsession: The Walking Dead tv show. Soooo good! Of course, its about zombies, just what it sounds like. The downside is the guaranteed nightmares that follow every episode.

has lost her Adam Lambert cd and as a result is now being forced to listen to "Toddler Tunes" turned full blast. Double the horror! So I've got two little ones out in the kitchen, singing along in innocent joy while I'm frantically trying to find the ear plugs. "Oh dear, what can the matter be... Oh dear, what can the matter be..." The matter is that my eardrums are bleeding!

was told by her two oldest boys last night, upon returning from Mom's house where No.2 & 3 got to play the new XBox 360 Kinect, that they would like to take the next week off school and just move in with Gramma, "No offense, Mom". Oh no, I totally get it, boys. In fact, was expecting just such a thing. I only wish I could play the Dance Central game to my heart's content without a snickering audience.

was asked quite politely this morning if I would pleasepleaseplease cook the deer heart today so the guys can eat it tonight. Um, yeah. What do I look like, a frickin' evil stepmother who delights in roasting fresh heart while cackling and twiddling my evil fingers, huddled over a bubbling cauldron? Can you say, "EWW!" But, being the sweet loving wife I am, will be finding myself wrapping that damn organ in bacon and inhaling the traumatizing odor of slow-cooking heart all day long. Damn it! I better be getting some sweet-ass Christmas presents for this.

Remember my obsession with this?

I was watching The 40 Year Old Virgin tonight (great movie!) and I'd totally forgotten that at the very end, there's an Age of Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In musical number by the cast! So of course, this reminded me of my HUGE obsession with the movie/musical Hair. Had to search youtube for the clip I wanted, and here it is!

LOVE IT!!



I could watch this all day. Seriously. Yes, I'm a dork.

Adam Lambert: "Fever"

Thankyouthankyouthankyou Amber, for getting me For Your Entertainment for Christmas! Every song is amazing and awesome but I have some definite favorites already. Y'all know about my obsession with the title song; now I've discovered Fever.

Here's a youtube vid of a live performance. The bass kind of screws up the sound but you can still hear his incredible vocals and his wicked dance moves -- ooooo those hip thrusts! The man can DANCE. And you know what they say about a man who can dance...




Here's the song in its perfect glory from the album

Levi & Amber, take note....

The story behind this is that the couple have always loved dancing and either met at a dance or during a dance class, something like that. They came up with this idea and got the entire wedding party involved, on the sly though so it would be a huge surprise for the wedding guests. But here is the kicker... they only practiced for an hour and a half, right before the actual wedding started!! They just decided to do this less than two hours before the wedding. That takes balls, man.

Family vids

See, did we call it or what on naming that kid 'Ryder'? He was born to it! He absolutely LOVED riding on the minibike with Daddy. And even though Mommy thinks grown men look ridiculous on minibikes (*sigh* men!), you gotta admit its pretty adorable when there's a wee one riding double.

Those Kasha kids sure do love AC/DC! This song came on the tv and instantly there was a mad scramble to find some 'guitars'. One grabbed a mop and the other got a broom handle. Kids, eh? Even Ryder got in on the action by doing his new dance move, what we call 'high stepping' (lifting his feet up). So cute!

Things I've recently learned...

• If you're making cookies but don't have a cookie sheet, use a muffin pan instead. The cookies turn out perfectly round and they puff up so you get a thicker cookie that's crispy on the bottom and sides and tender on the inside. Who knew?
• How to get rid of fruit flies? Put out a small bowl of cider vinegar with some drops of dishwashing liquid in it.
• Always strap the baby into his highchair (especially if the chair is close to something, oh say like a table), otherwise you'll look over from doing the dishes and see him doing the cha-cha on the tabletop.
• Using gum to hang a poster on the wall might, in fact, work, but trying to convince your mother that its a healthy alternative to swallowing it, does not.
• Instant coffee = instant heartburn, nausea, indigestion... (sing it with me)
• Unexpected gifts given to you "just because" are the best (thanks Mom!).
• Under the bed is not a good hiding spot for sexy-time stuff ("Look at all these cool lotions, Mom! Can I smell them? What is this thing?", "WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN MY ROOM? Ohmygod! Never mind that stuff, just GET OUT!")
• The strength of a migraine increases proportionately to the number of kids you have.
• The classic, tried-and-true response: Nod and smile, just noooddd and smiiiille...
• Learned this from an email: hydrogen peroxide can be used in place of bleach for just about anything -- cleaning, disinfecting, whitening (both clothes and teeth, but remember to mix with water when gargling); its safer, less smelly, and costs less (from the dollar store).
• Forgetting its Garbage Day is catastrophic.
• The self-checkouts at Walmart are awesome and fun... until the sensor has a problem with that huge box of tampons and the manager has to come sort it out while everyone waits. *blush*
• Just when you think your child(ren) cannot be any sweeter, smarter, amazing or funny... they will do something that reaffirms the incredible joy of being a parent.