Merry Old School Christmas

Of all the toys this year, the most played with on this Christmas Day have been marbles, the game Connect Four, a bug box and bug vacuum, sold separately, and a miniature bowling set. Never one to play marbles, I am not very good, although I am at a slight disadvantage since my opponent shoots from a couple of inches from the marbles and has the biggest shooter. I have been told to shoot just like I am, but aim at the marbles. I also learned that I am a big old fat man so I do not have to get up to get my marbles, he will do it or me. So considerate! Oh, and one more thing, the game was made in the USA! Now that is old school! I did win a game of Connect Four last night and still feel pretty good about that. The bug box has been filled with water. We did suck up a spider in the bug vacuum but it apparently died during the process. I am pretty sure it tried to climb out of the vacuum but it was dead by the time we got it to the box. We put it in the box anyway. We do have an unwanted fly in the house but we have been unable to catch it but we will continue to try. Not sure why we have a fly in the house in December. The real fun begins when we send for the free tadpole to keep in the box. Updates on that coming in the future. I have eaten a lot of green M&Ms today. Yummy!

Snowman, We Hardly Knew Ye, But We Propped You Up

With a mere two inches of snow comes this handsome fellow. With those stunning black eyes, red nose, celery mouth and buttons, and pine board pipe, he screams sophistication. A smashing red scarf and Cincinnati Reds floppy hat top off the ensemble. Coming in at a shade under five feet, while small in stature he is big on fun. Looks can be deceiving. Lest you think he is perfect, he did develop a mean lean. But he is not your typical snowman, so he did not fall over like your typical snowman either. I know what you are thinking - his head fell to the ground and returned to the snowflakes from whence it came. Wrong! His entire body, including the bottom section, tipped over and was laying on its side. There was only one thing to do, and you would have done it too if you have a heart. Tip him back up and wedge him to remove the lean. Sure, we had to patch his head back together, but only a little bit on the back. And now he is as good as new, even better than before. And now he can melt with dignity, as any snowman should be able to do. As we wait helplessly, he is dissolving before our very eyes. but as the old saying goes - better to have built a snowman, tipped him back up, and watch him melt, than to never had built one to begin with.

Fun with Candles

With the Christmas season comes candles, for some reason. Someone I know has become fascinated with burning candles, especially the toy soldier. This unlucky soldier met his demise within a couple of days. Of course he had been spared for years prior to this by being stored safely in the cabinet. Once his head had melted, his midsection quickly dissolved with his shoulders and arms collapsing into the fire and melting and burning away. The legs went just as quick and before you knew it he was all boots. Now his residual pool has cooled and he resides in the garbage, unrecognizable as the wax defender of freedom he once was. Now it is on to a white tree shaped candle which burns just a quickly. One and a half sections down the tree and fatigue fell upon the candle burner, who fell asleep. Now the candles are out and waiting for another day of fire and fun!

Marshmallows: Check!

Last night the fire pit was called into service again. This time with roasting marshmallows in mind. Actually, I just wanted to build a fire and marshmallows were a happy result. It is amazing how a browned/burned marshmallow is so tasty and takes you straight back to the days of yore. It was rather cold, even with the fire going, but worth it if you ask me, and our special, secret guest who shall remain anonymous for his protection and mine. We had no splitting disasters this time.