The glory of network drives.

I am out of the office (sick), but had some work that needs to get done, but that is part of why I have a work laptop. I tried to get online and can see my email and I have access to some shared files, but not "MY" files that I work on daily.

I've had this problem before. "my" drive will drop out even though the rest of the remote access is working fine. When I call the help desk they tell my to turn it off and back on. So I don't bother calling and turn it off and back on. Several times. So I drag my sick self into the office to get the files I need. I can't get into the "my" drive there either. So I break down and call the help desk. and get "We cannot answer your call at this time due to a high call volume as a result of the Kirkwood server being down. If that is your problem, please hang up. General announcements will be made when the situation is resolved. All other callers..."

There are a number of servers, of course, but the "Kirkwood" server is one that handles all the individuals that work in my building, so I go home, eat lunch and take a nap.

A co-worker sends me this update. "We are not expecting a quick recovery of this server and the outage is expected to go through the night and possibly into Thursday. We expect to have a better assessment of recovery time in the morning. We will provide an update tomorrow morning at 8 a.m." Today is Tuesday! It's already been down a full day.

I appreciate that there is a benefit to having the automatic backing up that a network provides, but one would assume there are backup systems in place in case the server fails. The main reason to have a network drive and they screw it up. Hundreds of people with little or nothing to do. I wish I wasn't sick and could enjoy some in office down time. I might have even cleaned my desk.

As a special treat the new laptop has a feature that will automatically backup files stored on the hard drive to the network. That feature is disabled to encourage people to use the network. I manually save some things on the hard drive, but only those I plan to need.

Super baby!

Getting ready for bed. Peter tells Tera, "i brought you home"

Tera - "you did? Did you drive the van?"

Pete - " I carried you"

Tera - " you carried me?"

Pete - " and Diana, daddy carried Rachel"

Tera - "where did you carry us from?

Pete - "Peter's school. It's brown."

Tera - "you walked all the way from daycare carrying mama and Diana?"

Pete - " I jumped. That's a lot of stairs*"

Editor's note stairs probably means steps.

Super baby!

Getting ready for bed. Peter tells Tera, "i brought you home"

Tera - "you did? Did you drive the van?"

Pete - " I carried you"

Tera - " you carried me?"

Pete - " and Diana, daddy carried Rachel"

Tera - "where did you carry us from?

Pete - "Peter's school. It's brown."

Tera - "you walked all the way from daycare carrying mama and Diana?"

Pete - " I jumped. That's a lot of stairs*"

Editor's note stairs probably means steps.

It would be a surprise

On the way to daycare Pete announced that he wanted to see grandma and grandpa. I said they were sleeping. He said "I can wake up grandpa and you wake up grandma. It would be a surprise." It certainly would be.

At least he didn't suggest we put on masks and have some toy guns to make it even more surprising.

Good Job!

Pete has decided that turn about is fair play. Some times he has to follow daddy into the bathroom, but then decides he doesn't need to go. He then pulls up the stool to watch daddy.

Last couple times he has doled out the toilet paper. It's OK when he shares it one square at a time, but he gets bored. That entails smaller and smaller triangles.

I got done today and got a "good job daddy!"

Choo Choo

A bit behind, but...

Last week Pete was playing in our bed. He had been playing in the leaves (pillows) and then sat down so he was leaning on one and had his legs under another. He announced that he was driving the train. Then he got out, pulled a pillow next to him and told me to sit there. So
I did. I asked if I was helping Peter drive the train. He said, "No, I'm driving the train. You are in the car seat."

Then Tera came in and he told her to sit behind him and help drive.

I'm guessing it's because there is only one car seat and not a comment on our relative driving ability.

Or he's grounded.

Driving in my car 3

We seem to have developed a back seat driver.

One of the first signs was Pete telling me to slow down (see previous entry).

Then he told Tera to use both hands when driving Peter's Car.
He's done both to both of us and added a "watch out for the the hole!" We are assuming that is a pot hole, but could also be a sink hole. I haven't seen one of those, but I'm watching for it!

Big wheels stop turning

About 8:45 pm Sunday may 22 2011. Living room. Pete was driving his big wheel around the house and did a textbook power slide.

It was unintentional, and surprised him so much that just sat there for a bit, but Tera and I got a kick out of it.

Funny little man

Pete woke up crying during the night. He wanted mama. I brought him into bed. He started crying again and wanted a bottle, I brought him a bottle. He fell back asleep snuggling with Tera. At some point she snuck her arm out from under him and sat up to blow her nose and he started crying again. After she re-snuggled him and he stopped crying she asked "why did you scream your head off when mama had to blow her nose?" Silence, I thought he was back asleep when he says "my head's still on".

Now if I can just get back to sleep.

Escape from daycare.

Often Pete has trouble letting go when we get to daycare. This morning Pete had a death grip on one leg. Another boy came over and grabbed the other leg.* A third boy came over and couldn't find room, so he just stood next to me and told me the names of the kids holding my legs. So I started walking around the table which usually gives the teacher a chance to distract Pete. It worked, and I slowed down and headed for the door. Which is when kid number 2 caught back up and re-attached himself to my leg. Diane was able to call him off without releasing Pete.

*As the teacher was commenting on how rare it was for a child to share a parent, she also mention that she has noticed Pete stringing sentences together. We've noticed that too, but didn't realize it was different.

Southern boy?

The last couple days Pete has developed a bit of an accent.

Bath has become a 3 syllable word. Bay-a-the. Take a bath is now 6 syllables. Table has also been southernized. It's not all the time, but quite entertaining when he does it.

Happy Mother's Day!

To my mom. I love you and thank you for all that you have done and continue to do to make my life happy.

To my wife. I love you and thank you for giving me a chance to be a father figure for the girls and then a father. You make some real nice kids and I'm glad to have you in my life.

What they say...

Tire shop says: "yes, we have those tires in stock. Sure you can wait for them to be put on during your lunch hour"

What you hear: "yes, we have those tires in stock. Sure you can wait for them to be put on during your lunch hour."

What they mean: "yes, they are at the local warehouse. We are kind of sure that we can get them to the store before you get here. You get 2 hours for lunch, right?"

On the plus side I got a couple slices from Papa John's and sat on the grass in the sun. Ahhh

The train, the train!

Woman studying dynamics in Peter's daycare class passed along a couple things about Peter:

Pete heard a bunch of laughter from the class next door. He pointed to the door and said he wanted to go over there.

Pete got a large cardboard block. He set it down and studied it. Pushed it to the left, then to the right. He thought for a minute and then sat on it. He started scooting around on it. Another kid came along and got a block. Pete talked them into sitting on it behind him for a train. They did and then he told them to hold on, they put their arms around his waist and started scooting their train along. She said they eventually had most of the kids in the class in the train.

That's my boy. OK, mostly the first bit. The second bit involves more leadership than I usually pull off.

17? Unpossible.

Rachel turns 17 today. Hard to imagine. When I met her 7 years ago she could still fit into a shopping cart. Tera and I would each take a girl and a cart. Good times.

Bright yellow blossoms, grows in most soil.

Easy to cultivate, hard to kill. Blooms early and when it goes to seed makes fun to blow parachutes. I suspect if dandylions were hard to grow they would be prized flowers instead of just weeds.

Driving in my car 2

On the way to church.

We see flowers next to the road, while at a red light. Pete starts counting flowers. He gets to 6, jumps to 11 and gives up. They were dandylions, so we could have been there all day.

We get off the highway and Pete says look at all the houses. As we pass them he looks out his window and says: there's a red house, a brown house, a white house, a white house, a green house, a white house...

Not you Mama.

Tera claims she didn't put him up to this but...

We were getting ready for Work and daycare. Pete was all dressed. I was going to run my stuff out while Tera put his shoes / coat on. Pete then announced he needed a diaper change. Tera said let's go and he said "Not you, Mama. Daddy." She tried again, but Pete was insistent the Daddy should do the diaper change.

I was there, so she wasn't prompting him.

This time. But I'll be watching.

I love thunderstorms.

Of course we need more rain like more politicians. Last night's lightning was better. But I didn't need to go out and deal with a gutter problem* either, so that's nice.

* not plugged, but pulled away from house so rain could get behind it and go into window well.

The great mud fest of 2011

We've had a yucky spring. The ground is completely thawed, which sounds great. Flowers are blooming, trees are budding.

Normally the back yard gets muddy when the snow melts and after a heavy rain. This spring we have had about two periods where the yard was dry enough for the dog to go out and not come back covered in mud. Wet, muddy dog, yeah, it doesn't get much better than that.

Next 5 days call for either rain or showers. But we will see the 70's several of those days.

Happy Easter 2011

More pictures at Tera's Flickr page, see link to the right.

Pete and I had a nice time at church. He got candy from Jessie and Dorothy and Sharon. He was really excited about it (2 beautiful lollipops and a chocolate bunny on a bike) and ran around with the lollipops. Until it came time to eat one. He wasn't interested, he tried both the chocolate and the candy one. If I could get my eating habits closer to his I'd be a lot healthier.

We got home and Pete was wide awake, so we looked for eggs. Actually the girls helped Pete find them. We stuck to the living room due to the mud situation outside. Peter did all the finding, but the candy mostly got split between the Rachel and Diana.

Still going strong, so we headed off to Uncle Mike's for Easter Dinner with no nap for Pete.

We had a great time. Matt and Nicole took turns playing with Pete, Matt showed off his train. The kids played well together and the adults got some good conversation in. It is always fun when the whole family gets together, but the smaller group was a bit easier to manage.

We took potatoes and meatless lasagna (for Rachel and Tera, but most people had some. Lisa made A nice ham dinner with sides. Lisa also made 2 pies from scratch Apple and a coconut custard with meringue. Both were very good, and Nicole made her brownies, which are also tasty.

Pete was a trooper, running and talking and jumping, all without a nap. about 3 minutes after we got in the van to come home he was out. He woke briefly when we got home, but was out for good by 7:30.

What does it mean 3

Mikey - Uncle. But only for Uncle Mike. He is Mikey Mike. Uncle Chris is Uncle Chris

Giant Carrot - Wind sock. Like at the landfill. Pete noticed it on the last trip and has seen them all over the place since then. I don't see them and explain that we aren't near the landfill. He seems a bit surprised.

Giant Carrot - Construction cone. Another trip to the landfill, another chance to see the giant carrot. After we past it, he says 3 giant carrots, and then 2 giant carrots. After another sip of coffee I figured it out.

Driving in my car, 3 stories

I get caught in a long line of traffic at a light on Front street. Next green I make it through, but get stuck at the next one a bock away. Light turns green and we move about a car length and stop, but left lane keeps going. A minute or so later there there is no traffic left next to me, but still nothing. Then the car in front of me puts on its turn signal to turn into Dunkin Donuts! I check my mirror, and traffic is approaching in the left lane so I gun it and pass the idiot, just in time for the light to turn red. As I stop I hear Pete from the back seat: "Slow down, daddy."

Pete has discovered roads. In particular, MY road. Over the last week I've heard, We are driving on Peter's Road, Daddy's driving on Peter's Road, Look at all the cars on Peter's Road! and Wednesday's ultimatum "GET OFF MY ROAD! I've tried to explain that the road is made to be shared, but so far it's still MINE.

Tera and Pete were talking with someone at daycare. Pete was asked what color Mama's car was, he said black. He was asked what color dad's car was, he said um, white? After a couple of tries Tera said what color is the van? Peter said "Gray... Peter's van is gray. Daddy drives Peter's van."
No wonder he wants me to slow down - he wants it to last another 14 years.

You want what?

Pete: I want a tree.

Daddy: you want a tree?

Pete: I want a tree in my hand.

Daddy: you want a tree in your hand?!?

Pete: trea-Tuh (treat) in an exasperated tone.

Well excuuuse me :-)

I gave him a treat after he said please.

Peter vs. Diana: when your folks are sick.

Pete had a very high fever Friday. Over 100 for the better part of 18 hours.

Saturday evening Tera and I both came down with it. Tera had the chills so bad I thought she was going to be sick. Diana went and got her a garbage can (just in case) and a bunch of extra blankets.

As I laid down (with the lights off), Pete came in and brought me some "popcorn" and pushed it into my mouth. It was strangely mushy. I spit it out and threw it into the garbage. He came back several times with more before it occurred to me, "where is he getting this?"

I dragged myself out of bed and followed him into the living room. There on his table is his leftovers from supper, including a small bowl of corn. There was also a couple of pieces on the floor, but I like to think that I got the stuff out of the bowl.

I think Tera get better support.

Walking with Pete

I got home Wednesday and it was still close to 50 and decided to do a short walk with Peter. I told Peter we were going to take a walk which lead to the following conversation:
Pete: I go for a walk. In the stroller.
Dan: OK, let's get your coat on and get Duncan ready.
Pete: I go for a walk with daddy and Duncan. In the Elmo Stroller.
* note Pete hasn't seen that since the fall sometime, I don't know why he thought of that
Dan: I said in the big stroller
Pete: In the Elmo stroller
Dan: If we take the Elmo stroller we can't take Duncan (It's too hard to steer).
Pete: I take a walk with Daddy in the Elmo Stroller, no Duncan.

as Pete and I start out of the driveway I here Pete saying happily: Daddy and Pete taking a walk. No Duncan.

Poor Duncan.

Will be cute for toothpaste

Pete was in saying good night to Diana, so I got out his toothbrush and loaded it. Pete came in and gave me a really big thank you. After brushing his teeth he asked for more toothpaste. I said no, he said little bit, just a little bit. I said no and he said just a little bit, last time.

PS I just discovered he will do the same for more water in the tub.

Rice crunchy treats

Rachel asked me to help her make rice crispy treats for a St. Patrick's day art club fund raiser. I've done that many times, so I had her stir the  butter and marshmellows until they were melted and I wandered off. Or, as Rachel insists,I said I'll be right back. So she calls me back and they are a lovely light caramel color. I figure that will just and a little extra flavor and we add the green food color and crispys. It seemed to mix well and we called them good.

That night I get home and there is a nearly full pan of treats. Rachel breaks off a piece and I tried it. Pretty good really, there is a hint of caramel like I thought there might be. The texture however... closer to peanut brittle than caramel corn.

I guess you CAN screw them up.

Un-sweet dreams

Peter has had 3 bad dreams over the last two weeks. He's been a little easier to calm down each time, but the first 2 required mommy or daddy to carry Pete around before he would relax.

Dream 1) We didn't get much out of him except "angry hot dog". We had pigs-in-a-blanket the night before and maybe one had been too hot? We are careful, but what else could it be?

Dream 2) Pete woke up saying "D-(name with held do to the age of the offender) took Peter's block", and he also talked about the angry hot dog again. The first part is easy. Peter got in trouble at daycare for biting D-, who had taken Peter's block. Hmm, maybe they had hot dogs at daycare and one was too hot.

The next day I was telling Tera about dream 2 (she had been in Syracuse for work) and Pete said "angry hot dog man." I burst out laughing. After I calmed down I reminded Tera about a book (Gus and the Firefly by P.D. Eastman) Pete's been "reading" on the Nook - that features a hot dog vendor that gets mad when the firefly plays a trick on him.

Dream 3) Pete woke up saying No, dogs No!, Get down dogs! Stop dogs, stop, the light is green. Even though he got the color wrong, it's Go Dogs Go, by P. D. Eastman.

At first I thought perhaps I am too animated when I read the books to Pete, but one is a "read to me" book, and I'm not that dramatic. I just think he likes to have an excuse to come in bed with us.

Another 5 weeks already done?

The girls got their 5 week report cards. They are doing mostly great, but they each have one class holding them back.

Culture clash?

Pete is picking up a nice rounded Dr Who education. He can pick out 3 doctors, and the TARDIS. He prefers the new theme song to the one from my youth, and sometimes dances to it.

On the other hand, Tera is working with him on the "to be or not to be..." speech from hamlet. If she does it in about 5 word sections he does pretty well, although sometimes he says the next part instead of repeating what Tera said.

Do drama kids get along with geeks?

Pete likes Harry Potter?

As Pete was reading (using a read-to-me book on my nook) at bed time the other day, he went to select a new book. He pointed to a different book, a Harry Potter cookbook. I was sleepy, so I don't recall if he said it first or I did, but he clearly wanted Harry Potter. Yesterday he got into the kitchen to "help daddy" and pulled a video off the shelf the is normally out of his reach. He hands it to me and says Harry Potter daddy. And it was one of the HP movies! He's probably been in the same room as one of the movies being played, but I can't remember the last time we watched one.  So, did he get lucky, or do I have about 10 years of bedtime reading facing me. Sure the later Harry Potter books are a bit dark, but he'll be with daddy :-)

Happy birthday Tera

The girls had Tera's birthday off from school. They did a great job cleaning the house and made pumpkin muffins for a birthday cake. Diana even made the bed :-)

It was a nice treat to come home to a sparkling clean house.

Out of the blue.

Peter starts talking as soon as we get out of the driveway. Mama and daddy take the decorations off the tree. I said yes, we did. He said daddy took the tree downstairs. Which I did. Almost 2 months ago.

Yo-yo spring

Monday AM was 44 degrees. Tuesday AM was 14 (-5 with windchill!). It warmed back up Wednesday through Friday when we almost hit 60! In February!

Pete and I did a couple sled runs in the front yard Thursday without snow pants. We got a little wet, but not to cold. Friday night the yard was almost completely bare. 4-5 inches of wet, slushy snow gone in 24 hours. So instead of sledding, I took Pete for a stroller ride. Rachel took Duncan for a walk and it was a good time, especially for Pete and Duncan.

Saturday AM and it's 23F with a wind chill of 9. Just enough floury snow mixed in to really appreciate the gusts to 50 mph.

Might be a day to hibernate.

Rock on my little man

I turned the radio on this morning in time to hear "Monster" by Skillet. Pete said something so I hit mute. He said "music daddy!". I turned the volume back on and watched him bobbing his head and tapping his toes.

What does it all mean II

Scoop digger - Back hoe
Manket - originally believed to be a contraction for "my blanket" it turns out this specifically refers to a fitted sheet. Pete found a couple in the bottom of his dresser and pulled them out to play with.

Singing the Peter way

It's all Elmo's fault.

Well it's his song. La la la la, Elmo's song....
And then Elmo points out you can sing Big Bird, Snuffy, Gordon, etc.

Tera and I added Mama, Daddy, Sissie, Duncan, etc. Pete loved that.

We started working on Happy Birthday for Grammy's birthday. We did pretty well, not as good as Jingle Bells, but pretty well for the amount of practice. After her birthday I switched to singing for Mama or Papa, both of whom have birthdays coming up soon. Pete like it so much he requests the following versions: Grammy and Papa (Tera's folks), Grandma and Grandpa (my folks), tractor, scoop digger (back hoe) and snow plow.

I need a microphone attached to Pete

Or maybe my hearing isn't what it used to be. Often I'll hear Pete talking in the back seat and have to turn down the radio and / or heater to make out what he's saying. Yesterday I heard Jessie and Dorothy and Cathy and Jessie and Elsie and Norma and Janet and bina (Sabina). I asked what he was doing, he said I go to church and see gramma grandpa (the rest of the list is church people). He was disappointed that it wasn't church day and no grandparents either.

Who stole my baby?

And replaced him with a little boy.

Pete and I were on the way to daycare last week and Pete said something funny. I laughed. Pete said "Daddy laugh." I said that sometimes Peter makes daddy laugh. He said Peter make daddy laugh? I laughed again. And he said daddy make Peter laugh. I reached back and poked his leg a couple times and he laughed.

Then we got to daycare. Instead of the usual leg hold until someone pulls him off, Pete took off without a backwards glance. :-(