just for fun

My Very Own Little Tin Tin!

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I know, I’ve been pretty scarce.  Sorry.  I was in quite a funk the 1-2 weeks following Christmas.  Then I spent last week in Nebraska doing some Air Force Reserve work. Nothing in particular with the funk, I just didn’t feel like writing. I also have been pretty slow with the camera too, I’ve very … Read more

Flashback From 2010: Funny Fireworks!

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This was from a year ago today, but it’s worth reviving for this year, since I laugh so much from the stupid names of some of these products! This week I’m volunteering at a fireworks stand. For those saying “Wow! How?”, let me explain a little. The state of Nebraska allows 10 days per year … Read more

Watch Out!*

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*Yes, this is one of the much-less-creative blog post titles. I have an awesome watch.  I’ve had this watch since my college graduation in 1995.  It was a gift from my parents…16 years ago this week.  Yep, that’s a now-extinct Nittany Lion statue in the middle of the dial. Best. Graduation. Gift. Ever! Being that it’s … Read more

What Not to Do With Your Brand New "Best Picture" Oscar…

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A story published in the London Telegraph online brought me a smile this morning.  The co-producer of this year’s Best Picture, The King’s Speech, Simon Egan, was celebrating the movie’s Academy Awards success at a Hollywood party with his 15-month-old daughter Lara in attendance.  Another party guest let Lara hold the Oscar so folks could … Read more

Nebraska Discoveries 18: Fontenelle Splashground

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Today Shannon and I took our boys to this new “splashpark” that opened 2 weeks ago in North Omaha.  What a fun, FREE, way to spend a hot summer afternoon! School starts Monday!

Since the original post this afternoon I’ve had a chance to add more commentary about this place. The City of Omaha has built several of these “Splashgrounds” around the city and they’re a great time for the boys. Papillion has one, but Bellevue has none (hint hint!)

Today the boys spent nearly 3 hours at the park — then the horseflies started attacking and the boys were happy to go. Shannon and I sat under a tree in the shade and had a good old fashioned chatfest.

This particular one was intriguing: there’s this innocent looking post stationed near the entrance to the fenced area — you rub the top of the post (yes, I know what I’m saying here) and that activates the water for 5 minutes.  As long as a kid runs back to the post every 5 minutes or so, the water stays on.  A nice conservation tool.  You can see the post in the 3rd picture here.

From 2010 08 13 Fontenelle Splashground

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Jacob’s Video of Howie

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Jacob asked me to share this with you. Jacob thinks that Howie seems to perk up at the word “Rhino”…and he does. But I’m not sure it’s the word as much as the inflection in his voice. Jacob enjoys watching funny dog videos on You Tube. His favorite series of videos is of Mishka the … Read more

Funny Fireworks

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This week I’m volunteering at a fireworks stand. For those saying “Wow! How?”, let me explain a little. The state of Nebraska allows 10 days per year for free-for-all fireworks sales/use. There are some exceptions: none of this is legal in the Omaha city limits, and Lincoln only allows sales for 2 days. So starting … Read more

Ring Ring Ring Ring…Banana Phone!

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The song is stuck in my head now. Why? Because we brought this artificial banana with us on vacation and Dave has been charged with photographing it everywhere. Yes, like Flat Stanley. The pictures of this banana as it travels across America are being assembled in a photo album for one of Dave’s colleagues, who … Read more

100 Life Experiences

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I got this from Christina of Sugar Sweet Thoughts <http://christinagblogspot.blogspot.com/2009/02/100-life-experiences.html>, who got it from Must Love Tots <http://mustlovetots.blogspot.com/2009/02/lifes-experiences.html> who got this from Scientific Nature of the Whammy <http://www.snotw.com/2009/02/100-life-experiences.html> who got this from Megan <http://newlywednewlybredinne.blogspot.com/> . It looked like fun, so here goes! Hopefully no identity theft issues with this one… Not sure what an identity … Read more