Science Expo

Sidney's 6th grade science class at Newton Middle School recently had a major science assignment that they each got to present at the annual Science Expo.

Sidney conducted an experiment on potatoes. She wanted to figure out if different potatoes affected how much current would pass through each of them. The experiment required her to come up with a hypothesis, collect the materials, conduct testing, and report her conclusion.

Angie took Sidney to get all the materials, which she took to her dad's for the weekend where they got to complete the experiments. Sidney then took her findings and completed her project, including a poster board outlining everything she did and her findings. Each kid had to present it to the science class as a report.

After all that was completed, the school had the Science Expo, where each student had their assignment presented. Parents and visitors went to the school gym where everything was set up and were able to go around looking at each experiment and ask the kids questions. Sidney did a fabulous job on hers as did many of the other kids. We could tell she was nervous, but once she settled down I think she had a great time doing the project and showing it off.

In other amazing news, Sidney made the Newton Knights basketball team. We're very pleased that she enjoys getting involved in extracurricular activities. They keep her busy and she gets to meet so many new friends.

Senior Night

The time has come for Alex's last home game of her high school career. I can't believe how fast time flies. This year, more than ever, that has become evident. Seems like just yesterday she was being born. I know it sounds cliche, but it still holds true.

Angie, Sidney, Nancy, and I met at my office after work, stopped for dinner, then headed to Northridge High School for the festivities. Alex was amongst 5 seniors on her basketball team, all of which started the game for the Grizzlies. Prior to the game there was a short ceremony celebrating each of them.

The game was very one sided as you can see from the final score of 66-12 in favor of the home team and everyone had a great time.

As if this event didn't make for a big enough day for Alex, she learned that she had received a nomination to one of the military academies, most likely the Air Force. She has worked very hard to earn this and is very deserving. There is more to the process, but its starting to look like Alex will be in the Air Force cadet class of 2014.

I'm not usually the emotional type as nearly everyone will tell you, but on this day, I couldn't hide the tears in my eyes or my beaming pride. Even now, I get teary eyed everytime I think about it.

Way to go Alex!!!

Volunteering Rewards

Sunday Angie and I volunteered for the Salvation Army at the Pepsi Center placing "Go Avs" signs on all the seats. In return we were given 2 tickets to the evening's game versus the New York Rangers. There were so many volunteers it really took us about a half hour. Initially we figured we were only getting 2 tickets, so Sid was going to go with me, but as it turned out we each received 2 tickets for our efforts.

With our new found bounty of tickets, which were incidentally very good seats, the 3 of us invited my sister Nancy to join us. Nancy is relatively new to hockey, but was excited to go anyway. Our seats were near center ice and only 17 rows behind the Rangers bench. We all had a great time even though the game was a bit disappointing with the Rangers winning 3-1 because of a hat trick by Marian Gaborik.

Neal's Surprise 40th

With the big Four O coming, there was no doubt in my mind that Angie had something up her sleeve, but I really had no idea what she could possibly have planned.

Friday night, we had plans to go to dinner with our great friends DJ and Danielle to the Cherry Cricket, you may have seen it on the Travel Channel. We were very excited for their famous burgers. Earlier in the day, my friend Bryan, we'll call him the co-conspirator, told me his band the Raygunomics were playing later that night and that I should drop by. Angie has not been a big fan of Bryan, so I was skeptical that she would want to go, but it turned out she did. I suppose this should have raised a red flag, but it didn't. I figured I had at least another week until I needed to be prepared.

Anyway, we had a fabulous dinner and then headed over to Lucky Strike in Belmar for Bryan's show. Much to my surprise, a bunch of our closest friends were there to surprise me and Bryan had been in on it all along. We had a fabulous night out and thoroughly enjoyed my birthday bash. It was most likely the car bombs that even got me to dance.

Thank you to everyone's birthday wishes. Oh, and Angie....WELL PLAYED!

Back to School

A new year, a new beginning for Angie.

Not long ago Angie decided she wanted something different for her career so she decided to go to esthetician school. We have been making preparations for her to be able to do so for several months. She finished 2009 out at Arckey and Reha, where she had been for a number of years. Since the year began, she has been diligently working on homework before her classes had even began. This past week was her first week of actual class and she has been thoroughly enjoying it.

Angie goes to school 3 days a week, but is able to be home everyday after school for Sidney. Not only does she get to spend additional time with Sid, she also gets to drive Sidney and her friend Rachel to and from school nearly everyday.

Her classes last 5 months, after which time she will be able to work in a spa doing facials and other spa services. She already has people looking forward to this, especially Sidney

First Post of 2010

This year started with a last minute business trip to California for me. I spent 10 days in Mountain View. I'm sure Angie was glad to get rid of me after spending so much time through the holidays.

While I was gone, Angie and Sid had a girls day, where they went out for lunch and shopping together. They really enjoy their one on one time when I am out of town, even if they do miss me. Sidney was able to spend some of her gift cards she received for Christmas.

I came back from California on Alex's 18th birthday. It's hard to believe she is already 18 years old. Seems like just yesterday we were welcoming her into the world. She has grown into such an amazing young lady and is a short 4 months away from graduating high school. How did the time pass so quickly?

Angie's New Love

It had been a while since Angie and Danielle spent time together with the holidays, our honeymoon, and everything else going on, so they had a girls lunch.

The ladies went out for pho at Pho Saigon, which was Angie's first experience eating pho. For those of you unfamiliar, pho is a Vietnamese soup. Basically it is a broth based soup with noodles. You order whatever you like in it, from chicken, steak, briskett, to more adventurous stuff like tripe and/or tendon. You can order just one thing or combine everything. They also bring out a plate with veggies like bean sprouts, basil, and jalapenos that you mix in. Angie enjoyed it so much we went back for lunch the following day and has been "suggesting" it pretty frequently since.

Angie's favorite is just chicken. She ordered steak the day her, Sid, and I went, but mentioned she preferred the chicken. She also enjoys the bubble teas which have "bubbles" of tapioca mixed in to the frozen treat. Although Angie is a big fan, Sidney was not as impressed, so it looks like future trips for pho will be just the two of us.