And thus began my quest to make a latte macchiatto. After much trial and error, with a little email help from my Italian barista, I achieved perfection.
Look - a satisfied customer!
I too, can become an Italian barista boy!
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Latte Macchiato (maybe)
After our visit to Germany, where we were able to stay at the home of a brilliant Italian barista, our desire to make espresso drinks at home was rekindled. The barista and his wife sent us a stove top espresso maker, which was a great start. And then Scooter, having nothing but pity for us, gave us an old, unused 4-cup espresso machine.
And thus began my quest to make a latte macchiatto. After much trial and error, with a little email help from my Italian barista, I achieved perfection.
Look - a satisfied customer!
I too, can become an Italian barista boy!
And thus began my quest to make a latte macchiatto. After much trial and error, with a little email help from my Italian barista, I achieved perfection.
Look - a satisfied customer!
I too, can become an Italian barista boy!
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Dogs!
Sometimes they're cute, like when Bella guards her new duck, even though she's very tired after a long romp in the snow.
And sometimes they're just plain adorable, like when they eviscerate a harmless Poinsettia plant.
Now that's the Christmas spirit!
And sometimes they're just plain adorable, like when they eviscerate a harmless Poinsettia plant.
Now that's the Christmas spirit!
Cool New Toy
We just got the coolest new high-tech toy. All the kids have been fighting to play on it, because it is super cool! It's a....
... typewriter? Yeah. Pretty awesome. An old one from Michelle's work is now our toy o' the moment. Koleman is working hard on his masterpiece.
At least it will keep him occupied for a bit.
... typewriter? Yeah. Pretty awesome. An old one from Michelle's work is now our toy o' the moment. Koleman is working hard on his masterpiece.
At least it will keep him occupied for a bit.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
For those of you not on Facebook
You've missed some photos. Steve Todd started posting some Longfellow pictures, and so I responded by finding old pictures and yearbooks. I've managed to offend many of my Facebook friends. Most of you who view my blog, though, probably wouldn't know many of those people, so I'll just post a few highlights of my incredibly geeky youth.
First, here is an example of how not to wear shorts:
OK, this picture is just sweet and cute.
But now we can go back to making fun of me as a geeky kid.
First, here is an example of how not to wear shorts:
OK, this picture is just sweet and cute.
But now we can go back to making fun of me as a geeky kid.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
First Lego League Tourney
This past Saturday we were in Golden Valley for a regional First Lego League tournament. As I previously mentioned, the team did great, and is going to state. (that rhymes!)
Now for some more detail. Here's a picture of the performance room. There are stands, music, scores flashed on the wall, and a generally festive environment.
Maddie and Annika run the board!
A video of Gretchen and Koleman running the board. The first program didn't work properly, so they got a bit flustered, but still ended with a good score.
After the run, they check over the score with the judge. Once the sheet has been initialled, there's no going back, so it's up to the kids to make sure they get credit for everything they did.
Another aspect is technical judging. Here they can explain to judges about their robot design and programming. The judges also get a sense of how the kids work as a team (and teamwork is 25% of the total score).
It was a long day. We got there at 8:30, and left around 5:00. Sometimes you just get weird.
It's always fun to have special friends come to visit! Koleman had three siblings, two parents, three grandparents, one cousin and one director come at times to watch.
Down time.
The kids spent a lot of time entertaining themselves in a hallway bead shop. A couple of younger siblings from another St. Peter team brought along all of their jewelry making supplies, and sold jewelry in the hallway. The kids were able to make deals with them to reduce the price if they did their own work.
A couple of team photos. One with the kids.
And one with the coaches. I wanted to make sure the team logo was visible.
Now for some more detail. Here's a picture of the performance room. There are stands, music, scores flashed on the wall, and a generally festive environment.
Maddie and Annika run the board!
A video of Gretchen and Koleman running the board. The first program didn't work properly, so they got a bit flustered, but still ended with a good score.
After the run, they check over the score with the judge. Once the sheet has been initialled, there's no going back, so it's up to the kids to make sure they get credit for everything they did.
Another aspect is technical judging. Here they can explain to judges about their robot design and programming. The judges also get a sense of how the kids work as a team (and teamwork is 25% of the total score).
It was a long day. We got there at 8:30, and left around 5:00. Sometimes you just get weird.
It's always fun to have special friends come to visit! Koleman had three siblings, two parents, three grandparents, one cousin and one director come at times to watch.
Down time.
The kids spent a lot of time entertaining themselves in a hallway bead shop. A couple of younger siblings from another St. Peter team brought along all of their jewelry making supplies, and sold jewelry in the hallway. The kids were able to make deals with them to reduce the price if they did their own work.
A couple of team photos. One with the kids.
And one with the coaches. I wanted to make sure the team logo was visible.
Tuesday, December 09, 2008
Going to State!
OK, I'm a little slow getting photos up from Saturday. Forgive me - it was the snow.
I'll have a bit more detail up later, but I'll start with the highlights - Koleman's First Lego League team did great. They placed second in their division at their tournament, and will be going to the State Tournament in January. Here's the proud team:
The plaque is an award they received for "Innovative Design". The team that had the top score in their division got the plain old "Design" award, because their robot was cool and worked. Koleman's team (the SquareBotz) got the "Innovative Design" award because they had some neat features on their robot, even though they didn't always work.
They were a little bit loopy.
The kids were super excited to make the State Tournament, since that was their main goal for the season. I was pretty sure they were going to make it, but I wasn't confident. It was a bit nerve-wracking right before they announced which teams were going to state - I knew that there were going to be tears if they didn't make it.
Here they are with another St. Peter team that is going to State. I bet you can tell the teams apart.
I'll have a bit more detail up later, but I'll start with the highlights - Koleman's First Lego League team did great. They placed second in their division at their tournament, and will be going to the State Tournament in January. Here's the proud team:
The plaque is an award they received for "Innovative Design". The team that had the top score in their division got the plain old "Design" award, because their robot was cool and worked. Koleman's team (the SquareBotz) got the "Innovative Design" award because they had some neat features on their robot, even though they didn't always work.
They were a little bit loopy.
The kids were super excited to make the State Tournament, since that was their main goal for the season. I was pretty sure they were going to make it, but I wasn't confident. It was a bit nerve-wracking right before they announced which teams were going to state - I knew that there were going to be tears if they didn't make it.
Here they are with another St. Peter team that is going to State. I bet you can tell the teams apart.
Friday, December 05, 2008
Mock Lego Tournament
OK, I better hurry! The real Lego tournament is tomorrow, so if I want to blog about the mock one, it's now or never. Last Sunday at the Community Center in St. Peter there was a mock tournament for all the Mankato/St. Peter First Lego League teams.
There were lots of fans watching the tournament, which is great for the kids.
Koleman and Annika set up the board, getting ready for their first run...
... which was marred by a slight disagreement. Lessons were learned! (the great thing in this photo - while Annika and Koleman fight over placement of the robot, Gretchen slaps her forehead in disgust)
There were some cute shorties in attendance.
The tournament can only hold so much excitement for five year olds, so Eryn and Kelson decided to play some kind of staring game.
I wasn't there, so I'm not sure exactly what this means.
Making quick programming changes.
The team! This year, they're the SquareBotz.
What's the point of wearing specially designed team shirts if you don't show off the design?
Koleman and Annika try again, this time without fighting!
Gretchen is excited after convincing the judge to give them more points.
During the tournament, there was a raffle. Apparently Michelle won this fancy pink scarf! Koleman is clearly jealous.
And, for full disclosure, here are details, if you want to come and see us at the Lego Tournament tomorrow:
Saturday, December 6, 9:00-5:00 (if you do want to come, 10:00 - 12:00 is the best time to see something)
Sandburg Middle School (click for map)
2400 Sandburg Lane, Golden Valley
There were lots of fans watching the tournament, which is great for the kids.
Koleman and Annika set up the board, getting ready for their first run...
... which was marred by a slight disagreement. Lessons were learned! (the great thing in this photo - while Annika and Koleman fight over placement of the robot, Gretchen slaps her forehead in disgust)
There were some cute shorties in attendance.
The tournament can only hold so much excitement for five year olds, so Eryn and Kelson decided to play some kind of staring game.
I wasn't there, so I'm not sure exactly what this means.
Making quick programming changes.
The team! This year, they're the SquareBotz.
What's the point of wearing specially designed team shirts if you don't show off the design?
Koleman and Annika try again, this time without fighting!
Gretchen is excited after convincing the judge to give them more points.
During the tournament, there was a raffle. Apparently Michelle won this fancy pink scarf! Koleman is clearly jealous.
And, for full disclosure, here are details, if you want to come and see us at the Lego Tournament tomorrow:
Saturday, December 6, 9:00-5:00 (if you do want to come, 10:00 - 12:00 is the best time to see something)
Sandburg Middle School (click for map)
2400 Sandburg Lane, Golden Valley
Tuesday, December 02, 2008
Sick Milena
Milena stayed home from school today because she had an upset tummy. She napped a bit in the morning, and felt a little better. She ate lunch, and said her tummy hurt again. I saw her go into her room, and then I went downstairs to do some laundry. When I came up, I saw that she found a friend to nap with.
This pillow is the dogs favorite spot. As a rule, they don't share it with each other, even though there's room for two poodles. Apparently it's OK to share it with a human though. Pretty cute.
This pillow is the dogs favorite spot. As a rule, they don't share it with each other, even though there's room for two poodles. Apparently it's OK to share it with a human though. Pretty cute.
Terror, and Rock Band
We invite TallBrad down to visit, and what does he do? Terrorize my innocent younglings! Poor Kelson doesn't even know that he is about to have his head squashed.
And, once Kelson was taken care of, TallBrad felt the need to wreck my Rock Band guitar by using lefty mode. Fortunately there was an experienced grandmother to care for the baby while TallBrad acted irresponsible. (He was carried by the bassist and drummer, naturally).
And, once Kelson was taken care of, TallBrad felt the need to wreck my Rock Band guitar by using lefty mode. Fortunately there was an experienced grandmother to care for the baby while TallBrad acted irresponsible. (He was carried by the bassist and drummer, naturally).
Monday, December 01, 2008
Geocaching with Scooter
This past weekend we had a Geocaching/Wii weekend with some old Westie friendies. Larry was going to come, but stayed away due to a gall-bladderless wife. TallBrad did come, but missed geocaching due to his wife's illness. Scooter and his family toughed it out and made it in time for Geocaching. Troopers!
Our first stop was to find the geocache by St. Peter's Pearly Gates. Finding the cache brought us to a sign. The kids knew exactly what to do. Pose!
The kids play while Scooter signs the cache log. But I'm not going to tell you where we found it!
Scott inapproptiately touches a slide.
And, of course, the gates. They're beautiful.
We left St. Peter and travelled down the Minnesota River to 7-Mile Creek Park. Koleman points to a sign indicating that he would be very wet if it was June of 1993.
The cache was called "Boat Landing". Where do you think Koleman found the cache? (This was a recurring theme on this day)
Milena and Eryn scream as they face certain doom. There is a dangerously dangling branch above them. Being a good father, I told them to stand under the dangerous branch and act scared. They did.
It's not geocaching if there isn't a snack.
Koleman, despite having a GPS, gets lost among the trees. No, go that way!
Three kids, all within 10 feet of a cache. Hint: look for rusty metal!
Eli found it!
And then we went home.
Our first stop was to find the geocache by St. Peter's Pearly Gates. Finding the cache brought us to a sign. The kids knew exactly what to do. Pose!
The kids play while Scooter signs the cache log. But I'm not going to tell you where we found it!
Scott inapproptiately touches a slide.
And, of course, the gates. They're beautiful.
We left St. Peter and travelled down the Minnesota River to 7-Mile Creek Park. Koleman points to a sign indicating that he would be very wet if it was June of 1993.
The cache was called "Boat Landing". Where do you think Koleman found the cache? (This was a recurring theme on this day)
Milena and Eryn scream as they face certain doom. There is a dangerously dangling branch above them. Being a good father, I told them to stand under the dangerous branch and act scared. They did.
It's not geocaching if there isn't a snack.
Koleman, despite having a GPS, gets lost among the trees. No, go that way!
Three kids, all within 10 feet of a cache. Hint: look for rusty metal!
Eli found it!
And then we went home.
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