Father's Day '15

Char, your mom and I have been married for 12 years. For a long time the scale tipped one way, and then one day the the scale tipped the other.

Having a baby was a decision your mom and I made, and it's one I've never regretted.

In fact (after marrying your mom), you are the best decision I've ever made.

The Bachelor... for one night.

I was alone last night, so I got to make dinner for myself. What's more comforting than a huge slab of HyVee prime steak grilled over charcoals sprinkled with hickory chips? Slices of onion and olive bread from the La Mie Bakery.

Time to toss the mic to the floor and walk off the stage.

20 minutes later...

I've got a date with the couch and some quality time with the Guardians of the Galaxy.

On BluRay...

I'm fancy...

Char's Safety City Graduation

"What is Safety City? A week-long summer program for children entering Kindergarten in the Fall of 2015. They will learn about traffic safety, fire safety, home, playground and other kinds of personal safety in an entertaining, positive environment. Students also become comfortable with a school building in preparation for Kindergarten.

Safety City is designed to supplement safety lessons taught in school and at home. The program uses songs, story books, films, games, and artwork as well as experience riding a school bus and walking and riding Big Wheels on streets in a mock city setting to make learning about safety fun.

Safety City is taught by Urbandale Police Officers and staff. They are assisted by other adults and a team of student helpers. The cost of Safety City is $35.00 per child, which includes a t-shirt and bike helmet." 

That, my friends, is a steal. Char had a great week at Safety City, and she learned a lot, too. Twice I have been reprimanded by our "expert" for not correctly crossing the street.

Friday was her Safety City graduation ceremony. 

It wasn't just a meet and greet. The kids performed their songs for their families. "When I'm riding in the car, I never bother Mom or Dad..." (We're still working on that one.)

After a few songs, it was time to hand out the diplomas.

Yep, Char was pretty excited.

She even got a chance to pose with Officer Melissa Waalk.

More than once Char told me, "Dad, we can't tell stories at Safety City." I wasn't sure what she meant, so my favorite part of the ceremony was when Officer Waalk's explained that rule. Raising a hand means you have a question to ask, not a story to tell. If every student was allowed to tell a story, the lessons wouldn't go anywhere, so you have to use one of the five W's or the H in your question.

That's a pretty good lesson to learn, but sometimes the kids twist it. Apparently one child rose their hand and asked, "Ummm, hooow about the one time when my mom..."

I can only guess who asked that "question".

This is What Fun Looks Like? (part 3)

Charlotte was invited to a princess party at Pump It Up last weekend. She went as Princess Elsa, and the highnesses bounced all over the inflatable attractions.

Other highlights included a snowball fight and meeting the "real" Princess Sophia.

You can't bounce on it, but here's an attractions that is also full of air. In a few moments it was also full of my daughter's screams.

See if you can spot the moment when fun turns into abject terror.

After they ran out, one little princess told her mom, "I don't ever want to go in that room again!"

Pinball Update: Meeting My Match

I'm nearing the end of the odyssey of bringing the Royal Flush pinball machine back to life. Right now, I'd say it's running at 98%. Every so often a problem I thought I fixed rears its ugly head, but I'd say I've accomplished my goal.

It is sooo much fun to play, but it is a bit rough.

A previous owner had intentions of repainting the cabinet, but they didn't. My machine had sides that were painted with primer. Rather than follow through with their plans, I used Goof Off and a toothbrush to remove the primer. I was lucky that I had an old can of Goof Off in the garage. Apparently new cans contain harsher materials and will remove all the layers of paint instead of just the top layer.

Here's my first test spot.

Okay, let's try a bit more.

Not bad. It's not pristine, but it looks a lot better than that grey.

I lost a bit of the red and black in the crown, but that can be easily touched up. I think the results look more authentic.

Title story:

To test all four score reels, I played four games at one time. I've done this a bunch of times, but this was a first.

I didn't notice the scores at first, but they all ended with a 70.

Then the match unit ended on a 70.

The knocker sounded like a machine gun!

Four free games! If that had happened when four players were playing this machine in the 70's, it would have been considered a miracle!

But in my basement it just makes me happy that I really did fix the match unit.

Still, can you pick 70 as your Powerball number?

Growing Butterflies

Kim gave Char a pretty neat gift for her 4th birthday. It was a voucher for a pack of five caterpillars that would come in the mail. We waited until May for decent weather, and they arrived a few weeks ago. You first keep the caterpillars in a jar, and they attach themselves to the paper inside the lid when they spin their cocoons.

After the cocoons are formed, you remove the paper from the lid, and pin the paper inside a butterfly habitat. 

Before you know it, the butterflies have emerged and are ready to eat the fruit slices you placed inside the habitat.

After spending a few afternoons reading the butterflies your favorite stories (not required), you get to let them go!

Then you have to do your interpretive butterfly dance (also not required, but highly recommended).