What babies want

Ever seen a baby go after something he (or she) wants? It’s like watching Baby Olympics. Their determination and sheer audacity is amazing. Observing the way their mind works when they see something they fancy can be amusing and scary at the same time. Toy companies can spend millions on research and studies to discover what babies want and which educational and fun toys are most marketable to parents but what they don’t understand is simple. Babies don’t want things made for a baby. They want things that are not made for a baby. They want our things. Ever notice how they covet our remote controls, laptops, cameras, cell phones, purses, wallets, photo albums, magazines, makeup, ink pens, shiny things, breakable things, and so on, and will usually do anything in their power to snatch them? With unrivalled stubbornness and a will of their own a baby will stretch, maneuver, squeeze through, go over, go under, dodge, dash, and dance around a table with incredible finesse, just to get what they want. Yes, babies want our things.

And that’s not all they want. They want our dog’s things too. Why a baby finds Fido’s prized possessions much more irresistible than their own I have no idea. I mean really. What is so desirable about an icky bowl of dog chow, a slobbered over squeak toy, or better yet a gently used (or not) piece of rawhide? Heck if I know. I’ve tried to figure this one out for myself. I’ve sat my inquisitive and intelligent grandson Jude on the floor and surrounded him with stimulating objects such as building blocks, musical play things, colorful baby books, etc., all to no avail. Without shame nor remorse and right in front of my eyes he will spot, dart, and crawl at the speed of light after a thing he should not want, or have, as if it is the most desirable and fascinating thing on this earth.

And last but not least…cabinets and drawers. Babies want them too. Anything that pulls open and anything with a door and they are there. As can be seen in the following clip it didn’t take Inspector Jude long to overcome my lame attempt at childproofing cabinets. All I can say is I am out of practice, it’s been a long time since I had to do this, it’s time to buy a childproofing kit, and...Gotta love that Jude!



And now,
…a little childproofing tip from Ty Burrell (Modern Family funny guy)

Remembering Frank

Mel called yesterday with the sad news that Frank passed away. I had just finished writing a long post about him when suddenly everything I wrote seemed inadequate and trite. It seemed no matter what I said or how much I wrote I was unable to capture his true essence. I could say what a good father and brother and friend he was. I could say how much my family and I grew to know and care about him. I could say how much he loved life and how unfair it is his was taken too soon. I could say so much but never enough. The past few weeks Frank has been on my mind. I remember the first time I met him and the last time I saw him. I remember old and happier times. There were many, but what I remember most about Frank is how very much he loved Mel and I thank him dearly for this. We will miss you Frank. Requiescat in pace.

Frank and Mel - January 2007

Old Town St. Charles Christmas - 2006

St. Louis Polish Falcon Festival - September 2006

Frank and his daughter Andrea on her wedding day - 2009

Francis M. "Frank" Snopek
Snopek, Francis M. Frank Thursday, July 21, 2011. Beloved father of Andrea (Guy) Wittler, Amanda, Arika, and Alisa Snopek; future grandfather to Luke Wittler; dear son of the late Casimir and Thelma Snopek; dear brother of Larry, John (Margie), Paul, Steve (Carrie) and Joe (Diane) Snopek; former husband of Cynthia Snopek; dear nephew, uncle, great uncle, cousin, and friend, and will be missed by his dog, Sherry. Frank owned and operated Snopek Major Appliance Repair for over 30 yrs. Services: Funeral from KUTIS AFFTON CHAPEL, 10151 Gravois, Monday, July 25, 9:15 a.m. to St. Stanislaus Kostka Church for 10 a.m. Mass. Interment Our Redeemer Cemetery. Memorials to Heartland Hospice appreciated. Visitation Sunday 4-9 p.m.

New kid in town

There's a new kid in town and her name is Leighton Ann! Born on the 15th of July and what a little doll she is. Congrats to Holly and Jeff on their new bouncing baby girl. Also BIG congrats to Holly on her new job as a 6th Grade Math Teacher at Coolidge!

Jude's future girlfriend ;-)

mommy and baby doing great!

All things hipster

A few funnies for a self-proclaimed hipster (and you know who you are). :)

How to seduce a hipster


Times I tried to be a hipster


Hipster Olympics


P.S. Hey hipster friend, I'm thinking you may need to switch to Pabst.

Mark and Nancy's Canadian Adventure

And what a great adventure it was! Mark and I had a blast on our Canadian Adventure and would love to do it again some day. Although we were never "knee deep" into Canada it was great seeing and experiencing life in another country for a week. Crossing the border into Ontario (from Buffalo, NY) was fun and exciting (even if the Border Crossing Guard didn't stamp our passport).

A few things I'd like to note and remember about Canada/Canadians:

Ok, now for the good stuff, the vacation videos I just KNOW everyone and their brother's been waiting for...hahaha.

Warning: These videos may induce sleep (big time zzzzzzz's) but the good thing is you aren't stuck in a living room politely/blindly staring up at a wall watching slide after slide after boring vacation slide (like the good old days). You can turn them off any time you like and the person who made them will never know. And that is the beauty of online vacation videos.

June 26 to July 3, 2011
Part 1 - Niagara Falls, ON - Aww yes, a city best known for Niagara Falls, a set of two large waterfalls on the Niagara River, the American and the Horseshoe (my fav). This city has plenty of high-rise hotels, casinos, theatres, souvenir shops, and observation towers.

Part 2 - Niagara on the Lake, ON - Possibly the prettiest town in Canada and also home to Shaw Festival, a series of theatrical productions featuring the works of George Bernard Shaw. Lots of B&Bs, Inns, Spas, and absolutely gorgeous plant life, flowers, and landscaping.

Part 3 - St. Catharines, ON - The largest city in Canada's Niagara Region and a personal favorite of mine. I could so live on Nokara Farms.