MERRY CHRISTMAS 2011 !

After a busy 2011, we end the year in a new home, meeting new friends, and in good health. As Julia would say, it’s random. Matthew would call it boring. Allison would call it awesome. Amanda would be ignoring the conversation.

Since surviving another NY winter (only 127 inches of snow), we were excited to trade snowplows for rockplows (just like it sounds, found on the PCH). After visiting family and friends in the Wisconsin, Iowa, and Minnesota, Kelly and the kids arrived in California just in time to meet the moving truck. Todd, traveling with Bucky, arrived a few weeks later.
With kids begging daily for In-N-Out Burger, mom able swim laps OUTSIDE all year, and Dad able to jog anytime he wants on a California beach I think it’s safe to say we’re feeling at home in SoCal.

Just to make everyone up north feel better, yes we are so wimpy now that we could never handle the north ever again. But, that’s okay. Did you know we can swim at the beach and ski in the mountains the same day? If we knew how to ski this would be even more exciting. But, yeah, it’s those difficult decisions that consume our time now instead of shoveling snow, falling on ice, or just plain freezing all the time. But, we acclimate and adjust just as we always have. (Sigh) It’s really been hard this time. Did you know it’ll take an entire HOUR to get to the Rose Bowl and see the Badgers play on January 2nd?!? So, so hard…

This year, the letter is a little shorter and loosely based on “The most interesting man in the world” commercials. All descriptions are (mostly) true 

Amanda
She never feels hurried, no matter how late she is.
8-year old boys are in awe of her Pokemon knowledge.
Not afraid to dance in public at a pep rally. Yeah, that’s right, you heard me.
The entire Twilight series is based on a series of nightmares she had as a child.
Turns into Julia when given laughing gas.


Julia
She sleeps so deeply that she’s been declared legally dead. Twice.
Is offended when people tell jokes she doesn’t understand. Wait, what?
Introduced legislation to have sarcasm declared an official language.
Finds platypuses suspicious, but adorably so.
Believes no shorts are ever too short.
Cannot not talk.

Allison
Has successfully face-planted more than any other living being on the planet.
Finds Boxers irresistible.
Never open her closet door. Just trust me on this one.
Has never found a sport she didn’t like.
Dreams of a Justin Bieber-free world.
Has everyone convinced she’s legally blind.


Matthew
Spins socks with a flair that makes drum majors weep.
Finds school, broccoli, and girls … boring.
Has filed a patent for fanilla ice cream. (It’s like vanilla, but better.)
Plans to be sexy, but not until he grows up.
Never, ever give him a deck of cards.

Bucky
Eats books to digest their knowledge.
Finds lizards intriguing.
Can clear a room without moving a muscle.
His cuteness is intoxicating. Ask anyone.
Would rid the world of cats with his tail and a can-do attitude.

Kelly
Not afraid to throw shovels at snowplows.
Feels sad for Vikings fans.
Chuck Norris is afraid of her driving.
Wallpaper removes itself in her presence.
Has never been to Lambeau Field. Or New Mexico.

Todd
Was able to convince Brett Favre to retire on his birthday.
Signs his name “arghh,” and nobody questions it.
Can solve ANY yard problem with a chainsaw.
He can fly to Hawaii. Just because.
Believes all disputes can be settled by a “Tough Mudder” competition.

Best quotes of the year:
"Mom, are there any sicknesses in our family, like back problems or cankles?"
Matthew got off the bus and said, "A girl told me on the bus that babies DON'T come out of your tummy. They come out somewhere (pointing) 'down there.' We get to find out where that is in 6th grade."

New things we learned:
1) You can’t legally abandon a sibling at the grocery store.
2) You can run away to your imagination, just not during school.
3) Breaking bones will not get you out of school.
4) Bad brakes + mountains = screaming
5) Kelly + wallpaper = screaming

Have a wonderful holiday season and a safe and happy 2012!


Todd, Kelly, Amanda, Julia, Allison, and Matthew

Artwork...by Matthew

It just speaks to me on a special level...

Only men can be sexy...

According to Matthew, he is currently just cute. It will only be when he's older that he can be called "sexy."

Why you should not take advice from a 7-year old

While arguing about something inconsequential, Matthew calmly requested that I "abandon" Allison at the grocery store.

Not good reasons to break bones...

While walking home, Matthew asks if I'd get him a nintendo game if he "accidentally" broke his leg. (Hmmmm?) I said no, that wouldn't make it better. He then leaped to his next thought: "Mom! If I broke my arm, I couldn't write and then I couldn't go to school!" I told him that was not true. I said if he broke every bone in his body, he'd still have to go, even if he was in a wheelchair. He answered, "Yes, but someone would have to push me there or I'd get run over."

The best place to be...

After getting into a bit of trouble, Matthew informed us that he wanted to live in another house. We said fine - go find one. After 15 minutes of alternative plans that included trying to sneak in the back yard and requesting a tent, he finally declared that from now on he was going to live in his imagination.

What I Like About You...

The other day, Matthew was singing "What I Like About You" and being a general goof. Julia overheard him and asked, "What do you like about me, Matthew?" Without missing a beat he answers,

"Nothing."




["Did she beat him with HIS chair?" - Julia - private joke]

Wisconsin Weekend

This is actually a post from a month ago. Blogger was messed up and wouldn't let me post it. It finally did - just late :)

Traveling to California

Only one flat tire, lots of brake testing, lots of really interesting signs along the way, and we are in our new home in California. It has a few quirks, and we need to fix a few things, but it just wouldn't be one of our moves if it were easy!

Some of the signs on the way were just funny. Is there ever an appropriate time to pick up people who look like prisoners (like if they are hiking down a country road, or hanging out at Starbucks?) And, "No Name" for an exit. Did they just run out of ideas or give up? Similarly, "Zzyzx." ?!?!?! Is that a word or a 2-year old playing on a sign machine? I don't know about you, but how can watch for wind? And, finally, I never thought I'd see a sign that said I could go 80. If only my car would have cooperated...

We're glad to be in our new home and welcome anyone who wants to visit :)

Saying Goodbye to Rochester

Goodbyes are not fun. I usually say it's easier to be left than to leave, but leaving stinks too. We made a lot of very good friends here that we will miss (and remember that California is a LOT wamer than New York in the winter and we love visitors!!!)

Thank you to everyone who made our time in Rochester so much fun and we will miss you all!

Kelly, Todd, Amanda, Julia, Allison, Matthew, and Bucky

Apologizing to inanimate objects...by Matthew

After being told he could not open a bag of chips, Matthew turned to stomp away in frustration ...and walked straight into the wall (and nailed the wall switch in the middle of his forehead). He spins with a slightly suprised look on his face and exclaims, "OOPS, my bad!"

Ouch

Walking to the bus stop, Matthew stumbled on some rocks and landed on a rather tender area of his anatomy. He bowleggedly stands up, proceeds to pull down his pants (in someone's front yard, in front of everyone), bends over and asks in pain and loudly, "MOM, IS MY BUTT BLEEDING?!? IT HURTS!!!!"

Family Health History

(Julia) "Mom, are there any sicknesses in our family, like back problems or cankles?"

Amanda Rescues Dogs

I was walking home after school and about to turn on our street when I saw two familiar faces: the chocolate labs. I didn't think this was their first escape, so I started to run as fast as possible after them. Running pretty much a quarter of the way back to school next to the busy road with what felt like a 500 pound backpack flopping in all directions, I finally caught up with them and got hold of the one who was trapped by a fence. They must have thought we were playing tag and I was it. When the other came over to say hi to me, I couldn't grab its collar because I was busy on the phone asking mom for help. Thankfully, someone who was taking a walk (she also turned out to be a teacher) had seen me and came over to help out. After mom came, I was surprised how eager they were to spring into our van. After a few phone calls, Daisy and her buddy were safely delivered back to their yard.

Next time I chase after dogs, I'm dropping my backpack first.

(This was written by Amanda, NOT mom)

You talkin' to ME???

Matthew, under the influence of laughing gas, was being instructed by the dentist about what she was going to do to pull his teeth. About 20 seconds into the explanation, he looks up at her and (channeling his inner DeNiro) says, "Are you talking to ME?"

Matthew's Door Sign

It was a tough day for Matthew. The sign says it all!

Apparently, mom needs botox...

Matthew just came up to me, touched his forehead to mine, stood back, got a strange look on his face as he seemed to fixate on my forehead and said, "That's wrinkly up there. Are you doing to do something about that?"

Safety-conscious Matthew

Only Matthew would think to use his safety goggles to keep the soap out of his eyes while showering.

Flashback...2002

First, a quote from Julia tonight: While watching AFV, a video came on that appreared to show a toddler lifting up a full-sized car. Shocked, Julia said, "Is it in neutral?!?" Next, is our flashback feature. It is a little-known commercial that ran in Japan in 2002-2003 that stars 4-year old Amanda Linskey! According to her "fake" dad, she was adorable.

Quotes for the Day...

While looking at a map of Turkey last night, I asked Julia if she knew what that area was called in ancient times. Without missing a beat, she answers, "Chicken?"

Matthew has a new term. Before "stepping on a frog", he yelled out "Burning in the hole!"

What the.....!?!

So, we're at the orthodontist consult for Matthew today. And, after much fidgeting and screwball antics Matthew finally earned the right to dig for a toy from the toybox. After 5 minutes, he had been unable to find the right toy. The woman working with us brought out a different toy he hadn't seen and put it on the desk. He looked at it and said incredulously,

"What the hell is that?"

Sigh....

We also found out he needs 7 teeth pulled. We're debating about whether or not to tell him that this is what happens to boys who reference "hell."

Also included are a few copies of Amanda's latest artwork. They are entitled "Going Rabbid" and "Gobbledygook."

Matthew's First Grade learning...

When asked to write a short story starting with "If I caught a leprechaun...", Matthew answered, "...I would ask him where the gold is, and he will tell me where it is. I will go git it and bring it home." He included a snazzy picture of himself holding the pot of gold.



Matthew, tasked with coming up with original sentences, included this among his answers: "I'm free, I'm free!"

Running in circles...

Matthew came inside and made a production of being out of breath. He exclaimed, "Whew, I'm tired. I was exercising." I asked what he was doing and he answered, "Running in circles." He is now back outside (without a coat, temperature 38 degrees) literally running in circles.

Flashback...

Last night, for whatever reason, we were trying to remember what that funny little phrase was that Matthew used to run around saying. Finally, after way too much time, Todd came up with it:

"Me-Me-- Yo....."

I remember that he even got Lexi to start doing it. To this day, we have no idea what it meant. He has no memory of it and thought we were nuts when we asked him about it. I guess that's a good sign...

In honor of President's Day...

Matthew was asked to write one thing he learned about Abraham Lincoln. His answer:
"I want to see him alive. But he's dead."

The littlest Linskey (Bucky still outweighs him) is SEVEN!

Matthew turns 7

Here's a little video of Matthew over the years ...

Old People

Matthew was telling us yesterday how old people sometimes scare him. So, Julia says, "You mean old like mom, or old like almost dead?"

I'm not sure if that was supposed to make me feel better or not...

Lesson #445

Lesson # 445: If you think you still have time to teach the facts of life, you can be sure "some kid on the bus" will spill the beans before you do.


Example: Matthew got off the bus and said, "A girl told me on the bus that babies DON'T come out of your tummy. They come out somewhere (pointing) 'down there.' We get to find out where that is in 6th grade."