Sunday, October 5, 2008

Fall at the Zoo

Hey friends! Quick pictures from the Cincinnati Zoo - Lindsay was at a friend's house, so I took the Johannah and Molly to the zoo for the first time in a LONG time...did you know you are no longer allowed in the petting zoo pen? They said the goats were too aggressive. Back in MY day, they threw you in the pen and let the goats eat anything they could get - I lost camera straps, shoe laces, barrettes...and it made me a better person. Oh well. At least they let you feed the giraffes - very intense!




Friday, September 12, 2008

I'm Not Dead - - just back to teaching

It's been MONTHS since I've blogged, and I may have forgotten how. I had to post this video though, before I forgot completely, and the elections arrived without this plug for Depublican candidate Bob Johnson:

I've been closely following his campaign, but haven't had the chance to hear him speak. He didn't disappoint! Bob Johnson in '08!!

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

Facebook Bonanza

I'm about to sound ultra-nerdy, but as you know by now, I'm ok with that. For at least the last month or so, I've noticed a shift in the Facebook community. Last year, it was a running joke with my students that, as soon as they graduated, they could be my "facebook friends." It has been a great way to keep in touch with former students as they've gone on to college. But in the last month, there's been an influx of Facebookers WHO ARE MY AGE! Very exciting. And probably disturbing to the young people I teach. Last year, the Broadcast Journalism class featured a story on MBC News that questioned "whether teachers and adults should even be allowed to have Facebook pages." I've got news, kids - - Generation X seems to have caught on to Facebook networking, and we're finding each other -FAST. And we have friends. Lots of friends.

As nerdy as it is, I'm finding grade school and high school friends and acquaintances every day, and there's a great, if distant, kind of joy in finding out that old friends have gone on to major in Japanese, or they are out acting in LA, or they have twins, or they're about to get married.

I think I prefer this "senior" facebooking to scrolling through pictures of the latest party or sending cupcakes or other trinkets to my facebook friends. What the younger set is missing out on is the glorious nostalgia that comes with finding old friends again - and with their age of 24/7 connections, I'm not sure they will ever experience that feeling.

Sunday, June 22, 2008

Making Coffee with Molly at 6 am Sunday Morning


She pointed to my coffee filter and said "My hat." Wish granted.

Saturday, June 14, 2008

Don't Diss the Disney Magic!



For all the non-believers in the Disney magic out there, you just hush up your mouths while I tell a little tale of a family vacation with no mishaps or major meltdowns - - just plenty of Mickey Mouse and ridiculously friendly and competent Disney employees. No one does customer service better than the folks at Disney, and I have to say that this year was the friendliest, most pleasant trip in a long time. Ears off to you, Disney cast members!



We were lucky to be with Meagen and Dave for the first few days, which the kids just couldn't get over. Molly wept for "MeeMee" well after they had gone home! They really helped us get into the swing of things quickly. The older girls took it upon themselves to make sure Molly had the time of her life, and as long as the characters weren't moving towards her, she really seemed to love it. Of course, she loved feeding a bunny a potato chip at the resort just as much as she loved It's a Small World...

The older two seemed to love every minute of it. Lindsay couldn't believe "the system" worked - - at the park when it opens, home to swim and nap between 1-5, back to the park until late. Why people do it any other way is beyond me. For her part, Johannah conquered major anxiety and rode the "triple whammy" in Magic Kingdom of Thunder Mtn. Railroad, Splash Mtn, and Space Mtn. Poor kid is a little bundle of nerves until she gets on the ride, then ends up literally jumping for joy afterwards.




Even Brendan, bless his paternal patience, was duly impressed by the Disney empire, and now understands why we Thomas Gals love it so much - - though it's more fun now to watch the kids enjoy themselves.

Now all we have to do is eat Ramen noodles and carpool to work for the next three years so we can go back!

Sunday, June 1, 2008

Cicada Alert!


Though it's just a small invasion compared to a few years ago when the cicadas were so loud that we couldn't sleep with the windows open, there are enough of the little boogers out there to make things interesting. This is just one of the plants in our backyard to take on a new look this week...

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Lindsay's Big Day

I know, we are rarely sighted in the same room these days, but we actually stopped long enough for a long overdue family photo. Lindsay's confirmation went beautifully, and although we hate to admit it, she is in fact growing up.

Friday, May 2, 2008

Family Roundup

News on the homefront: Lindsay is home from Germany, a little more grown-up for the experience. Johannah is rounding out her 3rd grade year with enthusiasm, and Molly...well, she is ending every conversation with "Why?" and to get mildly hysterical when she is told she can't do/have something. Duke recently ate an entire Frisbee. Believe me. The entire Frisbee. I will spare you the details, except to tell you it was blue, and I have proof.

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Losing Face on Facebook

As a teacher, I have to weigh in on the brouhaha as noted in this Washington Post article about teachers who mix personal and professional information and pictures on their Facebook pages. Go ahead - read it.

God bless the young teachers. God bless their silly little moronic hearts. You'd have to be a special kind of moron to post pictures of yourself on the web these days doing ANYTHING you'd be embarrassed about. Ask Miley Cyrus. As a teacher, though, you're in a difficult position - you are a professional both on AND off the clock. You are automatically a role model, whether you like it or not -regardless of what subject or grade level you teach.

This is not to say teachers need to live like Puritans, but for Pete's sake, don't post anything on your Facebook page you don't want everyone to see.

At home - - let your freak flag fly. But don't take pictures. And if you do, don't post them.

OMG. Duh.

Saturday, April 5, 2008

A Great Frakkin' Summary of BSG

If you want to learn everything you really need to know about Battlestar Galactica in 8 minutes, watch this video - ignore the spoilers unless you can take a joke.

Saturday, March 29, 2008

Brace Yourselves for Battlestar Galatica!

Do what you can to catch up, because the new and final Battlestar Galatica starts next Friday night! I'm actually a little giddy. If you're not watching the show, click here to find out why you should be!

Thursday, March 27, 2008

Monday, March 17, 2008

My Fabulous Brothers-in-Law

Lo and behold, two of my brothers-in-law are in the news today, so I thought I'd share. Please spread their good news! :)

ALEX Fazeli is featured in the Persian Mirror, talking about his directorial debut, In the Dark.
Read more : FILMMAKER TAKES REVOLUTIONARY STORY OUT OF THE DARK -Great pictures, too :)


PHIL Mills is featured in the short film The Conservatory which just won a student Emmy. I had the chance to see the film this summer, which also stars the lovely Christine, Phil's girlfriend. The film was directed by, and features, Reed Van Dyk, and I am officially a fan.

Read more:
Academy of Television Arts & Sciences honors shows from college students nationwide


Saturday, March 8, 2008

Bubbles, Boards, & Blizzards



Welcome to a snowbound Saturday in Cincinnati. While I haven't posted about my great trip to California yet, this recent attack of the white death seems to be more pressing. Here are a few videos & pics to help you catch up on Team Cronin events:

The deep snow freaked Duke out at first:


Our "new" piano hasn't been tuned yet, but that doesn't stop the practicing at 8am Saturday morning:

Here are 2 videos - the first of Molly learning to blow bubbles in the tub, and one of Johannah taking a few practice kicks, then breaking her board for her TKD test. Enjoy!


Saturday, February 16, 2008

Updates


Nothing newsworthy to report here on the homefront, except for a trip to Regional Science Fair for Lindsay (not bad considering that Science class is her worst class because of test grades), a new Senior yellow belt for Johannah (this time she broke the board with her foot, and it looked very cool because she is very small), and the first official ear infection for Molly. Delightful.

Brendan had a birthday recently, so for a short time, we are the same age...

I am woefully behind on blogging, but also woefully behind on essay grading, so off I go...

Monday, January 21, 2008

How to Save a Dog from a Dark Chocolatey Death in 30 Seconds Flat

You never really know your spouse until you're holding an 80 lb. Golden Retriever down in the kitchen (on the hardwood) together so you can induce vomiting and save said Golden from a TOXIC DARK CHOCOLATEY DEATH.

It started out as a very romantic evening (I will omit details as there are many members of our families reading), and was about to get even nicer, when Brendan offered me some lovely dark chocolate to go with my Beaujolias (and if you know Brendan, you'll understand that an offer of dessert is SO rare, it can only be construed as a complete attempt at seduction).

I left the lovely chocolate next to my lovely wine, and got up just for a minute to check on the baby. When I got back, I noticed Duke on the floor next to the table, licking...THE WRAPPER OF THE DARK CHOCOLATE.

Now, gentle reader, he's eaten "chocolate" before, as in a few of the crappy milk chocolates that came with an advent calendar I picked up from the Dollar Store. But this was really good, really dark, really sexy Dark Chocolate, and apparently, it can kill your dog.

I called the Emergency # for the vet, a little cavalier and embarrassed, but quickly changed my tone when the woman unleashed a barrage of questions:

How much chocolate?
What kind?
How dark?
How many pounds is the dog?
How long ago did he eat it?

Oh crap. You mean it really CAN kill him?

The antitode, sadly, was 8 teaspoons of hydrogen peroxide (1 tsp per 10 lbs. body weight) poured down his unsuspecting doggie throat while we held him in the kitchen. Worked like a charm. Major, major pukage - - the kind you never, ever want to see coming from ANYONE you know, let alone your dog...on your kitchen floor.

But honestly, the worst part (besides Brendan's frequent reminders that I almost killed the dog) was that Duke stayed next to us with the most utmost, loving loyalty, gagging and puking next to his masters. It was a little bit heart-breaking. We had done this to him, yet he really wanted to put his head in my lap and recover...and eventually his tail started to wag as I stroked his exhausted face.

Damn dog.

Wednesday, January 2, 2008

Hanging with the Gals

Christmas was the most blessed blur imaginable, and even though the Christmas tree needles litter our living room, I'm still enjoying our decorations. I love this picture, even though it wasn't on Christmas - just the girls, all hanging out together on the couch. Love it.


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