This cat came with a Jump Button

Silly Mayans

JK. We're all still here. Yay!

Seems like that would use a lot of memory

This is pretty intense. Not to mention that it could catch interesting things on camera, perhaps to be used in court at a later date?

Memoto - life-logging camera

Handheld Killing Machines

Many Americans do not like to hear about gun control since it is a violation of our Second Amendment.  What I don't understand is why people think being able to shoot a gun for fun, whenever they please is more important than the lives of our citizens.  Personally, I have never needed a gun and I don't think there is a big chance of tyranny these days (the reason this Amendment was enacted to start with).  Here are a few articles and papers I've come across recently regarding gun use in America:

• America is a Violent Country
• More Guns = More Homocide
• Senseless gun violence between December 14 and 17
• During the 10 years after the gun reforms (removal of semi-automatic and pump-action shotguns and rifles) in Australia in 1996 (when this paper was written) there were ZERO mass-shootings on the continent.  Read it here.

I hate that we've gotten to the point where this is the norm in our country.  Mass shootings are common.  There have been 16 mass shootings in the US in 2012.  Parents have to fear for their kids' lives every time they leave the house.

The Onion makes fun of gun owners.

Oh and this one made me feel better.  I don't know how many times I've heard many of these arguments against gun control and found them absolutely frustrating.

Ten Arguments Gun Advocates Make and Why They're Wrong

Cinematography

I added a new link in the side bar.  Whenever I have some time to kill, I visit this website.  Every week they upload new short films.  The majority of them are pretty fantastic.  It amazes me what some people's imaginations can do.  Check it out if you find you have some time to kill as well.

Short of the Week

Hard Headed

I don't understand how one child can be so different from one day to the next.  Mornings can be very difficult for us with Aiden.  I decided this week that I wanted to start picking out his clothes the night before to see if that would help. 

Monday morning, Aiden refused to get dressed. Instead, he sat on the couch with his clothes and cried the entire time we were getting ready.  I withheld his Lucky Charms during the car ride since those are for big boys, not babies.  (He gets breakfast at daycare, so don't worry that he missed a meal.)  Monday night, we explained that when he woke up, he would have to get dressed in the morning ALL BY HIMSELF if he wanted cereal.  The kid loves cereal.

Tuesday morning was straight out of a dream.  Aiden woke up, came out of his room and said good morning to both Travis and I.  Then he went to the bathroom and went back to his room.  He came back out 30 seconds later with his clothes in hand, sat on the couch and got dressed.  He asked for help with his shoes.  (Which he can do by himself sometimes, but not others?)  He got ready quickly enough that he had time to eat a bowl of cereal with milk before we left. 

Magical, right?  Praise ensued.

Well, it was too good to last.  Last night, we told him again how proud of him we were.  We told him the same thing we did the night before: if you get dressed all by your self, then you can have cereal.  

This morning was a complete disaster.  I'm sure part of the problem is he didn't wake up on his own.  Whenever we have to wake him up, he is Oscar the Grouch.  He just wouldn't get up!  Finally, Travis was able to get him out of bed, but he suddenly couldn't dress himself.  And instead of asking for help, he just threw fit after fit about it.  Non-stop.  About everything.  He didn't get any cereal on the ride into daycare (they're having cereal for breakfast at daycare - yay!) and he continued to cry right up to when I left him there.  For all I know, he's still sitting over there crying.  

IT IS SO STRESSFUL BEING A PARENT.  Especially when you have one that will only do as he pleases.  I keep hoping that Mila will be easier so we don't have to struggle with two kids everyday.

My mom always says I was exactly like Aiden when I was little.  Stubborn, independent and fought her tooth and nail.  I have some memories of that.  I actually recall a few of those moments.  I remember purposely fighting her because I didn't want her to win.  I always wonder if that's what's going through Aiden's head.  If he's actually like me, then hopefully that means he'll get better as he gets older.  I don't think I gave my mom as hard of a time after I started school.

Crossing my fingers...

Pop Danthology 2012

Popular music of 2012.  I wonder how long it took him to put this together...

No Explanation

There are numerous sounds that have been recorded underwater that have never been explained.  How weird is that?

The List of Unexplained Sounds

Here is one sound that HAS been explained:

From Aiden's Point of View

This morning on the drive into work, I asked Aiden if he had a good weekend.  We did a ton of Christmas related things so I was interested to see what the highlights of the weekend were to him.  From the mouth of babes:

Setting up our Christmas tree and decorations

Trimming the tree

Tree trimming audience

Aiden's favorite: St. Nicholas Square Coffee Shop

Aiden's first Advent calendar

Dickinson Festival of Lights

My co-workers' kids and Aiden thoroughly enjoyed the lights and cookie decorating.

Playing at the beach after taking our Christmas photos

Playing in the cold water.

Texas Snow Angels

Setting up the new Christmas train

Travis got a late-90's Lionel Train from his mom and Rich.

Mommy's favorite: Enjoying evening life in the warm glow of our Christmas tree

Bottle fed and ready for bed.