Last week I had an opportunity to go one day into Jakub's daycare. He is only going to this daycare for one more week and then it's vacation time. After the summer, he will be going to a preschool. He loves his friends at his daycare (DesNeige, big Robert, Gabriella, and Shelly), and so I thought I would go in and spend a day with Jakub and Robert to take pictures and see how well they play. It was such a great and relaxing experience. The teacher, Mikaela, has a great system, and really is very easy going.

First, when we came, Mikaela was preparing the picnic table to have milk and cake (as a good-bye parting cake for Jakub). Then the kids played outside in her big backyard, running back and forth, and then they used the picnic table as their fort. After a while, we went for a walk to the park. At the playground the kids had so much fun on the swings and on the slides. We were hiding under the trees, so we didn't even realize that it was raining.

When we got back to the house, Mikaela gave the kids food, and after lunch we played play-dough. After that I had to go, but the children went to sleep anyway. It was so so so much fun. Enjoy the slideshow of the pictures I took.

Our friend Dave gave us notice, quite some time ago, that he was getting married and that we were invited to the wedding. How exciting, since we had rarely seen or heard from Dave after his move to California a number of years ago. Multiplying the excitement: His wedding would be in Florida at Walt Disney World!

We stayed at the "All-Star Movies Resort", a basic on-site hotel. There are three "All-Star" resorts situated together and each is a set of three storey, motel-style buildings decorated in Disney themes. Our room was in the Mighty Ducks section.

Day 1
We arrived and settled in. The Disney Magical Express took us and our luggage from the airport. Bogusia was on a different flight so Daddy and the kids checked in and waited the few hours for her to arrive. Then we headed to the excellent pool to start taking advantage of the Disney experience.

The on-site gastronomy consisted of a food court. Bleh. Cafeteria food for dinner. Afterwards we took a walk around the area. We found a few playgrounds, lots of Disney theming, and a McDonald's for a milkshake.

Day 2 - Animal Kingdom
Our Internet advice was to get an early start. Get to the parks just as they open. This is good advice. We got to the Animal Kingdom before the gates opened. There is a store at the gate where you can get last minute essentials. $30 gets you sunscreen and 4 batteries at this bargain-hunters paradise.

The first ride was the 3D Bug's Life movie, which scared Jakub and Robert witless. We immediately went to the African Safari afterwards, which was a great success. The day consisted of the Dinosaur Bones Digging Park, The Dinosaur Ride, White Water ride, The Yeti Rollercoaster, Petting Zoo, Train Ride, Excellent Thai Restaurant. Highlight: Alex got a picture with Pocahontas. We had a great time here and were able to get on many rides with hardly any waiting. The kids loved the late afternoon parade.

When we came back to the hotel, we didn't even have a chance to go to the pool, since the kids were over tired and fell asleep instantly. The Animal Kingdom is awesome for little children.

Day 3 - Magic Kingdom
Arrived early again. This time a greater volume of the horde arrived with us. You must ride Dumbo first if you want to ride it at all. Even making a beeline we still had to wait 20 minutes. Jakub had a bit of malhumour and had to sit out. When he was cured we hit Winnie the Pooh, Teacups, Space Mountain, Buzz Lightyear, and Stitch.

The rest of the day was a bit of an ordeal. Lots of lines, many rides that our kids could not ride, heat, and crowds. We eventually gave up on the rides and stuck to exploring the park on the trains and boats.

We wanted to go to somewhere nice for lunch, perhaps the Crystal Palace. Apparently you have to reserve four months in advance. We were lucky enough to just show up and wait 30 minutes for a place. It was worth it because Winnie the Pooh and his friends were hanging out in there.

Sunset brought the Spectro-Magic Parade in which all the floats and characters are lit up in the darkness. Immediately following that were the famous fireworks overtop the castle. By the time these were finished so were we. The kids didn't even make it home before passing out.

Day 4 - The Beach

We rented a car and GPS and got out of Disney. We started off to Atlantic and stopped for breakfast just outside of Disney in the real world. The waitress told us that the Atlantic had rip currents so perhaps we should go to the Gulf. Since both were the same distance we took her advice.

Clearwater Beach was EXCELLENT! The kids and adults loved it. White sand, warm water, not too many people. The weather threatened but never followed through. Dinner was at some seafood place, not that great, and then we headed home at night.

Day 5 - The Wedding
Dave's Wedding was like none I'd been to. The ceremony itself was in a chapel overlooking a lake with the stage backed by a window framing the Magic Kingdom Castle. We passed under the Disney monorail to get there, and upon entering we received Mickey shaped fans printed with a guest list.

The procession began with the priest laying down the rules, followed shortly by the handsome groom. I've never even seen Dave in a tie before so he looked very top drawer in his tuxedo. Dave's wife-to-be followed. The priest said all the things that priests say at weddings and the two were quickly married. Then there were pictures, executed with Disney precision and speed. It took at most 30 minutes to snap every possible combination before transportation beckoned. We blew bubbles over the bride and groom on the way out before hopping on a bus to the reception.

Passing through a back-door VIP entrance we ended up in a room with one wall that was a giant aquarium. The newlyweds entered to much fanfare, included a scuba diving Mickey Mouse. The food was great and, although there was no alcohol, the DJ got us all dancing. He was so good that Mickey and Minnie joined the party. By 4pm it was over and we were let loose.

One of the wedding guests was a long-lost friend named Juraj, who came with his girlfriend. We spent the afternoon and evening at the pool and in "downtown" Disney looking at Lego stores and taking free rides on the water taxi.

Day 6 - The Return
Uneventful at Disney. We got the bill; it was huge. We boarded the Magic Express bus and off to the airport. Bogusia took one an hour earlier for her flight whilst the kids and I played at the playground one last time. The flights left on time, but unfortunately they did not arrive on time. Mine was diverted to Toronto due to "weather" over Washington, making us about 2 hrs late. Bogusia's was diverted to Philadelphia and she was perhaps 7 hours late.

I made it into the newspaper:

Robert absolutely loves to make a mess. Recently, he emptied a few kleenex boxes and decided to decorate the dogs with the tissues. Before I got mad, I had to take a few shots - too cute.

Have a look at Omid Djalili

Update: The best links:

Jazzy Sunglasses
I'm Your Man
1990 World Pro Championships AP
Pair; Losing My Marbles
1995 Legends Competition

Bogusia and I just watched Blades of Glory over the weekend. It's a funny movie that reminded me of one of my favorite figure skaters: Gary Beacom.

He was a skater back in the heydey around the time of the Battle of the Brians, Scott Hamilton, Tonya Harding clubing Nancy Kerrigan. The reason I loved him was because he laughed in the face of the established figure skating world. He didn't have a coach, preferring to just teach himself. He invented all kinds of difficult moves that only he could do and that the judges did not know how to score. He focused a lot more on the artistry of skating, making interesting shapes and forms integrated into the music rather than just going for jumps. Best of all, he improvised. I was watching a championship with Beacom in it and the commentator explained that the skaters usually give in a summary or picture of their program. Gary Beacom's submission was simply a question mark on an otherwise blank sheet of paper.

There have recently been a few Gary Beacom videos posted on youtube. Check them out, he's awesome!

Yesterday, Robert was baptized. It was during the Easter Mass, so the church was full full full. The God Parents were: Bozena Happach and Mark Gierus (but Alex's brother couldn't come, so we had a proxy: a close friend and neighbor: Hugo). Afterwards we had people over for Easter / Baptism celebrations. It was a great day!

The video is courtesy of one of the attendants - our friends from Sherbrook - Artur, Beata, and Karolina.

I'll make it public so that maybe I have a chance at achieving it. My friend Joel and I have agreed to a "six-pack by summer" challenge. We are both reasonably muscular, reasonably athletic people but have never had a six pack. I've always had a nice layer of insulation although, maybe like everyone, I can feel my hidden six-pack. We've decided to help each other achieve this goal with a formal challenge.

Here are the rules: On or before July 1 2008 we both need to have a visible six-pack. By visible we mean that we need to clearly and undeniably see at least the vertical and one horizontal cut. If we achieve this then our two families will go on a reward weekend to NYC. If only one achieves this then the reward is gone but the one who did not achieve has to pay a penalty to the other, which has yet to be decided. The goal is for BOTH OF US to make it.

We started about two weeks ago. My stats at that time were as follows:

• Weight: 192 lbs
• Cuts: 0
• Pants: Tight after Christmas. Cannot slip a piece of paper between tummy and pants.

Approximately 14 days later am at:

• Weight: 185lbs
• Cuts: 0
• Pants: Loose.

Approximately 1 month later am at:

• Weight: 179 lbs
• Cuts: Am starting to see the top two of the pack!
• Pants: Belt at smallest notch and still loose.

 Approximately 6 weeks later am at:

• Weight: 179 lbs, about the same as before, but I think some of it is net gain of muscle.
• Cuts: They're not mythical anymore.  You can definitely see them starting to come.  Top 4 are or can be made visible under most lighting conditions.
• Pants: Belt at smallest notch and very loose.
• Energy:  High, have increased the excercise.

My strategy has been to restructure the diet. Eliminate simple carbs and reduce volume of food, substituting protein and fibre mostly. Increase excercise (although I haven't scheduled this much yet). So far these results have come almost entirely from the intake side of the house.  I expect to strongly increase the excercise over the next month as the weather starts to allow safer running.

I know I'm very childish, but I love to see myself published. Once again Games magazine has picked up 10 more of my Hexa-Trex puzzles, and I'm published (yet again on page 40) of the March edition of Games magazine (available in stores until Feb. 29, 2008). If I get published on a regular basis, it'll be common place, and I won't be as excited every time, but for now, I'm jumping up and down. It's still novelty.

I'm off from work for a week and staying at home alone with the kids. Weather outside is very cold and Bogusia has the car so we're pretty much housebound. Here are some of the super fun games we play. Includes the Dangerous Snake, the Fiery Crash, the Moron Game, the Scaring Game and the Victim Game.