Happy National Slurpee Day!

You know, just in case you missed it this year.

Today is the day my kids look forward to for months.  7-11 celebrates this significant event by allowing you to bring your own "cup" and carry out as much slurpee as you can for the low, low price of $1.50.

You may be wondering, "What kind of parent would allow their child to load up greedily on a drink of pure sugar?  Especially during Lent!  Who would do that?"

Look no farther...it was Jay and me.  I know, I know, but just look at their faces:

These are happy kids.  No matter that it looks like canned dog food (or worse), their expressions say it all:  Mmmm Mmmm GOOD!

In our defense, we knew most would not finish their enormous portions (and they didn't, not even Sam).  Moreover, Sacred Heart School celebrated the Feast of St. Joseph today (even though it is really tomorrow) and we take our feast days seriously around here!

If you missed it today, check the sign behind Tony above.  It seems to be a two-day extravaganza, so there is still time!  Bring in your 5 gallon barrel, your horse trough, whatever you have.  Just remember where the blame really lies if you happen to make yourself sick... :)

Joey's Job

The last time I posted about Joey's job he was teaching young snowboarders and skiers how to ride. To everyone's surprise, he didn't go back to that this season.  Instead, he has been working as a bus boy at an amazingly delicious restaurant called Fresco II, which serves Italian and Mediterranean food.

My kid is transformed.  He loves his job (and the money it provides) and takes as many hours as he can get.  It is a two-restaurant outfit, one here in Palmdale and one at the Oxnard Harbor, which is perfect since he is going to school in Ventura in the fall.  He has already requested a transfer when the time comes, and he is such as hard worker that I can't imagine it won't work out. 

As humans, we were made to work and get great satisfaction from a job well done.  This may be the first time Joey has truly experienced this in his life.  I have no doubts now about his work ethic.  He will cheerfully do anything his boss asks of him (including taking dishwasher shifts if needed...I am thrilled with his new skills in this area and so will his roommates be next year!).  He fixes things that need fixing and will stay late after his regular shift to paint, fix walls or work on the roof.  He seems to be well-liked by his co-workers and his customers and comes home each night with a pocket full of cash, which has relieved some of our family's constant outflow.  At least from him we don't hear, "Can I have $20 to go to the movies?"  Now, only six more to go!

Speaking of others, Lindsey has just applied for a seasonal job at the Jethawks Stadium. I can only hope it will go as well for her.

A Prom Invitation

Lindsey is going to prom!  She is a sophomore and it is a Junior/Senior prom, so it is kind of exciting. I thought I'd post about it here because she was asked in a very creative way.

Her date-to-be is an exchange student from China pictured below in an inflatable suit.  He and his friends won a dance contest in suits like this so they teamed up again for this invitation.

The other thing you need to know is that Lindsey and I went to New York in December with Jay (he was working) and she and I were lucky enough to go see the Broadway show Alexander Hamilton (featuring Lin-Manuel Miranda, the show's genius creator as Alexander Hamilton himself).  Since then, we have really enjoyed (OK, obsessed about) the music, book, anything Alexander Hamilton, hence the reference in the sign.

Apparently, this boy (his name is Nick) recruited the help of two of Lindsey's closest friends.  One of them brought her in and filmed the whole thing and the other was playing the guitar and singing.  Nick and two friends in matching suits did a reprise of their winning dance which ended with the unveiling of the prom invitation.  Naturally, the teacher of the classroom he used was also in on it.

Those of you who know Lindsey personally understand  exactly how much she appreciated the creativity involved with all of this.  She is into performing arts and would "get" this quicker than many.

I think (and yes, of course I am biased) that Lindsey is pretty special.  As such, I am so happy that Nick went to such trouble to fine a unique way to invite her to prom.  

Now, to find a dress... (!)