Anniversary

Dinner at Due Venti. We're recording this because we couldn't remember whether the last time we went to Due Venti was on my birthday or Mimi's.

Closing up shop

Had vasectomy today.

Arthur is Seven

At noon: Suzuki Book 1 recital. Attendees: Mom and Dad, Uncle Chong-jai, and Sue Mutter.
At 4 pm: Glow Bowling at Thunderbird Lanes. Attendees: Breanna and Megan, Hannah, Chancer, Mason, and Sagely, Nia.

The take:
From us: tent, SimGolf, novelty traffic light, chipping/driving mats, plastic bow and arrow, disc golf discs, mini-disc golf set, laminator
From others: putting cups and green, golf lessons, music paper and book, Best Buy card, bowling pin from bowling alley (score!), radio-controlled dune buggy, toy crossbow, Star Wars legos, toy magic wand, magic set.

Jackpot

When we go to the Fun Center, Arthur almost exclusively plays skeeball. But today, while Stephen and I were playing another game, he comes up to me and says, "I won 1000 tickets!" Sure enough, he had put his tokens into one of those wheel of fortune games of chance, something he'd never done before, and hit the 1000 ticket jackpot on his second spin. 1000 tickets really came out of the machine, and I'm sorry I couldn't get a picture of him trying to carry his winnings to the redemption counter. 1000 tickets gets you a disco light and two "Star Fighter Sonic Sabers." I kept telling him that this never happens, and he got very, very lucky, but Mimi is still worried this has started him down the road to gambling.

Get them young

Arthur: I'm going to name my daughter, "Etarbelec."
Leonard: Your wife might not like that.
Stephen: Arthur, just don't listen to your wife.
Arthur (shocked): I *have* to listen to my wife!

Late to Rise

The boys have been consistently falling asleep after 11 this summer. Some mornings they still wake up around 8 or so, but sometimes they understandably have trouble getting out of bed before 10. Today, I have to get the kids up for swim lessons. Arthur is no trouble -- he's already dressed. Stephen's resolutely trying to milk more shut-eye:

Stephen (eyes closed): I'm trying to get bigger. One way to get bigger is to get lots of sleep.

Can't Buy Me Love

Stephen: If you have zero dollars, then you have zero friends.