Kid Joke of the Day

Here's the script of this morning's Aaron and Sammy joke:

SAMMY
Why did the chicken cross the train tracks without looking both ways?

AARON
(Without hesitation) Because he was too busy thinking about hair.

SAMMY
You got it!

DAD
(Looks dumbfounded)

MOM & DAD
(Mom starts laughing and Dad joins in)

AARON
Actually I meant to say feathers. Because he was too busy thinking about buying some feathers.

Now perhaps you're all wondering like I am how Aaron could have known that answer?!?!

Leo Carillo and Pt. Mugu Camping Reunion

(Elisa thinks this is my best video to date...)

We arrived at Leo Carillo State Beach campground the evening of July 9 to reconnect with my "former childhood stepsister" Michelle (I just call her my sis), along with her husband Ryan and two kids, Jade and baby Ayden. Jade looks almost exactly like Michelle did at that age. The last time I was at Leo Carrillo I was about that age and was with Michelle and the rest of what was our extended family at that time, so this reunion brought back some lost memories.

The first part of the video is of Leo Carillo, with one actual photo of Michelle(!) also duplicated in an enlargement. We were supposed to take a brother/sister shot but I guess were otherwise distracted. The beach is a true natural wonder, on a less beaten path just north of Malibu.

The next part is of the second leg of the trip a few miles further north, at Sycamore Campground (just south of Point Mugu [not MAGU!] State Beach). It's a toss up what's more beautiful, Sycamore or Leo Carrillo. We were graced with many close encounters with wildlife, including dolphins and seals. And as is often the case with Sammy, he provided more than his fair share of comic relief and friend-making. Aaron and Sammy fans will certainly not be disappointed in general!

On the way home, we had a surprise for the kids, which you should be careful to watch for at the REAL end of the video. Oh yeah, the song is "Out of Breath" by Lifehouse. Post a comment.

Leo Carillo Tide Pool and Rocks

The morning after we arrived at Leo Carillo, we took an early trip out to the beach at low tide, all of us except Michelle, who doesn't appear in this video because she was sleeping in with the baby (besides being a vampiress who doesn't show up on film--hee hee--see the other video). We had a great time exploring the tide pools and the natural beauty of the whole Leo Carrillo experience.

Aiming for a subtly different take compared to the other video, I tried to sum up the wonder-filled feeling of that morning in what turns out to be my most subdued video to date. Gentle souls may resonate more here. It's set to Bach's Cello Suite #1 - Prelude (one of my favorites)--I guess I've done a complete 180 from my punk rock birthday video. -Blaine

Coming Soon

I've been very busy and unable to post until just recently. There is a bunch of stuff I have backlogged of momentous occasions in June that need blogging. Aaron graduated from kindergarten, Sammy graduated from preschool [THIS POST IS NOW DONE], they both had a great final meet with their track and field team [ALSO DONE], and I had what turned out to be my best ever Blaine's Music Studio student recital (which are more like concerts). I hope to get all of this posted soon, to replace this quick reminder post of what's to come.

Aaron and Sammy Graduations

June 2008 held two major milestones: Aaron graduated from kindergarten, and Sammy from preschool. Okay, maybe not MAJOR milestones, but you'll be sure to enjoy this video compilation anyway. As usual, I've boiled everything down to a short best of reel, from Sammy's brief ceremony to Aaron's long but sweet ceremony, with a bit of the usual mirth mixed in.

Some may be wondering "Why don't Blaine and Elisa just post some quick pictures with a brief caption?" "Hi, my name is Blaine, and I'm a videoholic" is the short answer. Hey, but here's two pictures AND a video! Enjoy whichever ones work for you...

Happy Birthday (What?!?!)

My mother-in-law wanted me to do something special for her on her birthday. So I recorded a song and put it to a video just for her. Went through all the hassle of playing and recording every instrument, singing my guts out, even finding the perfect photos for the video. Nice right? Well there's no pleasing some people. I mean, I don't get it. See what you think.

Hey, if it's not your birthday, watch it anyway. It's all about winning friends and influencing people. Then pass it on. Yeah.

Disclaimer: No one was actually offended in the making, viewing, or posting of this.

2020 Olympics, Here We Come!

Aaron and Sammy are on they’re way to the 2020 Summer Olympics. Or at least you can judge for yourself by watching this amazing video of them from their final track meet of the Rim Youth track and field program. It really is an excellent program, coached by Rim High School students. Full-on track and field, all major events, similar to a decathlon.

When watching the video and comparing Aaron and Sammy in the various events, you have to remember that although Sammy is as tall as Aaron, he is almost 2 years younger, and is just learning the ropes. Aaron’s strong suit is the field events, for which he was team champ. Sammy’s strong suit is his “get the job done no matter how I do it” attitude that keeps him teachable and aiming for that podium.

Most importantly, their smiles prove how much they enjoy it. In the final 100-meter race for each (separately), you see both Aaron and Sammy smiling at the beginning of each race, Aaron in particular just before the starting gun sounds--he said he smiled because he was thinking about what it would be like to win (you will smile too when you see this). Other favorites are Sammy’s “scarecrow” hurdle form and butterfingers with the heavy shot put, and Aaron's late start on the hurdles because he said he was thinking where the bullet went from the starting gun. The whole thing was a blast for all.

How apt that the coaches gave both Aaron and Sammy the award for “Most Energetic”.

Happy Birthday to Sammy

Yesterday (May 23) was was Sammy's 5th birthday. He has the same birthday as my (Blaine's) dad. The little guy pretty much never gets up any earlier than 7:45, but he was up around 6:30 and making all kinds of funny noises and comments about it being his birthday, and thankfully he kept himself occupied because I was zonked on Benedryl (allergies) only half understanding him. He waited patiently till 9:oo when mom was done with her work before opening his presents. The coolest was one of those little styrofoam remote control helicopters.

Later we braved the weather (snow and fog in late May) and drove down the mountain to a place called "John's Incredible Pizza" which is like Chuck E. Cheese's on steroids with an all you can eat buffet to satisfy any glutton. Elisa's parents brought Danni and Michelle, Sammy's cousins, and Elisa's cousin Sylvia and husband Ralph brought their kids Lexi and David, and Jeremy and Nichole Dismuke brought Jaden and Austin (and baby Jonathan).

Among other cool gifts, Sammy got a little practice casting pole. Now he can start planning that fishing trip with Ace Harrison (see the Harrison blog), although Vanderschuits don't seem to have as much naturally occurring omega-3 fish oil in their blood as the Harrison's apparently do. On the fishing topic, Aaron did catch 3 or 4 blue gill last summer with just the broken end of a fishing rod, and kissed one of the fish on the lips for the camera (where is that blasted pic?). We'll see how Sam's love affair with fish develops.

Sammy's First Audio Story (copycat!)

Not to be outdone, Sammy also wanted to record an audio story (if you haven't heard Aaron's yet, it's in the post below from yesterday). Aaron was concerned because Sammy couldn't read, but I just said Sammy could just make one up on the spot. Sammy's 47-second story, called "The Bear Adventure" is almost point by point the same as Aaron's "The Mountain Lion Adventure" except Sammy came up with a surprise spiritual twist with Aaron in the role of hero rather than Daddy and Mommy. I also tried to come up with a unique soundtrack for Sammy's to capture what I felt was his spirit. Sammy's narration is sure to get you smiling again. Post a comment!

Aaron's First Audio Story

Probably about 6 months ago I told my sons that we could record a story in my studio, with sound effects and music and such (at the time I was recording an audio book project for an author friend--see my recommended links). They were really excited and kept asking about it for weeks, only to give up since Daddy was too busy all the time. Last night I was recording something for my upcoming recital and I opened my studio door and told everybody "Be quiet now, because I need to record some vocals." Next thing I know, Aaron gets all excited thinking that meant that I was finally ready to record one of his little stories. Well, he finally got me! Even though I didn't have much time today, I decided we'd better record, since he was home sick from school and I was beginning to feel guilty.

It's basically a one-minute story Aaron wrote that I made a quick soundtrack for. Fun enough for a little project (I remember making a few similar recordings with my Dad on his little recorder when me and my siblings were little). Aaron's reading is sure to make you smile or even laugh in parts. Have a listen, and post a comment if you enjoy it.