"Commit to the Indian"

That's a saying that a Blackhawks coach used a few years back when he was trying to get his guys to play together. Well, we say it in our house (and by "we" I mean dad) when they drop the puck to start every hockey season. After tonight, I gotta say, I've committed to the Indian.

Tonight was date night with Dad, and with this guy we're not talking a night out to see a Disney Princess movie. We're talking pizza and a Blackhawks game - my first Blackhawks game, to boot. Mae was not really invited but somehow she scammed herself into the pre-festivities photo.

Date night started at Giordano's, where I can just eat pizza til I puke. On the way in I saw a random car with a Blackhawks flag. It was clear from the get-go we were not in enemy territory.

Then it was on to the Za. One part I really love is putting the cheese on top of the pizza (why do we put cheese on top of cheese? Because it's awesome). I shake cheese so fast down at Giordano's the waitresses call me "The Blur."

Now some people might've thought it was a bit ambitious to order a large cheese pizza when it was just my dad and me eating it. And by "some people," I mean, people who don't know my dad and me.

Then we headed to the game.

SIDE NOTE: We parked on this random side street a few blocks from the stadium that Dad says is kind of secret parking no one knows about. I'm thinking people actually know about it, they would just never in a million years leave their cars there for three hours. We got out and this dude stumbles over and says, "For three dollaz I'll watch yo car to make sure nuttin happens to it." And Dad says, "Well, what if I don't give you three dollars?" and the guy says, "Then I can't promise nuttin ain't gonna happen to yo car." So Dad says, "That's reasonable, but I got a good feeling you'll take care of my car for two dollars." and the guy says, "Damn straight." Then he takes dad's two dollars and says, "I'm just finna run over to the liquor store and then I'll be right back to watch it fo ya." Nice secret parking spot, Dad, real nice.

Back to the game, we had AMAZING seats, in a luxury box about 25 feet from the ice (my Dad said we had those seats because he knows Oprah but then I found out they were given to us by people he works with).

As if quality hockey was not enough, during the second period this guy walks into our box and says something about a dessert cart having arrived. I'm like, "Wait, WHAT?" So we go out and get to choose from about ten different desserts. Chocolate chip cookies, cheesecake, carrot cake, turtles (not those kind), something called Chocolate Paradise Cake. So I get a piece of Smores Cake that was the size of Manhattan and I make Dad get the ice cream sundae so, naturally, I can eat that, too. And we topped it off with a cup of hot chocolate.

As you can see by my smile the sugar rush kicked in quickly and held a nice buzz til the game was over. All in all it was a great date night with my Dad...

Capped off with a Blackhawks winner. My official Blackhawks record stands at 1-0.

Don't forget to save your ticket stub.

Santa Bear

So yeah, Santa came to my house. I know it because when I went to bed there was a glass of water and a clementine on the table by the tree, and when I woke up the water was gone and half the clementine was eaten. There was also a note that said, "If you're trying to drop a hint, old Santa is in good health. Now please, next year cookies and milk."

Speaking of "by the tree," I have to tell you this is the saddest Christmas tree we've ever had in my life (and apparently Mom and Dad's, too). I mean, it' so dry that if you walk by it and accidentally brush up against it, an entire branch falls off. Not sure if you can tell from a photo but here's a shot of it.

Okay, enough narrative, let's get to the good stuff. Santa is awesome. He left Mabel and me a huge house to play in, and we can color it ourselves.

Also, my greatest gift (besides peace and harmony, of course) was a kitchen set. I mean, I'm all over this thing. You could take away every other toy in my house and I wouldn't even miss them.

And apparently Mae digs it, too.

Check this out, for breakfast on Christmas, Mabel and I made Vanilla Chocolate ice cream pizza soup. You don't even have to ask, I'll tell you - it was awesome.

Oh, and I know most people get gifts from Santa and their Moms and Dads, but Yukon Cornelius came with Santa and dropped a present off at my house. You remember, Yukon, right? From the Rudolph story on CBS? Yeah, that guy.

He left a card that said he ran out of wrapping paper so he had to use freezer wrap... no worries, Yukon, I'm not even sure you're gonna like my gift (bermuda shorts), I sent it by snail mail so you should have it by April.

Well, it sure was a nice Christmas Morning, if you're in the neighborhood and you're hungry, just call me and I will whip you up a nice enchalada strawberry taco waffle smoothie.