The Weeks of Emily Birthdays

Emily's birthday is April 10 - during school vacation. So, she had a birthday celebration at school on the 2nd. Then they all flew here to Minneapolis, and on the 10th, we celebrated her birthday. At her suggestion, we spent the day at Nickelodeon Universe, the amusement park inside the Mall of America. We had dinner at her favorite restaurant - the Outback. No, she doesn't love Outback for the steaks, but rather ... the Mac & Cheese. It could be worse. Of all the Outbacks I have been to, most of your meal is filled with wait staff singing "Happy Birthday from the Outback." However, this Outback - no singing. In fact, we didn't even get a candle placed in the "birthday" Sundae. Therefore, we brought a cake to the dinner party we attended the next day - and everyone sang!

Then she went home, and celebated with local New York family. More cake! I attended by Skype. Very exciting, they watched me cook (and by cook, I mean heat up).

But wait, we aren't done. Next Saturday is her Birthday Party. We are attending the Hannah Montana movie with 10 +/- friends.

Here are some pictures from Minneapolis week:

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Twins' City

We took in a Twins game at the Metrodome tonight. We bought tickets in centerfield for $10 a pop - quite a difference from the Bronx. The Dome isn't a great place to see a game (the Twins are moving to a new outdoor stadium next year), and we were pretty far from home plate. Neverthless, we had a fun night on the cheap. The Kids enjoyed the environment, and we didn't press it. We were gone after the fifth inning with the Twins down 4-3. Too bad, the Twins apparently came back in the bottom of the ninth to win the game.

Fight! Fight! Fight the Blue and White are rolling to Victory!

Congratulations to the 2009 UNC Tarheels! They entered this season as the most talented group of individuals - by a long shot. However, they also lost a few EASY games. It was great to see them come together and play an extremely good team game. I've now seen four North Carolina Championships, and this team is easily one of my favorites. Hansborough is a gritty, and hard working player. Lawson - the key to this team - is an incredible point guard who easily could have gone Pro last year. Danny Green, from Long Island, has a father who had trouble with the law, and hadn't seen him play in person in a Tarheel uniform due to the terms of his parole. I believe that this postseason was the first time he was allowed to attend his son's games. And finally, Roy Williams. This guy is a class act (as is Michigan State coach Tom Izzo). Match up Coach Williams to Coach K, and there's no comparison.

In 1993 and 2005, I visited Chapel Hill for a game during the season. Apparently, the CAN do it without me.

^

There'll be a Carolina Victory

When cross the field the foe has fled

Cheer the team to Victory

For we are Tar Heels Born and Bred (Rah! Rah! Rah!)

Glory Glory U.N.C.

Our hearts will live with thee

Fight! Fight! Fight the Blue and White are

Rolling to Victory!