Cavagnaro Blog (updates and occasional rants)

Sad :-(

2011-05-16T12:58:00.001-06:00

Avery's First Mini-Marathon

2011-04-11T19:21:00.000-06:00

Second video from the parade - Lucas, Katie and Drew!

2011-04-10T18:39:00.000-06:00

2011-04-10T15:26:00.001-06:00

Hopkinton Little League 2011 Parade:

Priorities

2011-02-09T09:19:00.001-07:00

Waiting for the bus...

2011-02-09T08:20:00.001-07:00

Our big turkey!

2010-11-24T14:45:00.001-07:00

Our little pilgrim!

2010-11-24T14:43:00.001-07:00

Sunday morning....

2010-11-21T08:30:00.000-07:00

Sleepytime!

2010-10-31T08:30:00.000-06:00

Avery's favorite song...

2010-10-15T12:12:00.002-06:00

Jen taught her all her best table dancing moves...

Kade's first den meeting...

2010-10-14T19:13:00.000-06:00

This was a lot of fun for the boys...lots of games...and they got to learn the secret handshake :-)

Kade's first cub scout pack meeting.

2010-10-14T19:10:00.000-06:00

They got their tiger cub neckerchiefs and then they got to build spaghetti towers. Fun...but hot and long for the parents...

Avery loving Glee...

2010-10-13T18:49:00.000-06:00

Is it just me...or does that boy have a big melon?

2010-10-13T12:08:00.000-06:00

It's toothpaste man!!

2010-10-11T14:18:00.000-06:00

You have to see it to believe it...

Skinny is alive again!!!

2010-10-04T17:23:00.000-06:00

JT flying an Apache???

2010-07-22T13:49:00.001-06:00

I can just picture him with his new sunglasses (oh wait…he didn’t have any money left after his visit to Tiffany’s) …screaming like a madman….firing finger lickin’ good chicken from a Apache…

State Dept. planning to field a small army in Iraq

By Warren P. Strobel | McClatchy Newspapers

WASHINGTON — Can diplomats field their own army? The State Department is laying plans to do precisely that in Iraq, in an unprecedented experiment that U.S. officials and some nervous lawmakers say could be risky.

In little more than a year, State Department contractors in Iraq could be driving armored vehicles, flying aircraft, operating surveillance systems, even retrieving casualties if there are violent incidents and disposing of unexploded ordnance.

Under the terms of a 2008 status of forces agreement, all U.S. troops must be out of Iraq by the end of 2011, but they'll leave behind a sizable American civilian presence, including the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, the largest in the world, and five consulate-like "Enduring Presence Posts" in the Iraqi hinterlands.

…. Already, however, the State Department's requests to the Pentagon for Black Hawk helicopters; 50 mine-resistant ambush-protected vehicles; fuel trucks; high-tech surveillance systems; and other military gear has encountered flak on Capitol Hill

2010 Fireworks (6 photos), by Jennifer Cavagnaro

2010-07-19T13:23:00.001-06:00

I'd like to share my Snapfish photos with you. Once you have checked out my photos you can order prints and upload your own photos to share.
Click here to view photos

Ice visit (22 photos), by Jennifer Cavagnaro

2010-07-19T13:13:00.001-06:00

I'd like to share my Snapfish photos with you. Once you have checked out my photos you can order prints and upload your own photos to share.
Click here to view photos

This should cause a bit of a ruckus...

2010-07-14T12:50:00.001-06:00

From CNS News:

Obama Administration Approves First Direct Taxpayer Funding of Abortion Through New High-Risk Insurance Pools

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

By Susan Jones, Senior Editor

(CNSNews.com) - If you want proof that President Obama's Executive Order on taxpayer-funded abortion was a sham, look no further than Pennsylvania, says House Republican Leader John Boehner (Ohio).

Boehner and other Republicans point to reports that the Health and Human Services Department is giving Pennsylvania $160 million to set up a new high-risk insurance pool that will cover any abortion that is legal in the state.

…

President Obama pledged that under his health care plan “no federal dollars will be used to fund abortions, and federal conscience laws will remain in place.”

…

The conservative Family Research Council says the $160 million in taxpayer funds for Pennsylvania is the first known instance of direct federal funding of abortions through the new high-risk insurance pools.

….

We shall see how this one plays out over the next few weeks as more in the MSM pick up on it…

I love this for what it is....

2010-07-12T14:31:00.001-06:00

Good old fashioned scientific research…demonstrating its ability to transcend the horrific race baiting that continues to plague our society.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20100712/sc_afp/sciencesportusphysics_20100712165904

The biggest irony…now we get to watch everyone avoid reporting this news due to fear of being labeled a racist…

Kade's Star Wars Birthday (197 photos), by Jennifer Cavagnaro

2010-07-01T08:46:00.001-06:00

I'd like to share my Snapfish photos with you. Once you have checked out my photos you can order prints and upload your own photos to share.
Click here to view photos

Something that most folks probably missed...but I am sure that the mainstream media will get to this sometime...

2010-06-18T10:04:00.000-06:00

I happened to see an excerpt from Capt. K.A.’s oval office address which bothered me a great deal…for a whole host of reasons. It is only 6 sentences long…but that was enough for me…. Here is the excerpt:

“{1} Instead, what has defined us as a nation since our founding is our capacity to shape our destiny – our determination to fight for the America we want for our children. {2} Even if we’re unsure exactly what that looks like. {3} Even if we don’t yet know precisely how to get there. {4} We know we’ll get there.

{5} It is a faith in the future that sustains us as a people. {6} It is that same faith that sustains our neighbors in the Gulf right now.”

First sentence, no problemo. I believe that there are a few other major factors that define us as a nation (like democracy and capitalism)…but at face value there is nothing terribly offensive here.

Second and third sentences…uhhh…you are starting to lose me Cpt. KA. I am rather certain that the Founders knew EXACTLY what “our destiny” looked like. They may have disagreed on some of the smaller details and how to get there…but the big picture was pretty damned clear…and they articulated it pretty damn clearly in the founding documents. Take for example the first sentence of the Constitution:

“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”

Sounds like a pretty clear vision…and oh by the way…Mr. Constitutional Scholar…they proceed to define in specifics HOW to do this in the 7 articles that followed this sentence! So does his verbiage in sentence 2 imply: 1.) that “HE doesn’t currently have a vision of the future” or 2.) that “America doesn’t understand HIS vision”? You be the judge.

Fourth sentence…very re-assuring stuff…”We know we’ll get there”. Hope springs eternal from this font! FYI - I always start every road trip this way: “I’m not sure exactly where we are going kids…not sure exactly how to get there…but I know we’ll get there”. I wonder if even a child would say…”uhh…but where is there dad?”. I am pretty sure that the Mrs. wouldn’t let this one slide…but hey…he is THE ONE after all…

Ok, the fifth sentence is where I start to get pretty agitated. HIS assertion is that what sustains us as a people is our “faith in the future”. Hmmm…does that resonate with you? This is a very telling passage. If someone were to ask ME “what sustains me”…I might be more inclined to say something like…oh…let me think…maybe “my Faith in GOD”…or my faith in “Good will triumph over Evil”…or my faith in “Truth always prevails”??? I find it really ironic that Capt. KickAss believes in our “faith in the future”…this from the same man who is putting up regulations left and right to protect us from “the greedy oil/banks/corporations”…so which is it…are we by nature good or by nature evil?

Last sentence…”that same faith (the faith in the future) that sustains” people affected by the oil spill. I will let you be the judge of where this one lies on the Stupid scale. Maybe you can ask some of the folks in the LA tourism industry or in the (non BP) oil drilling business what their future looks like….

I know what everyone will say: Why bother deconstructing these things…he is just pontificating…trying to make a broader point….give “the small people” some HOPE…

Yes – I agree…we reap that which we sow…

Cpt. Kick Arse

2010-06-14T09:59:00.004-06:00

Good old Captain Kick Ass made an interesting pitch this weekend in his radio address...one that I am willing to bet will not get a lot of national media attention:

"Since 2003, Congress has acted to prevent these pay cuts from going into effect. These votes were largely bipartisan, and they succeeded when Democrats ran Congress and when Republicans ran Congress - which was most of the time.

This year, a majority of Congress is willing to prevent a pay cut of 21% - a pay cut that would undoubtedly force some doctors to stop seeing Medicare patients altogether. But this time, some Senate Republicans may even block a vote on this issue. After years of voting to defer these cuts, the other party is now willing to walk away from the needs of our doctors and our seniors."

Can anyone tell me why this is so interesting? Have you been paying attention?

The interesting twist here is that Cpt. K.A. is trying to frame the argument that keeping the Medicare Dr. Fix is now needed. Huh? Isn't this the same Cpt. K.A. (and Doogie over at CBO) who promised that ObamaCare would pay for itself (and realize net-savings) as it was written? If you remember...ObamaCare was written INCLUDING the 21% cut. The phrase..."you break it, you buy it" comes to mind.

So, as a hypothetical...let's assume I go to buy a car. The salesperson promises me that the Cadillac will save me money over the long-run because it consumes less gas than the Pinto. Then I ask, but don't the "oil changes" cost more and thus eliminate all the savings? To which the answer is...oh no...the "oil changes" will cost less. So I buy it. Then I find out that the oil changes do in fact cost more and do in fact make the total cost of ownership greater than the lowly Pinto still sitting in the corner.

In this hypothetical...who is the sucker and more importantly...Who should Cpt. Kick ass be going after???

Kade wanted to share this with all of you...

2010-06-02T06:30:00.001-06:00

The pickle tree

2010-05-18T11:37:00.002-06:00

The other night Payton and I were talking while she was getting settled into bed for the night.

Payton: "When we were going to plant the garden?"
Dad: "Tomorrow we are going to start planting the garden."
Payton: "I can't wait to grow some pickles"
Dad: "You mean cucumbers...cucumbers are what we grow and then they get turned into pickles."
Payton: "No dad, I want to grow a pickle tree...that would be awesome!"
Dad: "Well - cucumbers actually grow on the ground."
Payton: "Well, I am going to plant a pickle tree."
Dad: "Sounds great. Good night."

So naturally, being an Enginerd...I just had to see if there was something called a pickle tree. Voila. For $3.99 it may just be worth setting a 4 year-old's imagination on fire!

Payton's Dance Recital (23 photos), by Jennifer Cavagnaro

2010-05-09T18:36:00.001-06:00

I'd like to share my Snapfish photos with you. Once you have checked out my photos you can order prints and upload your own photos to share.
Click here to view photos

Another gem from Santa Clara county

2010-05-06T07:14:00.001-06:00

The news article failed to mention what the Live Oak High School mascot is … you guessed it …. the Acorn …and their home page has “Go Nuts” across the main screen. How fitting!

http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local-beat/Students-Wearing-American-Flag-Shirts-Sent-Home-92945969.html

On any other day at Live Oak High School in Morgan Hill, Daniel Galli and his four friends would not even be noticed for wearing T-shirts with the American flag. But Cinco de Mayo is not any typical day especially on a campus with a large Mexican American student population.

Galli says he and his friends were sitting at a table during brunch break when the vice principal asked two of the boys to remove American flag bandannas that they wearing on their heads and for the others to turn their American flag T-shirts inside out. When they refused, the boys were ordered to go to the principal's office.

"They said we could wear it on any other day," Daniel Galli said, "but today is sensitive to Mexican-Americans because it's supposed to be their holiday so we were not allowed to wear it today."

The boys said the administrators called their T-shirts "incendiary" that would lead to fights on campus.

"They said if we tried to go back to class with our shirts not taken off, they said it was defiance and we would get suspended," Dominic Maciel, Galli's friend, said.

The boys really had no choice, and went home to avoid suspension. They say they're angry they were not allowed to express their American pride. Their parents are just as upset, calling what happened to their children, "total nonsense."

"I think it's absolutely ridiculous," Julie Fagerstrom, Maciel's mom, said. "All they were doing was displaying their patriotic nature. They're expressing their individuality."

But to many Mexican-American students at Live Oak, this was a big deal. They say they were offended by the five boys and others for wearing American colors on a Mexican holiday.

"I think they should apologize cause it is a Mexican Heritage Day," Annicia Nunez, a Live Oak High student, said. "We don't deserve to be get disrespected like that. We wouldn't do that on Fourth of July."

As for an apology, the boys and their families say, "fat chance."

"I'm not going to apologize. I did nothing wrong," Galli said. "I went along with my normal day. I might have worn an American flag, but I'm an American and I'm proud to be an American."

The five boys and their families met with a Morgan Hill Unified School District official Wednesday night. The district released a statement saying it does not agree with how Live Oak High School administrators handled this incident.

The boys will not be suspended and they were told they can go back to school Thursday. They may even wear their red, white, and blue colors again, but this time, the day after Cinco de Mayo, there will be no controversy.

The lawyers are coming...the lawyers are coming (part-II)

2010-05-04T08:55:00.001-06:00

The first article I read about Holder sending DOJ to the gulf struck me as downright odd – so I posted it for all to provide more insight. The part that struck me as the most odd was this part: “The Justice Department stands ready to make available every resource at our disposal to vigorously enforce the laws that protect the people who work and reside near the Gulf, the wildlife, the environment and the American taxpayers.” Well, it appears that there really is more to the story than first appeared…from the most transparent administration evah. Read the article below which starts to point towards a slightly different story…one where the lawyers really would be needed. I especially like the part where Congress wants to now modify the existing law (retroactively)…maybe they understand that the original $75M was stupid low. It does raise an interesting question…did BP agree to pay for the damages so quickly knowing that the law may in fact change at a later date (thus locking in the $75M cap)? Seriously…it is always about the money.

Google News/AP: …Take President Barack Obama's repeated claims that BP will be responsible for all the costs associated with the devastating spill that began after an oil rig operated by the company exploded April 20, killing 11 workers and later sinking.

"Let me be clear: BP is responsible for this leak; BP will be paying the bill," Obama said while touring the area Sunday.

While it's true that the federal Oil Pollution Act, enacted in 1990 in response to the Exxon Valdez spill in Alaska, makes BP responsible for cleanup costs, the law caps the company's liability for economic damages — such as lost wages, shortened fishing seasons or lagging tourism — at $75 million, a pittance compared to potential losses.

Administration officials insist BP will be held responsible anyway, noting that if the company is found negligent or criminally liable, the cap disappears. Claims also can potentially be made under other state or federal laws, officials said.

Yet the liability cap is problematic enough that a trio of Democratic senators introduced legislation Monday raising it to $10 billion, and the administration quickly announced its support. Sens. Robert Menendez and Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey and Bill Nelson of Florida voiced concerns that unless the cap is raised, BP would avoid paying for the mess and leave small businesses, local government and fishermen with the bill.

"They're not going to want to pay any more than what the law says they have to," Nelson said.

That's not quite the seemingly ironclad guarantee heard from the president.

Hypocrisy

2010-05-03T10:07:00.001-06:00

Payton's 4th Birthday (53 photos), by Jennifer Cavagnaro

2010-05-02T18:37:00.001-06:00

I'd like to share my Snapfish photos with you. Once you have checked out my photos you can order prints and upload your own photos to share.
Click here to view photos

The Lawyers are coming...the Lawyers are coming!!!

2010-04-30T11:34:00.001-06:00

Really? Watch out for the red part below…implication: the taxpayers will by default be paying for the cleanup…unless “the attorneys” save us from the evil oil companies! Quick question….is BP too big to fail?

Attorney General Holder Dispatches Justice Department Team to Monitor British Petroleum Oil Spill

Apr 30 01:12 PM US/Eastern

WASHINGTON, April 30 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Attorney General Eric Holder announced today that he is dispatching a team of attorneys from multiple divisions within the Justice Department to New Orleans to meet with the U.S. Attorney and response teams and to monitor the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

"The British Petroleum oil spill has already cost lives and created a major environmental incident," said Attorney General Holder. "The Justice Department stands ready to make available every resource at our disposal to vigorously enforce the laws that protect the people who work and reside near the Gulf, the wildlife, the environment and the American taxpayers."

The team will be led by Ignacia S. Moreno, Assistant Attorney General for the Environment and Natural Resources Division, and Tony West, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Division, and will include relevant United States Attorneys. The combined group from the Department plans to make a site visit and meet with representatives from federal agencies working on the response.

A coordinated response continues with a comprehensive oil well intervention and spill-response plan following the April 22, 2010 sinking of the Transocean Deepwater Horizon drilling rig 130 miles southeast of New Orleans. More than 1,000 personnel from federal, state and local agencies are involved in the response effort both on and offshore, with additional resources being mobilized as needed.

SOURCE U.S. Department of Justice

What could go wrong...

2010-04-29T13:49:00.001-06:00

Really? This is what we are heading towards? Brought to you straight from California…coming to a Booger King near you!!

Santa Clara County says no to fast-food toys

Justin Berton, Chronicle Staff Writer

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

No toy for you, Junior.

Not if you live in unincorporated Santa Clara County, where the Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to ban restaurants from giving away toys with children's meals that exceed set levels of calories, fat, salt and sugar.

The ordinance, which the board passed by a 3-2 vote, is believed to be the first of its kind in the nation. The target is the fast-food industry and what critics call its practice of marketing unhealthful food to children and fueling an epidemic of obesity among the young.

"This ordinance breaks the link between unhealthy food and prizes," said the law's author, Supervisor Ken Yeager. "Obviously, toys in and of themselves do not make children obese. But it is unfair to parents and children to use toys to capture the tastes of children when they are young and get them hooked on eating high-sugar, high-fat foods early in life."

$1,000 fine for violations

Representatives for the California Restaurant Association, whose members include chains that opposed the ordinance, have 90 days to offer an alternative to the legislation. Violations under the version the board approved Tuesday would be punishable by fines of as much as $1,000 for each meal sold with a toy.

Yeager said he hopes the law will inspire cities and counties across the country to follow suit like "ripples that create a wave."

Boston Marathon

2010-04-19T20:29:00.004-06:00

One of the perks of living in Hopkinton is the fact you get to be one of the few people to watch the start of the Boston Marathon. They pretty much block all the roads leading into town about 5:30am ... which explains why I was not at work today ... there was no way for me to get to work.

Kade really enjoyed the whole thing. He was really into seeing the start and understanding everything. His school (Center School) is actually about 50 yards from the start line...so for the week leading up to the big race ... they teach the kids about Patriots' day (the race is always on Patriots day) and the Boston Marathon. They even have runners from Kenya and other places come int an talk about their home countries and why they race.

To be honest, it was really quite amazing to see. There were about 25,000 runners in the race this year and almost all of Hopkinton was on the Green. I think we ran into just about everyone we know in town over at the Fried Dough stand....yeah...that's right...we all celebrated the runners by wolfing down some Fried Dough at 10:30 in the morning! The worst part of it all...we showed up right at 10:00am when the elite men's field was starting...so we got to see the winner Kenyan (Robert Cheruiyot) head off down the hill towards Boston. By the time we were finished watching the next heat head out, eat our fried dough, play on the playground, walk back to the car, drive home and turn on the TV...Robert was just crossing the finish line in Boston (2hrs 5 mins later)! That was really amazing! Anyway, here are some pics...

Easter (78 photos), by Jennifer Cavagnaro

2010-04-16T19:42:00.001-06:00

I'd like to share my Snapfish photos with you. Once you have checked out my photos you can order prints and upload your own photos to share.
Click here to view photos

Great Grandparents Visit (30 photos), by Jennifer Cavagnaro

2010-04-16T15:33:00.001-06:00

I'd like to share my Snapfish photos with you. Once you have checked out my photos you can order prints and upload your own photos to share.
Click here to view photos

Bath time Surprise

2010-04-16T09:47:00.001-06:00

Quick one: Last night I was giving the kids a bath.

Kade: “I am proud of my wiener!”

Mom: “Do you know what a wiener is?”

Kade: “A hot dog….I am proud of my hot dog!”

Jen is convinced that I coached him on this…but alas I cannot take credit.

Septic Tank Pumping Frequency Chart...the best blog topic ever?

2010-04-16T09:24:00.001-06:00

Seeing as how we are first time septic tank owners….I needed to do a little research to see how often one should pump out their septic tank (I know gripping stuff). I found this chart on the web and it implies that for our needs (1,500g w/ 5ppl) we need to pump about every 3 years. Anyone out there have experience and can help calibrate if this is about right?

Table I. Septic Tank Pumping Frequency in Years

.	Household size - Number of Occupants

Tank-Gallons

Septic Tank Pumping Frequency in Years

500*	5.8	2.6	1.5	1.0	0.7	0.4	0.3	0.2	0.1	--
750*	9.1	4.2	2.6	1.8	1.3	1.0	0.7	0.6	0.4	0.3
900	11.0	5.2	3.3	2.3	1.7	1.3	1.0	0.8	0.7	0.5
1000	12.4	5.9	3.7	2.6	2.0	1.5	1.2	1.0	0.8	0.7
1250	15.6	7.5	4.8	3.4	2.6	2.0	1.7	1.4	1.2	1.0
1500	18.9	9.1	5.9	4.2	3.3	2.6	2.1	1.8	1.5	1.3
1750	22.1	10.7	6.9	5.0	3.9	3.1	2.6	2.2	1.9	1.6
2000	25.4	12.4	8.0	5.9	4.5	3.7	3.1	2.6	2.2	2.0
2250	28.6	14.0	9.1	6.7	5.2	4.2	3.5	3.0	2.6	2.3
2500	30.9	15.6	10.2	7.5	5.9	4.8	4.0	3.5	3.0	2.6

Tax Day Conspiracy...probably not........but beneficial...absolutely!

2010-04-15T11:46:00.000-06:00

Have you ever contemplated the reasoning behind choosing April 15^th as tax day?
Have you ever wondered why national elections are held on “the first Tuesday after the first Monday of November”?
Have you ever thought about these two things together (and wondered if having tax collection be ~6 months away of elections is really a “coincidence”)?

“Answer” to Question 1:

“Congress passed the Sixteenth Amendment to the Constitution, which allows for the implementation of personal income tax, on February 3, 1913, and chose March 1 of the following year as the filing deadline. The deadline was changed to March 15 in 1918, and, as we learned at Tax History Project, to April 15 in 1955. Moving back the date from the end of the tax year served two purposes -- it gave the IRS more time to handle the work and, more importantly, more time to hang on to your money before issuing you a refund.”

“Answer” Question 2:

“The Constitution does not stipulate the date of national elections, just that the Electoral College electors should be chosen on the same day throughout the United States. When the United States was first founded, Congress met in December and usually adjourned in March. This was largely because it was the only time farmers could be away from the land. A 1792 law established that presidential elections should be held sometime in November, which gave enough time to count the votes before the new congressional session started. But the dates of local, state, and congressional elections varied from state to state and year to year. In 1845, the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November became the official presidential election date. And in 1872 the Apportionment Act added the election of members of the House. (In case you were absent from school for this: Senators were chosen by state legislature until 1913.) But why Tuesday? Many people had to travel to get to the polls, so Monday was allotted as a travel day because Sunday was a day of worship. Nov. 1 was out because it is a Catholic holy day of obligation, All Saints Day.”

Great advice for kids of all ages...

2010-04-15T07:41:00.001-06:00

Bill Gates recently gave a speech at a High School about 11 things they did not and will not learn in school. He talks about how feel-good, politically correct teachings created a generation of kids with no concept of reality and how this concept set them up for failure in the real world.

Rule 1: Life is not fair - get used to it!
Rule 2: The world doesn't care about your
self-esteem. The world will expect you to accomplish something BEFORE you feel good about yourself.
Rule 3: You will NOT make $60,000 a year right out of high school. You won't be a vice-president with a car phone until you earn both.
Rule 4: If you think your teacher is tough, wait till you get a boss.
Rule 5: Flipping burgers is not beneath your dignity. Your Grandparents had a different word for burger flipping: they called it opportunity.
Rule 6: If you mess up, it's not your parents' fault, so don't whine about your mistakes, learn from them.
Rule 7: Before you were born, your parents weren't as boring as they are now. They got that way from paying your bills, cleaning your clothes and listening to you talk about how cool you thought you were. So before you save the rain forest from the parasites of your parent's generation, try delousing the closet in your own room.
Rule 8: Your school may have done away with winners and losers, but life HAS NOT. In some schools, they have abolished failing grades and they'll give you as MANY TIMES as you want to get the right answer. This doesn't bear the slightest resemblance to ANYTHING in real life.
Rule 9: Life is not divided into semesters. You don't get summers off and very few employers are interested in helping you FIND YOURSELF. Do that on your own time.
Rule 10: Television is NOT real life.. In real life people actually have to leave the coffee shop and go to jobs.
Rule 11: Be nice to nerds. Chances are you'll end up working for one.

USA Today Graphic outlining spending/revenue at Federal level since 1941

2010-04-13T10:33:00.001-06:00

http://i.usatoday.net/news/graphics/2010/2010-04-13-deficit/deficit-va.jpg

Question for you...

2010-04-09T10:56:00.002-06:00

Now the government runs the student loan program…yeah! It is supposed to save money because there is no more pesky middle-man (a.k.a., job producing private company)…well damn...that just makes sense (unless you work at that pesky middle man company).

According to staffordloan.com the current “subsidized rate” for a student loan is 5.6% and the “unsubsidized rate” is 6.8% (FYI – Stafford loans are amongst the cheapest around). Most folks end up with big PLUS loans which run about 8% today.
According to USTreas.gov the rate on a 3-month T-Bill is 0.16% (you know…where *they* are getting the money)

Question 1: If the US government is basically pocketing well over 5.5% on each dollar loaned out…where is the incentive to keep college affordable? The more you borrow…the more they make. Moral Hazard?

USAToday.com: The change, included in the health care overhaul bill that cleared Congress last week, has caused considerable turmoil in the banking industry, which stands to lose billions of dollars in federal subsidies. But for borrowers, the change will be much less drastic. Interest rates for federal student loans won't change, nor will the limits on how much you can borrow. And Uncle Sam is no pushover: If you fail to repay your loans after you graduate, you'll still face stiff penalties.

If the interest rates “won’t change” …and there is no middle man…the gov’t benefits…not the students. I just can’t fathom why saint Obama never thought to pass some of those savings along to the students. Gee, this kind-of-sort-of looks like a “working model” that can be replicated by Team Obama in the future à any lending extended through a private entity can be brought “inside” to boost Federal “returns”.

Question 2: Can you think of any other industry where this model may be applied???

Question 3: Can you think of any issues that may arise from the gov’t controlling who gets loans and at what rate?

In all fairness, the regulations imposed upon the “private lenders” basically made them an extension of the gov’t…but there is just something different about direct control vs. indirect control. And before everyone brings up the recent banking fiasco…just ask yourself…is it better to have “loved and lost” than to have “never loved at all”? Without creativity/risk there is no advancement. Entire industries have arisen from private lenders taking “good” risks (i.e., biotech, computers, green-tech, etc). The banking mess was in fact bad…very bad….but please don’t label ALL private investment as bad…

Rob's 35th Birthday (14 photos), by Jennifer Cavagnaro

2010-03-30T12:26:00.001-06:00

I'd like to share my Snapfish photos with you. Once you have checked out my photos you can order prints and upload your own photos to share.
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A bit of humor...

2010-03-23T14:02:00.001-06:00

For those of us who may be less than jubilant these days...check this story out...good stuff!

And a bonus cartoon for us losers!

Avery's 1st Birthday Party (45 photos), by Jennifer Cavagnaro

2010-03-21T15:41:00.002-06:00

Update 3/22: I am so glad that Jen finally got to post these pictures of Avery's birthday! Unfortunately we are having "time" difficulties in the Cavagnaro house...it appears that 24 hours in a day just doesn't cut it anymore with three sets of kid wheels motoring around the house now. Avery being on the move is quite a change for all of us! As usual...all the great ideas came from Jen...I just did the cake! Happy birthday Avery!

I'd like to share my Snapfish photos with you. Once you have checked out my photos you can order prints and upload your own photos to share.
Click here to view photos

I don't even know what to title this one...

2010-03-19T13:33:00.003-06:00

Things are getting ugly in the USA.... People are waking up and realizing that they need to participate in their government - but most don't really know how. This healthcare issue has become a pinnacle slap in the face to the masses. Memo to D.C. ... we only tolerate so much insolence. The last time I recall this much "heat" was before the Iraq war...but that was a different matter. That at least followed a somewhat "normal" course. This healthcare issue is so much more than that. All the deceit, all the back-room deals, all the shenanigans ... this really is the breaking point for many US citizens (note: I don't say Americans anymore as people in Costa Rica like to remind me that they are American's too...). I really do feel that this will end up in "revolt". Hopefully just the "vote the bums out" kind...but I am not so sure about that. The minority of folks that actually pay taxes these days are getting sick and tired of being told that they don't have a voice and/or that we are too dumb to understand. Believe me...we understand completely. Once >50% of the people are on the gov't gravy train...we are going to just get screwed faster and harder. We get it! We are effectively being told at every turn that the government is more capable of managing our lives than we are. Personally, I love that lie the most. A travesty of the gravest proportion. Here is the latest installment...you really need to read this one!

http://biggovernment.com/capitolconfidential/2010/03/19/the-heat-is-on-congressmans-office-says-constituent-calls-are-harassment/

If this bill passes....watch out. I do believe that there will be repercussions. Stir into the brew, the fact that states are delaying paying back YOUR tax refunds (yeah - just imagine the warm reception you would get if you were late paying your taxes because you don't have the money):

http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2010/03/12/four-states-plan-to-delay-tax-refunds/

Then add a dash of immigration reform - to tip the D scales just a little bit farther:

http://legalinsurrection.blogspot.com/2010/03/immigration-proposal-will-blow-out-all.html

What do you have? An eruption from the void!

Masscare

2010-03-13T22:13:00.002-07:00

This would be funny - if I didn't just have to include in my MA tax returns, a form stating that I "met the minimum health coverage requirements" this year (don't worry...it's coming to a theater near you soon).

Happy 1st Birthday Avery Grace Cavagnaro!

2010-02-22T15:56:00.002-07:00

Make a Smilebox free digital photo album

Hope 'n Change

2010-02-09T19:55:00.005-07:00

So...let's hope that this is a hugely misguided trial balloon. According to Reuters...the new JOBS bill coming out of congress will likely carry a $80B price tag ($$ to be taken from those with jobs). If you read the details below...it reads EXACTLY like what you would expect when one attempts to create jobs....you know...stuff like extending "jobless payments and healthcare subsidies for the unemployed". Correct me if I am wrong...but how exactly does giving money to unemployed people create jobs (or incentive to find a job)? Oh, that's right...they are just following Doogie's guidance. Let's just hope that this will change...

Senate jobs bill extends Medicare payment rates -text
Tue Feb 9, 2010 2:44pm EST
Related News
Factbox: Reconciling U.S. Senate, House healthcare bills
Thu, Jan 21 2010
WASHINGTON, Feb 9 (Reuters) - A jobs-creation bill that could pass the Senate this week would delay a scheduled 20 percent reduction in doctor payments under the Medicare health-insurance program, according to a copy of the text obtained by Reuters.
BONDS
The bill also extends soon-to-expire jobless payments, healthcare subsidies for the unemployed and highway-funding programs, according to the text of the bill, which has not yet been introduced

And there she goes...

2010-02-08T19:34:00.001-07:00

Table Talk

2010-02-02T19:15:00.003-07:00

There is a standing tradition in our home...we eat dinner together and say a prayer together. But this is usually where all our allusions of great parenting stop. Tonight was no exception. You see...we have been having a particularly difficult time with Kade and Payton lately ... and their unending desire to make everyone laugh at the table through making bodily noises. We usually let the first offense go with just a warning but the second lands their butts in time-out. Tonight Kade fell victim to the 2-strike policy. Upon returning to the table from timeout:

Dad: "Kade, why did you go to time-out?"
Kade: "Because I burped at the table."
Dad: "What do you say?"
Kade: "Excuse me."
Dad: "I think you should say that you are sorry to the table."
Kade: Immediately looks down at the table and says with a straight
face...you guessed it..."I am sorry table"

Ahh...I should have known that was coming.

Kade is apparently an Evil Republican...

2010-01-29T19:09:00.007-07:00

The past few weeks The Mrs. and I have been introducing Kade and Payton to the world of allowances. Now...seeing as how we are both well educated people who work honestly to put food on our table, we are vehemently opposed to the concept that our children are "Entitled" to an allowance. There are many people out there proffering advice on how to handle the whole allowance issue. One mainstream opinion seems to be that you should always give the allowance at regular intervals, like a paycheck. But...here is the rub that I have with this theory. That assumes that your child is as responsible at doing their chores as working adults (or...far yet worse, it simply assumes that your child is "Entitled" to an income because they walk the planet - something that far too many adults also currently believe). Reality is that a 3 year old and a 6 year old are not 100% dependable to do their chores every day. So...the Mrs. has fashioned nice chore charts which, when completed, can be redeemed for their allowance. I know...we are mean parents... expecting that they actually "do something" to earn some money....

Anyway, both Kade and Payton completed their first chore charts last night. This was the moment that they had been waiting for...they were very excited to be "getting their money". Coincidentally, Kade's school has been collecting $1 Haiti donations from students. So we asked Kade if he

would like to give $1 of his $5 allowance to Haiti. His response: "No........who is Haiti?" - [since his first response was "No", there is no question that he is an Evil Republican]. Jen took the time to explain that it was a place near Costa Rica that had a terrible earthquake, most of the houses and buildings collapsed and many people were hurt and even died. She then took him to the computer and showed him where it was on the map...and pulled up some pictures of the aftermath. At that point, she asked if he would like to help the people he saw on the computer by donating one of his hard earned dollars at school the next day. And being the Evil Republican that he is...he naturally said..."yes!". And thus, he just contributed 20% of his first paycheck to charity... very evil indeed (and don't forget to look at Obama's and Biden's charitable track records)!

Oh...on a separate note...in case you didn't catch Obama's pledge to "focus on Jobs and the economy" at the State of the Union...here is a great article about how his administration is "considering several steps that would review the legality of the controversial Bowl Championship Series". I am dying to hear how that is going to stimulate

the economy...unless they are planning to begin taxing collegiate sporting events. Oh wait...don't laugh...Doogie and the CBO are already working on it! (FYI - The CBO was asked to look at this by the Senate Finance Committee...chaired by...you guessed it...Max Baucus...who just happens to be trying to find revenue to fund...what was that...oh yeah...ObamaCare!! Hmmm...interesting...if you go all the way to the end you will see this (emphasis mine):

"Even reclassifying certain types of income might fail to be effective if the policy was intended to apply only to athletic departments. Unless the treatment of such income was consistent across the entire university, strong incentives would remain to shift income taxable to the athletic department to the nontaxed portion of the university. However, reclassifying certain types of income as unrelated, and therefore taxable, would have the advantage of focusing directly on the types of revenue that are associated with the relatively few highly commercial athletic departments rather than on the majority of athletic departments that engage in little commercial activity. "

Read that as...you need to make sure that you classify certain high income streams (from pg. 10: "such as corporate sponsorships or royalties from sales of branded merchandise") as taxable (and oh by the way...make sure there is a law preventing those slimy universities from unscrupulously shifting that revenue to other tax-exempt buckets)...and then bleed them dry. Wow - if that were the case...then why not double the fun by super concentrating those "high income streams" in something like...say...a prolonged playoff system where the highest grossing universities get to play...say...5 games instead of one??? Hmmm...now that sounds like an effort to tax universities...that should be good at lowering the cost of education. Ans as for all that new found revenue? It would obviously be immediately put to work generating JOBS! And there you have it. My 20 minute conspiracy for the night.

Just your ordinary trip to the SSA

2010-01-27T19:00:00.006-07:00

Let me preface this entry by saying that this one is for senor J.T. (yes, Mr. Kentucky Royalty). I really hope a lion or tiger has not gotten him yet...

Yesterday I finally made the trip that I have been dreading. I needed to head on down to the local Social Security Administration branch to apply for a SS#/card for Avery (you see, it is kind of hard to do your taxes without it...well, at least correctly - unlike our Treasury Secretary...). To start...I had to sit in the waiting area for a little over an hour. That was an experience in and of itself. A couple of observations. First, there was the obligatory Purell dispenser at the door - which nobody used despite being in the grips of the worst epidemic of ALL time. Second, there were two beautiful portrait pictures of both Obama and Biden staring at me - as if they were personally there to re-assure me that this would be an efficient government operation. Third, there were about 20 signs on the walls telling people NOT to use their cellphones for security reasons - apparently the Framingham SSA office is a prime terrorist target in the making. Fourth, there was not a single sign in just one language...they were all in English and Spanish....go figure, no Mandarin or French. Fifth, there was a really annoying Chubby Checker sign staring at me ... I am very glad I can share that one with you. Lastly, there were a LOT of loud Latino ladies in the waiting area jibber-jabbing in Spanish as we waited. Their conversations were really interesting. Mainly stemming around how they were here to "get their money". Lovely. One even went so far as to tell the others that she needed to get into a car wreck so she could "get her money"...too bad she didn't buy a Toyota huh. Hmmm...knowing Spanish does have it's uses after all ;-)

But the real meat of the matter was what happened next when I was finally beckoned by the almighty SSA agent. I am sure that they saw me and thought...trouble! You could see it in the ladies eyes...she had me pegged as one of those folks trying to game the system. Don't worry...I had had over an hour with Chubby and Obama 2.0 to prepare ... I was ready for the fight!! (cue theme music from The Good, Bad and the Ugly):

Agent: She opens with a challenge. A flat toned statement of "What do you want?".

R: "A social security card for my daughter. She was born overseas and so I need to get one issued"

Agent: "How old?"

R: "11 months."

Agent: "She doesn't have one already?"

R: "Nope."

Agent: "Birth certificate."

R: "Well, here is her CRIBA..."

Agent: quizzical look...slight head tilt...

R: "Her Consular Report of Birth Abroad..."

Agent: Looks at CRIBA..."This is a birth certificate."

R: "Uh...ok." (I was tempted to ask her if it was the same kind of birth certificate that the fine gentleman with his picture on the wall also possesses ... you know...Obama 2.0's...but I didn't dare up the ante too fast here...)

Agent: "I will need a form of identification for her."

R: "Sure - here is her passport."

Agent: "No sir, I need a valid form of identification."

R: "I am pretty sure that a passport is valid identification, ma'am."

Agent: "Don't you have something like an immunization record?"

R: "Huh? You are aware that a passport is proof of citizenship and allows you to enter this country right? That is why we needed to get her a passport - issued by the very same government you work for - so we could come back to the US. Are you confused by the fact that she has a passport and not a SS#? "

Agent: "Yes. Are you sure she does not have a SS# already?"

R: "I am sure. You see, the state department is not in the business of issuing social security numbers. They are pretty busy making sure that the good guys get to come to the country and the bad guys stay away. They were focused on the CRIBA and the passport. The rest is your job."

Agent: "hold on please"...she goes to the back to check with here superior...comes back..."ok sir, you are right. A passport is an acceptable form of identification."

R: "Good to know."

Agent: I think she is starting to pick-up on some sarcasm at this point. "Sir, now I need to see your identification."

R: "Sure...here is my passport." I am pretty sure that she detected my delight as she looked into the big ass grin on my face when I said that!

Agent: "Ok, everything looks in order this should just take a minute."

Personally, the ignorance I can look past. I mean...come'on. How many times are they ever confronted with a situation like mine...you know...the kind where everything is actually done right? Judging from the Latino ladies conversations...I am betting it is a pretty rare occurrence. The piece that really grated me the wrong way was the fact that an immunization record was considered valid proof of identification. Are you kidding me? I am pretty sure I have a suggestion for my new state Senator...Senor Brown...maybe we should take a closer look at how easy it is to get on the Social Security gravy train???

Gotta love the good old SSA!

Kade's 6th Birthday (20 photos), by Jennifer Cavagnaro

2010-01-24T12:38:00.001-07:00

I'd like to share my Snapfish photos with you. Once you have checked out my photos you can order prints and upload your own photos to share.
Click here to view photos

Let's not get ahead of ourselves...but...DAMN!

2010-01-20T10:02:00.017-07:00

First, let me say that I am proud of the Mrs. She made a point of getting out and voting in the MA special election yesterday. Last night Kade asked her who she voted for and she unabashidly stated who she voted for....wonderful for the kiddos to see! (in fact, the Mrs. and I decided that we will start taking the kiddos to the polls...so they understand the process and all that which it represents).

To be honest, I NEVER would have thought that our move to MA would have resulted in any chance to actually cast a vote that materially mattered - but thanks to "X" I was pleasantly surprised!! (Mad-Lib time ... you fill in the "X")

Backing up for a minute...people wonder (ok - mainly the Mrs. wonders) why I love politics so much. Mainly, I love democracy...and politics is the engine of democracy. I love the fact that "the poeple" really are the boss at the end of the day (despite what the power-drunk politicians in DC think - yes BOTH parties)! So it was tremendously exciting to see so many people in MA discussing the canidates and the issues.

What I want to talk about --> a simple message to the Republican party. Don't misread the mandate. ObamaCo greatly misread 2008. They assumed that thier sweeping victory meant that they had the correct agenda. Wrong. All it meant was that people were not happy with what Bush/Cheny were doing (people forget there was a Democrat Congress at the time...it is just easier to blame Bush). Many conservatives voted for Obama...do you think that really meant they subscribed to something that bordered on socialism? Hardly. So Repubs...don't get all hyped up that this means your platform is solid. It means that Scott Brown's message of the moment was right-on the mark.

Do not spend money "we" do not possess.
Cut taxes to create jobs.
Kill the runaway health-care reform bill (that doesn't mean "no reform at all"...just not "reform like this").
Giving constitutional rights to terrorists is a bad idea.
Listen to the people.

Please, please don't embarass us by over-reading this vote and doing something stupid. Just be happy that you are less wrong than ObamaCo and work towards real compromise for the country!

BUT...dear ObamaCo. Please do not UNDER-READ this vote. It does mean that your agenda sucks. We do not like you spending our children's money at breathtaking speed. We do not like your healthcare monstrocity...it is too focused on the uninsured. We would like you to focus more on jobs. We do not want higher taxes {like you promised} (even the veiled kind - like pass-through taxes from corporations). Don't protect terrorists - they are not our friends. You know...stuff like that.

Since I am a junkie...and completely unable to restrain myself when it comes to data...here are the lenses through which I am looking: The picture on the left is Obama/McCain 2008 and the picture on the right is Coakley/Brown 2010. You may notice some patterns. Obviously Boston/Lowell/Worcester continue to be blue...they have the most to gain. But Cape Cod (home of the Kenedy's)? Both South and North shore? This clearly demonstrates that the current entitlement agenda at the national level is resonating with a smaller and smaller base. You may be interested in why Western Massachusettes (sic) is so blue. I had to ask a few people myself. Apparently it has something to do with what I will call "granola-gravity theory" (something which returns 0 hits in Google...I should trademark that...) ...which is drawing hippies to the Berkshires. But I am not expert on this topic...

Anyway, I have already seen the liberal media starting to paint a predictable picture..."Republicans voted and Democrats sat out --> that was the reason for the loss". Hmm...that is really interesting seeing as how Republicans represent ~11% of the population per the Boston Globs own admission (I am betting that will not be their final answer - just look at the scale on the bottom of the chart for heaven's sake). I seem to recall that the same media pre-election day was saying that "higher turnout favored Coakley" because the state is largely Democrat (shock). Ok - so how many people showed up to vote? About 2.2M according to state records. And how about in 2008 (the biggest turnout ever)? 3M. That's right...about 54% voted in this special election vs 73% in 2008. I would not call thems small potatoes. So the Glob expects us to believe that higher turnout of 11% of 2.2M (or 242K) means victory in MA!! If this were the case, then shouldn't all elections in MA be competative? DUNCES! Clearly the Boston Globs analysis (while it may be factually correct) is a little off target in answering the question of "what happened to my seat?". So let me show you what I see...when I plot voter turnout vs. "% for Brown" town by town...there is a VERY weak correlation (note the R^2 of only 0.03!!). That means turnout was basically irrelevant. DANGER-DANGER Boston Glob...your thesis is flawed. Tie this in with the delta in "support for Obama" vs the "support for Coakley" and you start to see something more telling. I compiled a town by town comparison of the delta in support for the democrat canidate (2010 vs. 2008). You already know the answer wrt the overall average. Obama won with 62% and Coakly only took home 47%...a net loss of 15 percentage points across the board. Ok...that is distressing but the really bad news comes in the town by town breakout. Not ONE single town in MA gave Coakly a higher % than Obama got in '08. Even in the most liberal of liberal places like Cambridge/Provincetown/Amherst, with their backs against the wall (remeber this was the 41st vote after all), saw D supprot errosion...and the more independant towns had striking movement, upwards of 30% cross-over.

So what does this mean...ObamaCo really pissed off a huge chunk of people...it was not just Martha. Martha's terrible campaign is not enough to turn off people in democrat stronholds in a democrat state. After all, they would follow any D anwhere. This is reinforced by the Ramnussen data:

In the end, Brown pulled off the upset in large part because he won
unaffiliated voters by a 73% to 25% margin. The senator-elect also picked up 23%
of the vote from Democrats.
Coakley also barely carried a usually reliable Democratic constituency.
Union workers went for her by just six points, 52% to 46%.
Fifty-six percent (56%) of voters in the state say health care was the most
important factor in their voting decision.
Twenty-five percent (25%) of Massachusetts voters say the economy was most
important.
So yes ObamaCo. your agenda stinks. Loud and clear. If I were your advisor...I would advise you to get out in front of this and deep-6 the current health care plan at the State of the Union. Be seen as leading us ALL away from this disaster which you can claim "Congress has created". You will look stronger...NOT weaker. I doubt your advisors are telling you this and that is too bad for the country.
And I re-iterate my warning to the Repubs: You better stay out of the cool-aid and realize that this is a great opportunity to get a seat at the table and contribute. It is not validation that you should OWN the table.
And if you made it all the way to the bottom...let me know :-)

Starigh from the horses arse

2010-01-15T07:17:00.006-07:00

Every couple of days I try to check out the CBO (Congressional Budget Office) director’s blog. For those of you unfamiliar with the CBO (kind of a stretch if you are in following the healthcare train wreck)…they are a group chartered by the following mandate (from their website):

CBO's mandate is to provide the Congress with:
- Objective, nonpartisan, and timely analyses to aid in economic and budgetary decisions on the wide array of programs covered by the federal budget and
- The information and estimates required for the Congressional budget process.

Anyway…back to the director’s blog. It is usually filled with loads of crap that most Americans wouldn’t give a rat’s turd about. But every now and then…a real gem of a nugget comes along that I just can’t resist. The director’s latest entry is a particularly juicy morsel for those of us who have reached deep (really deep) to resist the temptation of simply ignoring this mess.

The current director is Douglas Elmendorf … but I think I am going to call him Doogie from here forward. Anyway…Doogie goes on for about 6 paragraphs laying down the pretext for their latest analysis – an attempt to find the best policy option moving forward to create jobs - noble effort indeed. Basically, all you need to know is that bigger numbers on the graph are better, since that means more jobs created. Before we even go into what constitutes the top ten best policy options identified…look at the scale: 0 to 20. Well now you are probably asking yourself…what does 1 unit of “years of full-time-equivalent employment per Million Dollars of Total Budgetary cost” really mean? My interpretation:

Worst Case = 1 job created for $1M “spent” --> $1M / job. (ok – technically it could be zero…but our congress would never do that…)
Best Case = 20 jobs created for $1M “spent” --> $50K / job

…oh this should be veeeery interesting indeed (FYI - the median US salary is ~$35K with median household income of ~$50K).

Ok…on to the top items (their graph and my summary):

#1 “Give money away”
#2 “Cut taxes”

#3 “Cut taxes”

#4 “Cut taxes”
#5 “Give money away”
#6 “Cut Taxes”
#7 “Spend”
#8 “Spend”
#9 “Cut taxes”
#10 “Cut taxes”
#11 “Cut taxes”

Please note: “Increase taxes” is not on the list.

Good work Doogie! Too bad the only thing the Hill will hear is that "give money away" is in slot #1.

As an aside: If you had to chose between the two best rated policy options of "Increase aid to the unemployed" or "Reducing employer's payroll taxes for firms that increase their payroll" which would you choose? (or maybe we could do both if we didn't have the healthcare albatross on the table...)

Christmas 2009 - MA (59 photos), by Jennifer Cavagnaro

2010-01-14T08:27:00.001-07:00

I'd like to share my Snapfish photos with you. Once you have checked out my photos you can order prints and upload your own photos to share.
Click here to view photos

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-20T19:02:00.007-07:00

Hey everyone...sorry about yet another long delay in the blog updates...but things have been kind of busy as most of you can imagine. Not that I have a lot of time tonight...but the Mrs. wants me to put two things out there for all of you to enjoy. The first are a couple of pictures from our recent trip to see Santa! This year we caught old Chris Kringle down at the local nursery...Weston Nurseries. What a great little thing they do for the local families. They have hot cider, a fire pit to make s'mores and a free visit with Santa. They even print a couple of pictures for you right then and there for you to take home. Really a pretty amazing treat these days....we will be sure to visit again next year! Kade and Avery were a little skittish with the big man...but as usual...Payton was ready for her photo shoot!

Jen also wanted me to post the family letter for all to enjoy. Seeing as how we are just now getting together the final letters to be sent...it is highly likely you will see it here before it reaches your mailbox. Without further ado...here is the Christmas 2009 Cavagnaro family letter:

Dear Friends and Family,

Christmas really is a truly wonderful season. No matter how our year has unfolded, it provides us an opportunity for wrapping ourselves in the warmth of traditions, slowing down to enjoy our friends & family, deepening our faith, laying plans for the approaching year and reflection upon the previous year. As the Cavagnaro family enters yet another Christmas season, both Jen and I are stricken with the realization that we are continually amazed this time of the year. It is always amazing how FAST the holidays sneak up on us. It is always amazing just how much there is to do and how many people there are to see. And of course, it is always amazing how fast your credit card can add up. But most of all, it always amazes us how much can change in the span of just 365 days. So it was with no surprise that 2009 did not disappoint the Cavagnaro’s!

By far and away, the most defining moment of 2009 happened in February with the birth of Avery Grace. Beyond the fact that having a third child throws life into complete disarray, the challenge of having a baby in a foreign country is always good for a “little” excitement. Jen did a fantastic job containing her anxieties (I think she only talked about returning to the USA one time) and overall the experience went very well. We were very fortunate to have many wonderful friends in our “Costa Rica neighborhood”, all of whom pitched in to help us through the experience. Even Jen’s parents got over their foreign travel phobia and came down to lend a hand. We are pleased to see that Avery is doing very well and just like any normal 10 month old, she is literally tumbling headlong into life. She has already gotten her first two teeth, is now crawling all over our yet-to-be-baby-proofed house, starting to say the simple words (da-da, ma-ma, bye-bye, hola) and starting to seriously think about taking those first steps.

The other major change for the year was our move back to the USA! After two years in Costa Rica…it was finally time to get off the beach and turn in our margarita glasses. I think I could write a thesis paper on the strain an international move puts on a family…but the most unexpected realization of all, was just how hard leaving CR would be for the family. Despite those first long months of wandering around the supermarket aimlessly and hopelessly stumbling through Spanish with the cop you are trying to bribe, we ultimately fell into a lifestyle which worked for all of us. Jen was able to establish great friends, learn the language and with the help of Arelis was freed from the shackles of cleaning and laundry. Both Kade and Payton settled in very quickly, established friendships of their own and both excelled at their Spanish speaking Montessori school. We are very proud that they both still speak and understand Spanish around the house. In the end, all of this made the final departure from Costa Rica hard for the entire family and if you visit us…you may still catch Payton wandering around our new home muttering “I want to go back to Costa Rica”. And so it goes…along every great journey, the sad goodbyes turn into the start of a new adventure…and so off to Hopkinton Massachusetts we trekked!

As it turns out…MA in July is not so bad for a family of 5 coming from Costa Rica…BUT…MA in December is an entirely different beast! It is definitely going to take at least one winter to get our “Colorado skin” back. Beyond the weather, MA has been treating us well thus far. Kade has started Kindergarten. He is doing well and is starting to read which is exciting for all. He loves school and really enjoys his homework (…falling into the “we are old” category…when did kids start getting homework in KG?). He has also started playing soccer, attends Spanish lessons and attends an after school program called Hooray for Books which he greatly enjoys. The big excitement for Kade recently has been in the teeth department. Just as Avery was getting her first 2 teeth…Kade lost his first 2 teeth. The tooth fairy was generous (in inflation adjusted terms) and he cannot wait to lose another. As for Payton, she is a riot! Her little personality is shining through like a 10M candle-power spotlight (I think she gets that from Jen). She has started attending a Christian pre-school and is excelling in her A/B/Cs and 1/2/3s. The best is when she comes home and tells us that “we are not letting our light shine”. Bless her little heart! She is also in Spanish lessons and Hooray for Books but her big news is that she is now fully potty trained and has FINALLY dumped her chupeta (pacifier)!!! Amen!! As for Jen and I, we are just struggling to turn our house into a home. Seeing as this is the 7th move for us…we really should be better at this…but starting over is never easy. It is a great challenge, but so was Costa Rica…at least this time we speak the language!

What will 2010 bring for you? Well, our wish for all of you, our dearest friends and family…is…365 days of blessed madness!!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year,

Rob, Jen, Kade, Payton and Avery Cavagnaro

9 Month Comparison (1 photo), by Jennifer Cavagnaro

2009-11-20T20:19:00.001-07:00

I'd like to share my Snapfish photos with you. Once you have checked out my photos you can order prints and upload your own photos to share.
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Girls Weekend in MA (19 photos), by Jennifer Cavagnaro

2009-11-05T09:14:00.001-07:00

I'd like to share my Snapfish photos with you. Once you have checked out my photos you can order prints and upload your own photos to share.
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Ack...my blog is being over-run by Snapfish Adverts...I better write something...

2009-11-04T20:07:00.002-07:00

Today - Before going to work:

Dad: "Payton, can you please help me make your bed?"

Payton: "Sure...(looking over and seeing that I am actually wearing a button up shirt)...hey dad...you look fancy today!"

Nice. For the record...I was still wearing jeans. But...I guess that makes me a fancy boy in my daughter's eyes :-(

Today - At the dinner table:

Payton: "I have a plan. Tomorrow...Mommy can stay at home with Avery. Kade, Dad and I will go to the movies"

Dad: "There is one slight problem...tomorrow you and Kade have school...and I have to go to work"

Payton: "Oh"

Dad: "How about this plan. How about you, Kade and mommy go to the movies on the weekend? I will stay at home with Avery to give mommy a break..."

Payton: "A break means sitting down and just watching TV..."

Mom: [laughing - wonder where she got that idea] "Well, mommy doesn't do the movies quite like Grandma Judy..."

Kade: "Grandma Judy always lets us play the games after watching the movies...that is awesome!" (spoken as if he had just seen Evil Knievel fly through a ring of fire)

And that about covers the day.

Building the Play Structure (50 photos), by Jennifer Cavagnaro

2009-11-04T19:33:00.001-07:00

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Apple Picking (38 photos), by Jennifer Cavagnaro

2009-11-04T17:25:00.001-07:00

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Soccer (13 photos), by Jennifer Cavagnaro

2009-10-19T07:48:00.001-06:00

I'd like to share my Snapfish photos with you. Once you have checked out my photos you can order prints and upload your own photos to share.

Hiner's visit MA (31 photos), by Jennifer Cavagnaro

2009-10-10T20:53:00.001-06:00

I'd like to share my Snapfish photos with you. Once you have checked out my photos you can order prints and upload your own photos to share.

What a week - and it is only Tuesday!

2009-09-15T20:39:00.009-06:00

So this week has been a blur...and it is not even half over! First Payton finally decided to throw away her last pacifier so Mom took her out to do some "big girl" stuff in celebration. First she got to go to a nail place and get her nails done with mom. Then she got to go to Kohl's and pick out a new dress. She was beaming from ear to ear...especially when she got home and Skyped with both grandmas to show them her new pretty nails. So far so good...no paci regression.

Today Payton went to her new school for the first time -> Hopkinton Christian Preschool. It was just the open house....but it was a great first step. She really starts on Thursday morning...but as usual...she is ready to go!

Not to be outdone by his little sister...Kade had two exciting things happen today. First, he went to his new after "school" program called "Hooray for books". They read and then do neat activities like cooking or science projects. He had to take a different bus after school (bus J instead of bus A) which made it all the more exciting. He was really jazzed about the whole thing and apparently loved it.

But the biggest news of the day came at dinner when Kade's first front tooth decided to pop-out in the middle of eating his quesadilla. I saw him wince as if he had bit into something hard and I so I tried to get him to stop...but to no avail. The tooth ended up in his belly! He was quite distressed at first...until we explained that we could leave the tooth fairy a note and explain what happened...AND HE WOULD STILL GET HIS SURPRISE! That put the boy at ease...so we marched off to Friendly's for a 3 scoop Reece's Pieces Sundae to celebrate (just a mere 1,860 calories of celebration!!).

At bed time, as we were having our nightly chat in his room...he asked me how the tooth fairy could get into the house. Well, naturally it is the same way that Santa does...through the chimney of course! Then he asked me how the tooth fairy can lift his heavy head to get under the pillow..."does he use a small crane dad?". Well...it is a secret. You see...if he told people how he did that...then the next thing you know the Easter Bunny or the Boogy Man would be stealing teeth...and that just won't do at all. Finally, he informed me that the tooth fairy knows when to come get a tooth because God tells him. Then he said a little prayer to God, asking God to remind the tooth fairy that he had accidentally swallowed his tooth and to still come anyway and leave his surprise. The tooth fairy is actually leaving a note-card under the pillow tonight...explaining that he understood what happened and to not worry...it happens all the time! And then the note went on to explain that "all the money" he was expecting to get had been appropriated by the government to pay for health care, subsidizing the automobile pension plans, fight global warming, all the fees associated with the making of the Obama infomercial on Capital Hill, as well as other various critical social programs such as continuing the education of ACORN "advisors". Apparently anyone who makes over $2.50 is considered a high income earner (apparently the $250K promise was a teleprompter error)...Maybe next time kid. Ouch...times are tough when Obama starts taxing your tooth fairy income!! Just wait until Taxachusetts hears about that...they will be all over that gravy train! [ok, Jen made me take the last part out...she found the term gravy train offensive to trains...the rest was fine by her]

Introducing the SKYFORT!!!

2009-09-09T19:30:00.009-06:00

So our family had a wonderful labor day weekend. It constituted of only one thing...putting together the Skyfort! Grandma Judy bought this gynormous play structure a few months back as a gift to the kiddos...and we finally got around to putting it together. Unfortunately it did not come pre-assembled. Instead it came in 5 huge boxes weighing ~900 lbs on an 18 wheeler. That was the first bad sign ;-) Not to worry...I had Kade, Payton and Avery there to help with assembly...this should be a breeze!

'Twas the night before assembly: 3 hours spent in the garage separating all the pieces by code so I wouldn't go crazy trying to find pieces the next morning. The good news was they only forgot to send me one board. 3 hours = ended the day at step 0.

Day 1: Full of uncertainty..."This is a big fargin' playset Jen!" Kade was impressive...he was out there the entirety of all three days! 5 hours = ended the day at step 25.

Day 2: The girls started getting into the action as you can see from the pictures. Also, Kade figured out that he could help keep track of all the wood pieces we were taking out of the garage in his notebook by writing them all down...good letter/number practice...Dad: "Kade, I am taking 'K4'"...Kade: "Check". 5 more hours = ended the day at step 54.

Day 3: Grandpa Poppy showed up to help speed up the process (so the theory goes). I am pretty sure he just smelled the cedar from home and started having withdrawals. 7 more hours = ended on step 94.

Day 3+: I came home early from work to finish the last bits and pieces. 2 more hours = completed the project on step 104. Total time = 22 hours. It could have been a LOT worse! The set is rock solid and crazy detailed as you can see. It even has 2 bay windows...someday I am going to look back on this and laugh...I just know it!

Where wree you Thursday...

2009-09-05T21:24:00.005-06:00

First Day

2009-09-03T22:00:00.005-06:00

As we said yesterday...today was Kade's first day at Kindergarten. It was a wild day for Jen...as any mother will tell you. The good news is that nobody cried ... at least not that I am aware of.

The day started off with a hug goodbye from sister...

To say that Kade was ready is an understatement...he walked right on off to the bus stop!

There he goes...

Payton waiting at the bus stop for Kade to return...

Avery was eagerly waiting at the bus stop also...

And there he is...with his crown and all!

Phew! One down 2 to go...

3,287 days later...

2009-09-02T20:41:00.006-06:00

So tomorrow is the big day...Kade's first day of Kindergarten. Yesterday we went to the open house to see his classroom and meet his teacher. You be the judge...do you think Kade is going to like his new teacher? He also starts soccer in two weeks...a new life for everyone!

Not to be outdone...little miss Payton is going to start both dance school (she is already practicing in her new outfit) as well as pre-school at the local church. She is alll girl!

Father's Day & Ken's Bday (34 photos), by Jennifer Cavagnaro

2009-08-27T20:17:00.001-06:00

I'd like to share my Snapfish photos with you. Once you have checked out my photos you can order prints and upload your own photos to share.

Avery Roll

2009-06-23T22:15:00.003-06:00

Now, I missed the roll again tonight because I was putting Payton to sleep...but this time The Mrs. caught it on tape so I guess it counts ;-) Here is Miss Avery in action! Thank goodness we are back in the land of carpet!!

Two things

2009-06-22T22:27:00.002-06:00

First, I have unconfirmed reports this mornign from Jen that Avery finally rolled on her own from her front to her back. I tried to get it on film...but you know how that goes. I just caught the second showing where she got pissed and started crying.

Second, need to pass along this little family conversation today. We were driving in the car, heading over to Ken's to pick up Kylie.

Kade: Dad, go faster!
Dad: Kade, I can't.
Kade: Faster, like a roller coaster!
Dad: There is a red light up ahead.
Mom: And there is a police man right there [pointing]...you don't want daddy to get a ticket do you?
Kade: No...ok...go slow.
[pause]
Payton: Daddy, do you have any money?
Dad: For what honey?
Payton: To give the police man.
[pause]
Mom: [laughing] Payton, we aren't in Costa Rica anymore...you can't pay the police in the US.
Payton: Oh.

Ah, ourworldly children!

Finally - progress

2009-06-15T13:44:00.003-06:00

Here is a screenshot from Redfin today - note the status line ;-). So all that paperwork must have finally gone somewhere useful!

Also, Christy posted a little mention about Kade and Haily parting ways....

It's official...we are gone!

2009-06-13T14:34:00.003-06:00

After a long couple of days (ok, weeks) ... today was our first "day of rest". We got into Albuquerque last night around 7pm with 13 of the 14 pieces of luggage we started with. Hey 93% isn't bad these days...wouldn't you feel good if all you lost recently was 7% ;-)

Anyway...it didn't take long for the kids to pick up some slack. Now that we don't have Arelis they immediately set out to start cleaning the back porch!

Next up...is finishing all the home loan stuff and shipping the Maxima from NM to MA.

And there it goes....

2009-06-09T10:51:00.003-06:00

Only took one day for WinMovers to pack everything up. And then only about 2 hours in the morning to load it all up (you see the shuttle in the pictures...the semi was out on the road). I even got to talk to the semi driver (yes in Spanish) for a little bit. Seems he is taking it down to Limon right now...so it should be at the port 1pm. Muy Rapido!

IT has begun

2009-06-08T09:57:00.003-06:00

Last night we were in the hotel...so we are officially out of the house. As you can see...the movers came bright and early this morning. Let the games begin.

Punta Uva (65 photos), by Jennifer Cavagnaro

2009-06-03T22:59:00.000-06:00

I'd like to share my Snapfish photos with you. Once you have checked out my photos you can order prints and upload your own photos to share.
http://www1.snapfish.com/fbshareredirect/p=50431244091384653/l=1305985016/g=4595018/redirectURL=share/otsi=SALBBL/AlbumID=661304016/a=4595018_4595018/usercomments=I_xqd%20like%20to%20share%20my%20Snapfish%20photos%20with%20you.%20Once%20you%20have%20checked%20out%20my%20photos%20you%20can%20order%20prints%20and%20upload%20your%20own%20photos%20to%20share./counttext=65%20photos/COBRAND_NAME=snapfish

You be the judge...trouble???

2009-06-02T21:48:00.002-06:00

Toyota Sienna - 2010 XLE

2009-06-01T22:37:00.003-06:00

More details on item #9: Bought a car

So Obama must be lovin' us. Not only did we just plunk down some green on a new home but also a car. Here is what we got...a model 2010 blue XLE Toyota Sienna. I know...everyone is just drooling over the over-the-top hotness of a minivan! It's almost fully loaded...didn't get the navigation system since I already have a portable one. Built in America.

3 Things

2009-05-31T22:36:00.002-06:00

While I was brushing my teeth tonight three importatnt things popped into my mind:

Kade has already started making his Cristmas list...God help him.
Avery has been sleeping through the night for a week now (usually from ~9-7) which is very good timing for mom and dad
I find it very ironic that no one in Costa Rica recycles. Instead they basically just burn their trash in their front yards. Al Gore would shit his pants.

That's it. Good night.

12 more days in paradise

2009-05-31T21:45:00.005-06:00

Well, we only have 12 more days in paradise. Time really has flown by. We spent the past weekend on the beach down on the Carribean side near Puerto Viejo. Both Jen and I spent this morning looking over the lush plants and the blue of the ocean for one last time. Very sad indeed to be leaving.

But then...

As we were driving home we got pulled over by a transito cop. Yup. Apparently they decided to enforce the old "passing in a double yellow line zone" law today. And that really is funny in CR since only about 1/10th of the roads actually have any lines at all. But anyway, I got pulled over and expected a small ticket and on our way. Nope. Not anymore. Apparently the police in paradise now think it is appropriate to suspend your drivers license for 6 months for passing in a no passing zone. Yup. That's right - they take your license right then and there. (as an aside, I happen to be using my CO drivers license right now seeing as how my CR license has already expired..oops)

Now, being a good self respecting USofA citizen...we just don't sit around in situations like this and take it up the shorts. So I got out of the car and went over to the transito cop's car to have a little side conversation. Apparently if your Spanish suddenly gets a lot better (yeah - usually faking bad spanish gets you off quicker) and you start saying things like "But I am returning to the states and I need my CO licenese" or more importantly "If I paid you the fine right here in cash could I leave with my CO license?" they will magically let you proceed as if the little known law never existed. Ahhh, the sounds of paradise (can't you just hear the cha-ching of the pretty birds and cute little tree frogs?).

The moral of the story...it's a good thing we are leaving CR. It used to only hypothetically cost ~$40 to bribe a cop...now it takes hypothetically about $100! And that my friends is the REAL cost of the recession....fewer tourists means the tourism "tax" gets disproportionately placed onto the few remaining (hey - kind of sounds like the US tax system huh...but that's a whole different kind of fleecing for another day...)

So it looks like we bought a house...

2009-05-27T14:57:00.005-06:00

We still have a few more hoops to go before we get the final-final on our MA home...but from here, only the inspection and financing stands in our way. You can go check it out at:

http://www.redfin.com/MA/Hopkinton/8-Kimball-Rd-01748/home/8553111

This picture was from a few years ago...we plan to get it back to at least this good looking in short order ;-) The current owner let the landscaping slide a bit (and Jen hates the color - so I suspect I will be painting soon). We think it also needs some shutters...what do you think?

FYI - there is a link to the floorplan also: http://www.yourplans.us/kimball8.htm

Tentative closing date: July 15.

Lo Siento

2009-05-24T16:32:00.002-06:00

I know that many of you have been wondering what the heck is up with us...I have failed miserably to keep everyone updated....here is the 5 minute version...I will try to get some pics and details up soon.

Joe and Ellen visited us and we went up to Arenal and had a great time (once again) at Los Lagos
Then we turned around after 1 day at home and headed out to the beach with the Stankos. We ended up at the Hilton Papagayo which was indeed a very nice place to stay.
Then we had to get all of our residancy cards renewed...that was way not fun!
Jen's friend Rory left...heading back to Canada
Payton's 3rd Ponyville Birthday Bash
The Eesay's left us - heading back to the states
Mother's day
House hunting trip in MA
Bought a new car in MA - Toyota Sienna, to be delivered straight from the factory when we return
The family got T-boned by an old lady who decided it would be fun to run a red light...everyone is fine (except that now I have to deal with massive amounts of paperwork)
Made an offer on a house in MA - no news yet...

And in the middle of all this we have been trying to coordinate an international one-way relocation (CR-MA), moving our car (NM-MA), moving our home storage (CO-MA) and selling all our CR stuff (and raising 3 kiddos...one of which is a finicky 3 month year old).

I am not quite sure if we will make it through all this...we will see.

Engineer or Artist?

2009-03-31T06:52:00.005-06:00

The other day I was watching Kade as the girls were taking a nap. I was upstairs getting something from my computer and as usual...got a little distracted. After about 10 minutes I noticed that Kade had gotten really quiet downstairs...and as you know that usually meand I am going to be spending the next hour fixing something. Much to my surprise, I found Kade in the garage building something. Here is the finished product - he had balanced a piece of wood on the handle of the push toy and put all his markert on top...not too shabby. I wonder if this means he is going to be an engineer or an artist??

I would like to get Senor Kentucky Royal's Opinion On This One...

2009-03-27T11:53:00.009-06:00

Yesterday I was in the cafeteria at my place of work. I was having a discussion with a co-worker as we were waiting to get our afternoon coffee. Mid-sentance I stopped cold. My co-worker must have thought that I was having another brain-fart moment as he stood there looking at me with that WTF look on his face...but politely not saying anything. Then I pointed and he saw what was so befuttling me:

That's right...chicken (Pollo) flavored potato chips!! I was able to resist my natural "manly" urges (to try anything unusual) for exactly one day. This morning I had to go back and buy a bag. My mind was racing. What would this taste like ... Fried Chicken??

The answer: Yes......

Yes it tasted like fried chicken...but....it tasted like a mouth full of fried chicken skin/fat...not good. I only got about 10 chips into the bag before I started feeling nauseous (something not easily done). It went in the trash. Experiment completed --> Chicken Potato Chips are NOT good.

Interestingly enough...there was another bag of chips sitting right next to the chicken chips...this one flavored "mayonnaise"...hmmmm...it's a good thing tomorrow is Saturday and I won't be able to give in to yet another bad creation.

Me and My Cellphone 2

2009-03-24T21:36:00.005-06:00

It's been a while since my first "Me and My Cellphone" installment...and the pictures have been accumulating on me...so I better get back at it before I forget about it. Here is a picture of what caused me to be late getting home the other night. A rather bad day for the local delivery truck. I guess all those signs in the US warning about vehicle height limitations are worth the money.

Officially 5...but can she run for President?

2009-03-23T22:14:00.008-06:00

Today the US State department hand delivered Avery's brand spanking new Passport and her Consular Report of Birth Abroad (I think they slang that into CRIBA somehow). I know...what amazing service the US Embassy in San Jose provides!! This means that she has claimed her US citizenship thus making the Cavagnaro clan officially 5 in the eyes of the US Goberment. Don't worry Obama...you will still get us for the same amount of taxes due to the phase-outs on the child tax credit...unlike the Octomom.

Anyway, as proof...here is her passport photo (looks a lot like Payton's) and a picture of her new US Birth Certificate - the famed CRIBA.

I have also attached the State Department letter which accompanied our delivery...really...click it and read it. I would think that Hillary would be proud of the work of Senor Kentucky Royal. I think he deserves a promotion...at a cherry posting...say...something like Malawi?? But seriously...I think this is a hoax. After all it is supposedly signed by someone named John T. Ice...but if you look at the signature it clearly states John S. Ice so I think the whole thing is a sham. I will have to ask Hillary about that sometime...or maybe Senor Stanky since he seems to pretend he knows something about this stuff.

Lastly...as a public announcement. Remember that March 28 is Passport Day in the USA. A little (ok a lot) less exciting than March 14th...but hey...this is the State Department after all...

On Saturday, March 28, the Department of State will celebrate “Passport Day in the USA,” a national outreach event to provide passport information and accept passport applications from U.S. citizens from coast-to-coast and border-to-border. Citizens should check travel.state.gov for official times. For this day only, appointments and expedite fees are not required for those applying at a Passport Agency.

From Jen...

2009-03-19T22:55:00.002-06:00

Avery's 1 Month Checkup

2009-03-18T20:07:00.011-06:00

Today was Avery's 1 month check-up. The doctor was happy with her overall growth...apparently she is right about 50th percentile in everything.

02/19/09: 7lbs 1 oz and 19 inches

03/18/09: 8lbs 8 oz and 21 inches

On a separate note, tonight we are packing for our quick beach trip this weekend (heading out to the Betz's condo in Jaco). I am hopeful we can get a picture of all three kiddos on the beach for next year's annual Christmas card...so I was looking at getting the camera ready.

As I scrolled thought the pictures that were still on the camera, I ran across these two gems. The first one is a picture that our maid apparently took of Payton after "doing" her hair. The second is a self-portrait by Kade...what a masterpiece. I have a suspicion it would be his Facebook profile picture if he had a Facebook page.

Kade, you are soooo scrambled!

2009-03-17T21:07:00.004-06:00

Last weekend Kade had a moment of brilliance. He got a ball-point pen, took off the top, proceeded to draw a line from one end of our living room wall to the other and then dropped the pen at the end of the wall and walked away. (I sense my parents are laughing right now for some reason...). Later that night, The Mrs. asks me what we should do: "How do we punish the kid that does not care about anything?". The age-old parent standby: "Ground his sorry little butt --> No TV and no playing outside for one day". Wonderful, we are already grounding our little 5 year old :-(

So...this morning (the day after the grounding) I was driving Kade to school and we had the following exchange:

Kade: "Dad, am I scrambled today?"
Dad : "What?"
Kade: "Am I scrambled today?"
Dad : "You want scrambled eggs for lunch?"
Kade: "No, I want to play with you outside after work."
Dad : pause...thinking...processing...ahhh..."Are you asking me if you are Grounded today?"
Kade: "Yeah....that's what I said. Am I grounded today?"
Dad : "No Kade, you are not scrambled today"
Kade: "Great!"

Happy St. Patty's Day...from Avery

2009-03-17T20:57:00.002-06:00

School Photos

2009-03-16T21:04:00.009-06:00

It's that time of the year again... With the start of each school year in CR comes the obligatory C9,000 school photogs. The interesting thing is that neither kid is smiling or making some really strange face?? I mean...what's up with that?!?!

Whenever I try to get photos around the house they always turn out like these...(yes, he is protecting his frozen waffle...don't mess with Kader-tot's waffles!)

Then there are the class photos...those are always a special treat for the parental units. It will be a lot of fun to look back on these photos after the kids have started to forget their time in CR. There is no denying their Tico friends now!

As Payton would say "Earth to Obama...Calling Obama"

2009-03-12T10:51:00.007-06:00

This is the difference between campaigning and governing. When you are the President...just saying that you are going to increase taxes on corporations down the road (corp tax rates or cap-trade) is enough to send them running for the hills. Gee - who would have thunk of that?

ZUG, Switzerland, March 12 (Reuters) - The tidy towns and mountain vistas of Switzerland are an unlikely setting for an oil boom.
Yet a wave of energy companies has in the last few months announced plans to move to Switzerland -- mainly for its appeal as a low-tax corporate domicile that looks relatively likely to stay out of reach of Barack Obama's tax-seeking administration.
Over the past six months companies including offshore drilling contractors Noble Corp and Transocean, energy-focused engineering group Foster Wheeler and oilfield services company Weatherfield International have all announced plans to shift domicile to Switzerland.
"Switzerland has a stable and developed tax regime and a network of tax treaties with most countries where we operate," Transocean Chief Executive Bob Long said in a statement in October, when it announced its move. "As a result, the redomestication will improve our ability to maintain a competitive worldwide effective corporate tax rate."

Hopefully he starts re-thinking his anti-business platform before all the corporate tax base is overseas!

Avery Grace - almost 3 weeks old!

2009-03-10T21:45:00.006-06:00

I have been getting complaints from the natives that I have not been pushing up photos of the Avery....so here you go. These are from today.

A bit of a smile...

Getting tired of the photo shoot

Happy again

Scratch that...We Are Moving to North Dakota...To Live With Woody-Woody!

2009-03-09T20:46:00.006-06:00

This weekend something terrible happened to me...I became an old fart. I now officially remind myself of WoodyWoody (a.k.a. Woody). As such, I will be moving the fambly to North Dakota where I can bitch about the weather all winter and yell at the Prarie Dogs all summer...at least that is what WoodyWoody says they do in ND.

You see, on Saturday night...our neighbors decided to have a birthday party. Come about 11pm, they were still rockin' so loudly that they were waking up the kiddos...and waking up Kade is NOT easy to do. So I put on my slippers and walked over to the neighbor's in my pajamas. The funny part, when the guests inside their house saw me standing in the door...all the men turned and pretended like they did not see me. As such, the wife ended up falling on the grenade (nice guy huh).

Apparently the language of "pissed off" cuts through all cultures equally. She pretty much knew what the hell I was there for before we spoke any words. I did not pretend to speak Spanish and she did not pretend to not understand English...that was nice of her. She appologized and the music level was low for the remainder of the evening. All was well...except for the fact that I felt like I was 90 years old....I guess 3 kids will do that to you...

10. Thou shall not covet your neighbor's....

2009-03-06T15:19:00.007-07:00

A while ago...the CherkyB published a blog regarding his "Beloved" snowblower. Given the fact that he owns his beloved...I suppose Moses would say he was in the clear.

BUT...recently a new temptation has entered my life. Senor Stanky finally go his basketball hoop in-country (the Lifetime 71524 54" Makrolon® Polycarbonate Portable Hoop Goal Basketball System). And so now...there is sits...out in front of our house...just tempting the unholy to covet away. When I confronted Senor Stanky regarding this dillema he has put me into...he replied that as long as it was not his wife that I covet, then I may covet away. Which raises an interesting theological question: Is it a mortal sin to covet a basketball hoop when you have the approval of it's owner? Oh...the issues we good souls must torture ourselves with...

Just in case you failed CCD:

"You shall have no other gods before me.
You shall not make for yourself any carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate me, but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.
You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.
Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your manservant, nor your maidservant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.
Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you.
You shall not murder.
You shall not commit adultery.
You shall not steal.
You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s."

Moving to Massachusetts

2009-03-05T14:38:00.003-07:00

Today I came up the stairs and saw a couple of boxes full of toys blocking the stairwell. Noting the remarkable silence, I moved the boxes to one side and proceeded to seek answers. The first clue was found in the kids rooms...they were packing more of their toys into another box. So I leave them alone (since they are not beating each other up nor messing with my stuff) and head over to the answer lady.

Rob: "Hey Jen, what's up with the boxes of toys?"
Jen: "They are packing for Massachusetts. Apparently they are leaving today."

So if you happen to see two kids in Massachusetts without any winter clothing or clean underwear but lots of toys...you know to ship them back to....

Birthday Wish...

2009-03-03T21:45:00.006-07:00

Let me start by saying that it just would not be a birthday unless someone threw up on me. This year the honor goes to Avery Grace. Well done honey! So small...yet so much to offer!!

This year I had a tough time coming up with my birthday wish. You see...my dillema boils down to a problem which any person in the world should strive to have..."what does a man who has it all, really need?" The Mrs. did very well answering that call in the gift area this year...NFL Sunday Ticket, Guitar Hero for the Wii and a 7 pound Avery Grace. A very good showing on her part indeed this year!

But as I gazed into the "forest fire" of candles (as Kade called it) sitting on top of the cake the kiddos decorated...I reflected upon the importance of the birthday wish. To make it bigger than oneself...to add depth...to make it a truly grand. And then it came upon me like a bolt of lightening.

Now, one is not supposed to share their birthday wish, as we have all been told that this supposedly invalidates the wish...but I suspect that is just another conspiracy foisted upon us like Valentine's Day or the Tooth Fairy. So here goes...my birthday wish for my 34th Birthday:

I would like all the politicians...who believe

they can spend my money better

than I can...to go to Hell!

In addition: I am officially renouncing my registration to the Republican Party. I am tired of their hypocricy. The fact they lumped in as many earmarks in the latest budget as the Democrats is an embarassment. They had the chance to stand on the high ground and squandered it away. Now before all you Obama-Crazy-Liberal-Sensitive Types out there get the idea that I am joining the Democratic party...let me disavow you of that notion before you can even PayPal your way to my bank account. You are JUST AS BAD. As such, I have decided to start my own political party. Please come join in the quest to right America!

The Honest Americans Party

someday I may just have a few dozen members ;-)

Cavagnaro Blog (updates and occasional rants)

Sad :-(

Avery's First Mini-Marathon

Second video from the parade - Lucas, Katie and Drew!

Priorities

Waiting for the bus...

Our big turkey!

Our little pilgrim!

Sunday morning....

Sleepytime!

Avery's favorite song...

Kade's first den meeting...

Kade's first cub scout pack meeting.

Avery loving Glee...

Is it just me...or does that boy have a big melon?

It's toothpaste man!!

Skinny is alive again!!!

JT flying an Apache???

2010 Fireworks (6 photos), by Jennifer Cavagnaro

Ice visit (22 photos), by Jennifer Cavagnaro

This should cause a bit of a ruckus...

I love this for what it is....

Kade's Star Wars Birthday (197 photos), by Jennifer Cavagnaro

Something that most folks probably missed...but I am sure that the mainstream media will get to this sometime...

Cpt. Kick Arse

Kade wanted to share this with all of you...

The pickle tree

Payton's Dance Recital (23 photos), by Jennifer Cavagnaro

Another gem from Santa Clara county

The lawyers are coming...the lawyers are coming (part-II)

Hypocrisy

Payton's 4th Birthday (53 photos), by Jennifer Cavagnaro

The Lawyers are coming...the Lawyers are coming!!!

What could go wrong...

Boston Marathon

Easter (78 photos), by Jennifer Cavagnaro

Great Grandparents Visit (30 photos), by Jennifer Cavagnaro

Bath time Surprise

Septic Tank Pumping Frequency Chart...the best blog topic ever?

Tax Day Conspiracy...probably not........but beneficial...absolutely!

Great advice for kids of all ages...

USA Today Graphic outlining spending/revenue at Federal level since 1941

Question for you...

Rob's 35th Birthday (14 photos), by Jennifer Cavagnaro

A bit of humor...

Avery's 1st Birthday Party (45 photos), by Jennifer Cavagnaro

I don't even know what to title this one...

Masscare

Happy 1st Birthday Avery Grace Cavagnaro!

Hope 'n Change

Senate jobs bill extends Medicare payment rates -text

Related News

And there she goes...

Table Talk

Kade is apparently an Evil Republican...

Just your ordinary trip to the SSA

Kade's 6th Birthday (20 photos), by Jennifer Cavagnaro

Let's not get ahead of ourselves...but...DAMN!

Starigh from the horses arse

Christmas 2009 - MA (59 photos), by Jennifer Cavagnaro

Merry Christmas!

9 Month Comparison (1 photo), by Jennifer Cavagnaro

Girls Weekend in MA (19 photos), by Jennifer Cavagnaro

Ack...my blog is being over-run by Snapfish Adverts...I better write something...

Building the Play Structure (50 photos), by Jennifer Cavagnaro

Apple Picking (38 photos), by Jennifer Cavagnaro

Soccer (13 photos), by Jennifer Cavagnaro

Hiner's visit MA (31 photos), by Jennifer Cavagnaro

What a week - and it is only Tuesday!

Introducing the SKYFORT!!!

Where wree you Thursday...

First Day

3,287 days later...

Father's Day & Ken's Bday (34 photos), by Jennifer Cavagnaro

Avery Roll

Two things

Finally - progress

It's official...we are gone!

And there it goes....

*IT* has begun

IT has begun