Tonight, we finally took ourselves Outside The Perimeter (I285 surrounding Atlanta), for a Family Date Night: Mom, Dad, 15yo Puberty Angst Boy, 12yo Drama Queen and 9yo ADHD Phenom.

Go Gladiators! We hooked up with tickets (via Ticketmaster) to the professional minor league hockey of metro Atlanta, the Gwinnett Gladiators -- and we had a great time.

We were almost right on the ice, behind the penalty box and the announcer, Section 118, Row C in the Gwinnett Arena. At first, we thought we would move up higher, for a more unobstructed view of the ice and the jumbotrons, but we ended up staying down with the bad boys of the penalty boxes and the announcer -- never even realized the mastery of The Voice: this guy was amazing! Not only did he call the game and follow his script of announcements and promos, he also ran all the music and sound effects on a laptop computer! He may have been running the lights and advertising banners, too, for all we know.

The Gladiators ultimately lost, 4 - 5, in a tie-breaking shoot-out against the Florida Everblades, but what a game!

The kids had a great time, which is a rare and very special occasion anymore, when all three can be pleasant and have fun together, all at the same time.

And I discovered one really important, wonderful thing about hockey and ADHD: nobody even notices, or has any problem at all with, a 9yo boy who is active and exuberant, noisy and fully enjoying the action, in his seat, albeit bouncing a bit -- it was a beautiful night. Perfect.

Poor Mocha-the-Dog...we thought she got bit or scratched at the dog park last week, but it turned out to be a gooey skin infection from allergies. Ick, indeed, poor thing.

Fortunately, the good people at the Banfield Animal Clinic at PetSmart fixed her up and gave us a shelf-full of doggy drugs and special ointment, cleanser, shampoo and conditioner. $350 later, we are enrolled in the Pet Wellness Program, enjoy free office visits, 5% discounts (but not on the expensive prescription dog food) and free annual vaccinations, comprehensive exams and counseling...Merry Christmas!

Unfortunately, they also gave her the biggest damn cone of shame we have ever seen. She is depressed. And confused. She gets stuck whenever she runs into anything...she just stands there, as if suction-cupped into place.

We're going to be-dazzle her cone for her -- she looks like the Sun Goddess or a Las Vegas showgirl with the elaborate headdress. Of course, all the kids want to try it on...

New Year's Resolution #1
I will plan, research, shop and make wonderful, healthy meals for my family this year so we can lose a little weight, save a little money and enjoy greater health & happiness in 2010!

Who Says Grown-Ups Can't Have Fun With iPhone Apps Too?

1. The Magic kids still believe in: My older kids, now almost-15 and 12, want to force a confession about Santa, in no small part to "educate" their younger 9-year-old brother. I keep the discussion limited: "If you don't believe in the Magic, the Magic won't believe in you...and THE MAGIC can't leave you a really great gift under the tree or a stocking full of goodies!" (It works!)
2. Christmas Lists! If my children do no other creative writing all year, I can count on them for something truly entertaining and wonderful on the "Come-on Santa, Bring It All and Make My Miserable Life Complete Request List." Want to see an example? 9yo Boy's Wish List
3. The Giving: Not so much the shopping, but the thinking, the planning, the scheming to surprise and delight, the giving is wonderful, especially when you find Just The Right Thing, big or small, for someone special.
4. Gingerbread Cookies! An annual tradition in the Rebel Household, we make armies and armies of decorated Gingerbread Men for holiday parties, school friends, teacher gifts and neighbors...
5. Cold Weather & Snuggling
6. Winter Break - sleeping in and NO HOMEWORK!
7. Christmas Cards - love to receive, even the letters.
8. Decorations & Light Displays - another annual tradition, the Christmas Drive-Around to see all the lights and displays. We drive far and wide, to professional displays (around Atlanta: Stone Mountain, Lake Lanier Islands, Calloway Gardens) and to see everything at homes & businesses in-between. With a Thermos of hot chocolate, a to go box of gingerbread men and holiday music on the car stereo (now XM Radio Channel #23 - Holly) and we are set for several evenings of family entertainment.
9. Christmas Music - all of it, from classical to elevator renditions to The Chipmunks!
10. Christmas Classics - TV Shows & Books

9yo BOY's Wish List

1. $$$!
2. Premium Membership on Webs.com (Enhanced Premium)
3. $50 iTunes Money
4. My Own Macbook Air
5. My Own Phone
6. RC Helicopter
7. RC Car
8. Nerf Gun
9. PIZZA!!!!!
10. ROOT BEER!!!!!
11. The Schools Getting Rid of Homework 4 Good.
12. More Money!!!
13. A Perfect Christmas Tree
14. More Subscribers on My Website
15. The Mind Flex
16. Outrageous Builders Club on ROBLOX
17. A bigger allowance
18. A pet Golden Retriever
19. A successful ROBLOX game
20. My own DSi
21. An awesome Christmas
22. An iPod Touch 3G
23. More Webs.com Credits
24. Advertisements for My Website
25. A Go-Kart
26. Ideas for my next year's Wish List
27. XBOX 360
28. My sister's and my meter ideas for my own [iPhone] App.
    [See Mom & Dad's Luv Meter FREE iPhone App at: www.LuvShaker.com]

I might never have to open my laptop computer again. Well, except to print stuff out -- and I think even that capability is coming, too.

And maybe big screen shopping. By that I mean being able to see more shopping options on the screen at one time, whether I am browsing clothing, shoes, books, gifts, whatever -- I was not talking about big screen TVs (sorry, guys!).

This is amazing.
I am a total iPhone convert.
Blogatcha soon...

Asperger's Resources - The Best - on Amazon.com

PeaceLoveMom.com - Great Gifts For Mom