It's a good thing you didn't mind reading the same book repeatedly, because that's what they like. As we approached their favorite parts the girls would practically quiver in anticipation. "Ronald, you have very nice clothes but you are a bum." ("The Paper Bag Princess"). "You are a BUM!" they would repeat with enthusiasm. Once in a while I would try to change a word to see if they were paying attention. They busted me every time. "You're not telling the story right, Dad."

>Nellie the Elephant and Thomas the Tank engine here.We had a couple of video cassettes of them so you'd hear the theme tune again and again and again..............................
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>I never minded re reading the same book repeatedly.
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>>My daughter actually thought I enjoyed American Idol. :o) We watched it together off and on since it started (except those nights when she was near graduating HS and was working to earn money). It's amazing the shows I know about and who is who ONLY because I watched them with my daughter so we could spend time together. :o) At least that wasn't as bad as watching the same Barney, Thomas the Train, and Sesame Street shows over and over again all those years ago :o) I have to admit though, watching the kids on Barney singing while they "cleaned up their toys" was great (although the songs drove me nuts) - it became the daily joy in our house all those years ago - start singing the song and she would clean up all her toys :o)
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>>>You should watch it with them sometimes. I've watched some real rubbish with my children.Its just a vehicle for being together
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>>>>Friday Night Lights is a perfect example of a TV show that I'm sure is good and have never watched out of avoidance of TV. The girls like it. Then again, they like Jersey Shore and all other manner of dreck. And the ET celebrity show that comes on around dinnertime. Good lord, just kill me now. Once in a while I ask how they can stand to watch it and they give me this look like, Daaad, you are so old and out of it.
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>>>>>Texas HS football - but that's pro, no? <bg> We are no stranger to that here in Ohio. Canton, Massillon, the towns along the Ohio River and of course HS football around Pittsburgh is a pretty big deal, too. In Canton a coach with a winning season gets a new Cadillac. A losing season gets him 10 gallons of gas and a road map.
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>>>>>Texas probably the champ, though. ( I'm sure you've seen Friday Night Lights - one of my all time favorite TV shows )
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>>>>>>>>If I practised picking my nose every day 5 days a week I'd expect to be the very best nose picker in the world but no one would pay me money for it and there wouldn't be a bloated group of administrators making money out of it.
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>>>>>>>But you could have your own reality TV show ! (and would ultimately lose your crown to a more driven picker willing to put (his finger) in *6* days a week.)
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>>>>>>>>If every sports person held down a proper (full time) job and did their sport at the weekend or evening for pleasure I'd be very happy to see them compete. The games could be held in existing facilities and the athletes could find board and lodging with hard up families who could be paid some money for their trouble. Or they could stay in unused student accommodation. I cannot understand why all this stuff has to be built new every time.
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>>>>>>>We already have that - it is called high school athletics. The only people who go watch are the parents. Not sure there would be the same TV deal.
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>>>>>>You may be unfamiliar with Texas high school football. I read the other day that some football crazy town northeast of Dallas (Allen?) is building a multi million dollar stadium. Their average attendance is over 15,000.
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>>>>>>On the whole, though, I agree with you. I attended Allie and Emily's sporting events for the past 12 years and it was generally relatives in the bleachers. The biggest crowd I can remember was when Emily's volleyball team played at Antioch, a traditional rival. Antioch is not a very happy place and like most such places pours itself into sports with a passion. (Yes, Nick, I know exactly what you meant). They were both pretty good teams and it was an important conference match. The gym was packed. Then after the first game the Antioch football team came in after practice and incited a near riot. Some school administrator grabbed a mike and said if you can't control yourself you will be removed. That toned it down some, but not much. The third game went down to the wire. Round Lake had a 24-22 lead, one point away from the match, then let it get away. I wish they had held on and spit on the floor ;-)
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>>>>>>Emily has told me something for years that always surprised me. She says it gets nasty with opposing players. I thought that was a guy thing. She says no, girls are vicious. Slut. Ho. Bee-atch. I'm going to steal your boyfriend and make you watch. Unbelievable. So much for sugar and spice.