Trimming that Tree

Mom & Dad,

I just wanted you to know that trimming our family Christmas tree was more fun this year than ever before! I mean you practically let me open all the ornaments from their special boxes and you didn't even flinch when I was on top step of the step ladder.

I was even allowed to place all the little nutcrackers on my fingers this year. You would not even let me near them last year!

Thanks. I had a lot of fun with you and our tree is "my favorite" which is something I like saying a lot right now!

See, I didn't even break anything! I told you to trust me!

A little bit of "me time"

Mmmm, Starbucks smoothie....

Get that camera outta here and give me a few minutes to myself, will ya? I've had a rough day!

Whoa, I almost got sick just watching our own video!

It is quite possibly her FAVORITE thing to do, so when we saw it at Noah's birthday party, we had to climb inside.

We jumped. We played. We tried not to hurt anyone...too badly (sorry, Chaz!). But more importantly, we debated for a long time about who had more fun at Noah's birthday party!

I Just Love What Kids Say

As a parent, it may be one of my favorite things to observe. You just never know what your kids are piecing together inside their noggin's based on what they are learning and/or what you've told them in the past.

Setting: McDonald's, Friday evening, just the two of us

Her: "Where's Momma?"

Me: "Remember, she's travelling for work. What would you like? Nuggets? Cheeseburger? Fries?"

Her: "Oh, I remember. I don't want anything."

Me: "Really? Nothing? Okay, we'll I think you'll be hungry soon, so I'm going to get you a cheeseburger meal."

While attempting to get her to eat:

Me: Take a bite of your burger. It's just like Daddy's and Daddy is eating his." (I had an Angus burger and it comes loaded with lettuce and a tomato).

Her: (thoroughly checking out my burger) "Your cheeseburger has a salad on it!"

Homesick Hello

I decided to post this just in case a certain someone decides she needs a little touch of home. We both miss you, Momma!

~~~~~

Editor's Note: Please excuse the messy hair (it was a long day!)

A True Michigan Summer

Smiley face floaty: Check

Green grass: Check

Bathing suit: Check

Sunglasses: Check

Sunshine: Check

Grill: Check

~~~~~~~

Good times: Check

E and Dad

I often receive comments from our visitors that there are a lack of pictures of the 'dad' on this page. What ever you say...SO, after finally releasing my beloved cameras from my clutch for a few precious moments, the following pictures were taken.

Happy? (sticking tongue out).

These pictures were taken during Gigi's recent visit. We went to visit Tollgate Gardens. I really liked this homemade flower thingy.

It was constructed of copper tubing (elbows, tees, etc.) that had patina'd nicely. Mental note and promise: if I ever have a garden, I will break out the flux and sweat some pipes together...

Rocketship's Piercings

So we've been explaining to the wee one about possibly getting earrings. She has been so excited to look "like mama". We've looked at them in the store and we've played around in the jewelry box at home. We've maaaaaaaybe even bribed her at times (alas, it is true...). Let's just say it's been played up for a bit.

Earlier in the week, we stopped at a shop and looked into it and - boom - before any of us knew what happened, she was the proud owner of two new little studs!

She was SUCH a trooper too, didn't even cry. Well, OK, she flinched! Mom was really good at nipping this early by teaching that, although it will hurt at first, the proper thing to do is to say "Ouchie......I'm OK".

It completely worked!

Here is a picture from "the chair", courtesy of my not-so-good camera phone.

And later in the day at home. Again, she LOVES them!

Even though I think they look great on her, it is just one of those things that makes you realize she's growing up. She looks so much more like a little woman now!

Some Clouds, Some Lining, All Toddler

First the Lemons:

We received a call from school that our little Rocketship had contracted something called "Hand, Foot & Mouth" (or was it "Foot, Hand & Mouth"?). Anyways, we had never heard of it. So we picked her up and had the local pediatrician confirm it. She also confirmed that basically nothing could be done, or bought, or applied, etc. Basically, we would just need to "wait it out". Unfortunately, she also recommended that we reconsider the 10-kid+ birthday party we had scheduled for the weekend. We kinda thought that may happen, but hearing it from someone in a doctors' coat confirmed it for good.

So, we canceled the party (and the Bounce House E didn't even know she had coming!) and decided to lay low.

Now the Lemonade:

E was is really good spirits, especially considering she was "sick and contagious" and - because nobody said we couldn't - we decided to pack up and go to the Zoo! So we did. We tried to treat E as though this was a big birthday surprise! She had a really great time!

Our Little Monkey!

Now for a really special treat, S had arranged for E to actually feed a giraffe! We told her in advance and it was all she could talk about all day! The timing was juuuuuust a bit later than we would have chosen because of her nap, but after an ice cream bar to infuse her with sugar and help keep her up, it was finally time to feed the giraffe.

Here he is; this is Gifarri (if I remember correctly):

After a few minutes wait, it was finally our turn. You were given the choice of feeding him one of three things:

• Lettuce


• Somekind of whole wheat cracker


• Sliced sweet potato

The food handler gave the following advice; "He'll eat anything". Okay then.

I'll say! He really WILL eat anything! He completely licked her hand and pulled it into his mouth! Gifarri! Easy, boy!

What an amazing experience to be so close to this beautiful animal. It was definitely worth the asking price ($5!)

At the end of the day, we successfully accomplished our object. The kiddo had a great time and we completely tuckered her out!

Even Grandma Gigi had a great time! That's E's little stuffed giraffe, a present she was brought home from from one of S's work trips. She's had it for a little while, but never bothered to take it out of the house. We brought it/him with us today on speculation. She clutched him tight all day and something tells me he'll be one of her favorites...at least for a bit anyway.

Recipe For An Exciting And Fun 2nd Birthday

- Sleep in, and when you wake up, find the floor of your room chock full of several dozens of balloons, all colors

- Eat the food of your choice for breakfast (chips, in this case)

- Follow that up with a popsicle

- Play with Grandma Gigi

- Bake and decorate your birthday cake with your mama, lick the decorator bits

- Listen to your favorite aunties and uncles sing “Happy Birthday” to you

- Eat cake and ice cream for lunch (mostly with your hands!)

- Ride your new present around the house (a new bike! Okay, a trike…)

- See what action the rest of the day brings!

Happy 2nd Birthday Rocketship. We love you!

Over the Top!

"Our Rocketship"

Burried On The C:Drive

Those who know me know I have a fondness for my camera. In fact, I have SO many pictures in general (and even more I want to post here!), that I will never truly "catch up".

Enjoy this sampling from the hard drive, before it crashes!

Those who know me know I have a fondness for my camera. In fact, I have SO many pictures in general (and even more I want to post here!), that I will never truly "catch up".

Enjoy this sampling from the hard drive, before it crashes!

Documentation: First Scabs

Allegedly the story, as I heard it told, goes something like this:

Mama picked up the little one from school and as they were walking across the parking lot together they were holding hands (Rocketship wants to walk on her own now...imagine that) and they decided to run to the car.

"Mama, my knees!" was the next thing heard that day. She fell down and torn a little hole in her tights and scraped her knee.

By the time they were safely buckled into the car, S had confirmed the "incident" had only done minor damage and that her boo boos were OK.

Again, this is alleged. We should go to the source for more accurate information!

A few days later the teeny-tiny scabs appeared. Rocketship still points to them, especially in the bath, and says "Boo boos OK".

Our Little Driver

This 3T-sized jersey, "a little taste of Wisconsin", was a Valentine's gift from the fam in the Midwest. That was very sweet! Little E thanks you all! Much love.

Marco. Marco. MARCO!

Okay, so if you are a regular around these parts you know that we (read: I) usually don't throw out a fresh post the same days something actually happens. Right. You know that there are a basketful of reasons why posts are delayed. And anyone who discusses this blog with me has heard me say I am always, ALWAYS behind. Well tonight is a different story!

Tonight was E's first Swimming class....and. it. was. awesome! So awesome in fact that I just felt motivated to throw it out there, like garbage on the lawn.

The idea is simple. Bring your tot/toddler/youngin' and a bathing suit for a full 30-minutes of water-treading, circle-spinning, song-singing bunch of foolishness designed to introduce them to the pool and familiarize themselves with basic swimming techniques. Well, not to sound like a pair of Nancy-Naysayers, but we were a bit nervous about the class. First, we thought that it might be a bit late in the evening. E usually crashes around 7:30 - 8:00 PM and the class started at 7:00. Because it was dark on the drive there, she was sort of falling asleep on the drive. We found ourselves singing to keep her awake!

We were also a bit nervous that she would maybe be scared of the water. (Uh, hello? What were we thinking?). For the record, she hasn't been scared of anything yet! Well our fears were for naught. In fact, she enjoyed the water so much, we couldn't get her to leave!

We have ourselves a little fish!

The best part, for us, was listening to E talk out how much fun she had at the pool...while we were still at the pool. While we were changing to leave. While we were walking to the car. While we were driving home. And even while S was reading her goodnight books. Even during the prayer! S suggested that if she liked swimming so much, she should thank Jesus for allowing us to be able to go. And she did! These are truly great times!

We Just Love First-Thing-In-The-Morning Pictures

Warning: Morning "bed head" can be difficult to tame at times. Stop. Proceed with caution. Stop. You have been warned. Stop. Over and out.

1st Floor: Kitchen, Common Area, Play Time

She's An Organizer!

Love that, BTW! Rocketship is always stacking, counting, and piling up items. Sometimes by color. Sometimes by shape. Sometimes just to organize.

When asked to "put her shoes by the door", this is the result we found an hour or so later. We can't wait to know her when she's older!

Time For Some Mother/Daughter Fun!

You know when you perform your usual routine again and again, it can become a bit monotonous. Sure, maybe injecting small changes here and there can stir it up a little bit, but overall the output is nearly the same.

This is why there has been a lot of excitement around here lately - because S decided to mix up E's typical go-to-school, go-home, go-grocery-shopping, go-to-bed routine. In her attempt to create some very special mother/daughter time together, and to create something just for E, S enrolled her in a gymnastics class!

The class (appropriately titled "Mom & Tot") is just a basic course where the fundamentals of balance coincide wit.....oh, who am I kidding? The class really allows the kids to do what they do best; run, jump, scream and tumble in a safe environment! Q: So, if it was a Mom & Tot class, why were you there L? A: (great question, BTW!) First of all, I was asked! Second, to take pictures of her first day! Too bad I forgot the camera at home though - the substandard picture below is from my cell phone! I was also there to familiarize myself with the particulars just in case I need to fill in for S one day for whatever reason.

They started by stretching (yes, I guess this is even an important task for the wee ones!) and then they warmed up by singing songs and playing with the "parachute". It was so funny because E, who usually never acts like this, was so nervous & timid when we first got there. Well, in her defense, I guess we can't really say she was nervous, but she certainly wasn't moving. It was as though her feet were glued to the mat! This is exactly what we were looking for - something new!

She really started to loosen up when the obstacle course was set up and demonstrated. Most of it can be viewed here as well as the parachute (in which the tots had been placed inside and were being spun in circles at this point).

In the obstacle course there was a balance beam (in which they held a plastic egg in both hands while crossing - like crossing the beam isn't challenging enough, right?), then a wedge they had to do a backwards somersault on (while being helped and spotted), a line they had to "walk like a bear" on either side of, then a large wall-like padded piece they all needed help over, a large rectangular foamy pad for jumping on, then another wedge to perform a forward somersault on, then the TUBE! Oh how all the kids loved the tube! And that was it! They circled several times and believe me, I think the parents were just as winded as the tots!

The best part happened at the very end of the session. After a cool-down period and a rendition of the "goodbye song", all the tots received a hand stamp. E cherished hers, pointing to it the rest of the day and saying "stamp". Here's looking forward to next week!

Boing! Boing! Boing!

So a few weeks ago I walked into Rocketship's school to find a large flyer on the door announcing:

Next Week - Bounce House!

I had heard the stories and rumors about how every now and again the BH comes in for a day and the kids just go NUTS! I was told they are known to play, jump, and bounce until they are simply out of breath (and presumably ready for a long nap!). And of course they all talk about it for days after it is deflated and is carted off!

Well, now that E is finally old enough to enjoy the fun, her turn came and she can now attest that all those rumors are indeed true. I borrowed this physical picture off the wall (I'd been waiting for them to be developed - remember those days?) and I scanned it for this post. I must say, she does look a bit sweaty!