Fun With Frosting!

We went to downtown Minneapolis to see Macy's Christmas display with Luke and Jake today. We went to lunch, walked through the skyways looking at the decorations and visited the Big Guy himself, Santa. We walked through the 8th floor auditorium and took in the sights of the reindeer flying school, the enchanted singing trees, the elves toy making workshop, Santa's mail room and the animals decorating the Christmas tree. We had cookies (baked by real elves) and heard the reindeer trying to break down the stable doors to see us. After the boys wrote and mailed a letter to Santa, we headed home to make our own mess, I mean gingerbread houses. A very good day indeed!

Halloween!

We had our big Halloween Bash on Friday. This is not your ordinary costume party...no. We start thinking about our next costumes the day after this year's party is finished. Everyone is sworn to secrecy. The best part is seeing everyone as they arrive. Here is Molly and Max as Michael Jackson and Bubbles. Bob and I as Little Red Riding Hood and the Big Bad Wolf. Jake and Nate as Batman and the Joker. Hannah dressed as a butterfly and Emily dressed as 7th grade Hannah! We also had Al and Peggy Bundy, Gomez and Morticia Adams, Jason, a dance hall girl,a hippie, etc. We ate 3 different versions of chili (regular, white chicken, and vegan) down to the last drops. I look forward to next year,although I am running out of size appropriate costume ideas for myself...

We're (Almost) Famous!

The boys and I made the newspaper again. This was printed in the Friday October 23rd edition of Bulletin Board in the St. Paul Pioneer Press.
Grandma Jody Writes:

Cousins Luke and Jake ran into pre-school this rainy morning. Sitting on the floor was a new yellow plastic sign complete with a picture of a stick-man losing his footing. Four year old Jake yelled "I know what that says", and in his best-fake-reading voice continued, "Don't run in the gym or else you'll slip and fall!" Four year old Luke answered, "Uhmm, no..... actually it says 'Caution, Slippery when Wet!'"

Funny boys, those two.

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

Pumpkins, Piggies and Princesses

Luke is our Pumpkin Boy. And anyone that knows him, knows that Fall is his favorite season. Luke has been very reluctant to take naps for the past 3 weeks. Enter the bribe. Bob and I ran errands the other day. At Aldi's, we came across a skid of the biggest pumpkins we have ever seen in a grocery store. I had Bob pick a big, perfectly formed one to buy for Luke. Truthfully there were bigger, but Bob refused to risk a hernia getting it! His eyes popped when he walked in on Friday morning. Whose pumpkin is that? Is it real? Can I have it? The trap was set! I told him he could earn it by taking a nap. A Good Nap. He did- he napped like it was his job! He loves his pumpkin. I am scared he might name it and keep it as a pet.
Patrick stayed home sick with the kids on Thursday. Patrick napped like it was his job. Luke showed me a secret on Friday when he came over. Look! He tore off his socks and revealed 5 perfectly polished little piggies. It went well with the red circles drawn all over his face.
Ever see a princess fairy throw a fit? Look no further. Sophie was in rare form. She argued with Luke over everything, refused to share, wouldn't listen, and to cap things off- she threw herself on the ground, screaming and kicking her feet. I did the first thing that came to mind. I grabbed my camera and took her picture! A picture is worth a thousand words.

Wordless Wednesday

Little Pitchers have Big Ears!

Thank God It's Friday, otherwise known as Sophie and Luke Day. Sophie and I had the morning alone since Luke goes to school and Grandpa is working. Sophie had a couple of one-liners today. The first, when she was picking up her 'baby' she said "Uppy Power!!". It is said in a tone that would proclaim "Wonder Woman!" or "Underdog!" If you haven't heard it around here before you haven't been listening. Grandpa has said that every time he picked up a child for the last 34 years. The second zinger was in the afternoon. Luke had dropped my magazine on the floor and walked away. Sophie came over, picked it up and put it back. Then she looked me right in the eye and said, "What do you say?". Chastised, I mumbled "Thank you." Sophie happily walked away. Remember, little Pitchers.......

Flattery Will Get You Anything

Busy Weekend! We went to a family wedding Friday night. We stayed until 1 a.m. believe it or not. Hannah and the cousins were having a great time drinking and dancing and blowing off mid-term stress.(Don't know if she still thought it was so great the next day.) My boy Nate called me yesterday to come over to my house. It didn't work out because I was tired during the day, and at night we had supper with Patrick, Lorraine, Luke and Sophie at Smashburger in Roseville. (It was our third choice after being told the wait times at Old Chicago and BW3.) So Nate tried me again today. When he called I reminded him that Zach moved out and TOOK HIS VIDEO GAMES WITH HIM. He told me "I know. I just want to spend time with you, Grandma!" Well that cinched it .Off I went to pick up the little charmer. We went to lunch, visited my mom, then came home to pet the cats. He made a Halloween candy necklace. He played basketball with Grandpa. Then I gave him a piece of candy that I had originally bought for Luke because he loves gummy candy, but Luke took one look at it and said "No thanks." Nate had no problem with it. Look at the picture, and I'll leave it up to you to see who made the right call.
.(It came complete with "crunchy candy bones.")

A Make-up Brush or a Man-Tool

I had the unexpected pleasure of the little Murray's company today because Jake was sick and daycare closed. I have been making "play make-up" for Sophie because they no longer make cosmetics for kids that are strictly pretend- everything is "real", as in"real messy"- and this was our chance to try it out. While Luke was at school, Sophie and I spent the morning applying (and reapplying) eye shadow, blush, nail polish and foundation. She trowels it on like a pro. The real problem came when we picked up Luke from school. He kept on trying to finesse his way into her make-up bag, and when that failed, he just stole it. He trowels it on like a pro too. Both kids were crying all the way home. He wants me to get him his own make-up bag, but no can do. Just seems wrong to get a 4 year old boy his own cosmetics. But if he still wants one when he's 14, I'm there!
In the meantime, I need to come up with a reasonable facsimile- maybe a Doctor Kit? Special thanks to Aunties Hannah, Emily, Linda and Danielle for coming up with the empty or unused cosmetics, brushes, and bags!

A Promise Made is a Promise Kept

Well..... apparently yesterday when the boys asked to go to the Mall of America and I said it wasn't Tuesday, they took it to mean that if it was Tuesday, we would go. Today was Tuesday. So we went. Luke and Jake bugged Molly so much that she finally called us. We took the boys on the rides for the first time this school year. Jake grew so much over the summer that he was able to go on all the rides that Luke could, although on a few he still needed an adult to ride with. They enjoyed all the rides, but got the most giggles out of the bumper cars. I did too. It was really fun to see 4 year olds driving (er, crashing) cars by themselves. They also got a kick out of the ride that brought them up 20 feet or so and then dropped them in bouncy increments back to the ground. They even held their hands in the air for that one! After 3 hours of nonstop rides, we headed home. (I snuck in a 5 minute side trip to Old Navy for Halloween T's when they were in the bouncy house. They were thrilled when I gave them their new skeleton t-shirts on the ride home.) Awesome day...

"Dress-up" is Not Just for Kids-Just ask Grandpa!

The week has been busy as usual. Nate, Jake, and Max came last weekend to visit. Max learned to crawl so I had to keep a super close eye on him because he was intrigued by the cats. Nate and Jake found the dress-up clothes in the toy closet and split a costume. Nate wore the police uniform pants and shirt, and Jake wore the S.W.A.T. vest and helmet. I found two guns (a starter pistol and a western gun) and off they went, shooting up the place! They were even more delighted when Grandpa came home from a 9/11 ceremony in HIS dress-up clothes. (Actually his SPFD Honor Guard uniform, but don't tell the boys!) He was upped a few cool points in their eyes for that.
I called Alaina to wish her a happy birthday, and asked what she was doing. She told me she "was sitting in her dorm like a loser", so I arranged a quick party. When Max went in for his nap, I took her, the boys, and My girls to the Olive Garden. Happy Birthday Alaina!
On Friday, Sophie, Grandpa and I went to my physical therapy. The staff got a kick out of Sophie in full diva mode with her purse, sunglasses and baby. They just had to come in back to tell me everything was fine- Sophie was coloring and grandpa was holding the baby! We went to preschool and picked up Luke and Jake too as a surprise for the boys. When we dropped Jake back home, he wanted to know where Sophie and Luke were going. He was very disappointed, and asked why they got to come home with me. I explained that their mom and dad were working, so they HAD to come with us. When Molly got Jake out of the car he asked her why she couldn't work too! (Like daycare for 6 kids 4 yrs and under isn't work!)
Today I picked up the boys from school and took them to lunch. We headed out to the Pumpkin farm, but it doesn't open until Thursday. Plan B was a trip to grandpa Dick's to feed apples to the horses. My dad didn't tell me until after the fact that the weeds I was pillaging for apples in was in fact Itch Weed! What? He forgot I was a city girl? Thanks Dad! After a quick trip to the house for soap and cold water, we played kickball, looked for butterflies, and sat on the glider for a while. We picked a couple flowers for Molly and went home.
I also need to report a few things I'm proud of. #1 On Thursday I drove through Minneapolis down to Shakopee for a Junk Sale with my cousin Robyn. I didn't get lost or freak out even through construction and huge Semis in traffic! #2 On Sunday I drove to Minneapolis to buy something from Craig's List and didn't get killed by the weird, toothless, but ultimately very nice hippie that sold me an old sewing machine cabinet for a project. And on the way home from that, I stopped at a Farmer's Market in the 'hood where Diane and I were the only non-Hmong people there. #3 I graduated to a neon green elastic band in my physical therapy! Yeah. I'm a big girl now.

The Aftermath of A Hurricane

This is the first week of school. My house looks like a hurricane went through it! Hannah and Zach moved out. Emily came home and moved in with Hannah. All that's left is a jumble of unwanted possessions and dust bunnies. I have spent a part of each day going through Zach's leftovers in his room. (maybe our new master bedroom?) After that I have Hannah's room (actually my half done sewing room) and then on to the basement and the garage. The girls have conveniently "forgotten" what they don't want to take to their new house. I am planning on loading the car this weekend and moving it for them. I win! Zach was banned from class and his dorm room on Thursday when he came down with the flu. He was sent home with a mask and a warning not to come back until he is fever free. Such is life in the reality of H1N1!
Since Luke has started school, I had Sophie alone for the morning. I had to hop in the shower before I went to physical therapy, so I packed Sophie's things into the bathroom with me. I forgot how hard it is to do anything with a 2 year old. Just so I wouldn't get too full of myself, Sophie reminded me "Grandma, you have a big butt!" thanks, Sophie.
We spent the morning playing "baby", polishing her nails (orange this time), and snacking on grapes for breakfast. It could've been worse. She dug out the Fischer Price farm, and was upset that the piggies had dirty feet. I explained to her that pigs like mud, but she wasn't satisfied until I had her look at the smile on the pig's plastic face. All is Good.
Luke came home from school and we had lunch and napped. He was a little fidgety and I had to warn him a couple of times. Probably the first day of school excitement. He told me he loves the fall. That makes one of us....

WHY??????

Sophie came in this morning with new scratches on her arm from Luke. Seems he is still jealous of her pink and purple princess cell phone. First order of business was cutting Luke's nails. Won't fix the envy, but hopefully will blunt the damage it causes.
Sophie came in, set down her purse, took out her cellphone to "talk to the girl", and ate her cereal out of her little tiny pink teacup. We gave her the baby doll that "lives" with us. I painted her nails-toes and fingers. Luke used the hairdryer to set the polish. All is well in Sophie's World.
Luke started in on his million and one thoughts for the day. Thought #1: He wants to have a pet. Apparently any pet will do. Definition of "pet" is very flexible. He thinks a jellyfish will make a fine pet. He'll keep it in a tank with salt water. Thought # 35: He wants a pet chicken. He even has a plan. It starts with going to the fair. Then stealing an egg. Yes, an egg! Taking it home and hatching a baby chick, which will also apparently make a fine pet. Thought # 87: Why are those rocks behind that fence? What's a headstone? What's a cemetery? Why? Can we see the bones? Why? What's a coffin? Why? Can we dig it up? Why? Thought #113: Can he have one of my cats? Why? I offered to let him be part owner of Tigger when he visits, but will not let him take him home because he will be lonely. He declined the offer. Thought #130: Can he have gum? Can he have more gum? Can he take gum home with him?Thought # 147: Can he take home the cat(bunny, rat,etc.etc.etc.) that we are visiting at the Humane Society? Why? Thought # 156: Next time he visits, will Grandpa take him to the cemetery to dig up bones with the big shovel he is using to put up our fence? Why?
Grandma's Thought for the day: When is Daddy coming?

Quiet......Can't you see I'm on the phone!

Today was Hannah's 21st Birthday. She would prefer to celebrate with the family tomorrow, so with no plans, we made spaghetti for supper and invited over Patrick with Sophie and Luke. Both kids came in with sirens blaring. Luke didn't have a nap but Sophie did-go figure! After settling down and eating, they were rewarded with butterfly cookies I bought yesterday at a street fair in Chisago. I also bought Sophie a purse,high heels,a boa, and a cell phone. She spent the rest of the night blabbing on the phone to "the girl." I bought Luke a S.W.A.T. police outfit, very realistic, but he liked Sophie's cell phone better. When I find our handcuffs he'll be singing another tune.

Fun with Hannah -Part deux

Today we needed to be in 3 places at once. But Hannah pulled through for us and babysat while I went to physical therapy and Bob took my mom to her appointment. When I came home, I saw that Hannah had pulled out her pots of paint. Luke was once again a tiger, albeit a much more sophisticated one. And Sophie opted for nail painting instead of face painting, because that very question made her cry. When Grandpa came home we took the kids to Buffalo Wild Wings where Luke was the center of attention. Grandpa also took them up to the pet shop. When I asked Luke if the kitties thought he was their dad, he giggled. He surprised his dad with his new face when he came to pick them up after work. Luke went home with a new Playmobil Pirate ship, and Sophie kept a death grip on MY baby doll (again!) Also-Thanks to Alaina for being willing to pinch hit for us this morning!

The week at the cabin

This was the 20th year in a row for our trip to the cabin. We didn't have a wonderful weather week, but the kids didn't seem to care. There were 4 generations present for a total of 46 people. All 23 members of generations 3 and 4 lined up on the dock for a photo op (except Sophie who was taking a much needed nap.) We went fishing, swimming, played games, tubed and skied, and ate ourselves silly. We had a taco night, BBQ, and a fish fry that concluded with a celebration of that week's birthdays. We look forward to next year!

Today was Princess Sophie's 2nd birthday. Happy Birthday, Sophie! We went to TGIF with the Murray's. Sophie did NOT like when the waitstaff sang "Happy Birthday." Maybe she'll like it better at her party on the 15th.

Fun with Hannah!

Today I had to get my Remicade IV, and since I still cannot drive, I had to wake Zach at 8:30 a.m. to take me. Hannah was watching Luke and Sophie and they all came to pick me up afterward and we went to lunch together. (Take a peek at what they were up to when I WASN'T home.) We went to Old Country Buffet because the kids eat better if they can choose their own food. The Lions Club International are having a convention in town and a busload of Asian tourists were in the restaurant to eat. Hannah took Luke to the bathroom which was crowded with women and came back laughing. Luke had gone into the ladies room and kept on asking Hannah OUTLOUD "Why do they look the same?" He explained it to me. "They had different shirts and different lipstick, but the same face!" poor confused kid....
Good News! Emily the Explorer is due to arrive back home next Wednesday. She spent the bulk of her time since January going to school and traveling in South Africa (and Lesotho), and when Hannah was visiting they went to Namibia. But since Hannah came home, her and Stefan have been to Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana, and are currently in Ethiopia (where they apparently have "the best coffee in the world.") I think Emmy may just have forgotten what real coffee takes like since I heard many people complain about South African coffee while we were on safari. She also insists I take her immediately to Chipotle from the airport and put in an order for fried fish at the cabin! Gladly! I will sleep better when she is not traipsing around the Dark Continent on Third World transportation. She promises to update her blog when she gets home and has access to cheap, reliable Internet and her computer. Stay tuned...

almost WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

"If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all."

Wordless Wednesday

Happy Father's Day!

We went to Grandpa's house today to celebrate Father's Day. Other dads there were Bob, Brian, Patrick, and Jeff. We all went in together and bought Grandpa a custom hand made rod and reel. (thanks Mike!) Twylla made ham, cheese potatoes, 3 kinds of veggie side dishes and orange jello. We played Bunco, croquet and cards, and the kids played in the kiddy pool, caught butterflies, played ball and colored with sidewalk chalk. The ONLY ONE NOT THERE WAS EMILY. Afterward we had cake and ice cream. yum. Dean would not sit for pics with us so we are going to photoshop him in with his pink butterfly net...

My Beautiful Brave Girls

The Top 10 Reasons I want to go to Namibia!!!!

Photos courtesy of Emily the Explorer and her trusty sidekicks Stefan and Hannah.

My Big Baby Girl is Back..hey la de la...

Hannah flew home from Cape Town today (and boy, are her arms tired! Ha) Bob, Luke, Sophie and I surprised her at the airport. First we stopped at Post Road to see the planes, then we drove to Fort Snelling to see a Delta flight come in. We zoomed over to the airport and waited for Hannah. After watching at the security checkpoint staircase, we spotted her at the Baggage Claim. Luke went flying for her, but Sophie was a little unsure.
Other than the missed connection in Atlanta and the ATM eating her debit card on the eve of her return, the trip was a success! To make up for NOT WRITING THE ENTIRE TIME SHE WAS GONE! she chatted away on the ride home. Talk of skydiving, bungy jumping, safaris, hiking, petting crocodiles, volunteering for Habitat, lions, hiking, sneaking into a national park after hours to see rock art, petting and teasing! timber wolves, sand dunes, fabulous exotic accommodations, curious rhinos, and did I mention hiking? When we came home Bob fried up a 1/2 pound of bacon for her-one of her requests for "must haves" when she got home- and she downed it with milk right out of the carton. She is now sleeping it off. Nathan, Jake, Luke and Sophie made her a "welcome home" sign at Molly's and she almost cried when she saw it hanging on the garage door. She said it was the nicest thing anyone has ever done for her. How sad is that? So much for my mother-of-the-year-award!

THIS ,THAT,and the OTHER THING

I'll start with the "other" thing. Daisy graduated from school last week. She was partaking in a class of Danielle's where junior high school kids taught dogs how to run an agility course. She loved the class and was very well behaved during the graduation. She even got to show off some tricks. Of course, the non-stop "treats" had something to do with it.
Zach also graduated this week from Como Park Senior High. He graduated with honors (denoted by his black and gold tassels around his neck) and also with a silver tassel for his volunteerism. I think it would be helpful to hand out "treats" to some of this ill behaved audience as well. I thought I'd feel relieved to have the last kid through "childhood", but I am feeling anxious about college now. Then it will be jobs, family,etc. A mother's work is never done!
The kids were over today. It was a beautiful day, and Gramps took them to the park in the morning. In the afternoon we played outside. Luke was intrigued by my new gnome, and Sophie has too much monkey in her to sit on her little garden bench like a lady. We ended the day with a walk to Grandma Carol's house to visit. She is doing well and has been out a few times since she came home.
I am having surgery on my torn rotator cuff on the 22nd. I started having trouble with it in January,and have since had Xays, and an MRI to confirm it. I have been going to Physical Therapy for a month, but the therapy made me start narcotics due to the pain, and added no new mobility or strength. I am now "tighter" in that joint than I was when I started and the surgeon and I decided enough is enough. They were kind enough to remind me that shoulder surgery is the most painful of the joint surgeries. Whoo Hooo. Bring it on!