The Lily Log

2

Lily's 100th Day of Kindergarten

January 28, 2010, 3:19 pm

Lily loves Kindergarten and has enjoyed counting to the 100th day of Kindergarten this year. Every 10 school days, a parent comes into the classroom and helps the kids glue on 10 foam pieces to a hat. I came in for the 90th day, and Lily was so excited. Then, on the 100th day of school the Kindergarteners have a big party. We're talking 100 balloons, treats, sticker books, and they get to wear their hats of course.

Lily has also been waiting to be student of the week all year. She tells me whose turn it is every Monday. She came home last Friday with a note that January 25-29 she would be the Queen Bee for Mrs. Thomsen's Bee Hive. Mrs. Thomsen has a Bee theme this year, and the student of the week gets to wear bee wings (pretty awesome!)

Lily was sooooo excited that her special week coincided with the 100th Day of Kindergarten! What are the chances? She felt very lucky.

Sadly, Lily came down with a cough on Sunday the 24th. She went to school on Monday, but Tuesday she developed a fever and had to miss school. Lily was in tears to miss one of her favorite days and worried that she would miss Wednesday, the 100th day. I took her into the doctor first thing, and she was positive for strep throat. I started the antibiotics immediately at 10:00 a.m. hoping she would feel better soon.

Nathan stayed home with Lily on Wednesday as I had to work. I had tears in my eyes thinking about Lily missing her 100th Day of Kindergarten. Nathan called Mrs. Thomsen on Wednesday morning and found out that much of the activities were going on in the afternoon. By 10:00 a.m. Lily had been on antibiotics for 24 hours which is the rule for strep throat.

Nathan took Lily to school at noon and stayed with her during the 100th Day celebration. He was touched by what Mrs. Thomsen wrote on the board for her message of the day:

Nathan helped out and took pictures of all the downstairs Kindergarteners in their 100 Day hats next to a big red 100 sign. Lily was so excited to work on her sticker book (with 100 stickers), pop one of 100 balloons, and get a treat bag.

Thanks to Papa for saving the day! The hundredth day that is!

Here she is in her fantastic 100 Day Hat!

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One Lucky Mama

January 25, 2010, 7:07 pm

I joke that I celebrate my birthday month in January. This year it nearly happened…

First, I took a girl’s trip to Austin, Texas, with my sister JJ to visit our friend Shannon. Shannon moved from New York City to Austin last year, and Nathan had a great idea for JJ and me to visit her in January! What a fantastic birthday trip. When I arrived we ate at Trudy’s, and JJ and Shannon surprised me with gifts for my Texas birthday (cue lasso).

We spent the weekend eating chips and salsa, drinking margaritas, talking, laughing, twirling pretend lassos in the air, hanging out with great friends, yelling out “girls’ weekend!”, and having a wonderful time! We are making the Texas trip an annual event. Great idea babe!

For my birthday weekend (I know, this is ridiculous), we went to Utica, Illinois, with our friends the Swifts. Nathan had the bright idea to leave early and go to Starved Rock to see the frozen waterfalls. I wasn’t as keen on this idea due to the cold and snow, but it was the most wonderful Tackett family adventure! The waterfalls were breathtaking! The kids didn’t even complain (despite all the hiking in snow). Brilliant Nathan!

After our adventure we went to Grizzly Jack’s Waterpark and Indoor Amusement park. Our hotel room was called a villa, and we all enjoyed the enthusiasm of the children over the large 2 story accommodations. Noah ran through the villa yelling, “This is the best hotel room ever!”

The waterpark had a lazy river, wave pool, and lots of fun stuff for the little kids too. We went to the indoor amusement park next and there were lots of rides but we adults wondered how much money it would cost us. Turns out the amusement park is included in the waterpark. Alexia rode a scary ride over and over again (I only went on the ride once), and Lily and Sophie rode the carousel countless times. Noah was smitten with the arcade games.

When we got home, Nathan and Lily made me a rolo cake (chocolate cake with caramel drizzled inside), and Nathan made a feast of shahi paneer, my favorite Indian meal. The Passmans joined us for quite the gorge fest. Too much honey!

Lily did declare on January 24th, “You know you can’t talk about your birthday tomorrow.” I guess it’s all about her birthday in August now. I don’t even need the last week of January…this month was already too fabulous! Bravo Nathan!

p.s. I’m typing this on my lime green laptop from Nathan...I’d love to see him try to top this next year.

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Somebody call 911...Noah fire burning on the dance floor

January 23, 2010, 11:10 am

Noah has developed a love for Sean Kingston songs, especially Fire Burning. He listens to the song at top volume while practicing tricks with his basketball. His new hobby is very entertaining for me. He can complete his trick 20 times when the camera isn't on. But let's face it...I had to get the camera out!

Click to see Noah's basketball trick

Click here if you can't get enough...

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What is going on?!

January 19, 2010, 9:48 am

Last week Lily asked me to wake her up early every day to curl her hair. This is the child who went to preschool last year with ratty hair unless we reminded her to brush it.

I walked down to the computer last week, and Noah was already downstairs. He said, "What up Mom? You computering?"

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Harlem Globetrotters: Better than the NBA

January 12, 2010, 8:51 am

Last week Noah asked me what we were doing Saturday night. I told him we were going out to dinner with the Passmans. He said, "Oh." I sensed his disappointment and asked why he was sad. He said, "Cade's family is going to the Harlem Globetrotters." On Friday, Cade's mom Sheila called and asked Noah to come with them to the Harlem Globetrotter show...she had an extra ticket. I didn't even need to ask the guy.

Noah came home so pumped after the show. We were watching a movie with Jenn and Chad, and Noah would occasionally say (in a very loud voice) something like, "The Globetrotters are so awesome! They are too good for the NBA!" I just love Noah's excitement and naiveté. I told him that they are from Harlem in New York City where Aunt JJ lives. He looked so serious and asked, "REALLY?!"

Noah woke up Sunday morning and declared, "The Harlem Globetrotters are playing today!" I asked how he knew that. He said, "They play 375 days of the year, Mom! That's more than once every day!"

The only problem with seeing the Harlem Globetrotters in January in the Midwest is that playing basketball outside is painful. But Noah somehow talked us into it...

Noah and Cade at the show:

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One of a Kind

January 10, 2010, 6:32 pm

Originally this was just going to be a blog entry about Lily’s first yoga class. I have been doing yoga for years, and sometimes the kids join me. Lily is finally old enough to come to parent-child yoga classes, and she was so excited to join me in her first official class.

This whole yoga thing had me thinking about Lily as an adult. When I imagine grown-up Lily, I often find myself imposing my beliefs on her. I always assume she’ll like yoga. And running. I can easily see her being a vegetarian, democrat, hippy. Basically I’m imagining Lily as me.

This had me thinking about my Mom and what she thought about me when I was a little girl. I grew up in a family that had meat and potatoes for dinner every night. My parents were republicans when I was little. I was raised in a Christian household that went to church every Sunday. Do you think my Mom imagined me growing up to be a yoga-practicing, agnostic, vegetarian, democrat? I highly doubt it. What in the world makes me think Lily is going to grow up to be just like me? And why would I want her to? That sounds pretty boring.

What I do know about Lily as a 5-year-old is that she’s strong-willed, opinionated, and argumentative. She’s also passionate, artistic, and giving. I am excited to see what kind of adult she turns out to be. I know she’ll be a one-of-a-kind…and I think there’s nothing better than that!

(By the way, she loved yoga and requested we do yoga every single day from now on).

Airplane, her favorite pose (she asked the teacher to do this pose in the class):

Trees: Liza, Emmalyn, Jeni, Lily

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My Biggest Fan

January 5, 2010, 12:13 pm

I sat down at the computer and logged on to find a Microsoft Word document opened that Lily had been typing on. This is what she typed:

Ilovemomtyvbuyyvb

(Only in big pink font.)

Lily is very smitten with me. I realize when she's a teenager she may not think I'm the coolest person around, but I'm enjoying her adoration for the moment.

She had some friends over and was informing them she has a best friend. They asked who her best friend is. She said, "My Mom!" They laughed and told her that your Mom cannot be your best friend. To that my daughter said, "Yes she can! She's the best person in the whole world!"

I rest my case.

So it's January now which can only mean one thing. It's my birthday month. Unfortunately my own mother spoiled me a tad (she called me this morning to inform me just 19 shopping days left until my birthday), so I make my birthday a subject of conversation often. Guess who loves this? Yep, my biggest fan.

A few days ago Lily asked me how to spell many things that had me wondering if she was making a shopping list for my birthday. Then she took the paper she was writing on and hid it. Then when Nathan came home she took it and gave it to him and said, "Get these things for Mom's birthday!" Nathan looked a little shocked. Lily walked by me and gave me a high five and a big smile.

Here's the list:

The one that made me laugh is the In Styler. Have you seen the commercial for this fantastic curling iron? Lily makes me watch it every time it comes on. She also has told me many times, "With the In Styler you'll look like you walked out of a salon every day!" I think the list was well thought out and shows how much she knows her Mama (even if the In Styler is probably more for her.)

And as far as Lily growing up and moving away for college and starting a family of her own...she assures me, "I promise I'll move right next door to you, Mom, and we can see each other every day!"

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A Family-Friendly New Year

January 4, 2010, 8:47 am

We rang in the New Year twice this year. First we counted down to noon at the YMCA's New Year party complete with balloon drop. Stephanie and I were perhaps a tad more excited than our children for the balloon drop. I think Stephanie said "balloon drop" at least one hundred times. When the balloon drop (there I go) actually happened, we were nearly trapped under the netting. I don't think I'll ever forget Noon 12/31/09!

The kids had a blast playing at the New Year party. My sister pointed out that the YMCA and library around here are pretty amazing. We certainly take advantage of all the fun kid stuff in our community! Noah and Carter had so much fun playing basketball, and Lily and Emma...well they are two peas in a pod. They love crafts, swimming, and being silly. I just regretted that Nathan wasn't there when I had to go down the big slide with Lily multiple times while Stephanie got to read a People magazine. Humph!

Happy Noon!!!

Basketball gang:

Awaiting the BALLOON DROP:

BALLOON DROP:

When Papa got home from work, we continued the celebration with spray cheese (a New Years Eve must) and watched the movie Up (a family favorite):

We rang in the New Year at our friends the Swifts party. There was more than enough good food (more fried foods than a restaurant), and lots of good conversation and games. I love going to a party where kids can have a blast with adults. Noah played Apples to Apples with a bunch of adults and came so close to winning.

We feel blessed this year with good health and wonderful friends and family. What more could we ask for?

Cheers!

Balloon Drop!

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Winter Break: Part 2

January 4, 2010, 8:36 am

We certainly had a wintry break this year with tons of snow. Playing in the snow as a family is a guaranteed way to have an 8 year old boy and 5 year old girl get along. Well, most of the time anyway. We built a snowman, and the dogs were so happy that we spent so much time outside with them. Noah and Nathan did most of the work, and Lily sure enjoyed putting the carrot nose on the snowman. We made a baseball snowman because our yard is covered in baseballs year round.

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Black Dog Playing in the Snow...

January 4, 2010, 8:33 am

Have I mentioned how much I love Lola? My favorite gift of 2009:

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