First Zoo Trip

March 30, 2008, 2:25 pm

So I've been talking about going to the zoo all week. I saw a Mythbusters this week about elephants and mice which got me thinking about the zoo. Then we saw the movie Horton Hears a Who, and I fell in love with Horton. Then I dreamed about elephants last night.

So today I convinced Lily and then Nathan and Noah that despite the somewhat gloomy and chilly weather, it would be a great morning to go to the zoo. I love that they all agreed to come along. One of my favorite memories at the zoo was in the pouring rain. In the cold lots of the animals come out and the lion usually roars. Melissa will be very happy that I went to the zoo today and will perhaps not bring it up tomorrow.

So today we had our own personal show from the white-handed gibbon (he's a little bit crazy) and the giraffes (lots of dominance going on there). We saw the artic fox and 2 red wolves for the first time. And my personal favorite was the wallaby and her baby in the pouch.

At the end of the morning Noah asked, "Who's idea was it to come to the zoo in this cold?" and Lily said, "Let's come back when it's sunny!" Kids... (Nathan didn't complain once)



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Future Model

March 30, 2008, 2:20 pm

Or clown?

(She likes pink. A lot.)

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The Last Day of Spring Break

March 26, 2008, 2:00 pm

Noah's spring break did not turn out as fun as we intended. He was very excited to go to Kansas and see his Aunt Lori, Uncle Steve, Cousins Lauren and Megan, Grandma, and Grandpa. The trip started out great with sunny weather, and Noah enjoyed playing at the park two times and playing basketball and baseball outside.

But in the middle of the night on Friday, Noah came down with a stomach virus. When asked if he had a good Easter he replies, "It was great, but I vomited 12 times!" I think Noah vomited more like 8 times, but I can appreciate a good exaggeration for the story's sake. He's on his way to telling stories Hottman style. (I would have said 20 though.)

We returned home on Sunday, and Noah continued to feel pretty lousy. Monday he perked up and enjoyed a day home with Papa and Lily. They visited me at work for lunch, and Noah finally ate a full meal.

Yesterday was the "Last day of spring break," and I was determined to show Noah a good time. So Noah, Emily, and I had a day out doing things that all 8 and almost-7-year-olds enjoy. We went to Panera for lunch. Then we went to the Children's museum where Noah and Emily had a great time riding on a hover chair, playing with balls that were transported in tubes (long story but hilarious to watch the two of them), and even playing outside at the park. It was a beautiful sunny day and Noah declared, "THIS IS THE BEST DAY OF MY SPRING BREAK!" Well, I should hope so. We finished the afternoon with some ice cream from Whiteys and a trip to my work (for some reason Noah thinks going to my work is fun).

Here are some pictures of our fun day:




Imagine twin Noahs and Emilys:



At my desk:

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Hopscotch

March 17, 2008, 11:52 am

I took Lily for a walk a week ago when it was warm one afternoon, and she saw a neighbor girl named Haley outside playing hopscotch. Lily is now obsessed with both Haley and hopscotch. Yesterday we went for a walk, and she asked me if every house was Haley's house. I was so happy when we finally walked passed Haley's house, and she stopped asking. She was very sad that Haley was not outside playing hopscotch yesterday.

Lily wants to play outside even when it's chilly, so Nathan and I take turns freezing outdoors and push Lily on the swing, color with chalk, or play (of course) hopscotch:



I can't wait until really warm, and we can actually enjoy these activities.

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Easter Parties Galore

March 13, 2008, 2:02 pm

Lily has already attended 2 Easter parties. Yesterday was the storytime Easter party at the library. Unfortunately the Easter bunny came, and Lily and Kevin were not too pleased. Kevin kept waving goodbye to the Easter bunny (take a hint Mr.), and Lily just fake cried and panicked when he looked her way. Needless to say, Dawn and I didn't get any pictures.

But they had a fun Easter egg hunt in the library in which each child got 14 eggs. Lily counted her eggs after she found each one, so it was a long process.

Today was Lily's preschool Easter party. She picked out her favorite pink dress. She was thankful that the Easter bunny didn't make a guest appearance. She had another Easter egg hunt, and this time she was told to find 6 eggs. Lily assures me that we now have "plenty" of chocolate. Whew!



(Lily decided not to wear her bunny ears to school in case one of her classmates would mistake her for the Easter bunny and cry.)



(Lily and her six eggs--she only picked out pink ones naturally.)

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Noah's Missing Tooth

March 13, 2008, 1:45 pm

Tuesday night Noah began to cry. He was sobbing like a teenage girl actually. I asked him what was wrong, and he said, "My wiggling tooth just won't come out!" Noah told me (between sobs) that he is the last one to lose a tooth and Raymond has lost 8 teeth and he just wants to lose a tooth. So I offered to pull it out.

About 10 minutes later, I got the tooth out. Noah danced around the living room with glee...




Noah requested that I don't tell ANYONE about his tooth, so of course I immediately emailed Nathan, JJ, and his teacher. I wanted to make sure his teacher noticed as he would have been devastated if no one said anything at school.

That night I was drifting off to sleep when I woke with a start and realized I am the tooth fairy. Nathan was away on business, and it was all on my shoulders. So I went downstairs and thankfully had some cash on hand (which I rarely do). I snuck up to Noah and pulled out the baggie with his tooth in it. I made so much noise. Never has there been a clumsier tooth fairy. I replaced the tooth with the money and giggled as I noisily put the money under his pillow. Somehow he continued to sleep soundly.

Lily just loves Noah's missing tooth. She asks to look at it and then checks her teeth to see if they are wiggling. Noah always corrects her that it's not a missing tooth but a lost tooth.

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Mama's New York Trip

March 11, 2008, 4:42 pm

I took my yearly March trip to New York City and had an exceptionally fun time with Huck, JJ, and Troy. I was called Aunt Jeni rather than Mama. As an Aunt I don't have to discipline. I can give my full attention to Huck and avoid laundry and cleaning up in the kitchen. When Huck smeared olive oil and spaghetti on his tummy and Troy got a little frustrated, I just had to keep myself from laughing.

Huck and I had some great times together. I carried my 40-pound nephew a lot, but that's what aunts do. We walked through the rain and pretended to window shop down the streets of NY and laughed and laughed. Barber Huck cut lots and lots of play doh hair, and I was his assistant.

Happy 3rd Birthday Huck! You're a big boy, but please don't grow up too fast...

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Tea Party

March 2, 2008, 3:17 pm

Because of her Grandma (Linda), Lily loves tea parties. I heard about a fancy tea party for charity and asked Lily if she would like to go with me. Of course Lily was very excited and could not wait until the tea party. She was a little concerned that she would be served coffee or some beverage she does not like.

So Lily and I got all dressed up. Lily discovered sugar cubes and loved the tea (or should I say sugary sludge). She even convinced me to add a sugar cube, and I have to admit I liked it in my tea as well.




Lily was given this lovely green hat:



This tea party included many of Lily's favorite things: crafts, chocolate, little peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and real ballerinas dancing. The only embarrassing moment was when a male ballet dancer came out and Lily said in a loud voice, "That Papa has tights on like a girl!" Many of the Moms had a hard time not laughing at that comment.

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A Polar Plunge

March 1, 2008, 2:16 pm

Nathan and Chad took a leap into the Rock River on 2/29. Jenn and I were there to watch them (and roll our eyes).

I think it's funny that they both wore Hawaiian shirts and swim trunks and yet did not coordinate their outfits. I guess they're two of a kind...

Here's a video of the jump:

Click here for video



Post jump (very wet and cold):

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Lily's family portrait

March 1, 2008, 10:04 am

Lily drew this picture of Mommy, Poppy (new name she calls Nathan), Lily, and Noah. I thought it was outstanding:



Can you tell who's who?

Linda and Lily: (the baby that was in her tummy has come out! Isn't she beautiful??)

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