The Lily Log

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When Lily is Noah’s age and Noah is 8…

September 24, 2009, 7:31 am

Years ago when Lily was a toddler and Noah was in Kindergarten, I used to start sentences with the following, “Just imagine when Lily is Noah’s age and Noah is 8 what we’ll be able to do!” A time with no nap time, diaper bag, or stroller seemed so far off. Lily was in the "terrible twos" and limited what we could do, but seeing Noah's maturity at 5 made me realize that in just a few years we would have a couple cool companions to hang out with.

Last weekend we decided to go for a day trip to Maquoketa Caves. Noah was very excited about the trip, but Lily was a little unsure (for fear the trip would require a lot of walking). When we arrived at the Caves, the kids took off on a two hour hike, and they never complained. Noah led the way, and Lily stuck close to Papa. I brought up the rear and enjoyed watching Noah, Lily, and Nathan go “Adventuring.” At one point Lily turned around and yelled, “You have to tell Uncle Jason I’m an Adventurer!” She was clearly having a wonderful time.

Nathan found a small cave and lifted both kids up to climb into the tiny area. I stood back and waited for them to return and had the following revelation…Lily is Noah’s age and Noah is 8! We have arrived!

I stood there looking around at the beautiful scenery and feeling very happy and content as I waited for three smiling faces to emerge from the cave. I think this stage in our life is pretty great…

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Lily's Grand Idea

September 22, 2009, 5:21 pm

While sitting in the backseat of the car, Lily thought of a great idea. Lily hates waking up early. As you have read in previous entries, Kindergarten has been tough as her 6:45 a.m. wake-up is most unacceptable to Lily. In preschool, Lily's teachers said she was finally awake by 10:00 a.m. Lily has a cute princess alarm clock and wakes up to the radio, but she still never wakes up happy.

Here is Lily's Grand Idea:

Lily: I have a great idea! You should put a lock on the inside of my door and a doorbell on the outside of my door. When it's time to wake me up in the morning you can ring my doorbell, and I will get up and unlock the door and let you in! That's a great idea, isn't it?

Mama: Um, no.

And this is what she looked like when she came up with her master plan:

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Early Outs Rule

September 20, 2009, 10:46 am

Friday the kids had an early out day and got home around noon. Noah asked if we could go apple picking, and I was thrilled that he wanted to spend the day with me and Lily!! We took Sophie apple picking with us, and then we met Dawn, Emily, and Ava at the ice cream shop for some treats. Next we walked by the river where the kids found tons of shells. Dawn and I enjoyed the walk...the kids just complained a little about the exercise. No one could deny it was a beautiful day to be out of school...

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A Special Day

September 20, 2009, 10:33 am

Papa and Noah played hookie from work and school on September 17th and went on a bus trip to Wrigley Field to watch the Cubs! They woke up early and put on matching Soriano #12 shirts and Cubs hats. Even though it was super early, Noah looked very awake and excited:

Noah was very excited for a day with his Papa and buddies Carter and Kale. All three boys got official MLB baseballs during bating practice before the game. They also saw many US Medal of Honor winners which was Papa's highlight.

Since the boys were having such a special day, Lily and I made plans for some fun as well. I picked Lily up from school (she loves getting picked up and avoiding a bus ride), and we went to an old-fashioned ice cream shop for some yummy ice cream.

Then we went by the river, and Lily found tons of sea shells. Next we played at the park. We enjoyed the beautiful day and thought about the boys on their adventure:

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Neighborhood Friends

September 15, 2009, 3:26 pm

Last weekend we barely saw Noah and Lily. They had a blast playing with neighborhood friends. The weather was absolutely beautiful. Even the ice cream truck came around (which sends Lily into a frenzy)!

On Saturday night Cade and Ella came over while their parents went out on a date, and the kids were in heaven. Noah and Cade have been best buddies since Kindergarten, and now Ella and Lily are pals (and absolutely adorable):

Emilee, Mercedes, and Lily:

Noah and Cade:

Ice cream!

Ella and Lily on the counter (they were pretend sharks):

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36-year-old Papa

September 13, 2009, 10:36 am

Nathan turned 36 on September 10th. He decided for his birthday weekend he would run a marathon in St. Charles. A few weeks ago we found out that Noah's tryouts for Jr. Rams baseball is this Sunday, so Nathan decided it was more important to stay home and be there for Noah rather than run the marathon. I think he's a top notch Papa!

The kids had fun picking out presents for Papa. Lily bought him a big bag of Reese's Peanut Butter cups, and Noah bought Nathan the game Bocce ball which they love playing together at parties and now can play in our backyard.

I had Nathan's birthday off of work, so he took the afternoon off and we met for lunch at our favorite Indian restaurant. Then we rode our bike to the river and had a beer while sitting outside by the river. We can't remember a better September 10th.

Nathan loves the candy chick-o-sticks which are a peanut butter and coconut candy. He requested a cake that tasted like a chick-o-stick, so I made a peanut butter cake and Nathan covered his piece in coconut.

Happy Birthday, Papa!

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Lily's School Birthday

September 1, 2009, 7:57 pm

Lily has been in Kindergarten for over 10 days now! I know this because she told me all about her bucket hat and how she glued 10 foam bees on the hat to signify the first 10 days of Kindergarten. Every 10 days she will do this until day 100 when the class has a party. I hear EVERYTHING about Kindergarten from Lily. After having Noah, a boy of few words, I enjoy all the details.

Lily has learned about monarch butterflies already and often discusses the J-hang. She would like to name her caterpillar/butterfly Jessica (that's what I go by whenever we play house). She tells me about kids in her class, how she sees Noah in the halls, and the bus ride. The first week and a half were tough due to the long days and early wake-up, but she seems to have adjusted to Kindergarten.

Lily celebrated her school birthday on August 27th. She picked out zingers to bring for treats along with tiny packs of Uno cards for a favor. Lily didn't want her teacher, Mrs. Tompsen, to give her birthday spankings (which actually don't hurt at all), so she took 5 hugs instead. She seems to be very shy during school and then talks non-stop as soon as she gets off the bus.

Here she is all ready for her school birthday (she picked out her outfit the night before):

Mama and Lily:

Mrs. Thomsen and Lily:

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