minneapolis sojourn & the bug that went splat
I've heard numerous times how much the kids love the town we live in, they can rattle off many reasons why this is *the* town to be in, that is until we visited Mall America. See we haven't been since I was very pregnant with Aislyn, seeing as that put Ari and Will respectfully at infant and 2 years old, they have little to no memory. On the Elevator going down, they started giving all the points to why we should live near "the most awesome mall in the world!" A mall with rollercoasters, Libby Lu, and sharks, is worthy of moving away from family and friends.
We stopped at a few girl shops, the aforementioned Libby Lu being a favorite amongst the girls. While the husband checked out the girls' mountain of goodies, Will whined to me;
"I need to go to The Boy Store."
"The Boy Store? What does it sell?"
"The Boy Store mom, I need to buy boy things!"
I explained that there is no such thing (That I'm aware of) entitled the Boy Store, but if he told me what he wanted to look at, we could find a place. We landed back at Lego Land where he purchased the manliest set he could find... something with sharks, not just one but TWO, and missiles on their backs to complete the masculinity. He felt much more secure in himself clutching that tight to his chest.
It seemed to be a great time to head up, there were quite a few deals to be had, but it wasn't quite the holiday weekend (which I can only assume gets quite busy), so we took advantage of sales 50-80% off, without all the traffic. No lines on the rides, good deals for the sharks, no large groups. It was a great time, didn't get to hit Ikea though. We spent about 8 hours on the rides with the wristbands, and let me just gush here over my oldest daughter! Ari went on a TON of roller coasters, fast rides, backward rides, high rides, (everything but the upside down). She wanted to go again, and again, and again, and you get the picture.
I used the husband's camera he bought this winter, just a $100 point and shoot. I also left him in charge of taking many of the photos, I just wanted to enjoy the few days we were there and not worry about my large camera, or remembering to take photos.
Showing off their glam while Jeremy bought jeans at Jimmy'z Brand.
"what's this mmmm tasty...mmmm thing, mom?" .. "funnel cake dear"
"I know you're on stilts!" says a random older boy in that snarky-know-it-all-tone.
"Really? Wow, you must be real smart." heavily sarcastic response from pictured man. Quite funny.
cutie patootie with a little itty bitty bootie. She did fantastic, between being held, slinged, and in the carrier/stroller, she was pretty content and full of smiles (she smiled right after this photo but the quality was even worse then this one.) She loved all the hustle and bustle, and eye candy of lights, stores, and glitz.
For the love of Lego, who doesn't love some lego dinos?
This was above our head at one point, this bad boy was HUGE, and while it's semi-cool.... it's also kinda gross.
Ais being cute telling me about something that has slipped my memory (and hers).
Long day, getting some Caribou Coffee and then heading on our drive home.
Then there was the bug that went splat. On the way home we are taking it easy, no expectation to pull into town before midnight, enjoying each other's company, and chatting about anything and everything (I love car rides for the pure sake of catching up on random thoughts). When Jeremy comments about bugs splatting right in your line of vision, and how annoying it is. Me, thinking it's a new bug, clean the windows... which results in the gross smeared bug guts. Which results in me driving up a hill, high beams on, and a cop car coming over the hill... who then turns around, follows me, then pulls me over. Turned out to be an old bug anyway, no ticket was given. I don't think I've been pulled over since I was pregnant with Arianna and didn't fully stop at a four way, in the middle of nowhere (my mom's tiny town), in the middle of the night, not a car in sight, well except the crazy cop obviously.
Ari was just singing the five little monkey song... apparently she always thought the song went... "Five little monkey's jumping on the bed, one fell off and broke his neck..." Wha? By the end of her song, it's the five little dead monkeys.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Road Trip!! Score!
For our trip to Minneapolis I picked up a few audio books, we have the dvd player in the car, but only one headset at the moment. Plan to pick up two more though before the Tennessee trip. Planning what day to leave and come back for that is a pita. It's a lonnng drive, 12 or 14 hours, I can't remember, and in the end it's just a long time driving. The group of us are taking 3 cars, and some are leaving Wednesday night (all at the end of September here), and one is leaving Thursday night. Not sure when we are yet.
I picked up Stink :the Incredible Shrinking Kid, and Stink: The inter-galatic jawbreaker. We are still finishing up the second one, but they are great. The woman who does the voices (also Bart Simpson voice) does amazingly well, and we've all really enjoyed listening. I also picked up Peter Pan audio, the movies are a big hit here.
Ais is on lactose free diet, and meds for the acid reflux. She was lactose free until she was 2, but it wasn't so big then. She didn't know of all these other things. Now it just seems a lot harder. I'm going to try and hit Trader Joes up in Minnesota and try and find a few items for her that we don't have locally. We'll see, two days and a lot of things we want to do and see. It was supposed to be a 3 day trip, but it just didn't work out with the other coworker.
School started for the boy I babysit (we start after Labor Day), and so things with that are hectic, getting the house in order, doctor appointments. You know, all that un-fun stuff that takes up too much time. Yesterday we went to Panera with Rae Lynne, and that was nice! I haven't been there in far too long, the kids have never been there. $30 dollars later and William was like, "Im still hungry" LOL Lesson learned, kids meals at Panera do not fill my son's appetite. There chicken ceaser salad sandwich is really good though.
Working on Helena from Knitty, and supposably a hat for nephew, but I've frogged that project more times than I care to recall. Having issues with my gauge, and lack of needles for the size I appear to need. I really dont want to go to the knitting store, it's so far away... the next town over. I seriously can drive there in like 10 minutes, meh.
Here's hoping our trip is safe, and that I don't get lost. I never have this issue in Chicago, but Minneapolis is like Waverly. Lame-o street names. The whole I35 that is a North/South interstate, suddenly being an East/West is lame. These days I have a map so all should be well. I will never forget coming back from the Twins play off games a few years back and getting lost on that dratted interstate while my bil/ and future sil slept in the back of our car, then grumped when we got home late. Pfft. Or when we asked for directions (I'm not ashamed to do so if it means I get where I'm going and save time/gas), and the guy was like twelve and didn't know nada. "uh... im not sure... the interstate is there... um to go south... you go um south... where's iowa?" lovely.
Fussy Baby :)
Monday, August 18, 2008
acid and my baby
This October I took Ais to a new doctor that was recommended and I interviewed on the phone, to check for acid reflux. It came to my attention that she throws up in her mouth and then swallows it, so I sought medical expertise. What I got was a debacle, a woman I can't believe is called a doctor, and the worse manners I've run into yet. The summation of this event, if the barium/xray showed no physical signs, then my daughter was "retarded and did this for pleasure." Growing up with my mom working with those that are mentally challenged, and hearing a professional not only use the word "retarded" but in reference to my daughter was appaling to me. Not only does she not enjoy it, she hates it. I coaxed into drinking that awful barium by the promise that the doctor was going to fix it so she didn't throw up anymore. A while later, she cried, "I thought the doctor was going to fix me." :(
Insurance had me stuck with this lady, who after a phone call on the report, reconfirmed her beliefs from above. So finally I was able to change her to a new doctor, and she is scheduled to see him on Wednesday. This is our old ped from when Ari was born. We don't always see eye to eye, and sometimes we are disgrunteled with one another, but he's never been *that* unprofessional ever. So back we go. Besides he's a great doctor, knows us by name (even though we haven't been there in years), and so forth.
Prayers for Miss Ais to find some relief from this would be greatly appreciated, and likewise that this is nothing too serious.
I actually updated my Homeschool Blog the other day. I found some great links on free audio stories online, and needed them to be in quick grasp. We spent Sunday listening to a random assortment of stories with the kids on the beanbag and myself knitting Helena. Great pattern. I've always liked the name Helena, said with "lee-nah" for the last part and nickname. Jeremy vetoed that with one of the pregnancies.
Look what I found in the Target Dollar section! Man did I love these pencils growing up! I might be able to be convinced to share with the kids.
I'm excited that I'm getting some basic stitching down. I made this felt owl for Miss Pickle. I just printed the template on landscape "fit to page" and it made it a nice size. Skipped buttons as it's for a babe, and then I stuffed it and put in a paper bag for a great crinkle effect. Too cute!
I got the template from Lucy Kate Crafts.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
"go to bed woman!"
but I can't! I can tell I'm in good spirits for the most part cause I can't stop the
J has training for work out in Rockford so I've had free nights to selfishly do as I wish, until my eyes blur and can't read another single word. no halo online this week, lol. Not to say I can't enjoy my fair share of video games, just nice to span out in the evening.
Our friends from college moved back home in July, she just took the bar exam so we are seeing them a lot more now that the stress and studing is behind her. The last time they came by she brought these Peanut and Chocolate Chex Bars they were really good. She suggests adding more "sauce" to the chex ratio to help them hold together.
Ari is trying to grow a garden on her webkinz account so I'm doing that while I work on this, nothing like multitasking. I wish they'd revamp their bingo system, you can't even "play" because someone wins everyday by keeping their bingo tickets until they have enough to win in one shot.
I've decided I can sew, I just can't sew clothes from a pattern. And I imagine I'm not alone, so I'm going to enjoy doing the things that I enjoy doing, and don't require a billion calls to Kris. So to celebrate my acceptance in myself, I spent a few hours last night adding bookmarks to a new folder "Sewing" Whew I feel so accomplished now. ;)
I did however find these adorable soft toy blocks on etsy that I decided Elenya must have to drool on. But with Mall America looming over my head, I'm gripping my pennies tightly, and happened to fall upon a soft toy block tutorial while reading sewing blogs last night.
tada!
At the rate I cut, pin, sew, stuff, sew... she could have a set by the time she can talk. I stuffed a cat toy in it (so it jingles) and the wild things drove me up the wall rattling that thing around all afternoon.
I signed up at Ravelry for the Ravlympics and one of the projects is the bunny below. I finished it so I got this little banner-ma-bob.
stripey stocking cap from itty-bitty hats I can't recommend this book enough!
Out of much love of sweet knit bunnies and my baby, I knit and seamed my little heart out to make this.
I have many requests now to create happy little softies for my kids, especially after I made this hedgehog pincushion (which mine looks more mice like or something, which is fine, i adore mice so no complaints.)
The boy I babysit got hermit crabs, guess who wants some of their own? fat chance. (or so I tell myself, must stay strong).
I am adoring this Cereal Box Organizer.
*picture from martha stewart website.
Aislyn 101
The moon is a she.
The moon follows her around and around.
At night she plays a moon game and cried tonight when she couldn't find her (the moon).
She is in love with Peter Pan and wants to marry him.
itty bitty baby all snuggly
A good day is spent with lots of snuggling and smelling her sweet little head.
most awesome.
Monday, August 11, 2008
happy little imperfect life
that should be the name of my blog. maybe it will be someday. it just sums life up, doesn't it?
Crappy things happen in life, we can take the trials and fall apart, or we can use them to strengthen us, make us wiser, humbler. While I'd love for this last year of my life to not have gone the way it did, I can't change that. The way I handled things, er put them in God's hands ;) has made everything fall into place, and I'm grateful I have survived, came out stronger, wiser, and know myself better. It's not about knowing me in the selfish way people are always cheering about, but the real me, the good and the bad. Always a work in progress. ;)
Simple things really do bring great joy, and hearing my kids play nicely in the next room while I prepare dinner, baby in tow, and music in the background, and I think, Wow, how did I ever get so blessed.
too sweet.
Saturday, August 09, 2008
summer top 10
In the random order they came to mind, but of no significance.
1.)
The graphics are horrible, the beginning beach scene with the woman flailing on top of the water is cheesy, and the fact that a shark has vendetta against Roy Scheider is just absurd... all the more reasons why I adore these flicks, and it's not summer without watching at least a few of them.
2.)
Family gatherings - from my dad's birthday weekend bash, he ran the kids up and down the hill in the wheel barrel. There is a certain element of fun you get when extended family gather for a birthday bash (or any gathering). I haven't seen most of my Dad's side of the family since Christmas of 2006, shameful to realize that! The person I miss the most is my Aunt Hope, she lives in northern Illinois, and goodness does she bring joy to my heart. She is as real as you can get; she says what we all know you are thinking! And her laugh is infectious and mischievous! Oh if we all had Aunt Hope's dear to our hearts, how fun family reunions would be!
Four full days of family, camping, midwestern humidity, clear night skies, and water balloon fights. Nothing but fun! It was sad to see the campground clear out, and everyone pack up and go on their way, til next time.
3.
Iced Coffee - what is a sticky midwestern summer day without an iced coffee? White mocha or Raspberry Mocha please, thank you.
4.
Rainy days spent in the movie theatre - Rainy summer days give permission to lounge inside a freezing theatre eating buttery popcorn (or in the case of my kids butter popcorn with caramel flavoring, yah I know). We've seen a wide array of flicks this year, and sure when you have a million and one things to do (I should probably clean my floor right now than this, but isn't that always the case?), but everyone always makes time for things they enjoy and that are important to them. It's just a simple truth, and movies are enjoyable to us, so we do them when we can, and if the movie warrants a trip.
Under our belt this spring/summer we have seen:
Dark Knight - Bloody Brilliant, could watch it again in theatres.
Wall-E - Very darling, makes you want to not only get up and exercise, but also be more earth conscious
Kung Fu Panda - good, some of the family liked it even better than Shrek (but Shrek 2 still holds the limelight in my life).
Indiana Jones - the ending imo was not a true jones ending.
Narnia - we enjoyed it, Ive read the complaints that it didn't follow the book perfectly, but I accept that they are different mediums and enjoy each on their own.
Sweet little Miss P snuggled down with me for the ones we hit after her birth-day. For now they don't phase her, around 4 months we found with the others, they just don't enjoy it nor sleep as much as the earlier months.
5.
Swimming! It's seriously not summer without a pool to me. Spending a few years of my adult life without a pool made summer life seem blah, the humidity seemed like a hot wool blanket, that I'd never find refreshment. Now that we've had a pool for a few years, I'm quite happy to find summer enjoyable! It's just not summer without getting in a noddle fight. Trust me.
6.
Measuring up to Corn - Sure people use those inventive measuring sticks, but corn, now corn is just more fun! Beginning of summer you giant over the rows of corn, and a few weeks later they look down on you! Not to mention those homemade corn stands on the sides of the road selling those golden kernels?
7.
Road Trip! A trip somewhere outside of your county is a requirement for summer fun, and this year our vehicle has a/c so it will be much more enjoyable! I'm excited to take the kids up north, and am hoping we can visit the Renaissance Faire, I think they'd get a kick out of that.
8.
Baseball - Be it kids softball, watching J play, or going to an MLB game, they are all great, and if it's a night game - even better! And when you can't get to a game, there's always ESPN Baseball Tonight which is watched almost every single night right before bed. (psst - how cute is that little Ais with her wonky toddler hair? Taken 2 summers ago when she was 2 years old.)
9.
Painted Toes, Toe Rings, and Flip Flops - all thing feet. this is an old photo from last year too, but I don't feel like running to take a new photo of anyone's feet (kids are busy with the Wii Fit, and Miss P will be waking up shortly, which means I ought to get to number 10.)
10.
Daylight, sunshine, green grass, warm weather, horseback riding, breezy light reading, being outside!
Back to that cleaning thing now.
Friday, August 08, 2008
cute etsy find
I'm looking on etsy for a few specific items for miss p, and an item for me (book ends that are cute, creative, and funky). And in my search (that did not result in a sale), I found these! I adore them, but as I don't have $75 sitting around unused and thumb twiddling, I'll just share the link and picture.
You can find these and more at 1453 Designs
Now I have to get back to cleaning my dining room which is covered (table to floor) with school supplies and teaching supplies. One of my biggest problems in life - organization! I just lack the ability to organize anything well, even when I think I got a great idea. Maybe I need better containers? I know not the answer, I've been so exasperated by this that I've actually considered hiring a Miss Organizer to help me break through this seemingly Everest of my life.
Tuesday, August 05, 2008
proofs
Saturday I took a few hours out of my morning and my Dad's weekend birthday bash to snap some photos of my sister and her family. I'm just getting around to looking at them and proofing them. On Saturday alone I took 601 photos, granted not all of the photos were of my sister, but definitely the heavy majority.
I put a little watermark on the image since I uploaded them to flickr, and have read a lot of recent thefts lately where people use images for videos and the like, thinking it's stockphoto. I haven't gotten to the beach photos yet, but in the meantime here's a small taste. More are on my flickr page.
toddler wrangling - one of my favs. Landon was ready for a nap, last photo of the day.
Bigger update to come, once I wade through 601+ photos, between my own baby wrangling, home school preparation, and web design clients.
