Chuck E Cheese!

We took a trip to Chuck E Cheese for the first time a couple of weeks ago. Since then, I don't think a day has not gone by where the kids have not made reference to that place. They have Chuck E Cheese on the brain 24 x 7 I think! As luck would have it, I got a call from some playgroup friends asking if we'd like to join them at Chuck E Cheese for the morning. What a great way to spend a rainy morning in March!

An early spring day!

When the cold weather breaks, it's great to finally get outside! It was an exceptionally nice day (I think it was 60 degrees!) so we busted out the bikes, went for a ride, drew all over the sidewalk and grilled some dogs! Sooo nice for a change.

Zack has this "new" smile - well it's not really new, but it is his "signature" pose. Kinda like our own little Zoolander! Maybe not Blue Steel, but perhaps it's Squinty Sly. :)

Watch out!

Zack comes home from preschool with a bump on his head last night. It was under his hair, but it felt pretty big. He explains that he got it when playing on the bikes, and a girl named Laney was riding too fast and he fell on the sidewalk. Then I start to question - "doesn't your school have helmets to wear when you ride bikes??" My stomach started to churn just thinking about it. Immediately I start to imagine some terrible situation with Zack smashing his head on the ground, unprotected noggin in some serious trouble! And I wonder, where are the teachers at - why don't they catch kids riding around too fast, crashing into each other, with no helmets on?! Granted we are not a super safety zone at our house, but we're trying to get in the habit of having him wear a helmet on his bike. At least most times :)

So this morning I asked Zack again about the incident, and the story starts to change a little. Zack wasn't really on a bike, but that's all he can remember. He's looking a little nervous at this point. I ask his teacher about the incident and she tells me "oh yeah, Zack was running behind Laney who was riding a bike and he ran into her bike and fell on the ground".

Well, I guess you can't put a helmet on every kid running around being a kid! I gave him some motherly advice and told him not to chase the girls - that's nothing but trouble.

Barbie pumps a lot of iron

This morning Sydney showed me a naked Barbie doll and asked "Mommy, do you look like this??" I answered "no, not really". Then Sydney looked at Barbie's chest and said "Barbie's got big muscles!!"

Daddy Day!

Today Daddy took the day off work and had some fun with the kids. First he took Zack out to lunch at McDonalds. This was a special treat because last time Zack went out to lunch with Daddy he talked about it months after it happened!

Then it was time for Sydney's "around the world" potluck. Luckily for us, we got Mexico as our country so we brought in tortilla chips and salsa!

a zoo trip in the Winter

Who goes to the zoo in the winter?... well we did see these monkeys there!

no actually there were a few more people than usual at the zoo (even our neighbors!) since the temperature made it up to 42 degrees today.

As always we enjoyed seeing the snakes, lizards, and other critters. This lizard is a new animal at the zoo.

Alpine Valley ski trip

With the weather being so cold this winter, the snow has been hanging around, but it's been difficult to find a good day to go skiing. So this weekend we just decided we better get out there before it gets too warm again, and hit the slopes. We went to Alpine Valley for the day. The kids keep getting better each time we go. This time they needed very little assistance and were both going down the hill all by themselves after a few runs next to us.

Sydney is practicing on her turns. Zack... he just needs to work on slowing down! He likes to be a "blur".

The food critic

After sampling the chili we were having for dinner, Zack declared that he couldn't eat any more of it because it was "too yucky".

Just like Daddy

This morning the kids were putting their plate and cups into the dishwasher, cleaning up from breakfast (yeah plastic!!). After Sydney was done, Zack was lingering in front of the dishwasher, moving the drawers in and out. "What are you doing Zack?" I asked. "Seeing how this works" was his reply with his stare still fixed at the wheels on the drawers. I just had to smile. Looks like he will have busy hands just like Daddy. Hope he picks up the same smarts and skills about fixing cars, electrical things, house repairs, building stuff and pretty much any thing that makes him a "handy man". He's going to be quite a catch - hey, with those good looks like his Dad, maybe he doesn't even need any skills :)

What a great surprise!

Today when we had finished brushing our teeth, getting ready for school, Sydney told Zack that she had a great idea. Then she whispered something in Zack's ear and off they ran out of the bathroom. By the time I had made it downstairs the door to the coat/shoe area was closed and I was told not to come in. A few seconds later they opened the door and said "ta da!!" There they stood with not only their shoes on, but also the coats and hats on! All that, and I hadn't even told them to go get ready. That was the best morning surprise ever :) :)

Midnight?

I'm starting to see little things in the kids that make us so similar - habits, mannerisms, and apparently the kids are inheriting my dry skin! So every night I try to remember to slather their hands with some lotion so they won't get too rough. Last night I coated Zack's hands and he complained that I used too much. I assured him "don't worry, the extra will soak right in when you are asleep". Zack, the kid of many questions, wondered when it would happen. "oh late at night, around midnight" I said. I kissed him and left his room. About 10 minutes later I hear him calling for me. He asked "is it midnight yet?? My hands are dry."

Happy New Year 2009!!

Have a great new year, and take time to relax!!

First Ski Trip

This year we decided that the kids were old enough to go on a trip to the slopes. We went up to Petoskey. They had been getting a lot of snow early this year, so the conditions were great. We decided that the best approach to get the kids to enjoy skiing was to sign them up for ski lessons. We signed up for private lessons at Nubs Nob, which ended up being a really good idea with the personalized attention. Sydney did a great job and could turn and stop at the end of her lesson. Zack did pretty good, given that he's only 3 1/2, and could stop on command.

After the ski lessons, we enjoyed a frugal past time of brown bag lunches with Little Debbies (which are never forgotten on a ski day - you need lots of carbs to keep going!). We hit the slopes after lunch but were surprised to find the weather had turned rather sour with gusty winds, and ice snow showers pelting us in the faces! To top it off, we made the mistake of taking the kids on a green run, which ended being more of a bowl than a gentle beginner hill. It was a rather stressful end of the day for the kids, but after sitting in the lodge by the fire enjoying some hot chocolate they agreed they would be up for another day of skiing tomorrow. In fact, they were ready to go tubing - so we went over to Boyne Highlands and went tubing for an hour. That was a blast - although Zack was bummed that he was too little to go all by himself :)

The next day we headed over to Boyne Mountain. What a great surprise to find out that the beginner area (with a magic carpet and a chair lift) was free for everyone! We even splurged for lunch in the lodge that day to celebrate the savings. The kids were having a great time, especially after we bought them a real pair of snow gloves. We skied until 3pm, and unfortunately had to drive back home.

Flat Stanley

This year I created a photobook with pictures of Grandma & Grandpa W's 50th wedding anniversary party. We gave it to them as a Christmas present. Right before Christmas Sydney had a project that needed to be mailed to someone out of state - it was a project in which Flat Stanley would go visit and then report on what he did while he was visiting. So we packed up the Christmas present along with Flat Stanley and sent them to Florida. We called Grandma and let her know that she needed to open the box and get the project out for Sydney as it was due back at school soon. After Christmas, Grandma called after she had opened the photobook present and was in tears, of happiness, over it. She loved it. After the phone call, Sydney asked "Did Flat Stanley make Grandma cry??"

Merry Christmas!!

The Christmas tree right after Santa left...

The tree after the kids went through it all!

I don't think I've ever seen Sydney more excited!! All of the Christmas gifts were a big hit, the kids were so happy.

The Leapsters have been a big hit...

Santa knew just what to get me too!! (check out my new t-shirt!!)

Yum Yum Yum!

Tonight was a first - Sydney ate something I made for dinner and said "Mom, this is really good!!!". And she really meant it! And it was a casserole (food touching each other and everything!)! It was Tater Beef bake, a freezer friendly food. I'll certainly be making more of that. Zack, on the other hand, would only eat part of a tater tot after much discussion and declared it was yucky. Whatever!

Don't stand so close to me

Tonight Zack told us at dinner that he didn't feel good. After 5 years of parenting now, I'm starting to get the hang of the "I'll tell them I'm sick so I don't have to eat fish sticks" ploy. He nibbled on his dinner and then we told him if he wasn't feeling good he could lay down. So off to the couch he goes, and less than a minute later we heard the squeaking of the wheels on his monorail. Sick maybe, but definitely nothing that was going to keep him down. He plays with Daddy and Sydney after dinner, and then wanders in to see me in the kitchen and inquires if he can have a "treat". I begin to laugh wholeheartedly at the request and remind him (for the millionth time) how kids who don't finish dinner, or aren't feeling good certainly don't get a treat. Next comes a very sad pout and crying from Zack. He's dramatic, but usually not this good. I take a look at him and he starts to grab his stomach in pain. I pick him up to see what's wrong and set him down on the counter next to me to get a good look at him. Luckily, I wasn't looking too good because next comes the projectile vomiting. ewwww That blueberry yogurt had turned into something green and he looked like a sea serpent spraying some evil goo all over the floor. Yes, all over the floor. Why hadn't I put him next to the sink instead of on the island!? Anyhow, at least the multiple pukes made him feel much better and the rest of the night was spent in peace. Poor little guy.

Wednesday!!!

When Zack was told this morning that it was Wednesday, he started into a 15 min grouchy phase, complete with bawling and pouting. He said "I don't want it to be that day. I want it to be Friday." He wouldn't even use the word Wednesday, just referring to "that day". Who knew that Weds was sooooo bad!!

Mom's latest obsession

Since I got that new camera, I find myself with an abundance of photos and wanting some way to show them off. Well I got the scrapbooking bug and now I'm trying to make my Photoshop Elements do something! Here is my first scrapbook page, a piece of history :)

It starts with the letter "G"...

In the kindergarten class they have an assignment called Secret Letter Detective. One child is given a letter and told to bring in an object from home that starts with that particular letter. It must be hidden from the class, and the students will guess what it is based on three clues. Sydney was the chosen one this week. She had been the SLD in the past, and a student had guessed a "picture" was in the bag after hearing just one clue - "it's square". We all thought there was something fishy going on - "did she look in the bag?" "did someone tell her what it was??", so in the competitive nature of the task (really?) Dad picked out the object for the letter G. We're still surprised no one guessed it this time!!

1) it's in your computer

2) draws pictures

3) hooks up to monitor

Let the decorating begin

As soon as the turkey is cleared from the table at Thanksgiving, we're ready to decorate for Christmas. This year it was hardly even a chore as the kids pretty much ripped into the boxes of ornaments and started putting them all up on the tree! Granted, the decorating pretty much stops at 4 feet on our tree, but that's what makes is special :)



Christmas is a beautiful sight around our house....

My kitty...

Don't tell Zack this, but what he calls "my kitty" is really a blankie. I know, it's hard to believe, but our little guy likes to drag around his blankie and make it meow. It's also know as "school blankie", but mostly it's just kitty. Kitty is often found rubbing against Zack's ear (that's how he makes sure something is oh so soft...) and cuddling with Zack in bed. But often Kitty has super great powers, like how it knows Zack's full name and his age. We all love Kitty.

Happy Thanksgiving!

That's right Pilgrims, it's time for turkey eating again!!!




















Remember when Zack through that 40 minute fit about putting that shirt on??? geez!





















Bust out the cameras! This is the first (and maybe only!) full size turkey that we have ever made. Yum Yum Yum!!

Here's the guys enjoying the feast...

3 generations of hot chicks at the feast too!

What?.. that outfit again?

Who would have thought that Zack would take such an interest in clothes these days! When he got home from preschool on Friday, he scurried upstairs. When he came back downstairs again he was all smiles and proclaimed the new clothes that he just put on to be "his favorite outfit". He wanted to sleep in them that night. The next day he wore them again - ok, really they only had a few hours of "wear" on them. However when Sunday rolled around and he wore them yet again, it was time to come up with a plan. That night they were promptly thrown into the wash, proclaimed as "dirty" and it was announced that he would need to find something else to wear. Yeah for running pants!!

Happy Halloween!!

Unusual for Ohio, it was a beautiful Halloween night - weather was in the 60's, warm enough to leave the coats at home. We went out as soon as 6pm hit (thanks to Grandma & Grandpa coming over to pass out the treats!) and didn't stop until 8pm. The kids bags were packed full of candy. More candy than the whole family even needed! One special treat for night was the visit from the Monclova fire department. They drove their big fire engine through the streets, passing out candy to the kids and just being silly. My favorite part was the neighbor that was passing out Jello shots for the parents! yum!!

Sweet dreams

So far I would say that the tonsilectomy has been a success - Zack has been sleeping through the night for a few weeks now. Another test will be when we go to the Dr's and get his weight rechecked. hooray!!

Goodbye Chyna :(

Today our kitty, Chyna passed away. She was 17 years old and suffering from chronic renal failure. We loved her dearly and she will be missed very much. :(

Tonsils & adnoids removed

Today Zack went to Flower hospital to get his tonsils & adenoids removed. We are hoping this will make him a better sleeper, which will help him gain some weight and be a happier kid. The surgery started at 10:30am and lasted about 40 mins. When we got to see him in recovery, he was very very unhappy. Coughing and crying uncontrollably. It was a sad thing to see, knowing we couldn't help him much. He did calm down for a little bit and napped, but when he woke up he was still pretty sore. When we got to the recovery room, we stayed there a couple more hours. We were getting pretty discouraged when he refused to try any Popsicles and would only drink a little bit of water. Then the nurse found some apple juice and he sucked that down, and also ate some applesauce and 2 Popsicles! After that he was feeling much better and started talking and laughing. Daddy had put Cars movie on his iPhone and that really saved us. Zack was happy to watch it while we waited to leave. By the time we got home at 3pm, Zack was talking non stop like usual and not willing to sit still for hardly a minute. I hope he decided to calm down so he can get the rest he needs! He's eating bread, pudding, jello, Popsicles, and lots of juice.

the great dinner battle

With Zack being a picky eater, it's not unusual that our dinner turns into a battleground some nights. Recently I thought he would really like some meatloaf (which he probably *has* liked before), since he really likes meatballs, and they're pretty much the same. Well he refused to eat it and then told me "when you make some good food I'll eat it". !!!!!!

The big saver

When told that going on vacation costs money, Zack said that he was going to contribute by giving us all of the money in his piggy bank. His goal is to get to ride on the Barnstormer roller coaster at Disney World again.

"I willn't!!"

You have to give Zack credit - he sure is a creative child. He's made up his own contraction. "I willn't" is a pretty popular phrase when he speaks. "I willn't spill the milk!" "I willn't break it, I'm just looking at it"

the Shape of Things To Come

Zack has been talking a lot lately about when he grows up - he's going to be a "Daddy". When I told him that a Daddy has babies, he told us that he was going to have 3 boys! One of them is going to be named "Dad". Not to be outdone, Sydney reported that she will also have 3 kids - two girls, named "Ashley" and "Chloe" of course.

Kindergarten!

Sydney started Kindergarten today. She was all decked out in her new outfit, complete with pink sequined head band and her Barbie wedding backpack. What a cutie!! We can't believe she's starting school already. Zack also just started in his preschool room yesterday. They really do grow up too fast. sigh

Rolf Water Park

The Rolf Water park was a big hit for the kids. I picked a day when it was supposed to be 89 degrees and sunny. Little did I know that thundershowers were also in store! Less than an hour after we got to the pool the clouds moved in and the lightning started. So that caused an hour and a half long rain delay and we left the park for a little while. Eventually it cleared up and we got to go back. We met our friends there and they all had a blast!

Put in Bay

We took a day trip to Put in Bay today. We rode on the Miller Ferry, which was as much a part of the whole experience as was being on the island. Zack is every so enthralled by boats as much as he is cars and trains so it was a great trip - Sydney on the other hand was starting to get very leary of the rocking of the boat, but she did relax later and enjoy the ride. No trip to Put in Bay would be complete with out pizza and beer at Frosty's, so that was first on our agenda. The kids enjoyed an ice cold chocolate milk. Since we went on a Saturday it was quite busy. We did get to rent a golf cart, although it was the slowest cart on earth! I guess we were lucky to get the cart, since there was a shortage, but it was a terrible cart! After riding on the cart we played at the playground, and went up to the top of Perry's Monument. We ran into our friend Dawn so we went out to dinner with her. It was a long day, and the kids stayed out until the last rays of light. Needless to say they were conked out by the time the car got rolling home. What a great day!