My Dad is the Coolest

My dad went on a business trip to Canada last week and had a stop in Chicago on his way home. So we went there Friday morning (Eric didn't have work) and spent the night near the Chicago temple and O'hare airport. We played for about 32 hours and then we all headed back to our homes. We had so much fun with Wacko-Man Grandpa and it felt like we did a lot in a short amount of time.
First stop was to a Children's Museum. Good thing my dad got in for free with our annual pass because about 5 minutes in he said "So how long do we stay here?"

Eric went to the temple while we were at the museum, and then I went during naps.

Quick trip to the park before dinner. We went to eat and then to Baskin-Robbins afterward. That night Blake and Grandpa played Match at the hotel.

On Saturday Eric went to Hyde Park to play ultimate frisbee with friends from where we used to live. They play every Saturday morning and he has missed it. He came home a little early with a fat, rolled ankle. I asked him if he had known he was going to get hurt, would he have still gone. He said yes.

We ran errands to wonderful stores that do not exist in Stevensville. Bed Bath and Beyond and Costco. Checked out of the hotel, had lunch, frostys at Wendy's, and then to Abt store. We were sad to say bye to my dad. Blake cried and cried on the way home saying "I want Grandpa!"

Janie - 15 Months

What is Janie up to these days?

- Asking "a go?" with her hand twisted up. (Where'd it go?)

- When can't find something or someone will ask "Daddy, are you?"

- Loving dogs and birds. She went up to a neighbors big dog and started petting it. Blake stayed far far away.

- Nods her head distinctively to confirm that what I asked is correct.

- Squeals so loud when she wakes up in the morning. Shrieks really. It is not pretty.

- Screams and runs away if someone tries to take something from her

- Loves books and will bring them to me to read, but she won't sit still long enough to finish them.

- Loves to pick up rocks

- Asks to dance by saying "da" and if I don't pick up on what she wants she starts to shake her groove thing

- Always wants to play on my bed.

- Whenever we go somewhere (church, museum, store) and we put our things down, she sees my diaper bag. She immediately asks for "num nums" and starts digging through it. Even if we ate right before we left the house.

- Still climbing and has climbed into her exersaucer before.

- Recently has become very ticklish and laughs so hard then asks for more.

Picnic Party

In our area there is a program called Parents As Teachers. This program puts on play groups that we go to a few times a month. At these play groups they have stations with activities, opening and closing circle time, and they give you a free book! They also send someone to your house once a month to help you know what your child should be doing developmentally and they bring activities based on that. Blake and Janie love Mrs. Susan who comes to play with them. It is such a great program and we are lucky to have it here.

On Friday they held their annual end of the year picnic. Clifford the Big Red Dog was there, a big fire truck for the kids to climb on, and stations with various activities. It was great.

They even had a real fire hose for the kids to squirt. There is Blake watching another kid have so much fun. As intrigued as Blake was, he was to scared, shy, nervous, I don't know, to do it himself. Janie did it later, but not Blake. He is afraid of a lot of things actually. As he gets older I realize this more and more. I try to work on it with him.

Here is Blake getting his first tattoo. He was asked where he wanted it, and Blake said on his tummy. They settled for his hand.

Blake

Here is some more Blake. I know nobody really cares about all his sayings, but I'm not good at keeping a journal and this is how I document.

Blake: Mommy, Can I have more chicken nuggets and ketchup?
Me: We don't have any more nuggets.
Blake: I still can have ketchup.
Me: Why do you want ketchup?
Blake: I can just dip it with my fingers.

Blake and I were in the car on the way home from the store. A fly had gotten into the car. I think his next statement was in reference to bees. "Flys don't have owie bums. They have nice sweet bums."

One of Blake's favorite songs in the car is by Taylor Swift. He requests it and I just smile when I see him in the rear view mirror waiting and then singing the chorus. "I'll be the prince and you be the princess and it's a love story baby just say yes."

The other day we were out for a walk. He picked a flower (a weed actually), gave it to me, and on his own said "you be the prince and I'll be the princess."

It is so funny to hear my still 2 year old sing to himself while playing with toys, "it's a love story baby just say yes." My sister taught him the song "Tooty Fruity." Also weird to hear him singing in the tub "She knows how to love me yes indeed."

We are still working on potty training. He tells me how he holds the pee pee in his bum. The other day he said he didn't have to go. He said "the pee pee is still in my head."

Pals

Blake is always touching Janie. He doesn't hurt her as much as he used to, but he just cannot leave her alone. Maybe it's the chubby cheeks? I don't know how many daily reminders I give him to be soft, to not touch her, or to not hurt her. She loves it though and is often laughing away while he sits on her or tickles her.

Janie wants Blake too. Lately when I get her out of her car seat first, she does a hand motion and says "mon" (c'mon) for Blake. She gives him a kiss every night before bed.

They get silly and run around together squealing at the top of their lungs with excitement. Although exhausting to be the referee, I'm glad they like each other.

Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day! I think this might be my new favorite holiday. Lots of resting and playing with the kids without having to do much work.

Easter Weekend

Marita and Newel came for a three day visit. We did a lot in a short amount of time and it was great. Thanks for coming!

If only Blake could watch this from our house. He would be entertained all day.

Not praying. Just waiting for his easter basket.

She knew what she wanted out of that basket.

Slightly scary Blake.