While running errands this morning, Sydney asked "Hey, mom? If a tornado sucks up our house will we just live in the basement or can we go live with Nana and Papa instead?"
I assured him that if a tornado sucks up our house, we will NOT be able to live in the basement because 1) it is gross and 2) there would be no ceiling to protect us.
Moments ago, around 2 PM, I got an alert on the iPad that there is a tornado watch for our area now. Hoping to stay safe. The mama bear in me has already prepared the basement.
Monday, June 30, 2014
Sunday, June 29, 2014
SIX Years and two lifetimes ago...
Six years (and two lifetimes ago) we were married in the presence of our closest family. We had intended upon "trying out the boat" for the champagne breakfast cruise that morning, to see if we had wanted to make any changes for our upcoming October ceremony. However, a sudden job transfer and promotion had caused us to make things legal sooner, rather than later.
After our nuptials and cruise around the lake, we went back to our apartment, loaded the cats into the car and headed Northwest (from southeast WI to the land of lakes - MN. Mike drove the Uhaul, towing my VW Passat on a trailer behind. The cats and I followed in Mike's pickup truck. My dad brought up the rear, playing the role of caboose and moving maestro.
Now, proud parents of two incredibly amazing little boys, every day is an adventure! (Speaking only for myself, I am LOVING this journey in life!)
Happy anniversary, Mr. Guard! I'm so fortunate to have met you...
After our nuptials and cruise around the lake, we went back to our apartment, loaded the cats into the car and headed Northwest (from southeast WI to the land of lakes - MN. Mike drove the Uhaul, towing my VW Passat on a trailer behind. The cats and I followed in Mike's pickup truck. My dad brought up the rear, playing the role of caboose and moving maestro.
Now, proud parents of two incredibly amazing little boys, every day is an adventure! (Speaking only for myself, I am LOVING this journey in life!)
Happy anniversary, Mr. Guard! I'm so fortunate to have met you...
Saturday, June 28, 2014
Thursday, June 26, 2014
Silent E in TURTLE
This afternoon, we were sitting at the table and Sydney was writing words. He was suddenly interested in spelling the word turtle. He asked me how to spell it. I started sounding out each individual letter for him and he proudly declared each letter.
"T-U-R-T-L... What comes next?" he asked excitedly.
"Silent E" I replied.
I watched Sydney scratch his head and chew his cheek apprehensively. He proceeded to write the letter E, capitalized. Then, he announced "Well, I made a big E because that's the only kind I know how to write. "
I love this little boy so much. I tried not to laugh about the silent E. I reached for a piece of paper and a marker and wrote this conversation down so that I could remember it… FOREVER! Then, I proceeded to tell him that a silent E looks just like a regular E and assured him that he did fantastic!
One of his other words this afternoon was neighbor. He proudly sounded out each letter that I fed him and wrote the giant word. I wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't give that giant word to one of our neighbors.
What a kid!
"T-U-R-T-L... What comes next?" he asked excitedly.
"Silent E" I replied.
I watched Sydney scratch his head and chew his cheek apprehensively. He proceeded to write the letter E, capitalized. Then, he announced "Well, I made a big E because that's the only kind I know how to write. "
I love this little boy so much. I tried not to laugh about the silent E. I reached for a piece of paper and a marker and wrote this conversation down so that I could remember it… FOREVER! Then, I proceeded to tell him that a silent E looks just like a regular E and assured him that he did fantastic!
One of his other words this afternoon was neighbor. He proudly sounded out each letter that I fed him and wrote the giant word. I wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't give that giant word to one of our neighbors.
What a kid!
Swim Lesson GRADUATES!
The boys walked confidently, hand-in-hand, towards the pool, filled with anticipation of FUN DAY and swimming lesson graduation. After a quick stop in the bathroom, we ventured over to "our spot", grabbed a chair and began to wipe it off. Today, there were no cones holding the parents back; we could get an up-front seat to watch (and photograph) the final day of swimming lessons.
They had HOPED to jump off the diving board again today, but the majority ruling was to do the water slides and water playground. (Thankfully, both boys opted to ride down the slide WITH a lifeguard! You may recall, an incident last July resulting in the declaration that they NEVER WANTED TO SWIM AGAIN after both boys tumbled and flipped down the entire slide.)
This crazy mom was NOT against laying on the ground to get an interesting shot. This crazy mom also wasn't afraid to get wet... I went knee-deep in water, getting my capris wet in the process. (But THAT is OK because it is ONLY WATER!)
Both boys graduated to the next level for swimming lessons. Unfortunately, we only signed up for this first session, not knowing how well it would go. We look forward to spending MANY summer days at the pool together.
Wednesday, June 25, 2014
Diving Board?!?!?! REALLY???? Great day to leave the camera at home...
I picked a heck of a day to leave the camera at home. Today, we were surprised to learn that the kids were going to go off of the diving board at swim lessons.
Gulp.
REALLY?!?!?!?
First Guard child on deck was Sydney, age 5. He calmly walked onto the board, but was not eager to jump off on his own. Olivia ended up HELPING HIM into the water.
He later reported that his muscles were all hard, but it was not THAT SCARY. He wants to do it again tomorrow at FUN DAY.
When Silas was up, he walked out onto the board, with his hands held over his mouth. Eventually, he got to the end of the board and looked down into the 10' 2" water below.
I cheered from the sidelines. "YAY SILAS!" He looked my way. I continued to cheer. "YAY SILAS!"
Then, I announced "1 - 2 - 3 - JUMP!"
And with that, his teacher assisted him into the water. (Looks like I captured a moment of complete terror, however, immediately afterwards, I could hear the lifeguards announce "There's that smile! Good Job, Silas!")
What brave little boys we've got!
Gulp.
REALLY?!?!?!?
First Guard child on deck was Sydney, age 5. He calmly walked onto the board, but was not eager to jump off on his own. Olivia ended up HELPING HIM into the water.
He later reported that his muscles were all hard, but it was not THAT SCARY. He wants to do it again tomorrow at FUN DAY.
When Silas was up, he walked out onto the board, with his hands held over his mouth. Eventually, he got to the end of the board and looked down into the 10' 2" water below.
I cheered from the sidelines. "YAY SILAS!" He looked my way. I continued to cheer. "YAY SILAS!"
Then, I announced "1 - 2 - 3 - JUMP!"
And with that, his teacher assisted him into the water. (Looks like I captured a moment of complete terror, however, immediately afterwards, I could hear the lifeguards announce "There's that smile! Good Job, Silas!")
What brave little boys we've got!
WEDNESDAY: Eric Litwin autographs books
The library hosted an event with Eric Litwin, author of the first four Pete the Cat books. (Moved to the Boys & Girls Club to make space for more families!) He. Mr. Eric, gave a fantastically entertaining performance and was then available for autographs. (Books were available for purchase from our friends at River Lights Book Store.)
To add to our advent christmas book collection, we purchased "Pete the Cat Saves Christmas".
Inside, Eric wrote:
To Guard Family
Groovy Christmas
Mr. Eric
2014
We also bought a copy of "Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons" for Uncle Mike & Auntie Karin's unborn baby. Because the gender is NOT known and the names have not been revealed, we had to have it autographed in the pet name that Uncle Mike uses when talking to his unborn baby, tucked cozily inside of Auntie Karin's belly.
Inside this book, Eric wrote:
TO MUNCHKIN
Mr. Eric
2014
What an interesting experience for our family!
This was a day that I had forgotten my camera at home. Thankfully, I was able to snap a few pics with the iPad. (I had to use that for diving board pics at swim lessons, as well.) At this point, I'll take what I can get for memory keeping!
Tuesday, June 24, 2014
It's NOT "JUST legos" anymore!
On Sydney's birthday, he received his first set of Legos. I was horribly embarrassed when he opened his gift from Sophie and declared "Oh, it's JUST Legos!"
Since he discovered his LOVE of Legos, we NOW own three Lego sets.... AND we are borrowing the Lego case belonging to Uncle Mike that has been living in Nana & Papa's attic all these years.
as you can see, it is NOT "just Legos" anymore... NOW it is one of THE BEST INVENTIONS EVER!
His first set of Legos was a logging truck. His next set, that he purchased with his birthday money, was a race car. His final set, also purchased with his birthday money, is a tow truck.
Now, the hardest part is keeping our Lego sets separate from Uncle Mike's.
Since he discovered his LOVE of Legos, we NOW own three Lego sets.... AND we are borrowing the Lego case belonging to Uncle Mike that has been living in Nana & Papa's attic all these years.
as you can see, it is NOT "just Legos" anymore... NOW it is one of THE BEST INVENTIONS EVER!
His first set of Legos was a logging truck. His next set, that he purchased with his birthday money, was a race car. His final set, also purchased with his birthday money, is a tow truck.
Now, the hardest part is keeping our Lego sets separate from Uncle Mike's.
Saturday, June 21, 2014
We're going to trick daddy
Saturday, June 21, 2014 7:05am --
Scene: mom is in the kitchen, getting juice sippy cups ready for the morning. Silas and mom are the only ones awake, besides the cats, who wake altogether too early. Silas whispers this entire conversation, obviously, trying to be sneaky.... at age THREE!!!
SILAS: (whispering) Is Daddy here?
MOM nods her head YES while smiling.
SILAS: (whispering) Is he in bed?
MOM nods her head again.
SILAS: (whispering) Is he sleeping?
MOM nods her head, announces "I think so."
SILAS: (whispering) I want to trick him. I'm going to tell Daddy his coffee is already made.
MOM: But it isn't yet.
SILAS: (whispers, sternly) I know!!! That's WHY we're gonna trick him! That's what I said.
Little stinker. JUST turned three; no shortage of brain cells in this child!
Scene: mom is in the kitchen, getting juice sippy cups ready for the morning. Silas and mom are the only ones awake, besides the cats, who wake altogether too early. Silas whispers this entire conversation, obviously, trying to be sneaky.... at age THREE!!!
SILAS: (whispering) Is Daddy here?
MOM nods her head YES while smiling.
SILAS: (whispering) Is he in bed?
MOM nods her head again.
SILAS: (whispering) Is he sleeping?
MOM nods her head, announces "I think so."
SILAS: (whispering) I want to trick him. I'm going to tell Daddy his coffee is already made.
MOM: But it isn't yet.
SILAS: (whispers, sternly) I know!!! That's WHY we're gonna trick him! That's what I said.
Little stinker. JUST turned three; no shortage of brain cells in this child!
LOST! (Silas left the pool without us!)
FRIDAY, JUNE 20, 2014 - At the pool, Sydney announced that he had to go potty very badly while we were getting ready to leave. Silas trailed behind us a few paces and I kept encouraging him to walk faster so Sydney didn't have an accident. We made it to the women's locker room, which is technically OFF LIMITS to boys slightly taller than Silas, but DID make it to the toilet without an accident. Silas had followed us in. I thought he was right behind us, at the stall door, which I left open for hat very reason.
Turns out, Silas was NOT right there. We quickly washed our hands and drip dried on the way out, wondering outloud if Silas had come through.
"Cute little blonde boy with a blue shirt and towel?" Someone asked me.
"YES!" I replied frantically.
"He's way down there," she announced. "We thought he was part of that group of people, but quickly could tell that he wasn't."
Sydney and I took off, walking as fast as we could, yelling "SILAS! SILAS!" Silas kept walking and was almost to the second parking lot when I started to run, not wanting him to cross the parking lot towards our car and risk being backed over.
Finally, he heard me yelling and stopped. With tears starting to form I his bright, blue eyes, he calmly announced "I was starting to get a little scared there for a minute. I couldn't find you guys."
"Buddy, you CAN'T leave the pool without us!!! If you can't find us, you need to tell a lifeguard and THEY WILL FIND MOMMY for you!!! It is their job to help keep you safe!!! PLEASE do NOT do that EVER AGAIN!!! That really WAS scary!!!"
"So, where we're you guys at?" He asked so matter-of-factory.
"Sydney had to go potty. Remember, we asked you to hurry because Sydney had to pee?"
"Oh, yeah..."
*********
I did tell them the story how Nana lost Uncle Mike repeatedly at a street fair when we were little kids
once. Uncle Mike kept walking away from the rest of us, being a curious, little kid. He had enough gumption to go back to our car, where Nana continued to find him, squatting next to the car, crying, by himself.
In this case, we had asked Silas to NOT go to our car... Being that he is only three and we do NOT want him to get run over in the parking lot. That would NOT be good. Also, they can use the intercom at the pool to locate us quickly, as well as many of the lifeguards recognizing us from swimming lessons and family pool time together.
I was proud of Silas for remaining calm. I think I was more flustered by it than he was.
Hope to NOT do THAT again!
Turns out, Silas was NOT right there. We quickly washed our hands and drip dried on the way out, wondering outloud if Silas had come through.
"Cute little blonde boy with a blue shirt and towel?" Someone asked me.
"YES!" I replied frantically.
"He's way down there," she announced. "We thought he was part of that group of people, but quickly could tell that he wasn't."
Sydney and I took off, walking as fast as we could, yelling "SILAS! SILAS!" Silas kept walking and was almost to the second parking lot when I started to run, not wanting him to cross the parking lot towards our car and risk being backed over.
Finally, he heard me yelling and stopped. With tears starting to form I his bright, blue eyes, he calmly announced "I was starting to get a little scared there for a minute. I couldn't find you guys."
"Buddy, you CAN'T leave the pool without us!!! If you can't find us, you need to tell a lifeguard and THEY WILL FIND MOMMY for you!!! It is their job to help keep you safe!!! PLEASE do NOT do that EVER AGAIN!!! That really WAS scary!!!"
"So, where we're you guys at?" He asked so matter-of-factory.
"Sydney had to go potty. Remember, we asked you to hurry because Sydney had to pee?"
"Oh, yeah..."
*********
I did tell them the story how Nana lost Uncle Mike repeatedly at a street fair when we were little kids
once. Uncle Mike kept walking away from the rest of us, being a curious, little kid. He had enough gumption to go back to our car, where Nana continued to find him, squatting next to the car, crying, by himself.
In this case, we had asked Silas to NOT go to our car... Being that he is only three and we do NOT want him to get run over in the parking lot. That would NOT be good. Also, they can use the intercom at the pool to locate us quickly, as well as many of the lifeguards recognizing us from swimming lessons and family pool time together.
I was proud of Silas for remaining calm. I think I was more flustered by it than he was.
Hope to NOT do THAT again!
Sunday, June 15, 2014
Wednesday, June 11, 2014
Love these two (trouble-makers)!
Sunday, June 8, 2014
Birthday Interview 2014 SYDNEY, age 5
20 questions:
interviewed june 8, 2014
1. What is your favorite color? Blue
2. What is your favorite toy? Penguin toy (batman)
3. What is your favorite fruit? pears
4. What is your favorite tv show? pbs - wild kratts
5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? peanut butter and nutella
whole wheat bread - two slices, together (creamy pb)
6. What is your favorite outfit? wo-bot (robot) shirt
7. What is your favorite game? pbskids.org
8. What is your favorite snack? graham crackers and milk
9. What is your favorite animal? cheetahs! they run super fast! 70 mph!
10. What is your favorite song? abc’s (like the alphapig sings on pbs super why)
abcdefg - hijk - animal - p - qrstuv - wxy and z, sing with me!
11. What is your favorite book? the cow loves cookies
12. Who is your best friend? matthew and kylie
13. What is your favorite cereal? super why alpha bits
14. What is your favorite thing to do outside? jump in the leaves
15. What is your favorite drink? lemonade
16. What is your favorite holiday? halloween, because it has candy!
17. What do you like to take to bed with you at night? gerald.
18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? cereal
19. What do you want for dinner on your birthday?
pizza! pepperoni, meatballs, cheese,
red sauce and kalmatta olives on the side!
pizza! pepperoni, meatballs, cheese,
red sauce and kalmatta olives on the side!
20. What do you want to be when you grow up? robotic engineer or astronaut
Birthday Interview 2014 SILAS, age 3
Silas turned THREE on May 1, 2014, but I JUST did his first BIRTHDAY INTERVIEW while he soaked in the bathtub. (6/8/14)
1. What is your favorite color?
BLUE!
2. What is your favorite toy?
Legos
3. What is your favorite fruit?
Banana
4. What is your favorite tv show?
Sesame Street
5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch?
PB&J
6. What is your favorite outfit?
Helper shirt! (getting too small) Often picks camo shorts to go with helper shirt.
7. What is your favorite game? (I don't know!)
8. What is your favorite snack?
Gummy Things (fruit snacks)
9. What is your favorite animal?
Cow!
10. What is your favorite song?
ABC's
11. What is your favorite book?
We are in a Book by Mo Willems
12. Who is your best friend?
MONKEY!
13. What is your favorite cereal?
Oatmeal Squares
14. What is your favorite thing to do outside?
Water stuff...
15. What is your favorite drink?
Chocolate Milk!
16. What is your favorite holiday?
Halloween
17. What do you like to take to bed with you at night?
Monkey! ... and Piggie!
18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast?
Eggs that poop! (Fried over-easy, he likes when the yolk is runny)
19. What do you want for dinner on your birthday?
PIZZA with Pepperoni, Meatballs, Caterpillars (bell peppers), CAPERS... you know, those teenie, tiny green things!, Kalmatta Olives
20. What do you want to be when you grow up?
A dump-truck driver!
Wednesday, June 4, 2014
Hey, Mommy! Guess how I slept?
8:22 AM June 4, 2014 -
"Hey! Mommy? Guess how I slept?"
(Silas runs into the office where Mommy is on the computer. He wears yesterday's tshirt and Sesame Street big boy pants.)
"Look! JUST LIKE DADDY! That's because I wanted to sWeep (sleep) JUST LIKE Daddy!"
(Silas flashes the Bert & Ernie printed butt in my direction for me to admire his big boy pants, while sporting a HUGE GRIN on his face.)
"I know... when I moved you into your own bed last night, I noticed that you looked JUST LIKE DADDY!"
(Silas beamed with pride.)
Just. Like. Daddy. Oh, how I love this little man!
"Hey! Mommy? Guess how I slept?"
(Silas runs into the office where Mommy is on the computer. He wears yesterday's tshirt and Sesame Street big boy pants.)
"Look! JUST LIKE DADDY! That's because I wanted to sWeep (sleep) JUST LIKE Daddy!"
(Silas flashes the Bert & Ernie printed butt in my direction for me to admire his big boy pants, while sporting a HUGE GRIN on his face.)
"I know... when I moved you into your own bed last night, I noticed that you looked JUST LIKE DADDY!"
(Silas beamed with pride.)
Just. Like. Daddy. Oh, how I love this little man!
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