Friday, April 27, 2012

From Way Back

Do you feel like taking a walk down memory lane?  Or checking out what advertisements, etc were like before your were born? (I can claim that for most of these!)  Then take a look at the fun site Miscellany.

This site has all kinds of nostalgia---from an old Montgomery Ward catalogue to ads for the Wisconsin Dells to hotel stationary to hardware flyers.

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

The Things Kids Say

As said by the little people in our house over the last few days:

"Mommy, I'll love you all day today."

"The key to being six is being cool."

"Mommy, do you know where you are going??"

"Why do only the female mosquitoes bite? Is it because the males want to sit around and watch tv and let the girls do all the work?"

"Kindergarten girls don't like soccer.  They only like princesses.  And princesses are booooring."


Sunday, April 22, 2012

Thursday, April 19, 2012

DrewB Gardens

On Sunday afternoon, DrewB helped his Mom and Dad plant some flowers. 
 Isn't he cute?
 Hmm, I think I'll taste this dirt.
 No, Drew!
 Icky!
 Well, maybe I'll try it again.
 No Drew!
 Ha ha, if Mommy doesn't want me to have it, well then there must be something good about this dirt!




Good work DrewB!

DrewB and Samantha (aka Don't Touch My Bike!)

While I was in DC, Katie pulled together a little family dinner on Saturday evening.  Steph and Samantha came over to play.  Between Sam and DrewB, the baby cuteness was almost too much to take.

Here's Samantha


Getting a kiss from Riley

These two get along great...until you try to get on DrewB's new trike.






The Many Faces of DrewB

I'm a lucky auntie because I got to spend several days with my little nephew DrewB this week. He is such a cutie and so easy going.  This kiddo speaks volumes with his facial expression without ever making a sound (not like my boys).

I'll apologize in advance for several photo heavy posts, but DrewB is much too cute to edit down to one or two pictures.









Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Home Again

I made it home today from DC. I have lots of photos to download and post, but for now I'm going to enjoy my boys.

Pictures tomorrow. In the meantime, cheers!

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Discovery

Today, the Space Shuttle Discovery is moving to Washington. It will join the ranks of aircraft at the Smithsonian's Udvar Hazy Center. I think I'll be in a position to see this. Hopefully, pictures later today.

Friday, April 13, 2012

Squirrels Abound

Today is Opening Day at Busch Stadium!  It's also the opening of the new playground at Cardinal Glennon.  This is a great playground that was funded by donations related to the Rally Squirrel during the 2011 World Series.  There's even a Rally Squirrel Tree House for the kids. 

I'm headed to DC tomorrow.  I found it funny that the Architect of the Capitol has a full webpage dedicated to squirrels on the Capitol grounds.  Sure, there are lots of them.  For some reason that I've never fully understood, tourists love to take pictures of the squirrels on the grounds...not just the squirrels, but also the ducks that live on the Mall and around the Tidal Basis (full disclosure, we're guilty of the duck pictures as DP loves the ducks).

Do these folks take pictures of the squirrels at home in their yards?

We have plenty of squirrels in our yard, but frankly, I'd be happy if they moved down the street or across town.  After the Great Griswold Christmas escapade, I'm done with squirrels.  I still get anxious when I go into my sons room, wondering if we have a little squirrel friend hiding out in the dormers.

Saturday, April 7, 2012

Easter Eggstravaganza

This morning we headed out to our church for the Easter Extravaganza.  Not having been to this before, we weren't fully sure what to expect, but had a hunch it would be well done.  And it was.

Wow.  Talk about a fun family event.  This is so much larger than a Lutheran Church of Webster Gardens event, this is an event for the community.  As best I could tell, there were a lot of community folks there today.

There was not only the egg hunt, but music--compliments of our Kingdom Quest Sunday School team; lots and lots of games; crafts; prizes, (candy); and plenty of laughter and fellowship for all.

The Easter Bunny was there to greet everyone.  Connor was happy to get a picture with the bunny, Christian refused.
The games were a big hit.  Check out Connor's form.
After a while playing games, Connor decided he needed to climb up on the chairs for a rest. (and to eat some candy.  This kid ate every piece of candy that came his way.  We're paying for it tonight)
There were kids everywhere. 
  As we waited for the go signal, we were reminded that Easter baskets make great hats.

 Wait, there's a basket on my head!!

And, Connor's off in search of eggs.

As the preschoolers were lining up, Connor looked at me and said: "They didn't hide the eggs very good.  I see them everywhere."

If you were wondering, there were a total of 5,950 eggs hunted today.
 
 When Connor finished, he headed off to play.

Next up, Christian.
Hey Mommy, look at my eggs!
If you needed to find Pastor King, you just needed to look up.




And for the grand finale, everyone headed into the gym for the balloon drop.

Such a great time.  It's especially great to be members of a church that intentionally provide events and service like this to the surrounding community.  All in all, a great day.

Now, to fix our eyes on the joy that we will celebrate tomorrow at Easter.

Friday, April 6, 2012

The Science of Sweets

I like to bake.  For the boys, for fun, for stress relief.  In particular, when the need to bake for stress relief pops up, I usually turn to brownies.  Fast, easy, yum.

Do you like them chewey, cakey, fudgey, plain, with nuts, etc?  I like mine on the gooey side.

Not surprisingly, there are a lot of opinions on brownies.  Now, Harvard has turned its intellectual attention to the topic.

Later this month, if you're in the Cambridge area, you can attend The Science and History of Cookies and Brownies.  A Harvard professor and his students will discuss all the science that goes into these treats.

Sounds delicious. 

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Kindergarteners Salute



The three CCLS Kindergarten classes have been featured on KSDK Channel 5 this week.  At the end of the evening newscast, the kids are shown doing the 5! 1! Salute.  Last night was the night for Christian's class.

Such a cute bunch of kids.

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Six Years Old

We're celebrating a birthday today! My sweet, smart, exuberant, full of energy and full of smiles firstborn is six years old today.  The time has flown by--how could he be six already?

Now instead of the too cute for words little boy running around the house (talking always) we have a too cute for words emerging big kid....I think we're about to enter the stinky boy phase! 

Here's a quick look at his past birthdays:

The day he was born...from the very beginning, he's had a lot to say.  He was born talking in full sentences.  Ok, not really, but it sure feels like it.

First Birthday.  The Cubs bib was intentional, as we knew it would be destroyed quickly by cake and spit-up.
Second Birthday...Cardinals attire has firmly taken root, and is now a constant presence in his wardrobe.  We were also heavy into the Elmo phase of toddlerhood.
Third birthday.  We celebrated that birthday in Round Rock with the cousins.  Such a good time, though the Diego cake was a royal pain to decorate.
Fourth birthday.  This was about three days before he got  his first pair of glasses.
Fifth birthday.  We also celebrated the baptism of DrewB that day. 
Finally, the sixth birthday.  This was this morning, early.  On Christian's fourth birthday, I filled his room with balloons while he was sleeping so that we he woke up, he found a festive room.  Now, he expects that every birthday.  For days he's been asking if the room would be filled with balloons.

So, after waking up at 5 am chanting "Happy Birthday to me!" he took off to play with the balloons.  Here, he's trying to keep one from touching the ground.

Happy birthday Bud Bud, we love you!