Saturday, September 27, 2008

Dirt, garage sales and 5 years later...

I find it kind of interesting when people will say, 'oh, you just have to have a little boy'.
I guess all things associated with boy--rough and tumble, dirt and bugs, snails and puppy-dog tails--seem appealing? If that really were the reason, then said commenter would realize that I certainly don't need to have a boy because I have Zoe.
I often tease Andrew that Zoe is the child he got as a payback from his 'angelic' days as a child. She can be as sweet and docile when she wants but can also be so defiant and downright stubborn that I just shake my head and force myself to laugh. (I told myself to do just this tonight when she was eating dirt for the fourth time in about as many minutes) I personally don't see her appeal of dirt--maybe once to subside any curiosity, yes, but it's numerous times every day. I guess I can conjecture that she's deficient in some kind of mineral, but even that's probably not the reason...she just plain likes to do things of which I disapprove. ('Hey! I know a fun game...let's see how many things I can do that MOm doesn't like and then do them over and over again).
I just have to shake my head again and realize how different two little girls can be...same two gene donors but entirely different personalities. One (the smaller, but barely) will pinch/hit/kick the other (older, but not always the wiser), ensuing screeches and crocodile tears calling for some kind of intervention. (And for the umpteenth time, Lily, you're bigger--stand up for yourself or atleast move out of range!)
But, on the flipside, Lily is the one who is very physically daring while Zoe is very tentative with what she does/tries. Interesting.
And, as my title suggests, we had our first yard sale this morning. This was in combination with several other families in our HOA. We had a fairly good turn out, got rid of some stuff and netted $80. (It could have been more had Andrew not given a bunch of stuff away last month--he's definitely NOT a pack rat).
Last, but not least, Andrew and I celebrated the BIG 5 on the 20th....doesn't seem like that long until I start to list all we have done in that five years. Time flies--here's to many more 5's!

Monday, September 15, 2008

Home again, home again...

...jiggity jig.

Our trip home was a little close for comfort. (see previous post for vacation pix and detes) The night before we were to leave we learned that there were only two seats available, and there wouldn't be enough seats until the following day. We went to bed and hoped for the best. Luckily the coolest pilot in the world informed us early the next morning that a third seat had opened up. So we went to the airport hoping that no one else would be bumped onto that flight, and we were in luck...we got the last three seats.

We were sad to say good-bye to Dad and Arlette but are so looking forward to seeing them in November when they come out to Utah.


It's always good to be home but hard to come back from vacation. Andrew hit the ground running and went to work that night. The week went by so fast. We had a few walk-throughs which seemed optimistic and very interested but haven't heard back from them, so the real estate game continues.

Saturday we enjoyed good company at a neighborhood/HOA BBQ and later a birthday party for Lily's little friend who is also our close neighbor. The girls had SUCH a good time, the wonderful family who put on the party outdid themselves with making sure it was a fun time for all. I think the highlight was the pinata with scads of candy. As Lily walked toward me with a bag full of goodies she said, "Look! I got candy! Now I can go home." (Such good party etiquette)

KC Travel Log

The girls (and Andrew and I) had so much fun in Kansas City visiting my Dad and Arlette. We are fortunate enough to have airline ties (thanks, Ben) and purchased standby tickets to fly out on Thursday morning, the 4th. The plane ride was nice. There was even an extra seat giving us a full four to spread out on. The girls did great and the ride was under two hours.

It's always so nice to see Dad and Arlette and so great to see the interaction between them and the girls. They took to 'Papa' and 'Wama' right away despite not getting to see them too often and loved all the cool things to see (ie large, dead bugs they like to collect, squirrels, bunnies, deer and other critters). In fact, Dad and Arlette injected some kind of 'bug' (pardon the pun) into Lily regarding insects. They had her inspecting all the unusual species as well as chasing the crickets to see how many she could stomp on. Upon arriving back home she found a dead dragonfly and proudly picked it up for me to see. (no thanks!)
Dragonfly anyone?

Here's Zoe admiring a bunny to the right of the tree

On the way back from looking for deer in the field next door
When we arrived, Dad and Arlette had done such a great job of preparing...there were all kinds of toys and activities for the girls to do...a swimming pool full of balls, baby dolls, magnets, a cool bath toy Elmo, puzzles, stuffed animals and coloring books. They loved it. Of course we took advantage of all the great places to eat. I forgot to bring my camera to Arthur Bryant's BBQ but just imagine a cafeteria tray heaped with a pound of slow-smoked meat of all sorts with a stack of white bread and their famous Sweet Heat sauce....yum! Arlette put up some serious competition with her great cooking as well. We were fed well and came back a little rounder. We got to enjoy some retail therapy as well as go to Hallmark so Dad could show off his family. We ate at the Crayola Cafe and let the girls roam the Crown Center Mall. Along with great food, great shopping, and of course a Cleveland Indians versus Kansas City Royals baseball game (the Indians won 9-3), we most enjoyed hanging out with Dad and Arlette. Each time I get to see them I am freshly reminded how much I truly miss and love them. Thanks for your hospitality and kindness and for putting up with us...we love you guys!

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Rainy weekend

We're so glad when Daddy comes home...

And get's to stay home...
For all three days he has off...

NO overtime!

First day of Preschool

There is always a sense of slipping time as my girls achieve certain milestones. Today was no different. Lily started preschool. While she is one of the youngest and smallest, she is absolutely so ready to LEARN. She was excited for this new adventure, and surprisingly I wasn't as emotional or contemplative as I'd thought I'd be. (Part of this could be attributed to the fact that I needed the extra three hours to get stuff done, and it felt (almost) like nothing more than a nursery dropoff.)

So after I picked her up, and she burst into tears while hugging my leg, I asked her why she was crying. Her response was quite opposite what I expected. She just said, "I don't want to leave." (whew!..at least she liked it!)

And now that the laundry is folded and I have time to relax, I am grateful that I have the means and the privilege to send my little girl to start her many years of higher learning. They are long, but so full of memories and experiences that are truly priceless.

But now we head off to Kansas City to visit my dad, and she'll miss her second and third days...I just hope that enthusiasm holds strong and the memories sweet for her return.
And the young lass begins her trek to school (uphill bothways in a blinding snowstorm)...

She has arrived (diva-glasses and all) and is ready to embark on a promising adventure.Here's to many enthusiastic years ahead!