While on vacation Grandpa was reading to the grandchildren before bedtime. I don't have a picture of this so you'll have to use your imagination.
Staley was next to Liam and she had her fingers in her mouth. Liam looked over with a disapproving glance and yanked her hand out of her mouth! Back to the story while Staley looked over at Liam with a surprised expression on her face. Staley decides to put her fingers back in her mouth which cued Liam to yank them out once again.
Grandpa kept reading, the kids kept reading but the aunts and uncles were all dying of laughter.
picture
Saturday, June 30, 2012
Pentwater
Every year I get to go away with Evan's family for their annual trip to Pentwater, Michigan. It's a beautiful place with absolutely nothing to do. Which is one reason why I love to go so much. If the weather is good, it's a beach day! Bring your book and listen to the waves of Lake Michigan calm you. Sit and talk with family that you only see twice a year but it's not awkward at all! I love Evan's family! To most people the idea of sharing a house with 6 other adults and their kids would not sound like fun at all! Especially your in-laws! But once again I love my brothers, sisters and their kids!
This was Liam's second year at Pentwater and so much better than last year. Last year Evan and I trekked down to the beach every day between naps carrying so much stuff it was laughable. Once we would get to the beach we would sit Liam under the umbrella since he couldn't wear sunscreen yet and he would cry, fuss and was just miserable.
This year we still trekked down to the beach carrying not as much stuff but Liam took to the beach right away! He loved digging through the sand, building sand castles with Daddy, walking into Lake Michigan and feeling the waves crashing into his little legs.
He really loved playing with his cousins, aunts and uncles. He especially loved seeing Grammie and Grandpa every day, multiple times a day. Every year Pentwater is going to get better and now I'm liking it even more!
This was Liam's second year at Pentwater and so much better than last year. Last year Evan and I trekked down to the beach every day between naps carrying so much stuff it was laughable. Once we would get to the beach we would sit Liam under the umbrella since he couldn't wear sunscreen yet and he would cry, fuss and was just miserable.
This year we still trekked down to the beach carrying not as much stuff but Liam took to the beach right away! He loved digging through the sand, building sand castles with Daddy, walking into Lake Michigan and feeling the waves crashing into his little legs.
He really loved playing with his cousins, aunts and uncles. He especially loved seeing Grammie and Grandpa every day, multiple times a day. Every year Pentwater is going to get better and now I'm liking it even more!
Playing with Elliott's trains
Building sandcastles with Daddy
Helping dig the moat for their castle
Sitting in his sand 'beach chair'
Wearing my shades and dancing to some music
Monday, June 18, 2012
Quite the sight
Tonight Evan is at a White Sox game leaving Liam, Butters and I to fend for ourselves. Things were going pretty smoothy until it was time for a walk.
Evan took my car to Chicago but I forgot to get the stroller out of the trunk. Massive fail on my part. A decision needed to be made-keep my promise to my son and dog risking all of our lives? Or denying all of us the walk that was very much needed.
I guess I felt lucky, because before I knew what I was doing Butters was strapped up and we were out the door. Things were going very well at first (due to the fact that I had threatened Butters at the beginning of the walk that she had better be good or she wouldn't be coming home with us). Liam is a fast walker so we were all walking at a fairly normal speed until seven (long) blocks from home when Liam began to slow down. He was most likely very tired of walking. We were however still seven (long) blocks from home.
He walked for another block and a half before I decided to carry him the rest of the way home. Once he rested his head on my shoulder I knew that we had probably gone too far.
I would like to add at this point that I'm not sure who my dog is at times. Most of the time when we have visitors or she's licking herself on my couch I want to kill her. But tonight? She was amazing, a truly mature, wonderful, obedient dog who walked by mine and Liam's side. I was so proud of her and made sure to give her treats and lots of love once we got home for being so good.
I wish I had had my camera to take a picture of all of us on our walk. We had lots of people driving by looking out their car windows smiling at us. I imagined them thinking 'What a picture perfect family! How sweet!'
If only it were true...
Evan took my car to Chicago but I forgot to get the stroller out of the trunk. Massive fail on my part. A decision needed to be made-keep my promise to my son and dog risking all of our lives? Or denying all of us the walk that was very much needed.
I guess I felt lucky, because before I knew what I was doing Butters was strapped up and we were out the door. Things were going very well at first (due to the fact that I had threatened Butters at the beginning of the walk that she had better be good or she wouldn't be coming home with us). Liam is a fast walker so we were all walking at a fairly normal speed until seven (long) blocks from home when Liam began to slow down. He was most likely very tired of walking. We were however still seven (long) blocks from home.
He walked for another block and a half before I decided to carry him the rest of the way home. Once he rested his head on my shoulder I knew that we had probably gone too far.
I would like to add at this point that I'm not sure who my dog is at times. Most of the time when we have visitors or she's licking herself on my couch I want to kill her. But tonight? She was amazing, a truly mature, wonderful, obedient dog who walked by mine and Liam's side. I was so proud of her and made sure to give her treats and lots of love once we got home for being so good.
I wish I had had my camera to take a picture of all of us on our walk. We had lots of people driving by looking out their car windows smiling at us. I imagined them thinking 'What a picture perfect family! How sweet!'
If only it were true...
Father's Day
Happy Father's Day to my husband, who in my opinion, is a great daddy! I tried to pamper you as well as you did for me on Mother's day but somehow feel as if I failed.
Reasons why I failed on Father's Day:
1. I made you change the first diaper of the day which was both wet and poopy
2. I made you get up early (it was Sunday and your father's last Sunday to preach)
3. I made you put Liam in his carseat...numerous times
4. You basically fed him lunch while he threw everything on the floor or down his front and wouldn't eat
5. I made you mow the lawn
6. I told you that you had to clean up Butters poop in the yard before you mowed
7. I let you choose between chicken fingers or turkey meatball leftovers for dinner (no steak dinner for you!)
8. I made you watch 'Eat, Pray, Love' starring Julia Roberts
9. I fell asleep on the couch by 9 pm
Sounds pretty pathetic huh? Here are a few ways that I rocked it for Father's Day!
1. We spent the entire day with your family
2. We bought you that miter saw you've been asking for for the last couple years
3. I made you homemade chocolate chip cookies
4. I offered to clean up Butters poop and mow the yard so you could watch your baseball game and play with Liam
5. I "helped" Liam sign your Father's Day card
6. I put Liam to sleep for naptime and bedtime
7. Right now you are at the White Sox vs. Cubs game with your brother
So, all in all, maybe I'm even, or almost even. One thing is for sure our son thinks you are pretty awesome! And I tend to agree.
Reasons why I failed on Father's Day:
1. I made you change the first diaper of the day which was both wet and poopy
2. I made you get up early (it was Sunday and your father's last Sunday to preach)
3. I made you put Liam in his carseat...numerous times
4. You basically fed him lunch while he threw everything on the floor or down his front and wouldn't eat
5. I made you mow the lawn
6. I told you that you had to clean up Butters poop in the yard before you mowed
7. I let you choose between chicken fingers or turkey meatball leftovers for dinner (no steak dinner for you!)
8. I made you watch 'Eat, Pray, Love' starring Julia Roberts
9. I fell asleep on the couch by 9 pm
Sounds pretty pathetic huh? Here are a few ways that I rocked it for Father's Day!
1. We spent the entire day with your family
2. We bought you that miter saw you've been asking for for the last couple years
3. I made you homemade chocolate chip cookies
4. I offered to clean up Butters poop and mow the yard so you could watch your baseball game and play with Liam
5. I "helped" Liam sign your Father's Day card
6. I put Liam to sleep for naptime and bedtime
7. Right now you are at the White Sox vs. Cubs game with your brother
So, all in all, maybe I'm even, or almost even. One thing is for sure our son thinks you are pretty awesome! And I tend to agree.
Sunday, June 17, 2012
Cranky
Yesterday while I enjoyed some 'me' time (getting my hair cut and shopping for Evan and Liam) Evan was in charge on the homefront. I got to hear this amusing story when I called to check in.
Liam apparently was being fussy and crying over things that should not have been a big deal when Evan had had enough.
He said to Liam "If you don't stop crying than we won't be able to play anymore and you'll go straight up to bed!"
Liam's response? He dropped his toy, turned and marched straight for the stairs.
I guess Liam agreed with Daddy that he was not well rested. It was, by the way, only 10:30 in the morning.
Liam apparently was being fussy and crying over things that should not have been a big deal when Evan had had enough.
He said to Liam "If you don't stop crying than we won't be able to play anymore and you'll go straight up to bed!"
Liam's response? He dropped his toy, turned and marched straight for the stairs.
I guess Liam agreed with Daddy that he was not well rested. It was, by the way, only 10:30 in the morning.
Sunday, June 10, 2012
Bad Boy!
I know that Liam cannot be a perfect little angel all of the time. And I will definitely not pretend that he is either. These past couple of weeks have been somewhat of a challenge for keeping our hands and feet to ourselves.
Liam has begun to really pick on Butters. He has always loved her so much before so I'm not sure what has changed. Butters will be sleeping on the floor (a common site at our house) and Liam will walk over to her and start hitting her. Or sitting on her and I also think in his baby talk telling her what a horrible dog she is. We always immediately correct him and tell him that he cannot hit Butters and to tell her that she is a good dog and I'm sorry. Which works part of the time.
Now Liam has also begun to try to kick us while changing his diaper. We correct, he keeps kicking.
Liam also likes to hit Evan or I. Usually when we are scolding him for hitting the dog so it's quite possible he's not really getting the message.
Today after church while walking out to our car, Staley was "chasing" Liam so I turned him around so that he could also "chase" her. Once they were within 6 inches of each other Liam attempted to kick her. And I say attempted because I believe my catlike reflexes swung him around so quickly that he did not have the opportunity that he was hoping for. And also because Staley did not cry.
Liam also refused to take a nap today so he was especially bad this afternoon. While Evan was scolding Liam for biting him I was watching from the other room-and trying to hide my laughter. Which of course did not work and Evan says that as soon as he heard my giggling he broke out in a smile and tried to get out of timeout. Man! I so did not want to be that parent but I so cannot help it!
Finally though Liam has begun a bad habit that is not my fault! Today he kept putting his food up to his eyes during lunch and dinner. I couldn't figure out why he was doing it so I asked Evan to interpret. To which he answered-"He must be doing that because of me. When we play with his blocks I always put them in my eyes to be funny. Guess I can't do that anymore!" You guessed right on that one!
Liam has begun to really pick on Butters. He has always loved her so much before so I'm not sure what has changed. Butters will be sleeping on the floor (a common site at our house) and Liam will walk over to her and start hitting her. Or sitting on her and I also think in his baby talk telling her what a horrible dog she is. We always immediately correct him and tell him that he cannot hit Butters and to tell her that she is a good dog and I'm sorry. Which works part of the time.
Now Liam has also begun to try to kick us while changing his diaper. We correct, he keeps kicking.
Liam also likes to hit Evan or I. Usually when we are scolding him for hitting the dog so it's quite possible he's not really getting the message.
Today after church while walking out to our car, Staley was "chasing" Liam so I turned him around so that he could also "chase" her. Once they were within 6 inches of each other Liam attempted to kick her. And I say attempted because I believe my catlike reflexes swung him around so quickly that he did not have the opportunity that he was hoping for. And also because Staley did not cry.
Liam also refused to take a nap today so he was especially bad this afternoon. While Evan was scolding Liam for biting him I was watching from the other room-and trying to hide my laughter. Which of course did not work and Evan says that as soon as he heard my giggling he broke out in a smile and tried to get out of timeout. Man! I so did not want to be that parent but I so cannot help it!
Finally though Liam has begun a bad habit that is not my fault! Today he kept putting his food up to his eyes during lunch and dinner. I couldn't figure out why he was doing it so I asked Evan to interpret. To which he answered-"He must be doing that because of me. When we play with his blocks I always put them in my eyes to be funny. Guess I can't do that anymore!" You guessed right on that one!
Liam hitting Butters with the end of her leash.
Liam riding Butters-look at her low her head is-she hates it!
Saturday, June 9, 2012
Zoo? Party of Six? Zoo?
Today we decided to go to Chicago to the Brookfield Zoo. Blair, Violet and Eli also joined us so we had so much fun! As I left my camera in the car I will leave you with funny tidbits from the kids:
Violet and Eli: Is that the baby? Where is the baby? I want to see the baby!
(at every animal exhibit we heard this one-they are obsessed with babies right now!)
Liam: Butterfly (first time saying this one)
Violet and Eli: I want to see the alligator daddy! Can we go see the alligator now?
(Heard this one about 50 times before we actually made our way over to said alligators)
Violet: Can we go back over to the playground Aunt Melissa?
Me: Um, no we're eating lunch and then we're going to go look at some more animals.
Violet: But you said that we could go back after we finished eating!
Me: Uhh, I lied. Sorry, I didn't think that you would remember I said that.
And of course no day would be complete without a potty break story with Violet.
Violet: I don't have to go Aunt Melissa!
Me: Well, I think you should try anyway.
Violet: But Daddy said it was ok if I didn't go as long as I tried my best.
Me: Yeah, that's funny. I didn't hear your Daddy tell you that. So, I think you better just go.
Violet: But I really don't have to!
Ten seconds later she of course did. Good thing I don't listen to small children.
Violet: You're funny Aunt Melissa! But I'm not dancing! I'm not dancing with you!
Violet: Aunt Melissa please don't hold onto my ostrich! (we were on the carousel)
Me: Violet I have to so you don't fall off.
Violet: Aunt Melissa you are stopping my ostrich from running really fast!
For the record it does appear that I spent most of my day with Violet. But that would be due to the fact that every time I would try to go over to Eli he would give me the moody NO! and only wanted to be held by Blair. So I wasn't playing favorites-Eli was!
I love my niece and nephew and am so happy I got to spend the day with them! (and Blair, Evan and Liam!)
Violet and Eli: Is that the baby? Where is the baby? I want to see the baby!
(at every animal exhibit we heard this one-they are obsessed with babies right now!)
Liam: Butterfly (first time saying this one)
Violet and Eli: I want to see the alligator daddy! Can we go see the alligator now?
(Heard this one about 50 times before we actually made our way over to said alligators)
Violet: Can we go back over to the playground Aunt Melissa?
Me: Um, no we're eating lunch and then we're going to go look at some more animals.
Violet: But you said that we could go back after we finished eating!
Me: Uhh, I lied. Sorry, I didn't think that you would remember I said that.
And of course no day would be complete without a potty break story with Violet.
Violet: I don't have to go Aunt Melissa!
Me: Well, I think you should try anyway.
Violet: But Daddy said it was ok if I didn't go as long as I tried my best.
Me: Yeah, that's funny. I didn't hear your Daddy tell you that. So, I think you better just go.
Violet: But I really don't have to!
Ten seconds later she of course did. Good thing I don't listen to small children.
Violet: You're funny Aunt Melissa! But I'm not dancing! I'm not dancing with you!
Violet: Aunt Melissa please don't hold onto my ostrich! (we were on the carousel)
Me: Violet I have to so you don't fall off.
Violet: Aunt Melissa you are stopping my ostrich from running really fast!
For the record it does appear that I spent most of my day with Violet. But that would be due to the fact that every time I would try to go over to Eli he would give me the moody NO! and only wanted to be held by Blair. So I wasn't playing favorites-Eli was!
I love my niece and nephew and am so happy I got to spend the day with them! (and Blair, Evan and Liam!)
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