editing the blog book

Everyone working on their respective projects

At the beginning of the month Cathryn send me an email with the receipt for the publishing of her 2009 blog book with a message saying she got it in just in time. We had purchased a few Groupons for book printing several months prior and me being the aggressive, deadline fueled fool that I am bought two thinking that I could easily get both the 2009 and 2010 books edited before the coupon expires. 

As I've mentioned, my brain calendar is malfunctioning so not only did I incorrectly remember the expiration date, I hadn't even come close to finishing both books. When I read Cathryn's email, I had that sinking feeling that I had made yet another mistake. At least this time I was in Denver.

A few emails to the fine people at Blurb and my printing coupons were extended to the end of the month! I quickly sent off 2009 but that bastard 2010 took FOREVER. Seriously, I neglected my kids for days to get this thing done, which ironically is all about them!

The actual reason for this post is not to whine about blog book editing, forgotten deadlines and the like but for the picture above. I spend a lot of time sitting in front of this computer trying to get the books finished and my kids wanted to be with me so much that they just sat there at the table with me. Luckily Avery is very in to workbooks and can sit for long periods of time, and Vivi, well, she's not at Avery's level but sat with us anyway, sometimes coloring, sometimes moving things from one cup to another.

I really just want to take the time to appreciate that I have two people in my life who want to be near me so badly, that they'll sit at the dining room table, strapped to a chair doing practically nothing rather than playing with all of the fantastic toys they have. They are both currently here right now. I know that this parental dedication is just a fleeting moment in time, and now that the blog book and this post are done...I'm going to play.

ved's 4th birthday

Just some boys hanging out on the porch.

This is Shanaya's "I'll Google You" look.

At first, Avery hung back when the reptiles came out, but after talking it over with Daddy, he decided to join the group...and then he actually participated! Will you just look at that kid - TOUCHING REPTILES!!!

And if that wasn't enough, check out this guy! Actually, I think the snake was a girl.

The birthday boy got a snake bracelet...

...and then some cake.

Somehow these kids keep racking up the birthdays and Ved is the first of the friends to turn 4. That's kid territory, people!

His birthday party was fantastic, everything you could want in a kid's party: tons of friends, a reptile show, great food, great company, 95 degree heat. Okay, maybe not the heat part, but I guess that's the good thing about being a kid, such things don't bother you.

So, Happy Birthday, Ved! You are funny, smart, silly and one of the best 4 year olds we know!

wipeout

In an attempt to not watch anymore Dora the Fucking Explorer, Scott and I have let Avery watch Wipeout twice. Well, this morning I helped him turn our living room into an obstacle course so that he could play Wipeout and ooh doggy did he have some fun. I even took a turn on the course but found I was a little tall! The version on tv doesn't feature Sister Hurdles, however.

first day of school

Who is this MAN???

Glad I got a picture of his new kicks (he chose them himself) because they'll never be that clean again.

I could fill a sandbox with the sand his brings home from school in his shoes.

I wore the same shirt last year on the first day of school. Might be time for Mama to do some school shopping.

This is Nikki's second year in a row joining us for the first day of school.

Avery is the only one wearing shoes.

It's probably a good thing she'll be going to school next year. She would have happily stayed.

Here we go again, except this time Avery is in the 3s class. Avery is the type of kid who couldn't wrap his head around summer vacation because why in the world would he ever want to NOT go to school. The first day of school was a long time coming in his book. He made fast friends with a little girl during the open house and they have become inseparable. She refers to him as her 'best boy.' Avery is also the official Class Helper because he's the best listener...so says the teacher via Nikki. Not being able to do any of the class pick-ups and drop-offs is definitely the worst part of working 4 days. I don't have any one-on-one communication with his teachers but luckily, Nikki is fantastic about such things. 

I think it's going to be a great year and next year things are going to be quite a bit different with Vivi in school part time and Avery in school every day. Yowza, that's a lot of lunches to pack.

embassy picnic

Just like last year, Avery's favorite part of the day was helping Daddy call Bingo letters.

Really? This is the face of a boy eating a Dove chocolate ice cream bar? So serious.

A few more bites and he starts to enjoy it.

And is kind enough to willingly share with Sister

She's starting to enjoy ice cream a little more these days.

He was so excited to play all of the games and help out, but he REFUSED to run in the 3-legged race with me. Maybe next year.

Sister was content to play with a VERY full water balloon. Vivi, you're living dangerously with that thing over your head!

Luckily, it fell on to the ground and Brother picked up the pieces.

Each year, Scott's hotel hosts a family picnic for all of the employees. He stuffs them full of food and then organizes the most ridiculous relay races for the families to participate. I thought I had a good chance of running in the 3-legged race with Avery this year, but it was a no go. He did however, play some baseball, croquet, and ring toss. I love seeing Scott wearing his hotel manager's hat because all of his employees love him and tolerate his joking and goofing around.

Seriously, next year, I'm in the 3 legged race and if Avery doesn't want to, I'll drag Vivienne out there. Hopefully she'll be walking by then.

eskimo kisses

Inspired by this picture of Annabelle and Madelyn, I got my camera out after nap to see what happened. Luckily, eskimo kisses were on the menu and I got to capture these sweet moments. However, there is something extra special about Cathryn's photo and I'm starting to realize the beauty of white sheets and opening the blinds during the day.

I know that both Cathryn and I cherish the love that our children have for each other. It is the best gift.

baseball boy

Cathryn took these shots of Avery playing baseball at the Woodrow's open house and I just love them. He was actually playing with Alternate Dad for the Day, Scott Iten. Scott Turbow was sidelined with recovering from his knee surgery but happily enjoyed the game from his seated position. Luckily Scott I was more than willing to throw that ball over and over and over. I told him he shouldn't do something once with Avery that he wasn't willing to do at least a hundred times.

Play ball!

that face

I can't get over it. I just love this face.

my favorite books

The last time my mom came to visit, I asked her to bring my set of Little House on the Prairie books so that Avery and I could start reading them together. For those of you who don't know, I was obsessed with pioneers and I played 'pioneer' almost exclusively for most of the childhood. I pretended my bed was a covered wagon (something I still covet), I fashioned myself a hoop skirt (something I would still wear) out of wire hangers and shoe laces, forced my ever growing head into baby bonnets and continually cursed the fact that I was born in the wrong decade. 

When the books were not the raging hit I was hoping for, I put them back on the shelf with thoughts of bringing them out in a few months. Well, Avery reads these books every single day. Turns out, he just didn't want to read the with me. I don't think he's reading, reading them, but he recognizes lots words and coupled with the pictures, puts the story together. I am still hoping that one day we will read the entire collection out loud together - I'll save the hoop skirt wearing for Vivi. 

boys & the big blue bear

Erica and I took the boys for a weekend adventure at the Embassy Suites Downtown...I know someone.

The boys quality tested the mattress.

And I quote, "It's a silly book."

We enjoyed happy hour.

And then some fine dining in a train car.

Followed by ice cream and espresso at the Market.

Finished with a pedi-cab ride.

There may or may not have been some running.

Or a handsome baggage courier.

Or riding in style.

But the star of the weekend was the Big Blue Bear!

I'll be honest, I had to sleep with someone to get this deal, but it was worth it!


Scott called in a favor and got Erica and I an amazing deal at the brand new downtown Embassy Suites. No, we were not interested in staying in Scott's crappy hotel ;)


Erica and I had been talking about having a sleepover with the boys and coupled with the fact that Eli is turning 4 later this month, I thought this would be a great way to celebrate. We had so much fun. It was nonstop adventure and activity. The boys played their hearts out and loved everything we did. However, the show stopper was the Big Blue Bear statue outside of the convention center across from the hotel. We had the pedicab driver drop us off there the first night and had to return the next day to see him in the daylight. The only way the trip could have been better was if our hotel room had a Bear View. 


It's remarkable how many conversations one can have with two almost 4 year olds about the emotional state, wants, interests, needs and construction methodology of a 40 foot tall fiber glass and cement bear. 

I had such a good time with my son and love all of the adventures we get to go on now that he's a little bit older, a little bit wiser and a little bit more able to stay up way past bedtime without completely melting down!

verbal vivi

Since Viv has been chatting up a storm lately, I began to wonder where she is compared to where Avery was around the same time. We considered Avery to be a verbal baby and that assumption has proved true over the past 3.5 years. Well, I consulted the blog and started with Avery at 11 months and perused my monthly updates until he was 14 months because I remembered making a list of words he had. To my surprise, I couldn't find such a list and wondered what happened to it. Turns out, I did not look far enough. 

The word list I made for Avery occurred at 15 months. It is as follows:

(10) Words he says frequently: mama, dada, dog, hi, by-bye, please, that, done, papa, duck
(12) Words he has said, even once: Annabeh (Annabelle), Hann (Hannah), Ikki (Nikki), grandma, horse, baba, ball, I, car, you, how, Ssss (Sarah, but that might not count)
(8) Signs: please, thank you, more, eat, water, blanket, all done, bite

Nikki made such a list for Vivi today at 13 months. It is as follows:

(25) Words she says frequently: Mama, Dada, bye-bye, hi, up, Nana (Nikki), Gaga, Mimi, Bebe, baba, wawa (water), baby, dog, ball, nose, knee, more, please, cheese, beep, all done, doll, one, yes, eat
(11) Words she has said at least once: pool, bath, uh-oh, ha, flower, pull, baa, meow, chirp, spoon, me,
(8) Signs: bite, more, please, milk, yes, all done, thank you, drink

Wowee. I had no idea there was such a difference between them.  

So, I'd like to apologize to Vivi for referring to her as "Little Miss 50th Percentile" and I'd also like to tell Avery not to worry about me comparing him to his sister because she still can't walk and cries a lot more than he did :)

hi nikki

That's Nikki's blue car on the street.

Avery has always been on watch for Nikki in the mornings and now he has Sister in on the act. Avery will open the slider, go out there and wait for Nikki to arrive while Viv scootches behind. Initially, I was a little leery about letting her have free reign on the porch because the concrete has the potential to scratch soft leggies. However, she is a pretty accomplished scootcher at this point and I figure that she won't go out there if it hurts her.

So, both kids watch and wait. Then, upon her arrival there is an explosion of "Hi's!" Nikki is such a good sport about such things and it makes me so happy that they get so excited to spend the day with her.

what naked fairies do

Naked fairies fresh out of the bath love to...

drink water

play with balls

read books

eat blocks

perform a little magic

nibble on baby gaga

accessorize

play with cars

practice standing

and play with their naked brother.

Tatiana sent Vivienne, among many beautiful things, this pair of fairy wings. She is obsessed with them. Not two minutes out of the bath do I see her going to find the wings and then trying to put her little arms into the straps. She LOVES to wear them. The headband/choker that you see is also always around her neck.

I can hear Auntie Sarah giggling all the way from Chicago. We most indeed have a girlie girl in the house.

And many, many thanks to Tatiana for her generosity and for making my daughter so stinking happy. I hope you don't mind me thanking you on the blog.