William's 7th Birthday

Hi William,

You had your seventh birthday today!

Your day started out having breakfast with Grandma and us at the Viking.  You were so excited to be turning seven that you barely touched your chocolate chip pancakes.  Grandma gave you a card with spending money for our Arizona trip. Your head immediately began churning with ideas to spend your new fortune on.

After your birthday breakfast, we drove in Merrilliville to run a few errands which included picking up your birthday cake.  This year you chose an Army theme for your birthday, so I ordered a white cake, with white frosting and green writing.  You finished decorating the cake at home with green Army men.  It turned out really nice :) You also added Darth Vader for a candle holder.

During our errands, you were REALLY worried that we would be in a store during you "actual birthday" (which is the time you were born... 11:20am).  You wanted us to sing "Happy Birthday" to you at exactly that time and were really afraid that we would be in a store and everyone would hear us singing to you which would be "weird".  We managed to make it to Sam's Club parking lot at exactly 11:10. So we waited for the big moment and let the singing rip.  You sang to yourself too.

This year we gave you a new suitcase, an encyclopedia of Star Wars characters and a Star Wars Wii game.  I think you really like the game because you are downstairs right now playing it with your cousins.You also received a lot of  Wii accessories and two more games from the family and our favorite neighbors.... I think they are titled Wii Resort and Mario Cart.  Grandma gave you two new games for you Leapster.  Guess this birthday was all about games!

Your cousins are spending the night tonight.  Looks like it's going to be a late night for you all! No one wants to quit playing the games to shower.  I think I'll make Dad in charge of that.

Anyway... Now for the mushy stuff.

I can't believe that you are already seven.... First grade, baseball, reading on your own, Wii games instead of a baby swing and Mr. Banana Man.  Goodness, how time flies.  I know your an old guy now, but I'm happy that you are still my baby.  You still love to hug me and cuddle.  Hopefully, it will stay that way for a LONG time! It better, Buddy!

We love you lots!

Love Mom and Dad and Claudia
xoxo

Summer in the City

William and Claudia,

We recently got to spend some fun time in the city.  Our week went like this...

Thursday, we checked into the Hyatt on Wacker and then walked to the red line to take the subway to Sox Park to watch the game. You guys were excited to be riding the subway.  You, Claudia, had fun looking at all the people and scenery and you, William, demonstrated his knowledge of reading.... by reading all the advertisements aloud... several times.  The Sox game was exciting, but very cold.  And... because Mom did not dress you in (or pack) warm enough clothes, we had to leave in the fourth inning.  Sorry guys!

Friday morning, Dad got up early and went to his class.  We three took our time getting ready and got a cab to Navy Pier where we went to the Children's Museum.  After a bit of museuming, you two spotted a McDonald's where you both insisted we have lunch.  We did and then headed back into the Museum for the rest of the afternoon.

After the museum, we stopped for ice cream and did a little more sight seeing around the pier.  Instead of taking a land taxi back to the hotel, we caught a water taxi at the mouth of the Chicago River.  The taxi took us to Michigan Avenue, right by our hotel.  It was bit chilly, but a fun ride!

We waited for Daddy to come back and headed out by foot in search of the Rain Forest Cafe.  Unfortunately Dad's internal GPS failed and we ended up by Water Tower and not the restaurant.... that's why we ended up in a cab.  Rain Forest Cafe was fun, even though we had quite a bit of a wait.  William, you thought the "elephants were annoying and disturbing your meal".  Personally, I think since you're now older, fake animals are not so cool anymore.

Saturday, we got up, ate at the hotel and walked down to Millennium Park.  We explored the "Baked Bean" as Claudia called it, the water walls and the amphitheatre.  After exploring the park and surrounding area (you liked the unusual wind "sticks" at the AON Center), we headed back to the hotel to meet up with Daddy.  Saturday was the day of Alex's graduation party so we headed out to Bolingbrook to celebrate.

Sunday, we took a taxi to the Peggy Notebaert nature museum in Lincoln Park.  The museum was "cool", but we didn't get to see all of it because our stomachs started growling and the cafe was limited to "icky" pre-made sandwiches.  Luckily the zoo was withing walking distance.  We headed there and actually found a healthy lunch.  After lunch, you two asked to stay at the zoo which was fine with me.  We checked out the exhibits. You both loved the baby monkey (I don't remember which kind of monkey).  Your second favorite was the leopard.  Dad met us at the zoo after his class and we walked to the Wiener Circle for dinner.  Greasy burger,. hot dogs and fries!

Monday, we took another water taxi to the Sears Tower (I don't care for the new name) and went to the 103rd floor of the tower.  You guys were quick to find the ledge... the only thing that interested you.  You both stood out on the ledge while I took a few pictures.  I took one step out on it, looked down and quickly jumped off.

After our quick visit of the Sears Tower, we had lunch at Giordano's... thin crust pizza because neither one of you will eat thick crust.  And, Claudi, you still won't eat melted cheese!  Just crust and toppings for you.  The three of us had a fun time sitting by the window and people watching.  We took the water taxi back to the hotel. 

When we got back, we had dinner at the hotel with Dad and ended our evening with an architectural tour on the Wendella boat.  You guys didn't care so much for the narration or the buildings, but you did enjoy the ride down the river.

Tuesday, we ordered room service for breakfast, packed up and headed back to Valparaiso.

Great time we had!!!

Claudia's Preschool Graduation

Claudia, 

Sorry, Claud, that it has been a month since your graduation day and I haven't posted pictures yet.  Papa took the pictures and I am not able to put them on the blog (goofy technical stuff with web albums).

It was a great ceremony and a great year! 

You did a fabulous job in preschool and will make a great kkindergartner!

Love,

Mommy, Daddy and William

OUCH

Quote from Claudia...

"Those aren't grey hairs on your head, Mom. It's just the light making the hair look shiny. But, your face, Mom, sure is getting a lot of cracks (wrinkles) in it."

Easter 2011

We had a wonderful Easter this year!  Our EARLY morning started with the Bunny who brought baskets full of treats, twistable colored pencils ("the best kind") and games for the Leapster Explorers. 

After breakfast, we headed to church and then to Grandma's house for an afternoon of fun with cousins.

I Need a Vacation

What a crappy week!

Brian, once again, is MIA. He leaves for work at 6:30am, returns at 6:30pm, then works on the computer until midnight. The kids and dogs no longer recognize him. I've started telling people that I am a single parent. Enough said.

Secondly, I opened the back door to let the dogs out. They dashed passed me, head-butted the screen door and ran for the bunny nest in our lilies. By the time I quickly dressed (I was a wearing a tank top, no bra and pajama pants... a scary sight), Sophie had a baby bunny in her mouth and would not release it. I bribed her with treats, chased her through the yard, but she would still not release it. I felt so bad, that I just stood there and cried. Finally, I went in the house and grabbed a handful of turkey hoping she would drop the bunny for the turkey. After what seemed like an eternity, she released the bunny to eat the turkey. The bunny was dead. Fortunately, the kids were absorbed in a cartoon and didn't know what was taking place in the back yard so I was able to wrap the bunny in a plastic bag and dispose of it in our garbage can. Sorry Mommy Bunny. The dogs will be leashed up from now on and will stay away from your nest.

My third disaster involved the carpet cleaner. The new carpet cleaner. I decided to shampoo the carpets... which worked great in one bedroom. Then the cleaner stopped spitting out the water. I took the tank off, replaced it and it still wouldn't work. I unplugged the stupid machine, took it apart, put it back together and discovered it worked. I continued cleaning for several minutes until I saw that the bottom tank contained no dirty water. What the heck? The machine was spitting out the water with cleaner, but not suctioning up the dirty water. Took the darn machine apart again, but I couldn't get it to work which let me with a soggy carpet in the upstairs hallway. I spent a good hour soaking up the mess with towels. The towels are still in the laundry room waiting to be washed. And yesterday, the older dog, who never has potty problems, pottied on the clean carpet!

And.... the doctors' office lost William's kindergarten paperwork so now I need to go to the elementary school, pick up new paperwork, drop it off at the doctors' office and hope they can actually place it in his file until I return to pick it up again.

Then there's the regular occurrence of the cat going stealth, running past me as I have the door open to let the dogs in. Well, Rosie, you can now fend for yourself. I'm done picking you out of the thorn bushes and taking the deck apart only for you to dash from me as I remove the last screw of the lattice in an effort to bring you back in the house. You're on your own.

To end my week, the older dog weaseled her way out of her harness and leash and killed all the bunnies in the nest. I am sick and completely puzzled as how she freed herself. I found 7 bunnies total. She was only outside for a few minutes LEASHED. Damn dog!

I'm thinking that it might be a good time to take myself on a vacation. MYSELF.

Claudia's Tooth

Dear Claudia,

Congratulations!  You lost your first tooth on April 3rd.

It was a wiggly little thing for quite some time, driving you absolutely crazy!  You wouldn't let anyone get near it except for William.  You asked him to pull it out for you, but he was afraid to hurt you, so the two of you came downstairs in search of the Master Tooth-Puller (that would be me).  I gave that little guy a slight tug and out it came.

As relieved as you were to have the tooth out, you did not want to turn it over to the Tooth Fairy (I don't blame you... the whole Tooth Fairy thing is kind of creepy), so you wrote the Tooth Fairy a note (which I will eventually scan and include) asking the Fairy to leave the tooth with you.

The Tooth Fairy was so impressed by your note, that she left the tooth with you and also left you $3.00!!

It seems that you will be following in William's footsteps because you have two more wiggly teeth that will be coming out soon.

Congratulations Claudi on losing your tooth and being brave enough to ask the Tooth Fairy to leave your tooth with you!

Love,

Your Favorite Mommy :)

The Big Lost Tooth

I lost a big one!!!

While we were in Indy this past weekend, William lost his front tooth.  He actually LOST it... as in a swimming pool!

William and Claudia were swimming with their cousins and William's face made contact with Matthew's foot.  The tooth came out and settled somewhere on the bottom of the pool.  I entered the pool area right after the tooth came out to find William crying hysterically and holding a towel full of blood.  I thought he had jumped in the pool backwards again (after telling him not to a million times) and smashed his face on the side of the pool.  He was actually crying because he couldn't find the tooth in the pool and no tooth meant no Tooth Fairy (according to William).

Claudia, with a teeny bit of help from Sydney, started a search and rescue mission.  She continued to dive and scan the bottom of the pool for William's tooth. 

And... guess what?  SHE FOUND IT!!!!

William was so happy to have his tooth back and Claudia was so happy to have found it for her favorite brother.

The Tooth Fairy came to the hotel and left William a special gift.  Not money, but a StarWars movie- A New Hope.  William couldn't believe his luck. 

We had an eventful weekend with cousins and Grandma :)

William's Report Card

William,

Today you received your first kindergarten report card. You did a great job! We're so proud of you!!!

Today is also your 6 1/2 birthday. You are so excited to be half-way to 7.

Love You,

Mom

Lentil Chili

Ingredients

8 cups low-sodium vegetable broth, divided
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
1 large red bell pepper, chopped
5 cloves garlic, finely chopped
4 teaspoons salt-free chili powder
1 (16-ounce) package brown lentils (about 2 1/4 cups lentils)
2 (15-ounce) cans no-salt-added diced tomatoes
1/4 cup chopped cilantro

Method

Bring 3/4 cup broth to a simmer in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add onion, bell pepper and garlic and cook about 8 minutes or until onion is translucent and pepper is tender. Stir in chili powder and cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Add lentils, tomatoes and remaining 7 1/4 cups broth. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, partially covered, 30 minutes or until lentils are almost tender. Uncover and cook 10 minutes longer. Stir in cilantro and serve.

Nutrition

Per serving : 120 calories (5 from fat), 0g total fat, 0g saturated fat, 0mg cholesterol, 180mg sodium, 21g total carbohydrate (7g dietary fiber, 6g sugar), 6g protein

Serves 8