Thanksgiving Weekend 2010

Happy Thanksgiving

This year we stayed home for Thanksgiving. Our original plan was to go to Grandma's house for the day, but Grandma got sick. Brian and I thought it was great to hang out in our jammies until noon and not have to rush to be anywhere, but the kids, especially William, thought otherwise... "This is the worst Thanksgiving ever." I heard repeatedly. William was upset that he was not at Grandma's playing with his favorite boy cousins.

We did get together later with Grandma and the Benton's for a Polish Thanksgiving. We met at a Polish restaurant in Lynwood where Aunt G. was greeted by a glass of water down her back... the waitress had butter fingers and colorful language. Despite the wet beginning, we enjoyed all the delicious foods, especially the sauerkraut and pierogies (which I ate my weight in...YUM).

We went to the Museum of Science and Industry on Saturday... where we met our Novak cousins and Aunt M. We had lots of fun. I really enjoyed the Muppet's exhibit. There's nothing quite like Kermit the Frog! The kids went home with Aunt M. and spent the night at her house.

On Sunday, we met the Novak's and Mimi and Papa for pizza at San Fratello's. We celebrated Brian's 41st birthday and made our way back home.... exhausted from the busy weekend!

Halloween 2010

Claudia's preschool program

Claudia singing in her program

Apple donuts at County Line Orchard...YUM!

Costume change... trick-or-treating downtown

Neighborhood trick-or-treating

Kids with Grandma

Claudia the witch

Sorting our candy

William the Ninja

Sunflower at County Line Orchard

Happy 11th Anniversary

Happy Anniversary Brian

Our 11anniversary was all about shopping and eating. We dropped the kids off at Mimi and Papa's house and headed to Schaumburg for the day. Since I am writing this 2 months after our anniversary, I don't remember the exact details but I think it was like this.... lunch at Yu's, shopping at Nordstrom Rack, a trip to Woodfield Mall to hit up the Aveda store, dinner at Brandt's (home of the world's 2nd best cheeseburger. The first place ribbon goes to Bell's Brewery in Kalamazoo, Michigan.) and a trip to Eurofresh for produce and rye bread that I can't find in Indiana. It was a fun day!

Brian's poem

Happy Birthday Claudia!

Happy 5th Birthday Claudia!

We love you!

Mommy, Daddy and William

So.... Miss Claudia,

According to you, you celebrated 4 birthdays this year.

Your first birthday celebration was with your extended family.... grandparents, cousins and your favorite neighbors. The theme this year was "Tinkerbell"... until a few days before your party. Then you changed it to "Barbie". Lucky for you I did not purchase any of the party items or you might have been stuck with "Tinkerbell". We had your party on Labor Day which up being a beautiful day to celebrate.

Your second birthday celebration was on the actual day of your birthday. We went to lunch with Grandma and then later in the day Mimi and Papa came over for dinner. Instead of a cake, you asked for a pumpkin pie which you really enjoyed.

Your third birthday was at school with your classmates. You chose to bring in doughnut holes. Your teachers made you a crown, lit a huge candle and your classmates sang "Happy Birthday" to you.

And, finally, your last birthday was your friend birthday party (a first for you). You had your party at Jump Zone in Crown Point. A lot of your friends were there, including all "your girls". Everybody enjoyed jumping in the giant jumpies, eating pizza, cake and ice cream. You enjoyed opening up you gifts... lots of Barbies!

I almost forgot! You had a fifth birthday!! We went to Indianapolis for the weekend. We stayed downtown and met our Greensburg freinds at the Children's Museum. You and your friends had a great time playing together. I think your favorite exhibit was the "Barbie" one... dressing up, taking photos, walking down the catwalk, listeniong to the Mommies reminise about their old Barbies. Even the boys had a great time!

You really enjoyed all of your birthdays and are already making plans for next year!!!

I'd post pictures, but the camera died the day of your party :(

School and Teeth

Hi William,

You started kindergarten last Wednesday.

You love going to the big school, especially having recess and playing with Thomas. Your teacher's name is Miss S. and there are a whopping 28 kids in your class (crazy!). So far you have been to gym class.... you came home and proudly demonstrated how to do sit ups and push ups, music class... "the teacher is even funnier than you, Mom", art where you made a colorful folder for your art work (a rocket ship, 2 planets and 1 moon) and library where you checked out a dinosaur book. Next week you are going on a field trip to the apple orchard.

Last night the Tooth Fairy came AGAIN! You had another loose tooth which was really "bugging" you. You asked Dad to pull it out but he refused (he's a wienie) and then you asked me. I hesitated because loose teeth really freak me out, but I tried anyway. I grabbed a few napkins, gripped the tooth and gave a tug. The tooth fought back and wouldn't come out so I asked you if it hurt and you said "no" so I gave the tooth another tug and it came out. You were so excited... another trip from the Tooth Fairy meant more money. I think you should leave the Fairy a note requesting $$$ for your wonderful Mom.

That's all for now. Pictures to follow.

William's Tooth

William,

Today you lost your first tooth. Well, actually, you didn't lose it. You pulled it out all by yourself.

It all started with one loose tooth on the middle bottom which quickly turned into two loose teeth, The second loose tooth became much "wigglier" than the first. It was really "bugging" you. You had me wiggle both teeth several times this morning. I told you that I have had a lot of experience with loose teeth (my own and those teeth of my students) and that I really thought your teeth were not ready to come out yet.

I went back to reading the newspaper... which was what I was doing when you asked me to wiggle your teeth. With in a few seconds you slapped a tooth on the newspaper as yelled, "My tooth came out!!!". Sure enough, there on the newspaper was a little bitty baby tooth staring at me. You ,too, were staring at me like "Haaa. I told you it was going to come out."

I started to cry and hug and kiss you because I was so excited for you and because I couldn't believe it actually came out. Then I realized you were bleeding a lot and grabbed some napkins. The bleeding stopped after a few minutes and we called Dad who answered the phone (that NEVER happens).

So, tonight the Tooth Fairy is going to make a visit to the house and hopefully bring you a large amount of cash.

Way to go William!!! Congratulations

William,

Last night before bedtime, you pulled out an oldie, Go Dog Go, plopped on your bed and waited for Dad or me to read it to you.

Instead, I suggested that you read it to us.

Guess what you did? You read the book.... every word! Yup, the WHOLE book!

Way to go William. We're so proud and excited for you.

Love,

Mom

Happy 6th Birthday William

Dear William,

I can't believe that it was six years ago that you were born!

It seems like yesterday that I finished teaching around the middle of June and couldn't wait to finally take it easy until August... your actual due date was August 4th. I was really looking forward to having free time to get everything set up and ready for your arrival... unfortunately things didn't go as I had planned.

I finished the school year with an achy back which quickly turned into a painful case of sciatica. I could barely feel my legs when I walked and my back was so sore that I couldn't do anything... except for swim (which I did a lot of at Grandma's pool).

I spent several times a week driving an hour each way to Munster to see a chiropractor. I could barely walk from my car into her office. Seriously, it would take me 10 minutes to cross the small parking lot and then I would stare at the curb near the door wondering how I was going to lift my legs up over the curb to walk into the office. Needless to say, I was miserable!

After a month of visits, I finally was able to move again. And, because I had lost a month of my "free time", I was desperate to have everything ready for you as well as have a little bit of fun.

The weekend prior to your birth was all about getting out of the house and having fun. Friday, I got up early and drove to Hobart to watch your cousins' last swim class for the summer. After swim class, we went out for lunch. On Friday evening, we went to the Porter County Fair with your cousins. At the fair, I waddled around in search of my all time favorite.... a chocolate covered banana! I found it and it was delicious! We had lots of fun with your cousins and went home really late in the evening.

Saturday, Daddy and I went into Chicago to the Land of Nod store to find some artwork for your bedroom. That's how you ended up with the red framed Babar prints. We couldn't decide which one we liked better so you ended up with both. After we left the store, we headed south to China Town where we had dinner and walked around and stopped at a bakery for almond cookies!

Sunday, we were invited to the Railcats game by your cousins. It was a really hot day and we sat in the sun eating hot dogs and watching the game. I really would have liked to have a cold beer, but that was out of the question so I settled for a caffeine free soda.

After the game we went home. Daddy had purchased a video camera and was sitting on the deck reading the instructions... which I had been pestering him to do for weeks (just in case you were to arrive early). I went upstairs and was going to take a shower. I went potty and stood up only to find myself still pottying (gross, I know). I couldn't figure out what was going on, sat back down and continued to potty for several seconds. "Ah, ha!", I thought.

"Brian!!!", I yelled out the window to your Dad, who was still outside reading directions. "I think my water just broke!" (Babies are in a bag of fluid while they are growing in their Mommy)

I don't think Daddy heard me so I yelled louder for him to come inside. He eventually came in and called the doctor for me.

I called Aunt Gayle who was more excited than I was (I was really nervous). I asked her if she wanted to join us at the hospital later which she did.

We stayed at home or several hours before heading over to St. Anthony in Crown Point. Daddy drove really fast because it was a long drive and I was still leaking fluid... which was not fun.

We had to check into the hospital through the ER. The receptionist was not friendly or quick on her feet. She made me wait a long time before a nurse came to get me and bring me up to my room.

I'll spare you all the icky details other than your Dad napped while I was in labor (Yes, Brian I AM still angry). You loudly came into the world the next morning, July 26th, which was a Monday. You were absolutely beautiful. Even though I was pregnant with you and knew you would eventually make an appearance, I was completely stunned to see you. It still makes me cry when I think about it. That was such a wonderful day. You cried for an hour after you were born and then didn't cry again until we brought you home. Mimi, Papa, Grandma, the Bentons and Mommy's friends all came to see you.

This weekend, we celebrated your 6th birthday with a "Star Wars" theme. Saturday was your "friend" party at the Jump Zone in Crown Point. You had a great time with your friends. Sunday was your family party at our house (the funniest part of the day was Snoopy discreetly jumped onto the dining room table and polished off the frosting from the rest of the unattended birthday cake... he later got sick and threw it all up).

Today we are going into the city to the Field Museum by your request. I hope you enjoyed your weekend and your 6th birthday. May the force be with you!

William, you are the best! Thanks for making me a Mommy!

Happy 6th Birthday My Little Guy!

I Love You!!!

xoxoxoxoxox

Mom

It's a Zoo Out There!!!

This year for Grandma's birthday we went to the Brookfield Zoo. It was Memorial Day weekend....it was hot and crowded, but we had a great time!!

Happy Birthday Grandma!!!!

Hanging out

Grandma and Kids

Claudia and Jordan with their FAVORITE animal.... the zebra!

The Last Day of Preschool 2010

William

Walking to School

In front of the TLC sign


Walking to School

The Ice Cream Truck!!!!

The last day of preschool was so much fun! Our teachers set up all kinds of games for us to play in the church basement.... including a jumpy!!!!

Towards the end of class, the teachers told us that since it was the last day of school, they were out of snacks. "Rats," I thought. Instead of snack time, the class would go for a walk around the church.

As we walked to the back of the building, we heard music.... as in ice cream truck music! Could it be? It was! The ice cream truck parked in the lot waiting for all the kids.

Our parents were in the lot too... with their cameras! I saw Mom running in the lot with Claudia (who was crying). It turned out that Claudia split her lip open and Mom had to take her to the doctor. Claudia was upset because she missed all the fun playtime, but she did make it back for the best part... the ice cream!!!

Mom took a lot of pictures, cried and hugged me. I know she's happy for me go to the big school for kindergarten, but she keeps telling me to stop growing up... as if I can control that !

William