June 2010 Archives

Newest, greatest thing ever: swinging in the back yard! 

Carter swings on her swing, goofing and trying to reach the sky.  And Charlie swings in his baby-swing, smiling and enjoying it all.



TOES to the SKY!
(LOVE that beautiful smile!)



HAPPY as can BE
(LOVE that smile, too!)



... and Daddy gets to play, too!

This afternoon, Carter, Charlie and I picked out a picnic lunch (courtesy of Palmer's, of course!), and headed outside.

We lunched on salad (for me), and PBJ and Cheeto's (for Carter) and crackers and milk (for Charlie).  It was beautifully blue and warm, breeze today.  The perfect day to picnic!

Then we headed to the pool.  Being only 77 degrees outside, most people must have been doing other fun summery things because the pool was peaceful and perfect!  Carter got to have a little freedom and didn't have to stick right with me - she played with a neighborhood pal who was also there.  Charlie and I were able to splash in the shallow walk-in part and keep a watchful eye on her.  It was a great afternoon - and now both kiddos are asleep! 



LET'S GO PLAY IN THE POOL!!!



Buzz Lightyear and my little Pink Flamingo, drying off

To celebrate Andy's birthday, we hit Dairy Queen.

How could you not get ice cream to these two yahoos?!!

Happy 31st birthday, Daddy!  WE LOVE YA!



Chocolate for Carter



'Nilla for Charlie

Carter asked for a Nintendo DS Lite the other day (actually, she said, "Mom, you need to buy me a DS Lite." - emphasis on the NEED).  She is a very fortunate little girl, and she doesn't understand that a DS Lite  is expensive ($129 plus games, $40 each!), but a pack of gum ($.89) isn't.  She just knows that sometimes when she asks she gets what she wants, other times she doesn't.

So, in our best attempt to teach her the value of a dollar, and the worth of a hard day's work, we helped her set up a lemonade stand at Saturday's garage sale.  We talked about it before hand: Carter was in charge.  If she left it to go play, I wouldn't be selling it for her (or, if I did, I was keeping the money!).  We also talked about greeting customers nicely, asking if they'd like a glass of lemonade, and then being gracious if they said no.  She got it - "OKAY, Mom!"  Ooo-ee-vay!

Saturday she worked her magic like a champ!  She said hello to everyone, and kindly asked them if they'd like lemonade.  Those who said yes, just about everyone, she pour a glass for and thanked kindly.  I helped her keep her quarters safe in the box, and make change when necessary.  She was great, and she had a great time!  Used car saleman in the making!

In total, the little squirt earned $13.00 from selling lemonade (at $.25 a glass).  Now when she says, "MOMMY!  Can I have _____?", I remind her how hard she worked for her quarters, tell her no, but she could buy them.  The answer's always the same: "Mmmm ... I think I don't want _____.  I'm saving for my DS."

Good girl!



Making lemonade so it can be "tasty" for customers on Saturday



Could you turn her down?!! 

We filled the pool (and this time let it warm up!) for an afternoon of fun.  Carter slid down the zebra, with a big splash down in the pool.  Charlie giggled and splashed back, covering both in sprinkles and smiles!



Splash down!



Carter and Charlie, splashing and smiling



Charlie loved getting soaked!  Cheeser!



You'd think he'd hate this!  However, he had a great time!

Collin, Nora, Grant & Carter

Happy Father's Day, to some of the greatest dads around!

My dad - amazing!  I'm fairly confident that I was not always the delight that I am today.  I can be persistent (sometimes "annoying" if you'd like to go there!) and heaven knows I'm spoiled!  But my dad always always supported me.  He cheered me on at softball games, listened as I plunked away at the piano, and celebrate my life's victories with me.

Andy's dad - amazing!  Now I know living with four boys couldn't have been easy!  But Duane kept the family afloat during tough times, making them some of the closest, most self-sufficient and wonderful men I know.  I'm lucky to be a part of the family that Duane has helped raise.  The four guys that we love are men because of their father.

Andy himself - amazing!  I have been very fortunate to watch this awkward and nerdy 17-year old cashier from Hy-Vee grow up into the father of my children.  Over the course of our 13 years, he's grown up, bettered himself - and me in the process - and continues to be an outstanding husband and father.  Two very sweet kids look up to him.  He is their world, and he never lets them down.  I am 100% confident that Carter and Charlie will be upstanding citizens with caring hearts because of their dad.

Dads, thank you for being you!  You are each unique and remarkable in your own ways, and we love everything about you!  Happy Father's Day!  We love you guys!



Grandpa and Charlie, sharing a moment.  Grandpa is no doubt passing wisdom onto his grandson!



So, it seemed like a good idea to get all the grandbabies together before dinner - when they weren't tired or upset!  Epic Fail!
Courtney, Marissa, Carter, Charlie and Owen



Look who got Oreo Cupcakes for dessert!  Now that's a happy guy!



Happy Father's Day, Daddy!
I love the look on Andy's face!



We love ya, Daddy!

You can't help but love it!  This year marked the 100th year of Whoopee in Brighton, and nothing could have kept us away!



Carter and Charlie, ready to rock! 
2010 marks Charlie's first Whoopee!  Ohh la la!



Charlie (8 months) and Thomas Lueck (10 months)



"Hey pal!  What's up?  You liking Whoopee?!"



Woah, buddy!  Watch out, Thomas!  Charlie's gonna be bigger than you one day!
Oh wait ...



Thanks Mother Nature for the puddle to occupy the girls prior to the parade! 
Note: the boys look of disgust as the girls get muddy!



Carter and Jack Harris, working the parade for candy



Despite the looks on their faces, both Daddy and Charlie love Whoopee!!!



Whoopee-lovers Carter and Charlie!

This evening was Carter's second dance recital (technically, her second year in the first-year dance group, but who's monitoring logistics?!!).  She had a tap routine and a ballet routine, and she was absolutely phenomenal!  We're so very proud of her!  At Thursday's rehearsal, she got a little "nerbous" on stage for tap, but she spotted me in the audience, I waved, and she seemed to calm down.  She tapped up a storm!  Ballet also went well at rehearsal. 

Friday night, I got backstage mommy duties, tending to our seven little ballerinas while other girls were dancing.  It was basically two and a half hours of glitter, grapes and the Wonder Pets DVD!  I walked her, and the other girls, to the stage area, and I only caught bits of their performances.  She did great and had fun!

Saturday, Andy, Andy, Rory, Corey and Amber and I got to see her in action!  First up, the tap, which she did great at (even though she'll tell you she liked the ballet better!).  Daddy actually got a little teary over how much she'd improved over last year (don't tell him I told you that ;)  ).  Her ballet turned out to be the funniest debacle ever!  The girls lined up on the right of the stage and walked out to their individual X's on stage.  Carter's X, and place on stage, was second.  She followed Elsa out, making her second on stage (Greta followed behind Carter).  I'm sure what set it in motion (I'm guessing Carter wasn't watching where she was going!), but Else stopped on her mark, and Carter ran into her, causing Greta to run into her.  After the three-ballerina pile up, Elsa (the first girl) and Greta (the third girl) both had marks.  Greta was on Carter's X, which of course Carter wasn't having!!!  With the music you couldn't hear any of their interactions, but you could see Carter telling Greta she was on her mark, Carter trying to convince Greta to move, and the light bulb finally clicking with Greta that she needed to move!  Greta got to her spot, Carter got to hers, the crowd was hysterical, and clapped as the girls figured it out.  They went on to dance beautifully! 



Chalupa's, ready to rock!



How beautiful is this one?!  She's our amazing little girl!  And we're so proud of her dancing progress!



Carter, second from left, as the girls walked on stage for tap



Bouncy, bouncy, bouncy (2nd from left)



Carter being "nerbous" because she couldn't see me at rehearsal.  Miss Kaylie said something to her and pointed at me, then she was good to go!




Jazz arms!


Our beautiful princess ballerina



The ballerina squad, preparing to walk out (Carter, 2nd from left).  LOOK AT THAT TOE POINT!



At rehearsal, she was flawless!  At Saturday's performance, she ran into Elsa (first girl), and caused Greta (third girl) to run into her, and it was downhill from there!



Such long, beautiful arms - maybe she's a dancer after all!



Proud Daddy and our Ballerina



Proud mama and our Ballerina



:) She may be a ballerina - long, lean, graceful, poised, but she'll ALWAYS be our Carter - our goofy little cheeser!!!

This evening, we took to the backyard to play.  Carter put on her "TaDa!" show for us, we played with bubbles, and had a peaceful and delightful evening.



Lovin' the outdoors!!



Charlie and I watched as Carter put on her "TaDa!" show.  The "TaDa" show consists of Carter doing flips and dismounts from her swing or bar.  I do the Olympic commentary, we rate her dismount, and golf-clap for her performance.



Blowing bubbles to Little Brother



"Ohhhh!"



They both love bubbles!



My goofballs!

Andy's at the Principal Charity Golf Classic today, so I'm doing single mom duties (which, yes, started as single mom doodies - not cool).  This morning, we ran to Target to get daycare supplies for swim days, then to the park.  Carter loved it.  She found a new best friend in the first thirty seconds we were there!  Charlie was cautious, at best.  He refused to take a morning nap, which could have been the issue!

After lunch and naps for all, we hit the library (to get our summer reading program goodies!) and then the pool.  It was very windy, but that didn't stop Carter.  She found a new best friend in the first thirty second we were there (sound familiar?)!  Charlie was cautious, at best.  He wasn't a fan of the tepid water and wind spraying him.  So he and I hung out along the edges of the 0-depth entry area and watched Sissy splash and be a goof.  He did enjoy the little fountains in the baby area.  Hopefully that'll be something he loves in the months to come, as she's already asking to go back!

 

Good to see at least ONE of them enjoyed the swings!



Me and my buddy



Charlie's first run at the slide.  It went about as well as Charlie's first swing ride ...



Carter, on the other hand, couldn't have had more fun!  She was even brave enough to swing and slide down the fireman's pole all by herself!



Riding the big bouncy-truck was a little better!



I said, "Carter, come sit by Charlie, then we'll go get lunch."  He may have no idea what I'm really talking about, but it's the only time he smiled while we were at the park!



Look who's not so afraid this year!!!



Such a little poser!



Charlie had to take it all in, careful not to get too wet!



Warming up and drying off.  It's tough to be 7 months old!



Look who's back for the summer: it's Freckle-Face!

It all began with a pillow ...

In two words: Destro-Baby!



"Why would I play with these awesome toys when I could be poking Daddy's eyes out?  WAY MORE FUN!"



Sunday, Charlie slept in until 8am.  Cool!
I changed his mega-poopy diaper (not cool), then fed him.  He toss it right back up, all over me (not cool).  I gave him a bath, put him in a clean diaper and then into the exersaucer so I could clean up, and I got out to see poop running down his leg (not cool).  This would be bath #2 for the day - twerp!



So, when Destro-Baby gets tickle double-teamed, I don't feel so bad for him!  It's a good thing he enjoys it so much!!!

As a total birthday surprise, one we're all a little shocked I pulled off without sharing, Janine and I hijacked Kelsey for the afternoon and took her out for some much-needed relaxation and girl time.  We went to Zender's Spa for pedicures, and holy cow, Kelsey has painted toe nails!  In nearly 10 years, I've never seen this!  Then we hit Quinton's for delicious dinner and delightful girl time, things I've been needing for awhile!

Happy birthday, Kels!  Hopefully you had as great a time as I did!  We wanted to do something you'd never do for yourself, and I think we managed to pull it off!  And who deserves an evening of peace more than you?!  Happy bday!  LOVE YA!



Janine, Kelsey and I - my pampered girls!



Beautiful piggies!  Funny that we all picked colors drastically different from one another.

This evening when they got home, Andy parked Charlie in a sitting position in the living room.  Charlie spotted the cat under the table, got into Army-crawl mode and took off after him.  I'd feel sorry for Oliver, getting his hair pulled and "petted" by the kids, but Oliver is an antagonist: he gets just close enough to Charlie to brush his tail across his face, but out of his reach.  Talk about a love/hate relationship!  Good thing neither of them would ever hurt the other!  "Love taps!"



Playful taps between the two.  Don't feel bad for Charlie - he got a handful of Olley's hair right after!



Kitty-lover!



I think this was all a part of Oliver's elaborate plan: lure Charlie into the kitchen, get him under the chair ...



... then watch as Charlie gets stuck!  Cats are sneaky, Charlie!  Look out!