Last night, after we put the kids to bed, Erik told me the funniest story!
We had stopped at Methodist hospital yesterday morning to pick up some x-rays before an appointment with Erik’s back surgeon. I ran in to get the c.d. of M.R.I.s while Erik stayed outside with the kids in the van.
I guess that Olivia was drawing in a notebook. Waiting impatiently Erik hears behind his seat, “Daddy, do dinosaurs have wee-wee’s?” And Erik, without much thought said, “Yeah, Livy….I guess some of them probably did.” And she took that information and said, “O.K., I’m going to draw one on mine then!” Then, the reality of her question hit him and Erik quickly responded with, “NO, Don’t draw a wee-wee on your dinosaur!” The next question was, of course, “O.K. Dad, did dinosaurs wear underwears?” Now, out of concern for the integrity of Olivia’s drawing he confidently said, “Yes, Olivia, they all wore underwear.”
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Monday, July 7, 2008
Cindy's Tips and Suggestions for the Drive-In
Hey y'all
Went to the Tibbs drive in on Saturday night. It was a wonderful night for it!
We saw Wall-e, and then, after the kids fell asleep, we watched Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull...good flicks. Wall-e was a great movie, very cute, but for less than 4 years of age it is a little hard to keep their attention I think. Unlike most Pixar/Disney movies with the double entandres to entertain both children and adults, this film has very little language and uses the expressive Wall-e to get its point across. My 12 year old wasn’t real impressed either. Might be best to wait for video. Indiana Jones was great, of course. There weren’t as many chase
scenes it seemed. I don’t know. When the first one came out I was at the edge of my seat of course, but now, 20 something years later….after Bourne Identity, Speed, and Di Vinci Code I think that my appetite for adrenaline has skyrocketed. It wasn’t a waste of money… but perhaps it would be best to wait until it comes out on video and sit down with the whole crew on family night for an Indy Jones Marathon, you know?
Here are some tips though, for the next family that goes to the drive-in. Its great All-American fun and I think that everyone should do it at least annually and take lots of pictures, so that they too can talk to THEIR kids about it someday. You know, about what us pioneers used to do for fun when we were little.
First of all, this we knew, they only take cash....so don't pull up with your credit or debit card and expect to get in.
Then, Don't park in the front. I know, you would think that would be the best spot....but when you make SEVEN potty breaks, you want to be in the back, cause it's closest to the concession stand where the restrooms are. I thought bringing a potty chair would be sufficient, but, according to my husband, we aren't "trash" and can use the bathroom like everyone else. After about the 5th trip I was very irritable and fully content to be trash.....apparently that's no longer an option
Next....bring balls, Frisbee, bubbles, airplanes....anything to keep them company for the hour or so before the movie starts. We know this, but it slipped our mind. Which was fine, there were a lots of nice kids that were willing to share....just FYI.
Also....don't just assume that your kids are behaving nicely in the van because it's all quiet in there. They COULD be moving the ignition switch from AUX to ON (without your knowledge, damn those Odysseys with their quiet engines!) thus
draining your entire battery---but rest assured Tibbs drive in has battery jumpers for just such an occasion. You have to bring your license to the concession stand as a deposit and they will "loan" it out for you to jump your car, then, of course, you return it for your license when you are done. It just takes a minute. But go before the movie is over, because they only have 2 and they get loaned out quite a bit. AND, here’s an interesting fact, even when your car won't start you can still listen to the radio through the speakers on the AUX position :) ALSO, good idea to bring an extra trash bag and flashlight for picking up trash after the movie is over.
Finally...If you bring Shredded Italian Beef, that you have been cooking in the crock pot all day, make sure you package it securely so that the delicious, albeit greasy, juice doesn't soak through the insulated carrier, thus soaking a now useless comforter. Also, you'd be surprised at how great a selection they have at the concession stand. We have gotten pizzas there in the past--YUMMY! We always bring popcorn and go to the Dollar Tree for cheap movie snacks...and we pack a cooler with Capri Suns for the kids to save $, but if you have $ the concession stand is a fine option.
ALSO, there is a Mug N Bun down the road (that also only takes cash) that is yummy of course....I just can't pass a breaded tenderloin!
Hope you all have a great summer!
RECIPE FOR SLOW COOKED ITALIAN BEEF
1 can of beef broth 1 jar of peppercini’s (with the juice)
1 large rump roast
Put in the crock pot on HIGH for 6-8 hours. Shred and then put on low to keep warm until needed. Great with spicy mustard and provolone or pepperjack cheese
Went to the Tibbs drive in on Saturday night. It was a wonderful night for it!
We saw Wall-e, and then, after the kids fell asleep, we watched Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull...good flicks. Wall-e was a great movie, very cute, but for less than 4 years of age it is a little hard to keep their attention I think. Unlike most Pixar/Disney movies with the double entandres to entertain both children and adults, this film has very little language and uses the expressive Wall-e to get its point across. My 12 year old wasn’t real impressed either. Might be best to wait for video. Indiana Jones was great, of course. There weren’t as many chase
scenes it seemed. I don’t know. When the first one came out I was at the edge of my seat of course, but now, 20 something years later….after Bourne Identity, Speed, and Di Vinci Code I think that my appetite for adrenaline has skyrocketed. It wasn’t a waste of money… but perhaps it would be best to wait until it comes out on video and sit down with the whole crew on family night for an Indy Jones Marathon, you know?
Here are some tips though, for the next family that goes to the drive-in. Its great All-American fun and I think that everyone should do it at least annually and take lots of pictures, so that they too can talk to THEIR kids about it someday. You know, about what us pioneers used to do for fun when we were little.
First of all, this we knew, they only take cash....so don't pull up with your credit or debit card and expect to get in.
Then, Don't park in the front. I know, you would think that would be the best spot....but when you make SEVEN potty breaks, you want to be in the back, cause it's closest to the concession stand where the restrooms are. I thought bringing a potty chair would be sufficient, but, according to my husband, we aren't "trash" and can use the bathroom like everyone else. After about the 5th trip I was very irritable and fully content to be trash.....apparently that's no longer an option
Next....bring balls, Frisbee, bubbles, airplanes....anything to keep them company for the hour or so before the movie starts. We know this, but it slipped our mind. Which was fine, there were a lots of nice kids that were willing to share....just FYI.
Also....don't just assume that your kids are behaving nicely in the van because it's all quiet in there. They COULD be moving the ignition switch from AUX to ON (without your knowledge, damn those Odysseys with their quiet engines!) thus
draining your entire battery---but rest assured Tibbs drive in has battery jumpers for just such an occasion. You have to bring your license to the concession stand as a deposit and they will "loan" it out for you to jump your car, then, of course, you return it for your license when you are done. It just takes a minute. But go before the movie is over, because they only have 2 and they get loaned out quite a bit. AND, here’s an interesting fact, even when your car won't start you can still listen to the radio through the speakers on the AUX position :) ALSO, good idea to bring an extra trash bag and flashlight for picking up trash after the movie is over.
Finally...If you bring Shredded Italian Beef, that you have been cooking in the crock pot all day, make sure you package it securely so that the delicious, albeit greasy, juice doesn't soak through the insulated carrier, thus soaking a now useless comforter. Also, you'd be surprised at how great a selection they have at the concession stand. We have gotten pizzas there in the past--YUMMY! We always bring popcorn and go to the Dollar Tree for cheap movie snacks...and we pack a cooler with Capri Suns for the kids to save $, but if you have $ the concession stand is a fine option.
ALSO, there is a Mug N Bun down the road (that also only takes cash) that is yummy of course....I just can't pass a breaded tenderloin!
Hope you all have a great summer!
RECIPE FOR SLOW COOKED ITALIAN BEEF
1 can of beef broth 1 jar of peppercini’s (with the juice)
1 large rump roast
Put in the crock pot on HIGH for 6-8 hours. Shred and then put on low to keep warm until needed. Great with spicy mustard and provolone or pepperjack cheese
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
birdilies
Livie's question, "Do birds come when you're asleep?"
love
mom
olivia, birds
Sunday, April 6, 2008
church
And, if that didn’t draw enough attention….her, Ryan, and Bekah cried even louder when we went to leave and I wouldn’t give them change to throw into the Holy Water font and make a wish! I think we need to start bringing them to church more often, and feed them breakfast first!
church, olivia
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
four year old favorites
Olivia’s said that she had the best dream ever… HS Musical was at Chuckie Cheese!
bekah, prinkly dress, olivia, hs musical, chuckie cheese
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
music
We have an I-pod attachment in the glove box of our Honda Odyssey that I use A LOT. The kids all have their favorite songs. Olivia loves anything High School Musical or Hannah Montana (of course), Fergie, and lately “Jessie’s Girl” by Rick Springfield. Bekah is loving “Thriller” by Michael Jackson, “Big Butts” by Sir Mix-A-Lot, “Fly me to the moon” Frank Sinatra, and “Saturday in the Park” by Chicago. Ryan likes “Kung Fu Fighting,” Motley Crue’s “Shout at the Devil” and a song from a kid’s song c.d. called “Yucky Dinner Again!” Chelsea likes all the popular songs that are on the radio now—that almost always have some guy rapping about it “raining” in the strip club and “shortey rubbin’ up and down the pole.” There is always a fight. They each want their own songs and there is very little patience for taking turns or tolerating any song other than their own. And Ryan just sits in the back and whines because the twins can be very loud and obnoxious (not to mention passionate) about the whole radio thing and if I have to compromise to achieve silence in the car during rush hour he is usually the one that gets stuck with the short end of the stick. Poor guy. Actually Olivia is the only one who REALLY cares about music. Bekah just likes pick fights with her sister by taunting her with fairness and “taking turns,” and Ryan just doesn’t want to be left out.
Lately I have been really puzzled by a phenomenon that I cannot explain. I would be really interested to know if this is an issue just within my own family or a more universal problem. My kids often get in the car with drinks and food. I know, I know…..it’s a horrible idea, blah, blah, blah. Anyway, 20 minute lecture later, they have this very annoying and distracting habit of quickly and immediately needing to get rid of all evidence. It’s like the sippy cup or plastic cup they have been holding for the whole car trip home suddenly becomes electrified. They scream and cry until I reach back in the middle of rush hour traffic to relieve them from their angst, AND, if I am not quick enough, they have been known to hurl their dishes all the way to the cab of the van. WHAT THE HECK IS THAT ABOUT? It’s not a 10 lb. bag of sugar, it’s an empty cup! What is so uncomfortable about an empty cup that they feel the need to throw it? Has there ever, in the history of time, been an incident of a sippy cup exploding in a mini van because of inactivity? Was there a warning on the Disney channel that I missed? A safety alert that got by me? What is the emergency?!?!?!?!?!?!?!
Also, on that same train of thought, what is up with taking shoes off when the seatbelts get buckled? I never do that. I never did that with my kids. But now it is almost habit in the Kilmark van: snap the buckle, kick off the shoes. It’s not a huge problem of course…except, when we get to where we are going and we can only find one shoe. You would be surprised at how many nooks and crannies there are for a flip flop to hide in the constraints of your average mini-van. Is this just my family? Am I crazy?
Helping with dinner—using many spoons, pouring own Diet Mountain Dew.
Lately I have been really puzzled by a phenomenon that I cannot explain. I would be really interested to know if this is an issue just within my own family or a more universal problem. My kids often get in the car with drinks and food. I know, I know…..it’s a horrible idea, blah, blah, blah. Anyway, 20 minute lecture later, they have this very annoying and distracting habit of quickly and immediately needing to get rid of all evidence. It’s like the sippy cup or plastic cup they have been holding for the whole car trip home suddenly becomes electrified. They scream and cry until I reach back in the middle of rush hour traffic to relieve them from their angst, AND, if I am not quick enough, they have been known to hurl their dishes all the way to the cab of the van. WHAT THE HECK IS THAT ABOUT? It’s not a 10 lb. bag of sugar, it’s an empty cup! What is so uncomfortable about an empty cup that they feel the need to throw it? Has there ever, in the history of time, been an incident of a sippy cup exploding in a mini van because of inactivity? Was there a warning on the Disney channel that I missed? A safety alert that got by me? What is the emergency?!?!?!?!?!?!?!
Also, on that same train of thought, what is up with taking shoes off when the seatbelts get buckled? I never do that. I never did that with my kids. But now it is almost habit in the Kilmark van: snap the buckle, kick off the shoes. It’s not a huge problem of course…except, when we get to where we are going and we can only find one shoe. You would be surprised at how many nooks and crannies there are for a flip flop to hide in the constraints of your average mini-van. Is this just my family? Am I crazy?
Helping with dinner—using many spoons, pouring own Diet Mountain Dew.
Monday, March 31, 2008
look ma, no hands!
monday, march 31, 2008
Ryan rides bike for the first time without training wheels.
ryan, bike
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
easter 2008
My goodness, it’s been a long time since I’ve written! Last weekend was Easter, so we all went to visit my Grandma Cook in Illinois. We stayed at the Baymont Inn and Suites. Usually we stay at the Holiday Inn Express, but it was booked. Honestly I don’t think it made a difference. We all stayed at the same place, so that was nice. When I say all of course I mean Beth, Russell & family; Abbie, Carl & family; and Amy, Rodney & family.
We went to the Children’s Museum of Illinois in Decatur, Illinois. It’s usually a toss up between the Children’s Museum and Scovill Zoo, depending on the weather. The kids LOVE the museum. It’s a nice size. There is lots of role playing/hands on stuff for them to do. It’s just enough to keep them interested for a while (various age groups) and not overwhelm them. I think that my favorite part is the make believe town area. It cracks me up. There is a little grocery store (complete with dairy, produce and milk sections), cash registers, play money, and little carts. It’s so cute to see your kids walk up to the register like little grown ups and unload their mini grocery carts. There is also a post office adjacent to the store. It has mail slots complete with addressed letters that need to be sorted, a mail box, scales to weigh packages…even a little honorary postmaster badge and mail carryin’ sling. Too cute. And, there is a bank. It has a drive up window, a safe, a calculator and debit lookin’ machine. There are deposit slips, checks. It’s pretty extensive in its detail. I have heard that the Children’s Museum in Cincinnati I think is this same concept but much more elaborate. I think that in the next few years we will have to make a point to go there, because even though they love a lot of the exhibits at the Children’s Museum in Illinois I think that this is the one that uses the most imagination that they have the most fun at.
After the Children’s Museum we drove around a lot. I showed the kids Millikin University (where I went to college my sophomore year), the ZTA house on the corner of Main St. and Decatur St. (the sorority that I rushed). I also drove them by the Family Drug on the South side of Decatur Lake where I worked in college to pay my bills.
We swam in the pool when we got to the hotel. Of course Olivia had a life/death experience. She is a very eager swimmer, although she isn’t as fearful as I sometimes would hope. When she has her life jacket on I have no problem with her swimming and jumping back and forth, but, when she uses the bathroom sometimes the whole “putting the jacket” back on escapes her and she jumps in sans floatation devices. Luckily she’s a good enough swimmer that she can tread water until she realizes her error and someone saves her. This time it was a nice stranger staying at the hotel who happened to be relaxing in the pool. DON’T JUDGE ME, I was on my way over….he was just right there so he grabbed her quicker
The kids all slept well. And, the evening before Easter, I met with my sisters (Beth, Amy and Abbie) in the lobby with our bags full of goodies to fill Easter baskets-while eating Monical’s Pizza of course! Which reminds me, I still owe my sister Beth about $10. I better put that down in writing because even though I will quickly forget, she will keep it in her mental log book forever…. It was funny because before Ryan even unwrapped everything in his basket he was negotiating up and down the hall with his cousins, trying to use what he had gotten to get what he wanted!
We then went to Grandma Cook’s to eat lunch, visit with family and have the Easter egg hunt. Grandma’s house is REALLY crowded (3 bedrooms and 1 bath) so we always pray for good weather to allow us to spread outside. Not this year though, for the first time for as long as I can remember it snowed while we were out there hiding eggs. Big white fluffy flakes. It didn’t deter us though; the Easter Egg hunt went on as usual.
The only thing that I can remember that went wrong is that Ryan forgot an entire small suitcase full of his stuffed animals (I think about 11, mostly pigs) and Grandma had to mail them to us. We had told him not to bring them, but alas, it was inevitable. How Grandma got that many swine in a little 11 x 13 x 4 box will always amaze me……
This year Easter was on March 23rd, which also happened to be Erik’s birthday. I got him a DVD (Harold and Kumar goes to White Castle) and some slippers that he LOVED from Pamida, but I don’t think that he was very happy, or impressed. That night when we got home and collapsed in our own bed, completely tired and exhausted, he solemnly asked me, “Why don’t you every do anything for my birthday? I know that you are nice to me everyday, and I really shouldn’t even complain……but it just hurts my feelings…..”
The truth is…… I just don’t care. God, written out that sounds terrible…. What I mean is, birthdays just don’t mean a lot to me, so the fact that they sometimes mean a lot to others eludes me. Wow, that doesn’t sound much better. Truthfully when it comes to Erik I have a lot of ideas. Another backscratcher. A pedi-egg. A neck pillow. An I-Pod. A gift card to Best Buy. A new grill. Grilling accessories. A gift certificate for a massage. A cool/awesome electric razor. A pair of hair trimmers. Clean out, organize, and insulate/drywall the garage. But all of these things take money, which I never have. And the creative, non-expensive solutions that sound fun at first thought, become cheesier and cheesier as time goes by, thus leaving me giftless ( and without an explanation) on the special day.
And, in my defense, he’s not exactly great all the time either. When I was scheduled to be induced on 2/13/04 with Olivia and Rebekah he had a huge tax refund check in his pocket and still didn’t bother to stop at the sale table outside of the hospital gift shop to buy me a Valentine’s Day Present*—after I had given birth to not just one, but TWO of his children. I, in turn, had bought cards for him, Chelsea, and Ryan, in anticipation of Valentine’s Day the day after my delivery.
And I am nice to him EVERY single day. I send him nice notes. Drowned him in compliments. Fix him his favorite meals. Buy him ice cream. Let him sleep in. Rub his feet. I would quickly say to another, within earshot of Erik, that I spoil him a bit.
But, irregardless of that, this whole gift thing is clearly a hot topic for him. Christmas was the same last year. Money was tight. I said no gifts. Everything was going to the kids. He bought me a $20 coffeepot with a timer and carafe from Wal-Mart, I got him nothing—as agreed. Who do you think was the scrooge? Exactly!
Anyway, as I said, he was disappointed that I didn’t get the parade together on his birthday (of course I am exaggerating, lol) so I had to redeem myself, after the fact. So, with help from his best friend Chris, and his wife Amy, I was able to schedule a surprise 38th birthday party on Saturday, April 5th. It was a success. There were a lot of people. Not everyone that I had hoped, but enough to make it fun. I made little smokies wrapped in bacon and dipped in brown sugar, and spicy buffalo chicken dip. Amy made pulled Italian Beef sandwiches (see drive in entry on 7/7/2008 for the recipe!) It was a good time. He was completely shocked and surprised. Unfortunately I had to leave early because I had a nasty migraine that made me start getting sick—or maybe it was too much Buffalo Chicken dip . But he got see some friends and spend some time sans kids, so that’s always good. That was his gift. A few hours with his old friend Independent Erik.
*side note: He did, with the tax check the next year, get me a kick ass digital camera and printer. And has also gotten me an I-pod that I adore. So when he has money, like me, and almost everyone in the free world, he does o.k.
Easter 2008
A once in a lifetime experience!
Easter is always the 1st Sunday after the 1st full moon after the Spring
Equinox (which is March 20). This dating of Easter is based on the lunar
calendar that Hebrew people used to identify Passover, which is why it moves
around on our Roman calendar.
Here's the interesting info. This year is the earliest Easter any of us
will ever see the rest of our lives! And only the most elderly of our
population have ever seen it this early (95 years old or above!). And none of
us have ever, or will ever, see it a day earlier! Here are the facts:
1) The next time Easter will be this early (March 23) will be the year 2228
(220 years from now). The last time it was this early was 1913 (so if you're 95
or older, you are the only ones that were around for that!).
2) The next time it will be a day earlier, March 22, will be in the year
2285 (277 years from now). The last time it was on March 22 was 1818. So, no
one alive today has or will ever see it any earlier than this year!
We went to the Children’s Museum of Illinois in Decatur, Illinois. It’s usually a toss up between the Children’s Museum and Scovill Zoo, depending on the weather. The kids LOVE the museum. It’s a nice size. There is lots of role playing/hands on stuff for them to do. It’s just enough to keep them interested for a while (various age groups) and not overwhelm them. I think that my favorite part is the make believe town area. It cracks me up. There is a little grocery store (complete with dairy, produce and milk sections), cash registers, play money, and little carts. It’s so cute to see your kids walk up to the register like little grown ups and unload their mini grocery carts. There is also a post office adjacent to the store. It has mail slots complete with addressed letters that need to be sorted, a mail box, scales to weigh packages…even a little honorary postmaster badge and mail carryin’ sling. Too cute. And, there is a bank. It has a drive up window, a safe, a calculator and debit lookin’ machine. There are deposit slips, checks. It’s pretty extensive in its detail. I have heard that the Children’s Museum in Cincinnati I think is this same concept but much more elaborate. I think that in the next few years we will have to make a point to go there, because even though they love a lot of the exhibits at the Children’s Museum in Illinois I think that this is the one that uses the most imagination that they have the most fun at.
After the Children’s Museum we drove around a lot. I showed the kids Millikin University (where I went to college my sophomore year), the ZTA house on the corner of Main St. and Decatur St. (the sorority that I rushed). I also drove them by the Family Drug on the South side of Decatur Lake where I worked in college to pay my bills.
We swam in the pool when we got to the hotel. Of course Olivia had a life/death experience. She is a very eager swimmer, although she isn’t as fearful as I sometimes would hope. When she has her life jacket on I have no problem with her swimming and jumping back and forth, but, when she uses the bathroom sometimes the whole “putting the jacket” back on escapes her and she jumps in sans floatation devices. Luckily she’s a good enough swimmer that she can tread water until she realizes her error and someone saves her. This time it was a nice stranger staying at the hotel who happened to be relaxing in the pool. DON’T JUDGE ME, I was on my way over….he was just right there so he grabbed her quicker
The kids all slept well. And, the evening before Easter, I met with my sisters (Beth, Amy and Abbie) in the lobby with our bags full of goodies to fill Easter baskets-while eating Monical’s Pizza of course! Which reminds me, I still owe my sister Beth about $10. I better put that down in writing because even though I will quickly forget, she will keep it in her mental log book forever…. It was funny because before Ryan even unwrapped everything in his basket he was negotiating up and down the hall with his cousins, trying to use what he had gotten to get what he wanted!
We then went to Grandma Cook’s to eat lunch, visit with family and have the Easter egg hunt. Grandma’s house is REALLY crowded (3 bedrooms and 1 bath) so we always pray for good weather to allow us to spread outside. Not this year though, for the first time for as long as I can remember it snowed while we were out there hiding eggs. Big white fluffy flakes. It didn’t deter us though; the Easter Egg hunt went on as usual.
The only thing that I can remember that went wrong is that Ryan forgot an entire small suitcase full of his stuffed animals (I think about 11, mostly pigs) and Grandma had to mail them to us. We had told him not to bring them, but alas, it was inevitable. How Grandma got that many swine in a little 11 x 13 x 4 box will always amaze me……
This year Easter was on March 23rd, which also happened to be Erik’s birthday. I got him a DVD (Harold and Kumar goes to White Castle) and some slippers that he LOVED from Pamida, but I don’t think that he was very happy, or impressed. That night when we got home and collapsed in our own bed, completely tired and exhausted, he solemnly asked me, “Why don’t you every do anything for my birthday? I know that you are nice to me everyday, and I really shouldn’t even complain……but it just hurts my feelings…..”
The truth is…… I just don’t care. God, written out that sounds terrible…. What I mean is, birthdays just don’t mean a lot to me, so the fact that they sometimes mean a lot to others eludes me. Wow, that doesn’t sound much better. Truthfully when it comes to Erik I have a lot of ideas. Another backscratcher. A pedi-egg. A neck pillow. An I-Pod. A gift card to Best Buy. A new grill. Grilling accessories. A gift certificate for a massage. A cool/awesome electric razor. A pair of hair trimmers. Clean out, organize, and insulate/drywall the garage. But all of these things take money, which I never have. And the creative, non-expensive solutions that sound fun at first thought, become cheesier and cheesier as time goes by, thus leaving me giftless ( and without an explanation) on the special day.
And, in my defense, he’s not exactly great all the time either. When I was scheduled to be induced on 2/13/04 with Olivia and Rebekah he had a huge tax refund check in his pocket and still didn’t bother to stop at the sale table outside of the hospital gift shop to buy me a Valentine’s Day Present*—after I had given birth to not just one, but TWO of his children. I, in turn, had bought cards for him, Chelsea, and Ryan, in anticipation of Valentine’s Day the day after my delivery.
And I am nice to him EVERY single day. I send him nice notes. Drowned him in compliments. Fix him his favorite meals. Buy him ice cream. Let him sleep in. Rub his feet. I would quickly say to another, within earshot of Erik, that I spoil him a bit.
But, irregardless of that, this whole gift thing is clearly a hot topic for him. Christmas was the same last year. Money was tight. I said no gifts. Everything was going to the kids. He bought me a $20 coffeepot with a timer and carafe from Wal-Mart, I got him nothing—as agreed. Who do you think was the scrooge? Exactly!
Anyway, as I said, he was disappointed that I didn’t get the parade together on his birthday (of course I am exaggerating, lol) so I had to redeem myself, after the fact. So, with help from his best friend Chris, and his wife Amy, I was able to schedule a surprise 38th birthday party on Saturday, April 5th. It was a success. There were a lot of people. Not everyone that I had hoped, but enough to make it fun. I made little smokies wrapped in bacon and dipped in brown sugar, and spicy buffalo chicken dip. Amy made pulled Italian Beef sandwiches (see drive in entry on 7/7/2008 for the recipe!) It was a good time. He was completely shocked and surprised. Unfortunately I had to leave early because I had a nasty migraine that made me start getting sick—or maybe it was too much Buffalo Chicken dip . But he got see some friends and spend some time sans kids, so that’s always good. That was his gift. A few hours with his old friend Independent Erik.
*side note: He did, with the tax check the next year, get me a kick ass digital camera and printer. And has also gotten me an I-pod that I adore. So when he has money, like me, and almost everyone in the free world, he does o.k.
Easter 2008
A once in a lifetime experience!
Easter is always the 1st Sunday after the 1st full moon after the Spring
Equinox (which is March 20). This dating of Easter is based on the lunar
calendar that Hebrew people used to identify Passover, which is why it moves
around on our Roman calendar.
Here's the interesting info. This year is the earliest Easter any of us
will ever see the rest of our lives! And only the most elderly of our
population have ever seen it this early (95 years old or above!). And none of
us have ever, or will ever, see it a day earlier! Here are the facts:
1) The next time Easter will be this early (March 23) will be the year 2228
(220 years from now). The last time it was this early was 1913 (so if you're 95
or older, you are the only ones that were around for that!).
2) The next time it will be a day earlier, March 22, will be in the year
2285 (277 years from now). The last time it was on March 22 was 1818. So, no
one alive today has or will ever see it any earlier than this year!
Monday, February 11, 2008
Papa's chocolate chip cookies
E-mail from Pauline Dahlke, Ryan’s kindergarten teacher. She was responding to Ryan bringing in a chocolate chip cookie that he and Papa made….
Hi Cindy,
I wanted to let you know about the cookie that Ryan brought in on Thursday.
He handed it to me and asked if we could share it and I so badly wanted to say "yes" but told him we'll talk about it later. Then I ended up leaving to pick up my daughter from school who was sick. On Friday, time flew and I didn't get to talk to him. Now it's Monday and I still haven't said anything but according to the school rules, we can't have anything that is homemade. The cookie looks so good but we just can't eat it. I was wondering if you want me to send it back with Ryan or whatever sounds good to you. Let me know.
Thanks
Pauline
Hi Cindy,
I wanted to let you know about the cookie that Ryan brought in on Thursday.
He handed it to me and asked if we could share it and I so badly wanted to say "yes" but told him we'll talk about it later. Then I ended up leaving to pick up my daughter from school who was sick. On Friday, time flew and I didn't get to talk to him. Now it's Monday and I still haven't said anything but according to the school rules, we can't have anything that is homemade. The cookie looks so good but we just can't eat it. I was wondering if you want me to send it back with Ryan or whatever sounds good to you. Let me know.
Thanks
Pauline
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
e-mail from my love
I just wanted to let you know that you're the greatest woman in the world. I know you've been working diligently on getting the house in order. All that with no help from me or anyone else. I'm sorry I don't do more. You know I'm just lazy. But I just wanted you to know that I've noticed and that I appreciate you.
I love you to no end!
Erik
I love you to no end!
Erik
Monday, January 14, 2008
world's best coach
From: Margery Cook
1/14/2008 3:30 pm
Subject: Colts
I asked Ryan if his dad went to the Colts game. He said "no, he was home and he just pretended he was at the game and told them what to do. My dad is the best player. If he was there he would teach them how to win." Cute!
1/14/2008 3:30 pm
Subject: Colts
I asked Ryan if his dad went to the Colts game. He said "no, he was home and he just pretended he was at the game and told them what to do. My dad is the best player. If he was there he would teach them how to win." Cute!
Friday, January 4, 2008
notes on rebekah
John Lubicky, MD, FAAOS, FAAP
Radiographs
Front x-ray hard to see femoral heads
Very abnormal
Lateral x-ray- good femoral heads, in sockets
Angle is low, prevents head from turning to bone (Pressure on cartilage).
To try to do anything to change it right now would be hard, need to increase the angle at sometime.
Radiographs
Front x-ray hard to see femoral heads
Very abnormal
Lateral x-ray- good femoral heads, in sockets
Angle is low, prevents head from turning to bone (Pressure on cartilage).
To try to do anything to change it right now would be hard, need to increase the angle at sometime.
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