Easter 2009

Spring Break 2009 - part 5

The rest of the spring break (for me, the kids and Kristin were off all of this week), consisted of the rest of the day Sunday, and my Monday off work. We came home from Cincinnati Sunday morning in time to get Mojo dressed (see photo below - Maureen with the purse) and ready for her big show at the Brown Theater - Sesame Street Live. Dedicated readers of the AOOSFB may remember this was the second time that Mojo has seen Sesame Street Live - see this post. She was invited by her BFF Poppy and parents. This was the first time we let Maureen go somewhere without us, except for instances where she was with other family members. This was a big deal. She got all dolled up - Mom made sure she had a fresh pair of panties with her should an accident occur (that's what's inside her purse in the photo.) While Mojo was at the show, Kristin and I packed up the Ro-Boy and made a much needed trip to the Sprint store for new phones. We both came back with new Blackberries and the ability to surf the web and text. You can imagine what we've been doing all week (omg, lol?)
We made it home in time to watch our Cardinals lose to Michigan State (Boo) and this is where it gets fuzzy. I'm not sure what we did the rest of the night. Boy, my mind is really going. I'm sure we had fun that night - we probably got some much needed rest (wow!)
Anyway, on Monday, we made a trip down to our Science Center downtown. We basically stayed in the kid's play area for a few hours where Maureen got to play in a Bus, equipped with multicultural baby dolls, in a play ambulance, on a slide, and in a water area where she got soaked (of course.) That's why we have back-ups with us at all times. There was a matted area where Rowan could play too. He was in a particularly good mood and had some fun playing with the baby toys. When we had enough of the place (and when I say we, I mean me and Kristin - Mo could have stayed there all day) we headed out to the Cracker Barrel for a Spring Break feast. At home, I got to do one chore that has been looming over me for the past three years - taking out a picket fence in the back yard that made no sense being up in the first place, and then a trip to the grocery. This is the conclusion of the Spring Break 2009 saga. Tuesday was back to work with a vengeance - bitter reality striking me right between the eyes. Though our spring break was not as elaborate as a trip to Seattle (I hope you guys are having fun!!) or to Destin, it was nice to have quality time with the whole family without the stresses that come with everyday life. I guess that's why we put up with all the BS that we go through, so we can try to make time to enjoy each other every chance we get.

Spring Break 2009 - part 4

So, we just left the aquarium - the rest of the trip may not be exciting to you, but it was very restful and enjoyable for the family. We checked into the Downtown Cincinnati Hyatt and once we got into the room, all crashed in front of the TV. Yes, we could have done that at home, but it was extra special doing it out of town. We were on the 17th floor, and had a city-side view of all the tall buildings around us. Of course we watched two back-to-back Disney movies on the Disney Channel: Hercules and Aladdin. Maureen was a veggie!
Kristin did manage to steal away for some last minute shopping at the Downtown Macy's, we ordered some LaRosa's pizza, and just enjoyed being lazy.
The next morning, we got up and made our way down to the pool. This was Rowan's first time to spend so much time in a swimming pool and I think he cautiously enjoyed himself. Mo had a ball. Besides checking out and hitting McDonald's on the way out, that completes our trip to Cincinnati (and Newport). Yes, a simple get-away, but a much needed respite from home.
More on our extended weekend in part 5 (if you are really interested).

Spring Break 2009 - part 3

So where was I? Oh, we had just had a marvelous time at the Hofbrauhaus in Newport, everyone ate something, mom and dad had one bier, and we were off to the aquarium. We should have ordered another bier! As we approached the aquarium, we saw a long, long line. OK, no problem. I could stand in line with Rowan, and Maureen and Kristin can keep themselves occupied by watching a juggling street performer, or the musicians nearby, or window shop at the many nearby stores. No problem.
The line took nearly twenty minutes and we were ok with that. Then we paid $53 total to get in. Well, alright, I guess fish are cool. Then we walked in.
I don't know if you've ever been to this aquarium, I know there are others designed just like it. It's designed to move people from point A to point B, with very little chance to linger, back track, or filter into other areas. We were packed in like sardines; and it was hot; and we had heavy jackets; with no place to put the jackets except for our already overstuffed backpack; and we had two little kids, one in particular who is on the move. I don't like fish that much.
I tried to go to this aquarium back when it opened and had a similar experience of being over-crowded. Mark my words, I will never go back. It is not worth it. And you shouldn't go either. We did manage to see some sharks and penguins and other fish. Sigh. But, for me this was the lowest point of our trip. More about it in Spring Break - part 4.

Spring Break 2009 - part 2

I decided to take Monday off, and we would celebrate at least the start of the kids' spring break together. Friday was dedicated to the Cardinal's wonderful victory over Arizona, and a bit of a bon voyage party for the inlaws before they set off for Seattle. We ordered in Cafe Lou Lou's (who delivers to the highlands, by the way) and had ourselves a nice little buffet feast. The next morning we knew we were going to Cincinnati, and that we were going to go to the Aquarium in Newport, but we had no reservations or a gameplan beyond that. Thanks to a little research and Captian Kirk, we landed a hotel room at the Downtown Hyatt for fifty bucks - we took a chance with the "name your own rate" option on Priceline.com. They took the $50 so fast I was left wondering if they would have taken $40. Oh well, $50 is still a good deal (although our room was near the ice machine and elevators and without a view of the river, neither of those features seemed to bug us.)
So, after what seemed like an hour and a half of scrambling to get ready, we were on the road. I had the (bright?) idea of downloading some Disney songs on the ipod for Maureen - Bibbity-Bobbity-Boo, The Wishing Well Song (Snow White), Some Day My Prince Will Come, Hi Ho, Hi Ho (It's Off to Work We Go), etc., of which we had to listen to the whole way to Newport (and back.) Not a big sacrifice since Maureen is going through a whining-to-get-what-she-wants stage. It was a relaxing trip up, especially since Rowan slept the whole way.
After a few mis-turns in route for some fast food, we decided we would instead go to the Hofbrauhaus across the street from the Aquarium. This was the best decision we made the whole trip. This is the German restaurant that is set up like the one in Germany - long tables with benches, a German polka band playing, beers a flowing. The kids were mesmerized, and we enjoyed the family-friendly atmosphere. I'd say this was the best part of the trip.

I have to get ready for work now. This entry to be continued in Spring Break 2009 - part 3

Spring Break 2009

Shamrock challenge - Submission #2 - Erin Larosa

Hats

Happy spring

Rowan can clap

The boy never stops advancing. He was a bit upset this weekend - he has a tooth pushing through and we suspect some other lingering illness making him cranky, but he started clapping over the weekend, showing us his happy-go-lucky side. Two nights ago he was inconsolable and could not go to sleep for a very, very long time. Kristin and I tried every trick in the book - Orajel for his new tooth, Mylicon drops for his stomach. He was running a bit of a fever, so we gave him Motrin. Still upset, we finally came to the realization that he was too hot. We stripped down a layer of PJs and all of the sudden he started to smile, laugh and clap - as if to say, "That's what I've been trying to tell you!" Kristin and I shared a laugh, and then went back to bed to try and steal that last hour or two before having to get back up and start our day. It was a trying evening, but his sweet little clap made it all right.

Ouch

We realize why Rowan hasn't been feeling well the last couple of days. He has his first tooth pushing through.

To the Max

The thought process of a two-year-old amazes me. Every day, at dinner, I ask Maureen how her day at school was, and reply always revolves around what a classmate, Max, did or said. And not necessarily what Max did with (or to) her.

Me: Mojo, happened at school today?

Maureen: Max wasn't at school, he was sick today. Or: Max was a naughty boy today; he said "No Mojo, my toy."

Max is a bit of a trouble maker in school. He is the boy who suffered the wrath of Mojo after pushing another student to the floor a few months ago. Why is it that females are always attracted to the bad boy? Makes no sense to me.

Fresh Tomatoes in March

We keep inflicting you with sugary cuteness and today is more of the same. This is a song John the Rabbit, an old crop picking song. I'm not sure, when we drop our kids off at school, if they ship our kids out to the country to cut tobacco, though I'm certain we're not in season. We are very proud of Maureen - she is smart and has a good handle of the language at an early age. She does seem much more advanced than her peers in her class, though I realized they will all catch up quickly - we all learn at our own pace.

Just yesterday Rowan crouched down on all fours and started rocking towards objects in his sight. You can tell he's considering the mechanics of crawling. I suspect he won't be a creeper and just go straight to crawling. Though we will be overjoyed about his progress, it will make our lives a tad harder in keeping up with him. Right now, we can walk into another room to do something and not have to worry about where he will go, or what he will put in his mouth (everything in his path goes into his mouth.)

Hello readers

I just wanted to stop by and say hi. I haven't abandoned the blog - just taking a break (just being lazy.) The kids are doing great and I'm looking forward to another weekend with them. We recently celebrated Fat Tuesday with Great Mee Maw and the family - Maureen found the baby in the King Cake by way of a suspicious turn of events. I hope she is old enough to purchase next year's cake. Perhaps her Mee Maw will help her out!?
Rowan has had a nasty head cold this week, and one morning woke up with his eyes sealed shut with goop. It was kind of comical and sad in the same breath. We have caved and let him sleep in our bed; but next week for sure, he is out of there! At least by the time he hits 20 years old.
Warm weather is trying to push into the area, and we are looking forward to it. It has been a long, long winter and we are ready to deep-six the coats for a year.
Well, time to make the doughnuts - have a great day, and I'll try to step it up with the blogging.

Feb photos #2

News update

Maureen is really into the princess thing. She's Snow White, plain and simple. We spend many hours looking for the seven dwarf's and when she finds them, they go in her pocket. Daddy is often Grumpy. Mom is always Happy. We try to play down Dopey; we don't want her to start calling other kids names. She has started sucking on her fingers a lot. I don't want to correct her too often because I don't want it to become a habit in her adulthood. I know it's a pacifier-replacement.

Rowan is still struggling with his bed. We are trying the cry for five-minutes, soothe him, cry for another five-minutes trick, and it seems to work every other night and in the first few hours of his slumber. He is eating things like peas and sweet potatoes. No signs of crawling yet, but we're not in a hurry.

Feb photos

A good weekend.

This weekend included a stop-over at the Bambi bar for a little social interaction with good friends and a yummy Bambi Burger; a trip to the zoo; Mickey-D's at John, Mickey and Claire's house; playtime at the Big Rock park; and dinner with A&G and the family. We did manage to fit a few chores in there as well. We're ready to take on Monday.

Doh!

Update - February 8, 2009

I believe Facebook keeps me from blogging as much; what a wonderful waste of time. Sorry if you've been waiting for another entry, though I suspect many of you are on Facebook as well and don't have time for blogs either. Anyway, we are finally back to normal in the house after spending six nights away during the ice storm - two nights at sister in-law Kathy's house, and four nights at Grandpa Paul and Grandma Karen's house. A couple nights after we got back home, Grandma said she really missed Maureen and Rowan (note she said nothing about Kristin and yours truly!)
Despite our very generous, comfortable and warm accommodations, it's just nice to be in your own home. THANK YOU to everyone who helped us throughout the week, or offered help.
So what's up with the kids???

Mojo: still loves Dora and watches at least one to two episodes a day. She loves school. Fully (?) potty trained. She loves to sing and has an amazing ability to memorize lyrics quickly; her latest number is Do, a Deer from the Sound of Music. She threw a mighty tantrum last night because she didn't want to leave her cousin Claire's house, but was perfectly fine once we got in the car. She has the vocabulary of a 5-year-old, and is getting really good at counting things. She is very determined for a two-year-old and every decision is a negotiation with us:
Me: Mo, you can watch one Dora and then you have to go to bed.
Mo: How about two Doras?

Rowan: is also determined - determined to spend the rest of his life sleeping in our bed. We know how to stop this, but we just are too tired to invest the time and energy and we cave. He is a sweet little boy though - and has that heart-melting smile. He is doing well with the baby food, and has started eating vegetables, though we can tell that he doesn't like them very much. He is doing well sitting up by himself, but hasn't really made any moves toward crawling. He is jabbering more and more - his first word, like Mo's, was Daddy!! He is having incredible diaper blow-outs, and as Mo says, they are "Gross!"

We had planned to go to St. Louis for a winter break this weekend, but decided to stay home since our displacement last week. I think we all have had it with the winter and look forward to getting out more, and interacting with people. We need to start filling our social calendar.