I forgot to add that when we were at the zoo I was telling Amanda that the boys were acting BONKERS all day and I wasn't sure if it was a good idea to take them out in public or stay at home and lock them in their room. She said her boys were the same way.
Then she proceeds to tell me that her mom (who is a teacher) always blamed her students' crazy behavior on the barometric pressure. Sure enough, that night and the entire next day it poured. Cats and dogs all over the place. That lady sure knows what she's talking about!
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Highlights of the Zoo
Our pass expired in July and I never made much of an attempt to renew it, mainly because the zoo stinks in the summer. And it's hot. Bad excuses, I suppose. After Charlie and I picked up Lou and Ben from school we headed down to Evanston. Louie asked me to call Miss Amanda to see if Owen could go, too. Luckily, they were all for it!
There are these strange monkeys that actually look more like a skunk (when sleeping) than any primate I've ever seen. Most visits to the zoo involve a 45-second look into their cage to wonder why they are monkeys while they sleep on tree branches.
Today was completely different. They were hopping around from branch to branch, and one's hand got bloodied from all the rowdiness. When I was walking away to see the gorillas, one leaped to the screen holding them in, right toward Amanda and the boys! I hurried back to see the bloodied one staring down another and he started to tinkle. That is when the thought came to us that maybe they're in heat and decided to get the boys away from that as soon as possible so we didn't have to have that discussion.
The male Silverback gorilla posed right in front of us. The boys did their best to get his attention by talking to him, but he was enjoying lounging on the rock.
Owen asked if I'd take their picture. Could barely get them to sit still and all looking at the camera. They have so much fun together!
This is after these two just finished eating Oreos. You can't tell, but they're a mess!
Owen introduced us to places the boys have not been yet. It's one of those things where you get used to doing a certain thing and don't stray from it. Louie and Benny like seeing the elephants, the giraffes, the gorillas. We'll go see the tigers and the manatees and the gibbons. We'll stop in to see if there are any babies in the Children's zoo and ride the train, but don't do much different during our trips. It's great to go with people so they can introduce us to what they like, too!
We stopped in at the Reptile House, which completely creeped me out, but was cool at the same time. Especially the too-close-for-comfort python. The Cat House was next, and even though it was neat to see them I don't know if I can handle the smell of feline pee again. I breathed through my mouth the entire time! The good thing is that the boys absolutely loved both. I just need to suck it up.
There are these strange monkeys that actually look more like a skunk (when sleeping) than any primate I've ever seen. Most visits to the zoo involve a 45-second look into their cage to wonder why they are monkeys while they sleep on tree branches.
Today was completely different. They were hopping around from branch to branch, and one's hand got bloodied from all the rowdiness. When I was walking away to see the gorillas, one leaped to the screen holding them in, right toward Amanda and the boys! I hurried back to see the bloodied one staring down another and he started to tinkle. That is when the thought came to us that maybe they're in heat and decided to get the boys away from that as soon as possible so we didn't have to have that discussion.
The male Silverback gorilla posed right in front of us. The boys did their best to get his attention by talking to him, but he was enjoying lounging on the rock.
Owen asked if I'd take their picture. Could barely get them to sit still and all looking at the camera. They have so much fun together!
This is after these two just finished eating Oreos. You can't tell, but they're a mess!Owen introduced us to places the boys have not been yet. It's one of those things where you get used to doing a certain thing and don't stray from it. Louie and Benny like seeing the elephants, the giraffes, the gorillas. We'll go see the tigers and the manatees and the gibbons. We'll stop in to see if there are any babies in the Children's zoo and ride the train, but don't do much different during our trips. It's great to go with people so they can introduce us to what they like, too!
We stopped in at the Reptile House, which completely creeped me out, but was cool at the same time. Especially the too-close-for-comfort python. The Cat House was next, and even though it was neat to see them I don't know if I can handle the smell of feline pee again. I breathed through my mouth the entire time! The good thing is that the boys absolutely loved both. I just need to suck it up.
It was a great trip and I'm so glad we renewed our pass. There will be many trip in the near-future!
Monday, October 6, 2008
Funny Phrases
Ben started saying (all the time): " No way, Hoo-zay!" Yeah, that kid's going to need help in Spanish.
Lou woke up the other night with bad dreams. "I was being chased by scarecrows with pumpkin heads!" Ok, not fair for laughing, but this boy couldn't have been more thrilled with putting up fall and Halloween decorations, and now they're keeping him up at night.
Ben is calling for me as I'm about about to step in the shower. I wrap a towel around myself and peek out the bathroom door. He looks at me strangely, then says, "You know you're going to have to take that off when you take a shower, don't you?"
Lou woke up at 4:45am this morning. Whaa? I couldn't even pretend that I cared. He must have went out on the couch and fell asleep. After we were all up he said, "I counted the sheeps in my head!"
Charlie doesn't say a whole lot, but he is pure comedian. My words won't do it justice, so I'm working on a video clip that I can upload for you soon. Stay tuned!
Lou woke up the other night with bad dreams. "I was being chased by scarecrows with pumpkin heads!" Ok, not fair for laughing, but this boy couldn't have been more thrilled with putting up fall and Halloween decorations, and now they're keeping him up at night.
Ben is calling for me as I'm about about to step in the shower. I wrap a towel around myself and peek out the bathroom door. He looks at me strangely, then says, "You know you're going to have to take that off when you take a shower, don't you?"
Lou woke up at 4:45am this morning. Whaa? I couldn't even pretend that I cared. He must have went out on the couch and fell asleep. After we were all up he said, "I counted the sheeps in my head!"
Charlie doesn't say a whole lot, but he is pure comedian. My words won't do it justice, so I'm working on a video clip that I can upload for you soon. Stay tuned!
Childless and armed with a label maker
Kevin's parents wanted to take the boys this past weekend to do some fun fall stuff, so we had some time on our hands without Lou, Ben, & Charlie. I had grand schemes for all the things we can do around the house that normally don't get done because of the three crazies running around.
We didn't get started until Sunday.
What we did get finished was pretty amazing, if I do say so myself. We are three quarters of the way through putting flooring in our kitchen. If you've ever seen our kitchen you know that this should have been done five years ago, when we moved in--tacky and deteriorating peel and stick linoleum is what the previous owner left us.
Many people with kids will tell you that routine and order are important in the successful-ness of a day. I have felt I have been lacking that for a while now. I was out to try to tackle that problem. The first thing I did was go through the drawers and closets taking inventory of their clothes. Fall is quickly setting in! Last winter Ben wore only three pairs of pants because I couldn't find where all the other 3Ts were. Turns out they were in the 24mos. box.
Then I took my trusty ol' label maker and go through different areas of the house that might need labeling. It's amazing that after five years of marriage Kevin still doesn't know where certain items are stored. It is no longer a problem! And I'm thinking that once the boys learn how to read it'll be a no-brainer for them to be organized ;)
Maybe I was just excited to use the label maker, but I truly believe are live will be more orderly because of the work we put in while the boys were in Columbus. We'll see how long this lasts...
We didn't get started until Sunday.
What we did get finished was pretty amazing, if I do say so myself. We are three quarters of the way through putting flooring in our kitchen. If you've ever seen our kitchen you know that this should have been done five years ago, when we moved in--tacky and deteriorating peel and stick linoleum is what the previous owner left us.
Many people with kids will tell you that routine and order are important in the successful-ness of a day. I have felt I have been lacking that for a while now. I was out to try to tackle that problem. The first thing I did was go through the drawers and closets taking inventory of their clothes. Fall is quickly setting in! Last winter Ben wore only three pairs of pants because I couldn't find where all the other 3Ts were. Turns out they were in the 24mos. box.
Then I took my trusty ol' label maker and go through different areas of the house that might need labeling. It's amazing that after five years of marriage Kevin still doesn't know where certain items are stored. It is no longer a problem! And I'm thinking that once the boys learn how to read it'll be a no-brainer for them to be organized ;)
Maybe I was just excited to use the label maker, but I truly believe are live will be more orderly because of the work we put in while the boys were in Columbus. We'll see how long this lasts...
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
That'll do, Pig.
Have you ever seen the movie Babe? Not the one about George Herman Ruth, but the one about the pig who is adopted by dogs who are sheep herders? It's good.
I was at the thrift store the other day, saw it for a couple bucks and bought it because I just knew the boys would love it.
A while back, right after Lou was born, I read a list of films that this particular person thought would be good to view in the development of a young man. I'm not sure if Babe was one of them, but it should be.
Tonight I was at my wit's end after grocery shopping with the three boys in tow and Kevin out of town, that when we got home I poured them cups of milk, put on Babe and walked away. I know I'm being dramatic, but their wild-child-ness was getting to be a bit much for me.
I was trying to get some stuff cleaned up when Louie and Benny asked me if I would watch the movie with the three of them. Couldn't say no. Those few minutes were enough. There's nothing like sitting on a couch with a boy on either side and one on my lap (can you guess which one? Benny) watching a great movie. The boys really enjoy it and I think it's great for them to see that kindness can conquer all. Perhaps I'm reading too deeply into a child's movie!
P.S. They laughed for 10 minutes after hearing the word "butt-head." They had never before heard the two words put together and it is probably the funniest thing they've heard to date. Let's just hope that it doesn't turn into their favorite put-down for their brothers!
I was at the thrift store the other day, saw it for a couple bucks and bought it because I just knew the boys would love it.
A while back, right after Lou was born, I read a list of films that this particular person thought would be good to view in the development of a young man. I'm not sure if Babe was one of them, but it should be.
Tonight I was at my wit's end after grocery shopping with the three boys in tow and Kevin out of town, that when we got home I poured them cups of milk, put on Babe and walked away. I know I'm being dramatic, but their wild-child-ness was getting to be a bit much for me.
I was trying to get some stuff cleaned up when Louie and Benny asked me if I would watch the movie with the three of them. Couldn't say no. Those few minutes were enough. There's nothing like sitting on a couch with a boy on either side and one on my lap (can you guess which one? Benny) watching a great movie. The boys really enjoy it and I think it's great for them to see that kindness can conquer all. Perhaps I'm reading too deeply into a child's movie!
P.S. They laughed for 10 minutes after hearing the word "butt-head." They had never before heard the two words put together and it is probably the funniest thing they've heard to date. Let's just hope that it doesn't turn into their favorite put-down for their brothers!
Happy Birthday, Clifford :)
After we picked up Louie from school we headed down to the Museum Center to have lunch with Owen, Eli, and Amanda, then go down to meet Lexi and Grandma Alice for a "member's only" preview of a new exhibit: Clifford's Birdwell Island!
It is the Children's Museum's 10th anniversary at Union Terminal and it is Clifford's 40th birthday, so to celebrate they have the cutest area set up for kids to learn about the ten life lessons learned in Clifford's books and TV show: Share, Play Fair, Have Respect, Work Together, Be Responsible, Be Truthful, Be Kind, Believe in Yourself, Be a Good Friend and Help Others.
Benny, Louie & Owen with a happy Clifford.
Grandma Alice helping Charlie color in Clifford's dog house.
Isn't this great? Owen & Lou are wearing T-Bone costumes, Benny is wearing a Clifford costume, and they're sitting with Charlie in Clifford's food bowl!
He didn't want to admit it, but this little boy was tired! He crawled up into Cleo's doghouse to relax.
It is the Children's Museum's 10th anniversary at Union Terminal and it is Clifford's 40th birthday, so to celebrate they have the cutest area set up for kids to learn about the ten life lessons learned in Clifford's books and TV show: Share, Play Fair, Have Respect, Work Together, Be Responsible, Be Truthful, Be Kind, Believe in Yourself, Be a Good Friend and Help Others.
Benny, Louie & Owen with a happy Clifford.
Grandma Alice helping Charlie color in Clifford's dog house.
Isn't this great? Owen & Lou are wearing T-Bone costumes, Benny is wearing a Clifford costume, and they're sitting with Charlie in Clifford's food bowl! 
He didn't want to admit it, but this little boy was tired! He crawled up into Cleo's doghouse to relax.Tuesday, September 30, 2008
A Nice Trip
It has been a while since I last posted because Mommy & Daddy left town to celebrate my arrival into the third decade. We had a good time. And even though this blog is for the boys I'll tell you a bit about the trip because St. Louis is a great city to visit, whether or not you bring kids.
We stayed at an awesome hotel--right downtown on 4th and Market the Drury is in walking distance to so many great things including the arch and Busch stadium, and it has free hot breakfast, which is always a plus. I am a fan of buildings with a lot of history, so it's pretty neat that the Drury Plaza is the old fur traders building. The rooms have tall ceilings and a lot of windows.
I love cities that have a great public transit system. We made the mistake of taking a cab out to the Loop (I won't reveal how much that costs), but took the Metro Links back, which was only $2. You can take this to all the sights around town, including Forest Park, which not only similar to Central Park in New York, but bigger. All the places in the park are free and we took full advantage of it! The history museum had some great exhibits, especially the ones on Charles Lindbergh and the 1904 World's Fair. Afterward, we headed to the zoo which always reminds me of the zoo from Lady & The Tramp. Isn't it cool how a zoo can be like a regular park? Maybe I'm too easily impressed.
It's a beautiful place. The hills and trees and flowers are enough of a reason to visit, but the animal exhibits are pretty impressive as well. Maybe it was just the time of day we were there (1pm central), but all the animals were up and active. I loved the exhibit of the giant turtles!
It was the last series of baseball's regular season and our beloved Reds were in town playing the Cardinals. We walked to Busch Stadium twice while we were there to see our team lose. Mike Shannon, one of St. Louis' radio announcers, guaranteed that it would be a "fun weekend" to see some baseball, but I'm guessing he meant just for Cardinal fans. I thought it was a nice stadium. The workers were all friendly and helpful, and there really isn't a bad seat (or standing area) in the house.
If you get a chance to see the St. Louis Cathedral Basilica please do. Even if you're not Catholic, it's a pretty impressive sight. As long as there's not a service going on they don't mind if you come in to take pictures. Almost every inch of the place has amazing mosaics that glitter and sparkle in the light.
So, all in all we had a fantastic trip, even though we missed the boys quite a bit. The first thing I noticed when I got back was how their voices sounded different. We talked to them on the phone while we were gone, but they sounded older, more mature than I remembered. Maybe I'm crazy. It'd definitely nice to get away every once in a while, but it's certainly nice to come home to their silly monkey faces.THANK YOU GRANDMA & GRANDPA FOR TAKING CARE OF THE BOYS!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)