AMT: House, News, Food and Stuff

Back with Kendra this week. 

1. How long have you lived in your current home?

We closed on 10.29.12 and slept here for the first time on the 30 so coming up on three years. 

2. How do you find out about news and current events?

Honestly? I look at what's trending on Twitter or Yahoo. Then I seek out actual news sources for more information. But that's how I get the breaking news updates.

3. Would you be able to make change for a twenty right now? For a dollar?

For a dollar, probably. For a 20? Who has cash besides 20s? We never have cash. Ever. I have an emergency fund in our 72 hour kits that is cash but that's all 20s too and probably won't even help much in the event of a zombie apocalypse. (Not that I would want to survive that long anyway... for real.) 

4. What's the craziest food you've ever eaten?

I am not what you would call a risk taker when it comes to food. Like I was Secretary of the National Picky Eaters Club for years. I first tried barbecue sauce when I was 19. That's the kind of picky and unwillingness to try new things we're talking about here. 

So I have no idea how to answer this. I had dried seaweed once. It was fine. 

5. Which of the commonly removed parts have you had removed? (tonsils, wisdom teeth, appendix, etc.)

I had my wisdom teeth out in the summer of 2005. It was the first time I had an IV and I was very concerned about it when I came out of the anesthesia among other things. "I had IV. How did I get to this room? Were you in this room when I got to this room? Are these my lips?" 

I puffed up and only got the soft food for days. (Both my brothers had theirs out and did not get puffy and moved on to real food hours later.) 

As a little girl growing up with all the Madeline dolls, books, movies and memorabilia you can imagine, I was always a little bit bummed that I never had my appendix out. Aside from the pain of having a bad appendix and a surgery and all that of course. 

6. What's your favorite sport to watch on TV? 

Hockey. No question. Also my favorite sport to watch live. But unlike Kendra I prefer when the Blackhawks lose. For what it's worth the Minnesota Wild have a very good goal song as well.

And undoubtedly the best anthem. 

Plus if you've ever been to a game, the opening with the little kid planting the flag, well it gives me chills every single time. Just saying. 

Also the Scripps National Spelling Bee. That is amazingly fun to watch and it's on ESPN. The normal sports announcers are so out of place but bless them, they try.

7QT: Happee Birthdae Harry Virtual Book Club

one. As you may or may not know, I love Harry Potter. The books, mostly. I tolerate the movies. They were going along fine until Prisoner of Azkaban when they left out explanation of who Padfoot, Wormtail, Prongs and Moony were. It's kind of super important to the story that Harry figures all that information out, just saying.

two. Also, as you may or may not know, I read the books every July. It's Harry's birthday month. I used to not have children and therefore could do a book a day for a week leading up to the 31 but...life. So I now take the month!

three. Then it occurred to me when some people commented here that perhaps others may like to join in on this quest. And we could make it like a party. Or a virtual book club!

four. So I invented one.

five. You're invited. It's very easy, just read the Harry Potter books in July. For the first time. For the 99th time. Hardcover. Paperback. British Editions. Kindle style. Letting Jim Dale or Stephen Fry read them to you. Whatever. We do not discriminate here.

six. On July 24 I will post the virtual book club questions for you!

seven. On July 31 (That's Harry's birthday if you haven't read them before.) I will open up a link up for your answers! And what's a birthday party without party favors? I am even going to have prizes in giveaway form for participants. The link up will close on August 7 as a safety net for those who may read a little slower or blog sporadically.

That's it! I hope you'll participate! Linking up with Kelly for this week's 7QT. Have a super weekend friends.

My Guy

This little boy. Oh he melts my heart every day. 

He loves to be outside. He loves books and animals. He loves music. 

Plus he still lets me snuggle him so I consider that a pretty big win. How can I resist a snuggle from this guy? 

He really wanted to swing with his sister. He is a very caring big brother and I hope that continues as a life long trait. I mean, I get they won't always get along but I hope generally speaking he is a caring kind of guy. He does not appreciate when she tries to steal food however. 

The 8 Month Post

Every single month I say that I'm not going to wax poetic on how fast it's all going but this month, forget it. I am having a hard time buying that it has really been 8 months, but then there's the proof. The calendar actually says June and it's all moving at warp speed. She's practically graduating high school.

I have long had this theory that second and subsequent babies talk faster because they have another kid to try and converse with. Either that's true or the whole girls talk faster than boys thing is (or both) because she babbles WAY more at this age than C did. No actual words yet but she is very vocally expressive. (Well she can mimic "Hi" very well but not unprompted.)

She is cruising! Getting up and down is no problem. She can get along furniture and is really getting the hang of the little walker. I was really hoping that she would be content to crawl for a long time but I think we're due for our second early walker. Husband swears she stood by herself for a moment the other day but I didn't see it so I am going to choose not to believe it just yet. She does try to stand up without pulling herself up already. She is not successful at all but she does try.

She love loves loves to eat. She knows when it's getting close to dinner time especially and starts to get grumpy that she isn't being fed already. She got over her distaste for bananas so that's good. She still nurses quite a bit in addition to her table food. But with all her activity I think she has actually slimmed out quite a bit.

She loves her brother and they've started playing together more. Well, parallel play mostly but M will also climb on him and C will let her. They say "goodnight" and "good morning" to each other before and after each rest time and C likes to give her kisses.

We set up our little ball pit with a tunnel for C's birthday party and she thinks it's hers. She loves loves loves it. She likes reading books and chewing but she still has no teeth. Which I think is just the cutest so I am hoping that sticks for a while longer yet. 

She is officially taking a nap in her crib in the morning though I write that tentatively. She's on a 3 day streak. She's in 9 month clothes, size 3 diapers and her shoes are still way too big. To me it looks like her hair is really starting to grow now but she still looks mostly bald, especially in pictures. She loves to dance with C and I and she has a few new jams. Especially the Sofia the First theme song and The Hot Dog Dance song from Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. (When they come on Pandora it's the absolute cutest.)

She's 8 months old. We will celebrate by reading some of her favorite stories, playing and napping. Which is not dissimilar to any other day but those are the best kind anyway!

AMT: All About Dads

Just in case you didn't know it was Father's Day, it is. And so here is my obligatory (though I want to) post! A Little Answer Me This party with Kendra. 

1. What's the best thing about your dad?
My dad is one of my favorite people in the world. He is always there to listen to me and he always has some sort of sage advice. Plus he is an awesome Grandpa. 

2. If you've got kids, what's the best thing about THEIR dad?

My husband delights in his children. Not always when M is screaming in her crazy high pitch tone at 4:00 AM but 99% of the time he delights in his children. He does not go through the motions even a little. 

3. What's the best advice your dad ever gave you?

"Calm Down." 90% of the time my crisis' aren't nearly as dramatic as I'm making them and somehow, when my dad tells me to calm down, I can. It's like magic. 

4. What's something you have in common with your dad? 

Oh so many things. We like to talk about the weather and what we are going to have for dinner. We both hate bright lights when we watch shows. We have very similar senses of humor. (Smart comedy over absurd.) I definitely got his sense of direction, if I've been there once, I can probably get there again. We both also like to draw diagrams and lists. 

5. What's the manliest thing you know how to do?

Order Steak. Rare. No frilly meat ordering. 

6. Who is your favorite fictional dad?

This is a bizarre question and I have been thinking about it all week. But I settled on Ox Callaghan from While You Were Sleeping. 

To the guy in Mass: "Who made you The Pope?" 

After Mary thanked him for the pierced earrings instead of clip-ons: "Don't look at me, if it were up to me I would've gotten you a Barbie." 

OR Mike Baxter from Last Man Standing. He is so so much like my dad except for the whole vlog part. Or the hunting part. I'm not sure my dad wouldn't go hunting, just that he doesn't. (I know he has.) 

Happy Father's Day!

Quick Takes: Again.

Kickin' it with the quick takes this week.

one. Babies! M is no longer the youngest great-grandchild on either of Husband's side. Tuesday, his cousin on his mom's side had a baby. This one was a bit of a shock because... we didn't know she was pregnant until we got the email that there was a baby. I am not sure what the story is exactly but Baby Hank has 2 older sisters and a brother so the entire thing strikes me as odd. Then on Husband's dad side, his cousin had Baby RaeAnn on Wednesday.

two. I have a mosquito bite on my second right toe. So I'm just going to go ahead and chop it off. Itchy toes is probably a circle of hell. (Probably.)

three. Eating all the things. M is a very enthusiastic eater. She has got that pincer grasp on her right hand down. (She's so going to be a righty.) And she wants to feed herself. Only she's got that no teeth thing going on. I took the advice of Dwija and got one of these:

I got her the girly one because she inherited so many things that were blue. Not that I subscribe to girl colors and boy colors but it's nice for her to have something that is hers. It's going well. She pretty much thinks it's the best. 

four. I power washed our front porch yesterday, We live on a busy street and just the car smog build up and dust makes for a dirty dirty porch. It went from an F to a C yesterday. I had to stop because after a while it was kind of just pushing the wet dirt around to other wet spots. I'm hoping to see some more improvement on the next go around. I learned we need to paint the porch. I also learned how satisfying seeing dirty melt off your siding is. Big shout out to my friend for letting me borrow her power washer. 

five. I stayed on top of the dishes this week. I was pretty proud of myself. But I fell behind on the laundry. Apparently I can't do both. Something to work on I guess. #improvingmyself

six.

She was very excited for bath time. 

seven. We are going out tonight. We are dropping the kids off with Husband's aunt and uncle and going to see a show. This will be our first time going out and leaving M with someone other than my parents. Even though we Skypes with my parents almost daily and she knows them she still doesn't really like being with them without me around. Heck this morning she never left our room but was playing on the floor and in the pack and play but when I woke up too she crawled over to me with this pathetic little cry/smile like "Mom, I missed you, you've been gone so long. I'm so happy you're here." It's cute. I love being loved and needed. But I could really use some time out with Husband so here's to hoping and praying she doesn't cry the entire time so they would be willing to babysit again!

I will be joining Kelly's party for Quick Takes today. Because why not?

Gone Pickin'

Last Friday we went as a family to pick strawberries. It was the perfect day! The weather has been super hot, super rainy and super humid when it isn't raining. (Which hasn't been much, seriously, I'm pretty sure we moved to Seattle without any of the cool city stuff Seattle brings to the table.) 

Anyway, on Friday it had rained, so things we a little damp, but it was overcast and a lovely 68 degrees. Plus because of the hot and humid and rain the strawberries were abundant. Last year was kind of a crap year for strawberries but this year was amazing. We picked 20 lbs of strawberries in a little over an hour. 

Last year we picked for almost 2 hours and didn't even get half that much. Plus it was hot, muggy and buggy. Total win this year. 

His most favorite fruit and he had a great time!! Though with the wind that came right behind the rain my biggest takeaway was how badly my boy needed a haircut. I had been meaning to anyway but he got one the next morning pronto! 

Little M spent most of the time being worn but I did let her get down for a while. She picked more straw from between the rows than anything but she did pick one strawberry. She was given the opportunity to eat her strawberry, plus some more of the haul. She liked them. A lot. 

We made ice cream topping, we froze a whole bunch for when they're not in season, and we ate a bunch too. So delightful. There really is something so perfect about super fresh, ripe strawberries. It makes the ones in the grocery store seem like a crime. 

I love spending time with my little family making memories and doing fun things! 

Liebster Answers

So the lovely Billie Jo over at Afternoon Coffee and Evening Tea nominated me for a Liebster award. I am so honored and not just because I want to be Billie Jo when I grow up! I love her house, love her crafts, love that she loves staying home like yours truly. 

The rules of the Liebster Award are as follows:

• Include the Liebster Award sticker in the post too.
• Nominate 7-10 (supposed to be 10) other bloggers who you feel are worthy of this award. Let them know they have  been nominated by commenting on one of their posts. You can also nominate the person who nominated you.
• Answer the ten questions asked to you by the person who nominated you
• Make ten questions of your own for your nominees.
• Lastly, COPY these rules in the post.
• ALL THE NOMINEES ARE FREE TO ACCEPT OR REJECT THE NOMINATION

Here are Billie Jo's questions with my answers:

Favorite breakfast food? I love French Toast combos. French Toast, with scrambled eggs (yes I know there's egg in the French Toast too) and sausage links. Unfortunately restaurants don't really believe in the French Toast combo so I make it myself or order a side of scrambled eggs. 

Coffee or tea? If I had to pick, coffee. But in the sweet sugared doctored format. I think tea tastes like sticks. And I actually can't remember the last time I had one of those coffee drinks but I'm pretty sure I can still be friends with Billie Jo even if I don't really like coffee or tea. 

Favorite movie to watch anytime it's on? Hayley Mill's The Parent Trap or While You Were Sleeping. I can do every single line and I am pretty certain I love them more than anyone. And I watch them all the time. 

Early riser or stay up late? Definitely stay up late. I am not a morning person. At all. I'd like to say I'm working on it but probably I will  be for the rest of my life. 

Donuts or muffins? Oooh... Donuts probably. But I do love a good blueberry muffin too.

Why do you enjoy blogging? Because I don't like to Facebook so it's like my own little social media where I can brag on my kids, vent about issues and connect with friends!

Favorite television show? Gilmore Girls. I started watching way back when in Season 1. On TV. I am glad it's on Netflix because I don't have to bring my DVDs everywhere anymore. But all these new people who are all #teamjess just need to stop. No. Never. I'm pretty sure you haven't actually watched or spent any time thinking about who Rory actually is. (Or the name of the show.) #teamnoone 

Favorite popular song? Super duper into Shut Up and Dance by Walk the Moon. 

Could you go a week without your cell phone? No. But because our cells are our only phones and I like to know when Husband is coming home and having a way of calling 911 if it were to become necessary. But I can go a week without my data and have when I've eaten it up too quick! 

Best childhood memory? Ooh... so many memories. So very vivid. But the best?! My 8th birthday was pretty great. But spending time with my Grandma and Great Grandma is also right up there. 

Okay so I am supposed to nominate people and list my own questions but this is where I am going to cheat a little. Ha! I will list 10 questions and if you feel like answering them for some blog fodder then that's great, consider yourself nominated. 

1. What brand of toothpaste do you use?
2. If you could be guaranteed good tickets to any concert, which artist would you pick? 
3. If you could wave a wand and change one thing about your house what would you change?
4. Do you know the way to San Jose?
5. Which is your favorite Harry Potter book? 
6. Who is your favorite Disney character? 
7. Where did you take your favorite vacation ever?
8. Did you ever know that you're my hero? 
9. What was your favorite part of elementary school gym class?
10. Why do you love the internet?                                                   

AMT: The Triumphant Return

Last summer I found myself enjoying Kendra's Answer Me This Linkup quite a bit. I found some new blogs to read and enjoyed the posts, especially since Sunday is an otherwise low blog day. Well it's back and I am excited. 

Here are her questions for the week! With my answers. 

1. Any big plans for the summer? 

NOPE! And I like it. I mean, we have swim lessons for both kids. Also we have a summer bucket list of family activities most of which are pretty easy to accomplish. But really it's just kind of same old same old and that is great!

2. What is the strangest thing you believed as a child? 

Well, my dad told me that it was a state law that children couldn't ride their bikes in the street. That belief took me a good amount of years before I got over it. 

3. What is your favorite amusement park ride? (can be a specific one at a specific park or just a type of ride)

There was a time, not so long ago, when I would have immediately said Pirates of the Caribbean. Then they went and added Johnny Depp's creepy self into it and while I still love the ride and it's probably my favorite still it gives me pause. 

I will never ever get over the hype for Soarin'. I remember when it opened and there was a special "how we made the ride" on the Disney channel. When I finally got the chance to ride years later Husband and I bolted right to it first thing in the morning so the line wouldn't be too too long. When we were boarding the ride the woman right next to me had a panic attack because she thought it was too intense and we had to wait for her to unbuckle and leave the room. Then to be lifted up with my feet dangling to be jiggled about while watching a movie and having pine scent wafted into my face? Lame. 

Let's recap: 
Favorite: Pirates of the Caribbean
Not-Favorite: Soarin'

4. What's on your summer reading list?

So many things. Yesterday I read two Andrew Clements books and I'm going to read two more today. I am also currently reading Orphan Train and The Boys in the Boat. Then the list goes on from there. Stay tuned to my WWRW post for July. 

Also... since it's almost July it will be time for my annual Harry Potter read. I read them every July in order. Because it's Harry's birthday month and I wanna. We are currently in our second go around of reading Sorcerer's Stone aloud to the kids. (Well it's M's first go.)  

5. Have you ever fallen asleep in public?

Not really. Except when I came back from my Ireland study abroad trip. Our plane from Galway was late getting into Chicago and I was the only one from the group getting on another flight. (Some were Chicagoland people and others were taking a bus back to our University campus.) So I was panicking and dying because luggage was going so so slow to come out. I finally saw my bag but the belt stopped so I jumped up on the carousel to grab it and hit my head on a TV monitor with an audible thunk. (And pretty much my entire flight gasped, I kid you not.) I said a quick goodbye to my people and ran to check in just in time.

Then my flight was delayed as seems to happen often at O'Hare. By a lot. Like a lot, a lot. Ridiculous amounts of hours. And I was fading fast. I remember getting on the plane to MSP. I remember NOTHING else until my Asian seatmate woke me up real hard with a flight attendant there because we were the LAST people on the plane in MSP. 

If that counts as public, then yes. 

6. What is your favorite smell?

Downy April Fresh. 

Brainstorming

We were brainstorming some possible name ideas for Kim and Kanye's second child. Because we're helpful like that.

In no particular order:

1. South (I mean obviously.) 
2. East
3. Key
4. Wild
5. True
6. Far
7. Wikidw'itchovda
8. Fievelgoes
9. Northby  (It might get confusing but maybe not...)
10. Wayout 

7 Randoms for Friday

one. When last we met, I was having a pretty great Monday. I took the kids to the museum. Which was pretty epic in and of itself because it was the first time I have taken the kids to a not doctor's appointment/school drop off go out in public public by myself. Well, technically, the entire trip to Minnesota was by myself and we did things there but this was the first time on my home turf. What can I say? M is cute but kind of needy and C is also cute but can be a go getter and those two things mixed with parking lots and crowds don't bode well. 

But the museum DID go well. Really. There were a few minutes when I was certain I was crazy. But we managed and I'm pretty sure my kids were happy:

two. It went so well, we decided to do it again. That night. Different outfit but same day. We went back with Husband. Going at night is the best because no one is there. Really. It was our family of four. A mom and 4 kids. And a dad and 2 kids. We closed down the museum! Super fun. There's a new exhibit opening tomorrow evening so I'm guessing next week's evening would be slightly more crowded but we will check it out anyway!

I swear we do more than play the train table when we go, it's just the only exhibit that doesn't involve me actively participating all the time allowing me a moment to take a picture. 

three. Being 3 is HARD work. I am totally just noticing now that every single picture in this post involves my boy and a train table. Anyhow...he fought the nap and the nap won. Hilarious. 

four. In completely unrelated to my children news, Orange is the New Black Season 3 was supposed to be released today (Friday) but was released a little early. (Thursday) It is NOT for the faint of heart but it really does somehow make you feel all the feels. We only watched one episode but that's okay. I like to take my time with them as opposed to my normal binge. It's just too intense for one sitting.

five. Back to talking about my children, M is blowing me away lately. She wants so so badly to  be a big kid. 

We brought up the walker from the basement and she first off loves the buttons and such on the front. But has also figured out how to walk around. She is slow right now and does tip over occasionally which can be a crisis, so no pictures of her yet. She is ever so proud and loves it. Give her a week. I can't take it. Walking just seems so big! So much for my kid who wanted to sit on a blanket. Also, she can wave on demand now. I say on demand because that's kinda what it sounds like in a high pitched mom voice. "Hi honey! Can you wave? Wave to mommy! Yay!! Good job!" 

six. The last few books we've read for book club have been "meh" for me. I don't know. I need to get back to reading and I need to read some really good stuff. Who's got a list of books they LOVED that would work for a broad audience? 

seven. In case you were at all interested in how potty training is going? You're cute. I wish it were going. But tomorrow is another day and I'm going to keep trying! 

I hope you all have a delightful weekend doing whatever it is you like doing on weekends. Head on over to Kelly's for probably a lot more interesting things from lots of other people. 

A Post With No Pictures.

It was all in all a really good weekend. The kind of weekend where good things keep on happening and you look around wondering if this is real life. The kind of weekend that will luckily live on in memory because we were having way too much fun to stop and take a picture.

Backyard splash pad. Family movie night.

Swim lessons. The first family grocery trip ever. Picnic lunch at the park watching the ducks, geese, turtle and mermaids. (Painted mermaid figures.) Everyone took a nap. American Pharaoh won the Triple Crown!!! Made only more fabulous by the fact that M picked that as "her" horse at Kentucky Derby. An incredibly incredibly impromptu late night date night.

More naps. Family time. Kelli O'Hara finally winning a Tony Award. (Not a big award show fan but it wasn't bad this year!)

A hugely fun weekend filled with giggles and snuggles. Love it.

Today has started out okay as well. I took the kids to the children's museum and then we played outside in the backyard getting messy and sticky with a chocolate push up. After baths all around we had a lunch and now we're closing in on nap time.

We're on fire and there's no stopping us! I can't wait to see what the next few days will bring.

7 QT: Seeking Solidarity

Who wants to play a game in which I write down all the things I feel weird about and I am hoping there's someone out there who is doing the same? You do? Cool!


1. We left the house every day this week. Not like in playing outside (we did that too of course) but load the kids up, pack a diaper bag, get in the car leave the house. I am DONE.

2. Extended Rear-Facing. C is the only one of his friends still rear-facing. He still has 10 pounds to grow before his seat needs to switch. I KNOW that I am doing the best thing for us and I have the support of my Pediatrician but still... anyone else feel like you have the only kid still facing backwards?

3. I wear my contacts for a ridiculous amount of time, but then when I take them out and wear glasses for a few days I feel so refreshed. I swear that I will change my ways and then... nope. 

4. I cannot be the only one who does this ever? Right? I'm looking at you old acquaintance who spells minute like "minuet" every.single.time with at least 17 hashtags.

5. I know that it's supposed to be so controversial and whatever but I totally want (even now) the Barbie who said "Math Class is tough! Let's go shopping!" Because while I readily applaud all you females kicking butt in the STEM industries I am just sitting over here like: 

6. I just don't understand camping. Like at all. 

7. We watch Wheel of Fortune almost every day. I get irrationally mad when contestants jump up and down SHOCKED and THRILLED when they win $32,000 in the bonus round. Not that it isn't great, but it's the minimum amount for the round. If you ever go on the show... just don't do that. 

Seven takes. Seven things I'd love to find a fellow friend who feels the same! Linking up with Kelly. Happy Friday!!

Mo Fun!

The very last of the birthday presents arrived today.

I Will Take a Nap! By Mo Willems. Seriously you guys, I'm not even going to wax poetic about how wonderful I think Mr. Willems is right now because he apparently wrote a book to be released on the exact day I needed it. 

We tried going no nap but as it turns out C really needs to rejuvenate mid day. So we tweaked, adjusted and finally figured it out. It's a shorter nap at a good time. Only yesterday he revolted. And we are still paying the price. But the book came in the mail as a preorder and I can see it will help us, if only for today. 

What a different world we live in now that I can preorder a book months in advance and it shows up to my door (or Kindle) the day it is available. While I wouldn't trade the experience and exhilaration of camping out for a wristband, then the next evening standing in line to buy the Harry Potter books then running home to read them immediately...there's something to the idea that these days I just sync the Kindle at midnight and there ya go. 

Anyway...we love having another book for our Mo shelf. I highly recommend it. Especially if you have a someone in your life who likes to nap. (Or should.)