Brrrrr

My friend, Laura, has convinced me twice this week that it "is beautiful outside" and that we should get out. One time, it was 32 degrees and the next it was 36.

At the park- we walked there and I about froze my booty off. Laura brought hot chocolate for us (made with whole milk... mmmm) so that was my favorite part.

These next pictures are of Minnehaha Falls. There is only a small part of the falls that is thawed out. It's really big although it's hard to tell from this picture.Calvin with his substitute dad- Isaac (Mado's dad). Eric was at a coffee shop doing some catch up work, so we needed a stand-in. I forgot a hat for myself and had to wear Calvin's. And yes, we don't have jackets on. I believed Laura! (Although the boys had three shirts on and two pairs of pants.)

This is my artsy shot of Laura, Mado and Isaac (we call him Big Isaac). When we were all done, Calvin said, "That wasn't that much fun." It was pretty darn cold and he didn't get to really play at all. My boys are so mistreated.

Edinborough Park

We went to this very cool indoor park today that also has a gym for the kids to run around. Around 10:30, Isaac was obviously tired and chilled in this position for at least 10 minutes.

After we ate lunch, he was reenergized and stacked these cones perfectly.

I almost didn't post the following picture because I felt guilty that I didn't get any pictures of our other friends that were there, Mado and Elias, or my other son. But, it's so cute, isn't it? (Atticus) Oh, and Happy Birthday, Sarah (Atticus' mom)!

Weirdo Taste Buds Run in the Family

Barb tells us that Eric used to eat raw onions like apples.

More Snow

My kids are the dorkiest kids ever. None of these pictures are great.

It snowed a bunch again last night. There's a layer of ice underneath everything, though. I was racing around the front yard, pulling Cal in a sled and I majorly biffed. My legs flew up and I landed on my back. It hurt a lot and I couldn't move (or stop laughing at myself). Cal didn't ask if I was ok. Instead, he laughed and yelled, "Do it again, Mom!"


Yes, that's an old diaper pail in the background. We're trashy.

Fun Always

Here is the pea that I had to blow out of Cal's nose today. And here he is after the incident.

There are two things that are weird about this picture. 1) He's wearing snow pants indoors. 2) He is reading a book all by himself on his back. He never does this. He brings me books and says, "I don't know the words. I need you to read it." Let's hope he starts doing this more often.

We finally got to play outside! It has been so stinking cold but I think it got up to 30 this day.

Applesauce and yogurt

????

Lisa sent me this one. Thanks, Lisa!

Hawking

If you have a weak stomach, beware.

So I've had a pretty bad cold for 12 days now. I have constant nastiness in my throat and since I don't really know how to hawk loogies (sp?), I spend a lot of time going AAAAACCCCKKKKK. One day, after I was making that sound a lot:
Cal: Why are you making that noise, Mom?
Me: Oh, Cal. I have a lot of junk in my throat and I'm trying to get it out. I'm sorry. That's not a very nice thing to hear, is it?
Cal: I kind of like that noise. It's pretty cool.

And another day:
I spit my so-called loogie into the toilet.
Cal: Why did you spit that in the potty?
Me: Then I can just flush it down. My body can't digest that stuff, so it just sits in my throat. I have to try to get it out this way. Food can go down my food tube and into my stomach and then into my intestines, but this nasty stuff can't do that.
Cal (not even looking at me): That's a pretty cool story.

Overoos

Isaac insisted on having Calvin's underwear on. He's such a waldo. And then he wanted help putting Cal's shoes on, too. He's very proud of what he looks like here.

More Pics from Grandma Sally's Visit

I fully realize that Isaac isn't exactly the... cutest baby. This is what he looks like a lot of the time. But I love him and want to eat him up anyway.
Here's a picture of Isaac doing the sign for "hat" (see book).

We went to Ridgdale Mall where they have a little city of fun climbing structures:

Fun with Grandma Sally

Although Ike has an ear and eye infection, we are all having loads o' fun. Here are some moments caught on camera:


First of all, I bought this puzzle the first day. It has 1000 pieces. My mom and I did the border and it took us 2 1/2 hours one night. Eric came to bed at 3:30am and said that the puzzle kept him up. He completed the whole house. My mom and I were put to shame. Here's the finished product:

We went to the Children's Museum again and were there for 3 1/2 hours. The kids were exhausted (and so were we).

This is Isaac's new favorite activity- harrassing the dogs.


Aunt Becky made this wool diaper cover.


Eric and I had a date night. Dinner, Target, Coffee.



Cal taught Isaac how to blow bubbles.

Making Isaac Laugh

If you watch the first ten seconds of this, you'll get the idea...

Valentine's Day

Opening presents from G-ma Barb and G-pa Steve
This video is only 1/2 min. Isaac can't decide what he wants more: Candy or...

Cookie-Decorating Extravaganza

In honor of Valentine's Day, some friends came over to decorate cookies and create havoc. It was great. I didn't get a picture of all of them, but here are some.

Emily, Sammy, Jess with Freddie:

Molly, who is four, took charge and wanted all pink:

Cal looks a little... slow in this picture. He never takes the time to look at the camera. Doofus.

Molly and her brother, Alex with Cal

Madeleine or Mado:

And here are some of the babies that didn't get to participate. Here's Isaac in the dogs' bowls:

Here's Freddie. He's usually way happier than he looks here. I think he wants a cookie (which he got later from his dear, sweet momma).

And here's Deitrich. Haha. I like how his whole face is smooshed. And I like the word "smooshed."

We found Mado and Calvin going to the bathroom together. Pooping. That's right. They were so proud. By the way, look at Cal's face. It's all chapped because of it being negative a million outside and so dry inside. Poor kiddo.

Isaac- circa 15 months

*I finally took Isaac to the doctor for his 15 month appointment. I'm a little late and I didn't do his year appt. The doctor asked, "So, why didn't you bring him in for his 12 month?" I said, "I forgot." He asked, "Was there something going on that made you forgot? Was it a stressful time?" I said, "Yes. Life is stressful."

*Isaac is 25 lbs; 7 oz. and 31 inches tall. 50% for weight and 60% for height (Chad, you better check that for me). So, he isn't such a meatwad at all anymore. sigh.

*Ike loves my smoothies- I've been including green beans and the boys can't even taste them. I'm a sneaky genius. He is also signing a little more (thanks to Lisa who let us borrow some signing books)- he knows "hat," "ball," "light," and "more." But he won't perform. He'll only do it when he wants to.