Spike's First T-ball Game!

Oh man, is there anything cuter than 5 year olds in matching baseball uniforms, dancing in the outfield and creating sand castles at third base?

Coach Guy gives a pep talk- "Stay close to your circles and don't play in the dirt!"

Last night was Isaac's first ever T-ball game, and Zach and I were pleasantly surprised by how well it went. The key was to have really low expectations. His team had barely practiced because they kept getting rained out. But they have a great coach who taught them the basics on the fly.

"Gooooo BEES!"

The way t-ball works in our league is that there are two innings in which every kid gets to bat and run the bases. When they're fielding, they're all taught to get the ball and throw it to first base every time, no matter what. The last batter gets to "hit a home run." I didn't understand what this meant until I saw the game in action - of course the fielders aren't coordinated enough to get anyone actually out, so instead of telling the last batter to stop at first, they just let him keep going to bring everybody in. And still, the fielders just practice getting the ball to first base. Ah, even these rules just crack me up!

This picture actually makes it look like Isaac was paying attention!

This game was just the epitome of childhood in my view - their coach drew circles in the sand so they'd know where to stand, the other team's coach helping the kids bat would point them in different directions so that different fielders would get some action, and Isaac's uniform was completely covered in dust, due not to his fierce ball playing, but to his fascination with watching the dust blow sideways when he scooped it up and threw it.

I have no idea what was so funny out there, but I'm pretty sure it had little to do with baseball.

When Isaac batted, he sort of barely bumped it off the tee and then ran, grinning, to first base. Once on base he jumped up and down and did not stop grinning. When he got home, the coach practically lifted him off his feet by the batting helmet because he has such a huge head. He was going "ow, ow, ow!" but still smiling.

"This helmet is too small!"

I'm pretty sure his favorite part of the game was when they lined up to give each other high-5's at the end. He was cheesing so hard I considered going on the field to tell him to "play it cool, dude."

"Good game, good game, good game..."

Anders was totally impressed by the whole thing too. We got there a little early and saw the end of an older kids' game before Spike's started. Anders wanted to go say hi to the kids on deck to bat, and stood watching them wide-eyed. He was hyper at the beginning of Spike's game too, but he pretty much watched the whole thing with Zach. 

Anders shaking hands with Isaac's best buddy, Conor

Spike is pretty proud of being on a "real baseball team!"

I didn't know we had a ship

This may only be funny if you can imagine Anders saying it...

Me: Anders, where is that round sprinkler you were playing with earlier?
Ando: NO! That's my ring!
Me: I know, but I need it to water the grass. Where is it?
Ando: Um, it's in our ship.
Me: What's your ship?
Ando [holding out his hands like he's explaining it to me very patiently]: It's like a big boat.
Me: Okay...where is this big boat?
Ando: It's in there [points to the house].
Me: Well, this is going nowhere fast.

I found it under the boys' play table, which apparently served as a ship earlier this morning. Oh to have the imagination of a 3 year old!

In The Kitchen

I just found my mother's day card from Isaac in his backpack. Here's what it says:

Dear Mom,
I love you Momma. I like when you give me apples. I like when you read me stories. You make really good pork chops. They're cooked real good. They are yummy. I love your hugs and kisses. You are fun to play with!
Love, Isaac

This is so Spike and totally cracks me up. He recently told a babysitter:
"Anders plays with Legos AAAALLL day. And I color all day. Daddy works all day and Momma is in the kitchen all day. That is all we do. We never do anything else."

I find Isaac's assessment of my work to be both horrifying and hilarious! But at least he seems to appreciate my efforts in that kitchen where I apparently spend all my time!

My Five Year Old!

I love this kid!

Putting a bug in your ear

When I came home from work tonight, I started noticing Anders batting at his ears. I asked him, "Do your ears hurt, buddy?" but he said no.

Not 30 seconds later... (and you have to imagine a perfectly pitiful face when you read this)

Thor: Mommy, something's bugging me.
Me: Oh, what is it, hon? 
Thor: A bug.
Me: A bug? Oh no!
Thor: A bug in my ear.
Mmmm hmmmm. 

After dinner I remembered the Walgreen's Take Care Clinic and checked to see if they were still open. We had a half hour to get there. I crammed two sweaty, spaghetti-smeared boys into their rain boots and ran out the door.

When we got there, the Nurse Practitioner wasn't taking any more patients, but Anders gave her his best puppy dog eyes and even threw in a little ear batting and she took us! There was a fly in the patient room and when the doc said, "Where did that bug come from?" Isaac didn't hesitate - "From Anders's ear!!!" Sure enough, two infected ears and a swollen throat, poor baby! Thank goodness for the TCC and amoxicillin!

Now I don't know if everyone will think this video is as funny as I do, but just in case, I will post it for your pleasure. Often Anders and I will quietly make faces across the table at each other, unbeknownst to our dinner mates. I happened to have the camera close by tonight and captured Ando's antics. Enjoy!

The Age of Perfection

On the night of my birthday....

Zach: You're the prettiest 31 year old I know.
(Oh geez, is he telling me "you're pretty for your age"?)
Me: But you know some pretty hot twenty-somethings?
Zach: No, but there are a few 35 year olds.... 35 is really my ideal woman. Don't worry, you'll get there soon.

The Proposal

I am Ariel this morning. Spike is Prince Eric, and Thor is various other characters, including King Triton.

Eric was yelling at Triton, "She's MINE! I'm going to marry her!" so I told him, "Honey, you're supposed to be trying to get her dad to like you. You're supposed to ask him if you can marry her."

Spike, to Thor: Can I marry your daughter?
Thor: Yes.
Spike [comes to sit next to me and looks lovingly into my eyes]: We can get a fish tank for Flounder. We can build a house on the sand together. And then we can get married.


*Swoon* How can a girl refuse?

Boys, Take Notes

Last night in conversation Zach called me "complicated."

When I gasped, feigning shock, he catapulted himself out of any potential hole he may have dug.

"You're fascinating and surprising, a woman I could never make the mistake of taking for granted."

Good save, Darling, good save.

Workin' Girl

Today felt momentous to me. I had Somewhere To Be. All day. And I had to wear pants. And shoes. And no kids were allowed.

The College Readiness Program that I've done a little work for in the past just became a more regular gig - I get to go into the office two days a week now!

It's been a whirlwind of phone calls, emails, meetings, and weighing options as I figure out how to keep my Two happy, healthy, and safe while I'm working, but I think I have a pretty good situation figured out. My god-daughter, Eva, will be coming to spend those days at our house and her Momma and I will split the cost of the babysitter.

Here is what I learned on my first day back to the working world:

1. I love commuting on the train because it kills two birds with one stone: precious, quiet, uninterrupted reading time WHILE moving from point A to point B. 
2. I need more socks that are not meant to wear in running shoes.
3. When I stare at a computer screen all day, I feel like a zombie. 
4. Ironically, working makes me cheaper - at Target I keep thinking, "Man, that's an HOUR of working just for one little shirt!" and then I put it back on the rack.
5. The afternoon minutes creep slowly by whether you're sitting in an office or refereeing a tiny wrestling match.
6. My kids are way more fun than an office job. 

As happy as I am to bring in a little income, to have a little structure in my week, to have some grown up time, to contribute to a cause outside my home and family, to use a bit of my education... just one day of working made me thankful for all my precious days at home. This is why I needed a little time out of the house - here's hoping for some of that elusive BALANCE to keep me sane.

Pow- Pow- Power Wheels

I wanted to get out of the house this afternoon for a little fresh air and sunshine. My original plan was for some exercise, too, but since my boys are spoiled rotten (by their grandparents), we decided to take their Christmas present out for a spin.

Anders is using a large stick as a gun for drive-bys. *sigh*

Isaac is getting to be a pretty good driver!

PS They got new coats too. I figured it would be a good time to get them on clearance. Anders's old coat was getting too small and Isaac's was falling apart at the seams. Don't they look dapper?

A Classic

Yesterday I relived my childhood while sitting between los ninos by watching The Little Mermaid. Is there any woman between the ages of 25 and 35 that doesn't know all the lyrics to "Part of Your World?"

So a couple funny reactions: first, while Ariel was singing her classic tune, Isaac whispered, "Her hair looks so soft." 

Then, at the end of "Kiss the Girl," when Ariel and Eric are about to kiss, I nudged Zach and we smiled at Isaac's dreamy expression - a slight smile on his lips, his head tilted to one side. Then I looked at Anders, who looked back up at me and wrinkled his nose in utter disgust. 

Of course, all day today it was, "Momma, you be Ariel..." and "Momma, sing Ariel's song about her collection." As you can imagine, I just hated it. :)

Look at this stuff, isn't it neat? Wouldn't you think my collection's complete? Wouldn't you think I'm the girl, the girl who has everything? ...

New Phase

Something strange and new and wonderful has occurred the last two mornings in the Danielson household.

If you know me at all, you know that I am... not pleasant in the mornings. I wish I could say that I was able to leave all my personal flaws at the hospital with my placenta, but alas, they came home with me and my babies.  I am still an awful, awful person in the morning. I cannot handle parenting when I first wake up. Zach and I used to get in huge fights about it until he realized that in order to save our marriage he would have to take on breakfast duty.

I've often painted the picture this way to help Z understand: opening my eyes to a little person at my bedside demanding breakfast or a piggyback ride or whatever, is what it would feel like if, when I was still teaching, I opened my eyes to a classroom full of students looking at me, pens poised above their notebooks, waiting for me to begin my lesson. It's my job to be their momma, I do it 12+ hours a day, and I'm on call all night. Just give me 10 minutes to not have to put their well being above my own grogginess.

You can imagine this week has been a growing experience for me considering Zach's gimpiness. 

So anyway, after that confession, you will understand the magic that is this new development. Here it is: yesterday and today, the boys got themselves up (Anders climbed out of his crib and came upstairs - ha!) and played together for an hour and a half in Isaac's room before I got up. WHAT!? This is amazing. We are entering a new phase people, and I like it. I like it a lot.

Just Now

The boys are watching their afternoon show. (It's okay. It's educational.) Out of the blue, Anders said to Isaac, "Ise, do you know dat I wove you?"

Ah! I can't stand it!

A "Get Well" ... Isaac

Okay, so I really posted about Zach's Super Fun Weekend in the Hospital so you'd have some background for this freaking adorable story.

just after surgery

Monday morning Isaac woke me up by standing really close to me and asking in his concerned little four-year-old too-loud-for-seven-a.m. voice, "Why is Daddy at the hospital all by himself?"
"He's not alone, buddy. The doctors and nurses are there taking care of him."
"Are they right there with him?"
"Well, they're there if he needs them."
"I hope Daddy keeps doing okay. I hope he can come home soon."
"I know, sweetie. Me, too. He'll be alright."

Visiting Daddy on Day 2

That afternoon I suggested that the boys make "get well" cards for Daddy. They were distracted at first, so it took some coaxing. "Daddy really misses you and it would cheer him up." I saw Isaac's "my brain cogs are turning" expression and then he came up with an idea: "I will lay on a big piece of paper and you trace me and then we'll cut me out and color me and you can tape me to Daddy's wall and he will be happy 'cause he'll feel just like I'm there with him!!!!!!!!!" I was like, "Yeah, that's WAY better than a get well card!" So we did it.

He was very excited and drew himself wearing nothing but green shorts (complete with a draw string) and a couple of band aids on his "owies." I love that he has a belly button, brown eyes with pupils, pink teeth, and rainbow hair.  It was also his idea to make a "talk bubble" that said, "Hi Dad! Get better soon!"

"Get Well" Isaac!

My fabulous friend Andrea came to babysit the boys that evening. They know her as "the bumble bee" because that's what she was for Halloween at our house. I was brushing my teeth before I left to pick up Chipotle for Zach (I could write a whole post on HOW AWFUL the hospital food is). Isaac was climbing around on my bed when I heard him burst into tears. I ran in asking, "What's wrong? What happened?" and Isaac was sitting on Zach's side of the bed crying, "Daaaaddy! Daaaaaddy!" just because he missed him so much. Argh, break my heart, kid!

I calmed Isaac down and asked him if he wanted to call Daddy. This is what Isaac's side of the conversation sounded like, "Hi Daddy. [fighting back tears] I just wanted to call you because I miss you so much. [pause] Yeah. [pause] Me too. Momma is coming to see you in a few minutes. [pause] Goodbye. I love you!" He hung up and starting grinning at me. "Daddy doesn't know who is coming with you to the hospital to see him!!!" (He meant the cut out of himself.)

Of course Zach loved his present and so did all of his nurses.

PS Zach came home on Tuesday and he's doing pretty well. He can walk but he's still sore and sleepy. Last night we planned our 10th anniversary trip to Mexico, so that cheered us both up a little! :)

PPS Isaac proudly brought his flat self to school on Wednesday for the letter I show-and-tell day. 

Walking around for the first time

Zach's Super Fun Weekend in the Hospital

My Darling Husband is in the hospital for his third solid day. Here's how it went down:

Wednesday night, Zach started saying, “Man, my knee really hurts,” but couldn't point to a specific moment when he injured it.

Thursday he went to work and, as usual, walked the two miles that is part of his commute. By the time he got home, he could barely walk for the pain in his right knee. We iced it, raised it, rested it, wrapped it, but it kept getting worse.

Friday Zach worked from home and continued the same treatment to no avail. The knee kept getting worse and swelled up. He also started shivering and spiking a fever. We made an appointment to see his doctor the next morning.

At 10am on Saturday, the boys and I dropped Zach at his doc. He called later to say he was being sent to the ER across the street. I made a bunch of phone calls and lined up friends to watch the boys and joined him at the hospital. My parents offered to come down from Michigan to stay with the boys and I took them up on it.

In the ER, they drained his knee and tested the fluid. It showed signs of infection. No one has been able to discern how it got infected: it's had no trauma, he's had no cuts or scrapes on it, he's had no other infections. They gave him some antibiotics, he got an x-ray, and an orthopedic doc took a look at him. They decided he needed a surgical procedure to wash the joint out and prepared him for that.

He was in the operating room by about 7pm and was out before 8. Everything went well. Zach was chatty and happy when I saw him. They sent him to a room, he settled in, and now he's just healing, resting, getting antibiotics, and waiting to see if anyone can figure out why the heck his knee got infected in the first place. For awhile everyone kept saying, “maybe tomorrow” to the “when can he go home?” question. But it looks like for really reals he can get outta here tomorrow, which is Tuesday.

My parents and our friends have been so helpful - watching the boys, bringing us food, calling to check in. I'm very grateful tonight - that it wasn't something scary and worse, that I'm not working and can be here without too much stress, that it was fixable, that the medical staff are smart, that we live close to the hospital, that Zach's knee will heal completely, that my parents don't live too far away, that we have an amazing church community praying for us and caring about us.... We are blessed!

Finally! SNOW!

We let Isaac play hookie from preschool today so we could take full advantage of the snow Chicago finally enjoyed. It really was a perfect snowfall - we got about 6 inches in 24 hours, so everything looks beautiful but it's not overwhelming.

I learned a valuable lesson today - my children are not yet capable of walking 1/2 mile through the snow without whining. Next time I'll drive to the sledding hill. It took probably 30 minutes and it almost ruined the whole experience. But we barely survived the trek, and the sledding was a blast.

This didn't last long.

I made pouty pants walk and carry his own sled. 

The anticipation!

 

Rosy cheeks!

We really have a great place to sled!

A Long Time Coming - Ando Update

STICKERS!

Anders is at that precious age where every thing he does and says either makes me laugh or makes me want to tear my hair out. He'll be three in two months (!!!) and acts every bit the part. In many ways, he's so different from his big brother.

Playing in the water at the Children's Museum

One of Ando's funniest and most pronounced quirks right now is his insistence on carrying around "treasures." These are little items he collects and then won't let out of his sight all day, even taking them to bed with him. They vary, but one of his favorites is the tiny weapons from the Playmobile Castle. Other items include sunglasses, parts of the vacuum, a pen, a quarter, receipts or junk mail, and the Star Boy wand we made for Lucia Day. There's lots of negotiation about which things he can take to bed or in the car with him, but 3pm often finds him waking up with an impression of the vacuum hose on his cheek.

Anders is still a boy's boy. He loves to sit and watch football and seems fairly coordinated and athletic. Cars, trucks, and trains are his favorite toys. He loves to play rough and "defeat" his foes. His two grandpas are his most favorite people in the world. Last time we went to Michigan, my mom came walking up to give Ando a hug. He ran toward her but spotted Grandpa Tim behind her. He scooted right past her into Grandpa Tim's arms! He also goes through much longer and more frequent "daddy phases" than Isaac ever did.

Dr. Danielson giving Dr. Danielson a shot

Zach and I also just melt at the way Anders pronounces things. Isaac's Elmer Fudd phase was pretty short lived, but Anders is still no where near pronouncing his R's and L's, which, for now, is stinking adorable. One of his favorite shows is Veggie Tales "Silly Little Thing Called Love," which, in his mouth sounds like, "Siwy Wido Ting Cowed Wuv."  To see him furrow his little eyebrows, fold his little hands, and falteringly recite "God is great" at the dinner table is one of my life's great joys.

our first dusting of snow earlier this winter

We've also realized recently how differently Anders reacts to discipline. Unlike our staunchly independent eldest, Anders actually feels bad when he gets in trouble. Understand, however, that he is still naughty as naughty can be sometimes, screaming and whining when he doesn't get his way, running away when he's called, all the normal two-year-old stuff. BUT. If I raise my voice to Anders, he is devastated, "[sob] You yeowed at me, Momma! [sob]" And if he has a time out or a consequence, often times he'll come to me a few minutes after the incident has passed and contritely state, "I'm sowy I did dat, Momma," followed by a big, sorrowful hug.

Both my boys are total ladies' men. When we're out and about, Anders will find some older chick in a pretty dress and follow her around like a puppy. We went to Shedd Aquarium last week and he made himself right at home with two French girlie girls in the Polar Play Zone. Man, when you can throw game dressed as a penguin, you are a true playa.

Anders and Eva sitting in a tree...

I'll leave you with one of my most favorite Ando quotes recently: When we brought him to a party at his beloved Jakey-Jake's house, he was acting all shy. I sat down with him on my lap and he whispered to me, "Momma? Does everyone think that I'm cute?" Of course they do, love. 

 

A Long Time Coming - Izey Update

hiking near my brother's house this fall

I keep debating whether I want to try to keep up this blog, but I do feel like I'm bursting with news and stories about my little men, so I want to be sure to get some of them down for posterity and grandparents. They are so funny and interesting and crazy and smart and adorable right now. I am loving being their Momma. I'll start with what Isaac's been up to lately.



Yesterday when I picked up Isaac from preschool, he stayed in line with his buddies but yelled across all the parents: "MOM! I want to go home RIGHT AWAY because my LIPS are REALLY DRY!" I was like, Okay, Napoleon and got the chapstick out of my pocket for him. Today I sent him with chapstick in his pocket. He thought he was pretty sweet and had to show it to his little buddy, Conor.

Also, we forgot letter H Show and Tell yesterday, so Isaac was super serious about making up for it today. While we tried to think of something unique to bring, he begged me to let him bring lots of things! Because "Trinity brings lots of things, so I can too!" He ended up bringing a hammer, a hat, two horses, a bee hive he had found outside, a Hark the Herald Angels Sing book, and a gob of my hair pulled out of my brush and placed in a baggy. I have to confess, I kind of liked the flash of academic competitiveness I saw in him as he tried to outdo little Trinity!

Ms. Katy told me today that Isaac has been authoring and illustrating a Gingerbread Pirate book everyday for a few weeks now. They did a Gingerbread Man unit this December, reading and comparing different versions of the story. When she gave the kids the assignment of creating their own version, she was speaking Isaac's language. The other kids are done with theirs and they are all put away, but Isaac has his tucked away in a special spot "where no one else can get it" so that he can continue his masterpiece. I can't wait to see it.

Isaac "reading" our favorite version of The Gingerbread Man to his little bro

play-doh flower

Adam and Eve

Isaac's two favorite activities are creating art and acting out stories (close seconds are building forts out of furniture and playing with his tiny toys). Another time I'll have to post a video or pictures of our most recent theatrical "productions." :) My parents just came to visit for the first time in months and my mom told me our house looks like a school. I took it as a compliment. It's true - there are projects everywhere.

our paper mache "Charlotte"

another spider project-this one for school

Recently we were at a party with a friend who is an art therapist. She mentioned in conversation that she is an artist and Isaac gasped and exclaimed, "I'm an artist too!!!" while jumping up and down. I was so proud that he thought of himself that way!

Welp, that's all for now. A much-needed Ando update is on the docket for tomorrow, and I hope to post with a little more frequency in the future, so come on back.

Cuteness of Late

Looking back, I now realize I should have investigated when I could hear Anders well after lights-out saying, "Uh! Uuuuuh!" in great effort. Maybe an hour later, he called to me, "Momma, can you put the covers on me!?" I entered his room, ready to oblige. As I gathered his blankies, though, I noticed something strange: Anders was not wearing jammies. In fact, Anders was not wearing anything. I could not suppress my laughter. No wonder he was cold.

Today at Starbucks, after we ordered Ando's milk and my black coffee, the barrista spoke to Thor in a funny, quacky voice. Anders smiled at me and exclaimed, "He sounds like Doo doo Duck!"

Isaac was blabbering on and on at Target this afternoon. His stream-of-consciousness led him to Santa: "...and then, when aaaall the kids are sleeping, Santa... Hey! Mom! Is Santa nocturnal?"

We started a poster listing things we're thankful for. On Day 1, Daddy was thankful for wrestling (see previous post), Isaac was thankful for water, Momma was thankful for good books, and, "Ando, what are you thankful for?" His answer? "Ando!" At least we don't have to worry about his self esteem.

As I type, the boys are playing near each other in the next room. They were quiet for a bit, and then Isaac said, "Anders, I love you." Anders said, "I love you, too." Isaac, not to be matched, said, "Anders, I love you SOOOOO much!" Anders replied, "I love you so much, too!" Isaac, getting frustrated because he wants to do everything the best and the MOST, retorted, "Anders! I love you more than anyone else in the world! I love you the best of all!" And Anders finally gave in. "Okay." 

Wrasslin'