It's always fun to see the residents interact with the kids and vice versa. One little old lady in a wheelchair took a liking to Lucy and I thought for a moment she'd wheel off with her!
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Tricking or Treating with NanNan...
The nursing home that NanNan resides in hosts a Trick or Treat with the residents followed by a magic show for the kids. The girls enjoy this a lot, we've gone now for the past 3 or 4 Halloweens. We almost missed it this year as Grama told us it started at 7pm. Well at 6pm she called us and said it had already started. I told the girls we weren't going to go as we'd miss most of it. They threw a huge fit so we raced around and arrived at the nursing home at 6:33pm.
It's always fun to see the residents interact with the kids and vice versa. One little old lady in a wheelchair took a liking to Lucy and I thought for a moment she'd wheel off with her!
It's always fun to see the residents interact with the kids and vice versa. One little old lady in a wheelchair took a liking to Lucy and I thought for a moment she'd wheel off with her!
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
The Big "D"
Emma and I just got back from our weekend getaway to Dallas to visit Uncle Joe and see the King Tut exhibit. Emma has been fascinated by all things dealing with Egypt since she met her friend Sandy. Sandy isn't actually from Egypt but Emma will tell you differently, her parents are though. I had a great time with just Emma and I think she enjoyed the one on one time a lot. Joe was a fabulous host (but the American Girl store pushed him over the edge!).
We arrived on Thursday night. Emma has flown a few times before but this was the first time she actually remembers, the last time she flew she was 3. She was extremely anxious but once we got in the air she "Loved It!" (She must have said "I Love It" a thousand and one times. Uncle Joe ordered pizza for dinner and we headed to bed around midnight our time.
Friday morning was the day we were most looking forward too. King Tut was on the agenda!! But we made a stop at the Chase Tower where Joe's former room mate was working. Paul took us up to the Sky Lobby (it's on the 40th floor and has gorgeous views of the city). He was fabulous with Emma and she took right too him.
From there we walked the few blocks to the Dallas Museum of Art. The exhibit was incredible and something that if you get a chance to see, please see it. Emma enjoyed it immensely, although she wished for more King Tut stuff. A lot of the exhibits were artifacts from his relatives. But the pieces are breathtaking. Unfortunately, they allow no photos from inside the exhibit.
We hit the Grand Lux Cafe for a nice lunch and yummy, fresh baked chocolate chip cookies. Next stop was the American Girl Bistro and Boutique. Emma brought along Felicity so she could have her hair done. Nothing like paying to have a doll's hair done!!!
The boutique was great and as much as the dolls cost, Emma loves them and they have great messages behind them which sort of ease sticker shock.
At this point we had worn Uncle Joe out and headed back to his place for a short break. Emma snuggled up in the living room for a read.
Later that night we enjoyed a performance of the play "The Mummy's Claw" at the Dallas Children's Theater. We were able to get 2 free tickets through the Free Night of Theater. Next year it's worth checking out, lots and lots of free shows all over the country. The play was hysterical and was a fun night out.
Another full day was on tap for Saturday. We enjoyed a leisurely morning lounging around the house. Emma helped Joe take care of Bella and Cooper, his 2 adorable doggies. For lunch we met up with 2 of the girls, Elizabeth and Marci, that I chat with online. I've "known" them for the past 2 and 1/2 years and it was fun to put a face to their online persona. I am sure some of you may think I'm nuts but I feel so at ease with the group of online friends that have become part of my life. I have had the pleasure of meeting several of them in person and everyone is just who they are on the boards. We share the ups and downs in each others lives and some days I'd be lost with out them. It's very hard to explain but I am glad that I found them. Elizabeth's husband and son, he is only a few years older than Emma joined us for lunch as well. We had a great time. Afterwards, we made our way to the Dallas Arboretum. It was an absolutely beautiful day and was a great way to spend the afternoon.
When we finished up at the arboretum, Emma and I said goodbye to Joe, he had a party to attend that night, and headed off to play putt-putt with Elizabeth, Elizabeth's son, Marci, Marci's husband and their 2 boys. It was a lot of fun and all 4 kids got along quite well. Here are the final scores from the game:
Randy (Marci's Husband) - 43
Andrew (Marci's oldest son) - 49
Marci - 50
Robyn - 50
Elizabeth - 51
Elizabeth's son - 54
Jake (Marci's youngest son) - 56
Emma - 76 (She was hilarious! She would swing her club right handed, left handed, one handed, not looking at the hole, anything goes!)
After the game, Randy and Andrew went home for to watch the Longhorns play. The rest of us headed out to dinner at Applebee's. Again, it was a fun time and I am so glad that I got to meet up with 2 absolutely wonderful women that I consider my friends. Elizabeth was kind enough to chauffeur us around and brought us back to Joe's for the night. Emma quickly headed off to bed and I spent a few quiet hours by myself. Sunday morning was spent packing up and getting ready to head to the airport. Joe dropped us off at 11:30am and Emma and I spent the time recounting our trip. The thing that impressed Emma the most...The Chase Tower!! We got back to Baltimore about 7pm and Eric, Mo and Lucy were there to greet us.
Marci and Elizabeth gave each of the girls a Longhorn and it seems that the girls loved them!
My final thoughts...A great weekend with Emma. I am proud to call her my daughter. Well, most of the time anyway! She deserved some special time away from the day to day craziness of our lives.
We arrived on Thursday night. Emma has flown a few times before but this was the first time she actually remembers, the last time she flew she was 3. She was extremely anxious but once we got in the air she "Loved It!" (She must have said "I Love It" a thousand and one times. Uncle Joe ordered pizza for dinner and we headed to bed around midnight our time.
Friday morning was the day we were most looking forward too. King Tut was on the agenda!! But we made a stop at the Chase Tower where Joe's former room mate was working. Paul took us up to the Sky Lobby (it's on the 40th floor and has gorgeous views of the city). He was fabulous with Emma and she took right too him.
From there we walked the few blocks to the Dallas Museum of Art. The exhibit was incredible and something that if you get a chance to see, please see it. Emma enjoyed it immensely, although she wished for more King Tut stuff. A lot of the exhibits were artifacts from his relatives. But the pieces are breathtaking. Unfortunately, they allow no photos from inside the exhibit.
We hit the Grand Lux Cafe for a nice lunch and yummy, fresh baked chocolate chip cookies. Next stop was the American Girl Bistro and Boutique. Emma brought along Felicity so she could have her hair done. Nothing like paying to have a doll's hair done!!!
The boutique was great and as much as the dolls cost, Emma loves them and they have great messages behind them which sort of ease sticker shock.
At this point we had worn Uncle Joe out and headed back to his place for a short break. Emma snuggled up in the living room for a read.
Later that night we enjoyed a performance of the play "The Mummy's Claw" at the Dallas Children's Theater. We were able to get 2 free tickets through the Free Night of Theater. Next year it's worth checking out, lots and lots of free shows all over the country. The play was hysterical and was a fun night out.
Another full day was on tap for Saturday. We enjoyed a leisurely morning lounging around the house. Emma helped Joe take care of Bella and Cooper, his 2 adorable doggies. For lunch we met up with 2 of the girls, Elizabeth and Marci, that I chat with online. I've "known" them for the past 2 and 1/2 years and it was fun to put a face to their online persona. I am sure some of you may think I'm nuts but I feel so at ease with the group of online friends that have become part of my life. I have had the pleasure of meeting several of them in person and everyone is just who they are on the boards. We share the ups and downs in each others lives and some days I'd be lost with out them. It's very hard to explain but I am glad that I found them. Elizabeth's husband and son, he is only a few years older than Emma joined us for lunch as well. We had a great time. Afterwards, we made our way to the Dallas Arboretum. It was an absolutely beautiful day and was a great way to spend the afternoon.
When we finished up at the arboretum, Emma and I said goodbye to Joe, he had a party to attend that night, and headed off to play putt-putt with Elizabeth, Elizabeth's son, Marci, Marci's husband and their 2 boys. It was a lot of fun and all 4 kids got along quite well. Here are the final scores from the game:
Randy (Marci's Husband) - 43
Andrew (Marci's oldest son) - 49
Marci - 50
Robyn - 50
Elizabeth - 51
Elizabeth's son - 54
Jake (Marci's youngest son) - 56
Emma - 76 (She was hilarious! She would swing her club right handed, left handed, one handed, not looking at the hole, anything goes!)
After the game, Randy and Andrew went home for to watch the Longhorns play. The rest of us headed out to dinner at Applebee's. Again, it was a fun time and I am so glad that I got to meet up with 2 absolutely wonderful women that I consider my friends. Elizabeth was kind enough to chauffeur us around and brought us back to Joe's for the night. Emma quickly headed off to bed and I spent a few quiet hours by myself. Sunday morning was spent packing up and getting ready to head to the airport. Joe dropped us off at 11:30am and Emma and I spent the time recounting our trip. The thing that impressed Emma the most...The Chase Tower!! We got back to Baltimore about 7pm and Eric, Mo and Lucy were there to greet us.
Marci and Elizabeth gave each of the girls a Longhorn and it seems that the girls loved them!
My final thoughts...A great weekend with Emma. I am proud to call her my daughter. Well, most of the time anyway! She deserved some special time away from the day to day craziness of our lives.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Corn Mazes and Pumpkins
This year we made our trek out to North Run Farm with Dana, Kevin, Syd, Kate and Alyssa. We were very excited to trek through the corn maze. Last year the maze was short and dried up over the vast majority of it therefore, not very fun to navigate through. This year the corn stalks were taller than all of us so it was much more challenging. We choose the Republican path, why, because it was shorter. A good thing when you've got 6 girls who can always find a reason to complain!
See for yourself:
This year
Last year
After the trek, which really didn't take all that long by the way, we went on a hayride. There was not stop at the patch, we just circled around the back of the farm. We had to go back to the farm entrance to pick our pumpkins.
These 2 cuties were the only 2 that would look at the camera while on the ride.
The girls showing off their pumpkins
Just a few random shots from around the farm...
See for yourself:
This year
Last year
After the trek, which really didn't take all that long by the way, we went on a hayride. There was not stop at the patch, we just circled around the back of the farm. We had to go back to the farm entrance to pick our pumpkins.
These 2 cuties were the only 2 that would look at the camera while on the ride.
The girls showing off their pumpkins
Just a few random shots from around the farm...
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Apple Picking
On Thursday the girls and I, along with my girlfriend Dana, her girls Sydney & Katelyn and Allyson (my daycare kiddo) went apple picking at a farm nearby. Ok, really it wasn't so close, 30 miles or so, which seemed like 3,000 miles when you have 6 loud, chatty girls in the back.
The farm was packed. I guess most of the schools were off since it was Yom Kippur so everyone decided it would be a great day to visit. (Remind me, I have a funny story regarding Emma and Yom Kippur. I'll get to it at the end of this.) Anyway the girls had a fun time finding their way in and out of the straw maze. I will say that none of the girls would do well living in the country or working a farm. They are all big complainers- "It's too hot, I'm tired of walking, When are we going to pick apples?"
"Now!"
One of the things that Eric and I struggle with is religion. Neither one of us are terribly religious but know that it's very important to instill a faith in the girls that will help guide them through life. We celebrate each others holidays and have since we've been together. What we need to do now that the girls are getting older is to really get into the meaning behind all the celebrations, not just the fun parts. While I know we don't have the ideal solutions all the time we try our best. Eric and I have talked about when the girls are old enough to give them the option of partaking in each holiday's ritual. Emma was insistent upon fasting with Eric this year. Eric said to go for it and Emma gave it her best shot. She ate dinner on Wednesday night and then off to bed. Thursday morning she came downstairs, looking rather sad, and asked me when she could eat again!!! I tried to explain to her that she couldn't eat until the sun went down. "But mom, that's a long time from now!" Needless to say, she wants to try again next year.
The farm was packed. I guess most of the schools were off since it was Yom Kippur so everyone decided it would be a great day to visit. (Remind me, I have a funny story regarding Emma and Yom Kippur. I'll get to it at the end of this.) Anyway the girls had a fun time finding their way in and out of the straw maze. I will say that none of the girls would do well living in the country or working a farm. They are all big complainers- "It's too hot, I'm tired of walking, When are we going to pick apples?"
"Now!"
One of the things that Eric and I struggle with is religion. Neither one of us are terribly religious but know that it's very important to instill a faith in the girls that will help guide them through life. We celebrate each others holidays and have since we've been together. What we need to do now that the girls are getting older is to really get into the meaning behind all the celebrations, not just the fun parts. While I know we don't have the ideal solutions all the time we try our best. Eric and I have talked about when the girls are old enough to give them the option of partaking in each holiday's ritual. Emma was insistent upon fasting with Eric this year. Eric said to go for it and Emma gave it her best shot. She ate dinner on Wednesday night and then off to bed. Thursday morning she came downstairs, looking rather sad, and asked me when she could eat again!!! I tried to explain to her that she couldn't eat until the sun went down. "But mom, that's a long time from now!" Needless to say, she wants to try again next year.
Monday, October 6, 2008
A picture is worth a thousand words....
So what are these worth?
I have no words. I do find it hilarious, even though I cried. She loves her new 'do. I thought about letting it stay that way but Eric refused to be seen in public with her. He's absolutely no fun whatsoever. I did take her for a proper haircut and held strong when she asked for a lollipop. I told her she didn't deserve one and then the tears came. But no lollipop for her. Oh and Eric brought her to tears once again when he told her she looked like a boy after she asked me if I could put her hair up in a bun. :(
Here's a pic of her new 'do
I have no words. I do find it hilarious, even though I cried. She loves her new 'do. I thought about letting it stay that way but Eric refused to be seen in public with her. He's absolutely no fun whatsoever. I did take her for a proper haircut and held strong when she asked for a lollipop. I told her she didn't deserve one and then the tears came. But no lollipop for her. Oh and Eric brought her to tears once again when he told her she looked like a boy after she asked me if I could put her hair up in a bun. :(
Here's a pic of her new 'do
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