family news – Page 7 – Out Of Their Minds Design

August Video

Video, August 9th
This is a long video of each of the kids reading a book called “What’s Up, Duck?” Both kids pretty much relying on memorization from the pictures, and maybe a bit of sounding out the words on Ian’s part. To see this video, click here.

Video, August 18th
The kids sometimes like to watch a show called “Bo on the Go.” This is Nina excitedly watching the credits and both kids jogging along, per Bo’s instruction in the video. To see this video, click here.

Video, August 24th
Rockabye baby with alternate lyrics. To see this video, click here.

Video, August 26th
Nina throws a mean color-coordinated picnic, if only Ian would sit properly! To see this video, click here.

Ian’s Last Day at Daycare

August 30th, Nina stops washing her toy dishes, sensing a blog entry primarily about Ian! *Will have to remember to do something adorable tomorrow so I can get some pics in!* See this image larger.

August 31st Nina sleeping like an angel in her crib! See this image larger.

Look at how sweet! See this image larger.

I think this might be the last pic of Nina in her crib, come to think of it… she’s moved on since this image was taken, you’ll see in a future update. See this image larger.

Seems like a fitting first image for the topic of Ian’s Last Day at Daycare. It used to say the name of the daycare place, but Photoshop to the rescue! Alright so like I said, a fitting first image, but not first chronologically, so let’s head back to our house in the morning. See this image larger.

Look at him! He’s bursting with excitement! He’s been waiting months to say good-bye to daycare and hello to Valley View! For those of you who just sighed and shook their heads… youth only has a vague notion that growing up and growing old leads to a lot more responsibility. He’ll understand soon, believe me. See this image larger.

And there’s sweet Nina! See this image larger.

Oh sure, let’s get a solo shot in there! See this image larger.

Ian’s last car-ride to daycare while still an attending child. Ok this is getting ridiculous. See this image larger.

This is the place! See this image larger.

A nice Daddy/Ian image, self-shot. See this image larger.

How thrilled is he? Why not break into a bit of a dance on the way to class? Sure! See this image larger.

Here he is at the end of the day getting picked up! See this image larger.

And finally, one photo too many for the little guy; sorry Mommy! See this image larger.

Ian Kindergarten Orientation!

A quick word about Valley View. By the time you read this, Ian has already been at kindergarten for weeks. He’s a big boy. We’ve gone over talking with strangers, we’ve gone over trying to be careful. He has a teacher or playground staff watching out for him. For these reasons I have stopped trying to hide where Ian goes to school, or his teacher’s name, Mrs. Lanham; unlike with his daycare… which I think I avoided naming and/or airbrushed said name from pictures. I will continue to protect Nina until she is around this age as well, because I’d rather play things safe for a reasonable amount of time. I will continue to exercise some caution, but let’s face it — eventually we need to let the kids live their lives. And with that… Ian’s orientation at Valley View.

August 27th was Ian’s Valley View orientation. Here he is in the parking lot! See this image larger.

Making his way toward the Vally View campus. Ok so “campus” is a pretty strong word. See this image larger.

This may be the last time I bring my iPhone for a job like this. Lots of blur. See this image larger.

He’s excited! See this image larger.

Kind of an odd policy. They have us buy supplies, as if for our kid… and then dump them in a community bucket, from which any kid grabs stuff when he/she needs it! See this image larger.

Sharing is cool! Well, at least in this way. See this image larger.

Ian listens carefully to Mrs. Lanham! See this image larger.

The guy in the foreground is somebody’s dad. See Ian? See this image larger.

Ian in line for his bus ride with Principal Siegel! See this image larger.

(Well it was supposed to be with him, but there were two busses, and Ian ended up with somebody else.) See this image larger.

This was a hilarious moment. The parents were done with their part, and so we all stepped out back between the school and the playground. We stood around looking awkward and mostly not talking to each other, sort of lost without our kids. See this image larger.

And then came something straight out of “the running of the bulls” but instead of bulls, it was about 50 kids ready to get to a playground and show the world what they’re made of. See this image larger.

Ian on a swing! See this image larger.

Distorted Ian on a swing! (Thanks iPhone!) See this image larger.

Alright that’s fine. See this image larger.

Ian and some kid that doesn’t know how to ride on a swing! See this image larger.

Ian and Mommy, who just kicked some kid off a swing! (not really) See this image larger.

I’d tell you what Ian’s on if I had any idea what to call these. Mushroom jumpy thingamadoos. Thigh scrapers? Slip n’ Falls! Balance bongos! Super Mario Poppers. Whatever. See this image larger.

And finally, Ian is returned to daycare… who were at a park. As you can see, the mulch level is particularly low versus the sidewalk. Ian would eventually trip on the sidewalk and get scraped up pretty bad. Meanwhile, Mommy and Daddy went to see Brave, and had a good time taking a day to ourselves. See this image larger.

Oops, August 12th, and More!

My pictures got out of order. August 12th Ian went to a friend’s birthday party. This was a friend named Jacob from daycare; the last birthday party with a daycare classmate!

This is actually the same day as the pictures I took of Ian with his Mars Rover legos. Here’s Daddy with his favorite son and daughter! See this image larger.

Nina plays with some of the foam blocks at the party. See this image larger.

Mommy and Daddy keep a careful eye on the stampede. Grandma Sue took the picture! See this image larger.

Nina continued to impress with her climbing skills. This ladder went up some 15 feet in the air. See this image larger.

Nina waited until all of the other little ones were clear, then fashioned all of the foam block toys into one ridiculously long train! It was pretty awesome! See this image larger.

Here’s Nina the engineer! (In more ways than one!) See this image larger.

Grandma takes a quick shot of Ian and the boys next-door! See this image larger.

August 15th, remember the shapes Grampa Dave made many moons ago? See this image larger.

Ian’s dynamite coloring job! See this image larger.

Daycare project for Ian. He put his initials on there. See this image larger.

August 16th, Nina tells Mommy a good night story. (I love Mommy’s hair short, but it sure doesn’t take me long to miss that pony tail!) See this image larger.

August 20th, Ian still looks peaceful and cute at five and half. See this image larger.

But he’s big, alright! See this image larger.

August 21st, Nina-bear! See this image larger.

Nina-flower! See this image larger.

Nina-girl! See this image larger.

August 23rd, Ian gets a postcard from his teacher-to-be! See this image larger.

August 24th, Ian’s final outing with his daycare, to one of our favorite parks! See this image larger.

Ian plays a little football with Charlie, a classmate. See this image larger.

It was hilarious hearing Charlie try to explain to Ian in what way he’d have to squat and when he should catch the ball. There was still a little bit of running the wrong way when the ball was snapped! See this image larger.

Charlie on the receiving team! See this image larger.

Nina decides to take a hike! See this image larger.

August 25th, Ian helps Mommy water the flowers! See this image larger.

So does Nina! See this image larger.

August 26th, Nina in the sunroom, enjoys a little of the summer heat while it lasts. See this image larger.

Other Images from August 13th

Chris’s memorial had many moments. I admit my camera didn’t take too many, and I apologize for that. My shutter finger just wasn’t working so well that day.

Suffice to say, a whole lot of people put time into getting there and making it happen. Grandma Marcia managed the whole thing and had it perfectly scheduled. That burden was mine and I could not bear it. Grampa Dave did a whole lot of carting people around, including us. Grandma Sue, Aunt Anne Marie and her parents came up all the way from Florida. Great Grandma Betty made it over despite the heat. Grampa Dave and Grandma Marcia’s friends Mary, and Pat and Eric all came to lend a hand as well. If I haven’t already said or sent a thank you; thank you to all of you for all of your hard work on a day when we all needed a little propping up.

Ian and Nina ready for travel! See this image larger.

Nina anticipating a boat ride. See this image larger.

Ian honored his Uncle Chris by wearing his Giants jersey. See this image larger.

And by doing something else I think we sometimes forget about… smiling. See this image larger.

There was play to be had! See this image larger.

Sometimes the best toys are the simple ones! See this image larger.

*I see you, Nina!* See this image larger.

Gathering family… See this image larger.

Gathering friends… See this image larger.

Kids making themselves at home. See this image larger.

We’re just not having fun until all the toys are out of the tub. See this image larger.

An accomplished color-er-er! See this image larger.

A quick shot with Aunt Annie, and then good-bye! See this image larger.

Redeployment – A Memorial for Chris

See this image larger.

Once in a blue moon, I’ll write a journal entry. I started a journal a long time ago, and stopped when I met Melissa. When Ian was born I started writing something like that… they’re “someday” letters to him. I don’t even know if I’ll ever give them to him, honestly. August 13th inspired this entry — please forgive my straight-forward approach to writing in this format.

(Written on) August 15th – As you and your sister played in the hot August sun near the cottage, your mom and I were on a boat, carrying about 8 lbs of ashes with other family members. Those ashes were Uncle Chris at one point. My brother. I loved that guy more than you’ll ever know, and miss him almost as much. (Edited.)

It was nothing short of miraculous how well everything went that day, despite the sadness… the 13th of August, 2012. In your innocence, which still shines fairly bright in your five year old eyes, you don’t yet understand that seeing these people together at this place may not hold much significance to you, but to those of us who know a little better, it is pretty special. Did you notice Great Grandma Betty looked a bit sad? Her husband, who died when I was about your current age, was Great Grampa Eddie, that’s Grampa Dave’s father; Great Grampa Eddie died in the same waters in which Uncle Chris was laid to rest. Some of her tears were for Uncle Chris, but not all. I bet the same is true for Grampa Dave. In this family, we share a lot of laughter, and I think all of us tend to try to approach life with a sense of humor, but there has been a lot of loss too. I thought you should know.

I’ll tell you what it is like to lose a sibling, my kiddo. It is like losing half of your inner monologue. That little voice that you maybe find yourself explaining things to. Your sibling is the one person with which you can share certain secrets about your childhood, the one that remembers the goofy inside jokes that the family trades in giggles and eye rolls. That person leans looking for your support, and is in turn the strongest arm should you need it. Which is a great segue way back to the point — what is it like losing a sibling? It is like losing an arm. A thing you’ve grown used to looking at your entire life, grown to rely on — now gone. A one armed man can get by, but I don’t think it’s a mystery what he’d ask for if he had one wish.

Protect that sister of yours, Ian. Nina is more precious than you’ll be capable of realizing for years upon years. She is not the competition, she is home.

See this image larger.

Intermission

August 8th, Nina plays with some of the toys at the cardiologist office. It was a time we hoped would be filled with good news. Instead the doctor’s appearance terrified her, and it was pretty much wasted time. See this image larger.

We went to return Nina to daycare, to find her class was outside enjoying some water activities in the summer sun. The problem was, nobody was inside to help us find Nina’s lotion… nobody except for Nina! She led us right to the right spot! See this image larger.

So she went right outside and joined them! See this image larger.

The kids really enjoy “painting” the building with a fresh coat of water. See this image larger.

At home on the 11th, Nina sets the table for five, knowing that Grandma Sue would be showing up soon! See this image larger.

Inspired by recent news in space travel, Ian built his own Mars rover! See this image larger.

Nice job, buddy! See this image larger.

August 12th, staying at a hotel with Gramma Sue on the way to the cottage… I have a six pack of abs, but they’re more like Capri Suns, than bottles. See this image larger.

We braved the cold water, and had a lot of fun! See this image larger.

The kids were carefully escorted through the deep end. See this image larger.

A warm spot from the sun! (I hope.) See this image larger.

Nina got a ride too. See this image larger.

August and Nicole’s Wedding

Lot to catch up on… Alright, let’s go!

Blurry Nina! See this image larger.

Nina told me, at the time, that these guys were all in line to go to Java Gym. See this image larger.

Swingin’ with Jake! (Technically these were July 29th… get over it! See this image larger.

July 30th, Ian at Tumble Time! See this image larger.

He’s great at this one, he thinks he’s Spiderman! See this image larger.

Ian sticks the landing! See this image larger.

Ian receives a stamp for his excellence. See this image larger.

Nina receives a stamp for Ian’s excellence! See this image larger.

August 2nd, the landscaping we had completed is almost invisible, as the grass has grown in nicely. (Later, it did get a little fried when we went away for a weekend. Time will tell if the young grass “made it” or not.) See this image larger.

August 3rd, we made our way to Grampa Dave and Gramma Marcia’s so that Mommy and Daddy could attend Daddy’s cousin’s wedding! See this image larger.

This is the night before the wedding. See this image larger.

Bedtime story! See this image larger.

One of Nina’s favorite books! See this image larger.

A sly little smile there! See this image larger.

Another story! Thanks, Gramma! See this image larger.

*TEN friendly fish? Huh!* See this image larger.

August 4th, and toys were played with. See this image larger.

Ready for fun! Thanks for the new ones, too! See this image larger.

Note the foam padding around the table! Has come in handy more than once! I’d like to take a moment to thank Grampa Dave and Gramma Marcia for making time for us, giving us a place to stay, and watching the kids which is probably at its most challenging. (Even currently I can say that Ian was maybe a bit more of a challenge back in August, and this is just a few months later.) See this image larger.

At the actual wedding, Tiffany’s husband Glen leads Carolyn down the aisle. Carolyn is a friend of the family, and one of Nicole’s best friends. 🙂 See this image larger.

Cousin Tiffany. See this image larger.

Nicole walking down the aisle with Uncle Donny. I should have taken the time to talk to him, but I did not end up being able to, and regret it. See this image larger.

The little guy there is Cole, who would be Nicole’s son by marriage about 10 minutes after this shot was taken. Forgive the guy on the far left, it was hot in there! See this image larger.

Nicole does a little happy jig on the way back from lighting the unity candle! See this image larger.

And, done! See this image larger.

Happy ever after, here they come! See this image larger.

We bought Nicole something from her registry, but I also got her a Lego bride and groom. Fond memories of playing together as kids; lovely to see her grown, beautiful, and now happily married! See this image larger.

Cake chop, and “Red Solo Cup” set the tone for a fun reception! See this image larger.

Mitchel sisters! See this image larger.

Dancing with Grandma Sue! See this image larger.

A great framed note acknowledged recent family losses, including Uncle Chris. Thanks for the thinking of him! See this image larger.

August 6th, back home – Nina grew a beard? See this image larger.

Nah, that was black beans and rice. See this image larger.

Cupcakes! Thanks Gramma Marcia! See this image larger.

July Dialogue and Milestones

You’re going to have to excuse the lack of updates lately… Melissa and I trying to find each other and ourselves amidst the stress, the new schedules, and chaos of life. And now, let’s get July out of the way so we can head into August, shall we?

Dialogue, July 2nd
Nina impressed me with the following conversation… I left my side out of it so you can see how much she held her own: “I eat it all gone.”
“Daddy you give me more cereal?”
“Put it in da bowl.”
“Can put more milk, in dere?”
“I help you.”
“I Bring my bowl to you.”
“I help you put it in?”
“I help you. Please.”
“Don’t spill it.”
“I need a napkin to wipe it up.”

Dialogue, July 9th
Ian: “You shouldn’t fall asleep on the potty, because if you start to fall over and you flipped over your hair would go get wet.”

Dialogue, July 23
Daddy: “What makes you happy, Ian?”
Ian: “Mommy and Daddy.”
Daddy: “What else makes you happy?”
Ian, while galloping around the room: “GRAMPA DAVE BOAT TRIP! GRAMPA DAVE BOAT TRIP! GRAMPA DAVE BOAT TRIP! GRAMPA DAVE BOAT TRIP! ”

Dialogue, July 26th
Ian explains Strawberry Shortcake, the cartoon: “It’s strawberry girl, or whatever.”

Dialogue, July 28th
Nina, watching toilet refilling: “It’s loading!”

Dialogue, July 29th
Nina, quoting the Spiderman opening sequence from the 1960’s: “Spideman, take a wook, overhead.”

Dialogue, July 30th
Nina, regarding playing the iPad while observing Ian at Tumble Time: “Ian went to a different kind of Tumble Time today I made cookies on the iPad and eat them num num num num ”

Journal Entry, July 30th
I sometimes write little journal entries just for kicks… this one seemed important: “So today was the last Monday, probably. For five and a half years, I’ve spent my Mondays with my little boy, and two and a half of those years with my little girl. Ian will go to daycare for five days of the week, until he attends kindergarten in about a month. Nina will go to daycare five days a week too. Very easy to look back and be disgusted with myself for not doing more with those days, but we had a pretty good run. Perhaps this will teach me to better cherish the time I get with my children.

It’ll be interesting to see if I am less stressed out. The kids do stress me sometimes, but in this case I’m talking about the stress that has come from trying to make a four day week as productive as a five. Melissa and I have both been stretched pretty thin for a good long time, and it is pretty easy to blame the days of the week where each of us stays home.

It’ll also be interesting to see if this lasts. We don’t have a choice with Ian, but I foresee us possibly going back to three or four day schedule with Nina. It’d be more fair if she got five and a half years of Mondays and Tuesdays with her folks too; but we shall see.”

The people taking care of Nina in her new class? No longer write the date on the daycare sheet. So here’s some random entries… maybe I’ll get to put them in some kind of order someday… Some are probably from July and some might be from August.

RANDOM DAYCARE NOTES (I did find some of the dates, but let’s face it, it isn’t going to make much of a difference in the long run… so these will stay out of order. Ian’s aren’t very interesting at daycare, Nina’s are worth a read.)

“Happy Friday”
Nina’s Caregiver: “In dramatic play Nina fed her baby a bottle then she made a long track for a train. Nina loved making a Smore and eating it! she was so excited to play in the tent and tunnel have a great weekend”

“Thursday”
Nina’s Caregiver: “Nina was singing E I E I O while building with Lego it was so cute! She really enjoyed our circle time songs too.”

“Thursday”
Nina’s Caregiver: ” Nina had a wonderful day. She had a lot of fun shaking the colored test tube shakers. She also enjoyed painting an orange ice cream with Miss Jillian.”

“Wednesday”
Nina’s Caregiver: “Nina had a great day. She spent a lot of time playing with the magnetic dress up doll’s. She tried very hard to cut with scissors this morning.”

“Thursday”
Nina’s Caregiver: ” Nina love playing on the big playground! She tried the climber the bikes in the steering wheel! Nina did a great job putting spots on her giraffe and she tried hard to use her thumb!”

“Wednesday”
Nina’s Caregiver: ” Nina had a great visit today! She enjoyed the water activities outside. Her favorite activities were painting the wall with water and playing with windup toys at the sensory table. She did say she wanted to see her other friends and mommy a few times but she seemed very comfortable over all and shed no tears!”

“Wednesday, July 11th”
Nina’s Caregiver: ” Nina enjoyed playing with a baby in dramatic play! When I asked her what she likes to do at the beach she said build a Sandcastle with mommy and daddy she had fun making a hand-print octopus this morning!”

“Thursday, July 12th”
Nina’s Caregiver: ” Nina had so much fun coloring with markers this morning! She played with Ava a lot! Nina was very talkative today and used her words very well. She did have some trouble with hitting and pushing her friends. Nina loves playing with Lego dinosaurs!”

“Friday, July 13th”
Nina’s Caregiver: ” Nina loves playing with Legos this morning on the circle rug with Miss Chelsea. They built houses and then made one big one together.”

“Wednesday, July 18th”
Nina’s Caregiver: “Nina had fun splashing her hands in a tub of water! She kept listening and looking up for airplanes when we were outside. Nina enjoyed painting the wall with water.”

“Thursday, July 19th”
Nina’s Caregiver: ” Nina tried so hard to hold her scissors the right way. She’s a great job cutting paper! She also built a sand castle at the sensory table. She enjoyed playing with fish at the flannel board and shared them so nicely with a friend.”

“Wednesday”
Nina’s Caregiver: ” Nina pretended to go on a school bus ride with me at the park! We even buckled our seatbelts! She loved chasing tennis balls and shared one so nicely with a friend.”

“TGIFriday”
Nina’s Caregiver: “When Ms. Joanna asked how many legs and octopus has Nina said “I have 45!” She enjoyed reading books and watching the little mermaid. She did a great job identifying animals in the movie!”

“7/11/12”
Ian’s Caregiver: ” Ian had a great day he really likes playing with the train tracks set. He didn’t eat any oatmeal at breakfast or any pasta for lunch.”

“7/12/12”
Ian’s Caregiver: ” Ian did not go in the sprinkler but enjoying dumping water and using the spray bottles.”

“7/13/12 Accident Report”
Ian’s Caregiver: ” He was climbing up the steps on the climber he tripped and fell on his right knee.”

“7/13/12”
Ian’s Caregiver: “Ian said he liked playing on the climber and going down the slides”

“7/19/12”
Ian’s Caregiver: ” Ian liked riding his bike for a second day”

July Video

Video, July 9th
On our trip to the Children’s Museum in GR, Nina sets the table with Ian. Listen for “I’m not ready! I still cooking dinner!” To see this video, click here.

Video, July 10th
Ok so this video is super big, clocking in at 20 MB… but well worth watching for Nina’s faces as we read a book about making faces. Please forgive Ian crying in the background. To see this video, click here.

Video, July 14th
Nina reading the “no no” book… She’s adorable in this one, check it out! To see this video, click here.

Video, July 10th and 15th
See Nina go from tackling a big wheel to riding on a bike with training wheels in a matter of days! To see this video, click here.

Video, July 16th
Ian and Nina attend Ian’s Tumble Time class! To see this video, click here.

Video, July 17th
Nina reads “What’s Up, Duck?” To see this video, click here.

Video, July 20th
Ian and I make faces in the bathroom mirror! To see this video, click here.

Video, July 21st
Ian and Nina do a little number at a shoe-store before heading off to rescue somebody! To see this video, click here.

Video, July 28th
Nina explains what’s happening while she’s playing… you’ll hear a lot about going to Java Gym, and heading to Target for snacks. To see this video, click here.