Out of their Minds Design

Florida Summer 2011, Part I

Melissa and I really did need a vacation. Melissa was watching the kids a lot while I was finalizing my contest entry… and I was busy finalizing my contest entry. And the day after the contest deadline, we were at the airport, ready for a break!

July 16th, and we’re on the plane! Ian doesn’t seem to remember his earlier plane rides, but I think he’ll remember this one for awhile. “Are we ready for blast off?” asked Ian, on the runway. “They call it ‘take off’ on a plane instead of ‘blast off,'” I replied. “Why?” Ian asked. “Because hopefully there’s no fire or explosions.” See this image larger.

Ian said the classic line “Here we go look at all the little people! They look like bugs!” See this image larger.

Ian made me take this shot, I think. See this image larger.

Nina spent a whole lot of time like this. Standing around, wiggling, laying on the floor. She likes to fidget. See this image larger.

Ian mostly did this. See this image larger.

Nina did sleep for a little bit, though! See this image larger.

Grampa Ray and Gramma Barb picked us up at the airport, and here’s two kids happy to be in a min-van! See this image larger.

Although apparently Nina did like the idea of flying… “MMMNNNNNNRRRRRRRR…..” See this image larger.

If Nina looks exceedingly happy, it might be because this is her first time facing forward in a vehicle! See this image larger.

Ok, we made it to Gramma and Grampa’s! *ZZZZzzzzz* (To be honest, I’m not sure if this is where this picture fits into our story.) See this image larger.

Kaylee and Ian wrap up the evening with a nice cup of water and some scooby! See this image larger.

Grampa Ray and Grandma Barb got Nina this awesome chair! See this image larger.

Nina did not seem to want to let it go! See this image larger.

*Hey guys, have you seen my chair?* See this image larger.

Nina tries to figure out what a laptop is… See this image larger.

Alright you two, enough Scooby, time for bed! See this image larger.

Images That Time (Almost) Forgot, Part II

June 3rd, and Ian’s class ended up at our local zoo; they have a playground, apparently! I did not know that! See this image larger.

Ian checks out a sculpture that used to be in the Grand River for Artprize, a competition for artists in the area. See this image larger.

Posed specifically for Grandma Sue… see? Monkey shirt in front of the monkey exhibit! See this image larger.

I was not on the zoo trip, unfortunately. Or maybe fortunately… right after this shot was taken some of the larger kids here hurt Ian. I probably would have embarrassed myself screaming at them. See this image larger.

June 14th, in our own backyard. See this image larger.

A moment of peace! See this image larger.

A pathway near the river in downtown Rockford… nicely railed in. A great place to let the kids run free for a few moments. See this image larger.

Go lil’ girl! See this image larger.

*This is a support column.* See this image larger.

June 16th, 2011, Ian’s first real dental cleaning. See this image larger.

Those are some sweet shades! See this image larger.

How did he do? Ridiculously awesome. See this image larger.

He got so relaxed he even crossed his legs when he kicked back, like he was on a beach chair! See this image larger.

Bonus prize! See this image larger.

June 18th, 2011. Our sleeping beauty! See this image larger.

June 24th, 2011. This was the last day of Nina’s first classroom. See this image larger.

Kelly, Nina’s primary care-giver at daycare says good-bye… We also got a nice note, blanket and book from Michelle, another care-giver who grew close to Nina during her stay. See this image larger.

June 30th, Nina takes her meal quietly at the corner table on her first day in the new classroom. She looks a little lonely to me. :-/ See this image larger.

July 8th, 2011. If you’re a pretty good kid in Ian’s class, you get your name on the green apple instead of the yellow or red. If you go above and beyond the call of duty, you get on the purple star. That’s Ian’s name there on the purple star! See this image larger.

July 11th, Mommy takes Ian to Tumble Time! See this image larger.

Nina escapes from Tumble Time! See this image larger.

July 12th, Daddy naps. See this image larger.

July 14th, Ian attends Isaac’s birthday party! See this image larger.

They played fun games like this one, where they built lego toys in an assembly line! See this image larger.

That’s it! We’re caught up to the Florida trip! Get ready for fun in the sun, next entry!

Images That Time (Almost) Forgot, Part I

Well, we’re almost caught up to the Florida trip! Before we go there, however, I wanted to show some images that are from Melissa’s laptop, her phone, and Melanie’s camera… these are shots that are from all over chronologically that I didn’t have access to when they fit in our story. So it is time for a two-part entry of flashbacks!

April 1st, 2010. See this image larger.

April 2nd, 2010; I’m pretty sure these are from a trip to Ohio that I did not partake in… Looks like the ladies had fun! See this image larger.

A full year later, April 29th, 2011. Ian and Nina investigate Kaylee’s car! See this image larger.

Looks like Nina has Minnie Mouse ears! See this image larger.

I love this shot of Nina. She looks like she has the confidence to take that thing off-roadin’! See this image larger.

Crazy cousins, and Ian’s got Nina in a choke-hold. See this image larger.

This chair must be for watching Connor playing soccer! See this image larger.

*Bye-bye cousins, see you again soon!* See this image larger.

*I’m taking this with me though, sorry! (Just kidding!)* See this image larger.

Nina-Pic-Marathon, Part II

Bathtime with Bozo hair on July 11th! See this image larger.

Baby Ian or baby Nina? It is Nina, of course! We’re in the Nina-Pic-Marathon! See this image larger.

Careful with the pointy end! (Although the other end poops, so whatever. 😉 ) See this image larger.

Shampoo shields are up! See this image larger.

Part of me wants to write “Mecca Lecca Hai Mecca Heiny Ho.” Part of me wants to write “AND IIIIIIIIIIEEEEEIIIIII WILL ALWAAAAYSS LOOOOVE YOOOOUUUUOOOOOoooOOOO!” See this image larger.

Glad we got through the hat thing. See this image larger.

Chewy! See this image larger.

*Oh magic lever… make more water… now! Now? Now!!* See this image larger.

Dry off time! See this image larger.

Almost there… See this image larger.

There we go, ladies! See this image larger.

*Totally going to flush this and see if my diaper somehow dries out.* See this image larger.

She’s big into her toothbrush for some reason… loves brushing her teeth! See this image larger.

Stop me if you’ve already heard that Nina loves Elmo. Isn’t this an adorable pic? See this image larger.

Elmo loves you too, Nina. See this image larger.

*Elmo sorry, Nina! Dorothy means nothing to Elmo!!! Please put Elmo down!* (That’s only funny if you can think it in an Elmo voice, and know that Dorothy is his pet goldfish whom he also loves.) See this image larger.

(In Elmo’s voice) *Kiss kiss! HA-HA HA-HA-HA!* See this image larger.

Nina-Pic-Marathon, Part I

Tired of all those non-toddler Chapmans stealing all the limelight? It’s time for Nina, and only Nina, for two entries! Everybody chant “NI-NA-NI-NA-NI-NA…” Nina, why are you chanting “EL-MO?” Let’s begin!

July 10th, just look at how well she’s holding that crayon! See this image larger.

She inspects the page… *Hmm, no this one won’t do.* See this image larger.

*THIS is a good one. See? Has Elmo.* See this image larger.

*Page approved. I will now begin coloring.* See this image larger.

Have I mentioned the Nina loves Elmo? See this image larger.

Ladies and Gents, I believe I mentioned some dresses just seem to be made for Nina? This is one of those. See this image larger.

Look at how graceful! See this image larger.

She does a little spin on the catwalk… See this image larger.

*Off the shoulder? This IS an evening party, why not!* See this image larger.

*Are these the right shoes, Mommy?* See this image larger.

All in a day’s work to look so beautiful… See this image larger.

Almost a perfect pose… See this image larger.

And there’s your winner! Adorable, punkin! Probably worth a look larger -> See this image larger.

See you all in part II of the Nina-Pic-Marathon!!! (Mommy, go sit in time out for sneaking into the Nina-Pic-Marathon!) See this image larger.

Independence Week 2011

The fourth of July! Yay! See this image larger.

*Peek* See this image larger.

Bruised bathing beauty! I don’t even remember which bonk that was. Like Ian at this age, she’s collecting them. See this image larger.

I guess she wants more water? See this image larger.

July 5th, we got out the potty seat so that Nina might get used to seeing it around, etc… Ian put the inner bucket on his head. See this image larger.

This is one of those things where, as a dad… you say “Get that off your h– Wait a minute. (Get camera. Click.) Alright now get that off your head.” See this image larger.

July 8th, who is that, Nina? Oh right, Elmo! See this image larger.

It was “funny hair day” at daycare… See this image larger.

He’s still pretty cute, isn’t he? Just wanna pinch that cheek! See this image larger.

Are you ready for the Nina Pic Marathon? Next entry the fun begins!

Outside Fun, Part 2: Neighborhood

The morning did start off indoors, like all our mornings, but we got outside eventually… So let’s start off indoors too: last Christmas we bought Ian a cool book that came with extra parts that can be assembled like a robot in the story. I loved the look of this video and realized it was rife with opportunity for some special effects at the end. (So the last few seconds are my handiwork… I could have done a much better job, but I limited myself to making it passable.)

Video
Click here to see Ian building his bot with a special surprise at the end!

Of course I had to show this to Ian, because I figured he’d think it was, if nothing else, surprising… so we’re going to ignore the canon of chronological order and temporarily zoom forward to August 1st to see Ian’s reaction to the special effects. (If you listen carefully, you can hear the servos so you know when Ian’s seeing the movement.) It should also be noted that he’s seeing it much larger than what shows up here on the blog.

Video
Click here to see Ian react to the above video on August 1st.

Ok back to July 3rd, and we’re outside playin’! See this image larger.

Slip ‘N Slide didn’t quite work out as expected. It is really difficult to explain to a 4 year old that he needs to get velocity, and then land in a forward motion with an inflatable sled under your body. So I threw him. He loved it. See this image larger.

*Uh, you’re not going to throw ME, right Daddy?* See this image larger.

*And now for a wagon ride all the way around the block! Alright everybody pile in!* See this image larger.

*We’re a quarter of the way there… Walk the wagon time, everybody pile out, but hold hands.* See this image larger.

*Alright now is the part of the wagon ride where we ride our parents instead…* See this image larger.

*Ok nows the part of the wagon ride where we walk separately. Aaaand, we’re home!* See this image larger.

The sun sets on July 3rd… and it is as beautiful as the day was. See this image larger.

Outside Fun, Part I: School Park Trip

Every park has a nickname from Ian… this one is called “the red park” I’m pretty sure. It is hard for me to keep track.

On June 29th, Ian’s daycare class invited us to come have dinner with them at a local park with the students and teachers from his class.

Ian prepares for his decent. See this image larger.

Hellooooo? See this image larger.

Nina carefully stands… See this image larger.

Looking cute! See this image larger.

Ian gained a friend… so Daddy had to push two kids and try to take this picture at the same time! See this image larger.

Here she goes! See this image larger.

Look at her go!! See this image larger.

Go pumpkin! See this image larger.

Almost here! See this image larger.

She did it! See this image larger.

Time to start again! See this image larger.

Hangin’ Out at Home

NEWS – Have you been wishing for a new banner or two? How about 111? Done. Feel free to keep hitting refresh if you want to see them all! 😉

June 27th, and it was a quiet day at home with Daddy… but was it really quiet? Probably not.

Picnic! See this image larger.

Video
Click here to see and hear Nina walking around in her favorite socks!

June 28th, and there’s more fun at home to be had this day, with Mommy! Child labor laws only apply if the kid gets paid, I think! 😉 See this image larger.

Based mostly on observation of Mommy or maybe Daddy, Ian ended up being pretty darn good with a vacuum! See this image larger.

Hi peanut! (This is a great shot, see it larger! -> ) See this image larger.

*And this is how you get out, Nina!* DOOMP. See this image larger.

*Daddy’s upside-down!* (Have I mentioned that Ian says the opposite of upside-down is side-up-right?) See this image larger.

They obviously had a lot of fun with the laundry basket. See this image larger.

The concept of the “stinky sock” has somehow become the pinnacle of hilarity around our home. You can see one floating in a pre-attack stance here. See this image larger.

*Hoooo boy that’s funny stuff!* See this image larger.

Visiting the East-Side Chapmans!

On June 25th we got up as bright and early as we could and rambled over to the east side of the state to see Gramma Marcia, Great Grandma Betty, and Grampa Dave!

A couple things to talk about before we start! Grandma Marcia hurt her foot about a week before this visit, and really messed up her toe bone. That’s why she’s in the cast and not necessarily in pictures outside or doing gymnastics, etc. Another thing to mention is that slightly before this trip, Nina started to fall in love with Elmo, the furry red monster from Sesame Street. This fact does not figure into the images you’ll see of this trip, but I wanted to mention it because there is an Elmo doll at Grampa Dave/Gramma Marcia’s house, and they probably got to start to see that love beginning to blossom.

Ian shows Grampa Dave something cool on Mommy’s iPad. See this image larger.

Grampa Dave shows Ian the finer points of robot-to-plane transformation! See this image larger.

A tradition that goes as far back as I can remember! See this image larger.

I almost got everybody smilin’! Ian’s at one of those ages where he has to be pretty heavily bribed or persuaded. See this image larger.

Grandma Marcia helps Nina with her shoes, but Nina wonders who is going to help Gramma Marcia with her big white boot?!? (It was quite the cast! The kids got to write something on it later!) See this image larger.

A quick shot of Ian, Nina and Great Grandma Betty… GG Betty quickly realized Nina’s left the days of baby weight far behind her! See this image larger.

Ian giggles his way through some tickles. See this image larger.

*INside. INside, Daddy. Ok, put down the camera…. come over here… open this door, yes this one. And let me inside. Ok?* See this image larger.

A nice outside shot before we had to say good-bye! We have you in our prayers Grandma Marcia, quick-heals! See this image larger.

Also wanted to mention that the day I am typing up this entry is July 31st… It has already been one full year in our new home. We love it here. Thanks to all for being supportive.

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