Those Chapmans – Page 119 – Out Of Their Minds Design

October 30th, the Never-Ending Day!

So Melissa was letting me get away with whatever I wanted to do for my birthday, which has somehow stretched out into a month-long event. Hey, you only turn 40 once, am I right? Sadly yes, I’m right. Anyway. As a family, we made October 30th last a good long time, and it was a wonderful day as a result.

The day started by Daddy and Ian getting to go on a boy’s adventure! We went to see Hubble 3D at an IMAX theater. This is a really bad picture that was taken in the complete darkness with no flash. If you squint at it, you’ll see Ian slack-jawed at the incredible visuals. See this image larger.

We both looked pretty stylish in our 3D glasses. He may not look happy here, but I think he’s sick of me taking his picture all the time. In reality, he had a blast. It was such an amazing father/son moment to take him to the movies with me… the best word I can come up with to describe it is just “important.” It brought back childhood memories of seeing Star Wars and Close Encounters of the Third Kind with MY dad. And to see little Ian with a hand outstretched, trying to grab a 3D star passing by… or trying to capture one in a clap like a firefly… was the best birthday present anybody could have given me. Thank you Melissa! See this image larger.

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BONUS VIDEO!!! — In case you don’t believe me about Ian’s enthusiasm, here’s some wonderful proof. This is in the lobby after the movie, and it runs a bit long, sorry. Click here to watch the video.
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That same day we decided to go grab a pumpkin, so back to Robinette’s we went! Ian had a blast on the slide, and we met up with Mommy and Nina. See this image larger.

Finally, on that same day, we went to Meijer Gardens to see the final day of the Chihuly exhibit. I know, I know… who? I kept wanting to call him Chipotle. Chihuly is a glass blower, and he makes some beautiful sculpture. Here’s some pics! See this image larger.

As simple as this was, I think it was my favorite. The colors were brilliant. Melissa liked a similar one in red that was right on the side of a grassy hill. See this image larger.

Pretty cool, don’t you think? See this image larger.

I walked my feet right off, to be honest. I guess I need to get out more. See this image larger.

Finally it was time to wrap up the day with a tea party! See this image larger.

Nina has a bit of a rustic look going on that seems to match well with the setting… she looks like a server at a lumberjack lodge or something. *Jah, guut morgen, keen I git u dissert? Ve haff plastick deesh. You eet it.*See this image larger.

Ian and Nina’s Halloween Party!

October 29th, and it is time to party!!! See this image larger.

And yes, Ian looks cute in his Buzz Lightyear costume, but I have an even bigger bombshell to drop! World Premiere of Nina’s awesome kitty costume!!! See this image larger.

Oh would you look at that little kitty in the high chair!!! So cute! See this image larger.

Purrrr! Purrrrrr! See this image larger.

Mommy and Ian pose for a quick pic while waiting in line to go to the next room full of activities and games! Don’t get me wrong, I think Ian looks adorable as well, but that’s just the first phase of his Buzz costume. You’ll see the fully operational awesomeness on our Halloween entry! See this image larger.

Can’t believe how awesome the coincidence was that Ian decided on Buzz, and Connor’s old costume was a perfect, perfect fit. Great party everybody! See this image larger.

Just throwing this in for posterity… by now I was climbing on the swingset in the backyard to try to get a better view of the damage on the roof, not knowing it was going to be a “total loss.” Ah well, life goes on, right? See this image larger.

October, Part XII

On October 23rd, Mommy took the kids to the mall to look for birthday presents for Daddy’s upcoming 40th, and there turned out to be some fun to be had as well!!! Here I imagine Nina pretending to be a used car salesperson. *You like this beauty? (conk conk) yeah she’s built solid alright. A real gem. 20 grand.* See this image larger.

As I was not there I can only assume that this means “This machine takes 2 quarters” or “I need two beers to go with my hot dogs.” See this image larger.

And this one is either “I don’t want to ride in Clifford the big red dog, I want to ride in the airplane,” or “Nina is touching my Clifford.” Nina might be saying *You like this beauty? (conk conk) yeah he’s build solid alright. A good dog. 30 grand.* See this image larger.

And this is the only other thing I know about the trip. A small airplane was purchased, and a hamburger was hastily consumed. Ian eating a store-bought hamburger is pretty rare… See this image larger.

From my notes:

We were waiting in the parking lot of the bank, Ian, Nina and I…
Ian – Whars mommy buying in the bank?
Me – Shes getting money
Ian – It says money up there. See? Mon eee.
Me – Lol that actually says something else. “Western Union.”
Ian – uh nnn ehh ah nnn.
Me – GOOD BOY!!! (You may not understand that, but that’s him using phonetics to sound out the word “Union.” It means he’s one step closer to reading.)

I told Ian he was being a backseat driver at one point.
He then recounted a story Grampa Dave told us about weeks earlier wherein the differing size of his trucks had led him to be a literal backseat driver for a few moments.

Ian – Shew! I ran out of breathing.

On October 24th Ian had some friends over to play including Scott and Elena’s daughter Rowen. Casey came over too from down the street! See this image larger.

I think they wore him out a little. See this image larger.

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BONUS AUDIO!!! — On October 25th, I interviewed Ian for about 8 minutes, and am posting it here. It is actually pretty hilarious. Example: “What is your favorite football team?” “Daddy and Nina are my favorite football team, kicking balls.” You should be able to listen to it by clicking here.
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October 26th, Ian had been asking for a demonstration of this device for days… an apple peeler! Mommy actually let him use it and he had a blast! Nina practiced her management skills. See this image larger.

See how quick? Boom, naked apple. See this image larger.

October 27th, Halloween was closing in fast, how fast? Fast enough that the kids at daycare gave each other some important Halloween tips. I think my 2nd favorite is “Don’t hold your basket upside down,” but my favorite is Ian’s “Stay with mom and dad.” Good boy! See this image larger.

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BONUS VIDEO!! — On October 27th, I started having a bit of a mid-life crisis, I guess. I was on my way home from a meeting and passing by daycare. I picked up Ian early and went to the park with him. (Jean, if you’re reading this, I made up for the hours later… it is only sunny enough to play during the day, turns out 😉 ) Click here to watch a video from that fun, windy day! (This might also have been the windy night that subsequently destroyed our roof.)
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