Sunday, April 25, 2010

What a Zoo!

During spring break last month, I decided to take advantage of the unseasonably warm weather and take the kids to the zoo for the first time this year. I thought with it being spring break that most people wouldn't be there, since Chicago schools and several suburban ones had spring break the week before. Boy, was I wrong!

I have never, ever seen so many people at the zoo before. It took us 40 minutes to get off at the exit into the parking lot of the zoo. And that was only 2 miles. We left the house at 9:15 and didn't get out of the car until 11:20. The kids were troopers in the car. And then entering the zoo was a mess as well, as there was a huge line; even though we had membership passes, we still had to wait in line.

Cheesing it up.

The kids were great for the entire time we were there. We didn't stay long, because everyone was at the zoo and it was difficult to see everything. We didn't even make it to the kids' zoo. But I told the kids that we would definitely be back several times this year, especially since the big bear exhibit is opening in a few weeks and the dolphins are returning this summer.

The giraffe pics for Uncle D.

The giraffes were able to head outside the next week.

While we were walking around the zoo, Papa called and asked if we wanted to stop by his house after the zoo. That made the kids beyond excited, so we made our way to the front of the zoo, so the kids could enjoy their carousel ride. That was a bit of an issue: because there were so many people there, I had to make sure the kids were seated near each other so I could keep an eye on them. Riley ended up on an animal that wasn't going up and down, so I said there was one next to me that she could ride. Some grandma next to me said they were going to use it, so Riley went back to her immobile animal. Turns out that the grandma and her group didn't use the animal that was going up and down. Hence Riley's face in the following picture:

I wonder if this is how Riley will spend
a majority of her teenage years.
For the record, Jeremy gave Riley a hug after the carousel ride
and said he was sorry other people weren't nice.

But Jeremy had fun on his. I promised Riley that next time she'd get an animal that moved. Overall, we had a nice time and were able to enjoy the record temps (it was 84 degrees on April 1!). I'm feeling more confident going to the zoo with just the two of them. They kept remembering aspects about the zoo that reminded them of Uncle D: how he met us on the grass outside the zoo and was lying down, how he'd sit on the lion outside the zoo to take pictures, how he'd take them through the elephant sprayer. So Uncle D: you better make sure you can make the annual zoo trip with us in August!

After the zoo, we headed over to Papa's and spent some time with him since Nana had left for Lebanon to see C + D. We decided to go out for dinner on our way home; it was a wonderful, if not chaotic day.

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Happy Birthday, Papa

Today is my dad's birthday. I'm glad to know that he's finally legal and can enjoy the things that 21 year olds can enjoy. I know he's feeling melancholy about this year's birthday, but I want him to know that age is only a number. It's funny how the kids just seem to get older, yet us parents just stay the same age. :)

My dad has always been one of my biggest fans. When I didn't make the seventh-grade basketball team, I didn't want to disappoint him, so didn't tell him for a few days. Of course he wasn't mad--he just wanted me to succeed in whatever I did.

During either my junior or senior year of high school, he was the only parent to make the hour-plus drive and travel to Waukegan to watch us play a very bad Waukegan team in soccer. Another time he held up a sign that said, "Yea Darcy" when I marched in band for the Memorial Day parade. When I had knee surgery, he was the one who took me home and got me some milkshakes to make me feel better. He surprised me during my soccer playing days in college to make the drive to Peoria and brought said "Yea Darcy" sign to cheer me on. He's the one who knows what food will cheer me up and make my tummy happy. He's the one who gets my kids excited about all things hockey (and buying them hockey jammies and has little inside jokes with them (for the longest time, Riley was convinced that one of Papa's favorite animals is an X-Ray fish).

I love my dad dearly, even though he can at times be a stubborn guy. I tend to get my stubbornness from him. There were times growing up when we butted heads and didn't get along. But through it all, I love being a daddy's girl. I hope Riley has a similar relationship with Phil when she gets older.

Happy birthday, Daddio. I love you.

Holding Riley when she was about one month old.

Reading a book to Jeremy (who is wearing
his Oilers shirt) and Monkey George.

Saturday, April 17, 2010

Jeremy's Actual Birthday

Yes, I'm a mere 19 days behind my second-born's birthday, but life just gets in the way. :)

Anyway, Jeremy's birthday landed on a Tuesday this year during spring break. And how did we celebrate? By taking mom for her annual physical at the doctor's office! Fun times. And what was even better than that? The fact that the receptionist never let the nurses know that I had arrived. So instead of a nice 9 am appointment, I was called in around 10. And to add insult to injury, I had fasted for a blood draw after my appointment, so I was a tad starved! But the kids cooperated and did wonderful while mom was checked over. (Everything looks good, according to the blood test and doctor's assessment.)

We then headed to the park to enjoy the seasonably warm weather. The kids were beyond excited to be outside and run around for a bit. We went home, had some lunch, and then headed to Cold Stone Creamery for some free ice cream for both Jeremy and myself (since my birthday was just a few days later). Riley was bummed that she didn't get any free ice cream, even though I reminded her that her birthday is not in March or April. Being the nice mom that I am, I let Riley eat most of my ice cream.

Riley is my monkey.

Jeremy sliding.

Enjoying my ice cream.

Jeremy enjoying his chocolate ice cream with Oreos.

Chilling with the birthday boy on the driveway.

Jeremy chose macaroni and cheese baked in the oven for dinner, and we had a few leftover cupcakes from his party for dessert. We opened presents, and he was BEYOND excited for one of his presents. Bet you can't guess which one.

With his Cars car wash that changes the cars colors.


Opening something hockey related...
I bet he has no idea what it is...

Oh, it's a hockey stick!

Posing with Dad.

Siblings.



Busting out the hockey net to test out his new stick.

Watch out Uncle D!

The 4-year-old nephew is ready for you!

I had to attend a class at church that evening, but I was able to get out of it early so I could tuck the little guy in. Crazy to think that it's been 4 years since I've had a son. And what a ride it's been. Can't wait to see what the next years have in store. I love you, buddy!

Monday, April 12, 2010

Jeremy's Birthday Party

As mentioned, we had the annual Easter egg hunt the morning of Jeremy's birthday. Then we hurried back so we could finish cleaning the house and making the food. The kids were beyond excited, asking us every so often how many more minutes would people be arriving.

The festivities began around 2, and we all had a wonderful time chatting and catching up. We usually have the same people at our parties, so everyone knows each other. We were all celebrating our dear friends' recent adoption of their baby boy, who Riley wanted to hold. (Don't worry, I got plenty of baby time in!)

Riley and baby Christian.

We all enjoyed delicious appetizers and a funky cake (the design didn't turn out as good as I anticipated, but it's a cake and gets eaten, so who cares!). Jeremy thoroughly enjoyed all of his presents except for one. Seems that Uncle D thought it would be funny to give Jeremy a Cubs shirt. Jeremy opened it an immediately said "Ew, CUBS! I don't want this!" See, we're a Sox family through and through out here. We're not blaming Casey for this present, as it has Uncle D's name written all over it.

It was yet another successful birthday party, and we were all exhausted once it ended. Jeremy actually fell asleep on the couch around 5:30, and we had a hard time waking him up for dinner. Needless to say the kids had no problem going to sleep that night. Or the parents!

The boys: cousin Ethan (right) and good friend Jonathan.

Ethan trying to see the present.

Jeremy opening presents wearing his 4-candle hat from preschool.

The funky race car cake. It didn't turn out, but it tasted good!

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Easter Egg Hunt


It never fails. Every year we plan Jeremy's birthday party, and every year the village has its annual Easter egg hunt that morning. It wouldn't be so bad if the event happened at a normal hour, and not at 8 am! For such a night owl like myself, that's torture. It didn't help, either, that our neighbors held a neighbor night the night prior, but we excused ourselves early in the evening so we could get some rest.

As always, the kids had a blast at the egg hunt. It's done so well, with the baseball field and playground divided into 2-year age groups. Phil took Riley to hers and Jeremy was at his. Both kids found good friends of theirs (who are siblings), and the parents were able to talk and keep warm.

The kids ready for eggs.

Riley and her best friend Lauren.

The egg hunt was over rather quickly--each child is allowed 10 eggs--and then the kids wanted to play on the playground. Phil waited near the entrance to see if we won any prizes from the drawing, but we walked away empty-handed this year. What I really liked was the village asked families to recycle the eggs. In years past we've always just recycled them in our recycle bins, so less clutter for us this year!

Jeremy gathering his eggs.

Showing off his mad skills.