Signing OFF

I will not be posting to Milk & O's until at least the evening of September 5th, when my recertification exam will be finished. At that point, I'll tell you all about:

• Dinner in Maple Grove (with salad recipe)
• State Fair experience (with pictures, some taken by Mike)
• B's 18 month visit stats and follow up appointments....don't worry....
• how I am sure that I passed the PANRE with flying colors!!!

Annalise had a great phase-in hour at Little Flowers this morning. It was a good sign that this morning when I picked her up she asked, "do I get to come back here tomorrow?" She returns tomorrow for 2 hours, then we'll be attending the award ceremony at her last Little Gym class for awhile. Mike is going to Mankato on Friday to complete his Fantasy Football draft picks (I conned him into bringing the little dears), otherwise the weekend will be filled with studying, studying, and more studying. I'm going to bed right now, I've done enough studying for the night. Good bye for now, and I'll be in touch soon.....woah, that kind of freaks me out. I still have plenty of time to conquer endocrinology, don't I??? Okay, BYE.

HE WALKS!!!!

We're going to count today as the day that Bennett finally started walking. He's taken an isolated step here and there, but I saw him take at least four steps toward me this morning, and Mike watched B walk "at least 8 feet" when he was playing with the kids outside this afternoon. Of course no video camera was in sight. He did the exact same thing with crawling- I guess he's a procrastinator like his mother. He crawled the day before he turned 11 months, and now has walked the day before he is 18 months!!!

All grown up

My little yoga girl (doing tree pose)

All of a sudden, A has grown up. She looks like a little girl now, not a pudgy toddler. It happens so fast...

Double 3 for the Double E!

We've had a great day so far! We met our friends from 2 yr old Play Pals at the 32nd St beach at Lake Calhoun for a morning playdate. Both kids had so much fun; I have to remember that, and be better about going to parks more often. Then we ran through the drive through at McD's, and I avoided buying the happy meal (yay!), and B is having a car nap.

Tonight my friend Stokes and I are going to our friend Eric's birthday bash at St. Anthony Main. A great cover band, Orange Whip (http://www.orange-whip.com/), is playing, and I am planning on cutting loose and having college-like fun (although when you plan on it, it rarely happens, does it?)! Mike's parents will be home with the kids, and I feel like all is good for the rest of the weekend. Just fun, fun, fun. Double 3 for the Double E tonight, then playing with Hope, Jack, and the three kings in Maple Grove tomorrow afternoon/evening, and then Mike will be home Sunday (at the latest- he'll be home earlier if his team loses twice.)

Daddy's Biggest Fans

Who needs Legos? B and A were filling the dog dish, and then started making a tower with dog food. I taught B how to fill the dog's dish, and he was so proud to be doing something helpful. That was A's first chore also. We were playing upstairs earlier in the day, and A wanted us to dance in the rain, for which you need to wear a rain necklace (who knew). A got necklaces on all of us, but once we were finished with our dance, B would not let us take off his pearls!

My domestic boys! They can bring home the bacon, fry it up in a pan...

Gymtastic

Mike left around 10 this morning for Des Moines, AGAIN. He is pitching for a team from Appleton, WI. Mike's parents, sister, and nephew came to town Wednesday night, because his sister Sarah is showing a pig at the state fair. The funny thing is that A and B haven't seen Grandpa and Grandma F yet. They got here after the kids were asleep, and left the house before the kids woke up. Then they got back from the fair tonight about an hour after bedtime.
Gymnastics today was great. It's nice watching her be such a good listener! I can't believe A has only one more class until summer session is over. We are going to take a break from all extracurriculars, since she's starting Montessori after Labor day, and that runs 5 days a week. We'll have to see how tired she is after school, and what kinds of things we'll want to do for fun in the afternoons. I'm excited to finally have an ECFE class with little B. We'll have that class on Friday mornings, and then we might do a music class at MacPhail as well.

The Big 10!

Happy 10th Wedding Anniversary to our great friends Danielle and Mark! Keep up the good work!

Wednesday

Today, the kids and I had to get out of town! Mark and Chuck were working in the basement again today, moving the pipes up flush to the floor joists, and the kids were not at all happy with the noise (neither was Shug). We went to Kim's new house in Eagan, and met Addison, who was 5 weeks old today.

I suddenly have to buy all new everything for Miss A. Her pajamas don't even fit! Where would you suggest I buy shoes for her? I also have to buy some new shoes for B- maybe it will encourage him to try walking- but fortunately, I don't have to buy any clothes for him, since we are lucky to receive Charlie and George clothes. Although B better watch out, or Danielle will be calling for a return of the clothes because Henry has caught up with B!

A, B, and I are off to St. Peter, to pick up Mike's grandma, and bring her to the airport. Hope everyone is staying dry...


Aarhfhghghggh....so frustrating! Picking up Grandma went just fine, then we met Mike and drove to Humphrey terminal. Sun Country to D.C. was 2 hours late, so we went home for awhile. Traffic to the airport around 5 was hellacious!!! We finally figured out that all the traffic was so messed up because President Bush was flying in to town for a Coleman fundraiser. We actually saw his motorcade pass by, but that wasn't cool enough to make up for the awful standstill in traffic.

We are the runners-up, my friend...

We arrived home from Des Moines on Sunday evening, venturing through the floods and storms in Southeastern MN. Mike's team was in the championship game on Sunday afternoon, losing by a narrow margin in the final innings. Pretty impressive that they're the second best team on the continent (in their division). Mike is attempting to win every division at the NAFA World Series, therefore, he is returning to Des Moines this week (sans family) to pitch for a team from Appleton, Wisconsin.

Greetings from the Marriott

Hey all, I've plugged into the hotel's high speed, so I'm ready to tell you about our weekend. Mike's team was 3-0 until this afternoon, when they lost a heartbreaker 4-3. That puts them in the losers' bracket, starting with a game at 8 am tomorrow morning, and then they play back to back until (if) they lose. It was HOT, HOT, HOT today, but not a drop of rain, like I hear it's been doing back home. We have a really great suite, where everyone has their own sleeping space. I've actually gotten some nice studying done after the kids are asleep. We've had some nice pool time too. Eating has been okay- not the most nutritious, but not terrible. We have started a trend of afternoon snack ice cream sandwiches- they are so good! We had lunch with Melissa, Carter, and Kaylie, and will see them tomorrow too.

Softball weekend, again

We had a really nice day. A had her last day of Fun in the Sun, and B and I got a huge project done! We went to JoAnn's with our 60% off framing coupon, and framed our family portrait, as well as 8x10's of A and B. I'm really excited to see them completed- I think they'll look really sharp. After picking the frames, mattes, etc. we had to go to Sam's and pick up the enlargement of B I had ordered online. Then back to JoAnn's to drop off B's picture to be framed with the others. I went to Joann's first because they opened at 9, and Sam's didn't open until 10, and we had to be efficient with our time. Grandma J came over after lunch, and Mike and I did some furniture shopping for the basement. Then Grandma J and I went to Cafe Ena (Latin Fusion) for dinner. It was good, and very nice ambience. After our dinner, Grandma stayed home with the sleeping kiddos, and Mike and I went to Bourne Ultimatum. We love those movies! Tomorrow after Little Gym, we will hopefully be packed up and leaving for Des Moines. Have a great weekend everyone!

Hesitantly, I return

I'm back. I'm exhausted. I'm glad to be home. It's crazy how much I missed my little ragamuffins. B has been quite difficult since I've been back. I keep telling myself to be understanding, and just hold him more and give him more attention like he wants, but it is very wearing on me. Hope and Jack came over today, and we made some cards. I was actually amazed that we were able to get anything done at all, with the pumping, putting grumpy B down for naps, eating the lovely meals A served us, giving Jackson a bottle, etc.

"Holy fast weeks Batman!" / "On the contrary Boy Wonder, it was only five nights."

Well, it has been a good run. Mommy gets back tomorrow and The Daddy Solo Experiment is about to end. No major injuries, no appointments missed, sanity well intact, house still standing, and I'm still interested in Operation Early Retirement/stay-at-home-dad status.

The only thing we didn't get done this week was to get over to Maher/Klukow Estates so that A&B could play with the 3 Kings. Sounds like a good thing though. Illness has stricken the royal family. Get better soon little Henry.

We also have a seasoned TV personality in the family. A's gymnastics class was featured on Channel 11 today at 4 p.m. Some fluff piece on fighting summer boredom with your kids. Check out the replay online at www.kare11.com/onlive. Click on the "Kid Boredom Buster" picture in the middle of the screen in the video window. A has a cameo doing a perfectly executed forward roll. There is a few other random A sightings too if you pay close enough attention, but I'm sure to the typical observer it just looks like controlled chaos and all the kids look the same. If you pay extra attention you can even see yours truly and B milling around the observation lobby. I'm still kicking myself for not getting it on TiVo though. Silly daddy.

I've enjoyed the week in blogoshpere, especially reading everyone else's blogs. I'll have to make that a more regular practice since apparently no one keeps up with each other's current events via the spoken word anymore. It's blogtastic!

Stay cool in blogland everyone. As for me, it's back to being a lazy, softball addicted, inattentive, stereotypical dad who gets the luxury of leaving the house every day for the heaven of corporate life.

In closing, I'd like to thank the academy and the coutless individuals who helped me throughout the week. Team Enslin/Kenney - couldn't have done it without you. Teacher Lisa - A raves about Fun In The Sun. G&G Jacques - the overnight with the kids on Tuesday was critical to the flawless execution of The Daddy Solo Experiment. All you other bloggers out there - you know who you are - you were my window to the outside world. Anheuser Busch - how could I almost forget you. You are the best. Kate - thank you for believing in me and giving me this wonderful opportunity. And Marquette - your continued financial support is the straw that stirs the drink. Thanks again everyone. I love you all.

This is Bloggy Bloggerson blogging out.

I Love Them Redheads

Dumped the kids off in Prior Lake with G&G and it was off to the mall to buy a shiny shirt and tight jeans, stop at home to shower and fluff the chest hair, dig out the gold chains, and splash on some Brut. What a night at the clubs! As the great Alicia Bridges once sang, "I love the night life. I got to Boogie."

Seriously, do/did people do that? I loved Saturday Night Fever and Tony Manero as much as the next guy, but....

Actually, it was a good night. To whom it may concern, there was a UMM alumni event at the St. Paul Saints baseball game tonight and I was there, thanks to the chauffeuring efforts of Team Enslin/Kenney. First Saints game for me since the Summer of '99. Not much better than bad baseball, cold beer, perfect MN summer evening weather, and old friends. Made me remember fondly our days at UMM. For those enlightened few, ergo the "Dazed and Confused" reference for this blog post. I don't know how many times we watched that movie. Not by coincidence, I'm sure the UMM alumni association also mandated that the beers at the game be poured in clear plastic glasses and sold for a price of $4. However, I think they forgot to tell the concessions people that UMM alums could walk up to the keg for refills whenever they wanted one. Imagine my shock when they expected me to pay $4 every time. TJ and Skippy would have had much smaller crowds on Thursday nights if they ran that type of operation.

We can't wait for mommy to come home. Study hard and refresh that medical memory for the upcoming board exam. Then I can implement Phase 2 of my diabolical plan - Operation Early Retirement. Mommy works, kids go to school, daddy stays home to: 1) play fastpitch and 2) practice for the next World Series of Pop Culture. For those readers of Milk & O's not in the know, the World Series of Pop Culture is on VH1 and is the greatest game show of all time. I need a team of 3. Assuming myself and a certain someone currently residing in Houston are in, I need a 3rd. Preferrably someone who knows music post-1998. I can't take what the kids listen to these days.

It's a Bird, It's a Plane, No ...... It's Superdad

25+ hours since the matriarch of our family left for P.A.-apalooza in suburban Chicago and we are somehow still surviving. Of course the house is in utter chaos, we are eating M&M's with a side of ice cream at every meal, and there is not a vegetable in sight, but what else can be expected from a stay-at-home dad. Chipotle is on speed dial, the fridge is stocked with beer, the kids have been running around the backyard without clothes or sunscreen, and tonight we are all going to daddy's softball game to play in the dirt. This of course will be followed by going to the bar, running around while dad drinks beer and plays pull-tabs, and staying up until at least midnight. Just like that Parenting 101 class suggested.


Seriously, things have been going great. A had "Fun in the Sun" with the incomparable Teacher Lisa today and painted a Jackson Pollock-like masterpiece. Meanwhile B and Daddy went to the DMV and the bank before going home to nap, scratch ourselves, mow the lawn, and do other man things. Maybe on Wednesday when A has "Fun in the Sun" Day #2 B and I will try scotch, cigars, and picking up chicks at the park.


Yes, we did go out for lunch, but what is a dad gonna do? Today it was Schlotzsky's by Southdale where we unexpectedly ran into little Tommy Larsen's daddy. We proceeded to have what must have looked like the perfect Norman Rockwell alternative lifestyle lunch. Two men - two kids. Except my non-showered/shorts/t-shirt look was probably our saving grace. Mr. Larsen was dressed much better than I, and I clearly would not have been an acceptable partner.


That is our day so far. Silly mommy for thinking I would not blog while she was gone. Isn't that part of the job?


We miss you mommy. Hopefully Uncle G is keeping you in line while you are away. See you Friday night and/or Saturday morning.

Signing off (for now)

Tomorrow, I am headed to Chicago (Schaumburg, actually) for a week-long recertification exam review, which is VERY, VERY necessary for me to pass my board exam September 5th. Right now however, it feels like I'm heading off to prison. This will be the longest either Mike or I have been away from the children ever. It's going to be a very long time, and they'll grow up so much while I'm gone. B will for sure start walking, and Mike won't be in a hurry to grab the video camera either. I know that Mike will have a wonderful time being home, and the kids will have lots of fun too (and probably lots of Chipotle). I might try to post an entry from the hotel at night, but Mike said he'd keep up the blogging from the homefront (I'm not holding my breath).

Pop Up Camper Trial

Overall, we had a really good experience with the pop up camper. The kids slept really well all three nights, although they were more restless the first night because it was so cold. I ended up snuggling with B all night to keep both of us warm. Preston, MN is a nice little town, and the softball tournament was run really well. Mike's dad and brother, and old teammates got back together for this tournament, and I think they had a good time playing together again. We stayed at the Fillmore County Fairgrounds campground on Friday and Saturday nights, and it was nothing more than a mowed lawn with a fire pit and electric hook-up. The bathrooms were GROSS! Sunday after the tournament, we met Mike's aunt and uncle who live in Rochester, for lunch at Roscoe's (really good bbq), and then went exploring for where we'd set up camp for the night. We ended up at Nerstand Big Woods State Park, and it was beautiful- a night and day comparison to the fairgrounds. We made hobos (hamburger, potatoes, carrots, cheese, and onion in tinfoil) on the fire, and toasted marshmallows for s'mores (after B was asleep- sorry B).

After dropping the camper off at the rental place Monday morning, our week proceeded as usual. A, B, and I stayed over night at Grandma J's (Grandpa was out of town), and went to Mall of America the next day for Toddler Tuesday. Wednesday we stayed cool by taking a Target trip to buy clay. Thursday was a busy, fun day. A had a great time at gymnastics (she jumped three times across the balance beam!), and afterwards we went to Danielle and Mark's for a playdate with Charlie, George, Henry, Hope, Hailey, and Jackson. All of the kids played really well together, and had a blast. Then we headed home for dinner with my parents, Steve, Bridget, and Maren. They came to town for a wedding up at Steve's cabin, but came early so Bridget could interview with some labs at the U of M for her post-doc.