Thursday, July 24, 2008

A conversation in the home office in our kitchen:

Mommy: Do you know who this is (pointing to a picture of Obama on the google home page)?...Barack Obama?
Annalise: Yeah, but I want John McCain.
Bennett: I want Barack Obama.



P.S. Notice that the baby ticker above has dipped below 100 days- WOAH!

Easing my way back in....

Don't expect miracles, and for sure don't be holding your breath for witty repartee. I am exhausted. After a refreshing, low-key visit to see Jen, Ben, and Andy, we had a fun family camping trip in Paynesville, MN. This was followed by another weekend of camping/fastball tournament in Preston, MN. That last day in Preston was what did me in, I think.

Annalise started summer school for the next two weeks- the theme is Art Week- totally up her alley. We have been doing some car shopping over the past several days. Not totally sure of what we're looking for, but I think when it happens, it's going to happen quickly (like going into labor with your third baby??). Today on the way to checking out an area car dealer, we told Annalise that we were going to stop at Byerly's to pick up some dinner, rather than go to a restaurant. I think it would be hard to be Annalise, since she makes things seem so difficult, but maybe it comes naturally to her. She came up with an instant reason why we shouldn't go to Byerly's, since her preference is always to go to a restaurant. Without skipping a beat, she said, "but Byerly's smells." "What, Byerly's smells? (I'm sure they'd love to hear that); What does it smell like?" "Tilapia." I guess it really must to her, because she didn't forget about the conversation on our way through Edina. She hit the grocery cart, and had her nose plugged with her fingers the whole time we were in there. "See what I mean?" Annalise said.

P.S. Annalise requested white rice from Byerly's for supper. Annalise would like to move somewhere where she could eat rice everyday. She thinks Russia would be just the place.

Population Control

I did my part today. Did you? So I bring A & B to Chipotle for lunch today to meet EE & KK. We had a great morning and the kiddos were excited to see them. It was E this and K that all the way there in the car. We get there a few minutes early, order our food, EE & KK are a few people behind us in line, we settle into our table/booth, lunch commences, a little bit is eaten, A & B are both being a little shy, then ..... boom - the kids turn on the Captain Insane-o switch. Awesome. (Note to readers: If EE & KK get hitched and procreate after the display they witnessed from A & B today, God bless them. I'll take full credit for displaying the joys of parenthood.)

Then I get A & B in the car to leave, play the heavy, and they return to the perfect little kids I know they are for the rest of the day. Hey, at least I got a burrito and a fountain Coke. Catching up with EE & KK will have to wait for next time. By the way, welcome back from across the pond EE, you bloody bloke wanker limey ..... I'm running out of English terminology.

Animal House

That is what we had today. So the "if you can't beat em', join em'" cliche came into play and we went to the zoo. Mostly because the kids wanted to, but Kate's skepticism that I would actually do something that she suggested while she was gone also came into play a little bit. Very fun time. We saw the new grizzly exhibit, diligently collected all the stamps on the MN Trail, discussed our favorite nocturnal animals ad nauseam, ..... The only issues with the trip were the hotter than the surface of the sun temperature and the random summer camp groups running around. Note to area residents: Batman/The Dark Knight is apparently showing at the zoo's IMAX. Definitely worth consideration for those of you that go to movies more than once a year. Kate and I went to the last Superman there. Excellent.

Mommy will be happy to know that we have mixed in a few vegetables over the past few days. Superdad has pushed the carrots and corn, and the picky offspring have bought into it. The chances of selling anything green continue to be slim however. Also mommy, we have not even been to Chipotle yet, but I'm afraid that claim will no longer be valid after lunchtime tomorrow.

Stay cool bloggers. I'm off to dreamland after a great day of parenting. That is until A has her first issue of the night at least.

OMG LOL and all that BS

That's right. Mrs. F is out of town and Mr. F. is back in the blogosphere at the helm of Milk & O's. I am dedicating this blog post to the wonders of technology and human engineering. If only those individuals in this photo realized what they were pioneering. Where would Mrs. F be without the world wide web and the outlet it provides? Blogs, email, orbitz, imdb, google, and the greatest evil of all, EBay. However, selling my baseball cards online is going to take some more convincing dear.

In case you didn't know, Mrs. F (accompanied by "Towny A$$" and "Yay War") is in beautiful Portland, OR this week visiting the Stokesfelter Clodbary family and the latest addition to our group, young Benjamin, or should I say Mini Ron. Grandpa Stokes must be proud. Based on the photos I've seen, I think he has a clone.

As for me, my idyllic life of spending the days doing nothing at the office except for going out to lunch and spending my nights at softball games is on hold this week. I'm sure Mrs. F thinks I'm doing house projects, long-delayed basement woodwork, etc., but how can I with all the duties of the stay-at-home parent. These kids of ours actually expect me to make breakfast, lunch, and dinner for them. Can you believe the audacity? Not to mention the pressure of blogging, feeding the dog, planning for weekend getaways, watching John & Kate Plus 8, managing candy and desert distribution, ..... Can't wait until Friday for Mrs. F to come home. This cross is nearly too much to bear. Take it easy on her out there in OR ladies. We need her back renewed and refreshed.

I only kid. We miss you Mrs. F. Have a great week.

Outta Here!

I'm heading to Oregon tomorrow morning, through Thursday night. It hit me tonight as I was cleaning up dinner dishes, that I won't be feeding my children another meal until sometime Friday!!! Woohoo!!! That in itself will be more than enough vacation for me. I have a whole new respect for my mom, who made supper night after night for all those years (and still is).

Maybe there will be some posts on Milk and O's by a guest blogger??......stay tuned.

Twenty Two Weeks

Annalise took these photos of me, so I could show my beautiful girth! I'm really enjoying all of the summer maternity tops I bought. Luckily I still can wear some of my normal shorts, as I only have 4 pairs of stretch panel/draw string shorts. My heartburn has been tremendous, and it feels like it's come on much earlier this time around (must be a babe with a headful of hair- that's what I've read heartburn indicates). Otherwise, I am feeling on top of the world!

Busy June

We had our 20 week ultrasound recently, and everything was perfect. Mike pitched at a fastball tournament in Star Prairie, WI last weekend, and we went along for fun. We had a new front sidewalk poured on the 24th, and it really satisfies my need for symmetry. I'll have to post a picture. Annalise took part in a early learning study at the U of M on Wednesday morning, and Thursday evening I had an ete purse party. Thanks to Kim for letting Mike and the kids crash at her place, and swim in the pool while I was having mommy time. Mike pitched in Chippewa Falls on Saturday, and we elected to skip that day of ball, and play with Hope, Chad, and the kids instead. Mike and I went out to eat and to see Get Smart last night. Today the kids got haircuts, followed by their 4 year old and 2 year old portraits at JCPenney.