Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Visiting the other Jane and Don

On Saturday we rose early and decided to head out to visit some old friends who we refer to as Aunt Jane and Uncle Don even though they are no relation. Unfortunately we did not all fit in one vehicle so we had to travel in groups of boys vs. girls. Don and Matt seemed to have an interesting conversation but Liam was not impressed. I think he missed his partner in naughtiness. Meg and I got to chat because Catherine was obsessed with her music.

When we arrived we were bowled over by the heat! I decided that I am a mid-west gal to be sure. I fizzle quickly in the sun. After being welcomed by Jane and Don we took a little walk around the yard and Liam found Uncle Don's tractor. Of course he climbed right in and looked for the keys. Poor guy, no luck.

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The kids found the tree fort.

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Liam got the opportunity to walk Aunt Jane's goat. She is holding the leash because she is worried the goat will take off with Liam attached. She didn't realize that Liam is one strong and obstinate little boy. We think he gave that goat a run for it's money.

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Don also took a turn holding onto the goat. See how excited he is?

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One of the few times we did get to see Catherine (the rest of the time she was playing with her new best friends) she informed us that it was "hot". Ha ha.

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We did get to have a short visit with the other Jane and Don and also got to see Jess, her children, Audrey's daughter Loren, as well as Eve's stepson "Bug". We had a lot of Liam watching to do because there was not a lot of 3 yr old stuff to do around the house (that we wanted him to do). Still managed to have some great margaritas and a nice lunch.

Headed back home and spent the rest of the day lying on the couch exhausted from the heat. The kids got to take a "night swim" and then we planned our return flight. It looked like flights were going to be tricky on Monday and Tuesday so we decided to go for the sure thing and leave on the mostly open flight on Sunday.

Arrived home tuckered out Sunday night but with lots of memories to last us till next time. Thanks Meg and Matt for your generous hospitality!

Makutu's Island

How much fun could it be the second time? Apparently as good as the first. The kids enjoyed going down all of the slides and meandering through the tunnels. Liam especially liked the zip line and frequently butted in line. Those AZ kids are tough though, and wouldn't let him take advantage. (Of course that didn't stop him from trying)

Catherine got to go to a special class to learn how to hula. Ask her to show you.

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When we got home Matt graciously offered to smoke us a chicken. The kids and I watched the process and were suitably impressed. Lots of fire!! Who wouldn't like that? It was exciting and delicious. Probably wont be able to get our own or Liam might burn down the neighborhood.

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Liam is holding the scorpion I found in Megan's washing machine. Glad it wasn't real. But I took a second look before pulling it out. I thought she was pulling a grandma Lauerman on me but she claims she has no idea where it came from. Sure, sure...

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Appreciating the chicken. Mmmmm...

Splash Park Part II

Another hot day in Phoenix. No, really. Took the kids to a splash park and they got to play for a long time. It was refreshing for the adults as well. Had a lovely picnic lunch and got to enjoy watching all the different things the kids there were doing. My kids aren't the only crazy ones. Don laughed a lot at one little chubby guy in particular but I don't think we caught him on film.

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Wednesday, June 17, 2009

I Want an Octopus!

Liam and Catherine started the day shortly after 5am. Guess they are still on Wisconsin time. Ugh. Liam crawled in bed with Meg and Matt and then the laughter began. I guess Liam is full of funny material.

Spent the morning at a really nice park where Liam antagonized a little girl for the majority of the time we were there until she left. It was very bizarre. For whatever reason he did not like her one bit. Then we went to a splash park because Catherine said it was "too hot" to play at the regular park.

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Catherine and Liam made friends with two boys at the park and they played together for quite some time. It was a nice relief from the hot sun. Then of course the rest of the day was spent in the pool, swimming and splashing. 90 degree days sure beat the 60's back home. Don could only take so much...

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Tucson?

Time for the annual pilgrimage to visit the Milanas in Phoenix. Just ask Catherine and she could have told you "We go to Arizona in the pink month!" (On our calendar the month happens to be on a pink background.) And ever since we made the plans to come both kids have been asking "When are we going to Meg Meg's house?" The day finally arrived.

After doing the last minute packing I am famous for, we were prepared for an early morning on the road. Got up at 3:30am and were on the road at 4:30. Made the trip through Milwaukee and Chicago uneventfully, thank goodness. After stopping for what we thought was a quick breakfast we got back on the road and realized that we were running late. We wanted to make the airport by 8am and it was already 8:10. Then by the time we got to the check-in desk it was 9 and the lady tagged our luggage as "late arrival" and told us not to expect it if we did get to Phoenix on the 9:25 flight. We went through the security check and made it to the gate but unfortunately all of the standby seats were taken. After a call to Meg we tried to get on another flight that was leaving at 9:40 but had a stopover. Also booked solid. The next flight was at 10:40 but the woman at the gate told us there was no way we were getting on that flight either. Apparently there were an unusually large amount of people that were trying to get to Phoenix. Another call to Meg, and a frantic fit from Catherine later (why are all of the planes leaving us here?), and we found another flight but it was going to Tucson instead of Phoenix. Meg said "Get ON." We were to board the flight at 10:20. The plane was late. Then after we were on the plane they found a leak in the bathroom so someone had to come on board and fix it before we could take off. By the time we finally made it to the runway the kids and parents were crabby. The takeoff was a big hit for Liam and he seemed to enjoy flying until we got above the clouds and he couldn't see anything anymore. Then he started going stir crazy. When I was just about ready to jump off of the plane he fell asleep. Catherine had put on her headphones and immediately nodded off. 3 1/2 hours later we touched down in Tucson delighted to have put that part of the journey behind us.

Meg picked us up and we got to drive for 2 hours through the desert to Phoenix. Note to all: there is nothing exciting between Tucson and Phoenix except for an ostrich farm. Then we got to go to the airport to find our luggage which did indeed make it. Our luggage could get to Phoenix but we could not? Grr. Day 1 down. Liam and Catherine did get to go in the pool. Hooray.

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Saturday, June 13, 2009

Of course, why wouldn't he get it?

Liam has developed a chalazion.

A chalazion is a lump in the eyelid that is caused by inflammation of a gland within the skin. Typically, a chalazion goes away within a couple of weeks. If so, no long-term consequences occur. If the chalazion lasts for weeks or comes back, then your ophthalmologist evaluates whether the lump should be removed surgically. The lump is rarely associated with an infection or a form of skin cancer. (thanks to www.emedicinehealth.com)

Glad we could help everyone learn about another medical wonder. Thanks Liam.

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Sidenote to Meg: Check out those eyebrows huh?!?

Violent Tendencies

Liam is in true form once again demonstrating that there is nothing he will not do; and the less sense it makes, the better. Yesterday he threw a flashlight and hit Catherine in the mouth (resulting in an hour long sob fest of "Liam, you're grounded!" from her). She is currently reevaluating her stance on sending Liam to military school. (Her original thoughts were that it was mean of Don and I to suggest it.)

And the affected area:

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Note to future visitors: give yourself a nice cushion when in Liam's presence as you never know what may get launched (or shot) your way.

Guess Who's Older

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Watching Liam and Quinn together is always interesting. They each like to do their own thing and Quinn is a big help in watching Liam because she is sure to let me know what he is doing in a blow by blow commentary. Ex: "Janie, Liam is playing in the hose now, he just turned on the water, now he is running around the yard, oh, he is climbing on the roof of the house, can I climb on the house...etc"

Both kids decided that it would be more fun to be on the playhouse instead of in the playhouse so Liam climbed up first and then Quinn was too small to hoist herself up so Liam was sweet and reached down a hand to pull her up too. They stayed on the roof for quite a while. Liam by choice, and Quinn because she couldn't get back down. Ha ha. (And just in case you're wondering, no, I couldn't help her down.)

Soccer Year II

Soccer was a bit of a letdown this year because several of the games were rained out; there wasn't really as much progression of skill through the course of the season. However, I am not sure that it would have mattered much, as Catherine took her usual laid back approach again this year and was contented to hang around the net as goalie. If she was placed on the field, she took to skipping around after the pack of ball hungry youngsters, enjoying the game from an onlookers perspective. What a funny girl we have?!

The following are some of the highlight shots of her practicing.

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Dance Recital

Catherine finally had her dance recital after many months of practice and preparation. She was in two different numbers and did beautifully in both. She was one of the few that were on the beat so we were proud.

Ballet costume

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The recital was attended by her godparents - Jen and James, and Hummy and Papa. I think all were impressed and entertained with her skills.

She was however relieved to be done for the summer. "Mom, do I still have to go to dance class?" "No, dance is over" "Thank goodness".

Ooh La La

Not exactly sure who took this lovely photo montage with Liam but it made me laugh to find them.

Sassy...
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Flirty...
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Bringing it Home!
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