Here are Luca and I on our way out of the zoo. This is one of his usual faces. He looks like he is saying, "And who are you again?"
One funny story from the zoo. While we were in one of the indoor exhibits, James pointed out some lizards to Norah. They must have scared her, because she said to us very loudly, "Let's get OUT of here!" as she was running toward the door.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Brookfield Zoo 3
Brookfield Zoo 1
This past weekend, the kids and I went to Chicago to visit James, and on Saturday, we took a trip to the Brookfield Zoo. It was a beautiful day, and we had a lot of fun. On the way into the zoo, they had lots of pictures of animals on signs, pointing the way to here or there. We didn't see a real animal for a while, and finally Norah asked, 'Are there any real animals at this zoo?' That made me laugh.
Race!
Norah and Ethan raced down the slide at the Iowa Welcome Center, where we stopped to take a scenic rest. Norah must have jumped the gun!
Antique Archaeology 2
Here are some of the things you could purchase at Antique Archaeology. Unfortunately, I was not in the market for these or any of the other antiques they had on display.
Antique Archaeology 1
Apparently, there is a reality show on TV about some Iowan guys who go around and buy and sell antiques (Iit's called "American Pickers"). They have a shop in LeClaire, IA called Antique Archaeology and Francesca wanted to go there to check it out. We went, and she met one of the stars of the show (a lady named Danielle). Here are Norah, Ethan and Francesca in front of the sign for the shop. Norah wouldn't move over another inch--she was in one of her defiant moods. Oh, well.
Cousins
Norah had a ton of fun when Ethan, Alessia, Francesca and Lucia came to visit. They actually played with each other instead of next to each other. They also annoyed each other at times, but for the most part, it was a great time.
Alessia and I were like two fish out of water with all four kids around. It just seemed so much more chaotic and we were both easily flustered. Francesca was a saving grace. She helped by fielding most Norah and Ethan-related issues. Thanks, Francesca!
The Pooper and the Puker
An astute observer would note the placement of the diapers and conclude that Lucia's "vice" is pooping through her diaper onto her clothes, and Luke's "vice" is puking all over the place. This observer would be correct.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Family Bath 1
Thanks to Grandpa and Oma, our tile guy Jim, our garden for its flowers, and James for the renovation of our Family Bath!
Theater 1
This was the selling point on the house for James (along with location), and we have enjoyed the theater immensely. I don't think our next house will have anything close to this.
Our bathroom
Thank you to Grandpa Jim and Peter for helping renovate this bathroom way back in 2006/2007!
House for Sale!
James and I put our house on the market on Monday. If you know of anyone moving to Iowa City, let them know!
We love our house, our neighbors, the location, the yard (especially the redbud tree you see in this photo), and the memories we have made here. We will really miss Iowa City.
We've been cleaning and upgrading the house like crazy, and what follow are some photos of the inside looking clean and spruced up. I don't think it's been this clean since the day we moved in!!!!
Monday, September 13, 2010
Clean House = OK to play on the toilet
I was taking a shower this morning, and I heard Norah playing in the bathroom while I was showering. I opened the curtain to find this scene: Norah, in her princess dress (crown at the ready), her beloved blankets draped over and around the toilet, her rocking chair (which her foot is resting on), June, Annie, Ariel, and Lamby (Yamy).
Since we put our house on the market TODAY (photos coming soon), I was not as alarmed as I usually would have been; the toilet and surrounding area is cleaner than clean. She was having such fun pretending she was on an airplane that I let her go about her business of playing while I went about mine. I still don't know why she felt the need to drag all that stuff to the bathroom instead of leaving it in her room and playing there....
Friday, September 10, 2010
Norah's New Room
One of the projects Grandpa and Oma helped with was moving and setting up Norah's new room. Here she is showing off her new space (which she LOVES!).
Gorilla Sit
Luke is able to sit up for brief spells. He currently prefers the Gorilla Sit, where he leans over and braces his body with his arms. I still put the Boppy behind him because he arches his back and flings himself backwards at random.
Tummy Time 3
He will someday be embarrassed by this photo, too. Notice the drool of concentration and the crossed eyes as he tries his hardest to grab the toy!
Silly Bandz
Norah found out about Silly Bandz this summer, and she has had many occasions to collect more and more. Here she is displaying her collection.
For those of you who don't know, they are rubber bands that are in different shapes, and the kids wear them as bracelets. Pretty cool! Someone somewhere is a MILLIONAIRE because all the kids have them! Why can't I think of ideas like this?
Daddy Like, Norah Like
Norah's pretty excited about the new car, but reminded us that she couldn't go for an actual ride without her carseat. What a responsible girl!
When we told her you can look at the stars through the sunroof, she wisely asked, "Why?" I guess she's right, but it's still a cool feature!
2 Car Family
James and I have been a 1 car family for 8+ years, but alas, this new position in Schaumburg has required us to upgrade to a 2 car family. So, after much research and deliberation, we found and purchased this '05 Nissan Altima (used).
Maybe when we all move to Schaumburg, we can downgrade back to 1 car--depending on how close we live to his work...
Thursday, September 9, 2010
First Day of School 3
She didn't cry when I left (thank goodness!) and when school was over, she ran right past James and I saying, "Hi Mom! Hi Dad! I had fun today!" so I guess it's going well!
Windy day in Iowa City!
First Day of School 1
Norah looked so grown up on her first day. She wanted to wear her hair down, but we compromised and she wore it "half down" instead. She was so excited, she barely ate breakfast that day!
Luca and Mama
Here we are taking a brief break from cleaning, organizing, etc. You can see the new blue guest room/office!
Homework
Norah had an assignment to do before she got to school on Tuesday. I already blogged about her birthday, but here she is coloring the jewels for her first day.
What a big girl she is growing up to be. James and I are so proud of our Norah bear!
Bathroom after
A new toilet, a fresh coat of paint, new fixtures, a new mirror ($5 at Goodwill!), and ta da: a new bathroom!
Super Grandpa
My dad worked his fingers to the bone while here (so did Oma!). Thanks, Grandpa.
Norah refers to the remodeled bathroom as the "bathroom Grandpa made."
It begins
As you may have heard, the Family Band is moving to Chicago (suburbs) this fall. We started moving about half our stuff last weekend, and Grandpa and Oma came and helped us pack and do projects around the house before we put it on the market.
They helped us SO MUCH!!! We can't thank them enough. The biggest projects were painting the guest room, moving furniture around so Norah has her own room, and remodeling the downstairs bathroom. But there were so many things they did!
Here are Norah and Oma in the moving truck (pre-packed!). Norah is in her helping clothes: rain boots and a pretty skirt.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
A couple more stories
1) Norah had her first day of preschool on Tuesday. It went really well! (Photos coming soon!) To prepare, we had to color and fill out some jewels that they were going to use for a craft on the first day. One of the jewels asked for her birthday, so she told me:
"My forty firf" (if you say it out loud to yourself, you will see that it sounds a little like: May 31st!
2) We went to visit her school last Friday, and as we were leaving, we decided to check out the playground. We played on the swings for a while, and then as we were leaving, I said to Norah, "Say goodbye to the swings. We will see them next week." She looked at me and said, "No. I don't want to say goodbye to them. They don't have faces." I guess she is starting to understand the difference between animate and inanimate objects.
"My forty firf" (if you say it out loud to yourself, you will see that it sounds a little like: May 31st!
2) We went to visit her school last Friday, and as we were leaving, we decided to check out the playground. We played on the swings for a while, and then as we were leaving, I said to Norah, "Say goodbye to the swings. We will see them next week." She looked at me and said, "No. I don't want to say goodbye to them. They don't have faces." I guess she is starting to understand the difference between animate and inanimate objects.
Friday, September 3, 2010
Norah-isms
Thought I would write down a couple recent Norah-isms, so I don't forget!
The other day, we planned to go out for ice cream after dinner. Norah didn't know about it, and in order to entice her to eat her food, we said, "If you eat your food, there will be a big surprise after dinner!" "What surprise?" she asked (she hates surprises!). "We can't tell you, because then it won't be a surprise, but you should eat your dinner because we think you will really like it." "What is it?" she asked again. "I can't tell you but I will say it with my lips (and then I mouthed 'ice cream' with my lips). James mouthed it, too, but she wasn't getting it. She asked, "What are you doing?" I said, "I am telling you what the surprise is with my lips. Watch closely." I mouthed "ice cream" again, and she said, "Now say it with your teeth." Ha!
Today, with the long week of packing, organizing, lists, chores, and repairs coming to an end, I sighed and said, "My brain hurts." Norah asked innocently: "What brain?" Exactly, Norah, exactly.
The other day, we planned to go out for ice cream after dinner. Norah didn't know about it, and in order to entice her to eat her food, we said, "If you eat your food, there will be a big surprise after dinner!" "What surprise?" she asked (she hates surprises!). "We can't tell you, because then it won't be a surprise, but you should eat your dinner because we think you will really like it." "What is it?" she asked again. "I can't tell you but I will say it with my lips (and then I mouthed 'ice cream' with my lips). James mouthed it, too, but she wasn't getting it. She asked, "What are you doing?" I said, "I am telling you what the surprise is with my lips. Watch closely." I mouthed "ice cream" again, and she said, "Now say it with your teeth." Ha!
Today, with the long week of packing, organizing, lists, chores, and repairs coming to an end, I sighed and said, "My brain hurts." Norah asked innocently: "What brain?" Exactly, Norah, exactly.
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