Taters

Looks like at least 2 kids had fun at Brooklyn Park's Tater Days carnival.
(more to come)

Celebrate Heart Day!

Daniel had his ToF correction surgery on July 17, 2006 at age 5 months. I figure, if you have to go through open heart surgery (bypass machine and all), you should get to celebrate it every year.

Beginning in 2007, one of our "Heart Celebration" events has been walking in the HeartBeat5000 (formerly known as the PaceMaker5000). In '07 it was just me and Daniel (who rode in the stroller and ate cheerios the whole time). Last year, Daddy, Abby and Nicholas joined us (Nicholas in a stroller, Abby and Daniel in a wagon - eating cheerios the whole time). This year, we've planned a family event again, and MightyMom is working on creating Battan Brigade T-shirts for us to wear.

If you don't already have plans for Saturday, June 27 and are in the area, I encourage you to come out for a walk, run or stroll to raise money for cardiac care at Children's Hospital. These people care for a whole family, not just the cardiac kid. They explained so many things to us, and in some cases kept us laughing, even in the PICU (which is not an easy task- the PICU is not known as a fun place!). Join the Battan Brigade when you sign up.

If you aren't in the mood for a walk, but would like to support Daniel's walk, click the "Donate to Children's" link to make an online contribution. We'd be honored if you'd enter Supporting the Battan Brigade in the HeartBeat5000 in the memo/comments line.

Maybe we will have a real, honest "Brigade" next year!

Other "Heart Day" events this year may simply be cupcakes for Daniel's class and a treat at home. We may be heading south for a family reunion that night, so it may not be a big hoopla. If we don't head south, I'm hoping for a night at the pool. Daniel really wants to go swimming!

A Pirate's Life

During bedtime "cuddles" tonight the following conversation occurred.

Daniel: "Mommy, do you sleep with one eye open?"
Me: "No...why?"
Daniel: "I do. I sleep with one eye open. Pirates sleep with one eye open."
Me: "Really?"
Daniel: "Yeah, they do. And pirates have green teeth."
Me: "Who told you that?" (curious now)
Daniel: " My Grandfather."
Me: "Who is your Grandfather."
Daniel: "That Nathan guy. He's my grandfather and he told me that pirates sleep with one eye open and have green teeth."
Me: "It's time to go to sleep now Daniel."

Museum adventures

Yesterday, as Daniel and I were going to the chiropractor (for mommy) and running errands, Daniel saw a sign on a bus about Clifford (the big red dog of book and PBS Kids fame) at the Children's Museum. It said "ends soon" so I checked online. Sure enough, today was the "Target Free Third Sunday" at the Minnesota Children's Museum (I have a zillion kids - free is important!).

We got up 'early' and headed to the museum. We played in the Works room- Daniel is especially cute in a construction hat!

We played at the "Big Red Fun" time- Daniel and Abby each walked on bird/monster feet. Abby did a weird wiggly dance to the music.

Then, we went to see Clifford.

At Clifford's friend Cleo (the purple poodle)'s 'house' Nicholas totally rocked at shape sorting. I hate to be 'that mom,' but I can't help it. There were kids there obviously older than Nicholas who were either not trying or just not understanding the concept of a shape sorter. Nicholas had no problems with it.

Daniel loved the door to the Bridwell Island Library, as well as driving the boat.

In the "habitot" room, we all had an excellent time. It was also one of those "Are you kidding me?" moments for mommy. I was trailing behind Nicholas as he climbed and explored. He paused with some concern at the "bridge" but ended up sort of bounding across. Then he found the "ice slide" and slid right down- no hesitation. He popped up, looked around and saw the stairs for the "long way" - a.k.a. the safe way he had just traveled (up regular stairs, around a corner, over the bridge, then to the slide). Then he noticed the 'big kids' (Daniel and a couple of other ~3-4 year olds) climbing up the cargo net next to the slide. We believe Nicholas thinks he's at least 3, and true to form, he decided to try the cargo net. Scampered up like a little Spider Man. Are you KIDDING me?! Where is the healthy dose of 'fear'? How about 'caution?'

The Potty Champ

Daniel potty trained in two weeks.

I cannot believe it, but I am THRILLED. His teachers thought he was ready, given that he hates to be wet and would ask to be changed. However, due to his constipation issues, he tended to be afraid of the bathroom, assuming it would hurt to go. He had no concept of the difference between "#1" and "#2." His teachers suggested trying to just put him in underwear and plastic pants and see what happens.

The weekend before Memorial Day, instead of a diaper change on Saturday, Nathan put Daniel in underwear and plastic pants. That weekend, there were several accidents, including one at a Goodwill store. I figured, we'll stick it out and I'll just do some laundry every night.

I am not quite sure when it really happened, but I know that the Saturday before Memorial Day he had one accident. He would tend to panic that he needed to go, but not try to do any of it himself (pulling down pants, etc.). Since that day he has not had an accident. He's even dry in the mornings! His big sister cannot say either of those things.

Daniel's teacher calls him the "potty champ." I agree!

Big Boy

Nicholas has been practicing using his fork at dinner time. Amazingly enough, he did eat most of this meal with his fork. He even had seconds!
And how cute are the little crossed ankles?!

His father's son

If you look through photo albums from the early days of our marriage, you will find many photos of Nathan climbing trees. I have no idea what the fascination is, but needless to say, if the opportunity to climb a tree or other object presented itself, he'd take it.

This weekend we found Nicholas on the dining room table. Yes, you read that right ON the table. He had pulled out a chair and climbed right up. Luckily, he got a little worried and started to cry, so we were able to rescue him before he learned a lesson about gravity.

The following day, this is where he ended up. He pushed a chair from the dining room over to the sink and climbed on up. He proceeded to locate his cup as well as his fork. He made a little music and did a little dancing, which is what alerted us to his shenanigans.

And let me say, we weren't that far away and we were really supervising our kids. There is reason we call him Flash. He is wicked fast!

Nicholas also follows in Daddy's footsteps when it comes to his love of ice cream. Nicholas looks like this sweet little kid. Then he asks you for a bite of your ice cream (yes, pregnant mommy likes ice cream, so it's a common 'snack.'). First, don't try to say no. Second, don't try for a tiny bite either. He wants a BIG bite. His jaw nearly unhinges and he demands a bite that would give instant brain freeze to a grown up.