Chocolate Chip Cookies

Being bored and wanting something "junkie", I decided to make chocolate chunk cookies. The kids played together and waited for the hot cookies to come out of the oven. When they were done, we all sat around the table discussing why we liked them. I, of course, like the "crisp, buttery edges". Chase likes them because they are "junk and they taste SO good." Claire says they're good because "you can take them to school and they're good." Henri... well lets just say he was a bit confused by the question.

After dinner, we got the kids cleaned up for bed and then had a cookie for our after dinner snack. Claire says to Aaron, "Dad how do you make chocolate chip cookies?" He says, "With chocolate chips." She says, "But what else." Aaron's response, "With chocolate chips and then you add cookies." Strangely enough, Claire was satisfied with that answer... could be because she knows how to make the cookies and didn't want to torture her dad :)

Piss and Vinegar

Yesterday was one of those days. Chase woke up to find the only 2 donuts left were kinds he didn't want. Then he told me that he wanted to take a break from horse riding lessons... before we even went. After having one of his best lessons to date, he still wants to take a break. Aaron had a weekend devoted to US Air (his flight should've gotten home at 8 am, but it was cancelled, so he didn't get in until 2:30am), so he wanted to go someplace quiet for lunch. We decided on Panera Bread-- it's just like STL Bread Co. Well... Miss Claire (or should I say Miss Diva) decided she didn't want to eat there and had a meltdown. I was this close to leaving, but she got over it and we had a really nice lunch... and the rest of the afternoon was really great. Until... Henri peed on Chase's floor with his big sister cheering him on to do it!! What the heck!! Piss and Vinegar... that's what Grandma would've said.

But then the day took another turn, Claire asked me to braid her hair (I had mine braided). If you know anything about Claire, it's that she doesn't like her hair messed with... to get a clip in her hair is a miracle!! So I did a french braid and pig tails. She was so cute and actually wanted to show her Dad!!

2009-07-25

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July 21, 2009

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Old and New Friends

Last week, I got an email from my childhood friend (Dawn) about making an impromptu trip to NC. I immediately got her on the phone and learned that she and her husband (Jeremy) had a week off of work. I was overly excited for the possibility and wasn't let down.

Monday, the kids and I went to Jungle Rapids water park for a sort of "Kindergarten Kick-off". But really we just met some friends there and played on the different waterslides for 3 hours. Chase even went up one of the tallest (the "toilet bowl") with just a couple of friends. We made our way up also... the first time, Henri was NOT digging it... but once he went down... he was ready to go again. The time seemed to pass all too quickly and before I knew it, it was 2pm. I then had to wrangle the kids up to leave so that we could go to the airport to pick up Dawn, Jeremy and their two kids-- Dean and Dustin. As soon as the kids saw each other... it was like they've known each other forever-- maybe they kind of have.

Tuesday, Aaron took off work early so that we could take the boat out. It was so gorgeous-- as usual. The kids had so much fun playing together and Claire immediately took to Dawn. It didn't matter what was going on or where we were, we'd find Claire with Dawn. She even got Dawn playing cards!

Chase touching a skate that Jeremy found swimming around him.

Wednesday, while Aaron was at work, we went to the Battleship NC. Our kids had never been there, so I thought that they would be super excited. Henri wasn't really thrilled about it all. Not really sure what his deal was, but he had some sort of "fear".... not to mention that he denied a hand stamp, then decided that he wanted one once we were already inside! Indecisiveness... ugh! Typical of the Battleship... it's really nice outside, then you get on it and it's somehow scorching hot! We only stayed about an hour... with 5 kids... that's pretty good! We met Aaron for lunch at Elijah's downtown on the riverfront. Trying to show Dawn and Jeremy Wilmington in 3 1/2 days is a task! It's small here, but there is so much to see and do. After lunch, we came home thinking that we would have a little time to hang out and eat a quick dinner of leftovers before dance-- Dawn and I grew up dancing together and she was going to take my 2 dance classes with me, which I was super excited about. However, dance got cancelled. So we just spent the afternoon in the pool. Chase was having a blast with Jeremy throwing him in the pool. Chase is at the age where he likes to be dunked, splashed and thrown!

Thursday, we (minus Aaron) packed a picnic lunch and went to NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher. Now, we've been there what seems like a million times, but it's the only place that the kids don't go "ugh, not there again". They always get super excited and know what they want to see and always see something that they didn't see before-- I guess that's what happens with moving fish :) After the aquarium, we took our picnic lunch to the "leaning trees" at Fort Fisher. The trees look as if they are leaning away from the ocean... it's so beautiful... and it makes for a perfect picnic location. Once we had stuffed ourselves, we changed and headed to the beach. We spent almost 2 hours playing in the sand, surf and waves. We'd never been to the beach at Fort Fisher (ok, we went briefly when Audrey was little, but without proper attire... so for me it just doesn't count!). Henri kept digging up these little crab-bug-things... they burrowed themselves down into the sand... crazy cool. It was so much fun... especially having the extra eyes and hands with the kids. Chase always likes to go out in the waves and Jeremy was so great taking him out-- protecting him and holding on to him when a big wave crashed around them. Should've brought the boogie boards! Claire and Dean played almost the entire time together... jumping waves never seemed to get old! Unfortunately, we had to leave. On the way home, I took minor detours to show Dawn and Jeremy (ok, more Jeremy) a couple of houses that are used often in movies/TV (most notably Dawson's Creek, Summer Catch and Domestic Disturbance). They're big and beautiful, so they're worth the drive-by anyway :) Later that evening, we all went to Coldstone for ice cream-- have I mentioned that I really miss Kohl's Frozen Custard :( . Then they (D&J) needed to go to Wal-Mart, so I took another detour to show them part of the UNCW campus. Claire asked where we were going and I said, "Wal-Mart." She responded, "What's Wal-Mart??". Yes, she was serious. I had an immediate flashback to Paris Hilton saying that. So, we all went into Wallie World-- yes I was scared, but I was really hoping that I could get my chocolate milk and eggs (all organic) there. Wrong! Oh well, it was interesting nonetheless.

Friday, we took the boat out for about 3 hours, then everyone had to leave. Dawn, Jeremy, Dean and Dustin were heading back to St. Louis and Aaron to Vegas... all on the same flight out of Wilmington. It was a really great visit... I'm so happy that they came. The kids all played so good together... and for me, there's something "touching" about watching my kids play with the kids of a friend that I've had for nearly my entire life.

Snap Shots

We hung out around the house all day. While outside, I noticed the flower garden abuzz with bees. Then, I started taking pictures of Henri. Claire and Chase came out... and Claire got to work. She flashed a smile and I said, "Sometimes I don't need you to smile." That's when she immediately gave me that face (below). I asked her, "Would you like to be a model?" Her response, "What's that?" Then she continued with take a picture of my legs, my feet, etc, etc. We may talk about it more... she has this knack for knowing how she looks good in a picture and wanting her pictures to be perfect. Chase, on the other hand, hid from the camera... or got so close that I couldn't get a picture. I've uploaded all of the snap shots to www.daniellerpictures.shutterfly.com

Pulled Over

On the way to Chase's horse riding lessons, I looked in my rear view mirror to see a police car's flashing lights. Looking to my right, I saw a cop pulled over... so naturally, I thought the cop wanted me to get out of his way so that he could get over to help the other cop. I made my way to the left hand turn lane and instead of the cop passing me... he stayed right behind me! I said to the kids, "Oh, mom's getting pulled over." Of course, they were confused-- I've never been pulled over. So... I pulled into a parking lot and waited. Turns out I was speeding... now I won't get into how fast he said I was going... because quite frankly, I just don't believe it. But then again, I wasn't watching the speedometer... only going with the flow of traffic. Anyway, he gets my info and heads back to his car. Claire says, "What is he doing with your license plate?" (She meant drivers license). I explained what he was doing and why he was doing it. Then all of the sudden Chase and Claire say, "Police suck." The day wasn't ruined, I received a warning and we made our way "cautiously" to see Misty.

A little before 3, we walked to Abby's house to see if she wanted to come swimming. While there, the ice cream man came-- he comes through our neighborhood about 3x a year. So Chase says, "Can we get something?" I say, "Yeah, you could... but my purse is in my car... if you want to go get it..." Next thing I know, Chase is handing me my purse. (He rode his bike back to the house as fast as he could, parked his bike at the end of the driveway and ran up to get it). He was fast... and I was impressed. I put a $2 price limit on them... and the kids all picked out something. Then Abby, her sisters and friends got something too. Maybe the ice cream man will be back more often.

You a...

As Aaron cuddled with Henri while tucking him in for bed, Henri was being so sweet... then he said, "Dad, you a butt crack."

That's been his word of choice for several weeks now. Hopefully he'll move past it by the time he starts preschool!

YouWhat?!

It's been a day of rain here. Of course, there's been moments when the rain gave us a chance to get out of the house, but the majority of the day was spent indoors. Which being inside wasn't a bad thing for the kids... 3 days away from all of their toys and everything is like new again.

This evening they were all jumping around on and off of the couch and Chase says, "You need to put this on YouTube!" My immediate reaction was somewhat dumbfounded. Where the heck did he come up with that?? Sure he watches Transformers, music videos, tractor/truck things... BUT how does he know that stuff (like kids jumping on couches and being goofy) can be put on YouTube??

I guess we'll have to do that sometime.

Blowing Rock Weekend

On Thursday, Aaron went into work for a couple of hours. Once he got home, we packed up the car and headed to Blowing Rock, NC-- it's in the mountains and about 350 miles from Wilmington. That day, Henri (the potty trainer) was insistent on wearing underwear. We forgot to have him change for the trip and "try" before we left... so we weren't 10 minutes away when he said, "I need go pee." It was one of those "Yay!" moments and "Are you serious?" moments at the exact same time! The drive up went well... thank goodness for a dvd player! Our drive took a little longer than expected (due to a scheduled detour to Land Rover Asheville), so we didn't get to Blowing Rock until close to 7 PM. Our hotel was right in town, so we walked to Mellow Mushroom for dinner. Thinking the kids would be wiped out after a long day... we went back to the hotel to have them prove us wrong! They were crazed-- jumping, wrestling, yelling-- from being cooped up in the car all day. It took a long time for them to settle down, but eventually they gave in.

Friday, we went to the Tweetsie Railroad. We got there right after they opened in the morning and it was quite chilly. We rode the train... now we heard a story about how it worked in Alaska during ?? time... so it was really old. Anyway, they had a "skit" during the train ride. We would stop and the sheriff and his deputy, the "dumb" crooks, and Indians would put on a show that was supposed to be funny. However, Henri wasn't amused! He was so scared of the pop guns and the act was a little too real for him. After the train ride, we went up to the "Country Fair" area. Claire really wanted to ride the Ferris Wheel. We made a pit stop at the cars before we got there... Chase and Henri rode with me. Chase steered... Henri was not comfortable with that! So we made it to the Ferris Wheel. Claire rode with Aaron and I got the boys... or should I say chickens?!! As we started going up... Chase said, "I made a mistake." Henri's energy and grip on me were overwhelming... I tried my hardest to make the boys comfortable. Pointing out the mountains... saying, "Weee!!" Then Chase said, "I want to get off." I had him tell the operator himself... usually he wouldn't... but he was DONE. We got off early and watched Claire and Aaron go around about 5 more times. Claire LOVED it. Once we were done in that area, we took the Chair Lift to the other area-- which was only accessible by chair lift or bus. It was very cool. It was so high up... we were as high as trees... a good 30 feet in the air at the highest! Henri could have gone on it a million times! We saw a bunny munching on some clover... it was a very cool ride! We had such a great time at Tweetsie... the lines for rides were so short... waiting 5 minutes was a maximum! We rode rides 2-3 times and never felt rushed (unlike Disney). After Tweetsie, we stopped by the Outlet Mall. Aaron was carrying Henri and I guess the day had worn on him... he fell asleep in Aaron's arms... head on his shoulder. Aaron learned that it's hard to shop while holding a sleeping child! Oh, and Friday was day #2 of Henri wearing underwear and NO accidents! He's a big boy! After Henri got a good nap in, we went to dinner and then walked into town for ice cream and playing at the park. Once again, we had another crazed night in the hotel room. Something about kids and a hotel bed and jumping!

Saturday morning, we had the most expensive breakfast of our lives. I had an omelet, Aaron: poached eggs all fancy and fresh squeezed orange juice, Chase and Claire: waffles, and Henri: bowl of fruit... all for $70!! It was a really good breakfast, but STILL! After breakfast, we went trout fishing and gem panning. I watched the fishing... everyone caught one... ok, Chase caught 2. Then we panned for emeralds, rubies and other gems. It was fun for the kids to look for "pretty" rocks. We then tried to go to Linville, NC for the Highland games (lets just say lots of people in kilts). We sat in some traffic, then when we got there we learned that we couldn't park on top of the mountain (Grandfather Mountain)... so we got $25 extorted from us ($5 per person) to take a bus. We got to the top and learned that it was going to cost more money to get into the games AND it was lunch... and well... their food selection wasn't the best for kids. So down the mountain we went... good thing... it started raining. The kids got lucky and the closest eating establishment was McDonald's (in case you don't know... McD's is a no no for us and we only go there in emergency situations). All day, Claire had been asking to go swimming. So, on the way back to Blowing Rock Aaron kept his eyes peeled for a swimming hole or creek. All of the sudden, he pulled off the road and turned around. On the side of the road there were about 6 cars parked and down the hill was a beautiful creek. We spent about 2 hours there letting the kids play in the frigid water! At dinner, Henri fell asleep on my lap around 6:30. The night wasn't so crazed... we sat outside talking and watched "Wipe Out" before bed. Oh, and day #3 of no diapers for Henri!!

This morning, Henri was the first up at 7:20! Yes, he slept 13 hours! We packed up the car to leave and then walked up (to a much cheaper place) for breakfast. We got on the road and quickly made a stop when we saw the "Blowing Rock" sign. Chase was completely freaked out and his nervousness transferred to Henri... Claire had no fear! It was absolutely beautiful. I took lots of pictures, so check them out!

Independence Day to Birthday

We woke up on the 4th with big plans. Henri had finally gotten over his fever... but he passed it on to Chase!! So there went our plans!!

I'd been without sunglasses for about a week, so we went out to get me a new pair and ran a few errands while we were out. As soon as we got home, Chase fell asleep on the couch. Late afternoon, Claire and Henri went with Aaron to Jay's for his annual 4th of July party. From what I heard, they had lots of fun swimming, and running around. They watched fireworks on the dock. Chase and I sat around A LOT and talked and watched TV... when he wasn't taking a nap! After Aaron got home, they all fell asleep so fast! Chase was wide awake and our neighbors started their fireworks around 10 PM. So we sat on our couch looking out our front window watching the fireworks. It was like our own private firework show. It made Chase happy... "it's no fun being sick on holidays." he had said earlier as we listened to distant fireworks. So at 10:45, I called it a night. Chase was still wide awake, so he decided to draw for a little.

Today, Chase was still running a fever. He did better today though... no naps... and he actually had an appetite. Henri woke up last... but he was in a great mood when he woke up to "Happy Birthday!" Claire told him, "Henri, I can't carry you anymore because you're 3." I asked her if he gained 10 lbs overnight?!! So, he ate breakfast and then opened his presents. His favorite is his new 2-wheel bike (Chase calls it a 4-wheeler because it has training wheels). When he hopped on it and started peddling he had this smile and this look of "I can't believe this is mine". He's really good at riding it... he even made a skid mark on the driveway!

After schlepping around for awhile, we decided to go bowling (per Henri's request). We had lots of fun... I won with 99! Yes, I know that's not impressive. But we had fun!

July 3

So... this morning I thought that Henri was better. Ashley came to clean the house and the kids and I went to Target. The kids were GREAT! There was no fighting or pushing in the cart. AND, not one of their Icee's were spilled! They sat on the bottom shelf of the book section and all looked at books and then they all took turns looking at their preferred toy section-- Chase: transformers, Claire: pink and dolls, Henri: whatever Chase and Claire were looking at was fine :).

We got home just in time for lunch... BLT's for me and Aaron. I had to explain to the kids what BLT stands for. Chase said that next time I make them that he would eat a BL. And Claire kept saying, "I'll have a BLT, just with no nonions." (that's how she says it). I said, "Claire it's not a Bacon, Onion, Lettuce, Tomato Sandwich. It's a BLT, not a BOLT." The kids thought that was funny. Anyway, next time they'll have BLT's with us... but today it was a honey sandwich, salami sandwich for Chase and Claire. Henri didn't eat much... just some grapes. It was then that I realized that he wasn't completely better. He started to act tired again, so I took his temp. 101.5 Poor boy... but he seemed so good earlier.

We had a party to go to this evening at Chase's friend Caleb's house. Unfortunately, Henri couldn't go... so Aaron took the kids. They were there for about 4 hours and by the sound of things they had lots of fun. Trampoline, swimming and building with geotracks. Henri and I started a 1000 piece puzzle, watched Tyler's Ultimate (Henri really enjoys cooking shows... seriously!), and corralled the chickens. For whatever reason, the chickens keep trying to sleep on our back steps instead of in their coop. Annoying... they were so sleepy that I had to carry one back to the coop! Speaking of carrying... Henri just got up. He says, "I don't feel good. Want to sleep in my sleeping bag." So off to carry Henri to bed.

Sure enough

Every Thursday, the kids and I go to the free movies at Mayfaire. Yesterday, we met Tracy, Liam, and Emma to see "Horton Hears a Who". Overall it was pretty good... Chase ended up in my lap about half way through. The vulture set out to destroy the tiny speck (which was the land of Whoville) really got to him!! We learned that Chase and Claire do not like Spree candy... who would've guessed?! After the movie, we all went to Wendy's for lunch. The kids were acting quite a bit crazy... you would've thought that they thought they were at a park as loud as they were talking and goofing around. In fact, when we were leaving they were all over the place... hiding under tables. Yes... it was embarrassing!

After going to the grocery store, we came home and got Chase started on doing his "Pet Shop Pals" letter and activities. Trying to keep him learning this summer so that he starts off 2nd grade with confidence. While doing that with Chase, Henri started hanging all over me and then said he was tired. I immediately laid him on the couch and got the thermometer. Sure enough... 101.4. He took a nice long nap and Claire and I played "I Spy Game", Old Maid and Go Fish. We had lots of fun, then it was time for me took cook dinner and Henri woke up. I went outside to cut some thyme and the biggest sunflower in our garden had fully bloomed... so I took some pictures. Then Henri came outside just in time to see a dragonfly. It landed on the lily bud in front of me. It kept flying away and coming back... changing its position... like it was a photoshoot or something. I uploaded all the pictures to daniellerpictures.shutterfly.com

Claire thinks that the above picture looks like the sunflower is going to dance.

Bye Bye Bye

Yesterday after lunch, we took my mom and Audrey to the airport. After a 2 week visit, it was time for them to leave. As usual, wish they could stay... Henri even echoed my sentiments when he asked, "Where's Aunt Audrey? I don't want them to go to St. Louis." One day he'll understand that that's just the way it is... unfortunately.

So on our way home from the airport, we stopped at the barbershop to get the kids' hair cut. Chase had been asking for several days and it was beyond overdue. Then Claire piped in and asked when she could get her hair cut. Chase was first... he sits so good. Then Henri sat on my lap while he got his done. Then it was Claire's turn... since she only wanted a "girl" to cut her hair... her spot opened up while Henri was still sitting on my lap. So... the child that wanted to have her hair cut got nervous and wouldn't get her hair cut until I could stand by her and hold her hand.

Milestone: Henri wore underwear all day!! When we were finished at the barbershop and the kids were loaded and buckled in the car.... Henri says, "I have to go potty, mom." No wet pants!! Whoohoo!!

When we got home, Claire immediately tried to take a nap. I tried to keep her busy and I did, for the most part. We went outside and ate popsicles and checked for eggs. Cooking dinner Chase and Henri were big helpers and I got Claire to juice a lemon. By the time dinner was on the table, Claire was practically falling asleep. She was so tired that she couldn't eat. She went to bed around 6:30!! (and slept to 7:20 this morning). Later on, Chase, Henri and I pulled some weeds in the garden. Chase tells me that he doesn't like pulling weeds, but I let him know that neither do I.