Let's talk about haircuts

I've determined that deciding whether to

pay someone to cut your kids hair vs. doing it yourself

is an algebraic equation.

If the answer is Less that 1, you give it a whirl!

E * G/ $D - $15

[($Grrr + $2) * K + None] / $D

Where:

E = Embarrassment factor if this do-it-yourself haircut fails and your kids look ridiculas.

G = Gender factor : Boys = 1, Girls = 10

$15 = Cost of hair cutting set (with free how-to for dummies booklet: I totally qualify for this one!)

$D = Disposable income

$Grrr = Rising Cost of cheap BoRic's Haircut

$2 = Cost of Tip

K = Number of kids

None = available time to take kids to BoRics

Results? Take a look. One picture is when their hair was cut professionally, one was when I did it. Can you tell the difference?

Hate to say this in writing, but I guess Alex was right. (Yes, it was his idea)

Happy Belated Birthday Uncle Brad!!!

We owe a HUGE Happy belated 20th Birthday to Uncle Brad!

He turned the Big 20 yesterday!

It really doesn't seem like 20 years ago....

...or 11 years ago....

or even 5 years ago! (yeah, he's got a little Captain in him!)

Happy, Happy Birthday!!!

Happy Birthday Kyle!!!

Time flies when you're having fun!!!!!

Latest growth stats... for those keeping tabs.... 3' 2" tall & 35 1/2 lbs.

Enjoy this trip down memory lane...

Our Trip to Rochester, NY

Before summer winds down Kyle, Jeremy, Grammie and I took a quick weekend trip to visit our cousins in Rochester, NY. Kyle and Jeremy had a great time playing with cousins Nicholas (3 1/2) and Owen (11 months)! I had a great time catching up with my cousin Tara and of course, visiting my Aunt Vicki and Grandma!!! Grammie was a wonderful help with the boys and we all enjoyed plenty of adventures.

*****
Friday visited the Strong Children's Museum in downtown Rochester. If you ever get the chance to visit - it's absolutely worth it! When we were done I'm not sure who was more tired - the kids or us.

Kyle was on TV with The Count...

The boys played chess in a Giant's playroom...

Jeremy put bones on a conveyor belt to fill his friend Clifford's big bowl...

...but the garden didn't stand a chance against these four!

*****
Saturday we visited the Fish Hatchery. I remember visiting this as a kid and once again it didn't disappoint. Kyle and Jeremy loved throwing food to the fish and watching them swim and jump to eat it.

Kyle and Nicholas calmly watched to fish swim around at first

Then it was time to watch the fish get crazy while eating food.

So much fun! Can't wait to go back!!!!!

Happy (belated) Birthday Uncle Eric Nord!

(Aunt Laura & Uncle Eric with Kyle in April 2006 - Kyle was 7 months old.)

Time flies!

Wow - I swear July 23rd was just yesterday, but according to my calendar it was not. Summer is flying by and we are in the home stretch. What have we been up to?

Well, Alex and I went to see the movie WarGames (for the 25th anniversary) with Uncle Matt on July 24th at the Oxford Theater. The satellite feed stopped mid-show and I thought the poor theater manager was going to cry for fear of his life. Relax Mr. Manager - we've all seen the movie before, it'll be ok. No, you don't need to act it out to keep us occupied. (that was scary!)

The boys made their own pizzas for the first time. The loved choosing and adding their favorite toppings. Jeremy also loved eating half the toppings before they made it on top of the pizza. Look closely at his face - it's covered!

We went to the Taste of Oxford festival the first weekend in August. Jeremy and Kyle each got to spray a real fireman's hose (at a painted plywood cut out of a fire). They loved it! Did I remember to take the camera? No. :(

We started a new Sunday night party called Toddler Time for the boys and their friends, we tested it with Lucas (4), Will (2), Liam (3 mo.) and Jarrod (5). The boys get together and wear each other out running around the yard, swimming in the mini-pool and eating pizza. Probably going to try it again this weekend.

Did I mention we got a mini-pool? It's 10' x 30" and perfect for their size. Both can touch bottom or lift their legs and swim. Kyle can even keep his head above water when kneeling down. (he's getting so big!)

Uncle Brad babysat Kyle for the first time. The same day, I had my first real phone conversation with Kyle. (I believe I was triyng to tell Kyle that he needed to cooperate about nap time - go figure.) All of the sudden Kyle understand the phone, knows you need to keep it by your ear, answers questions and doesn't get distracted by everything else around him while talking on the phone. Daddy will be so worried and I am so proud!!! :)

Also we started taking the boys to the Clarkston Farmer's Market on Saturday mornings. The Peaches and Cream corn has been fantastic and the boys play on the playground across the street when mom and dad are done shopping.

Kyle learned how to make the horn on a big-rig blow at the Tons of Trucks event in Clarkston on August 9th. You didn't have to show him twice! Every truck he climbed into he went looking for that string. Forgot the camera - bummer! On a similar theme, Kyle got to ride Grandpa's really big tractor for the first time. Grammie did not forget the camera! (of course.) Oh and he had been playing Pirate earlier in the kiddie pool, hence to swim trunks and pirate bandana.

Alex got a new (new to us) truck last Friday! I am SO happy!!! Now we can share responsibility for picking the kids up from day-care or Grandma's house! (I really need to take a picture and post it, don't I?)

I worked at the PGA Championship at Oakland Hills on Sunday, August 10th. Note to self - "not 19 anymore, need to take it easy." That was hard work! I had flashbacks to working in the food booths at the Renaissance Festival many years ago.

Jeremy is now totally into Finding Nemo and The Little Mermaid. So cute when he starts yelling "mer-maid, mer-maid, mer-maid!"

Uncle Eric and Aunt Michelle are coming into town this weekend, we're headed to Rochester to visit Cousins Nicholas and Owen next weekend and then Labor Day weekend is upon us.

Oh and did I mention Aunt Kathy and Mr. Mike are engaged! HOW EXCITING!!!!!! In other wedding news, Alex's neice Beth just got married (congrats!) and his nephew Rich is getting married on the 31st. Best wishes!!! (wish we could be there.)

...and you thought I was just too lazy to blog... nope - just too busy enjoying all the best summer has to offer!!!

Happy Birthday Uncle Matt!!!

As a kid I remember you cracking us up with your comedy skits and antics.

Luckily for Kyle and Jeremy (and the rest of us too!)

even after 30 years you still know how to have fun and make us laugh!

Happy Birthday Uncle Matt!!!

(photo taken this past February in St. Petersburg, FL)

Wow! What a difference 16 months makes!

Most days I'm stunned by how fast Jeremy seems to be catching up to Kyle. Being younger doesn't stop Jeremy from trying everything Kyle does. Heck, when it comes to climbing, jumping and getting into things, Jeremy figures things out that Kyle hasn't even thought of doing yet.

Tonight however, Alex and I had to pause and say "Wow, what a difference 16 months makes."

You see, when we are in the car, as we were this evening, each child has their own way of asking for the window to go up or down. (remember, we don't have A/C in my Jeep so this happens A LOT)

Jeremy: (screaming emphatically) "Wee-doh! Wee-doh! Wee-doh! Wee-doh!"

Kyle: (calmly and politely) "Uh Daddy, I'm cold. Would you please put the window up?"

What a difference 16 months really makes.

Happy Birthday Alex!!!

Thanks for having a birthday today Daddy!!!

We love cake - see?!?!?!?!?

All I can say is "Doh!"

Yup, one of our cribs in included in the latest recall. I just saw the story online.... snuck under the crib while Jeremy slept and checked the model number and manufacture date. Apparently many models of Jardine cribs (sold by Toys R Us and Babies R Us) are affected.

Seems to me Jeremy just wasn't meant to sleep in that bed... you see.....

Last Tuesday I decided it was time to move Jeremy into the boys' room. We had him in the Pack and Play in our bedroom because the boys constantly kept eachother awake when they shared a room. Better to have one in our room, but sleeping than to have the whole house up all night in an effort to have the boys share a room. That was our philosophy at least.

So, Tuesday was the big move... we tried the crib immediately. Jeremy hated the idea.

We got smart... put the Pack and Play in the boys' room and let Jeremy get used to the sounds of the room from a "familiar" location (the Pack and Play). Worked perfectly! Jeremy slept. I felt smart.

Thursday afternoon, foolishly let the boys play "ball pit" with the Pack and Play. (If you've never seen it, it's a blast! The video below doesn't do it justice. Plus, it's even better with two toddlers in there at once.) Anyhow, both kids loved it. Jeremy watched Kyle climb in and out of the Pack and Play. My eyes grew big as saucers as I realized what I'd done. Jeremy now knew this was possible. 10 minutes later, Jeremy climbed out of Pack and Play too. Jeremy was so happy. All I could say was "doh!"

Thursday night, put Jeremy to bed in Pack and Play... walk out of room (feeling hopeful)... 30 seconds later hear the pitter patter of littlest feet chasing after me. Yup - advantage Jeremy. Put Jeremy in crib. Surprisingly he's sort of ok with the idea. Now remember, this is only Thursday night.

Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday - same routine. Each night Jeremy likes his crib a little more.

Tuesday night, it's been a week - Jeremy loves his crib. He goes to sleep no problem, I feel like we finally got something right in the baby sleep department. 11:15 pm - Kris sees recall info. Sees picture - no doubt it's my crib. Recall voucher for a new crib is on the way. Until then, I guess it's time to turn the "convertible toddler bed" back into a crib for Jeremy. Kyle likes to sleep on the couch in his room anyhow.

All I can say is "doh!"

Happy Birthday Et Deddy!!!!

It's Aunt Kathy's Birthday! Hurray!!!!!!

This photos is an "oldie" but a favorite none-the-less! That's Kyle (at 7 months old) and Kathy (not quite the 29 years she is today) back in April 2006.

Kickin' It Old School with Mario & Luigi

Yes, my boys watch Star Wars (IV to VI, for the record).... play Super Mario Brothers 3 on the old NES and sit around wearing nothing but diapers on a hot day. It's a good life!

Happy Birthday Uncle Eric!!!

Wish we could have gone to Chuck E Cheese for your birthday too Uncle Eric. :) Miss you!!!

Alex's May Home Improvement Projects

I am very excited to show off Alex's handy work! Upon my request, he made a few improvements to the deck.

First, he built this railing to protect the kids from falling into the garden, and protecting the garden from the kids. :)



He also granted my wish of wrap-around steps off the deck... I can't believe how much bigger the deck feels because of this simple thing! You really notice it when multiple people are standing around talking because you can spread out without feeling like you'll stumble off the deck. Also, notice, the alternating board design of the step corner... this means we see minimal end grain... nice touch!

Mother's Day 2008

Loved this picture from our brunch with Nina on Mother's Day! So rare to catch everyone looking at the camera and smiling... had to share!!!!

Jeremy's "15 month well-visit" just a little late...

Jeremy had his 15 month doctor's visit this week.... we were a little late (over a month), but I'm happy to report he's been healthy for a few weeks now so I didn't feel so bad scheduling his immunizations.

Anyhow - he was a trooper for his shots. He only cried for a few seconds. He weighs 26 pounds, 2 ounces and is a whopping 33 inches tall! That puts him in the 75th percentile for weight and the 90th percentile for height. Now I know why he almost fits into Kyle's pants. :)

Here are some recent photos.... one from tonight (no pictures please!)


...and this one from a couple weeks ago (here I come!)

Busted! :)

So, it finally happened. Someone asked (paraphrased) "so what's up with the new blog? No new posts...."

I am guilt as charged and happy to provide an update. It has been a busy month of May!

The boys participated in a charity walk early this month (well, two walks, but we'll get to that another day.) This walk was for the Share-a-Smile foundation... a charitable organization that help with everything from funding school computer labs to helping seniors get wheelchair ramps to emergency medical assistance. I have had a little interaction with it's director through my job at Lighthouse and was happy to join them in their first fundraising walk.

The highlight of the walk for Kyle in particular, was Charlie the Share-a-Smile Bear. Kyle chased Charlie all over the grounds... Charlie gravitated to Kyle & Jeremy whenever other kids weren't calling for him.




When we left the walk Charlie's impact on Kyle was obvious....

"{big inhale} I'll never...see the bear...again {sigh}" Now Kyle is as guilty as the next toddler of crying to get his way, but I had never heard him pour on the drama. It was the funniest thing! (OK, part of my felt bad for the kid cuz he was clearly distraught at the thought of leaving his new friend, but the rest of me just couldn't contain the laughter.)

The good news is that now, Kyle is happy to see his picture on he fridge with this friend Charlie the Share-a-Smile Bear and he is eagerly looking forward to next year's walk!

And this is one-year-old Jeremy

Meet the 2 1/2 year old - Kyle

Finally, now we blog....

How technology sucks the hours right out of your life (and keeps us willfully and happily coming back for more)

Step 1: Check out free blog website that friend is using. It looks like fun!

Step 2: Set up your own free blog - manipulate page look and feel making everything perfect and user friendly. After all this will be such a great communication mechanism!

Step 3: Daydream about how cool it will be to keep friends and family updated - create grand visions of daily blogging and constant photo uploading.

Step 4: Go to bed for the night - after all it's 2:00 am

Step 5: Don't touch blog again for 2 months. Keep checking friends blog... get jealous because it ROCKS! Realize this is a far superior way to share than old baby website you were using (and haven't updated in over 6 months) Call a do-over!

So here's our first post.... a photo taken at Uncle Eric's wedding in February. All four of us... the kids are more adorable though, so next I'll add more photos of just them. Cool slideshows coming soon! (really this time - I figured it all out!)