A Weekend of Birthdays!

Saturday morning I was pretty much feeling back to myself so Linnea and I ventured out to the Red Balloon Bookshop where there was a fun story hour event. The author of the Llama Llama books was going to read Llama Llama Red Pajama. I hadn't read the book but Linnea and I sure like to say the title! We had a good time even though we didn't really listen too much to the story. It was very crowded and hard to see. But it is a great bookshop to hang out in so that is what we did for just over an hour! I tried to get Linnea down for her nap a little earlier than usual since we had a birthday party to get to at Chucky Cheese's. It sort of worked. The party was going from 2:30 to 4:30...we got there at 4. But the girls hadnt opened their presents yet and weren't done partying so we all stayed until about 6! Very crowded but super fun! Linnea enjoyed some ice cream treats with her 4 year old friends Claire and Abby!

Sunday we went to the ice sculptures which will have it's own post, and then after nap headed to another birthday party! This time it was just up the road at our friends house in our neighborhood. We have a very fun group of people here in Como. Can't wait to get together more! The kids played lots of dress up and ate lots of cake!

Sick Mommy

It is not too often I (Amy) get sick but boy did I get hit two Thursdays ago. I wasn't feeling great Wednesday but went to work thinking I was just overtired or something. I also really didn't want to miss Wed since we were going on a field trip to Orchestra Hall and I started Sign Language Wednesday night. I made it through all of those things but then Thursday morning came and my tummy really felt sick. So sick I didn't think I could bring Linnea to preschool. Luckily my dad came to the rescue and was able to swing by on his way to work and go out of his way to bring Linnea to preschool for me. Thankfully she was flexible enough to just go with the flow and not cry a bit. In fact, as she was leaving, she said, hope so you feel better mommy. What a sweetheart. After they left, I remained on the couch for an hour or so trying to watch some tv but then fell asleep there for a bit. Around 1 or so I made it back up to bed and stayed there until Friday morning. I felt too awful to read or watch tv. It was terrible. Again, my parents came to the rescue and took Linnea overnight since I didn't know how I would feel Friday morning. Chris was so nice to bring squirt out there Thursday after supper. By Friday night I felt much better. Chris bought me plenty of tummy soothing teas and I was able to eat and keep down saltines, toast and apple sauce. I hope I do not get that sick again anytime soon. NO FUN!

A Haircut and a trip to Target!

We had a fun family morning last Sunday as we headed to Target to "pick up a few things" which next never turns out that way. Part of our trip was to buy baby items for one of Chris' co-workers. They gave us such a nice gift 3 years ago so it was nice to return the favor. All of Chris's co workers gave him money and then we got to pick stuff out! Pretty trustworthy, huh? I think the guys approved of our choices and it was fun to have Linnea with to "help" pick stuff out :) Anyways, a full cart later we left and went to get Linnea a much needed haircut! She did as great as she did with her first one and was so proud of it all day Sunday and all week at preschool!

NPC playgroup and GG's

Two Saturdays ago after dawdling around the house a bit Linnea and I finally got out the door for our monthly playdate with our New Parent Connection group. It was at a house this time and it was so much fun! We played with new toys, had yummy muffins and fruit and made a snowman craft. When the playdate was over we headed over to GG's to have lunch with her and my mom. It was a very nice visit!

Congrats Mack!

A few Sunday nights ago we got to see one of my best friends from childhood! There are a few other posts about our wonderful friend Mack since when she comes to visit it is always a big deal for us. She lives in Germany so she only makes it back to the states once or maybe twice a year. So we squeeze as much time in to the three or so weeks she is here as we can! Our first, but not last visit with her, was two Sundays ago for her graduation/welcome home open house at her mom's. Chris wasnt feeling well so it just Linnea and I who went to celebrate. My parents were also there so we all took turns playing with/entertaining Linnea. There were kids there earlier but by the time we got out the door and got there it was just adults. But had there been kids there, Linnea was all geared up to share. The whole way there (to south Mpls,), she was saying hope so I can share with all the big kids. Her way of saying hopefully is hope so. So cute! Anyways...we had a great time celebrating Mack's Masters in Music Therapy with her and her family and friends! I LOVE music therapy and see it working everyday! Mack has had a passion for music and helping others her whole life so I am so excited for her to start this new chapter of her life! GO MACK!

Mack and Timo made their way to our house last Thursday for for John's Pizza which we make a point of eating every time they are here. We always get the Veggie 2000! so yummy! We then watched Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice and had some ice cream and cupcakes before Linnea headed to bed. What a great night!

And tonight we headed over to my parents house for lentil soup and cheesecake and to see Mack, Timo and Mack's mom one last time before they head back home Thursday.

We sure hope we can get to Germany to visit them sometime!

Sick

Well I'd say we have had about 2 plus months of being sick free which was wonderful! But Linnea caught a cough mid-week and it has now turned into a pretty icky cold and cough with a low grade fever...it's probably headed for a sinus infection and/or ear infection because that seems to always happen but who knows, maybe it won't this time. We were hoping to get her haircut Friday night and go to a train museum Saturday with grandma and papa and maybe an indoor playground Sunday (today) but those plans turned into G & G coming here and playing with squirt while we undecorated. Linnea at least has been overrall pleasant and still interested in playing quietly, coloring or looking at books and not just glued to the tv, however she has put in some more Yo Gabba Gabba and Tigger Movie time than she normally would. Hopefully she is well enough to go to preschool tomorrow because 1.) she loves it and 2.) I selfishly really want to go skiing with my dad at Green Acres where they have some fake snow nordic trails.

One more Christmas!

We headed to Bellechester last Sunday for Christmas with the Bremer's. Chris' aunt Sue and Uncle rich have been working on their "man cave" so that is where we celebrated Christmas one more time. It was so fun to see all the kids and everyone that we only see a few times a year. Sue made hot pizza sandwiches and everyone brought a dish to share. We do an adult gift exchange and the kids even get to do a gift exchange! Here are a few pictures from the fun day.

Thanks Al!

I should have posted this a LONG time ago...like on Linnea's birthday when she received this great gift in the mail from our dear friends and Gil. Here are the pictures and videos from that and when Al was here visiting for her sister in laws baby shower. Al came to our house after the shower to read a bedtime story to Linnea and watch Little House Christmas and eat Christmas cookies with me!

special day.

Choo Choo Bob!

This morning we went to another new storytime. This time it was at Choo Choo Bob's Train store.

We had been in there to play on the train table before but never for storytime. It sure was fun and why wouldn't it be when your storyteller dresses as a conductor, sings songs about trains and reads books about trains! We will probably be going again, even though it is very crowded.

We watched the electric trains a bit before heading home.

What another fun family outing!

Maplewood Family Storytime

Every Monday morning there is a family storytime at the Maplewood Library that I have heard great things about. Since I had Monday off and preschool was closed we decided to head out to this event. And it was PERFECT because all the stories, fingerplays and music were about snowmen, which has been Linnea obsession for quite a few weeks now! She walked in singing Frosty the Snowman. We saw some friends from our New Parent Connection group (NPC) too. We ended up staying a good hour and a half after storytime taking advantage of the fun play area for kids. Linnea loved the kitchen and setting the table and "eating" her food. We checked out some snowman books and also Alvin and the Chipmunks the Squeakel...maybe not my best idea. Linnea has wanted to watch it or at least have it on everyday! We have liked most of the movies she has and this one isn't awful, but it's definitely not our fav. It is due back Monday and we aren't renewing it. Those lil chipmunks are pretty cute tho.

New Year's Day

Happy New Year!

We hope 2012 brings all you plenty of joy and happiness!

New Year's Eve brought the second or third accumulative snow of this winter which is pretty ridiculous, but the flakes were indeed beautiful! Largest I have ever seen and I really wish I would have gotten a picture but I never went out and did. I did get some pictures of Linnea and I playing in the snow on New Year's day.

We were out for about an hour, walking up and down our street making"handprints" as she says, and then playing in our yard making, "sandcastles" and sledding! Our yard has just enough of a decline to allow her to go down with a few pushes from me. I definitely felt like I got a workout from our time in the snow!

After her fun with me in the snow Linnea got to have an afternoon with daddy while I went to Cinderella at the Ordway with my sister in law Megan. We did lunch beforehand and then made it to play just in the nick of time.

We LOVED it!

Happy New Year!

We ended 2011 with having two of our best friends over for a yummy soup dinner and then lots of snacks! We also played Kinect Sports 2 while Linnea was still up, Linnea played with Chuck and DeAnna, and got a hold of the camera and took many pictures for us! I have posted a few here. After we got Linnea down for the night us adults played 3 rounds of Sequence, watched an episode of The Wire Season 3 and then hit the hay just after midnight and watching the ball drop in NYC.

We also made a gingerbread house that Linnea got at her bday party! Thanks Michele! Linnea maybe ate more of the candy than she decorated with but its okay, it was s till pretty fun!

YAY our guests arrived!

Here are some of the shots Linnea took...she of course had to get an up close one of her fav guy Chuck. That is besides daddy, Papa and Papa Dave.

and some of her Christmas artwork...I believe she also got a picture of the display on our dining room wall but I couldn't put all her pics up here. There were seriously like 30. And not all terrible either!

a goofy one of her goofy mommy...

her big puppy

her finger

her fav lady DeAnna...besides mommy and her grandmas ;)

and we had to take one of her drinking her sparkly fizzy grape juice! cheers!

Just one more trip to the ceiling before bed please!

Linnea had so much fun but went to bed without a struggle. She was worn out!

In fact as I gave her her final hug of 2011 she said, "you better go downstairs, Chuck and DeAnna are waiting for you. I will see everyone in the morning."

At one point in my life I thought it would be fun to be in NYC for the ball drop, now I am perfectly happy having a yummy dinner, snacks, a few drinks and fun with family and friends right at home.

Indoor Waterpark!

New Year's Eve the three of us had a wonderful time using a crowdcut coupon I had to the Great River Indoor Waterpark at the Oxford Community Pool just a couple miles from our house.

Linnea loved the two little waterslides when we helped her get down them but I think her favorite part was just walking around and around in the water. I took her in the big pool for a little while and swung her around which she also enjoyed.

Above you can see her going up the steps to the top of the slide...

ready, set, go....

YAY!

Along with our coupon came free drinks and ice cream so we just bought some hot dogs and nachos and ate lunch there before heading home to get ready for our little New Year's Eve party with Chuck and DeAnna.

GG and Fiona!

Linnea and I spent our Friday morning bringing GG some gas station donuts and visiting with her for just over an hour and then headed to my friend Katie's house to meet her baby Fiona who is just a few weeks old.

Fiona was pretty sleepy while we there but we did get to hold her and give her some kisses. Katie has another daughter Isabelle who is just over a month younger than Linnea so they were able to play together while us mommies got to chat.

We had lunch with them and then headed home for the afternoon/evening. We had a pretty low key Friday night in preparation for New Year's Eve! However...most Friday nights have become low key these days ;)