Over The Top!

It all started when I heard that the circus was in town and that they would be unloading the animals from the train and walking them through the streets to the arena. A frugal father thought, take Zach to this "parade" and you can save $11 bucks a ticket to The Greatest Show on Earth" and you'll still be the Greatest Dad for a Day... perfect. Perfect plan that is.

The "parade" only suckered me into buying tickets. I talked up the fact that we would see circus animals all day. Then at 8:15 we leave for downtown. I thought we could park in my office's garage, and watch from the sky bridge that connects it to the SeaGate center; the animals would walk right under us.

I had delusions of what this all would be. I pictured tigers on leashes growling at the little kids, Elephants waiving their trunks, clowns running around, etc.... Well, we pulled in the garage, still no sign of the animals, but plenty of people. 3 minutes later, we were parked, and on the sky bridge. All we saw was big bus moving towards us down Jefferson, with nothing behind it. I thought that's strange, where are the elephants... so I turned the other way only to see the back side of some horses as they closed the gates! That was it. What kind of circus is this? How could that be it?

Zach was upset, crying in fact, and he wouldn't stop saying that he wanted to see the snails, (not sure why he thought snails were in the circus.) I tried to give him a glimpse through over the arena wall where the elephants were now in tents, it was too dark to really see them.

Needless to say, the ride home was full of disappointment on the part of a tired four year old. "They can't sleep in tents Daddy, we have to go back, they need to go back to the zoo to sleep. I'm sorry, Zach we can't see them tonight, they need to rest so they can do their tricks in the morning. Can we see them in the morning Dad?" AHHHHHHH

My moment of cheep glory was a complete bust. I broke down and bought tickets online that night, so much for saving a buck a looking like a hero to boot. Despite it all, I am so glad it worked out this way.

Zach and I had a great day, spending some one on one time. We had breakfast at the Spitzer Arcade where a number of judges and lawyers hang out over the lunch hour. Then we stopped in the office so Zach could meet some of the guys before going to the pre-show. HE LOVED IT ALL. It was our first circus, and we had a blast. The only thing that could have made it better would have been to have the girls with us. Avery has been coughing a lot and spitting up almost everything she eats.

The new arena is beautiful, and the show was spectacular. Here are some pictures (taken on my phone so sorry for the poor quality).

Fall Moments

The kids were cheering at the deli counter.  The lady was in no hurry, so I got a picture of something we do all too often, grocery shop.

Avery swinging in our backyard.  The photo may seem like it's a scary smile, but she was not going for that look.

Ta da!  Leaf jumping!

Zach says, "ready, setty, go!"

We had a ton of leaves in our yard and Zachery had a blast jumping into the pile, and getting buried in the leaves.

pretty red tree, do you know what kind it is?

Side Cut Park - it was beautiful

cute kiddies
kind of blurry, but you get the drift.  I love the pony tails on this girl.  She has her dad's straight hair and it's a Pippy Longstocking look I  dig.

I love the unexpected warm fall days!  Tomorrow is supposed to get up to 66 degrees! 

Happy Halloween

We finally made it out to Farmer Charley's.  We got to race little ducks, go through a corn maze, watch pigs race, ride a little train - all the while trying to keep warm.  It was windy and chill-y.

(All the photos are out of order because I can't figure out blogspot right now and it's bugging me, so I won't try to fix it again!)

Our spider pizza dinner

I just put this in because I love her little pony tail sticking out.

Giggles

It wasn't the first hour and 45 minutes that I minded, it went by fast and the weather was okay.  It was the last 45 minutes that I just wanted it over.  Avery got her H1N1 flu shot, and I'm glad I went and waited in the line for it.

The hightlight was watching Avery play in the grass with the other kids.  She was the youngest one out there playing and four kids kept coming up and kneeling down to talk to her.  She just smiled and laughed.  One boy gave her a couple of hugs even.  She sat on a cement block and giggled as the kids ran over and sat by her.  It was fun to watch.

        Avery is in the pink jacket.  The girl next to her is, Brooklyn, who kept finding us and was fun to chat with.  Avery loved her.

The family in front of us was from Brazil and I talked to them for a bit.  Eu gosto de falar em portugues de mais.

The crowd was good and no one seemed disgruntled by the wait.  I heard two kids exclaim, "Yay, I'm getting a shot today!"   That's pretty good.

When Avery was taking off too far, I buckled her into the stroller.  Well, she wanted OUT and cried so hard, ...projectile spit up.  I explained to the folks around me, she isn't sick, just does that when she cries too hard.  Ahem, and I quickly tried to wipe Avery and the stroller down and hope people steered clear of what landed on the sidewalk.  She calmed down and was good til she got her shot.  Kids are resiliant.  I'm glad it's over, and I'm planning on the booster to be done in our pediatrician's office.

Thank you, Leisy, for watching Zach!  I couldn't have waited that long with both kids!
All done, now I can move on with my life. ;)

*** I found the cable to my camera. :)  Maybe it was me that put it somewhere else. ahem.

In this picture, Zach couldn't take his eyes off of a ride/game at the mall.  He was saying, "Cheese, take the picture!"

Avery loved pushing her puppy down the slide, "ta-da", she wanted to say.

Apple

1) "Apple" she said.  Then again, "apple".  Then we looked at her, and with an apple in her hand, again she said, "apple"!  Avery's first real word, after bye-bye! 

The next day at the park, we were playing peek-a-boo and Avery said, "I see you"!    Woot, woot Avery!

2)  I thought today was Thursday.  There was a bunch of stuff going on today and I guess I just spaced preschool.  Someone asked me about Zach going to afternoon preschool, and that's when I realized, "Ack, we're late for preschool!"  I apologized and ran off.  He was 45 minutes late for a 2 hour 15 min. preschool.  At least it's just preschool.  I can't be the reason my kids are late for school, when they're in actual school.  I call this my practice year. :) 

3)  Zachery's school pictures were in today and I was pleasantly surprised to see they turned out awesome!  Better than ANY photos we've ever taken,  kudos to Teddy Bear Portraits. 

4)  Later on I took the kids to the mall to use a coupon, then 2 more coupons for food, and then we jumped in the massive trick-or-treat line and got some candy.  Seriously there were at least a thousand kids/parents/ect. shuffling along.  When Toledo says "free", the masses come running. :)  It was fun, for a half an hour, then I let the kids play in the play area for a bit, then we left.  Very successful outing!  I wish I could download the photos I took.

The Chillins

Zachery is growing up!  I am often surprised at the things he says and he can be a big help to me.  Last night in his prayer he asked that he could have a good primary program and sing all the songs. :)  They had their program today and it was all I wanted it to be; spiritual, funny, entertaining and precious.  Zach said his part well, and sang all the songs (in earnest too) and although he disappeared on the floor for awhile, he had a great time.  On the way home from church, he said, "That was fun at church today."  We're so thankful for his teachers and all the leaders who love the kids in primary.

Avery is walking now and as her biggest fan, I think she's so cute doing it.  She rocks side to side as she walks wide-legged.  Avery will take off walking and can head out pretty fast getting wherever it is she wants to be.Sure sign she is growing up too.  Avery still gets most of her food through a g-tube, but she loves to try what Zach is eating.  I must admit, I get discouraged by the slowness of her eating and wanting to eat.  Avery has a cousin who, also has a g-tube, and this week asked for and downed chocolate milk and a yogurt!  There's hope for us.  Go Maisy!

Lately, Avery has been spitting up, at least once a day, and today, so far twice.  The first time was as we were heading out the door for church, and the second was during nursery.  Luckily I got most of both in the sink. :)  Poor kid.  On a positive note, she loves nursery class, even if all she wants to do is play.  Bless all the nursery workers!

Whenever Avery sees the camera, she immediately reaches for it and whines for it.  Which ruins the photo opp.  I've taken a lot of photos like this one. :)

ps- I can't find my cable so I can upload new photos. Until I do, it's random old photos.

Yum-O

I asked my friend, Michelle Goodwin, who happens to be a cupcake guru, for a delicious recipe and she offered this one.  I have to say, I looooove it!   She also has a version that uses applesauce instead of oil.  Enjoy!!!

STRAWBERRY YOGURT CAKE
1 package white cake mix
¾ cup water
1/3 cup vegetable oil
3 egg whites
2 containers (6 ounces each) Yoplait strawberry yogurt
1 or 2 drops red food color, if desired
8 ounces Cool-Whip topping, thawed

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease bottom and sides of rectangular pan, 13x9x2 inches (you can make a double layer round cake, or cupcakes-follow baking directions on the box); lightly flour. Beat cake mix, water, oil, egg whites and 1 container yogurt in large bowl with electric mixer on low speed 30 seconds. Beat on medium speed 1 minute. Pour into pan. Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean; cool completely. Stir together yogurt and food color; fold in whipped topping. Spread over cake. Garnish with strawberries if desired. Refrigerate any remaining cake. Makes 16 servings.