Isobel's second game - chants

Let's get fired up

Super fired up

Another weekend, another game...

Isobel had another game this weekend. It was so crazy hot. They cheered with the 6th graders during the first quarter, which was pretty neat. The whole squad did a great job and really held their own with the bigger girls. I was very proud of all of them... especially since it was so very, very, very hot. Here are some pictures (of course)...

Did I mention that it was hot...

Tomorrow, Eli has his hearing test with the audiologist and Emmy will have her stitches removed. Her head seems to have healed nicely. We will know for sure tomorrow. I have been slightly concerned that she will have a scar in the middle of her forehead, but I have heard that it is not likely. Apparently, as a child grows, the forehead grows into the hairline.

Water fun...

Jon took Isobel and Eli to the water park at the YMCA on Saturday. Emmy and I stayed home to keep her stitches dry. However, Jon took some great pictures. It looks like they had a great time. The YMCA never lets us down. If you live in the area and are not a member, you should absolutely consider it. Hopefully Emmy will be able to enjoy the pools before they close for the summer...

first day of school picture...

Notice Emmy's poor little head... :(

Can she be any cuter?

Isobel's First Day

Isobel was so excited to go to kindergarten this morning she had a bounce to her step. We went to the bus stop at about 8:15 (pick up is 8:20). There is only one other kid that gets on at our stop, he is in second grade and quite a little show off.

When the bus stopped she climbed on like a pro and never even turned around to say bye.

The sad part is that we were on the wrong side of the street, so we had to run across to get her on the bus. The result was that I didn't even get to say good bye, much less get a hug. Of course, it would have been more for me than her. I guess I should be glad that she got on the bus so willingly. I have a bit of (okay a lot of) seperation anxiety and I really don't want to pass it down to her.

The positive of the last minute rush, she really was gone before I started to cry... goal accomplished!

All is well...

There is nothing worse than hearing the blood curdling scream of your five year old. Except, running into the room and finding your one year old standing with blood streaming down her face...

Two hours and four stitches later, all is well in our world.

Time flies...

It seems like just yesterday I was laying in my bed obsessing over what to buy Jon for his 28th birthday. I had ordered him a couple of CD's on Amazon, trying to avoid schlepping my outrageously swollen body from store to store searching for the obscure CD import. However, it was 10:00 pm on Sunday, January 12th, and it hadn't arrived, nor was it anticipated to arrive by the next evening. I was dreading spending the few hours after work and before dinner trying to decide what to buy him and where to get it (those of you who know us may have heard me complain about how difficult he is to shop for). I would have done anything to get out of that shopping trip.

In Arizona, my parents were packing for a trip to Las Vegas. It was going to be a nice vacation for them, my Dad loves Las Vegas. He is perhaps the only CPA I know who loves the idea of the frivolous and carefree LV lifestyle.

At 5:00 am, the morning of January 13th, I was up for my usual bathroom break, exhausted and trying to decide how I would make it through the next three weeks. I remember thinking, "37 weeks today, only three left to go" while I stared at my disgustingly swollen and painful feet. As I lay back down in bed for another hour of fitful sleep I heard a strange pop and felt a gush, I jumped out of bed and ran to the bathroom. I was sitting in the bathroom yelling for Jon, who claims he was still asleep (as he was less than 20 feet from my yelling, I doubt it). Finally, I yelled "I think my water broke!" I heard him fall out of bed and start running.

Thirteen hours later, Isobel was born and she was perfect. By far the best Birthday gift I have ever given Jon.

The moral of the story, I really will do anything to avoid shopping for gifts for Jon. :)

Tomorrow, Isobel starts kindergarten. I have been spending a lot of time thinking about her last five years and how grown up she is.

So, the next few days, I plan to be sappy and post lots of pictures from Isobel's last five years. I started last night with one of her first pictures... I can't believe she was ever that little, I can't believe she is already this big...

Needless to say, my parents didn't make the trip to Vegas; I guess I owe them one... I am sure I will pay them back, just like always (in this case, always means never).

I am totally not ready...

Tonight Jon and I went to kindergarten orientation. Tomorrow Isobel meets her teacher, takes a test and gets a tour of the school. Friday at 8:20 am, I will put her on a bus.



I am so not ready for this!!!

Dragons and Daisies

I always thought I was one of the few moms’ that actually salivated over children's fashion. I can't help but peruse various websites to see what new hip clothes my kids could wear. If I had unlimited resources, my children would easily be the most stylish on the block.

I have to say that this article regarding children's fashion really disturbed me.

First, why in the world do parents want their kids to look like mini adults? As a society, are we taking away a child's right to be a child? It seems to me that expectations are higher for children on all levels (academically, developmentally and athletically). Are we only perpetuating this lack of childhood by dressing them as adults?

Second, and perhaps the most disturbing portion of this article, is a parents need to dress their child like the child of a celebrity. This is insane (in my humble opinion). While I understand the theory that celebrities have made their life choices, paparazzi or no paparazzi, I have always empathized with the day to day struggle they endure. The idea that the paparazzi are stalking these poor children so they can be fashion icons is disturbing. Even more disturbing is the fact that we, as consumers, demand it.

Therefore, my new blog Dragons and Daisies is going to focus on fashionable child appropriate clothing. Now, having said that... there may be a slip up or two, as I am only human...

There will, however, be no slip ups when it comes to pictures of the children of celebrities. In fact, just to shake it up, I would love pictures of the children of paparazzi photographers. After all, do unto others as you would have done unto you.

Living in a dream world...

This morning at about 7:00 I heard a yell. Not a "Help, I am in trouble yell", more of an "I am so angry with you I cannot find the words to explain it" yell. I look over and find Eli asleep next to me... apparently yelling in his sleep. Before we realize he is asleep both Jon and I ask him what is wrong...

"Bel stole my cheese crackers!"

What an odd dream...

Needless to say, when he asked for cheese crackers this morning I felt like I had to comply (he usually gets a pack at 10:00, not before). Isobel was standing next to him at the table practicing writing her name and he yelled at Isobel...

"Bel, don't take my crackers."

She looked at him like he was insane and yelled "I am nowhere near your stupid crackers!"

The impact of the dream world on reality is fascinating in a 3 year old.

Eli's room

A few weeks ago we bought Eli his big boy bed. Unfortunately, we have not been able to find any bedding that we love He is currently using the quilt my Grandma Byrne made me (or my sister, who knows) over 15 years ago. It is a nice solid blue on one side, but the other side is pink and brown with pink flowers.

I have spent a lot of time searching various websites looking for something and I have finally found it. Unfortunately it is from Serena & Lily, so I can't justify the cost (even if I could, I wouldn't be able to afford it).

So, if anyone is thinking that they want to get me a crazy expensive but amazing gift, this is the top of my list... of course, I will also need a down comforter or the duvet would be just plain silly.

By the way... Serena & Lily is having a great sale right now... if you haven't seen their stuff, give it a gander... it is pretty fantastic.

Isobel's First Game

Today, Isobel cheered at her first football game. It was the 4th graders vs. Milford. We didn't stay for the whole game, so I have no idea who won... sorry.


Eli is trying to perfect the slacker look... How is he doing?

Isobel's first game - Chants

We've got spirit

deep down inside

bring it up

don't let it hide

Isobel's first game - dance

Here is a video of the dance from todays game. They did sideline chants through the first half, so Isobel was pretty tired by this time. You will see her dragging. I think I will post the dance from the final game for comparison. I hope I remember.

In case you can't hear the music it is We Got the Beat by the Go Go's.

Hammin' it up...

In case I haven't mentioned this before... Isobel is a bit of a ham. She got a new hat yesterday, which meant that she had to dress around it today. This is her fashion show...

Emmy and Eli

I have no story for these as I was not here. I found them on the camera and felt that they were definitely worth sharing.

At the zoo...

We made another trip to the zoo yesterday. The kids had a good time. We haven't been since the new Giraffe Experience opened. It was pretty neat. If you are in the area, I highly recommend checking out the Cincinnati Zoo.

Side by Side

I have always thought that Emmy looks like a nice mixture of Isobel and Eli. So for fun, I thought I would compare (top left to right - Isobel, Emmy; bottom - Eli). They are all about 15 months old in these pictures. Let me know what you think...

Sharon Woods Park continued...

Eli has become quite daring as he gets older. He is still scared of a lot, but he did climb up the rock ladder at the park. Here is a pictorial of his climb and his celebration at the summit...

Okay, so it isn't Mount Everest, but even Sir Edmund Hillary had to start somewhere.

Sharon Woods Park

On Sunday, Jon and I tried to take the kids to a park near our house. When we arrived the playground was taped off due to construction. As Jon was perusing the map looking for another park in the vicinity, a man rode up on his bike with 2 boys in tow. After a couple of questions he directed us to Sharon Woods Park. It was only about a 10 minute drive and we were pleasantly surprised when we arrived. We paid $2.00 for the day (one can get an annual pass for a mere $5.00) and ventured into a new area. There were three playgrounds, a squirty park (this is probably not the technical term, as it seems a bit x-rated when I type it, but anyone who has seen one knows what I mean), a concession stand and a historical village with a gift shop. We spent about 3 hours there and the kids had a blast. I would happily pay $2.00 for a return visit and will seriously consider paying $5.00 next year for the annual pass... it would be well worth it.

Here are some pictures... enjoy!

Go Knights!

Isobel has received her cheerleading uniform...






Her first game is this weekend. We will take more pictures!