GAFFIGAN, BABY!!!

We are huge fans of comedian Jim Gaffigan. We saw his stand-up show live in August 2008 with Nichole and Ben (Bischmann) and had a blast. Before we went to the show we went to McCormick and Schmick in Oakbrook (which was amazing) and then up to Waukegan to the Milwaukee theater. We had so much fun that when we heard he was coming back to the area, we got tickets right away. This time we went with Jeff (Cozzo) and his girlfriend Deana. We had such a good time. Gaffigan did some of his old stuff and mixed in quite a bit of new. Afterward, we met up with a friend of Joe's, Megan, whose fiance is an agent or on Gaffigan's staff. So, we were able to score two backstage passes to meet the man himself. Awesome! And after a quick pitstop at the Renissance Hotel for a drink, we went to a sushi restaurant for some sushi and wine. Great night! WONDERFUL weekend!!!

Our backstage passses Outside the Chicago Theater...for one of the four soldout shows

Meeting Jim Gaffigan backstage. So cool!

Mmmmmmmm...Sushi

Me and Deana at dinner

Peter and Coz at dinner...enjoying their adult beverages

So full!

Time for a nap...in Cozzo's lobby!

Awesome Playdate: Anderson, Boynton, and Henderson Families

We had the most awesome, fun playdate last night! We went to the Andersons' home for some long awaited fun. We have been planning this three-family playdate for several months now...and it finally happened. Thank you so very much to the hosts with the most: Niki and Aaron! They sure know how to have company! We started the evening getting aquainted, as the girls didn't remember one another.

Puzzle time: Ella and Delaney Rowena helps Ella and Niki pick out a movie

Zach finds some boy toys

Girls start playing with stuffed animals: Ella, Delaney, Jenna, and Katie

Chillin and watching some old school Alvin and The Chipmunks

Eating some tres yummy food--pizza, juice, and fruit (adults also had that and some very tasty dips/appetizers and Niki makes THEE best homemade blackberry sangria...OMG--to die for!!!)

Super mom...taking on both at once.

Rowena wants to try Daddy's drink
Woo-Hoo!!! Running from the play room for craft time!

Making Valentine's gift bags (thanks, Niki!!!)

Movie and Popcorn Time! Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs

And, time for the boys to play...ROCK BAND!

TAUS! Me, Niki, Marcia

Pete got a little "comfortable." Niki laughed so hard, she had to get her camera...

Girls turn to rock the house...on beginner!
Zach's turn on the drums

Movie is over...time for the Littles to rock the house (they did great!)

In picture: Scott, Jenna, Peter, Delaney, and Ella

Aaron and Ella

Jenna...loving the guitar

Ney's turn on the guitar

Aaron with his girls, Abby and Ella

Niki and Ashley (Marcia and Scott's 4 month old)
PASSED OUT!!!

A WONDERFUL time was had by all!!! Thank you so much Niki and Aaron for hosting...for the toys, Rock Band, the craft project, the movie and popcorn, and all of the amazing food. We had a blast. It was so good to see everyone...Niki and Aaron Anderson with Ella and Abby, and Marcia and Scott Boynton with Jenna, Zach, and Ashley. Now, to plan the next ABH Playdate...

One Thirsty Baby!

Katie's Outfit

Pete usually gets the girls dressed on Mondays (the day he is home from work). He tells me that matching is subjective. I disagree...

What are your thoughts?

Proud: GO JOE! And, GO White Collar!

I want to share a link with everyone. This is to my brother-in-law's page on IMDB (Internet Movie Database), or as Peter and I refer to it...The Bible. Anyway...take a look, it's being updated as the episodes of WHITE COLLAR come out.

http://imdb.com/name/nm3026153/

Don't forget: WHITE COLLAR on USA Network, Tuesdays at 9pm Central

Wonderful, fun show with some GREAT eye candy for the ladies (Thanks Matt Bomer) and amazing writing. Congratulations, Joe--You're doing great and we are so very proud of you!!!

One Month Left...

Rowena is 11 months...ALREADY! I can't believe how fast this year has gone...it makes me so sad knowing she may be our last baby, and the fact that it goes by so fast, that she's almost one. No longer does she just lay around, staring at you, coo'ing and babbling. No, now she is very mobile and loud, with a very definite personality all her own! So, here is what Rowena is up to just one month shy of ONE YEAR!!!

• clapping
• tries to whistle
• wants to play the Wii
• loves to open drawers and crawl through tunnels
• likes to play the standing game (will upload a video this weekend)
• is proud
• is fiesty
• chews on lots of things, as shown on our end tables
• likes to feed herself...either with her fingers, spoon, or fork (she can easily get utensils into her mouth, but cannot yet put the food onto the utensil)
• giggles
• likes to watch T.V.--especially Dora, Diego, and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse
• LOVES the basement
• says things like: dada, joejoe, dog, and annyong

I can't wait to update at one year...with all her stats as a big girl!

Wii Fit Plus=Constant Competition

Ah, our competitive child, Delaney. It isn't even enough for her to have the high score, but she has to continually beat her own high score. It makes us proud that she doesn't settle and constantly works on getting better (not just at the Wii, but also at school and reading and writing and such)...but I hope that this doesn't turn into a perfectionism obsession.

Even her progress report states: "Delaney has a sincere desire to do her best." Which is her teacher's very nice way of stating that she's competitive and a perfectionist.

Rowe and Riggs...Bestest Buds

They're so darn cute together! Here are Rowena and Riggs playing over one of his toys early in the morning. He's been really good with her, but we watch them closely. The other day he growled and he ended up scratching her leg as he reached for his toy back. She was really upset about it, but maybe she'll learn to back off when he's getting upset with her for continually taking his toys.

Hey! I got it!

You Want To Be A...What?

Katie at breakfast this morning says:

"I want to be a hooker when I grow up."

WHAT!?!?!?!

"I want to be a cougar when I grow up."

WHAT!?!?!?!

"I want to be the one who makes the food."

Pete: "Oh, you want to be a cook or a chef."

Katie: "Yeah, that's what I said, cooker."

Whew...we don't want our 4 year old aspiring to be a hooker or a cougar...Neither are aspirations parents have for their children. Cooker is MUCH better!

Arrested Development, Anyone?

Our baby is bilingual. You may not believe me, you may be skeptical, but it's true. I swear. Rowena can say "Hello" in Korean. No shit. She says "Annyong" all the time. We're very proud parents.

A Perfect Ending

Last night Pete was downloading music to update my iPod (thanks, sweetie). He put on a song, and we all started dancing, in the front room, with the blinds open. We just danced around and sang. Thanks to Black Eyed Peas for having so many awesome dance songs for our family!

After dancing for about 15 minutes, we went on to have a Wii Fit Plus Challenge. Of nine games, Delaney won six and I won three. Tonight we plan to have a family rematch (as Peter and Katie kept dancing so they only participated in the last 3 challenges).

It was a perfect ending to a wonderful day and a good week...

KT Phone Home

(if you say it outloud, it'll say Katie Phone Home. Like ET Phone Home. Nevermind).

At Katie's preschool, they are helping the kids learn their birthdays, phone numbers, and addresses. Kate was the first in her class to know her birthday. To symbolize her accomplishment, she received a birthday pencil.

Today, she was allowed to call home because she knew her home phone number. She was SO cute on the phone! She was telling me about how they were making apple sauce (from scratch) and how excited she was for that, and to celebrate her 1/2 birthday (since her birthday is in July, we celebrate it with her classmates on her 1/2 bday with cupcakes).

Next up...is to learn her address. Then her teachers send her a card in the mail for that accomplishment.

Grrrr, Argh!

So, right now, as a parent I'm quite frustrated, and unsure of what to do. There are certain things that are not allowed to be said in our home:

1. Shut up
2. Stupid
3. I hate you

We just think that these are very hateful, mean things. Well, of course, because these are off-limits, they have now become the natural reaction for my kids to vomit out of their mouths when they get into trouble or become angry. Example...this morning Delaney didn't want to play in the basement with Katie but instead stay upstairs to play with Rowena. Katie's automatic response: "I hate you." Yesterday when Delaney was mad at me because I didn't allow her to scare me when she said boo! after hiding from me when we got to a very busy public place, she says "I hate you. Get away from me. You're a mean mom."

Ugh! What do I do? It's hard to give a time out when Delaney has to go into dance class or when we have to get ready to leave for school! Yelling doesn't work, nor is it something I like/want to do. And we're not spankers. Hm...

Recital 2010 Costumes

Here are the girls dance costumes for their recital on June 12th. So cute!

Delaney's Jazz Costume. She will be in red with her hair in a pony tail, tan tights, and black jazz shoes. Song: R-O-C-K in the USA by John Mellencamp.Delaney's Ballet Costume. Her hair will be in a bun with pink tights and pink ballet slippers.

Katie's Ballet Costume. Her hair will be in a bun with pink tights and pink ballet shoes.