Ian-isms

Ian is playing soccer. He is on a team made up of 4 girls and 6 boys. One of the girls on the team has a white mother and black father. (We will call her T.) Yesterday, he was trying to make me understand that he was talking about that particular girl. This is how the conversation went:
Ian: You know T?
Me: Who?
Ian, T, on my soccer team. She has pretty brown skin. She looks like the sushi guy.
Me: (Leaving the room snickering.) Ok.
So, he sees a difference. He obviously doesn't care. But clearly, I have taken him to too many sushi restaurants!

Papaw offered him a dollar the other day if he scored a goal. About one minute later (you could practically hear the gears turning!), he said: "So Papaw, if I score 3 goals, I get $3, right!?!" Too smart for his own good. So far, he has not scored a goal. He did, however, assist with a goal and and stopped a couple from going in the goal when he played goalie. Papaw did give him a dollar after that game for doing such a good job. As for the soccer, I am not sure it is his sport. But at this age, it's hard to tell. Some kids are really into it and others are more interested in dancing, picking clovers, etc. Ian seems not to be too interested right now, but maybe as he gets older he will get into it more.

This evening he was trying to prolong the bedtime ritual, as usual. He called me back into his room after about 5 minutes of being in bed and we had the following exchange:
Ian: Mom, my thumb smells like my butt.
Me: Well, don't put your thumb in your butt. (Yes, I said that with a straight face!)
Ian: Mom! I didn't!
Me: Well, then quit smelling your thumb! (Again, with a straight face!)
Me: Go to sleep. (I walked out and cracked up!)
That one goes in the book of "Things you never thought you would say!"

My Parents Wedding Anniversary

September 14, 1974

20 years later on my wedding day, September 17, 1994.



2002

Today should have been my parents 36th wedding anniversary.

I love you both. I know that you are with Dad in spirit and love today.
Happy Anniversary.

Surprise Visit to Wisconsin

At the end of July, Ian, Alex and I took a trip to Wisconsin. The mission of our trip was to surprise my friend, Cathy, for her 50th birthday. Cathy's husband, Brian, hatched the idea in January and asked me to come for the surprise party. I thought about it and decided I could do it, but I was going to see Wisconsin Dells while I was there!

There is a story behind wanting to see the Dells. Mark and I went to Wisconsin several times in the last 17 years. Each time we would pass the Dells and he would tell me about visiting there as a kid. His family was from North Dakota and they traveled through Wisconsin stopping at the Dells each time they visited. And, each time he told me about it, he would say "We will go there some day. It's really fun and very pretty." Well, needless to say, we never made it. So, I made up my mind that if I was going to Wisconsin, we were stopping at the Dells!

I loaded up the car and headed to Chicago with the boys. We spent the night, got up the next morning and spent the day at the Navy Pier. We went to the Children's Museum. We checked out the boats. We ate great pizza. We rode the Carousel. We shopped. We had a great time!

At the end of the day in Chicago, we drove to the Dells. We spent the night, got up the next morning and played the entire day in the Dells. Then we drove on to LaCrosse for the party the next day. We had breakfast with John and Leann, then headed to Brian and Cathy's for the party. Cathy was very surprised by the party and everyone there. (Mission accomplished!) We then spent a couple of days playing at the park, going to a Loggers baseball game, and just enjoying spending time with great friends. Ian got to spend time with his girls, Megan and Marissa. Alex got to meet new people and have some fun running around a new town too. I owe a big THANK YOU to Brian, Cathy, Megan and Marissa for a great time and for making my 'first' vacation so enjoyable.

Ian got a Harley ride from Uncle Brian.

Ian driving his first go-kart.
He was so excited, he rode 5 times in a row!

Playing in the wave pool at the water park.
We spent several hours playing in that pool.

Alex driving a go-kart.
He drove several times too!

Ian riding a roller coaster all by himself.
He loved it too!

We took a Duck ride through the Dells.
The one thing I wanted to do!

Ian and Alex on the Navy Pier in Chicago.

In Chicago, riding the Carousel.

Playing at the Children's Museum.

Digging up dinosaur bones at the museum.