"Howdy" from Moresville

An Unscheduled Break

2009-11-02T20:42:00.003-06:00

We are going to take a break from here for a while...don't know how long yet, but putting a hold on things for the time being. Bear with us, and thanks for understanding.

The Obsession Continues

2009-10-30T13:49:00.002-05:00

Come on, tell me you didn't see this coming...

One of the community's shopping districts hosted a trick-or-treat last weekend, which coincided with the university's homecoming festivities. And after nearly losing the privilege of going to said event due to awesome three year old tantrums (I love this phase of his life, and I will love it more when it's OVER), we Parker got costumed up and went down to check it out.

Parker wasn't too sure about trick or treating. He didn't want to hold out his bag and ask "trick or treat", but did manage to mumble a shy "thank you" as he turned to walk away from most of the stops around the district. It was once we sat on the sidewalk to wait for the parade, that he realized what was in his bag...and oooooh, boy, did it suddenly turn into the BEST DAY EVER.

Daddy came to watch the parade too.

It was a nice (albeit a little chilly) evening for being outside for the sights and sounds.

I Survived the 1991 Halloween Blizzard (and got some sweet candy too)

2009-10-28T13:50:00.003-05:00

So this morning, I'm listening online to my favorite NPR station, based in Boulder, and they can't.stop.talking.about.the.snow. I mean, I get it people—it's umpteen inches before November first, but people...Hello!! You live in Colorado. You're supposed to like this stuff. (One of the things I never understood about life at 5342'...)

But snow at this point in the calendar brings back some good memories of being a kid in Minnesota, with piles of snow as high as the garage. One such event came on Halloween 1991 (no snickering), which to this day remains on record in several cities as the largest single-storm totals in the state.

We had a good 12, 14 inches perhaps, and a volleyball match on the first night of the three day whalloping. I remember playing our match and then canceling the following varsity match, so that the opponent could bus back home before the weather became too much to handle. And then going out trick or treating afterward. (Because who lets a little snow get them down? We're minne-soooohh-tan, after all.)

Facebook has a group dedicated to it. There are some cute articles on the interwebs about it. And even still, when I hear about snow around Halloween, it makes me want to bundle up the little man with his coat, mittens, and costume over the top, just like we did once upon a snowstorm.

Crazy week!

2009-10-26T13:13:00.004-05:00

Well you can tell from the lack of posts lately that we have been a little busy here at Moresville! We are sorry for not keeping everyone in the loop. We are going to get better! C does the majority of posts, I just get on every so often to add some laughter!

This past week was a crazy one! Last Monday I went to the ER in the early morning with a pain I did not like! I had no clue what was going on. Found out it was a kidney stone and was given some great little pills and sent home! 10 hours later the darn thing was out of me and I was on my way to being back to normal! Guess that all of the pop that I drink was catching up to me! So water is my new best friend.

The rest of the week was normal work stuff surrounded by some great Iowa State Cyclone athletic events! We were lucky to watch some great friends lead the ISU Volleyball team to victory at Nebraska! It was the first time in 76 matches that Iowa State won! It was a great win and we are so proud of the team and so happy for head coach Christy Johnson-Lynch. The match was so much fun to watch. It went to five and the Clones were able to pull it off. This video clip is of one point that lasted forever. Some of the best volleyball that I have seen.

This past weekend continued the great busy week! We had out good friends from KC stay with us. Parker loved it! His "girlfriend" as I like to say, got to stay and play with him for a few days. It was fun to watch the two of them play. One would do something and then the other would have to do the same thing. We learned how to "share" quickly this past weekend!

Then we were able to watch K-State play Colorado during the Homecoming game here. (More on Homecoming later this week!) C&P joined me at the game for a bit which is always great.

We then were able to watch another great Iowa State moment! The football team was able to "steal" a victory in Lincoln over the Huskers! Eight forced turnovers by the defense help lead ISU to victory. It was the first time that ISU has won in Lincoln since 1977! Here is a great video clip that shows the celebration.

Well I hope that the videos work, if not, sorry...I am not sure how to do links on here.

I promise that we will do a better job of updating everyone on here! Know that we are busy, Parker is growing and we are loving life! Hope everyone is doing great!

Hot Choco

2009-10-26T09:43:00.003-05:00

It's been cold and damp here lately...which has meant for a lot of afternoons inside working on our fine motor skills. :)

We had some hot chocolate one afternoon, which Parker thought was "really, REALLY good," in momma's favorite mug.

I want to ride in a Fire Truck

2009-10-17T09:10:00.002-05:00

Two weeks ago was Fire Prevention Week, and as part of the campaign, several fire stations in the area hosted an open house. And since Parker is fascinated (to put it lightly) with being a fireman, we thought it would be a fun experience for him.

It certainly didn't disappoint. We saw the Jaws of Life, got to use a real fire hose and squirt water, and tour the inside of the station. And the highlights of the day? Riding in the restored Engine #1 and the jumpy castle. (Which I am TOTALLY going to have for my next birthday!)

Pardon the shaky video, I must have had too much coffee that morning:

Spoken

2009-10-14T20:53:00.003-05:00

We have an interactive Dora book where she is the photographer (how appropriate) and has to take pictures of the animals. At the end of the book, Dora asks you to count the three pictures en espanol along with her. Parker counts them the same way every time.

"Uno, dooooos, SPANISH!! Momma, I did it! I count to three in Spanish!"

---

We missed the FedEx man this morning who had a package I was anxiously awaiting. Since the shipment had a signature release on it, we took our friendly door tag and drove across town before this afternoon's gymnastics class to pick up the box.

After we handed the slip to the attendant, Parker noticed the large mural behind the counter. It was a worldwide image with major landmarks around the globe and FedEx trucks/carriers throughout. He pointed out the moon, the trucks...and, "look, momma, I see a green king! And it has fiiiire!"

(It was the Statue of Liberty.)

2009 Holiday Card Debut!

2009-10-12T10:09:00.004-05:00

** Warning!! Shameless plug ahead! **

2009 Holiday Cards are here...visit the design/photography blog for all the info!

Parallel 39 Blog

Two three's

2009-10-08T22:53:00.002-05:00

We were trying to explain to Parker last night at daddy's birthday dinner that Parker is three, and daddy is two three's. He didn't really get it, but it was cute to try to explain to him.

Birthday cupcakes for daddy (P was really worried that daddy wasn't going to share...)

And Parker making his best two three's.

Happy Birthday Daddy!

2009-10-07T10:52:00.002-05:00

It's daddy's big day and we are celebrating with lots of cupcakes, hugs and kisses. Help me wish him a great day and more happiness in the years ahead!

Down By the Bay

2009-10-06T13:29:00.000-05:00

Parker loves and responds so well to music, and often sings all kinds of songs—sometimes they make sense, and other times they are just jabber about Mia, Cooper, trucks, baseball, chocolate milk...anything at all.

This afternoon we were pounding away at our to-do list while P was pounding on the keys. And before I knew it, he was singing this.WHOLE.song. He was completely unprompted, like he had been singing it all his life (and I hadn't heard him sing it before).

So I grabbed the closest recording device and got him to do it again. Sorry there's no video...er, of the carpet, anyway...but I had to be in stealth mode so he wouldn't wonder what I was doing. The sacrifice is worth it though. I promise! (And sorry about the piano bench creaking...I'm working on that.)

Motormouth

2009-10-05T13:20:00.002-05:00

It's birthday week for the eldest Moresville resident, who celebrates his big day on Wednesday.

Last night Mike was making himself a birthday week treat, and Parker was intrigued by the idea that it was someone else's birthday other than his own. "You mean, daddy gets a birthday, too?" Yes, Parker, the world doesn't revolve around you. :)

So he looks at me and says, "MOMMY!! When all the people come to our house, you mean, THEN it will be daddy's birthday?! And we will have a party?"

Sigh.

I asked him who he thought those people were who would come for such a party. Of course the little man replied with all his own friends, and not daddy's.

Truthfully, I wasn't planning a birthday party. Mike didn't seem to believe me, because of course I gasped and turned red at the thought of Parker spilling such information, truthful or not.

But the fact that Parker had the idea of having a birthday party for Mike was pretty cute. We'll see if he offers up any more birthday secrets this week. :)

Parade

2009-10-04T13:09:00.005-05:00

Last weekend was the university's official unofficial "band day", and part of the day's festivities (before the halftime performance at the football game) is to march through the business districts of town.

Of course this was the highlight of Parker's weekend—to sit on the sidewalk and watch twenty-some high school bands march by, one by one. Of course, the sarcastic side of me thinks it was hilarious to see so much teen angst and awkwardness in one place, and the gentler side thought it was cute and very hometown-y.

Some of the bands weren't any more than a few kids in tee shirts awkwardly trying to keep step with one another, playing nothing more than what sounded like organized noise. A stray drum cadence here, an out of step and tone-deaf tuba there. But admittedly there were a few pretty sharp and well organized groups, for which this obviously hadn't been their only rodeo.

And I only feel it's fair to be sarcastic and point fingers and giggle about it, only because I was there once. Or twice. Or several times perhaps. And oh it brought back so many memories of playing parades in the pouring-down rain, of maybe-or-maybe-not being a group somewhat like the Goonies—but it's great memories nonetheless.

And who knows, maybe P will follow in those same marching shoes.

Why, yes, I DO look like an idiot. With a paper bag on my head.

2009-10-01T09:48:00.002-05:00

So we've been doing projects in the afternoons based on what the theme of the week is at preschool. (Hey, give me credit...I'm trying here.) These last two weeks the topic is space, spacemen, and the moon—so we went to the library and got some space books, and one afternoon we made a space helmet. (Sad but true. Now that I think about it I could have gone about this project much differently...but like I said, I'm trying to be good at this SAHM thing.)

So of course Parker cuts two pieces of paper, slaps on a sticker and announces he's done. Not much of an art kid...but repeat it with me, we're trying! I ask him to take a photo, and he says, "no, you wear it, momma."

Sweet. I'm in outer space. With a child who continually looks as me as though I might as well be.

Gone Fishin'

2009-09-30T10:34:00.000-05:00

Parker has had a fascination recently with fishing...so while we were enjoying our picnic with Grandma and Poppa, we took along a fishing pole to see what we could catch.

Parker was so excited, and didn't quite understand that we had to sit and wait for the fish. :) (it was too cute!)

Some of my favorite memories of being younger are at the lake, fishing poles in hand and having to "put your own icky worms on your own icky hooks" (mom's quote). Something about it is peaceful and exciting all at the same time. The anticipation of knowing something is out there, and the patience to wait for it...

Getting the gear ready

Parker holds the pole

Waiting...ugh, the waiting!

We had a moment of excitement when something nibbled all the bait off our hook...but alas, no fish to be had this time. Parker loved it though and talked about it for days afterward--a good sign it made an impression on him. :)

Playing at the beach

2009-09-29T20:24:00.000-05:00

(More catchup from the past few weeks...)

After visiting the apple orchard we ventured to Lake MacBride to see about a little evening picnic and some fun by the water. As ill-prepared as we were (no sand buckets or swimsuits!), we had a great time.

Parker and Poppa built a sandcastle...and then Parker decided to pounce on it.

There was spinning and laughing, both assisted and solo...

And a beautiful evening to watch the light sparkle on the water.

Wilson's Apple Orchard

2009-09-28T10:04:00.000-05:00

One of the things I had really hoped to do with Parker this fall was visit an apple orchard. I haven't been to one in years, and thought it would be an experience that he'd enjoy. Lucky for us, we heard about one near Grandma and Poppa's house, so one of the afternoons during our visit, we went for a little drive and enjoyed the sights and smells (oh, the smells!!) of our wonderful visit.

The orchard is filled with over 150 varieties of apples from August to October—and the best pickings each week are flagged, to easily find where the ripest ones are. We scored on some of the most delicious Honeycrisp apples I've ever had—and we brought plenty home to enjoy long after we've returned to the Sunflower State.

Parker even went for a bite...

He was a great helper and reached the ones on the tops of the trees. (with a boost from Poppa, of course!) He liked holding all the apples too.

The colors, the smells, and the rows and rows and ROWS of apple trees were great fun to visit!

Recent adventures at Animal Planet

2009-09-25T09:48:00.000-05:00

We spent a long Labor Day weekend at Animal Planet....our new nickname for Grandma & Poppa's house because of the endless amount of wildlife around their house. We've seen deer, cardinals, rabbits, cats (and mice near the creek!), hawks, and now raccoons. It's never a dull moment there! It was great to spend a few days there and Parker of course got a good spoiling. :)

Parker was pretty excited to see the little boy who lives next door to G&P—they are the same age and love similar things...cars, trucks, Lightning McQueen and dirt. So we enjoyed the great weather and spent much time outside playing in the backyard.

This little critter came up late one afternoon...it's all part of the everyday goings-on at Animal Planet!

Zoobilee

2009-09-24T08:23:00.000-05:00

We visited the Kansas City Zoo a few weekends ago with our Lobsterfest partners in crime and had a great time seeing the animals.

And riding the carousel with daddy...

Chilling on the elephant...

Daddy's shoulders are a good ride, too...

Oh, and don't forget the animals!

What we've been up to

2009-09-23T09:04:00.002-05:00

While we've been on a little hiatus, we've been enjoying lots of windshield time and having a few adventures, Moresville style.

We hit the zoo with our KC BFF's:

Visited Animal Planet in Eastern Iowa:

Went to the Apple Orchard:

Fishing with Poppa:

Dancing on the beach:

More to come!

Shave and a haircut, two bits.

2009-09-22T00:41:00.000-05:00

We usually let the little man's hair grow for the cooler months, since I like to think it helps keep him warmer (and I just like it longer, I guess). But it was starting to get a little unruly, thanks to daddy's curls and needed a quick touch-up. Poor kid got more than a quick touch-up and more like an all-over-up...and we learned during said first attempt at cutting his hair ourselves, that next time we need to leave some spots, like his cowlick, a little longer. But he looks at least a little less disheveled.

Oh, and what's he doing in this photo? Playing with his "bee-bo"...Sandra Boynton fans will know that one!

Oh, Right...I have a blog.

2009-09-21T14:39:00.001-05:00

Er....sorry.

My neglect of things on the blog recently are quite apparent. I.will.try.harder....

Eat em up, Beat em up

2009-09-11T20:19:00.002-05:00

Sorry for the long and unexpected pause around here.

We're back in Iowa for the third weekend of the past four to be part of the Iowa-ISU football game...and while it's been a lot of windshield time, I'm always glad to be present in the ~~Hawkeye~~ Cyclone state. Parker is even attending the big game year...for which he is VERY excited.

Go Cyclones!

(Crickets)

2009-09-01T21:28:00.003-05:00

Life around here has been really quiet. Parker's last few days of preschool have been stellar, daddy is getting ready for the first football game of the season and I'm keeping up with everything else. No complaints, but not super exciting either. :)

Don't tell mommy!

2009-08-26T11:39:00.004-05:00

Parker and I were able to have a little boys weekend at the "water house" recently. A couple of friends came with and we left mommy at home to relax!

We spent a lot of time playing football with grandma and papa, played some golf too. We even got to go on a long boat ride in papa's new boat.

But the best thing was something that we can't tell mommy about! Parker got to ride on "daddy's wave runner". That is what he calls it! So daddy went and got it ready and we took it for a spin.

Parker loved being on the wave runner! He even got to drive it. (Daddy was right there the whole time so nothing to worry about!) We went from papa's water house down to Uncle Alan's. He was out in the boat getting ready to tube and snapped the photo for us. Thanks Uncle Alan!

Because mommy was not around, daddy jumped at the chance to take Parker for a ride. He loved it, which made daddy's day. He might not get to ride it again until he is 16 (or older) if mommy has her way, but at least he had fun and is safe and sound! Until next summer...