Chicago in December

Is beautiful, but FREEZING! Not sure whose brilliant idea it was for us to visit this time of year, but we did it. And we had a great time. Sadly, I don't have too many pictures, but I did take a few on our outing to two museums ...

 Notice what we call the "Craig Tongue of Concentration" in the above pics. Daddy still does that sometimes ...

 Gigi bought him a video camera, and he brought it with him to the Shedd Aquarium. Here he was filming the sharks ... I should really upload the video, huh?

 Here he is zooming around the "grocery store" at the Kohl Children's Musuem ...

 Watching something cool with Dad in the Water area ...

 And examining a nice fake potato.

Back at the Aquarium, he got to hang out with the Sea Lion for a few minutes ... and gave him a name ...

All in all, we had a great time visiting Kristen and Josh (and the rest of the Saxes). But I think next time we should visit in the Spring ...

xoxo,
AHC

PS. Kristen's got some shots of the adults enjoying themselves over on her blog.

Weekend Random

Sorry, folks, no pictures. But I do have a few cute stories to share ...

Saturday morning was bad. Really bad. First of all, it was pouring out. Getting ready for service was challenging, as Allen couldn't find a certain car that he "needed." Crying ensued. We dragged him to the car. Then arrangements didn't quite work out the way we'd planned, or the way Allen wanted. So he threw a tantrum. In the middle of the Kingdom Hall. A foot-stomping, screaming, flailing tantrum. I dragged him to the car. After a talk (and discipline), he improved. We talked more at home. And everything was better.

Later, at Nana and Papa's, Allen came up to me and said, "Mommy, I want to have a talk in the living room about this car." I obediently followed him to the living room and knelt down to his level. "Mommy," he explained, "this car stays at Nana's." "Oh, did I put it in your backpack to take home last night?" I asked. "Yes," he replied. "I'm sorry," I said. Fortunately, he forgave me and all was OK.

This morning, he had to go pee-pee, and as he did, he let out a huge fart. "Now that's a fart," he stated. Then he dragged Murphy into the bedroom to play. Awhile later, Brian was coughing in the shower, and Allen, panic in his voice says, "Oh no! Daddy has the throwup bug!" It was so sweet.

Aunt Kristen, you'll love this! Before we left for meeting this morning, Allen looked at our calendar. He pointed to the 25th and said, "I know what we're doing on the 25th! We're going to see Aunt Kristen!" I'm not sure how he remembered that, but he did. And tonight he asked if we were sleeping in one of Aunt Kristen's guest rooms. I explained that we'd be sleeping at Uncle Peter and Aunt Eileen's. He said, "And then we'll go meet Aunt Kristen and Uncle Josh in the morning?" I think he might be a little excited about our trip.

This week should be interesting. Nana and Papa leave tomorrow for Pennsylvania to pick up Gigi. So Allen and I are manning the shop together on Tuesday and Wednesday. Fortunately, we have the Leapster and the help of the "girls" so I'm optimistic that it won't be horrible. Tomorrow, I think we're going to make snowflakes and put them up on our windows. And do laundry ...

xoxo,
AHC

My November So Far: A list

It's been a month like no other. So much to say, but not much time (and no pictures on my work computer). So I'll summarize with a list.

• Tony & Yolonda surprised us with a weekend visit (Unattractive picture of me with my big ol' mouth open coming soon). Drove through the night to spend two days with us. And as if that wasn't enough, they also gave me a GORGEOUS handmade purse. We truly have the most wonderful and amazing friends.
• Kristen and Josh came to visit. They got to see Tony & Yolonda too. And they spent a few more days with us too. It was great ... we played BezzerWizzer and had different drinks every night. Sadly, they also had to endure the next item.
• In the midst of the visits, Allen got sick. Really sick. Doctor's visit revealed he had a double ear infection, sinus infection, and strep throat. Spent a week taking care of him.
• I got sick. Sinus infection. Courtesy of Allen. At least I didn't get sicker.
• Gigi (Grandmom) is convinced that she was robbed (again). Then she went into the hospital with Gall Stones, and had to have her Gall Bladder removed.
• Mom and I drove up to be with Gigi. Spent five nights away from my boys.
• Taught myself to crochet while away (with some help from Stephanie's tutoring four years ago). Making a scarf.
• Came home to my beautiful boys, the little one hacking away.
• Allen's sick again. Hoping it's just a cold.

I'm really hoping to get a little respite tomorrow. The shop will be closed. Maybe I can get some laundry done. And get some pictures posted. And take a nap ;)

xoxo,
Allegra

Mommy ...

Allen told me today that:

• Mommy cute
• Mommy sweet
• Mommy sexy (thanks to Dad)

Well, he should add, "Mommy writes" to his repertoire because Mommy has a new blog she'd like to share with you. Please join Kristen and I over at Book(s) I Read -- a new blog devoted to children's books. I hope you will enjoy it as much as we love watching Allen devour his books.

Enjoy, and spread the word, please (Mommy's looking for her five minutes of blog fame with this one).

Naughty puppies, toes, cherries

Kristen ... this one's for you :)

As ya'll know, Kristen was here about a month ago, while our Mom went off to Grand Cayman with our Dad. I had several posts that discussed Kristen's visit, including one of her making our drinks, but those were with my camera. So here are a few more pics of her visit that were taken with her camera. Hope you enjoy ...

I forgot to close the bathroom door, so the puppies got in and did some damage ...

Allen is trying to keep his maraschino cherry away from the pups (Kristen was making Manhattans again this night, hence the cherries).

Mom took us to get pedicures. I convinced Kristen (after the woman offered it to us) that we should get little designs on our big toes. Look how pretty!

xoxo,

Mommy glow; Inspiration

Jenn, please don't hate me, but I think this is a gorgeous shot of you. You look radiant, happy, and perfect. And you are each of those things. I love you, Jeff, and that gorgeous baby of yours. You are an awesome Mommy (just think of those dimples when Amy smiles), and you're doing a terrific job. Hang in there, and remember that we're here for you. Love you love you love you!

And Kissy, how proud am I to know that M thinks you're an inspiration. She's right. Your faith is certainly something that I want to emulate each day of my life. You're like a big sister to me ... oh wait, you are my big sister ;) xoxo

Goodnight,

Manhattans

Above is a shot of Allen sitting with Gigi and talking to Nana and Papa (while they were in Grand Cayman). I have lots to share with you, but am so tired these past few days that I cannot form my stories into coherent words. So instead, I post a lovely picture of "the kid," and perhaps an explanation of my inability to post these past few days (ha ha ... just kidding) XOXO, and I'll post real stories soon, I promise.

Aunt "Kissy" making Manhattans for me and her ... is that a large measuring cup she's using to make them? Hmm ... could explain a lot ...

Kissen, Puppies

Today was the grand opening of the Beaufort IHOP. Of course, we had to go. We love going out to breakfast (even when breakfast is at 11:30). Allen had eggs, "cake" (pancakes), berries, and "ceem" (whipped cream). He did a pretty good job with all of it.

We then ran to TJ Maxx to get a couple tops for me. I left with almost nothing, while Allen made out like a bandit! There was a Cars storage case/race track that we got him so he will be able to take all his cars with him next week to Pennsylvania. We also gave in and got him some "chockate" with "spinkles" (non perils). He was in hog heaven with those. I turned around in the car and he had chocolate all over his face, and he was licking his fingers to make sure he got every sprinkle and every bit of chocolate.

After his nap we were off to pick up Kissen from the airport. Since he had not watched Cars yet today, we took our portable DVD player with us and he watched it in the car. Once we got Kristen, Allen enjoyed telling her who the different characters in the movie were. Then we picked up Tink. Lily, and Zoe from Camp Green Dog and Allen was thrilled to have "Yily" sit on his lap the whole way home. He enjoyed it so much that he really wanted Tinky and "Yily" to sit on his "yap" and Nana's house. It was all very sweet, and sadly I have no pictures yet to share with you (though Kristen may have snapped a few).

Other new things he's saying:

• Empty -- Daddy taught him this word the other day, and he's been saying it every time he sees an empty box or plate or whatever
• Cars hurt you! (which sounds more like "caws hut chew") -- he says this when we're near the street
• Special -- usually explaining that someone or something is special

I can't think of anything else at the moment. I'm exhausted and hopped up on Benadryl, so my mind isn't working so well.

Go Phillies (as of now it's tied 2-2 and there is a rain delay)!

XOXO,