Saturday, March 31, 2012

Finding shapes

If it were up to me, I would teach the kids shapes from books, or even games on the iPad. But I'm not Alina. Alina teaches shapes in a whole new way... First, they cut them out.

Do a few more crafts with them.

Then it's field trip time! What shapes do you see in the library?

Ava found a heart!

Max found a heart at the pet store!

And there's a star!

Hexagon, anyone?

Who knew shapes could be so fun? I'm just glad I saw the pictures when Max declared we should play the shape game. He found lots and lots (and lots!) of squares, rectangles and circles on our drive!

Friday, March 30, 2012

So thankful

There's a lady at work who was cleaning out he kids' closets. They are 12 and 14, so she asked me if I wanted clothes for Nolan and Max to grow into. Of course I do! Little did I know that I would get 5 garbage bags full of clothes... lots of hoodie sweatshirts, many warm-up pants, shorts both athletic and nice, a million long and short sleeve tshirts and more jeans than even my boys could wear out! They were brands like Aeropostale, Abercrombie and Fitch, Polo. The kid's closet is now much more expensive than mine. Lucky boy! But I'm just so thankful he will be able to grow into all this...

Amazing!

Thursday, March 29, 2012

Pilsung!

Max had the opportunity to test for his gold belt tonight. They don't tell you right away whether you passed or not, but we think he did. He got to break another board, and was very good throughout the two hours of testing (lots of kids were testing). I think we've found his passion, at least for now! Pilsung (You can do it!), Max!
 So proud!
 Focus!
 That's the longest he's ever stood so still!
 Aiya!
 You watchin' daddy?
 AIYA!

Breaking his board!

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

If you have to turn 40...

Dave got some really great gifts for his birthday. Besides the party, of course, he also got some great scotch glasses, scotch that he loves, great cigars, and this hat:
 But the best of all... this sign, which will go into his office that Alina made with the kids:
All these great gifts, I'm sure, helped ease the pain of turning 40!

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Lovely friends

As part of the big surprise for Dave this past weekend, our great friends Brian and Tammy came to town and brought their great kids Jack and Ellie. The kids had a great time, and we realized we just don't see them enough. Jack is the smartest almost-3 year old you've ever met (all his letters? Seriously? We're happy if Ava can say Mommy!!), and Ellie couldn't be any cuter. At 5 months old, she's the perfect age, and my arms were SORE on Monday from holding her all day. I just would not let her go!
*All photo credits go to Brian Ebbs, professional photographer. Kind of.

What a crew!
 I love me some baby!!
 Abby was making her giggle out loud. Very cute!
 The boys. Nolan was fantastic with Jack. I'm not sure he ever left his side... took him outside to play, or downstairs. Even when Nolan's friends were doing something else, Nolan hung out with Jack.
 Peek-a-boo!

Jack, Nolan and Happy Max!

Destined to be a big sister!

Playing footsie. The two mostly didn't give the other one a second thought. By the end, they started playing catch and watching some tv together. Jack probably thought, "I just can't communicate with this girl!"

Jack and Jill. And Ellie...

One more pic of the crew.

Wow! Heartbreakers, every one of them!

And these girls will certainly break a few hearts of their own.

Baby lovin'. I got my fill. Mostly. I think. But they can bring her back any time. SOON.

I tried to get a good picture of Dave and Ellie, but he was mad at me for MAKING him go out to dinner. So, I got this blurry picture instead. Serves him right.

What I don't have? Pictures of Brian and Tammy! Oh well. Brian, that's what you got for being the photographer! Please, please, please come back soon!

Monday, March 26, 2012

Just a really great night

I have been planning Dave's fortieth birthday for a little while now. Actually, over a year and a half ago, I knew where I wanted to have it. We went to a restaurant called Il Mito for my last boss when she went away, and loved the experience. Basically, they have a "Chef's Counter Private Dinner" where Chef Fekker, the head chef at the restaurant, cooks your meal right in front of you and explains the whole thing. About two months, I remembered that and didn't believe they would have availability on a random Saturday night, especially the Saturday Dave's birthday was on. But sure enough! It was indeed available.

The first contact was to our great friends in Baltimore, Brian and Tammy. I really wanted it to be on March 24, the actual Saturday Dave's birthday was on, but would have gone for any weekend in March to have them there. But all was well... the 24th was a go for them too.

I had Brian call Dave and ask if they could come for a weekend, and that that weekend worked well for them if it worked for us. Dave "planned" it with them, and was excited they'd be here to celebrate with him. But that's also when the trouble started. I kept pushing Dave that we should go out. His fortieth! Great friends! A nanny to watch their kids and ours! I proceeded to act like there was no other choice. As it got closer, he really wanted to cook out and stay home, but would concede to going out somewhere close to home.

After some super secret planning, and telling no children except Abby (and even that was only two days in advance!), everything was set. I kept begging Dave to just let me plan the evening, and he kept begging me to go somewhere close. He did NOT want to go to Wauwatosa, which is where the restaurant was.

Brian and Tammy came in as planned on Saturday (more about the rest of their trip in a separate blog update!), and we started talking about dinner. Dave kept asking where we were going, and I finally told him to Wauwatosa, and specifically to Il Mito. Dave was LIVID to say the least. He said the experience of that restaurant was great, but the food was only ok (liar!). It was SO FAR (it was 31 minutes). He kept iterating that it was HIS birthday, and even went so far as to call other restaurants to see if they had reservations. I got glares in between conversation, and the cold shoulder. He told Alina when she came, "Just forewarning, this will NOT blow over by Monday." Really not a happy camper, and I just kept thinking how clueless he was! I have never, ever, insisted on choosing our restaurant. I would have knows something was immediately amiss, but not Dave!

We walked into the restaurant, and checked in. They "went to check on our table" and then brought us back to the room and everyone yelled, "Surprise!" I thought Dave was going to fall to the floor. He was so speechless, and embarassed, and overwhelmed. I was vindicated! And so happy that he was happy. We had the most amazing time, with really great friends. Unfortunately, Dave's sister and her husband couldn't make it, but his parents were there, our neighbors, friends from Illinois, of course our Baltimore friends. Simply amazing...

Tell us, Chef Fekker, why do you use black pepper over white pepper?
 And what kind of nuts do you like to best cook with?
 How exactly do you roast your garlic? (Don't worry, tell all your secrets. There was enough wine flowing that no one will remember!)
 YUM!!!
 An opera singer. You'd never believe it, but he was AMAZING!

 Happy Birthday, sweetheart.
 Our Dominican neighbors!
 40 years ago today, there was a little boy born...
 15 years of friendship!
 Amazing friends

 Rocky getting some tips from the Chef.
 Brian and Tammy, who made the entire weekend such a great time.

 Just don't ask me to cook!!
 That is some hat! All the gifts were amazing... the hat, a Tommy Bahama shirt, cigars, scotch, scotch glasses. Just great!
 Course one (thanks for the photos, Nicole!).
 The Osso Buco
 And last but not least, the chocolate lava cake.
It was truly a memorable night, that carried over into the next day. Lots of neighbors outside, and everyone from the night before came over to hang out on Sunday. It was a perfect opportunity to do some more catching up and hanging out... and drinking. I think we all need a little detox!

Here's to Dave's next 40 years!