Daddy Daycare

Clara continued to be in rough shape on Sunday, and for the second night woke up needing to be held. So today Ted stayed home with her and got her in for the first available time with the doctor. We had the new doctor, Dr. I - she was very nice, but certainly no Dr. H. The verdict was ear infection likely egged on by a viral cold which is what her fever and raspy cough is about. So we got our prescription for antibiotics and headed off to Target. We had a successful trip gathering our groceries and prescription, stopping for the free cookie at the deli for Clara and headed out. After a quick stop at Whole Foods we went home...only to realize... there was NO gorilla! Gorilla had last been in the Target cart, sitting nicely next to Clara while she ate her cookie. Ruh Roh! So we got ourselves back in the car and raced to Target....but there were no reports of a lost Gorilla. We will be trying Whole Foods later, but I think it was lost at Target. So we are down a gorilla, but Clara seems to be content with the rest of the zoo for now. Gorilla, where ever you are, be brave. We love you.

* Picture is just before lunch - Clara had run off with the basket from the closet and was proud of herself for hiding in the garden.

Apple Orchard

On Sunday we gathered the troops and headed to the Minnetonka Apple Orchard. The place opens at 10 am, and at 9:58 we were two* of dozens of SUVs unloading their kids and gear in the parking lot. After one enters the grounds, the traditional first step is to get in line for the tractor/wagon ride to the big field. However, it only took a few words of explanation to Joe of what was to occur before his little bottom lip went aquiver and some tears welled up in his eyes. So we quickly offered the choice to walk instead, which he was quick to choose. Meanwhile, Clara was bundled on Julie's back in the carrier, partly because it was too far for her to walk but also because she was clearly coming down with a cold or ear infection, so we wanted to conserve her energy.

After our short walk, we arrived at the big field where there was a hay pile, corn maze, play areas, and two small barns housing some chickens who run around outside the barns, llamas, sheep, and goats. Much fun was had looking at the animals - Clara pressed her face against the fence, and then Joe tried climbing the fence which only made Clara want to climb the fence so Julie had to eventually help her stand on the fence too. After the animals the kids got after the hay pile, tossing the hay around and generally just wrestling around in it. We had a short time to play on the train playground and then walked back for a donut and cup of cold cider before we headed home for lunch. It was a short but action packed outing and a beautiful day to be at the orchard!

* It required 2 cars to ferry our family of four plus Kate and Nick.

Best Thirty-Fifth Birthday Present Ever

Fans. FANS! Julie arrived home today to a gianormous birthday balloon, and. . .AUNT KATE AND COUSIN NICK!!!!!* [insert mad screaming here] Julie did not actually scream when Kate appeared in the porch, and Nick behind her.** No. She was very briefly confused--and then burst into tears. For Julie, really there is nothing that cannot be marked as an occasion for some kind of tears. They are here for the big THIRTY-FIFTH birthday weekend. Who knew?! Apparently, just Ted and Kate. Good thing. Julie is also notorious for attempting to smoke out birthday present secrets and surprises. She doesn't really want to know as she loves a surprise, but at the same time, she really does! Early surprises are still surprises! Despite this well-known flaw, they insist no special CIA-like operation was in place beyond simply not saying anything.

Julie is thrilled. (Joe is also thrilled. With the big balloon.)

*Uncle Scott stayed home to be all studious and what not. Sigh.

**Photographic evidence forthcoming.

MmmmmmcDonalds!

Tonight was a Mr. Mom night, it was also a beautiful day which led Ted to think - McDonald's drive thru for dinner! Not surprisingly the fries were the first to be eaten, though Clara Jane gnawed on her hamburger some too. During this meal Joe learned the word "contrail" when he pointed out "that line moving in the sky". He also pointed out all the trees that were changing colors. And before we knew it it was time to go inside for bath!

Mine? Mommy?

Birdie Brigade, we have been meaning to report on our Birdie's gathering and hoarding tendencies. In the morning, when we go in to the bambini's room to kick off the get-ready-for-the-day circus, Birdie takes a moment to gather up all her stuffed animal friends (Puddle Bunny, Pink Dog, Doll, Fluffy the Bear, Pink Cat, and Gorilla), and her blanket. She is really endeavoring to hold them all at once, which is, of course, impossible given the size of her arms. So what ends up happening, is she throws her body over the pile. Often this process is punctuated with "mi-i"--mine, we think.

Or thought. Clara will sometimes say this from her high chair. Julie always thought it was to do with Clara wanting Gorilla or some such back (stuffed friends sit to the side at breakfast and other meals; no milk baths at the Raleigh House Spa). But then we noticed that Clara would say this when Julie walked away, and so it may be that she is saying "Mi-ee" (Mommy). Joe, at the age Clara is now, called Ted "Dada" and Julie "Mama." Clara though, has always called Ted "Da-ee." It set us to thinking that maybe this is because she is imitating what she hears Joe calling us now--i.e. Daddy and Mommy.

In any case, it does seem true that Birdie likes to nest in stuff--her stuff. This series of pictures was taken the other night when she was trying to keep hold of Puddle Bunny, Gorilla, and her socks on the way to the bathroom for watch, before happening upon the magnifying glass, which she then wanted to come along, too. Ted had to tell her she couldn't nest in the tub. Birdie was a little disappointed.