This weekend Dirk competed in a race: Tri-Quest (http://tri-quest.org). Tri-Quest consists of a 5K run, followed by a 33k bike and 18 holes of golf (no cart). Dirk competed as a 2-person team with his friend Charlie Nelson. Kari Nelson, Cullen, Simone and I drove out to the race to cheer the guys on. I am proud to announce that Dirk and Charlie finished first in the 2-person-team men's 30-39 year-old division.
Friday, September 23, 2011
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Goodnight cookie-cookie-banana-pants!
Goodnight cookie-cookie-banana-pants is how Cullen signed off tonight. He is in a silly stage and loves making up crazy words and rhymes that sound funny. It's such a sweet and innocent time, some days I want to trap him at this age forever. Other days, not some much - like when we have to negotiate which shoes he is going to wear for 10 minutes when we are already running late in the morning. The other day, a little girl at school told Cullen that he was her boyfriend. Not really understanding the true definition of the word, he corrected her and told her that he couldn't be her boyfriend because he was already "daddy's buddy". Cullen also started in a new classroom at school: the 3-year-old room with Miss Jenny and Miss Rachel. This year the focus is on independent activities, basic learning (numbers, letters, colors, etc.) and continuing to develop social skills. So far, his favorite activities have been cutting paper with the safety scissors, swim lessons and feeding the classroom's pet fish.
Simone continues to amaze us with how much she actually understands. I can tell her it's bath time, and she will run right for the tub. She has also become a little gopher (no pun intended!) and will fetch certain items at our request. When we were up at Big Fish Lake, Grandma Liz asked Simone to pick up her glasses. Overhearing the conversation, Mason ran over to the glasses, picked them up and handed them to her. Then, he told Grandma Liz that "Simone doesn't speak English". While this is partly true, she sure does understand a lot and is learning more and more English vocabulary each week. Simone is now proficient at "quacking" whenever she sees a duck. When we pick her up from school, she greets us with a big grin, puts her arms up and after we scoop her up, she turns to her teachers and friends and says "Ba-Bye" (translation: I'm outta here!). Last weekend, I put Simone's hair in pig-tails. It was a mullet looking hairdo (bald on top and party in the back), but it really was cute.
Finally, we had a much needed parents' night out with the Swanson clan to celebrate Bob and Mimi's anniversary. It was nice to sit around and chat without the distraction of our crazy little rugrats!
Simone continues to amaze us with how much she actually understands. I can tell her it's bath time, and she will run right for the tub. She has also become a little gopher (no pun intended!) and will fetch certain items at our request. When we were up at Big Fish Lake, Grandma Liz asked Simone to pick up her glasses. Overhearing the conversation, Mason ran over to the glasses, picked them up and handed them to her. Then, he told Grandma Liz that "Simone doesn't speak English". While this is partly true, she sure does understand a lot and is learning more and more English vocabulary each week. Simone is now proficient at "quacking" whenever she sees a duck. When we pick her up from school, she greets us with a big grin, puts her arms up and after we scoop her up, she turns to her teachers and friends and says "Ba-Bye" (translation: I'm outta here!). Last weekend, I put Simone's hair in pig-tails. It was a mullet looking hairdo (bald on top and party in the back), but it really was cute.
Finally, we had a much needed parents' night out with the Swanson clan to celebrate Bob and Mimi's anniversary. It was nice to sit around and chat without the distraction of our crazy little rugrats!
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Big Fish Lake Weekend 2011
The LaVigne clan headed up to Wowee's cabin on Big Fish Lake for Labor Day Weekend. The weather wasn't all that great (cool and super windy), but we still had a great time. Cullen and Mason loved riding bikes, collecting rocks, playing beach ball soccer and just hangin' out. Simone loved getting into all of the knick-knacks (which were breakable of course), playing with her grandma and grandpa and eating (she loves to eat and is always down for a meal or a snack). My cousins MaryBeth and Martha, who go to college at St. Ben's, stopped over for a home-cooked meal on Saturday night. It's so nice to have this great cabin in the family. We have so many memories here as kids, and it's fun to allow our kids the opportunity to create theirs.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
There's nothing better than the Sweet Shop.
There's an adorable little ice cream shop about a mile from our house called the Sweet Shop. Cullen is a big fan of their Blue Moon ice cream. I tend to go for chocolate chip. Dirk prefers a chocolate/banana malt. And Simone, she just takes bites from everyone else! To make ourselves feel better about the treat, Dirk and I will bike or run there with the kids. At least we get a workout before and after stuffing our faces with ice cream. On the way home tonight, Cullen got out of the buggy a few houses away because also wanted to run. Unfortunately, his shorts were too baggy and kept falling down. So he just took off his shorts and finished the run in his polo shirt and underwear (always a good look!).
We had a fun visit last weekend with our neighbors, Justin and Lindsay Pretasky. Justin (who Cullen refers to as "Big Cracker") introduced Cullen to his first He-Man cartoon. Now Cullen has been running around yelling "I have the power!" Simone thought their house was pretty cool and loved looking at all of the dead animals on the wall (also referred to as taxidermy).
We have been reminded lately that kids say the darndest things. There's a new song by Adele titled "Rumor has it". For some reason, Cullen hasn't been able to make out the phrase "rumor has it", so instead he sings "Goo-ga-heady". It's hilarious to hear him in the back seat belting out this nonsense word. Brigette and I used to do the same thing when we were little and didn't understand all of the words - so I guess the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Simone has been trying to expand her vocabulary. It's sometimes hard to make out what she is saying, but puppy, baby, cup and di-down (sit down) are some of her new words. She is also mastering sign language (please, more and all done).
We had a fun visit last weekend with our neighbors, Justin and Lindsay Pretasky. Justin (who Cullen refers to as "Big Cracker") introduced Cullen to his first He-Man cartoon. Now Cullen has been running around yelling "I have the power!" Simone thought their house was pretty cool and loved looking at all of the dead animals on the wall (also referred to as taxidermy).
We have been reminded lately that kids say the darndest things. There's a new song by Adele titled "Rumor has it". For some reason, Cullen hasn't been able to make out the phrase "rumor has it", so instead he sings "Goo-ga-heady". It's hilarious to hear him in the back seat belting out this nonsense word. Brigette and I used to do the same thing when we were little and didn't understand all of the words - so I guess the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Simone has been trying to expand her vocabulary. It's sometimes hard to make out what she is saying, but puppy, baby, cup and di-down (sit down) are some of her new words. She is also mastering sign language (please, more and all done).
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
look who's biking!
Dirk spent about 10 minutes helping Cullen. And then, the little man just took off!
look who's walking!
We noticed on Sunday, Simone just began choosing to walk over crawl. Just like that. At 14 months, she just decided it was time!
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Door County or Bust.
The Grizwalds embarked on their first family trip. Door County, WI was the destination. Grandma Liz and Grandpa Mark also joined in on the fun. We stayed at the Landmark Resort in Egg Harbor. It was the perfect place with two little ones. We had 3 bedrooms, a kitchen and were in close proximity to the pool. On Saturday night, Dirk and I ventured to the Gordon Lodge for Brian Planey and Megan Dyer's wedding. Cullen and Simone stayed back with Grandma and Grandpa. My mom and dad served as our tour guides - they are experienced Door County visitors, while it was our first adventure. I have attached links to the fun list of activities: swimming, a petting zoo, PC Junction train stop, the Cookery, etc. We had a blast and have vowed to go back.
www.thelandmarkresort.com/
http://www.gordonlodge.com/
http://www.plumlocoanimalfarm.com/
http://www.pcjunction-doorcounty.com/
http://www.alpineresort.com/
http://www.cookeryfishcreek.com/
http://www.eggharbordoorcounty.org/where-to-play/parks--beaches
www.thelandmarkresort.com/
http://www.gordonlodge.com/
http://www.plumlocoanimalfarm.com/
http://www.pcjunction-doorcounty.com/
http://www.alpineresort.com/
http://www.cookeryfishcreek.com/
http://www.eggharbordoorcounty.org/where-to-play/parks--beaches
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