Kelly
Cooper doesn't get much blog attention. Here he is...
You are not allowed to.
6 days ago
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Bulls Game Recap
And now the post that I’ve been scared to organize and compose for nearly a week…..
February 20, 2012
As you already knew, the day began with a Bull’s themed craft. That was followed by a welcome distraction (AKA phone call) from Papa B. Of course Miles jumped at the opportunity to ramble on about the game. It’s kind of a big deal…..
Miles had the perfect outfit for the game: a Bull’s T, a Bull’s hat, new jeans, his Chuck’s and Baby Cow (the stuffed dog on his arm_ I still don’t understand how he came up with that name for his dog)! Miles was sure that Baby Cow and the 2 little Benny the Bull crafts were coming to the game too!
After getting fully dressed, there were still a few hours to fill before we could leave for the game. Once Miles gained dad’s attention, the ballin’ began. Just watch and understand:
Miles LOVES Michael Jordan (#23)! This is mostly due to his own father’s love for the athlete, but also enhanced by this book. We’ve read this book at least 4 nights a week for the last year or so.
Miles’ favorite active Bulls player is Joakim Noah! “He has lady hair.” While this is true, he is also a 6’11” rebound machine wearing #13!
Miles and Nate play A LOT of basketball. Don’t you love his special moves?! What about his need to reward his fancy shots with a medal? Crazy days in Chicago…
We ate lunch, packed up a few snacks and headed out the door around 1:30pm. We decided to avoid the traffic and parking issues by taking the train. Miles also gets a kick out of riding the train. This day, in particular, he was so amped up he wouldn’t sit still at all and asked tons of questions. “Dad, read this to me.” “Dad, what does this say?” “Dad, this sign says to close the door.”
We walked from the train to the United Center and found our seats right away. We arrived 38 minutes before game time.
I tried really hard to get a few good pictures of Miles (and Nate), but both refused to take their eyes off the court. (sorry, I tried, really!) Our seats were not so good, but we had a clear view and Miles didn’t seem to mind at all.
See what I mean… he wouldn’t cooperate for the camera. I can’t really blame him though – there was a lot going on. He’d been waiting for this day for so long that he wasn’t about to miss a thing for anyone… even Mom!
We watched Benny the Bull beat some kids at basketball.
Don’t those pictures look like we close….?! We were not… Here’s the unzoomed view:
We watched a few scrimmages between a couple coed Special Olympics teams. We watched a huge Benny the Bull Blimp float around the arena (sorry, no pictures.)
Seeing and hearing the announcing of the starting lineup was intense. If you’ve never seen it, you can watch it here. I wish that I could say that I took that video, but I did not. I was caught up in the moment too. I can honestly say that this is also the moment that Nate was a giddy as a 3 year old little boy. Dreams really do come true! Wow.. Each of you needs to experience this at some point.
Well… the game was great and Miles watched it all! I wish I could say that he was on the edge of his seat, but that (apparently) wasn’t close enough. Can you see this? Arial view?
February 20, 2012Chicago Bulls vs. Atlanta Hawks
The Bull’s game was such a big event that I know I’m going to forget something. There’s also the tedious task from grabbing the photos from multiple cameras. Well…. here goes nothing!As you already knew, the day began with a Bull’s themed craft. That was followed by a welcome distraction (AKA phone call) from Papa B. Of course Miles jumped at the opportunity to ramble on about the game. It’s kind of a big deal…..
Miles had the perfect outfit for the game: a Bull’s T, a Bull’s hat, new jeans, his Chuck’s and Baby Cow (the stuffed dog on his arm_ I still don’t understand how he came up with that name for his dog)! Miles was sure that Baby Cow and the 2 little Benny the Bull crafts were coming to the game too!
After getting fully dressed, there were still a few hours to fill before we could leave for the game. Once Miles gained dad’s attention, the ballin’ began. Just watch and understand:
Miles’ favorite active Bulls player is Joakim Noah! “He has lady hair.” While this is true, he is also a 6’11” rebound machine wearing #13!We ate lunch, packed up a few snacks and headed out the door around 1:30pm. We decided to avoid the traffic and parking issues by taking the train. Miles also gets a kick out of riding the train. This day, in particular, he was so amped up he wouldn’t sit still at all and asked tons of questions. “Dad, read this to me.” “Dad, what does this say?” “Dad, this sign says to close the door.”
We walked from the train to the United Center and found our seats right away. We arrived 38 minutes before game time.
I tried really hard to get a few good pictures of Miles (and Nate), but both refused to take their eyes off the court. (sorry, I tried, really!) Our seats were not so good, but we had a clear view and Miles didn’t seem to mind at all.
See what I mean… he wouldn’t cooperate for the camera. I can’t really blame him though – there was a lot going on. He’d been waiting for this day for so long that he wasn’t about to miss a thing for anyone… even Mom!
We watched Benny the Bull beat some kids at basketball.
Well… the game was great and Miles watched it all! I wish I could say that he was on the edge of his seat, but that (apparently) wasn’t close enough. Can you see this? Arial view?
Yes, you are seeing this right. Miles spent much of the game standing at the chair in front of him… or kneeling on the ground up against the back of the chair! Miles love sports – we always knew this – BUT, I was surprised by how into the game he was and for how long it kept his attention! We will definitely have to do this again!
Better yet, I would love to take him to a Bear’s game! Maybe preseason…..
Time to start working more so that we can buy tickets….. right?!
Sidenote: Nate grew up loving Michael Jordan. His career with the Bulls started in 1984. Nate would have been 4. Miles is 3. Do you think Derrick Rose or Joakim Noah have the potential to be Miles’ Michael Jordan!? Will they pose for a “Wings” poster?
For those of you who do not follow the NBA, the Bulls beat the Hawks 90-79!
Monday, February 20, 2012
Too excited not to keep busy
Today is Bulls Day! The morning can't pass by fast enough...
Miles and I completed a quick little project to help speed up the minutes.
Alright. It's now 8 am. The game isn't until 3 pm, though we'll hop on the train by 1:30 pm. We want to watch the warm ups and be settled with popcorn and soda before they announce the starting lineup!
What will we do to pass the next 4+ hours?!?!
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Miles and I completed a quick little project to help speed up the minutes.
Alright. It's now 8 am. The game isn't until 3 pm, though we'll hop on the train by 1:30 pm. We want to watch the warm ups and be settled with popcorn and soda before they announce the starting lineup!
What will we do to pass the next 4+ hours?!?!
Posted via iPhone
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Valentine's Day Goodies
Today, Miles received a package from Grandma and Grandpa Klinge.
He was pretty excited to see him name on a package!
The whole walk up to the apartment, he kept telling me the package contained valentine chips. (Most likely because the surprise was wrapped in a Pringles-like container)
Here's the contents:
Valentine's S'mores
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| Pink Heart-shaped marshmallow, kisses, and teddy grahams! |
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| Yum... What a clever idea! |
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| Ooooh...and personalized ART! |
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Hey, Miles! Are you excited? YES! |
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| I'm Excited too! I love S'mores! |
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| We can't wait for Dad to get home so we can taste the goodies! |
Thanks Grandma and Grandpa! We loved the gift!
Want better pictures? Click here_Nate's sister takes much better photos!
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
He loves me, He loves me.....
You want to know how my sweet baby shows his love?
In the way only the greatest of architects can......
With beautifully composed monochromatic cityscapes brought to life by sexy technical jargon laced with carefully composed historical context!
Yes... He sent me each of these little beauties at work today.... they not only made me blush, but reminded me how much I love that little design nerd that dwells within!
Love you, Nathan!
I wish I was clever with my scientific nerdiness.....
Posted in: Nathan
Happy Valentine's Day, 2012
We hope that you're Valentine's Day is blessed with the presence of loved ones. We wish we were close enough to give you all a hug, but since we're not, this Valentine will have to do!
Isn't he just the cutest?
My inspiration for his valentines were from pinterest, of course.
We made a bunch of these to give out at Miles' school for his Valentine's Day party!
Although, the actual valentine's have a real sucker inserted at his hand.
See?
Seriously...Love you!
Happy Valentine's Day!
Posted in: Miles
Monday, February 13, 2012
If you pray REALLY hard.....
When we got home from work/school late last week, we found a package in the mailbox.
The boys ran back to the apartment and opened it up.
Nate: Miles... do you know what these are?!
Nate: Bulls Tickets!!
Miles: Bulls tickets for me and you and mommy?!?!
Miles: Mom, Look!! Bulls tickets!! One, Two, Three!
Kelly: Can I see them?
Miles: Yup!
So, it's official. We are going to see the Bulls one week from TODAY!
In case you didn't know, that's 7 days.
We're counting!
Miles finally getting his way. What an answer to prayers, right?!
We knew he wasn't going to let this request go - and Daddy really didn't mind!
Go Bulls!
Friday, February 10, 2012
Things My Kid Says
Setup: Handing Miles a bit of dinner that I’m currently making….
Kelly: Miles, try this. You’ll like it.
Miles: Nope. I don’t like that.
Kelly: Ok. I’m going to eat it then.
Miles: Mom, I want some now.
[He tries the food]
Miles: You’re right, Mom. I do like this.
Kelly: I knew it. I’m glad you like it.
Miles: You’re always right, Mom. You’re always right!
(side note: I could totally get used to this!!)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Setup: In traffic this morning…
Kelly: Move it car…. Little faster please.
[The merge into traffic successful, but still need to move 4 lanes left in next 1/6th mile]
Kelly: Grr, now I just need this car to move.
Miles (from the backseat): Mom, that’s not a car. That’s a truck. Mom, that’s a big truck.
Kelly: Yes, Miles. That was a truck. Sorry, buddy.
Miles:Mom, that was a truck. You were super wrong!
Nate: (laughs a little too hard, in my opinion>
Kelly: [silence] Huh?
Miles: You are super wrong, Mom! That was not a car, that was a truck.
Kelly: Yes, Miles. You are right.. Can you say some words that will make me happy now?
Miles: Yes. Hmm. Mom, you are ALWAYS right. You said that it was a truck now.
Nate: [laughs again] Ooh. That’s good, Miles. Mommy loves that!
Setup (Part 1): Nate and Miles are sitting as close to the TV as possible, watching the only network televised Bulls game so far this season. Miles sees the crowd and starts this conversation.
Miles:Dad, I want to go to the Bulls game too.
Nate: We can’t, buddy. We don’t have any tickets.
Miles: Tickets? Why do we need tickets?
Nate:They won’t let us into the game unless we have tickets.
Miles: So get some tickets, Dad!
Nate: I can’t, Miles. They cost a lot of money.
Miles: Then get some money.
Nate: Ok, I’ll work hard and try to get you some more money. Ok?
[conversation dropped for the rest of the evening. Fast forward to dropping Nate off at work the next morning]
Setup (Part 2): Nate gets out of the car, Miles rolls down his window to say goodbye as usual. The usual conversation goes a little differently.
Nate: Goodbye, Miles. Have fun at school today.
Miles: Ok, Dad. You work really, really hard so we can get more money to get tickets to go to the Bulls game, OK?
Nate:What? [looks at me in disbelief as I giggle while Miles repeats his instructions perfectly again]
Miles: I said - You work really, really hard so we can get more money to get tickets to go to the Bulls game, OK?
Nate: OK, Miles. I will work hard today.
Setup (Part 3):
[Fast forward to dinner time that evening and every evening since....]
Kelly: Time to eat, boys.
Nate: Let’s pray.
Miles: Dear Jesus, thank you for the snow.
Dear Jesus, thank you for my red shoes.
Dear Jesus, thank you for the food.
Dear Jesus, help us to go to the Bulls game
And Jesus, Amen!
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Setup: Sorry, for most of you, this is a COMPLETE inside joke. Just know that Nate and I are still laughing about it. Love you, Great Gram Gert!
Kelly: Miles, are you ready for church?
Miles: Yes. [now yelling] Dad, are you ready for church?
Nate: [shouting from next room] Yes, I am. Waiting on you!
[Nate and Miles finish zipping coats and wrapping scarves]
Miles (swinging his pointer finger in a circular motion): Leeeeeetttttttt's Rotate!
Thursday, February 09, 2012
Impressed!
This weekend, we witnessed and tested the culinary prowess of one Miles Nathan Klinge!!
He made an entire dessert - unassisted.
What dessert you ask? Ah yes!
He created a beautiful banana pudding pie!
Miles has repeatedly proven his love for baking and even for making pies. However, the first few pies he tasted proved lack luster to his sensitive palate causing him to avoid all pies, regardless of flavor.
I was on a mission to change this… and at the same time give him more responsibility with a cooking project.
Here’s what he did – wish I would have taken progress pictures, but I forgot!!
Miles was given a box of instant banana pudding and a premeasured volume of ice cold milk.
He opened all packages and mixed everything with a whisk on his own!! I only helped at the very end to remove remaining lumps.
Miles peeled and sliced two bananas with a butter knife and spread them in a graham cracker crust.
All I did was “start” the peel at the top.
Miles poured and spread the pudding to cover the bananas.
I only provided assistance by holding the large bowl and helping to scrape out the last bit of pudding.
After an hour of refrigeration, he repeated the pour/spread maneuver with cool whip!
Once dinner was complete, he was SUPER excited to taste his creation.
This is where I remembered to photo document. :)
Dip finger and taste.....mmmm! That's not so bad!
Dig right in!!
Savor and appreciate it's delightful texture and balance.
It's REALLY good! Do you want some?
How did you celebrate Super Bowl weekend?
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