Apples... Mmmmmmm!

Miles loves apples!!
I'm usually required to core and slice them!
However, yesterday we spent the day with the Hollobaugh's! Logan eats his apples differently.... Miles now ONLY eats apples like Logan!

Whole!












Mmmmmmm... Apples, like a man!

This potty training thing has inspired him to grow up WAY too fast!

Read more »

Highly Unqualified

Due to our recent crash course in big boy potty use, we’ve been stuck inside.  How can you possibly spend a whole day inside with an overactive toddler?  Honestly, we’ve watched more “Elmo’s Potty Time” than I’d like to admit.

Today, Miles built another fort.  If you remember a few months back, Miles excelled at his Fort Design 101 class with Professor Dad.  I am hardly qualified to teach Advanced Fort Design.  Truthfully, I can’t even say that I could teach Intro to Fort Design or even Fort Appreciation.

Luckily, Miles loves me for me.. and spent some quality time in his tiny living room abode!

 

 

Thanks for humoring me, buddy!

Read more »

Posted in: Miles

Kelly’s Jewelry Website

Not me… the newer, younger, more creative replacement version of me!

Kelly Marie Banwarth – my darling, new sister-in-law – has launched her jewelry website!

Please take a look here!   KelMarieDesigns

Just a quick glance, and I’m sure you’ll agree --> This girl has talent!

She made the jewelry for her wedding (below) and would now like to share her craft with the world.

(Thanks for posing, Ladies)

Enjoy!

Read more »

Posted in: Banwarth's,russ and kelly

Weather too nice to waste

Late last week, Miles, Cooper and I spent the morning playing along Lake Michigan.  With the arrival of fall, the desolation of winter is imminent. We’d be pretty dumb not to make the best of a perfect autumn day.
We talked along the rock wall lining Lake Michigan and had a snack.
 

 
 
 
We ran around the dog beach while Cooper made a few friends. Sorry..  I don’t have any pictures – Between the dogs, sand, stroller, and Miles, I was at a loss for hands and concentration.
We romped around the nearby playground before calling a morning.  A growling tummy and a rapidly shortening temper usually signal  an immediate need for lunch and a nap.

After the nap, Cooper was too tired for his usual afternoon walk.
We had a little school time inside, complete with practicing colors, building towers, art time, play dough, and dancing!
Let’s not forget “driving the bus to take daddy to work” during snack time…  Where did this imagination come from?  We all know that’s not from me!
 
Now..  mom needs a nap!

Read more »

Posted in: Kelly,Miles

My birthday

I turned 29 on September 30th. 

That means 2 things… 

1)  Next year is my ‘golden’ birthday (yeah!) 30 on the the 30th!

2) This is an odd year for me. I strongly dislike odd numbers.  I know better than to expect a lot from an odd year.

My birthday fell on a Thursday this year.  Normally, I would have taken my birthday off from work, however since my currently place of employment does not allow any time off, I worked a long shift!

I woke up at the usual time with Nate and Miles and was showered with gifts. Nate found a cute little scarf, a culinary version of a science toy (mortar and pestle) and the 2nd half of Glee Season 1!

Of course, Miles helped unwrap the presents.

He wasn’t very impressed with gift #1 so he quickly moved on.  I, however, loved the scarf!

We both got pretty excited about the mortar and pestle!

Glee! Part 2

   

Perfect, thoughtful gifts again!  My husband knows me so well!

While Nate was at work, Miles made me an angel food cake just the way I like it – plain!  I still wonder why people feel the need to frost those things.  I meant to take a picture of the cake, but we managed to pull off  and eat hunks of the cake before that happened!

All in all, it was a good day. But personally, I’m looking a little more forward to next year!  I prefer life to be a little more “even!”

Read more »

Posted in: birthday,Kelly

A Father’s Skills….transferred to the next generation

 

 

Enough said…. right!?

(Note: While transferring pictures from my camera, I came across this precious memory!)

Nate was craving a little something chocolatey and the whole milk needed to be drank..  So, the only logical, fatherly idea is to create a treat using the least amount of dishes/utensils/drinkware possible. Some may even argue that the method demonstrated is some kind of adaptive re-use of the landfill clogging plastic!

1) Open gallon container of milk

2) Squirt chocolate syrup into container

3) Replace lid

4) Shake vigorously

5) ENJOY– in an adorable, yet caveman-esque manner.

I love my boys!  Stay classy, Chicago!

Read more »

Posted in: Miles,Nathan

For Aunt Sarah and Scott

Miles’ first tattoo…. 

True, it was freebie in his happy meal and its a little on the uber nerdy side, but….

…..a tattoo is a tattoo!

 

 

Luckily, this gem was MIA in about 3 days!

Read more »

Posted in: Banwarth's,Miles

It’s non-toxic – I promise!

I thought that I was doing the normal, motherly thing.  I set Miles up with a couple crayons and some paper to draw a couple of pictures while I tried to get dinner started. I turned around just moments later to find this…!!!

Oh no! 

 

Check the Box!

PHEW!  They are non-toxic.

Next thought, remove wax from his mouth.  This proved to be very difficult.  Wash cloth, tissue, paper towel – none are valid competitors for washable, waxy crayons.

My final solution – apple!  Boys will be boys. He’s eaten his share of dirt and has survived.  Why should this be any different?

Moments later, Miles’ hunger was quenched and his mouth was free of all blue hues!

So… how do you suppose this event was scored…?

I’d say that the blue crayon dominated through the 7th inning stretch, but I rallied to finish on top with an in-the-park home run in the bottom of the ninth!

Read more »

Posted in: Kelly,Miles

Are you ready for some Football?!

Miles is!

LayZboy…….. Check!

Jersey……Double Check!

Football…….Check!

Frosty Beverage……. Check!

Surround sound…….. Of course!

Getting ready to watch Monday Football – Bears Vs. Packers!,

I’ve said, many many times that Miles is a mini Nate. Here’s proof!

Though Nate’s game face isn’t as amused.

WaHoo!

Bears Win! 

20-17

Take that, Rodgers!

Read more »

Posted in: Bears,Miles,Nathan

Klinge Vacation

Those of you following our story for the past few months may remember Miles’ crazy life in late August/early September….

While we were trying to move halfway across the country, Miles spent time with each set of grandparents.  Here’s the first part of his trip.  And below is a photo montage of the second part.  Thanks for sharing the pictures, Grandma!

Ohh.. Grandma broke out the big guns with this vintage road bike! What a little ham!

What do you mean, there’s a speed limit?!

Grandma is great with picnics!

Building muscles with Milk and Uncle “Gosh” Don’t I look HUGE?! No booster seat needed here!

 

Quality puppy and blanky bonding… a necessity for his sanity!

Helping out in the kitchen is always a blast too.

Grandma and Aunt “Ahn-na “appreciated the extra help, right?!

Some cuddle time was even reserved for Aunt “Bess” and Great Grandma Briden.

We have ourselves a climber here!! Thanks for spotting, Anna!

Grandpa made Miles’ day with the guitar!

No Klinge adventure is complete without special attention from Crazy Uncle Caleb! Catch me, I dare you!

Seeing Miles again after 12 days away was great!

Both Nate and I were super glad to have him back!

Now…. onto the Chicago Life!

Read more »

Posted in: Kelly,Klinge's,Miles,Nathan

Miles’ first cousin

This weekend was a super cute weekend!

On September 23, 2010 at 6:41pm, sweet Kendall Carolina was born! Coming in at 8lbs and 7oz and 19.75 inches, she’s cuter than I could have ever imagined…

There’s definitely something extra precious about a baby girl!

 

 

Sadly, Carrie endured a super long labor leaving me with lots of time to prepare Miles for the gentleness required to be a great older cousin. A little boy can never get enough practice honing his talents for how to properly treat a girl!

Of course - once her name was announced, we immediately had to start practicing her name.

Miles struggled with this.  After celebrating his dad’s 30th birthday only a few days prior, a little confusion set in. Miles heard “Kendall” as “candle.” Definitely not the same. Miles would hold up his pointer finger, say ‘hot’ and then blow out the ‘candle.’ At least we have a few more months to practice before we are hurting poor Kendall’s feelings!

Saturday afternoon, we got to meet Sweet Kendall! Miles was shocked to have been dethroned so quickly. He didn’t even get a chance to plead his case! Here’s their first meeting…

I just don’t get it! Who wouldn’t love THAT face!?!?!

In attempt to get his ‘favorite’ status back….

Sorry, Miles!  You’re too big to be the favorite grandBABY…

 

Towards the end of our visit, Miles finally agreed to hold Baby Candle. The moment caught below lasted a whopping 6.5 seconds before he changed his mind.

Mom, Dad, and Grandma are just smitten :o)

Alas, I have to include this final photo! In true Klinge fashion,  she looks great rocking that Jordan hat!!

WELL DONE, Tim and Carrie!  She’s perfect!

Welcome to the family, Miss Kendall Carolina!

Read more »

Posted in: Kendall,Miles