Sugar High SANS sugar

Disclaimer:  This was not the intended outfit for the day. We had Miles dressed up for church – jeans, blue undershirt, and a nice half zip grey sweater.  Sadly, shortly after we dropped Miles off in the nursery, he removed his sweater leaving this beautiful, redneck look. For the rest of the day, Miles showed off his pipes.  You have to pick your battles, right?!

We fed Miles lunch today – none of which was sugar coated or even sweet to taste.  This is what we watched within about 15 minutes of Miles leaving the table.  He initiated this little routine all on his own!

After his ‘dancing,” he created a little more fun running around the island, at least 25 laps… What has gotten into him?!  I think he’ll enjoy running track someday.. (You can thank me later for not capturing and sharing that exhaustive behavior on camera!)

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When we finally got him down for his afternoon nap, I had a little free time for a project!  My mom had found a bunch of fabric for me… so I set out to make a few drawstring bags to hold each of Miles’ collections. He has a bunch of matchbox cars, 4 different sets of blocks, a preschooler erector set, ammo for his nerf guns…. you get the point!  I was desperately seeking a way to organize some of the chaos!

Here are 6 of the 8 bags I made :o)

Here’s the filled, finished product!  Now to find a place to put them……

We’ll save that for my next patch of free time. I’m too tired to continue thinking on this level!

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Posted in: Banwarth's,Miles,Video

Things my kid says

Miles has become a non-stop talker!

Here are some of his most recent phrases and over-used words…..

While Nate was trying to get Miles out of the car at daycare this morning.

Miles: Ow!

Dad: What happened? Did I bump your head?

Miles: Yeah! Head. Door got me!

Independence at its finest -

Dad: Miles, do you want a bite of my ice cream?

Miles: No, want OWN!

Mom: Miles, come over here so I can put your hat on…

Miles: No, I do it!

Latest food obsessions -

Miles: More faffle, meez! (translation: more waffle please)

Miles: Bread dis (translation – bread with this. Further translation: peanut butter sandwich)

Miles: Cheese now. Open it  (talking about string cheese)

Mom: Miles, what did you have for lunch at school today?

Miles: Yummies

Mom: What kind of yummies did you eat?

Miles: Beans. Green ones (great answer, except this is his answer EVERYDAY)

Miles and I have this exact conversation every night…

Miles: Home. Open gake. Scary me. (translation:  Home! Open the gate. The gate scares me)

Mom: Yes, Miles we’re home.

Miles: Weee! 

        We are driving down the small hill and entering the parking garage

Miles: Mom, guck in here. Out, meez (translation: Mom, I’m stuck in here – referring to car seat)

Mom: Yes, Miles.  That’s a good thing.

        While walking out of the parking garage, he points at bikes and sees ours.

Miles: Mom. Bikes. Lots.  Mom’s bike. Seat mine.

Mom: yes, Miles. That’s your seat.

Miles: Mom, pink bike. Horn. Squeeze. – Its some little girl's bike in our complex - followed by 2 honks.

Mom: Miles, hold my hand while we walk up stairs please.

Miles: No, I do it. Walks up half the stairs in a hurry. Tired.

       Then…. Miles takes off his coat and his hat to get ready for the best part of the journey to our apt.

Miles: Mom, Reese (race). Ready…. Set…. Go! 

       Then he takes off running down the hallway, ¾ of the way to the apt, Miles stops running and drops his head.

Miles: Tired. Walk meez.

        I grab my keys to open the door.

Miles: No, Mom. I do it.

        Once the door is finally open....

Miles: Dark in here. Light on.

        Miles runs down the hallways.

Miles: Booker. I home. Mom, open cage. (translation: Cooper - used to be 'Bo-Coo' - but has become Booker)

…. And the night goes on!

Since blog posts with pictures are better, here's a story from tonight that requires photos to fully appreciate.

Here is a picture of happy Miles eating dinner

Here's a picture of 'sneaky' Miles eating dinner

Finally, here's Miles once he realized we discovered his deceptive plan.

This kid is FAR TOO SMART for his own good....

Have a great weekend!

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Posted in: Miles,Things my kid says

No Title Necessary….

Never a dull quiet moment….anymore!

 

 

I could come up with a clever narrative, but I’m sure these pictures have already said enough…

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Posted in: Banwarth's,Miles

Da Bears – On to the NFC Championship!!

We were super excited about the big game today….. By we, I mean all three of us! Miles had been using his growly voice all morning to yell “Go Bears,” “Run,” “Tackle,” and “Fumble!”

Getting dressed for church today, Miles REALLY wanted to wear a jersey.  Luckily, we got him to settle for his Chicago Bears socks until after church…  As soon as we got home, we broke out a jersey!  Today’s choice: #22 Matt Forte!

I tried a couple of times to catch his celebrations on camera.  I missed the best of it – so I apologize….  You’ll have to settle for the following 2 videos below:

This one started out with great potential, but was interrupted by a commercial:

This one is much better, but still pretty chill compared to normal…..

If you’d like to experience the raw excitement with this little man, you’ll have to join us for a football Sunday!

Go BEARS!  The pack doesn’t stand a chance!

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Posted in: Bears,Miles

Miles’ Winter Gala

Last night, Miles “performed” at his very first school program.  The show was called Winter Gala. Each class (2’s, 3’s and 4’s) got in front of a group of parents to sing 2 songs.  Of course, the restless 2 year old got to do their thing first….

As I was using a regular camera (as opposed to a video camera), the memory card filled up just as the second song began….  However what you see early in this video is pretty much how the rest of it finished out. 

On a side note… Miles JUST started attending this center on Monday.  He only had a week to learn the 2 songs.  I really didn’t expect him to sing at all – though I was very impressed by the fact that he stayed in front of the crowd the whole time…

The whole production lasted about 15 minutes…. Nate was glad he left work early to get a good seat!

Just precious!

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Posted in: Miles

Cheese!

Miles woke up on the silly side of his bed today. These pictures should say enough :)

Still in his PJ's...




Version 2 - dressed for the day











Happy Friday!!!



Posted with Blogpress for iPhone.

Location:Chicago,United States

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Daycare makes him hungry

Each evening, when Miles and I get home from daycare, I've been struggling to find the balance between calming the hungry savage and maintaining a healthy appetite for dinner.

Quite a bit of time passes between our arrival and dinner with Nate. Typically, Miles inhales string cheese, yogurt, crackers, fruit......Ahh! I'm losing the battle!

Today started out no different, other than his request......

MOM! Jelly bread, meeez! Strawberry meeeeez! Bread, mom!













I think he enjoyed it, don't you?! He topped it all off with a mug of milk.....

The best part is that I nailed the balance point!! Miles still ate a piece of pizza and lots of applesauce for dinner :)


Posted with Blogpress for iPhone.

Location:Chicago,United States

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Posted in: Miles

The First

It’s a new year … and I’ve finally compiled the first blog of 2011!  I apologize for the delay, but there has been a lot going on!

Today was Miles’ first day in his new Chicago daycare!

Miles had finally learned to sleep in – usually until about 8 am! Today was a rude awakening. We got him up around 6:45am. As you can see from the next couple pictures, he wasn’t ‘feeling’ the morning.

He got excited about going to school when we reminded him that he got to take his backpack with him :)

First day of school in Chicago…

Bubbye, Miles!

After talking with his new teacher, Miles did great! He was excited to be surrounded by kids and new toys again. Once his primary teacher arrived, she started running through the motions and told Miles it was time to change his diaper.  Miles immediately scolded her - “No diaper! Big boy pants!” She was pleasantly surprised that one of the youngest kids in the class was already potty trained!! He slept well with his new school blanket and ate plenty. His teacher said that he talked non-stop. The roughest part of the day was towards the end when parents started picking up children, and those parents were not Nate or I.  I got a warm welcome when I walked into the room… I love feeling so needed and important! Thanks, Miles!

On the drive home, Miles wouldn’t stop talking!  I was trying hard not to laugh because I wanted him to continue…. I asked him the first couple questions, but he took over the conversation and told me about his whole day. I will save you from having to translate his partial sentences… Here’s the summary:

He ate green beans. He closed his eyes and took a nap with a blanket that tickles. He played with airplanes and hoops. He jumped. He colored. He listened to stories. He danced. He drew with chalk. He played with kids. He was sad because mom and dad were gone. He wants to play again tomorrow.

That’s good news, right?

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Posted in: Kelly,Miles,Nathan

Happy, Happy Traditions!

We did it! Christmas cut out cookies version 7!
Here’s a quick look at version 1 – Engagement night, December 16, 2003

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This year was extra special.  Miles is finally old enough to REALLY participate. We had a blast remembering the beginning and celebrating the growth of our family!
I ended up making two different sets of sugar cookies.  By accident, I made a batch of sugar cookies that are not suitable as cut out cookies. However, we baked both…. and may just have to continue this little mistake in later years.  Decorating some with sprinkles and decorating the rest with super bright frosting helped keep Miles attention really well from beginning to end!
Here are the 2 recipes:
Chewy-ish sugar cookies decorated with sprinkles
Cut out cookies with frosting
And here are the pictures
Round 1: sprinkle cookies

 

Round 2: cut out cookies

   

I think he’s having fun… don’t you?!

  

Nate did a GREAT job being patient and teaching Miles the way of the cookie!

We had a super fun evening… here’s even MORE proof! The sugar got to Miles….

Here they ALL are……

Nate’s prize cookie – “Pollock” Man

Miles’ favorite decoration – fingers!

  

My favorite – The purple star because…..

 

……. I HAVE A JOB!!!

Today, I was offered and accepted a research job at Northwestern University! I start on January 3, 2011! I’m super excited to put my brain back to work and to let Miles socialize in a daycare again! 
Hooray for quality family time and lasting traditions and memories !!!

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Posted in: Chicago,Kelly,Memories,Miles,Nathan,Video

Projects, crafts, and traditions

We bake, we glue, and we have a blast!

Here are a few more of our recent activities :)

Lots of baking :dumping, mixing, stirring, and licking…..

 

More paper crafts….

(Nate calls this the SouthPark (Cartman-esque) Nativity scene – My drawing/cutting skills are weak, I know)

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Tonight’s project is Christmas cut out cookies!! It’s a HUGE tradition, 7 years in the making…

7 year ago today, Nate proposed!!

Fade in cloudy, dream sequence…..

I had always made it clear to Nate that in order for me to graduate from college, I couldn’t even consider engagement until I was done with school.  My mind would have wondered into the realm of wedding planning, losing all focus on my coursework.  I had no idea that Nathan would have taken me so literally…  Within 30 minutes of completing my last final exam for my undergraduate degree, I was engaged to be married!! Nate, being big on creating and keeping traditions, suggested that we make Christmas cut out cookies together – we were a family!!

Every year since, we’ve made Christmas cut out cookies on December 16th! Tonight shall be no different! I’ll do my best to document the activity. I’ll also be sure to post the recipe if all turns out. As mentioned, this is the 7th time for this event and I have NEVER used the same recipe twice. I just can’t find one I like….

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Posted in: Christmas,Kelly,Memories,Miles,Nathan