Thursday, October 30, 2008
Today Lauren had a special treat. Not only was her buddy Everett over to play... we all went out for lunch! Attendees at the Halloween luncheon included Lauren and her mommy, Everett (thanks little dude for adding some testosterone to our 'ladies who lunch'), Charlie and her mom Amanda and Lindsay and her mom Megan. We dined at Janes (good but pricey for lunch) in Bucktown. The weather in Chicago today was sunny and nice, so it was a great day to get out with the kids.
So a pink monster and a giraffe sit down at a bar...
Lindsay was cute as a button in her Halloween gear... not only was she rockin her black cat outfit (move over Halle Berry), she accessorized with pumpkin t-shirt and shoes.
I felt like an inexperienced mother of twins pushing Lauren and Everett from my house in the double stroller. When we go to Janes, I had to call Megan and ask her to come out and help me get them inside (hey, there were two steps and two doors - cut me some slack)!
0 Comments
Some of us in the Mouse House are still a bit undecided in this presidential election, but Lauren seems have honed-in on one name in particular.
I hesitated to post this video, because it sounds almost rehearsed. But I assure you it isn't. I have told Lauren the names of the candidates a few times, but not in any context that would actually resonate with an 18-month-old.
But we decided to sit-down and watch Barak Obama's ad that consumed prime-time Wednesday evening and Lauren surprised us by (for the most part) being able to recite his name. Sadly, Lauren was sound a sleep before McCain's interview on Larry King (and the earlier VP debate), so we've failed miserably in any attempt to give her balanced viewpoints.
Published by Jace Mouse
on at 2:40 AM.
I hesitated to post this video, because it sounds almost rehearsed. But I assure you it isn't. I have told Lauren the names of the candidates a few times, but not in any context that would actually resonate with an 18-month-old.
But we decided to sit-down and watch Barak Obama's ad that consumed prime-time Wednesday evening and Lauren surprised us by (for the most part) being able to recite his name. Sadly, Lauren was sound a sleep before McCain's interview on Larry King (and the earlier VP debate), so we've failed miserably in any attempt to give her balanced viewpoints.
Labels: Video
7 Comments
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Lauren gave Penny’s Noodles a try this evening. The food met with her approval -- big surprise; so little doesn't -- but the real hit were the CHOPSTICKS!
Lauren Tries Asian Cuisine from Jace Mouse on Vimeo.
Published by Jace Mouse
on Wednesday, October 29, 2008 at 6:13 AM.
Lauren Tries Asian Cuisine from Jace Mouse on Vimeo.
Labels: Movies
2 Comments
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
This past weekend, we visited with friends in Fox River Grove (far NW Chicago burb) for some chili and socializing. Many of Lauren's little girl friends were there... Charlie, Anna and Lindsay. They all had a great time playing with Anna's toys in her big front room. Lauren had fun popping outside briefly for some daddy time goofing off in the leaves.
I made a white chili - a great alternative for those who don't do red meat. Here's the recipe:
Low-Fat White Chicken Chili
3-4 boneless skinless chicken breasts halved
1 tsp lemon juice
1 tsp pepper
1 tsp ground cumin
1 clove garlic, chopped
1 cup chopped onion
1 can white corn (drained)
1 (4oz) can chopped green chilies (undrained)
1 tsp cumin
2-3 Tbsp lime juice
2 (14 oz) cans of white or Great Northern beans (undrained)
Combine 2 1/2 cups water, lemon, pepper and cumin in a large pot and bring to a boil. Add chicken ans simmer until done. Remove chicken and cut into bite-size and return to the pot. In a separate pan, saute onion and garlic then add to pot. Add all other ingredients and bring to a boil. Then simmer 45 minutes. Serve with your favorite chili sides such as tortilla strips, cheese and sour cream.
1 Comments
Monday, October 27, 2008
Lauren was sporting some of her Halloween duds to moms group this morning, so I snapped a picture when we got home before we changed out into eat lunch/play/nap clothes.
1 Comments
Friday, October 24, 2008
Lauren and mommy went on a safari today. We were hunting in the wilds of Costco... surrounded by bulk sizes of toilet paper and paper towels. Everywhere we looked there were shopping carts rolling helter skelter like crazed wildebeests. We wondered what had the natives so restless... and then we saw him - in the toy aisle - a giant tiger!!!! Lauren camly aimed one sticky-with-fruit-leather finger at him and fired "I want to hold it!" and the beast collapsed into our cart. Nice shot Lauren. Here she is with her big game trophy. The taxidermy shop did a very quick job of turning him into a floor rug ;)
And P.S. Lauren's safari attire (a lovely velour dress in yummy sherbert colors) is a much loved hand-me-down of Miss Rachel. Thank you Miss Rachel, we think it looks super with Lauren's raspberry cords!
1 Comments
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Lauren loves her bath time. Most nights, she starts asking for it after dinner and we have to stall her for the hour beforehand. Tonight was one of our Daddy-only bath times, with....BUBBLES!
It's been a while since we've posted video, so here's a triple-feature.
Episode One: Counting for Mommy
Here's an installment of Lauren counting. She does a pretty good job of counting to 10. We're very proud, but in all fairness, she's not really "counting" at this point -- just repeating the numbers from our hide-and-seek games.
Episode Two: Lauren and Zebra
This is a new trick -- Lauren seems to have mastered the "click-clap" sound effect, which is fun.
Episode Three: Lauren's Coffee
Perhaps Mommy is making a little too much of her morning coffee -- Lauren wants her own!
Episode Four: Lauren Laughs
I don't think we've posted much video of Lauren in an all-out-laugh session, so I thought it would be fun to capture.
Published by Jace Mouse
on Wednesday, October 22, 2008 at 8:11 PM.
It's been a while since we've posted video, so here's a triple-feature.
Episode One: Counting for Mommy
Here's an installment of Lauren counting. She does a pretty good job of counting to 10. We're very proud, but in all fairness, she's not really "counting" at this point -- just repeating the numbers from our hide-and-seek games.
Episode Two: Lauren and Zebra
This is a new trick -- Lauren seems to have mastered the "click-clap" sound effect, which is fun.
Episode Three: Lauren's Coffee
Perhaps Mommy is making a little too much of her morning coffee -- Lauren wants her own!
Episode Four: Lauren Laughs
I don't think we've posted much video of Lauren in an all-out-laugh session, so I thought it would be fun to capture.
0 Comments
Sunday, October 19, 2008
We took a trip out to see our friends, the Klimek's, this weekend. It was a great tip. They had baby Anna about six months ago and have moved out to the western suburbs, so we don't get to see them as often as we'd like. We went to an apple orchard near them; a place where we had gone as couples way back before our days of parenthood.The trip also gave me (Jace) a chance to practice my photography. Lauren wasn't too interested in posing -- too many places to explore and apples to sample. It's hard to take a picture when your model keeps eating all the props!
However, Anna proved to be a very willing subject. She hasn't quite "gone mobile" yet and always has a smile at the ready. After the photo shoot, Anna decided to give the apples a taste, too. Her daddy Ben helped by breaking the skin so Anna could suck on the juice.
Later that night, both girls decided to turn in and sleep like champs all night. That has Colleen and Ben trying to figure out what they're going to do with all their free evenings -- after they get a chance to catch-up sleep, that is. :)
The only thing to figure out now is what to do the 1/2 bushel of apples we brought back with us. Pie, anyone?
0 Comments
Friday, October 17, 2008
Lauren and mommy have matching pants, and shoes, and even shirts. This was pretty much an accident.
0 Comments
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Hi. My name is Liz and I'm a sew-aholic. I just can't quit. I really think I have a problem. I can't walk away from the sewing machine. Not when there are so many fabrics that need to be combined in strange ways and and then tugged over Lauren's head. She is a pretty good sport about it, but lately she has gotten too fast to photograph. Here is the best picture from one of the recent attempts to capture her in a dress I made before she headed to church. (Notice also the sparkly shoes - we got those at Walls bargain outlet in OKC. We love Walls.) She was being even more feisty when asked "who made your dress?" Choosing to respond: "Daddy made my dress." Nice.
Until I can find help for my sewing addiction (today I made reversible pinafores!) you can keep up with all the craziness on my sewing blog: Mommy Said Sew. And if you want to fuel the fire, buy something at Etsy. And in case you were wondering what a pinafore even is... I looked it up for us: a sleeveless garment similar to an apron, worn especially by small girls as a dress or an overdress. [pin + afore (so called because formerly pinned to the front of the dress).] So literal - I love it!
4 Comments
Charlie stopped by to play yesterday afternoon and she tried on her new Halloween hairbow. Thanks Charlie for not pulling it out and putting it in your mouth right away like Lauren usually does. P.S. can't wait to see you in your costume!Charlie's mom got much better pics - to see them click here.
0 Comments
Monday, October 13, 2008
Lauren means business, and she has the hair, scowl, and slightly-aggressive-forward-lean to prove it. Move over Donald Trump!
Published by Jace Mouse
on Monday, October 13, 2008 at 9:54 PM.
2 Comments
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Our good friends Vicky and David welcomed their second into the world last week. Kate joined her big brother Ethan on October 2nd, at 4:05 in the morning coming into the world at 7lbs 4oz and 20 inches long. Heather, Lauren and I (Liz) paid the family a visit on Friday. Kate is absolutely adorable - I always forget that we all started out so tiny (most of us start somewhat tiny anyway) until I see a brand new baby. She is such a sweet little girl already and Lauren had fun saying "hi" to her.Labels: Movies
1 Comments
Mommy should have known better, but I let Lauren bring her ceramic piggy bank upstairs after she spied him on her shelf in her room. She enjoyed taking him for a stroller ride and feeding him quarters. Alas, shortly after this picture was taken, piggy fell to his demise from the stroller onto the hardwood floor. The coroner is ruling it an accident. Let's just say he lost his quarters. Farewell Piggy Bank - you will be remembered fondly.
1 Comments
We hear things have been busy at the warehouse, and it appears Lauren wants to give Bret and Dainna a hand. Here she is showing her skills at unboxing, stacking, and re-boxing (done entirely on her own, with no help or direction!).Lauren is willing to consider offers of full-time employment, and even willing to cut us a special "family rate." She just has a few simple demands:
1. All paychecks must come in the form of Goldfish crackers.
2. She reserves the right to chew on every 100th box, and climb on the boxes whenever mommy and daddy aren't looking.
3. She is a strong advocate for the benefits of casual workplace attire, and insists on working in her pajamas.
4. Her immediate supervisor must give frequent performance appraisals, which must include an abundance of hugs and Eskimo kisses.
1 Comments
Friday, October 10, 2008
1 Comments
Thursday, October 09, 2008
Lauren wishes you a happy birthday...
Daddy says, "Lauren, show the sign to Grandma."
Lauren says, "Kiss Grandma."
Lauren asks "Grandma? Grandma?" (Where's Grandma?)
Dadday answers, "No, Grandma isn't in the house."
Lauren responds with showing sign to the "Outside."
Can't wait to see you next.
Published by Jace Mouse
on Thursday, October 09, 2008 at 7:28 PM.
Daddy says, "Lauren, show the sign to Grandma."
Lauren says, "Kiss Grandma."
Lauren asks "Grandma? Grandma?" (Where's Grandma?)
Dadday answers, "No, Grandma isn't in the house."
Lauren responds with showing sign to the "Outside."
Can't wait to see you next.
1 Comments
Saturday, October 04, 2008
We took a family trip today to the Morton Arboretum. The last time we were there "together" was when Liz was a couple days over-due delivering Lauren. The arboretum was also one of the first dates Liz and Jace went on.
There have been a lot of changes there in the last few years. They've built a new dining facility that had really great food. They also have added a *really* nice children's area. It must be at least 25,000 square feet and chocked full of fun playgrounds and exhibits. That's all in addition to a couple hundred acres of woodlands that have a full network of hiking and driving trails. If you haven't been, you really are missing out!
Here are some photos from the day:
Check-out the dress in that last photo -- it's one Liz sewed recently.
Photography notes: I'm still working to get the hang of people and flash photography. I have a long way to go before being good, but I'm making progress.
Published by Jace Mouse
on Saturday, October 04, 2008 at 8:28 PM.
There have been a lot of changes there in the last few years. They've built a new dining facility that had really great food. They also have added a *really* nice children's area. It must be at least 25,000 square feet and chocked full of fun playgrounds and exhibits. That's all in addition to a couple hundred acres of woodlands that have a full network of hiking and driving trails. If you haven't been, you really are missing out!
Here are some photos from the day:
Check-out the dress in that last photo -- it's one Liz sewed recently.Photography notes: I'm still working to get the hang of people and flash photography. I have a long way to go before being good, but I'm making progress.
1 Comments
