The Grove

We visited The Grove today. Among other things, they have miles of walking trails, historic homes and a Interpretive center. Interpretive seems unnecessarily complicated so I will call it the nature center. I had heard this was a great (and free!) place to take little ones. Yes, it was and thanks to my friend Amy for the suggestion.

The nature center is geared towards kids with low display cases, tanks and exhibits. This month is all about mammals. They had crafts and books out for the theme. Surprisingly, we were the only ones there first thing this morning although we bumped into some friends as we were leaving (another family with a boy in Layla's class). The exhibits focus primarily on frogs, fish, turtle and snakes although there are birds, butterflies, stuffed mammals, etc. Layla was pretty excited about all of it, but especially liked the frogs.

Displays of birds, snakes, etc.

Frogs are shiny and smooth, Toads are dry and bumpy

Insect, birds and animal skeleton display

140 year old turtle

Pack Attack

Aunt Allie visited this past weekend. She and Jason talked about possibly heading to the Bears-Packers game at Soldier Field, but the tickets were outrageous. We were content to hang at home with our creature comforts.

Saturday we went to the Jim Henson Experience at the Museum of Science and Industry with Carrie and Alice. There were no photos allowed, which was a shame, because they had muppets on display along with all kinds of original art work by Jim Henson. It was a pretty cool exhibit. It also made me think that Layla would probably really like Sesame Street. They had it playing, along with a puppet show, build your own muppet and a whole wall of magnetic sketch pads. Lots of cool stuff for kids to enjoy.

Racing trucks at the Idea Factory

Idea Factory

There also is an "Idea Factory" space for young kids to play and we were just in time for the baby chicks hatching at the Genetics exhibit. Layla, Allie and I went to Calypso Cafe in Hyde Park after (one of our favorites) for a Caribbean lunch.

Game Time, GO BEARS!!

A Packer Victory and the Littlest Rodgers Fan!

Come Monday, Packer Green is everywhere!

1.5

Daddy's Girl

Layla crossed the 18 month mark this week! She is doing great, talking more and more every day. The doctor visit was uneventful. She is continuing to stretch out, as we observed (24 pounds, 12 ounces and 33.5" tall). Her doctor suggested getting her a potty, so she can start learning what that's all about.

Allie is in town, so we went to Target to get a little potty seat. Layla loves it! Jason put her on before bath last night and she was thrilled. Of course, nothing happened, but she thinks all small chairs are cool. This morning I let her sit on it before she got dressed. And again, and again, and again. She then carried it to the Kitchen!

So here's why the doctor said we should get one: after doing #2 she looks at me and says, "p.u. mama" (while holding her nose). I guess teaching her that is coming in handy already!

Expandable colanders make the best hats!

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!

Without you we wouldn't be here, of course, but we also wouldn't have such a good example of what a loving and respectful marriage looks like. Thank you for your boundless love for us and for one another. 38 years is a wonderful milestone, enjoy your day!

Whatchya wearin'?

Some things just require their own posts. This one is to commemorate my daughter being more fashionable and having a better wardrobe than me. Thanks to my family and friends, of course. I wouldn't be trusted to come up with this on my own!

Layla, modeling her new Ugg boots; a gift from our friends Gary and Liz.

Liz did say that I could exchange them if they weren't the right size. Unfortunately, she didn't mean my size. These boots are seriously nice and seriously warm. But, they require extra care (they're sheepskin) so we went to the mall and found a store that sells the care kit. The salesperson asked me what type of boots she had, I responded she had really small boots, she's 1. He then proceeded to tell me, "Now, every day when she gets home from school, she needs to brush them. Like this (demonstrating brushing the boots). Then use cleaner and conditioner." I'm just staring at him. "It's really important she does this or they won't last." Until next season........

Layla is back to school on Monday in her fabulous new sweater from Grandma Carol (note the cars in both hands).

'Twas the post-season Season

When you live far from family Christmas seems to extend a week or more past it's "end date". This is quite a treat for us! Mom and Dad came to visit us the Wednesday after Christmas and stayed through the weekend. Rachel and Victor were back from their travels so we had a Christmas celebration with all of us together. A little less traditional, it included homemade pizza and Wii bowling (we got a Wii from Steve and Annie for Christmas). Of course, there were Christmas cookies and wine, too. Why I don't have pictures of this is a mystery, maybe Dad took some!?!?

With Mom and Dad came a carload of gifts from our very generous Minnesota family! Here are a few snapshots we captured when we could get Layla to stand still long enough. You might notice in these pictures that she is wearing several outfits. That's because it really did take three days to get through all the gifts. She liked them so much, it was impossible to open another one until we had adequate play time with each one.

The Little People car ramp from Aunt Allie was a big hit, and a good size project for Grandpa to put together the next day. Toys are seriously tethered into their boxes they are hard to get apart. But, we were able to free the cars which was a good start. She hasn't been apart from them since.

The bumbebee pillow pet was met with petting and a hug.
When asked what a bee says, Layla said, " bee bee bee".

Getting the new tunnel set up in the Living Room.

Layla, modeling her new knit hat and scarf, checking out the Kitchen set.

With the New Year comes Tim and Lucille's annual open house party; which is always a good time. We were glad to spend some extra time with Victor before he headed back out on his travels on Sunday. He is now in Sri Lanka, and will be for a couple of months, continuing his research. I am hounding him to keep up on his blog: http://immigrantsabroad.blogspot.com/. So we can see pictures and hear about his travel adventures.

Alas, our visit with Mom and Dad went by quickly. And, following a miserable Viking's and Bear's losses, they hit the road back to a place where down jackets are not required. We did, try to make them comfortable here, one day it was nearly 60, melting all of our snow.



Jason, Layla, Rachel and Victor

Layla with Grandpa Greg and Grandma Carol

'Twas the Season

We had a wonderful Christmastime this year. It was filled with laughter and joy, not to mention family, friends, and lots of good food!

We headed up to Green Bay to spend Christmas with the DeBaker clan. We were happy to attend church on Christmas Eve with Mark & Roxy's family including cousin Kendra and fiance, Clif, cousin Eric and 'new' girlfriend, Karen. It was a fun service with a live band and we sang (and danced a little) a number of favorite Christmas songs. Afterward, we had an awesome dinner at Mark & Roxy's. They were wonderful hosts!

Christmas Eve!
(L to R) Karen, Eric, Kendra, Clif, Roxy, Mark, Steve, Annie
(Layla is sound asleep in her pack-n-play in Eric's room)

Packer's hat and mittens from Mark & Roxy.
Layla loves them and asks to put them on, even inside.

"I love Christmas!"

Christmas Day was spent at Cal & MaryAnn's (Steve's parents) with 'the brothers' and their families. It is always a full house bursting with energy at Christmastime!

Layla, Beth, and cousin Sarah

Christmas morning and Santa came!
Layla playing with Grandpa Steve and her new tractor.

On Sunday, we were able to spend time at Jack and Carol's house with the extended Kraynik family. It is fun to catch up with Jason's cousins who we do not see very often. Layla's cousin Abby (9 y.o.) was excited to entertain her and read to her throughout the afternoon.

Great-Grandma Helen, Jason, and Layla

We also got to see Janice and Neal Sunday evening for an exciting Packer game and dinner together at Steve and Annie's. It was a very busy trip to Wisconsin!

Layla was up early as usual and we enjoyed some outside time while most of the family 'slept in'. This included exploring the farm in our coveralls/snowsuits and visiting the chicken coop, cats, swans, and fish ponds. Layla was quite taken with the chickens, but was unsure about them eating the snow off of her boots!

In the chicken coop.

Riding on the tractor with Grandpa Steve.