A week in the life of Michaela & Danielle: June 19th 2013

The wonderful weather continued one more day, but we spent the day getting the house caught up and errands done before our weekend plans start.  The yard is mowed, sprayed for broad leafs once again, watered new seeding and indoor plants, and the grocery shopping is purchased.  

The girls were excellent and played inside most of the morning.  They pretended to be a dog and cat, pretended to be mom and daughter, and even talked about pretend chores.  

We had a handful of stops throughout town but we all enjoyed the Library the best. I told them we could stay until closing, but they were not allowed on the computer stations.  As a result we read a book together, played with Legos, and colored a couple of pictures. I think I even nodded off as they played for a couple of minutes.

Danielle colored a fire engine and Michaela colored a submarine.   It was a very enjoyable hour relaxing away from home. 

A week in the life of Michaela & Danielle: June 18th 2013

I've blogged about daily activities, or lack of activities, for a week and am now on the eighth consecutive day. As I sit at the computer, transfer pictures from the camera, edit the day's pictures, strain my mind to remember the day's activities, and type draft retype compose a posting I have experienced good and bad of blogging. Knowing that I will blog has given me pause to enjoy the moments, pay more attention to Michaela and Danielle, take more pictures, recall and process my emotions to the daily activities, and (at least in my head) work at telling a story. I will likely revisit these posts in the future and refresh my memory of days gone past. Perhaps the best outcome of these blogs has been Christine's ability to feel close to our daily activities as others have with past posts. At the onset of this project I didn't know the time I would devote to this activity (you'll note I only was able to get the post done by midnight the first three nights), how I would be forced to realize the routine of our days, or how my back would become sore from the computer chair. This is enough with my ramblings, lets get to the 8th of 9 daily blogs. 

Last night Michaela and Danielle spent the night as close as possible to me in bed.  Danielle is, and quite possibly will always be, a contact sleeper.  She occasionally snuggles close and pulls your arm over her. More often she tosses and turns throughout the night and wakes just enough to ensure our presence by having her toe, knee, finger, or head is touching us.  Last night she started as a smuggler, woke me up with her bum in my face, woke me later her left arm across my forehead, and then finished the morning off in a tight snuggle.  Michaela on the other hand prefers to sleep in the same room but not touching. This is a change from her first couple of years when she could not sleep alone and often slept right next to us.  Last night Michaela reverted to earlier days and was in full snuggle mode the entire night.  I woke with both arms numb, a girl on each shoulder, and their legs sprawled on top of me.

I enjoyed the morning stretch when Danielle hopped out of bed, but was surprised when Michaela rolled over and pulled the covers up.  Danielle immediately grabbed the recorder that was left on the counter last night.  I asked her to be quiet and come downstairs with me so Michaela could sleep. I was surprised when Danielle started singing Puff the Magic Dragon by Peter, Paul and Mary.  She knew the chorus and let me fill in the verses the best I could. Michaela came downstairs and told us she went back to bed because she was having a good dream. I didn't ask what it was about, but I should have. Michaela asked what we had done already that morning so we watched Puff the Magic Dragon and followed it up with a related cartoon.

The topic was too enticing and the girls watched an episode of Dragon Tales while I got my morning online fix. The girls were enthusiastic to cut my hair, something I've been contemplating the past couple of weeks. Michaela decided not to help cut my hair and I am concerned that she is too worried about failure.

Christine will be pleased to know the girls agree with her on a short-hair preference, as heard in the first minute of the video.  Forty-five minutes later I took a shower (this might have taken longer if I had not helped Danielle with the clippers), the girls got dressed, and we headed into town for lunch at the Chinese buffet.  Michaela and Danielle have been asking for this location the past three weeks and is one of their favorites.

I surprised a former student (perhaps he remembered the facial and shaggy hair) who happened to be our waiter. I asked him to sit for a moment and we had a short but nice conversation.  I was VERY impressed that he introduced himself to the girls, asked their names, and told them how he knew me. I think Michaela was impressed as well, as she asked later in the day  if we could go back and have him (by name) as a waiter. He was in microeconomics this past semester and told me he wanted to take macroeconomics with me as well, but was mad that I was leaving and that he could not take any additional classes from me. I suspect all teachers love these types of interactions with former students. The restaurant unfortunately experienced the negative externality: smaller bill with free kids meals and a large tip.

The babysitter from last night came over again today and watched all three girls this afternoon. Danielle and Michaela love when she visits and were sad when she informed them that she would be unavailable tomorrow night. I played a round of golf and enjoyed the wonderful weather. My golf game is a bit like a roller coaster right now and I shot 6 over with 6 penalty strokes, 3 three putts, a 9 on a par 4, but 5 birdies (three in a row).  

A week in the life of Michaela & Danielle: June 17th 2013

The girls woke up this morning rested and happy.  They seemed to be quite content around the house, even turning down the opportunity to go catch dragonflies at the Farmer's Park.  I believe they were looking for a slower day after their busy Father's Day.

As such we snuggled on the couch and watched the last two hours of Heidi, which we had started a couple of days before.  Michaela asked allot of questions during the movie, but two stuck out in my mind, "Why is Heidi an Orphan?" and "Why does the the grandfather's feeling of guilty?" 

Frozen corn dogs and pizza were not much of a meal, but at least Michaela the red sauce pizza.  Around noon I asked the girls if they wanted to go to Whitewater, but they still wanted to stay home. Instead we ended up calling Christine and the girls took turns passing the phone back and forth, talking to everyone possible on the other end.

With library items due back tomorrow we watched The Owls of Ga'Hoole. The feisty little screech is a great character! Once the second movie of the day was finished I convinced the girls we had to go outside. We loaded a foul smelling garbage container of yard waste from the past winter to drop off at the Lewiston compost site. Danielle didn't want to come and wouldn't smile for the camera, even though she liked the camouflaged Army Van we let pass us on the way there.

We stopped at KwikTrip on our way home, and I forgot the second half of the promised snack & drink. The girls quickly found $0.99 bug juice at their eye level and I gave them $5 to go pay.  I was finishing up at the ATM when Michaela came running up asking for more money, what?! (I was confused and even asked the attendants why it was so much.) The girls had switched their selection to chocolate milk with a monkey straw ($3.19 each!), and luckily I did not give them enough money to buy two. In the above picture Michaela is caught red handed in a Bigfoot pose drinking her sister's Fruit Punch having already finished her Lemon Lime drink.

Michaela and Danielle were anxiously waiting the babysitters arrival. As we waited, the neighbor kids came over to play and Michaela took pictures of newly blooming flowers.  I went birding a couple of hours, and when I came home the girls asked for the babysitter to stay longer.  It is great having someone to watch the girls that they enjoy so much. 

 

A week in the life of Michaela & Danielle: June 16th 2013

In August Christine and I will have been married twelve years.During these years we've had a number of friends in the six different locations we have lived. We are truly blessed with the friendship of Dan, Michelle, and Lilly.  If I had taken their friendship for granted int the past at all, Father's Day 2013 will be in my memory for a while.  Christine has been gone the past week and they gave me a much needed break, even though they were both called into work on a Sunday!

The girls were exhausted yesterday and slept until the alarm went off at 8:30.  We got ready for the day and met them at Cedar Valley Golf Course for brunch.  There was a wide variety of food and all three girls tried hot tea, but not much was actually drank. 

Michelle took Michaela, Danielle, and Lilly to the La Crosse Children's Museum while Dan and I played a round of golf.  Michelle even took a couple of pictures to email Christine, know that she would be missing her girls.  My golf game is not very impressive anymore, but the weather was wonderful and 18 holes that I've never played before.

We picked up the Jeep from the mechanics, which now has the back brake lines replaced! We made a couple of errands in town and had hot dogs, bratwurst, and cauliflower for supper at their place. The girls have settled into a routine at night, with Danielle falling asleep in our bed first, a pillow between them as a placeholder for me later in the night, and Michaela hopping in our bed afterwards.

I hope all of our friends, family, and fathers had a wonderful day regardless of where they are.  Hopefully no one gets lost in Boston!

A week in the life of Michaela & Danielle: June 15th 2013

Today was the fifth day since the girls said bye to Christine when she hopped in the car with Cindy, Chris, and Caroline for Connecticut. We're missing her greatly, but all in love and happy they are able to visit the east coast family. 

Danielle had a rough night and was constantly waking with nightmares and kicked, screamed, and cried a handful of times last night.  I felt bad for her and was awake more than any parent wants to be between 2 and 6 in the morning. When Danielle got out of bed at 7 and laid down crying on the living room I was hoping that she was not sick.  Michaela slept for another hour but we snuggled the morning away watching cartoons.

Lunch was a colorful plate; salad, broccoli, and noodles...three items from the pantry and refrigerator.  The girls didn't like strawberries on a salad with dressing however.

Luckily Danielle is not sick, rather just tired and in currently seriously missing mom. Michaela is close in tow. Michaela told me yesterday that she wished that I had left instead of mom, not because she didn't love me but because she is really missing Christine.  Today Danielle told me it is boring with me and that she only wanted mom. 

After lunch the girls grew tired of each other and starting fighting over what they thought the other person said. Neither was correct but that doesn't matter when emotions are involved. Danielle's timeout lasted an hour and Michaela's was only 20 minutes.  In our wait for Danielle to join us Michaela tried her hand with the camera timer setting.

We took a walk around the house taking flowers pictures that may be done blooming before Christine returns, courtesy of Michaela the photographer.

 

             

I wonder how many parents are willing to admit that McDonald's play land can be a saving grace. After an hour and ice cream, luck brought a preschool classmate and another hour of play without incident.  The girls went to sleep quickly tonight and I hope they will be rested and in a better mood tomorrow for Father's Day brunch and play date.  I have a great appreciation for my wonderful wife and her ability to do this everyday, she is a saint.

A week in the life of Michaela & Danielle: June 14th 2013

Danielle got to talk about yesterday, so it is my turn today.  Last night I fell out of the bed around midnight.  Dad was watching a movie downstairs and I scared him good.  I don't remember it, but he told me I was scared and hurt.  I'm not sure if actually happened though as I don't have a bump on my head, perhaps Danielle fell out of bed instead.

We all slept until 8:30 today, but I woke up ready for cartoons. Before anyone else was even out of bed I was on the couch downstairs watching Dora.  We ate cereal for breakfast and went shopping at Menard's this morning.  Dad had a surprise for us, but he wouldn't tell us until we were there.  I picked out green and purple and my sister took pink (red) and gray.  We were very excited about them until the ride home when we found out they don't stay in our ears very well.

We got home just in time for mac and cheese for lunch.  Dad watch golf on the computer and we watched The Littlest Pet Shop on Netflix before my sister put Dora in and I threw a temper tantrum.  Dad consoled me and taught me how to play peek (four card golf) before we went back into town to pay for Jeep repairs.

I helped Dad empty the garage, but got tired and went swimming with Chase and Cameron while he cleaned the cement.  Dan and Michelle took me and my sister to pick up Lilly and play at Farmer's Park.  We found a monster alien at the park with 15 feet and 100 eyes!  When we got home Danielle helped dad was the car and put the garage back together.  

Tonight dad and I played and entire game of peek rather than only a few hands.  I kept score for most of the game and I WON!!

A week in the life of Michaela & Danielle: June 13th 2013

Last night I wasn't to happy with my sister, but I still expected her to be in bed with me and dad when I woke up....but she wasn't! I woke up happy and went downstairs to watch cartoons.  When Michaela woke up we started talking and dad came downstairs a few minutes later.  I was so proud that I woke up first and that I was quiet!!!

With everyone awake we had yogurt, bananas, and mini blueberry bagels for breakfast. We went to the golf course this morning with our own special bag and clubs.  I filled the bucket of balls, but it was too heavy for me to carry.  Sister carried the bucket and I toke the sunscreen. All of us hit and putted on the green.  I'm really good at golf already, but Michaela is better at putting. A gentleman thought it was funny that we were giving dad a lesson and he let Michaela sit on his cart, but I was too scared.

I wanted Chinese for lunch but dad took us to HyVee. We shared chicken strips, mac and cheese, a roll, low mien, a crab Rangoon, and orange chicken.  Dad let us watch a Barbie Mermaid movie in the car on the way to Farmer's park.  At farmer's park we only saw three butterflies but Michaela caught one. We echoed in the tunnel, played on play sets, collected seeds, and rode the sheep but my tummy was a bit sore from eating too much and I learned what a pit toilet was.

We got home late in the afternoon and put on our swimsuits to play with the neighbors in their pool while dad mowed the yard. Michaela had a tough time choosing her favorite part of supper as she really liked the crescent rolls with Apple Butter as well as the Cheddar Bites, but I liked the cheese bites best.

Dad is so funny, he thinks he is being tough by forcing us to be polite but little does he know we are really controlling things. We stayed up to 10 last night and 9 tonight, and we get to sleep wherever we want!