Botanical Garden and a day for downtime

Today our St. Louis tour took us to the Botanical Gardens. To say it's beautiful doesn't cover it. They had a wonderful children's area that we could have spent the entire day at. I think we'll try to head back on our next trip. Sofie did the rope ladder with Uncie, Samantha and I. We walked the entire park so the girls could feed Koi fish and both of them (and the rest of us) handled the heat fairly well.

Once we got "home" it was time for a bath. The girls love using the master bath at Antie and Uncie's. It's so huge I have to get into the tub with them!

We played games afterwards and I can't resist putting this picture of Sofia up... she may grow up to play cards professionally! Papa would be so proud!

Tonight my secret wish was granted when Uncie grilled steaks for us! He makes an awesome steak! Uncie also tried a rice crispy bar... does it look like he enjoyed it? Wonderful food, cherished company and dogs that don't beg... what else can you ask for?

The next day we took the opportunity for some downtime and stuck fairly close to our home base. We headed to Stacy Park, ran into some other extended family and relaxed.

This is yet another daredevil move of mine at the park that could have gone badly, but thankfully didn't. At least it's comical!

St. Louis at Uncle Bob and Aunt Sherri's

We had a wonderful visit with Uncle Bob and Aunt Sherri's today. It was just us since Uncie and Antie had another commitment. I've never seen them without other family there and it was nice to have a conversation with the kids being the only interruption! They played with the girls and for me, it was another serene moment filled with joy at our extended family. Samantha got to show off her chess knowledge and Sofie impressed them just being herself! It was a lovely evening with great food!

St. Louis arrival and the Zoo

We finally took a family vacation! Our first day in St. Louis was met with great fun, including a trip to Faust Park. As expected, there is some confusion with Sofie the kid and Sophie the dog. We're figuring it out though. (It's a running joke that we named our girls after Uncie and Antie's dog, Sophia Samantha.) Satchel and Sophie are always highlights of our trips to St. Louis and our family loves both dogs!

Our next adventure was the St. Louis Zoo. We rode the carousel and the train and of course saw plenty of animals. It was a hot day and the girls took turns in the stroller. Just before we left the girls and I enjoyed an ice cream treat... you can see some photos below.

It was a wonderful start of our trip!

Whirlwind weekend

We had way too much going on, but as usual the grandparents chipped in to help us out. It was all good things though with a wedding rehearsal and recitals. Grammy had lots of time with Samantha and especially Sofia. It seemed like they had a great time!


Saturday was a flurry of activity with a family brunch that Samantha and I couldn't attend. We were slated to attend a mid-evil banquet at her preschool. It was one of the last events there and she chose not to miss it. Sam was so excited that even with the rainy weather, she was still able to do the May pole dance (skipping in a circle holding a ribbon around the pole). It also gave us a chance to wear our Halloween costumes again, except this time I wasn't a wicked step-mother.


This is hanging on the wall at preschool... what a fantastic idea!




I found my long lost twin!



Samantha's last Sunday school class was this morning so our day began with a trip to the synagogue. She seemed to enjoy it more than ever today even though we had to race home for the next leg in our marathon day!




After that it was dance recital time! She had 2 shows so it was a long day. Grammy, Daddy, Sofia and I watched her in the first show and Daddy, Nana and Papa saw her in the second show. I was volunteering backstage, but I managed to see her part in the second show as well. What a great performer she is! I'll admit to being biased, but our kid was one of the best! She smiled, did all her steps and showed enthusiasm in everything! Sam also handled the perils of waiting wonderfully tonight. We are all extremely proud of her!




I think everyone is exhausted, but we did it without hurting ourselves or anyone else! It was beyond busy, but full of wonderful moments!

Happy Birthday to Nana and Papa!

Though we didn't get to see you, we were thinking of you often! Sofie sang "Happy Birthday" her own way per Nana's request (read: Dinosaur Train) and Samantha got to chat as well. I even got to sing the Beatles version of "Happy Birthday"! Thanks to Nana and Papa for enduring it! May you both have many more birthdays!

Look at what you've created!

We love you so much and are so grateful for you!

Happy Birthday Grammy!

The girls and I took Grammy out for dinner on her birthday to Red Robin. She let Samantha pick and I opted to have them sing to her. We love you Grammy and I hope we get to embarrass you (assuming you're still willing) for many more birthdays!

Thanks for being such a good sport!

Wonderful weekend with a birthday party

This weekend we had a lot going on, but we took some time to be a family too.

Saturday was a birthday party for Naamah and the whole family went. A great time was had by all and it was a lovely day!

Sam was a little nervous about not knowing any other kids, but we talked with her about being outgoing and introducing herself. She listened and by the end of the party she was leading a group of kids around. Sam even was hugged by some of the kids as they left. It was a wonderful parenting moment for us and we are so proud of her!

Sofie wasn't nervous at all and played with everyone! She especially loved the jumper and dancing all over the place!

Ducks and a pretend zoo

Earlier this week I stayed home with Samantha in another effort to help her recover a bit from the croup/cold/allergies/unknown stuff that she's been struggling with. The cough sounds so painful and the poor kid wasn't able to sleep that well so I offered to let her stay home. We played 'Sorry' and she enjoyed teaching her pretend class too.

Once we picked up Sofie, we raided all the stuffed animals to set up a pretend zoo. Both girls had an array of bears and dolls that they were responsible for watching. We toured the giraffes, monkeys, zebras, found a dolphin and a kangaroo. Then I performed a wolf show starring Fonzie as the wolf. He cooperated wonderfully while I imitated the trainers that I've seen at zoos. It worked out and the girls were enthralled! We even had audience participation and the girls each brought their group up to pet "the wolf". It was definitely a good mommy moment and so fun for us all!

Keeping with the animal theme, a family of mallard ducks has moved into the side yard. There are 7 ducklings that I've seen and the mom doesn't seem too concerned with Fonz. It's been fun for the girls to watch them!

Uncie's birthday song

Here's a birthday message to Uncie... we love you and we can't wait to see you!

Differences between boys and girls

I try to demystify anything regarding the physical differences between male and females and Samantha gave me another opportunity to do that recently at Uncle Todd and Aunt Shelly's house. I was changing Dylan's diaper when Samantha looked over and said, "That's a funny looking vagina". Trying to contain my laughter I replied, "Boys don't have vaginas, they have a penis". She promptly told me that everyone has a vagina, but eventually accepted what I said and bounded off to play. On Mother's Day she explained to Aunt Shelly that boys have peanuts... at least Samantha is close!

Happy Mothers Day!

Daddy made a wonderful brunch for a wonderful bunch of mothers today. It was a lovely day and full of gratitude. The food was delicious, so thanks Daddy! And the family that shared the day with us are wonderful people!


Aunt Merrian just moved from Omaha to Minneapolis and she is wonderful. Her sister was Grandma Rose and both women are beloved by our family.

I got to see my niece and nephew who each gave me smiles. Dylan talked to me for quite awhile which was so fun! They are growing so fast... just like my daughters.

Samantha was a gracious hostess and showed Susie our entire property. She read to Jordan and Nana. Sofia didn't want to stop cuddling with Uncle Todd and was a wild girl. Both girls loved playing with their cousins so much!

For quiet time today, I snuggled with my girls and felt so content with them. Kudos to Daddy for taking the picture to remember this moment!


Being a mother has been a crazy and wonderful experience for me. The power of love for my children is unmatched to anything I have felt. My mother has told me motherhood has "softened" me and I agree. The world has become a place of never-ending wonder and joy to me. The main source of that joy is showing that world to my girls and seeing it through their eyes.

I miss you Dad.

My father has been gone for ten years now. There are times that the pain of losing him is so fresh it's as though time does not exist. When I look at my girls I feel so sad that they won't know him. No matter how many stories I share my kids will never know the essence of my dad. The way the room changed (for the better) when he walked in, the way his happiness was contagious in his later years, and the way his sense of adventure applied to everything and everyone.

When I was skydiving regularly, I got him a lesson as a gift. I thought it would be fun to skydive with him. I still remember how his eyes twinkled at the thought. He was excited to do it, but an accident (trampled by 3 horses) prevented him from physically being able to do it. We were both sad that it wasn't an option for us to jump together, but I think he liked the fact that his daughter was a skydiver and jumped out of airplanes for fun. My dad had an appreciation of all things outside the norm.

Fathers have a special power over daughters that cannot be explained. When your dad smiles at you and expresses pride and approval, the world is the best place to be. And when you disappoint him, the world is at its worst. There is nothing more powerful than Daddy's approval. My dad wielded that over me and no one has had that power since he passed.

A message to all the daddies... use your power wisely and appreciate your girls. Be a force of good in their lives and their hearts. Show them not to let anyone keep them down because they are the only ones who can make their choices and they are the ones who have to live with them. Give them hope, strength and teach them to appreciate all they have.

Samantha gets lost

It happened.

Samantha got lost at the Minnesota Zoo. I fought the urge to panic after searching the bathroom a second time for her since Papa hadn't seen in come out. It turned out that she went down the hall and ended up sitting on a bench alone. The blue lady (a lady in a blue jacket) took her to the green lady (a Zoo volunteer) who walked her back to the area we were in. Both Papa and I talked to Samantha about it and I explained what she should do next time. In other words, stay where you were last seen or find someone (specifically go to where you pay or find a mom with kids). Her biggest concern was us telling Daddy, which we did once we were home without any problem. I think Samantha understood us, but we won't know until next time.

Here is a shot of the girls waiting for the monorail... we had a great time with Papa!