5 Weird Things

I got tagged by my friend Tammy a while ago to do a list of 5 weird things about me. I've actually kind of been avoiding it, because once I started to think about what would be "weird" about me, I realized my list is much longer than 5. By admitting some of these things, I believe I am also admitting to a slight case of OCD, but oh well, we're among friends, right? Well, here goes:

1. I kind of enjoyed childbirth. Don't get me wrong, the pain was terrible and if I hadn't had epidurals, I might be singing a different tune. But through all that, I was so excited both times to see my baby and find out if I was having a boy or a girl, I really didn't mind the process.

2. I have a real texture problem with food. I can't stomach anything slimy. Tomatoes make me gag because of the slimy seed stuff in the middle. Kiwi & cucumbers do the same. I only like baby pickles because the big pickles are too mushy in the middle.

3. I count letters in words and see what the word is divisible by. Example word: "Group" I do this in my head: gr, ou, pg, ro, up. Then I do this: gro, upg, rou, pgr, oup. I have to keep doing it until I get the letters to come out even. 6 letter words are my favorite because they divide nicely. See what I mean about OCD?

4. I do something similar with numbers. When I see a number, I use each of the numbers to see how high I can count by using them. Example number: 125 Here's what goes on in my head: 1, 2, 5-2=3, 5-1=4, 5, 5+1=6, 5+2=7, 1+2+5=8, (5x2=10)10-1=9, 2x5=10, (2x5=10)10+1=11

5. I hate messy condiment bottles. You know when you open the cover to the ketchup and there is that dried ketchup "skin"on top. I hate that. Ketchup, mustard, dressing, any of those things need to be free and clear of goop.

So there you go, those are about as weird as they get. I am now tagging Allison to share her weirdness with the world.

My Winter Project List

Project #1: Insulate crawl space under dining room.
Status: Complete
It took me less than 2 hours. I did it today during nap time/quiet time. It was actually pretty easy, except for all those dumb vents & pipes in my way. Fancy-schmancy suburban dwellers with their heated homes and running water. Aurghhh!

Milk drinker

Lately Nolan has been trying to figure out how to drink the leftover milk from his cereal bowl. I can't get him to pick up the bowl, it seems to work best for him to just stick his whole face in.

Nap Time

Aidyn made beds for her and Nolan to take their pretend naps in today. Nolan is sprawled out in the dog bed and Aidyn is squished into one of the toy baskets. Looks comfy!

Tackle!

Nolan is really into football these days. He carries his football around under his arm and yells "Tackle! Tackle!". He is not afraid to take you out at the knees. Once you hit the ground he starts yelling "Fumble!", grabs the balls, runs away and yells "Touchdown! Touchdown!" Aidyn has decided she likes to play this with him and between the two of them they can have a pretty rough game of football. Neither one is afraid to take a hit or to lay out the other one. Here is a snippet of one of their games last night.

I've been in the dark

I think I've lived a pretty good life so far. I've had some fun experiences, met some nice people, seen some cool things. But after a trip to the grocery store today I've come to realize that I have been missing out. I was walking down the ice cream isle. (Bad idea, I know...) and I saw that Edy's ice cream was on sale. I stopped to gawk and I spotted something that looked interesting. They have this ice cream called Spumoni. "What is that?" I thought. So I pulled one out to look at it. As I'm reading it this lady comes along and says "Oh Spumoni is my FAVORITE! I could eat the whole container by myself. Oh, and it's on sale, what a great price." So she grabs one and puts it in her cart. By this time, I'm sold. I have to try this stuff.
Here's the description: Inspired by the Italian classic! We bring you this unique combination of rich chocolate, spumoni with juicy fruits and almonds and pistachio ice creams.
As soon as we get home and I get the kids upstairs for quiet time, I dig in. Oh My Lord...it is delicious! Now surely others of you out there have tried this. Why did no one tell me??? Well, I am telling those of you that haven't tried it, if you come across it, buy some for yourself. You are worth it. I'd offer to share mine the next time you stop by, but I doubt there will be any left by tonight.

Midtown Global Market

This morning we went to the Midtown Global Market in Minneapolis to check out what they had to offer. There are many different vendors offering everything from Asian noodles to lefse to handmade African clothes. We didn't buy much, just some tangerines, but we had to have lunch there! The kids really ventured out on a limb and tried some ethnic food...pizza. I had some delicious tacos and Jeff had a gyro the size of his head. He was in heaven!
After we got done eating the kids made their way out onto the dance floor to shake their behinds to some fun music.


Here they are really showing off their moves!

A real man...

It takes a real man to wear princess shoes.

Play Time

Here are the kids just playing. It is some sort of game they invented. Who knows what it's all about...but it looks like they are having fun!

Kindermusik Graduation

Nolan "graduated" from his Kindermusik class on Tuesday. They got to blow out candles and eat cupcakes. That's a pretty big deal when you're 2!

Nolan & Kya

This is Nolan and his friend Kya. Maybe they could use this for their engagement picture someday.

Nolan's Commercial

Last summer the MN Zoo ran a series of commercials that Nolan just loved. I recorded them and periodically play them for the kids. Every time I do, they start "dancing". Nolan invented the dance, Aidyn just likes to join in. I could play the commercial 20 times and he would stand right in front of the TV and dance his little heart out every time. Too cute!

Future Miss Basketball

Tonight Aidyn started her first-ever session of basketball. She was a little apprehensive at first, but once she got warmed up she seemed to enjoy it. (Except when she was crying because one of the kids threw the ball at her face.) They worked on dribbling, passing, shooting and learning the positions. Watching 4, 5 & 6 year olds play basketball is really entertaining. Hopefully I'll get more pictures as the season goes on. For now, Go Team Pikachu! (That's the team name they came up with. It was between that and The Dragons.)

New Years Day

Today is New Years Day and last night we got about 6 inches of snow. The kids were thrilled and couldn't wait to get outside and play. (As you can see by Nolan's coat, he got to enjoy one of Aidyn's hand-me-downs. He'll hate this picture someday.)
What is wrong with this picture???


That looks better....

The kids & I were able to spend the rest of the week after Christmas at my parents place.
Aidyn & Grandpa got out a spotting scope so they could look for deer, coyotes, cows...whatever happened to be wandering around outside.

Grandpa got a new box kite for Christmas so they had to get it put together and then give it a try.
I think all 3 kids enjoyed it.

The weather was so nice we got the tricycle out to take it for a spin. Nolan tried really hard, but his legs are just too little yet.
And of course there was some cuddle time involved. Nolan rarely sits still so I told mom she better enjoy the opportunity.
We has a really nice week visiting everyone but it was good to get home too. Thanks to all of our families for a wonderful Christmas!

Christmas in Tappen

Next we were off to Grandma Sharon & Grandpa Jerry's for Christmas Eve.

Here are my brothers & I with our Grandma Bowerman.

All the grandkids actually sitting still!

The whole family...what a nice Christmas Eve.

Grandma Bowerman watching over the flurry of activity.


McKayla and Aidyn snuggling up. They spend a lot of their time together holding hands, hugging and just being cute little girls.
Merry Christmas!!!

Christmas at the lake

We were off to Grandma Janice & Grandpa Horace's house for Christmas there.

The kids helped Aunt Lisa make marshmallow snowman.
Aidyn's Barbie laptop got a good workout on our trip. Here Brett is teaching Aidyn how to compose music.
Both kids got their own suitcase from Grandma & Grandpa. They came in handy immediately and the kids have taken many "trips" with their new luggage. Basically, Aidyn tells Nolan that they are going on a trip, where they are going and what to do. Then he follows along behind her.

Santa was here!

Before we left for Christmas, Santa made a stop at our house. It seems as though he knew we were going to be gone, so he came by a little early.