When Rowan is in charge

These are the pictures that are taken. I love that girl.

An Inquiring Mind Wants to Know

Rowan is starting to ask questions I'm pretty sure I didn't ask until I was much, much older (and, admittedly, still ask today). Tonight before bed, the conversation went like this:

Rowan: If Adam and Eve had three boys, then where were the girls? How could they ever get married and have kids if there weren't any girls?

Lance: Well, maybe Adam and Eve had girls later on and we just don't hear that part of the story.

Rowan: But people can't marry someone in their own family. That is not allowed.

Lance: Well...that's true...

Rowan: Unless that rule started later.

Sooooo....I'm pretty sure we have our work more than cut out for us with this curious child.

Favorite Things: Chicago

What we did in Chicago: swim in the hotel pool, shop (American Girl for Rowan, Lego Store for Tate, H&M for me), go up to the top of the Hancock Building, eat at Rainforest Cafe, go to the very decorated Macy's, ride the subway, swim in the hotel pool (again--before bed and again in the morning), go to Trader Joe's where Rowan was thrilled to use the little cart, play at Lincoln Park Zoo, meet baby AJ.

This morning, I asked the kids what their favorite thing about Chicago was. Tate responded "Chicago? What Chicago?" Then he remembered. "The Lego Store where we played the claw. And the Hancock Building--seeing everything! And eating breakfast at the hotel with the pancakes they made to look like Mickey Mouse." Rowan's reply "Eating breakfast and going to Baby AJ's house. I liked standing up in the subway and riding the carousel at the zoo."

Halloween 2011, in photos

The Things They Say

Three conversations:

Tate: Mom, is Indiana a real word?

Me: Yes, Tate. It's one of the states.

Tate: Oh, I know the states. Michigan, Saturn...

Rowan, commenting on Tate's post-bath spiked-up hair: Tate, you have a mosaic in your hair!

Me, while watching Tate concentrate forever on Perler beads: Wow, Tate. You have great concentration. Are you going to be a doctor when you grow up?
Tate: NO!

Me: What do you think you'd like to do?
Tate: I want to be a Valentine!

Contents of a Mom Bag

In no particular order:

• 1 pair boys sunglasses
• 1 flower headband
• 1 random "picture day" comb
• 1 pair stretchy gloves
• 1 cell phone
• 5 lollipops
• chap stick
• 1 piece Super Bubble bubble gum
• 1 mint
• random paper with a tiger that says "orange"
• 1 pack sticky notes
• 2 McDonald's "treat packs" for our cousins (ordered while my son was saying "Wow! I've never been to McDonald's before," and I noted that, in fact, that was true.)
• 1 wallet with random gift cards and merchandise return cards
• 1 wallet containing $2.18, credit cards, license
• "To Buy" list with lots of craft supplies listed
• 1 checkbook
• 1 powder
• 1 mini-lotion
• 1 camera
• 1 Spiderman mask
• 1 mini-hand sanitizer
• 1 pinwheel
• World Market receipt for wine and gum
• 1 pipe cleaner "art"
• 4 crayons
• 1 tube Carmex
• 1 spa appointment card
• 1 pack Buzz Lightyear Kleenex
• stack of napkins
• 1 pen

My Little Buddy

Tate and I had the perfect morning at the park. I am so in love with this kid.