Up

Yesterday we got a babysitter for Daniel, and Will and I took Abby to see the new Disney/Pixar movie Up. It was WONDERFUL (and this from someone who never used to like animation).

This morning Abby, Daniel and I got up early and spent the morning outside. (It was a GORGEOUS day today.) We acted out the movie (well, I sat in my chair and drank coffee and pretended to be a grumpy old man -- not much of a surprise, but I'm very good at that particular role) and had a great time. 

Abby finally set her house down beside the enchanted apple tree (located somewhere in South America).

If these pictures make no sense to you, you really should go see the movie. You might even cry (I did twice)!

A funny end note to this story -- when we came home today after being away for several hours, we found the tent on its side by our fence. Our neighbor Truda explained that the tent took flight and landed in her yard today. She said it was a real sight to see!

Tooth, Thread, and a Doorknob

Abby's grandmothers (Grandma and Noni) both recommended that she tie a string around her loose tooth and a doorknob and shut the door. Well, Abby really wanted to try this. She insisted that we use white thread. We've tried several nights in a row, but the tooth just doesn't want to budge. (Or perhaps I simply don't know how to tie a piece of thread around a really little tooth!

Peonies

Oh, peonies are perfect! If their could only be a scent widget, this post would be heavenly!
Our previous house had tons of AMAZING peonies. We'd fill our house with them. Our current house only has this one peony bush, so I can't bring myself to cut them off. But Abby and I go up and sniff them at least once a day!

Spaghetti

Tonight as we were eating dinner, Abby yelled, "LOOK AT DANIEL!"

We turned and this is what we saw...

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

I'm never entirely certain how much food actually makes its way into Daniel's mouth.

Teeth

A couple months ago, Abby's dentist told her that some time this spring two of her teeth would fall out. Well, that time is getting closer and closer!! Abby was talking to me today and I noticed that her front tooth had shifted.

She is absolutely excited! Tonight as we were talking before she went to bed I told her to wiggle her tooth. It moved A LOT! She grinned and squealed, "I LOVE IT!"

She asked me to try to pull it, but when I tried, I freaked out! Hopefully, it will come out on its own! I'm not certain I'll be able to assist!

Abby thinks it is rather great that her teeth are falling out as Daniel's are coming in! Daniel currently is working on at least four new teeth!

A Full Lap

There's nothing quite like reading to a Daniel, an Abby and a leopard!

An Apple Tree for Abby

Abby's birthday is still two months away, but that didn't stop her from asking Grandma and Grandpa Engelhardt to get her an apple tree as a birthday gift. And because they are extremely efficient, they've already planted her tree! By her birthday, it will be well on its way! Abby plans on "sitting underneath the apple tree and reading books and eating apples."

Our Sweet Sick Baby

Daniel has been a little fussy in the last couple of days. And by a little, I really do mean a little. He remains a really sweet-tempered little boy. Today his eyes were really gunky and red and swollen. I took him to his pediatrician and was told he has a double ear infection. He's on antibiotics and Tylenol for the pain.

But even with all of this, he still manages to smile at us!

Shark

Abby is a card shark. Given her two ruthless card playing grandmothers, the poor girl doesn't have a chance to fight it.

This means I too often bear the brunt of her sharkiness. She gloats -- a trait that I think is rather unbecoming of an almost six-year-old.

I'm rather suspicious of the child. I make her cut the deck, and I think the next time we play I won't allow her to wear long sleeves.

But, every now and then I do manage to win a game or two. Abby doesn't like this of course, but I'm attempting to help her be humble.

Can You Smell Them?

Gotta Love a Pair of Well-Worn Jeans and an Old T-Shirt

Daniel has received some pretty great hand-me-downs, including these great jeans and t-shirt!

Books

Abby is becoming a great little reader. Tonight she brought home a book that she has been practicing reading at school and read it to Daniel. Daniel enjoyed the story about Tim, a boy who feels sad when his pal moves away in a van. Luckily for Tim, a van pulls up with a new pal.Daniel really wants to be like his big sister, so while she was in school today, he practiced his reading skills as well. Do you think the child is vain? He insists on reading this book and this book only!

The Rocking Horse

Abby always wanted a rocking horse and Daniel got one. Hmmm! You can see how that might be a problem. The solution, a rocking horse with a very strong back!

Korean Princess Ballerina

Abby was invited to a birthday party this past Saturday. The theme of the party was princess/ballerina. Abby wanted to wear her hanbok and go as a Korean princess ballerina. She looked beautiful and had a lovely time.

Racing Down the Hallway

Abby and Daphne still love racing down the hallway. And now Daniel does his best to join the chase!

But more often than not, he just gets left in the dust.

The SUPER SWADDLE

We call this the SUPER SWADDLE. Daniel loves being snuggly and refuses to nap or go to sleep at night without this SUPER SWADDLE! The child can be crying out of pure exhaustion and all you have to do is spread the SUPER SWADDLE out on the floor and lay him down on it in preparation for the swaddling. He immediately relaxes and grins! It makes me smile every nap time and every bedtime! (The SUPER SWADDLE was made and given to Daniel by Will's colleague Cheryl.)

Abby's Very First Computer

Will and I decided to give Abby our old laptop. I set it up in her room on her desk and put a bow on it. We called her down to her room and told her we had a surprise for her. She was so excited and declared, "This is the best surprise EVER!"

And luckily Daniel didn't feel slighted in the least. He was happy to find a plate to play with!

Arlen Specter

Will just called to share the exciting news about Senator Specter FINALLY coming to his senses and switching parties!! Woo Hoo!!!!

I was in Specter's office years ago waiting to meet with a staffer. Former Senator Bob Dole walked in and I started talking to him. I told him about the food stamp restoration I was working on. He asked if Specter was on the legislation and I said no. Specter walked out (he was to have lunch with Dole) and Dole turned to him immediately and scolded him for not being on the legislation. Specter grumbled (he's a very grumbly, grumpy man) and Dole scolded him some more. It wasn't long after that, though, that Specter signed on to the bill!

Specter is cut from that same old, thoughtful Republican cloth as Dole, but it's regrettable that it's been years since the Republicans resembled that version of the party. (Can cloth be thoughtful?)

WELCOME ARLEN!

Smiles and Stories

It typically starts with a smile and then a story is shared.

The goldsmith who Will commissioned to design a ring for me in honor of Daniel's adoption was so excited to work with us because she has a brother who was adopted from Korea.

Abby's swimming teacher saw Daniel and smiled and smiled and told us about her ten-year-old sister who was adopted from Korea.

At a birthday party for one of Abby's classmates yesterday, the birthday girl's mom asked me about Daniel and told me about her brother and sister who were adopted from Korea eighteen and twenty years ago.

During dinner last night in Minneapolis, I noticed the smiles from the couple across the room. As we were getting ready to leave, they came over and introduced themselves and told us about their son who they adopted from Korea when he was four years old. She showed us his picture and said that he had recently graduated from college and is now in the Peace Corps.

And always, people turn to Abby and smile and say what a good big sister she must be!

We love it! We love celebrating Daniel and we love the smiles and stories of these families. I imagine in twenty years or so, I'm going to be walking across the room to smile at a baby and share my story of Daniel!

Reading and Vacuuming

Like his big sister, Daniel loves it when we read to him. We read for awhile and then I put Abby to work! I wonder if Daniel will like to vacuum?

Who's the Dog?

I love Daphne's expression in this photo!! After I took this photo, Abby said, "Daniel is perfect! We were just made for each other!"

Home Office

Abby stayed home from school today because she hasn't been feeling well. We all have colds and Abby is just run down. I had a lot of work I needed to do today, so I set the tripod up and gave Abby the remote control! She had fun and I got to focus!

Some People Spend a Fortune on...

...fancy clothes and expensive shoes. We spend a fortune on tights and Band-Aids!

Born in North America

Today when I picked Abby up from school, her friends swarmed around Daniel. Abby is so proud of him and talks about him a lot at school. Her friends call him Daniel Min Jae.

Abby's friend Eric looked at Daniel and said, "I wish I had a little brother who was born in Korea." I responded, "But you have a great little brother and his name is Daniel too." Eric replied, "Yeah, but he was only born in North America."

Oh to be a Stott on a Beautiful Spring Day

We drove to Decorah last night and Daniel got to have his first sleepover at Grandma and Grandpa Engelhardt's. This meant Will and Lynette got to go to a movie (Fast and Furious) and eat too much popcorn! Woo Hoo!

And as if that wasn't enough to make a great weekend, this morning started off on a perfect note when Grandma and Grandpa Engelhardt got up with Abby and Daniel and Will and Lynette got to sleep in!! Woo Hoo!

Will and I took Abby fossil hunting for a couple hours while Daniel was spoiled by Grandma and Grandpa. We found some really great Ordovician fossils -- marine life that lived more than 200 million years BEFORE dinosaurs walked the earth! HOW COOL IS THAT?

(This is what happens when you hang your camera from a tree branch thinking you are a very clever person.)

Abby brought along her important fossil hunting tools like protective eye gear, hammer and dust brush.

Abby found the best fossil of the day -- a large three-dimensional crinoid stem (we think).

Daphne made a friend (Cider) and got so tuckered out helping us search for fossils that she could barely move the rest of the day (this is a major victory for English Springer Spaniel owners and must be taken very seriously!)

The dogs were lucky enough to find a patch of snow to quench their thirst!

Daniel was pleased to see the return of his sister!

And even though all of that would have made for a great day, this afternoon we saw an eagle and an eagle's nest with an eagle in it.

And on the drive home, Daniel and Daphne both finally gave up the ghost!

Abby enjoyed being the older sister tonight because she got to stay up "really, really late" unlike Daniel who goes to bed at 7:30 PM on the dot!

Will and Abby colored eggs.

A Happy Easter to you!

Poor Daniel

Daniel wasn't amused with my lengthy attempt to get the perfect picture of him in his crib!