Out of Hand: April 2012

Monday, April 30, 2012

This weekend, we enjoyed a nice visit with Rich's parents. They brought some special gifts for us, including this cool light roulette, which moves to music. Grandpa Richard made it. Isaac was particularly intrigued and tried to figure it out.

On Saturday we went to the National Zoo and saw all sorts of creatures. Can you locate the sneaky alligator?

I'm glad these don't live in our backyard!

Here is a swinging orangutan.

And an elephant. These creatures are fascinating. He was very obedient to the zoo trainers, lifting his feet and coming when he was called. There were three of them, though their section of the zoo is expanding now.

Do you see the panda? He was hiding. Apparently, they do not like to be watched.

Grandma Helen held Isaac for a long time, which gave me a nice break. She also helped him to drink from a cup. He was fascinated by it. He blew bubbles in water for the first time.

Dad's little man.

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

If we learned anything from this trip it is that the morning is a much better time to fly than the evening. Perhaps this is obvious, but there was a dramatic difference between how Isaac behaved on the two.

We had a great time with my family!

When we arrived, we had breakfast at Cracker Barrel with my Aunt Mary Ann and cousins, Steve and Emily.

Julie was so helpful with Isaac! She picked him up when he cried and walked with him. She helped me pin him down while I changed his diapers (sigh! He IS that age.) He gave everyone a good workout with his incessant bouncing!

Maria was prepared to entertain him with toys as long as he didn't drool on her.

We discovered teething biscuits on this trip. Isaac ate two a day until the box was gone. He loves them!

Maria has learned to play Fur Elise. I am sad to say that her piano skills now exceed mine.

We also celebrated my sister-in-law, Cassie's, birthday when we were home. My mom made a cupcake tree.

I can't remember what Michael said, but I'm sure it was funny.

One boyfriend. Blowing all of those out in one breath is harder than it looks!!

Grandpa and Isaac

On Saturday night, Michael threw a surprise birthday party for Cassie. We helped decorate. Maria worked on that sign on the wall. Michael had beer-boiled brats, hot dogs, baked beans, chips, and cake. (Mom gets credit for the brats - yum!) He had cold beverages and a warm bonfire. I only have a few photos because most of the party was after Isaac's bed time. Here is Cassie with her godmother.

Isaac with Cassie's mom.

Sucking the fingers.

Perfect tepee campfire.

On Sunday, the family took Isaac for a bike ride. It was his first time in the bike buggy. Unfortunately, I don't have a picture of that one. Here they are after the trip.

Some of them showed off.

Mom was nice enough to sweep and mop the floor so Isaac stayed cleaner and had fewer options of things to eat.

The trees were in bloom in Wisconsin. Isaac was very intrigued.

Have I mentioned that about ten people asked Mike and Cassie if Isaac was their baby? Well, they did.

That comment was followed with: "He looks like you, Michael!"

These are Isaac's concentration eyebrows.

Grandpa gave Isaac a tour of his office. Isaac was particularly intrigued by the ruler.

Little executive.

I helped Maria do her history homework and was surprised by how boring the book was. (Don't tell her I said that!) One thing that I did learn, though, is that Germans make up the largest group of foreign-born people in Wisconsin. That's not a surprise. No wonder Wisconsin has the best sausage!!!