Oscar and ZV

No, no, no, Zane was not hanging out with George Clooney and Felicity Huffman. Not THAT Oscar. The REAL Oscar. Oscar the Grouch.

Here they are getting down to "I Love Trash."

~t

Kevin's Home Military School

So, we got an unfavorable note home from Caspian's school. After some other issues, Kevin has decided to go all out with the discipline and now the young lad is having a home military school experience. Let's all hope we stick with it.

Here he is confined to quarters after he could no longer do any more push ups...

His room looks neat, don't it?

~t

"Commeer"

This morning, Caspian decided to be a good big brother and explain something of our language to little Zane.

You could almost see the wheels turning in his head as he matter-of-factly said, "The word 'commeer' actually is from the two words "come here".

~t

ps--Credit to Kristine Claudette for inspiring me to blog this.

Zane is ONE!

We partied hearty at Zane's Mexican Fiesta. It was a small family gathering with food by the wonderful Kevin. Earlier in the day, we visited the domes. Zane enjoyed the greenery, some time with family, presents, and of course, CAKE!

~Proud Mama t

Professional Photos!

(This is so much more fun than what I was doing at this time last year! ahem...labor.)

~t

We had professional photos taken of the kids today!!!

I'm about to go pick them up. (And Zane's CAKE!) Can't wait to see 'em. Will post later.

I think I might blog more now that I have a laptop.

Wow. Sondra Locke is being a hussy on the The Outlaw Josey Wales. Your husband ever put on a tv show or movie and then leave the room?

~t

Our Newest Family Member
Vaiolette Beautiful One came to live with us on Saturday, February 11, 2006. We love her.

Bet you thought this would be about Zane, huh? Well, that will be next. Tomorrow's his birthday. Right now he's whining at me. Gotta go.

~t

Zane's Second Haircut!

Before

During

After

Thanks Cory!!!

~t

Happy New Year!!!

Kevin's Bday, Christmas, & other Milestones

So, my sweet husband turned 35 on 12/9. Oooh my. We are getting old. Oh well. Here's the festivities...

Making a wish

ZV's first cheesecake is off to the side of the plate. :)

Christmas was not without it's share of drama, but I'm glad to say we all pulled through and it was a nice time. My bro was the star with his handmade wooden gifts. Very special!

Kevin poses in front of his feast.

My Dad taking a pic of Caspian taking a pic of my Dad.

Zane-ta Claus

The blocks Uncle Tim made for Zane. Truly an heirloom. The whole family gets involved.

A bizarre standoff at Grandma's.

Caspian in the shirt Kevin made him.

One of the most surreal exchanges of the season.

My mom, "What does 'Cas' stand for?"

CASpian, "Where does it say that?" (on the shirt he was wearing--he thought it was a dragon?!?!)

The obligatory family self portrait. :)

Allrighty, what were the milestones?

Hmmm...we learned that when Zane says "Gheee" which he has been doing forever, he means "Binkie"

Zane clapped today for the first time!

Zane had his first cold. :( I blame the doctor's office. And, for the astrologers in the audience, the transiting north node on my chiron in Aries in the 5th house.

He's walking pretty well.

He's chewing really well.

Begging for our food constantly.

Great at putting blocks in things.

Peek-a-boo master & other jokes.

There, those are some good milestones.

Love and peace to all.

2005 was a great year for us and I am really looking forward to 2006!

~t

Jolly Old St. Nick

Ok, this is like my 4th blog entry today. I just can't stop. See, we have this little custom here in Milwaukee of celebrating St. Nick's day tomorrow, Dec 6th. The kids hang their stockings tonight and get a bunch of crap, I mean goodies, in them in the morning. I kinda like it. Takes the edge off before Christmas. It seems other places really do not have this custom. I wonder if I can find a link. Ok, found one...click St. Nick below to learn more.

Tomorrow also happens to be the birthday of Lynn Fontanne. Happy Birthday, Lynn. Click her below to learn more.

And Caroline Jane Barrett's birthday is tomorrow, too. Since she is turning the ripe old age of one year tomorrow and is the granddaughter of a dear friend, I really have no links on her. But Happy Birthday to Caroline, too!

December 6th is a big day around here.

~t

Kudos to Governor Doyle...

...for calling out the big oil companies for gouging us and blaming Hurricane Katrina. That was a bunch of BS. Yes, there was that hearing on Capitol Hill, but apparently that made zero impact. Doing it again in Wisconsin with smaller oil company potatoes (not CEOs) might have had zero impact again, but I say make those jokers spout their money grubbing BS as often as we can. Kudos Governor. (OMG, I just got publicly political. Is this where public radio takes me? Ok, no one try to debate me, because I am so not into that.)

~t

For all the Scrooges in the audience...

...Kevin has made a whole new line of "I Don't Heart" merchandise, but the below is particularly seasonal. Enjoy! (Click the image to get to the "I Don't Heart" section of his store.)

Only 3 days left for super saver shipping to get your I Don't Heart Christmas items (or anything else) before Christmas. (After 3 days are up, you can still get stuff on time, it will just cost a bit more.)

~t

Yes, I have lost my mind.

~t

These Boots

were made for
WALKING!

Ok, so he was officially barefoot when it happened, but Zane took his first real steps today! (Who can resist a picture of little baby boots?) He's been playing around with walking for weeks, months perhaps. But today he walked from me to Kevin completely unassisted for about 5 steps. He did great. Watch out world, here he comes.

The especially sweet thing was that he was ready to do it yesterday, but Kevin stopped him because I wasn't at home.

I said, "You don't have to thwart his progress on my account." But now that I did get to be here for it, I'm glad. Was a special moment and I have an extremely thoughtful husband. I am very lucky.

~t