Froggy

Cute little boy in a "big boy jacket" and "big boy shoes." Also, at bathtime, gotta love the cute froggy towel! Ashly is home today - no school. Nothing else new today.

Mall of America and CPR

We had a fun, busy weekend. Ashly babysat for the neighbors on Friday night. On Saturday all four of us went to nephew Nate's 8th birthday party. We had pizza and cupcakes and then the kids went of rides for 3 hours. It was fun. We walked around with Christopher in his stroller. He did good being out and about. The bottom picture is the six grandchildren (and Grandma!) on Chadd's side of the family - Christopher, Ashly, Emily, Nick, Jackie and Nate. Nobody is looking on the picture because I tried to snap it so fast because of all the people walking by...we'll just think of it as an action shot!

Today Ashly's puppet's performed at the church (top picture). She is in a group called C.P.R. which stands for Christian Puppet Revival. It was fun to watch, and she really likes doing it. She was the hands on one of the puppets playing the drums. Someone else was the head and made it sing. Then Ashly was off to the Timberwolves game this afternoon. The choir and band students of Southwest were singing the national anthem. I hope she had a good time, I'm going to pick her up in about 15 minutes.

Fargo

We are thinking of all of you in Fargo/Moorhead. It will all be over with soon. There is nothing you can't recover from as long as you have your family and friends by your side.

Spiderman and White Castle

Ok...I like the spiderman. The shirt is cute. However, NO WHITE CASTLE (the picture is of libby and christopher and a white castle burger box). I think I'm going to make a new rule, right now. No white castle until one is completely, 100%, no questions, potty trained! It's evil stuff! How does that sound Steve and Chadd? I have a feeling I'm outnumbered!

I had my six week (after having baby) doctor appointment today. Everything is good. Christopher and I stopped by the lab where I work after my appointment and visited with the crew. It's fun to see them, I love not having to work right now. It's a super nice break. It's going by fast.

I'm thinking about everyone in Fargo and hoping the flood doesn't cause too many problems for you.

More pix from last weekend

It was so much fun watching everyone enjoy Christopher last weekend!

Yesterday we went to Kohl's and got Ashly some good running shoes. Track starts this week. This is her first time in it, so we don't know exactly what she'll be doing yet. More to follow on that subject.

Today Christopher and I spent the afternoon with our neighbors. They have a 5 and 2 year old and one on the way. The baby is due on July 4th, and they know it is a boy. So, hopefully Christopher and him can be the best of buds growing up!

And now there are four

Now there are four Symons grandchildren - Jordyn, Ashly, Christopher and Brittany. We had so much fun with all our company this weekend. My mom, dad, sister Bobbi, nieces Brittany and Jordyn all came to visit on Friday. Chadd and I took advantage of the "babysitters" and we had our first date since baby! It was so nice. We went out to eat at our favorite steak house, Red Oak, in Lino Lakes. Then we went to Running Aces, the horse race track/casino by Forest Lake. It was our first time...at a horse track that is! They had a bar area and multiple screens of races in other parts of the country going on you could bet on. We didn't know how to place a bet and the couple next to us kept talking on their cell phone to someone about their bets, so apparently they had some inside knowledge we did not. Finally, Chadd asked the front desk how to do it, and we ended up reading the "Basics of Betting" pamphlet and somewhat learned. It was fun. We placed a few $2 bets, and it was quite entertaining. I don't have good luck, so I never expect to win. They have blackjack, Chadd would like to go back and play sometime. Bobbi took the girls to a hotel and went swimming. Then on Saturday brother Steve and his wife Libby stayed over. More good times. It was great to see everyone...thanks for stopping by!

Last weekend

Last weekend Chadd's parents came over Friday evening. We had fun and enjoyed a great dinner. Thanks Sharon! On Saturday, I met with some friends and their kids. (It was so much fun seeing you again, Rachel...move back!) Chadd stayed busy cleaning out the garage and moving more stuff downstairs, and working on putting shelves in some of the closests downstairs. Things are looking good down there!

Shopping

Maternity leave is going by so fast. We went to the grocery store today, just me and Christopher. He did well until we got to the checkout line, then he started to cry. Hurry, hurry, hurry...that's the key. It was so beautiful outside today...wish he was a little older so we could play outside. Soon.

Kathy's work baby shower

My fellow laboratorians threw a wonderful shower for me and another coworker, Kelly. Kelly's baby boy is only 2 weeks old and his name is Ray. We had fun passing the babies around and eating! I was overwhelmed with all the wonderful gifts too, including a homemade quilt. Beautiful!

Spring Break

Ashly is enjoying her Spring Break this week. And Christopher and I love having her around. The bottom picture is of Ashly's beautiful nails...a belated birthday present of a french tip manicure. With Ashly's imagination, Christopher has been a space ship, seen aliens, fought with swords, played with all his toys and "stands up." She's definately mastered the art of feeding Christopher and changing his diapers. And she loves to pick out his outfit everyday and dress him. She has helped give the little guy baths too. This Spring Break has been a lot different than the last several years where we went to Wisconsin Dells. But it sure is great!

Enough already

Mommy...stop taking pictures of me!

Check out my biceps!

Playtime, bathtime, eating, swinging, pooping and sleeping. That's what we do! All day long! Isn't it fun?!

3 weeks old

Things are going well with Christopher. We picked a daycare so that is a big relief. I'm really excited about this center. The owner even told me that Ashly could ride her bike up there and play and help with the kids anytime she wants. That's pretty cool. The center starts at 6 wks and has kids all the way through elementary school. The school kids take a bus to and from the school. Each month they have a theme and color and work on that over and over all month so the kids remember. Well, that's more for the toddler room and above, but they start them learning young.

Ashly and I went to her school conferences on Monday. Everything is going well for her at school. We did not get a report card this time, but her grades are looking good so far this quarter. We signed her up for track in the Spring. It's combined with the other junior high school in Forest Lake. She is choosing to take Spanish next year instead of band, so we will be saying "bye, bye" to the flute after this year. She did a good job playing the flute the last couple years and even though she won't be continuing on with it, it was a good experience for her.

Yesterday the three of us (me and the kids) went around to a bunch of businesses in Forest Lake. Ashly had to go in and ask for a donation for the church. They are doing a Spaghetti dinner and silent auction on April 4th for a fundraiser for the mission trip this summer in July. So the kids are making up themed baskets for the auction. Ashly is going on this mission trip. It's to Wind River, Wyoming. It's on an Indian Reservation and the kids are going to help repair some houses and do a bible school for the children there. Ashly is really excited to go on this 10 day trip and by doing these fundraisers, it won't cost mom and dad so much money! It's a lot of work to do all these fundraisers (many more to come yet this year), but a great experience for Ashly. Ashly went into the businesses on her own while I waited in the car. She learned some good lessons, like that not everyone is nice! I was proud of her for doing it independently, it can be nerve racking to ask for donations even as an adult.