We've hit a bit of a wall in terms of unpacking, painting, and settling in. The rooms that we really live in are all done, but it was inevitable that we would need to take a break. We had tickets to a Brewers game last weekend and instead of giving them away, as we've been doing a lot so far this season, we decided to all head out and hang at Miller Park. GG probably has no recollection of going to any Brewers games last year so she was super pumped. Especially now that she got to bust out her pink 'Booers' hat that Santa brought. As we got closer to the stadium her eyes just kept getting bigger, and once we were in our seats and she took in the action, it really was as if she had never seen anything like it. Super cute, and very fun.
Let's go, Booers!
She went nuts for the music, the clapping, and the cheering. Pretty sure she thought it was all for her.
We lasted approximately half an inning before she needed to go potty. And another one and a half innings before she really got antsy and we decided to take a trip to the Kid Zone for her to burn off some crazy.
A unique batting stance
Coach Dad steps in to help
Ready for action!
Zooming down Bernie Brewer's slide
In the dugout
Mandatory family Giant Glove shot
The next day was Smoke Fest 2011. Apparently Matt and his colleagues have decided that this is going to be a bi-annual event (because the left overs that are still sitting in my freezer from 6 months ago weren't quite enough) which I suppose is fine, but would be even more fine if the host told the hostess somewhere more than one week out that Smoke Fest was forthcoming. Enter giant sigh and significant eye rolling. So Saturday morning half a dozen yahoos showed up in Elm Grove to stand in the F-R-E-E-Z-I-N-G cold rain and compete once again for smoking pride. With their wives. And their kids. And Matt's intern and her boyfriend (by the by, when she showed up I asked Matt "who's kid is that?" Could not feel older if I tried) all in the name of smoked meat.
Yes, that is Dan's recliner in my garage, which he brought *just* for the occasion. It's still sitting in my garage.
GG and Ben hanging out during a rain break
The intern is in the black & gray fleece. Seriously, can you even drive by yourself?
The judging started at 7 and I won't lie, this year's competition was stiff. Matt's entry last year burned the skin off my lips but this year I voted his first in the pack. He ended up losing by the slimmest of margins, and spent the rest of the night demanding recounts. Revenge was promised for the next event.
Insightful commentary
A few of the kids take refuge inside. Nothing says smoke fest like a tea party.
The really super fun part of this all was after all the wives, kids, and interns had gone home, the men stayed out in the rain to continue drinking and trashing our yard. Oh. My. God. Matt's friend Dan actually slept in his van in our driveway that night, which I'm pretty sure has never happened before in Elm Grove. Howdy, neighbors!! We're here!!
Matt tackles Dan in the recliner. Hey, have another.
Perhaps next time we host we'll invite the neighbors so that the morning after I don't have to hear, "how was that party last night?" from them as I walk the dog the next morning. But one thing is certain, and that is that Matt is already scheming his rub for Smoke Fest 2011 part II. At someone else's house.
To say we've been busy for the last few weeks is somewhat of an understatement. The real culprit for the lack of updates has been the existence of our internet service, or rather the lack thereof. I truly loathe Time Warner Cable - seriously a pack of the least helpful people on the planet - but we are finally back in the electronic saddle. So it's time to catch up on the happenings of the past few weeks.
Starting with Easter! We were still residing in the Stallis house for Easter but we told GG that the bunny would definitely know where her new house was. Matt went ahead first to hide eggs and when we pulled up the big bunny present was waiting on the driveway. The funny thing about this basketball hoop is that GG totally busted me buying it. I had navigated through all of Target without her noticing this enormous box and was feeling very smug when I arrived in the parking lot to discover that I had Matt's car that day. And that the trunk was full of boxes. Cargo super fail. I got GG in her seat first and it's no exaggeration to say it took me a solid 12-15 minutes to figure out how I was going to get all of my purchases in the Camry. So I tried to downplay it and say it was just a silly box, and when we got back to Stallis I threw it in a corner of the garage (correction: I moved Kenny's crap out of the way to make room in a corner of the garage) and hoped that it would be out of sight, out of mind. Matt took it to the EG house the next day but the day after that I was confronted with a very mad GG saying, "Mommy, what did you do with my basketball hoop? WHERE did you put it?" Let me tell you, she meant business. So she was all smiles when it magically arrived at the new house, ready for dunking adventures. We also went to Grandma & Grandpa Maio's house, where the bunny had conveniently visited as well. Score!
Mandatory ear shot. Doesn't she look thrilled?
The furry kid cooperated a lot better She shoots, she....can't get it in to save her life. Looking forward to the practice this summer!
Dora? Candy? Sidewalk chalk? Love the bunny.
Busting into the good stuff
On the hunt and screaming, "THERE'S ONE OVER THERE!!!". Hi neighbors, we're here.
ANOTHER ONE! Even more loot
The weekend after Easter we officially moved into the Elm Grove house. GG hung out with G&G Maio for the weekend while Matt and I repacked AGAIN and moved everything AGAIN. I hired movers once again and, although our stuff all arrived in one piece, I would honestly not be surprised if one or both of their names exists on some official government registry somewhere. Yowza! In any case they finally wrapped up around 7:30 that night and we were left with pure, unavoidable chaos.
Oh. Dear. Lord.
Sunday morning Matt had a baseball game and as G was still away I took that opportunity to haul a$$ on her bedroom and bathroom and make at least those two spaces appear as put together as possible. I still need to sew drapes for her room and we need to paint the bed frame and side table, but so far it has turned out really cute. The big news is that we took this last move as a chance to cut ties with all things baby and get GG a big girl bed. We talked it up BIG TIME before the move so she would be ready, and when Karl & Kathy brought her back to the house Sunday afternoon, she was super, super excited to jump right in. A week and a half in she has done brilliantly. I'm pretty sure she has no idea she can get in and out on her own, which I will enjoy while it lasts.
Super excited to go in and check it out
Love this shot
She loves it! Praise the heavens
Then last weekend my parents came for a visit and to help us clear out our storage unit. By Saturday afternoon, all of our crap was finally under the same roof. Still a complete tornado of a mess, but all under one roof.
Sunday was of course Mother's Day, and we inaugurated the dining room with a little brunch with us and all four grandparents. Super low key and a nice break from the madness of the weeks prior. GG and Grandma Heidi also got busy with the annuals, making it look like someone actually lives in this house. Geeg also discovered the little princess bike we have for her and was bound and determined to ride. Sure there were no training wheels and the tires were basically flat, but Pop Pop was there to help get rolling.
Mother's Day 2011
Water, water, water. Although today she stuck the nozzle of her watering can directly into the dirt, then directly into her mouth. Delish. Let's roll!
Moms and kids
The other bit hit as of late has been the discovery of tea parties. Karl & Kathy have a mini tea set at their house that she likes to play with, and then Grandma Heidi brought along a tea set that she honestly bought 3 years ago, so we've been having long, drawn out tea parties every day. It's awesome to see her little imagination at work (for example, today was Red Teddy's birthday so we had to sing to him and eat birthday cake), but an adult sized rump can only handle those tiny chairs for so long. And no one is immune from being invited.
Daddy, you want one or two sugars?
Then today I got out of the shower to find her in this charming tea party ensemble:
Two hats, wand, fairy skirt, and boudoir sandals. Outstanding.
All in all things in the new house are going well. We are box-free in the kitchen and there are toys spread everywhere, so we're all getting accustomed quickly. Ralphie has chosen to completely ignore the boundaries of the yard (hello, can't he see those lot line flags?), so the lovely people of Invisible Fence are coming in about a week, and we are having other projects being bid out by contractors. There is truly enough work in this house to keep us busy for the next decade but, as I watched the garbage men come up my driveway for doorside service today, we know we're super lucky and feeling really excited to be here. Exhausting tea parties and all.
