HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!

We had another great Halloween this year - fabulous weather, great outdoor fun. Ingrid was hesitant at first, but then enjoyed a bit of the trick-or-treating. The older girls enjoyed passing out candy and playing in the cul-de-sac.

My three Tiggers were a hit in the neighborhood. Some even remembered last year. Actually, this is our third year with the Tigger theme. Here's this year's Halloween, plus 2006 and 2003.

2007

2006

2003

Continued:
Beyond trick-or-treating, the girls enjoyed sitting on our front brick patio to hand out candy. Morgan's classmates, Margaret and Ryan, stopped by with Margaret's little sister Christine.

Woody enjoyed sitting outside with the wireless and chatting with the neighbors as they stopped by.

And Ingrid finally did smile. We hope you all had a good, fun Halloween.

A+ Day

Morgan was our rock today. I was home sick and still trying to telecommute. Morgan came home and jumped right on her homework, completing some extra pages so her "halloween time is not gone." She did a fantastic job.

Woody came home with Korean take-out soup and tofu and the same cold I have. We bathed the girls and Woody went back out for Sudafed. We're not sure how tomorrow will go but we are one-up'ing each other to see who goes out with the girls for trick-o-treating. I'm ready to crawl in bed and skip to November 1.

We'll let you all know how tomorrow goes.

Birthday Greetings

Today is October 30, the day before Halloween. For this reason, it's always easy to remember my cousin Chucky's birthday. Chucky, who now goes by Chuck, was the cousin I spent a lot of time babysitting. He's many years younger than me. Chuck now lives the dream of golfing in the summer, skiing in the winter - all right in his hometown of Wabasha.





Happy Birthday Chucky!

P.S. I also want to say a special birthday greetings to my aunt, Sally. I miss her deeply.

Tonight's Readings

Dinner was fine. Baths did not go smoothly. It can't all click. While Ingrid amused herself with a Baby Einstein activity book, I read two books to the girls from the collection:

James the Jaguar, by Mary Lystad, copyright 1972.
The Monkey's Whiskers, A Brazilian Folktale, by Anne Rockwell, copyright 1971.

A picture tells it all.

Sometimes you don't need words to tell a story....

Any of you also experienced a "waterlogged" toy? Please add a comment

Comfort Reading

Sometimes it's not WHAT you're reading that is important, but how comfortable is your reading spot. Morgan demonstrates the ultimate kid-style hideaway reading environment.

She said she is reading Junie B. Jones, 1st Grader: Cheater Pants by Barbara Parks. A very funny book so far, according to Morgan.

Book picture from BarnesandNoble.com

HAPPY COUSIN BIRTHDAY

Two of my cousins have birthdays today - Jana and JoJo. I scrambled to find photos of the two of them and finally found a few from a scrapbook...

Happy Birthday Jana!

Happy Birthday JoJo!

Airplane Rides

This evening's entertainment was high flying with low technology.

Tonight's Reading

Tonight's reading was cancelled to finish unpacking the boxes of books and loading them into our new bookcases! We have been looking for bookcases that would not overwhelm the toy room but would hold all of the books. Yesterday, for $40 TOTAL, we got these two NEW bookcases. Woody bolted them together and attached both to the wall. Now, the girls can pick their own books to read independently and we can select books to read together. We'll dedicate today's post to the letters, "a"and "b" and "c" and "d", "I'll meet you at the top of the coconut tree!" , from the book that is displayed on the top of the bookcase.

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, by John Archambault and Bill Martin, Jr. Copyright 1989.

The below book picture is from BarnesandNoble.com

So. Cal. Fires

Just a note to say Woody's family is not in any of the fire areas but our prayers are with those who are in those areas. The air quality is getting worse here in AZ as a result.

We drove through some of this area last year on our way to Pismo Beach and this past summer when Woody, Annika and I went to San Diego. It will be difficult to see some of the areas scorched.

Annika's Book Recommendation

Tonight's Reading is a repeat from five months ago. Annika asked me to read a favorite of mine,

The Ice-Cream Cone Coot and Other Rare Birds, by Arnold Lobel. Copyright 1971. This is a fabulous book of someone's imagination combining birds, household objects and art. The girls love the images and writing.

Have a great day.

Short Drapes and Missed Birthdays

Today we continued with the massive fall cleaning, washing and ironing the bedroom drapes. I also washed the windows and blinds. It was a breezy day, which made the linen/cotton IKEA drapes dry quickly. Perhaps while outside the drapes decided to shrink, too. Although I washed them in cold delicates, my drapes are nearly 6 inches shorter than before. I now have six drapes that look absolutely ridiculous albeit freshly washed and ironed.

While all this washing and ironing was going on, I was thinking, it must be a cousin's birthday coming up. October was always a big cousin birthday month. True, there are some birthdays coming. However, I already missed two.

My young cousin Gina (the youngest one in the picture below) turned twenty-something at her birthday on October 8. Gina is a Tulane law school graduate who experienced Katrina. She's taking her bar exam in New York.

************************************************************************************

My other cousin had a birthday last Thursday. Aaron turned 34 on October 18.
Here's an old picture of Aaron, Jeff, and my sister, Susan, at the river. Aaron's on the left.
Happy Birthday Aaron!!

***********************************************************************************

Car Seat Rework

About a month ago we included a post about the car seat inheritance program that was not to be and our quest to get new car seats into our SUV. We made a purchase of two car seats (one for Ingrid and one for Annika). Morgan continues to use a Graco Turbo Booster. Almost immediately we didn't like the car seats. Our dislike for the seats was locked up and confirmed when we had to do a minor adjustment to the harness to account for the windbreakers the girls were wearing. Finally, today, we said forget it and took them back.

This evening we picked out new seats that are similar to the seats in the other car. Ingrid took an instant liking to her seat when we brought it into the house for the initial harness threading and adjustments. While we ate pizza and watched Joe's Polka Hour (a Chung favorite), Ingrid watched from her seat. For a bit she ventured out to dance and have a drink (milk, of course). We coaxed her out to put on her pajamas.

P.S. The carseat was the piece of gear that finally got Ingrid to sit still long enough for a photo after her haircut last week!!

O' Pumpkin Posing

We took the older girls out to dinner last Saturday to Hodori. It was a treat for our neighbor who has picked Morgan up from school for the last quarter. The girls can somehow strike an odd pose. I love Annika's grin. It's so cheesy, it's somehow cute.

Poetic License and Tonight's Reading

Morgan read the first chosen book. It was chosen because it was the book that was on top of the pile of books in the toyroom. We've already had some toppled books. Anyway this book is called, All About Copy-Kitten, by Helen and Alf Evers. Copyright 1940.

The second book was read alternatively between Morgan and Annika. This proved rather interesting as Annika "interpreted" her page based on what she saw and her recollection of the tale, Cinderella. Morgan was rather uptight with the liberal poetic license and decided she'd rather read the book silently. Annika was matter-of-fact about the whole deal and said she'd rather go to bed. Easy solution. Now, if only Ingrid would give in to the nods, we'd be doing great...

The List Princess

Some have said that I am the queen of list making. I like lists. I like sorting tasks into neat groupings to measure the tasks against stated goals and timelines. I like making progress and watching progress happen. Perhaps some of the detail-mindedness has landed at our house. Why? Because if I am the queen list-maker, then Morgan is the List Princess.

For the last two weeks, Harmony has been staying with us to help take care of Morgan during her two week school break. Harmony went home yesterday. As I folded up the air matress in the niche area of our bedroom that has become Morgan's room for the last two weeks, I discovered some papers tucked behind the drapes.

Morgan started a list to describe her tasks for each day of her vacation. No prompting. I didn't know she had it until its discovery. The list started on Monday, October 1 through October 4 from what I can tell from some of the items on the list. Then it must have stopped. I personally like the continued numbering of the list. It makes it appear as if one day flowed into another without care or worry. Sounds like a seven year old's vacation to me.

Anyway, without any more rambling, here is the list, which I typed exactly as I read it:

Today
What are we doing.

1. Get Ready
2. Watch tv
3. play Games
4. play
5. Dance
12:00==> 6. eat lunch
7. read
8. Have fun!
9. laffe
10. fun
11. popcorn
12. snack
13. TV
14. nap a litde,
15. eat
16. miasic
17. TV
18. Dear, writing
19. Help
20. Clenup
21. [ ]
6:00 PM ==> 22. Groshey’s

Nest +

Today

23. Practis 한국전쟁 [Korean characters]
24. Walk 2 times
25. Go to the park
26. Watch TV
27. Play a Game
28. Go to a Store
29. Play
30. More 한국전쟁 [Korean letter writing (her last name)]
31. letters,
32. Danse
33. Get a Drick
34. eat
35. read
36. mail chek
37. nap
38. sing a song
39. rule MJC – do not play on the computers today

Wensday

40. Eat
41. walk 2 times
42. Park
43. play
12:00 44. eat lunch
45. Watch TV
46. eat a snak
47. play
48. letters,
49. nap
50. snak
51. TV
52. Got to the store
53. shop
54. mall
55. Wait ontill mom, dad, Ingrid, Annika

Have fun too!

Thersday
Get ready for play date
Walk 2 park

[This is where the list ends].

The Norwegian Viking Lady Warriors

My previous post showed the crazy girl phenomenon that is all Springer. I decided to plot the other side of the family in order to see if the girls again have the upside. By a margin of more than TWO to ONE, the girls rock!!!! The Stevens' family Vikings - and we are truly Norwegians - are led by the female warriors. Of course, I had to show the dual "citizenship" for Jana's girls.

Hey, it's the fourth quarter and the Minnesota Vikings are ahead....

The Viking Standings

It's Sunday and the Minnesota Vikings football team is playing somewhere. Not here of course. Since they're not doing so well this year, perhaps all the better. So instead of watching the Vikings on television, I was catching up on reading through some e-mails. My aunt wrote a few weeks ago to say that my cousin Andy is having a girl this winter. That's three girls now for Andy. I surely can give you a few pointers on raising three girls since I have three of my own.!

That got me thinking. I really miss my grandparents. So I started to do some counting. Right now my grandparents would have FOURTEEN great-granddaughters (including those on the way) and two great-grandsons. Two more are coming that will be counted into the above numbers soon. How crazy is that? GIRLS, GIRLS, GIRLS. That's something to ponder. I created a visual below to demonstrate this little feminine miracle. Irene is smiling!

First Haircut

Ingrid, Annika and Morgan had haircut appointments this evening at Minicuts inTempe. Annika and Morgan have been coming to this place for the last three years. Today was Ingrid's first visit and first haircut. She was good and didn't cry until the last few snips. She even smiled at the apparent lack of style exhibited by Karen, who coiffured Ingrid's hair into a stick-up style. Ingrid was entertained by bubbles and extra combs.

One Year Ago Today

One year ago today, our family was on vacation. What a sweet thought, "a vacation". Recognizing the fact that we are NOT on vacation today, I chose to use this day's post to reminisce. Here's a few photos from Pismo Beach, California, which is located half way between L.A. and S.F. Fun, Fun, Fun!

Tonight's Reading

I picked out a book for Morgan to read to Annika from our collection:


Hide and Seek Fog, by Alvin Tresselt. Copyright 1965.


She did a fantastic job reading out loud. She continued with some silent reading after Annika curled in my lap and asked to go to bed! Fantastico - they're all in bed!

Can you say...

Migraine? Ugh! What an annoying affliction. The word even sounds annoying. I'm only complaining because I rarely, rarely get headaches. This had to be worse because even the pillow hurt my head. I went to bed at dinner and woke at 4 AM. Apparently somewhere during that time I talked to my mom and helped her make her computer recognize a thumb drive. I really don't recall the conversation...Sorry Mom.

Monday Night's Reading

Harmony read Clifford to the older girls while we bathed Ingrid. Sweet deal. Cool book. Apparently, this one is out of print. I couldn't find a pic on BarnesandNoble.com. There's a new cover plus a Spanish version available.

Umbrellas in the Sun

Morgan and her Harmony (grandma) took the opportunity of a gorgeous day and each others company and took a noon stroll to Paradise Bakery today. They both used umbrellas to block the rays from the sun as they set out. Together, they lunched on soup and cookies before walking the entire way back home.

Painting a Sleep Number Bed

Today was the first day we spent considerable time in the backyard. After 90 plus days of 110 degree heat, the plants and yard are showing their wear. Either that or our neglect, whichever way you see it. We'll be spending time clearing the dried weeds and overseeding the yard this coming week. Our lemon tree is sporting FIVE lemons. A record for the new dwarf tree. Today's high was 84 beautiful blue sky degrees!

The girls spent part of today playing in the yard - painting halloween decorations and turning a box into a playhouse. The box was from our neighbor. She recently ordered one of those fancy king size Sleep Number beds. We were outside in the cul-de-sac helping to flag down the driver who couldn't figure his way into our neighborhood. We were rewarded with this large box. Morgan's imagination was endless as to what this box could become. I personally wished it "magically"could have its contents reappear in my bedroom...

More Pics from the Pumpkin Patch

Here are the other two girls having fun picking pumpkins.

Fall Festival and My Desert Girls

Our weekend started early Saturday when we decided to head out to the local Farmer's Market in the neighboring suburb, Gilbert. Gilbert was formerly (up until about 5 years ago) a farmering community that has been surrounded and engulfed by modern suburbia [Sad, actually]. Gilbert was named the fasted growing city in the U.S. last year - a dubious distinction.

Anyway, we went to the Farmer's Market that wasn't there. Nice, it starts next weekend. We bought some local pastries and asked about other produce markets. We ended up at nearby Mother Nature's farms for a local pumpkin patch, hayride, haybale maze, and crafts. The girls LOVED it. Just look how cute Ingrid was in the middle of the pumpkin patch. Our children said they were quite cold this weekend. The high got to 82 degrees! Their bodies just thought the early morning "chill" of 70 degrees was freezing and asked about the snow coming. My desert girls! We are exciting that the temperatures are dropping. Morgan found time to ride her bicycle on Friday.

We went out to dinner on Saturday with the older two girls. It was a nice dinner. Afterward, the girls "ran" to the car and asked about the heater and hot chocolate. The gauge in the car showed the outside temp as 71 degrees. My desert girls!!!

More Recalls - When is Enough?

There have been so many recalls, I’m actually running out of things to say. I wonder if some parents are starting to bookmark the recall.gov website for periodic checks. And yet amazingly, other parents still don’t care.

Here's the latest:
Bookmarks & Journals - http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08010.html
Word Key Chain’s - http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08009.html
Baby Einstein Blocks - http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08005.html
Children’s Art Kits - http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08008.html
Dollar Cups, Frankenstein - http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08007.html
Flash Lights with Pirates of the Caribbean http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08006.html
KB Toys Wooden Toys - http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08004.html

Also, new recalls on car seats just came out - Eddie Bauer 3 in ones, Alpha Omega, and Evenflo Triumph.

3 Baths/1 Child & Tonight's Reading

Annika had three baths today. Yes, three. Only the morning bath was planned. Tonight, the girls enjoyed a spaghetti dinner and Woody settled into studying. Woody's mom and I thought Ingrid was out when we snuck out to Paradise bakery for sandwiches and quietness. While we were gone, which was not long, Ingrid made herself be heard and Annika filled the toilet with a little too much T.P. (that'd be the reason for the third bath of the day). Woody's mom and I came back to find Woody mopping the bathroom and Annika in th tub. Ingrid did get back to sleep. His face said it all. We jumped in to help.

Afterward, squeaky-clean Annika and I settled into a Christmas story:

Morgan enjoyed some silent reading with a new book I bought her, The Littles and the Great Halloween Scare, by John Peterson:

Oral Habits

When I was pregnant with Ingrid, I had a terrible time with the smell and taste of toothpaste. It made me gag constantly, which partially defeated the purpose of the toothpaste. I worried about what I was going to do since it was something I obviously could not avoid for the duration of my pregnancy. Woody was kind enough (isn't every husband when you're pregnant?) to buy every brand of sample toothpaste he could find at several stores to see if there was even one brand that actually was palatable. Luckily we found one.


Ingrid is now one year old and our tooth issues continue. Last Friday she pushed through her seventh tooth. This one on the bottom. She was a cranky old Viking, making her misery known.


Another way she makes herself known is her attempts to "help" Woody brush his teeth. Woody finds it necessary now to nearly hide while brushing his teeth in order to keep from her pleas to hold his toothbrush while it in his mouth. She likes to move the brush back and forth. He once let go, his mouth full of toothpaste and Ingrid in command of the motions. It made him gag on the toothpaste. Hmmm. What a difference a year makes (plus a pregnancy).


It should be no surprise which toothpaste belongs to which Chung child below:

Tonight's Reading

Wow. A full night's sleep (almost). What a blessing! A thousand thanks to Woody's mom who jumped awake at 5 AM today with Ingrid's early routine.

It was a great Monday to start out the great month of October. The new sleep center at Mercy Gilbert had its open house. I had a kickoff meeting for the opening of our new pediatric unit. Woody had classes for the better part of the day. Morgan spent a beautiful day with her Harmony (grandma), drawing, taking a walk to feed the ducks, and shopping at Costco with Woody. Annika and Ingrid went to preschool and daycare today.

This evening was Italian food and fun in the playroom. A great evening with toys and peekaboo play - no TV.

Morgan and Harmony read a Korean fairy tale for tonight's reading. It's part of a set of books that belonged to Woody's brother, James, when he was little. Morgan read the entire book in English (printed on one side) and Harmony read the Korean. The girls don't understand the great majority of the Korean but it's good for them to be continually exposed to it.

P.S. Happy Birthday today to my Uncle Rick of Wabasha.