Thursday, August 28, 2008

Brotherly Love

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

No this isn't the Bain Blabber...

but I cooked a yummy Cooking Light recipe from my latest magazine.

Grilled Chicken and Pesto Farfalle

I halved the recipe and omitted the grape tomatoes. And the best part, Charlie even liked it! I highly recommend it.

Preschool Orientation

CJ had his preschool orientation today for Wee Tigers. He'll be going Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoons. He's in Mrs. Meliza and Mrs. Thompson's class, there are 12 girls and 7 boys. Sounds like a fun year, they go on two field trips one to the apple orchard in a few weeks and then to a play in the spring. I can't believe he's going to preschool - not just daycare, but an actual school!

On another note, Tiffany watched Nick for us so we could both attend. My thought that Nicholas is allergic to dogs is pretty much confirmed. He's broken out into rash/hives 3 times now with dogs. First at Sara's, then this past Friday at Mara's and then today. All 3 times he's been licked, so maybe it's just the dog saliva? Thankfully he doesn't get wheezy, just rashy and itches his eyes. Poor boy.

Fun Filled Weekend

Rather than a bunch of posts from this past weekend I'm going to combine it all into one rambling post! Lucky you.

Friday - The boys and I (minus Charlie who was working) went up to Forest Lake to visit Grandma Beth and the girls. As CJ said - "I want to see their new doggy and their new floor." This kid pays way too much attention to detail. The doggy is cute and the floors are beautiful - good job Jason! And of course you can't miss out on this classic from CJ - read here!

Saturday - I had decided if kids and time allowed we would try to get a family photo when Amanda took pics of the kids after Anthony's party. I really needed a haircut but haven't had time to schedule one so in desperation I tried Fantastic Sams - I figured how hard can you screw up a trim? I was pretty impressed, and for $11.99 I was really impressed. I then went to the Mall of America in search of a coordinating outfit for Nicholas. I already had this shirt that I wanted CJ to wear...

I went to Janie and Jack and found this fabulously coordinating shirt for Nick...


I found a brown shirt for myself and Charlie already had a brown polo that he could wear. 30 minutes at the MOA - not too bad! We then went to Anthony's 2nd birthday party and had a great time. Some of the highlights were - meeting Anthony's birth mom and foster parents, the wonderful food in sand pails that Tonja put out, the bouncer, and the new ride-on that Anthony got - CJ was drooling! He's convinced that he needs one as well, but I assured him his convertible is more than sufficient. After the cake cutting we snuck out with Amanda to get our pictures done. We went to Becker city park where they had some great photo backdrops and great lighting - it was about 7:00pm and the sun was perfect. It got a little buggy and the boys were pretty antsy by the time we did the family shot, but I think we still got some cute ones. I KNOW she got cute ones of the boys. She and CJ were telling jokes for his photo shoot so he is full of smiles and laughs in his pictures. I can't wait to see the results!






Saturday night was also our friend/neighbor Rich's 30th birthday party. No sooner than 2 minutes after walking in the door, Rich and Tyler were knocking on the sliding glass door asking when Charlie was going to come out to play. The kiddos were in bed, I set up our phone to be a baby monitor and we had a good time at the "no kiddos allowed" birthday party.


Sunday I went (all by myself!) to Jean's for brunch and then to the Little House on the Prairie at the Guthrie. 17 from our Bergeron family went so it was sure to be a blast. The show was very well done! Going into it I wasn't sure how it was going to work as a musical, but afterwards I couldn't imagine how they would do it without making it a musical. If you get a chance to go, do it! I just read yesterday they released 12 tickets per show because it is sold out. They are only available as rush tickets so you have to stand in line for them, but if you're up for it, I say do it.


And after all that fun, I was tired!


And this last picture was from Thursday, but just can't pass it up. Check out what CJ did to his toe...ick, he stubbed it while running up the driveway barefoot, the thing by his big toe is a thick chunk/flap of skin. Ouch!

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Contraband Pool Pics

Took Nicholas and CJ swimming at the Lifetime pool today after preschool adventure days. These were the only photos I got before the lifeguard informed me of the "no camera" policy. "You know with people in their swimsuits" as she said. Oh my goodness, not their swimsuits! As Sara said, I'm sure it only took 1 perv at the pool to implement that policy. Oh well, here goes with my contraband photos. Nick loves the water too!

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

CJ's Early Childhood Screening

Today I took CJ to his early childhood screening. He passed with flying colors. You know you're a dork when you tear up at the sight of your 4 year old raising their hand to the hearing test. It was just so stinkin' cute. He's got 20/20 eyesight and passed the developmental screening as well. Maybe he inherited my "enjoyment" out of taking tests because he kept turning around during the developmental screening and saying "this is fun". I don't know why I've always liked taking tests, once again - must be a dork.

I'm smart AND a good cook!

Have to "toot my own horn" for a minute...

1) I'm smart - I successfully transfered all the songs I wanted from Charlie's iPod (some songs that I had downloaded) to my new Zune (Microsoft's version of an iPod). After some research on the web and a few unsuccessful tries, I did it! Leave it to Apple to make iPod songs uncompatible with other MP3 players. I decided to buy a Zune instead of an iPod because the Zune has a built in FM radio - for when I go to the gym (key word when)!

2) A good cook - tonight I successfully made one of my favorite restraunt dishes - Outback Steakhouse's Alice Springs Chicken. Chicken, honey mustard, mushrooms, bacon and cheese - how can you go wrong! We had the Wolfs and the Timmermans over for dinner - everyone seemed to enjoy it!

Monday, August 11, 2008

Nicky stats

Nicholas had his 6 month appointment today. We drove to Hudson, WI to see his pediatrician - it's a good thing I like her so much to drive to WI to get an appointment!

28 1/4 inches - 97th%
17 lbs 10.5 oz - 50th%
head 17 inches - 25th%

= tall skinny boy!

in comparison CJ's stats at 6 months...
28 1/4 inches
21 lbs 11.5 oz
head 18 1/4 inches

Got a new prescription cream for his eczema, everything else looked good!

Sunday, August 10, 2008

CJ Classics

What he said... "Mom, I'm going outside to paint on my cardboard project..."


What he did...




Apparently the car needed a new windshield? Or maybe a top for the convertable?


Now when CJ wants to know if something is his that's been in his mouth... "Does this smell like my breath?"

Yesterday we went to the parade in Lonsdale where he consumed his weight in candy.
Today... "Mom, come see all the candy in my poop."

Friday, August 8, 2008

I did it!

It only took me all day going back in forth between a video tutorial and Photoshop Elements, but I did it, I created my first digital layout. It's pretty basic, but I learned alot!

Thursday, August 7, 2008

Happy Boy!

Nick is such a happy baby, especially when CJ's around. Here are some latest pics of him and his exersaucer...




Dakota County Fair

Yesterday Sara and I brought the kiddos and met her sister Jill at the Dakota County Fair. We had a good time, the kids seemed to enjoy themselves. A couple of highlights...

Lemonade Boys


mmmmm. corn dogs (although really they weren't that good)

The boys dancing to the band, I like how Dylan enters part way playing his guitar...

A happy Nick...


CJ and Dylan watching the tractor parade...


The butterfly nets the boys had to have - also can be worn as a doo-rag on a stick - fair appropriate I guess...


And the biggest attraction for both kids and moms/sisters alike was the Lumberjack show, although for different reasons moms/sisters...hello Mr. Lumberjack!

Wednesday, August 6, 2008

Next contesent? Probably Not.

Could CJ be the next contestent for Fox's show Don't Forget the Lyrics?


For those that couldn't quite catch those lyrics by CJ

Something Strange.

In the neighborhood.

Wooden Car.

Ghostbusters!

Oh Deer!

I almost forgot to post the funniest/saddest/most interesting story of the reunion weekend...

On Friday CJ was out "exploring" Papa and Grandma's country outdoors (infinite world of wonder for this city boy). We all were sitting at the kitchen table chatting and Dad says, "uh-oh, CJ found the fence" Boy wonder was going to check out Grandma's garden, but also found the accessory that goes with the garden - the electric fence. First he grabbed, but it didn't seem to phase him too badly, then I went out and yelled for him to get out of the garden, then coming back the second time he tripped on it. I'm not sure if it was being buzzed multiple times or my yelling at him to get out of there, but he started to cry.

Me: CJ get out of there, that fence will shock you.
CJ: *insert blubbering sounds* But why does it shock me?
Me: To keep the deer out.
CJ: *insert blubbering sounds* But, I'm not a deer.

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Pederson Family Reunion

I'm finally getting around to posting pictures from our Pederson Family reunion a few weekends ago. We had a great time...CJ enjoyed all the swimming - he's quite the fish, I really need to get him into some swimming lessons.

City boy on the tractor/wagon ride for 1...gotta love Papa Craig for getting out the tractor!


Nicholas with Leo (the baby chew toy). I'm not sure where Leo came from, but I do know that all 4 grandkids have had their chew time. (Mom, you'll have to leave a comment on where Leo came from and about how old he is)

Cousins and second cousins...




And finally some swimming pictures - the main event of the weekend. I'm not sure what is wrong with the frog slide's tongue - looks like he may need to make an appointment with the oral oncologist...


Digital Scrapbooking Take Two...

Digital Scrapbooking Take Two

Laptop computer - check
Wireless Router to surf the net from my bed - check
External Hard Drive to store all my pictures -check
Wireless mouse because I can't seem to master the laptop mouse - check
Adobe Photoshop Elements - check
Adobe Photoshop Elements The Unwritten Manual book - check
Creativy and skills - we'll see - but isn't that what scraplifting and Emily are for?

I'm resurecting my digital scrapbooking quest. While it will be nice to show up to Amery (our annual Bergeron scrapbooking weekend in October) armed with just a laptop bag, I'm not convinced I'll be very productive. But in 4 days I should be able to either figure it out or throw the laptop in the lake out of frustration.

Getting a makeover...

I'm getting a makeover...well not really me, but LeFebvre Party of 4 is. I've comissioned Ruby & Roja to design a new blog look. Check out their site for awesome blog designs. I can't wait to see what they come up with!