The Callie and Charlie Show

You know it has been an interesting evening when, at the end of it, you say "This deserves its own blog post."

You know that controversy that was happening a few months ago about restaurants wanting to be able to choose to be kid-free zones? Tonight, our children were the very poster-children for why people think that is a good idea.

Let me back up.  Callie and I met Jenna and Charlie for a dinner/ice cream date.  The daddies were indisposed (*cough...video games...cough*).

Jenna and I both have an affinity for Mexican food and Coldstone, so meeting at El Loro and heading for ice cream after sounded like a great plan.  Until they sat us at the table by the kitchen- the table with the most traffic back in forth in front of the table.  The table where the waitstaff walked by countless times carrying very hot plates of food.  Nothing disasterous happened, but you can probably imagine why that was a problem.

We started out well...2 toddlers in high chairs eating their weight in tortilla chips.  Pretty soon Charlie had to be out of his high chair (making good friends with one of the waiters) and Callie had to be drinking her water without the straw- only through the little slits where the straw goes.  So while Jenna was trying to wrangle Charlie, and I was trying to make a very stubborn Callie understand why drinking through a straw was the way to go, we managed to order and have some adult conversation. 

The food came quickly, but neither kid would eat very much, or stay in their high chairs.  So...out came the cheddar bunnies and fruit, and the double-toddler wrangling began.

Notice the water glass- no straw?

The rest of the meal is kind of a blur.  We managed to sort of eat in between the times we had to get up to make sure Callie/Charlie didn't get run over by waitstaff or crawl on the ground eating discarded chips or pour water all over themselves, or laugh hysterically because the situation was so ridiculous.  We also got to enjoy the looks of pity from the other diners.  They were all very patient with us.

In the midst of the chaos, somehow the cry of "Kiss! Kiss" escaped Callie's lips.  She tossed her passy to Jenna, and Charlie went for it.  We're going to have to watch out for those two in 15 years or so.



The calm moment ended as soon as the passy went back in.  We were somehow ignored for awhile and had to wait for our bill (we assumed they would want us out ASAP).  Then we had to wait in line to pay. 

After the chaos that had been the past 58 minutes (was it ONLY 58 minutes???!?!?!?!?!), you'd think we would have called it a night.  But no, like any other ice-cream-loving women would do, we headed to Coldstone, where the children continued their rampage by climbing up and down on the chairs (and tables), and enjoying a little not-needed-by-any-means sugar.

So there you have it. A rundown of the 85 minutes of The Callie and Charlie Show. Here's to hoping that Charlie crashed when they got home like Callie did when we got home, because both Jenna and I need a nap.

Confident and Demure

As I shared with the I Pray blog post, Callie is starting to understand things about herself.

It is no secret that she is stinkin' adorable.  Apparently she is aware of it:  A couple of days ago, after I put her jammies on her, she shouted out "I cute!"

It is no secret that Callie has some Henderson girl social awkwardness around people she isn't familiar with. 

Apparently she is aware of it:  My mom took her to the library today, and she put the social awkwardness on display when another woman was in the kids section with them.  After the woman left, Callie went to my mom and said, "I shy."

Weekend Wrap-Up: Happy Birthday MorMor!

Today is MorMor's birthday!  We love you MorMor!

I love this picture!

 We had a crazy busy weekend.

Saturday: I ran a 10K race with my friend Alison, benefiting Park Nicollet's Cancer Center.  Alison's mom is currently a patient there, so I was so glad to run and raise money for the center and for "Team Deb."

My little cheerleader came too!

After the race we stopped by "Woofstock" in Linden Hills.  The street was blocked off and there were tons of stands for various doggie products and services.  Callie loved it because there were doggies EVERYWHERE!  Kona loved it because...there were doggies EVERYWHERE!

Playing a game- she won a pink purse!

Petting the puppies!

Kona being high maintenance and drinking out of a cup instead of the public water bowl.

Showing off the new pink purse and newly decorated bandana.

After naptime, Callie and I went to Southdale for a girls' shopping trip.  We shared a delicious smoothie.

Mango Strawberry...delicious!

On Saturday night we got to go visit Dave, Cherilyn and Sydney!  I think I forgot to mention that they all flew home on Wednesday night.  It was so great to see them, and Cherilyn's parents as well.  Callie and Sydney had fun playing together as usual.

Sunday: MorMor's birthday!  We went to brunch this morning.

After brunch and naptime, we stopped  by Ciri's 3rd birthday party.

We are very excited that Ciri will be getting a little brother or sister in early November!

After the birthday party we headed downtown to go to dinner and have more birthday celebrations.  Callie enjoyed helping MorMor open her gifts- especially the Legos that she got her (at MorMor's request!).

After some spice cake we headed home for bed.  Now I'm exhausted, doing laundry and mentally preparing myself for the week.  Chris and I are watching a 9/11 special.  I remember being in my dorm room 10 years ago watching the news footage.  I can't believe it has been 10 years. 

Accident Update: We got some bad news this morning.  Dave got a fever overnight so they took him to the hospital.  He has an infection in his abdomen and he'll be in the hospital until they can get it figured out.  So, unfortunately, his recovery is still very difficult.  Nik is still on some serious pain meds due to his broken ribs and sternum, and working on recovery.  His short term memory is getting better, but he is frustrated by his slower processing speed.  Our friend Nate, who lives in Washington, ended up having a fractured wrist so he has to wear a cast for 6 weeks.  Chris went to get checked out last week, and the doctor recommended that he get an MRI on his left shoulder.  He's going in this Wednesday for that, and will find out if he has a torn rotator cuff.  If that is the case, it may require surgery.  Please continue to keep the guys in your thoughts and prayers.

Skype!

I got a new work laptop that has a camera built in.  So tonight I downloaded Skype and we were able to video chat with Auntie Laura.  A cartwheel was requested, so she obliged.


Skype with Auntie Laura! from Baby Goose on Vimeo.





Uncle Dan came home from camp on Monday!  So we got to hang out with him tonight.  And, just like Callie wants Laura to do cartwheels, she wants Uncle Dan to throw her up in the air.

Happy Weekend!

I Pray

Those that know us well know that we're not exactly good at eating at home.  Or positively stated, we're really good at eating out. 

Obviously, with a 20-month-old, that is not ideal.  But after the craziness of the past few weeks, we were getting REALLY bad at not eating at home.  Like, until yesterday, I can't really remember the last time we DID eat at home. 

Anyway, the point of this it that we're trying really hard to do better.  So far, we're 2 for 2.  Last night we had sandwiches and corn-on-the-cob and tonight we had lasagna and salad. 

The best part of eating at home is that we have started to teach Callie to pray with us before our meal.  She folds her hands, we say the "Come Lord Jesus..." and then start eating.  About a minute later she signs for more, folds her hands, and says "I Pray."  So now during our meals we do a bunch of prayers, while trying to get her to actually eat her food when her hands aren't folded.

Next step, is working on the "Amen."

Weekend Wrap-Up

Friday: After a long week, we went to the dog park and hung out at home.  We needed some family chill time.

I had a haircut on Thursday, and had Chris bring Callie to the end of my appointment so that she could get used to the atmosphere in hopes that we could have her get a haircut soon (see pictures above...shaggy hair!).  It did not go well.  I think she was freaked out by the cape thing I had on, and when she saw me she immediately snuggled into Chris and got the big tears sliding down her cheeks.  So...on Friday night I tried to do a little hair trim of my own.  Fail.  I was too chicken to do much, but what I did do looked a little ridiculous.  Luckily, when her hair dried, it was fine.

Before

After.

Saturday: The morning was spent at the fair.  The rest of the day was spent at the condo, going out to dinner, and exploring a new path to the Mississippi River.  It was so nice to have lots of family time.

Toddler hair is serious business with Auntie Wawa

Yum!  Punch Pizza!

Our beautiful city

Auntie Wowie

 Sunday: We found out some bad news early Sunday morning.  Cherilyn called to say that Dave had some problems overnight and was admitted back into the hospital.  So they weren't able to fly home.  After a bunch of tests, they found out that there isn't any infections or anything (thank goodness) but it was still a big disappointment for everyone that they weren't able to come home.  So hopefully the next day or two will go well so that they can indeed return soon.  Please continue to keep them all in your thoughts and prayers.

As for the day, we went to church and back to the condo.  Then we stopped by Mari's place for a few minutes before heading home.  She had fun watching for "Choo-Choos", playing on Mari's roommate Kelsey's trampoline.  And doing cartwheels with Auntie Laura.

Cartwheels from Baby Goose on Vimeo.

Sunday evening I had a much needed girls' night with a few of my friends, so Chris and Callie hung out with Andy and Charlie.  And Callie got some kisses out of the deal.


A Kiss for Callie from Baby Goose on Vimeo.



Monday: We went downtown to do some shopping and have lunch, and had to say goodbye to Auntie Laura.  After nap time we headed to Target and bought food so we could actually eat at home!  So we made Callie's new favorite:

YUM!

Whew!  Busy!  Now onto the real school year.  Students come tomorrow.  I have a feeling that the fall is going to fly by.

A Good Day

Today was a good day for a few reasons.

#1- Recovery Updates: Today Dave got out of the hospital at 6pm our time and is able to fly home with Cherilyn and Sydney tomorrow.  Such good news!  He still has a long way to go to fully recover, but for further updates (and an account of the accident) you can check out Dave's Caring Bridge site. Nik also has a ways to go for full recovery, but he was able to fly home with Chris on Tuesday night.  He has been staying at his parents' house. We miss him, but know he's getting lots of TLC there.  Nate and Chris continue to have some pretty significant pain, but are doing well considering everything they have been through.  We continue to be so thankful that everyone is on the road to recovery, and so thankful for all the thoughts and prayers.  Keep them up!

#2- Family Time at the State Fair!  Laura came home for the long weekend, so we spent the morning at the fair- all of us Hendersons/Gosselins and Laura's friend Kelli.  Callie had a blast, and we had a blast watching her have a blast.  We also ate a lot of food, as usual.  And I couldn't pick just a couple of pictures, so here are a bunch.

The Henderson Fam

Mmmm...mini donuts!

Big Slide!

Keeping cool with MorMor

Carousel with Auntie Laura

Mmmmm...corn!

Yum!

Callie, Mommy, MorMor

Bops is so funny!

So strong!

Little Farmer

"Holy Cow!" -Auntie Mari

Mmmmm...pronto pup!

Dora!

#3- It is a long weekend, with more fun with family and friends to come.  I'll leave you with a toddler getting her groove on to the ABCs.

ABC Dancing from Baby Goose on Vimeo.