Sesame Street Live "Coloring Book"

We woke up early this morning to go see Sesame Street downtown. We were pretty excited because Peter loves Sesame Street and Kiersten is just getting into it. We took Peter before his first birthday and he did really well so we thought Kiersten would too. We were a little nervous that Kiersten would be afraid of all the people around her since she is so attached to me. Well, we were wrong.

Kiersten was our well behaved child. She loved the crowd, all of the kids around us and the parents too! She was moving and shaking her arms and little booty to the music. We had great seats, center and roughly 15 rows back from the stage. She never gave us a problem and almost fell asleep in my arms through the loud music. When I took her to the bathroom for a diaper change, she didn't try to wiggle like she usually does.

Before the show actually started, Peter did not want to go into the theater. When the lights started to dimmer and the music was coming on, he had an anxiety attack. He was screaming, crying and practically climbing up on dad. Pete left with Peter for a walk while Kiersten and I watched the show together until intermission. We spent over a $100 on tickets plus parking and driving into Detroit, I wanted to see some of the show.

After Pete and I text messaged each other on our phones, I found that they had secured some empty seats in the back of the theater and had been enjoying the show away from the loud noise and crowd. Apparently, Peter seems to have anxiety in huge crowds, probably a little claustrophobic which I can be as well. So, Kiersten and I left our great seats and headed back to sit with dad and big brother. Actually, these seats were pretty decent and we had a lot of fun. Both kids really enjoyed themselves as did Pete and I.

After a quick stop at University of Detroit Mercy to say hi to some friends, both kids fell asleep in the car on the way home. After all, it was an early and productive morning.

Hey Laura!!!!!!!

Hey Laura, Remember this trip from 1994 in Indianapolis?? This is when I first Laura (the one who created a blog to follow her first pregnancy and now her 2 month old son~ you can link to her blog from mine). We were part of Key Club (Kiwanis Educated Youth Club, the largest high school community service group) and we were elected members of our various districts (mine was, of course, northern MI). This trip was called ILTC (International Leadership Training Conference) and we got to mingle with our International President, International Board and various other members from throughout the USA. I can't remember anyone from Canada or the Bahamas being there. Can you find me???? Click on the picture to enlarge it.

Ah...the good old days!

August 1996 - A view from my dorm room at the University of Detroit Mercy. I was thinking about the good old days. You know, those pre-kids, pre-mortgage, pre-yard work (we can't even keep up with our neighbors across the street, behind us and next to us). I wouldn't give up what I have now for the past, but its fun to go back and look at the good old days.

A party at the Sip Ep House with Carlos (where is he now?), Stephanie (my old college roomie for 2yrs), Shaun (who did get married & moved out to Kalamazoo) and Joey (who is now a cop in Dearborn). I'm trying to remember if this was the night that Carlos, Steph, Schmitt & I went to Peabody's in Birmingham. Carlos, Steph and I all had the same menu item and we all got food poisoning. When Pete got off of work, he showed up to Steph & I throwing up in the bathroom and he thought we had too many drinks!

Halloween 1996 - Hanging out with some friends. Steph & I were dressed up to go to a Halloween party at U of M or Eastern. I can't remember.

Yes, I did join a soroity in college. Looking back, I did meet some great people, but it probably wasn't the best thing. It just wasn't me.

Thomas M. Yohe. What can you say about this great person? I had the privledge of knowing him through college until he passed away in 2003. Though I missed his funeral (I was at the hospital b/c my brother was having his donated kidney taken out due to rejection), we have visited him every year since at his burial site in Battle Creek. We will probably visit him this summer when we return from Chicago to visit my brother. One of the things that has always touched our hearts is that Christmas of 1999 (when Pete moved out of the frat house in Nov. 99), Pete received a very touching christmas card from Tom. He told Pete that he has never been more proud of him and that he thought of him as a son. We're glad that Tom got to meet Peter David in 2002.

A few more pictures

Nov. 2005~ Here is Kiersten all dressed up and no where to go, I was just trying to get some pictures. The hat worked out b/c her hair was a mess.

Nov 2005 ~ Giving Peter a weird look, he's so goofy.

Nov 2005 ~ Just hanging out

Thanksgiving 2005

Dec 2005 ~ Christmas Tree and presents slowly filtering in

A VENT about Detroit City Council

We love the Detroit Zoo and we always buy a family membership. We can't help that Detroit is a financial mess, but why is the race card always played? If Detroit can't keep the Zoo running (let's not forget the Zoo isn't even in Detroit, much less Wayne County), sell it to Oakland County (where it is located and is one of the richest counties in America) or the other surrounding counties. Plenty of private funding could be raised to keep the Zoo alive. GM, Chrysler and Ford already donate millions in renovation projects and I'm sure plenty of other private citizens and corporations would help.

There are over 1 million visitors to the Zoo annually, where is the money going? After all the money that was spent and made on Super Bowl what gives? At the end of the day, I don't think the Zoo will close, but I am sure offended by the comments of a council woman who is supposed to care about Detroit and should show some professionalism. The biggest question is how does playing the race card help keep the Zoo open? I just don't get it. Its not a wonder that Detroit and the suburbs still remain far a part as long as attitudes like this exist. Please Detroit, stop playing the race card and get to work. My opinion only.

The Future of the Detroit Zoo
By Kimberly Craig Web produced by Sarah MorganFebruary 20, 2006

Detroit’s financial mess has put the Detroit Zoo on the endangered list. City council members said their vote was not to close the zoo, but some felt they were being bullied by a state deadline and lawmakers who look down on Detroit.

Council member Barbara-Rose Collins said the state’s deadline for the city to sign over zoo operations to the Zoological society boiled down to disrespect. Many council members felt they were being bullied into handing over zoo operations without an agreement they were comfortable with.

Some city council members said they were largely opposed to giving $10 million in capital improvement funds to the society and paying almost $1 million a year for insurance and security without getting any of the revenue.

City council members said they also wanted to have a say in who would be hired as the director.
Council member Martha Reeves said, "Whoever runs the zoo should have an understanding with the city council. And it was not clear what the actual agreement was, it was never completed."

Collins said, "The symbolism is that Detroit is a black city and that we’re unable to govern ourselves. So we need an overseer, the state legislature, or what have you, to step in and tell us what we must do and how to do it."

She said she will not sign off on an operating agreement until it protects Detroit’s interests and the state should not try to force them with a funding deadline.
"That is a racist attitude. I resent it very much. I’m trying not to let it color my judgments, but we’re not a plantation, blacks aren’t owned by white folks anymore," said Collins.
The Kilpatrick administration and the Zoological society proposed an agreement that council rejected on Monday. A spokesperson for the mayor said the process of closing the zoo has begun. But, she added, the door is still open to discussions with council members should they come up with an alternate plan.
City Council members said they will work with the mayor to raise funds to keep the zoo open.
"I don’t believe that the zoo will close, I believe that the zoological society and the city council will come to an agreement," said Collins.
Governor Jennifer Granholm said, "We asked the legislature to approve $4 million to allow the Detroit Zoo to continue. Obviously it’s a cultural gem and I hope that the Detroit City Council does what it needs to do to make sure that gem continues."
Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. council members will hold a press conference at the city county building to address questions about the zoo’s future.
3,000 animals call the Detroit Zoo home. 130 workers are employed there and 25 are employed by the Detroit Zoological Society. All would be impacted by the zoo’s closing.
Senior Zoo Keeper Bestsie Davis said, "They’ve become like a second family to me. I take care of them every day. I look forward to coming to the zoo every day. I love this job, even on the coldest day of the year I here and I’m ready to go. I hope these animals recognize me and that my commitment to them is extreme."
According to Zoo Director Ron Kagan, if the zoo closed the animals would be sent to other accredited zoos or sanctuaries across the country.
"It would be very tragic," he said.
About 1 million people visit the zoo annually.
7 Action News has launched "Growl For Action," a campaign to raise funds for the zoo.

Happy Birthday Pete!

HAPPY 29th BIRTHDAY to my husband of almost 1 year even though we will be celebrating our 10yr anniversay this fall! Pete turned the big 29th on 2/12 (last week). I started out by letting him sleep in (just a little), made brunch, made a cake (its not pretty, but tasted pretty good), made dinner and then the kids and I surprised with a new Fossil watch and a Superbowl T-shirt (a week after and all the stuff is half price, can't beat that!)

Also, happy 10mth birthday to Kiersten (2/18/06)....

We let Kiersten have a tiny slice of cake and not wait until her birthday. She ate it all up and got so messy, I had to give her a bubble bath!

Pete, Peter & Kiersten take a birthday pose!

More Peter

Christmas Eve 2005 - Peter fell asleep on the way home from Christmas Mass (church is only a 5min drive away).

Christmas Eve 2005 - Peter woke up to open his presents and got a lot of goodies! Thanks Grandma, Grandpa, Grandpa, all 3 Uncles and Auntie!

Feb 4, 2006 ~ Celebrating big cousin Calvin's 9th birthday (2/5/97) at Bounce Arena. Wow, this bounce arena was huge filled with slides and ladders to climb up on-it was a lot of work for me.

Yes, I even joined in on the fun. Any one up to 225lbs can join in on the fun. This is great excercise!

Feb 10, 2006 - Playing at the mall playground after some shopping.

Peter in 2005 again

Sept 2005 - Rochester Hills Park. We have great video footage of Peter running away from the ducks. Opps, we're not supposed to feed the wild fowl.

Oct 2005 - Same Orchard, same awesome day.

Oct 2005 - I'm surrounded by pumpkins!!! We didn't get one this day. We wait until the week before so they don't rot by Halloween.

Oct 2005 - Hyper from a sugar high or from just being a kid and acting silly in a pair of pajama bottoms and a wife beater.

October 2005 - Halloween Party (a few days early) at our private beach across the street!

Peter in 2005

"Wow a little baby! Grandma, I don't want to kiss her right now, I want to go play!"

April 2005 - Snuggling up with Daddy.

April 2005 - Spending some much needed alone time with Mommy and Daddy.

August 2005 - Hanging out with big cousin Calvin in the Polar Bear Exhibit at the Detroit Zoo

Labor Day Weekend 2005 - Trying to be a showoff to the girls. Only cousin Dianne is amused, Kiersten gets to see Peter act silly everyday.

Recap on Peter

A Little Recap

Peter David

Born: March 26, 2002

(10 days early and 25hrs after my water broke~why he looks so tired)

Time: 5:00 p.m.

Stats: 6lbs, 15oz ~ 19 inches

His stats as of now....skinny, but solid. His weight is around 37-40lbs? and his height is almost 3/4 of me. His next check up is on his 4th birthday & I'll do an update then.

I had too many pictures to choose from for Peter so I just picked a few throughout the years.

March 28, 2002 ~ Getting ready to come home from the hospital. Once we got home, we asked ourselves, "Now what do we do?"

August 12, 2002 ~ Dreaming Away

Halloween 2002 ~ Our Lil Lion

November 3, 2002 ~ Saucer play time and watching the Red Wings play hockey.

Winter 2002 ~ Look at them cute big eyes!

February 2003 ~ Being such a good boy at his first ever show...Sesame Street at the Fox Theater in Detroit. We have been to see Sesame Street every year since 2003(except for last year, we were all sick) and will be going next week 2/25/06. We're excited to see if Kiersten loves it as much as Peter still does.

March 2003~ Celebrating Peter's 1st Birthday with a lot of fun, friends and food.

Summer 2003 ~ Fast forward to summer. Just a little family picture. We've probably just returned from the park, zoo or from a walk.

Enjoying family time at the Detroit Zoo. Though we have been there plenty of times the year before, once Peter started walking was when he could really enjoy his surroundings

.

Fall 2003 ~ Peter was just running through the apple trees during this visit. What good luck to have such a warm October day.

Christmas 2003 ~ After some screaming and crying, Peter finally realized Daddy was putting the tree into the tree stand and not being eaten by the tree.

Winter 2003 ~ Yes we love our Red Wings. Pete & Peter have matching Jerseys and Detroit Lions Jerseys (yes, I know...)

Peter's 2nd Birthday ~ Blues Clue Galore

(I apologize for the space here...will try to fix it later)

Whew....Kiersten AGAIN!

"Yeah!!! Hi Mommy! Come and get me, I'm ready to go eat, play and get my diaper changed. Naptime isn't fun anymore. Mommy, I can stand now, but I'm not always sure how to get back down. Help!"

Picture from 2/17/06

"Mommy, what are you doing? This isn't camera time, this is get me out of this jail time!"

"MOMMY!!!!!!!!"

I took several pictures of the kids at the mall playground right before Valentine's Day. I love going during the day because there are not too many kids running around. I used several of these pictures to make Valentine's magnets for their grandparents, Uncles and Pete.

Kiersten loves to stand and began about a week ago. She is also trying really hard to move while standing (gonna be walking soon). She is working on gaining her confidence in getting back down, she's been a little scared so I've been her spotter for a week.