Question Of The Week

Ed was one of my favorite TV shows. Do you remember it? I loved the cast, loved the story, and really enjoyed it each week. Produced by David Letterman, it received several Emmy nominations and a Golden Globe nomination.

It ran from 2000 to 2004 and then it was cancelled.


Several people have emerged from the series......Julie Bowen is now on Modern Family (favorite new show) and Justin Long has been in several movies, including He's Just Not That Into You. Michael Ian Black (originally on MTV's The State) seems to be everywhere these days.


So, they moved on to bigger and better things.

Conan will, too, I have no doubt.

Did you see his farewell speech?


He went out with class, people. Humor and class, which is not an easy combination. Most bloggers can relate to that.

"Nobody in life gets exactly what they thought they were going to get. But, if you work really hard and you are kind, amazing things will happen. Amazing things will happen!"

I loved it. Love Conan!!!!!!

So, my question today is.......

***What show do you miss? What was cancelled too early?

Oh, and one more thing.......Who dat!!!!!!! Geaux Saints!

A Nature Walk In The Snow

The snow has finally melted here in Kansas, but for weeks, it was everywhere. A beautiful blanket of white......I always think it's so pretty.

I took the little ones out to the Ernie Miller Nature Center.

Only part of the trails were plowed, so we walked where we could.

Went inside to see the animals and talk to the park rangers.

They love these little exhibits......with the magnifying glasses to get a closer look at the critters.



Bird watching.

Boot watching.



No worries with the lack of trails plowed. The kiddos preferred to drudge through the snow, anyway.

They ate plenty of it, too!



Time to go home.....punkin Laine wants to stay. And, eat more snow.


We have a couple of little spurts of snow expected in the next couple of weeks. Hoping we get a good amount so we can hit the slopes again! I'm anxious to hear giggly Laine......she's so silly on skis. Loving the Kansas winter. Hope you're enjoying yours!

Scoop With A Side Of Sickness - Not Vomit Sickness....You can keep reading

Lainey has taken on a new persona....bag lady. She insists on carrying a shopping bag wherever we go. Usually with 5 rubber ducks in it, two lambies, a baby and Meow Meow. She has a cute backpack and a darling baby bag. Nope. She wants a paper shopping bag. Maybe she's working on her image.


Carter went on an exciting adventure recently at Union Station's Science City. More on that later. This picture makes me nervous enough.


Drumroll, please. Our 3rd kiddo is potty trained! I've been stalling Lainey ever since Jack trained.....wanted him to enjoy some "big kid" time before Lainey stole his thunder. Randomly decided to give it a try on Saturday and we haven't looked back.

Please note:

Carter was nearly 3 years old before we even tried with him.

Jack was 3.5 years old.

Lainey is just past 2.

Another chapter in the book of "girls are so different than boys."


And, all of this potty training business means we'll need to move her from her crib soon enough.

Which breaks my heart.

She still seems so little to me. And, she's our baby. I don't want to do it.

I told Shannon about the potty training and she asked when the "OMG, I don't have babies anymore" meltdown will begin. I can always count on Shannon for the truth.


So, the little ones have been practicing medicine lately.....









Thank goodness, because Jack has a little cold. First sick doctor visit since March of last year. Ten months, people. Our kids don't get sick often. (Unless, of course, we're in the midst of a relocation and I'm on my own with 3 children for 7 months. Then, and only then, do our kids randomly vomit throughout the house - the very house I'm trying to sell.)

Back to Jack.....

Little punkin pie is so sad when he doesn't feel good. No meds needed.....it's just a little virus.....no temperature read at the office.

Lots of naps.

And, Lainey is not sick, but don't tell her that. She is SURE she is.




Our pediatrician's office finally had the H1N1 vaccine in, so I had the kids shot. Carter gets his second round tomorrow at the nurse's office (love Kansas schools!). Little ones go back in a month for their booster.

Our doctor said that next year's flu vaccine will include the H1N1 strand......so consider that when making your decision this year whether or not to shoot your kids.

No big agenda for the weekend. I've been working on the house a bit and hope to finally tackle the gallery wall I've been planning for above the fireplace mantle.

Hope you have a good one!

I'm In The Mood For Love

I'm ordering Valentine presents and ready to make sugar cookies with the kids.

Bought these today:



And, I'm anxious to sit down with craft paper and glue and stickers and glitter......with the children......and make a mess.

I'm thinking of a special meal I can make for my valentine......something different......with wine and candles and not a child in sight.



And, the movies will be on TV soon.

One of my all time favorites, When Harry Met Sally:


And, this played mid-day yesterday. I indulged. It's precious. Oddly enough, I think I like Rita Wilson better than anyone in this movie. And, I LOVE Meg Ryan's house.


What is your favorite romantic comedy?

I'm hoping I can add Valentine's Day to my list this year.

Why doesn't it start until February 12th?!

I'm ready now.

Here's the trailer, in case you haven't seen it.



"Love is the only shocking act left on the planet."

I love that.

When Is the Best Time To Visit The Zoo?

Now.

No sweaty people in tank tops rubbing up against you at the lion cage. No toddlers dripping melted ice cream on your flip flops. Cool temps and few lines. We love the zoo during the winter more than any time of year.

Before we go, we read our favorite zoo book (yes, we have several).....



Caroline bought it for us from Anthropologie years ago and we've loved it ever since. Know what else Caroline bought for us? Our Zoo Membership as a house warming gift when we arrived in Kansas City. $70 for a year full of fun. To quote her exactly, "Best money I've ever spent because I know it will be used!" And, it has. We treasure it.

Took the kids out on Monday because we had temperatures above freezing (Go, Kansas, go!). Still bundled up and we kept busy to stay warm......and had a great time.




We're getting a new Polar Bear exhibit and it's going to be fabulous. The kids peaked in to see the progress.

It's coming together and it's going to be huge.

Lainey cradled her baby during the entire trip. Here she is rocking her while walking.

We checked out our koi pond.....frozen over.....and then found a zoo keeper to discuss where all the fish and snakes go. Remember this pond from the summer? The snake was balancing on the bushes? The children still remembered.

Winter brings all sorts of things to talk about.......why does this leaf melt the snow?

And, why can't I have these gorgeous curls and that gorgeous color? A 2 year old doesn't appreciate that! (Not part of the discussion......but something I wondered.)

Wide open exhibits. And, the animals are not in a heat coma......instead, they're usually roaming around putting on quite a show.

Picture of the week! (Puffy coats are super slimming, no? I feel like George Costanza.)



Sweet baby pig was inside staying warm cuddled up next to his blankets. Jack gags every time we have to go indoors to visit. He's stinky, but we love him. (the pig and Jack)

Inside the Tropics building. Jack flipped out over this bird who pecked at him through the glass. I just happen to catch it on film.

Later on, he tried to eat Carter.

"Him bite Yainey, too?"

"Yes, Lainey. He might bite you, too. Give it a try. That's a good girl."


We love, love, love the zoo. We walk and talk about the animals......there's always something to discover. As Paul Simon once said, "There's always something happening at the zoo."

I concur.

And, there are plenty of options for free visits if you don't have a membership. A few are listed below.

Denver Zoo

Milwaukee Zoo

Houston Zoo

Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago

St. Louis Zoo

Most zoos have significant discounts or free admission at one time or another and most often during off season......which is now.....not all advertise......call your local zoo to inquire.