A Brazilian

Matt and I have both agreed that the time has come for a vasectomy. I know that I have mentioned this before. But I think when we first started talking about it neither of us were really "ready." And now it seems that we are finally at that point. Mainly because the cons now certainly out weigh the pros. So essentially it becomes a no brainer.

So Matt went for a consultation with the doctor last week. When he came home we were discussing the procedure and what not. We are careful not to mention it in front of Cate for a variety of reasons. One being that she is far too young to really understand what we are talking about. Second, she will be so so scared if she knows Matt is having surgery. So we speak elusively about the subject when she is around.

After she went to bed, Matt called his sister's husband to get the "inside scoop" on the procedure. Before ending the conversation, Matt asked if they would have to shave him. You know...down there. And our dear brother in law said:

"You are now the proud owner of a Brazilian."

Matt felt compelled to tell me and of course, just as he was, Caitlyn was coming down the stairs. And she had a whole lot to say about a Brazilian.

C: "You're getting a Brazilian dollars???" (with mouth hanging open)
C: "How much money is that?"
C: "What are we going to do with it??

She managed all of these questions before either of us could even get a word in edgewise and correct her. We finally we able to tell her that a Brazilian is a hair cut and not money. She was quite disappointed.

Uka La Lacha

"Uka la lacha."

"Uka la lacha."

"La la la la la la la."

That's what I heard Caitlyn singing last night as she was playing. As she was singing it, she was shaking her bottom as fast and as hard as she possibly could. I asked her what she was singing and she told me it was a song she heard on TV. Thinking the tune was familiar to me I sang a song to her to ask her if that was in fact the song that she was singing. She said yes it was.

Know what the song was???

La Cucaracha.

And now, I will never sing the song the same. It will always be Uka La Lacha.

She wasn't very happy either when I told her that the song was actually about a cockroach!

Fun in the Snow

Yeah, I know. I'm a big giant huge slacker. My bad. But I am trying to finish up everything that must be done before Christmas...which is a hell of a lot.

Here are some pictures of the girlie loving the first big snowfall of the year.











She also had her winter assembly the other day, which was very cute. But I haven't managed to get those off the camera as of yet. I also took a video. So as soon as that manages to get done, I will go ahead and put those up there.

Caitlyn's Pictures

Caitlyn has been begging me to use my camera to take pictures outside. I have been hesitant for the obvious reason: I am worried about her dropping it and throwing away several hundred of my hard earned dollars. But today I finally caved in. And to be honest, she took some really great pics!! And it is interesting to see things from her perspective for once.

I find it very interesting what she wanted to take pictures of though. Before we left the house, she kept telling me that she wanted to get pictures of animals. Well, in Chicago there aren't many animals running here and there. Unless you count squirrels, pigeons, and the ocassional stray dog/cat. However, once we were out there and walking, she found so many other neat things to take pictures of.

Here are a few of them:












This is my favorite of all 49 that she took. I love the way the colors are in it!




Do all kids feel it necessary to take pictures of their feet once they have a camera in their hands???



Now she wants to go out at night and take some too. Since it is supposed to be pretty warm this week, maybe we will do just that.

My Little Dare Devil

Every year, my brother's work rents out Great America for a private party. The employees are allowed to bring friends and family (for a fee of course). But the crowds are much smaller than a typical day, resulting in wait times in lines that are considerably shorter. We have been going to this for a few years now and have such a good time when we go.

Last year, Caitlyn went on her first roller coaster ride there. She went on the Whizzer (about 1000 times) and loved it.


After going on that, she was quite upset that she wasn't tall enough to go on any of the other roller coasters they had. I reassured her that when we came again the following year, she would certainly be tall enough for a couple more.

So this year.....my little lady decided that the first ride she would go on would be the Whizzer again. However, she made it very clear that after riding that, she wanted to go and see what other coasters she would be tall enough for. (Memory of an elephant I tell ya!)

The first ride we attempted to get her on was the Viper.

I figured it would be pretty impressive if she followed through with going on this ride.

After measuring her on the post, waiting in a short line, there she was sitting next to me in the car and rearing to go!!!
Upon it's completion she made it very clear that she wanted to ride the Viper again before we left!




Later in the evening, we were heading towards the American Eagle.

Not the most comfortable roller coaster on the planet. But certainly a novelty if you go to Great America. I don't think I've ever been there and not gone on it (provided it is running).

The height requirements were the same as those of the Viper, so we were off in line.
After the initial drop, which really is shocking, Caitlyn was having a ball and "wheeing" along.



After going on those 2, it seemed she really didn't want much to do with the other "kiddie" rides or age appropriate rides. She was awfully upset though that she wasn't able to go on some of the other coasters. I reassured her that she would be able to go on a couple more next year, just like she was able to this year. So I am certain that come summer next year, she will hold me to it. Let's hope for a few more inches of growth this year so that I haven't stuck my foot in my mouth ;)

Cowgirl Caitlyn

All of the sudden, Caitlyn is all about being a cowgirl. I don't think she plans on getting out of this phase anytime soon. And who am I to complain really, cause man is she damn cute in the get up. I think my favorite part is the cowboy hat with the tiara attached to it!

Vacation One

We have returned from vacation number one. I say vacation number one because it seems that the entire month of July is going to be spent travelling somewhere. Both as a family and separately.

We spent 5 glorious days at the cottage in Waupaca. This is the place that Matt's family has been going to since he was an infant. They have been going there since his mother was 6 years old. So they have some history there. And Matt has always wanted his daughter to love it there as much as he does. And I think his wish has come true.

My little lady, who is usually very timid when it comes to physical activities, those that require gross motor coordination, got her little ass on a tube and went tubing. I was stunned. Flabbergasted. Floored. Couldn't believe my eyes that this child was actually doing this.


And she did it a few times so I know it wasn't a fluke. I know the pictures are hard to see, but I certainly don't have the energy to zoom in on them and save them. Lazy=Nancy.

Getting ready to go


Caitlyn is on the right with her Uncle Bernard and Danny is on the left. (If she were to go by herself in that tube I probably would have had a coronary.



There was also plenty of time to just play and have fun. She is bound and determined to get this hula hooping thing no matter what!


After all the tubing and hula hooping, she was just wiped out and ready to go home.




And I think this has to be my favorite picture from the trip. Could these kids and Grandma Rita look any happier???? I don't think so!


Next week I am off to Country Thunder with the girls (woot!!) and Matt is off to the lake again for the annual Daddy/Daughter vacation. Mostly because it helps soothe the girl during my absence, but it is a fabulous thing for them to do together. And something that I know Caitlyn will grow up remembering forever.

2 weeks after that, it's back up to the lake for all 3 of us. 2 days after we get home, it's off to Disney. So it seems that for the month of July I will be doing nothing but packing, unpacking, doing laundry, and packing again. Only to unpack and wash it all again.