Monkey Manor

round about

Happy Birthday Monkey Lobster Girl

Happy birthday Libby.  I hope four is as much for you as three was (without the late July trip to the hospital m'kay?  Thanks).  I hope your school party was super fun and that you weren't too spazzy with all that sugar and didn't cause any problems.  I'm sorry I missed you opening your presents, but I had to go to class.  Papa took a photo on his phone and sent it to me in class, you looked very happy. 

Many hugs to you.  You are fabulous and funny and silly and goofy and loving and sensitive and have your own drummer.  I can't wait to see what new silliness you come up with this year. 

Just a reminder

Libby and Joey,

Today it is a very very very good thing that you are both adorable. Please let's not do today again.  THANKS :)

Love,

Mama (who is now going to bed at 8:31 because you just wore me out that much)

No, seriously, you're a monkey

Today we took advantage of the gorgeous weather and went to Lincoln Park Zoo today. It's a great zoo and free of charge so I don't feel guilty going and only getting to see 3 or 4 exhibits before there's a total breakdown. We even took the train there on my UPass which is part of my tuition for my LL.M., and we brought our lunch, today was totally a free trip! Bonus!
Ted was working so our friend Mary met us at the zoo and we took turns wrangling kids. As soon as she shows up the kids don't want to hold my hand or have much to do with me. HA, little do they know that it's a welcome break from super sticky hands!!!

After the peanut butter and jelly sammiches, Libby and Joey chased around the sea gulls.

Then we saw some exotic birds.

We knew we were in trouble when we realized that Joey was our navigator. Since there were no train, plane or construction exhibits, we had no clue where we might end up.

Then we went to the children's area, where Libby finally got to climb things.

And that was our Saturday. Who knows what might happen tomorrow. Ted worked today so he'll be at home only half conscious!

Baa Baa Lambs Farm Sheep have you any wool?

After a few months of missed starts we finally got our tukuses back up to Lambs Farms.  It was perfect weather too!  It was only about 68º out there but it was sunny, barely a cloud in the sky.

























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Today we went to the pride parade. We took the wagon this year since both kids were coming. (Last year I took Libby and met up with one of my friends who lives in the area). Libby has been talking about the parade for weeks. 

Joey still wasn't quite sure what all the fuss is about, but he's willing to go along for the ride. We got there early enough that we could find a spot to park the wagon right up by the barricades. Joey and I took a walk down to Caribou coffee to get Papa some food and caffeine.

Chicago's finest:

And here's some flair:

 

Even the golf carts are decorated with tinsel:

And the dogs are getting in on the fun:

Vets:

Change for America (this was part of the vets, I love how they did this):

A marching band...WITH COWBELL!!!

There were a lot of politicians as usual, the ones who are up for re-election. The crowd went wild when Lisa Madigan passed. Obama-mania is in full swing here in Illinois:
 

I can't imagine what would have happened if he was actually in the parade. I imagine a scene similar to an Elvis or Beatles concert.

There were lots of bikes...

 

Libby and Joey weren't too thrilled with the noise from the bikes. I'm always amused when they say something is too loud because I'm pretty sure there isn't much in this world louder then the two of them!!! They were much happier with the substantially quieter UNIcycle:

 

Especially since the unicyclist was wearing a tutu. That really makes you tops around our house. There were a couple of drill teams:

Some cowboys:

Not even halfway through the parade stopped. Either someone got hit by a float or someone fell OFF a float. We never learned what happened, but at the same time it started to rain and Joey had decided he was SLEEEEPPPYYYY. To add to the fun...Libby was starting to get SILLY:

By the time we got to the El stop, Joey was catching up with his Zzzzs.

We stopped in Lincoln Square for some Greek food, drenched by a passing rainstorm and then homeward bound!

Chifam

Create your own family sticker graphic at pYzam.com

Transcript - Libby Lobster

I saw a baby girl sister cat

it's in the monster's mouth

cuz i need to save her.

to joey:  Do you want more?

I'm going to get you more.

Joey's water

Joey' do do do disshy

Really really drink it at the top kay?

Drink it up on the top. 

I say a baby sister had a unintelligible

And on his nose, there is some on his NOSE

May I have a cookie?  May I have thing?

Open

Girl one.  Oh I forgot a boy one.

GIRL

Joey's not being nice to me, Papa's not being nice to me, YOU ARE.  I'm putting you on my list and (stomps feet) other names.  I put papa on my list i put joey on my list you and joey are listening very good.  I'll put joey on my list and on my LIST.  On my list, i'm just writing on my list. 

MAY I HAVE A PURPLE PEN?

June 15, 2008 ~ about 4:30 pm

June 15, 2008 about 8 pm!!!

We bought some clippers the other day so we could do Ted and Joey's hair at home.  Next time I won't attempt this ever again when Ted isn't at home.  I have a slight feeling that 'rasslin an alligator is scads easier than trying to cut this kid's hair.   There are a bunch of places that need cleaning up but I think he'll be much happier with a cooler breezier summer haircut. 

Online v. In Real Life

I've met a lot of great friends online.  Through that Yahoo Chat back when it FIRST came out, Other Site, through LJ and most recently through Etsy.  There are people that I'd consider passing acquaintances and there are those that I consider friends. 

So when I heard that a friend of an Etsy friend had her life unalterably changed last week my heart broke too.  I actually can't even type out the event without crying, so I'll let you read it here (scroll down for the story).  Deconstructress (etsy and ebay name) is auctioning off one of her dresses on ebay to help this family with funeral costs.  If you have the extra bucks, it would be great if you could bid. 

Also, for all of us crafties, she has set up a special section in her shop to try to help raise money.  Her shop is here.  If there is something you make that you want to donate to be sold in that section of her shop, you can convo her.

Pass this on.

(cross posted lots of places for maximum exposure)