World's cutest penguin

I am way tired this weekend thanks to H1N1 and the near riot conditions the media-induced panic has created at my office, so this will be short. Hopefully the cute pictures of David in his costume (which I had to wrestle him into today kicking and screaming) will make up for the lack of hilarity and sarcasm.

I know next year David will insist on picking his own costume, and I expect it to be something not so cute and boyish like Batman. So this year, we went for the cutest thing we could find--baby penguin.

On a mission for candy. The usual suspects: Fiona, Lia, Ashley, Jackson, David and Olivia.

David did most of his trick-or-treating with the lovely Fiona and Lia.

This is how GG greeted her trick-or-treaters. (Yes, that's Lil under there.)

Haley's visit

We had the great pleasure of spending the weekend with my friend Jennifer and her daughter Haley. They came up from SC to visit us. The kids had a terrific time. David loves Haley. He insisted on holding her hand at every opportunity and spent the entire 3 day visit mimicking just about everything she did and said.
They arrived Thursday night. There was a slight drizzle in Chicago, which as all travellers know meant a 2 hour delay flying into O'Hare. David had his heart set on picking up Haley at the airport, so we all piled into the car, David in his pj's. To enhance the look further, he had had his face painted like a cat earlier in the day with Alma. It had smudged and smeared and at the time looked more like he was just really dirty than a cat, but he refused to wash his face at bath time. So Kevin and I took our dirty-faced cat boy to O'Hare to pick up Jennifer and Haley who finally arrived around 9:00.
Friday morning, we gave Haley her choice of museums. She opted for dinosaurs, so we hit the Field Museum. Despite the fact that he had been there several times before, David decided that he was scared of the dinosaurs and threw a huge tantrum before we went in. Once we actually made it to the dinosaurs, he thought they were cool and had a great time racing from one exhibit to the next. After learning about prehistoric life, banging on drums from around the world and pretending to cook fake corn, the kids were ready for Navy Pier where Jennifer and Haley braved the cool wet weather to ride the ferris wheel. After a late afternoon nap, we capped off the day with a trip to Oberweis.
Sharing goldfish at the Field Museum and enjoying stale chocolate covered marshmallows at Navy Pier.

Saturday we went to Shedd Aquarium first thing. Haley enjoyed seeing all the sea creatures, and David spent most of this time either at the play submarine in the new children's area or chanting "Submarine! Submarine now!" We caught the new dolphin show, which was a little more show and a little less dolphin than I had hoped but still fun to see. After a delicious lunch in Greek town and a nap, we went to Brookfield Zoo. Due to the lateness of the hour and the cool weather, there were several animals off exhibit, but this didn't seem to bother David or Haley at all. They spent a lot more time running and playing in the leaves than anything else. After the kids went to bed last night, Jennifer and I went to the 11:00 (that's p.m., people) show at Second City, e.t.c. It was a lot of fun, and, on a related note, I took a 3 hour nap this afternoon.
Haley was brave enough to touch this giant star fish after realizing it wasn't an octopus. David on the sub.

David and Haley at the zoo

Before Jennifer and Haley flew out today, we went downtown and up almost 100 floors to the John Hancock observatory. The adults enjoyed the view while the kids pretended to be window washers and mashed random buttons on various displays. Afterwards we went across the street to the American Girl Doll store where I learned yet another reason boys are easier and less expensive than girls. We ended the visit with a delicious brunch and a traffic jam on the Kennedy that made us late getting them to O'Hare. So to summarize: cold wet weather, flight delays, traffic, amazing museums and delicious food. They got the full Chicago experience.

The kids on top of the Hancock. Proof that Jennifer and I saw each other this weekend.

David and Haley being very silly at brunch. Haley feeding David peanut butter cup cheesecake. She said, "This is REALLY good breakfast."

A week of firsts

David has had a big week. On Monday we went to his first hockey game, which he absolutely loved. He insisted that he needed a jersey like Kevin's and refused to take it off until the following morning when he managed to get poop on it. Even then, quite frankly, he did not give it up willingly.
The next night Kevin and David went to a Bulls preseason game. This was not David's first Bulls game, but it was the first time he wore the Jordan jersey I bought for Kevin as a wedding present without crying and screaming.
Matching father and son hockey sweaters. David ready for bed still in his jersey and taking in the Bulls game.


On Wednesday night we hung out chez Derdozo. This is nothing new, but the picture below does mark baby Finn's first (of many) appearances on our blog. David and Evie had a great time. They spent most of dinner time running in circles and tackling each other. Please note, after poop removal, David is back in his Blackhawks jersey.

Thursday afternoon we flew out to SC, and Friday morning we took our first family trip to a national park. Congaree National Park is just 25 minutes from my parents' house. We took a beautiful walk around the 2.5 mile boardwalk. David, who insists on walking whenever we are in a hurry at the airport, refused to let his feet hit the ground the entire time we were there. We learned that the forest there has the tallest canopy (130 ft.) of any deciduous forest in the world. Who knew? (I mean, besides my dad.)
Various shots of me lugging David around, though Kevin did most of the carrying, including David shooting the camera man with 'Ramma's mini-flashlight.

The boardwalk and surrounding loveliness. Cyprus knees.

Saturday, Kevin and David got to experience their first state fair. We rode rides, ate large quantities of fried foods and checked out the animals. We are very much looking forward to our next trip to the fair when David should be taller than 36 inches, which will open up a whole new world of rides.


That's right. Deep fried Pepsi. Of course, Kevin had to get some. The second picture is David taking a bite. Next time we're sticking with elephant ears.

Saturday afternoon we went to a get together with a bunch of my friends from growing up, graciously hosted by Alexa. We used to be the kids. Now we have the kids. It was a really good time and so much fun to see everyone there. Many thanks to Alexa for letting us take over her house.

David refused a nap after the fair, fell asleep in the car on the way to Alexa's and was completely out for the first hour we were there despite children climbing on and around him and making lots of noise. The girls and our children. David and his buddy Braeden.

David has really taken to telling people that he loves them recently. Sometimes he grabs my head, says "I love you mommy!" and then kisses me over and over. It's very sweet, but he does the same thing with his new stuffed monkey he got from Nahnee and 'Ramma. He was having pretty extensive conversations with the monkey on our flight home, asking him if he wanted to come home with us, asking if his belly hurt and rubbing it for him. Right now George the monkey and David are ready to watch the Bears with Kevin downstairs.

Morton Arboretum and other fun stuff

I had to work last weekend, including Friday, which is usually my day off. My loss was Kevin's gain. He took the day off, and he and David had a very good time. They went to Mandarin class and learned about xing zhuang (shapes). After that the plan was to head to Daley Plaza for the Olympics announcement. That was a bust for obvious reasons (darn you, Rio!), so they went to Millennium Park instead. Turns out that godfather Steve's office is right down the street, and since on a busy day Steve sees about five patients, they stopped by for a visit.

On Saturday while I was working hard for the money, David and Kevin picked up GG and headed for Shedd Aquarium. Their newish children's area was a big hit with David. He also enjoyed the whales, dolphins and especially the turtles. Afterwards, he had a photo shoot outside the aquarium where there is a fantastic view of the Chicago skyline.

David thoroughly enjoyed himself this past week. Sabrina has been on fall break, so she came with Alma several days. One morning he asked me if Sabrina was coming, and upon learning that she was, he told me, "Go to work now!" So nice to be loved.
This weekend we mostly stayed at home. It turns out you can get a crazy amount done if you are neither working nor out of town for the weekend. Weird. While Kevin cleaned out our utility room, David took full advantage of the dogs crates (which are now disassembled and stored in the garage where they will probably stay until we move 30 years from now). He insisted that he get to climb in. He pretended to be a puppy and drink from the bowl. The he asked for his blanket and pillow and pretended to sleep. Finally, he asked for his stuffed puppy, who also ate and drank from the dog bowl.
Here's a picture we won't be sending to David's former orphanage with our next update.

This morning we went to Wiggle Worship. I'm not sure if I've mentioned wiggle worship before, but it's a service at our church for families with young children. It is a full service. There are songs and prayers. Kevin and I enjoy the Wiggle Worship Prayers of the People equivalent. When we get to the part about someone who is sick or has died, there is usually a battle royale between the older kids to name the most dead pets. Hilarious. The priest reads a version of one of the readings (usually the gospel unless it is "too yucky" that week) in language the kids can understand. Then there is a children's sermon to explain what the heck Jesus was talking about and, finally, Communion. The children take turns each week doling out the bread and wine. David got to do the bread last week. In the true spirit of our Lord and Savior, he saved the largest piece for himself.
After today's service, we drove out to Morton Arboretum and met up with Uncle Dave and his fiancee. They have a huge children's garden, and this time of year they also have a caramel apple bar where you can pick your own apple toppings. David went with M&Ms and sprinkles. I had a Snickers apple. It was a good time. We closed out the weekend with a family nap and a brinner of eggs, hashbrowns and bacon.
The Davids Maas checking out various spheres in the children's garden.

More of David at Morton Arboretum. Note the winter coat. It's freezing here.