20110116

Questions 2011

We are starting a new blog tradition last year, asking Sophie a series of questions about herself. Here are this years questions and answers. It is fun to compare them with what was answered last year. You can see those answers here.

How tall are you?

45.5 inches

How much do you weigh?

46 pounds

What color is your hair?

Black

What color are your eyes?

Brownish Black

How old are you?

6

Who is your best friend?

Audrey, Marlena & Jack

Do you have any pets?

"Blue", my Beta fish

What is your favorite animal?

Dog

What is your favorite toy/game?

Zhu Zhu Pets

What grade are you in?

Kindergarten

What is your favorite subject in school?

Gym

What is your favorite food?

Noodles

What is your favorite drink

Soda(seltzer) with Juice

What is your favorite dessert?

Frozen Cream Puffs

What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?

Vanilla

What is your favorite color?

Blue

What is your favorite book?

Go Dog Go

What is your favorite movie?

Prancer

What is your favorite TV show?

Johnny Test

What is your favorite song?

"Hate Me" by Blue October

What is your favorite holiday?

Christmas

If you could take a trip anywhere in the world, where would it be?

New Question, 2011: What is your favorite sports team?

The beach in Florida


The Chicago White Sox


20101220

An Unexpected Day Off

Sophie was supposed to be staying with friends today while Ileana and I went to work. Well, our friend had a stomach virus/flu thing going on so Sophie's care for the day was cancelled and I had to stay home. I figured I'd make the most of it so Sophie and I packed up and went to Lincoln Park Zoo and the Conservatory for a little while. It was a perfect day for both. It was a little chilly so there weren't too many folks out but not too bad so it was still bearable for us.
When I asked Sophie if she wanted to go to the conservatory to see trains, she responded with a big "no". I was a little surprised at how adamant she was and I asked her why. "I don't want to ride any trains today!" I explained that they were small ones, to look at. She enjoyed them a lot and took many "train photos" during our trip.
I asked her to pose by the tree so I could get a picture of her. I didn't think she would comply but figured I'd try anyway. I was pretty surprised when I got the response "only if you let me take your picture first". I figured it wouldn't be fair if I posted my pics of her and not hers of me so I figured I'd post them all. She is getting pretty good with the photography.
Sophie also surprised me by having a hot dog and french fries for lunch. Of course, she had to dismantle the poppy seed covered bun before eating the dog. She also committed a major faux pas in the process by putting all of her food on the bare table in the process. Not so appetizing but I wasn't up to getting into the finer points of Chicago hot dog joint hygiene with her today. I hope her mom isn't reading this. She wouldn't let me get a pic of her eating the hot dog with half a bun - it was pretty funny. This didn't stop her from snapping pics of my while eating though.
Finally, I think Sophie has an abstract art thing going on. "Daddy, do you know if you take pictures of things really close, you sometimes can't tell what the picture is." She then went on snapping pics all the way home, showing me the previews in the camera. "Daddy, guess what this one is."

20101127

Thanksgiving 2010 Part 3 - Time with the family at Carin & Chris'

In addition to Thanksgiving celebrations, we also take the time with the family this week to celebrate Hanuka and Christmas. We exchange gifts, one of the things that the kids reall look forward to.

Nothing says holiday celebration like drumming! Everyone gets into it.

This year we fried the turkey. It was our first year doing the turkey in this "non-traditional" manner but since it tasted so great, I don't think it will be the last.

I pity the child that get's next to the turkey fryer!





Nothing caps off the holidays like a game of Wii bowling. Crazy Nana and Chris 2 have the best form but Ileana was the bowling ace this year, racking up the house record of 218.


Thanksgiving 2010 Part 2 - Disney Shots

You could feel the magic the second we walked into our "home" at Saratoga Springs.
You'd think that being at Disney and having a giant Mickey Mouse ice cream would make a kid crack at least one smile.


Crazy Christmas Lights.


Wacky parade.

Dinner at Fulton's. We are all convinced that there is no decent food for a moderate price within 50 miles of the Magic Kingdom. We had some decent seafood and plenty of fun none the less.


Ryan being a pisser and eating up some spaghetti.
There is nothing more disgusting to Sophie than the idea of eating a lobster. You would think mom found a bug under the table and popped it into her mouth.
Ryan and Claire with Sully and Mike.
On our final day in the parks, Sophie ended up getting the courage to see Mickey up close.

Thanksgiving 2010 Part 1 - The Year of the Light Saber

Light sabers seemed to be the rage this year. The kids became obsessed with them and had to bring them everywhere. I guess you never know when you might encounter a rogue stormtrooper or Darth Vader.