Robot reflections

As we flounder through Milford Re-Entry : Week Two, I've enjoyed reflecting on our Ann Arbor experience and the opportunities it presented. The vast array of free, community-supported, family-friendly activities was staggering. Yes, you had to deal with some hipsters, and some hippies, but in general there were just a lot of warm fuzzies.

As Downtown Library Wednesday 11 a.m. story-time regulars (and Librarian Laura groupies), we were kept abreast of many of these activities. The last we attended (besides storytime) was: "Calling all ROBOTS! The Ann Arbor District Library's Robot Workshop will be held the WEEK BEFORE FestiFools this year....Sunday, March 30th at the downtown branch at 2pm. Let the invasion begin!"

The goal? To craft a robot costume using library-provided boxes and materials that child participants would then wear during the Festifools parade (another totally Ann Arbor event).

Happily, Dad was able to attend, and only rolled his eyes 37 times. The first time, after I rejected all of the 150 pre-cut boxes and requested one with a smaller head hole and higher arm holes. Here's my shot trying to capture this occurrence. 

A bit rushed, no? And poor Lucy...

But, wisely, he stepped back initially and let me help with the bulk of the building.

I honestly don't know who had more fun. 

PEEK.

The variety and quantity of materials was amazing.

Duct tape everywhere. I've never seen so much duct tape. I saw more duct tape wasted, stuck to kids' shoes, than encountered in a college-dorm-student-lead-loft-building-endeavor. Hot glue guns. CD's. Foam stickies. Plastic tubing. Commercial rolls of tinfoil. Doodads and whatsits. 

Even Lucy got her build on.

Or rather, her roll.

Soon, though, I worried I was micromanaging the creative process so let Dad have a go. 

He was jazzed to participate but not quite as jazzed as the dad in the background below. 

That man gathered materials like a squirrel gathers acorns in November, and while his kid watched, built the whole box with unhealthy fervor.

Dad and daughter did run into some creative differences though...

Dad:  "Ummm..."

Maizey: "Ummm..."

After 45 minutes of crazy - voila.  

(Here she's roaring - currently very into the "scary monster" theme.)

It was awesome. And free. And reminded me why people love Ann Arbor. (Spurgeons included.)

Though we had all intentions of returning for the parade the following weekend, our move was delayed a day and it was just too much crazy to pack into 14 hours. But we will participate again next year, residents or not. Hopefully we can implement some of Uncle Pete's suggestions...

Home again, home again

First off... WE ARE HOME!

This explains the lack of posts, and what will undoubtedly now be a series of somewhat schizophrenic ones.

It feels great to be back, but a little harried as well. Maizey loves her new room so much that she prefers not to waste time sleeping in it. For eight days, it's been up at 6, neglected naps, and been wrestled to bed at 8 - with lots of feet pitter-patting for an hour or more after lights-out.

Will and I are exhausted. Not only did we tackle unpacking and clean-up, our laundry pump broke and the basement flooded. *sigh* I not only feel like a crazy person, I look like one too.

Today is the girls' third day at their new school. Both are doing super with that transition.

And of course, Lucy is handling it with a smile and a laugh.

Even if she does wake up three times a night to eat. But, the girl is working on solids and is breaking two bottom choppers, so I'll cut her a break.

Coming up?
Our last days in Ann Arbor, six month Sticky Bellies pics and if I ever get pictures and curtains hung, renovation photos.

Six Month Doc

On Friday, March 27 we scooted to Lucy's six month well-visit.

Length was 26.24 inches - 60th percentile. Head was 17.3 inches - 75th percentile.

At 15 lbs., 10 oz., she is at the 50th percentile for weight. (Not included in this shot - her peeing on the scale. Smooth move, Lu.)

And, she never stops moving.

The hambone spent most of the appointment attempting to roll off the exam table, ripping the paper cover and hollering. Doc Kendall's comment, "You gonna have ta watch dis one."

  

What's happening with her besides movement? Well, that's about it. She wants to GO.

Boing, boing, boing...

If she's not bouncing, rolling or rocking in the pre-crawl position, she trying to balance on two legs. 

Frightening.

Maizey is starting to really "love" her little sis. 

Much to Lucy's chagrin.

This little peanut is amazing.

And exhausting. And her own little person.

Next up, trying to get her to eat solid food. She has no interest in purees but squawks indignantly when we eat in front of her, grabbing at everything in sight. Though a somewhat undesirable approach from an "oh my gosh, is she choking or chewing" standpoint, we think we may move toward the baby-led weaning approach. Don't be surprised if you see a shot of Lucy with a baby back rib. 

Also on the horizon, a move to her own room. Now that she has one.

Daily grind

Just another typical day at 337 Crazy Town. Woke up to Lucy squwaking at 5 in the Bjorn travel crib next door to my bed, demanding floor exercise coaching (i.e. crawling warm-ups) and refreshment (i.e. boob), while Will showered in the "is that a fan or a Learjet?" bathroom.

Floor exercises in "the green room" from 5:30-6:57, called away by child M mere seconds after powering up the tube in hopes of catching a few minutes of Matt Lauer/Al Roker banter. First thing she says upon entering her room, "Who's watching TV? Somebody turned on the TV. Did you turn on the TV? I heard the TV. The ding when it turns on." Mind you, I killed it before getting her from her closet crib. But, she marched right in, did a sweep and declared, "Must have been Lucy and Kip. Oh well. Can I watch Scooby Doo?" 

My mumbled affirmative answer was met with a "Oh gee. Thanks, Mom. I love you, Mom. Don't you love Scooby Doo? I love him. I'm just gonna sit right here. Hi Lucy. Hi Kip."

Seven minutes later, while I'm downstairs romancing the Keurig, "COMMERCIALLLLL! MOM - COMMERCIAL." I yell back "JUST WATCH IT!" She yells back, "I DON'T LIKE COMMERCIALS" I yell back, "WHEN I WAS LITTLE WE HAD TO WATCH THE COMMERCIALS." She yells back, "I AM LITTLE NOW AND I DON'T HAVE TO WATCH COMMERCIALS."  Touché, child.

What else? My Little Pony undie request and subsequent meltdown when told the brand-new skivvies needed washing prior to wear. (Result - she's wearing MLPs.) Lucy gummed-beyond-legibility my Kroger list, flipped off the changing sarcophagus, and went through an outfit prior to 8:12. And, I had to wax poetic a from-scratch story during the ten minute drive to Tutor Time. (Telling an original story for ten minutes on the drive to school should be an event in the mom olympics.)

You know. Just another relaxing morning.

p.s. This one's especially for you, Grandma and Papa. To make you smile on a grey day.

D.O.I. - Year Two

Oh, the craziness that is Disney on Ice...

Last year I scored cheapo tickets c/o Travelzoo and whisked Maizey off to the Palace for her first true sensory assault. 

Amazingly, it held her attention. The whole two hours. Rapt.

So, when I heard DOI was returning, I purchased full-priced seats with Will's credit card and began saving my allowance to buy battery-powered light spinners.

 As a child, Bob and Betty would surprise Peter and I with Milwaukee adventures that included these celebrations of excess. Ringling Brothers, Sesame Street Live (once) and Disney on Ice. Not ones to be duped by Disney commercialism, though, we always had sensible seats and shared a popcorn. No light spinners.

Of course, Maizey got third row seats and cotton candy (with mouse-ear hat).
But because I am a Breclaw, we shared a popcorn, and no light spinners.

Maizey, was, however, really great at getting vendors of all sorts to stop by our seats, though: "SPINNERS, SPINNERS, WHO WANTS A SPINNER" was unfailingly answered with "I DO! I DO!"  A Palace-uniformed employee would then bound over only to endure the mother-daughter dialogue: 

Me: "Did you bring your money?"

Maizey: "No."

Me: "Then how are you going to buy a spinner?"

Maizey: silence

Exit Palace employee...

So how was it? Fun. And pretty wackadoodle.

While Maizey's head ping-ponged around, following the 50+ Disney characters enthusiastically shushhing by on skates, I marveled at the performers. I mean, WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE? I want a reality show. Or PBS mini-series circa Big Apple Circus. And what about those Disney-perpetuated stereotypes? I mean, yeesh?! The show was unabashedly, unapologetically mainstream. Minnie visits Japan and meets up with a bunch of fan-wielding Geisha skaters, complete with Geta (flip-flop) simulated skates. In China, Mickey flies kites on the Great Wall. The finale - a Christmas celebration with Santa - I mean "It's everybody's favorite time of year!" (says Mickey.)

But admittedly, when I stopped eye-oogling and mind-boggling all of that stuff, and just watched Maizey's face, I had a great time. 

Girlfriend LOVED it!

And, we had great seats. 

"MICKEY MOUSE! HIIIII! HERE I AM!!!!"

Not to mention the intermission. 

And the cutest little Zamboni, ever.

As you can see,  last year...

ended similarly to this year. 

Next year - dual shot of carseat sleepers.

(Lu hung out with our friends at Tutor Time.)

Farewell Woodsboro

Big news on the Spurgeon side of the family... The Royal Oak family home SOLD - after about half a day on the market. Great news, but a bit anxiety-producing for still-employed-in-Southeast-Michigan-Grandpa Bill. While Lake City will serve as primary domicile, both Bill and Katie envision a part-time residence in the Royal Oak area. And with the house sale charging ahead, the search is on.

We went to the family digs last weekend, with Paul and Colleen, to call "dibs" on any furniture not going to Missaukee. 

Maizey spent the time cruising around with Paul and his phone, singing along to Frozen and Yummy in My Tummy.

Lucy chilled in her car seat and with her grandparents.

Although we knew this was coming, it's emotional. Can you imagine if Bob and Betty sold 1129? I think I'd have a coronary. So please, send happy thoughts for Gram and Gramps regarding their new chapter.