Jim Henson's Fantastic World

Jim Henson performs with his alter-ego, Kermit the Frog

(image from Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Svc)

Caelan, Maggie and Adelyn

They were yellin at us to just take the silly picture,

it's too hot to be sitting here!

Smithsonian Castle gardens

The whole gang
Snack time!!!

Today, Caelan and I adventured out, in the heat, with our friends to go see Jim Henson's Fantastic World. This is a traveling exhibition of his work and puppets at the International Gallery, Smithsonian Institution. I was so excited to take Caelan to see one of my fav's...The Muppets!!! But I was really disappointed we couldn't take any photographs once inside the exibit, because right there, greeting us as we entered was....Kermit the Frog! I was pointing and jabbering, look Caelan, look, look, look, its Kermit. He just stared at me and said, "Yeah, and." I was crushed. Thats okay, plenty of time to share my love of the Muppet Show with him. It was incredible to see the real Kermit puppet. It was like seeing a movie star. In the exibit there were also many of Jim's preperatory drawings, costumes, movie props and short films running, to name just a few things. Really a neat look inside a great mind. (Just an FYI, this exhibit will be at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago in October.)

Spaghetti Face

Spaghetti rocks!!! After his feast, I

picked him up and put him directly into the tub.

Washington Mystics Basketball Game

Today, Caelan and I had a special treat. A friend of ours from the mom's group has a connection to the women's pro basketball team the Washington Mystics and gave us tickets. It was a special day just for kids. All kinds of associations, camps and daycare centers were in attendance. And it was loud, loud, loud. But Caelan did great. He loved watching all the kids and flashing lights. He clapped along with the crowd and danced to the music. The half time show was a trick dog team and Caelan was wide eyed and whoofing at the dogs. We had such a fun time and so grateful to our friend for this opportunity.

Caelan's Mobile Home

I made a little house for Caelan to play in, like the incredible ones my mom made for us when we were little. Does he go inside, not really, all he wants to do is drive it around. Thats okay, it cracks me up!!!

Oh and a special note, on 7-22-08, Caelan and I were eating breakfast and I noticed he was grinding his teeth. At first I just thought, oooohh, that's annoying....then I realized....wait a minute you don't have any teeth on the top to grind. Well guess what, 2 more teeth have appeared, the side fangs, nothing in the middle. He definately will look like a little vampire now! Ha.

Birthday Dinner

Last night Shawn treated me to a wonderful birthday dinner at Tony and Joe's in Georgetown. Here we're on the boardwalk behind the restuarant, on the Georgetown Waterfront. We had a fun time and Caelan enjoyed his huge lobster dinner.

Early Morning Snack

National Zoo visit

Welcome to the National Zoo (notice the Heat Advisory sign)
Moooooooo, at the Kid's Farm exhibit
Splish, splashin tryin to keep it cooooool
Butterfly in the Pollinarium
Believe it or not, an octopus. He's upside down squished into a corner.

So it's my birthday, and I can do anything. What do I chose to do? Go to the zoo in the heat. I don't know why but I really wanted to go. I love it there. Its so beautiful and really well cared for. Caelan and I saw a number of animals, that he was fascinated with, on our way to the Kid's Farm and the Invertabrate exhibits. At the farm they have animals and a garden you would normally see and touch on a farm and the Invertabrate exhibit had some really great sea critters and insects. This also included a beautiful butterfly garden. Shawn and I are working with Caelan, teaching him about animals and their sounds. So Caelan was growling and whooooooing at every animal with legs. It was great. Regardless of the heat, we really had a great time!

A very Happy Birthday

My birthday, 7/15, had a wonderful beginning, Caelan woke me by singing Happy Birthday Mommy. He has such a good range, those voice lessons are paying off!

We enjoyed some breakfast then Daddy walked in with a large bouquet of flowers and a card. Caelan found out the special card plays music, therefore he felt the need to bust a move!

Caelan and Mommy's fun day

Today Caelan had his first music class. It's called Music Together, which is an internationally recognized program that Arlington Park dist happens to be part of. This class encourages families to learn music together through playful activities. Lots of singing, dancing, playing with instruments and Caelan's favorite: crawling away from Mommy really fast. We really had a wonderful time. We can't wait until our next class.
How we came uon our next adventure was purely happenstance. I was playing with my GPS intending to find a carwash for my Jeep, that looks like its been sitting under the "L" in Chicago for a week. Yuk. Anyway, I ran across the point of interest option and chose museums, out of curiousity, and saw the Museum of Contemporary Art was not that far away from where we were. So off we went. Did I ever find the museum? Nooooooooo. The GPS takes us to a place in Georgetown and says "you have reached your destination." But no museum. So Caelan and I hiked around Georgetown, window shopped and ended up sitting by the water enjoying some "homemade gellato". Yummy!!!! What a great day to be outdoors anyway, who needs that silly museum. Ha. Our parking meter time had just about ended and Caelan was calling it quits. So home we went, or so I thought. Caelan actually threw out a fun idea to squeeze in before heading home. He said he'd like to check out the Columbia Island Marina to see if there were any cool fishing spots for Dad. Well we made it to the marina, recalled a couple fond memories on Chris' boat then headed home. Where now the adventurer sleeps, awwwwwwww.

Caelan's cabinet

Caelan loves to be in the kitchen when I am. I'll be cooking away and

he's busy too. I made sure he had his own "special cabinet"

so he didn't mind leaving the other ones alone.

First haircut!!

Oh yes, its time for a haircut
A little nervous
Dad and son ponder the possible outcome
Taaaa Daaaaa, it looks beautiful!

7-9-08 We took Caelan to Cartoon Cuts for his first haircut. I believe he was more than ready. He kept complaining about his hair hanging in his eyes and so tired of wearing baretts and head bands so he could see.

Caelan did really well. He sat still the whole time, not really watching the cartoons which is in front of every barber chair.

We were given little snippits of his curls to cherish.

After the new hairdo, Shawn and I kept looking at him. What a little boy he is, I didn't even recognize him. And when we got home, it was like he knew he was supposed to have a fresh start because he was a silly, crazy man. Made us laugh so hard.

On "The Boat"

On 7/7/08 we took a tour of a different kind...via boat. Chris brought his boat out to DC and rented a slip by the Pentagon. We could not have asked for a more beautiful day to be out on the Potomac. We were able to see many of the monuments and some wildlife (including Chris' dog Buck who sprawled on the floor of the boat the whole time enjoying the breeze.)

Tour of the Monuments

Megan leaning against the Washington Monument

Caelan, Tyler and Emily hanging at the Lincoln memorial

On 7-8-08 Caelan and I escorted Karen, Eric, Megan, Tyler and Emily on a tour of the monuments. The day was hot, hot, hot! But we had a great time!

Caelan's Baptism

The Kinzer Family
Caelan's baptism
His baptism candle which can be later used during his wedding

A kiss for Daddy
Shawn and I and Caelan's Godparents, Eric and Megan
Just a nibble...please
Mmmmmmm
One of the most beautiful gifts Caelan received, a star, named:

Caelan's Christening Star. Given by his Godmother, Megan.

Caelan was baptised on 7-6-08 at Our Lady Queen of Peace in Arlington. Shawn and I agree this was one of the most touching days in our lives. We feel so blessed and loved to have so many of our family and friends here in person and in spirit to share this event with us. We are honored that Eric and Megan agreed to be Caelan's Godparents and

know they will help guide him along his way in life.

Following the mass we went to the Crystal City Sports Pub for a luncheon. The staff went out of their way to make sure the day was perfect for us.

Which it was in every way!

Preparing for the Big Day

Caelan begged me to try on his fancy baptism suit.

He wanted to make sure everything was ready for his big day!

U.S. Capitol tour

Caelan, Megan, Mom and Karen in front of Capitol

Papa and the twins
Supreme Court chambers from 1810-1860

Caelan and I standing on the star which signifies the center of the Capitol
Capitol dome

Dad, Mom, Me and Caelan strike a pose

On 7-5-08 my family and I had the opportunity to have a tour of the U.S. Capitol lead by my cousin Scott. He was here for an internship in the Capitol and one of his duties was to run some of the tours as well as rub shoulders with big-wigs. The tour was great, very detailed, and what a fabulous guide.

Our Family comes to visit

On 7-3-08 my mom, dad and neice Megan flew in to celebrate Caelan's Baptism on 7-6-08. On 7-4-08 my Aunt Jeanne and Unc Dave flew in and Karen, Eric and the twins drove in. On 7-5-08 my brother Chris and his girlfriend Alecia drove in. I know many others' were here in spirit. We are so blessed and so loved. We cannot put to words the gratitude we have for the time we had together to celebrate this wonderful event in Caelan's life.

July 4, Caelan's first experience with fireworks. He was a little nervous but watched them wide eyed. Caelan and I didn't see the whole show, it started to rain and he demanded we go inside. So later we celebrated the 4th of July by ordering pizza and having my Aunt Jeanne, Unc Dave, cousin Scott, and niece Megan over.

Our last day home

Jaedyn, Caelan and Ty

Day 14, 6-30-08, our last day at Grandma and Papa's. We were so sad to be leaving but extremly excited to see daddy. We had such a great trip and were able to do so many fun things. On our last day Sarah came over with Jaedyn, Ty and Moshe so we could get in one last session of fun and smooches. Later that night Caelan and I left for DC, we were sad but not too sad because we knew everyone would be flying out to DC for Caelan's baptism in just a few days!

Playing with Papa

A split second with Papa
....and then they're off!

Campin Out

Checking to see what the day brings
Caelan and Megan in front of our trailerFamily breakfast
Caelan and Jaedyn enjoy a bite together
Pool time
We anxiously await as Grandma preps for the campfire

Days 11-13, 6/27 to 6/30, the Kinzers, Georges and Rogers head to Amboy Illinois for Caelan's first camping trip. Hopefully the first of many.
When we arrived in Chicago and my mom, Karen, Megan and the twins came to pick us up from the airport, I was asked what would I think about trying to plan a camping trip while Caelan and I were here. I couldn't have said Yeeeeesssss, fast enough. I have so many wonderful memories from our family camping trips. I was really excited to begin those memories with Caelan. So my mom worked her magic and put together an awesum trip, regardless of the Noah's ark rain predicted for the weekend we were supposed to go. We drove out to Green River Campground in Amboy Illinois. We rented 2 trailers that slept 6 people each and were surprisingly nice. Every morning we woke up and all ate breakfast together, then played around at the campground or went swimming, ate dinner together then sat around the campfire. Unfortunately Caelan never got to see the campfire because the sleepies got the best of him early each night. I ate many s'mores and pies in his honor.
We all really had a great time, had a little rain but it never dampened our parade!

The Brookfield Zoo

Megan, Megan's friend Rebecca, Gina, Karen, Caelan, Tyler & Emily
Feeding time
Watching the dolphin show
Karen found a cuddly monkey
Who's watching who?

Day 10, 6-26-08, Caelan and I, Karen, the twins, Megan and her friend Rebecca, made a trek to Brookfield Zoo. It was really warm that day and I remember running from shady spot to shady spot or to an indoor animal house to try to stay cool. The kids had a great time. We don't know what was more fun for them, looking at all the animals or listening to their silly mothers trying to imitate the noises each animal made.