Spring Has Arrived!

Annikan is loving the outdoors. Last year he was still too small to enjoy the sun. This year, however, is going to be quite different. He doesn't want to come in at all. He would rather be outside all the time. We have to fight him to come in, usually bribe him, in order to eat dinner or go to bed. He doesn't understand when I say it's too cold, or raining.....He wants to go anyway. He used his sidewalk chalk for the first time and loved it. He mostly likes to watch me color and to carry around his chalk getting himself covered in the stuff (blue chalk stains clothes by the way). The other day he had blue on one of his eyelids and it reminded me of Granny. He wouldn't set still for a photo, unfortunately because that would have been a good one.
He does smile when we ask him to, briefly, as you can see in the above photo. He is becoming more and more independent, and rotten.

During Spring Break Last week we spent a couple days in Lake Geneva, WI with Craig and Stacy Kay. It was a quick but fun trip. We plan to go back when it is warmer. Tuesday, On the way up, we stoped in China Town and then hit the mall in Gurnee Mills. We also stopped at the Outlets in Kenosha. It was a long day, but we took a walk down by the lake that afternoon. It was pretty even though it was cold. Wednesday, we got up leasurely and ate chocolate chip pancakes! YUM! It's one of Craig's favorites. We looked at a lot of the shops up town and got some candy at Kilwin's. We went out for a late dinner with Joey at Houlihan's, after helping Joey get their new washing machine downstairs, Craig and Stacy got to go for a walk. Thursday, we left early and stopped for more candy and, of course, Starbuck's for the trip home. It was a packed few days but we enjoyed ourselves. Annikan is now even more in love with Stacy Kay. Look out Craig!

This past week we were fortunate to spend some great quality time with some friends of ours. We haven't seen them together for a couple years. It was so rejuvinating being surrounded by in depth conversation. Annikan really took a liking to Ryan. He even was trying to say his name. I know what he is saying only because he would repeat it when I would say Ryan. Mattie was in love with Ryan and Nathalie both. It was good to hear some tips on how they trained Cloony. We were wishing Ryan would stay longer to train Mattie for us! This past weekend we got together with a mutual friend Nelson for dinner on Saturday. We had grandpa watch Annikan and Chris and I went out with them for the evening. It was the longest I have been away from Annikan. It was a great night, good food, good friends and great conversation! It really helped to put a few things into perspective. Thanks Ryan, Nathalie and Nelson for a wonderful evening and a renewed sense of reality.

Annikan is becoming very independent. Anytime we want to do something, he says me. This morning it was his hat. I would put it on and he would take it off. Then he would say me and try to put it on. He does the same thing with his socks. I attached a photo of how he puts his hat on. It is funny because he puts his socks on the same way, just lays them on his feet. Sorry about the quality of the photo. He kept running away from me so I used the digital zoom.

This was the first weekend in about 6 weeks that Chris had time off. It was great spending time as a family. Annikan did a lot of cooking for us and of course, we played a lot of basketball. He is so funny; when he gets tired he just wants Chris and I to play and he will watch. He gets upset if we stop. Chris and Annikan got to watch a little NCAA action this weekend. Annikan will watch so intently and then say ball or go, go. We don't let him watch TV for developmental reasons, but Chris thinks that sports are the exception.

I have created this spot to keep our friends and family up to date on everything that is going on in our lives. Most specifically to keep everyone current with Annikan's newest developments. Baseball season officially started for Chris Monday. They practiced in the morning and in the evening from 6-9pm. That made it rough on us. We only got to see him for about an hour everyday this week. Annikan has already started being souly dependent on me, again. Somehow it seems worse than when he was nursing.
Annikan's new passion is basketball. We tried to attend most of the home games for our old high school. One of our closest friends, Justin Woodcox, is the JV Head Coach for Tippecanoe Valley, so we wanted to support him. Annikan was so fascinated with the game. He would watch both games and not get upset unless he couldn't see the ball. It is so funny to see him play at home. With no real coaching from us he dribbles the ball (grandpa helped with that area) and can make a basket on his own. It is so funny to watch him because he treats almost every shot as if it were a foul shot. He dribbles, then sets up and bends his little knees and then shoots. It is the funniest thing.
This photo is from the other night, he kept missing the basket and getting really upset. He, of course, wouldn't stand still for a photo.