Let's Get Political

I HAVE TO GIVE MY HUBBY CREDIT. HE HAS COME UP WITH SEVERAL FUN AND CREATIVE FAMILY OUTINGS AS OF LATE. HOWEVER, THIS LAST ONE TAKES THE CAKE.

LAST SUNDAY AS WE WERE ENJOYING A STROLL DOWN STATE STREET HE DISCOVERED A FLYER ANNOUNCING AN OBAMA RALLY. HE PROMPTLY SUGGESTED THAT THE FAMILY ATTEND. ITS NO SECRET THAT A) WE LIVE IN A LIBERAL CITY AND B) WE ARE NOT LIBERALS. HOWEVER, THE IDEA OF ATTENDING A RALLY IN WHICH THE PRESIDENT OF OUR GREAT NATION WAS SPEAKING WAS QUITE INTRIGUING AND SEEMED LIKE A RARE OPPORTUNITY. SO, COME TUESDAY AFTERNOON WE FOUND OURSELVES STANDING IN A VERY LONG LINE WITH OUR DOUBLE STROLLER IN TOW. WE WERE SURROUNDED BY ANTI-WAR SIGNS, OBAMA T-SHIRTS, AND A "YES WE CAN" MENTALITY. (I WAS SECRETLY CHANTING "YES I CAN" KEEP TWO CHILDREN CONTENT AND OCCUPIED FROM THE HOURS OF 4-6 PM WITH 2 SIPPY CUPS AND LIMITED SNACKS.) THERE WAS A LOT TO LOOK AT BUT I FOUND MY EYES WERE DRAWN TO A YOUNG MAN (I WOULD GUESS 9 YRS OLD) WHO WAS WEAVING IN AND OUT OF THE LINE PICKING UP TRASH. WEARING A KID'S SIZE OBAMA TEE, HE WOULD EAGERLY SCOOP UP GARBAGE AND PROMPTLY REPORT BACK TO HIS MOTHER TO DISPOSE OF IT. HIS ENTHUSIASM WAS ADMIRABLE; HIS LOVE OF OBAMA WAS CLEAR. AND, WHILE HIS PARENTS WERE PONDERING ANTI-WAR SIGNS, I WAS THINKING ANTI-BACTERIAL (AS IN WIPES!)

UNFORTUNATELY, WE JUST MISSED THE CUT OFF OF FORTUNATE CITIZENS WHO WOULD BE ABLE TO STAND IN THE CONSTRUCTED OUTDOOR ARENA AND VIEW THE PRESIDENT. WE WERE ABLE TO PARK OURSELVES IN A LARGE LAWN ON CAMPUS WITH HUNDREDS OF MADISONIANS AND LISTEN TO MUSICAL GUEST, BEN HARPER, MAYOR TOM BARRETT, SENATOR FEINGOLD AND THE PRESIDENT. THE MOST AMUSING PART OF THE EVENING CAME WHEN OUR DAUGHTER JOINED (THE THOUSANDS OF DEMOCRATS) IN CELEBRATORY CLAPPING AND CHEERS AFTER EACH ROUSING SPEECH THAT WAS MADE. EACH TIME THE CROWD BECAME FIRED UP, CHARLOTTE'S EYES WOULD LIGHT UP AND SHE WOULD DANCE AROUND IN THE GRASS CHEERING. WE ALWAYS KNEW SHE WAS A FREE THINKER; THE RALLY ONLY CONFIRMED WE HAVE A LIBERAL ON OUR HANDS.

(DON'T TELL THE GRANDPARENTS!)

HEADING TO THE RALLY.

ON THE LEFT - JOE, OUR LITTLE CONSERVATIVE

ON THE RIGHT - CHAR, OUR LITTLE LIBERAL

"WHERE'S OBAMA?"

"UM...WHAT ARE WE DOING HERE?"

AWAITING THE CHANGE.

PHOTO OP.

SAY "DONKEY."

"DOES DADDY KNOW WE ARE CONSERVATIVES?"

OUR LITTLE AMERICANS.

"YES I CAN...BE SOOOO BIG."

SHE NEEDED A PLACE TO REST AFTER ALL THE DANCING AND CHEERING, SO SHE SET UP A "BED."

"I HAVE A DREAM..."

THIS GIRL NEEDS NO REASON TO DANCE; SHE MAKES HER OWN PARTY.

IT PROVED TO BE YET ANOTHER GREAT FAMILY OUTING, A SPECIAL MADISON MEMORY FOR SURE.

I WAS REMINDED HOW GREAT A PRIVILEGE IT IS TO LIVE IN A FREE AND DEMOCRATIC NATION. ON A PERSONAL NOTE, I WAS REMINDED HOW LUCKY I AM TO HAVE A HUSBAND WHO CONTINUALLY OPENS MY EYES AND MIND TO NEW OPPORTUNITIES.

Squints

JOEY HAS BEGUN TO SQUINT AT THE CAMERA ONCE HE SEES THE FLASH. IT IS QUITE ADORABLE, AND MAKES FOR SWEET PICTURES. IT SEEMS AS THOUGH IT WAS JUST YESTERDAY THAT CHARLOTTE WAS DOING THE SAME THING. IT IS ONCE AGAIN A GENTLE REMINDER OF HOW QUICKLY THEY GROW UP RIGHT BEFORE YOUR EYES.

THE LITTLE MAN WAS NOT QUITE FEELING HIMSELF THAT NIGHT. HE HAD GOTTEN HAND, FOOT AND MOUTH AND THE VIRUS TOOK ALL HIS ENERGY AND SWEET SMILES. I FELT LUCKY TO CAPTURE THIS SWEET HALF GRIN.

I'M THANKFUL TO REPORT THAT AFTER A WEEK OF ILLNESS, HE IS BACK TO HIS JOLLY SELF.

Badger Pride

JEFF IS A HUGE WISCONSIN BADGER FAN, AND HE IS DOING HIS BEST TO RAISE PROUD LITTLE BADGERS. YESTERDAY, WEARING OUR WI RED, WE TOOK THE KIDS DOWNTOWN TO CAMPUS TO WATCH THE UW MARCHING BAND WARM UP BEFORE THE BIG GAME. IT WAS THE PERFECT FALL MORNING - A SLIGHT CHILL IN THE AIR, GLEAMING SUN TO ADD WARMTH, AND SIDEWALKS FILLED WITH OPTIMISTIC FANS IN RED AND WHITE. AS WE STROLLED OUR LITTLE ONES IN OUR SLEEK (AND NOT SO SUBTLE) DOUBLE STROLLER, I COULD NOT HELP BUT SMILE AS WE RECEIVED COUNTLESS "HELLOS," FRIENDLY GRINS AND COMPLIMENTS OF OUR DARLING LITTLE FANS. YOU COULD SAY WE WERE NOT ONLY FEELING BADGER PRIDE, BUT PARENTAL PRIDE AS WELL.

SATURDAY MORNINGS ON REGENT STREET SURROUNDING CAMP RANDALL ARE QUITE ENTERTAINING. THE PLETHORA OF FANS - HOPEFUL AND HEARTFELT ALUMNI, THE ADVENTUROUS FAMILY, THE CRAZY (AND OFTEN INTOXICATED) COLLEGE KID, AND THE NEVER SUBTLE OPPOSING TEAM FAN - FILL THE STREET WITH AN UNDENIABLE ENERGY. THE IRONY OF WALKING OUR SWEET (INNOCENT) BABES DOWN THE SAME STREET FILLED WITH YOUNG "ADULTS" WHO BLARE THEIR MUSIC WHILE ENGAGING IN PRE-GAME CELEBRATORY ACTS OF TRADITION, DID NOT ESCAPE OUR ATTENTION. HOWEVER, AS THE VARIOUS CROWDS GATHER, YOU CAN NOT HELP BUT FEEL A SENSE OF EXCITEMENT, COMRADE RY, AND PRIDE NOT ONLY IN OUR TEAM BUT IN OUR CITY. WE HAVE GROWN TO LOVE THIS CITY VERY MUCH. AND, AS WE MADE WHAT COULD BE OUR LAST TRIP TO CAMPUS ON GAME DAY, JEFF NOTED ALL OF THE FUN WE HAVE HAD IN THIS TOWN DURING RESIDENCY. WE LOOK FORWARD TO PACKING UP OUR FUTURE CREW AND RETURNING ONE DAY TO MADTOWN, NOT ONLY TO CELEBRATE THE RED AND WHITE, BUT REMEMBER THE CITY WHERE OUR FIRST LITTLE BADGER FANS WERE BORN! (INSERT TEAR.)

PRE-GAME.

POOR JOE DOES NOT OWN BADGER RED YET. (HOW DID THAT HAPPEN?) WE WORKED WITH WHAT WE HAD, AND HE PUT ON HIS BEST GAME FACE IN SPITE OF NOT FEELING WELL. ALREADY SHOWING MENTAL TOUGHNESS AS A FAN.

HITTIN' THE STREETS.


SCOPING OUT HER SURROUNDINGS.

ALAS, A PIC WITH BOTH MY LITTLE ONES. APPARENTLY, I'M THE ONLY ONE EXCITED ABOUT THIS.

RACING BACK TO REPORT OF HER UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL VIEW OF THE MARCHING BAND.

THE LITTLE DUDE LOOKS ON.

BEST SEAT IN THE HOUSE.

WHAT DO LITTLE BADGER FANS DO WHILE AWAITING THE NEXT SONG?

DISCOVER A WATER FOUNTAIN AT THEIR LEVEL. YOU CAN IMAGINE WHAT COMES NEXT.

GOOD TIMES WERE HAD.

IF YOU COULD IMAGINE THE TUNE FROM DIRTY DANCING...

"NOW I...HAD...THE TIME OF MY LIFE..."

"LETS WRAP THIS UP; I'M READY FOR A NAP."

WHAT A GREAT WAY TO START THE WEEKEND.

Fall Trip to the Zoo

I PERSONALLY FEEL THAT FALL TRIPS TO THE ZOO CAN'T BE BEAT. THE BEAUTY OF THE CHANGING LEAVES AND THE CRISP, COOL AIR ARE MORE APPEALING THAN THE BLAZING HEAT OF SUMMER AND CROWDS OF FAMILIES ATTEMPTING TO VIEW THE SAME ANIMAL EXHIBIT ALL AT ONCE. WITH SWEATERS ON AND SNACKS PACKED, THE KIDS AND I ENJOYED A MIDWEEK STROLL THROUGH OUR SWEET (FREE) ZOO WITH PALS, AMY AND CALLUM.

OUR WISCONSIN GIRL.

THE LITTLE MAN LOOKS ON (AS ALWAYS FROM HIS STROLLER).


PONDERING LIFE?

THE LITTLE LADY COULD NOT GET ENOUGH OF THIS FEROCIOUS, STROLLING BEAST.

WHY AM I NOT SURPRISED. KINDRED SPIRITS?

"HAVE YOU EVER SEEN SUCH A BEAUTIFUL, SPARKLY TURTLE?!"

SECONDS LATER, WE NOTICED A SIGN THAT READ "BE KIND TO THE ANIMALS. PLEASE DO NOT CLIMB."

ABOUT TO ENJOY HER FIRST LEAF FIGHT.

I BOTH LOVE AND ADMIRE HER ZEST FOR LIFE!

"ONE DAY I WILL JOIN YOU IN ALL THIS FUN." SIGH.

CANNOT WAIT FOR OUR NEXT TRIP THIS FALL.

Exploring the Farmer's Market

THIS PAST WEEK THE KIDS AND I ENJOYED A WEEKDAY TRIP TO THE "LITTLE" FARMER'S MARKET AT HILLDALE MALL. IT WAS A TRULY BEAUTIFUL DAY, AND WE WERE BLESSED NOT ONLY TO ENJOY A WEE STROLL AT THE MARKET BUT WERE ABLE TO MEET JEFF FOR LUNCH. TO BE FRANK, WE TEND TO AVOID RESTAURANTS THESE DAYS. CHARLOTTE'S ABILITY/WILLINGNESS TO SIT STILL FOR AN ENTIRE MEAL IS NOT FULLY DEVELOPED. HER APPRECIATION OF A FULL MENU, BEVERAGE REFILLS, WAIT STAFF AND COOKED TO ORDER MEAL IS NOT AS GREAT AS HER MOTHER'S. HOWEVER, ON THIS DAY WE WERE ABLE TO ENJOY A MEAL OUT AS A FAMILY OF FOUR. (THANK YOU, JESUS!) IT DIDN'T HURT THAT WE ARRIVED AT THE RESTAURANT AT THE PRECISE HOUR IT OPENED, WERE THE FIRST SEATED IN OUR SECTION, HAD SPEEDY SERVICE, AND AN ENTERTAINING AND ACCOMMODATING WAITER. IT WAS A VERY SPECIAL TIME WITH DADDY AND I DO HOPE TO ENJOY MORE MEALS OUT AROUND THE TOWN IN THE FUTURE.

SHE IS NO SHRINKING VIOLET. :)

THIS MARKET FEATURED A TRIO OF ACCORDIONS.
BOTH OF MY SWEET ONES FIXED THEIR GAZE ON THE INSTRUMENT THAT WAS NEW TO THEM.

"PERHAPS MY DADDY WILL ADD ACCORDION TO THE (SHORT) LIST OF INSTRUMENTS I'M ALLOWED TO PLAY."

OUR SERIOUS, ASPIRING MUSICIAN.

Joey's Ten Month Shots

THIS BOY IS ON THE MOVE AND IS NOT INTERESTED IN MEMORIALIZING HIS MONTHLY MILESTONES, SPECIFICALLY WHILE WEARING THIS HAT. I CAPTURED THESE SHOTS IN ABOUT 5 MINUTES. (I TAKE WHAT I CAN GET THESE DAYS.) AND, WHILE THE CUTE HAT DOES NOT STAY ON, THE BOY REMAINS QUITE CUTE.

HAPPY TEN MONTHS, LITTLE BUDDY!

READY OR NOT HERE I COME...

ABOUT TO DIVE OFF THE CHAIR.
" SQUINTS"

REFLECTING ON LIFE POST-HAT.

PUTTING HIS FOOT DOWN.

"MAY THAT BE A LESSON TO YOU."

TAKING REVENGE ON THE HAT?

APPRECIATING THE HAT'S SOFTER SIDE.

OH SWEET BOY, DON'T GROW UP TOO QUICKLY ON ME.