Toledo Botanical Gardens

Abbey took us to the Toledo Botanical Gardens and we got our exercise walking through the garden and chasing my children. By the time we left to head back home, they were both so exhausted that they slept the entire way home. For those of you that know my children, they (especially Clementine) were obviously completely exhausted to have slept that long in the car.

The Metz Grandchildren: Clementine, Clark & Austin

Abbey was helping Clark get a closer look at the ducks and fish below the bridge.

Clark was insistent about having his picture made in front of this hedge. He was also excited about getting his picture made by himself with his little cousin. Scroll down to read more about Austin. This wasn't a great picture but it was the only one I got with our camera. Abbey got a better one that will be posted on her blog at some point I'm sure whenever she finds time with a newborn at home.

More from Toledo

While in Toledo, the kids enjoyed an afternoon at Chuck E Cheese before we headed back home. Clementine loved going down this slide although every time she nearly flew off the side. She is so fearless, though. Every time I caught her she wiggled away so that she could climb right back up and go again. I love the picture of Clark playing air hockey because of Clementine peeking over the edge.

Grandma & PaPa Ralph came over on Thursday evening to join us for dinner. We took Clark to a neat little diner that brings your food to you on a train. There were also three televisions showing three different Thomas movies so he thought he was at the greatest place on the planet while we were there. The sign above the table reads, "Please do not allow parents to touch train." Clark was quick to inform Grandma that she wasn't allowed to touch it.
Clark with his headphones and "CD-D player" is a common sight for us. He is always listening to the Ohio State marching band and singing along. If I can get a video of him singing I'll post it, but he usually gets shy when we start recording him. In this picture he was looking at an OSU tin at Abbey's house while listening to the band.
With Austin in our car, this is a preview of what traveling with the Metzes will look like come February. It's good to know that 3 carseats can be crammed back there!

Cousin Austin!

In August, I became an aunt for the first time when our nephew Austin Connor Raike was born! We saw Austin in the hospital the day he was born, but with the preschool opening and adjsuting to our new schedule we haven't been able to get to Toledo for another visit until this week. Adam wasn't able to go with us, but the kids and I had a great visit with Austin (& his parents, too, but we really cared most about seeing Austin).

Clark & Clementine were both so sweet and gentle with the baby. Yes, that's right, even Clementine was sweet and gentle. Surprisingly enough she was able to stay calm even while I held Austin. It could have been that she was too preoccupied telling Abbey & Jason's dog, Tressel, "No more!" because they seemed to taunt each other quite a bit. I don't have any pictures to illustrate how Clementine & Tressel got along well as long as they each stayed on their side of the room. Tressel was being protective of Austin, but Clementine really wanted to be up close to the baby. To get close to Austin, though, she had to cross over to Tressel's side of the room. Clementine & Tressel were great pals when both of them were calm and well tempered. It did happen occasionally. Clementine even tried to kiss Tressel once. I can't believe he didn't lick her face. That would have definitely prompted a harsh, "No more!" from her lips.

Clark especially liked to help Austin take his bottles. He also learned quickly that Austin likes his pacifier so anytime Austin cried Clark was quick to shove the pacifier in his mouth. This was actually quite handy while we were driving around town with all three children strapped into our backseat.

Clementine loved Austin's swing. Once she realized it wasn't for her she was happy to help entertain him while he was swinging. When the swing wasn't occupied by Austin, it was a place for Clementine to play with a baby doll that actually belonged to Abbey when she was little. I was shocked to learn that Abbey actually had a doll as a child until she told me about the creepy things she could do with it's eyes. That explained why tomboy Abbey had such a girly toy.

What a cute kid! Don't we have the cutest nephew? Austin hadn't slept much the day we arrived so he slept a lot while we were there. When he was awake, though, we got to see several smiles, and I was lucky enough to catch one on camera. He has a great smile. We love this little guy!

Hurricane Winds in Ohio?

Last Sunday, Hurricane Ike came to Ohio. Local meteorologists reported that wind speeds comparable to a category 1 hurricane were registered in some areas. The wind storm began in the early afternoon and lasted into early evening. It was definitely a new experience for us. Many homes in the area are still without power a week later. We were fortunate and only had to experience a few hours without electricity. Here are a few pictures of the aftermath in our neighborhood.


This is the top half of one of our pine trees that fell into our neighbor's yard. The kids loved playing in what they called the jungle. If you look closely in the picture below you can see Clark in the top of the tree branches. When Adam took the chain saw to the tree, the kids watched from the house windows while begging him not to do it. They loved their natural playground. Our neighbors preferred to have their yard back, though, so the jungle had to go.

This was the oldest tree in the neighborhood. It was a beautiful tree before it landed in their living room.

Metz Milestones

IT IS FINISHED! (well, sort of...)

It took nearly two years (due to the birth of a daughter and opening of a preschool), but last night I finished piecing Clark's quilt. I still have to add the border and get it quilted, but Clark & I are very pleased with how it looks on his bed. He was very excited to see it this morning and was quick to inform Clementine that is was his and not hers. Thanks, Granny, for all of your help!

PIGTAILS!

Clementine's hair finally long enough and thick enough for pigtails! She loves for us to fix her hair. In fact, most mornings the first thing she says to us when we get her out of her crib is, "Hair bow! Pretty!" We love having a little girl!

ALUM CREEK PRESCHOOL IS OPEN!

Clark's first day of preschool was last week! We are so excited to have a preschool for him at our church! After months and months of watching and waiting through all the preparations he was so excited when his first day of school was here. He loves his teacher, Mrs. Angie, and thinks she is so cool and fun. Angie is a good friend who was right alongside me through the whole process slaving away getting the preschool off the ground. I am so glad that Clark is in her class!

He has already learned so much in just two weeks. He had his first show and tell day. Since they are learning about the letter "A," he was encouraged to bring something that started with the letter "A." Bug, he brought that little alligator we bought for him at Gator Park and told about his trip to Flordida (as he says it).

I am so thankful to everyone who helped get Alum Creek Preschool open! We have been so blessed. I started a waiting list this week for one of the classes, and the other two classes are almost full.

Clementine is learning how to adjust to being at church but not being with Clark during school hours. She is loving the extra one-on-one time with Dad. We're all adjusting to our new routines, but so far everything is going great!

This is a picture of Clark on his first day in class. We have pictures of him with his backpack and lunch box, but those are on the other computer so maybe they'll make a future post.

Update

It's been a while so here are lots of pictures to make up for the lapse. These first ones are the most recent pics we have of the kids - last week at the park and the zoo. Clark finally got to ride the train at the zoo for the first time. Every time we have gone to the zoo it has either been closed or broken. He was excited, yet a little disappointed after riding a the "real" Thomas last month - those pictures are below at the end of the post.

The following pictures depict Adam's frivolous spending and lack of control while shopping alone at Target. Clark calls it his huge slide. The other swimming pool that has always satisfied him is now the old pool for babies like Clementine according to Clark. I will admit that it is nice to have a deeper pool of water for Mom & Dad to cool off in while Clark plays.

Clementine loves looking in the mirror. When you tell her she's pretty she starts primping her hair and smiling. She also loves accessories. She really likes to put on hats or her sunglasses and then check herself out in the mirror.

Memorial Day Weekend Highlights

We went to an Indians game on Friday and spent the night in Cleveland this time. We sat in the front row of the bleachers so Clark had a great view of Grady Sizemore. Adam still has all the pics from the game on his laptop so I'll have to post those later. The next morning, Clark thought we were heading home but was extremely surprised when we stopped in Peninsula, OH, for "A Day out with Thomas." It was as if all of his dreams had come true within 24 hours. He told me, "Mom, that was a cool surprise! Can we ride Thomas again tomorrow?" We spent Memorial Day in Toledo at Abbey & Jason's house for a Metz family cookout. Above is Clark learning how to lead off first, and the picture below is of the boys trying to figure out how to get the baseball hit over the fence.


I like to call this picture, "Watering the Grass." Clark has discovered the convenience of being a boy having to go pee while outdoors. You never know when it's coming, he just drops everything and heads to a corner or other discreet (or so he thinks) location. At home, his favorite spot is the forsythia bush.

Day out with Thomas

Clark was almost as excited about seeing Thomas's driver as he was about seeing Thomas.
On the train ride. Clark is showing off his new water tanker car that you can only purchase at the 2008 Day out with Thomas.
Waving goodbye to Thomas when it was time to go home.
In the maze.
There were story times, movie times, an inflatable train to play in, a tent with so many train tables to play on, art activities, and a huge store of course, but Clark's favorite thing by far was to ride a big real train that was pulled by everyone's favorite really useful engine, Thomas. I'm so glad we were able to surprise him. He didn't know what was going on until after we had parked the car and were walking towards the tents. Thomas came around the bend and Clark's eyes got so big as he started yelling, "Mom, it's Thomas! It's Thomas!" We all had a special family weekend, and were so happy to share in his excitement! We have truly been blessed by being able to see such joy in the faces of our children. I look forward to seeing them mature and find joy in all the other things life has in store.

Celebrating Clementine

The birthday princess in her new rocking chair from her Aunt Vicki!

Her diva look.

What a happy & healthy one year old!

Well, finally, Clementine's first birthday post. As most of you reading know, the month of April was a difficult one for Clementine. She just couldn't stay healthy! We are so blessed to be able to reassure everyone now that our little Clementine is just that - little. She is gaining weight now and has been healthy for two weeks straight now! Grandparents, aunts, & one uncle came to our house the weekend before her birthday for a small party, but Clementine wasn't feeling very photogenic. How photogenic would you be with a temp of 104 degrees? Clementine spent most of her birthday party day at urgent care being poked and prodded until they gave her an antibiotic shot that took care of the illness - the source of which still remains a mystery. Despite her illness, she still wanted to eat her birthday cake and was still interested in her presents. Adam & I gave her a locket, and her brother picked out a nice Ariel water sprinkler for her (no selfish motivations at all there, you think?). She also received lots of cute clothes and special baby dolls. The gears toy she got from her Aunt Abbey & Uncle Jason has been a huge hit with both her & her brother.

By her actual birthday, though, she was feeling great! The boys went to the church while Mommy & Clementine spent the whole day together - just the two of us! The fun really started the night before with a trip to Graeter's in Uptown. The night before she was born we had Graeter's so we decided that should be her birthday eve tradition. On her birthday, she and I purchased columbine plants from a little shop in Uptown that are named "Clementine Rose" to plant in our backyard perennial garden. We spent the rest of the day playing outside & swinging at the park. That evening, our friends the Damrons came over for dinner. Bill Damron is a very special man to our family. He loves and adores our children (all children, really), and his birthday is the day after Clementine's. Adam made a birthday cake from scratch for his little girl and Bill. We had such a fun day and evening. Clementine was full of smiles & giggles all day long. The Metz family loved celebrating Clementine!

Hope you enjoy the slideshow! I threw in a couple photos of our trip to the zoo (on the carousel) last month, and the random blond girl is our neighbor & Clark's friend, Gabbie. They spend just about every day together so it was only fitting that she be there to assist in opening Clementine's birthday gifts.

Opening Day 2008 at Progressive Field!

It was a perfect day in Cleveland yesterday for Opening Day 2008! This was the first game at the newly named Progressive Field which doesn't quite have the same ring as the "Jake," but I guess we'll have to get used to it. The weather was perfect, and though the pitching was far from perfect, the Tribe worked as a team to get a 10-8 victory over the White Sox.

Clark's anticipation grew as we drove to Cleveland yesterday. By the time he could see the park, he was downright giddy and ready to jump out of the car. The time it took to find a parking space was agonizing for him. When Grady Sizemore was announced he almost fell off his perch atop Adam's shoulders due to the exuberant flailing of his arms and other signs of cheering. I've never seen him so excited. All he could talk about was Grady and Casey. Grady & Casey Blake both had great games yesterday, so his excitement was shared by all around us.

Clark got to see Slider, but he was more excited about the C.C. Sabathia baseball card one of Slider's cheer posse people gave him. I saw Slider while walking around with Clementine (trying to get her to take a nap) but didn't have a camera. Slider kept blowing her kisses and a woman nearby took her picture and offered to e-mail it to me. I'll post it when (and if) it comes. Clementine is still trying to get over this bug she has had since Thursday night of last week. We took her to the game yesterday because she seemed to be over it. She was fine yesterday (but cranky since she is so difficult to get to nap away from a bed), but the symptoms have returned today along with a faucet of snot where her nose should be. Here's hoping our home will be germ free soon!