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.