Mistake?

Last night we ended up at Dahlen's and Adam planted the idea of going golfing into the boys' mind. All thru dinner that is all the boys could think about. Seeing the rain looked like it was over, they went golfing in Wanamingo. The boys are free and its only 16 bucks for 9 holes and a cart (not much more than a few bucket of balls at the driving range!). Adam agreed to take Gerrit with and Gerrit insisted he take his 'big club' (driver which he can barely lift). So Emmit and I stayed with Anne and the dishes and they went golfing.

They only got caught in a little down pour but nothing major. Gerrit LOVED the whole experience. He has really large foam golf balls (compliments of a misorder at school) but didn't like them b/c they did not stay on the T. By the end of the round he was the first one off the cart and said he was first to T off. He is still learning when to talk and when to be quiet but otherwise was pretty good. He didn't want to take Adam's golf glove off the rest of the night either (or all day today).

This morning he was ready to go back to the course at 7 30am! All morning he wanted to play golf and didn't like the idea of playing in our yard. He hasn't quiet figured out that going to the golf course is a 'special' thing. Adam did give him a real ball to use in the yard which scared me. After a few hits from a T (which he found in Adam's bag), he was hitting them across our yard fairly straight! He even tried to use Adam's clubs!

We love how he takes in everything about sports and wants to do it like the big kids.

I'm a bit nervous to take him to a baseball game this summer!

The Fine Art of Tiramisu

Today I had the luxury of learning how to make Nick's famous Tiramisu!

Nick is our next door neighbor and an excellent chef/cook/baker. We get the benefits of leftovers or when he makes too much food (which is often). Nick has made Tiramisu for both boys' baptisms and it is better than any restaurant and now I have the secret to making it! Below are photos taken by Connie who also learned how to make it today. She took them with her phone so the resolution isn't the greatest. Here goes:

Nick, our teacher:

Nick giving instructions before we begin:

Step 1: dip the lady fingers (forgot the Italian brand we used) in very strong coffee:

Making more espresso

the 'bulk' espresso maker (I want one of these - much easier than our machine, and am thankful I live next door to someone who has a lot of them!)

the filling: stiff peaks - almost glue like consistency:

1st layer complete, ready to dunk more lady fingers and start the second layer:

not so fast on dunking more lady fingers - need to sprinkle chocolate 1st!

the finished product(s) [we get them tomorrow at the block party]:

Nick making us a special post-Tiramisu treat: espresso with creme' (basically, its the 1st few teaspoons of the espresso saved and lots of sugar added to it to make a paste, pour 1/2 cup full of espresso and add a doll-up of the creme')

mixing in the creme':

Surprisingly I loved the drink! I think I need decaf next time, but could get use to drinking them. What a fun little treat to learn to make and taste.

Up next: biscotti! (not until winter)

New Vocab

Gerrit's new phrase he used in the pool yesterday with Adam:

POOP BUBBLES

(aka: fart)

Where'd He Go?

My little baby is growing up!

Lately he has wanted to spend a lot of time taking a tubby.

It could stem from the fact that we pulled out his kiddy pool and he thinks the bath tub is like his pool, hence the goggles.

Swiper

If you watch Dora, you know who Swiper is....and we have our very own Swiper living in our house: GERRIT!

Last night we were sitting down for dinner and Gerrit was finishing his Tootsie Roll (he was given the candy b/c he went potty). It took him a bit longer to get to the table than Adam and I....

He was in the kitchen swiping a cookie!

He came to the table with a mouth full...I thought he had grabbed more than 1 Tootsie Roll until I saw the white part of the cookie as he smiled and said 'no' to my questioning him on the extra Tootsie Roll!

Adam could hardly contain himself but did keep it together. Needless to say, he did not get a cookie for dessert.

Consuming Our Lives

The hoop has been a major work in progress. Adam was so excited to get the driveway done that we bought the hoop before the cement was poured. So I haven't had my car in the garage in a month due to the box.The weather and Adam's cycling schedule finally matched this weekend long enough to get the pole in the ground. Saturday night, Dave and Brian came over to help with the pole while Luker and Gerrit played baseball and road bikes. Nick stopped over to add to the conversation and play with Emmit.After 48 hours, the rest of the hoop can be put up - which meant tonight. While Gerrit was swimming, Adam was assembling the rest of the hoop. Of course he needed some assistance with the backboard, so after David and David's ride, they stopped by to assist and cash in on their payment of beer. Just before the rains came, they got the hoop up - with Gerrit's assistance. Beer, popcorn and chips were enjoyed by the guys as well as Luke, Anne and myself while we waited for the rain to stop. Adam needed to try out the hoop in the dark after we measured to make sure it was regulation height (and it is). And thanks to Brian's precision, the hoop is level!We are ready for around the world and jump 21! Let the fun begin!

Dog Days of May

With the heat these last few days I decided it was time to dust off the pool and give it a try tonight (seeing the humidity was down). Gerrit loved it. We've had the pool for a few years and I think he is finally at the perfect age for it. He doesn't mind the cold hose water and will actually play in it. I think it will get lots of use this summer with it being harder to get to the pool due to construction and now having to pay for the kiddie pool. Plus, Emmit can take his naps and Gerrit can swim!

Emmit didn't mind his feet wet - I was waiting for the scream but it never came. Maybe there is hope for the kid! He did like chillin' on the blanket and watching everything. Gerrit invited Luker (and Maddie) to come play in the pool. They came but didn't have their suits. They tried out the cold pool and played with Gerrit which was just fine. Gerrit enjoyed running and jumping into the pool too as you can see from the top photos.

I'm looking forward to summer, I just didn't need the dog days of July to happen in May!