Sunday morning

Sunday, November 1st. Just another normal Sunday at the Ott house...

Hannah's "snayked" and Will's a Storm Trooper

Daddy Ott's Birthday Comedy by Daddy Ott

My special birthday dinner was going to the "Pub" and getting both wings and a burger, instead of one or the other. It was really nice to be with the family and I enjoyed it more because of the comedy of Hannah and Will.

First Miss H:
When asked if she and I could share a burger, whe responded with an incredibly emphatic "No and No". I stopped right there and was cracking up.

Then Mister Will:
Hannah likes to have either mommy or daddy help her with her cleanup of the bowel movement and usually it is daddy who does the chore. This time mommy asked miss H who should help her and Hannah responded with a "Mommy". Will immidiately yells "Happy Birthday Daddy". I almost spit my food out.

My best birthday dinner in years with the high comedy from the kiddies.

Daddy Ott...

17 years

Did anyone know a dog could live that long? My parents had a pretty awful day today having to put down our family dog of 17 years, Jake. He joined our family after our first bichon, Dudley, made babies with Dolly. We got the pick of the litter and suddenly my mom found herself with 2 dogs. I still remember the phone call I got while at Iowa State.


My dad has always been the dog lover in the family and as I sit in Cleveland, now all grown up with 2 dogs of my own, I recognize it's one of many of traits I took from him. My mom on the other hand became a dog lover and continued to love Dudley and Jake long after Jamie and I had left the nest.


My sister just asked me if I remember talking turns "having to walk the dogs"? Oh yes! How about dressing up in a garbage bag to walk the dogs in Wisconsin weather? We never had enough or the right excuses to get out of it!


And now my memories become visions of Duke, Dudley, Chesney and Jake running around together enjoying the good life.


RIP Jake
10-13-09

Tiny Dancer

And so, with ruffles made of pink lace she begins her days of dance.




Our little princess in her tutu and ballet slippers. So graceful. So gentle.



































Our little Hannah stomping her way through ballet.

Appreciation

I've started to work from home for the past few months and must admit I like it more than I thought. For those of you that continue to go to an office each day, let me review my new routine:

1. wake up later than planned
2. join kids downstairs
3. dress kids
4. pack lunch for Will
5. Mike or I take Hannah to school.
6. Return home. Walk Will to bus stop
7. Pour chai tea
8. Venture upstairs
9. SUDDENLY realize it's 3pm and I still look like Billy Idol in desperate need of a shower.
10. Shower. Dry hair. Dress. All in a period of 10 minutes
11. Walk to bus stop to pick up Will

So, my routine is still very similar. However the usual rush to get ready now occurs at 3pm instead of 7am. And that, I appreciate.

Cheerleader

Hannah watching intently as she cheers for Will playing flag football. Well, not so much cheer as snack...

Alter Ego's

The costumes are bought and the Ott family is ready for Halloween

Simply Kindergarten

"Kindergarten is WAY easier than preschool" ... Will Ott

Sous Chef Will

Normally the ever gracious Will thanks the family for the wonderful dinners we provide. Today he informed us that HE should be thanked because he was the one to pick out which frozen pizza was to be this evening's "wonderful dinner".

DiGioirno Three Meat.
FIVE STARS

Thank you Will!!!! It was quite delicious.

Happy 4th of July!

It's pouring outside, but maybe it'll clear up soon so we can get outside with the kids. Lord knows we aren't going anywhere in the car with little Miss Hannah. She's the one baby who hates to ride in the car. She can be asleep in her car seat, sitting on the dining room table and as soon as we put her in the car, eyes wide open and screaming. It's really quite lovely - argh.

We had a great visit with Aunt Barbara. And did a nice little visit of the waterfront with the kids. We should really spend more time around the lake than we do!

After we dropped Aunt Barbara off at the airport, we went to Christine's pig roast. She had a tractor gator that Will rode on and he's been asking for

The giggles have started. Hannah's about 8 weeks now and the smiles started about a week and a half ago. She's also making cooing and gurgling sounds as if she's got an amazing story to tell.



Last weekend Mike and I went down to Cincinnati for the annual Kiwiplan golf tournament and the kids spent the weekend in Pittsburgh with Grandma & Pop-pop. Everyone had a great time. Will had all of the toys and bikes and wagons and lawnmowers out of the garage and in the driveway. He can't get enough of playing outside.

We've got our evening routine of a walk while Will rides his bike and we can't keep up with him. We've tried to yell "stop" but he usually just keeps going. We'll need to get one of our bikes out and ride with him.

This weekend's gonna be another busy one. Aunt Barbara is in town starting Thursday for a training and will be staying with us and last night Mike said Bill is coming to town as well. It'll be a full house. I'm so excited for Aunt Barbara to meet the kids. And Bill as well. He only lives in Cincinnati but somehow haven't seen him since maybe last summer. Crazy how time flies.