The Kmiec Ramblings

We took Cora to the Como Zoo and Conservatory today. We took her to the Omaha zoo several times, when she was an infant. But, this a whole new experience. She ran and ran and ran…the girl has got some serious stamina. While she enjoyed the animals, especially the monkeys, she really enjoyed climbing “things” and playing in the water. After checking out the zoo we explored the conservatory and finished the day with a carousel ride. Not too bad!

Como Zoo and Consevatory

Cora Checking Out Monkeys

Cora Climbed a Bench

Cora Inspecting Foliage

Cora Snacking

Cora Playing in the Koi Pond

Cora and Cheryl in the Japanese Garden

Japanese Garden

Cora Riding the Carousel

It took about 1,000 takes, but we finally got a decent photo of Cora and Adam.  Not a bad way to celebrate the birthday.

Adam and Cora on the Porch

Yes, another year in the books.  I feel older and lord knows I look older.  This last year has been great.  New house, new job, new state, and a new car.  I’d say it’s been pretty jam packed.  I celebrated a day early with a Dairy Queen cake.  No matter how old I get, I still love a good ice cream cake.

Birthday Cake

Wish I had my camera today. We were at a BBQ today that had an inground pool. Cora decided to try it out on her own and walked right in. We quickly got her out of pool…no harm no foul, but a lot of laughs.

Yes, only in Las Vegas can a night start at the CatHouse for Criss Angel’s Mindfreak premiere and then end at Slash’s birthday party.

Good times indeed.  Thanks to Brandie for the invite.

Well what a day!  I got to celebrate my second Father’s Day today.  It was a great day.  I started off my holiday by calling my Dad and wishing him a happy Father’s Day.  I got him tickets to see Ringo Starr; not too bad if you ask me :)  From there it was on to watching Cora play around the house.  After all that playing we ate some brunch, opened some presents, and then spent most of the day outside before eating grilled turkey legs courtesy of Don.

Cora was completely pooped by the end of the day.  I tell you, when you have days like this it makes being a father the best job in the world; even if I don’t get paid for it.

This last photo is my favorite.  How the hell can you not love a 14 month old wearing a Pink Floyd Dark Side of the Moon shirt on Father’s Day.

Cheryl’s cousin Mike just graduated from college (god I wish I was that young again) and we went over to her aunt and uncle’s house 2 weeks ago for a celebration.  The weather cooperated, which never seems to happen lately, allowing Cora to enjoy the “big” pool.

I’ll admit that it’s hard sometimes to watch Cora fall, which she does her fair share of, while learning to walk.  However, whenever she’s fallen or bumped herself, it’s always been under our direct supervision and usually it happens on the carpet.

Well today we got a call from the New Horizon Academy, where Cora attends day care, informing us that she has a black eye.  How did she get this black eye you ask?  Well, she got it after falling face first into a bookshelf.  This is the result:

Even though I’ve seen her fall before; this is different.  Given the insane $300+ a week I pay them, I find it completely unacceptable.  But, we don’t exactly have many options.

Day care is an interesting business model.  Unlike, say the telephone company, you can’t exactly switch very easily.  The day care business works against all the other traditional “path to purchase” models.  Think about it, your day care has to:

1. Offer a good curriculum
2. Be a great, seemingly safe center
3. Be in a convenient location; some place between home and work
4. Not cost you an arm AND both legs
5. Have great teachers
6. Have a spot open for you

Assuming you can find one that offers 1, 2, and 5; you are still screwed because you have to hope the location works, the price is acceptable, and most importantly they have an opening.

So, if you are displeased with the center and want to switch you have to hope that you can find another location that offers all of the above at exactly the same time as when you want to switch.  This is highly unlikely; trust me.

So tomorrow morning, you know what I’ll be doing?  That’s right, I’ll be dropping Cora off at the very same day care that has allowed her to be bitten on 2 occasions and allowed a black eye to happen.  Oh, and I almost forgot, if they think she’s sick they can just send her home, no questions asked, and you have to come pick her up.

It’s got me thinking that maybe I should open a day care.

Memorial Day was a blast.  We ate some great food and enjoyed the some-what chilly weather.  As you can see Cora really enjoyed herself.  I really liked watching her pick up and throw the baseball.  I tell ya, the girl has 1 heck of an arm for a 13 month old.

I love Memorial Day. It’s the unofficial start of the BBQ season. Memorial Day basically says, “Yes, it’s ok to do nothing, until the day after Labor Day, except eat MEAT that’s been carefully grilled.”

There’s a smell that comes from cooking on a grill that you just can’t replicate in the kitchen. It’s almost primal in nature. Like moths to a flame, the smell draws people in and once they’ve arrived you’ll see smiles all around.

We didn’t host Memorial Day this year. We picked up the brats and let Cheryl’s parents do the cooking. If you ask me, that’s a smart move, since that means they’ll be doing the clean up as well

Cora was too young (just over a month old) to really enjoy Memorial Day last year, but we made up for it this year. Check out the photos covering her 2nd Memorial Day experience.

Cora Shopping At Target (Day Before Memorial Day)

A Wise Selection; Johnsonville Brats

Clearly Those Brats Are Hers

No Seriously, Those Are Her Brats

As a Matter of Fact, Let Me Try to Eat Them Now

Love My iPod; Thanks For Reminding Me

Indeed It IS Time For Brats

We’ll Boil Them in Beer First…

…Then We’ll Grill Them

Almost Done

Now, That’s What I’m Talking About

Cora’s Ready to Eat

We Gave Her a Tiny Taste; Now Using Sign Language She’s Saying “More”

Yes, Chow Down

All in all a great day. In addition to cooking and eating, we made time to visit the park, where Cora enjoyed the swing, throwing the baseball, and the slides. Pictures of those activities can be found here.