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

Spent the weekend at the in-laws. Had a great time in and around the pool. I’m telling you, Cora is going to spend a lot of time on the beach when she grows up!

Cora and Diane

Cora in the Pool

Cora and Diane in B&W

Cora in Her Chair

Cora and Diane One More Time

Cora Getting Ready to Dive

The last one is just awesome.  It’s a little over-exposed, but I just love the confidence she has to stand up on the diving board.

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.

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.

While Adam was at the office today, Cora decided to enjoy herself in the kiddie pool at Grandma and Grandpa’s house. It took her a little bit to figure out the concept of a giant “bath tub,” but she ended up enjoying herself. Luckily we got her out before she turned into a raisin.

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.