My 2 year old speaks a different language

I know many parents have this problem but for me it is not that she is all "mumbo jumbo" she literally speaks another language.  I wanted her to be exposed to another language early on and when selecting a daycare provider, bilingual was a major criterion.  But I never considered how hard this would be on me.  Maise has a large collection of Polish words and phrases and unfortunately I don't learn as fast as she does so that leaves her frustrated and me behind.  Usually context clues get us to an understanding and then I can confirm with the sitter the next day the meaning of the word or phrase.  I am so happy she has taken so well to a new language but realize I now need to step it up just to keep up.  Hey who ever said, "You can't teach an old dog new tricks"...I hope they were wrong!

They say you need to use it or loose it when it comes to learning a language and since Maise will continue to be exposed daily for another year and then part time after she starts school I hope she will keep up with it herself.  Vanessa is being exposed to the same situation and it will be interesting to see if she catches on just as quickly.  More interesting will be if the two of them both take to it well and use it against us.  That's it I am getting Joe and myself a How to Speak Polish book today!  Sneaky girls won't gang up on us! 

Just a quickie!

I have been pretty busy with all the extra reading and writing I have on my plate so please accept this weeks blog post in picture form. School has been going very well and I am proud to say I have 3 classes down (all A's) and think I have decided to go the thesis route! So that being said we may be going down to biweekly posts! Tomorrow I start class #4 so I am sneaking this one in early. We have big plans for the weekend so be sure to check back in next Tuesday!


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I don't want to!

With the park to ourselves Nessa got to explore.

This kid and these looks she is so me.

Night Slides!
 With the weather so hot the past couple weeks we have been hitting the playground late.

It has even been to hot to swim, but that is no problem for this pool side beauty!

Nessa has been moving about, we have seen first steps!

Pooped! She put herself down for a nap. Looks snuggly!

Poor pants got tired after just 3 steps but those were some pretty cool steps!

 

My fishie is so smart she can usually do the whole poster but was a little excited showing off for Gram'mon and Uncle C!

Have a great week!

So Tasty!

This week I have decided to put my foot down and stop paying so much for my morning ritual of an Iced Mocha.  Actually, it wasn't the cost that sent me over the edge as it was a) dealing with the "momo's" at the McDonalds on the corner, b) the fact that on my commute there was no convenient drive thru, and c) I freaking LOVE these things and drink them so fast that I always want more. Since they are over $3.00 a pop it can be a very costly habit. So I researched how to make them at home...or at least something like them. I think I came pretty close. I like them but had to play around a few times to get it right. I felt like a mad scientist in a coffee lab!  

So this is what I came up with:

Supplies:
A glass - Got to serve it in a glass makes it colder and better...just my opinion!
A container with lid - I used a plastic to go container, you could always get a real shaker but I went with what was on hand.
Milk
Iced
Chocolate Syrup
Instant Coffee (I used General Foods international Suisse Mocha Cafe)
Whip Cream
Straw

First heat the water about a cup and pour in shaking container
Add 2 heaping spoonfuls of instant coffee and stir with spoon till dissolved
Add about a cup of milk and Add 5-6 ice cubes
Seal container and shake it up till the ice is melted
Drizzle the chocolate sauce in the bottom of glass
Pour mixture
Top with whip cream
Add straw
And enjoy!

Snappers!

This past weekend we headed out to Beloit, Wisconsin for a mini get away. It was very randum, very last minute and very much fun! It has been hot and joe started looking up hotels with awesome pools and found one in Beloit. Ok whatever a little ride would make it seem like a vacation; especially when you add a little baseball twist. I started to look up things to do in Beloit and discovered they had a minor league team called the Snappers. Tickets were only $7.50 and the park was just a few minutes from the hotel. The town was jumping with a street fair and there was a roller derby going on next to the ball park. There was a live hard rock band that we could hear for the first couple innings and there was an awesome park in the ballpark for the kids to mess around on. I love ball parks with areas for the kids it is the best way to keep everyone entertained and happy! The hotel was pretty nice and the pool was awesome! Maise and Nessa both enjoyed swimming for two days straight. We got a float device for the girls and that was such a treat for me and Joe because we were all able to play. Great mini get away feeling very refreshed now back to reality!

                               

And just a few extras of our at home ball party upon our return!

Have a great week!

Double Digits

Nessa Pants is 10 months today! “They” say time flies and “they” are right. I was just getting used to saying she was 9 months and I looked at the calendar and was like whoa! So I am pretty excited about that. It has been a busy week again over at the Parylaks; holidays, meet ups, school, work, and everything in between! Last Friday Joe and I got a night out (I know I can't believe it myself), we met with friends and saw Motley Crew and Poison in Tinley Park. It was a fantastic show! Tommy Lee's drum kit was on a rollercoaster; it was honestly one of the coolest props ever at a show.

It was the 4th of July weekend and Sunday we went to a party and pre fireworks show at a friend’s, Nessa did very well considering this was her 1st experience. That made me happy because it meant she could handle the big display the following day. We wrapped it up early and then Monday the 4th we just did our thing the 4 of us on the 4th! Nessa and daddy took an afternoon nap while Maise and Momma hit the parade. We walked to the corner and it was really nice just the two of us. After the parade we woke up the sleepy heads and had crab legs and steak on the grill. Not your traditional 4th of July food but like I said it was Nessa's 1st!

After dinner we hit the carnival and had an amazing time. This year Maise actually got to go on some rides. She had a ball! She was so happy and she even got to take a ride with daddy on the dragons! We watched the fireworks from the jump tent and it was just out of this world!

Awesome Holiday! Awesome time with my family! Awesome Weekend!

Have a great weekend!

I couldn't wait till Tuesday

Ok the blog hop is over and back to my favorite subject, MAISE AND NESSA! This weekend was an awesome way to wrap up my Spring/Summer break whatever you want to call it. We have keep ourselves busy just about every day for the past 2 weeks. This weekend we had back to back out door parties and they really took a toll on the girls. By bedtime last night they were done.

Here are some Splashtastic Pics from Steven's HS Graduation Party!

My Fishie sure loves the water! She had the best time splashing around with Uncle C. Those YMCA lessons really paid off this kid has no fear; check out some video of Maise jumping in and getting tossed like a she was a circus performer.

                                    

                                    

After all the splashing and fun it was time to eat Masie had a blast at the chocolate fountain. I learned that they are messy and a lot of work so we are going to scrap that idea for Nessa's party.

And the fun didn't stop there just as things started to settle down good ol'Uncle C. taught Maise to "HI YAA" and kick. She has been showing Nessa for the past 2 days....I'm going to get you brother! Special thanks to my wonderful cousins Kaitlin and Brittney for entertaining Nessa at the party you are FABULOUS! Also thank you Joanne and Tom for a rocking good time. And CONRATULATIONS Steven hope you enjoy college life!

Check out my hammies after the party in their matching outfits:

Let the good times roll...Sunday we had a 1st Birthday Celebration for our friend Hailey! She was an adorable little princess. My girls had a great time! There was a play pool and bikes, walkers, toys and chalk...woo hoo! The sun was a little hotter that day so we were feeling the "burn", but we made it out not to pink! Thank you Autumn, Jello, and Mom for hosting such a nice party. HAPPY BIRTHDAY Hailey!

And to wrap things up check out our pics of the girls getting ready for Hailey's party. I had to get a picture of Nessa is the Red Cons even if they only were on for a minute. I can't believe we are already in size 4 shoes for her. She has a high arch, I was a little sad because we just skipped right over the 3's and I had so many cute shoes. Oh Nessa!

Have a great week everyone!

Blogs - Media Mayhem Day 3

(Last day of the hop be sure to check in tomorrow for our regularly scheduled blog post.)

On this last day of the 3 day blog hop we are to select 3 blogs to share. I have chosen 3 entirely different blog’s each by women with whom I have met at different points in my journey of life.

The 1st is a blog by my old high school friend who is the next great children's illustrator! Her work is amazing and I am glad that I can say I knew her back then...I am even more grateful that I got to meet up with her again recently.

Melissa T. Liban Illustrations

The 2nd is a blog by a woman I met some years later who does a little photography. She has done many projects that are fantastic including both of my girls’ newborn shots which brought me to tears.

Photography by Dagmara

The 3rd is a blog by a woman I met about three years ago when we were pregnant together with our 2 year olds. She is a mom who blogs about her life with 4 autistic children. I love the way she writes and shares her story.

Mommy's Miracles

Thanks for all that joined me on the blog hop!

Films - Media Mayhem Day 2

(Hi friends of Fish and Pants we will be back to regular blog posts on Tuesday)

I have been thinking so much about songs and movies in preparation for this challenge it has become a blur. Therefore today’s Film challenge I shall give you 3 movies that I picked as favorites based on their soundtracks. How do you like how I piggybacked off yesterdays challenge? I love soundtracks so much! What better opportunity to sample different genres than the collaboration of film and song? Ok I think you get it...I like soundtracks.

The following 3 movies are on my lists of favorites that happen to have pretty awesome soundtracks!

FYI-I follow each movie with the sound track and I highlighted my favorite from each album.

My first example is Forrest Gump.

There was not one thing wrong with this movie it was amazing in every way possible. I could watch it over and over. Imagine to have lived the life portrayed in this movie so many experiences. Forrest Gump rocks; that is all that needs to be said. Check out the amazing soundtrack:

Disc One

1. "Hound Dog" performed by Elvis Presley – 2:16
2. "Rebel Rouser" performed by Duane Eddy – 2:21
3. "(I Don't Know Why) But I Do" performed by Clarence "Frogman" Henry – 2:18
4. "Walk Right In" performed by The Rooftop Singers – 2:33
5. "Land of 1000 Dances" performed by Wilson Pickett – 2:25
6. "Blowin' in the Wind" performed by Joan Baez – 2:36
7. "Fortunate Son" performed by Creedence Clearwater Revival – 2:18
8. "I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)" performed by The Four Tops – 2:43
9. "Respect" performed by Aretha Franklin – 2:27
10. "Rainy Day Women #12 & 35" performed by Bob Dylan – 4:35
11. "Sloop John B" performed by Beach Boys – 2:56
12. "California Dreamin'" performed by The Mamas & the Papas – 2:39
13. "For What It's Worth" performed by Buffalo Springfield – 2:38
14. "What the World Needs Now Is Love" performed by Jackie DeShannon – 3:13
15. "Break on Through (To the Other Side)" performed by The Doors – 2:27
16. "Mrs. Robinson" performed by Simon & Garfunkel – 3:51

[edit] Disc Two

1. "Volunteers" performed by Jefferson Airplane – 2:04
2. "Let's Get Together" performed by The Youngbloods – 4:36
3. "San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Flowers in Your Hair)" performed by Scott McKenzie – 2:58
4. "Turn! Turn! Turn!" performed by The Byrds – 3:54
5. "Medley: Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In" performed by The 5th Dimension – 4:48
6. "Everybody's Talkin'" performed by Harry Nilsson – 2:44
7. "Joy to the World" performed by Three Dog Night – 3:16
8. "Stoned Love" performed by The Supremes – 2:59
9. "Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head" performed by B. J. Thomas – 3:00
10. "Mr. President" performed by Randy Newman – 2:46
11. "Sweet Home Alabama" performed by Lynyrd Skynyrd – 4:43
12. "It Keeps You Runnin'" performed by The Doobie Brothers – 4:13
13. "I've Got to Use My Imagination" performed by Gladys Knight & the Pips – 3:30
14. "On the Road Again" performed by Willie Nelson – 2:29
15. "Against the Wind" performed by Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band – 5:33
16. "Forrest Gump Suite" composed and conducted by Alan Silvestri – 8:49

My second film is Cruel Intentions

I love this soundtrack soooooooooooo much! I love this movie soooooooooooooooo much! Such a tragic story, I know it starts out so wrong but love happens, people change, temptation, fight, love, and lies. It's got everything! This is my chic flick super rave favorite movie ever!

1. Placebo - "Every You Every Me (Single Mix)"
2. Fatboy Slim - "Praise You (Radio Edit)"
3. Blur - "Coffee & TV"
4. Day One - "Bedroom Dancing (First Recording)"
5. Counting Crows - "Colorblind"
6. Kristen Barry - "Ordinary Life"
7. Marcy Playground - "Comin' Up From Behind"
8. Skunk Anansie - "Secretly"
9. Craig Armstrong (featuring Elizabeth Fraser)- "This Love"
10. Aimee Mann - "You Could Make A Killing"
11. Faithless - "Addictive"
12. Abra Moore - "Trip On Love"
13. Bare, Jr. - "You Blew Me Off"
14. The Verve - "Bitter Sweet Symphony (Album Version)"                                                        THIS IS ALSO MY FAVORITE SONG OF ALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL TIME.

And my 3rd is Natural Born Killers

I loved this movie, I was teen when it came out and feel in love with the music. It was so unbelievable what we saw in the theater that night. I think we walked all the way home that night after the show just talking and recalling what we saw. I was blow away! This movie was so like nothing I had seen before. It is so weird that after all these years I can still watch this movie and feel like it's the first time. This was a crazy movie but awesome choice in songs. Quentin Tarantino is amazing with his song selections in his movies. Check out the soundtrack:

1. Leonard Cohen — "Waiting for the Miracle" (Edit)
2. L7 — "Shitlist"
3. Dan Zanes — "Moon over Greene County" (Edit)
4. Patti Smith — "Rock N Roll Nigger" (Flood Remix)
5. Cowboy Junkies — "Sweet Jane" (Edit)
6. Bob Dylan — "You Belong to Me"
7. Duane Eddy — "The Trembler" (Edit)
8. Nine Inch Nails — "Burn"
9. "Route 666"
   

   featuring Robert Downey Jr., and Brian Berdan — "BB Tone"

10. "Totally Hot"
    

    contains an edit of Remmy Ongala And Orchestre Super Matimila — "Kipenda Roho"

11. Patsy Cline — "Back in Baby's Arms"
12. Peter Gabriel And Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan — "Taboo" (Edit)
13. "Sex Is Violent"
    

    contains excerpts of Jane's Addiction — "Ted, Just Admit It..." and Diamanda Galás — "I Put a Spell on You"

14. A.O.S. — "History (Repeats Itself)" (Edit)
15. Nine Inch Nails — "Something I Can Never Have" (Edited And Extended)
16. Russel Means — "I Will Take You Home"
17. The Hollywood Persuaders — "Drums a Go-Go" (Edit)
18. "Hungry Ants"
    

    contains excerpts of Barry Adamson — "Checkpoint Charlie" and "Violation of Expectation"

19. Dr. Dre — "The Day the Niggaz Took Over"
20. Juliette Lewis — "Born Bad"
21. Sergio Cervetti — "Fall of the Rebel Angels" (Edit)
22. Lard — "Forkboy"
23. "Batonga In Batongaville"
    

    contains excerpts of The Budapest Philharmonic Orchestra — "A Night on Bare Mountain"

24. Nine Inch Nails — "A Warm Place" (Edit)
25. "Allah, Mohammed, Char, Yaar"
    

    contains excerpts of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan & Party — "Allah, Mohammed, Char, Yaar" and Diamanda Galás — "Judgement Day"

26. Leonard Cohen — "The Future" (Edit)
27. Tha Dogg Pound — "What Would U Do?"

See ya guys tomorrow for the 3rd and final day of the challenge!

Songs - Media Mayhem Day 1

How do you choose three of your favorite songs? For me it is a hard process as I have so many musical interests. I love so many bands, singers, and genre's that my mind has been swirling since signing up for the blog hop. I had to choose a theme for the songs first (which was a challenge in itself)! I have so many lists running around my brain and was going to post some of Maise's favorites but the on the way home last night it hit me as the radio played a song I have not heard in some time. Marilyn Mansons "The Beautiful People", what a great road song, I turned it up and drove home exaggerating the turns as I continued up the road. I love a good road song, one that makes the start of a long drive exciting and fun! So here are 3 of my favorite songs for hitting the road or driving fast to:

This next song was also the opening song for the movie Demon Knight. It was an awesome chase/crash scene and totally makes me feel charged behind the wheel.

And the last one is totally random but still awesome. Totally takes me back to my teen years and learning to drive:

                                  

Ok I chose road music as I have been traveling a lot the past couple of weeks. As great as road music is there is still no place like home! Catch ya guys tomorrow for day 2!

"Media Mayhem" 3 Day Blog Hop

I am going to give another challenge a try! RJR Daydreamer has come up with a great idea for a 3 day blog hop this weekend.  I enjoyed the A-Z challenge but it became a very long one but this sounds like a lot of fun and will only be for 3 days so I think I can swing it! The hop starts this Saturday June 25 and continues to Monday the 27th.  Each day there will be a theme to follow (songs, films, and blogs). Pretty cool...check it out this weekend or join in the fun yourself!

Happy Father's Day from Cincinnati

This past weekend the girls and I took Joe on a road trip for Father’s Day.  We headed out to Cincinnati, Ohio for a Reds v. Blue Jays game.  In our tradition each girl got to go to their 1^st Baseball game on Father’s Day!  I believe both Maise and Nessa had a fantastic time.  They were amazing in the car for the 5/6-ish hours each way and were very cool at the ballpark.  Both girls made friends along the way - such smooth talkers.  Even I got to meet a friend along the way!  My locker partner from high school lives there and we met with her and her crew. It was the best! I loved catching up and meeting two of the cutest little guys in the whole world.   We had a very busy couple of days starting Thursday night with a pre-Father’s Day celebration with my dad and brother (Happy Father’s Day), and then Joe and I got to go to the Cubs v. Yankees game at Wrigley (What? What?), Saturday we headed out early and swam at the hotel (well Daddy and fishie swam), Sunday we were off to the ball park and dinner with friends and Monday a leisurely ride back home where we kicked up our feet and called it a night.

Happy father’s Day All…….

My first Cubs game in years!

Yeah Swimming!

Ok this was actually earlier this week but how cute in my rain monkey?

Caillou on the go! I love my laptop!

Nessa in a King size bed, lol, she was out!

Take me out to a ballgame!

But it wasn't all smiles....

But mostly it was....

How cool was that? SUPERSTAR!

Have a great week!

This song is dedicated to Maise’s new friend Ben Ben!