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Your Friendly Neighborhood Grocer

During a trip to the Kohl Children's Museum Meg had a fun time pretending to be a cashier in the pretend Dominiks.

Crash!!!

We took a trip to the Kohl Children's Museum today and the kids had a great time. Zach, per the usual, loved the music room especially the drum room. As you can probably tell seconds after this picture it got really loud.

Zach is the Frog King

Today Zach's class braved the cold weather and went ot the zoo. From the pictures it looks like they all had a great time. The above picture just jumps out at me because my son is the king of the mounta... scratch that the frog.

Zach's Corny Painting

Lately, Zach has been coming home from the Little People's Art Studio with more of his work. This one is one of my favorites it is a painting htey did with corn cobs. If you would like to see more of Zach's artwork checkout his art gallery on Flickr by clicking here

Meg Created a Monster!

This weekend was the annual McLean family pumpkin carving. Last year Meg carved her own pumpkin all by herself. This year was no different she made the goolish face all on her own. It took her a little while because her pumpkin was very thick but I think it was time well spent after seeing the results.

The mouth originally had 2 teeth and in Meg's own words looked like a castle but one tooth was lost while the mouth piece was being removed.

Jumpin Zach

For the longest time Zach has had a paranoia regarding Moonwalks/Jupiter Jumps/whatever you call them. Well I am happy to report that at the annual pumpkin carving Zach officially got over his fears and had a great time. Thanks to all his jumping partners who made this possible.

Studies in Light

While we were at the DuPage Children's Museum Zach had a lot of fun playing with an interactive light display. He would turn the knobs and it would turn up and down that color of light. It seemed like his favorite color was purple

The Mad Artist

Tonight our family created a fun fall wall hanging using a big roll of paper and pastels. Mom had some leaf stencils that we used to make and color fall while Meg and Mom did that zach and Dad worked on creating a tree. Everything was going well when Zach got "creative" and started drawing what I can only describe as the swirling winds that knocked the leaves out of the tree.

Playing for the Crowd - Game 10

This week Meg had a audience to perform for, Grandma Goellner and Uncle Bobby. With extra family in the crowd and Dad reffing his first game of the fall Meg knock in 2 goals and had a lot of assists with her teammates. The Green Lizards put up a good fight and it was a very fun game to watch.

Only a few more games left until it is time for Meg to hang up the cleats for the winter.

Game On! A Meg Movie - Game 9

The above is a movie I made that has a collection of clips from a few of Meg's U5 soccer team, THe Red and Yellow socks.

Tomorrow. Tomorrow.

Today, Meg went to her first Broadway show, Annie, which is showing at the newly renovated LaSalle Bank Theater in Chicago famed Theater district.

The whole day was exciting for her. She started her day by having breakfast with Dad at Blueberry Hill then jumping on the train and heading to Chicago. She was quite the little commuter while Dad read the paper she looked out the window and colored. Once downtown she headed to Mom’s work in the Chicago Board Of Trade. After putting in some hard work making birthday cards Mom’s colleagues it was time for lunch. We all went to on of our favorite pre show eateries, The Italian village. Meg really liked all the action and commotion around he She also made a new friend in the maitre d’.

With stomachs filled Dad had Meg and Mom over to his office to show off the new digs and then it was time for the show.

When Drinking Milk Clothing is Optional

After breakfast this morning Zach was getting dressed when I noticed that he hadn't finished his juice. So while he was in the bedroom being dressed by Elizabeth I told him that he needed to finish his milk. Out comes Zach in his birthday suit crying saying he has to finish his milk now and that putting on clothing would have to wait. Thats our shy little guy.

Meg Gets an Assist - Game 8

This week Meg had 3 goals. The most noticalble change in the game this week however was the addition of Ryan. Ryan was the stud on the Red and Yellow socks in the spring so we are glad to have him back. He rushed out and scored a handful of goals in the fourth quarter so Coach Tim told him he had to pass more. The biggest benefactor of that was Meg who quickly knocked down 3 goals of her own.

Meg Goes Electric

Meg just finished her second guitar lessson and her first with her brand new electric guitar. She has learned the notes D, C, and B. She hopes to be in band where she sings and plays guitar. Meg thinks the name of her band should be the Meg Mclean Band. If she needs a drummer I am sure Zach would be there. Hopefully soon Meg will play her first song!

Soccer Monster - Game 7

My little girl was an animal in this game. In the first quarter she scored 3 goals! Last week she was rather timid and distracted but in the this the second game of the fall season she was a lean mean goal scoring machine. I took some video as well as pictures so as soon as I have the video clips ready I will put a link up.

Meg and Jackson Pollock

I found a great website for creating paintings like Jackson Pollock (click here). Meg had a great time creating art on the site. It is wonderful because it is very simple a straight forward. move your mouse around to make splatters and click to change colors.

From the Archives

I have made this my computer desktop now because I just love this picture. It captures one of those gleeful moments that it seems like like only a child can have. I remember the day well. We were going to the opening football game for Purdue's 2004 season. The various spirit stores around the stadium were competing for customers. Follet's had this inflatable obstical course that Meg took to right away. She had to of run through it 100 times!

First game of Fall - Game 6

This Saturday was the first game of the fall season. Meg didn't really get into the game. Her team has a little problem with kids not showing up so they had to take a member of the other team to field a group of four. Maybe next week we will have more players and Meg will have the Mia Hamm thing going like the spring.

Zach in Lake Michigan

This Labor day we made a trip up to Great Grandma. The weather was amazing despite the dire predictions of various AMA certified weather men so we were able to get into the water each day. First day first beach. It was a bit windy and the water was freezing so we were mainly putting our feet in and playing in the sand. Zach put his feet in and then fell in the water and got all wet. He then stood up and ran out of the water while laughing and saying, ""I deep! I go deep!"" This played out over and over all weekend long just solidifying that we have a little ham on our hands.

First Potty

Zach did his first tinkle on the potty. He was pretty proud of himself and is loving wearing pullups around the house.

Zach Battle Wounds

This afternoon Zach while in the throws of a temper tantrum had a run in with a concrete sidewalk... the sidewalk won.

What a vacation

What a perfect shot to make a mother cry.

We spent a week at Great Grandma's Platte Lake in Beulah, MI. We had a great time visiting all of our favorite spots like Elberta's Beach and Sleepy Bear Sand Dunes. We also found a new favortie beach at the end of Esche Road. It had a creek that both Meg and Zach had a great time playing in the rocks and with some little creatures.

Zach said his favorite part of the week was playing with his cousins, the Spanglers, who were visting Great Grandma's as well. Meg's favorite thing was tubing when Uncle Todd and his son Tanner came over to take out the boat.

Another thing that made this trip special is that we met up with some friends from Chicago so Meg had a friend that she could show around some of her favorite spots like the dune climb. Also we all spent a rainy morning in a cool place called Bounce Arena.

He is all wet

We spent Saturday helping Bobby move into his new apartment in Indy and hanging out with the Mclean klan. Then Sunday morning after church we met Josh, walked around Purdue's campus, and had fun playing in the fountains. Then we got some coney dogs and Dogs and Suds. It was a long drive back after our busy weekend, but its nice to be home.

We took a trip to the Purdue and jumped in the fountains. The kids had a great time getting all wet.

97.. 98... 99... 100!

Meg is such a silly kid. Tonight after dessert Meg decided that she wanted to do 100 jumping jacks. After taking a few breaks she did it! Lets talk to Meg.

Why did you do it? “Because I wanted to get out my energy before books.”

Was it hard? “No”

Would you try and do it again? “Yes”

Big Man on Campus

Zach’s second birthday celebration was with his class. When Elizabeth arrived with cupcakes and apples ready for the Luau Zach thought it was time to head home. He was none to pleased when mom started setting up for the party. No worries a cool pair shades cures all.

Zach's Birthday cake

It seems that our children never get a simple birthday party its always birthday parties . Zach’s birthday festival began with a back yard luau with some close friends and family. Grandma Goellner, Uncle Bobby along with Kendra and Mary Anne were in town for a Spamalot and were happy to enjoy the luau. Also Zach’s Godmother Christa and her husband Bill came over. Lastly, Gene and Dale made the long trek from next door to have some slushy and enjoy watching Zach try and play with all of his toys at the same time.

It was a fun luau. I think everyone the had a great time being attacked by bubbles while the kids pressured our Bill to finish putting together the soccer goal.

Splash Time

Its Memorial weekend which so it was time to jump in a pool. Elizabeth’s boss was kind enough to offer up his pool for the kids. Both Meg and Zach had a great time. Meg has gained a lot of confidence in her swimming. She used the swim wings but was doing a good job of using her legs and kicking.

Splash Time

Its Memorial weekend which so it was time to jump in a pool. Elizabeth’s boss was kind enough to offer up his pool for the kids. Both Meg and Zach had a great time. Zach had the most fun just walking off the edge and into (hopefully) Mom or Dad’s open arms. By the time we were done at the pool he had finally started saying, “Ready. 1. 2. 3. Jump.” At least giving us fair warning that he was on the way.

Soccer - Game 5

Meg went into the game shooting for 3 goals but ended up with 1 goal for her team and 1 for the other team. I’m bias and will give her credit for both

A Soccer Star is born - Game 4

The soccer animal in Meg was unleashed today as Meg scored her first goals of semi-Pro U-5 soccer. Ryan Fitzpatrick was still the Shaq, but meg was the Kobe of the Red and Yellow socks. Her goal for next week is 3 goals. You go Meg!

Zach with a waterballoon

Zach was pretty against the water balloons when Meg and dad started. He has had a fear of balloons ever since dad bought some that shriek when you let them go. We are convinced that he thinks they are screaming in pain. So back to the water balloons,. There was one balloon left and Zach sitting on his lawn chair. We put the balloon in his lap and he refused to touch it so it fell on the ground and bounced away. His eyes lit up and he was ready for some balloons. All he wanted to do was get a balloon and smash it on the ground.

Gloomy Game - Game 2

This is the way the game is meant to be played, in the rain. Under the rain clouds hte mighty Red and Yellow Socks fell to the green lizards. Everyone had fun and Meg came really close to scoring a goal. Maybe next week

Our Artist

Meg has become a very good artist. She does such a good job coming up with ideas of things to draw. One night this weekend she wanted to do eagles, so her and I did our best. The product of my effort was Edward the Eagle. It is nice but I believe that Meg’s drawing is more fun.

Little Drummer Boy

One thing Zach loves is percussion. On our trip to the Kohl Children’s Museum Zach was in heaven, a room full of things he could wack with a mallet. While at the museum he also enjoyed all the building activities and the Jim Gill concert. For more pictures checkout archives from 3/19/06.