Chicken On a Chain

I'm very excited to introduce you all to my new fish - his name is Chicken On a Chain. Named after my favorite Hall of Fame bull. I am keeping him in his bowl because he has to live in water. But, that doesn't mean he still can't hang out in the barn with my other animals. I am having fun feeding him and watching him swim around. Maybe one day I can teach him how to ride a tractor.

Cast pearls before swine,
HAJ

Confessions Of a Lazy Blogger

I know, I know...I've been slackin' a bit on my blogging. Its hard to come up with ideas. I'm uninspired. Its that time of year where its spring, but not quite, and I feel like we are living everyday for the next day because maybe THEN we can go outside and play. But no, not tomorrow. Supposed to blizzard. Guess March will be going out like a lion this year. But the good news is, Wednesday starts April...only the greatest month of the whole year. (My mom made me write that last sentence.) So just hang on a couple days for the rebirth of the seasons to start...flowers blooms, grass turns green, and baby geese are born to poop all over our yard. Ahhh, spring time.

Gift of the gods,
HAJ

Month 33 Archives

Dear Little Boy Henry,

I say "Little Boy" because you just aren't a baby anymore, and we just don't know when that happened. Daddy thinks it was last Tuesday, but I'm not sure. The conversations we have would rival any I have with any adult. You tell me what you had for lunch: chicken nuggets, yogurt, and corn. Or when you have some really exciting news, you say, "Mama, I have to tell you some thing." You also tell me how you didn't take a nap at Nini's house, and that you yelled really loud while the other kids were napping. Wonderful.

This past month you had your first real illness: a double ear infection! You got it while your dad and I were vacationing in Florida, and you were staying with the Willegalle's. You were very brave, and took your medicine, and got better in no time. It was really hard for your dad and me to see you so weak and lethargic, although we enjoyed the cuddle time. You threw up so much that you lost 3 pounds, but thankfully quickly gained it back, and now you're at your strapping 37lbs.

The most exciting thing of the month was that your cousin Joseph was born. We're all so excited to have Little Baby E finally here. Its going to be so great for you to have a cousin that lives in the same town, and it will be fun to watch you two grow up together. You have so much to teach him little one. But, only the good stuff, OK?

One thing that's new about you is your shyness. You've always been a little shy, but lately you have really been worse than usual. You were even shy when Gpa E came around last week. It seems to take an hour or so for you to warm up to people, as opposed to a few minutes. I know that its typical for a kid your age to be shy, but I really do hope this phase doesn't last too long. You are so fun, and funny, and you have so many interesting things to say. I just want you to share them with everyone.

Not counting this week, the weather is starting to turn. You've been able to play outside more, and you really enjoy it. It will be fun to starting going to the race track, and baseball games, and going out on the boat this summer. I can't wait to spend warm days with you, starting to make memories. I know you probably won't remember anything we've done yet, but its just about to happen, and I want you to know that making memories is something your dad and I work really hard at doing. We want you to have the greatest, most fun memories from being a kid! Because we already have the greatest memories of being your parents!

Loves, Mama

Crocodile Rock

Just another Saturday night!

HAJ

Simon Doesn't Define Me

Last night I was on American Idol. I thought if I sang with my guitar, they could really see me in my element because I'm most comfortable when I'm on stage behind my guitar. I sang "Operator" by Jim Croce. Its one of my favorites, and I can relate to it because I really don't know how to make a phone call. Paula and Kara loved me, and Randy even called me "Dawg". But that dang Simon said, “If your lifeguard duties were as good as your singing, a lot of people would be drowning.” But he can't stop me! This is my dream, and I'm going to keep working and keep trying and one day, every one of you will know my name. Guess it just proves that I'm not lucky, just cute.

A wet bird never flies at night,
HAJ

Summer Time!

Its summer!

Joey's Nose

Boom, boom, boom. I got Joseph's nose!

HAJ

First Meeting With Mr. Joseph!

Here's me with my new cousin Joseph! Don't worry this was Sunday before the dreaded ear infections really kicked in, so I did not contaminate him!

HAJ

Things Are Turning Around

Sorry for no post yesterday. I got my first ear infection over the weekend. In fact, I got my first DOUBLE ear infection. Boy, these are not fun. Besides my ears hurting, they make me throw up, (from both ends), have a high fever, not eat, not drink, and be VERY lethargic. Here's me yesterday. Today, (see above photo) I really am feeling better. I have a lot of my energy back, and I've actually eaten today. But I'll tell ya what, if Mom thinks she can trick me by putting my medicine in juice or apple sauce...she's got another thing comin'! Mom said I HAVE to take my medicine, and we'll either do it the easy way or the hard way...seems to be the hard way...ie. Daddy holds me down and Mommy shoots the meds in my mouth! Jeez! Don't tell her I secretly like my medicine though; its cherry flavored for goodness sake!

Stickler for the rules,
HAJ

Who knew?

They have this really cool rerstaurant called Denny's in Rogers. I give the burgers two thumbs up!

My New Cousin Is Here!

Joseph Patrick Erlenbusch, born March 7, 2009. 7lbs 11oz, 19.5" long. 11:50am.

Practicing for baby E!

We're in last minute preparations 'round here!

Happy Birthday Big Bro!

Snowman!

Notice the lack of sun?

mom and dad,
I'm sure it is much sunnier (and warmer) where you are.....but Pman and I are still having a great time!

and another......

Having a great time!

I am having a super fun time with Palmer. Miss you!
Henry

Sunshine State

Here's the 411 - my folks are packin' up and headin' to warmer waters. They're off to Florida today to celebrate their 5th wedding anniversary, and to catch a couple of Twins preseason games over the weekend. What about me you ask? Well, I'm staying here. Its fine, I didn't want to go anyway. Not that I was asked, but I woulda said no if they asked. Anyway, Ill be kickin' it with Pman for the weekend! I'm excited, and I'm bringing my horsies and my cars. We're going to try to work something out so the blogging can continue over the weekend, so be sure to check back.

Winning is contagious,
HAJ

Shanty? I Think Not.

This weekend we visited one of our most flavorito establishments in all of Minneapolis. The not-so-showy Shantytown. Now, don't let the exterior fool ya, this place is a GEM. Here's the skinny...but remember, if you eat here often enough...you will NOT BE SKINNY.

They're known for their great hamburgers. You can choose any of these hamburgers, and you can't go wrong. Mom loves the Shanty Burger that highlights guacamole, while Daddy prefers the Bailey Burger topped with green olives and sour cream. For me, the root beer is killer, and its one of those rare places that you can get TATER TOTS. Respect the tater. Also, they have the best soups and chili. All homemade and different everyday, with interesting flavors such as pizza. I know, crazy.

One Saturday I had a kids cheeseburger which is all the joy of the regular burgers only smaller. Daddy had the Shroom Burger, and well, no one knows what Mommy had because she ate it so fast. She's like a rocket I tell you!

As far as kid friendly goes, they're the nicest people in the world. They let me sit at the bar, kept my root beer full, and there's a hole in the wall to the kitchen so I could watch the cook whip me up some grub. Plenty of TV's too, so everyone is happy. If you trek there in the evenings, they have great happy hour specials and karaoke on Friday and Saturday night. Come on down and break out your best Neil Diamond! Sweeeeeeet Caroline, BAH, BAH, BAAAAAH!

This is one of our favorite joints, so it just has to be..................................................................HHHHH

HAJ

Ricky Bobby

Watching my new love...Nascar. Please pay no attention to my Kool-aid mustache, and to the tornado of toys. Its Sunday, this is what we do.

HAJ

PS - Shout out to Miss Tasha today! Happy 25th! (Mom told me how old you are...SO YOUNG!)

Sunday Morning

Sunday morning brunch!