MinneSNOWda Update

First off, great news! Corey's six-month MRI was clean - no evidence of any tumors, growth or anything else that shouldn't be there! And best yet, they took his blood while he was "sleeping" and thus we had a fancy-free appointment on Thursday.

Last week, we had a great time in Minnesota over Spring Break. It was like a reverse spring break, because we left sunny Phoenix (upper 80s, low 90s) and headed to Minnesota for snow and cold.

As you can see, both boys love the window seat. Fortunately, they both fit in one seat before takeoff. Unfortunately, the airline is not a big fan of that seating arrangement during taxi/takeoff.

The kids LOVED the snow. Corey made Grandpa play outside with him nearly every day. However, Brody quickly wised up (I mean, it was cold outside) and found that it was just as much fun to sit inside and let Corey and Grandpa throw snowballs at the window. He laughed and laughed, sitting there in the warm house.

Corey and Rob and Grandpa went to the Minnesota Wild game Monday night, and Corey impressed and amazed nearly everyone he met that week with his endless knowledge of hockey. I think even Grandpa was overwhelmed.

We took the requisite trip to the Mall of America, and found Camp Snoopy had become "Nickelodeon Universe." Pablo, anyone? Brody LOVES Pablo, but probably wouldn't sit still for a picture with him as Corey would. Instead, Brody was driving a "big rig." (Daddy did accompany him; he isn't old enough to drive yet!)

Earlier that week we spent time with Gary (aka Joaquin, on Wii) and Melinda (don't ask about her Wii name!) We had some time playing Wii (which we hauled to Minnesota, and it was well-worth the effort, I think.) And we had a trip to the Minnesota Zoo. Not surprisingly, most of the zoo is indoors, and that which is outdoors is accessible by monorail so you minimize your cold-ness. It was a fun trip, but both boys were exhausted after. (And we all enjoyed a midwest treat - Culver's - after the zoo - YUM!)

We spent a lot of time in the Sinclair basement, where we'd set up the Wii and could watch Brody go back and forth on "Ollie." (See him on the yellow thing with red hair.) Brody kept giving Ollie kisses between the eyes. He really loved Ollie! They also have an old style school desk downstairs, and he'd hop up there and read books to himself. Very cute.

My parents drove up for two nights in Minneapolis so they could see their grandboys, and because they'd been kicked out of their house anyway due to reflooring (due to a fridge flooding the kitchen... long story.)

We also got to see "Crazy" or "Cool" Aunt Kristin and her special friend, Johnny. More Wii ensued, and we went to the Children's Museum in St. Paul.

We got to see a lot of our friends while in Minnesota, and when possible, the kids went too. Our friends Rich and Maggie have a new baby. When Maggie went to put her to bed, Corey scampered up to "help" and it turns out he actually read her a book. His reading is really coming along.

Other notable happenings over the week? Corey helped Grammy make cupcakes. Brody kept patting Maddy, saying "Ni Doggy." (We think that's nice doggy.)

When we returned, we had a little scare. After school Monday, Brody had a huge bite on his leg. (See how big? Rob yelled at me for posting, but look at it... wouldn't you panic?) I called poison control, and they gave me advice, but it turned out that by the time "Horton Hears a Who" (a Hope Kids' viewing) was over, it had calmed down and was about half that size. We think maybe it was a reaction to an ant bite. (I can hear my mom now... that's what you get for living in Arizona with all those desert creatures!)

However, all is well here. Tuesday was Corey's MRI, and as I said, it went well. We've been busy planning for Corey's t-ball team (Rob is the coach) and tonight, I went to the Finley Farms' Spring Fling with Corey. (A small carnival.) Corey got to walk in front today during Finley Farms' "Mini-Relay for Life," and he got a purple shirt and I think he was positively thrilled to get all the special attention. Tomorrow is t-ball practice and Sunday, Corey has a birthday party to attend. As always, a busy weekend here with the Sinclairs!

Busy baseball weekend

So, in addition to seeing two hockey games last week, the family all went to the Brewers vs. Mariners game Sunday with the Hope Kids. The Hope Kids and a couple of adults (Daddy was not invited and sad) were able to go in the locker room before the game and meet OF Ryan Braun, 2B Rickie Weeks, SS J.J. Hardy and P Chris Capuano! Corey said he talked to them and they all signed his baseball. There was a photographer with them so we're hoping to at least see a group photo. Corey also was able to see the dugout and go on the field before the game.

After his excursion, Corey and I were watching the Brewers pitcher warm up in the bullpen, and I caught the pitching coach's eye so he tossed us a ball after warmups. Corey now has THREE major league baseballs! Indeed, a charmed life!

As it turns out, the Brewers don't have many fans in the Valley of the Sun (at least any who attend days games on a beautiful Sunday afternoon), so we had plenty of room to stretch out. Brody seemed to enjoy the game ... especially the food and music! He fell asleep while Corey and I were walking around the stadium. When he woke up he wasn't sure what to think about seeing giant sausages racing around the field!

Corey and I also went to the Cubs-A's game Saturday. We got there early and hung out by the bullpen, so we got to meet Jake Fox (an up-and-coming slugger) and Matt Murton (a.k.a. "Kristin's favorite player"). Both signed Corey's baseball as did a minor leaguer not on the 40-man roster and as yet-to-be-identified coach.

Spring training games are great because it's such a laid-back atmosphere. We could pretty much sit where we wanted before the game (although, as it turned out, our seats were pretty good: 12th row behind the first-base dugout). I just yelled at Murton while he was running off the field during warm-ups, and he came over and talked to us!

Next up ... Corey has a field trip on Thursday, half-day of school on Friday and then a much-anticipated spring break junket to Minnesota! (We probably won't need our sun screen, though.)

Coyotes Games

OK, I've got way too many photos to post (probably because Carrie doesn't know how to post with pictures), so I'm doing some, short and sweet updates.

Corey and I went to the Coyotes vs. Canadians game Thursday night (they even sang the traditional French version of "Oh Canada") and then the whole family went to the game on Saturday night (it started at 5 p.m., so it was perfect for the boys).

By the way, the Coyotes lost both, so their chances of making the playoffs are becoming slim and none, and slim is walking out the door.

That's it for tonight. Tomorrow maybe I'll post all of our baseball photos from this weekend (among the highlights were getting autographs from some of the Cubs before their game and Corey meeting four of the Brewers best players in their locker room before a game!)

Brody joins backyard hockey

OK, I've got way too many photos to post (probably because Carrie doesn't know how to post with pictures), so I'm doing some, short and sweet updates.

Here are a couple of the boys in the backyard. I think Brody is trying to play hockey like his big brother and daddy, but it also seemed similar to pool (he would put the balls in a triangle between goals) and of course he was using two golf clubs, so who knows?




How crazy long is Corey's hair getting?!?








Brody takes time to pose and say, "Cheese."

Sick Corey

I was halfway to work today when Rob called to tell me Corey was sick and wasn't going to school today. His tummy was upset, and he watched movies all day while Rob worked. This evening, he fell asleep in front of Sesame Street, and Brody said "shhh, bobo, shhh" with his finger in front of his mouth. He woke up a little later feeling better, and he really loves pedialyte freezie pops! Hopefully he'll be good to go to school tomorrow!

Weekend Update

Rob and Corey are at the Coyotes' game, but given that it started at 8 p.m., they are without me and Brody. Brody and I instead did a little shopping and a little reading! He then put his adorable self to bed around 7, I'm sure anticipating that Mommy wanted to watch the Jayhawks.

Last week when Rob was in Kansas City, I took Corey and Brody to "Finley Farms Movie Night." I was absolutely dreading it (Scooby Doo & Snow Buddies) but it turned out to be the best thing ever... Corey sat up front with his friends, and Brody and I sat back and watched, chatted with other parents, and gave Corey money occasionally (cheap eats - the popcorn was 50 cents!) Brody was absolutely mesmerized by Snow Buddies... it had all his favorites: SNOW (Nooo!) and DOGs. (Aarf, aarf.)

It's really a tie as to which boy talks more now. Brody may not say as much, but he's extremely expressive. For example, when he doesn't like a song in the car (or when he hears his Daddy singing), he plugs his ears. It turns out the kid has a penchant for the classical music (not sure where it came from, but I discovered it during a violinist interview on NPR - go figure.) So when he plugs his ears, I typically switch to 110 XM, where he can hear classical, and believe it or not, he removes his fingers from his ears and smiles at me.

So don't feel sorry for me missing out on hockey tonight. After all, I did get to see the Jayhawks in a little payback action, and we're all going to the A's game tomorrow. We'll be using half of last year's tickets, when my parents were here and we were rained out at an A's game.

And it's a busy week ahead for us. Tuesday I leave for a meeting in Tucson, returning late Wednesday. Then Thursday, I'm reading to Corey's class. It's Dr. Seuss week, so I'm reading The Sneetches. Rob is disappointed I won't be reading Fox in Sox, I think because he knows it's an impossibility. (Have you tried reading that book? It's one big tongue twister!) Friday, Corey has a video urology exam, or something like that, in Scottsdale. And it's another movie night. Then Saturday, we have more Coyotes' tickets (this time, a 5 p.m. game) and Sunday, Corey is getting to meet the Brewers before a game. Rob's afraid he'll become a Brewers' fan, and Corey evilly replied, of course he loves the Brewers, not the Cubs. He knows how to get to his Daddy!

Corey is growing his hair out, by the way, as if you can't tell from previous posts. He wants to look like Zac Efron. Power to him, I guess... I observed that most of the neighborhood boys have long hair, and with all the hockey he watches, I guess it was inevitable. I actually kind of like it... he has some spunk, that one.

Next week will be busy too. Corey has a field trip and we have MORE Coyotes' tickets, then we leave for a week in Minnesota for Spring Break. And somewhere in there, we have to schedule an MRI and follow-up visit for Corey.

I'm sure Rob will come home with a story or picture from the Coyotes' game... but I'll be asleep! LOL