This is how we do it

Ronnie and Jodee go on a date!

Yeah, we did it, we finally got to go out on a real date. Beckham is 5 months old and has not taken a bottle until just recently. And that means that we got to go out on a real date this weekend- no kids, not even rushing home to feed Beckham, just Ronnie, Jodee, and James Blunt. We had a wonderful dinner at the Claremont hotel where we sat and ate really slowly and talked about whatever we wanted without being interrupted. Then we went to the Paramount Theatre in Oakland for a great concert with James Blunt. He is a British singer who has recently become popular in the US. I really enjoy all of his songs, especially the one everyone recognizes, "You're Beautiful". It was a wonderful evening and Ronnie and I were so grateful to Auntie Kellee for watching the kids for us. It makes it so nice to go out not having to worry if your kids are OK. Madison was funny when I was telling her that we were going to go on a date. She asked where we were going to go and I told her to dinner and a concert. Then she said "and then to the castle?" The castle is where her and daddy go on daddy daughter dates sometimes. It is a family fun center with mini golf and bumper boats and things. She just thinks that is where you go on dates now.

That was the highlight of the week by far. Most of my time was spent with lots of work on the apartments, and by myself too! Ronnie was in New York this week at a conference called The Value Investing Congress. We packed him up and sent him off for three days with hundreds of other value investors. Except for a few plane delays, he arrived safely. On the way there his plane was delayed 4 hours due to flooding in the new York area. Even though it was rainy the first day, the sun came out and he said the rest of the week was beautiful He took advantage of the nice weather and went running each morning around the city near the Hudson River. He ran down past Chelsey Piers and to the world trade center site. He said it was strange to see that they still hadn't done much with the area. It has been 5 years since we stayed just a block from the WTC. Ronnie says that the Deutche Bank Building where he worked was still there with the windows blown out and tarps draped over the sides. We look forward to them getting the memorial built and getting that area back up and running. It was a great place to be, lots to do and much to see. Ronnie returned home late late Friday night. He was supposed to arrive around 10pm but didn't get in until after 2am. We were happy to see him back, we really missed our daddy. As you can see in the picture, Beckham wanted to go too.

Beckham is changing every day, getting bigger, growing stronger, and learning a lot. He still loves the sound of his voice, he really loves to touch the face of whoever is holding him, and he especially loves his big sister. She can make him laugh and giggle like no other. It is the cutest thing for us to see them play and laugh together. Unlike Madison, Beckham does not like rice cereal. I tried giving him a little cereal before bed for a few weeks because he was starting to wake up around 5 am really hungry after he had been sleeping through the night really well. He wants nothing to do with it. He purses his lips together, turns his head, and pushes what little bit of cereal that gets in, right back out. The 2 nights that I actually got a few spoonfuls inside his mouth, he threw up when he went to bed. So, needless to say, we are waiting on the rice cereal for a few more months. I think he will be fine, he doesn't look too starved does he? I can handle waking up once in a while around 5am to feed him and put him back to bed. I feel spoiled that he sleeps as well as he does already. He is still not rolling over too much, he has done it from front to back and from back to front a few times each but doesn't do it on a regular basis yet. Madison was the same way, it took her a while to roll and crawl but she walked at 10 months. Ronnie says that our kids need a little extra time to learn how to roll all of that chubb around.

Madison is still the cutest thing. She is gearing up for her Birthday and Christmas. She has started a birthday list and has many items listed. Each time we go to Target she tells me all the things that she wants to add to her list. She is very excited to be able to celebrate at Nana and Papa Blanchard's house this year. She also can't wait for Christmas and insists that at Christmas time there will be snow. Boy will she be bummed here in California, it is still in the 70's. Luckily we will be in Omaha Nebraska for Christmas visiting Ronnie's sister and family, maybe there will be some snow there. One of the pictures is of her with her new nativity scene from Grandma Chapman. She loves setting it up over and over again, and she pushes the button again and again to hear the music and dance her "pretty dance". Madison is a character, she loves to pretend play with her animals, ponies, or anything that she can manipulate. The other day I caught her pretending that the coasters were a family going on a hike up coffee table mountain. It is so fun to see how her mind works. She is really growing up and starting to figure things out in a big way. I get a little scared when she starts telling me things like "mom, Africa is a continent, and so is South America." She is like a little sponge. She still won't leave her brother alone, and has to be told countless times a day to "get off your brother." At least she loves him too much instead of not enough.

The week ended with one of those events that help you to keep everything in perspective. Ronnie's sweet Grandma Elenora Chapman passed away in her sleep on Friday evening. She was 84 years old and ready to return to her heavenly home. Ronnie and I had to opportunity to go to Arizona a few months ago and visit them while were were out there. We wanted Grandma and Grandpa to meet Beckham. When we were there Grandma looked tired and weak. She wasn't too sure who we all were except for Ronnie. One thing that I will always remember about her is that she always had a smile on her face. Even though she may have been tired, confused or in pain, she was always smiling. We know that she is in a much better place and so much happier. She is in no pain and I am sure she is looking down on the whole Chapman family from above. Our thoughts and prayers are with Grandpa Chapman, Ronnie's dad and his siblings. We are all headed to Arizona again this week and will attend the funeral and visit with the Chapman Family. Keep them in your thoughts and prayers, we love you all and miss you tons. Remember to hold your loved ones close, hug them a little longer, kiss them a little more often, and never go a day without telling them how much they are loved. Have a great week!