New Year's 2nd Annual 2012 Time Freeze

So last year, I had the idea to interview the kids with a bunch of questions and keep track of their answers with the hope that we could do it every New Year's Eve. I asked most of the same questions and added a few new ones for fun. What I found most interesting and amusing was comparing them to last year's answers. So instead of making readers have to go back into the archives, I have included them here if the kids answered them last year too. Last year's answers are in italics and grey. This year's answers are black and bold. For the most part--the kids were asked the questions in isolation from each other.

Zander: Age 5
Zoey: Age 7 1/2

What is the best thing about you?
Zoey: It's just how I feel. . .happy, sad, mad, excited. . .well A LOT excited.
Zoey: I'm unique.

Zander: That I'm cute.
Zander: That I'm a kid.

What is your favorite supper?
Zoey: Chicken Parmesan
Zoey: Chicken Parmesan

Zander: Peanut Butter and Jelly
Zander: Mac & Cheese

What will you be when you grow up?
Zoey: A rock star and a teacher.
Zoey: An artist (because I like art) or a singer (because I like to sing and dance and be famous) or a librarian (I love books and I could be surrounded by books and help kids find them).

Zander: Spiderman.
Zander: A police, because they capture bad guys.

What are you good at?
Zoey: Star Wars and Thundercats and Clone Wars.
Zoey: Art and loudness and singing and dancing.

Zander: Fighting.
Zander: Fighting, actually running. I'm really good at running.

What is your favorite toy?
Zoey: My all around the world dolls and Barbie and Ken.
Zoey: Can books count?. . .Books.

Zander: Spiderman action figure.
Zander: My Batman toys.

Who is your best friend?
Zoey: Ellie, Amiah, and Anabel.
Zoey: Anabel Hillstrom

Zander: Sammy
Zander: I have two of them. Adam and Sammy. And Dylan and Tyler. I have four of them.

What is something that Mommy always says to you?
Zoey: Pick up your room.
Zoey: Keep your room clean. . .and be quiet!

Zander: That I'm cool.
Zander: Oh, this is a hard one. "Zander." To clean up my room.

What makes Daddy happy?
Zoey: His kids.
Zoey: Having his kids around him!

Zander: That I love him.
Zander: Eating pizza!

How old is mommy?
Zoey: 36?
Zoey: 38? Wait. . .37. . .36. . .36. . .36

Zander: 100?
Zander: 37?

How old is daddy?
Zoey: It's either 34 or 24?
Zoey: 30. . .5

Zander: 400?
Zander: And, he's 35, right Daddy?

How old is Grandpa Nyhlen?
Zoey: 88?
Zander: 39?

What is your favorite place to go?
Zoey: Star Wars Wonderland in my dreams.
Zoey: Movie theatre and SkyZone.

Zander: Grandma and Grandpa's cabin.
Zander: School.

What is your favorite book?
Zoey: Star Wars chapter book AND Junie B. Jones. . .she is FUNny!
Zoey: Harry Potter

Zander: Superheroes
Zander: Harry Potter

How do you know Mommy and Daddy love you?
Zoey: Hugs and Kisses
Zoey: because you say it every night and hug me every night.

Zander: Because I'm cute.
Zander: Because they're my family. . .that's right, right?

What always makes you laugh?
Zoey: When mommy looks at me funny.
Zoey: Let's see. . .let's see. . .when Voldemort gets hurt.

Zander: (makes monkey noises)
Zander: When mommy gets a Jack-in-the-box and pops it out. . .oh and Kid Snippets! That's right. . . 

When are you allowed to get married?
Zoey: 18?
Zoey: When I'm 28?

Zander: 6
Zander: When I'm a grown-up

What's the hardest thing about being a kid?
Zoey: When I always have to clean my room and listen to what parents have to say.
Zoey: You have to go to school and do math.

Zander: It's so hard to read if your 5 years old, right? But Sammy almost knows how to read. . .

What is the best gift you have ever been given?
Zoey: Mommy and Daddy
Zoey: A nice family.

Zander: Spiderman
Zander: Oh yeah. . .My Anakin!

If you could make up one rule that everyone in the world had to follow, what would it be?
Zoey: They have to watch Thundercats or Star Wars once a night.
Zoey: Once a week, they had to watch at least one Harry Potter movie, on Wednesday!

Zander: To everybody. . .to tackle Zoey! You want to know why? She doesn't like Star Wars!

Of all the things that you are learning in school this year, what will be the most important when you are grown up?
Zoey: Science. Because I'm going to do science about rocks sometimes.
Zoey: Art or music, because I'm going to be an artist or a singer.

Zander: Reading! Because I need to read. You guys know how to read, but I don't, right? How do you spell Target?

What makes you a good friend?
Zoey: I think its what's inside.
Zoey: I'm full of joy!

Zander: To be nice.
Zander: Cause I'm nice.

What's your favorite color?
Zoey: pink and rainbow
Zoey: Rainbow!

Zander: Blue
Zander: Oh. . .Blue!

What is your favorite song?
Zoey: Star Wars Theme
Zoey: Mean (by Taylor Swift)

Zander: Away in the Manger
Zander: The Star Wars song

What makes Mommy happy?
Zoey: When I go to sleep.
Zoey: Her children

Zander: Loving her and hugging her.
Zander: Cleaning our rooms, right? And playing with us. That makes you happiest you ever been, right?

What does Daddy do at work now?
Zoey: He teaches teachers and principals to do better.
Zander: Teach principals and teachers to be good. Right? Right, Daddy?

What is the best thing about Zoey?
Zander: That she's nice.

What is the best thing about Zander?
Zoey: He's funny.

Describe your perfect day:
Zoey: My perfect day was when I got cotton candy at Anabel's, got my nails done, dance par-tay, watching frosty and the grinch!
Zander: Saturday! When is it going to be Saturday?

If you could change one thing about the world, what would it be?
Zoey: No Star Wars!
Zander: To put the Eifel Tower in Minnesota. (Why?) Because I want to see it and go up and see the torch.

What instruments do you want to play:
Zoey: harp
Zander: drums

Favorite Restaurant?
Zoey and Zander: Pizza Ranch

Who is the President of the United States?
Zoey: Barack Obama
Zander: George Washington? Is that right?








 
 
 

2012 Facebook in Review

A running list of classic Facebook posts from 2012. The italicized ones belong to Tyler and the others are mine (for the most part.)

Dec. 6th--Zander was screaming, "Help! I can't get out!" from his bedroom tonight. This is a somewhat typical thing, as he usually is kidding to get some attention. Tonight, I found him under the fitted mattress sheet, actually stuck because the the sheet was staying put. So that happened.

  

Nov. 29th--Just passed the exit interview. Admin license = check.

Nov. 26th--Before our project laundry room commenced. Chaos! 

After:

 

Nov. 10th

Zoey: I'm going to armpit fart!
Daddy: You know, Zoey, some kids don't talk like that in front of their parents.
Zoey: I'm not one of them!

Oct. 29th--So having a daughter at my school poses some interesting situations at times. Sharing with the class is always risky business. Today Zoey shared with her class the "craft" that she did over the weekend. She told her class (and her teacher-my colleague and friend) that she made "beer bottle dolls". Oh yes. . .Tyler Livingston--you're reading this right. YOUR daughter told the class that she found your empty beer bottles and made them into dolls. She paints a pretty picture of our family at school--that's for sure.

 

Oct. 25th--I have my children lay out their "kid" every night-so they are ready in the morning. Zander likes to take some liberties. He calls this one "Rock and Roll"!

Oct. 3rd--Zander used every blanket in the world to build a fort. He slept on the hard floor with a pillow. He says the fort will stand for 100 years. The pains he suffers for his craft...

Sept. 29th--Zander is coloring at the kitchen table singing, "He's got the whole world in his pants. He's got the whole..."

 Sept 26th--Zander is working hard on his poster for star of the week. I've never seen him so excited.

 Sept 18th--Perfect ending to my day. Just about sums it up.

 Sept. 16th-Someone is in pirate mode after going to Buccaneers at the children's theatre today with Nana. 

Aug. 15th--Zoey fell in love with horses today. Zander didn't want much to do with Markie the horse. Thanks to Betsy Sommer for bringing us on this adventure!

 Aug. 11th--Happy 39th anniversary, mom and dad! 

Aug. 5th--Took the kids to see Hairspray at our church tonight. I love watching Zoey watch the acting, singing, and dancing that goes on up on stage. She has the bug and just wants to act. . .and she'll be pretty darn good at it, in my humble opinion. 

Aug. 3rd--Coolest couch cover ever! All my brother's and my old sweatshirts from school, SPA, YBL, church, theatre productions, sports, etc. lots of memories on this thing! Thanks, mom!

 July 29th--Semi annual trip to the park.

July 21st--Got my kindle, on the pontoon, perfect water, perfect sun. Now if only these two kids that keep calling me mom would let me relax! Lol! 

 July 18th--We have NO idea where his tooth ended up, but he lost his first tooth today!!! Big day!

 July 18th--Fun afternoon with one of Zander's best friends! 

July 12th--It's VBS this week. The kids are all about telling me about God (which is great, but. . .) Me: Zander, get out of the bath.
(Zander keeps playing.)
Me: ZANDER, get out of the bath.
(Zander keeps playing.)
Me: ONE, TWO. . .
Zander: Oh yeah, at first I wasn't going to, but then I remembered to trust in God. So I got out of the bath.
Me: (Huh?)

July 11th: I have accepted a new job working for the Minnesota Department of Education on the Principal and Teacher Effectiveness plans. I am excited for and humbled by this new professional adventure. The last day of school will be tremendously difficult for me, as I say goodbye to another great group of kids and to a thirteen year teaching career.

 

 July 9th--Got to hang out with this cute baby (Adelyn) for most the day...oh and her mom and dad too! Thanks for a great day!  

July 6th--Zander is letting Zoey dress him up like a "geerl" all day today. He is going to regret this in a few years when the pictures she keeps taking of him in a dress still exist.

July 5th-- 

Zander: I love you Zoey.
Zoey: I love you too.
Zander: How much do you love me?
Zoey: As much as you love me.
Zander: I love you 600 500 one two three 1 million eze. Is that even a number? 

July 1st-- 

Zander: What if after heaven, we were in TV on every show? 

 June 30th--So happy!!! 

 June 30th--Zoey, Miss. Personality 

June 26th--I will never forget the smile on Zander's face as he ran the bases in his first T-ball season. We are blessed! 

June 25th--"naughty night" is when we get to eat in front of the TV. Olympics, BBQ Chick pizza, beer, and family. Love it!

June 17th--Tyler tried for Father of the Year today by giving the kids a Whoopi cushion. Kids love it, doesn't earn any bonus points with me.

June 16th-- First time tubing for a couple of grandchildren. In Zoey's words, "That was Awesome!"
 --Grandma Nyhlen

May 17th--My wife gave me two acceptable choices today. Dishes or vacuum. I experienced the illusion of power when I choose dishes. My behavior = redirected.

 May 13th--Thanks to all of you who supported my need for a good mixer, this was my mother's day. The family enjoyed the cake I made! It was a great day! Happy Mother's day to everyone!

May 7th--Zoey loves listening to chapter books at night. She is completely wrapped up in the Harry Potter and Chronicles of Narnia series. She also enjoys Kate DiCamillo. She has probably read more books by age (almost) 7 than I completed by 17. 

May 5th--Got a little carried away at Men's Warehouse today. 

May 3rd--Zoey before she went to Pippi Longstocking at the Children's Theatre with Nana and Zander.

The daycare crew--these guys have been together for 5years! They are thick as thieves.

April 29th--In Sunday School, the kids made these hearts that had little reasons to pray (or people to pray for). The kids grabbed one that said, "Pray for someone who is hungry..." and Zander raised his hand and said, "I am!"

April 22nd--Last show for Zoey was today. Very proud of our little musical theater performer.
 
April 17th--
Zander's answer to everything these days is: Of course it is.
Example:
Zander: Boys are better than than girls.
Me: That's not true.
Zander: Of course it is.

April 16th--Best moment in Harry Potter #1: Dumbledore gives 10 pts to Nevile for being brave enough to stand up to his friends. I get teary-eyed every time.

April 6th--COOL: My kids like to listen to the Beatles. UNCOOL: They have Yellow Submarine on repeat.

April 2nd--My latest project. New window art for the porch. Just need to get it hanging. Pretty proud of myself.

March 30th--You'd think I would have learned my lesson about playing with silly putty near my phone...but alas...

March 30th--Amy Behm posted: I came back home after a couple quick errands to find Luke and his Daddy watching Star Wars. Luke said to me, "Sit down and watch me on this movie!" and each time Luke Skywalker appears, he says, "There's me again!" Judy Nyhlen Livingston & Melissa Hucal, we have another fan in the family... 

March 9th--Made myself giggle tonight when I told Zoey, "I love my kids, I never should have sold you guys to the circus!" Zoey didn't find that as funny as I did.

March 1st--Watching American Idol tonight with Zoey, I made a comment about someone's weak start to their song. Zoey: Mom, you really need to listen to the whole song before you judge.

Feb. 29th--At the breakfast table this morning- Me: Yeah! A Snow Day! Zoey: I can't BELIEVE they cancelled my Many Colored Day!!! Zander: I want to go to Mary's! (daycare) Zoey: Daddy's so lucky--he gets to go to school today! Me: Yep! I am sure that's what daddy is thinking right now.--I am apparently the only one in my family that is happy today!


Feb. 17th--On our way home from dinner, an ambulance passes us. Zoey: "Wow! Someone must of broken an arm, or a leg, or died." Three beats later, "I should go bowling."

 Feb. 5th--Zander decided to fall asleep differently tonight. He rigged a laundry basket with pillows. My boy...

Jan. 28th--Zoey: For my birthday, I want two Ethiopias about Star Wars. Me: Huh? Zoey: you know Ethiopias. Look like it says in the book. Me: Oh, you mean encyclopedias.

Jan. 24th--After reading part of "The Invention of Hugo Cabret," Zoey said, "I never want this book to end. I want it to be as long as life!" Yeah, I'd say that's a strong recommendation.

Jan. 22nd--Just overheard Zander declare that Llama Llama Red Pajama is a Jedi!

Jan. 20th--Just showed the kids the trailer for Stars Wars 1: The Phantom Menace 3D coming to theatres in 20 days. Might as well let them drink Mt. Dew right before bed. . .they are hyped!

Jan. 5th--Mad that the Silly Putty won't come off my iPhone cover. Even more mad that I was the one playing with the silly putty when it happened.
        
 

Apple Jack Orchards 2012

 We took our annual trip to the pumpkin patch this year, but changed it up a bit with the location. This year we traveled to Apple Jack's. It had a lot of different activities--all of them favorites of the kids. There were cow-train rides, hayrides, a jumping pad, a corn pit, and apple doughnuts (YUM!!!). We had a great time (although it was a bit chilly) and as always, enjoyed Auntie Tammy's company!

 Zander was playing a game of "Can't take my picture" with me--he was fast, but not fast enough!

 The kids keep growing--what is with that?

 We also picked out some perfect pumpkins to take to the pumpkin carving party a few weeks later.

Fall Fun!

We had a weekend of fun at the beginning of October. Friday night was the annual bonfire at Mary's Daycare. The kids had a blast running around, while the adults tried to stay warm by drinking and eating all the yummy food around the fire.

Zander and his boys.

 On Saturday night we went and participated in the Fall Festival. Tyler and I volunteered while the kids had a blast running around again. Zoey did very well in the hula contest, but came in second place. That kid can hula!

 I ran the karaoke station. Once they all warmed up, the kids sang and sang. Mostly they sang Call Me Maybe by Carly Rae Jepsen. The other favorite was Justin Bieber's Baby.

To celebrate our church's 125 anniversary, there was a boat ride on the St. Croix river--it was a lovely day! And we got to hang out with many of my favorite people from church!

On the way home from the boat ride, the kids finagled a quick stop by Teddy Bear Park.