I know anniversaries are generally a day upon which you wax all lovey dovey about your significant other, and don't get me wrong, it's not that I don't want to on this day—the very day 18 years ago where we both said quite clearly, "I do!"—but I'd rather share what our kids did to celebrate.
You remember the kids right?
There's this one:
And this one:
The kids made cards for us, featuring our favorite colors (Dan, burgundy; me, lime-ish green). Here's the one from Cole, featuring some of Mom's other favorites (including for some reason, my old car's license plate numbers) on the front flap…
And a few of Dad's other favorites inside…
Yes, that is a bottle of beer. Also, the photo? Taken from Game 1 of the 1991 World Series in which our beloved Minnesota Twims were participants. And why this photo? Game 1 was played on Oct. 19, 1991, and yes, we were required to have a big screen tv at our reception.
Next up, Aidan's card:
Don't ever accuse my child of being Leap Year-ist.
The cards made us both very, very happy.
Next, Dan and I headed out for a lovely dinner at a Minneapolis eaterie called Azia. We are now at the glorious stage in life wherein we no longer have need of hired babysitting hands. Aidan is 13, and provided Dan and I don't get into the habit of attending all-night raves, she is quite capable of holding down the fort for a few hours while we dine out.
As we lingered over a $40 bottle of petite syrah and were waited on by Taylor Lautner/Jacob Black's taller, hotter twin, the kids were home cleaning the house and making a short film.
I could go into details about our romantic, underlit dinner, but all you really need to know is how hard it was for me to not ask our server, Jared, if he was okay that Bella kept choosing the dead guy over him.
At this 18 year mark, I just want to say this: we've done a lot of great things together, but those two kids? An undeniable 1st place tie.
Happy anniversary, Dan Zielske. It has so been worth it.
(And thanks to the best kids on the planet.)
Mandy says
OK… I spluttered breakfast flakes all over the keyboard watching the film clip. Very funny.
Mandy (UK)
Christy B. says
Oh MY…they’re gonna be famous someday! Can I have their autographs now, please?
Cass says
They are gems. 🙂
Sharon says
so glad he directs his energies towards good rather than evil!! You best practise your red carpet walk – you’ll be needing it in a few years when you have to escort your famous son!! and brilliant directorship and camera work by Aiden!
And happy annivesary! ours is the 20th, and ten years after yours!
Stacy B says
Oh my goodness! Those kids are the best anniversary present ever! Love the movie…
patti says
funny! and not only does she look just like you, but i would have sworn it was you talking in the background!
Linda says
This is priceless–I love the cards and movie! Please tell me you really didn’t have a tv at your wedding reception?? 🙂 My daughter’s wedding is Superbowl weekend–but luckily the game is Sunday and NOT the day of the wedding!
Kim says
Sorry Cathy, I used to think you were one of the most creative people on the planet. Your position has just been supplanted. BTW, happy anniversary. 🙂
Erin says
Watch out world – those kids are going to take the planet by storm. Creative, ambitious (I love that they shot the board toss TWICE to get the required angles) and hilarious.
Tracy says
super kids!
sue Treiber says
that was a funny little project! Your kids are very talented 🙂
Melanie K. says
okay, your kids are too funny and VERY creative! LOL!
Petra from the Netherlands says
Very funny!
I love all those shots from up close.
Amy says
your kids are SO cool! Happy Anniversary!
Beth says
One word… GIFTED!
Jenell says
Too funny – you do indeed have 2 very talented and creative kids and mostly because the apples don’t fall too far! Happy 18th Anniversary, Dan and Cathy!
roxygirl says
seems at the zielske house the creativity flows like wine… awesome video kids. and happy 18th cathy & dan!
Leora Henkin says
Happy, happy anniversary. Tell the kids that I LOVE the video! Impressive. My 12 year old is a Monopoly nut. I will have to share the video with him. How did they do the credits? You, no surprise, have talented kids.
Happy Anniversary Season!
Leora
Sharon F. california says
Wow…I have no words for the creativity that are both your kids. Amazing! Yes, I too expect to see you on the red carpet with an oscar nominated film shortly.
Sue O says
What great kids you have! Happy 18th!
Betheroo says
Your kids are seriously cool! You and Dan should be so proud! and Happy Anniversary!
Jennifer McK says
Brilliant!
Jamie Habermaas says
Oh mY Goodness! You have the most freakin’ amazing kids!! But I’m sure you already know that! 😉 That picture of Cole cracked me up! And their video??? Awesomeness.
Happy Anniversary!!!!
Jill says
what creative children! that film is amazing
Dawn says
Honestly – I truly hope that someday my kids have just a bit of the creativity of your two! So awesome. Happy anniversary!
Ann says
Happy Anniversary!! Those kids are amazing!! Keep up the good work raising those two.
Tanya says
Great video! Um, did Cole put your license plate numbers on the front of the card??? JRJ 505 – CGV 218 – GREAT POST! Happy Anniversary!
Melissa says
Happy Anniversary!
Your children are very funny and creative. That video is priceless!
hchybinski says
Flippin awesome!! Can my kids come over and play??
Hillary
Jennifer says
they are soooo hilarious, and the whole thing was amazing!! Happy anniversary!
cathy says
Leora, they did the whole thing in iMovie. Credits and all.
Susan W says
What great kids! Happy Anniversary
Stephanie says
Your kids are so creative and hilarious!!
P.S. Good call on having that game on at your wedding reception, I would’ve done the same thing! 🙂
Ali says
OH MY GOSH! They are HI-larious!!! Yup, you should be proud!
Cyndi says
Those kids are genius! Happy anniversary.
Jamie K says
awesome…hysterical…beautiful…perfect. you are a crazy lucky mom (and wife). 🙂
Jana D says
Happy Anniversary.
Impressed? Yes. Surprised by their talent? Uh, NO.
I mean look who their parents are. DUH!
Jill says
The cards are adorable!! What awesome kids. Happy 18th Anniversary!!
Jenn Locke says
So totally cool. What a great anniversary gift. Happy 18 years!
Lynn Gleason says
too freaking cute….congrats!
CeeCee says
Gee, I wonder what field they’re gonna chose for their careers these two!
So talented. Something to be proud of!
CeeCee
Kim says
so do we all get to say we “knew” them before they were famous… there is some amazing talent there! can’t wait to see what they do with their excitement and superb talent!
kim in Cambridge, UK says
Happy Anniversary Cathy and Dan, I hope you had a good celebration. I was really impressed and entertained by the video. The attention to detail, inspired storyline and acting ability all speak of how creatively your children think! And they did cleaning too? Awesome!
Great post, Cathy. Have a good one
Koren says
WOW!!! amazing job on the movie. my kids love to make those too but i dont’ know how to help them edit them together. i’m sure they’d figure it out if i gave them a program. i see your kids used imovie. any suggestions for us non-mac people?
and… happy anniversary.
Sharon in TX says
Do you have cool kids or what? Happy anniversary & many more!
bobbie says
What amazing kids!! Happy anniversary!
Maureen says
Not just funny, but good screen shots and editing. I think they’re your retirement fund.
Jennifer Stewart says
I LOVE YOUR KIDS. Seriously….that was genius.
Happy anniversary, you two. 🙂
Jennifer
Jennifer says
Great! Best video I’ve seen in a while. A and C have real talent! Enjoy!
Maegan says
Nice. I seriously need to step up my family movie/iMovie game. Aidan and Cole are putting me to shame. Geez! I here I thought my video editing kung-fu was strong. Well done!
Sandy M says
What’s your secret to raise such beautiful, amazing and creative kids? I LOVE the video clip. The direction is beyond Powershot!
Happy Anniversary!
Jeannette says
WoW! That was so clever! As everyone has said, you have some amazing kids! I know you are proud…Happy Anniversary!
Kelli says
Wow! Those kids are so talented and they got along long enough to produce a whole movie!
Kelly says
that is so flaming AWEsome – very clever
Brooke says
Happy Anniversary. How great are those cards?!?!
Loved the video!
Jenrigg says
Dude! Those kids of yours are amazingly sweet and talented. But how could it be any other way?! Happy 18th to both of you. You go so well together (from what I can tell as a regular reader lol)….
Susan says
Fantastic direction and cinematography on Aidan’s part. Superb acting from Cole. Seriously, these two NEED to go into film making or some other form of art.
katie says
what clever kids you have. Get that kid and agent and sign her up for film school… they’ll make you millionaires and you can retire in style while they take care of you! (And your kitchen floor is so clean!!)
Caroline says
Awesome!
cathy says
Koren, i don’t know what PC users use, but i know there are programs. (Gee, that’s a lot of help!)
kristin kanner says
OMG–My 12th anniversary was yesterday and it was Game 1 of the 1997 world series in which the Florida Marlins were playing and my now husband spent the entire reception in the bar watching the game on the tv! (I live in South FL). I feel ya.
Amanda N. says
Love the independent film! 🙂
Congrats on 18 years!
Laurie says
Happy anniversary. And thanks for sharing the video-your kids crack me up! What great kids.
Lisa says
You know that your kids are something special, right? Obviously the products of well paired genes. Congratulations.
Victoria says
Your kids are AWESOME!!
happy anniversary. 🙂
Pam K. says
First of all, Happy Anniversary! The film was awesome! And I thought the cards were creative! You have a couple of great kids. You are very blessed1
gitz says
you seriously have the freaking coolest kids ever.
Kathleen says
Happy Anniversary! Those two kids of yours? Very clever and funny! Great video!
Sarah says
Your kids are OH, SO CLEVER. Their movie had a bit of a Quentin Tarantino flair to it. HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!
Margy Eastman says
How cool was that? Your kids are so talented! And your floor is so clean!
Happy Anniversary-
Denise Laborde says
If I were chairman…
That was awesome. Happy Anniversay.
A little bit of useless information: I was married the night of game six of the 2003 World Series. The Florida Marlins spanked The New York Yankees. I’m from Miami. Needless to say there were televisions at our reception.
Jennifer says
You have the funniest, most clever kids…so creative; nice film work! Too cute….happy 18.
Dana says
Your kids are seriously awesome! Hope your day was wonderful!
kp says
I can’t wait to see what they come up with next, can you imagine your fiftieth???? Happy Anniversary !
Diane Roberts says
Inspired…….. stars in the making.
Yet you will one day tell us that one of them has become a vet, and the other teaches knitting. Go figure.
Happy Anniversary for yesterday – it’s mine today….
Staci Miserlian says
Man, that was the BEST video!!! I LOVED the camera angles and the story line and the (can’t quite believe it) fact that they cleaned the house up, too!
Lynnette says
Aahhh ha ha-I love it! Happy Anniversary!
Linda says
Them kids got talent! Really.
Happy Anniversary.
Christine says
That was freakin’ hysterical!
I am most impressed with how they get along! My dd would have had video of her brother off in a closet screaming, while she was watching t.v.! lol
Barb says
Wow! Seriously inspiring! Your kids are amazing. 🙂
Oh, and happy anniversary to you and Dan, too!
Mona says
That is the most hysterical thing I have seen in a while!!! You have some awesomely creative kiddos! Happy Anniversary!!!
Traci says
What talented kids! Added to their beauty…what a winning pair!
LizzieLu15 says
Genius 🙂
I am in awe – in a “life is good” kind of way.
Jane Simmons says
Nature or nuture? These kids definitely have graphic designer sensibilities — were they born with the genes or did it come from repeated exposure to good design?
Kris says
I know that I am way, way, way behind on this, but I was perusing your blog archives and came across this post and I am actually elated to say that DH and I were also married on October 19th and I consider it an honor to share an anniversary with you!
vigilon says
Is that a suicide bomber? Very funny. Your blessed with a very talented family.
oakland dui law firm says
Those are really very creative and thoughtful kids. Amazing.