Mini-Me

I gave M my old Olympus 2.1 mega pixel camera. That was my first digital camera... my first true love. Just kidding. The Kid Tough (yeah, right) Camera we got him for his birthday isn't working anymore and took crappy pictures anyways. My old Olympus does really well... don't tell Brian but I think it takes better pictures that my new little camera. I guess he bought both camera's for me anyways. See this post for more information (on what not to buy). I'll bet M took 100 pictures yesterday. He took pictures of the TV show he was watching, the books we read, the dog across the street, the ceiling fan... everything. I found an old camera case and gave it to him and boy was he proud.

Just like his Mommy.

M took this picture of K and I. Don't look at my attire or my hair/makeup. I had just gotten out of the shower but the kids wanted to do sidewalk chalk in the front yard. Not so bad for a 4 year old.

I took this with his camera. Are they cute or what?

M's hamming it up. He was an absolute angel yesterday. Today, not so much!!

Cute one of K. Taken with my old Olympus point and shoot. Love her.

I had a conference with M's preschool teacher last week. All in all, it went well. There are a few things we need to work on but she thinks he's pretty much where he needs to be. Here's what Teacher Shiloh said in her written report.

Your child's strengths include...
Mason is a very loving and tender child. He is thoughtful and takes his time to do his best. He has developed socially and emotionally and continues to progress. It has been a delight to watch him blossom.

Areas your child is currently working on include...
- Continue letter recognition
- Work on number recognition (I really need to work on this... I have focused on letters but not a lot on numbers)
- Confidence building

You can help your child learn and develop at home by...
- Encouragement/Praise
- Consistency

Some of the other comments she made were...
- Sometimes shows lack of confidence
- At times, waits without asking for help causing him to be behind on tasks
- Very calm (what!?!?... is she talking about my M?)
- Sometimes needs reminding to wash his hands before eating

I'm proud of my little guy. She said he is very easy in school and never requires discipline. She said he can get a little rambunctious while playing with Jack but they listen when she asks them to stop. She said she thinks he is very caring and is good hearted.

Hello.

I've been in a blogging slump lately and I'm not sure why. I'm discouraged because I really want to have my blog printed in a hardbound book (for the kids to keep) but I can't find a company that can do it. I would have to go to Shutterfly, Snapfish, Blurb or one of those places and cut, paste and set up each and every layout. Do you know how much time that would take? I had something like 140 posts last year. I'll never have the time or the energy. I'm looking for a business that will upload and print my blog as it looks on the computer. If I were only computer/business savvy, I'd start a business for that myself.

I feel as if I've been so busy... tired lately. I'm not working a lot of extra or anything... I don't know what's going on. The kids have been fun/challenging.

K wants to be called Wall-E, Sheep, Doggie, Max (the Grinch's dog) or Percy (from Thomas the Train) half the time. She won't forget either and usually won't answer or do what you ask until you call her by the name of the day. She's a character, that's for sure. Well, anytime she hurts herself, she'll run to me and say, "I want to be K now!" Another time she wants to be K is when she wants her "fie" (pacifier). Still can't get that girl potty trained or "fie" broken. Each time I put her on the potty she'll smile and me and say, "all done, I go on the potty tomayo (tomorrow)." She annoyingly laughs, giggles and scoots all around on the potty and really doesn't even try.

M's either been very good or very bad lately. The biggest thing with him is that he is just so high-energy. Nothing wears that kid out!!! Nothing. Today he went to school from 8-12:30, the park from 12:30 to almost 2:00 pm, played at home (while watching Scooby-Doo meets Batman) until 4:00, played at The Club from 4:30 to 5:30 (while I worked out... finally) and he was still hyper at 7:00 while we were reading books in bed. I had to tell him several times to stop horsing around. Luckily, I can easily get both kids down by 7:30 so I have some time in the evening to relax or do chores.

Brian took M to Land Park to fish on Saturday morning while I was working. He didn't catch anything but Brian said he had a great time casting. He is so good at it. Monte and Dylan went with them. I can't believe Brian thought of bringing the camera!!

M and Dylan.

My mom got K the cutest desk/easel for Christmas. It's been in the playroom and she hasn't been playing with it much so I set up an art studio in the living room today. She colored all morning and after M got home from school, he used it also. I just have to be VERY careful that I keep a close watch on K with color crayons or markers. M has never once colored on anything but K sure has.

K working diligently in her studio. The desk is made by Step 2. I like it because it comes with lots of bins for supplies and the desk part (in red) easily pushes up to become an easel. You don't have to move any of the bins or supplies to convert it. Here's the link to the desk info.

Off to watch American Idol. I love the auditions.
Mel

Batter Up!

We signed M up for T-Ball on Saturday so Brian decided it was time to get him a real bat and a T-Ball set-up. So far, M's been enjoying it. My biggest concern is the potential for serious bodily injury to his sister if he hits her in the head with the bat so we've been keeping the bat under lock and key for now. I managed to get one decent picture.

M funny. The other day I went in to put M to bed and there were about 20 books from our bookshelf in his room on the floor. I was irritated because I had just cleaned the entire upstairs a few hours prior and put away all of their books that were littering the floor. I annoyingly asked him why all of my books were in here on the floor (nursing books, manuals, etc.) He said, "Daddy was making me mad so I took HIS privileges away!!" Brian said not only did M do it but he enlisted his sister to help. It was so funny, I couldn't even be mad at him.

Our future Dustin Pedroia, right? (he's from Woodland, CA)
Come on, make Mommy and Daddy some money. M bats left handed.

The kids took a bubble bath in my tub tonight and I accidentally put too much bubble bath in. They had a great time... but I had quite a mess to clean up. I asked them to get together for a picture and this is what they did. I love it... and after they were done giving each other a hug she looked at him and said she loved him and he kissed her hand. I guess they really do like each other sometimes.

My goofy girl.

"I really gotta go potty Mom."

We had a blast in San Francisco on Sunday. I've been searching for good clam chowder in a bread bowl for sometime and have been disappointed by all the restaurants we've tried in Pier 39. Finally, we found the place. We got some from the Fisherman's Grotto stand (in Fisherman's Wharf) and ate at a bench in the warm sun. Delicious! The kids had been cooped up in the car for an hour and a half and we knew not to push our luck with a restaurant. M and K fed Goldfish crackers to the pigeons and Brian and I were actually able to enjoy our lunch and talk. The weather was beautiful.... almost 70 degrees.

Goodnight.

Thank You Leapfrog!

I have to say thank you to the folks out there at Leapfrog for allowing me a moment of solitude (and sanity). Here's a picture of the kids from yesterday. He has the Leapster and she was playing with our TAG Reader which I must say is the best toy we've had a in a long time. Both kids play with it everyday. K will play with it for an hour. (I even like it). Not only does it read the stories page by page or the entire book but you can touch anything in the book and it will make it come to life (ocean makes a water sound, each pirate in the pirate book has a specific voice and so on) and give it a sound. It will also read the words individually if you touch them. I ran out right away and got a few more book. It comes with Ozzie and Mack which both kids like. The Dora the Explorer, Pirates and Scooby Doo have been our favorites so far but they're all great. Don't ever pay full price for the books ... they go on sale for $9.99 frequently. The Leapster is great too. All games are learning games and I've found it is much more user friendly than the V-Smile Pocket.

Peace at last.

Seriously... RUN out there and buy one. You'll love it.

M's rockin' the Wii Bowling. He's very good at it.

She loves to read... we made a seat out of her books.

Giggling and having fun. The party girl.

K is the loviest ... she's always hanging on me, giving me kisses and love. Well now while she loves on me she'll look at me with her loving face and slowly say, "you and me." You just have to hear her say it to really get just how cute it is.

M's really coming out of his shell. I used to be worried that when he starts school, he would be a wallflower. Afraid and too shy to make new friends. Well, each time we go to the park or KidsPark or anywhere there's other kids, he'll run right up to them and ask them if they want to play. If they're already playing something, he'll just join right in or ask if he can. He doesn't care if they are older kids either... not intimidated by that one bit. Yeah! Pre-school has been so good for him.

We signed him up for Mighty-Mights T-Ball today. To be in the regular T-Ball League you must be 5 by April 30th. He just missed the cut-off but I'm glad. Now, he'll be one of the oldest ones on the team instead of the youngest. I'm excited for him and of course can't wait to take pictures.

We're going to San Francisco tomorrow for the day... just for fun. It's supposed to be 68 degress there so it should be a nice day.

Good-bye for now... Melissa

P.S. All day today K sang, "PBS Kids" and last week while walking into Chuck E. Cheese she said, "where a kid can be a kid." Just like the commercials. Do you think they watch too much TV?!?! Ha, ha... made me laugh.

Park Play - The New Fort Natomas

Here are a few pictures from Fort Natomas. Those of you who read my blog may remember the Old Fort Natomas Park was burned down (for the 3rd time) last year. Well, they re-opened it again but this time in a new location. It's a great park, the kids love the play structure but the new location just isn't the same. The old Fort Natomas had huge shade trees which kept the park nice and cool all year round and was in an old, established neighborhood. Hopefully, being on a busier street will keep them from burning it down again. Here are a few pictures.

Giggling on the tire swing.

He can do the big swings but for some reason still wants to swing on the small swings.

They do actually like each other sometimes. Here he is helping her on the balance beam.

Monkey M.

I've worked the last 4 days in a row (whine... am I spoiled or what only working 2 days a week?) I don't know how you Monday through Friday people do it!! I had 2 days on the floor and 2 class days (Advanced Cardiac Life Support and Competency Stuff). I dropped the kids off today so I could catch up a little around the house but I was so tired most of the day, I didn't get much done.

M's been learning about the Solar System in Pre-School and named three planets last night. He also told me that the sun is a BIG star that's really hot! I guess he does pay attention in school.

M's been a little better lately (except for tonight) but I think he's just tired. He was angry at me tonight and told me I was stupid. Then he said, "I'm going to break your clock so you don't know what time it is, if you're not nice to me." Meaning... give in to everything he wants. Where does he come up with this stuff? I know he wouldn't do it. A lot of friends have advised me to put soap in his mouth the next time he verbally abuses me so I gave him a warning and told him if he said something mean that's what I was going to do. Let me tell you... he didn't say anything else (at least for tonight).

K's been pretty good... except for the whole potty training thing. A lot of it is our fault though. Brian and I don't try too hard. I figure it's my last child and changing diapers doesn't bother me too much. She's stubborn and the more I push, the longer it will take. I learned that from M. I just have to have her potty-trained by July for Pre-School but that's a long ways away in toddler years.

Her favorite song is still Rudolph the Rednosed Reindeer and she sings it all day! M's still playing with his rescue toys (which he's had forever) all day. Forget about all those new toys he got for Christmas.

Future firefighter

The other day, Brian was working OT at another station so he had all his gear in his car and decided to bring it out for the kids to play with. M loves it and always wants to wear the red helmet so he can be a Captain like Daddy. Here are a few pictures.

Love it.

Couldn't decide so here's one more.

K wearing Brian's SCBA. She loves the way her voice sounds when she talks with it on. Kind of sounds like Darth Vader or something. (I'm sure it's just yucky inside that mask... eeew)

Do you hear the engine zooming down the street? M's the Captain and is telling Brian how to get to the fire (see Brian driving) and making siren sounds in the backseat.

M "rescued" a baby from the burning building.

K's been eating a lot lately so I asked her if she is growing. She looked at me and said, "I am not a flower!"

M's been a handful again. It seems as if we have 2 good weeks and then he decides to challenge us again for about a week. With neither child taking naps anymore, it sure makes for a long 13 hour day!

Brian got me plane tickets for Christmas to go and visit my friend Rebecca in Washington DC. I think we're (he and I... no kids) going in March. Dreaming about being away is what gets me through these tough days with the kids. I am working the next 4 days in a row also (2 work and 2 class days) so this should be a rough week (for both Brian and I). Lately, I've been feeling a little down... like I can't keep my head above water no matter how hard I try. It's frustrating to have all of these projects or hobbies that I to do and no time to do it. By the time the kids go to bed, I'm just done. I dont' even have the energy or brain power to read. I've got nothing left.

Today is my niece's 21st birthday!! Happy Birthday Lacie!! My mom, sister, and I are taking her to Reno for 2 nights at the end of January. I'm excited about that also.

Well, off to do some laundry.
Melissa

Happy New Year!

Welcome to 2009! I love New Years. I love the fresh start and the possibilities that lie ahead in the coming year.

My New Year's Resolution is to start contributing more to the kids college funds and to save more money. We've done a good job this year of paying everything off (except the house) and now I really want to sock some away for a rainy day. Brian also wants to buy a trailer and I really think it's his turn to get something he wants... he rarely buys anything for himself.

I haven't had any time to blog in the last week. We've had company and have just been busy with projects around the house. I got Brian a Nintendo Wii for Christmas and we've been getting a kick out of that too. I understand what the hype's all about now. The technology is amazing. I bowled a 200 the other night... sure wish I could do that in real life. (I'm lucky to break 110)

We had a nice time on New Years Eve. It was quiet and low-key. We met Monte and Dyan at BJ's for an early dinner (leaving the kids at KidsPark) then we came home, put the kids to bed and had some cocktails while playing the Wii. We definitely got a few laughs out of the instant replays in tennis. Brian and I were in bed but still awake to watch the ball at midnight. I've never been into going out and partying on New Years... I'd much rather be safe at home with great friends.

A few pictures from over the last week or so.

Took this today of Brian's parents (Mike and Carol) with the kiddos. I like the way it turned out.

Dyan and I. We went over to her house last week so the kids could exchange their gifts.

A great one from my new lens. Brian got me the Canon 50 mm 1.8 for Christmas.

Cute one of K too.

Willy got K the Bella Dancerella Dance Mat with DVD. K loves it. I comes with a dance mat, DVD and a magic wand. Luckily, I got her dance on video when she did it the first time. I want to figure out how to upload video to my blog.

Dancing queen.

A few K funnies then I HAVE to go to bed. I have the kids early and I work tomorrow until late.

K's says, "I rock" when she's proud of herself or does something well. It's too cute.

The other day we were in the car and she was whining for her "fie" (pacifier). Well, we're trying not to give it too her until bedtime (and even that's going away soon) but she just kept on and on. Finally, I told her that I didn't have one and didn't know where one was. She said, "well, of course you do!!" That girl is just too much.

While in Target the other day, she was jingling my keys and singing Jingle Bells at the top of her lungs for all to hear. She's quite the entertainer.

M has just been pure joy lately. He's helping me with K, listening much better and just being an all around sweet boy. I love him.

OK, I really have to go to bed now. More tomorrow.