Christmas Traditions

Yesterday we got a surprise visitor from the Elf on the Shelf.   He was on the front porch when we went outside to put Christmas lights up.  You should have seen the kids faces as I read the book aloud.  Santa sends the elf to watch the children and then the elf reports to Santa every night and comes back to a different spot in the house.  The kids couldn't wait to get out of bed this morning to see where he was.  When K acted up today, M was sure to tell K that the elf was watching.  We had to come up with a name for him ... Brian came up with Sigmund and we all agreed.  You can't touch Sigmund or he'll lose his magic.  It's wonderful to have small children during the holidays ... makes it so much more fun.  The kids had a long discussion about how the elves make all of the toys for the kids and how busy they must be.  So cute.

We've found Sigmund in the strangest places.

You never know where he'll be.

Thankful.

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving in Minden, NV with Brian's family.  Great food and great company.  The kids were good also ... it just gets easier every year.  I am most thankful for the health of my family and friends.  M goes back to school in the morning.

Well, I have been busy ... with having fun.  For the last 3 weekends in a row, I was able to get away.  1st the weekend in San Fran with Brian, then Las Vegas with my sister (would you believe not a single picture) and Brian and I left for Reno right after we celebrated Thanksgiving and came home on Saturday.  I've had a blast but definitely missed the kids. 

Brian and I woke up at 2:45 am and headed out to Toys R' Us on Black Friday.  Had a great time and saved lots of money.  Even Brian (who hates to shop) said he enjoyed it.  We got everything we set out to get and it was very organized and safe.  The lines moved really quick.  We went to 4 places and were done by 7:00 am.  We headed back to the room but neither of us could sleep!  We laid around for a while and then went out to lunch and to the movies.  We saw Blindside which was excellent by the way.  It snowed that evening in Reno and we were both tired so we found a cool sports bar ... had a casual dinner and went to the room.  Can you believe I spent 2 nights in Reno and didn't gamble at all?  I can't!!  We were up early on Saturday to get home.  I can't thank Brian's parents, my mom and sister enough for giving us this desperately needed break.

M made me so proud the other day.  He found a small jar in the my scrapbook room and said he wanted to collect money to buy toys for kids that didn't have any money.  He scavenged the house looking for loose change but then really surprised me by emptying his piggy bank (even putting a few dollars in there).  Is he a good boy or what?  K started a jar also.

While walking by Walmart today, M picked up 2 flyers that were on the ground and put them in the garbage and then made a comment about littering.  Another proud moment. 

Once we get the jars full, we'll go and buy toys to drop off at Toys 4 Tots. 

For the last few mornings, when K comes into my room, she'll say, "I sure do love you, Mom."  She also says it very frequently during the day.  I'm truly blessed.

Sooo busy.

Haven't had time to blog lately.  Brian and I were in San Francisco last weekend and since we got back it's been go, go, go.  I am trying to pack the kids to go camping with Brian and I am flying out to Las Vegas tomorrow to spend the weekend with my sister and brother-n-law.  He has a softball tournament there.  I am so excited.  We had a great time in San Francisco.  We waited until last minute and were able to stay at The Hilton in Union Square for $100 per night (plus parking) - Priceline.  The room was amazing and in an awesome location.  We were able to just hang out together and catch up.

Time to brag.  M got his first report card on Monday.  I am so proud of him.  He got all "3's" which is proficient and in social skills and work habits he got all "O's" which is outstanding.  He can write numbers 1 - 30 (only supposed to be able to write to 10 for 1st trimester).  He can orally count to 110, knows all his letters (duh), knows all the concepts about print, meets standards for measurement and geometry, can place data on a given graph and identifies patterns.

Here's what Mrs. Heu said.  "M is a kind and responsible student.  He is very independent and often completes assignments with minimal assistance.  Continue to work on writing sentences at home.  Keep up the great work!"  That's my boy.

School picture.  Before he lost 2 teeth.  Cute, huh? 

K had pictures at preschool also.  They turned out so cute.

Can't decide which one I like more.

A self portrait before our night out in San Francisco.  It was so nice to be away.

M has decided that he wants to be a paleontologist instead of a firefighter now.  He loves the show on PBS called Dinosaur Train.  Here's a conversation M and K had in the car last night.

M - "Hey K, when I'm a paleontologist, I will let you look at my fossils."

K - "M, I'm going to be too busy being an animal doctor!!"

M - "No K, really ... I will let you look at my fossils, and you too Mom."

K - "I said I'm going to be toooooo busy!!"


And this went back and forth OVER and OVER.  They argue about everything!
Well I better start packing and I need to make brownies for M's Fall Party tomorrow. 

Art Beast

Brian worked OT on Saturday to I took the kids to Art Beast.  It's an art studio/play area for kids in midtown.  There are 3 or 4 different levels and a small outside play area.  All of the proceeds go to a shelter in Sacramento and we hadn't been there yet so it was perfect.  The kids loved it and we were there for nearly 4 1/2 hours.  Afterwards we went to the Central Library.  By the time we got home the kids were nicely exhausted and it was just about time for bed.  Yahoooo. 

K's favorite area was the baby bathing station and she went back there 2 or 3 times.  I was amazed at how lovingly she looked at them and washed them.

I told M that Daddy's bathe babies too so he even washed a baby.  (Not quite as lovingly)  She's drowning.

M painting a rainbow.

K enjoyed painting on the white board and then erasing it.

Lil' Drummer Boy.

K performed the cutest puppet show for us.

Super K!!!!

She ran all over the room doing this move.  It was too funny.

Talk to you later.

Tooth Fairy

M lost his first tooth on Saturday (the 7th).  It had been loose for about a week and the dentist told him to wiggle it a lot because his new tooth was already coming in.  Well, Saturday morning M was yelling for me while I was in the bathroom.  He kept saying ... "Hurry, it's really important!!"  When I came out he had the biggest smile on his face and showed me his tooth.  Here are a few pictures of M getting his tooth ready for the fairy.

His mean face shows off the missing tooth the best.  By the way ... I know M's hair is looking a mess but he has been begging me not to cut it.  Not sure why.  We're cutting it anyway in a few days.

How do you spell tooth fairy, Mom?

Sealing the envelope.

Ready for the fairy.

He did a good job writing her name.

Putting his tooth under his pillow.

Well the Tooth Fairy was generous and left him $10.  He came into my room holding the bill and said she left him $1.  Boy was he excited when I showed him that it was a $10 bill.  After a few minutes he went running downstairs (to look outside).  A little in the morning he looked at me and said, "The Tooth Fairy is fake ... there isn't any fairy dust outside or anything!!   And, I want my balloons!!"  Remember when the pacifier fairy came for K, she left fairy dust and a balloon bouquet on the front porch.  I explained to him that the Tooth Fairy was much busier than the Fie Fairy because look at how many teeth kids lose.  He bought it but was a little disappointed. 

He lost another tooth on Sunday (middle lower) and the Tooth Fairy left him $5.  He wrote "Toof Fairy" on that envelope.  I keep calling him a Jack-O-Lantern and asking him if I can put a candle in his mouth.  He just giggles. 

On Friday after school we are meeting my Mom half-way to drop the kids off.  She offered to watch them for the weekend.  Brian and I are going to San Francisco for the night.  We'll spend some time there on Saturday and come home that evening.  We may go to 2nd Saturday in Sacramento when we get back.

Mischief

M is up to his shenanigans again.  He put these notes on his door yesterday.  What a stinker.

Dentist time

I took pictures of K's first dentist appointment but forgot to take my camera to M's first appointment when he turned 3.  So ... I couldn't help myself but take a few at their appointments today.

They both did well.  M was nervous about his loose teeth but I told him they would be careful.  K gagged a lot while she cleaned her teeth (I don't remember that from last time).  M gaggled when they put the X-Ray wings in his mouth.  They put salt in his mouth and it helped a lot.  I've never heard of that before.

X-Ray Time.

Going through her goodie bag.

Showing me his teeth.

M being silly and making a scared face.

Like this one.  She's so pretty.

Day 5

Well, my sister has been doing the South Beach Diet and has lost 25+ pounds and because I have been feeling pretty crappy about myself and really haven't been taking care of myself, I decided to give it a try.  I don't have the will power to try Phase 1 (no carbs ... not even fruit) so I started with Phase 2 but haven't had any carbs but fruit and steel cut oatmeal one morning.   Sooooo ... I'm on Day 5 of this can't eat anything yummy life change and I can honestly say I feel better.  Days 2 and 3 were rough.  I felt bad, foggy headed and soooo tired.  Not sure if I've lost any weight or not but I have more energy for sure.  The cravings for sugar/breads/cereals have lessened.  I am taking Carb Crave Complex which helps for sure (recommended by my sisters doctor).  Wouldn't have had the will power to ever do this if it weren't for the Carb Crave.  I had a severe sugar addiction.  I want the kids to have a healthier lifestyle too.

Each day I have been having a high protein breakfast (eggs, bacon, omelette, whatever).  For lunch I've had turkey burgers or veggie patties with fruits, veggies and yogurt and for dinner lots of salad, veggies and chicken breast.  Last night I cooked a Jennie-O Turkey Breast for dummies.  This was excellent.  It came in a bag and you put the frozen breast (in bag) in the oven and cook it for 2 hours.  Came with a packet of gravy which the kids ate but I didn't.  The kids loved it ... I loved it and now I have lots of yummy turkey meat (all white) to snack on when I get the urge for carbs.  Another key is LOTS of water.  I'm not supposed to have caffeine but come on now ... I have 2 small kids and have to function.  I am using sugar-free creamer and Stevia Sweetener.  For snacks it's pretty limited to 15 almonds or string cheese.  I have had 2 Sugar-Free (40 calorie) Fudgesicles which was heaven. 

In Phase 2, I am allowed to have 1/2 C of certain cereals and 6" whole wheat pita breads but to tell you the truth I am doing OK without it so I'm not sure if I'm going to have those yet.  I may have a turkey/avocado pita today though.

Well, I'm going to The Club tonight with Tina (Brian's working) so I am going to have 2 drinks.  But I haven't cheated at all so I think it will be OK. 

Not sure how long I'm going to stick with this ... my first plan was 2 weeks then introduce a few more carbs.  For now it's day-by-day.  We'll see how it goes.  I've really wanted to make some pumpkin bread with the kids but I don't know if I have the will power not to eat a slice.

Off to the gym for the Body Sculpting class ... wish me luck.

Chore Chart Corrections

M made some revisions to his Rewards Chart tonight.  I couldn't help but laugh out loud.  He was so much fun today.  I love him.

Baby Curious George

K's preschool sends "Baby Curious George" (as K calls him) home with a different student each week and we had our turn last week.  K was thrilled and came running into the house to tell me.  You take pictures of your visit and fun with George and post them in a journal that gets passed around.  I was the week of Halloween and a very busy week so "Baby Curious George" got around. 

Just a cute one of K giving him love (while eating her sandwich).  She insisted on sleeping with him every night.

Silly girl.

Here they are with the nurse that gave her the Flu Shot and H1N1 Vaccine.

Olive Garden (I hate this picture of me but whatever).

Giggly girl.

My friend Nikki lives right around the corner and offered to take back and forth to school.  Well, the other day after K got dropped off she began to cry because she couldn't go over to Josh's house.  Then she sobbed, "He said I could come to his house and be his sister!!!!"  She is too cute lately ... and a little difficult.

Class A

Sonoma Fire Department bought the firefighters Class A uniforms.  (mostly to wear to funerals and important events)  Well, they had a big promotion ceremony the other day and Brian wore his uniform so he had the hat in his car.  After work, he came into the house with it on (in a T-Shirt and shorts) and I could help but giggle and all I could think of was .................. "The Love Boat."

The kids got a kick out of trying it on.

K's turn.

Miscellaneous Jabber

 The big news about M ..... he has 2 loose teeth!!   front lower teeth.  While at my Mom's house last weekend, I noticed his teeth looked a little crooked or bucky.  When I investigated, I saw that he has 2 new teeth already coming in behind the loose ones.  He thought I was crazy when I became so excited and told him he had a loose tooth.  I don't know why we've never talked about it.  He got a good giggle when I told him it would be so much easier to drink out of a straw when they fall out.  I'll post pictures when it happens.  Both kids have dentist appointments tomorrow.
AND ... he finished his 1st grade sight words on Monday!!  Can you believe it?  So he knows 96 words now. 

M funny - While in Coalinga, I walked the kids over to my sisters house while wearing my Moms bath robe.  She wears that thing everywhere!!  Anyways ... he looked at me and said, "You look like Granny but she's OLD ..... (pause) .... but you're just MEDIUM!!"  Cracked me up so much.  Stinker. 

K story - I left "Puppy-Doggy" (one of the dogs K sleeps with every night) at my Mom's house.  I realized it at bedtime on Sunday night.  It was a bit rough ... lots of tears and whining but I convinced her to sleep with her Care Bear.  I explained to her that Granny would send him in the mail and we would check the mailbox often to see if he's there.  Well, we checked this morning and he wasn't there.  She began sobbing ... Brian heard it from down the street.  Off we went to Target and I was being silly and singing to her but making up my own words to songs.  Instead of "You are my sunshine" it was I love you K, I love you K, you make me happy and are my best friend ... blah, blah, blah.  I can't remember exactly.  Well then she began belting out, "I love you Puppy-Doggy, I love you Puppy-Doggy ... you are coming in the mail ... so I can sleep with you ... because I love you so much."  I don't remember the rest but it was adorable.  I wish I would have had a video camera for sure.  Priceless.  We checked again this afternoon and there he was.  She almost broke into tears with happiness and kept screaming, "He's here, he's here, he's here ... I can't believe it!!"  It was so cute. 

They sure enjoyed Trick-Or-Treating and ran from house-to-house for the first few houses.  After each house, K screamed, "I got MORE candy."  M had fun but because we had such a long day got tired and wanted to go home after about 20 houses (we had walked a while though).  I was surprised.  Both kids were great the entire night.  I had fun. 

Well, off to watch Criminal Minds with Brian.  It's too scarry to watch alone.

A big thank you to Brian

Brian's parents came to town for the weekend on October 24th and 25th and offered to watch the kids for the night while I got away.  Well, Brian was working and I a had mentioned that maybe I would just get a cheap hotel room for the night so I could watch movies, play on the computer, work on my blog book and just relax.  Well, the morning before his parents came, Brian surprised me with a hotel for the night .... a beautiful one at The Marriott!!  What a treat.

I was able to get an early check-in so I arrived in my room about noon.  The room was beautiful ... lush.  I jumped right into the comfy bed ... played on the computer, read and watched TV for a little while.  Then I put my tennis shoes on and went for a long walk ... it was a beautiful fall day and the hotel in right across the street from The Capitol.  I sat on a bench at The Capitol Park and read for awhile.  Then I decided to grab some dinner ... at Ma Jongs.  Yummy.  I walked around a bit more and then went to my room to relax again.  Around 5 or so I headed down to the restaurant in the hotel to pick up some dessert (too cheap for room service) and a coffee (with Bailey's and Kahlua).  I took it to my room, devoured the dessert and enjoyed my cocktail during a bubble bath.  I was in my jammies and in bed by 8 pm.  I stayed up until around midnight though.  What a party animal, huh?  It was wonderful.  I woke up the next morning and felt completely recharged (and missed my kids ... maybe because I was so close to home, KWIM?)  Not enough to go home early though. 

Anyways ... thanks to Mike and Carol (Brian's parents) and a huge thank you to my wonderful hubby and best friend. 

Mel

Halloween 2009

I have been soooo busy with work and going to my Mom's house for Halloween that I've had no time to blog.  All has been well on the homefront.  Kids are doing great.  Healthy thank goodness.  We all got our Seasonal Flu and H1N1 Vaccines last week.  No side effects.  Seems like last week we had something going on every night.  MOMS Club Halloween Party, MOMS Night Out (yippee), T-Ball practice, shots, packing, work .... on and on.  I'll write more when I get time on what's been happening around here.  Lots of blogging to catch up on.  For now ... just a few pictures.

M was "Boba Fett" from Star Wars.  I tried to talk him into something else ... wasn't thrilled about the Boba Fett costume but he said, "You're not talking me out of it, Mom."  He's sure growing up!!  He had a cool helmet but couldn't see well, so he didn't want to wear it.  He's striking a pose in this picture.  Too funny.

My beautiful butterfly fairy.  I had makeup and glitter to put on her face but she refused ... figures. 

Trick-Or-Treating with the family.

Pumpkin carving time.  They love it.  Next year we're roasting the seeds!

More pumpkin pics.

Our "Cyclops" and "Goofy" pumpkins.

At the MOMS Club Party with his helmet on.

Running from one candy station to the next.

K was in a hurry also.