Kings Game

M's been very interested in basketball lately and plays it during recess at school so I took him to a Sacramento Kings game last night.  They played the Charlotte Bobcats and it was such an exciting game.  The Kings haven't been playing too well and lost by 6 points.  During the 3rd Quarter, M said "I just know the Kings are going to lose."  I told him that they weren't down by very many points and we have to be positive.  He looked at me and said, "I am positive they are going to lose!"  Too funny.  He got the biggest smile on his face when we walked into the arena.  He loved seeing the slam-dunks and of course, the snacks.

We got there early so we could go down to the lower level and watch them warm up.

Self portrait time.

We were seated in the Upper Level but the Arena is on the smaller side so there really isn't a bad seat in the house.  I got mid-court seats for $10 each!

He begged for this souvenir and loved waving it around during the game.

Everyday photos

I haven't been taking enough pictures lately ... not sure why.  I guess just haven't been in the mood.  I am going to make an effort to take more pictures of the kids, especially pictures of everyday moments.  The kids were taking a bubble bath last night and I grabbed my camera. 

An adorable picture of K giggling.

My little boy is growing up.  He looks like a mini-man in this photo.  He loves to pretend he's Santa Claus with the bubbles.

A picture of M tucked in before bed.  He's had Beary since May of 2008 and sleeps with him every night.  he also sleeps with Magic, Froggy and

Doesn't she looks so sweet and peaceful?  K's favorite sleep animal is Sheepie, she got him from Aunt Sharon (Brian's Sister) when she was 1.  She sleeps with 2 animals each night.  Her other sleep companions are Sweet Puppy Pup, Puppy Doggie (1 and 2) and Magic.

Bounce time

Last weekend Jack came over for a sleep-over.  They had a great time ... pizza, ice cream, staying up late (a little later ... OK 8:30) and lots of playing the Wii.  I guess that's what boys like to do.  I tried to encourage them to play other things but they kept going back to the Wii.  Finally, I realized, whatever ... let them have their fun.  K enjoyed watching them and didn't whine at all (surprisingly).  The next morning, M's other friend, Drew came over.  Boy, did he love that.  I decided to take them to The Bounce Spot - they'd have a blast, not mess up the house and get good and worn out.  I don't understand how kids do it.  3 hours of cardio and they were still wanting more.  Had to bribe them with snacks to get them out of there.  I will say, I had a good time bouncing and laughing at them.  They were so good.

They are so sweaty ... eeew.

Boys.

I love this one.  They scarfed their ice cream down as quick at they could so they could get back to the Wii.

Cheers!

Best buds.

For some reason, K has been so critical of my clothing.  Well, the other morning I put some sweatpants on with a fleece shirt and she started giggling.  I asked her what was so funny and she said, "You're not wearing that shirt with those pants, are you?"  Ok, fine ... I changed my shirt.  I go downstairs and I could see that she was really studying my shirt again. A few minutes later, she said, "Do you really think that shirt fits you?  It's a little tight, Mom ... but I still love you.  It doesn't look THAT bad!"  Little stinker.  She was right, the shirt was too tight.  Definitely not my style. 

Another K story.  Her best friend at school is a little boy ... we'll call him J.  She talks about him all the time and has been giddy with excitement about going to school in the mornings so she can see him.  Teacher Michelle said they often hold hands.  I saw her gently pat his back this morning when I dropped her off.  She excitedly told me that he saved a seat for her the other day.  Well, this morning she said, "I wonder if J will ever bring flowers to school for me?"  Her first crush.  Hopefully he doesn't break her heart.  Seriously adorable. 

Would post more tonight but my computer is giving my problems.  Goodnight.

Christmas with the Cyr's

Brian's parents came up last weekend and we celebrated our Christmas.  The kids were so excited to open more presents. 

Each year, the kids make handmade gifts for family.  This year they painted wooden birdhouse windchimes and were so proud.  Having children enriches my life so much.  Can you tell I've had a happy mommy day?  Not that I'm not usually happy being a mother but I definitely have days when I feel overwhelmed/exhausted.  Well, today was a good day.  With the exception of homework time with M.  The kids played so well together, we laughed a lot and had a great time at the park.  The sun finally came out.  Why can't all days be like this?

They enjoyed watching them open their gift almost as much as opening their own.

A very late birthday gift for Grandpa.

K was beyond excited about her nightstand.  I told Carol she would be.  She immediately began screaming, "I always wanted one!  I can't believe I got a nightstand".  It was precious.  She then ran over and gave hugs.  Grandpa put it together and she couldn't wait to put her lamp, clock and a glass of water on it ... as well as a few of her other treasures.

"Oh yeah!!"  Lego Harry Potter for the Wii.  He was thrilled.

Miscellaneous Jabber

K sure has become a Daddy's Girl lately.  They've been spending a lot of quality time together.  I met them at Barnes and Noble's the other day and couldn't resist snapping a photo before they saw me.  Brian is the most amazing dad I've ever seen.   Sometimes, he'll come dragging in after a 48 hour shift and a 1 1/2 hour drive and K will say, "Daddy, will you play with me?"  He'll sit right down and do a puzzle with her or something.  I really don't know where he gets all of his energy. 

A cute one of them at Joe's Crab Shack.

I found these old pictures of Brian and couldn't resist posting them on my blog.  Can you spot him?  He's the tall on on the right (in back row).

Back in the day when he worked on a hand crew.  He looks so young, doesn't he?

And another.

Today, K was talking about how she is going to get married.  She said, "I have to wear a white dress, right?  Where will I get a white dress?"  When I asked her if she wanted to be a mommy when she grows up, she said yes and that she wanted 2 kids.  I told her I didn't want her to grow up, that I wished she'd stay small.  She reassured me that she'll live right next door to me with her husband.  I'm going to hold her to it.  She's absolutely the sweetest.  She constantly grabs my hand and kisses it.  Peiodically through the day she'll tell me that I'm a good girl or I did a great job on something.  I was upset about something the other day and was crying while I talked to a friend on the phone.  She brought me a blanket and tucked me all in, complete with kisses.  Then she got into my craft cupboard and brought me some fake flowers.  She left again for a minute and came back in with a big pillow and basically lifted my head to put the pillow under it.  I thought she was done but she ran out of the room again and came back in with my Starbuck's (decaf now).  She whispered to me that I'm a good girl and that she loves me.  She definitely has mother instincts.  So special.

I don't want anyone to think that it's all roses with K though.  She has her moments.  Most of the frustration with her comes from what she wants to wear.  It started out with her only wanting to wear comfortable clothes ... basically sweats.  Leggings used to be OK but now she says they are too tight.  Well, now she doesn't want to wear long sleeved shirts either.  T-Shirts or tank tops with shorts (in January).  She just always looks so sloppy.  Sometimes I pick my battles but sometimes I make her wear what I want which usually brings 20 minutes of crying.  It makes mornings challenging.  When we get home, if she doesn't like what she's wearing she'll immediately go upstairs and change.  Sometimes she changes back and forth 2 or 3 times in a day because I'll make her put her nice clothes on to go and get M from school.  Uggh.  What to do?

M's been easier lately.  He's been very nice to K and has been pretty helpful for me too. (except for homework)  For the past month or so, he's been very affectionate and loving towards me.  He tells me very often that he loves me.  I'm soaking it all in because I know he's growing up so fast.  When I drop him off at school in the morning he'll give me a kiss quickly while not letting any of the other kids see.  I remember those days too.  The other day I surprised him and told him that he and I were going out for the day.  We went to his favorite place to eat, The Spaghetti Factory, to the movies (Tangled) and then to the bookstore.  It was a great day, I could tell he felt special.  I'm going to be mindful to do that more often.  K and I spend quality time alone all the time when M's in school but he doesn't get that often.  I think I'm going to surprise him with a Kings basketball game at the end of the month.  He'll love it.  Off to bed.