Catching up

I've been too busy to blog. We've been trying to catch up on some of the chores around here and I worked the last 2 days. The kids have been fighting with each other like crazy... I have a feeling we have about 14 more years of that ahead of us (if M's out at 18). If they would just be nice to each other it would be so much easier. Yesterday Brian said K hit M (just really clobbered him) and M started crying very dramatically. He took K over to put her on time out and M instantly stopped crying and with a perfectly clear voice said "is K on time out?" (once he realized she was on time out the pain magically went away). The other day, M and K were playing in K's OLD crib and he pushed her down very hard. He stopped and looked at me and said, "I'll go on time out now". He went downstairs, sat on the designated step and even got the timer!




Tonight they are having an event at The Club. It's a night of beer-tasting, so we are meeting Dyan and Monte there. I'm looking forward to some adult time.

Tomorrow Dyan and I are going to Dinner My Way in the morning to prepare 6 meals. Strangely I'm looking forward to it. They do all the prep and clean-up. All you have to do is just assemble the dinners. We'll have fun I'm sure.

I just got word today that M will be moving up to the Red or Yellow room on June 9th. PRE-K!! What??? I am a little sad because I love the teacher that he has now but sometimes change is good. I would love someone that will push him a little harder and hopefully help him to not be so shy in front of his classmates. He does really well during activites and plays with all of the other kids with no problem but if she asks him something during circle time (even if she's sure he knows it) he get really embarrassed and quiet and says "I don't know."

I couldn't help but include a few pictures. Last weekend when we rode the train we put quarters out on the tracks so when the train came by it would flatten them out. I had never done that before. Here are some pictures of the kids with their money.

Too bad they wouldn't look.

Well, I'm off to play Zingo with M. A birthday gift from Aunt Sharon which we love.

Sacramento River Train and Big Girl Bed

There are going to be lots of pictures today. We've moved K to a "big girl bed" and I took so many photos to share of this milestone. She didn't have any problems with it. She isn't scared of anything (except night-lights and bugs) and she adapts to change very well. On Friday we brought the bed up here and put it in the loft area (so she could get used to it a little). She was so excited and immediately laid down on it and wanted her sheep and blanket. I think she would have gone to sleep right then and there (it was 10 am). Yesterday we were in M's room and Brian started dragging it into her room and she started screaming "my bed, my bed". She helped with the sheets and comforter and we all laid in the bed for a few minutes. She loved it. We weren't sure how she would do with nap and bed time but she did fine. Didn't get up once. Yeah, now we need to just get the crib out of there. With M we left the crib in the room just in case it didn't go well but we definately aren't going to need it. She loves going to bed.

A little story. Yesterday M and I were laying together and he touched my nose very lovingly and said "your nose is cute." Also yesterday I put M on a time out (which really do work by the way) and he kept telling me over and over "you are not my sweetie pie anymore and you are never ever my friend."

We're a little sad this morning because the play structure at one of our favorite parks (Fort Natomas) was burned to the ground last night by an arsonist. This is the 2nd time it's happened in 2 years. It took a lot of volunteers and donations to rebuild it last time and I hope they will try to rebuild again but I'm not sure if they will. I can't imagine why someone would do that. The kids enjoyed playing there so much.

Here's a video on the fire in 2006.
Fort Natomas Fire

Here comes the bed.

Playing on her new bed.

Daddy reading to K on her new bed (in the loft).

"Cozy" as she would say.

Horrible picture of me. I had been awake for about 5 minutes before this picture but here it is anyways. We are all in K's bed in her room.

Night, night beautiful girl.

Sacramento River Train - I can't believe they are all looking AND smiling.

I like this one of K and I.

M wouldn't look at the camera.

The conductor put his hat on M and he got embarrassed.

Just chatter

Today the kids and I went to Fort Natomas to play even though it was horribly windy... there was even a wind advisory! After we had been playing there a little while I started noticing some branches were falling and it looked a little dangerous so we started playing on the other side of the park. Before we left the Parks and Rec stopped by and noticed the same thing and closed the park down. That's all I need... a concussion or worse. I am such a dork... yesterday while walking M into school I fell, and I mean fell. Thank god nobody saw me. I honestly can't believe my ankle isn't broken. I heard what sounded like cracking and popping. It's a little sore today but not broken, I can walk on it and everything. I also bruised my hand and scratched up my knee. M just looked at me, not really knowing what to do or say. He didn't offer to help me up either!! I had to hobble in to drop him off. How embarrassing that would have been if other parents or teachers saw this happen. He's been checking on the owie on my leg all day today.

Today is one of the those days where I really feel like I was a good mom. I played with the kids a lot, fed them well and was in a good mood all day. This morning M and I did this Preschool Scholar workbook. I had done something similar with him a few months ago and he wasn't interested and didn't do very well. I was shocked, he knew a lot of his numbers, he totally got the "which one doesn't belong", "largest to smallest and the same", and he was able to count things and find the appropriate number. He really enjoyed it, I'm going to have to buy more of those because we almost finished the entire book.

I tried reading books to both kids at the same time in my bed tonight. For 2 reasons, so they could each get to read more books and I could save myself a little time. It didn't work. K just wasn't into it and they like different books and their alone time with me. Plus, I shouldn't change any of our routine right now because we're moving K to a big girl bed on Saturday night and I want things to go well. I'm excited but a little saddened by the fact that I'll never need a crib again. Definately not enough to want another one though.

During K's nap we made a bracelet with our new beads. He loves them because they are ocean colors and the have beads that look like seahorses, shells and starfish. He wants to give it to Dyan and couldn't wait to tell her on the phone.

What concentration.

Just silliness.

After dinner, I made frozen bananas dipped in chocolate. They really loved THE CHOCOLATE but whined about eating the banana.

Here's M scraping off the chocolate.

I'm back

Boy have I been a bad blogger lately. I can't tell you how busy I've been. Brian and I have been working overtime because over the winter we just weren't able to get ANY. I could work everyday this month if I wanted to. The bummer is that I don't feel like we've seen each other much lately... or had a lot of quality time together. I'm excited for June 14th because Brian is best man in Dylan's wedding and I got my mom to come up and watch the kids on Friday for the rehearsal dinner and Saturday for the wedding.

Friday I met Dyan and Monte at The Club for cocktails and bingo (we only get 1 1/2 hours to hang out because of the child care) but it was really a lot of fun. We played for about an hour and Dyan and I both got Bingo's. Brian got home from work that night around 8 pm and put the kids to bed for me... big thanks for that.

Saturday we all went to The Spirit of Natomas at one of the parks here. It was scorching hot outside but nice to be together. They had a bounce house, different booths, music and food. M was bummed because the Fire Department was supposed to be there with an engine but they didn't show up. He told us they were probably at a fire. After the event and K's nap we went to The Club to swim. The kids had a blast. Too bad M is kind of starting off at square one with the swimming again. He just doesn't like to go under or have water on his face. He loves playing in the water but is just a little scared. K on the other hand loved it and told me about 5 times "I'm having fun, Mommy." The toddler pool is going to be so easy this year. Dyan, Monte and the kids met us there and all of the kids played together while we chatted. It is getting so much easier to get out and do things now that they are getting a little older.

Sunday I worked an evening shift (3 - 11:30) and then back Monday morning for a (7a - 7p). I got about 5 hours sleep and boy am I feeling it today. Brian is gone until Thursday.

Here are a few pictures from the past few days.

My Mother's Day gift from M. They made all of this at school. The Book of Kisses is a coupon book to get kisses from M. They put lipstick on the kids and had them kiss each page. The spoon has 2 hershey's kisses on it and says "Dear Mom, a spoonful of love and a couple of wishes, hope you enjoy your Mother's Day Kisses." They made soap and the purple heart is a pin and has buttons all over it. The card that came with the pin says "This little heart I give to you, filled with buttons of every hue. On this Happy Mothers Day I love you in every way." He couldn't wait to give it too me and loves looking at all of the things he made. I had to wear the button pin all day.

This was in the bag too. I forgot to include it in the first picture.
Like I said, he loves to wear hoods.

The to the Spirit of Natomas event. I love the cute hats.

Poor Roscoe, he didn't even move. He lets her do whatever she want to him.

She let out a big Ta Da here. Oh yeah, he left them on.

M's doctor's appointment

Yesterday M had his 4 year old routine checkup with the doctor. They were so thorough with him. They checked his visual acuity which was 20/20 and 20/40. I guess it's normal for their vision not to be perfect yet. His weight was 37.1 pounds and 39 1/2 inches tall. He is around 50 - 60 % on the growth chart for height and weight. There was a mix-up with the appointment so we didn't get to see his regular doctor. We saw Dr. Yu instead. He was wonderful and had been in the business a very long time. M was on his best behavior... did everything he asked him to do. He turned his head from side to side, opened his mouth to say aaah, breathed in and out as requested... the works. When the appointment was all over, Dr. Yu gave us the most wonderful compliment. He said he's been doing this a long time and not very often does he see a little boy that is as well behaved as M was. He couldn't believe how calm he was and how he paid attention to everything he said. He got right down to M's level and told him, "M, you're a good boy and I'm very proud of you... you keep up the good work and study hard and learn a lot in school." He said "I'm very impressed with you're behavior." This was the good M.

After his appointment we went to get his shots. I was honest with M and told him he was going to get an owie (I hate it when parents are not truthful about things like that). He cried and moaned a little but then started playing in the play area.... UNTIL they called his name. I was so embarrassed because he was screaming and running away from me and I had to chase him around the play area to catch him. He was kicking and screaming a little on the way in. After the shots were over (3 in one leg I might add... whatever happened to using both legs so one little muscle doesn't get so sore) he cried for a few minutes but he was more mad at ME than anything. AT LEAST 10 times on the way to the car I got "I don't like you, NEVER, EVER!!" He repeated this OVER and OVER. He slept the entire way home... poor guy. He liked me again about 2 hours later. At bedtime he told me I was his "sweet pie."

Tonight Dyan brought her little ones over so I could watch them for her. She had a meeting at D'd kindergarten. The kids were all so good. They played together really well. We did everything... karaoke, books, puzzles, Zingo, popsicles, played outside, sandbox... anything I could think of to keep them occupied. I just can't imagine having 4 kids!! The cutest part of the night for me was when M and D (Dyan's boy) were sitting on the couch and they were reading books together that we got from the library. M was teaching him about all of the spiders in the book. We've only read it 2 or 3 times but he sure remembers things like that (not so good with his letters yet though). He was telling him, "that's a brown recluse, and see how the spider catches the wasp in his web so he can eat it, and look how hairy the tarantula is, and the most dangerous spider is the black widow spider, and look at that spider... he actually jumps across the water." So cute... he is really smart in that way. When they left to go home he ran out to tell D (Dyan's boy) that he loved him. D didn't say anything back so when M got up to the front door with me he said "I know D loves us Mom." He really is so lovey... I feel like I'm constantly saying how sweet he can be on here but he really is. When we lay in my bed he always insists that I lay right by him (sharing the same pillow) and tonight he touched my arm and said "I love you Mom". I replied "I love you more, buddy" and he said "I love you more too... we just BOTH do, Mom."

Here are the gifts M and I made for the Grandma's and Aunt Sue for Mother's Day. We painted the pots and glued the jewels on (M did most of it himself).

Here they are with their presents.

Grandpa trying out the new bike. A little small?

Off to bed, I'm going to be tired tomorrow!! Mel

MY best friend

Tonight we were all sitting outside after dinner enjoying a popsicle and I was talking to M about his friends at school. I asked him, "who is your best friend that is a girl?". Right away he responded "I think you're probably my best friend mom." Talk about warming your heart. He was totally sincere and serious when he said it also. I love him.

Happy 4th Birthday to M

Saturday we had M's birthday party at Funtastic Play Center in Natomas. The party went very well. M had a great time and I think he felt very special. We had a pretty good turnout. There were about 13 kids and 20 or so adults. 2 of the kids from his class (Maxi and Jack) came and he was very excited to see them. All of the kids had so much fun they were sweaty. K had a blast also. She was the only one her age that climbed all the way up to the top of the equipment. She got to the top and yelled "ta da". She really is something... so boisterous and loud... the life of the party for sure. I'll tell you... it was just about the easiest party you can imagine. There were 2 girls working there. They helped with set-up, clean up, played with the kids a little, handled serving the pizza and drinks, set-up the birthday candles and all. Totally worth the money as far as I'm concerned. He got so many cool toys and believe it or not, no duplicates. He received a fishing pole, a digital camera (kids one), a new bike, a sandbox, sand toys, Scooby Doo toys, books, a baseball glove, dinosaurs, games, a Jr. Skateboard, a butterfly habitat, Cars toy, 3 new Choo-Choo's and MORE! We are going to have to move out!! Or at least clean out the playroom. I had a hard time deciding which pictures to put on here but here are a few.

I gave M a "It's my 4th birthday" pin to wear. He wore it proudly.

When we sang Happy Birthday to him he really liked it at first and then got embarrassed. He won't look at all of us. So cute.

By the end of the song, here he was trying to hide under the table. My mom was worried he was going to catch his hair on fire. I didn't even think of that (some nurse, huh?)

The cupcakes tasted yummy even though the Scooby's kept falling off of them. I didn't hear any of the kids complaining. The kids were so good... even when they were just eating their pizza, they all sat in the room very quietly and ate. I couldn't believe my ears. No fussing what so ever.

Time for presents. He was really excited about that.

The cool Scooby Doo figurines were a hit.

Riding his new bike (with a very loud bell which he loves) in the house. This was only allowed for the first time!! He jumped right on and rode it like a pro. It's a 12", the perfect size for him.

Funny story....the day after the party we were all laying around the house and relaxing. K went upstairs and got her sheep (which she uses every night as a pillow) and her blanket and laid down on one of the stairs to rest. She said she was "cozy". She was there for a minute or two and then YELLED "I need a fie (pacifier)!!" She waited a minute and nobody responded to her needs so she stomped upstairs to get one out of her crib by herself. We only use it at nap and bedtime now. She got back down, grammy tucked her in on her stair, she laid there and minute and then rolled off! I think she must have fallen asleep. Here she is.

K with her baby (creative title, huh?)

Yesterday while M was at school I found a Christmas present that Sue got K for Christmas that I had stashed in the closet (because we had so much, sorry Sue). It was Christmas in May for K. She loved playing with the baby carrier. We need Daddy to put together the swing and stroller. It's amazing to me that the mothering characteristic just comes naturally to little girls (at least mine). She fed her baby very lovingly, kept covering her up in her carrier and at one point looked like she was trying to quiet her baby down by rocking the carrier. Where did she learn all of this from? We had to take her baby with us in the car to pick M up.

Oh no, we need stock in Duracell Batteries

I know this is my 2nd post today... I'm a big loser. Brian's gone, it's Cinco de Mayo and I really don't want to go downstairs and clean up the daily mess. The other day I bought a bubble gun and it really is a lot of fun. We all had a blast but I can see I'm going to have to go and clear Costco out of their AA batteries!! We also already went through 1 bottle of bubbles! They don't tell you 1 bottle will last you 15 minutes!

Today I had to put K on a time-out and she won't stay on time-out anymore so I sit on the step with her but don't look or talk to her. She kept saying "mommy, want a hug" or "mommy, want a kiss." She was kissing my arm and trying to pull me closer for a hug over and over. She is very affectionate... actually both kids are. I'm lucky for that I guess.

What fun he had... I should have bought 2 though (less fighting).

Tickled her hands.

K's turn. When he didn't want to give it to her K said "Mason time out Mommy"!

MOMS Club Bike, Trike, Pushcar Parade

Happy Cinco de Mayo!!

Today the MOMS Club had a little get-together at one of the parks in the area. All the little ones brought their bikes or whatever (K brought her shopping cart) and they had a little parade around the park. M absolutely loved it. He rode his tricycle for 1 1/2 hours... it was pretty warm too. He didn't want to leave, so I had to bribe him with a snack. K had fun pushing her stroller and pig too (she didn't want anyone else to play with them, that's for sure).

Something cute... I don't know how we got on the subject but we were in Target today and I was having M name things that were dangerous. He started with fire, bees, sharks and then he said "SISTERS." It was just so funny.

K is napping but so far it's been a nice day with the kids. It really helps to have some kind of activity to do in the mornings. It wears the kids out and time goes by much faster. Brian is in a mandatory class all week... bummer. Here are a few pictures from today.

M with his "BIG" bike.

K on the swings... she's really starting to like them.

The parade.

M and M.

K makes her own parade route.

Waving as they passed by.

Build-A-Bear

Well Dyan and I took the kids to Build-A-Bear today. We had a nice time. K wasn't into it but I didn't figure she would be... she's just too young to really get it. The rest of the kids loved it though. M made his bear a fireman and he named it "Fireman Sam". Of course, he had to have the boots that go with it also. K made a cute little bear with a Hello Kitty girly outfit on. Cost us $79.00! I like to put the price of things so the kids can get an idea of how much things cost when they were little. No telling how much things will be when they have kids. K loved her bear once we got home and played with it for the rest of the day... M did too. After we were done with our bears the kids went on the carousel at the mall and boy were they excited about that too. The boys were giggling and running with excitement to get to the carousel. I don't have any great pictures of K at Build-A-Bear because she wouldn't let me (go figure) but I like the one of all four of them. Very hard to get... the only way we got K to sit was to tell her she got to sit by Dylan (she loves him and will do anything he says). Boy crazy already!! After her first bear was stuffed she thought we could go back and pick out another bear... boy was she mad when I wouldn't let her.

I had a great day with the kids. We went to the park this morning also and they were so good. I found a park that they both love, there's always kids there and I am able to just rest while they play. It's awesome. M took a 1 1/2 hour nap!! Good and bad to that story. He just went to bed at 9:00 PM! I'm tired.... I kind of like the 7:45 bedtime without a nap but he definately wasn't as grumpy today.

I wish I could write more, I've got this pain in both of my wrists and now it's even up into my elbows. I had this off and on in my right wrist for a few months but this is the worst it's ever been and now it's in my left wrist also. Hurts all the time... even when I'm just sitting. Ice helps a little. It's painful to blow dry my hair, color with the kids, turn pages in books, sit on the computer... everything. It's really making me a little sad. Now I'm getting numbness in my fingers also. I don't know if it's Carpal Tunnel Syndrome or tendonitis or something else. I'm scheduling a doctors appointment on Monday.

I love the group picture even though K isn't looking.

M with his cheesy smile.

M helping K stuff the heart in her bear.

Cutie!

K playing with her bear "teddy" at home. She is trying to put her shoes on.