Melissa’s Blog

We met Becky’s play group at the Irvine Regional Park this morning. Becky organized a fun Easter party. Of course we first rode the train. Justin was so excited to ride the train. After the train ride we went over to the park area and played for a bit. The kids had fun climbing, sliding, and swinging and snack time. Then it was time for the Easter egg hunt. Nicole was too busy eating gold fish so it took her a bit to get into finding eggs. Justin on the other hand ran to find as many eggs as he could. Someone brought a parachute and balls so we had fun playing with that too. We had a great time and it was such a nice day. At lunch today the kids were feeding each other their sandwiches (pics below, too cute). Both kids napped today 🙂 Although Justin woke up early and ended up finishing nap on the couch. He was sleeping with his feet hanging off the couch-it was cute. After nap we ran to the grocery store. The kids were so excited to push their little carts. They were great little helpers in the store. Then we just played with balls on the green belt, kicking, throwing up in the air, and playing catch. The kids enjoyed it. Daddy came home and we took the kids to Lonestar for dinner. They did really well. They liked the country western dancing; they both wanted to dance. Last night Nicole took a long time to go to sleep and I think we are in for it again tonight.

The Irvine Regional Park had an Easter Eggstravaganza, so we decided to take the kids. It was really cute. We first went on the train ride then it was time to hunt for Easter eggs. The kids had fun but they saw the bounce house and that was the only thing on their minds. So we quickly gathered some eggs and off to the bounce house. I think they bounced for about 30 minutes. They had a blast jumping, falling, laughing, and giggling and we had a blast watching them. We walked to see the ducks. Justin was so excited every time the train went by-they both waved at everyone in the train. We fed the ducks, but the ducks weren’t too hungry. It was time to get home and have lunch. The kiddos decided to play outside in the sand rather than eat. Finally they came in and had lunch then nap. Yes they both took a nap even though it was difficult getting Nicole down. After nap we ran a few errands then came home and made dinner. We painted for a bit then it was bath time. It was a fun weekend, but went by way too fast.

We went to the multiples spring fling. Dad had to stay home as the new dishwasher was being installed. The kids had a great time. We played on all the play equipment. They really wanted to play in the Thomas tent but it kept on blowing away as it was so windy. We had a picnic lunch, but the kids were too distracted to eat. They were very excited to see the Easter bunny from a distance. They patiently waited for the Easter egg hunt to begin. With baskets in hand, they smiled as they picked up so many eggs. When you ask them how many eggs they got Justin says two and Nicole says twelve. It was so cute to watch them. We came home and the kids looked through all their eggs and even ate their first jelly beans. After nap, we went to grandma/pa’s. I left and got a pedicure. We hung out with grandma/pa for the rest of the night. Nicole told me to stop talking tonight-it was so funny. And Nicole went pee pee on the big toilet, twice! Justin tried-I think he just wanted to flush it. Both kids jumped off the ottoman onto pillows, played fetch with balls like dogs, and just had fun. They both got their first piggy back rides and liked them. It was very windy getting into the car to come home so the kids both say wind scary, silly kids.

We went to Lower Peter’s Canyon park this morning. We met some friends there, Maggie and Jacole. We had a great time at the park. Justin was really into his little tractor. The kids were also very interested in the water fountain, Justin was very wet and very sandy. I guess that equals fun! After Jacole with Nathaniel came over for lunch. It was fun to have lunch buddies-we need to do that more often. The kids napped today-YEAH! When the kids got up from nap, we did Easter bunny tattoos on their hands. They love it! Then we went to Evan’s (Janet) 1st birthday at Blue Gum Park. It was very cute and the kids had a great time. Justin and Nicole love cupcakes! Justin was really into the bubble blower. Bubbles and soap all over him-my messy little boy. He also became a dare devil going down the slide head first on his belly. Nicole was pushing baby Matthew (Jen) in the swing-so cute. And Nicole was trying on everyone’s shoes at the park. When we got home it was dinner time then we had to water the vegetables we planted. The kids love watering. We did a practice Easter egg hunt in the house tonight, too cute. The kids wanted to do it again and again.

This morning was our last music class. The kids love it so we will probably sign up again. It was a fun class with little shakers and scarves. Then we played in the park with Jacole and Vena. Of course we fed the ducks then played on the play structures for a while. The kids were swinging on big kid swings. It was just nice to be out. On the way home we did some grocery shopping. The Ralphs down on University has awesome car carts the kids loved. I tried and tried to get the little buggers to nap but they were too busy talking to each other, jumping up and down, throwing everything out of their cribs….basically doing everything but napping. So off to Hicks Canyon Park we went. Vena (Cole and Grant) met us there too. I taught the kids about filling up pails with water from the water fountain. So they played in the sand for a while and the usual park stuff. They love the see saw there. When we got home we went for a walk to find daddy driving home from work. We talked to some neighbors for a while and daddy picked us up. After dinner we ran to Toys R Us to buy a gift. The kids were pretty good considering no nap. We played for a bit in the store and shopped. We put the kids to bed a little early and all is quiet upstairs.

I felt like we were always on the go today. We were rushing to get out this morning to go to a make up music class. We had class at Bill Barber Park. While waiting for class, the kids loved running up and down the ramp. They kept saying “I do it again, one more time, last time”. Music class was fun-we had a different instructor. Very dif’t then Ms. Judy but great none the less. I was going to stay at the park and play for a bit. But the kids were scared of a man who was in the tree trimming the trees. It was so silly. This was fine with me as we ended up at park day at Orchard Park with all of our friends. It was such a nice day and nice to hang out with everyone. The kids were into everything swinging, playing in the sand, climbing, and riding other kids bikes. After a bunch of people met at Chick Fil-A for lunch. It was fun! We were about to go into the play area but a man dressed as a cow went in for a party. Needless to say we were not going in there. So we headed home for nap. During nap, I had to make 2 meals for friends, one who just had a baby and one for someone who just lost their mom. After nap we went and delivered meals and hung out at Christy’s for a while. The kids played so well together. They both hugged Lexie-so cute. They liked the doggie in Christy’s back yard. Justin and Lexie played catch together-Justin threw the ball and Lexie acting like a dog brought it back to Justin with the ball in her mouth, so silly. When we got home the kids told daddy about being scared of the man in the tree and then the cow. We watered our veggies and ate dinner. After dinner the kids got the mail and then it was bath time. It was a fun but busy day-the house is a mess and sand is everywhere 🙂

This morning playgroup was at the Santa Ana Zoo. We had fun just walking around and hanging out with our friends. We played in the play area too. Unfortunately due to pre school we didn’t have too much time at the zoo. On our way out we saw yellow buses and the kids said “I want to ride on bus”. So the bus driver let us on the bus. The kids were so excited. They sat on almost every seat and went to the back of the bus. Then it was off to mommy and me pre school. I guess registration was going on at pre school and it was so over crowded today. The kids had fun. Nicole did handprints with paint and then washed her hands almost the entire time. Justin painted, played with trains and trucks, made baskets, and really liked the dump truck in the sand. After nap we just played in the yard for a really long time and just had nice home time. We ran to Costco as I need to make some meals for people tomorrow night.  Tonight the kids were as silly as ever. They jump on the animals on their bumpers on the floor and play tug of war with the bumper. They just make us laugh.

With the time change the kids slept in a little. We ran to South Coast Plaza to do a return. While there we rode on the bunny carousal. The kids loved it! Justin picked out a yellow bunny and Nicole wanted a purple one. We looked at the Easter bunny but there was no way the kids were going to sit on his lap or next to him. We played in the Disney store for a bit. I bought the kids a Donald Duck and Princess cup. They were so cute carrying their little bags around South Coast Plaza. We didn’t take the stroller so I was able to take them on the escalators. I think they would have gone up and down the escalators a million times if I let them. Well nap was pretty non-existent. Nicole didn’t nap and Justin about a half hour. Since it was so nice out we went to the Spectrum. Grandma/pa met us there. We had a lot of fun. We rode the carousal and played in the fountain for a while. The kids didn’t get too wet. We saw a fire engine so the kids went over. They got to sit in it and got hats and stickers. It was cute. We went into the pet store and the kids liked it when the doggies climbed up in the cages. Then we had dinner and came home. Nicole started to get a little cranky. The kids were pretty tired-maybe they should have napped!

This morning we ran to Laguna Hills Mall to look for dishwashers at Sears. The kids had so much fun playing at the mall, riding escalators and elevators, playing/riding on all the toy cars, etc. We saw the Easter Bunny but the kids weren’t interested in sitting in his lap, they just wanted to look. At lease neither of them were screaming. Then we came home and played for a bit before nap. Both kids slept today-that is always nice. After nap we put the kiddos to work. They helped me plant green beans and cucembers. They put the seeds in the holes and were so excited to water and water and water (you get the point). Then we went to the front yard and watched daddy mow the lawn. Justin was a little bit scared of the noise. Nicole liked turning the edger thing on (silly girl). Justin and I swept a bit. Then it was time to wash daddy’s car. The kids of course loved playing with the hose. They watered the grass and palm tree. It was just fun hanging out at home and getting some things done with the kids. They kids were pretty wet. After we played in the back yard and did bubbles. Justin had so much fun blowing bubbles. So now the kids are wet and dirty, so we decided to have spaghetti for dinner and get even more messy! After dinner we ran to Target. The kids were crazy playing with balls in the store. We never go out after dinner so it was just exciting. Then bath time and then crazy time. They were jumping in each other’s cribs for a while and just being nutty. We let them stay up until about 9:15 due to the time change. It was so nice to have it lighter a bit later!

Sunny nice day, so off we went to Huntington Beach. It was such a great day at the beach. There was an event showing off all old cars. And Justin kept saying ‘I ride in this one”. He wanted to ride in all the cars. The kids were so happy to take off their shoes and walk on the sandy beach. There was so much to look at the ocean, volleyball games, seagulls, people, etc. We played in the sand for a while. Daddy kept on getting buckets of water for the kids. Justin wanted to go with daddy to the ocean. Justin put his feet in the water and said “I do it again”. Nicole cried when her feet touched the water. We made a ton of sand castles, played frisbee, and played with catch. It was just a great day at the beach. After we went to a bbq place for lunch and headed home. Justin fell asleep in the car. I was able to transfer him to our bed. And you guessed it Nicole didn’t nap! After nap we played out in the yard for a bit, playing in the play house, sand box, and swinging. Then it was off to do maintenance on mommy car. We took the car for an oil change and car wash. While we waited we went to Home Depot to look at dishwashers. Also went to Lowe’s. The kids had a blast playing outside of Lowe’s running around and jumping. While we were there we ran into Carters. It was getting late so we went to Chick Fil-A for dinner. The kids played in the play area a bit. Justin didn’t want to go down the slide so I had to climb up there to get him-ugh. Nicole was a little cranky from nap but we all survived. Luckily the kids went right to bed tonight.