Melissa’s Blog

Well we were up bright and early as the workers came early to start the living room/entry lights. Bret worked from home today to keep an eye on the lights. The lights look really nice-we just need some lightbulbs now. It is nice to have lighting in the living room. The kids and I with some friends went to Balboa this morning. We had such a great day but I am tired. We went over to where the fun zone is. On the way all the kids played in the sand then went into the water a bit. All the kids had such a great time together and got wet. After the “beach” we went to have lunch. We went to a pizza place and I can’t believe how much pizza Justin ate. Then we went on the ferry. The kids loved it. When they saw a bird on the ferry it was the greatest thing ever. Then we headed over to the arcade, there was no stopping Justin he ran to the driving games. Nicole was all into the bowling game. Both kids were so excited when the pins fell down. We walked around a bit. There was a trampoline bouncer thing there, I think Nicole could have watched it forever. The kids picked watching the bouncing over a carousal ride. They were just in aw of it. We walked over to the Balboa Pier and there was a play structure, swings, and a climbing thing. Justin and Nicole loved the climbing thing. It was a great day in the sun. The weather was perfect, the company was nice, and the kids got along so well. So amazing to watch the kids interact. Nicole loves hanging out with Sarah and Justin with Mikey. On they way home I needed to stop at Grammy’s. The kids were so excited to go to Grammy’s. I just wanted to run in real quick but they wanted to play. They grabbed suitcases and filled them up and walked around her house. We came home and I had a million things to do, finish laundry, walk Pali, computer, etc. I was a little stressed. We had dinner then I felt like frozen yogurt. So the kiddos in the Bob stroller, Pali in tow, we walked to the yogurt place, then I finally relaxed. It is fun taking the kids out for ice-cream, they love it. When we got home we did a quick bath and then read books and off to bed. I thought the kids would crash but they were up talking for a bit and fell asleep. Tonight Bret and I cleaned up to get ready for the cleaners. I can’t wait to have the house clean.

Bret rode his bike to work today, so impressive. The kids and I played at home this morning. They were playing with Valentine cards, little sticker books, and tupperware. The kids have renamed themselves George. We may need to broaden their TV viewing since everything is Curious George. We packed up our lunch and headed to the Oak Canyon Nature Center in Anaheim with some friends. My car is working again so it was nice to have my car back. The kids had a great time being in the outdoors. We went into the nature center and the kids saw frogs, snakes, tarantulas, etc. We went on a little hike and we all had a little picnic. The kids had fun throwing things into the stream, sticks and rocks. Justin was on a mission to find all the rocks. We had a great time just a little far to go. On the way home I picked up some Ariel dolls (freecycle) and the kids love them. One is a mermaid and the kids pretend she is swimming. When we got home the kiddos watched some TV while I was on the phone. We tried to make it to the library for craft/story time but we were a little late. We saw a mom from pre school walking in and Justin went with her hoping he could get a # for both him and Nicole to do the craft. For the few minutes I was alone with Nicole she loved it. Her face lit up and she was so happy. I was so proud of Justin for going with this mom. We stayed fror the story but couldn’t do the craft, so we ran to Target to do a return and for a couple of things. Nicole and Justin loved talking to the checkout person telling them who we bought a present for and why, plus they were just chatting about random things, that we are going to Canada, etc. It was really cute. Dad called us on the way home, his bike had a flat tire. We went to pick him up. On the way the kids were telling me random things. We got dad and more random things were coming out of their mouths like remember I have Hello Kitty band aids. When we got home we took Pali out real quick and then someone came over to quote lights for the living room. We had dinner and Justin was so hungry, so cute. The kids loved having biscuits and dipping them in honey. I took Pali for a walk while dad hung out with the kids and got them ready for bed. The kids were pretending to build their beds (calling it their house). They pretended to hammer and put screws in, quite an imagination. They were a little hyper but settled down quickly.

This morning the kids played at home. I got on my laptop for a bit so the kids grabbed theirs as well. They kept asking me if my laptop did the things that theirs did. We packed up and off to Zoomars we went. We took daddy car as mine didn’t start again. Guess the battery is really dead. We had Grammy’s battery so in my car it went. But Bret took my car just in case Grammy’s battery wasn’t working so well. The kids had a great day. We met Paula and kids down there. At first all the kids fed bunnies/guinea pigs and had them on their laps. Surprisingly the animals were not too hungry. Then all the kids went on the train. There is a new play area there with a great swing set. The kids loved it and played. We had lunch right by the train tracks, so the kids could see the Amtrack trains. Justin loved it. We walked around a bit after lunch and went into this fountain store. The kids had fun there as well. Kids can have fun anywhere. So great to watch their faces. We went back to Zoomars. This time Justin and Nicole got daring and picked up the guinea pigs and bunnies. Justin put a guinea pig in my lap and I was not pleased.

The kids went back to the play area and had a wonderful time. On the way home we stopped at the grocery store. The kids got their little carts but I was trying to hurry to get home to Pali. When we got home I felt like I had a million things to catch up on so the kids played in the dirt in the backyard. No biggie as when I was finished it was bath time. It was kind of a quick bath and we had dinner. After dinner we took Pali for a walk. It was a little cold so the kids brought their blankets in the stroller. We barely use the stroller anymore. Justin seemed tired. We walked on bunny path, so the kiddos saw more bunnies. Pali was pulling to get to the bunnies. When we got home we went upstairs and read a lot of books. Nicole’s favorite book right now seems to be 101 Dalmations. Justin’s is The Little House. Kids went right to bed.

Woo hoo, it’s spring break. Nicole greeted us bright and early this morning, 6:30. I thought it was the dog we were pet sitting but it was Nicole. We played with her animals for a while, Charlie Brown and the dog. We had a quite but nice morning at home. The kids made a mess, played lots, stuck stickers in their colring books, and colored. The kids didn’t even get dressed until after lunch. After lunch was 11:15, we had to eat early as we have My Gym in the middle of lunch. Well we didn’t make it to My Gym as my car battery was dead. So we walked to Blue Gum Park instead. We had a great time playing in the sand. We also played hide n seek for a while. I am sleepy today. After the park the kids just played in the back yard for a while. Of course water was involved. Then they watched some TV. After TV I was so tired, I was laying on the floor with my feet on the ottoman and the kids used me as a slide by sliding down my legs. The kids had a snack then we biked to Castle Park. The kids hadn’t been on their bikes in a long time. We biked around the park a few times with Paula and kids. We had a great time at the park as well. The kids brought balls and were throwing them against the backboard thing then chasing after them. They rode the tire swing, went down slides, played in the sand, etc. We decided to go to Mimi’s for dinner. I was too PMSing to cook, I hope I feel better tomorrow. It was a nice dinner out, the kids did great. We came home and played with Pali on the green belt. We let her off leash and she was so playful and fun. The kids played in the backyard, they were pretending the play house was a restaraunt. We went upstairs and read books and off to bed.

This morning Erin and I ran/walked 11 miles. I took Pali the dog for a couple miles with us. It took forever but we survived. We were both PMSing too. Dad and the kids played at home, played games, ate snack together. After lunch the kids dyed Easter eggs. So fun, the kids loved it. Their hands got all dyed too. I made 14 eggs thinking that was enough but the dying went fast.

Dyed hands are much easier cleaning in the bath, so the kids took a bath. While in bath we said we thought we heard something…we said the Easter bunny? While the kids were in the bath dad hid the eggs in the yard. The kids picked up lots of eggs, when they came in to see what was in them, they went out and looked for more. So cute but it goes by fast. We came in and opened all the eggs, they both put on their tattoos (Tow Mater and Abby Cadaby) and ate lots of M&M’s and Jelly Beans. We had a fun time with the kiddos. They played outside for a bit and just got all wet. I think I change their pants at least twice a day, ugh. Then they watched Thomas and Curious George. The kids played inside for a while, Nicole rode Kota the dinasour while Justin grocery shopped. Then they heaed outside in the backyard, they are so busy. They played with water and dirt=mud. Luckily they didn’t get too dirty. We decided that we should go to the park, so we headed to Blue Gum. The kids had fun playing in the sand and then played on the structure a bit. They needed to get out. We came home and had a proper Easter dinner, ham. The kids were pretty hungry, especially Justin (wonder if he is going through a growth spurt). After dinner the kiddos played in the backyard, basketball. Then Nikki and I took Pali for a little walk. We came home and cleaned up then it was time to go upstairs. Upstairs the kids pretended money was candy. And played with it and put it in baskets. Got ready for bed, brushed teeth, and read books. Justin is snoring away but Nicole is still awake.

Ugh, Nicole woke up a lot last night. We hate that but luckily it doesn’t happen too often. Justin was the only one who slept last night. But Nicole is so cute in the middle of the night, especially when she tells you she wants to lay down with you. I try to savor these moments but it is really hard in the middle of the night. Justin woke up with a snotty nose, so we decided to miss My Gym, don’t want to infect anyone there. So we headed to the mall for a bit. It was so empty, so great. We just played in the mall and did a few errands. The kids loved watching the elevator. They have fun wherever they are. There was also a video playing with dancers regarding the Chinese New Year. Nicole was trying to dance like them. Since we tortured daddy by going to the mall we went out for his favorite food, Mexican (El Torito). The kids were so well beahved at the restaruant especially since they were really slow. When we got home the kiddos watched Curious George, while we made hard boiled eggs for decorating. I honestly think this was the first time I have ever made a hard boiled egg. We gave the kiddos a bath. Nicole was busy playing in our bed and wanted to finish so she took the shortest bath ever. It was nice for Justin to be in the bath himself. After bath we took Pali for a walk. We had a fun walk, just fun letting the kids play and walk. They both walked Pali and loved doing it. We went on bunny path but too early for the bunnies. I wish we could have stayed out longer but we had to get ready for our family photo. I hope it came out well and can’t wait to see. We took pictures on our own too but by the time that came around I had frizzy hair. The kids played on the play structure after the picture. It was getting pretty cold out so we got some dinner and came home. After dinner the kids were so fun. Got their second wind and played. We all went upstairs and read books. I was hoping to get the kiddos to bed a little early but they are still talking away. They are really into watches these days.

Daddy’s off today, yeah! The kids and I went to an Easter Eggstravaganza in Laguna Hills. It is sponsored by a church and they go all out, egg hunts, crafts, snacks, bounce houses, balloon animals, face painting, etc. We met Paula and gang there. The kids all bounced together. Justin got a green doggie painted on his hand while Nicole got a pink bunny on her face. Justin got a green dog balloon animal and Nicole got a pink bunny. The kids had so much fun and ate so much as well. It was a great morning. We came home and had lunch. After lunch we headed to Home Depot to get lightbulbs and plants. After Home Depot the kids planted with us. I guess what I should have said is the kids played in the dirt and did everything they weren’t supposed to. The kids have loved having Pali the dog here. The kids watched some TV and I decided to get off my lazy butt and go for a little run. I took the dog with me, so fun. And I felt so safe running with a german shephard even though Pali is as sweet as can be. When we went to turn off the TV, Nicole melted down. She was just crying, finally gave her a snack and that seemed to get her out of her funk. We haven’t had a meltdown like that in a while. Nicole played in the kitchen (coloring) while I cooked dinner and Justin and daddy built a spiral track and played trains. After dinner the kiddos swung for a bit, even though we were cold they didn’t seem to care. They were laughing and having fun in the swings. I love when they hold hands. We just played in the futom room with blocks, cars, store, and cleaned up a bit. We went upstairs and the kiddos were pretty mellow so we just read a ton of books.

This morning the kids slept in a little bit. Today was a field trip at Tanaka farms for pre school. We had a great time. The kids loved the strawberry picking the best. On the wagon ride, the kids tried all kinds of veggies, celery, scallions (Justin liked it), carrots, spinach, and cilantro. Justin sat with his friends on the wagon ride, Nicole started with her friends then moved on Ms. Lana’s lap then mine. Then the strawberry picking. The kids filled up their baskets so fast. Then they started eating the strawberries. All the kids had red faces. At the end there was a little strawberry maze, so much fun chasing Justin and Nicole, pretending to be a monster.

After we stopped for some pizza for lunch then went to South Coast Plaza. I kind of found a new polo for our family picture (not my favorite kind but it will do). We walked around, went on bunny carousal, saw fountains, walked across the bridge. We went to a store and the kids picked out shirts. Nicole got a Hello Kitty one and Justin got a Ramone from Cars shirt. The escalotors and elevators were so fun for the kids. We stopped in a few stores as well, toy store, Disney, etc. On the way home I dragged the kids to Coscto. Luckily they were hungry so I knew the snacks would help this shopping trip. I wanted to get an Easter ham. After we came home and they watched Curious George then took a bath. Nicole was playing before getting into bath so Justin took one for a while by himself-he liked it. Bret came home to two naked kiddos. Dad did flying burrito with them (wrap in a blanket and fly them around); they are getting way too heavy for that game. Then my old boss, Ken dropped off Pali for us to dogsit. She is such a sweet dog. Nicole was really excited. Nicole was so concerned that Pali hadn’t had her dinner yet. The kids played outside. I was picking green beans from our garden, as I picked the kids gobbled them up. The kids played basketball in the back yard. Nicole and I took Pali for a walk while dad and Justin played games. Nicole walked Pali the entire time, so funny to see little Nicole walking a big dog. We all went upstairs and read some books and time for bed. The kiddos were tired.

We took our time this morning and stayed at home. The kids played on the Leapsters for a while and we played with toys. We ran to the Laguna Hills Mall for a bit. The kids had a great time, going on the riding toys. After we met some friends at Settler’s park. The kids had so much fun at the park. The kids all rolled down the hill, ran down the hill, played ring a round the rosie, duck duck goose, etc. It was really cute to watch all the kids playing. It was getting a little cool out so we came home. The kids watched Curious George while I caught up on things at home. After TV we played games. We played Don’t Break The Ice and Memory. Grandma/pa came over. We played hide and seek and the kids liked having grandma/pa here. Alan, Roberta, and Tierney came over as well. Got some great pics of Tierney. She is getting so big. Her personality is really shining through. We are all thinking her and Nikki are going to be trouble 🙂

Grandma brought dinner. Justin and daddy picked a huge carrot out of the garden. It was a double carrot and Justin pretty much ate the entire thing. We had dinner and Nicole wanted to sit next to T and help feed her. For desert we had ice cream sundays. Now the only reason why this is worth mentioning as we put a matza ball in a dish and put hot fudge, whip crem on it and gave it to Grandma as a joke. It was hilarous! She took it pretty well too. After dinner the kiddos just played and we got to see all the pics Alan and Roberta have taken. So cute! Nicole and Justin were starting to melt down as we put them to bed a little late. The minute their heads hit the pillow they were asleep. Bret and I just finished cleaning and got to be together.

Nicole woke up last night looking for the rest of her animals. This morning we were off to pre school. We dropped daddy off at work with his bike. There was traffic though so we were a little for pre school. I was working today. The kids decided to both bring in rocks for sharing. Silly thing to bring but who am I to judge. Pre school was fun. I was the outside blue mom. A lot of the kids got wet and sandy but we had fun. There was a little Easter egg hunt at school. So cute the kids were all so excited. We came home and had lunch. My old boss’s wife came over with their dog Pali. We are going to dogsit for them starting this weekend. I just wanted to make sure the kids weren’t afraid of the dog. She is a german shephard and so sweet. The kids played outside with water for a while. They were wet so I got them naked and put them in the bath. Bath was uneventful which is a good thing. The kids had fun. After bath the kiddos had so much fun running around naked. Jumping off their beds, etc. I finally got clothes on the kids and we ran some errands. I stopped at Carters to get the kids matching shirts for a family picture this weekend. They had a blast playing with the lego table and getting stickers. We came home and the kiddos and I did an Easter craft thing. Daddy came home. While we made dinner, the kids watched Curious George. The kids wanted their Leapster games after dinner. We told them we needed to exchange them. Well Jusitn took it to me we were going to go tonight, so we found him sitting in daddy car waiting for us. So funny. So we broke all rules and went to Toys R Us even though we should have begun our nighttime routine. The Leapster rather than the Leapster 2 seems to be working better. Plus it was cheaper so a good thing. They played on their Leapsters for a while. We got them ready for bed and red a few books. We didn’t think Nicole was going to sleep but she did. I couldn’t find her regular animals that she usually sleeps with but I brought her new ones and she was as happy as can be. Hopefully she won’t wake up tonight asking for her animals now.