Melissa’s Blog

This morning Nicole woke up a little early, so her and I played while we waited fro everyone else to wake up. Dad took the kiddos to My Gym while I went running. We did 7 miles but it wasn’t all running. It tired me out. We think the kids are getting bored at My Gym so this will be the last session. We had a fun time. We went in the backyard and played ball. The kids put rocks in the dump truck and had fun with that. We went out front-let the games begin. We were on the greenbelt with bubble whistles, poppers, bubbles with wands, etc. We played hide and seek-the kids loved it but there weren’t too many places to hide on the greenbelt. Nicole played in the back of my car while Justin drove his car. Nicole was sad I didn’t go to My Gym, so since she was a big girl I let her roller skate. She loves it and still needs to hold our hands though. Justin tried as well. He is trying to glide a bit while Nicole stills walks a bit. Mom and Dad needed a break so we let the kiddos watch Curious George. Then we decided to go on a nature walk. We went to Lake Forest and played in the “forest”. We had a great tme. The kids loved walking over the bridges and throwing rocks in the streams was so fun. Justin loved it. The kids played in the sand too and pretended to make maps. Just the imagination is amazing and just letting the kids be kids. We had a great family time. When we got home I gave Justin a bath, Nicole took a shower with me in the morning. So fun for him to be in the bath by himself and fun for me to play with him. After dinner we took the kiddos to frozen yogurt but we were sorry after their behaivor tonight. They were fighting, whining, and not listening. We are going to relax right now!

My little niece Tierney is getting better slowly. She is such a fighter, you can tell even at the age of 1.This morning we were out early as I had to go back to the foot doctor. They taped my foot again but it is not taped as well as the first one. The kids did really well once I got the DVD working. After I decided it was such a nice day, so we headed to Balboa. We had a GREAT time. Although, I felt so guilty though thinking of Alan and his family. The kids played in the sand. They were trying to throw rocks into the water, they were making sand cakes, and putting sand piles on the wall. There was a ton of construction and Justin was just amazed. He said Scoop was building a tower. Then there were planes, boats, dogs, etc. Who knew we would have so much fun. The ferry of course was the highlight. Unfortunately the fun zone wasn’t open yet. On the way home we stopped at Costco for lunch and fruit. The kids were running around Costco and opening all the freezer doors. It was too busy to fool around, they sat really well in the cart near the end. When we got home we cleaned up a bit, we have been neglecting the house. And the kiddos watched Curious George. After we just played. I set up the shake and go race car track again. It does not stay together, so annoying. But I had fun racing cars with the kiddos. Then the kids decided to take all the stuff from the mini market and put it in their kitchen, then made big piles of toys in the family room. They had so much fun doing it-I felt so bad if I made them stop, so I let them keep making a mess. The messier the mess they make the more they tend to smile. We had a guy come and fix our holes in the ceiling. When Bret got home the kiddos and I left to go see Tierney. The kids went to the mall with grandma/pa why I went to visit T. She is doing well. So sad to see her in the hospital, but I was happy I got to hold her. She is so sweet. Then I went to the mall. The kids were busy playing in the play area, having fun. I can’t believe how crowded the mall was. We got home a little past the kiddos bedtime. We finally settled them down at 8:30.

It was pre school morning, we were all organized and ready to go. We went to my car and it won’t start. We left the light on all night again, crap! Of course this happens the day I need to get to pre school ontime since I am working. Luckily Bret works close and came right home. We took daddy car and dad decided to work from home. Pre school was fun. Nicole was by my side the entire time. I have to admit I kinda like it when she hangs out with me. Justin is Mr. Independent. I barely saw him the entire time. Neither J or N get jealous while other kids sit on my lap. Of course they both couldn’t wait to share. Nicole shared her Dora telescope and Justin his limo. So cute-I just love watching them. Justin helped one of his buddies clean up, so proud! We came home and Bret got my car running again. Nicole was right daddy will fix it. The kiddos and I met Len and Ken for lunch. We took daddy car just in case. The kids overall were well behaved, but lots of fighting over the limo. I needed a rest so the kiddos watched TV. After TV I decided to get the kids out and go to Blue Gum Park. They had a great time. They played so well together, mostly in the sand. Also they twisted up the swing while on their belly and turned round and round. So funny Justin was so dizzy. After we got home lots more fighting. Nicole is just wanting everything Justin has. I feel so bad that he gives it up for her always. I made a crappy dinner tonight, so Nicole asked for soup. I made noodle soup and the kids were much happier. Luckily this is the first time that I can remember having to make another meal in the middle of dinner. The kiddos took a bath. They had a blast racing to see who can get jammies on first and brush teeth. We make it a game as we dress them then there is no complaining that they have to get ready for bed. The kids had so much fun bopping balloons, putting on their canapoies and bopping it off. So silly! We read books and we have sleeping children. I found out little baby Tierney is in the hospital. She was having a little trouble breathing. They said she has RSV (a really bad cold). There is not much that they can do since it is a virus. She will be in the hospital tonight. We hope she goes home tomorrow. Just so sad to think about anyone in the hospital.

The subject sums up my day! This morning I took the kids for a little jog around castle park. The kids did great for about a mile but then were getting antsy. I did bring the dvd player and that bought me another lap. Then we got ready to go to Disney. Grandma had her birthday pass and it was going to expire soon. We had a great time except for the rain. We got there and it started to rain. So we went on the train around the park then played on the fire engine. It was way past lunch time so we found some place to eat. By then it was clearing up and we were able to go on a bunch of rides. I think Nicole’s favorite was the Pooh ride. The kiddos were getting a little more comfortable with the characters. Justin was loving watching the roller coasters. Justin’s favorite ride was the Autopia. It was fun hanging out with him in the long line. Nicole and Grandma went on the monorail while we went on the Autopia. Justin drove really well and it was going great until we got to the end. All the cars were backed up and it started pouring. Thank goodness Justin had a jacket with a hood, we were pretty wet. We decided it was time to leave the park, then the downpour started. When we finally got to the car, the kiddos changed into their warm jammies, but I was wet and cold. It was late and finally went through a McDonalds drive thru at 7:15ish. The kids were so excited to see daddy, finished dinner, then up to bed. I finally changed out of my wet clothes and got under a blanket. Nicole tucked me in and Justin cuddled to keep me warm. Now I have to go catch up with daddy!

We dropped daddy off at work, so he can bike home. Then dropped the kiddos off at pre school. Nicole didn’t whine about me not being at pre school. I also toned it down and didn’t make a big deal. Plus it helped I am working on Thursday. I went to the gym and had the worst work out ever. I could barely work out, wow I guess maybe thats what I get for having a horrible eating day yesterday. I picked the kiddos up-they had lots of fun and were wearing crowns they made. After pre school we met some freinds at Settler’s Park. The kids had a great time, climbing, playing in the sand, sliding, etc. This was risky as I thought the kiddos would be hungry and I didn’t have lunch with us. But they didn’t even care whether we had lunch or not. They played and we had a late lunch when we got home. We played at home for a while then the kiddos watched Curious George-they love that show. Then the kiddos took a bath. The bath was not relaxing at all as they were fighting over things, spashing, etc. So bath was shortened. The kids just loved running around naked. They got dressed, got a snack and we headed to the train path to meet some friends. So cute all the kids biking together. We couldn’t stay too long as we had to get over to South Coast Plaza (Red Robin) for dinner with Sharon. The kids played games at RR. So cute to watch the kids interact with Sharon. Nicole really likes her and loves the attention Sharon gives her. On the way home the kids pretended they had maps and told us how to go home. We had some ice cream then headed up to bed. We read some books and told stories. I am glad this day is over!

This morning the kiddos stayed in their jammies till about 10:30. We just played at home. We played trains, upstairs, downstairs..the house is a mess. Cars, books, toys everywhere. We babysat for one of our friends from the mom’s club today too (Lisa w/Lindsey). The kids don’t really know each other that well. Nicole keeps calling Lindsey the purple girl-from that you can guess she had purple on. Jusitn and Nicole played really well together but today was a day I was glad we had two of everything. 2 measuring taps-2 slinkies. We headed to My Gym. It was a great class as there were only 4 kids. Justin and Nicole liked hide and seek the best. It was so cute to watch. First the kids hid and Neil had to find them then Neil hid and the kids had to find him. After My Gym we ran to Target to return something and get a few other things. The kiddos are being such home bodies. So they watched TV for a bit. After TV we made cupcakes. The kids love to bake and I have to make sure everything is fair, each gets to pour in the water, eggs, etc. They were so excited and could hardly contain themselves while they were cooling. They had fun decorating and putting a ton of sprinkles on them. They wanted to bring them to daddy’s work, so we hopped in the car. The kiddos were so excited to give daddy the cupcakes. We had fun playing outside daddy’s work in the grass. The kids went home in daddy car. It was fun pulling up next to the kids and saying hi at red lights. Nicole said to me today you got a haircut, you don’t look like mommy. I was laughing as I look exactly the same just a little shorter. We came home and Justin and I played catch for a bit. The kids wanted to climb all over daddy. After dinner we tried to clean up a bit to get ready for the cleaners. The kids fought over the new car magnets-ugh. I can’t believe how big the kiddos are getting. They amaze me everyday. We went upstairs and had so much fun trying to keep balloons in the air. Plus pushed cars to San Jose with Justin. Nicole was getting grumpy and Justin decided to sleep with his trains and limo-have to take those out of the bed after he is sleeping.

This morning the kids were very fighty. I went out for a short run. The electrician came to do the wiring for the ceiling fan in the futon room and the empty bedroom. Dad followed and installed the fans. One fan isn’t working-what a pain. I gave the kiddos  a much needed bath while dad worked. After lunch grandma/pa and Tierney came over. They wanted to get a great picture of all the kids together. We got a few.

The weather was so nice today, so the kiddos played with the water table. So cute played with their ducks. They surprisingly didn’t get too wet. Tierney was in the swing and Nicole liked pushing her. We got the beads for T and everytime she dropped them Justin and Nicole picked them up for her. While the kiddos and I went to the grocery store dad tried to exchange the fan. Long story but we still have the fan. We needed to do something fun so we headed to the Spectrum. It was a bit of a struggle to get Nicole to go for some reason she wanted to stay home. She really wants mommy time but it is so hard as I wanted to be with dad and Justin. When we got to the Spectrum Justin happily showed us where the game place was, Dave and Busters. We ended up playing some games and eating dinner there. Kiddos also went on the carousal. We came home and I had to organize the tent room a bit and the kiddos played. Justin and dad made a big drive thru with money. Nicole was in the room with me putting stuffed animals in boxes and then taking them out. We read some books and the kiddos are sleeping.

Nicole and daddy went to get Starbucks. I loved having some alone time with Justin, we swept the inside of the house just for fun and of course we ended up at the train table. After breakfast dad took the kids to My Gym for a make up class while I went for a run/walk. I must be the slowest runner ever. I felt so bad missing My Gym but I get to go all the time. The kids had fun, they loved having daddy there to watch them. After My Gym I headed to grandma/pa’s with the kiddos. Tierney was there too. Tierney was so cute heading to Nicole, trying to climb on Nicole and trying to put Nicole’s arm in her mouth. Nicole loved helping out with T. Justin loved playing cars. We tried to take a picture of all 3 kids, but T was too tired. Nicole was so tired on the way home but I managed to keep her awake. We had one of her baby dolls in the car and I made it come alive. Nicole and Justin drew pictures for her. While dad was home he put the new ceiling fan in the kid’s room and moved the one from the kid’s room to the office. I dropped the kids off at home and went to get my haircut. It is a little shorter than I wanted but will grow fast. Justin wanted to wash a car so badly, he has been asking for a few days now. So they washed daddy’s car. The kids were pretty hungry and tired tonight. We had an early dinner and then walked to the neighbors with Zoe the dog. We took flashlights and the kids gave Zoe the tennis balls we bought for her. They were so happy to make Zoe happy. We came home and headed upstairs. The kids wanted us to read a ton of books. We actually put them to bed a little earlier than normal.

This morning we were out early. Bagels for breakfast in the car. We dropped daddy with his bike off at work so he can ride home. Then we headed to Newport Beach for a foot doctor app’t for me. They have to cut into my big toe nail but I am going to put it off for a while. And orthodics and I should be fixed. Since we were down in Newport I thought it would be fun to take the kiddos to Fashion Island. The kids loved the koi pond. They loved jumping on the stepping stones. Everytime Justin saw a big fish he squeled. We walked around a bit and rode on the carousal. Nicole wanted to ride the cat and Justin the ostrich. So we had to ride twice since the animals weren’t next to each other. The kiddos aren’t tall enough to be by themselves yet. We watched all the fountains. We went into the pet store. The kids wanted to get Zoe the neighbor’s dog something, so we bought two tennis balls. The kids were so excited and wanted to give them to her right away. We had lunch there. So fun just to hang out with the kiddos. They just shared my lunch and were more excited about the fortune cookie. On the way home we listened to the song Shoe Fly numerous times. Ay home the kids played for a bit then settled in to watch Curious George. We played outside for a bit with frisbees and water. Their pants got soaked so we came in and did play doh! Justin pooped and he got off the potty and said it was in the shape of a J-he was pretty proud 🙂 The kids got out the Easter eggs, I was so tired so I wanted to lay down for a bit. I dropped the kiddos off at Paula’s so dad and I could go out. So nice to be with Bret, just having a nice relaxing dinner. The kids had so much fun. So great that it is working out taking care of each other’s kids. The kids were pretty tired.

This morning we dropped daddy off at work and he is going to bike home. Then I took the kiddos to pre school. Nicole was a little apprehensive about me leaving but she was better than she has been the last few times. While the kiddos were in pre school I ran with a friend around castle park. Then I came home and got ready for our play date. The kids were so excited that their pre school friends were coming over. The kids had a great time at pre school. When I got there they were outside playing the in the wet sand! We had a great play date. All the kids played so well. So cute to watch everyone play, so sad seeing my house get all messed up. The kids played all over the house. So cute watching Justin eat at the picnic tables with his friends, giggling. Nicole was too busy with her friends to eat for a while. Justin interacted with friends more than he ever had. Him and Neela were cracking up over the laptop. Here are some pics:

I let the kiddos watch TV so I could clean up. The moms were so sweet to help me clean up, but they did it when I wasn’t looking. Toys in all the wrong places. So I cleaned up toys for about 45 minutes and it is still not finished. Besides that it was nice to hang out with the other moms and watch the kiddos. I gave the kiddos a bath. So cute Justin puts all the ducks on the boat and brings them to the play ground, etc. The kids also use washclothes and pretend to wrap gifts. Oh at pre school a mom told me two kids were fighting over a square to sit down on and they said Justin got up and said why don’t you share? After bath the kids played naked for a while. They were “exercising” in front of the closet mirror, jumping up and down and just laughing. They played upstairs naked for the longest time, it cracked me up. They pretended to have a picnic and all the empty hangers in our closet are on the floor but that is the price I paid for a little break. Also my two little palm tree towels are wet which I am believing it is from the bath. We played Candyland then headed upstairs. I started going through some of the kids baby clothes so I can put the ones I want to keep in the attic. Oh my goodness, the most tiniest and cutiest clothes. The kids played with money and pretended to feed the animals.The kids played so well together this afternoon and tonight, it was so nice.  It was a big busy day and we are all tired. Oh tonight we were talking about the play date and Nicole all of a suddens says there were 2 Grace’s, one big and one small. Grace and her little sister look so much alike.