Melissa’s Blog

This morning we ran to Target to get a few things. I ended up buying the kiddos a guitar and car roller skates. Just what they needed was more toys. The kids were so great at Target. After we went to Lisa’s (Chase & Alyssa) for play group. The kiddos had fun, they wanted to play outside. Justin found a rocket launcher thing that he loved and Nicole was really into being pulled in the wagon. After we ended up going to Vena’s for playtime and lunch. Justin immediately headed up to their room upstairs that has the trains. He was happy as can be. Nicole played all downstairs and liked driving Cole & Grants golf car and mini cooper. The kids all ate lunch together, so cute. Justin loved Vena’s fried rice. We came home and the kiddos put their kickboards in the back of the cars and pretended they were going to the beach. Then they brought them inside and they were swimming in the ocean, they said. We built a track and the kids played so nicely. I let the kiddos helpe me prepare dinner, so scary over the hot stove but they listened well. We played Candyland and Hi Ho Cheerio. The kids are loving games, then I let them watch some TV. After TV the kiddos drove their cars and then Mikey, Katie, and Sarah came over. We babysat tonight so Paula and hubby could go out. We played outside with all the kids until it got dark. Nicole and Justin were happy to have their friends here. We all had dinner together then we put out the play doh. The girls stuck together and the boys did too. Justin and Mikey played trains and all the girls played baby. We went in the backyard with flashlights and played. The kids got into the water so we were worried about how cold it was, so we came back in and played. My kiddos were tired and went right to bed. All in all it went great with 5 kids and I am glad we can do this for them and they can do it for us.

Pre school this morning. I dropped the kiddos off then went to the gym, watched a little TV, then did some gardening.  My poor garden has been very neglected. I love picking up the kids, I get the biggest hugs ever. They love their pre school friends and gave them hugs goodbye. We played out front for a bit then came home. I got compliments that N&J took turns and shared. The kiddos had a big snack at pre school so they weren’t very hungry for lunch. I read a ton of books. So great that they love books. Then they watched some TV, Curious George and Elmo’s world. Then I gave the kiddos a bath; they stayed in the bath for a long time. We played upstairs for a bit too. Silly me when I asked Nicole what she wanted to wear, I got her goat shirt. I swear without even looking in her closet she know if it is clean or dirty. Justin wanted to wear his Thomas jammies, luckily I talked him into his chicks dig me T-shirt. We went to Albertson’s to get lots of stuff as they were having an awesome sale. The kids rode in the car carts and had a great time. They kept telling me to go faster. When we got home the kids wanted to wash my car which actually means I want to use the hose. Dad came home and the kids drove their cars a bit. We had dinner and I had to go to a meeting at pre school. They kids were excited to be with daddy.

I am tired today, didn’t sleep all that well last night. The kiddos played at home for a while this morning. I think they needed some fun home playing. I grabbed the kids bathing suits and when the kids saw them they wanted to put them on right away. Vena offered to host our Wed. play group. Vena warmed up the jacuzzi and the kids had a blast swimming. Justin said he was too cold and didn’t swim. He played with Cole and Grant’s planes. Nicole was a fish. She was loving the water. We put the arm floaties on her but she freaked out a bit when she couldn’t touch the ground. After that she just stayed where she could touch the ground. She was in the water for about 2 hours. Then the kiddos ate lunch and played inside some more. They found all the toys upstairs. On the way home we stopped at a friend’s house to give them Justin’s old trike then ran to return Justin’s shoes he didn’t end up wearing to Alan’s event. The we came home and played, Nicole kept making me food and Justin was busy with his car toy. I took the kiddos to open gym @ My Gym. They love it there. I just love to watch them play. When we got home, we played in the cul de sac. The kiddos drove their cars. They drove them in the cul de sac, off the curb, and on the greenbelt. I like it best on the greenbelt as I don’t have to worry about cars. Dad came home and he stayed outside with the kids while I cooked dinner. After dinner dad and the kids played Candyland and I met a friend and went for a walk. Then daddy went on his trike while I read books to the kiddos. They were out the minute their heads hit the pillow.

This morning the kiddos went to pre school. I got time to myself which was nice. I went to the gym and the cleaners. I came home and watched TV for a bit then gardened. It was so hot out though. Picking uo the kids is so fun as they are so happy to see me and give the biggest hugs ever. The pre school teacher said that at snack time, Nicole moved her seat over to her brother. There were already too many kids at the table. When the teacher asked why she moved Nicole said because I love my brother. So sweet. After pre school we just played outside the pre school. The kids have gotten accustomed to just playing outside beforr we go home. I had two really hungry kids when we got home. One of my neighbors daughter is home from college, so she came to see the kids. N&J got to play with Cindy the dog. Nicole was really wanting my attention though. We played frisbee in the backyard then went up to take a bath. After bath, we went to meet Paula at the path where the trains are. The kids had fun and loved riding their bikes, and seeing trains. Nicole was pretty whiny today for some reason and kept asking for snacks. Maybe she was truly hungry because after dinner they were both in great moods. We played Candyland. Upstairs the kiddos wanted to find daddy and loved when we scared them. They played in the empty room, I moved the trampoline up there. So the kids all hyper I left to go to Bunco. It was a fun night. Nice to be with the girls. When I got home, we got the best news ever, my nephew Henry will be leaving the hospital tomorrow. However, if he spikes a fever he is back in so I am keeping my fingers crossed.

We were out early this morning, so I could go work out. The kids loved the play area, I can barely get them out of there. They were playing with blocks when I picked them up. After we met some friends at Blue Gum Park. It was hot and dry out, but the kids had fun. So cute to watch Nicole appreciating her friends, she was holding Alaina’s hand. The kids played mostly in the sand. Then we headed to our My Gym class. This is the first class that I haven’t had to participate in-I got to sit back and watch. The kids didn’t mind I wasn’t in there. They walked across the balance beam, did flips with help on the rings, and played red light/green light. They love this place. After I dragged them to Costco. They didn’t seem to mind at all, they love Costco. They love the samples and running in the cold area. We had fun shopping together. The kids watched Thomas and Curious George. After the kids played with little hot wheel cars and I decided to find all the toys that have been lost under the couch. It was so nice out that we played in the cul de sac. The kiddos drove their cars and rode their bikes a bit. When they got inside they grabbed their rolly bags and pretended they were going to Canada and San Jose. Apparently Canada is our backyard. After dinner, since the weather was so nice we went for as flashlight walk. The kiddos were wanting daddy’s flashlight. After the kiddos played with the flashlights in the house, so we were in the dark. We read lots of books tonight and the kiddos went right to sleep.

We woke up and saw it was going to be such a beautiful day. So we gave the kiddos a much overdue bath. Nicole had so much fun playing with Tierney this morning. We decided what a great day to go to the beach. We dropped T off in Newport Beach with her mom and dad-I miss her already. Then we grabbed some sandwiches and headed to Huntington Beach. After lunch the kids rode their bikes on the boardwalk. I just walked as right now I can still keep up with them and dad rode his trikke. After riding we went on the beach. We went to dog beach, so the kiddos could see all the dogs. It was fun. The kids had so much fun putting their feet in the water and running to and from waves. Needless to say the kiddos were soaked. They were so cute playing and loved watching and petting all the dogs too. We were all dying for water after, it was really warm and dry out. We stopped and got water and gas and headed home. The kiddos played by themselves for a bit then watched Diego on dad’s laptop. After we went to the grocery store. Finally we have food again in the store. I was really tired though and loosing patience with them at the store. They want to help me so much. It is nice but things take a bit longer. So even though I went to the grocery store, I didn’t get home until 5:30, so we went out for dinner. We came home and we all had some ice cream. Wow the kids are the best kids ever when ice cream is involved. They were a little scared of the Santa Ana winds tonight but they are sound asleep now. Nicole gave me a baby to sleep with and said it was Tierney. Justin was calling his teddy bear Tierney too.

Bret was up early this morning as he is on call and got called, plus he had some work to do at 7:00AM. Justin woke up early this morning and usually he will go back to sleep but didn’t. I took a shower and started straightening my hair for tonight. Half way through straightening Justin was fussy and said his ear hurt. Then he started crying and crying. He finally said his ear hurt. So kids in jammies we headed to the Woodbury clinic. They took us pretty quickly and Nicole was making everyone laugh. One lady said Nicole had made her day. It was confirmed Justin has an ear infection. We got home and gave him some Tylenol.He just slept and slept. Bret and Nicole went to Starbucks, got a bagel, and went to Target to pick up Justin’s medicine. She had fun out with daddy and Justin just slept on me. While Justin slept Nicole helped me to make lunch. So much safer to cook with only one child. Dad put together the kids little market. Justin was still sleeping, so I played store with Nicole. Justin seemed a little better when he woke up, but I didn’t want to chance anything so Nicole and I went alone to Alan’s event for presidency of Orange County Trial Association. The kids watched lots of TV today. It wasn’t fair just to let Justin watch and not Nicole. TV made Justin happy so we went with it. I was able to get all ready for tonight while the kids watched. Bret even helped to straighten my hair. It was so fun to just go with Nicole, we talked so much on the way down to the Balboa Bay Club. Dad and Justin played a bit, played games and trains. Nicole loved being at the event tonight. She said she was Cinderella going to the ball. Nicole helped take care of Tierney. Tierney was a little overwhelmed and tired. After some fussing T took a nap and was in a better mood at the event. Nicole loved all the circles all on the ground and went running and running around. I brought a ton of toys and snacks and I didn’t need to use any. She was an angel. It was a really nice event. Finally at 8:30 I decided to take Nicole home. She didn’t seem tired at all and fell asleep on the way home. Justin was still awake when I got home and he was in a good mood. He had a great time being with daddy and I had a great time with Nicole. I went back to the event to pick up Tierney, so Alan and Roberta didn’t have to worry about her. T was great for me, fell asleep on the way home. Nicole and Justin were so excited to see her this morning. My little girl all dressed up:

Nicole woke up last night with bad dreams, the first one she was saying someone threw sand in my eyes, and the second Snoopy was ice skating-she was saying dogs don’t ice skate. And Justin ended up in our bed last night-it was a weird night. The kiddos and I met some friends at Disney today. We had a great day. Kept me distracted not to be thinking about my friend and nephew. We went on a lot of rides today; the circus train a few times, Dumbo, carousal, Nemo,  T cups & Autopia. Justin saw the Autopis and he coulfd have stayed there all day. Luckily the three of us could fit in a car. Justin drove first then they let us switch and Nicole got to drive too. They are crazy drivers. We decided to head over to CA Adventure. We went into the Bug’s land for the first time. We rode on the caterpillar train twice. Shortest, slowest ride ever but the kids loved it. They got to smell things too and the watermelon sprayed us and they thought it was the best thing ever. Then we went on the bumper cars. My friends helped watch one kid while I took one on the ride. The kids had so much fun. We went to watch the Clubhouse show. In the middle of it Nicole had to pee so badly but she didn’t want to stop and go, finally we ran quickly. They were dancing to the show, so cute. Nicole said her favorite part of the day was the show and Justin said the cars. It was funny when we got back to the car, Nicole was talking to me and said why did you say oh bummer. And I said when did I say that? And she said over at It’s A Small World. That was hours before she asked….I was bummed as it was closed. We came home and the kiddos just watched some TV, I wanted them to rest. Then tonight Paula and I have decided to babysit each others kids so we can go out with our hubbies. Tonight we dropped off our kids for two hours at Paula’s. Nicole ran up to me and said bye so fast, as she was so happy to be there. I got a big hug from Justin but then he ran upstairs to her play room to play with trains. We just stayed at home for a bit, we rarely just get our house to ourselves then we went for dinner. We came to pick the kiddos up and they had a blast. It worked out really well. When we came to get them they didn’t even come to the door, they were busy playing Hungry Hungry Hippo. They had a busy long day-I just wanted to get them to bed. I am exhausted.

It was pre school day, the kids just love it there. I was working there as well. It is great to be there watching how my kiddos interact. We played trains when we first got there. I was blue mom so I was supposed to be outside but it was so foggy so we stayed in for a bit. We made a huge track and the kids loved it. We did go out in the fog for a few minutes and all the kids loved it. At circle time, Nicole and Justin sat apart. Justin was happy Cami was there. And Nicole sat in between two boys and put her arm around one. The next circle time, I was amaazed Nicole and Justin actually sat up in the front row. I have never seen them do this. I just love watching my kids share. Nicole brought a car and Justin a plane. Both kids waited so patiently for their turn. Justin said his clues a little quiet and was actually wanting to pick his nose (sorry Justin when you read this when you are older, but it is true). The kids made snow cones-I think this was their first snow cone. After snack we went outside and all the kiddos were so happy to be out. Nicole and Justin pretty much rode bikes with the trailers. This is the first time I have seen N&J pull someone in the trailer while on the bike. After pre school N&J just played with some of their friends outside. I had fun talking to the moms. So cute to watch Nicole is really interacting with other girls, Justin was following along as well. Justin was the only boy. When Justin got a hold of my keys thats all he wanted. We came home and had a late lunch. The kiddos brought a bunch of toys up into the castle and played really well.They watched Thomas then we had play group here as the person was unable to host. A few people came and the kids played really well. I found out though one of my friends was just diagnosed, I am devastated. It is curable luckily but she has a tough year ahead of her. After dinner, the kiddos wanted daddy to play trains. Upstairs we read lots of books, I think I literally read 25 books today. The kids were tired and are sleeping 🙂

We just played at home this morning. Both kids were playing with their little laptops then moved onto babies. They both are so aware of what each other are doing and follow one another. We had a little play date here. The kids seemed to have a great time. Some of the kids were afraid of Kota the dinasour. The kids played really well together and had lunch. It was nice hanging out with my mom friends. One is trying pregnant again (Vena) so I am so excited! Nicole gave away her old doll crib and high chair since she got new ones for Christmas, I was so proud of her. She handled is so well. After everyone left my kiddos played upstairs in their room which they are calling “their castle”. They had to bring toys into the castle, so this is what it looks like up there:

What a mess. I gave the kiddos a bath. Good news they have the cleaniest trains, they gave them a bath too. Then we watched Thomas and Curious George. We met Paula and kiddos at castle park. All the kiddos rode their bikes together, looked like the cutest biker gang. The kids all played at the park together as well. My kids just love Paula’s kids, it is so cute. We came home and dad was coming home too. The kids jumped in his car, bikes in trunk and got a ride home, they were thrilled. We had dinner then I had to run to Target and dad needed to get a tux/suit for an event on Sat. So I took the kiddos with me. Nicole loved carrying my new Coach purse I got for Christmas. They wanted to bring their flashlights since it was dark out, so cute. When we got home we went upstairs and the kiddos played in their castler. Then we read books, brushed teeth, told stories, and off to sleep they went.