Melissa’s Blog

We met some friends at Woodbury Park this morning. You guys had a great time at the park. You were really into the play house and putting sand on the table, apparently making cakes. You said you were making strawberry and chocolate cake-yum! It was cute. We were at the park for a few hours, I couldn’t believe it when I looked at my watch. Justin enjoyed climbing and Nicole liked the bouncy plane thing. After we had to go to the store to get milk. We stopped at Pavillions so you could push carts. There was only one cart and it made shopping hard. The kiddos did take turns but it wasn’t easy to manage. I guess a couple hours at the park equals a nap. The kiddos were tired. Then we just played at home with some friends and had dinner. We did play doh and drawing with crayons. We put your pictures on the fridge. It was bath night. You guys had a blast in the bath. Unfortunately we started late so the kiddos didn’t get much play time in the bath. We read books for a while. It is 9:15 and the kiddos are still up talking (the downside of a nap). They are talking to each other. Nicole keeps telling Justin she doesn’t wear diapers but Justin does. She says she has underwear, look at me. She is telling him after she wakes up she has underwater. Talky, talky, talky.

This morning we played at home for a while. The kiddos were upstairs playing for a while. Then we went to do an errand and then to story time at Hush Baby with the story lady. It was so cute. The kids just sat there and watched. They did get up to pet the bunny. They were so excited to see the bunny. They didn’t participate too much, just mostly watched. At the end they got their hands painted, Nicole got a butterfly and Justin a snake. But on the way home, they talked all about the story time. It was cute. We came home and had lunch and played. The kids walked around with their dress up shoes making a ton of noise on the floor. Justin is really into bopping balloons in their air. So for all these husbands who don’t allow their boys to have doll strollers, this is what boys do with them (pic below of Justin driving it up the slider). So nap time came, and the kids literally chant mommy, mommy, mommy, etc. I remember when I couldn’t wait for them to say mommy. I got the kiddos out of their cribs and we watched Barney for a bit. Barney and gang were doing the Baby Bop hop so the kids got up and started hopping too. We then went to Dinosaur Park in Laguna Hills. The kids had a great time at this park. Then we ran to a shoe store for me and off to grandma’s. We hung out at grandma’s for a while and had dinner. Nicole went poop on the big potty. I think she is over coming her fear of big potties. The kiddos had fun playing. Nicole dressed me up as a princess. As it was getting dark outside, the kids kept on saying they were scared of the dark, silly kiddos.

We got up and talked to Uncle Todd and family on the computer (video). At first all the kids were kind of quiet but then started talking. It was fun to see Meghan and Henry. We had to go to the grocery store this morning. The kids pushed the little carts. It was crazy but they had fun. After we went to Baby Matthew’s (Jen) 1st birthday party. I think for the first the hour the kiddos were in the bounce house having a great time. They were giggling and bouncing all over the place. Nicole layed down and Justin jumped over her and vice versa. It was a little scary for me. It was all good until a child came in with his face totally painted like Spiderman. They were terrified and I carried two crying children out of the bounce house. So there was a face painter there. The kids were willing to get their hands painted, Nicole asked for a purple kitty and Justin asked for a baseball. It was cute. Of course the bounce house was on grass and Nicole says she is scared of grass (barefoot). We had lunch and then played with balls. The kids had a great time at the party; it was hard to get them to come home. The kids were pretty tired and took a nap. I ran and did some errands during nap. We decided to make ribs tonight (first time). So Bret did all his research during nap, and smoked/bbq’d great ribs. After nap we just played with the kiddos at home, so we could cook. We played in and out. Nicole is really into putting her baby in her old car seat. Justin was busy bopping balloons. It was a nice quiet afternoon at home. During dinner, Justin was eating corn on the cob and all of a sudden said pop goes the corn and started laughing hysterically. We had a great dinner. So sad that the weekend is over.

Justin has learned the word, why. Boy we are in trouble now. We didn’t do anything too exciting today. I needed to go to Laguna Hills Mall this morning, so we all went. The kids loved going up and down the escalators. Both kids liked picking out their own clothes. Justin got some new clothes. I was shopping with Nicole and all of a sudden Justin came out in a suit. Daddy put it on him and it was the cutest thing ever, tie and all. I loved it-I wish I had the camera. Then we went and played on the lights, they just love it. We rode on a few cars and just had fun. Then we came home. The kiddos wanted to go in their little pool. So naked they got and they had a blast playing together. They moved the dump truck over and filled it up and dumped the water back out. Nap was non-existent. Grandpa stopped by to see the kids. They played in his car for a bit and went for a little ride. The kids learned how to open the windows and sun roof. The kids liked getting in the trunk and crawling through to the back seat. It was fun! Then we came in and the kiddos watched Barney. They were a bit tired but didn’t nap. Then we went to the Spectrum and played. Bret and the kids went on the train. Justin wanted to go on the ferris wheel, so him and I went. It was fun, He kept on saying “going up and down”. We went on the carousal too and then grandma showed up. We had dinner at The Cheesecake Factory. We had fun but the spectrum was so crowded. We came home and then bath. Grammy called from NZ. The kiddos talked to her for a while. They had lots to tell her. The kiddos were tired and went right to sleep.

We went to check out a Gymboree class this morning. It was a cute class; the kiddos had fun. I know I am biased but it seemed as though my kids were the best behaved. My kids waited their turns, etc. The music was great at Gymboree, but My Gym seems best for us. Then we met daddy for lunch. The kids had fun at his work. They liked playing with the water fountains there and walking on the rocks. We had lunch there and the kids were so happy to be with dad. We came home and the kids spent about 40 minutes in their cribs. They were chanting mommy, mommy, mommy so I finally got the kiddos out of their cribs. I let them watch Barney for a bit and all of a sudden I had two sleeping kids on the couch. They were sitting up sleeping next to each other, so cute. I moved them apart and laid them down. Now they probably won’t go down easily to sleep-ugh. After nap we played at home for a bit then went for a walk around the neighborhood with our doll strollers. Nicole made sure her baby had sun screen on and kept on putting up the sun shade. The kids were into everything while walking, rocks, running up and down people’s driveways and walkways, opening mail boxes, etc. Then we went out and got some dinner, played at a fountain, and played video games…we had fun. Then we headed to Costco to get a few things. We came home and played. The kids called grandma/pa to say goodnight. The kids wanted to read their favorite Zoe book but we couldn’t find it. Well it is almost 9:25 and the kids are still up babbling and don’t seem ready at all to go to sleep-ugh.

This morning we went to paint, pour, and paste class. The kids had a great time. First we played with play doh. They enjoyed using stamps in the play doh. They stamped feet, ducks, hearts, etc. Then they moved on to the shaving cream. Nicole was so silly. She would go almost put her hands in and then back up with a huge smile on her face. She was cracking me up. Finally she went in and was just all smiles. I think she figured out if she got her hands messy I would wash them. Justin wasn’t too into the shaving cream. It was all over Nicole. Justin was into making a kite. He loves putting glue on paper, way too much. Then their were kid’s scissors, so he was so into cutting. So proud of himself when he was able to cut. He looked at me with a big smile and said “I did it”. After the kids played in the dried beans, poured it everywhere and made a mess. It was a fun class. After we went to the park for a bit. The baby swings are so low to the ground so the kid’s feet were touching so they thought that was great. To run and then go. We climbed on everything then decided to do an errand and come home. The kids played in the back yard for a while, weren’t too into eating lunch. When we went upstairs the kids grabbed all their blankets and babies and played in our shower, silly kids (pics below)! So nap was not happening today. After our non-existent nap, the kids watched a little TV (for my sanity sake). We headed to Blue Gum Park for a bit. We met lots of friends there, Vena, Jen, and Jacole. We had a great time. The kiddos were pretending to have a birthday party in the little play house, pretend cupcakes and all. Nicole pushed me on the swing, just like I push her and asked me all the same questions I ask her, do you want higher?, Is this good? I push you from the back, etc. Justin got into the water a little bit. Then we saw four of the cutest dogs, 3 of the were white toy poodles. Nicole said “I want a dog like that”. We played with the dogs for a bit. It was just a nice time at the park. We came home. I made dinner while the kiddos did puzzles. Then we had someone come over to give us a quote on a new fence, it may be time. It was bath night then read some books and off to bed.

Well after several times scheduling the flower fields and backing out, I finally made it there today. What was I thinking? It was freezing and misting. Luckily I had jackets for the kids. I envisioned getting the cutest pics and just having a blast. Instead we froze! We walked around a little bit. There were some birds the kids liked looking at. And there were stamp stations for the kids to stamp their “pass ports”. The kids liked the stamps, but it was pretty miserable. So we headed on the tractor ride. After that Krista (Matthew and Ellie) decided to go over to the outlet mall. We wanted to get warm and have lunch. We all ate at Ruby’s. It was fun. That Ruby’s had a train going around and a big plane. After Krista and gang went home. We decided to wonder around the mall. We had so much fun. The kids rode on all the cars and little rides. Thank goodness I remembered to bring lots of quarters. We looked at fountains and did a little shopping. The kiddos had a blast in this one toy store. Not only was there a train table all set up, but there was a doll house and some block things. It was tough getting them out of that store. We went into the Stride Rite Outlet and found Nicole some shoes like her old Dora ones I lost. She was so happy-it was adorable. Nicole decided to pull down her pants and underwear in the middle of the outside mall. When I asked her why her response was “I have an itchy butt”. I was laughing so hard. Finally around 1:45 we left. A little snack and 5 minutes later the kids were napping. I had a peaceful ride home listening to my music for once. Since we were out and about all morning, we decided to stay home in the afternoon. We played with so many toys, jack in the box, strollers, balls, trains. baby, ball popper, etc. It was just a relaxing time at home. After dinner the kids decided to play in the bathroom for some odd reason. They were sitting in the shower with their strollers and blankets. Tonight Nicole decided she wanted to wear a diaper for some silly reason. So she went into her crib with a diaper on. She likes to pretend baby a little too much. I hear Nicole saying in her crib “Justin stay awake I want to talk to you”. They are discussing the rain at the flower fields. Justin can barely get in a word.

Wow I remember when I would go to the mall to shop, now I go to play with the kids. We went to the MV mall this morning. We started off going up and down the escalators a gazillion times. Then we went to the Toy Professor and played with trains for a while (got a birthday gift for a friend). Then we headed to the lights. They were crazy on the lights, I was just laughing. It was off to see the little fountains and throw money in. I did drag them into Gymboree for a bit. They like to sit in the little chairs and watch TV. We went to the pet store and the kiddos love when the dogs jump up on the glass. We did run around the mall like crazy kids and went for lunch. It was nice having lunch with the kiddos. I thought I better leave before the kids fall asleep on the way home. But that was so silly of me as they decided not to nap today. For about 30 minutes or so they just played and laughed in the cribs. Finally I got them out and let them watch Barney. This way I could finish what I was doing. So while watching TV Nicole was laying on the top of the couch and when I asked her what she was doing she said “exercising mommy”. She cracks me up! After we decided to go to the park. We went over to Hicks Canyon (AKA see saw park). I brought the kid’s tricycles and sand toys. They had a blast riding around. Nicole was really into hugging her brother, it was driving Justin crazy but he was a sport and put up with it. Then they played in the sand for a while, wow they were dirty kids. Vena (Cole and Grant) came and met us over there. Justin was so happy they brought balls! We were at the park for a really long time and came home and it was dinner time. After dinner, the kiddos played in the backyard for a while in their play house. Nicole has been really into taking care of her baby, putting her down for naps, etc. After she puts her in the crib, she says baby crying and she takes the baby out and holds her. Justin was busy playing with the ball popper and riding his Diego scooter. It was bath night and Nicole was trying to play with Justin again in the bath-they both were cracking up. No nap and no crankiness, unbelievable. We read books and off to bed.

Well since we have been having so much fun, I needed today to run some errands. We ran to Kohl’s this morning to get the kiddos summer jammies. Justin picked out doggy ones and Nicole picked out frog ones. They definitely have their opinion on what they want to wear (Nicole especially). Nicole doesn’t like to wear the same thing twice, she wants all new things. If we win the lottery then she is in luck. Then we ran to Target for a couple things. We came home and played for a while then read a ton of books then nap time. At nap I went up a zillion times as they wanted their feet to hide under the blankets. No matter what time I put them down even if it is a little earlier than usual they still fall asleep at the same time. After nap we ran out to get more scrap book stuff. I am deep in my scrapbooks again…it takes me forever though. Since it was so hot we just played in the backyard in the pool. The kiddos had a great time playing. They used their fishing set in the pool and then we threw in a bunch of balls. We also went into the jacuzzi a little bit. I think by the time we decided to do te jacuzzi then kids were done with water. But they liked climbing up and down the stairs and putting their feet in. Of course the kids had to get naked while playing in the water. They were so excited we were eating dinner outside (still naked)-we sat at the big table and the kiddos were happy as can be at their picnic table. After dinner we put on their new jammies and went for a walk on the path. We were hoping to find bunnies but we didn’t find any. But we found our friendly neighborhood cat, Tigger on the way home. They were excited to see Tigger. We came home and read books and got ready for bed. I think I read the Zoe ballerina book a zillion times to Nikki tonight. So I brought her the Zoe puppet to sleep with. The kiddos have been fighting going to sleep lately-ugh.

Another hot day. We decided to take it easy. This morning I went on a bike ride. Then I took the kiddos to the grocery store. They love to push the little carts. The kids did great but it was a little stressful as the store was pretty crowded. We came home and the kids played inside and out. Justin put water in the pool. Nicole was into diapering her baby doll. After lunch we did bath since after nap we went to Huntington beach. We had a great time at the beach. What a difference in temperature, 95 here and about 75 at the beach. Justin just loves the ocean. He was grinning from ear to ear at the water. He would run in and out of the water. He was soaked. Nicole said she is “a little terrified of the ocean”. So her and I played in the sand and made a sand castle that she stepped on. Finally she braved it to the water. She did so well for a while but then wanted daddy to pick her up. We saw lots of sea gulls and kites. We had a picnic dinner at the beach. The kids are really into picnics these days. The kids were all happy at the beach and a great time was had by all. When we got home, the kids had a hard time transitioning to home and did not want to go to bed. it is 9:20 and they both are still awake, ugh.