Melissa’s Blog

The Santa Ana Zoo had a member appreciation day. We decided to brave it and go, even though the weather said it would be 95. It is pretty shaded at the zoo. We had a great time. The kids saw the baby monkey, so cute. They liked watching the monkeys. The kept on commenting on the monkeys telling us they were climbing, eating, walking, etc. The kids liked the lemurs too. They watched the elephant go around and around giving elephant rides. Of course as the elephant got closer to the kids the kids backed up and who can blame them. When we asked Justin if he wanted an elephant ride he told us “next time”. We went to the farm area and since it was pretty warm, we let the kiddos play in the hand washing area. They sure love washing their hands, silly munch kins. Since the train ride was so long, we decided to see more animals, pigs, geese, turkeys, chickens, etc. We thought maybe eat lunch then try the train again. The line was still too long, so we just came home. Luckily the kids weren’t too disappointed not getting a train ride. The kids took a great nap. Bret had to do some work and I worked on my scrap books for a little while. After nap we decided to bring out the water table, the pool, the hose…water everywhere. Justin was in charge of the hose and he was proud of that title. The kids had a blast. It was so fun watching them giggle and play with each other (except for the occasional splash). We could barely pull them away from the water but decided to get some food to go and have a picnic. We went to where you can watch the trains and the kids were so excited when a train came. They chased birds, we ate dinner, then walked on the bridge. After we stopped at Dairy Queen for some ice-cream. One suggestion don’t ever try to share an ice-cream cone with the kids, they ate it all! We had a great day! Hopefully the kids will go to sleep soon, I hear them both still wide awake.

The day started off at Centennial Farms at the fair grounds. We had a great time. First we saw all the animals, oxen, cows, calves, bunnies, pigs, etc. The kids loved when the baby sheep went baaaa-it was the cutest sound ever. Of course the youth expo was going on today too, so the kids saw the bounce houses and the farm became not so interesting. So it was all about the kid’s so we went over to the bounce houses. They had a blast bouncing and this one had a ball pit too. The guy let them stay in for such a long time-it was so nice. Nicole was flirting with the guy who was taking tickets to the bounce house. She was cracking him up and he was cracking her up. I just had an amazing time just watching the kids. Then the kids got to drive a car. In the picture below they aren’t smiling but they sure had a good time. We just walked around the youth expo-there was lots for the kids to explore. They got to sit and play in a police car and se ea police helicopter. Not even in the car for 5 minutes and Nicole was fast asleep. We got home and I tried to get the kiddos down for a nap. The 10 minute drive home was enough for Nicole, she was wide awake and rearing to go. She stayed and played in her crib for a little bit. It was a struggle to get Justin down too. Finally he went to sleep and Nicole ate lunch finally around 2:00. Justin didn’t nap too long. But after nap we went to the 2006 play group where they were celebrating four birthdays. The kids had a great time. There was a bounce house and a ton of new toys. Justin was into pushing the lawn mower and playing with balls. Nicole was into sliding and babies. They both stuck their hands and feet in the bowl that was holding all the drinks (copying other kids). It must have felt good since it was hot. As if our day wasn’t busy enough, we came home and got daddy. We loaded the kids in the bike trailer where we proceeded to bike to dinner. We biked to the Kohl’s Center and ate outside at Fat Burger. The kids played in the fountain for a bit and were running around like crazy. We got some groceries too. Kiddos got back into the trailer and we stopped at Blue Gum Park on the way home. The kiddos had the park to themselves and had a blast. They were playing in the sand (wet sand), climbing, sliding, etc. We had a great time as a family! Nicole fell asleep first and we still hear Justin talking. Justin is usually the one to fall asleep first.

This morning we got to our Paint, Pour and Paste class a little early. So we played at the park. Nicole brought her baby so she put her in the swing and swung her. Justin was busy driving the bus. The kids had a great time in class. First they played in dry oatmeal, pouring it, filling cups, etc. Then we went over to play with paint. We painted on paper and folded it over and made butterflies. Then we painted coffee filters and made butterflies. The kids really liked putting their hands and fingers on stamp pads then putting their hand/finger prints on paper. It was then off to play doh. The kids were very busy. After nap, grandma/pa came over. We got the idea to hang the coffee filter butterflies on the ceiling fan and watch them fly. The kids thought it was great, laughing and wanting to touch them as they go by. The kids had a blast playing with grandma/pa. Nicole pretended like she was a baby with grandma then the kiddos got to play in grandpa’s car. We all went to Red Robin for dinner. The kids enjoyed pretend driving the video games. We got home late so we took a quick bath and then read lots of books. Kiddos went to bed and I went for a walk with a friend.

The kiddos were silly this morning. Justin was at the top of the stairs with a big smile on his face and Nicole was laying in the chair. We went to the Spring Fling for the mom’s club. It was cute! It was at Hick’s Canyon Park (AKA see saw park to the kids). The kids of course loved the see saw. They played on the play structure for a while. The water fountain was broken so water everywhere. Justin had a blast in the water. He was soaked, dirty, sandy, etc. Nicole was excited to see all the babies. The kids pretend fished today, They both had fun but it was on the grass and Nicole hates to be barefoot on the grass. It was a nice morning. After nap we ran some errands. At Target the kids were talking to everyone, saying hi! It was so cute, everyone was just smiling. Then we had to come home as Cindy’s mom was coming to pick her up. The kiddos had fun with Cindy, but were a little scared when Cindy got so excited (like when we first come home). Daddy came home and Justin asked to see the new lawn mower. Daddy took them into the garage and started it then they were a little scared. After dinner, we showed the kiddos pictures on the laptop. They also played with their stamps-stamping on paper. They were silly as usual tonight. I gave them the hats Neyha knitted for them for their 1st birthday (they still fit) and they were having a blast with them, wearing them, taking them on and off, hiding their eyes, etc. They were naked so Nicole had the hat on with the Elmo slippers. She looked so cute. We tried to capture it on camera but it just isn’t the same. The kiddos were pretty tired tonight and went to sleep pretty easily with Elmo slippers and Ellie’s old tennis shoes on their feet.

This morning we met our play group at Settler’s Park. I brought the kids tricycles as there is a little path to ride. We went early so I just had a great time hanging out with the kids. There was a guy flying a remote control plane, so the kids enjoyed watching that. They had fun on their trikes, going up and down the little hill. Then they just played on the play structures. This one has a lot of climbing things. Of course we had to bring baby with us, so Nicole swung her baby. Neyha brought a basket of sand toys, so Nicole passed them out to the babies there. So cute. She even hugged baby Isha, so sweet. Luckily she was very gentle. After we came home, packed up our lunch and walked to mommy and me pre school. We had a picnic lunch there. It was so nice out and nice hanging out with the kids. As we were eating they were saying hi and bye to everyone who was going in and out of the school. There was so much to do at pre school today. First, we went outside and since it was earth day we planted green beans. Then we made earth bracelets. They were sticky and the kids could put dirt, flowers, sand, etc on them. Nicole made a beautiful one with flowers. Then they brought out the water table, Justin’s favorite. He had a blast playing in the water, pouring it, etc. He took a hoe and made a path in the sand and put water in it. He could have stayed at the table for hours. Then we went in for lots of painting. Hand painting, brush painting, marble painting, painting on mom, paint everywhere…so much fun. Then circle/story time and snack at the end. We walked home and the kiddos fell asleep in the stroller. So I picked up Cindy the dog and we walked for a while. Nicole woke up so we headed home. We got in the garage and all of a sudden Justin said “mommy car all gone”, so he was awake too. Daddy needed my car to pick up a new lawn mower. After nap, a friend came over to play. We just had fun playing in the yard. Then our next door neighbors came over for dinner. The kiddos had a bath and bed time.

We had our fire house tour this morning. Maggie (Aliya) and I walked over there. It was so cute. The kids got to climb in the fire engines. The best part was the hose. Nicole said “no, no, no” and Justin loved it. He turned on the hose and had a big smile watching the water spray. That is all he is talking about now. The kiddos got hats. The fireman put on his entire uniform and the kids got a little scared. But by the end the kids warmed up to him. Justin and Nicole really liked the fire fighters. They got to stand on the outside of the truck. Just such a great time. Then we walked over to Orchard Park. Justin got all wet playing in the water fountain. Nicole enjoyed swinging and playing with Randi’s baby, Olivia. The kids did so well in the stroller on the walk there and walk home. After nap, Cindy the dog came over. I am dog sitting for a few days. The kids were so excited to have her here, it was so cute. We took her for a walk around the block. The kids wanted to hold the leash; they thought it was the greatest thing ever. After dinner the kids wanted to draw with markers. It was a mellow night, playing in the living room most of the time. I was showing the kiddos my scrabook and Justin saw a naked picture of himself in the bath and he said “that’s a big penis”. It was so funny! I love what comes out of kid’s mouths.

I got to ride my bike this morning with a friend. Boy it was a workout, I was dying riding up Hicks Canyon, but it is good for me. After we got ready to go to Home Depot. Of course we had to go to the one with the car carts. They just love them and going over bumps outside (kids call them bubbles) makes it even more fun. We had to check on Grammy’s house. She is still in NZ and it feels like we hadn’t been there in months. The kids were excited to play with all the toys and wanted to put their feet in the swimming pool (too cold today). They were a little scared of the planes but I think they have now conquered their fear. Justin waves bye to the plane but Nicole still runs over to us when she hears one. After nap we went to check out Sam’s Club. We had a free trial day offer. We still like Costco better. The kids were a bit whiney and kept on saying they wanted a snack. They had fun sitting in Sam’s Club and reading books. We had an early dinner and that fixed the whining. Then the kiddos were wild and crazy. It was bath night and they just love their bath. Nicole tried to play with the shampoo in Justin’s hair. She was laughing but after 10 times he had enough. They played in their tunnel tonight and like I said were crazy. Then they jumped in their cribs for a while. They are just getting too big for those cribs. It is exciting but sad. It was a fun weekend now time to go in the jacuzzi.

We love Saturdays. This morning daddy got up with the kids and I stayed in bed just a little longer than usual (15 min more but it was nice). We played at home for a while this morning. The kids were really into reading all their books. Today was Bree’s (Mindy) birthday party. I walked with the kids to her house and Bret met us there a little later. The kids are really into the jogging stroller so it was so easy to walk there. Justin wanted out of the stroller and was so excited picking up sticks. We had a nice walk. The party was fun. There was a bounce house and a balloon animal lady. The kids got duck balloons. Justin kept hitting his on the grass so it kept on popping. The kids had a great time at the party and love cake! On our way out the duck balloon blew off the stroller and all we heard was pop pop pop…we were all laughing. We came home and put the kiddos down for a nap. We were busy at nap time, filling the jacuzzi, gardening, watching TV, lawnmower shopping, etc and before we knew it the kids were up. Time flies during nap. After nap we headed to grandma/pa’s for Passover dinner. It was decided just to have a normal dinner. We brought the kid’s trikes and they were so excited to ride them. They are so cute riding up and down the street and going so fast. The kids entertained us all tonight and kept us giggling. We have found the less toys the less fighting and more fun! So the kids did ring around the rosey, made every animal sounds they knew, showed us what animal do flap wings, swim, did some dress up, got naked, tried to put diapers on themselves, got Starbucks, played with cars, played with doggie clock, etc. It was a nice night at grandma/pa’s. The kids were pretty tired tonight and went to bed pretty easy.

Thank god it’s Friday. Oh man, I didn’t sleep last night. Ugh I hate that! We had a little play group here this morning. It was fun! The kiddos enjoyed having friends over and it was nice to catch up with some of my friends. But the house is trashed-what a mess! All the sand was out of the sand box, toys everywhere, food everywhere…but the kiddos had fun and that is all that matters. I made chocolate covered strawberries and Justin said he wanted a strawberry. I got one out of the fridge with no chocolate and he told me he wanted a brown one, it was funny. I love the things they say. The kiddos took a great nap. After nap we took a bath. The kids just love their bath, so they just played for a while. Then we went outside and rode tricycles for a bit. When daddy got home from work, we went to Carin and Nu’s (Sofi and Mylee) for dinner. Mylee is only a couple weeks old and Nicole just loved her. Gave her a blanket and wanted to give her lots of kisses. We had dinner there and just played. It was fun. I got to hold the baby while daddy chased Nicole and Justin around. The kids were a bit hyper when we got home. Then I met a friend for a walk. It was nice to get out and walk.

We started a new class this morning. It is called Paint, Paste, and Pour. It was a cute class. When we got there, the kids ran straight to the play doh then the glue. We pasted cotton balls on clouds. Of course the kiddos hands were all sticky and they were bothered by the cotton sticking to their hands, it was funny. The next thing was sponge painting. There were huge tubs of rice and the kiddos were really into playing with it. They poured it, dumped it, etc. Rice everywhere and I am glad we didn’t have to clean it up. After we played at the park for a bit then headed to Costco. The kids were so good at Costco for me. We came home and had lunch and the kids were as silly as ever. Both putting dip all over their faces and taking forever to eat their lunch. After nap, we went to Castle Park. We met Neyha and Jacole there. Of course my kids were so excited to ride Krish’s bike and play with his bubbles. Other people’s toys are way better than ours. My kids wanted to take off their shoes but the ground was too hot. It felt like every minute they were taking off their shoes saying they were sandy-so annoying! Anyway the kids had fun playing at the park. We are starting to use our jog stroller again-for some reason the kids really like it now. After the park, we took a free class from a place called Little Gym. The kids liked it but My Gym is way better. We are going to stick with My Gym. We got dinner on the way home at Wahoo’s. The kids ate a lot tonight and went to bed pretty easily. We like that.