Melissa’s Blog

Today was Day Out With Thomas. We had such a great time but I am so tired. I just feel like crashing right now but the kiddos don’t allow for that. We went in Paula’s car which the kids loved; the boys sat in the way back and the girls in the middle row. The Thomas thing was out in Perris at the Orange Empire Railway but it only took about an hour to get there. There was so much to do there, bounce houses, Duplo Lego’s, drawing, stamping, etc. Riding on Thomas was so cool, it was a really quick ride though. We had a picnic lunch and the kids ran around together a bit. We also had to go around to different areas so the kids could get stamps and then get a prize at the end. There was an area where the kids could watch Thomas videos and story time. The story time was a bit lame though so we didn’t stay very long for that. We rode on the trolley car. At the end we took a ride on the caboose trains to the museum area. Justin decided he wanted a caboose for Christmas. He told me without freight cars it could fit in the garage, silly guy.

On the way home the boys fell asleep-my mission was to keep Nikki awake. I didn’t want her to be up late tonight since I am going to Bunco.  Justin has been in such a great silly mood since the power nap. The kids played pretty well when we got home-I just needed to sit on the couch and rest. Nicole colored a bit and the kids pretended to share like they do in pre school-it was a nice night. I left to go to Bunco and dad hung out with the kids. When dad puts them to bed they always get to stay up a little later. I had a great time at Bunco. We have a really great group of girls. I won for having the most babies in Bunco. Off to bed.

This getting dark thing early stinks, there is so much I need to do for the party and it is all outside. I need to utilize the daylight hours better. We went to Wal-Mart early this morning to get stuff for the party. The kids were pretty good and liked helping me pick out plates, etc. Then we headed to play group at Christy’s. The kids had a great time. Justin did get a little bored at the end since they only have girly toys. We played outside at her cul de sac and I got out the kiddos bikes as well. After playing we met some pre school friends at the park. The kiddos played so well together and mostly with sand. We came home to a clean house, love it. Hopefully we can keep it clean until Sunday the party. We played at home for a while, did some crafts, then headed outside to play. We saw Zoe the dog and the kids threw balls for her. Nicole was getting a little grouchy at the end and kept saying she was hungry. After dinner we discovered why she was so grumpy. Poor thing has a bad ear infection. She kept telling us her cheek hurt and she cried. Seeing that we will be gone all day tomorrow we took her to the doctors. Luckily the motrin kicked in and she turned back into her happy little self. They went to bed a little late since we were at the doctors but went right to sleep. I am soon to follow as I can’t believe how tired I am.

The kids were off to pre school this morning. They played really well most of the day together, it was really nice. While the kiddos were in school dad and I started to work on our trusts/wills, etc. How morbid but I guess it was time to be a responsible parent. I picked the kiddos up at school and we headed over to Orchard Park with some pre school friends. The kids had a great time. Nicole played with Sophia and Justin has becoming buddies with Keyon. I got to just sit and talk to my mom friends and relax while the kids played so nicely. One of the moms made my kiddos cupcakes for their birthday-it was really sweet. We spent the rest of the afternoon at home. So nice to be home but have a lot to do before party and cleaners come tomorrow. The kids took a bath while I edited some of the photos from pre school, major multi-tasking today. I did a ton of laundry and the kids were all about helping me. It was great! In fact Nikki put a load in with me and kept asking if it was done yet? We went out in the front for a while. The kids did chalk while I gardened a bit. Justin made a really good caterpillar. They put X’s on all the bricks. They also helped me clean up out front. We made dinner and the kiddos set the table. After dinner we went on a walk. Justin took his light saber and Nicole took her Cinderella baby in the doll stroller. It was nice to get out. We played and read books and the kiddos went to bed. Nicole was busy playing vet to all her animals and Justin took my pillow.

I can’t believe my kiddos are 4! So cute when they came down this morning and saw decorations and presents. It was so hard for Nicole but she waited until Justin woke up.

Justin gave Nicole a baby Cinderella doll. She carried it around all day. The kids played with all their toys and of course wanted us to play too. We went to Disney to get passes. To our surprise they let us in the park. We didn’t think this was going to happen. I had to ask another mom for sunscreen as I was not prepared to go to Disney. We had a great time though. After lunch we separated, Nicole and I went on the Pooh ride and Justin and daddy went on the Autopia. Justin couldn’t wait; he was so excited. We met up again and all went on the rocket ships together. We watched the barbership quartet and the kids really liked it. They liked it because we played a happy birthday song by them on our computer in the morning. Justin even noticed the guy wearing green wasn’t there. We waited around for a while as Stevie Wonder was supposed to be singing there for some X-mas special, however, it just took so long. We took the monorail back to the car and the kids loved sitting in the way back. We were so tired after Disney. Grandma/pa stopped by for a short bit to give the kiddos their presents. The kids love getting presents. Justin said his favorite toy was his green car (picture above) and Nicole said her Cinderella baby. I really wanted us to have a family dinner, so Bret and I took the kids to Red Robin. The kids got balloons. Justin wanted to play games so the family dinner didn’t last too long. The kids asked us if they were going to sing happy birthday to them and yes they did. The kids loved it and loved the ice cream they got too. We had to split the cherry. It was just a great day with the kiddos today. I am really tired though. Nicole is still awake-I hope she falls asleep soon.

Justin and I were out early this morning to go get a birthday gift for Nicole from Justin. We went to Target. Justin picked out a Barbie thing and a Cinderella baby. So we will save one for X-mas. So fun to be with Justin alone. I never get time alone with him, too bad we needed to hurry a bit. We picked up dad and Nicole and headed to a birthday party at Goofy’s Kitchen. It was so fun and cute. Nicole and Justin are a little afraid of Pluto and Goofy (Nicole especially). But Nicole was so happy to meet Princess Belle. Also first Chip came out and the kids were so excited. They told Chip how they pretend to be Chip and Dale. Soon after Dale came over (Chip must have told Dale).

The kids loved it. Of course I brought my camera but forgot to put a memory card in it-UGH! After we came home for a bit. Then headed off to the park for a photo shoot for the pre school family photos. The kids hung out with dad while I took pics. The kids played all over at the play structure, fed the ducks, the sand, etc. They were really good considering we were at the park for a few hours. I had a great time taking pics and will look at how they came out after the kiddos go to bed. After dinner the kids were really into water colors. They made maps and pretended to read them all around the house. They were looking for stuff from Curious George. I love when they play so nicely with one another. We let them watch some TV and take a break. We talked to Grammy so she could wish the kiddos a happy birthday. Then we just read books and off to sleep the kiddos went. I can’t believe the kiddos will be 4 tomorrow. We have decorated the downstairs, can’t wait to see the kiddos faces and gifts are all wrapped. 4 years have just flown by and I have truly loved every minute of it or most minutes. Goodnight to my little 3 year olds.

This morning we celebrated the kids birthday at pre school. I was snack mom. Of course I brought my camera but forgot to put in the memory card-ugh. Luckily someone else had a camera so I await pics. Nicole and Justin got crowns and wore them the entire time. I was in charge of flubber and what a mess it made. When I am yellow mom I always get the messy jobs. They loved picking their friends for candles and blowing them out. It was so cute to watch, I wish I brought the video camera. We had their special fruit cake. Someday they are going to say mom you made us fruit for a cake but oh well. The kids played for a few minutes outside then we headed home. Grandpa was here taking care of T. The kids were happy to see grandpa and share some popcorn with him. The kids watched a little TV while I started the hedges. What a project but want to get things looking nice for the party next week. Then I gave the munchkins a bath. Nicole stayed in for the longest time; I made her get out when it was clear she was freezing. Our library books needed to be back today so we went to the library. Nicole was in love with this Curious George Goes to the Hospital book and Justin found a cool car book. The library was closing and they made announcements. The kids were so worried we weren’t getting out of there fast enough-it was so funny. We needed to get a gift for a birthday party tomorrow, so we went to Toys R Us. The kids had fun looking around a bit but wanted to buy everything. Dad ended up having to work late, so I just took the kiddos out to In N Out Burger. We had a nice dinner out. We got home a little late but dad was home. We read library bikes and off to bed. Justin is sleeping on the comforter thing I sleep on-on the floor. And we are just waiting for Nicole to go to sleep.

Well today Paula and I decided to take each others kids to the class @ Coastline. So I went and picked up her kids today. They were great for me and Paula got a nice break-next week my turn for a break. Justin and Nicole were so happy to have their friends in the car with them. The kids made fall wreaths today that were really cute.  The kids played with dough and added cinnamon, sugar, etc. It smelled so goo. After class we headed to Paula’s. She made lunch for all of us. Justin and Nicole were so happy to play with their toys. Justin loved this truck that holds cars and Nicole played with the dollhouse then a craft thing with Sarah. Mikey at the end was starting to get cranky so Justin had a hard time with that. Justin didn’t even want to say goodbye to Michael, it was so sad as that is his buddy. I was proud of Justin for saying goodbye after all. Katie and Sarah gave Nicole some animals to borrow and she was so excited. We came home for a short bit but then had to head out to dance class. We stopped at the pizza place as Justin really wanted to play games. We didn’t have too much time but he was happy about it. I wanted to make it up to him for being sad. Nicole had a great time at dance class. She is doing so well and still watches so intently. We had to run to the grocery store to get some stuff to build the fruit cake I am doing for snack tomorrow. The kids got some new Halloween buckets and were thrilled. The cashier also gave them some balloons. We got home and Nicole decided to dress up crazy:

She loved her outfit and she just cracks me up! After dinner the kiddos watched Sesame Street then we had a preschool board meeting. Nicole wanted to stay down here the entire time. The kids did come down to say goodnight to everyone. After everyone left I made fruit cakes to bring for snack for the kiddos birthday. I will post pics tomorrow.

Seems as though we are back on our normal schedule, kids sleeping till 7:00 instead of 6:00. Nicole woke up first and pretended she was Biscuit the dog. I crawled in her bed with her. When I went to take a shower she read dog books and was perfectly content. She is losing her voice a little, it is so cute. I dropped the kids off at pre school then ran some errands. I got some birthday stuff. I came back early for a parent/teacher conference. The kids are right where they are supposed to be. She said nothing but great things about the kiddos. Still need to work on fine motor skills, like cutting and stuff but they are the youngest in the class. Ms. Donna said Nicole favors her left hand but usually uses both inter changeable. Justin is definitely right handed. All things I asked Ms. Donna about are positive things and just show growing. Nicole is definitely a risk taker 🙂 I needed to stay at pre school for a bit and do some paperwork. After we played outside for a bit with our friends. Then headed to Costco. I needed to get a few things but I really wanted to pick up some pictures I printed. The kids loved having the snacks, watching TV, and looking at books. I was looking around for ideas for a gift for Bret. We came home and the kiddos took a bath. We are so busy but fun busy. After bath we headed to the library for story craft time. It was all about Aliens and the kids made UFO’s. We read a few books and the kids went outside with their friends and played. I love watching them run around and have fun. It is crazy how the weather got so cool again. I am liking it though. Dad was home when we got home so we made dinner. After dinner the kiddos watched a little TV. I started updated pictures around the house. I hadn’t done this in a long time. Guess it is good we are having a party as it is making me do the simple things. We had fun upstairs we played car wash for a bit, played in our bed, ran around, etc. We read lots of books in our bed for a change. It was so comfy and nice to snuggle up. The kids are sound asleep now.

We had a nice morning at home. No running around….just having a fun time at home. The kids played really well. I also got a bunch of stuff done. I cleaned the entire hutch in the dining room. I don’t think I have ever done that-taken everything out, etc. I am still getting rid of things. I just don’t want stuff taking up room that I don’t use anymore. Nicole is wearing her Snow White dress again, I think the third day in a row. The kids were busy bringing toys up to their rooms. Who knows what they were doing but they were playing so well together. A few friends came over for play date today. The kids all played really well together. The kids really wanted to be in the swings. And not too much of a mess in the house. It was nice to have some friends over and just hang out at home. After everyone left the kiddos watched some TV, Thomas and George. After TV the kids played a bit more. We got out toys we hadn’t played with in a while. I wanted to go to the park where I will be taking pre school family pictures and check out the lighting. We ended up having a great time at the park. The kids fed the ducks and got a little scared when every duck in the park was by them. They played on the play structure, the swings…they met a little boy that they were running around with. Nicole was the princess and they were supposedly running from the dragon. It was cute. The kids also road their bikes around the path at the park. It was a really pretty park and the kids were going so fast down the hills. I was just hoping no one would fall. We decided to go out to dinner tonight. Justin was happy about it Nicole not so much. She was really cranky. Luckily it seemed as though she was just hungry. She ate a lot at dinner. So after dinner we were going to come home but Justin talked us into going to Chuck E Cheese. We had a great time. Justin played driving games the entire time and Nicole did as much as she could. It was nice to be so spontaneous. Kids even went to bed pretty easily tonight. I think they were tired from running around at the park so much.

I have been waking up so early since the time change, this change is killing me. I am so cranky and tired today. The kids went to pre school this morning and I ran a few errands. Actually a lot of errands. I got a ton of things done. The kids had a great time at school. When we got home Nicole was super hungry, unusual for after school. The kids worked on their favors for their party. They had a blast but stickers everywhere. They got bored and turned it into play time. Stickers, letters everywhere. It was a huge mess but they were having such a great time so I let it go. But it took a long time to clean up. Nicole was really helpful but Justin just wanted to take pics with his camera. Then the kiddos took a quick shower. After shower they watched a show called Word Girl. I don’t think they liked it very much. I tried to rest a bit. We headed out to get the kiddos haircut. They both look so cute. Nicole requested a french braid. We french braided the front and went off to the side; it looks great. I may need to watch a video on french braiding so I can learn. Justin had a hard time sitting still during his haircut but in his defense she was taking a long time. Justin liked learning how the chair goes up and down. Nicole pretended to give me a haircut. I was hoping to make it to the park afterward but all of a sudden it was dark. There is a McDonalds nearby with a play place so we ran over there so the kids could play. We had dinner when we got home. Then the kiddos played with a race track and made more door hangers for their birthday party. Nicole has been sitting in the sink upstairs in her bathroom, silly girl. The kids played with money tonight and made a drive thru. They were so into that they we only had time to read one book. Nicole pretended to be Biscuit and I needed to be the vet so Biscuit could get a check up. Justin is sleeping with two of his cars.