Melissa’s Blog

This morning we were lazy. Kiddos stayed in their jammies until about 10:00. We had breakfast and played trains. I put the spiral track together. For some reason I have such a difficult time putting the track together. We stopped at Settler’s Park and met some friends. The kids played but also fought over other peope’s sand toys. Nice to see some friends as I have been a loner lately. Then we headed to My Gym. The kids had fun there. I loved watching them. Nicole saw me watching and gave me the biggest smile ever. We came home and daddy was home. We were so happy, we all missed him very much. The kiddos watched Curious George then we headed out for music class. It is a new class we are taking from the Pacific Conservatory. Not as fun as South Coast Music but the kids are learning more. They learned about a note, beats, etc. Dad came with us so that was a special treat. The most exciting part was getting bags with stuff in it. For some reason they loved their binders and pencils. We stopped at Blue Gum on the way home. The kids just can’t get enough of sand lately. Nicole hid her ball in the pail and buried it in sand. She pretended it was a present. Justin filled a bucket with sand and pretended to fall and dump it over. We came home and the kiddos were all over daddy, daddy read them some books and hung out on the couch with them while I made dinner. I figured the kids were hungry so we had an early dinner. After the kiddos took a bath. Dad played downstairs with Nicole while I got Justin in the bath first. So I had some playtime with just Justin while dad got playtime with Nicole. After bath the kids played. They got some big long paper thing and pretended it was a bridge and put coins on it. Then they would move it up and down. After taping it a few times we just let the kiddos rip it, it was hilarous. We read some books and the kiddos went to sleep. Nice to have the family all together again. And an update on Tierney-she is finally home. I talked to my brother and he said she was sleeping, she probably has a lot to sleep to make up from being in the hospital. I am just so glad to hear she is home.

I barely slept without Bret last night. I ended up in the kid’s room-I guess I was lonely in my bed. I had to work at pre school this morning. I finally woke Nicole up around 8:05, poor thing had to eat as fast as she could then out of the house. She was so happy I was working. We had a great time in pre school. I was red mom and was outside. I had fun playing with the kids but I am just tired. They celebrated Ms. Donna’s birthday again. On our way out Ms. Donna said my kids are so sweet and polite-best compliment ever as I try really hard. Nicole shared her wind up monkey toy and Justin his blue blanket, watching sharing is one of y favorite things at pre school. We came home and had lunch. The kids really wanted to watch TV, so I let them. I needed to get out of the house, so we went to Blue Gum. What a great afternoon at the park. The kids had so much fun, played with other kids and did everything at the park. I am so glad we ventured out. Then we went to My Gym for open play. Again so much fun. The kids loved the tunnel slide. They really have much more fun at open gym then their class. The fun didn’t stop there. We went to Chick Fil A with a friend for family night. The kids ate really well, did a craft, got a balloon…what more could a kid want. The balloon occupied them at home too. We went upstairs and played. The kids wanted to play money and put it between their toes. I think they learned that from Curious George. We had fun upstairs. I read a few books. Nicole is pretty wired, she is screaming Twinkle Twinkle Little Star right now. I hope she goes to bed soon.

This morning we all woke up a little later than usual due to the time change. Bret went to work this morning and will leave work early to catch his flight to Arizona. The kids and I just took it easy all morning. We just played, I played baby with Nicole. Justin loved the wind up toys and got his car carrier and fire engine to play with. The kids colored with markers in coloring books. I don’t think I got them out of their jammies until 10:30ish. I got some stuff done this morning as well. We ran to the grocery store. The kids wanted the car cart and with them sitting still I can do grocery shopping quickly. We came home and had lunch. Then we played outside for a bit, I did everything to get the kids not to play with mud. I gave the kiddos a bath. Nicole AKA Curious George played in our bed while Justin was in the bath. So fun to be alone with one of the kiddos. Nicole joined the bath finally. The kids love their bath time, playing momma/baby duck. The ducks go on a boat to the Island. Dad came home and packed up to get ready for his trip. The kids played naked for a bit after bath. Dad read some books to the kids then he had to leave. Then the kiddos watched TV. After TV we just played. Justin was playing with trains, Nicole was keeping herself entertained. They played play on mommy-I became a play structure. We ran to Target to get some things. Then we headed to StoneFire Grill for a pre school fundraiser. It was a great turnout. The kids loved seeing their friends there. Of course they wanted cake to celebrate Donna’s birthday. Justin manueverd his way up to get one of the first pieces of cake. He ws so proud of himself. We came home and we played with money for a bit. Then we played hide and seek and read some books. The kids were making lots of noise and I was worried they weren’t going to bed. But five minutes later they were sleeping.

Daylight savings, we lost an hour of sleep.We also got news that Bret’s grandmother, Maxine passed away (his dad’s mom). She lived to be 95. Tierney is slowly improving. I woke up and am a bit worried I am coming down with a cold so I am going to stay away from Alan and his family for a bit. We played at home and read the newspaper. We ran to Great Indoors to get a new light for the entry way and grab some lunch. When we got home the kiddos decided to go to Canada-that means everything goes in the play room. Dad hung the fan in the empty bedroom upstairs and patched and painted ceilings. So funny as he painted with high gloss instead of flat, including touch up paint along the walls. So he had to re-paint, reminds me I painted the kids room. It wasn’t funny but I am glad I am not the only one who painted with the wrong paint. The kids watched Curious George and I took a nap on the cozy carpet. The kids played outside in the backyard for a long time. They are loving playing with the rocks. Then the water came out, the kiddos were watering everything for us including the dirt. The dirt became mud and the kiddos couldn’t help but play in it. We had muddy kids-I had to get them naked by the backdoor and put them into the sink. We decided to get out and go to Castle Park. Justin rode his bike and Nicole took Justin’s Diego scooter. Nicole didn’t ride the scooter too long so we ended up carrying it, ugh. Nicole ws so excited to play in the sand-she spe nt most of her time playing there while I sat and watched. Dad and Justin played on the swings, the castle, and finally made it to the sand. It was hard getting the kids to leave the park. We got home and dad got a pizza for dinner. The kiddos and I played and cleaned up a bit. I couldn’t believe how much pizza Justin ate. The kids made drawings for their pre school. They are making plates out of them. They had fun drawing. We went upstairs and the kiddos were pretty hyper. We decided since the tiem change we should put them tp bed a little later. We read lots of books. I stayed in their room for a bit, so Nicole came and slept with me. I left shortly after because both kids snore. Bret is leaving to go to Arizona tomorrow for his granny Maxine’s viewing. Not sure if he can stay for the funeral due to work.

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.