Melissa’s Blog

After our big day yesterday I just wanted to be home and so did the kids. We played a lot, set up marbles, played dog, etc. Dad worked from home-it was nice to have him right upstairs. The kids and I played in their rooms for a bit. I got to organize a little bit while they played. They were playing all over the house. I did some laundry. We ended up going to the toy store to get some gifts. The kids had a great time playing in the toy store and picking out all their b-day and X-mas gifts. It took a long time shopping but the kiddos had fun. After the toy store we headed to Costco. I can’t believe all the samples the kids got. The kids watched the TV a bit and it took a while but we weren’t in a hurry. I think we were at Costco for over an hour. When we got home the kiddos watched a little TV and I made dinner. Dad went for a walk to unwind from his crazy day. Work has been really hectic for him lately. After dinner it was bath time. I feel like we haven’t had a bath at home in the longest time, usually it is showers by the pool. The kids had a bubble bath and were in a long time. They played together nicely. They gave all their bath toys washes with the bubbles. After bath Justin wanted to play cars then Nicole joined in. It was hard to stop them as they were having a great time together. It was getting late though-read a couple books and visited the kiddos. Now to go relax.

Yesterday I was too tired to blog! Plus I went for a walk and dad and I had to finish a movie that was taking us over a week to watch. The kids and I had a blast at Adventure City. It is a small amusement park but it was a nice small size. The kids LOVED it! They went on a ton of rides with no lines. It was a day of firsts as well. Nikki climber her first rock wall. She has climbed little ones before but this was a big one. Justin went on the little roller coaster and loved it! He held onto me to keep me from getting scared. He wanted to go again and again. Nicole finally decided to go on the roller coaster too and loved it as well. I finally had to stop going on it as I had enough. Justin also went on the balloon ride with some friends. Balloons sound innocent enough but it went really fast. It was fun to watch as Justin was all smiles. I only thought we would be there for a few hours instead we were there all day. I couldn’t tear Justin away from the trains. Here are some pics from our day:

Mondays, ugh. I let the kids watch TV this morning for a bit. Then we headed out. We stopped at Target to get some birthday presents. Then we headed over to a birthday party for a kid from pre school (Arya). It was at the lagoon. The kids had a great time in the lagoon. They were loving going down the water slides.  N&J pretty much played by themselves the entire time. We were there for a while and couldn’t stay much longer. The kids missed ice cream but we made it up to them tonight. We came home and the kids were driving me crazy. So I finally let up and let them use the Christmas train. Unfortunately that caused fighting then they needed Santa hats. Now I regret getting it out. I did laundry today and tried to relax a bit. I am just cranky due to this time of the month. We went out front to play. I gave them rockets to play with. That kept them occupied for a bit. Then dad came home, they ended up getting the furniture mover and car d0lly out and took it down the driveway. They wanted them hooked together which was interesting but seemed to work. They had so much fun playing outside. After dinner the kids and I went to get ice cream to make up for not having cake at the party. We brought it home so dad could join us. The kids thought it was great I had to park on the other street and walk down the greenbelt. They are re-paving our street tomorrow. So funny the little things they like. We had ice cream then headed upstairs. We played cars for a bit then read books. Lots of snuggly time tonight. I acted out Nikki’s animals with her. I am sure they will wake up early with all the noise of the street being torn up.

This morning Justin woke up so him and I came down and played. He wanted to read books first then we played trains. Nikki came down shortly after and joined in on the trains. Dad went to Home Depot and got some part to replace his fog light in his car. He worked on that for a bit and the kids helped. They helped by talking all his tools so when he needed them he couldn’t find them 🙂 The kids got some rope and had fun playing across the street with it. The sun came out so we headed over to the pool. The kids got to play a little bit before their swim lesson. They are just loving the pool. After lessons we headed home and had lunch. Then we were off to go to the Ringling Brothers Circus. We went to the pre show, the kids got tattoos and clown noses.

I think the kids enjoyed the circus-it is hard to tell. I kept asking Justin if it was too loud for him. He was sitting on my lap all cuddly, I loved it! Nikki hopped on daddy’s lap and was wiggly. Grammy came with us as well. It was a neat show but I was surprised that there was so much music. They have definitely improved the circus and had some cool acts. I am glad we went. We came home and the kids were tired. Bret read them some books. But then we made the mistake of going out to dinner. The kids really needed to burn off some energy first. They were trying to be well behaved out to dinner but it was tough. After dinner we headed to the park. The kids had a great time. They practiced monkey bars. They started trying to get up the slide as fast as they could. I timed them and they just were laughing and trying to beat their personal best. So funny when Nikki was trying to get up and slid back down Justin was at the bottom catching her. They went down the slide as a choo choo. I think the park made them even more hyper though. We came home and dad played car wash with the kiddos. Then it turned into an obstacle course, they were having a blast. It was hard to tell them it was bed time.

This morning I got up and took my new tennis shoes for a walk/run. The shoes are awesome. My Ipod though didn’t hold a charge but my feet were so happy I didn’t mind not listening to music. Nikki was really cuddly this morning. Justin was playing the Wii fit, some of those things are so funny. I laughed so hard when he was flapping his arms like a bird. We went to the library to return books and see some rail safety thing. The safety thing was terrible, the kids liked it but not worth going to. Picking out new books was so much fun. The kids can’t wait to read them. After lunch dad and Justin mowed the lawn. Nikki and I ran out to get a storage bin and get some fruit/milk at the grocery store. Dad and I have been trying to clean out things again and he listed some things on Craigslist. We decided to go to Lake Forest and take a walk through the woods. We did this once before and it was so much fun. The kids couldn’t wait to collect rocks and toss them into the stream. They loved making huge splashes but they would also cover their ears, funny. It was so nice and relaxing, the weather was perfect too. Of course dad and I loved the area so much with the woods we talked about moving there. It won’t happen but fun to think about. When we got home we made dinner. After dinner we made a banana desert. Add chocolate chips, graham crackers, and marshmallows and grill. YUM! We went to our neighbors to meet their new  baby, oh so cute. I loved holding her. It was nice to catch up with our neighbors. Nikki loved helping with the baby, feeding, getting her pacifier. Justin was happy watching TV. When we got home Nikki pretended to be baby Sophia. We read lots of books and off to bed the kids went. Justin has this new thing when he kisses our noses, he gets them all wet, yuck.

Today we stayed home most of the day, it was really nice. The kids played really well this morning. They have really been into trains lately both Geotrax and the train table. I don’t think Justin ate breakfast until after 10:00 and was in his jammies until after lunch. We did lots of coloring with markers. The kids moved their pencil table into the play room and loved coloring on it. Nikki and I colored lots of pages together. We changes the pics on the kitchen cabinets too. We had lunch and finally got ready to go. I have had on my list for the longest time to get new tennis shoes and we made it there. Now I have no excuse not to exercise. We also did a few other errands. I got some storage bins for some of the kid’s toys. Also the kids have been wanting a wheel barrel for the sand. I never thought we would find one but we did. Nikki used it as a stroller then a wheel chair for her baby. We decided to head to ghetto park as the kids wanted to use the wheel barrel. Justin walked it there and pretended it was a tractor. Nikki wheeled her baby in the stroller. We met some friends at the park and the kiddos had a great time. They played in the sand for a while, collected some type of crab apple or something like that….Justin got a stick and hit the tree branches to knock off the crab applies while Jane picked them up. Oh and Justin decided to wear his shorts backwards, so funny. I am so glad we ended up going to the park, Bret came over to meet us and our friends. Before we knew it though it was 6:15. So I prepped dinner but no time to cook it. We ran over to Woodbury for dinner. The kiddos played on the lawn, tag. When we got home the kiddos went in the back yard and played. They were playing with water and it was cool out. Finally we got the kiddos upstairs in bed.

I am enjoying summer so much with the kiddos. I may be sad when they go back to school but the break sounds nice too. Yesterday we went to the movies to see Curious George. It is part of the summer free movies series. I thought Curious George would be innocent enough. Nikki was sad when the man with the yellow hat got annoyed and frustrated and sent George back to Africa. Nikki cried but then the man with the yellow hat realized he missed George and got him back. Justin sat on my lap for most of the movie, I loved the cuddle time. We did some shopping after the movie then just enjoyed the rest of the day. We played on the greenbelt and got Justin’s rocket out.

Today is seeming to be a mellow day as well. Dad is working from home. I tried to convince the kiddos to go to the work out place. They were too happy hanging out at home so I let it be. They were playing trains for a while this morning. They were laughing and having fun together. Then they came over to say they were bored. We got out lots of their toys. After lunch I wasn’t sure if I was taking care of T or not, so we were ready either way. While waiting we went into the garage and the kids played out there. I started organizing. We have so much crap but it is so hard to figure out what to get rid of or not. The kids did the rocket and played frisbee for a bit. We came inside and made a big Geotrax track. The track is in the way of walking and under bar stools. Dad stayed home all day working but came down a little early. The kids were all about daddy, it was so cute. Somehow they ended up getting into a water gun fight. We realized the kids needed to get some energy out. We walked over to Blue Gum Park. The kids were having a great time, running, sliding, etc. We then headed to a buddy from pre school’s birthday party. It was at their community pool. It was a little cool out but that didn’t stop the kids from swimming. Luckily there was a jacuzzi there too. It was a nice party. We were able to give the kids a shower there which warmed them up too. But they were freezing when they got out. We brought a blanket and tucked them into the stroller and walked home. It was my turn to visit Justin first. I found his light up ball and we had fun with that. He was letting his bunny, Easter watch the fireworks (thats what Justin called the light show).

This morning was pretty uneventful. We got ready for the cleaners, taking sheets off beds, cleaning up toys, etc. It was so great to come home to a clean house. Then we were off. I am determined to finish up Nikki’s bed. So we stopped to get another curtain and I am still looking for thick purple ribbon with a wire. No luck yet. We headed to our friends for play group this morning. Nikki started the “I’m bored” thing. She did settle in and play. Justin was playing with all the toys, inside and out. I am now thinking maybe Nikki gets overwhelmed with too  many people. It was a nice play group, chatting with the other moms. We stopped on the way home to get lots of necessities, toilet paper, etc. The kids did pretty good shopping. But they did say they rather shop with me than be in school, so that was nice. We came home and the kiddos played and played. They helped me wash the back windows. I think they got tired of it as before I knew it they were upstairs playing. It was so nice to get the house looking great inside and outside. Dad came home and we had dinner. Then dad and I finished out back while the kiddos played trains. Nikki came out to help hose off the garages. The kiddos did some gardening with me too. They also started to make a mess with the dirt and tried to get in the mud. Normally I don’t mind but since it wasn’t bath day and the house was just cleaned, I didn’t want them to get muddy. Well the watermelons are taking over our garden, we have one big one and three small ones starting. We got the best peach off our tree tonight before the rats. We went upstairs and read library books. Kiddos are fast asleep.

Today was a take it easy day. We played at home and I heard I’m bored way too many times. We played and read. I also tried to organize some stuff. Nicole picked out a healthy snack of carrots, so proud of her. I decided to go to the gym today-finally. The kids were thrilled to go. I could barely run. Then we did an errand. Justin picked out a car for either his b-day/holiday present. I just decided to buy it in front of him and put it away. We came home and had lunch. We did lots of laundry today. I did some gardening. Justin was busy outside seeing what would float and would sink. Nicole wanted to play Thumper. I act out big floppy dog and she acts out Thumper, great fun! We decided to go swimming. The kids are just amazing me at how well they are swimming. Justin’s confidence is going up and he practiced floating on his back. We stopped at the little farm by our house on the way home. Got lots of fresh veggies and fruits. When we got home Zoe the dog was on the greenbelt, so the kids played ball with her for a bit. After dinner the kids were playing really nicely. They were coloring, playing outside, etc. I went for an early walk with my friend. On the walk I got stung by something, OUCH! I got home and the kids were still playing outside. We went upstairs and got the kiddos ready for bed. They were really tired.

This morning I woke up at the crack of dawn and couldn’t go back to sleep. I came down to watch TV. On my way up, Nikki was coming down. She asked me to watch TV with her. I think I surprised her when I said yes. We just cuddled and we both loved it. Finally I took a shower then surprised Nikki with alone time. Her and I went to get bagels together. We ate bagels together and brought some home to daddy and Justin. It was really nice and I know she loved it as much as I did. Dad and Justin went out to get coffee together. Then we got ready for swim lesson. Finally I brought my camera and got some cute shots:

The kids did great at their lesson. Nikki loves showing off how well she can swim. Justin is a little more cautious but does go out far with his kick board. We hurried out of there, packed up a cooler, then headed to Duffy boats. Alan rented a boat for Roberta’s birthday. It was great fun. The entire family went. Justin and Nicole both loved driving the electric boat. Justin did have a smiley face the entire time he drove. Uncle Alan helped the kiddos drive. I can’t say enough of how much Justin loved driving. Grandpa got a little sick when Justin kept making the boat go in circles, with the help of Alan. We had lunch on the boat and just went around Newport Harbor. We hope to do it again as it was relaxing and fun.

After the boat we came home and relaxed a bit. Then we walked over to Heritage Park for a show with the Pacific Symphony. It was cute as they had projects for the kids. The kids made a tamborine, got to play with a lot of instruments, etc. We did bring Justin’s remote control boat to use in the lake so we went over to do that after we had a picnic dinner. Then we noticed the new park was finished so of course we had to check that out. We went to listen to more music and played a few games then we headed home. Nikki said she can’t wait to be a grown up so she can stay up as long as she wants. Both went to sleep pretty easily, they were tired.