Melissa’s Blog

Our house is getting a bit organized. I worked in the play room a bit. Trying to clean out a drawer or two a day. This morning the kids colored, played cars, etc. Then we headed to the library. The kids turned in their summer reading and got pencils and note pads. We stayed to watch the show. It was great. We saw this guy last year and the kids loved it to then. Listening to them laugh and giggle was great. They loved the magic. And whats best is a cookie at the end too. We headed home, had lunch and got ready for the lagoon. While I got ready the kids played. Justin played with cars for a bit then headed outside to make baskets. He started throwing water bottles in the basket too. Nikki played with her baby in the play room. She was pretending it was her baby’s birthday. We met a friend at the RSM lagoon. It was great; the kids can touch almost everywhere in the water now. Justin is getting really brave in the water, going under the rope and practicing his swim strokes. They played in the sand too. It was a fun afternoon. Bret and I went out with some friends who don’t have kids. The kids had a great time with the sitter. They went to the park, played, ate macaroni and cheese, etc. It sounded like Nicole missed me at bedtime but the kids were pretty tired and went right to bed. I am heading up right now to give the kiddos a big kiss. Bret and I went to the OC fair. It was fun but we can’t believe how expensive things are. It was just a nice relaxing time at the fair. I am so tired so heading to bed now.

Last night we heard a bonk, it ended up being Nicole falling out of bed. Poor little girl. What a horrible way to wake up. Bret is in training for the rest of the week but luckily it is just at his company. This morning the kids and I got ready for the cleaners. I let the kiddos watch some TV so nothing else got messed up. I also did some cleaning out of cabinets, etc. Then we met some people from my photography group at the library in Orange. There was an animal show. It would have been great but the room was extremely crowded. I couldn’t believe all the moms who didn’t care if their kids stood up and were loud. Nikki and Justin sat there so well and listened. I was a proud mom. After Nikki and Justin went up to thank the lady and said they really liked the show. She let them pet the lion bunny:

We read a few books then headed home. After lunch the kids asked me to set up the zebra tent. After bringing down blankets and pillows they cuddled in there then added toys. Now we just have a huge zebra tent in our family room. We ran out to the library for a singing show. It was awesome-I am so glad we went. I almost didn’t as I was organizing the play room and we had so many toys out but we decided to go. The kids participated and sang, so cute. When we got home I finally put together a hot wheels track for Justin, it took me a long time.  We just played with toys we hadn’t gotten out in a while, it was fun. Dad came home and the kids played in the backyard. Nikki swung for a while and Justin shot some baskets. Then the basketball went on Nikki’s tray in the swing and apparently was hilarious. We took the kids to Chick-Fil-A for their Tuesday family night. The kids made guitars and wanted to do shows for us in the restaurant. They were way too loud. They played in the play area as well. It was lots of fun for them, but Nikki was sad she didn’t get to see the cow. On the way out the kiddos got balloons. Nicole’s balloon wasn’t tied on tight so it went up in the air. She was so upset. We went upstairs and played a little. Justin wanted to try out all Nikki’s hair things. So yes I put hairbows, etc in hs hair. It was so funny. I didn’t document it with the camera, but maybe I should have. It took Nikki a while to settle down tonight. Apparently she was hot!

I didn’t want to get out of bed this morning. We had a day of play dates but first I made the kiddos go to a store with me. Then we headed over to Christy’s to play. The kids played so well together, there wasn’t one fight. It was great. Nikki and Lexie played upstairs really well together and Sienna did whatever Justin did. The kids didn’t want to leave, playing with the new toys is so fun. We had lunch together then we came home. We were home for a bit and then Paula and I had boy/girl play dates. Justin wanted to go to Paula’s and Nikki wanted the girls here so it all worked out well. Justin was so excited to go with Micheal and even took a few toys to share. The girls played really really well, it was great. I was able to prepare dinner and do laundry. The girls played in Nikki’s room for a long time then play doh. I missed Justin but he had lots of fun. I went to pick him up and all the kids played for a bit. So funny how kids just love other kids toys. After dinner we cleaned up a bit for the cleaners then headed out for a walk. The walk led to cleaning up trash on the greenbelt and to castle park. The kids had a great time at the park even though we didn’t stay too long. They climbed on rocks, went down slides, ran around, etc. We definitely need to do this more often especially since it is summer. The kids were tired tonight and kids were in bed by 8:30.

Dad was up early this morning for work.  Today was all about the smoker-it was the first time we used it. Very exciting. We went to swim lessons this morning. The kids are doing really well. Justin is getting his confidence up and we figured out the best way to get his goggles on. We had fun swimming with the kiddos. Nikki pretended to look for treasure and then dove down to get the treasure. Both kids are diving down and love getting the dive sticks. Next time I should remember to bring coins which equals treasure. Justin was practicing his kicking on his kick board and going across the pool. Nikki loved jumping in and splashing me. We came home and had lunch. Then the kids and I headed to the library for a craft thing. The kids made lady bug hats, butterflies, suns w/their hands, etc. It was really cute. The kids had a blast picking out books. We had never been to this library and it seemed to have more books than our other libraries. While we were gone dad fired up the smoker.

Our first try at smoking ribs. Bret smoked out the neighbors but it did smell really good. He even spritzed the ribs with apple juice. The kids drank the juice out of the spray bottle and thought it was great. The kids went in the jacuzzi and swam around as much as they could. We had a nice dinner out on our patio listening to music. We all enjoyed the ribs. Next time we need to make more. I was surprised how many the kids made. I think it was worth all the smoking, etc. Bret used a rub which I like way better than just sauce. The kids played in the backyard after dinner. They decided to make soup which entails a bucket, grass, and whatever else they can put in it. We read books and the kiddos are sleeping.

Life seems boring now that the New Zealanders are back home. This morning we took it easy at home, no rushing around. It was nice. We needed to do some errands. We stopped at Costco to pick up some pictures. I have been wanting to update the pictures on the wall and finally did today. Then dad and Justin went to Lowe’s while Nikki and I went to Micheal’s. We did a big shopping trip at Whole Foods as well. Bret bought ribs and brisket to use in his new smoker. The kids watched some TV and I felt like we were in the kitchen all day. I made dad’s birthday carrot cake plus frosting and dad made the rub for the ribs. Then we made cole slaw and even tried to have the kids help cut up the cabbage. The kids were eager to help. It was nice to actually be in the kitchen since we have been eating out so much. I hope the cole slaw came out ok-we will know tomorrow as it needs to sit in the fridge overnight. The kids were great today. They played in their sprinkler and added their umbrellas to the mix. It was so funny and cute. We played games with the kiddos and did a froggie craft. I am always telling Justin I love him and he always says I love you more. Then we just argue  back and forth, it makes me smile. Nikki loves talking about dogs lately. I told her the story of Nikki or Lovie hiding donuts under my parents bed. I forget which dog did that and Nikki loved the story. Time to go relax, kids are in bed at a decent time.

Life has just been so busy and fun lately. And it didn’t stop today. Last night was busy in our house. Nicole woke up a few times and dad didn’t stop working until about 3:00 AM then he just snored. We headed to pre school this morning to help with registration. The kids played at school and had fun. I registered the kiddos for another year at ICNS. I am still not sure how I feel about another yr of pre school but it sounds like it is less risky. After being at school for a while, we headed to a pre school friends, Keyon, birthday party. They had it at the Woodbury pool. The kids had a great time but it was hot! I love watching them play with their friends. Of course now they want to have all their friends over soon. We will have them over now that the New Zealander’s are going home. The kids got cars from their goody bags. Nicole got a hot wheels and Justin got a police car. Justin was telling the mom he already had a police car and wanted a hot wheels. We had to have the discussion of just saying thank you whether you like the present or not. Nikki was sweet enough to change with Justin. Nicole went up to the mom and said thank you as she wants to be a police officer and she really likes the car. We came home for a bit, just to hang out at home. Then we headed to Target to run a few errands. We attended a birthday party today and I didn’t even have time to get a present. Then we went to Grammy’s. We all went to Red Robin for dinner. Then the kids went swimming in Grammy’s pool. They were busy diving for the dive sticks and just having a great time in the water. Nikki was busy jumping in and Justin was laying on his back with his life vest. It was so sad saying goodbye to the New Zealanders. So sad to watch them say goodbye to J&N. Justin and Nicole luckily are too young to realize we won’t see them for a while but it was still hard for me to watch them say goodbye. Justin and Nicole had an amazing time with their relatives. I ran them to the airport while Bret put the kiddos to bed.

This morning I decided I needed to start working out again. So I went to the gym. The kids were as happy as can be to be in the kid’s club. They were so happy that when I came back they didn’t want to leave. It sucks working out but I am glad I did. I needed to run some errands but Bret was working from home. So we decided to head to Grammy’s during his lunch hour while he was logged off. Brittany, Tori, and N&J all went to shopping to Macy’s to try and find Buffi a birthday present. Buffi never buys anything for herself so it was fun to give her clothes. Tori and I picked out the stuff and Brittany helped with the kids. It was so nice having Brittany and Tori to help out by amusing the kids. When we got back to Grammy’s the kiddos went swimming with Brittany and Tori. It was so hot that I thought about getting in the pool but the kids wanted their cousins instead. We played at Grammy’s all afternoon. I borrowed Brittany and Tori’s camera card and got some pics. Buffi and gang bought Justin some trains, twins Ben and Bill, and Nicole got a big ball which was fun to play with in the pool. We tried to make dinner for Grammy but she did a lot of the work. We all had dinner and then the kids wanted to go back in the pool. Justin went in first and I decided to go in with him. We had races (walking, running, and hopping) in the pool. Nicole joined us too. I had a great time in the pool with my kiddos except I did get cold. We had dessert and then had to head out. I am all confused on days since Bret was working from home today. When we got home Bret had to do some work and I got the kiddos to bed. They went to bed so late.

Here are some pics from the cousin’s visit:

Justin wakes up and he is in such a happy mood. He tried to scare me. So I had fun throwing him on the bed. I just love his little laugh. This morning dad went to leave for work. He opened the garage and Nikki woke up to the garage opening. Nikki started crying so I ran out and told dad to wait. She was crying since she didn’t get to say goodbye. Luckily dad was still around. We headed out early this morning to Grammy’s. The kids stayed at Grammy’s while I went with Buffi and gang to LA. We went to the LA garment district. It was interesting experience. I am so glad I didn’t drag the kids with us. It was pretty cool to see once but I am in no hurry to go back. The stores change their prices constantly depending who asks. It was so hot too. We decided to leave so we headed to the Grove. This was way better. We ate at the farmer’s market. Tori and Brittany were a bit overwhelmed with all the choices. We had a great lunch then walked around the grove. We went into a few stores but mostly just enjoyed doing/seeing something different. Nicole would be so mad that I was so close to the American doll store. I did buy her a doll at the garment district and Justin got a track with trucks. I wanted to buy something for the kids as I knew they would be on their best behavior for Grammy. I really missed my kiddos. They had a great time. Grammy went into the pool with the kiddos. This is the first time since I have known Grammy that she went into the pool. They all baked cookies together, star and heart shaped. The kids played with the toys upstairs at Grammy’s and made a big wood tarantula with Grammy. It sounded like they had a great day. I missed them so much! Bret got his smoker today-a birthday present from me. We are looking forward to smoking some meat soon. The kids came home and were happy to see daddy. They happily played with their new toys. Nicole decided that the doll looks like Boo from Monsters Inc. I ran off to Bunco and the kids finally had daddy time.

Happy 39th Birthday Bret!

All recovered from a busy day yesterday. I made Bret coffee this morning. The kids and I stayed home this morning. I was able to get a little organized, cleaned up, etc. The kids played with their Snoopy/Woodstock stuffed animals. They even made bunk beds out of pillows for them. We ran to the store to get cookie dough. We made cookies to bring to daddy to work and we decorated the house a little for daddy. The kids love birthdays. I let the kiddos play Leapsters for a bit. We headed out to meet Buffi and gang at the Sawdust Festival in Laguna Beach. It wasn’t that kid friendly. The kids did a few projects, crayons and paint a sea scape, paper flowers, and pottery. This is the first time they have ever dealt with pottery. It was cute. The kids helped with the wheel. They both made vases. Now we just need to wait to get them in the mail (they are being glazed). Some beautiful artsy things at the festival. Then the fun began….we took the trolley to the beach. The kids loved it. Brittany and I dug a huge hole for the kiddos. The kids played in it and tried to fill it with water. They also found sea weed and put it all around. They used their shovels as paddles in the ocean. They were in the water for a while and just hanging out with one another. It was great to watch. I hated to end the fun but we needed to head out. I can’t wait to go to Laguna Beach again soon. I dropped Buffi and gang at Grammy’s then came home. We had a quick dinner then I gave the kiddos a shower. I had to get the sand off of them. It was another nice crazy busy day.

What a day! We went to Knotts Berry Farm today. We decided at the last minute yesterday and it was well worth it. We had so much fun. Camp Snoopy is awesome for the kids ages. They loved all the rides there. The smiles were priceless as they were on the car ride. I didn’t have to go on any rides with them, a little sad though. We saw the Peanuts character show and the ice skating show. Nikki went up to Snoopy and gave him a big hug. All day long Nikki pretended to be Snoopy and Justin was Woodstock. In the Snoopy bounce house Nikki pretended to do an ice skating show. We finally convinced the kiddos to go on the roaring rapids ride. Justin loved it, he was just laughing and smiling all the way. Nikki, however, hated getting wet. She loved it at first but cried when she got wet. Justin thought it was great fun and could have cared less at how wet he got. The kids did great as we were there for several hours and they could have gone longer. It was just an all together great day. Great to be with the relatives, etc. We got home about 6:45 and had a quick dinner. The kids took a shower as they were layered in sun screen. Off to bed. Nicole is sleeping with a Snoopy stuffed animal and Justin a Woodstock stuffed animal. Usually I give in and buy the kids something but I didn’t. We already had cool Peanuts stuffed animals at home.