Melissa’s Blog

We started off the morning at home with underwear on for the kids. They both did really well. They were in it for about 90 minutes and no accidents. What a pain to have to keep helping them pull them up and down, hopefully they will get it soon. Well we dusted off the bike trailer and off we went. I biked with the kids to Hicks Canyon Park. I can barely pull the trailer…good thing there weren’t any joggers as they probably would have passed me. We had a great time at Hicks. The kids had so much fun bouncing on the see saw. I had an amazing time with just me and the kids. Their were little ladders there, so the kids had fun climbing and sliding. While there I was thinking back to when the kids were tiny; this is the park that I first put them in the swings. After hanging out at the park, I decided to walk with the kids to Albertson’s and get some groceries. On our way there was a trash truck dumping big dumpsters, the kids were waving to the driver and just loved watching it. We loaded up the bike trailer with our groceries and came home. After a short nap, we walked to Blue Gum Park. We had a great time there. It did start to get a bit cool out. The kids played with sand toys and loved sliding down the slide backwards. They watched each other slide and smiled. We walked home and daddy was home. It was bath night and when we take the kids out of the bath we tell them that we wrap them up like burritos, so of course, the kids say “I burrito”. Daddy took it to an all new level wrapped them up and then carried them around by the towel. Of course this made me think I need to charge the video camera.

It was such a beautiful day today. We got out of the house early and made it to the park before music class. We had so much fun. We fed bread to the ducks until some lady came and dumped all this food so the ducks went to her. We played on the swings for a while and the kids went through a tunnel slide. After we went to music class. The kids hugged Miss Judy about 10 times-it was so cute. They had so much fun at music class. After we went to the park again. We saw lots of friends there, Vena, Maggie, Christine, and Lori. We had a great time at the park. The kids had so much fun playing. On the way home in the car Nicole declared and I quote “I loves snot” and then Justin chimed in with “I love boogers”. I chose to believe he said burgers-it iss so funny though what comes out of their mouths.  We had lunch and played a bit before nap. After nap, we played at home for a while then went for a walk. Then grandma/pa came over. The kids had a great time and then we all went to dinner. Tonight the kids were really into puzzles, jumping naked in each other’s cribs, and reading books.

It was such a beautiful day that we spent it at parks. We went with Krista and Paula to Atlantis Park in Garden Grove. It was a cute park but we have such great parks in Irvine that are closer to home. My kids had fun and we got some great pictures of all the kids together. The kids have been so good about taking their naps again, hope it continues. After nap, we played at home for a bit. It was so nice out we decided to go to Blue Gum. We met some friends there too, Kristen and Janet. The kids had a blast playing, sliding, etc. Nicole rode Teagan’s tricycle. I got some great pictures of the kids. We came home to put dinner in the oven then went for a walk to find daddy. We found daddy and daddy car. We gave the kids a little ride in daddy’s car. They loved it! Tonight at dinner we had noodles and Nicole says “I have noodle face”. It was so funny.

This morning we met some friends at Woodbury Park (Candice, Vena, Stacey). The weather was perfect. The kids had so much fun at the park. They were into everything, climbing on the play equipment, playing in the sand, swinging, etc. As we were leaving the park we ran into Kristen and Teagan. After we came home and hosted play group. I felt like we hadn’t been to a play group in a while. It was so nice, the kids played so well. And it was so nice to talk to other moms. After nap the weather was so nice that we played outside for a long time. We also ran some errands. I just love this nice weather. The kids were so funny tonight. Both of them wearing big kid underwear. Of course Nicole had to wear Justin’s underwear. The dog we saw the other day really made an impression on Nicole. Before putting her in her crib she sticks her tongue out and pretends to dig. We all laugh hysterically, including Justin.

I needed some food in the house, so this morning we went to Costco. The kids had so much fun walking and shopping. The kids were big helpers putting things in the cart, etc. People were having fun talking to the kids and making them laugh. The weather is nice out today. I haven’t been in the yard in so long to clean up, so at nap time I spent some time out there. After nap we met some friends at Blue Gum Park (Neyha and Jacole). My kids had a great time playing on Nathaniel’s car-it goes on its own when you push a button. It is really cute. Nicole was really into watching this puppy. Nicole told daddy about the doggy digging and running. Justin was playing in the sand for a while. The kids were just so happy to be outside. We didn’t stay for too long and came home and played with the balls. Nicole dressed up as a pirate-so cute (pics below). Justin was into playing with his trains and making a new track. We did an extra long bath tonight and played upstairs for a while.

Weekends go by way too fast. Today we decided to go to South Coast Plaza. The kids ran around and had fun. We took them on the carousal which is all bunnies for Easter. Nicole picked out a purple one to ride and Justin picked a red one. It was really cute; too bad I didn’t bring the camera with me. We also went without a stroller so we rode on all the escalators. After we got sandwich’s for lunch at our favorite sandwich place, Little Pickle. We all napped today-it was so nice. After nap we walked to the Korean Market (the old Von’s) to get some milk. It turned out to be pretty nice in the sun and we had a great walk. After we went to Jacole and Andy’s (Nathaniel) for some play time and dinner. The kids loved the train and rode it until the battery died. It was so cute. All the kids played pretty well together. Then we just came home and played. We borrowed some cardboard blocks from Nathaniel. So Bret and I built towers while the kids knocked them down. Nicole is still babbling away in her crib. Right now she is saying “I have eye balls” and “last book”.

I miss playing outside…..I was hoping this afternoon would be warm enough but it is gloomy. This morning we went to the Laguna Hills Mall. They had some event, blast for books. It was a bit lame. The kids did some coloring but most of all they were just happy running around the mall. They played on all the car things and got a ride on the motorcycles. Justin loves running on the lights and had so much fun. We played in the arcade for a bit, Nicole was happy driving and Justin played some ski ball. We decided to have lunch at Ruby’s. The kids did pretty well. They enjoyed playing with the Ruby car and stickers. The planes that went around the restaurant were a big highlight. Everyone took a great nap today, including dad. After nap we played at home for a bit. The kids are loving the fishy puzzle and using the fishing pole. They still love doing their Dora and Diego puzzles too. Bret had to run an errand so we went to the Marketplace. We decided to take the kids into Petsmart. They saw so many fish, birds, lizards, cats, and dogs. They got to pet some dogs and they liked the lizard-ewww. Tonight we just brought out toys we haven’t played with in a while. Both kids are doing so well using the potty at night when they are naked. Flushing their pee pee has really been a great reward.

We woke up to a rainy gloomy day. We went to grandma/pa’s this morning now that grandma is feeling better. The kids had great time playing. The kids jumped off the ottoman onto pillows, played Lincoln Logs, dressed up, played with the dog clock, etc. My dad made his famous turkey clubs for lunch. The kids fell asleep on the way home. I started to try and keep them awake and I said why bother and I just kept them in the car until they woke up. I just can’t transfer them at nap time to their cribs. After nap, Nicole decided that Justin would be her chew toy. It felt like every 5 minutes she would try and bite him. Not out of frustration at all..it was for no reason (unless she is teething). I had such a hard time trying to stop her that she got her first of many time outs. I discovered Nicole likes time outs. I would say do you want a time out and she would say yes. We headed to Neyha’s to play with Krish. Jacole and Nathaniel came too. The kids had a great time at Neyha’s. Her train table was a big hit. After dinner the kiddos played with their new fish puzzle (magnets and a fishing pole). They did so great taking turns and playing together. They had a great time. Nicole is in her crib right now saying sorry Justin for pushing you and I got a time out.

This morning we went to Target. I needed everything. We were there forever and the kids just had a blast. They like putting things into the shopping cart for me. We looked at all the Easter stuff and toys. We were in no rush so we just took our time. It was kinda fun. After we just came home and played. After nap we headed to the Mission Viejo Mall. We met some friends there and the kids had a blast. We shopped, played, ran around, ran on the lights on the ground, looked at the fountains, saw the dogs in the pet store, etc. We all ate at PF Changs. Justin was so good just sitting there and so well behaved. Nicole was Ms. Busy Body. She kept on standing up, trying to jump, and just in too everything.

We went over to the Laguna Hills Mall this morning while our house was being cleaned. I needed to run some errands and I wanted the kids to run around. And run around they did. They ran through the mall, played on the lights on the ground, rode the cars, etc. Grandpa came over to the mall and say hi. Since grandma is not feeling great, I think grandpa needed to get out. They kids were so happy to see him and get their horn back. I may need to lose that annoying horn. The kiddos were a bit screamy today-I hate that. It is no fun for anyone. After nap we ran some errands. Not a very exciting day. Kids are tucked away for the night and I am going to follow.