Melissa’s Blog

Well after several times scheduling the flower fields and backing out, I finally made it there today. What was I thinking? It was freezing and misting. Luckily I had jackets for the kids. I envisioned getting the cutest pics and just having a blast. Instead we froze! We walked around a little bit. There were some birds the kids liked looking at. And there were stamp stations for the kids to stamp their “pass ports”. The kids liked the stamps, but it was pretty miserable. So we headed on the tractor ride. After that Krista (Matthew and Ellie) decided to go over to the outlet mall. We wanted to get warm and have lunch. We all ate at Ruby’s. It was fun. That Ruby’s had a train going around and a big plane. After Krista and gang went home. We decided to wonder around the mall. We had so much fun. The kids rode on all the cars and little rides. Thank goodness I remembered to bring lots of quarters. We looked at fountains and did a little shopping. The kiddos had a blast in this one toy store. Not only was there a train table all set up, but there was a doll house and some block things. It was tough getting them out of that store. We went into the Stride Rite Outlet and found Nicole some shoes like her old Dora ones I lost. She was so happy-it was adorable. Nicole decided to pull down her pants and underwear in the middle of the outside mall. When I asked her why her response was “I have an itchy butt”. I was laughing so hard. Finally around 1:45 we left. A little snack and 5 minutes later the kids were napping. I had a peaceful ride home listening to my music for once. Since we were out and about all morning, we decided to stay home in the afternoon. We played with so many toys, jack in the box, strollers, balls, trains. baby, ball popper, etc. It was just a relaxing time at home. After dinner the kids decided to play in the bathroom for some odd reason. They were sitting in the shower with their strollers and blankets. Tonight Nicole decided she wanted to wear a diaper for some silly reason. So she went into her crib with a diaper on. She likes to pretend baby a little too much. I hear Nicole saying in her crib “Justin stay awake I want to talk to you”. They are discussing the rain at the flower fields. Justin can barely get in a word.

Wow I remember when I would go to the mall to shop, now I go to play with the kids. We went to the MV mall this morning. We started off going up and down the escalators a gazillion times. Then we went to the Toy Professor and played with trains for a while (got a birthday gift for a friend). Then we headed to the lights. They were crazy on the lights, I was just laughing. It was off to see the little fountains and throw money in. I did drag them into Gymboree for a bit. They like to sit in the little chairs and watch TV. We went to the pet store and the kiddos love when the dogs jump up on the glass. We did run around the mall like crazy kids and went for lunch. It was nice having lunch with the kiddos. I thought I better leave before the kids fall asleep on the way home. But that was so silly of me as they decided not to nap today. For about 30 minutes or so they just played and laughed in the cribs. Finally I got them out and let them watch Barney. This way I could finish what I was doing. So while watching TV Nicole was laying on the top of the couch and when I asked her what she was doing she said “exercising mommy”. She cracks me up! After we decided to go to the park. We went over to Hicks Canyon (AKA see saw park). I brought the kid’s tricycles and sand toys. They had a blast riding around. Nicole was really into hugging her brother, it was driving Justin crazy but he was a sport and put up with it. Then they played in the sand for a while, wow they were dirty kids. Vena (Cole and Grant) came and met us over there. Justin was so happy they brought balls! We were at the park for a really long time and came home and it was dinner time. After dinner, the kiddos played in the backyard for a while in their play house. Nicole has been really into taking care of her baby, putting her down for naps, etc. After she puts her in the crib, she says baby crying and she takes the baby out and holds her. Justin was busy playing with the ball popper and riding his Diego scooter. It was bath night and Nicole was trying to play with Justin again in the bath-they both were cracking up. No nap and no crankiness, unbelievable. We read books and off to bed.

Well since we have been having so much fun, I needed today to run some errands. We ran to Kohl’s this morning to get the kiddos summer jammies. Justin picked out doggy ones and Nicole picked out frog ones. They definitely have their opinion on what they want to wear (Nicole especially). Nicole doesn’t like to wear the same thing twice, she wants all new things. If we win the lottery then she is in luck. Then we ran to Target for a couple things. We came home and played for a while then read a ton of books then nap time. At nap I went up a zillion times as they wanted their feet to hide under the blankets. No matter what time I put them down even if it is a little earlier than usual they still fall asleep at the same time. After nap we ran out to get more scrap book stuff. I am deep in my scrapbooks again…it takes me forever though. Since it was so hot we just played in the backyard in the pool. The kiddos had a great time playing. They used their fishing set in the pool and then we threw in a bunch of balls. We also went into the jacuzzi a little bit. I think by the time we decided to do te jacuzzi then kids were done with water. But they liked climbing up and down the stairs and putting their feet in. Of course the kids had to get naked while playing in the water. They were so excited we were eating dinner outside (still naked)-we sat at the big table and the kiddos were happy as can be at their picnic table. After dinner we put on their new jammies and went for a walk on the path. We were hoping to find bunnies but we didn’t find any. But we found our friendly neighborhood cat, Tigger on the way home. They were excited to see Tigger. We came home and read books and got ready for bed. I think I read the Zoe ballerina book a zillion times to Nikki tonight. So I brought her the Zoe puppet to sleep with. The kiddos have been fighting going to sleep lately-ugh.

Another hot day. We decided to take it easy. This morning I went on a bike ride. Then I took the kiddos to the grocery store. They love to push the little carts. The kids did great but it was a little stressful as the store was pretty crowded. We came home and the kids played inside and out. Justin put water in the pool. Nicole was into diapering her baby doll. After lunch we did bath since after nap we went to Huntington beach. We had a great time at the beach. What a difference in temperature, 95 here and about 75 at the beach. Justin just loves the ocean. He was grinning from ear to ear at the water. He would run in and out of the water. He was soaked. Nicole said she is “a little terrified of the ocean”. So her and I played in the sand and made a sand castle that she stepped on. Finally she braved it to the water. She did so well for a while but then wanted daddy to pick her up. We saw lots of sea gulls and kites. We had a picnic dinner at the beach. The kids are really into picnics these days. The kids were all happy at the beach and a great time was had by all. When we got home, the kids had a hard time transitioning to home and did not want to go to bed. it is 9:20 and they both are still awake, ugh.

The Santa Ana Zoo had a member appreciation day. We decided to brave it and go, even though the weather said it would be 95. It is pretty shaded at the zoo. We had a great time. The kids saw the baby monkey, so cute. They liked watching the monkeys. The kept on commenting on the monkeys telling us they were climbing, eating, walking, etc. The kids liked the lemurs too. They watched the elephant go around and around giving elephant rides. Of course as the elephant got closer to the kids the kids backed up and who can blame them. When we asked Justin if he wanted an elephant ride he told us “next time”. We went to the farm area and since it was pretty warm, we let the kiddos play in the hand washing area. They sure love washing their hands, silly munch kins. Since the train ride was so long, we decided to see more animals, pigs, geese, turkeys, chickens, etc. We thought maybe eat lunch then try the train again. The line was still too long, so we just came home. Luckily the kids weren’t too disappointed not getting a train ride. The kids took a great nap. Bret had to do some work and I worked on my scrap books for a little while. After nap we decided to bring out the water table, the pool, the hose…water everywhere. Justin was in charge of the hose and he was proud of that title. The kids had a blast. It was so fun watching them giggle and play with each other (except for the occasional splash). We could barely pull them away from the water but decided to get some food to go and have a picnic. We went to where you can watch the trains and the kids were so excited when a train came. They chased birds, we ate dinner, then walked on the bridge. After we stopped at Dairy Queen for some ice-cream. One suggestion don’t ever try to share an ice-cream cone with the kids, they ate it all! We had a great day! Hopefully the kids will go to sleep soon, I hear them both still wide awake.

The day started off at Centennial Farms at the fair grounds. We had a great time. First we saw all the animals, oxen, cows, calves, bunnies, pigs, etc. The kids loved when the baby sheep went baaaa-it was the cutest sound ever. Of course the youth expo was going on today too, so the kids saw the bounce houses and the farm became not so interesting. So it was all about the kid’s so we went over to the bounce houses. They had a blast bouncing and this one had a ball pit too. The guy let them stay in for such a long time-it was so nice. Nicole was flirting with the guy who was taking tickets to the bounce house. She was cracking him up and he was cracking her up. I just had an amazing time just watching the kids. Then the kids got to drive a car. In the picture below they aren’t smiling but they sure had a good time. We just walked around the youth expo-there was lots for the kids to explore. They got to sit and play in a police car and se ea police helicopter. Not even in the car for 5 minutes and Nicole was fast asleep. We got home and I tried to get the kiddos down for a nap. The 10 minute drive home was enough for Nicole, she was wide awake and rearing to go. She stayed and played in her crib for a little bit. It was a struggle to get Justin down too. Finally he went to sleep and Nicole ate lunch finally around 2:00. Justin didn’t nap too long. But after nap we went to the 2006 play group where they were celebrating four birthdays. The kids had a great time. There was a bounce house and a ton of new toys. Justin was into pushing the lawn mower and playing with balls. Nicole was into sliding and babies. They both stuck their hands and feet in the bowl that was holding all the drinks (copying other kids). It must have felt good since it was hot. As if our day wasn’t busy enough, we came home and got daddy. We loaded the kids in the bike trailer where we proceeded to bike to dinner. We biked to the Kohl’s Center and ate outside at Fat Burger. The kids played in the fountain for a bit and were running around like crazy. We got some groceries too. Kiddos got back into the trailer and we stopped at Blue Gum Park on the way home. The kiddos had the park to themselves and had a blast. They were playing in the sand (wet sand), climbing, sliding, etc. We had a great time as a family! Nicole fell asleep first and we still hear Justin talking. Justin is usually the one to fall asleep first.

This morning we got to our Paint, Pour and Paste class a little early. So we played at the park. Nicole brought her baby so she put her in the swing and swung her. Justin was busy driving the bus. The kids had a great time in class. First they played in dry oatmeal, pouring it, filling cups, etc. Then we went over to play with paint. We painted on paper and folded it over and made butterflies. Then we painted coffee filters and made butterflies. The kids really liked putting their hands and fingers on stamp pads then putting their hand/finger prints on paper. It was then off to play doh. The kids were very busy. After nap, grandma/pa came over. We got the idea to hang the coffee filter butterflies on the ceiling fan and watch them fly. The kids thought it was great, laughing and wanting to touch them as they go by. The kids had a blast playing with grandma/pa. Nicole pretended like she was a baby with grandma then the kiddos got to play in grandpa’s car. We all went to Red Robin for dinner. The kids enjoyed pretend driving the video games. We got home late so we took a quick bath and then read lots of books. Kiddos went to bed and I went for a walk with a friend.

The kiddos were silly this morning. Justin was at the top of the stairs with a big smile on his face and Nicole was laying in the chair. We went to the Spring Fling for the mom’s club. It was cute! It was at Hick’s Canyon Park (AKA see saw park to the kids). The kids of course loved the see saw. They played on the play structure for a while. The water fountain was broken so water everywhere. Justin had a blast in the water. He was soaked, dirty, sandy, etc. Nicole was excited to see all the babies. The kids pretend fished today, They both had fun but it was on the grass and Nicole hates to be barefoot on the grass. It was a nice morning. After nap we ran some errands. At Target the kids were talking to everyone, saying hi! It was so cute, everyone was just smiling. Then we had to come home as Cindy’s mom was coming to pick her up. The kiddos had fun with Cindy, but were a little scared when Cindy got so excited (like when we first come home). Daddy came home and Justin asked to see the new lawn mower. Daddy took them into the garage and started it then they were a little scared. After dinner, we showed the kiddos pictures on the laptop. They also played with their stamps-stamping on paper. They were silly as usual tonight. I gave them the hats Neyha knitted for them for their 1st birthday (they still fit) and they were having a blast with them, wearing them, taking them on and off, hiding their eyes, etc. They were naked so Nicole had the hat on with the Elmo slippers. She looked so cute. We tried to capture it on camera but it just isn’t the same. The kiddos were pretty tired tonight and went to sleep pretty easily with Elmo slippers and Ellie’s old tennis shoes on their feet.

This morning we met our play group at Settler’s Park. I brought the kids tricycles as there is a little path to ride. We went early so I just had a great time hanging out with the kids. There was a guy flying a remote control plane, so the kids enjoyed watching that. They had fun on their trikes, going up and down the little hill. Then they just played on the play structures. This one has a lot of climbing things. Of course we had to bring baby with us, so Nicole swung her baby. Neyha brought a basket of sand toys, so Nicole passed them out to the babies there. So cute. She even hugged baby Isha, so sweet. Luckily she was very gentle. After we came home, packed up our lunch and walked to mommy and me pre school. We had a picnic lunch there. It was so nice out and nice hanging out with the kids. As we were eating they were saying hi and bye to everyone who was going in and out of the school. There was so much to do at pre school today. First, we went outside and since it was earth day we planted green beans. Then we made earth bracelets. They were sticky and the kids could put dirt, flowers, sand, etc on them. Nicole made a beautiful one with flowers. Then they brought out the water table, Justin’s favorite. He had a blast playing in the water, pouring it, etc. He took a hoe and made a path in the sand and put water in it. He could have stayed at the table for hours. Then we went in for lots of painting. Hand painting, brush painting, marble painting, painting on mom, paint everywhere…so much fun. Then circle/story time and snack at the end. We walked home and the kiddos fell asleep in the stroller. So I picked up Cindy the dog and we walked for a while. Nicole woke up so we headed home. We got in the garage and all of a sudden Justin said “mommy car all gone”, so he was awake too. Daddy needed my car to pick up a new lawn mower. After nap, a friend came over to play. We just had fun playing in the yard. Then our next door neighbors came over for dinner. The kiddos had a bath and bed time.

We had our fire house tour this morning. Maggie (Aliya) and I walked over there. It was so cute. The kids got to climb in the fire engines. The best part was the hose. Nicole said “no, no, no” and Justin loved it. He turned on the hose and had a big smile watching the water spray. That is all he is talking about now. The kiddos got hats. The fireman put on his entire uniform and the kids got a little scared. But by the end the kids warmed up to him. Justin and Nicole really liked the fire fighters. They got to stand on the outside of the truck. Just such a great time. Then we walked over to Orchard Park. Justin got all wet playing in the water fountain. Nicole enjoyed swinging and playing with Randi’s baby, Olivia. The kids did so well in the stroller on the walk there and walk home. After nap, Cindy the dog came over. I am dog sitting for a few days. The kids were so excited to have her here, it was so cute. We took her for a walk around the block. The kids wanted to hold the leash; they thought it was the greatest thing ever. After dinner the kids wanted to draw with markers. It was a mellow night, playing in the living room most of the time. I was showing the kiddos my scrabook and Justin saw a naked picture of himself in the bath and he said “that’s a big penis”. It was so funny! I love what comes out of kid’s mouths.