Melissa’s Blog

I woke up way before anyone else and ran out to my garden to garden. It needs a lot of attention. Well I was doing great until the sprinklers went on chased me to dif’t areas. Then Nicole woke up. Her and I got some time together; it was fun. We played with the dry erase books and drank water together, we clank the cups together and say cheers. After breakfast we played with stamps and play doh. Justin and Nicole both loved cutting the play doh. Then we headed to the mall. The kids got haircuts at First Cuts in the MV mall. This was Nicole’s first real haircut; she did great. Both kids sat on daddy’s lap while getting their haircut. The kids wore capes for the first time. They look so cute! I got teary eyed when Nicole got a haircut for some reason. The kids got lollipops at the end of their haircuts. Then we went to play in the mall. Nicole went to Victoria Secrets with me to shop for underwear. She is a good little helper. Daddy and Justin went to the lights. We met them at the lights and the kids played on them for a while, laughing and having a great time. We were hungry so we went and had an early lunch. The kids both wanted high chairs, silly kids. We even had time to go to the play area for a bit. Nicole and Justin would run back and forth from the blue car to the ball pretending to get gas or go to Starbucks. We came home and the kids fell asleep for a short bit on the way home. We took the opportunity to drive around Irvine a bit and look at neighborhoods. I still want to move into a newer house, but nothing seems to compare to the house in MV I love so much. After we played at home for a bit then decided to go for a bike ride to the park. The kids love the bike trailer so biking we went. Bret pulled the trailer today. We went to Blue Gum and had a great time. The kids were really into the swings. While Justin was pushing the swing he went under the swing just like we do. Anyway we had a nice time at the park. Biked home and the kids just played in the back yard for a long time, see sawing, scootering, biking, etc. They are such happy little munch kins. They helped me do some gardening in the backyard too, they pick up the leaves so well (sand not so well though). We came inside and Justin was reading Thomas, A Crack in the Track to us and Nicole was busy making spaghetti. She fed me some spaghetti and even wiped where she says I spilled. They are playing pretend so well these days-it is really fun.

We went to Tanaka Farms this morning. What a great time we had. My special moment was when Nicole said she had a really good time with me. Almost put a tears in my eyes and of course she got hugged and kissed to death. Anyway we went on a tractor ride through the farm. We stopped and got to taste veggies. The first thing we got was a Maui sweet onion. The kids smelled it but wouldn’t try it. They sure liked carrying it around though. The kids got to see the bananas growing on the trees. The next veggie was purple carrots. I had never seen a purple carrot. And if you think that was weird we got purple and yellow green beans. We also got some broccoli. Then it was time to get off the tractor and pick strawberries. It was funny to see what the kids would do. Nicole wanted to pick all the strawberries and loved filling up her and Justin’s baskets. Who knew she would like to pick them that much. Nicole had to fill up Justin’s basket as he was too busy eating them! It was a great morning, hot though. The kids were dirty and covered in red strawberry. The messier they are I guess that means the more fun they had! After we met daddy for lunch. It was nice. They showed him all their veggies. We had a nice lunch together outside. But we threw away the veggies as we thought they were done. Nicole wanted her onion. She kept on saying she lost it. We didn’t want her to think she lost it so we told her we were hungry and ate it.On the way home we stopped at Costco to get a pizza as we were having friends over for dinner. You would think after all this activity they would take a nap, nope. So they watched a little TV so I could get a break. After we played in the futon room for a while, strung beads. Then we set up the race car set in the living room. We played in the living room for a while then had a snack. We went upstairs and played up there as well. Then Paula and Krista came over with their kids. We played all over the house, living room, family room, futon room, outside. The kiddos had a great time. Nicole was a little screamy at dinner. We all had pizza and the kids had mochi balls for the first time (Japanese ice-cream dessert). Of course they loved it. We showed our friends the kids big kid beds, so the kiddos even had fun playing upstairs. It was a little crazy with all the kids but it was fun! Then we have the kiddos a bath and lots of books. Nicole was carrying around two of her baby dolls and said she had twins. Justin is looking taller than Nicole again, I think he grew more. Justin was so tired tonight that he almost fell asleep on me, so sweet.

Ok so Nicole took a nap yesterday but then we paid for it last night. She was awake until almost 11:00 last night. We were falling asleep before her. I finally threw the bed on the floor and laid down with her. I was too tired to do much more. She was so happy when I did that and said thank you mommy, She is so cute when she is being naughty. I got the best hugs and kisses. We played at home for a while this morning. We had fun playing. The kids were playing all over the house. They brought beads upstairs and were throwing them down the stairs. They were running up and down the hallway. We read books and we just played. I think it took the kiddos an hour to eat their breakfast, silly kids. We headed over to Heritage Park to play. We met up with Vena and Stacie. We had a great time. The kiddos played in the park, went up and down the stairs, went down slides, etc. I got some mom time too and got to talk to my friends. We went over to the water and saw the ducks too. It was just a nice morning. We went to the grocery store after the park, we were in need of milk. Of course getting milk with two kids takes an hour. Oh well they had fun pushing the carts. We came home a little late and had a late lunch. I thought the kiddos may nap boy was I crazy. Oh well they will go to bed more smoothly tonight. After nap we just took it easy. One of our friends came over. I brought the kiddos tricycles in the house and they were so happy. Justin was riding around the family room. We played outside for a long time too, water, bubbles, etc. After dinner, we played more. The kids got their chairs down and pretended to watch a movie, silly kids. We went upstairs a bit earlier and tried for an earlier bedtime. The house is nice and quiet, kiddos are sound asleep.

We played at home this morning for a while. I think I read a zillion books. They just love their books. We called to say hi to grandma/pa. The kids were so silly, pretending to go to sleep. They were cracking me up while on the phone. Then we headed to the Santa Ana Zoo. We met a bunch of people there (Becky’s play group). I don’t really know many of the mom’s but Paula was there. We had a great time. The kids immediately wanted to go over to the jeep and play on it. They love pretending to drive and shift. They were really good about waiting their turns too. We then went over to the farm area. We saw a bunny that weighs 20 something pounds, it was huge. The kids were pointing at it and smiling. As many times we have been to the zoo we have never seen the bunny. We saw all the chickens, roosters, turkeys, etc. Then we fed the goats. Nicole didn’t want to feed them but Justin did. But most of the kid’s attention was over to the water area. Then we went on the train and over to the monkeys. There was a baby monkey that was so cute. Anyway we had a great morning. Nicole was the hungriest little girl at the zoo. Finally at 11:15 I started feeding the kiddos lunch. Nicole is getting very upset these days if she does something wrong and you get mad at her. I guess that is a good thing as she is learning, but it is hard. The kiddos did take a nap today. When they got up, I heard them saying may I get out of bed. I said yes come on downstairs. I looked at them at the top of the stairs and they just had silly grins on their faces, happy to get out themselves. After nap we headed to the gym. We made it for a little of the open gym. I jumped with them on the trampoline, they were laughing so loud. Then I did puppets with them and they were all smiles. They were loving making baskets. Then class started. Nicole got to declare circle time. They just love circle time. We played at the gym. They did the monkey bars and stilts. They had so much fun at the gym; it is so cute to watch them. They love getting in this tube and having me roll them around. After gym, like always we looked for trains-no trains today. When we got home the kiddos sat on the family room floor and we did circle time again and again. Sang if you are happy and you know it…..After dinner, we play outside and then bath. We put the kiddos to bed a little late since they did take naps.

It was so sad this morning since dad had to go back to work. The kids hated to see him go. We met Candice, Vena, Victoria, and Stacie at the park this morning. It was fun! All the kiddos wanting the same toys is driving me crazy. I should have brought more snack for everyone but Nicole and Justin shared really well. The kiddos had fun playing. They were so happy to see Cole and Grant again. They were talking about them all the way home. We left a bit early to go to playgroup. Playgroup was at Janet’s (Evan and Alaina) and the kiddos had a blast. Nicole and Justin loved playing on Alaina’s big kid bed. We played in Alaina’s room for a while. The kids loved the play house too. I felt like we hadn’t been to play group in a while, it was really fun. We ate lunch there too. One of the kid’s there likes honey on their chicken so Nicole and Justin wanted it too. What a surprise they really liked it! The kids had fun eating and playing at Janet’s. I was trying to get the kiddos out of the house and then Elmo’s world was on-ugh. We hope we didn’t over stay our welcome. We came home and tried to have the kiddos nap. What a shocker the kids didn’t nap. They played. They told toddler jokes, all of a sudden I hear them screaming peanut butter and jelly and laughing hysterically. We watched Barney then we went off to Costco. The kiddos were really good at Costco, I am sure the snacks helped too. After we went to open gym at My Gym. The kiddos had a blast playing. It was a bit crowded but the kiddos had fun. They jumped in the ball pit and climbed up all the stairs and up and down the stairs. It was fun watching them play. They loved the big balls too. We came home and had dinner. The kiddos were a bit tired tonight, so it was just a mellow night. I put dates on the back of pictures and daddy read to the kids. We went upstairs and Nicole was really into reading to us. It was so cute! Justin started to as well. It was a nice mellow evening. Kids went right to bed.

We made pancakes with the kiddos this morning. They love cooking. We headed out early this morning to Castle (Northwood) Park. We had a great time with the kiddos. The kids ran in the castle and played ring around the rosie. We played in the sand for a bit then it was time for the swings. The kids loved it when we pushed them and ran under their swings. The kiddos went on the play structures, down the slides, etc. The city bus drivers take breaks over by the park, so I heard a bus. We walked over and asked if we could go in the bus. The kids were so excited. They sat on the bus but of course they wanted a ride too. They went in the back of the bus then out the back door. It was cute. But then we saw a tractor. So we went over to the tractor. Dad put the kids on it so they could drive it. They loved it-I wish I had the camera with me. It was time to pack up all the sand toys and come home. We made brownies together for a bbq we are going to this afternoon. The kids love cooking, stirring, putting the ingredients in, etc. Grammy came over to have lunch with us and have Bret help her with her car. She brought the kiddos a lot of clothes and of course Nicole had try on as many things as she could. She loved the purple Hello Kitty bathing suit. Justin wanted to try on some of his clothes too. We had fun playing in the house. The kids are into putting the beads on the floor and making squares and circles with them then jumping in them. It was cute and they both wanted green beads. Well we finally got the kiddos down for a nap today. They did really well staying in their big crib beds. Maybe we finally tired them out. After nap we headed to Vena and Michael’s for a Memorial day bbq. It was really fun. Victoria and Todd were there too. The kiddos all played really well together. We brought over our doll strollers since Vena had two lawn mowers, so all the kids could push things…there was a little fighting over the doll strollers. Luckily Michael had a solution and kept on bringing out other toys such as umbrella strollers, etc. Nicole and Justin liked eating outside on the little picnic table. All the kids were eating each other’s food and drinking out of each other’s sippy cups. Nicole and Justin really liked Vena’s dogs as did I. The kids played inside and out. They were into all the new toys and just had a great time. We actually got to talk to adults too. It was nice and relaxing. After we got home, the kiddos were ready for a bath, since it was a little late we put them in the shower. They had a little fun with the sprayer in the shower. They did really great but they like baths better they told me. Well since they did nap, the consequences were a little later bed time. It is 9:30 and the kiddos are both up reading in their big kid beds.

I need sunshine! Justin woke up before Nicole, so him and I snuck downstairs and got some alone time. It was really nice. We unloaded the dishwasher, read books, did some drawing, ball playing, etc. This morning we had a nice Sunday morning breakfast together. Usually the kids eat at their table and we just walk around and eat but we all ate together, it was nice. We had a nice morning at home too. We played inside for a while. We read the newspaper together. The kid’s really like drawing on these dry erase books we have. We decided to plant some plants together. The kids did a great job adding dirt to Bret’s and my plant. We also re-planted the kid’s green beans. It was fun to garden with the kiddos. Then our friend came over with their baby. Nicole loved the baby and it was fun! Gave them some of our old toys too. After the kids didn’t take a nap-ugh and they seemed to need one too. Well they have discovered that getting out of their beds can be fun. We heard them running down the hall laughing hysterically. It was pretty funny but they went right back in their bed when we asked them too. Nicole went potty on her own too. They were laughing at each other saying banana (I guess that is a toddler joke) and cracking up, so no nap. After no nap we went over to a friends, Maggie and Harvey’s bbq. We had a great time and the kids had fun with the bounce house and all the toys. Nicole was pretty tantrumy this afternoon, so it made for a long afternoon. We decided to take a walk after the bbq. We went to bunny path and got to see one bunny. Nicole wanted to give him a kiss. Luckily getting out the kiddos were pretty happy. They were running, walking, giggling, picking flowers, finding sticks, etc. We came home and played for a little while downstairs. Then it was time to go up, brush our teeth, read books. Justin pretended to give me a haircut, he loved when he put my hair in my face and I hid and Nicole gave daddy a haircut. We put the kiddos down to sleep a little early, Justin was out within 5 minutes. Nicole needed a little rocking but then I had to rock her baby too.

The kids did great last night, stayed in their beds all night-even slept in a bit this morning. We weren’t sure if it was going to rain or not but we decided to chance it and go to the park. We went over to Settler’s park. There was a group there flying planes and helicopters, so the kids got to see that. We brought the kid’s golf clubs, a  bat, and some balls. The kids hit the balls with the golf clubs for a while. Dad tried to teach them baseball. They were throwing the balls, running and laughing. Justin went over to the volleyball net and threw the ball into the net. We had a great time. Then the kiddos rode their tricycles on the little path. Nicole went pretty fast down the hill. We played on the play equipment for a while. This park has lots of stuff to climb on; we all had fun! We came home and made some cheesecake brownies for a bbq we are going to tomorrow. The kids love to cook. They both helped to pour the brownie mix in, eggs, oil, etc. They were great little helpers. They mixed the batter so well. It was fun cooking with the kiddos. They even got to eat some of the cheesecake batter with their fingers. We played in the backyard and had some lunch. Justin took a nap today but Nicole decided not too. I did catch them out of their beds once at nap time. All of a sudden I heard Nicole reading a book I didn’t put in her crib and they were out. I just had to tell them to get back in once. Since Justin was sleeping and Nicole wasn’t I took Nicole out. We came downstairs and we had so much fun playing together. We colored for a while then had a snack together. We put chedder bunnies in a play bowl and poured them out and counted them then fed each other. Then we drank water too. We both had sippy cups and we clanked our cups and said cheers. We played with the play kitchen and cooked lots of stuff. It was really nice having some one on one time with her. After Justin woke up, dad took the kiddos to Home Depot. Daddy did really well except he forgot to put shoes on the kids (they liked it better that way, just silly). We played a little before dinner then went to Red Robin for dinner. The kids did great at dinner. They both got balloons and Justin’s popped on the way home. He was so sad, trying not to cry but then he couldn’t help him self, It was so sad, luckily we blew up another one when we got home. The kids got to eat one of the brownies they baked too. Wow what well behaved kids when brownies are involved. They gave me their plates to clean up, said thank you. It was bath night then read lots of books and off to bed. They are both sleeping right now-nice.

Second day of rain-ugh. Well we were looking for a rainy day activity, so off to Jump N Shout. The kiddos love this bounce house place. They were crazy there, running everywhere, jumping, sliding, etc. They loved it when I was in the bounce house or on the slide with them. It was fun going in with them, hearing them laugh. They bounced for a while, then they were going down the slides. We had to go down slides backwards, upside down, etc. They loved when we all held hands going down the slides. We had a great time, we will see if it tired them out enough to nap. Below are some pics from the bounce house place, I realized I haven’t posted many pictures lately. No nap today. We went over to Vena’s (Cole and Grant) and hung out with them most of the afternoon. We had a great time. The kids were loving all the new toys. Seeing Vena’s dogs were a big hit and the kiddos got to feed them treats. It is so cute watching all the kids play together. Nicole and Justin learn lots of things from Grant and Cole. They learned to give knuckles (instead of high 5) and now my kid’s fake laugh. The kids ate snack together, liked eating pineapple and canteloupe with toothpicks. Took a cute pic of Nicole, Justin, Cole, and Grant on the stairs (see below). After we all went to Sirena Grill over at Orchard Hills. Dad met us over there as well as Victoria, Todd, and Penny. It was fun. The kids had so much fun playing outside by the fountain and running around even though it was cold. We got home and it was time to convert the kid’s cribs. We are nuts! Anyway the kids wanted to help convert their cribs (pic of Justin below). They were so excited. They kept on getting in the bed while daddy was still working on it. We finally finished and then Nicole wanted her crib back-ugh. I think she is just really tired, lot going on today. She settled down pretty quickly. Justin liked getting in and out by himself. Nicole liked putting baby to sleep in the bed. I read lots of books to Justin-Nicole was too busy running around. Anyway once in beds tonight, they both stayed. And it is 9:15, Justin is sound asleep and I just heard a big yawn from Nicole, so soon she will be sleeping. Good thing it went pretty well as I am very tired.

We played this morning at home for a while. We played with a lot of the toys. The kiddos even went upstairs to play, we were all over the house. Got Nicole dressed and she decided she wanted to change her outfit. Luckily we found one to her liking, silly girl. She chose an Elmo shirt and Justin is happy wearing his Snoopy shirt. I keep calling him Snoopy and he says no I am Justin! The kiddos played in their tunnel this morning. Nicole kept saying it is warm in there. We had a fun little morning at home. Then we headed to the grocery store. The kids pushed the little carts. It all went well for a while then I could tell the kiddos were getting bored. They were finding trouble to get into wanting to smash all the bread. We found an aisle with sun glasses so the kiddos were happy playing with the glasses for a bit. They are great little helpers taking everything out of the basket. And if you try to help them, you get a very loud I’ll do it 🙂 Anyway we came out of the store to pouring rain. The kids liked it a little bit. If it was warmer we would have played in it. They liked the loud rain on the windshield. We came home and had lunch. Nicole sat her baby at the table with us. Too bad she insisted in putting baby in Justin’s chair. We went upstairs for nap pretty early and just read a ton of books. The kiddos took a nap, a short one but none the less a nap. After nap we played upstairs for a while then decided to give the kiddos a bath. This way they can take a really long bath and play instead of at night when we feel rushed. They had so much fun in the bath, so cute. They love coloring on the tub and pouring water in cups, etc. After bath it was snack time. It was too wet to go to the park, so the big excitement is we did stamps. The kids love it. They were screaming out what each animal was as they stamped and the sound it makes. I was just laughing. When daddy got home they went up to him screaming roar (guess they just stamped a lion), so funny. After dinner we played. Nicole dressed up as a princess and Justin was all into the balls. Throwing balls at daddy is fun. It felt like a long day maybe because of the dreary weather. We read a million books tonight then it was off to bed. This may be the last night the kiddos are in their cribs, very scary.