Melissa’s Blog

No shower=unhappy wife and mom.This morning I got up and went running with a friend. We ran/walked 9 miles. My feet hurt! I was amazed I held in there for so long. It took a while so dad entertained the kiddos. He built the new bookcase. The kiddos were so excited to show me when I got home then they put all their books in. I read a ton of books to the kids while dad went to Home Depot for the water heater. We think we finally found someone to come out on Monday. I think we are going to stick to a tank as we don’t want a new vent to go through our beautiful roof. What a pain this is. I went into the jacuzzi and the kids came with me. Temperature is not too hot. The kiddos loved it. They can actually touch at the bottom. They brought paint brushes in with them. They loved jumping off the step and pretending to splash me. I had a great time with them. I think they could have stayed in it all day. The first thing Justin did when he got in was to pee in it, boys! Bret and I needed a break so after we let them watch Curious George. It felt like a really long day and we realized we had better get out before we all went crazy. We needed milk so we decided to walk to the grocery store. Along the way Justin said lets go to the park. So we said what the heck and we all went. The kids had a blast sliding down the slide head first. There was a spiral thing to climb up and Justin loved it. The tire swing was a big hit. The kids walked with their skateboard dog/cat. Needless to say we never made it to the grocery store. So when we got home I took the kids in the car to the grocery store. They just stayed in the cart which made shopping so much easier. We got home and dad and the kids went to get food to go thru the drive thru. A combination of daddy car and the drive thru the kids were thrilled. I took the time to clean up, what a mess our house was. After dinner we played in the futon room. The kids did puzzles and played with these crystal climbers. I got the box to get rid of them and the kids just had fun. The kids don’t really play with these things and I think they would enjoy Lego’s more. We went upstairs and moved into the book case. So much better than the basket. I brought a ton of books up from downstairs, so the kids were excited to have daddy read them. The kids went to sleep so fast which was nice after the long dreary day it felt like. Nicole told me that she was going to wake me up tonight-how considerate.

This morning we stayed at home and played for a bit. I tried to get a bit organized as well. The kiddos put their feet in tupperware bins and pretended to ice skate. We packed up and headed to the Echo Run Park AKA Big Wheel Park. What an awesome park. We were there from 10:00-4:30. A few friends stayed as well and then Paula and kiddos met us over there. The kids had a blast biking. They were on their bikes for the longest time. They went over the little hills. There were tunnels, bridges, gas station-so cute. At first they had a little trouble but they got the hang of it pretty quickly. Each class had a little race. Justin came in 3rd place. He was in first place until he got stuck on one of the bumps. So cute to watch. There was face painting as well. Nicole saw all her friends with their face painted and decided this would be the day she gets her face painted (first time). She got a butterfly and Justin wanted a green dog on his hand.

They had so much fun with their friends. We had a picnic lunch too. After everyone started leaving the kids were biking around and around. The kids also played in the tiny playground and loved the dirt. Justin filled up a water bottle with dirt and gave it to me. He said they were flowers and not to spill them. Paula came to meet us too and brought snacks (I was running low). The kids just biked and biked and got dirtier and dirtier. Finally we packed up and headed home. The kids had a great day. I wanted to give them a bath right away but then we ran into our neighbors. The kids got all energized again and played with Zoe the dog. They threw the ball for her. Dad came home and the kiddos played. After dinner, the kids went right into the tub. They were having a great time in the bath then we discovered our hot water heater was leaking, ugh. So Bret dealt with that while I finished bathing the kids. Got into their jammies then played with their airplanes. They flew the on top of their canopies and bop them off. We read lots of books and we had very tired children and mom!

Bret took the day off today. We dropped the kiddos off at pre school today. The kids love it when daddy comes with me. While the kids were in pre school I went running and dad was on a conference call. We spent a little time together before getting the kids; it was nice being in our house alone together. The kids wanted to play outside of pre school for the longest time. I let them but then we were so rushed. We came home and scarfed down lunch then headed to a pre school field trip at Pre Historic Pets. I am still creeped out. Nicole was so brave wanting to pet and hold things. Things being snakes and reptiles. Justin liked petting them too and near the end wanted to hold some animals too.

Bret and I were ok until they brought a scorpion out, creepy! The kids really liked it but were getting a little antsy listening. After the kids walked around and saw all the snakes and bearded dragons in their cages. They also fed sea turtles worms. Even the worms were creepy. Anyway it was a great experience but one I wouldn’t do too often. We came home and the kids watched some TV. After they just played. They amused themselves outside in the backyard but it involved mud, dirt, rocks, etc. We steered the kiddos towards basketballs, making baskets and dribbling. So cute how they try to dribble. Dad made dinner so I played with the kiddos. We played hide and seek in the backyard. They loved to find us in the play house. When the person finds the rest of us, there is happy screaming and really loud when you are in the play house with one kid. Bret and I had dinner by ourselves as the kids were too busy pretending to paint in the backyard. The kids came in and I had to go to the pre school meeting.

We played at home this morning. Playing meant bringing all the toys that belong downstairs upstairs and vice versa. What a mess but they had so much fun playing. They were “hiding” in their room. They loved when I came and found them. They also had to shut their door as there was a storm coming. Carin come over with Sofi and Carin. So cute Nicole wanted Sofi to go upstairs to play. Nicole had me holding her Minnie Mouse while she went out for a jog. Sofi joined in too. So cute to watch the kiddos play together. Justin was playing with the girls a bit but also played by himself more. It was so nice out the kids were so happy to be wearing shorts. We went to My Gym. The kids had so much fun. We got there a little early too so I played with the kiddos. They loved sliding into the ball pit and jumping on what they called the stage. Neil asked the kiddos what their favorite animal was, Justin said a giraffe and Nicole said a cat. After My Gym we ran home to meet the termite inspector. The kids were all staring at what he was doing. No termites and just a little dry rot on our patio cover. We needed to run to Target to get a few gifts, so hard to race through Target with the kiddos. I bribed them in the cart with snacks and they were great. After we headed to our music class. It was ok. The kids learned high/low notes and tempo. They both participated really well. They got to strum the guitar a bit and learned where the high and low notes are on a piano.After we raced to meet some friends at the library for story time. We didn’t make it in time, so we just read books together. After we played outside with our friends. The weather was so nice and the kids are so excited to be wearing shorts. We did an errand then met dad at the Tustin Marketplace for dinner. The kids were crazy, running around and playing at the fountain. After dinner dad and Justin headed to Lowe’s to get some stuff. On the way out dad and Justin stopped at the farmers market store and bought an apple. Nicole and I went off to go shopping at Carters. So much fun being alone with her. She loved it, so happy. I let her do stuff that I can’t let them do when they are together, like hold my keys, jump together, etc. I decided to get her a special treat and she picked gummy bears. She shared them with Justin when we got home. We went upstairs and the kids just played. They pretended to play doctor with baby. Nicole was the mom bringing her baby to the doctor (Justin). They had brown paper bags and filled them with toys. What a mess upstairs. Dad got called for work so the kids and I just continued the nightime routine. We read books and the kiddos went to bed pretty easily, we had a busy day.

This morning we got ready to go to pre school. We dropped dad off at work so he could bike home. Also stopped to get green bagels for pre school, I was snack mom. So sad they didn’t have green bagels. But everything else was green. I brought kiwi, green grapes, and lucky charms. Nicole was so excited I was working at pre school. I was in charge of finger painting, messy! Justin played cars and trains and Nicole hung out with me helping me set up and doing the finger painting. Nicole sat on my lap at group time. Ms. Donna was talking about a farmer being lazy (book) and Justin gets up and says my daddy isn’t lazy, so funny. I love sharing time, I quickly set up snack so I could watch the kiddos. Nicole shared her baby. She was a little shy and got even more shy when she showed her baby. I think she was afraid someone would grab it. Justin shared his fishing hook and fish. He liked showing the kids how he catches fish. We played outside after pre school with our friends, the kids love running around out there. We came home to a clean house. Justin really wanted to take some sticks home so I let him. Sticks in my clean house-ugh! The kids played really well when they got home. They built tracks on the floor. They watched Curious George for a bit. And considering it has been 3 days since bath, I had to give them a bath. They loved drawing all over the tub with crayons. They love their naked time after bath and it was warm enough to be naked for a bit. I got the kiddos dressed up. Nicole had on the formal dress and I put Justin’s suit on that he wasn’t able to wear to Alan’s event. Oh my goodness, it was the cutest thing ever. I got some pictures but need Bret’s help with fixing the color.Here are a few:

Then they got back into their play clothes and made a mess in the backyard with dirt and rocks. I am so tired of cleaning up after everyone. I am just cranky today! Since I was cranky I decided I didn’t want to cook. So we went to Ruby’s by the lake. We took daddy car and the kids rode with their windows down, who knew that would be funny. They were laughing and commenting on their crazy hair. Really pretty by the lake and so nice we were able to eat outside. We got home and had hyper kids. We read lots of books and crossed our fingers they would go to sleep. Instead we heard laughing and giggling, Nicole turned on the mobile on her doll crib and her and Justin were cracking up.

This morning we were out early. We dropped daddy off at work so he could bike home, then headed to the foot doctor. The kiddos watched Elmo while I got my orthodics. Then we headed to Fashion Island. We had a great time reading books in the bookstore. We read Curious George, Thomas books, Train books, Purpilicious, etc. We played outside by the Koi pond. The kids had a great time and it was a beautiful day. They brought their doll strollers as well and had fun racing them around Fashion Island. They jumped over the stepping stones and loved finding the fish. We went to the really big fountain. Everytime the water went high up they screamed and covered their heads (they were not going to get wet anyway). It was fun to watch. We went to the pet store and there were 2 or 3 dogs I could have taken home with us, so cute. The kids loved watching the dogs play and the hamsters run around chasing one another. Justin just lets out these awesome screams. We met Jen (Ryan and Matthew’s mom) for lunch. It was nice to catch up since she started working we haven’t see her much. After lunch the kiddos played a little more by the Koi pond and we left. On the way home I needed to stop at Costco for some snacks as I am snack mom tomorrow. We came home and watched TV.It was beautiful out so we decided to hop in the bike trailer and head to Blue Gum Park. We had so much fun The kids loved putting sand on the slide and sliding down it-they were laughing so hard. They have been loving playing in the sand. On dad’s bike ride home he stopped us and joined us at the park. The kids were in the swings, they loved twisting the chain and spinning. So weird to see them on big kids swings. My babies are growing up. We came home and the kids grabbed a little bag with handles and pretended to go to work. So silly. During dinner I took a green bean and gave the other half to Nicole in our mouths (like the licorce kiss). Then Justin and Nicole did it, it was hilarous. After dinner we just played. Upstairs, we read a few books and told stories. The kids went to bed and Nicole called us. She said she needed to wash her hands then she went right to bed.

Bret should never answer the phone for work on the weekends. Bret had to re-build a server. This morning the kiddos just played and played. Dad brought in a ladder to check something, so the kiddos climbed. Big smiles when they got to the top. We also played trains. I took the kiddos and went to the grocery store. They were so excited to ride in the car cart but that didn’t last long. The cart has two seats up top so they both sat up there. They were so good in the store. They love helping me shop and pick out things. The box of Curious George gummy bears amused them. When we got home we had lunch. Then we played. The house was a mess so Nicole helped me clean a bit. Then we cleaned out some toys they never play with. We got drawing things out, race tracks, cars, and the little people cars. The kiddos watched TV. Shocker-Curious George. After TV dad was still working. We played outside. We played frisbee, the kids painted with water, swept, and pretended to clean my windows. Dad was finally finished. I was watering plants and the kids helped too. Then we were in the vegtable garden. There were a few carrots that were ready. The kids loved washing them off and eating them. I was proud-the first carrots I have ever grown.

We ran out and did some errands. Got a bookcase for the kids and some little toys to bring to Henry and Meghan when we go to Canada. Nicole was really into drawing on her drawing thing. She learned how to make an X.The kids played some more after dinner and we got the house all cleaned up. The kids ran around the downstairs in circles while dad took care of the baby dolls. I was making sure a DVD worked, so the kiddos watched CARS. Justin was loving it. Nicole said bad things happen in the movie, the cars crash, hit each other, and they don’t stop at the finish line. We went upstairs and the kiddos jumped on books for some silly reason. We read some books. When we left the room Nicole was looking to talk to Justin but he falls asleep so fast.

Nicole woke up so many times last night and was just wide awake. I had a hard time sleeping too. Guess we can’t have ice cream nights anymore. She is so cute and cuddly though in the middle of the night. But when she is asleep she is so kicky and movey if you are in bed with her. I went for a run this morning, did about 4.5 miles with a friend. I got home just as Nicole was waking up, she slept in. We were talking about Easter and a lightbulb went off in Justin’s head. He ran to get all the Easter eggs and baskets I saved from last year. They have so much fun opening eggs. Dad went to Starbucks. Then he called his car wouldn’t start, ended up being a wired that had been disconnected on the battery. We went outside to find daddy driving home. The kdis got in the car and loved turning with no seat belts on as they moved around the back seat. So funny. Then we played out front for a while. Dad mowed the lawn. The kids played with mud, so messy but fun. Affter cleaning the kiddos up we went to Blue Gum Park. The kids played really well in the sand and pretending the play structure was a boat. After lunch the kiddos used their drawing things. We gave the kiddos a bath. They decided to start spittting at each other. We kind of ignored it but they were laughing hysterically. Besides that they just fought in the tub. When they got out we went for a walk. Nicole keeps talking about taking a dance class so we walked to the dance studio to check it out. And looked into karate too. The kids just had fun playing in the shopping center. Just great fun! We came home and watched Curious George. After TV we played in the back yard. We put rocks from the back yard into the front and the kids were very helpful. Dad took out the moving dolly so Justin wsas really into it and happily playing with it. We did some gardening too. We went on the greenbelt for frisbee time. It was all fun and games until Justin got hit with the frisbee. So he and I came into play trains while dad and Nicole stayed out. We went out to eat tonight at a place that says home of the free ice cream, ugh! Came home and went upstairs. For some reason the last few days they have been going to bed a little late. I always feel like we are rushing the night time routine.

This morning we dropped daddy off at work so he could bike home. Justin just loved all the trucks out this morning. So cute listening to him, he wants to drive them all. We played at home for a while, then decided to head out to the mall. I wanted to go to Gymboree for some jeans for Nicole. We had a great time at the mall. I decided while we were there to get the kid’s hair cut. Justin looks so much older.

Nicole loved sitting in the rocket ship and Justin sat on my lap. They both watched Dora.Then we played in the play area. The kids loved pretending to hide and I had to find them. They also love jumping off things. Grandpa came as well for a little while. The kids took their doll strollers and loved pushing them around the mall. We went to play on the lights but they were gone. So we went to the pet store and there fountains. The kids watched TV in Gymboree while I shopped then we headed to the toy store. The kids played trains for a while and Nicole played with a doll house too. I couldn’t believe it but we were having so much fun the kids weren’t interested in eating lunch. Finally at 12:45 we ate and they were hungry. It was so nice just not rushing around and having a fun day. Driving home Justin was so talky, again looking at all the cars and trucks. He wanted to drive this old car, the biggest trucks, etc. Usually Nicole is the talky one. When we got home we watched TV. We played outside in the back yard for a while. The kiddos helped me garden for a while, then they put dirt in the frisbee and called it gardening. The kids helped me sweep the front walkway then we played on the greenbelt. So fun we played catch and rocket. The kiddos got on their scooters and we scootered down the street looking for daddy. We found him and came in and made dinner. Then we went out to Dairy Queen, it was so good and fun! The kiddos played happily upstairs and we read books. I didn’t think they would go right to bed, but they did.

This morning the kids had pre school. Bret had to go to Costa Mesa for a demo for a vendor then have lunch with his new boss. I dropped the kids off. It was so nice getting some time for myself. I went to the gym then came home for a while. I just cleaned up a bit inside and outside. I can’t believe how there is always something that needs to be done. I love picking the kids up from school and hearing all about their day. We had lunch then we just played. The kids ran away from the “storm” and into the laundry room. They helped me clean up the backyard, put all the rocks away they played with. The kids went to watch TV and Justin spilled his milk all over the couch, it was an accident as the cover probably wasn’t on tight. The kiddos watched Curious George and I played with my computer and did laundry. The kiddos got to their underwear and sock drawer, needless to say socks and underwear were all over the house. The kids and I played Lincoln Logs for a while. So fun to sit and play with them for a while and listen to their imagination. We were hosting play group today. It was a small play group but lots of fun. I am waiting for play group to go away since people aren”t coming anymore-I would rather just schedule play dates whenever. Nicole was a bit needy during play group. Dad came home a bit early from work. Then I got ready to go to a preschool thing. Since I am the membership person I had to learn how to deal with registration night. Nicole was so cute watching me leave the garage, waving and screaming I love you! Dad and the kids played games. Dad told Nicole I would give her a hug/kiss when I got home. So I ran right up there and Nicole was so happy to see me. I rocked her for a bit and just loved hanging out with her. Justin was snoring away.