Melissa’s Blog

We had a busy day today, I am pooped. This morning we tried to go to a free movie, Pirates Who Don’t Do Anything, Veggie Tales. After about a half hour the kids decided they didn’t like it, so we left the theater. They liked the theater though, we will try when a better movie comes out. So we headed to Costco. The kids stayed in the cart which made it really easy to shop and shop fast. We brought the groceries home and headed to Rainbow Kids to get the kid’s hair cut. Justin just sat there and didn’t want any toys. Nicole was happily going through the basket of toys while getting her hair cut. Justin is as handsome as can be and Nicole is beautiful. Nicole wants her hair long so we really only cut her bangs. We ate lunch by the little sand area which was really nice just hanging out with the kids. They we were off again; we met a friend down at the Ladera Water Park. That park is awesome; the kids had a blast. Nicole and Sofi enjoyed playing with each other. The kids poured water all over me, smiling the entire time. We then headed off to grandma/pa’s. I got Nicole ready for her ice skating lesson. Justin stayed with grandma/pa. I missed my little guy but he had fun. I need to spend some alone time with him-I will have to think of something special. Nicole was so excited about her ice skating lesson. I just kept thinking that my little girl is growing up and that I was never sure we would get this in our lives. But I have two healthy kids that I just adore. She was so cute in her little skates, brought back lots of memories about me being on the ice. The first half of the lesson was off the ice, bending knees, how to fall and get up, march, etc. Nicole was attentively listening. They got on the ice and Nicole was trying to do a lot on her own but would reach out when she needed it. She fell a few times but got right up. At the end she told me she loved it! She wanted to call daddy and tell him. She enjoyed watching the older girls skate after her lesson. We headed back to grandma/pa’s and we all had dinner together. The kids ate a lot and Nicole was so excited to tell everyone about ice skating. I screwed up with the video camera so didn’t get as much video as I had hoped but there will be many more lessons. The kids played, mostly loved the tunnel that was made using the ottoman and the couch. They had a great time today and conked out when we got home.

Bret took today off since he had to work on Sat. Nicole woke up early this morning but luckily went back to sleep and slept in. I went for a jog this morning then we just played at home. The kids were calling and all over daddy all morning. I took the kids and went to do some grocery shopping. Grammy came over and dad/Grammy went to go find a new bbq for her. After lunch we went and picked up Grammy’s new bbq and took it over to her house. The kids wanted to go in the pool. They mostly hung out in the jacuzzi part. On their tippy toes, they can touch the bottom of the jacuzzi-they are getting so big. The kids were freezing after a short time but they didn’t seem to care. We gave them a warm bath after. We decided to go to our favorite sandwich place for dinner and headed home. The kids played with their new beach chairs Grammy gave them and filled the cup holders with coins. Not a very exciting day. Good thing Bret has Friday off too so we can do something fun with the kiddos. It is 8:30 and the kids are still talking away. And tomorrow Nicole starts her ice skating lessons, hope she loves it.

The weekend begins for us today, Bret doesn’t have to work, we got some sleep. Nicole still woke up coughing a bit. I went and met a friend and went walking this morning. It was nice to catch up with her and get a walk in with no kids. We had nice girly time. Dad took the kids to Home Depot and the kids wanted to buy me flowers, so sweet. But not so sweet for daddy, maybe the kids will remind him that I need flowers. The kids were planting with daddy when I got home. I took them for a ride in the front of mommy car (passenger seat). We had fun being naughty. Nicole wanted to roller skate and she did ok going around the house on her own. Justin wanted to as well. It was fun holding Justin’s hands and dragging him around; he was smiling. We did some errands. Bret is helping his mom find a new bbq and I ran to Carters. I can’t believe it is so warm and I am buying clothes for the fall. The kids watched Clifford today while Bret took a nap and I painted. We went to the Spectrum. The kids had a blast playing in the fountains. Justin was hilarous getting his whole face and head wet and coming over to get the water out of his eyes. He was giggling the entire time. It took Nicole a while to get into the fountains. She was afraid the big kids would splash her. But in no time she was in and having a great time. So cute to watch. We have to bring the video camera next time. We went on the ferris wheel together, I think this was Nicole’s first time on it. We went out for dinner. Nicole is wanting to open all her doors. The kids are wanting to order their food and drinks as well. After dinner, we went to See’s Candy and got a treat. The kids loved their chocolate clowns. When we got home dad had to mow the lawn and the kids and I went upstairs. The kids played with money and tossed the coins into baskets. We read books and the kids are sound asleep.

Bret had to work today (disaster recovery). I am grateful that he is doing it in Irvine and didn’t have to go to Texas. Ok and also that he is not working the overnight shift. Justin and I played this morning while Nicole slept in a bit. I decided to take the kiddos out for bagels this morning. We had a great time together then ran to the grocery store next door for a few things. We spent a few hours at the Katie Wheeler library this morning. They were doing a bunch of crafts. The kid’s favorite one was the fire work thing on a stick. Nicole started to use it as a magic wand. We ran into lots of friends there too. We went in the library and read lots of books. The kids were so excited to check some books out too. We came home and ate lunch. The kiddos played and I tried to paint a bit more. Nicole was feeling much better, thank goodness. So much better to have a happy Nicole. We read all the library books and then took a bath. Well Nicole took a bath and Justin wanted to take a shower. It is a bit of a pain but good that they like to dif’t things too. Dad got home from work. The kids played with daddy on his computer. They love to hear their music play on his computer. We needed to run some errands so ran up to Wal-Mart in Foothill Ranch. Then we went to Souplantation for dinner. So easy and the kids love it. The kids got some new toothbruses at Wal-Mart (Justin-Tigger, Nicole-Pooh), so it was easy to get the kiddos upstairs tonight. They brushed their teeth right away. We played with money-searched for quarters for my collection. I think I have about 4 more states to go. The kids made a drive thru with the money and Nicole made a crib for her Tiger. We had a great time tonight but Bret and I are so tired. We read lots of books and the kids were talking for a while but finally went to sleep.

Well Nicole was up the better part of the night again. We finally discovered she has a double ear infection. I gave her some Tylenol this morning so she was acting ok. Our friend wanted us to come over and we figured whatever Nicole had her kids were exposed anyway. But ear infections aren’t contagious but we weren’t sure what Nicole had. So in the middle of playing Nicole comes up to me crying saying her ear hurt. So off to the Woodbury Clinic we went. Justin is acting like such a big boy, I decided to ask him if he wanted to stay or play with us. He chose to stay. Mind you this was so difficult on me but so good for him. I have never left Justin alone without Nicole or with a friend. I am very proud of him. After the doctor looked in her ears, he said it was a double ear infection, poor thing. She got a lollipop at the end and got a green one for Justin. We went back to Vena’s and Justin was as happy as can be. He was just playing trains. Nicole was feeling a bit better and played for a while. We had lunch and it was nice to just hang out. On our way home we stopped at Target to pick up Nicole’s prescription. The kids for some reason wanted to shop for clothes, so I let them look around. Justin had to go potty and they were cleaning the woman’s bathrooms. So I sent Justin in to the men’s room himself. I can’t believe how grown up he is acting. He was proud to tell me that he used the standing toilet (urinal). These kids are growing up so fast.  When we got home the kiddos played Leapsters and watched some TV. The kids have been into watching Clifford lately.  Dad came home a little early today. Dad and Justin ended up going out to dinnner together, Nicole just wanted to stay home. So I stayed home and played My Little Pony and pretend birthday party for pooh. We had fun together and it sounds like Justin and daddy had fun too. Justin and dad washed daddy car while Nicole and I read lots of books, snuggled in my bed together. Nicole was pretty tired. I left right before the kiddos went to bed and went to have drinks with some friends. It was so nice, well needed and well deserved. But Bret and I didn’t end up going to bed until way too late. I hope Nicole is back to herself today.

Nicole woke up last night and was crying. She said her head hurt. Poor little thing. So I brought her to our bed and gave her Tylenol. We had fun in my bed, just telling stories and talking. I finally gave in to the fact she was not going back to sleep. So I grabbed my reading light and we went back to her room where I read her some books. It was fun being up with my baby but I am tired. She did say last night, how about Nicole and mommy spend some time together, so sweet. So I was exhausted this morning and so was Nik. Nicole stayed in our bed until about 9:00. I decided I better cancel our play group. She was in a good mood just tired. I played with Justin was she rested which was nice. He is so talky without Nicole. I finally decided to give the kids a bath and get that out of the way. They were overdue for a bath anyway. They were so happy to get in the tub. I think I have figured out she has a sore throat. After bath she hadn’t eaten anything so I made her a smoothie. She drank it up and is now fast asleep. She took a pretty long nap. Justin and I got to play together and that was really nice. We also cleaned the garage together. He was such a big help sweeping up. So nice to have the garage under control again, hopefully it will stay this way for a while. Nicole took a long nap and was seemingly better-she did have a little fever, so I did give her some Tylenol. I gave her some soup and then let the kiddos watch TV for a bit. After it was just all about play. I tried to paint for a bit but kept on hearing mommy, mommy every second. So I took them out in the backyard and we played. I did a little gardening and I let Justin play with the hose for a while. After dinner Nicole wanted some alone time with me, so we played My Little Pony and the ponies and friends had a birthday party for Pooh. Nicole loves that Pooh stuffed animal, she says it is her favorite animal. Justin and daddy played outside. They were playing frisbee so we went out to join them. We played catch and basketball too. When we got upstairs we read lots of books. Justin was really tired. When he asked if he could play with money and we said no since it was time to go to bed, he just melted. Hopefully everyone will sleep tonight, I am really tired.

This week is going by so slow for some reason. This morning the kiddos played at home while I tried to get some stuff on our calendar for summer. We went to Tustin Sports Park and met some friends there. The kids had fun as we never go to this park. There was a big slide that the kiddos loved. I remember going to this park when the kids were just walking and I was so freaked out about the big slide. We had a fun morning. We came home and played. I played with the kids for a long time hoping to get some painting done on the mural. We did some puzzles, a little frustrating for me, but the kids loved it. We played grocery store, cars, etc. Grammy came over and the kids watched some TV while we did some painting. Mural is coming along. When dad got home we decided to go to the Elephant Bar for dinner. Nicole’s favorite food has been mac and cheese and Justin loves corn dogs. We didn’t have much time to play when we got home. The kids did play with money for a bit then we read a couple books. We have sleeping kids. I am kind of cranky tonight. I am so tired of cleaning up. Our garage is such a mess and I can’t stand it. But I don’t have any time to clean it-ugh. I do love being with my kids and my husband and that is truly what is important.

This morning I went for a quick run then met some friends early to walk. Nicole slept in today. Justin woke up last night around 3:00 saying “mommy”. When I went to go get him he just wanted to come to our bed. So cute but hard to sleep. He kept on putting his head on my chest. We got ready for the cleaners and I let the kiddos play Leapsters a bit. We decided to go to Blue Gum Park. We met some friends there. Justin wanted to bike there and Nicole wanted to go in the trailer. So I have more gray hairs as I let Justin ride his bike while Nicole was in the trailer. It was a little stressful but Justin did great. It was fun riding with him and the trailer is so much lighter with one child. The kids had a great time at the park. They started playing with their friends and it just amazes me to see them interact and come up with games. It was so hard to leave as the kids were playing with Jane so well. So Erin invited us over for lunch. Nicole and Justin were just so excited with the new toys. It was nice. We all had lunch together and then more playing. The kids met Angel, Jane’s pre school guniea pig. They both held her and Nicole dropped her-oops. The ride home on the bikes went really well. We came home and played then headed to pre school. I needed to make some copies and do some work, so the kiddos played really well. They liked pulling out all the toys and having snack at pre school. So strange with  no one else there. We also went to Katie and Sarah’s dance recital. It was so cute. Nicole loved watching it and wanted more dancers to come. She was sad that it was over. So cute she told Katie and Sarah they did  a great job too. Justin and Nicole were just in awe watching it. They said their favorite part of the day was the dancing. After dinner we just played, the kids picked tomatoes, and Justin and I cleaned off the play house. They put water on it then use their brooms. The kids were pretty tired so we read lots of books and they are sound asleep.

This morning the kiddos played really well at home. They played upstairs together so nicely. I was actually able to work on some stuff for pre school. The kids read lot of books in their room. We were supposed to have a swim lesson today but Ms. Lana never showed up. So my friend and I gave up on her and found a new teacher. We met our friend at the pool anyway. It was so cute to watch the kiddos interact. The kiddos had a great time at the pool. They found a tennis ball and Nicole wanted me to throw it in the water, so she could fetch it like she was a dog. I wish we had a community pool-I think I would be there all the time. Luckily my friends are very generous in letting us use their pools. We came home and the kiddos played a bit. They kept on pretending opening a gate and one of the kids ran through. Then I got the kiddos in the bath. They played with the Tigger and Pooh toy and did crayons. They did so many crayons that it turned the bath water colors.  After bath the kids watched TV, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and played Leapsters a bit. I got the paint out again and worked on the mural a bit more. It is really coming together. Then I had a great time playing with the kids, we played trucks and I pretended to be sick and Nicole made minnestronie soup (minnie, from clubhouse). We made a track for the trucks with cones and ramps. After dinner we just played with the kiddos and had fun! We headed upstairs and played with money (coins). We haven’t done this for a while. The kids brought up one of their bowls from their pretend kitchen and pretended that the coin was food for the animals. Coins everywhere, down the hall, our room, their room, the office, etc-what a mess. They did help clean it up. We only had time for a few books so we have some hyper kids right now. They are still upstairs talking away.

Happy Father’s Day to the best daddy and hubby in the world! Dad and Justin headed out to get coffee and donuts this morning, a rare treat. Nicole kept my company while I got ready then I read one of her favorite books, A Sitter For Baby Monster. The kids and I ran to do some errands, Kohls and the grocery store. It felt like we were gone forever but we wanted to give daddy some time to himself on dad’s day. We surprised daddy with a burrito for lunch. I am learning how to order burritos. The kids and I had fun out. Nicole brought Winnie the Pooh in the backpack car seat and loved having him with her. Justin brought a train. Apparently the train was waking Pooh up. We tried to work on the mural this afternoon. We were trying to keep the kiddos busy. But we really need to tell them what to play. Overall it worked ok. It was better when they played with Leapsters and watched TV, but they also learn they need to entertain themsleves a bit. We sold the futon today which made a lot more room in the play room. Grandma/pa came over to celebrate dad’s day. Alan, Roberta, and Tierney came as well. It was last minute planning as we weren’t sure we would get toegther today as grandma/pa had a cold. Alan brought Chinese and I made dessert. It was a nice evening. Great to see T as always. Nicole loves her so much and wanted to hold her. So happy when she was playing with T. Bret and I escaped a little bit to work on the mural. One layer of the sand is on, hopefully tonight we will get another layer on. Then this week we can just work on touching everything up. Kiddos went to bed a little late tonight but are sound asleep. We are going to clean up a bit here and then go paint again.

The kids at school made daddy a card and in it were questions they answered about daddy. Here are there answers (Justin’s answers first then Nicole’s):

My dad is as tall as: taller than mommy/a house

What my dad does at work: pays money and works on his laptop/he works with a laptop

What my dad does at home: work on his laptop/eats breakfast

The best thing my dad can cook: he likes to go through the drive-thru/gingerbread house

My dad can fix: my bike/something that broke

What I like to do best with my dad: Play with him on the spiral track/go out