Melissa’s Blog

Nicole slept in this morning. I actually had to wake her up for pre school. I was the working mom today, I was the blue mom working outside. We had a great time. The kids made invitations to the holiday party and I was in charge of magnetic blocks. I forgot their sharing but luckily I had stuff in the car. Nicole shared my cell phone and Justin shared the car he got from Dave and Busters. The kids practiced their songs and were pretty much screaming. It was cute though. We played outside for a bit at school then headed home. The kiddos were starving, apparently the snack was too healthy. We had lunch then played. The kids did puzzles and made a mess. We got out the play doh. The kids made ice cream cones and mom/dad/and babies out of the play doh. Nicole put on her Abby Cadaby costume. She helped me pick up leaves while Justin played with cars. The kids played soccer for a bit in the backyard. While they played soccer I filled out some water balloons. They had so much fun breaking them and even picked up the mess so well. We had a fun afternoon then I let them watch Alvin and the Chipmunks. After I had cranky kids, fighting over everything and acting like spoiled brats. Later I did realize I never gave them a snack so maybe thats what went wrong. I tried to play Candyland but the minute Nicole was losing she didn’t want to play anymore. Dad came home and we had dinner and life was better. We built a GeoTrax track so that was exciting. Justin was having so much fun playing but we dragged them out to see some Christmas decorations. It was nice to get out. We read a ton of books downstairs but when we got upstairs the kiddos were hyper-ugh. Hopefully they will settle down soon.

Weekend flew by. This morning we read the paper with kiddos begging us to play with them. Justin was upside down a bit and ended up throwing up, all over daddy.  Luckily he wasn’t sick it was just from being upside down. We played at home for a bit but then I realized I needed to go to the grocery store. Nicole came with me and we had fun together. She is such a little helper and she was pretending to be a mommy. She brought her little care bear. Dad and Justin were outside driving cars and flying kites. It was windy but it was crazy wind so it wasn’t working so well. I was doing laundry and I heard something but didn’t know what it was. Then I went outside to hang out and Bret said he couldn’t find his phone…..we all know where this is heading. Yes I washed his phone. Justin threw up on him and his phone was in his pocket and I washed the clothes-oops. We are hoping it dries out but who knows. After lunch we played some more, dad played Bingo with Justin while Nicole did a puzzle. They played with Lego’s and made a mess. We got ready to go get our family pic taken. We got some great 4 year old pics too. Here is just one of them:

I can’t wait to go through them. The kids decided to sing/scream happily in the car. It was funny but loud. I love that we don’t have a DVD player in the car as the kids have fun being in the car. I love hearing them interact, etc. When we got home we went over to pirate park with daddy. The kids had a great time playing, mostly just love digging in the sand these days. On our walk home we saw some Christmas decorations, so exciting for the kiddos. I gave the kiddos a quick shower while dad made dinner. Nicole picked to have macaroni and cheese for dinner and Justin got to pick the movie. It was movie night tonight. We watched some Alvin and the Chipmunks Christmas DVD. It was cute and the kids loved it. We headed upstairs and the kids were hyper. They made a mess in the rooms saying their were looking for something. When I asked them they said we don’t know. They were signing as loud as could be pretending to be Alvin and Simon. It was funny. I finished editing some pics for pre school, that project is done. The kids didn’t want any books or stories, they just wanted to play. Finally they went to sleep, we hear snoring on the monitor-music to our ears.

This morning we just took it easy for a bit. Then we headed to the Spectrum. Nicole wanted mommy time so she went with me to get some things done while daddy took Justin to other places at the Spectrum. Nicole was so patient and great while I looked for some clothes for me. So exciting as I got two pairs of jeans. Nicole was in the fitting room trying on my jeans over her clothes-it was so funny. Dad and Justin looked at a train at the toy store then headed over to the Mac store to play games. We met up with them at the Mac store. I ran to Target and Carters with Nicole while dad and Justin went to Dave and Busters. They had a great time. We had enough tickets that Nicole got a care bear and Justin got a car and some candy. He was so nice to get the big piece of candy so he could share it with Nicole. We had a quick lunch then Justin wanted to ride an ostrich on the carousal. Nicole just wanted to hang out with me so we watched and waved. We came home for a bit. Justin and dad watched some cars on the computer while Nicole and I played doll house for a bit. We played at home and cleaned up a bit. It started to rain a bit so Justin and I went for a walk with umbrellas in the rain. It was so fun. He loved it. Dad built a log cabin out of Lincoln Logs and did puzzles with Nicole. We made some hot chocolate and headed to the Irvine Regional Park for the Santa train. We got there a little early so the kiddos could play on the play structure. We also played in the leaves, threw them in the air and at each other. It was so fun, reminded me of fall in MA. Plus the weather was cool. We met Alan, Roberta, and T at the train. It was really pretty all decorated. Can’t believe it is the holiday season already. We got off the train at the north pole station where Santa was. T had no problem sitting on Santa’s lap. Nicole and Justin however really didn’t want to. The kids did talk to Santa. Justin told him he wanted a race car set and Nicole said she wanted a doll house for Christmas. They did this as they saw a candy cane was in it for them. The kids did some activities, decorate cookies, jump in the bounce house, listen to Mrs. Claus tell a story, etc. It was a really fun night. We grabbed some dinner and came home. The kids were so playful upstairs but they did go to bed a little late.

Here are some pics:

Well I decided to get up bright and early and do a little shopping. It was bad out there but I got a few things. It was a little nice though to get up and go shopping all by myself. I got home just in time for Bret to go to work. Nicole was still sleeping. I started to play race track with Justin but then one of the cars stopped working for some reason. I built a new track for Justin on the train table. Well I needed to take a shower and here we went again trying to get the kids in the shower. They are so silly these days. Once I get them naked to go in the shower they start playing like crazy. They had a blast. But it wasn’t without a mess. All the crayons were on the floor and all the books on their book shelves were off the shelves. I don’t mind messes when they are being silly and playing so nicely. I finally got them in the shower about 2 hours later then they decided they were starving. After lunch the kids did puzzles together. Justin is calling Nicole George (Curious George) and he is the man with the yellow hat. More messes are being made right now with puzzles. We got out for a bit and went to the park near our house, we call it pirate park. The kids had a great time mostly playing in the sand. They pretended to be pirates and find treasure. We came home with a bunch of rocks and leaves AKA treasure. We played out in the yard for a bit. I put leaves in the bucket and the kids knocked them out-it wasn’t very fun for me. Then we went out front. Nik Nik (as she likes to be called now) did chalk while Justin and I washed my car. He got soaked but he still loves the hose. Dad came home a little early. We went over to grandma/pa’s for a day after Thanksgiving celebration. Lots of food and family and WINE. Tierney is doing so well with her little walker, so cute. We finally got the kids on bed by 9:00. I sure hope they sleep in. Nicole is wanting mommy time so much. I actually sat in the back seat on the way home from grandma/pa’s with the kiddos. They are so cuddly and cute.

Happy Thanksgiving! Today we woke up to no children, very strange. So dad and I stayed in bed a bit. We finally got up and headed to Peete’s coffee. We sat outside and read the paper or should I say the ads. It was really nice and relaxing. We do miss the kiddos a lot though. We ran to the grocery store for some last minute things we needed. Then we just came home. Dad played with his new music player (early X-mas gift) and I picked up all the leaves and gardened in the backyard. I spent most of my time in front of the computer editing pictures. We did manage to watch some TV and be a little bored for a change. Bret took a little nap and caught up with his brother on the phone. Bret and I decided to go for a walk and smell all the turkeys. It is weird to not be celebrating Turkey day today. The kiddos got home around 5:00. So happy to see them and what big hugs we got. Justin came home with a new race track that he couldn’t wait for Bret to set up. Nicole fell in love with this purple flowered blanket and a little bear at grandma/pa’s that she brought home. We had fun playing with the kids tonight. Nicole woke up in the middle of the night and the grandparents let her watch TV. The kids got chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast and were basically spoiled for 12 hours straight and I am sure they loved it. We read books tonight individually to the kids. I got Justin time then we switched. Nicole decided she was hungry at bedtime. So I brought her carrots and a banana as she didn’t really eat dinner. So nice to cuddle with them in bed.

I am so tired so this will be quick. I stayed up to about 1:00AM last night editing pics. Today was Stone Soup Day at pre school. I was working and had a great time playing in the sand with the kiddos. Even buried some treasure that the kids found. Nicole shared her dog, Rusty and Justin shared his Hot Wheels motorcycle toy. Ms. Donna read the book Stone Soup and the kids helped to make it. Dad came in to visit and have soup with the kiddos. It was a fun Thanksgiving celebration at school today. We were only home for a bit and decided to go swimming. Yes swimming in November. It was a little cold when the wind blew but the kids were so happy to go swimming. Nicole was in the water for the longest time, Justin got cold and got out. Of course the shower was just as much fun as the pool. We stopped at Macy’s then to grandma/pa’s while we were in their neck of the woods. We had dinner with them; grandpa made french toast. My mom and dad asked the kids if they wanted to stay the night. So I moved car seats, ran to Wal-Mart to get new jammies and night diapers, and they spent the night. I miss them so much but know they are having fun. Dad and I went out to the Spectrum for drinks and a snack. We walked around and had fun together but both of us are exhausted. Off to bed now and hope we can sleep in. I am sure N&J are having fun but it is weird without them here.

Kind of another crazy day. We stayed home until 11:00 which was really nice. I got some photo editing done and some playtime with the kiddos. Plus got the house ready for the cleaners. So great to have a clean house. We met lots of friends at Orchard Park. The kids had a great time just playing and being kids. They played in the sand, on the swings, on the play structures, and with their friends. It was such a beautiful day and we didn’t get home until 3:00ish. We had to stop at the grocery store too as I had to get stuff to make a pumpkin pie for pre school tomorrow. The store was crazy. Carin, Sofi, and Mylee came over for a bit then I had to head to a park and take some family pics. The kids were so well behaved for me and fed the ducks and played on the play structure while I took pics. After the pics we ran home again to get dinner started. Our next door neighbors came over for dinner. It was nice to hang out. They brought the kids boxes of games, so the kids were well entertained. But after dinner we did let them watch TV so we could chat. So it was crazy wondering when I would get to the grocery story, make a pie, make dinner, etc but we got everything done.  Well today Nicole has been asking how a baby gets out of your belly. I thought she forgot about the question but she just asked us again. She is still awake and it is 8:40. Well the pie is made and I need to relax, so I am going to watch TV for  bit then edit more photos.

It is only 4:00 and I am exhausted. I dropped the kids off at school this morning, then did some errands and organized around the house. For some reason we always make a mess out of the house on weekends. I guess too busy playing. Nicole and Justin had some friends come over after school. It was really nice and the kids all played pretty well. Nicole got a little cranky near the end but I guess she was hungry. We even opened the wine this play date. One of the girls brought wine and it was so relaxing. This play date lasted a long time. I don’t think the last person left until after 3:30. In between though I did all my laundry. So great to have the kids play so well together. At one point I went upstairs and all the girls were in Nicole’s bed, too cute. Justin and his friends were busy playing race track. Cleaning up is always the bummer. But I think we are back to normal. The kids and I are pretending we are at a hotel and we all have our laptops, feels great to sit down. So I tried for hours to get the kids in the bath but they just kept on having more and more fun. We played upstairs. Since they never get play time upstairs they were having a blast. Justin brought all his cars up. I put away laundry and then started editing pics. They were wild chasing each other, mind you naked since like I said we were supposed to take a bath. They read books, hung out in our bed, pretended doctor with their animals, and messed up their rooms again. Dad came home and I was editing pics and the kids were in Nicole’s room with the door shut quietly reading books. After dinner we had wild and crazy kids once again. Nicole and Justin were jumping all over the couch, took all the cushions off and more jumping. Nicole keeps saying clap for me. Finally at 6:50 I got them in the shower, I had been trying since around 4:00. They took the fastest showers ever so they could watch a little TV. While they watched I edited some more photos. We only read them a few books since it was getting late. Justin was exhausted.

Well we all decided to read the paper. By this I mean the kids decided to open it all and pretend it was a river on the floor and they needed some stepping stones. Got to love the imagination. We decided to take the kiddos to Chuck E Cheese this morning. It was fun to surprise them. We told them we were going to Wal-Mart. When we were almost there I had them close their eyes and I put a Chuck E Cheese coin in their hands. They gave out screams of excitement when they discovered where we were going. We had a great time. I got to drive a bit with Justin then play other games with Nicole. It was so nice as we were the only people in the place. Perfect time to go. The kids loved it. After we went to Wal-Mart for a few things then In N Out Burger. We were all hungry. We stopped at soccer practice for the FC Junior Blades, so we could check it out. We watched the boys and girls play. Nicole and Justin saw a few friends from pre school. Both kids had fun pretending to play soccer and both decided they wanted to play. So we are officially soccer parents. They don’t start until March though. We came home and the kids played outside together for a bit. They got a soccer ball and played in the yard. In between everything we had going on, I ran out for a photography class. After dinner the kids did puzzles. Nicole is doing most of them herself now. The kids weren’t too well behaved today, getting very demanding. We may have to come up with some reward chart or something. We took them to Chuck E Cheese for no reason, not sure if that was a mistake or not. Luckily they went to sleep pretty easily tonight. Now to clean up. Oh forgot to mention the kiddos tried pop rocks for the first time tonight. It was so funny. They loved them and had such silly reactions.

Justin woke up at the crack of dawn this morning. I laid down with him and cuddled. He finally fell asleep again. But every time I went to leave he kept on moving closer to me. I decided since I was up I better go out and go for a run. It was nice to get out but I have lost a lot of my stamina. I was tired after running for 5 minutes. When I got home Justin was downstairs. Him and I just played-it was really nice. This morning the kids and I walked to the library for a story time/craft thing. Walking is always an adventure. Dad stayed home to get some stuff done. The kids had to pick out good/bad food from grocery ads, of course the cutting and the glue were most fun. Dad picked us up and we picked out some new library books. We got some lunch and headed over to check out soccer for Justin. Tomorrow is the younger kids, today seemed overwhelming so hopefully it is  much more mellow with the younger ones. Dad read some library books and I got some books ordered from Scholastic. The kids played outside for a bit. They took their crayons outside on the picnic table. We took the kiddos to the park. They had a great time, playing Chip and Dale, shoveling/throwing sand in the air, going down the slides, etc. The weather has definitely changed-it is getting cooler. We stopped at Ihop for dinner. The kids loved it. They tried all the dif’t flavors of syrup and got pancakes for dinner. What could be better than that. So cute, such a great place to take the kiddos. Even though we were pretty much the only ones in the place. When we got home I worked on editing pics while the kids watched some TV. Finally we went upstairs and read books. Nicole came in to say goodnight to Justin but Justin said he was too tired to say goodnight. Needless to say he fell right to sleep, we still hear Nicole babbling up there.