Melissa’s Blog

Rainy cold day. I had to wake Nikki up for pre school, she was a sleepy girl. I dropped the kiddos off. They were so excited to go-I am so glad they like school. However, they were stuck inside most of the time so they were pretty hyper when I picked them up. While they were in school, Paula and I went for a walk then I relaxed and did a few errands. The kids played outside at pre school for a bit then a few of us headed to the library. The kids played on the computer and colored with a pencil. Nicole read a book to one of her friends so cute. We didn’t get home until 2:00ish and thats when the kids ate lunch. We played at home for a bit, read a few of our library books, played with Zoe. Then we got out the gingerbread house and decorated. The kids loved it and we all had a great time. Dad came home from work a bit early. He had to take the Solaris 10 certification and passed-yeah! We took Zoe outside to play ball with her but then the rain started coming down. The kids read their library books then we went out to play in the rain. The rain didn’t last too long, so we threw the ball for Zoe again. Dad put away the fryer and Nicole came outside in the cold in her underwear. She wants to wear her favorite shorts all the time. We came in and the kids took a shower. They watched some Curious George while we made dinner. They were really hungry and really liked dinner. We decided to go look at some Christmas lights, so we went to the houses off of Red Hill. They are so ghetto with a bunch of crap on their property but there were a ton of decorations and the kids loved it. Nicole loved the motion activated little Santa’s and Justin loved all the trains. We came home and had hot chocolate. The kids were wanting to write a lot tonight in what they call their journals. They didn’t want us to read them any books. They seem a bit hyper so who knows when they will go to sleep. Nikki is singing Jingle Bells right now. She says she is too excited to sleep because it is Hanukkah. Time to go walk the dog; hope it is not raining.

Today was our class at Coastline College, only one more to go. The kids had a great time and the crafts were really cute. They made some cute ornaments to put on the tree. The kids played inside and outside. There was this cool car toy thing that Justin just loved. We hurried home as Zoe the dog was being dropped off so we could dog sit. The kids are having a blast with Zoe. They have been out in the backyard  playing with her since she got here. I did catch them climbing on the jacuzzi cover and ready to jump on it-ugh. I got a few things done inside like wrapping some presents, laundry, and starting to edit pics. It was nice that the kids were having so much fun with Zoe and somehow I heard the hose and I had wet kids and a wet dog. HA. I thought I was running to the grocery store for a few things but I ended up with a whole lot of things. The kids wanted to go in the car cart but that didn’t last long. They ended up climbing on the top of the car and getting in and out all the time. We took Zoe out on the greenbelt; the kids loved playing with her and playing ball. I decided the kids needed some fun playtime too, so we walked to the park we call pirate park. The kids played while I threw the ball some more for Zoe. We had lots of fun and the kids dug for treasure in the sand. We saw some Christmas lights on the way home. Nicole wants to hold Zoe’s leash so badly but Zoe pulls way too much. The kids watched TV while dad and I got dinner ready. We had the fryer out from Turkey day so we made corn dogs, onion rings, and fries-most fattening meal of all time. After TV we headed upstairs where we played hide n seek. We read books and hopefully the kiddos are sound asleep. Time to go walk the dog in the freezing cold.

Pre school day and I wasn’t working. I had to run to the eye doctor, and now I want Lasik. Lots of research to do though. I ran a few errands as well. The couple hours went by so fast. I went to pick them up and they were the sandiest kids ever. We went straight into the shower. After shower the kids ate lunch and drew for a while in what they are calling their journals. It is so loud with all the singing and the carousal. Justin played trains for a bit while Nikki ran around singing the chipmunks song. They played so well for so long. I cleaned out my car and vacuumed. The kids played outside with me for a bit too, doing chalk and helping me clean. Then we headed to the backyard to pick up a zillion leaves. The kids helped and then we had to clean up our pumpkin patch. The vines are starting to die. We got two big pumpkins but they are still green. I don’t think with the weather the way it is that they will get orange. Next year we will just have to plant earlier. It was a fun messy afternoon. We went to the library to read some books. The kids were antsy for story time/craft to begin. They made reindeer clothes pins, very messy involving glue and glitter. The kids all played outside at the library for a bit, but it was cold. The boys ran around playing super heros, Justin was bat-man. Nicole and the girls piled up leaves. We headed to Target on the way home. The kids were crazy nuts-they were wanting to run around like crazy. They were just having a blast. They also scanned some things while checking out, luckily the cashier was amused by it as well. We played and played outside of Target for a bit then came home. We had dinner and the kids played. They colored in a little notebook calling it their journal. The kids watched a little TV and I went off to Bunco. Woo Hoo

We went to the mom’s club Christmas party today. Now my kids are the big kids. I remember going years ago and my kiddos were so young but now they seem so big. We had a great time; crafts, decorating cookies, etc. The kids were all amused with the air vents on the floor and balloons. So silly but seriously that amused them for about an hour. Santa came in and the kids decided since they were four they were going to be brave. It was great-they sat on his lap, gave him a hug, showed him their drawings, etc.

Dad took the day off today, so we headed to Disney. We only got on a couple rides but we got to see the Christmas parade. We did run to CA Adventure for a bit and got right on a few rides. The kids loved the parade. They were waving to all the characters. Nicole acted like they knew her screaming hi, so cute. After the parade we headed over to It’s A Small World. It was all Christmas, can’t believe how many lights they put up. We migrated through the huge crowd to the train station at the front and waited for the fireworks show. So great that the kids could see the fireworks as it is something they don’t see very often. The parade and fireworks show was early today as Disney closed at 6:00. We got out of there as fast as we could before the crowds. It was a great time but so stressful with so many people. We came home and had some dinner then had some hot chocolate. It is almost 9:00 and Nicole is still awake, ugh. I am so chipmunked out-I listen to the Alvin CD all day long and now Nicole is singing it.

Woke up to rain for a change. Nicole was afraid she would hear thunder. Nicole slept in a bit so I had Bret wake her up. Last time I woke her up she kept on telling me she was tired cause I woke her up. We went to pre school and I was working. Nicole brought Gimmel the dog to share and Justin brought a Tonka Chuck the Dump Truck book. Since it was raining out and I was blue mom, we played inside. We built a huge train track all over the floor then played a game similar to Bingo. The kids were all a little hyper being stuck inside. When we got home the kids wanted to play in the rain. So warm clothes and boots on off they went. It was so cute they had so much fun. The rain was as high as their boots. It was a little cold so they didn’t stay out long. Sopping wet up to the shower they went. It was bath day anyway but I wanted to get them warm as well. After lunch the kids played soccer in the house. Nicole brought her blanket down and set it up like a picnic. Justin wanted his blanket but didn’t want to go upstairs, so Nicole went for him. She can be so amazingly sweet sometimes. After their picnics they cuddled with their blankets on the couch and they watched TV. I tried to catch up on some phone calls and start getting the house ready for the cleaners. After TV the kids and I went to Home Depot and Ralphs. We picked up daddy and headed to the kids 4 yr check up. I was so nervous as I knew they were getting shots. They did amazingly well. Justin weighs 35lbs and Nicole 38lbs. In weight they are in the 50% and in height they are above normal. Everything checked out ok. The bad news was they needed 3 shots. Justin and daddy left the room while Nicole got her shots. We didn’t want Justin to get too freaked out. Nicole didn’t cry on the first two but the last one she cried a little bit. Justin didn’t cry at all. I told them to count to 5 then it would be over. It just amazes me how brave they can be. I felt so bad they needed to get so many shots that I brought Mickey Mouse lollipops-that fixes everything. We stopped at Ruby’s on the way home for dinner. They were having some burger special, so dinner cost us about $8.00, woo hoo! Our poor turkey is never going to get fried. We are ready there just hasn’t been time. Justin played cars for a bit when we got home. He bangs into one car with another car and tries to flip it. Nicole and dad read some books while I cuddled with Justin. It seems like today was such a long day but I probably didn’t relax until the shots were done. We are done with shots for another year. Dad is taking tomorrow off and we are planning to go to Disney.

It felt like we were crazy busy all day. This morning we read the paper then headed outside. Dad painted some cars and trains green for Justin’s room and I started to get Christmas lights out. Bret was still spray painting after I figured out what lights worked and didn’t. So the Jewish girl got on the ladder and started hanging them. I think I did pretty well until we discovered I started on the wrong end and there was no where to plug them in. Luckily we were able to come up with an alternative power source. While we were busy outside the kids were into everything, all the decorations. They were pretending a light up Menorah was a harmonica (from Alvin and the chipmunks). They were both holding signs and running around, Happy Chanukkah. They were having a great time, then the chalk came out. We came inside for a bit and the kids used their scissors and it occupied them for a bit. After lunch we headed out to get Justin a mattress. We scored as they had it in stock. Nicole was in a weird mood today but it was nice as she wanted daddy. The kids and dad ran into a grocery store to get a snack while I bought a mattress pad for Justin. We were home for a short bit then Justin and I headed out to a park. It was so fun having Justin time. We had fun playing in the sand, playing pirates, sliding down really fast slides…Justin put sand at the bottom of the slide and told me that would make it faster. He told me his pants were more slippery than mine so he went faster. I also needed to take a friend’s picture at the park. Justin was great. After the pics were done we went exploring a bit then headed home. Nicole and dad had a good time; she was in great spirits with dad. They played soccer around the house. We were planning on frying our turkey tonight but we were missing some crucial elements. We couldn’t find the temp gauge. It just seemed like too busy of a day so we gave up on the frying and went out to dinner. We will get it together tomorrow. The kids and I played while dad waited for the table. We had a nice dinner. Nicole and dad read books while Justin and I hung out in his bed. So nice there is room for me in the bed. Time to go finally relax.

Bret had to work most of the day, ugh. I took the kiddos to Mission Viejo to get their second swine flu vaccine and I was able to get one too. Then we headed over to the Mission Viejo Mall and played. We had fun together. We walked around and looked at the puppies, went to the toy store, went to the play area, played in stores, etc. On the way home we stopped at Lakeshore. I wanted to get the kiddos better scissors then what we had. There was a craft thing going on so the kiddos made candles, they loved making it and were so proud of it. We put it on our fire place. We met dad for lunch and came home for a bit. The kids opened the shutters and had the windows open, dad even took the screen off for them. Apparently that is so exciting. We made an appetizer to bring to the pre school’s Christmas party. It was really cute. The 3 day class sang this little light of mine and this land is your land. It was SO cute, Justin was bopping to the music. The kids loved being on the stage. We had lots of food and deserts and did a snowman craft. The kiddos didn’t want to sit on Santa’s lap but they talked to him. Santa gave them a book. When we got home the kiddos were so hyper. They were dancing/running around singing. They have turned off most of the lights while dancing probably so they could see the carousal. It is so loud in this house right now but at least it is happiness or delirium. I finally got them upstairs to take a shower but then they had to run around upstairs. I put away laundry and finally got them in the shower. I got them out just before the fighting began. We had dinner then we played for a bit downstairs. Justin was the dog and Nikki was teasing him with a toy. We went upstairs a little earlier tonight as the kids seemed tired. We read lots of books in Justin’s bed. I was actually down stairs at 8:00-this is the first time that has happened in a long time. Nikki wanted daddy to wake her up when he got home. He got home at 8:00 so he was able to run upstairs to say goodnight.

I still have this lingering headache, ugh. I dropped the kiddos off at pre school. I hate leaving them but they always have fun and I enjoy my time. I ran to the grocery store and then tried to relax a bit. I picked the kiddos up from school and we headed to Lexie’s birthday party. The kids did lots of crafts and had fun. They had pin the tail on the donkey where our daughter tried to cheat by looking up at the bottom of the mask. They did an egg hunt and games, duck duck goose, etc. It was a cute party. The kids were a little fighty when we got home but then played nicely. They loved looking through their goody bags of course. The kid played for a bit-seems as though everything needs batteries. The kiddos watched Curious George while I got ready to pack up the kiddos to see Christmas lights. After George we went outside to wait for daddy. We played freeze tag. They were giggling and having fun. We headed out to the Newport Dunes for the lighting of the Bay. The kids loved the sand and little play structure. Nicole was in the swing for a long time. We had dinner there then watched various signers and dancers. Justin just cuddled on me almost the entire time-I loved it. I think he just wanted me to warm him up. Then Santa came and lit up the Bay. The kids talked to Santa only to get candy canes. Nicole stuck to the fact she wanted a doll house and Justin a race track. The kids decided they were starving so luckily I had snacks with me for the way home. Justin and I cuddled in his bed tonight. I almost fell asleep. So nice having a big twin bed now, there is more room for me. Nicole seemed hyper but went to bed pretty easily. She gave me a nice back scratch then wanted to talk about the guy she didn’t like in the Alvin and Chipmunks Christmas DVD.

Well Justin loves his new bed. This morning we went to our Coastline class. The kids had fun playing, riding bikes, playing in the sand, etc. They have been loving being in the car listening to their Alvin and the Chipmunks CD.  Went to Burger King with Mikey, Katie, and Sarah. The boys and Katie were playing bad guys and Nicole and Sarah didn’t like it. Nicole and Sarah started to play baby. After BK we stopped at Grammy’s to get her mail. We visited with Sharon for a bit. Nicole fell in love with one of Grammy’s teddy bears. I can’t believe how into animals she is. Justin just played happily upstairs. When we got home the kids played outside and played the chipmunks. I have had a head ache the last couple days and Nicole singing the chipmunk song isn’t helping. They both keep turning on the carousal and it is driving me nuts too! Nicole decided no more dance for her. When I asked her why she told me the teacher keeps showing her how to tap and she already knows how to tap. It was a little nice not running off to dance but I miss my Justin time. We played upstairs in Justin’s bed then I gave the kiddos a bubble bath. They stayed upstairs and played while I made dinner. After dinner I was off to a holiday board party. It was fun but I have a headache so I am off to bed.

Kids went to pre school this morning. Which was a good thing since they were so fighty again. I ran out and did some errands while they were at school. I got daddy a present and did a few errands/returns. We still need to get Justin something for Christmas. Nicole and Justin wanted their doggies to pick them up. They had a great time at school and got cupcakes for a birthday. We played out front for a bit-there were two cute little dogs there that the kids just loved petting. We came home and had lunch but the kids didn’t eat too much. The kids played all over the house. Minimal fighting thank goodness, but I feel like I have to keep saying don’t do that, clean up that, etc. More dumping of toys but they were good about cleaning them up. They pretended one was the owner while the other was the dog then they switched. It was cute too watch. They were also busy playing with the carousal I put out for X-mas. I took the kiddos to the dentist today. Both were really brave. So funny they needed to get x-rays and Justin says you go first, Nicole says Justin go first..you get the point. Justin stepped up and was brave. Both have a little cavity starting-boo hoo. We got special toothpaste that should help and are thinking about sealants. Both kids have deep grooves in their teeth. They were so good so I let them watch TV when they got home. They watched Alvin and the Chipmunks again. Dad got home and took Justin to Home Depot to get some bolts for his new bed. Nicole danced around for me to Christmas music and I had to clap for her. We worked in Justin’s room. The kids had so much fun playing in Justin’s bed. He wanted to sleep in it even though we don’t have a mattress yet. They put a ton of blankets, pillows, and books in it. It was cute. His room looks pretty cool. The kids were tired and ending up going right to bed. They seemed a bit hyper so we weren’t sure that was going to happen.