Melissa’s Blog

Today was Alan’s birthday. We played at home this morning. We tried to get the kiddos to play by themselves so we could sit and relax and read the paper. Justin and I played Memory; so much fun to play with him-he is really good. Nikki wanted to help dad fix some dry wall. In the laundry room the door knob indented the wall. It has been like this since we moved in but dad decided to finally fix it. Nikki was really into helping dad fix the hole. The kids and I left to go to grandma/pa’s to celebrate Alan’s birthday. Nicole didn’t want daddy to fix the wall without her. We got to play with Tierney a bit and headed out for Chinese for lunch.

The kids helped Uncle Alan blow out his candle. The ice cream cake was the best part for the kids. They loved seeing their blue tongues from the frosting. We headed back to grandma/pa’s for a bit. The kids watched George then we had to head out. We met dad at Aliso Creek Beach. We all played in the sand for a bit, buried Nicole, threw sticks in the ocean, etc.

I met my photography group at the beach and took a ton of pics at the beach. Some of them came out really cute. These are unedited

We had a great time at the beach, of course we always say we should do it more often. The kids got wet and it started to get cold. Justin went in daddy car and Nicole came with me.  We met at The Hat for dinner. Justin was pretty tired tonight. We read books and the kiddos went to bed. Justin fell asleep so fast. I think he just likes cuddling next to a warm body. Nicole wanted us to tell her the Chipmunk and Chipette story, ugh. She also started asking us about death, how does it feel to be dead? She is such a curious kid.

We played this morning. The kids had fun playing with my special scrapbook scissors. Justin is cutting properly now, yeah! I am a proud mom! Dad played Memory with the kiddos. Nicole helped me a bit with my scrapbooks. We packed up to go to snow day at the Great Park. It sucked. Getting in there was crazy, we had to park in a staging area then move the car again. The snow area was tiny. Nicole did go sledding down the little hill by herself, so cute. Justin and I grabbed a “snow” ice ball and threw it at daddy. We went over to the little snow area. The kids had a great time but it got really crowded fast. It was so funny Justin was randomly throwing snowballs at people. There were so many people there no one could tell where the snow ball was coming from. His exact words “I just bonked that guy”. Dad got the great idea to break the ice ball and pretend it was snowing on the kiddos, so fun. Nicole told daddy she was going to throw a snowball at his penis, crazy girl. After the snow we went and did some crafts, the kids made snowman out of modeling clay. The kids sat in the fire truck and we finally ate lunch. Nicole was starving at lunch. Justin wasn’t starving at lunch but then he ate a huge dinner where Nikki barely ate. We ran into a few friends at the Great Park. The kids saw one of their friends with cookies/cupcakes. We gave in and got the kiddos one. We walked around a little more then as we were heading out an ambulance came for the kiddos to look at. We stayed a bit longer and Nicole was really interested in the ambulance. It sounds as though she wants to be an EMT rather than a police officer now. At home the kids wanted to drive their cars. We played outside for a bit and did some gardening too. The kids were very fighty for some reason. We decided to give them some down time and they watched Curious George. Justin wanted to watch Thomas too but Nicole didn’t. So Nicole and I played doll house. Then it was bath time. Separate baths again. Justin pretended he had a lemonade stand in the bath this time. Nicole pretended to be a dog while we gave her lots of commands. Dad raced cars with Justin for a bit and we had dinner. After dinner we played Memory. Justin is really loving that game lately, I think he played it about 5 times today. Nicole was wanting to get married. Upstairs I got my wedding dress out (it still fits) and Nicole put her Cinderella dress on. We played wedding. Dad put on a suit. Then it turned into dress up. I put on my witch costume and pretended to scare the kids. The funniest was Nicole had me put on daddy’s clothes, it was so funny. And Nicole put on one of Justin’s outfits. We were really silly tonight and we had fun. Luckily the kids went to bed pretty easily as we hyped them up a bit tonight.

The inevitable has happened…I didn’t write my blog yesterday. Bret is taking today off. We talked about going to Disney or the snow but it didn’t happen. There is a snow day at the great park that we are planning on going to tomorrow and I just recently went to Disney, so those things were out. We both dropped the kids off at school this morning. Kinda cool dad gets to come every now and then. Dad and I enjoyed spending time together this morning. We tried to go to the store to find some food. We went to Trader Joes but decided Whole Foods is better for us as they have more organic things. Dad took a little nap and I worked on my scrapbook a bit. I went to pick up the kids and then we played outside for a while. So cute watching all the kids play together and run around. We came home and the kids watched Alvin and the Chipmunks. I don’t think the kids ate lunch until about 2:00. We decided to go to monkey bar park (Lower Peter’s Canyon). The kids were so excited. After months of Nicole trying so hard to get across the monkey bars, she finally did it. It was a proud moment for all of us. Justin is getting there too; he got about half way across. We had a great time at the park. We all played with the soccer ball together, trying to get goals, running around, chasing it down hills, etc. After the park we ran an errand and went to dinner. The kids were begging us to go to Burger King, so we went with it. It was so gross but the kids had a great time in the play area. They had the play area to themselves. We played downstairs a bit when we got home. Dad got a new toy today. A remote control fork lift toy-the kids are having as much fun with it as dad it.

Upstairs dad and Justin played Chutes and Ladders while Nicole and I played doll house. Of course doll house was based on Alvin and the Chipmunks. We read a few books and the kiddos are sleeping.

This morning I took the kids to pre school and ran a few errands. I had to get home for a life insurance medical thing. This messed me up as not being able to eat until 10:30 made me so sluggy. I picked the kiddos up from school. Neither of them looked too happy. Justin said he had been waiting a really long time for a bike. I was kind of annoyed the working parent didn’t get out another one. Nicole said no one would play with her. How sad. But I was happy to see them and they were happy to see me. I talked to the other moms and they didn’t seem to be unhappy while they were at school. The pre school teacher is noticing they are sticking more together. In a way I love that they have each other. We played outside a bit then headed home. I was so tired that I let the kiddos watch TV. I needed a nap. We didn’t eat lunch until 1:45. After lunch we played trains and put together a track that the kids played with for 5 minutes. We headed upstairs and I just wanted to crawl into bed. I got to play cars and doll house. The kids jumped on me a bit. I pretended that I was sleeping and they thought it was hilarous to sing and wake me up. We wanted to get out as it was so nice out. We headed to the Spectrum. The kiddos and I had fun playing around. We also did some shopping. The kids were a bit wild in Carters. They were really great about trying the things on that I needed them to try on. We got lots of stuff.  So cute that the kids were picking out their own clothes. They were clowning around in the store, pressing buttons of all these singing animals, hiding on me, running around, playing hopscotch. We played at the Spectrum more and dad met us there after work. Justin couldn’t wait to get to Dave and Busters. We played lots of games and got lots of tickets. We grabbed some dinner and headed home. We played Chutes and Ladders and played doll house. Read books and off to bed. Nicole is just wanting to watch us play games. She doesn’t want to play as she doesn’t want to lose.

The kids woke up last night a bit. Justin kept coming to our room. Apparently he was thirsty. I could barely wake up this morning. Bret was nice to let me sleep in a bit and go to work a little late. The kids played their Leapsters while I got ready this morning. We got out early this morning before the rain. We met a friend at Settler’s Park. We rarely go to that park so we had a great time. The kids rode their bikes, their friends razor scooters, they climbed, made sand cakes, etc. They also went on the basketball court and tried to throw the ball into the basket. They were doing pretty well. The kids did really well playing with their friends, including everyone in their play and sharing. I decided to reward them. I took the kiddos to McDonalds, hoping to get the Alvin and Chipmunks toys. They were out. The kids had a great time playing in the play area. They met a friend that played with them. They all played nicely, of course they played the Chipmunks. They pretended to store nuts for the winter, etc. It was cute. The kids had lunch there. I gave into them sharing an ice cream cone. I spoiled them today. We did run to the grocery store to get a few things and got home before the rain started. I ate lunch and turned on Alvin and The Chipmunks. While the kids were watching the movie, I caught up with some old friends on the phone. So amazing how fast our kiddos are growing. After the movie I gave the kiddos a bath. Justin went first. Nicole stayed in the bath for about an hour and didn’t want me to warm up the water. She was pretending to have a lemonade stand in the bath and pouring us lemonade. Justin and I played ball while she was in the tub. It was nice. Dad came home and it was pouring again. The kids played Leapster while we made dinner. After dinner dad and Justin played crazy 8’s and Nicole and I played Mr. Potato Head. Upstairs Nicole and I played dollhouse, us acting out Uncle Ian from the Chipmunks. Then dad and I switched. Justin and I played cars while dad and Nikki played doll house. We read books and by 8:15 it was quiet in our house. I like this trying to get them to bed on time or a little early. Justin fell asleep while I was visiting.

The kids got much needed sleep last night. I did get up to cover them. Nicole keeps kicking her covers off. I don’t want them to be cold. We just made it to preschool on time. I was working again. And of course I was blue mom again. So I got to play in the wet sand and swing all the kids. The kids are all starting to learn to pump. Justin shared the new remote control jeep daddy bought. Dad wanted to be able to race with Justin. Justin told all his friends to make a tunnel so he could drive the jeep through it. Nikki brought her Leapster. We had a good time at preschool. When we got home the kiddos weren’t very hungry for lunch. They played the chipmunks and made a mess in the play room. They also had to change their clothes. Nicole see’s the sun and thinks it is automatically warm. Justin didn’t like that he had a hole in his pre school pants. They finally ate lunch around 1:00ish. They did lots of Chippette/Chipmunks shows for me using the guitar. Nicole’s favorite song from the guitar is girls they want to have fun. They put on sunglasses and started reading the library books. We packed up and walked to Blue Gum Park. We made a lot of sand castles (AKA X-mas trees). So the kids pretended they were picking out the perfect tree. They also added sparkles to the trees. The kids swung for a while. Then they decided to climb up the slide instead of sliding down. So funny Justin was right behind Nikki and when she couldn’t hold on anymore she would laugh bump into Justin then they both were laughing so hard. It was a fun time at the park. It was cut short as it was getting cold fast. When we got home the kids drove around the remote control cars while I put laundry away. Then we all did puzzles. The kids decided the puzzle would make a good bed, so they went up and got comforters and pillows. They kept pretending to sleep while I made dinner. We raced cars around before dinner. We have to get a new car as the red one is so much slower than the blue one-I am always red and Justin is blue. After dinner the kids relaxed and watched a little TV. I left for my photography class. It was a great class. I am so excited to try out everything I learned.

Woke up to no children, very strange. We were woken up by dad’s cell phone in the middle of the night. Dad slept in this morning. It was weird coming downstairs and have no one around. I read the paper and played on the computer, a perfect Sunday morning. We talked about our finances a bit, we really never have anytime to sit down and talk. We went to the Spectrum and just walked around, went into a few stores. Then we picked up the kiddos. Nicole didn’t go to bed until 10:45, we will be paying for it today. The kids had a great time.  It was worth it to have a night to ourselves. When we got home Justin wanted to race the remote control cars with daddy. Nikki and I read lots of books. It looked as though the kids needed some resting time so we let them watch TV. They were a bit crabby after we shut off the TV. We made them take a bath but by themselves. Lately they have not wanted to take a bath but once in they are so happy. Justin took a bath first. I was ironing at the same time, so I finished with the distilled water. I can’t believe how much fun he had with the container. I think he stayed in the bath for almost an hour. Nicole and dad played doll house for a while then we switched. Nicole finally got in the bath. She had fun playing with the same container. And making up stories for Pooh, Tigger, and Piglet figurines, it was really cute. Playing doll house with her she pretends the kids are the chimpmunks and I play Uncle Ian. I feel like I didn’t get much Justin time tonight. After dinner we headed upstairs, trying to get the kids to bed at a decent time. Nicole and I played more doll house while dad and Justin played soccer in the hallway. Then we just read books. Justin fell asleep right away, I am thinking he may be catching a cold. Nicole is trying to unwind; she has called us up there twice already.

We woke up to no rain, woo hoo. Nice and sunny. We stayed home all morning. We played with the kiddos. We got all the wind up toys out. Justin was chasing after the space shuttle one. Nicole’s favorite was the smiley face one.  Dad played Memory with the kids. Then we taught the kids how to play Uno. Justin really liked it and said it was a fun game. Nicole and I played with puppy in the pocket stuff.  We got out the Valentine’s decorations and the kids did some Valentine crafts. Justin made a foam house and Nicole made a wreath. They came out really cute:

Dad hung up the magnetic dart board in Justin’s room, so we played with that for a bit. Dad and Justin bought stuff from Nicole and then the kiddos played marbles. The kids talked to grandma/pa on the phone and invited themselves over. So we packed the kids up as they wanted to stay the night. Kind of sad but at the same time it is nice to have a little break since the rainy weather kept us inside. I miss them so much. On the way to grandma/pa Nicole said we can get some work done and talk on the phone without being bothered. Justin was so talky on the way to grandma/pa. It is so cute when he goes on and on. On the way we stopped at the toy store. The kids had fun looking around and playing with trains. Dad got himself a remote control car so he could race with Justin. Justin was so excited about it. Nicole was kind of sad she didn’t get anything but then I explained to her we can play doll house while dad and Justin race cars. That made her really happy. The kids were excited to get to grandma/pas. Dad raced cars with Justin and Nicole was busy doing shows. She was so sad she forgot glasses but grandma had a pair for her. So hard to say goodbye to the kiddos for me. They are so dam cute! Bret and I got to spend some time together at home-it was really nice. We got some food to go and ate it on the couch in front of the TV. I can’t remember the last time we did that. We also ran to Yogurtland. So easy to hop in the car for a fast trip when there are no kids in tow. I am so mixed as I love being with hubby but I didn’t get to tuck my kiddos into bed. Bret and I are just going to watch a movie then head to bed.

More rain….Nicole woke up early but Justin slept in for a bit. I almost had to wake him up. He came down and yelled Boo, trying to scare us. Off to preschool. The kids picked blue mom for me. So I made a track out of blocks, then we put together a zoo with little people watching, and we did a Bingo and opposite game. The kids are learning about opposites now. The kids were a little wild at school being stuck inside. Justin shared Dinoco and Nicole shared her purple sun glasses. After school we headed to the library. We picked lots of books and a Curious George DVD. We didn’t eat lunch until late and the kids wanted breakfast. So I made eggs and toast, they loved it. We then headed to a friend’s house from pre school to play. Justin was kind of shy. He hung on me a lot. Just as I was ready to leave he played really well. The girls were doing fashion shows. Nicole dressed up as Handy Manny, Tinkerbell, and Ariel…it was so cute. Justin did introduce all the girls coming down the stairs. The kids have been fighting a lot today. Maybe they are just tired. We came home and watched George a bit. We decided to go out for dinner. It was nice not to have to cook. When we got home Nikki and dad read books (she is loving being with her daddy tonight). Justin and I lined up his cars by color, he definitely has a particular way he likes them. Then we all read books and off to bed. They both seem pretty tired.

More rain, ugh. We are tired of being indoors. We played at home a bit. The kids played Leapsters and we read our library books. We decided to get out and met some friends at Partyopolis, the bounce house place. The kids had a great time bouncing and getting some energy out. I had fun jumping a bit with the kids too. The kids slid down the stairs to the slide and loved it. We came home and made lunch. We just missed the down pour. After lunch Nicole did dress up and shows. Justin was busy lining cars up on the couch. The kids played for a bit. Nicole dressed up as a cheerleader. There was a break in the rain so we took advantage and got out. We did a return then went to the craft store. The kids were crazy. I thought bouncing would have tired them out but I think the opposite happened. The kids were into everything in the craft store. We also ran to Whole Foods while we were over there. Again crazy silly kids. They used little carts but kept on pushing them into each other and running around. We got home and it was straight to the bath. Justin went first. They don’t want to take a bath together anymore 🙁 There was an empty pump soap container that became the best toy ever. Nicole got in, so they were together for a short bit. They did crayons as well. After bath we had dinner. Justin put on his dog costume from the Christmas before last, so adorable. He is even more cuddly in it. Of course Nicole wanted to wear it too. After dinner Nicole put in, so cute and cuddly. Keeps them nice and warm in this cold weather. They also watched part of the Alvin and the Chipmunks movie and I was off to a meeting at pre school.