Melissa’s Blog

Well I didn’t blog yesterday as I wasn’t feeling well yesterday. Just an annoying cold and pms. Anyway yesterday I took the 3 day classes preschool pictures. That class is very difficult and frustrating. Grandpa came to pick up Justin. They went to the auto show in Anaheim together. Very cute. I wanted to have some special Nikki time but I had to work at pre school. So we went to school together. So strange to be at school without Justin. Nicole seemed pretty good without Justin. She played. I was really happy to see after school outside she played with some friends. We came home and I wasn’t feeling great. But we had girly time. We played doll house, dogs, and polly pockets. Luckily for some of it I was able to lie on the floor with my head on the pillow. Grandpa took Justin to visit Grandma so they didn’t come home until later. I got to talk to Justin on the phone which was kind of fun since I never get to. Dad got burritos for him and Nikki. So glad he has a burrito buddy. Justin had a great time. He liked the corvettes, porsches, and green cars. I am glad he had that special time but I sure missed him.

Which brings us to today, Saturday. Dad took my car to get an oil change. He likes to do that and goes to some organic coffee shop. I read the kids books and played a bit. Nicole put on her Violet The Incredibles costume. Justin played upstairs for a bit. I tried to clean up around here a bit. When dad got home, we ran some errands. We went to Lowes so the kiddos could build some magic mirror thing. It wasn’t that cool but that wasn’t really the point, building it was the fun part. We ran to Home Depot to. We got the kiddos pumpkins. We got big ones and baby ones. We grabbed some lunch then ran over to the fire dep’t. The fire authority was having an open house. It was great. They set a car on fire and another fire we watched them put out. They showed us how they work the ladder to save kids on the 4th story of a building. Plus did a safety evacuation program for the kids. We got to ride on an old fire engine. It was a really cool event. I am really glad we went. When we came home. I napped and the kiddos watched TV. Dad also napped a bit. We played in the backyard for a while. So nice to be out there; it feels like we hadn’t been out there in a while. We picked the last of the watermelons. Dad and Justin managed to use a hax saw to open them up. Justin just smiled. I did some gardening while the kids painted the play house with water. Nicole pretended she was Curious George and picked bananas (which were actually kitchen towels) out of the peach tree. After dinner the kids played basketball with daddy. Nikki was getting a bit cranky. So I grabbed Justin and we put up the light up spider web in the living room window. I was glad when Nikki joined in. Justin just smiled when we lit it up, it was so cute. Dad had to do some work this evening. I gave the kiddos a bath. Justin stayed in the bath for the longest time. He was just having a great time. We only had time to read a few books then it was off to bed. Just as we were saying good night we heard fire works. Justin was a little scared so I shut his window.

Well I am coming down with a little cold and sore throat, ugh. I don’t have time to be sick. This morning I took it easy this morning. I gave the kiddos a shower/bath this morning. Then I rested while they played. They played tea party in the bathroom. That included getting water everywhere in the bathroom. But it was ok as I got some needed rest in Justin’s bed. Dad worked from home today. Then the kids and I were off to pre school. I took the kiddos to school a little early. I wanted to take their pics in the wagon. I also took their class pics. I need to still edit the pics. I took their entire class pics. Then I went to go get a smoothie. So funny as Bret was at the center having lunch. I was shocked to run into him there, so funny. I came home and rested for an hour then picked up the kiddos. We headed over to soccer for Nikki to find out it was canceled as the field was still wet from all the rain. We came home and the kids watched TV. I cleaned up and got ready for Bunco. Dad and I tried to make drinks for Bunco. We tried to make Apple martini’s and Watermelon martini’s. They were coming out awful and I think we got a little drunk trying to make them. I had a great time playing Bunco with the girls. But I wish I was feeling better. The kids were so excited to have people here. They had so many sweets. They helped set up. I was shocked to see that Nicole was still up at 10:00 just as the last people were leaving. Nicole was so proud of herself. It was so cute but I hope she is not cranky tomorrow.

We were off this morning to pre school. The kids hung out with the 2 day class while I took class pics. It was so fun to take pics. Some were very challenging though. It is a lot of work but I am loving looking through the pics. I have a lot of editing to do, just enhancing the color a bit. After I was done with pics the kids and I went to Costco. We had lunch there. We picked up the kids invitations and did some shopping. I feel like I haven’t bought food in a while. It was rainy and dreary but I was glad it didn’t rain for pics. The kids played outside in the rain for a bit. They put on their boots and jackets and hung out outside for a bit. The kids watched some TV while I went through pics. Justin’s soccer was canceled due to rain. It was kind of nice as we just stayed at home. The kids and I played. Then we all cleaned up, the house was a mess. As a reward I got out the Halloween tree. The kids were thrilled. They put the pumpkins on. Dad came home with his trombone. Of course the kids wanted to try it. I finally saw my husband play trombone. After dinner they were drawing maps for Santa to our house….and maps of our city, etc. They were so silly playing together tonight. They brought all their bedding/pillows/stuffed animals down near the Halloween tree. What a mess but they were laughing and having fun. Upstairs they were playing cars. I put away laundry then we read books. Kiddos are sound asleep, now to relax and edit some pics.

Just an uneventful dreary day. It was drizzly and cold all day. This morning we just played at home. I tried to start making my lists, etc for the kids party. I gave the kiddos a bubble bath. Then it was time to eat lunch, finish their leaf, and head to pre school. They had to put a family picture on a leaf and decorate it for the school’s family tree. The kids wanted me to pick out library books so I headed there after dropping them off. Then I ran some errands and tried to come home for a bit. I dragged them on another errand. But since it was for their party they were all for it. We read a ton of library books then dad came home. He finally got his new trombone in the mail. He still needs to get a mouth piece but the kids were so excited to check it out. After books I promised the kiddos we could get the Halloween decorations out. They went nuts and had a great time. They were plugging in everything, opening everything. Love seeing the excitement. I still don’t know where to put everything. We ran out to get a quick bite to eat. When we got home we went upstairs. The kids played trains upstairs then we just read books. Both went to sleep pretty easily.

Got to love October. The kids were so excited to be wearing their He’s/She’s Driving Me Batty shirts. They got lots of attention today with those on. We decided to go apple picking in Oak Glen. I am so glad we went as we had a great time. The kids were so excited to pick the apples. Both had their own bag and could reach a lot of the apples. At one point dad had Nikki standing on his shoulders to get the good apples but we were told we couldn’t do that. We ended up at a little mom and pop orchard rather than the big one we normally go too. The weather was perfect and the little orchard was enough apple picking for us. They had a miniature horse which the kids got to pet. We even made our own cider. We decided to go into the town village. After spending a long time searching for a parking spot, we did more waiting in line for a table to eat lunch. It was pretty crowded. The village was really cute. So much to do pony rides, little zoo, old western show, train rides, etc. We let the kids pick one thing to do. Both kids ended up doing the train together. I loved the adventure we had today but it is definitely a tourist trap. Selling lots of things and everything is pretty expensive. But I hope this day is a day we all will never forget.

We were getting worried about traffic on the way home. We definitely stayed in Oak Glen longer than we expected. Luckily no traffic on the way home. Justin was pretty hyper and so talky talky. We were laughing. He decided to start talking to his feet with socks then Nicole started in as well. Silliest kids ever. We stopped at Target on the way home. Trying to get invitations for the kid’s birthday party. When we got home dad took the kids out to the greenbelt to play soccer. I did some things around the house. Upstairs the kids brushed my hair, flossed my teeth, and brushed my teeth. My hair was brushed hard and my teeth were flossed hard but they had fun! I rarely let them brush my hair. We read a ton of books and the kids went right to sleep.

We couldn’t decide what to do this morning. Then it started raining/drizzling. The kids were so excited. Both of them ended up in the backyard in their underwear playing. We decided to go to the Global Village, Irvine. We got there and the line for the shuttle was so long. We almost decided not to go but Justin wanted to go. And Justin was right we had a great time. It was really hot and humid-besides the weather we had a great time. The kids did these bumper things, so funny.

There were lots of bounce house and obstacle bounce houses. Nikki tried rock climbing but only got half way up on her own. She was disappointed but we were still proud of her. Her determination is incredible. Nikki wanted a balloon animal. I waited in line forever. Luckily there were things nearby for the kiddos to do while I stood in line. It took forever but the kiddos got some really cute duck hats. We all shared an ice cream and headed out. Here are just a few more pics:

Dad and I were beat from the sun. The kids can keep going and going. We played in the play room for a while. The kids are really enjoying playing with all the pretend people like, fireman, army men, etc. They also watched some TV. I folded laundry then headed outside to garden. I needed to cut some bushes back. Justin helped me for a little bit but then just wanted to drive his little car. Nikki then took over helping. She loves to be so helpful. Grandma/pa called wanting to take the kiddos to dinner. I was hoping to get out with my hubby but Nikki didn’t want to go without me. So amazingly sweet but I miss my husband too. She said she was having to much fun with me and didn’t want to leave me. I ran up to get her a stuffed animal thinking that would help but when I came back she was in tears. I couldn’t stand that she was crying so I went with them all. We had a nice time. The kids cuddled in the back of the car on the way home.

Nicole woke up early this morning; I was definitely hoping she would sleep in. Sometime during the night she had a little bloody nose, poor little thing. I guess it didn’t bother her in the night as she didn’t wake me up. She wanted mommy alone time but there wasn’t too much time. We played in her bed this morning for a bit then we took a shower together. She dumped freezing cold water on my belly. I wanted her to wash her hair again so she could keep her french braid in for a while. Justin always says Boo when he comes down to try and scare us. Of course he wanted to play Wii this morning but I wanted to get going. After breakfast we headed out to get the kiddos hair cut. Justin is as handsome as ever and Nicole is as beautiful as ever. Then we went to Heritage Park with camera in hand. I wanted to take some practice shots before I take class pictures next week. It was so much fun and the kiddos were troopers. I am sure they are tired of smiling for me. They were able to play a little. I am all set for the individual pics but a little nervous for the group shot. That park has lots of interferences in the background, benches, trash cans, lights, etc. It was so hot in the park so we didn’t stay too long. We came home and the kids watched TV a little so I could get lunch ready and ready for Disney. We had a little trouble getting out of the house. Justin had a poop accident. Poor little guy, it wasn’t his fault-just soft yucky poop. So I put him in the shower and then he didn’t want to get out. Disney was a blast! As we were getting there the celebrate parade was going to start, so we watched that. Nikki went out and did the twist and the conga line. Justin didn’t want to and that was ok too-he hung out with me. Then we headed for Pooh. Nikki always misses out on her Pooh ride. Luckily there were no lines and we got to ride it twice. On our way to the Autopia, the kids spotted thunder mountain and decided they wanted to go on it. Nikki and I were a little nervous but Justin was just ready to go on. Both loved it. Of course they wanted to do it again but I needed an easier ride. We did small world and toon town. The kids just have a great time in toon town. We met friends there and the kids had a great time with each other. We all went on the roller coaster in toon town. Actually I watched while the kiddos went on it. Then the kiddos just played at Chip and Dales tree house, the fire house, etc. Disney closed early for the Halloween event so we headed over to CA Adventure. We had dinner then went on the Monsters Inc ride. Of course it took a lot of convincing to get N&J on it, but both ended up loving it and wanted to go again. We ended up going to a play area that I knew existed but we never have made it over there. It was great, slides, tunnels, running around across bridges, etc. Luckily it closed at 8:30 so we could finally head home. These are the days that are great, kids playing hooky from school and us just having a great time.

Lots of pics to add:

These are from Disney/CA Adventure: