Monday, May 27, 2013

May 19th-27th

(5/19) Took today off to work up at Nanan's and the kids went to Kathy's like usual.  I got to be here for breakfast, which I don't normally get to on Tuesdays, so that was fun.  Picked them up from Kathy's at normal time, got them home, cooked dinner and we had some play time before bed.


(5/21) We bummed around this morning and I did exciting things like wash diapers and tidy up.  Mom came here today since it was my day to work in C's class.  She arrived right at the point that I managed to make all three boys cry at the same time.  I had left the room, which made D cry.  J cried in support of D, and C was highly frustrated that his shoes wouldn't tie, and that I wouldn't drop what I was doing and help him tie them right that very second. Go me! I had an appointment after school, but I had just enough time to get dinner on and ready before I left to make it easier for Nanan.  I returned after dinner and had a nice evening with the kids.


(5/22) I took today off to go up and work at Nanan's again.  We're going camping this weekend, so I won't be available. Got to see the boys for breakfast today and returned in time to put them to bed.


(5/24) Scored a bonus day home from work.  I got up early to catch a walk with Sarah and then came home to sleepy boys that had just gotten out of bed.  Well, the bigger two, anyway.  J was up and raring to go since before I left.  I gave J some breakfast and when I went to get him down/clean him up, he said, "More food!" - this was AFTER 2 pieces of toast, some Cheerios, and an entire banana.  I asked him where the heck it was all gonna go and he pointed to his belly.  Scary smart that kid is.  D was down for the count until 10a.  He likes his sleep.  Due to the Skagit Bridge collapse, our route to camping was blocked.  We could take a ferry to go around, but that's really expensive with a trailer, so Dad left with C to go find somewhere for us and we'll join him in the am.  Sarah's youngest, Jamie, is hanging with us this evening while they go to the game.  Should be interesting getting all 3 of the boys to go to sleep.


(5/25) The littles were quite tired after their late night last night, but we were up, packed and headed out to join Dad & C at Beckler River by 9:15a.  We stopped to grab ice and some dry firewood on the way, and ended up stopped in traffic trying to head out of Monroe due to a vehicle vs deer crash.  We inched along for a while, and once we broke free, it was smooth sailing the rest of the way to the campsite. We arrived shortly after 11a and we broke out some lunch and let the boys play. There was a huge stump that we determined was the outdoor playpen for J & C.  D hasn't figured out stepping down without something to hold onto, so effectively got stuck on the tent pad every time he climbed up on it.  After lunch, the twins took a short nap--under protest--and then we set about getting dinner ready.  Pasta with veggies and apple chicken sausage was on the menu. Yummo!  I shared mine with J and he kept handing me back all the veggies. Stinker.  The twinsies and I spent some time inside the camper as it started to drizzle.  The twins took out the cups and plates and had a great time rearranging the kitchen.  Bedtime rolled around and I put two tired campers to bed.  It took several lay-downs, but finally they went down and we didn't hear a peep out of them all night.


Unfortunately, the wood that I brought up was wet, but I managed to get a tiny fire going for s'mores.  Those are important, dontchaknow.  C had his s'mores and then it was his bedtime.  We turned in early too, opting to read inside where the bugs weren't so fierce.


(5/26) 7a and they're up.  Dad laid them back down until 8a until it was clear that they were up for the day.  We had a tasty breakfast of blueberry pancakes and J discovered hot apple cider.  He drained his cup and went after D's.  We took another trip to the river and then bummed around camp for a while.  It started to sprinkle so we took a drive continuing East and went over the pass.  We stopped to visit the X294 Caboose on the Iron Goat trail and "hiked" up to the snow shed.  It was a half mile walk round trip, and the twins managed most of the way.  Pretty amazing for such little legs!  We had lunch at the caboose and headed back.  Both the boys were sawing logs soon after, but when we stopped a short while later to let C out use the potty, D woke up and stayed awake for the rest of the trip back.  Poor kid didn't get much of a nap at all, so he was very cuddly all afternoon. After our trip, there was more playing outside / more kitchen rearranging.  We opted for dinner inside due to some on & off drizzle.  The twins did a pretty good job at the table for dinner.  Chicken with rice and broccoli, though they kept handing me their broccoli.  Mom must have fed them too many crackers at snack since they weren't all that hungry.  They did manage to find room for watermelon though.  We decided against sugaring up the twins with s'mores before bedtime and put them down.  It took over an hour for them to finally settle in and sleep.  D was over tired and J was full of beans.  They were up multiple times during the night and we alternated laying them back down / turning the music on, etc.  The playpen is a tight fit for the two of them.  We'll be lucky if it lasts this season of camping.


(5/27) J was up and at 'em bright and early this morning.  He woke promptly at 7a. Dad laid them back down, but they were only quiet until 7:30a.  We had breakfast of oatmeal, bananas and some Cheerios.  We took a quick trip to the river, and then broke camp.  On the road by 9:30a.  That's efficiency for ya!  Kids are now home and in the bath, all before noon.


Monday, May 20, 2013

May 14th-20th


(5/14) Work day for Dad & me, and Kathy had the kids.  We had spaghetti for dinner tonight.  I may need to invest in a fire hose for clean-up.


(5/15) Nice day today.  Got to park with the kids before C had school, and then found out I wasn't watching Kathy's kiddo during school, so the twins and I scored a nap.  I woke up to rattling/thundering upstairs.  J raises a racket by shaking his whole crib. After school, we had some sand box time and then it was wind-down and bedtime.


(5/16)  I took today off to go work up at Mom's. It was on/off drizzly out, so I bailed on a long morning run and slept in until I needed to leave. Heaven!  I worked up there until evening and got home after 6p.  I didn't get much time to be with the munchkins, but at least got to put them to bed and read all the boys stories.
Oooh, sand!
Sand does not taste good.
(5/17)  Work day for Dad & me.  Dad starts work late on Friday, so we get to have lunch together.  I love that!  I picked up pizza for dinner. The boys like to share.


(5/18) They should make a hair color named J, with lots and lots of gray coverage.  Little boy has stolen my coffee not just once, but twice and managed to get a swig full both times.  And then he found an unattended coffee cup (thankfully empty), and a water cup (not empty) and promptly decorated himself.  This was post-attempted bath, mind you.  Because that ended after two minutes when said child determined that I'd be cleaning the bathtub instead of washing children. AND, the most awesome thing is I dropped my phone in the tub while trying to fish out the children.  I really need to stop carrying it in my pocket, since this is now the third time it has leaped from my pocket to watery doom.


(5/19) Today I'm headed up to Nanan's to work.  We're working until STAR TREK!  I am very excited!  Date night with Dad - woo!


(5/20) Back to work with me today.  It's going to be a weird week.  I have Tues-Thurs off and will be working Mon & Fri.  Fun!




Monday, May 13, 2013

Nineteen Months

Photo credits Lilja Photography
(5/7) Work day for Dad & me, and Kathy had the kids.  J pitched a royal fit this evening.  He climbed up into one of the high chairs, and I went to move him to the other one.  He fell apart, screamed and cried, and flung himself on the floor.  I ignored this and kept offering to pick him up and put him in a seat, but he continued to scream.  I think someone was a little tired.  He eventually let me put him in a chair when I started to give his food to D...  Such a mean mom I am.


(5/8) Pediatrician visit today for their 18m check-up.  No shots today, since they had run out.  Oh darn.  Stats ~ J: 25lbs (50%); 32.5" (55%): HC 49cm (78%); D: 25lbs 6oz (50%); 32.25" (50%); HC 48.5cm (75%).

Nanan came to watch the kiddos while I worked in C's classroom.  I bribed her with Starbucks to watch them a tiny bit longer while I went out for coffee.  She brought the twins some more shorts and a musical toy that they love.

We had to run out and pick up a Rx at the pharmacy after dinner, so stopped by the park on the way home. The boys had a great time playing, even though another little boy there was convinced the twins were going to steal his cars, when the twins could have cared less.  Then home for bedtime to top off another busy day.


(5/9) Dad had the boys today until I got home from work and then he went out with the guys to watch hockey.  Hockey was, of course, on in this house as well too. D & J watch this and cheer for themselves. "D!"  "J!"


(5/10) Work day for Dad & me, and Kathy had the kiddos.  She discovered that J is quite good at stacking blocks, but gets *very* frustrated when they fall over.  See first video at the bottom.


(5/11) Nineteen months today.  I left early to run this morning, and Grandma & Granddad came to watch the kiddos when Dad left for work.  They took them to the park before C's swim class and everybody had a great time.  I got home at lunchtime, made everyone PBJs and put the littles down for a nap. J worked on blocks all afternoon, and D would go over and knock down his towers.  Made me laugh, especially since J is usually stealing stuff from D.


(5/12) Happy Mother's Day! Dad & C sneaked out for donuts from Frost this morning. I didn't hear a thing, which is surprising in this creaky house!  They let me sleep in and we had donuts together before the littles woke up. C & Dad both gave me nice cards, and I opened C's present from school - a magnet with his face painted on it.  So cute!

Dad gave the twins a donut to split, when they woke, and D was literally vibrating in his high chair.  I made them some eggs too, to help cut the sugar, but it was pretty funny to watch.  Dad went out for groceries while the twins worked off their sugar high and brought back fixings for really good grilled cheese sammiches.  The twins (and the parents) had a nap and then Dad went to pick up some wine from a couple LivingSocial deals we've had forever.  Dinner has been cooking all day and smells delicious.  It's been a lovely day ~ so grateful to have such a wonderful family!

Got to talk to the mothers (and fathers) in my life today - love them all!  Granddad & Grandma stopped by with some herbs for the garden and a quick squeeze of the kiddos before they were off again to finish their remodel.  So nice of them!  And I will try not to brown-thumb them again this year.


(5/13)  Off to work for me & the boys are with their dad.



Monday, May 6, 2013

April 30th-May 6th


(4/30) Work day for Dad & me, and Kathy had the boys. I was lazy and picked up dinner on the way home (mmm, taco pizza!) and it was ready shortly after we got home. I am such a good cook.  Tuesdays are over in a flash sadly.  By the time I get us home, it's 6p and the boys go to bed at 7p, so it's a lot to cram in.


(5/1)  Beautiful day today! We hit the park this morning before C got picked up to go to school.   It was Kathy's turn to volunteer in the big boys' class today, and as soon as the twins saw her, J immediately signed 'eat' & 'more.'  Dear children, I *do* feed you, stop begging for more food!  Kathy's kiddo went down for a nap at the same time as the twins, so I scored a few peaceful hours and got to sit quietly and read my book (er, Dad's book).  C got to go play at another friend's house in the afternoon, so it was just the littles and me until dinner.  It was such a nice day to hang with them! They are seriously too darn smart though.  They took the wheel part off their pinwheels today and used the sticks to fling things off the counter.  


(5/2)  The boys were with their dad today, and Mama had book club.  I came home from work, grabbed a bite to eat and was home long enough to put them to bed. Sigh.


(5/3) The boys were home with Dad in the morning and then got to go to Sarah's.  D still has a tough time with 'newish' people, but he eventually calmed down and settled in to play.  D is now saying "Nay-nee," which is what Sarah's kiddo, Jamie, calls himself.  Jamie mostly calls both twins D-d, but is working on distinguishing the two. J was not amused when I went to get him for dinner and I had to haul him away from Sarah's playroom sideways. I can already tell we are going to have another that struggles with transitions, since J falls to the floor in a tantrum when it's time to leave (see picture above of him lying on the bark after a 30 minutes of swinging.. I guess he still wasn't done.)  At least they're still small enough that right now this just makes me laugh.


(5/4) Slept in until 7:30a this morning and then got the boys up.  I made everybody breakfast and we played while Dad ran out to grocery shop. I did many loads of laundry and tried to get packed for a night away while the hellions ran around and got into trouble upstairs.  We went to C's swim lesson and had lunch while we were there, and then met Grandma back at the house when we returned.  They went down for naps and I headed out to visit scenic Tacoma for the marathon the following day.  When the boys woke up, Grandma took them to the park, where they met a cuuuuute little girl (I'm in trouble with these lady killers!) and played and played and played. Grandma said it was a bit like herding cats at the park. LOL, yes!  Perfect description!   Home to dinner and a bath, and then it was bedtime.  Looks like they had a very fun time!


(5/5) I got home around 3p from my marathon weekend, and Dad brought us taco pizza (and margaritas for later, as it is Cinco de Mayo!).  I played a mean trick on D and asked him where his belly was, and his usual response is to lift his shirt for a tickle, only he was in a onesie.  Very frustrating for D. Sorry, buddy!  He is getting better at signing 'all done,' I noticed tonight. Cool!  Dad brought us strawberry shortcake for dessert, and no sooner did J pop a strawberry in his mouth, and he was reaching for D's.  Nice try!  I gave them both some whip cream and I think J would have licked the tray if he could have reached it.


(5/6) Monday again?  Yawn.  I'm at work and the boys are with their dad.