Daddy's Favorite Number

St. Patrick's Day

Happy Friday!

Not a whole lot of new things this week. Her's 2 things that stand out in my mind...

K was pretty excited on Wednesday. I got home from work & we decided to read a her school library book before heading off to soccer practice. She brought the book to me & hid her school photos underneath it. I asked daddy if he had seen them & he said no, she didn't even mention it. I guess she was holding off until I got home. It was very sweet & a little sneaky, but we all got a kick out of it. I was very happy to see the photo, it turned out great. It was taken right after she lost her first tooth - so there's a little gap in her bottom teeth, but she's smiling!

This morning, Bubs finally slept in - well, for him - until 6:15. The rest of this week he was averaging 5:30!! When he came into my room (I was already up getting ready) to my surprise - he was dressed & ready to go! I gave him huge hugs & said what a nice surprise. I didn't have to ask or remind him to go get changed. - THANK YOU.

FYI - Bubs is still on the same breakfast routine, waiting until everything is set before he digs in. But then this is the only meal he does that for, because his breakfast is pretty much the same from day to day. Then, after breakfast this morning Bubs says "You are proud of me, right mommy? I got dressed all by myself this morning." Of course I am! Hope he does it every day!

Daily Breakfast Routine

Now that we are in a weekday morning routine, I’ve noticed that Bubs is very specific in what he likes in the morning. And how he likes it given to him. He’s quite an eater in the morning. Once he wakes up, the first thing that he wants to do is eat. He sits at his seat at the table and rolls off what he wants to eat. Its almost always the same thing every day. I want…”Granola Bar, cereal with milk, and gogurt.” Now, because of grandpa, we also have Entemann’s Donuts, so he also wants a donut. I start pulling out his food. There’s the cereal with milk and gogurt. I get distracted & do something else, but he just sits there. I tell him he can start eating & he’ll say “I’m waiting for the granola bar & donut. So I give him the granola bar and he still sits. I notice that he won’t start until everything is laid down in front of him. So finally, I give him ½ a donut & he starts to dig into his cereal. Silly routine, but its his routine. I’ve learned to wait until everything is out before I put milk in his cereal. Nobody really likes mushy wet cereal do they??? Believe it or not, Bubs eats everything. And he even asks for a piece of toast on the way to school. He’s not even a teenager yet & he has quite an appetite! At least I don’t have to worry about him getting his most important meal of the day.

I just have to work on K eating a better breakfast on a regular basis.

Religious Education Classes

Last night K went to her first Religious Ed class up at our church. Its going to be once a week for 27 weeks. I was a little apprehensive about putting her through another afterschool activity for her already seemingly busy week. But this is the most important activity. Days before the class we talked about how she's going to learn about why we go to church, some new prayers and songs, do activities, & meet new friends. She met her teacher & the other students last night and I left her for her 1 1/2 hour class. We found out that she already knows 3 of the kids out of 10 in her class. 2 live down the street from us. Yesterday she learned about "Forgiveness."

This morning she woke up & out of the blue told daddy, "I wish I could go back to church everyday."

The words we really wanted to hear! Glad she enjoyed it.

Missing Daddy

Sunday morning, Bubs crawled into bed with me, too early for a Sunday! 6:30 am. Somehow I managed to lay in bed & rest until 6:50 when he just couldn't take it anymore. He was hungry & he wanted to watch TV. I said we had to get up & get ready to go to the A's game.

He asked if daddy was coming home.
I said no, sorry, Daddy's in Cleveland.
He then asked if he was going to go to the A's game.
I'm sorry Bubs, he's far away, he can't go to the A's game. He's going to the Steeler football game.
Oh, then who is goin' to cook our food?

:)

Daddy always grills when we tailgate. I said that Uncle S & Grandpa could cook his hot dog. Would that be OK?

And he smiled.

Chocolate Milk

Weekends usually mean the kids might get a treat of chocolate milk with breakfast. Sometimes when we pick up a kids meal from a fast food place, we pick the chocolate milk as a drink option. Then I usually 1/2 & 1/2 it with regular milk, because its so strong. On Saturday morning, Bubs knew there were 2 bottles in the fridge from earlier in the week. I said sure, he could have the chocolate milk. But for some reason I looked all over the fridge for it could not find it. I ended up calling daddy (who just left that morning to Cleveland for the weekend) to find out where it went. Well, uh, he took them this morning for he & his friend to take before their flight. I put Bubs on the phone & he said "I'm mad at you daddy." He was upset that his milk was gone! But mommy saved the day - luckily we had some Hershey's syrup in the fridge!

We will never forget...

No more TV before school.

One day after school started, K came home & told me that she shouldn't watch TV in the morning before school. Mrs. Brown said so. That she needs to get her mind ready for school & that she should read to warm her mind up.

Thank you Mrs. Brown!

At Back to School Night the teacher told us that the first day, she asked the kids how many of them watched TV in the morning before school. Over 1/2 the class happily raised their hands up high. Good, I was not alone! I've always hated having the TV on, but with a 4 year old who wakes up on his own before 6am, I was not sure what to do with him, while I was still getting ready. I always thought that was the easiest solution. But, as of last Friday, things have changed in our household. I told both of them no TV before school starting Monday.

So, the night before - I lay their clothes out in their room. When they wake up, thats the first thing they do - get dressed. Then they sit at the table & eat their breakfast while I turn on the Ipod to the K&Bubs playlist. When Bubs asks "What do I do now mommy?" I ask him if he has his hat & book for school. Please brush your teeth. If then there is still extra time - find something to do. I've praised them everyday for getting ready & out the door without any hassles. With extra time - I've found them dancing to the music, putting a puzzle together, & today Bubs colored a picture for his teachers at school. There haven't been any struggles. They have been getting a better more fullfilling breakfast. We've been early to get out the door every day. And we are all pretty much in a good mood!

I told K that I really like our mornings & thank you - its easier to get out of the house. She said "Yeah, because you don't have to do much anymore." That's RIGHT! She's a big kid now (a FIRST GRADER) and she should be doing these things herself. Bubs too!

Thank you again Mrs. Brown.

The Tooth Fairy Comes

After hanging on by a thread all day Saturday...Twisting it out & around & making me squirm - the tooth finally broke free while K ate a bagel w/ cream cheese for lunch on Sunday. Nonchalantly she said "Mom, my tooth came out." What, are you serious? Lets take a look. And sure enough I grabbed the camera & took a couple photos. Wouldn't you know. This was just after her soccer photos, but before her school photos Friday. She has the beginning of a new look. She was excited to be the first one in her 1st grade class to get added to the chart of lost teeth during the school year. She had me write a tooth to the tooth fairy & then she signed it & drew the cutest picture of a "Tooth Fairy."

And the tooth fairy was nice to her that night. One gold & one silver dollar coin & one bigger 1/2 dollar. The clanking of them all together was like magic to her! The tooth fairly also left her a note that said "Dear K, Congratulations on losing your first tooth! It looks like you have taken real good care of your teeth. Keep up the good work. Sweet dreams. Love, The Tooth Fairy." She was so excited she took the note to school to show some of her friends. One of her comments was "I didn't know if the tooth fairy was really real, but now I know it is!"

Of course today, Bubs asked me about fairy's and if they were all big or small & if they only came if he lost teeth. He says he's all ready to be grown up. I sense a little jealousy that he wants a surprise of coins under his pillow!

It hits again...

So, just when I thought all was well - Bubs came down with the stomach flu on Wed night. He also had a recurrence days later on Saturday. We thought he was well so we took the kids to their first soccer games. K at 10:30 - she won 3-1 and her ball into the net was just foot away from scoring another goal. Bubs game was at 1:30 and it was HOT - 97 degrees. His team was winning 5-0 when they stopped the game because of the heat. We came home & then he threw up. I tend to think that it was partly because of heat exhaustion.

Unfortunately that incident kept him home the remainder of the weekend to get well. He was so sad because that meant he had to miss Grandpa's birthday celebration. Both kids had been counting down the days until they could go to Grandma & Grandpa's house. See their cousins & play in the sprinklers. I just wouldn't wish this stomach flu on anyone. It seems to spread like the wildfires in California!

Except for P & I complaining about upset stomachs off & on all week, I think we have had the worst of it come & go. I am scared to find out what the rest of the year has in store for us. I pray that this is it!

Attack of the stomach flu!

K was unfortunately hit by the stomach flu Friday. I really thought I was passed the yucky throw up stage, but when it hits without notice, things get messy. K was woken up by the vicious flu at 1am Friday night. That kept me up most of the night, cleaning, doing laundry & waiting for it to attack again. And a couple times that night it did. She was able to recover & relax all day Saturday. When we thought all was better, it had been over 24 hours since the last attack, we went to the A's game on Sunday.

It was a fun day - backpack giveaway - so we got there early. We went all the way down to the first row & watched batting practice up close. The kids also got an autograph from Gio Gonzales. It was just the 4 of us and it turned out to be a relaxing day at the ballpark. Until the 3rd inning when the unfortunate flu hit again - all down the front of her A's white cheerleader dress. K apologized over & over again "I'm sooo sorry, I didn't know that was going to happen." I felt so bad for her, she was more upset than all of us. That was the end of the game for us & we headed home to rest another day.

Luckily, Labor day was Monday & the kids & I spent the day resting some more. (Daddy unfortunately had to work) She lived off a diet of toast & water, but really didn't each much. Tuesday morning she woke up & said her stomach hurt. I laid my head on it to listen & have never heard such grumbling! Her stomach was really doing a number on her. I was so afraid to send her to school & called Kaiser to talk to a nurse. They convinced me to come in - I guess to check to see if there was any dehydration. I did find out that the Dr. had seen 3 children earlier that morning with the stomach flu. No kissing on the lips for K! No sharing cups, food, etc. Let cross our fingers and pray that we successfully averted the rest of the family from getting this nasty bug.

Unfortunately the 4 days at home was somewhat enjoyable for her. Rest, do nothing, and watch TV. Right before going to bed last night she said, "Mom, I don't want to go to school tomorrow." I'm sorry sweetie but you have to go, you are better now. Don't you miss your new teacher & new friends? Just think, only 3 more days of the week, then its the weekend & we get to celebrate Grandpa M's birthday! That convinced her. Luckily she woke up this morning & did not mention not wanting to go to school again. Her appetite is back (although we are still taking it very easy) and she's back at school. Happy Hump Day!

Another first...

K's bottom left middle tooth is loose! She had both daddy & I wiggle it & we confirmed. She's a little worried about losing her teeth, but also excited for it to finally happen. If anyone knows of any great books about losing teeth, let me know. I think we need a trip to the library! We might be singing "All I want for Xmas is my Two Front Teeth" this holiday season.

1st Day of First Grade

K was ready & excited this morning. She had set aside new clothes that she got for her birthday. We painted her nails last night to match the outfit. A little dark but she loved the new color – purple! She had a new (non-princess) pink camouflage backpack & matching lunch bag. Both kids went to bed early last night. 7:30! They were well rested this morning and even I got to sleep in a little. Felt great to have a nice relaxing morning where the kids got to sit and eat a little breakfast before we headed out the door. Its not that they don’t eat, they just take it with them to their school or before school program.

Bubs even had something to look forward to today. His longtime friend, our playgroup friends that we’ve known since both boys were born, was starting at his preschool today. He was so excited. Daddy & I are a little apprehensive though. This could mean trouble having them together. They are 2 boys with LOTS of energy. The teachers have been warned that they might need to sit on opposite sides of the classroom. I just hope I don’t get “that” call from them!!

Today, I dropped off Bubs first and then took K to her school. I felt like it was my first day too! I wasn’t sure where to go, but we both quickly found out. We went out back to the playground to find the classroom. That is where the kids drop off their backpacks in large bins, lunches in another bin, & school supplies in another bucket. And then they stand on their number and wait for the teacher to open the door & welcome them in. Of course, today we were early so K played with her friend Hannah who was sad to find out that K wasn’t in her class. Apparently she had talked to a number of kids that was in K’s class. I am pretty happy with who we got for her 1st grade teacher, so far I’ve heard a lot of good things about her. We found out that her teacher wasn’t there today, she unfortunately had to go out of town for a funeral. K will get to meet her on Wednesday. At 8:30 the door opened up & the sub invited all the kids into their new classroom. K always has such a smile on her face. The parents stayed for about 5 minutes & then I gave hugs & K wanted Eskimo (nose) kisses. Then the parents were off for coffee & muffins in the multi purpose room. This year I actually new 2 other moms there & we chatted for a few minutes before I headed off to work. It was a good morning. I can’t wait to hear how K’s first day of 1st grade was. Here’s to another new school year!

Easiest Bedtime Ever...

Last night before 8pm, I was down the hall & over heard Bubs talking to daddy. He was in the family room and he said, “I’m tired, I want to go to bed.” I took him to brush his teeth and then he climbed in bed. I pulled up the covers and kissed him good night. And the great thing was that both kids were in bed & P & I were back on the couch shortly after 8 to watch a movie. Not once did Bubs come out of bed after that. It started to become this habit of his that he would come out 1-3 times with a reason. (I’m scared, I heard something, I’m not tired) I wondered if he was feeling ok? This morning, he was so proud of himself. “I stayed in bed last night. I’m a good boy. I’m going to bed tonight when I’m tired.” I’ll cross my fingers and hope that its before 8!

Bubs' new phrase...

Bubs woke up early Saturday morning - 6am - and I tried my hardest to get him to go back to sleep. He came in bed w/ P & I, tossed & turned and kept me up. So then I took him back to his room, turned on his music & laid in bed w/ him. Still, no sleeping for either of us. He wanted to to watch TV. He also always wakes up hungry and wants to eat right away. What finally got me out of bed was, "Mom...my mouth is hungry...." I couldn't stop laughing. Once again last night he said it again. He is always hungry & always wants a snack before dinner. We are never ready to eat when he gets that instant hunger pang. I suggested he eat a Mandarin orange & instead, he suggested to me "what about carrots?" Most definitely! Carrots it was. And the carrots helped fill his hungry mouth.

Happy 8.8.08

Congratulations to my brother's wife's sister & her husband on the birth of their twins today!

Boy - 6 lbs 15 oz

Girl - 4 lbs 15 oz

Almost 12 pounds of baby. The boy was bigger than both K & Bubs each who were each a day late. Amazing & beautiful.

Also - today, the start of the Beijing Olympics! Happy Friday. Have a great weekend.

1st Soccer Practices

K in action!

Bubs on the ball.

Our little tough guy isn’t so tough at times. Wednesday night (8/6) Bubs had his first ever practice for an organized sport – Soccer. It was a clinic for Under 6 & 7 year olds. He made the cut off by a few days so he’s probably one of the youngest guys out there. It was a clinic so there were probably 50+ kids & some coaches out there. They divided the boys up into smaller groups close to their ages, but it was still very overwhelming.

Here's a picture of him on the field. Daydreaming? Trying to figure out what he's supposed to be doing. There is the freeway off in the distance, maybe he was mesmerized by the cars racing by. It was frustrating to watch. The boy who is so full of energy at home. Running around the house at a hundred miles a minute, comes to the sidelines after 3 minutes of being on the field. "I'm thirsty." Here's some water, now get back out there & go after the ball. And so he goes. Until he runs, trips and falls down. Stands up & starts bawling in the middle of the field. Of course, the 4 & 5 year olds keep playing around him & Daddy tells me to let him be, he'll be ok. The coach on the field comes to his aid & I feel like the mean parent. (meanwhile, the pack of kids around the ball end up in another direction all on the baseball field!) We take him off the field, he wants more water & then convince him to go back out there. More tears come. "Nobody will give me the ball" Of course not! No kid at that age really passes do they? And then the next complaint "My sides hurt" I think he might have had cramps from all the water he drank. So he didn't want to run around anymore & wanted to stand by the goalie. He doesn't quite get it that there is only one goalie on each team. The little goalies told him that he had to go out after the ball - and once again, bubs had more tears. I've never seen him sob & cry so much. It broke my heart & only frustrated daddy. I had to remind daddy that he's young. Hopefully we will look back at these moments in a couple months and see how he's grown & learned more about the sport. I just hope & pray that we have not traumatized him to the point that he doesn't want to get back out on the field. Once practice begins with a smaller group of kids, hopefully he'll be more comfortable.

On the other hand, K went out the next day, Thursday, & met her team of 12 girls in the Under 7 group. This was also her first time playing soccer & surprisingly, she seemed to enjoy it. She's learning & trying all the skills. P & I were really proud of her. We had also tried to pump her up to show Bubs how much fun soccer can be. They are the Precious Gems. How fitting is that for our little princess. I had to borrow some big shorts from Bubs for her to practice in. I wasn't sure it was appropriate to go out on the field in skorts. I'm sure there will be more exciting info to come. Stay tuned!

Happy Birthday, Bubs!

Today our little man turns 4! It took him 6 months to remember what age he was at 3. I was shocked to hear him announce that he was 4 today. And to my surprise, the first question he asked me, "Mommy, does that mean I get to go on the tree house today?" Yes! There is a tree house at his school up a little ladder. Only the kids 4 and older are allowed to go on it. He remembered & today he gets to go up! It's really surprising what is important to kids & what they remember. I'll have to ask him later, how it was!

Bubs, We hope you have a very Happy Birthday! Mom, Dad, & K love you very much!

The hardest part of a vacation...

...is getting back into every day life.

We just got back from this family of 4's best vacation ever - a 7 night Disney Cruise to the Mexican Riviera! One week away from cell phones, computers, work, school, everything! Even Daddy, who didn't really have anything positive to say before the trip, had a blast! We have already even mentionned one day trying to do it again. Like 3-5 years from now when the kids are a little older. There is so much to do on the Disney Magic - for all ages.

I don't have a lot of time right now, because of my 300+ emails, but I do want to mention the part I'm having a hard time with right now.

Bubs has come out of his room 3 times crying because all he wants is to go back on the cruise. He is so sad it breaks my heart. As I was putting both kids to bed, they each mentionned something they already miss.

K misses our servers. Addy from India, our head server would try to bring us anything we asked for. The first night she asked for pizza without sauce but unfortunately it was already pre made. But, the 2nd night, he had some brought in special just for her. Every other day he brought her pasta without sauce, just butter. Last night when she didn't like the Mickey shaped ravioli's, he brought her raw carrots with ranch. Unfortunately she won't be seeing that type of service in this house! He & his assistant Marijya (from Croatia) were wonderful. She remembered every night to bring the kids their new favorite (chocolate milk) but only 1/2 a cup per mom!

Bubs misses the towel figures placed on our beds every night after turn down service. By some Disney magic, our hostess placed an origami like towel figure on bed. They were shaped like a monkey, stingray, swan. Amazing figures and the kids got a kick everynight seeing what would be left! Unfortunately I can't re-create that one either!

Its 8am. Time for bed. Going to schools & work tomorrow is going to be so difficult.

Fireworks

After the ceremony there were fireworks & my tough little boy, who never seems to have a fear of anything - turns out, is afraid of fireworks. Here he is, laying down on the ground(still next to his new friend), looking away from the firework show. Poor guy, all he wanted to do was go sit in the tent. He did not get to enjoy the beautiful sky filled with lights! - While Kealy enjoyed every minute of it!