Tuesday, September 12, 2017

OSCAR GOES TO PRESCHOOL

We've been talking about preschool for months. He seemed interested and a little excited but I wasn't sure exactly how he felt. 
On the first day of school, I slipped on his backpack and he asked, "Mom! Am I gonna learn!?!?" 
"Yes Oscar, you'll learn at school."
"Eek! I'm gonna learn! I'm gonna learn!! 
He was thrilled. 

On the way to school, I asked him if he was going to make friends at school. He said, "Yup! I'm gonna make boy friends and girl friends!"

I think school will be a bit of an adjustment for very good for him...especially the social/emotional part. 

I can't wait to see what the year brings!

FIRST DAYS OF SCHOOL

There's something about a brand new school, with brand new friends and brand new teachers that makes us excited and nervous at the same time. Well, if my kids were nervous, they sure didn't show it. 

I was particularly nervous for Ava because she had a really tough year in 1st grade. Turns out, I had no reason to be nervous. By the end of the week, Ava had been awarded an Above the Line ticket and her name was drawn for a prize at the assembly on Friday.
Both of the girls also joined the other 30 or so new kids up stage to be introduced to the rest of the school. Ava made a new friend at the special table for new kids that day during lunch.
She came home that day just bubbling with excitement and it made me so happy I almost teared up. 

Jaina has been waiting to go to Kindergarten for 3 years. She did well the first couple of days but she's been saying that she doesn't want to go to school because it's boring. Hmmm. I'm pretty sure she just needs more sleep because I ran into her teacher at school and she said Jaina is doing just fine. I'm sure it's just an adjustment and it'll get better. Her cousin is in her class and she says that she plays with him the most.  
The girls were talking about their music teacher tonight and how he's not very old and he has a cool hairdo. I asked them,"Is he cute?" Jaina replied quickly, "Only babies are cute." I laughed and asked, "Ok then, is he handsome?" Jaina answered, "Yup!"

Thursday, July 27, 2017

AVA MARIE [8 YEARS]

1. What's your favorite color? "Pink."
2. What's your favorite toy? "I like coloring with gel pens in a notebook."
3. What do you like for breakfast? "Bagel with cream cheese."
4. What do you like to do outside? "Play with the kitties."
5. What is your favorite animal? "Kitties."
6. What do you like to wear? "I like to wear...well what season? I mean....I like dresses."
7. Who is your best friend? "Sienna W."
8. What do you like for a snack? "Club Crackers."
9. What is your favorite song? "Firework by Katie Perry"
10. What do you sleep with? "Tender my unicorn and Olivia."
11. What is your favorite book? "Judy Moody books."
12. What is your favorite ice cream? "Mint chocolate chip."
13. What is your favorite vegetable? "Carrot."
14. What is your favorite fruit? "Grapes."
15. Where is your favorite place? "Mall of America."
16. What is your favorite thing to do? "Read."
17. What do you want to be when you grow up? "Veterinarian."
18. What is your favorite thing to eat? "Spaghetti and meatballs or pancakes."
19. Why do you love Mommy and Daddy? "Cuz you love me."
20. What do you want for your birthday? "Books and Legos."

Bonus:
21. What makes you happy? "Sunshine and Cats."
22. What makes you sad? "Rainy Days."

Friday, June 9, 2017

JAINA MAE {5 YEARS}

1. What's your favorite color? "Purple and gold and hot pink."
2. What's your favorite toy? "Doll."
3. What do you like for breakfast? "Hmmm cereal."
4. What do you like to do outside? "Play in the snow when it's winter."
5. What is your favorite animal? "Horse."
6. What do you like to wear? "Skorts and tshirts with flip flops in the summer."
7. Who is your best friend? "Umm Ceci."
8. What do you like for a snack? "Fruit snacks."
9. What is your favorite song? "Roar."
10. What do you sleep with? "Rosie!"
11. What is your favorite book? "Berenstain Bears."
12. What is your favorite ice cream? "Chocolate chip caramel."
13. What is your favorite vegetable? "Carrot."
14. What is your favorite fruit? "Grape."
15. Where is your favorite place? "Park."
16. What is your favorite thing to do? "Feed the birdies."
17. What do you want to be when you grow up? "Doctor."
18. What is your favorite thing to eat? "Hmmm cereal."
19. Why do you love Mommy and Daddy? "Because you bring us to the park."
20. What do you want for your birthday? "A watch and a yo-yo."

Bonus:
21. What makes you happy? "Going to the park and Mother's Day."
22. What makes you sad? "Spankings,"

Tuesday, May 30, 2017

FUNNY STUFF I WANT TO REMEMBER

Oscar and I were at the grocery store the other day and he was pushing his little mini cart around. He made a beeline for the donut holes and said, "Hey Mom! I'll get the meatballs!!"

Donald had a guy come over last week so that he could help him with some programming issues...As the guys were in the dining room talking, Ava and I were in the kitchen making supper. She was standing at the counter, cutting strawberries and she said dreamily to herself, "Ah I just love when he says database."

Oscar was on the scale in the bathroom at Mom and Dad's and he said, "Look Mom! It says it's time to go! But it's not."

Oscar: "Mom, are ants good for da erf?" (earth)

I put Oscars coat on him and he said, "Thank you Mom! It's just what I needed!"

Whenever Oscar goes potty he says, "Mooom! I goed! I feel I went pee on my leg." (points to his leg) "It's peetend." (pretend)

"Where does your food go when you eat, Oscar?"
"Umm your large testine and your leg."

We were at Target today and Oscar was sitting sideways in the child seat, peering behind me over my shoulder. Then, in a really soft voice, full of awe, he said, "Ooohh pretty girl!" 
I said, "What did you say Oscar?"
"Pretty girl!"
I glanced over my shoulder and saw a gorgeous girl, probably college age, walking behind us. 
Oh dear....he's only 3!!! 

Thursday, May 18, 2017

OSCAR : 3 YEARS {20 QUESTIONS}

1. What's your favorite color? "Ummm orange."
2. What's your favorite toy? "Hmm monster truck."
3. What do you like for breakfast? "Umm ketchup."
4. What do you like to do outside? "Throw snow at people."
5. What is your favorite animal? "Cows."
6. What do you like to wear? "Monster truck ones."
7. Who is your best friend? "Umm Grant and Sophia."
8. What do you like for a snack? "Fruit snacks."
9. What is your favorite song? "Ro-o-o-o-oar."
10. What do you sleep with? "Nuffing."
11. What is your favorite book? "Alligator one."
12. What is your favorite ice cream? "Rainbow."
13. What is your favorite vegetable? "Mmm Rice."
14. What is your favorite fruit? "Umm snack fruit"
15. Where is your favorite place? "I want to go to da hotel."
16. What is your favorite thing to do? "Play in the ball pit."
17. What do you want to be when you grow up? "Mmm a dragon for Hawoween."
18. What is your favorite thing to eat? "Poptorn"
19. Why do you love Mommy and Daddy? "Because I drawed you Balumtimes and I love you. ALOT"
20. What do you want for your birthday? "A digger"

Bonus:
21. What makes you happy? "Um you tiss me?"
22. What makes you sad? "A panking."

OSCAR DEAN {THREE YEARS}

Oscar, you are 3. I wish I could hold you and snuggle you forever. I think it's safe to say that I'm your favorite person, although you have told me occasionally that you'd rather live with Grandma and Grandpa. 
Sometimes, when you meet new people you them that your "Oscar the Brouch and that you live in a garbage can."
I think the thing that drives me the most crazy is that every time we get after you for doing something naughty, you cry and say "Can you be nice now?" Even though it was you that was naughty, you want me to be nice. (insert eye roll)
Your favorite songs to sing are "Roar," "Dry Bones," "Tell Me the Story of Jesus" and "Take Me Home, Country Roads."
You are continually silly. You talk with your hands and act goofy 80% of the time. 
I think the thing you say the most often is, "This is boring!"
Sometimes you get really mad and you scowl and stomp your foot. 
Aternum = Aquarium
Baputer = Computer
When I put you to bed you don't want me to leave so you hold on to my arm and say, "Mom, ask me fuestions!"
I love it when you ask me to hold your hand when we cross the street. 
Maybe you'll go to preschool now that you're three. I know you're excited but I'm just not ready to let you go yet. You do claim that you go to Superman Tool. (school)
Your favorite toys are Legos, Magnatiles and anything with wheels. We have thoroughly enjoyed the first 3 years of your life and I'm looking forward to the year ahead. 
When I ask you for a kiss you turn my head and kiss me on the cheek to avoid all lip kisses. Sometimes you get mad when I kiss you and you say, "Mom! No juicy tisses!!"
Happy Birthday, Oscar. Mommy and Daddy love you more than all of the cupcakes in the world. 

Monday, April 3, 2017

MY LAST HURDLE

Oscar will be three next week. He showed absolutely no signs of being ready to potty train. In fact, he was afraid to sit on the toilet. 
I just kept telling myself that boys take longer to train and they usually train late. 
A couple of weeks ago, on a whim, I told Oscar that in the morning his diapers would be too small and so we would have to pack them up and give them to Baby Finn. He was actually excited about the idea and told his sisters at supper that we were going to pack up his diapers. 
The next morning, I got a bag and started loading them up. He ran over and hugged his diapers, not wanting to let them go. 
Well, we packed them all up and I prepared for the worst. I got a stack of underwear and pants, hauled all of his toys into the kitchen, filled a jar with jelly beans and waited. I didn't let him leave the kitchen. We got comfy and just laid around playing Legos.
The first time he went in the toilet was earth shattering. I was so happy!!!! 
We haven't looked back.
He's had maybe 3 accidents and he wakes up every morning with a dry Pull-up. I'm not quite ready to trust him in undies all night but he's doing so well!!
I'm actually shocked by the fact that he potty trained almost instantly. 
I feel like it was our last big hurdle to escape life with babies. :)
Yay.

A RELATIVELY HEALTHY WINTER (KNOCK ON WOOD)

Last winter, we were sick all. winter. long. It seemed to never end. Ava had started Kindergarten and brought home every bug possible. 

This year has been much better. (I hope I'm not jinxing all of us right now). While it's impossible to avoid all sickness, there have been a few things that we've done this winter that I think have made all the difference. 

-Everyone has their own cup in the bathroom and each one holds their own toothbrush and toothpaste. No more sharing. 

-Bedtimes are s.t.r.i.c.t. Call me crazy but the kids go to bed at 6:30 almost every night of the week (during the school year) so they get a full 12 hours of sleep. Believe me, they need it. :) 

-Clorox wipes are amazing. 

- Humidifiers are filled and running 24/7. Every bedroom has one and there's one in the living room too. We just learned the other day that the reason people get sick more often in the winter is because the air is dry so their mucus is more dry and unable to catch viruses before they get into your body. So, humidifiers it is. 

Wednesday, January 4, 2017

2017

Winter. It's -8 degrees and the wind is howling. The weather app says it feels like -32 degrees. The windows are beautifully laced with frosty fingers and the heat is cranked. I'm wishing I didn't have to leave the house today. I need to go take a double dose of Vitamin D. 

I feel weird this New Year. You know that feeling of renewed "I'm going to make my life awesome" feeling that people seem to miraculously feel on January 1st? I'm not feeling it. So what am I feeling? (I know, there's a lot of feeling going on here) There's been a trend the past couple of years of choosing a word to define your year. Words like joy, quality, pursuit, present, purpose, contentment, intentional and peace. What I'm wondering is why we just pick one? Wouldn't it be great if we could live out all of these words? That's how I'm feeling this year. 

That being said, I do have some goals for 2017. The first two are to get to my goal weight and run a half marathon. When I reach those two, I want to take guitar lessons. Something I've been wanting to do since I was 18. If there's one thing I've learned about myself is that I suffer from goal paralysis if there is such a thing. Set too many goals and I don't know where to begin and nothing gets done. Another thing that is very clear is that I'm the only one that can achieve my goals. No one else can lose the weight for me. No one else can run that half marathon for me. No one else can learn the guitar for me. Here's to 2017!

Just a little kid update. 
Oscar has had a growth spurt and is barreling his way into 4T clothes. 
He finds the letter "O" wherever he can and says, "Mom! There's mine O!!"
He's getting pretty good at singing the alphabet. 

Jaina is growing too. She's the same height as Ava was when she turned 6! 
It's hard to believe that she'll be going to kindergarten this year.

In the blink of an eye, Ava has gone from dressing up like a princess to friend drama at school. How does this happen?!

I'm going to combat the winter blues today by cleaning the house and I don't mean just pick up here and there. I mean really get in and get rid of stuff kind of clean. 

Or maybe I'll take a nap.

Cheers!