Random Thoughts

Mikayla and Josh went to see Santa and she was so busy telling him about other things that she forgot to tell him what she wanted. Later, when we asked what she wanted, she said two things: a diamond and to never grow up. I guess we have our own Little Peter Pan. What's sad is she said she doesn't want to grow up because it just seems to be such hard work and she will always have a sore back because she will be working too hard. But, she does want three kids: two girls and one boy.

She's been having a tough time lately. I'm not sure exactly what is going on but her mood fluctuates so rapidly. I'm hoping it's just growing pains and we will work through this. She can be the happiest little girl but throw the biggest fits.

Josh, although he is starting to throw some tantrums, is the sweetest little thing. He is talking like crazy and seem s to know so many things. He knows the shapes in his puzzles and will even call out the octagon shape. He loves his Mickey and Pooh clothes. But, calls Goofy --Goopy. It's sort of funny.

Mikayla and October--Is it November now?

It's been a while since I've wrote something but it's been a busy month--but when isn't it?

Mikayla has been struggling this last month. She got into trouble a few times at school. I struggle with this because I don't quite get the not paying attention or following the rules thing. And, she gets into her stubborn mode--I guess she's been doing that at school some also. All I ask for is her to be a kind person. I'm really struggling to get her to learn how to be nice to others. Well, we grounded her for a week and no TV. It seemed like her attitude was getting better. Then she got sick.

I felt really bad for her and she was so miserable. I don't think she has been sick for the last 3 years. I let her zone out in front of the tv whenever she wasn't in school. So, she went from one extreme to another in the tv watching field. I kept sending her to school because it didn't seem like anything was really wrong with her except for a cough. (I did take her to the doctor and had that verified--even though I'm still not sure if I believe it)

Then, on Thursday her personality came back--unfortunately for all of us, it wasn't a good one. SHe has been horrible the last few days. I'm sure part of it is that she hasn't been sleeping well at night (and that hasn't added to my disposition becuase I haven't slept well either)

She was sort of grumpy for her school party but I think she still had a good time. I debated going because I knew I would set her off but I did and she was OK but grumpy.

Then, Halloween, Oh boy! I insisted she wear a turtleneck under her dress. It was 30-40 degrees. She fought me every step of the way. I think it took an hour and a half to get her dressed. Then she didn't want to wear tights. She didn't even know what she was going to wear until 5 minutes before we left. Anyway, we were all pretty exhausted by that. Once we go to the party and started to trick or treat, she started to whine because she was Publish Posttoo cold. So, I think she only went to one door. She sat in the wagon with my coat totally covering her. (Josh had a great time with it though!)

Once we got to the party, she was a little better. She didn't hang out outside, but stayed inside. She played inside and was still pretty quiet but I was able to socialize a little. I was so hoping she would have fun playing with her friends but she didn't have much to do with them. Sarah talked with her for a while and she talked to a few other new friends but she was definitely a grump. Oh well, hopefully she'll be better next time.

Hopefully this week will get better.

Pumpkin picking

We had our annual pumpkin picking party today and it was a lovely day. Mikayla enjoyed playing with all her 'big friends' and Josh like pretending he was playing ball with all the 'guys' Now, it's time to decorate! (Josh was there but fell asleep on the way from the Hoekstra's to the pumpkin patch--so he missed all the pictures)

Funny Kids

Last night, the kids wanted to go to bed together. It's so rare that they both want to be together at the same time, I figured I would let them do it for awhile. They giggled and cuddled together for awhile but no fighting (yeah!) They even switched beds from hers to his but they stuck together. Once, after about an hour, he ran out to the living room, opened the cupboard door, grabbed a pair of her dress up play heels, closed the cupboard and ran back to the room--only saying -'shoes-Kala' It was so funny-he seemed to think she needed her heels in bed.

Eventually they did go to sleep but after daddy put them in their separate beds. But, they had a good time for a while.

Trains

Josh loves playing with his trains and cars. He will be spend hours (literally) playing with his trains and cars. He can build the tracks by himself and will take the trains round and round. What a boy!

Happy Birthday!

My big, wonderful, beautiful, crazy, lovable boy! You have turned two and have enjoyed every day so far! May you maintain your adventurous spirit (even if it scares your momma some) I love every little thing about you.

Mom

First week of school

(Mikayla on the day she went in to school to meet Mr. Gaap--unfortunately I forgot to take a picture of her teacher also)

So far, so good! Actually things are working out real well. Mikayla seems real excited to go to school and it seems that she adores Mr. Gaap. She doesn't talk about specific details much but she is very excited. She says she loves Bean, the bunny. She runs to the bus when it picks her up and has a huge smile when I pick her up.

On Tuesday, we went to the park and there was another little girl playing. I heard them greeting each other and then saying 'Hey, I know you' They are in the same class. Her parents came up and Julia said this was Mikayla. Her parents said 'Oh, Mikayla, we've heard a lot about you' (I wasn't sure if that was good or bad) But, it seems that they had played at school. I really enjoyed talking to her parents and they live in the neighborhood. So, it seems that they are bffs now.

We saw them again today and at first Mikayla was a little upset because another girl was playing with Julia. But, it seemed like they all got along and Mikayla was happy that Julia still liked her.

Who knows, could this be Mikayla's first friend or could it be one of those friends that are around forever. It's pretty exciting.

1st Day of Kindergarten

Oh, so much to say.

I had wanted to start off with a first day celebration. We made cupcakes and then she watched a show. I wanted to take her to the library or store. But, she was afraid we wouldn't make it back in time for the bus to come. Finally, I talked her into going to the park for a while. But, she wanted to get back so we could wait for the bus. Well, wait we did!

We were told the bus could arrive any time after 12:15. I figured it would be later but we were outside by noon. Well, that came and went. Then, later came and went also. Finally, about 12:50, I called the school and then the bus company. No one seemed to know where the bus was. It finally arrived about 1:10. (school started at 1)

She was so excited when it came. She ran out and jumped on--no turning back.

Then, when I met her at the bus, she was all smiles. I couldn't get much out of her but she said it was all good. I think her favorite part of the day was playing with the bunny. She said she loved listening to the music and dancing. Her 'helper' getting on the bus sat with her and she had red hair and her name was Emily.

She was all excited to go back the next day!

Question for Kindergarten

Tomorrow we go to Mikayla's kindergarten teacher. I asked her if she had thought of any questions to ask him. She said 'yes, is it true owls sleep during the day?' Yes, I guess that is a question--not just one I was thinking.

Long day

Today was a particularly trying day. Josh poured orange juice all over the kitchen, Mikayla stuck a bead up her nose( luckily I got it out), it rained and they couldn't go outside (though I did send Josh out for a while), and Josh did not nap.

My nerves were frayed, and Mikayla's quote: it must be hard watching two kids like us.

Well, he's sort of in the crib

We still put him to bed in the crib and he stays in it--but when he's ready to get up-he sure gets up.

Jump the waves

Today mikayla learned to jump the waves. At first she wanted to be held and then she was fine with just holding my hand. She learned to jump right before the wave hit her and then ride the wave. At one point she got hit with a wave and her face got wet. I couldn’t tell if she was laughing or crying. She was laughing, of course-she had so much fun.

Favorite Things

One thing I usually ask Mikayla at the end of the day is what was your favorite thing of the day. Today, when I asked her, she said everything. Then she started listing everything and she said they were all perfect things and it was the best day ever. She said shopping with momma, playing at McDonalds, riding on the cry rider, watching a movie, running up and down the sand hills. These are all of her favorite things.

8/16 Mik enjoyed a few days of going to Michigan with Uncle Dave and Aunt Beth. She really wore herself out but had a great time. She played well with Nicholas and from what we heard, she really behaved.

Meanwhile, Josh enjoyed his two days of being an only child. He really behaved well

Mik enjoyed riding the boat and playing at Papa Nick’s lake. She really got a kick out of driving the boat and then jumping in the lake from the boat to swim with mamma.

Summer Roundup

I think we've had a good summer but I'm not ready for it to be over. Mik is only going to kindergarden but I feel like we are sending her off somewhere. But, she'll only be gone 3 hours a day and that's as long as she was gone at some of her camps this summer. We've been pretty busy this summer but I think she loved all her camps. For next summer, I think the camps we'll still go to are CYT camp, Vacation Bible School, swimming, and dancing. I would like to add a week of culture camp also. So, if all those happen, it will still be busy next summer. But, we will see. A lot could change in a year.

I want her to be ready for kin and I'm not sure what I can do to prepare her for it. I think she will be fine.

He's still in crib

I can't believe he's still in his crib. After our trip a few weeks ago, he climbed out a few times. Then, after two days--he quit. IT was like he realized he really liked to wait for me to come get him. That's fine with me. I think we are taking the high chair away though. He is liking standing up in it and then sitting on the side. I'm not liking that. Let's get him the booster where he can get in and out and I don't have heart palpitations. That boy is crazy!

Summer Fun

Josh figured out how to turn the hose on--wo is me!
We played hooky from church one day when sunday school was cancelled and went to the park. The kids had fun with cousin Nicholas.
Josh is such a big boy. He is loving all the big boy toys!

HIgh School Musical

Mikayla had her first on stage talking part. She did a great job but forgot part of her line. But I've never seen such a smiley girl on stage. She was excited to have her cousins surprise her for her performance. Thank you Miss Melissa for being a great teacher. Mikayla hopes to see you next year.

Dragon Boat Races: Team FRC: We thought it would be one race and done. But, first race was won even though a boat almost crashed into the FRC boat. Second was won because competitor dropped out. Third race was close. It was a beautiful day to sit by the dirty Chicago River. Kids and adults were very tired by the end.

Safety Town

Mikayla really loved Safety Town. I think she enjoyed the junior high helpers the most. She has already said that she misses them. Of course, on the last day, she only wanted to flirt with the policemen. Oh well!

She now loves swimming

OK-she is funny. Third times a charm. I took her the third time and knew that was the last time--if that didn't work out-we were dropping out. SO, I bribed her with all these treats and talked it through. She told me she was nervous and held my hand on the way in. And, then...

...jumped in the water and swam around like a fish. I couldn't believe it. Once she was done, she told me it was so much fun she couldn't believe it. What a difference. She says she still doesn't like boy teachers but she is fine now. At the end of the week (after the second cooperating lesson) we had a play date and she was bee bopping in the water. She was even 'teaching' Adrianna to swim. So, I think we've finally turned the corner.

Swimming

Mikayla has always been a little timid in the water.  But, this spring I really wanted to emphasize learning to swim.  She has been in lessons off and on since she was one.  But, she was in two sessions this spring, one two-week session in Barrington and is now back at the Y.  Although she hadn't 'passed' any of these classes, I could see the progress she was making.  Her confidence was coming along and she was having fun putting her head under water.  But, she was still afraid for the teacher to let go of her.

But, the first day of class, she started to freaking out.  She was scared because the teacher was male and she was afraid he would let go of her. This was turning into a disaster.  The first time she screamed 20 minutes and the second time 25 minutes (for a 45 minute class)  I was beside myself and didn't know what to do to encourage her.  I was afraid we were regressing from what we have learned the last few months and didn't want all of that to go to waste.  We went the third time.  I was all prepared-I promised tons of things (tv, snacks, treats) and talked about how important it was to learn to swim.   On the way in, she told me she was nervous and I told her to hold my hand tight then.  She went in and within seconds had her head underwater.  On the way home, she told me that was the most fun she had ever had in the water.  Boy, do I feel relieved.  I didn't know how to handle this--most people were just recommending to take her out and I didn't think it was the right thing--I guess I know her best and know how she would react--but I didn't know how this was going to end up.  As of now, good.

Bedtime/Cribs

Josh is so active the one thing I have always said about him is that he is an awesome sleeper.   I'm afraid that is going to change.  We have had some struggles with this sleep the last two times we were in Michigan.  Last month we forgot the pack n play.  Well, he enjoyed his freedom but I didn't sleep too much.  Then, last weekend we remembered the pack n play but his sister taught him to climb out.  Boy, he enjoyed learning about freedom.

Then, we get home on Sunday.  It takes him about 20 seconds to swing himself out of the crib.  It seems like he is doing it pretty safely but I was ready to take the crib apart that night.  It just seems that this has been combined with him not wanting to sleep as easily.  Oh well, it was fun while it lasted.

A Day for the Books

OK, today started innocently enough.  

On the way to safety camp, Mik had to go to the bathroom.  'OK, as soon as we get there you can go'  But, we had to wait in line for the dropoff.  In that 5-10 minutes, she whined the whole time that she had to go real bad.  By the time we were 2 cars from drop off, she said 'I had an accident---I pooped in my pants.  At the same time they are trying to open the door and get her out.  Not so fast--I have to find a bathroom and clean her up.  I got that taken care of and then found her class.

Then, Josh and I are riding down Lake Cook Road.  Out of the rear view mirror, I see monkey flying out the back window.  Argggh!  Now, this is a road with a 50 mph speed limit.  So, I pull over and go back in the opposite direction to get near where it happened.  As I'm going back, I see two cars run over it and many others swerve to get out of the way.  I parked a safe distance away and made sure no cars were coming and played a quick game of frogger and dashed into the road and rescued him.  To make matters worse, I had let him have monkey later in the day and let the windows be down and he threw him out again--this time in stopped traffic.  In my defense, my windows don't roll down that far and I was driving my father in laws car and forgot that Josh could reach out the window.

OK--my morning wore me out--on to the afternoon.  Mikayla wouldn't lay down and somehow got her hands on scissors and cut her hair again.  Honestly, you can't tell--I think she just cut an extra part that was in her eyes.  But, i found these long pieces on the carpet and wasn't that happy with her.

Then, I took her to swimming.  She was adamant that she didn't want a boy teacher--well, guess what she got a boy teacher.  She was throwing a hissy fit and wouldn't let me leave.  She kept wanting one more kiss(which I have a hard time resisting) and screaming and crying.  I finally got her to go into the pool because I told her it was either that or we were all going home.  Then, she sat in the corner and sulked the entire time and wouldn't play with them.  Honestly, I'm sure at that point, the teacher didn't know what to do with her either.  I was pretty upset with her--she had doing so well the last two weeks and this was such a waste of all our times.  She got more water time in her bath later.

Oh well, tomorrow is another day!  Now, it's margarita time!

4th of July

Busy Weekend!

On the 3rd,  we went down to Chicago to see the fireworks from our friend's, the Bereks, boat.  It was real cool--but Josh was a handful.  He just wanted to move around.  Being on a boat wasn't to his liking becuase he couldn't run.  Finally, Margaret gave me a 'leash' and I put it on him so he could run up and down the dock.  He stayed awake through the fireworks but cuddled up to me through the fireworks and promptly fell asleep on the way home.

For some reason, Mikayla kept saying 'Quit panicking mom' from the time we showed up.  I'm not sure why, becuase for once I wasn't panicking.

On the 4th, we went to the Pattens.  It was rainy most of the day but it cleared up and the kids were able to play in the baby pool.  By the end of the day, the kids were absolutely pooped.

On the 5th we spent a little time at the Spray Park.  Mikayla swam a little in Lake Zurich.  I think she's finally letting go of some of her fears for swimming.  Two weeks of swimming lessons have really seemed to help her.

Michigan June 2009

Pictures:  Josh had taken a bath and Mikayla was taking her.  He decided he wanted more bath time, after getting dressed.  2)  Mikayla watching a movie and letting her brother peak.

Mikayla kept talking about all the iPods in water.  Well, they were really tadpoles.

Mikayla loved riding on the quad runner-even though she called it the Cry rider.

Josh continued the use of one of his favorite words:  Stuck!!  This has been one of his first words and he seems to need to use it frequently--when he climbs too high or can't get out of a situation.  He's always stuck!

We forgot to pack the pack n play and boy do we regret it!  I'd get Josh to sleep but then he'd wake up in the middle of the night and go running into the living room.  So, we tried him sleeping in both beds, the futon, the couch, the floor.  He was in one bed and I shut the door and then he fell out and his leg got stuck between the post and the mattress--see he is always getting stuck!  The only way to get him to sleep is to lay next to him.  The night I slept on the floor with him just reaked havock on my back.  But, hopefully he's back to his normal sleeping like a baby pattern now he's back to his own bed.  Boy, do I dread moving him out of the crib--it works so well for us.

Vacation Bible Camp

What a fun-filled week. I enjoyed the first graders that I taught and mik enjoyed her class. Her favorite part was water day

She did great at the end of week performance. There was even one point where there was a contest who was louder, kids or parents. After, I heard her say to another lid:  our parents are crazy. Yeah.

Josh enjoyed the nursery. Overall I think we were all worn out this week. It was hot and I think we had some kind of afternoon activities every day.

Josh enjoyed the performance. He sat with Dave and Beth during the little kids' performance. Then, during the big kids Dave put him down for a second and he ran to the front of the church- right into Nicholas' arms. I think it embarrassed Nicholas a little.

Then, during the social hour I'm having a nice conversation and I hear someone tell me to get over to josh. He had thrown up. Charming. I don't think he was really sick- he had just drank tons of lemonade. But we got him changed and put quickly. Hopefully that is all we will see of that.  But, wonderful way to exit the party.

Bug Spray Protection

Mikayla was at Aunt Missy's and wanted to change her clothes.  I said we had to get her clothes out of the car.  She went running down the driveway stark naked.  I asked her what she was doing because she couldn't go out in public without any clothes.  She said it was OK because she had 'bug spray' on.

She CAN be so sweet;

She can be so sweet but at the same time such a stinker.  

Dan had an infection on his leg and was going to the doctor.  She wanted to make sure she went with him so she could hold his hand in case she got a shot.  She has such empathy for him as she went with him.

Then, today she made me an afternoon snack.  She put together tomatoes, cheese, ham, and carrots.  She couldn't cut the carrots since she can only use a butter knife.  So, I asked how she got them in small pieces.  She said she used her teeth to bite them like that.  OK!  She really tried so hard to get them like that.

Then, of course, tonight she threw another fit.  We've been averaging one about every other day.  I think it's lack of sleep but she fights sleep like it's the plague.  OY!

Tidbits

I've got to figure out a way to do this from my phone--- forget about the most entertaining parts of my day before I sit down with a computer.  

--Josh pretending he's a monster all day long---rooooaaar!

Mikayla being ornery but so sweet--Mom, we need to talk when we get home.

Me:  Sure, what do you want to talk about?

Mik: I don't know yet.

Me:  Great, I love talking to you.

Mik:  You're so sweet!

Josh got filthy playing in the yard tonight.  Then, I gave him a bath to clean him up.  Yes, he then pooped in the bath.  A bath was needed to clean him up from his bath.

Morning at Forest Preserve

I decided we should have Mikayla practice her bike on some gradual hills.  We have plenty in our neighborhood but they are mixed in with traffic.  Enough to make anyone nervous.  So, we went to the forest preserve.  She did great!  She rode her bike for over 2 miles.  Josh got out of the stroller and probably walked a half mile.  There was hardly anyone on these trails, probably because it looked like it was going to rain any minute--but it never did.

He's asleep now, she's almost asleep, and I'm wanting to sleep.