Friday, February 15, 2013

A Bunch of Mumble Jumble

I have a lot of thoughts whirling around in my mind today. Maisey has had a rough week emotionally wise, I'm having a hard time figuring out Gage's school options for next year, and I have some other stuff going on in my mind that I can't really write about on here. So to say my mind is going a million miles a minute is an understatement!

* First off, Maisey's primary teacher lives with a non-active family in our ward that Shaun knows really well. We invited the primary teacher and the family over for a fun Valentine FHE this week. Well, they didn't show up and they didn't call. So that was the first flare up for Maisey's emotions this week. She kept asking, "why would they not want to come?" She took it really personally and I even had to fight back the tears over how much she was hurt. But we went ahead and started 30 minutes late and still had a great time. We talked about how important it is to love other people how the Savior loves us.

 We played memory with big conversation heart candies. Maisey won every single time (and not because we let her!)

 Then she got to pass out the heart sugar cookies -- YUM!!!

 * I've got my boys trained well! Vacuums in one hand, cords in the other! CUTE!
(The boys were in charge of vacuuming for our guests that were supposed to come)

* The other cause of a lot of grief at our house this week is two girls in Maisey's class have been calling her a chipmunk because sometimes when she gets really shy or anxious, or if she is tired she will rest her two front teeth on her bottom lip. This hurts Maisey's feelings and she has asked them nicely to stop and they haven't. When I went on the field trip with her class yesterday, one of the girls called her that twice right in front of me. Maisey got all embarrassed and buried her head in my coat to try not to cry in front of her. I finally brought this to the attention of their teacher and she tried addressing the issue nonchalantly to the class today and then individually to the two girls. Well, apparently that didn't work because one of the girls called her a chipmunk again today as she was lining up to be dismissed. My heart is just breaking for Maisey and to think that stuff like this starts in Kindergarten. They are FIVE YEARS OLD for crying out loud. I don't want to be the hovering mom that jumps in to save her children anytime they get hurt feelings, and I haven't quite figured out where that boundary is yet, but I'm really getting frustrated about this situation and I just can't seem to get it off my mind.

 * Here is my cute guy on the afternoon of Valentine's day. 
We had an appointment at a different preschool here in town. He is doing so well at his current school and his teacher is so great and patient with him. I can't believe how much he has learned this year, it really amazes me. Unfortunately, if she doesn't find other kids for her preschool next year, she probably won't do it. Which is totally understandable. I wouldn't do it for just one kid either! So I started looking into our other options. In town, there are 2 choices. A Lutheran preschool (the one we went to tour) and a preschool/daycare at the high school. With the things that have happened with in our own extended family over the last year and a half, we are really cautious about the situations we put our children in, therefore completely ruling out the high school option. So I went to check out the other school. It is very expensive for a preschool that doesn't do anything different than the preschool he is at. I didn't fall in love with it like I was hoping to. Registration for this school starts on March 1, and it is pretty competitive to get in to. So I pretty much need to decided what I am going to do in the next few weeks. My sister suggested I look into neighboring towns, but the closest one is at least 20 minutes away, so I'm not sure that is very realistic. I just want to do what is best for him and what will set him up for success in Kindergarten. Ahhhh. . . why does being a parent have to be so hard?

* So, my leg is still numb. After talking with a nurse practitioner, he suggested that I have a pinched nerve in my back (probably from moving all of those 5 gallon water jugs that I was bragging about last week, haha!). So I haven't been strenuously working out for the last week. It takes time for it to heal and repeated use of the muscle could cause additional strain. I've been trying to eat really healthy this week to counteract the lack of exercise. (well, besides the fact that I ate half of my box of See's chocolates yesterday, it was a stressful day!)
So instead of my usual evening treat, I've been having fruit! Mangoes, pears, apples, clementines. Doesn't this look delicious!

* Even though I have a lot of stressful things circulating in my mind, I can't help but smile when I see my fun, happy, beautiful children! Even though these are both pictures of Gage, I really am grateful for all three of them and that I get the chance to help them overcome obstacles in their lives and be there for them when they need me most.
 My Handsome Batman!

He likes to wear "tops and bottoms that don't match" for jammies. But the problem is he only thinks this top and these bottoms don't match, so he has to wear them every night. The angry bird pants with the alien shirt is simply not acceptable, and neither is any other combination. He sure is a silly kid!

Be Mine

Our Valentine's Day was kind of a 3-day celebration! Wednesday the kids had their class parties, Thursday was actual Valentine's Day, and Friday Shaun and I are going out to celebrate.

Wednesday:

 Miley in her Valentine jammies

 Gage lookin so handsome!

 And my sweet 5 year old Valentine who tried to make her school uniform as festive as she could!

 Maisey came home from school and said to me, "Mom, you go take a chill on the couch while I show you all of my Valentine's!" Love her!

Gage's favorite Valentine was one that said "I wheelie like you" because it came with a truck and candy!!!

Thursday:
 The kids found jammies or an outfit and a little treat at each of their spots on the table. 

 And I found a box of See's chocolates in my spot! YUM!!!

We had heart-shaped pink chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast.

It was kind of a chaotic day. I ran out the door with Maisey for her field trip, Shaun tried working from home, but spent most of the morning playing with Gage and Miley and not getting much done. Then in the afternoon I had another appointment (more on that later!) and then finally home to make heart-shaped ravioli and biscuits for dinner, then off to swim lessons. 

We swam as a family after lessons for a bit.

When we got home we did baths, scriptures, stories, bed. When I started cleaning up I realized we left Maisey's goggles at the pool so I had to run back. By the time I got home I was so exhausted and not feeling well, that I fell asleep on the couch and Shaun had to help me back to bed!

Friday:

Shaun and I are going out tonight. Nothing too romantic, just going to dinner and running kid-free errands that we never get to do together. I was really looking forward to it all week, but I woke up really not feeling well and with a stiff and sore neck. Hopefully I can rest a little bit this afternoon so I can enjoy this evening!

Field Trip: Portland Aquarium

Maisey had a class field trip yesterday to the new Portland Aquarium and I got to go with her as a chaperone. I only had 3 girls in my group and we had such a fun time. 

 Maisey and her friend on the bus! So exciting!

 Maisey had a bird on her arm and she was too scared to turn around so I only got a pic of her back! I was surprised that she was even brave enough to let it land on her. 

 Reading the fact sheets about birds

 Maisey's 2nd grade friends from our ward!

 I love the fish eyes!

 Trying to pet sting ray, baby sharks, and fish.

 Every time one would swim close enough to her that she could touch it she would get so excited!

 An aquarium worker showing my group some shark skin.

So glad I got to spend the morning with my spunky Kindergartener!

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Miley: 9 Months

 * Back to sleeping 7 am - 7 pm and naps at 9 am and 1 pm. We've got a nice routine down (which I'm sure will get interrupted when she starts teething again.)

 * Likes to eat anything we are eating. She has liked everything I have given her so far. Her favorites are cheese sticks, apple slices, and animal or graham crackers.

 * She loves her brother and sister. Her and Gage are BFF's during the mornings and Maisey is such a good helper with her when I'm trying to make dinner. 

 * She learned how to clap this month. So cute!

 * She is not crawling yet, but will stay up on her hands and knees for a bit. She definitely doesn't love it though. I'm sure she will when she realizes it will get her to what she wants.

* She still only has the bottom two teeth but has been drooling like crazy. I'm not sure if it is from teething or from the fact that she can't breathe through her nose right now. Dang cold!

She is such an easy going, cuddly baby, and I love her to pieces. When I run errands on Saturdays with out her, I cuddle her like crazy when I get home because I missed her so much. And I thought she had the separation anxiety. . . but maybe it's me!

Happy 9 Months Mi Mi!

Monday, February 11, 2013

My Little Loves

We had a little photo shoot yesterday before church (the only perk to 1:00 pm church) and they sure turned out cute! They were dressed in Valentine colors and really brought on the charm!





I sure do love these three kiddos!

*** Note to self: Don't bribe kids with suckers for smiling cute right before church. Said suckers will make the boy super hyper and he won't be able to sit still for Sacrament. Live and Learn!

Chinese New Year

We look for any reason to celebrate at our house! Yesterday was the Chinese New Year, so naturally we had Chinese food. Usually on CNY we go out for Chinese, but since it was on a Sunday we decided to cook! (As I was doing dishes that night, I thought to myself, "This is exactly why we do cereal Sunday!")

Orange Beef, white rice, green beans, and homemade fortune cookies!

 The cookies were the best part!

Along with the fortunes inside!

Happy year of the snake!!!

Sunday, February 10, 2013

Busy

I always talk about how busy we are, and that's because we truly are. So this exerpt from my lesson that I taught today hit me hard:

Isn’t it true that we often get so busy? And, sad to say, we even wear our busyness as a badge of honor, as though being busy, by itself, was an accomplishment or sign of a superior life.
 
Is it?
 
I think of our Lord and Exemplar, Jesus Christ, and His short life among the people of Galilee and Jerusalem. I have tried to imagine Him bustling between meetings or multitasking to get a list of urgent things accomplished.
 
I can’t see it.
 
Instead I see the compassionate and caring Son of God purposefully living each day. When He interacted with those around Him, they felt important and loved. He knew the infinite value of the people He met. He blessed them, ministered to them. He lifted them up, healed them. He gave them the precious gift of His time.
 
- Pres. Uchtdorf in Of Regrets and Resolutions
 
Do my kids and husband feel important and loved by me? Do I give them enough of my precious gift? This is something that I am going to more purposefully work on!

Friday, February 8, 2013

The Perfect End

The perfect end to our looooong week: kids reading quietly in bed and I got the final jeopardy question right (only because it is the teen tournament)!!!!!



Update: Minutes after posting Gage fell off the top bunk while pointing at a book. Lots of tears. Not so perfect!

Survival Mode

Shaun has been gone all week, and it sure has been a looooong week. I'm glad this isn't our normal schedule. On Monday night the kids were in bed by 6:30! I let them look at books until 7, but it was an early night. Gage has particularly missed his Daddy this week and has made it know at 4:30 am, 2:30 am, and 5:00 am. :( I am pretty proud of myself though - I only hit up McDonalds for the kids once, kids got bathed twice, we read scriptures and had family prayer every night, I put our water delivery in the garage, and took garbages out!) Luckily, my mom came up Wednesday night and Thursday to help out.


 We had a few nice days this week, so we played outside and went for a bike ride/walk.

 I brought the Dora car inside and put new batteries in it. I'm not sure who liked it more!

 She could play on this thing all day (unless her siblings push her around the house and she falls off. Then she gets scared of it!)

 Grammy treated Gage to a milk shake after a trip to Wal-Mart

 Miley happily chomped down a whole chicken nugget while the kids ran around and played!

My bed buddy this morning when he woke up at 5 am ready for the day! Don't let him fool you, he's not really sleeping! I finally sent him out to play at 6 am!

Last night was, by far, the hardest night. Swim lessons, cleaning up pee, baths, a killer headache and a numb leg (not sure what is going on?) and kids that wouldn't listen. Then, Miley woke up in the night really congested so I had to go out to the cold garage and find the humidifier. Then my 5 am bed buddy. Glad this is almost over!

Daddy gets home late late late tonight, actually probably tomorrow morning. Can't wait to sleep in see him!

Swim Lessons

Swim lessons started last night for Maisey and Gage. 

 Poor Miley. She was sooooo excited as we walked into the pool. She thought she was going swimming. Maybe when Shaun comes he can take her!

 Maisey was great. I was really impressed with how much she remembered from last summer. She also has one of the young women from our ward as her teacher, so she is really excited.

 Gage did well too. He blew bubbles, dipped his face in the water, and had strong kicks. His teacher came up to me after and said that his goals for the next five weeks are:
1) Put his whole head underwater
2) Pay attention better
Uhhh... he's 3! I thought he did a pretty good job for him!

 Gage is in the middle on the "margic carpet" and Maisey is right behind them swimming with her teacher!

 When we got home, I was getting the bath started to throw the kids in and Gage decided to stand in the middle of the bathroom floor and pee. :( Not a happy mama when bedtime is in 20 minutes, I'm single-parenting it, and I have to clean up a puddle of pee and wash bathroom rugs. Boo!

The kids are looking forward to the next five weeks of lessons and I'm looking forward to Shaun being here the next five weeks to help!