Thanksgiving

My kids love their Great Grandma. So when we found out she was coming for Thanksgiving, along with Nana & Papa (Nick's parents), they were thrilled.

I cooked the entire meal, since our company arrived Wednesday night. I really enjoy cooking, so it wasn't a big deal. Hailey loves making pie. So she was able to whip up pumpkin pie.

Gram, as we call the kids great grandma, spoiled the kids with presents. Hailey was thrill to get Uno cards. We played a countless number of games, during their visit.

I just love this picture of Gram and Jack. He adores Gram, and is always asking to call Gram. Also, he always finds a rock for her on all our hiking classes.

It was a fun visit!

"Two Babies..."

The past two weeks Jack has been telling stories. They usually begin, "Two babies..." Then he makes up a terrible and naughty thing they did. Usually they, "Get into my toys and mess them up." Or they, "Open my drawers and rip all my clothes." Or they, "Draw on my lunch box." Or they, "Break my toys." Those "Two Babies," are always up to something. Nick calls them the Ninja Babies, because none of us have seen them! But, I think Nick mostly wants to hear Jack going around, talking about Ninja Babies!

Jack's Stitches

Tuesday, was not a good day for us! I was not having a productive morning. I was going jogging later, so hadn't put on make-up or done my hair, when I dropped Hailey off at school.

After we were home, Jack ran outside when he heard the trash truck. I peeked outside at him and found him standing on his tricycle hanging onto the gate watching the trash truck. I started walking out the door when he fell backwards off his trike. Everything moved in slow motion. I couldn't get there in time to catch him. He fell slowly too. After he hit the ground with his bum, he rolled back and didn't even hit his head. I scooped up my screaming child and realized his lip was gushing blood. I had a feeling he might need stitches, but the phone line to the peds. office and urgent care, was down. After trying to get through for 30 min. I took him to the appointment only urgent care. I felt I might go postal if they heckled me about not calling! We were both covered in blood, so we quickly changed shirts before going. At least I could try to look a little better than the no make-up and crazy hair.

Well they sent him to the ER to get stitched up. They gave him a few shots to numb his lip. The doctor said that it would sting and be very painful. And it was. While he screamed, kept asking me to hold him, and that he needed me! Oh poor guy! The doctor had me hold him down. It was a bloody show! After the shot, the doc put in 3 stitches. I laid Jack special blanket across his eyes so he would see what the doctor was doing. He laid so still as she sewed him up. The doctor was amazed at how still he was! She said he is a special little guy! Boy do I know that!

We came home to find a big get well card from Hailey and Nick!

He told Nick first thing, "I got stitches."
Lots of popcicles are helping is recovery! We all are happy to have lots in the freezer!

We've Come Far

Cornell Branch Women

Spring 2005

Playdate at Lynnie's Sorority House

Now where are we? Almost all have just sent our first born off to kindergarten. All have 2 or more kids. Our lives are all drastically different now, post Ithaca! And we thought life was challenging then! I do miss these days! To bad we spent so much time wishing we could leave that dreadfully cold place! I miss all our talks and simply having so many people in exactly the same place in life! We'll have to get together someday! Who knows, maybe the kids will meet up at college?

My Babies

Since we have live here in the bay area for a year now, I figured I should get some pictures up on the bare walls. I put these 2 pictures in a frame together! I just love to look at my sweet little babies! Can you guys who's who?

4th Week of School

Hailey is starting her 4th week of school. She has gotten our morning routine down. During the day, Jack still asks, "Where Hailey?" about 2-3 times. I thought I would be able to get lots done with 1 child away. But, I still struggle to find time to jog 3xs each week.

I'm glad our classroom meets for lunch every Friday! All of us have made new friends. Jack loves playing monster with all the big kids. And I have met some new friends too.

I thinks she is adorable in her uniform! Check out her watch! She proudly bought it with birthday money!

I think she misses being home. I am soooo glad she is only in a half day kindergarten! She asks when she gets to stay home. I think it has been hard for her to switch from last years 3 days a week, to 5 days a week now.

Officially 5

Hailey finally turned 5! This was a big one! Her b-day fell exactly one week before school started. For months, I've been trying to teach Hailey to blend letter sounds, to read. For months, I've been trying to get her to eat salad. For months I've been trying to get her to..... Anyway, her response became, "When I'm 5, I will know how to_____," or "I will like to eat______ ,"or "I will________!" I dismissed it until I had a conversation with her, when I realized she believed she was going to wake up and magically know how to do these things , or her taste buds would like these things. Then the night before her 5th b-day, she was addamet about sleeping on the floor. She told me, "When you turn 5, your teeth fall out. And tonight I am turning 5. My teeth are gonna pop out and I will loose them, since I sleep on the top bunk . And then I might not find them to put under my pillow for the tooth fairly!" Thank goodness my Mom was visiting and sleeping on an air mattress. Hailey thought that was close enough to the floor. First thing in the morning she felt for missing teeth. She was disappointed none fell out. She search many mornings after to see if she had lost her teeth! Tonight, she told me her teeth are loose. (They really aren't.)

Months ago, Hailey announced that she would not be having a b-day party! Ah, wonderful I thought. Then, Ms. Party Planner explained our family would be going to Disneyland instead, since "she hadn't gone for a while and was forgetting what it looked liked!" So we figured that might be okay, but we wanted to wait until the summer crowds were gone. About a month before her b-day, she decided she wanted to have a Fancy Tea Party Birthday. No problem, I thought, since last year we had a Tea Party B-day. I was ecstatic when there were only 3 friends on the guest list! And even more excited about the activities. We would have her friends over, dress up in fancy princess dresses, put on make-up, paint nail, and then have a tea party. I was thrilled to not plan games! I'll post the pictures on another post!

Pinky, The Dolphin

Pinky The Dolphin, was purchased for Hailey at the beginning of summer. She instantly fell in love with the dolphin. **Side note this is a replica of a dolphin found in the South Sea of China. It actually has a pink tint on it's back from it's blood vessels. This may save you the lecture from Hailey! Head her off! Anyway Pink, is a soft plastic dolphin. She can be found sleeping with Hailey. She can be seem every time we visit the pool. I have been warned NOT to leave her in the car. Here is Pinky trying on some Build-A -Bear clothes. You might think her fin is an issue, but Pinky quite liked it, from what I've been told.

Sweet Boy Jack

Sweet Jack, before his recent hair cut! Doesn't this face melt you?

On a hot day while playing in the kiddie pool, Jack disappeared to the back yard, and then a while later, came back holding a bunch of yellow flowers. He said, "Take these to Teacher Jeannete!" T. Jeanette, was Hailey's pre-k teacher, who he adores! I told him, she was not at school. But he insisted, "Take flowers to CCNS!" (CCNS is the name of Hailey's school.) I explained she was on vacation, and we could e-mail her a picture of the flowers. He thought this was a great idea!

After the quick photos he ran away to jump over the hose! He loves jumping off of, and over things! I caught him mid-air.

"Can I have it? Please?"

On one particular grocery store trip, I was in an extraordinarily good mood, and the children were in nice moods too. Hailey asked for the expensive variety pack, of tiny cereal boxes. Oh, you know the ones! I figured why not? I reminded her how special this was and I would not be buying them for a while. She was so bouncy the entire shopping trip. She nicely asked the checker for her own bag to carry her cereal. I'm not sure why I took these pictures? Maybe to remind her I'm not mean & I do let her buy special things once in a while!

***Hailey had me take 2 pictures, since there are different boxes on each side. Funny girl!

Bye-Bye Summer, Hello School!!!!!

Our summer was pretty quiet, at least until the last two weeks.

We found this train company called the Roaring Rapids Camp. We originally were going to visit Thomas the Tank Engine, but realized it was a rip-off. So instead, Nick planned this fun train ride to Santa Cruz Beach. Jack loves trains so this was really a great treat for him.

On the morning of we were of course, running late. Nick decides to make up time. But the road is twist through the mountain. Hailey gets car sick easily! I kept checking on her, because I was feeling sick. Finally she yells out, I need a bowl. Of course, I didn't bring one, since the trip was only 30 minutes long. So I dump out our trash bin at my feet. The minute she has the bin, Jack makes barfy sounds. No puke! Thank goodness. Maybe sympathy pains? Hailey was so white, I swore she was going to be sick and no fun for the rest of the day. We got there just in time & had her walk around! No throw-up! Yah!

The train ride took us through a red wood forest. So beautiful! We ended up at the beach. The board walk has lots of nice carnival type rides. So after a nice fishy lunch, we spent hours on the rides. Most, Hailey begged to go on, had a terrified look the entire ride, then exclaim what a terrible and scary ride that was. The worst was the ferris wheel. She was thrill and went skipping off with Nick. And after they were locked in and moved up, the non-stop screaming started. Nick said she was begging him to, "Throw me down to Mommy and she can catch me!" It was so sad! The driver stopped the ride and let them off after going around once! And we didn't even get a refund! Anyway, she said, "I won't go again until I'm like 12 years old!"

We also indulged in cotton candy, chocolate dipped marshmallows, and salt water taffy to name a few of our many indulgences. Nick and my Mom tried deep fried Oreo's, and a deep fried Twinkie. They said the Twinkie was great. And Nick knows his fried foods!

We played in the sand before the train left back to Felton. We never had time to fly the kite we bought. Sad, sad! It was a fun and exciting day! Jack fell asleep on the way home!

Look closely at Jack in my lap. He wore his sunglasses the entire day!

My Mom came at the end of summer, so she could be here for Hailey's first days of Kindergarten. She was really a great support. I wasn't all broken up and weepy on the first day! Instead, Hailey was placed in a Kinder-1st grade combo. I was really uneasy about this for many reason! #1 being, she turned 5 on the day of kinder orientation! Well I sat with my feeling a few days and made the switch 2 days into school! I was really sad about leaving the awesome parents and teacher I'd already bonded to. But I knew Hailey's needs and made a good decision! I love this parent participation program at her school. Parents sign an agreement to put in at least 4 hrs a month into the classroom or school. And this is public! So here's to a great year! An YES we love the uniforms! She looks so cute in them!

Playing Nicely

On morning my kids nicely played together dressing up all their Build-A-Bears.  It was a nice peaceful morning!  

Miniature Tea Party Food

Hailey continues to love playing Miniature Tea Party!  

Here are some of our favorite things to make.  There are chocolate cream pies.  Or Oreo's pulled apart, with whip cream and sprinkles on top.  Then there is her other favorite, mini-marshmallows.  We put icing on top and a heart sprinkle.  Or course there are always fish crackers, gummy bears and fruit.

                                                                       Silly Girl

Curtains in the Kids Room

My Mother-in-law helped me make curtains for the kids room, the last time Nick parents visited.  I must come clean, because, I only did one long stitch.  So my help was minimal.  The material is bright and adds a lot of color to the kids room.  We put red on the back side and black out blinds in the middle.  The kids have been sleeping wonderfully!  

Writing Stories

Hailey & I have been doing school work to get her ready for Kindergarten.

One of her favorite things is to dictate stories, then illustrate them.

Here are two of her cute stories:

"Once upon a time, there was a pretty princess.  She lived in a beautiful big castle with pink flags.  She had a beautiful, beautiful coach.  But the problem was, there were no horses for the coach.  But then that very night, she heard a neigh.  It was pink horses!"

If you look closely, you can see the footman.

This mystery isn't finish, but here's how it begins:

"Once there was a creepy monster.  Then Scooby-Doo's friends saw the footprints of the creepy monster.  They followed the foot prints.  The monster had very long toe nails."

Here's Velma, Shaggy and Scooby.  Shaggy is saying, "These are really big feet!"  Shaggy also is frowning, since he is doesn't want to follow the foot prints.  And Velma's wearing her glasses.   

 Hailey loves watching the old Scooby-Doo.  Velma is her favorite character, because "She's the one who solves the mystery," says Hailey.   She has pretend black glasses like Velma's.  We find her pretending to be her somedays.  Since Hailey loves all things princess, we swore Daphne would be her favorite.  Hailey is quite complex.    

One funny thing...When Hailey draws people she starts out with a stick figure, and then dresses them.

A Good Cuddler

Jack is such a sweet heart!  He loves to have his Mama hold him!  He loves to cuddle in my bed.  He carefully pulls back the blankets and slips in.  Doesn't he look so comfortable?

This little guy just melts my heart!  He is so gentle, kind and caring.  He has great manners!  Which mom isn't melted by a sweet little voice saying, "More please," or "Tank-you Mama."  Ahhh, I just love my little boy!  

Fluffy's B-day Party

Hailey woke up one morning with a plan for the day!   She explained that her newest Build-A-Bear toy had never had a b-day party.  (Good thing no one reminded her all the others have never had a b-day either!)  She quickly explained the plan for the party.  She  said, "Fluffy Cat needs at cake.  She likes strawberry cake with strawberry frosting and sprinkles." (Of course I only had white cake and white frosting!)  "Then we need to go to the party store for balloons.  Pink ones.  Because that is Fluffy's favorite.  Then we need to get her some presents."  

I put aside all my plans for the day, and decided to let her direct our activities.  We went to the store for the cake mix.  We made the cake during Jack's nap.  I convinced her that Fluffy had never seen the old toys.  So she went through a bin of old McDonald's toys and found lots of nice presents for Fluffy!  She wrapped them up in gift bag and even put in some ribbon ("because cats like ribbon," she added).  After Jack's nap, we picked up the balloons.  Fortunately, I had bought her two (really one for her and one for Fluffly).  Fluffy, lost hers outside before the party!

We had a great time !  After eating dinner, Hailey put the candles on the cake, we lit them and sang Happy Birthday to Fluffy.  Hailey and Jack helped blow out the candles.

Here's Fluffy's birthday party.  

Jack told he tonight his Build-A-Bear puppy, named Fluffy Puppy, needs a party too!  He said, "Fuffy Puppy need birfday too!"  Good thing I can convince him that Fluffy Pupy likes white cake!

Oh what to do in the Summertime?

Hailey's been out of school for about 3 weeks!  We have actually been quite busy.  We've had a countless number of miniature tea parties (the cups, plates, tea pot, and silverware are tiny.  So the snacks we make are super tiny).  Many dress-up days.  Lots of experimenting with make-up.  Lots of silliness.  Park days.  Pool days. And a long list of things still to do!    

Miniature Tea Party.  Everything is so small you can's even make it out in the picture! 

Crazy glittery make-up.

Cute Jack being a scary lion.  He is in Hailey's bed.  For about a week he asked nonstop to "Get (in) Hailey's bed?"  It's a top bunk, so I'm always a bit worried about things getting rough up there, and someone falling out!  

I must explain.  This is Hailey's Build-A-Bear costume piece.  She wanted to make Jack a mermaid.  Poor little boy!

Lots of huge toy messes!  Someone once told me, you have to take your kids to the park lots in the summer.  This way, the mess is not at your house.  I understand this very well now!

New Summer Tradition

We really like barbecuing hotdogs and sausages on Friday's.  The kids like eating outside and roasting marshmallows.  Jack simply likes eating marshmallows.  We lost count how many he ate.  He kept sneaking them.  So we've decided to make this  a weekly event!  We've only missed one Friday this past month.  That Friday it was almost 100 degrees and way to hot to do anything!

Hailey's Growing Up

Here's Hailey back in Aug. '08, on the first day of school.

She brought her black purse, with a pink bow.  Most days, she takes a purse to school.

Hailey's last week of school, June '09.  Look how much she's grown (it's the same easel). 

She is very poised and confident.  She has a pink coin purse filled with money and necklaces.