It is COLD here today!!! I think it was 10 below this morning (not factoring in wind chill).
Needless to say, we stayed in and stayed warm. It was nice...since Ryan is home, each kid got some individual attention (which they needed!). Austin played lots of hoops with Daddy and Caitlin helped me set the table for dinner. I was able to play a game with Austin while Ryan played and talked with Caitlin. So, it was a very calm, low key day. PERFECT!
I forgot to mention that Caitlin has the rather impressive talent of picking things up with her toes. It is sort of freaky...like she's part monkey or something (watch it...)!
I guess that's all for now...going to head up to bed. All this relaxing has made me tired! ;)
Friday, January 16, 2009
Thursday, January 15, 2009
SNOW DAY! :)
Yesterday was awesome. We had quite a bit of beautiful, fluffy snow falling at times all day long...I love to watch snow falling...it is so peaceful. Not much accumulated though. Anyway, we took a snow day from speech at the "big school" and bundled up to play in the snow. The kids were soooooo excited! Once outside, Austin got right to work. He grabbed his mini snow shovel determined to conquer the driveway. He kept getting mad that the shovel slid right out of his tiny, mittened hand...but he kept at it. Caitlin ran out and started making her snow angels immediately! Then they had a couple races across the front lawn while I shoveled the driveway. After about 15 minutes we went back inside. It was sooooooo cold!!! We "unbundled" ourselves and I made some hot chocolate. Austin wanted his with "cream" (whipped cream) & Caitlin decided she wanted that too. She had one sip and was done. Austin proceeded to drink all of his and all of hers!!! Good thing I only had them split one packet of cocoa.
Today school was on a 2 hour delay b/c of the freezing temperatures. We had a relaxing morning at home then headed out. Austin had a rough start...lots of clinging to mommy and protesting. Then I took him over to a toy I knew he liked. So I asked him to show me how it worked...well, he must have wanted it all to himself (or got tired of me) and said, "Leave Mom". Hey, I was just happy he was ready to jump in and play with the other kids...maybe he was trying reverse psychology on me? If he was, it backfired on him...I was outta there. Their teacher said they had a good day and they both looked like they were happy as clams at pick-up time. I love that their school has windows that allow you to see the kids in class without them seeing you! I always hang out for the last 15-30 minutes of their school day to watch how they do...interacting w/peers, attending to the lesson, participating in activities...I like to know.
Some more funny things that the kids have said and done recently...
**Caitlin eating noodles last night..."Mom, these are the BEST noodles EVER!!! You're my best friend!!!" She does have a flair for the dramatic... :)
**Austin playing the keyboard in our dining room. His favorite tune to practice? Livin' La Vida Loca by Ricky Martin!!! (Uncle Travis, you'd be proud of his masterful rendition of your once favorite keyboard song...) Austin was downstairs at about 7am to practice...he loves to tinker with the tempo of the song and throw in some dj features (scratching) as well. Little Herbie Hancock...
**Caitlin telling Ryan about our snow day..."Daddy you may make snow angels. All you have to do is lay down in the snow and move your arms and legs up and down!"
**When Austin doesn't want you to look at him he says, "Don't see me." I think that is so funny!
**Caitlin crying on the potty tonight and yelling at me, "My tinks (short for tinkles) are hot!" If anyone can figure out what the heck this means, let us know...
**Austin the entertainer..."2,4,6...ROCK!" before launching into his guitar solo. Also, "Ladies and Gentlemen! Welcome to our concert!"
**Austin telling me "I like Judge Judy. I watch it at work!" So I asked, "Where do you work?" His reply? "I do the laundry, then I get on my motorcycle and make a left turn and go to watch the big guys with my daddy and then I see Mr. Larry."
That's about all for now! Hoping to post pictures soon, but Ryan is gone a lot and he is the slide show guru! :)
Today school was on a 2 hour delay b/c of the freezing temperatures. We had a relaxing morning at home then headed out. Austin had a rough start...lots of clinging to mommy and protesting. Then I took him over to a toy I knew he liked. So I asked him to show me how it worked...well, he must have wanted it all to himself (or got tired of me) and said, "Leave Mom". Hey, I was just happy he was ready to jump in and play with the other kids...maybe he was trying reverse psychology on me? If he was, it backfired on him...I was outta there. Their teacher said they had a good day and they both looked like they were happy as clams at pick-up time. I love that their school has windows that allow you to see the kids in class without them seeing you! I always hang out for the last 15-30 minutes of their school day to watch how they do...interacting w/peers, attending to the lesson, participating in activities...I like to know.
Some more funny things that the kids have said and done recently...
**Caitlin eating noodles last night..."Mom, these are the BEST noodles EVER!!! You're my best friend!!!" She does have a flair for the dramatic... :)
**Austin playing the keyboard in our dining room. His favorite tune to practice? Livin' La Vida Loca by Ricky Martin!!! (Uncle Travis, you'd be proud of his masterful rendition of your once favorite keyboard song...) Austin was downstairs at about 7am to practice...he loves to tinker with the tempo of the song and throw in some dj features (scratching) as well. Little Herbie Hancock...
**Caitlin telling Ryan about our snow day..."Daddy you may make snow angels. All you have to do is lay down in the snow and move your arms and legs up and down!"
**When Austin doesn't want you to look at him he says, "Don't see me." I think that is so funny!
**Caitlin crying on the potty tonight and yelling at me, "My tinks (short for tinkles) are hot!" If anyone can figure out what the heck this means, let us know...
**Austin the entertainer..."2,4,6...ROCK!" before launching into his guitar solo. Also, "Ladies and Gentlemen! Welcome to our concert!"
**Austin telling me "I like Judge Judy. I watch it at work!" So I asked, "Where do you work?" His reply? "I do the laundry, then I get on my motorcycle and make a left turn and go to watch the big guys with my daddy and then I see Mr. Larry."
That's about all for now! Hoping to post pictures soon, but Ryan is gone a lot and he is the slide show guru! :)
Monday, January 12, 2009
Prince Charming
The kids have been OBSESSED with watching Sleeping Beauty...now, listen to this....
Yesterday, Austin woke from his nap and came down for cuddles while Caitlin was still sleeping (or "bleeping" as he would say!). He seemed really groggy so I asked if he was still sleepy. He said yes and then told me, "I gonna take a rest in my bed. Be back in 3 minutes." And off he went back to bed. About 10 minutes later, both kids were awake. Austin told me..."I waked sissy up with a kiss just like Sleeping Beauty."
Wanted to blog that before I forgot....more during naps today....
Yesterday, Austin woke from his nap and came down for cuddles while Caitlin was still sleeping (or "bleeping" as he would say!). He seemed really groggy so I asked if he was still sleepy. He said yes and then told me, "I gonna take a rest in my bed. Be back in 3 minutes." And off he went back to bed. About 10 minutes later, both kids were awake. Austin told me..."I waked sissy up with a kiss just like Sleeping Beauty."
Wanted to blog that before I forgot....more during naps today....
Friday, January 9, 2009
fun with cocoa!
we went to the children's museum for the "cocoa party" this morning (the kids get super excited if you call whatever activity a "party"). it ended up being a great experience for them! austin was slow to warm up...there were a few tears and clingy moments but once he got settled, he was great. caitlin walked in like she'd been there a million times before. while they were in the class, ryan and i strolled the museum (okay, does one exhibit count?) and then hung out in the museum store until it was time to go get the kiddos. when we walked in to their classroom, austin was so excited that he got to drink cocoa. he yelled, "i drinked my hot cocoa all!" caitlin ran up and gave ryan a major hug...when she finished hugging i noticed that ryan had some powderlike substance all over his BLACK jacket. then i got a good look at our daughter....COVERED in a combo of cocoa and flour. there was not a clean spot on her clothes or shoes!!! turns out that austin and caitlin chose activities that they could do away from the larger group (was told that this is common for 1st timers)...so she spent the entire time playing in a sandbox filled with cocoa powder & flour. it was cute.
tonight ryan and i get to sneak away for a couple hours for a date...dinner at one of our favorite mexican restaurants! it will be good to have some adult time out and about...we didn't really get to enjoy his last trip home b/c i was not feeling great & he leaves again tomorrow morning. his december travel seemed to go by quickly so i am hoping january is the same...we miss our guy when he's gone!!!
caitlin's new favorite phrase? "knock it off!" we told her she can only say that to the pets if they are being bad b/c she was saying it to EVERYBODY!
i've got a ton of laundry to do before my hot date tonight.....more later!!!!!
tonight ryan and i get to sneak away for a couple hours for a date...dinner at one of our favorite mexican restaurants! it will be good to have some adult time out and about...we didn't really get to enjoy his last trip home b/c i was not feeling great & he leaves again tomorrow morning. his december travel seemed to go by quickly so i am hoping january is the same...we miss our guy when he's gone!!!
caitlin's new favorite phrase? "knock it off!" we told her she can only say that to the pets if they are being bad b/c she was saying it to EVERYBODY!
i've got a ton of laundry to do before my hot date tonight.....more later!!!!!
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
AHHH...routine!
well, i am happy to report that austin and caitlin had a great first day back at school and are excited they get to go to the "little school" twice a week now. i am hoping after this week we'll see an improvement in their demeanor. two weeks of no routine was awful for all of us! it was made worse by the fact that i was sick and in bed for about a week of that time so we really couldn't go out. ryan was awesome with the kids and held down the fort like a champ...he even came home from his trip early to take care of us. so, while i am still not 100%, we are able to go out for short excursions if cabin fever strikes.
friday i am taking the kids to the children's museum for a class called "cocoa chemistry"...all about hot cocoa. i thought it might be something new and exciting for them to experience....hoping they enjoy it!
some funny stuff that i've seen and heard lately...
**austin being totally baffled (and a little peeved) that santa didn't hand over a black guitar and headphones immediately after austin sat on his lap. we had to reassure him that the elves were still making the toys and santa delivered them on christmas eve.
**caitlin yelling "austin stinked my bed!!!!" which means he sat on her bed while he had poop in his pull up. (just fyi...no poop left the pull up when he sat on her bed...the girl has an ultra sensitive sniffer!)
**ryan, austin, and caitlin...guitars strapped on....jamming to guitar hero. it was a classic sight!
**both kids using the potty for tinkles with NO ACCIDENTS! YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! now the next step is to get those poops in there and then night dryness.
okay...i know there is more....i'll have to consult ryan to remember all the random stuff i tell him about everyday...if i don't write it down immediately, forget it!
friday i am taking the kids to the children's museum for a class called "cocoa chemistry"...all about hot cocoa. i thought it might be something new and exciting for them to experience....hoping they enjoy it!
some funny stuff that i've seen and heard lately...
**austin being totally baffled (and a little peeved) that santa didn't hand over a black guitar and headphones immediately after austin sat on his lap. we had to reassure him that the elves were still making the toys and santa delivered them on christmas eve.
**caitlin yelling "austin stinked my bed!!!!" which means he sat on her bed while he had poop in his pull up. (just fyi...no poop left the pull up when he sat on her bed...the girl has an ultra sensitive sniffer!)
**ryan, austin, and caitlin...guitars strapped on....jamming to guitar hero. it was a classic sight!
**both kids using the potty for tinkles with NO ACCIDENTS! YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! now the next step is to get those poops in there and then night dryness.
okay...i know there is more....i'll have to consult ryan to remember all the random stuff i tell him about everyday...if i don't write it down immediately, forget it!
Friday, December 26, 2008
Christmas
Sorry it has been so long since we posted! I have not been home very much, and things have been pretty hectic around the house.
We have had a fun month getting ready for Christmas. The kids knew that after Thanksgiving was Christmas, so almost everyday was filled with the question, "Is it Christmas yet?" This was really the first year that Austin and Caitlin knew that Santa was going to come and leave them presents. They were so excited to go to the mall and see him. Both did great, in fact Austin wouldn't stop talking to him. He told him a few times that he wanted a black guitar and headphones. Caitlin followed that up with her request for a pink guitar and headphones.
We went to church on Christmas eve. Caitlin wanted to get all dressed up in her "fancy dress" and we even got Austin to wear a decent shirt and some cords. He requested a bulldozer shirt, but I luckily talked him out of it! After church we drove through this enormous light display that a local John Deere dealership puts up every year. It is really undescribable, it is so big.
After we got home, we sprinkled (dumped) some "magic reindeer food" on the lawn that the kids had made at school. The kids went to bed around 9, which is way late for them, and other than Austin getting up to look out the window for Santa, they went to sleep pretty quickly.
Amazingly, they slept pretty late. They didn't get up until about 7:30 or so. That is about a 1/2 hour later than normal lately. They came downstairs to see all that Santa had left them. They were really excited, and really cute. Austin got a new hoop, a black guitar, a kid's mp3 player, some pajamas, and some other little things like hot wheels and a soccer ball. Caitlin got her pink guitar, a kid's mp3 player, a doll house, a hula hoop, some pajamas and some other smaller stuff.
We opened the other presents after a little while, and they did pretty good. They said, "Thank you" and took turns opening, which Kim and I were happy with. Everyone that sent them or gave them anything, thank you. They have played some with everything that they got, and just go from toy to toy. They are a little overwhelmed, I think.
And one last note...Last Satuday, as I left for a trip, Kim undertook potty training both kids. Caitlin has toyed with it off and on, while Austin had shown no desire whatsoever. Well, she did a great job, and the kids have been great. Since I got home late Monday night, we have only had 1 accident, so they are doing great. We are really proud of them, and I am looking forward to the reduced expenses of diapers!!!
That is about it. Below are some Christmas pictures I thought everyone might like to see...Some are from Christmas Eve and the rest are from Christmas morning.
We have had a fun month getting ready for Christmas. The kids knew that after Thanksgiving was Christmas, so almost everyday was filled with the question, "Is it Christmas yet?" This was really the first year that Austin and Caitlin knew that Santa was going to come and leave them presents. They were so excited to go to the mall and see him. Both did great, in fact Austin wouldn't stop talking to him. He told him a few times that he wanted a black guitar and headphones. Caitlin followed that up with her request for a pink guitar and headphones.
We went to church on Christmas eve. Caitlin wanted to get all dressed up in her "fancy dress" and we even got Austin to wear a decent shirt and some cords. He requested a bulldozer shirt, but I luckily talked him out of it! After church we drove through this enormous light display that a local John Deere dealership puts up every year. It is really undescribable, it is so big.
After we got home, we sprinkled (dumped) some "magic reindeer food" on the lawn that the kids had made at school. The kids went to bed around 9, which is way late for them, and other than Austin getting up to look out the window for Santa, they went to sleep pretty quickly.
Amazingly, they slept pretty late. They didn't get up until about 7:30 or so. That is about a 1/2 hour later than normal lately. They came downstairs to see all that Santa had left them. They were really excited, and really cute. Austin got a new hoop, a black guitar, a kid's mp3 player, some pajamas, and some other little things like hot wheels and a soccer ball. Caitlin got her pink guitar, a kid's mp3 player, a doll house, a hula hoop, some pajamas and some other smaller stuff.
We opened the other presents after a little while, and they did pretty good. They said, "Thank you" and took turns opening, which Kim and I were happy with. Everyone that sent them or gave them anything, thank you. They have played some with everything that they got, and just go from toy to toy. They are a little overwhelmed, I think.
And one last note...Last Satuday, as I left for a trip, Kim undertook potty training both kids. Caitlin has toyed with it off and on, while Austin had shown no desire whatsoever. Well, she did a great job, and the kids have been great. Since I got home late Monday night, we have only had 1 accident, so they are doing great. We are really proud of them, and I am looking forward to the reduced expenses of diapers!!!
That is about it. Below are some Christmas pictures I thought everyone might like to see...Some are from Christmas Eve and the rest are from Christmas morning.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Today was nice!
Yesterday Ryan came home for less than 24 hours...unfortunately I don't think he got to enjoy it too much because (1) he was sick and mostly slept and (2) the kids were grouchy as all get out! He left for sunny Florida again this morning... :(
The kids were in a MUCH better mood today. They came into our room at around 8:30 so we enjoyed some snuggles while watching cartoons. The kids drank some milk, I had some coffee. It was very laid back and relaxing. Then we headed downstairs for breakfast. Last night I assembled an "art basket" that they shared...it had various things in it...glue sticks, stickers, colored popsicle sticks, tissue paper, paint pens, colored pencils, scissors...they did "art projects" for about an hour! Austin declared he was giving his to Aunt Bubbles and she was going to "blove it!" Caitlin always says she's giving her stuff to Gramma. Caitlin managed to use an entire glue stick without gluing one thing! You figure that one out!!! After that we headed to the basement. They played soooo nicely until naptime at around 1pm. Then we all took a little snooze until 4pm (I only fell asleep around 3pm so don't be too jealous...no 3 hour nap for mommy!). After a little snack I gave them a bath and put their pj's on because we had an exciting night ahead of us!
Their special treat was a car ride in their jammies to look at Christmas lights. And that's what we did!!! We stopped at Wendy's and the kids ate jr. cheeseburgers while we drove around town. We drove past the town hall, through some neighborhoods, and through this huge display at Reynolds (a John Deere place). We probably drove around for about an hour and 20 minutes listening to Christmas music and chatting about everything we saw. Caitlin saw some light up reindeer and said, "I wish Daddy would set up my reindeer." I told her I would tell him she said that and that it would probably melt his heart. She said, "No! Then his heart would be broken!" She was cracking me up. Austin was kind of being a stinker today but he was so sweet too...while we were at a stop light I turned around to smile at him and he gave me the biggest grin like he was having the time of his life! Then when we got home he wanted me to carry him and dance! He loves that!
At bedtime I read them a Mary Engelbreit edition of "The Night Before Christmas". That particular book gets me all teary eyed because I bought it at a book fair at Montwood (where I taught) shortly after Ryan and I married, with the intention of reading it to our children someday soon after that. There were a lot of discouraging Christmases where I thought I would never get the chance to do that. So every time I read them that book, it is special. They are our miracles & that book reminds me that God fulfilled the deepest desire of my heart.
Well, suppose I should go straighten up...busy day tomorrow...speech and eye dr. - woo hoo!
The kids were in a MUCH better mood today. They came into our room at around 8:30 so we enjoyed some snuggles while watching cartoons. The kids drank some milk, I had some coffee. It was very laid back and relaxing. Then we headed downstairs for breakfast. Last night I assembled an "art basket" that they shared...it had various things in it...glue sticks, stickers, colored popsicle sticks, tissue paper, paint pens, colored pencils, scissors...they did "art projects" for about an hour! Austin declared he was giving his to Aunt Bubbles and she was going to "blove it!" Caitlin always says she's giving her stuff to Gramma. Caitlin managed to use an entire glue stick without gluing one thing! You figure that one out!!! After that we headed to the basement. They played soooo nicely until naptime at around 1pm. Then we all took a little snooze until 4pm (I only fell asleep around 3pm so don't be too jealous...no 3 hour nap for mommy!). After a little snack I gave them a bath and put their pj's on because we had an exciting night ahead of us!
Their special treat was a car ride in their jammies to look at Christmas lights. And that's what we did!!! We stopped at Wendy's and the kids ate jr. cheeseburgers while we drove around town. We drove past the town hall, through some neighborhoods, and through this huge display at Reynolds (a John Deere place). We probably drove around for about an hour and 20 minutes listening to Christmas music and chatting about everything we saw. Caitlin saw some light up reindeer and said, "I wish Daddy would set up my reindeer." I told her I would tell him she said that and that it would probably melt his heart. She said, "No! Then his heart would be broken!" She was cracking me up. Austin was kind of being a stinker today but he was so sweet too...while we were at a stop light I turned around to smile at him and he gave me the biggest grin like he was having the time of his life! Then when we got home he wanted me to carry him and dance! He loves that!
At bedtime I read them a Mary Engelbreit edition of "The Night Before Christmas". That particular book gets me all teary eyed because I bought it at a book fair at Montwood (where I taught) shortly after Ryan and I married, with the intention of reading it to our children someday soon after that. There were a lot of discouraging Christmases where I thought I would never get the chance to do that. So every time I read them that book, it is special. They are our miracles & that book reminds me that God fulfilled the deepest desire of my heart.
Well, suppose I should go straighten up...busy day tomorrow...speech and eye dr. - woo hoo!
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