Sunday, June 27, 2010

Week 19

This past week was a busy one. It is hard to believe that we are going on 20 weeks since Nathan left---that's like half of a pregnancy and almost 5 months! I think Lincoln is really starting to feel the lack of testosterone around the house. We have had some really bad whining episodes that we have been dealing with. For me I can take an infant crying any day over a whining toddler. It is like fingernails on a chalkboard! Most of the time it is not a specific issue that he is particularly upset about, it is just that everything upsets him---making me think it is more of displaced anger since Nathan is gone. We are working through it though, so that is good.





We did some major experimenting with Corinne's hair this week. She has developed a slight 1980s rat tail, so I am trying to make her look more girlie and less "mullet-like".















On Monday night we went to Family Fun Night at the Community Rec Center. This week's activity was crazy concoctions. We made our own sidewalk chalk paint out of cornstarch, water, and food coloring.
















Corinne did a great job hanging in the backpack--as chipper as can be.






















Then we made "blue goo"---similar to that old school Nickelodeon Gak that I grew up with.





















It was by far his favorite activity, but we both left with seriously blue stained hands.





















We also made a "Little Guy" as Lincoln calls it---our homemade Chia Pet out of dirt, panty hose, grass seed and a yogurt cup.
















I figured out that pig tails work the best with Corinne. They are far enough out of the way that she doesn't try to pull them out constantly.





















And it gets all that hair off her neck for when we are out and about in the sun.
















Lincoln has been sporting his faux hawk with pride.















We went to San Clemente beach this week with the church group. At first I wasn't going to go because the kids were a bit snotty, then my dad convinced me that the salt water will be good for them. I was glad we went because we had a blast and discovered a new favorite beach site. Going with the church group that is made up of a bunch of moms with older kids is great because it feels like I have 15 babysitters. Corinne just hops from lap to lap and Lincoln plays with the big kids and flirts with the pretty girls.
















Lincoln loved the big rocks as well as the sand.















He made a new friend with Miss Hannah who built sand castles with him.















Corinne stayed out of the water, but worked on her tan once the clouds cleared out.
















Hannah and Lincoln started out with taking trips down to the water to aid them in their sand castle efforts.















But he quickly talked her into going for a swim. The whole ride home I heard, "I swam in the ocean with Miss Hannah!" from the backseat.





















Corinne discovered a serious love of red velvet cake cookies. She had one taste and attacked me for more!















































We went to the pediatric ophthalmologist on Thursday to checkout Corinne's clogged tear duct. The doc said everything looks good, but they will need to schedule surgery to unclog the duct. So I will wait to hear more about when this is going to take place. Apparently it is only a 5 min. procedure and they just "gas" her to put her under. But we will be down in San Diego for about 6 hrs. from start to finish. For now I am waiting on a date from the surgery coordinator.

After the appointment I laid Corinne down for a nap and she later joined Lincoln and I for some pool time fun in the sun.





















I was a little confused why she was walking funny and looked drunk. Then I remembered that her eyes might be a little dilated still. So our outside time came to a halt and we spent the rest of the day indoors.




















Lincoln and Corinne got a nice surprise in the mail from their friend Ana---Silly Bands shaped like Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Characters. Both kids think they are pretty cool!















Lincoln did this all by himself one day after going potty---he was Superhero Undies Man.





















Jessica and I had big plans to go down to the San Diego Children's Museum for "Toddler Time Water Play." So we packed up the kids in their swimsuits and planned for a 2 hour blast of fun in the sun. Well, when we got there we found a little patch of grassed roped off with a sprinkler and some buckets----LAME! After already forking over the time and money for the drive and parking we decided to go do the museum instead. I just have to say that I am really glad I got the military discount of $5 a person---instead of the usual $20 a person. It really makes me think, who in their right mind would pay $20 each (for kids too) to come to this place??? The kids had fun, so that is what really matters, but I was very disappointed. Nothing compares to the Indianapolis Children's Museum.


Here is the "draw on the fur" room----interesting to say the least. I guess that is what you get in San Diego.



















And who knew plastic animals could be so much fun. This was such an odd assortment of whales, sharks, rams, and dinosaurs. I mean really what was the theme here???

















Corinne got in on the plastic animal action too.






















Lincoln made a painting for Dada.























This area was called "Barnyard Dance". It had one puzzle--pictured below, a ride on ladybug (when did a ladybug start to fall under the category of farm animals???), and a bunch of bags filled with stuffing labeled "feed". Not the most exciting room, but the one geared for 2 yrs. and under. HMMMMM??? How many two year olds do you know that are thoroughly entertained by a 6 piece puzzle and pillows???





















I guess this was considered the "grocery store" room. Corinne enjoyed a seat at a table. And that "block" under her foot is a cardboard box taped up with a bad drawling of a dog on it. Come on, I could do better than that! Those cashregisters in the background are just blocks of wood---no buttons, no noises, no bells and whistles.



















And I have no idea what these little contraptions that were littered all over the floor were. Lincoln decided he would try it out as a hat.






















This room wasn't so bad. The kids enjoyed the shoe free zone and the huge puzzle pieces.















The building block area was somewhat entertaining for them. You can tell by the excitement on Corinne's face.

















We were hoping this bubble area would be a blast. However, someone that works here doesn't know how to make a proper bubble mixture. It was mostly water and hardly any soap, so there were no bubbles to be had.



















This Trojan Horse replica was pretty cool. Lincoln was itching to get inside it.





















Then they got to play with some more blocks.



















After sitting with this Museum employee Jessica and I decided you have to be "special" to work in a place like this.



















Lincoln enjoyed the climbing wall the most---probably because he wants to be just like his Daddy.

















He made it to the top with ease and even got down by himself.






















We wrapped up our day with some eisle drawling.




















Here is a shot of the little artist focusing on his work.






















The artist in myself came out a bit this week and I finally got Lincoln's firetruck paintings done.

















No thank you Pottery Barn Kids, I will pass on your $300 paintings and do my own for less than $50 and 3 hrs of work!















A special suprise came in the mail from Grammy! Lincoln loves his new sidekick---Woody!




















And Corinne can't get enough of her hooded Jessie towel. Right now it is getting more use as dress up than drying off.






















Here is Lincoln saying "Don't touch my Woody!"
















And here is our "Little Guy" at the end of the week. If you look closely you can see he has sprouted a few hairs.

















QUOTES OF THE WEEK

Quote 1:
While talking about our adventures---specifically our trip to the Fairy Festival last week. He climbed up this 6 foot wall all by himself and I have no idea how he got there in the first place.
Me: "You are a monkey!"
Lincoln: "I climbed that wall at the Fairy Festival."
Me: "Yeah, that was crazy!"
Lincoln: "Kiddos love to do that stuff."
Me: "Yeah, I guess you are right."
Lincoln: "I climbed that wall like Dada."

Quote 2:
While talking to my sister on the phone and packing up sand toys for our beach trip the following day.
Me: To my sister "Oh he wants to take the huge dump truck to the beach." To Lincoln "It's too heavy kiddo. I can't carry it." To my sis "I wish I had an extra person here to carry stuff on our trips."
Lincoln: "I a person--I carry it!"
And he did. I told him we could take it, but only if he carried it and took full responsibility for hauling down to the beach. I parked far away and he carried/pushed/dragged that truck all the way there and all the way back. He was so determined and took his job very serious.

Quote 3:
While trying to get Lincoln in bed one night.
Lincoln: "You're sick and tired of us kiddos being mean!"
Me: "Yes, I am!"
What can I say, it was a stressful week with lots of tantrums.

Quote 4:
Out of nowhere.
Lincoln: "Peee-ewwwe! Chompy stinks. You need to take him to the dry cleaners!"

Sunday, June 20, 2010

Week 18

We had a very busy and eventful week. It started out a bit rocky with some serious grouchiness coming from the kids, but I knew to expect that after having a visitor. But two days later, they were fully recovered from Grammy's visit and back to normal. Highlights from the week include Lincoln's first date, a trip to a bounce house place with Colton, a visit to Newport Beach, and attending a Fairy Festival.
We laid low on Monday and tried to get caught up on our chores. Corinne decided she wanted to try eating at the big kid table and did pretty well--until I walked into the house to grab a sippy cup and she instantly dumped her plate. Oh well, better luck next time.















Then Miss Karen and her daughter Haley came by to pick up Lincoln for some ice cream. He was thrilled to get to ride in Karen's "big, red, loud truck" and he even talked her into taking him back to her place so he could meet her "big puppy dogs and 4 dumb cats" (she has 2 English Mastiffs and 4 leftover barn cats that she wishes she didn't have). He also got to meet her son, Griffin--who rides motocross and gave Linc a little motocross action figure and bike. Griffin instantly took a spot in Lincoln's top 10 list! It was such a treat for him and he felt sooo special to be able to go out without Mom and that pesky sister. Meanwhile, Corinne and I got all the clothes put away.
























We were finally able to schedule a play date at Pump It Up with Colton for Tuesday. I have to say that it was very entertaining and I look forward to bringing Nathan there too, so we can all play some more.




















It was a little rough making it up the inclines, but Lincoln made it!
















And the slide down was well worth the hard work!





















I even took a turn with the boys!
















On Wednesday, we met up with the Lewison clan at Newport Beach to join the church group summer beach tour. This was our first one of six, but I have to say after having a 2.5 hour drive home, we will opt out of all future LA beach visits. Most of the other moms have older kids that can stay late past rush hour. But even with leaving at 2:30 pm, we still hit bad traffic--partly because of a brush fire---gotta love California!

The kids still had a great time in the sun and sand.




















Corinne made herself comfortable with the Women's Ministry leader.
















At first I told them it was just a day to play in the sand---that the water was too cold to get in.

















But that didn't last long.
















And before I knew it, we were soaking wet in ice cold water! This kid is fearless and thinks nothing of diving right in--despite the cold water and huge waves. (I also signed Lincoln up for swim lessons this week to start in July.)















One of the best parts of our day was coming home to a nice clean house (Karen came while we were gone) and to some new friends---well not so much new, but definitely different!
















Both kids were super excited to meet the butterflies.












Lincoln had to coax them out and introduce himself.

















They were not entirely ready to fly, but Lincoln enjoyed chasing them around the yard. Unfortunately so did Chomper. We had to yell at him to not eat them---then we threw him in the house.















We tried feeding them some sugar water on a rose, but they were more interested in flying away from the crazy kiddos that were chasing them all around the yard.



















Corinne decided she didn't want the food to go to waste---so she ate it instead.















Corinne got a new swimsuit and sandals to prepare for all our water activities this summer.





















Lincoln tried out a new sand/water toy....while Corinne practiced her table dancing skills.









































And off goes the hat.




















Then she gives me this look like "What??? I know you enjoyed my performance!"


















Lincoln was way overdue for a haircut, so on our trip down to Pendleton to pick up San Diego County Fair tickets, we decided to swing in for a haircut. It is the best one he has had since Nathan left. But he did say that he wants Daddy to cut his hair when he gets home.

















And we made it home for some more fun in the sun.





















Corinne is obsessed with naming her parts---especially her belly button.





















She practed her moves some more.




















And Lincoln kept us nice and cool.






















This is his tough guy face, but apparently not too tough to warm up with Mama in the sun.




















On Saturday morning we headed to the Botanical Gardens for the Fairy Festival with the Lewisons. It was originally planned as a girls day, but we decided to let the boys tag along when we were at a loss for babysitters. We lucked out and got in for free because it was one of the facilites participating in Blue Star--enableing all active duty military and their families to get in for free between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Yay for us!














Lincoln was a bit bummed that he didn't get to dress up---but was thoroughly entertained by the fairly dust (glitter confetti) that the workers kept handing him.



















He also checked out the garden telescope...















...and playhouse.














Then he did a bit of creek stomping.
















And managed to pose for a picture.




















The kids enjoyed the larger than life lawn chairs...















and music garden.















Corinne suprisingly well at keeping her wings on.



















Then we ended the day by meeting the Fairy Queen.





















The kids took a great nap when we got home and woke up refreshed and ready for some more dress-up.





















Lincoln made us some tea---




















That was just delicious.
















They even managed to both smile for me in their chef outfits.
















They each thought the other one was looking kind of funny in those hats!














After a date with Daddy on Skype, Lincoln and I had a slumber party in his room. I brought in the tv from the garage and we watched A Princess and a Frog together before bed. I finally realized why he is always sleeping upside down in bed--the kid does summersaults when he is half conscious with his eyes closed as he is falling asleep. Then when he is starting to drift off into a deep sleep and starts to twitch a bit, he laughs out loud! He must be having some really good dreams! I only lasted in there until about 1 am--he is too much of a monkey to sleep with!















On Sunday we went to church and I tried to get a nice pic of the kids all dressed up. Allow me to narrate their thoughts for you here.
Linc---No not again! Corinne---Oh yes! Take some more please.















Corinne---Mom, he isn't cooperating!















Corrine---I think if I karate kick him, he might sit still for you.
















Lincoln---No, I am going to kick you off of the couch and out of my photo shoot.















Lincoln---Now that's what I am talkin' about!
















After our two new sprinklers from Grammy bit the dust (thank you for thinking ahead and leaving the receipt Grammy!), we exchanged them for a new one! It turns out the third time is a charm and the ball popper/sprinkler is a favorite that actually works and stays in the ground!



































Corinne kept her distance and was a bit afraid to put the balls in herself. So she gathered them and handed them to Linc to plop back in.





















He was one happy camper to have a sprinkler back!









































And we ended the night with a spaghetti dinner. And yes, Mom and Dad, I do let my kids eat marinara sauce with their spaghetti---but only on bath nights!



































QUOTES OF THE WEEK


Quote 1:

After insisting all week that there was a space shuttle at Miss Karen's house and finally going for a visit to check it out.
Lincoln: sad voice "There's no space shuttle at Miss Karen's house."

Quote 2:
After I threw away a note that Karen left me with the fresh cut roses after cleaning the house.
Lincoln: Yelling at me "Don't throw that in the trash. That will make Miss Karen sad!"

Quote 3:
While we are releasing the butterflies
Lincoln: "Come on butterflies. Time to fly."
Me: "Say hello to them."
Lincoln: "Hi, I'm Lincoln. That's Chompy, my puppy dog."
Me: "What about Sissy...Tell him Sissy's name?"
Lincoln: "That is my Sissy."
Me: "Yes, but what do we call her?"
Lincoln: "We call her Sissy!"































Quote 4:
Just talking on the couch.
Lincoln: "What's Sissy's name?"
Me: "Corinne"
Lincoln: "Her a princess!"
Me: "Yes, she is a princess!"
Lincoln: Yelling "Her OUR princess! Her OUR baby!"


Quote 5:
After telling me he wants to dress up at the Fairy Festival the next day too.
Me: "You can't dress up like a fairy. That is just for girls. But there will be lots of pretty girls all dressed up there to look at."
Lincoln: "I'm gonna get them. I'm gonna chase them!"

Quote 6:
Totally random while we are playing in the family room.
Lincoln: "Stupid dog! I like saying that to Chompy!"
Apparently I need to watch what I say to the dog too!