Week 30

We had a very busy week with some low and high moments. The kids were a bit on the cranky side and I think they sense the anxiety of Daddy coming home. But on a good note, we got to hang out with friends and I got a lot accomplished in my party/homecoming prep.

On Monday, we headed to the Aquatic Center to meet up with our old friends: Jay and LeAnn and their two daughters, Ellie and Charley. Now I say old friends, but when I sat back and thought about it, I had never even met their kids and the last time I saw LeAnn was 11 years ago at her bridal shower! I was just a pesky high school kid then, but it didn't really seem like it was that long ago. Time flies I guess. Jay was flabbergasted that I was a mom these days (He is my Nana's son and has known me since I was born). It was great to see them all again and finally get to meet their great kiddos that I have only seen pictures of over the years. And of course it was so nice to chat in person with LeAnn, after years of emailing back and forth.

Corinne was ready for the pool right after her nap.





















But I had to remind her that we were not headed to the nude beach down in San Diego.






















Lincoln literally and figuratively "latched" onto Ellie. He was like a lost puppy dog, following her around the pool all afternoon. Ellie is a great "big kid" role model for Lincoln. She has awesome manners and was a huge help with corralling the little ones. Lincoln loved playing "shark" with her and going down the slides together.















After so much fun on Monday with no nap, it sort of set us up for disaster on Tuesday during Mommy and Me school. I could devote and entire blog to last Tuesday's events, but I will spare everyone the details. A condensed version goes a little something like this: Lincoln is a perfectionist who hates having his shapes even slightly crooked. He also hates when his name is not "just right". When I try to help him with my "righty" ways, his "lefty" brain insists that I am doing it all wrong. We left early after multiple meltdowns--myself included. I talked to his teacher later that day and discussed ways we can get over this hurdle. Pray for me for next week!
(Later on this week when we were working on his thank you notes, Lincoln told me he doesn't like other kids to see his shapes. He obviously feels embarrassed that they are not exactly right. So I told him that next class we will make "secret shapes" that only he and Mommy get to see. He said "Yeah, just like saying people are fat is a secret too!" This seemed to perk him up about practicing on the marker board at school. I just hope it works!)

The beginning of class went great, with him singing and dancing---it was all downhill after his rectangle was off by a few millimeters.




















In an attempt to salvage the day, we headed outside to play with Lincoln's new rocket blaster from Papaw and Amber---after both he and Corinne had a long, long nap!




















We literally had a blast and it was the perfect opportunity for him to practice counting. He can almost count backwards from 10 now!





















We literally had a "blast" playing with this. He kept telling me he was going to hit an airplane. It does go up to 100 feet!




















I put Corinne in the backpack carrier while we played and she enjoyed watching it just as much as we did. During our clean up, I decided to let him blast each rocket one last time and then we would try to catch them. Luckily they are nerf and a missed catch is no big deal, but I couldn't help but be reminded of a lovely childhood story of Nathan's: He and his best friend, Andrew, shot arrows up into the sky and then proceeded to try and catch them in their ball caps. Luckily both Nathan and Andrew still have both eyes, and are much older and wiser now. I just pray that Lincoln and Corinne don't come up with crazy "fun" games to play like their dad did as a kid.





















On Wednesday Corinne had another dance class, but was feeling tired and a bit under the weather, so she spent most of the class in my arms. Lincoln was the model child at her class--sitting quietly, using manners, and politely demonstrating for the younger kids when asked. Why can't he be like that on Tuesdays???





















In the midst of the chaos, I did a little sewing therapy and got the valance for the playroom finished!















Wednesday night, we spent cuddled up on the couches together. It was a high of 76 on Wednesday and we welcomed the cool weather with some snugly jammies.






















Corinne decided to relax and read.
























































After laying Corinne down for bed, I broke out the Toy Story Memory game we got Lincoln for his birthday. We only used about 2/3 of the deck to help him grasp the concept more easily.
















He really seemed to be getting the hang of it and was actually beating me at first.















Then I turned over a Rex card and he said, "Oh Rexy!" and ran off to get his Rex. It was all downhill from there because he didn't pay attention during my turns. I had to help him remember where some of the cards might be. But in a few more rounds, he will be a champ.





















On Thursday we hit up the commissary to stock up on food for our play
date on Friday. We made stromboli and the kids enjoyed the sunny, cool weather outside. There were a total of 6 kiddos at our house. Lunchtime looked like we could run our own daycare.















Colton brings out the wildness in Lincoln. It only took seconds after finishing lunch for them to get digging in the dirt.

















Mabel and Luke stayed away from the little mud monsters and enjoyed some time with the outside toys.





















Poor, polite little Mabel was slightly scared off by the rowdy boys.

















And Weston slept through most of the playdate.....





















That is until Corinne decided to point out all his parts. "Eyes, eyes, eyes!" I think she was a little confused that this "baby doll" had to be handled with care.

















We wrapped up the fun with some keylime cookies!






















After taking a turn in Lincoln's booster chair at lunch so Luke could use her highchair, Corinne decided she wanted to use it from now on and has since put up a bit of a fight about getting into her highchair. Lincoln is not too happy about this.






















But a little bribery with donuts always seems to do the trick.






















I just think she is trying to grow up too fast--ready to move into a booster chair, wear Mommy's shoes, etc. I want her to be my little baby forever!






















We spent Saturday shopping for fall clothes for the kids. It was a long exhausting day. I ran upstairs to open the windows and came down to find Corinne dancing on the table with her necklace on, trying to drink from my water bottle! These kids really wore me out this week.





















Saturday night, Lincoln enjoyed some popcorn out of his special holders from Grandpa Jinks while we watched Toy Story.




















On Sunday we headed to church in some of our new duds. Corinne had the cutest pigtails in her hair. Her hair is at this odd length that if I don't do it every day she looks like "the little girl that no one loved enough to brush her hair" or as my mom would call it a "ragamuffin". Lately she has been pulling her pigtails out and since I use the "ouchless" kind, it was really not a big deal. I didn't want her to pull them out during Sunday School, so I put them in extra tight. Upon arriving back at the house I go to get her out of the carseat and find her pigtailess and covered in hair. It literally looked like I let the old hairy Chomper rub all over her carseat. Apparently she is not tenderheaded, but she now has much less hair and looks even more like a ragamuffin!






















QUOTES OF THE WEEK


Quote 1: After eating and talking with his fingers in his mouth.
Lincoln: "Mommy, I have one of those foodgetteroutters?"
Me: "Huh?"
Lincoln: Tongue working on the side of his cheek, with a head tilt. "I have one of those food-getter-outters?"
Me: "Oh a toothpick!"


Quote 2: On our way to the pool.
Lincoln: "Who are we going to swim with?"
Me: "Our old friends, Ellie and Charley."
Lincoln: "They aren't your friends! They are my friends!"
I love that at this age, any kid qualifies as a friend.


Quote 3: While I was vacuuming and he was watching tv.
Lincoln: "I can't hear my movie. Doesn't everybody know it's not nice to vacuum when somebody's watchin' a movie!"


Quote 4: While cruising the aisles of the dollar store for little green Army men.
Lincoln: "I want one of those wakeruppers!"
Me: "Huh? A waker-upper? An air horn?"
Lincoln: "Yes!"
Me: "No way, not now, not ever!"
Why do they even make toys like that?

Week 29

So the clock is ticking! The good news is that we have one more week down until Nathan gets home. The bad news is that we got word that Nathan's flight was delayed by at least 2 days--whenever that is, we still don't know. At this point I just hope he makes it home for the big "Happy 3rd Birthday Lincoln/Welcome Home Nathan" party. So everyone, say some prayers for us and my sanity. To help ease the chaos I did change the menu from burgers and hot dogs to Italian--lasagna, stromboli, salad, fruit, and bread sticks. This will free up some time so I can make the cake and cupcakes and not have to worry about messing with the grill and making a gazillion side dishes.

We started out our week meeting this little angel---Weston Gene. He was about 10 days old here and ever so precious. He has really mastered the art of sound sleeping. Weston survived the noise of Lincoln, Corinne, Colton and their 2 puppies running all over their house and didn't make so much as a peep.





















Here is proud Mommy Amber. Isn't she beautiful. Weston woke up for a bottle and I have to tell you that he gobbled it in record time. He is not messing around with slow sipping. One minute and 2 ounces later he was back to sleep with a full belly. Oh I miss those days when just a little milk lulls your little one back into a peaceful sleep.




















On Tuesday we headed for school with Lincoln again. He did great, minus these stupid dry erase boards where the kids practice making their shapes. Lincoln knows his shapes backwards and forwards, but he lacks the fine motor skills to draw a perfect circle and this frustrates him to no end. After a minor tantrum over a slightly squished circle and a triangle that was not completely closed off, we headed home after class for a nap and some practice. We have a dry erase board at home that we practiced on over the summer. But he hates it and he also hates his shapes now. He doesn't want to practice them with crayons, on the Magnadoodle, or even trace the ones I cut out of cardboard. He has officially put his foot down telling me "I don't want to learn my shapes--EVER!" Hmmmm, I hope next week goes better. If not, we will have to step outside for the marker board session of class. I know he comes by his need for perfection genetically from his mother, but I have never--EVER told him something wasn't good because it wasn't perfect or influenced him to try again when his drawings don't come out just right. I just hope he outgrows this shape rebellion---ASAP, or it is going to be a long school year.

While Lincoln took a long nap to recover from his shape trauma, Corinne and I took some time to horse around a bit.





















I can remember Nathan telling me that you can't throw little girls up in the air or bounce them on your knee because they are delicate and not rough and tough like boys. I assured him he was wrong, but he is sure to be surprised by the two little monkeys waiting to pounce all over Daddy.





















On Wednesday Corinne had her first Mommy and Me dance class. She was most impressed by the big mirrors to admire herself in, but can you blame her? She was looking mighty cute that day.





















She knew all of the songs they played, but was a bit shy and spent most of the time "taking it all in" and checking out the other kids in class. It surprised me a bit because she is such a singer and dancer at home, but she eventually loosened up enough to do Ring Around the Rosie with Lincoln and Mama. Lincoln was the most patient little man at the studio, politely sitting along the wall until the teacher would ask for his assistance to demonstrate a move for the "little kids". He was always happy to comply.






















I spent Thursday and Friday on sewing projects. Lincoln finally has his curtains lined in blackout fabric to help keep the heat and light out for better naps. And we also have new pillows for the family room. On Friday the "spider people" came to spray. It was safe to go outside and clean up on Sunday and I can't even begin to tell you how many dead bugs surrounded the foundation of the house. The whole plan to rid our area of the black widows that were causing me some serious "emotional trauma" is to kill their food source. Our backyard is finally cobweb and mostly bug free---minus the flies and gnats. Time to head outside to enjoy the cool weather headed our way for next week!

On Saturday we escaped the heat and headed up the mountain to Idyllwild with the Lewisons and Reyes. What a treat and little oasis! I can't wait to take Nathan up there when he gets back. He had actually taken me and the kids up to that area last August for a picnic. But his little spot was mostly dead and dry, covered in ants and still 112 degrees in the shade---not exactly ideal picnic conditions, especially with an infant. At least he tried, but we have a new spot to go now. Finally some green grass and fresh air with a breeze that doesn't feel like you are being blasted with a hairdryer.

The kids enjoyed endless fun in the tents.















Funny how a little hideout can provide hours of entertainment.
















Then we devoured some delicious food and grilled steak. There is something special about a steak grilled over charcoal--yummy! Lincoln liked the cookies best.
















Corinne was happy munching on fruit.

















After lunch she took a little siesta in a chair.
















Then the park turned on the sprinkler system to help keep the kids cool. Now that was a serious sprinkler!





















Lincoln could not have been happier to get soaked.





















Corinne and Jacob were not huge fans of the water, but decided to relax a bit while the big kids ran around crazy.

















Then Ava decided that she needed a break.





















But was soon off and running. We watched this scene unfold from afar. We were like "Oh how cute, they are holding hands walking into the water together."
















But it was really a secret plot. Ava walked Lincoln up ever so slowly, then threw him in the water and ran like the wind. It was hilarious and he didn't seem to mind at all.
















Next, the kids got creative with some chalk.





















Gabe was getting tired and ready to leave, but Corinne decided she needed to clean him up a bit before heading home. He was a good sport and let her wash his face for him.





















Saturday night we tried to Skype with Nathan, but it was hit or miss with the connection. We had decided to let him open a few gifts while Nathan watched. Lincoln was ecstatic to find a talking Woody from Grammy and a Mr. Potato Head. He also got 2 new kites to try out with Daddy at the beach and some chalk to share with Sissy--although he guards Woody and Mr. Potato Head with extreme caution. Then he ripped into a space ship launcher from Papaw and Amber. Of course, he wanted to go do it "right now" at 8 pm at night. But since it says, it goes up to 100 ft., I think we are better off going to a park so I don't end up rescuing space ships from the neighbors dogs. He also got an art project kit and a "Scribble" book written by one of our favorite authors---the same guy that wrote "Everyone Poops". I am hoping his new book will encourage Lincoln to practice drawing. The book is filled with black and white basic pictures and you have to fill in some extras to make the illustrations go with the text. Time to practice those fine motor skills and throw in a shape while we are at it.
















I had Lincoln set up his new stuff before he went to bed that night. Here he is adjusting Mr. Potato's glasses.

















We woke up Sunday morning to a mountain of presents from Mommy and Daddy and Mimi, Grandpa Jinks, and Aunt Linny. My parents really hit the jackpot on finding all things Toy Story. With the help of my parents we are now the proud owners of Toy Story DVDs, stickers, plates, sippy cups, popcorn holders, a bat and ball, sand toys, bubbles, a t-shirt, gummy candy, lunch box, tent, underwear, memory board game, etc. You name it, we have it! Who knew that "themed" birthdays made the shopping so easy.
















Yay--new sand toys to replace the ones we speriadically left at various beaches and parks this summer!




















And my very own Buzz water bottle!




















And a big hit was a $1 spray bottle I picked up at Walmart for him so he can help "clean" with Miss Karen.





















Oh yes "Rexy, Rexy, you are here!"....he finally got his "Roaring Rex" that he has been eyeing all summer.




















His big fun gift from us was an interactive Buzz Lightyear. The downfall of the morning was that after taking 20 minutes to get him out of the box and fighting all the zip ties and twisties I could handle, I noticed his wing was broken and he needed to be exchanged. What a bummer! I assured him that I would set it straight after church.

We went to Rich's Diner with the Lewisons and Reyes for a birthday lunch. Jessica really made the event a party, providing us with festive hats, balloons, and entertainment for the kids while we looked at the menu. She definitely came prepared and helped make the meal extra fun for the kids. It was a nice, loud place, so the chaos of our boisterous children kind of blended into the atmosphere.















We enjoyed some good food in great company.

















Then Lincoln opened up a complete instrument set. Ava, Jake, and Linc took music lessons together this spring and they all had a blast. It was the perfect gift, a little on the noisy side, but has provided tons of fun so far, with more to come I am sure.
















We came home to a toy explosion in the living room.

















Here Lincoln is playing in his new "pop-up" tent. The only downer about this tent is that I can't figure out how to get it to "pop-down".





















Corinne is loving all the new toys too!





















Finally a new Buzz that actually works! And I must say that he is pretty cool. I had to sit down and play with him myself for awhile while the kids napped--or more accurately pretended to nap. He makes all kinds of noises and sound effects, knows when he is "flying" or "landing", asks you to close his helmet, etc. Nathan said he is even pretty excited to get home and play with Buzz and Woody.





















After it got dark enough Lincoln checked out his Toy Story projector flashlight with his new friends.
















After Corinne went down to sleep we had a suprise visitor from some of Lincoln's favorite people--Miss Karen and her cool kiddo Griffin. Griffin rides motocross bikes and Lincoln is pretty much mesmerized by him. Lincoln was a little standoffish at first after seeing his arm all wrapped up from yet another break! Karen calls Griffin her crash test dummy and Lincoln always says prayers that "Griffin gets no owies"--looks like he better start praying harder. Griffin even picked him out a special "Vrmmm, vrmmm" with a rider that makes real engine sounds!

















We had a great week and Lincoln had a wonderful birthday. A big thank you to everyone who helped make it extra special and for all his new gadgets and gizmos. The only thing really lacking from the day was Daddy and a cake---I couldn't bring myself to make yet another cake when I know I have a big dinosaur and tons of alien cupcakes to whip up in a few weeks. I did offer him a candle to blow out in his donut that morning, but he declined. Oh well, at least I tried.

QUOTES OF THE WEEK

Quote 1: While driving I notice a wildfire's big cloud of smoke up on the mountain.
Me: "Oh wow, something is on fire."
Lincoln: "huh?"
Me: "See that big dark cloud of smoke over there?"
Lincoln: "Something is smoking just like our friend Aunt Terri."
Terri, you know it is time to quit when my kid compares you to a wild fire! Just joking, we love you!

Quote 2: While playing with Mr. Potato Head.
Lincoln: "Oh no, his hiney is falling off! Fix it Mama, fix it!"

Quote 3: Me asking him on his birthday.
Me: "How old are you today?"
Lincoln: "I'm two and getting older and older every day."
Me: "You are not two anymore. How old are you? How many fingers are you?"
Lincoln: "A lot, a lot!"
Me: "Well, how many?"
Lincoln: Running around like a mad man, playing with his new toys "Five!"