Santa

Lynzy was helping me wrap a present for Wesley. It was the first present to go under the tree. She happily placed it under the tree and on her way back to me she asked, Mommy are you Santa? Too smart for me....

Ms. Worry

I am a huge worrywart. Have been all my life. It is and probably will be my hardest struggle for years to come. I was hoping this "trait" stopped with me but it may be passed down.

Last night, Lynzy and I went to a party and left the boys alone. When I came home, Brock was super tired and ready for a bath and bed. He started to tell me that Wesley was showing Dad a video about a huge earthquake and fireball and that an asteroid was going to hit the earth. He kept talking about it for 20 minutes. Even as we were laying down, he kept asking me what would happen if an earthquake happened. I told him that there were earthquakes all over the world, sometimes in another state or even another country and we couldn't control them but that he was safe with us.

I later found out that Wesley's science teacher has told his students about Dec. 21, 2012 which some people believe will be the end of the earth. "2012 WARNINGTHE BLESSED MOTHER WARNS US OF EARTH CHANGES WHEN TWO SUNS CAN BE SEEN IN THE SKY Mayan Calendar Ends, Planet X Returns, the Milky Way Aligns with the Earth & Sun all on December 21, 2012 911 STARTED IT, THEN KATRINA, IOWA FLOODS, CALIFORNIA FIRES, NWO, INCREASED NATURAL DISASTERS, THE COUNTDOWN HAS BEGUN" Taken from the 2012 warning website. We aren't sure if the teacher was teaching all aspects of this theory or what but both Steve and I were a little annoyed with the fact that this can cause kids to worry needlessly. I remember one time as a kid, the planets all aligned and the news was reporting it for days prior about there being some kind of force or supernatural thing was going to occur. I was FREAKED OUT! Because that is who I am. Darcy (my stepdad) finally had had it with my nonsense and told me, do you really think that in the history of the world, this is the first time it has ever happened? That question actually helped me. And so I repeated it to Wesley last night. We also asked him to chill on the doomsday talk around Brock and Lynzy. Save it for after 8 pm at night.

Brock woke up this morning all fired up and began asking Daddy tons of questions about the asteroid and earthquakes. I hope it's just because he is curious.

Just as I suspected

The conversation about babies resurfaced this week. Thankfully, my cousins were wonderful at offering advice and "words" to use and I dodge the bullet.

Brock: Mom, how do the babies come out again? I forgot what you said.
Me: They come out of the birth canal.
Brock: Oh, ok.

Not sure I handled this correctly

Here's an excerpt from a recent conversation I had with Brock & Lynzy at bedtime.

Brock: Mom, how did I get in your belly when I was a baby?
Me: Well, God put you there.
Brock: How?
Me: God helped Mommy & Daddy meet and get married and then he helped us have you.
Brock: How do babies get out of their mommies?
Me: There are two ways, one is through surgery and the doctors take them out and the second is between mommy's legs. (that's the part I am cringing about..this totally caught me off guard)
Lynzy: Are the babies in your belly with all your food?
Me: No, there is a special place that babies grow inside their mommies but not in their stomachs. Food goes into the stomach.

And then I quickly changed the subject because I was having heart palpitations about the whole conversation. I guess it's a good thing they didn't ask to see pictures or ask for more details. I probably would have passed out.

Just before Disneyland

The day before we went to Disneyland, my car broke. It is currently at the dealership waiting for Ford to build a part for the car. The expected date isn't for another month so we are driving a rental car until they fix the car. That same day, Brock decided to swallow a Lego head. Yes, you read correctly, our soon-to-be five year old swallowed a foreign object. This particular Lego head had a peg for a neck in it and he had just shown it to me about 10 minutes prior to the swallowing. Brock was FREAKING OUT! He was slapping the back of his neck, crying and begging for water. I got him a glass of water and asked him what happened. In between his sharp intakes of breath he told me what happened. I told him that I needed to call the doctor and he panicked. He kept begging me to not call the doctor. I think he thought that the doctor was going to get out the head the same way it went down. To be honest, I didn't tell Brock what would happen one way or the other. This lesson had to be learned the hard way. Anyway, the doctor said it was small enough to pass and we think we left it at Disneyland :). After the call to the doctor, I called Steve. Brock was more upset that I was calling Steve to tell him about it. I told Brock, I have to call your daddy, you ate a Lego head, he needs to know. Please don't call Daddy! Too bad son, this lesson is going to hurt. Brock was petrified when Steve came home. He is really concerned about approval from his dad. Steve was strong with him and let him know that if he ever does it again, he was in some serious trouble. Brock finally calmed down. This has been the last of the stupid boy things Brock has done in awhile. Thank goodness.

Wes is 14 soon.

Last night we celebrated Wesley's upcoming 14th birthday with his friends. Wes invited about 5 people (2 girls included but they couldn't make it.) The boys had a good time eating pizza, chips, soda, building a fire, and playing hide & seek in the dark until 9:30 pm. I love these simple parties. Wes had a really good time and he was happy. We also got him a desk with his own office supplies. Might seem like a boring present but actually he was really appreciative and happy about it. He had been complaining about doing homework at the kitchen table where Brock & Lynzy bug him and not having his "own" things to complete his work.

Wes with Greg, Joey & John (and Brock)


Wes is really good about letting me experiment with his birthday cakes. This year he requested an ice cream cake and I had this recipe for an ice cream sandwich cake. This was the result. It actually doesn't have any cake in it all but the boys really liked it. Inside is 3 layers of ice cream with whipped cream on top and ice cream sandwiches on the outside. Super easy.


Brock thinks that he is the same age as Wesley. It was hard to tell him that he couldn't play basketball with them or go hide in the dark. But the older boys were fairly tolerant and allowed him to find the hiding boys with the seekers. One of the big things that we stress with our kids is that we are family and being kind to each other is the norm not the exception. And we expect others to do the same. Thankfully, Wesley has chosen some nice friends that get that concept. Wesley's younger siblings are just part of the deal when you come to our house. Of course, Brock didn't sleep in the treehouse with the boys...there are limits :)

Disneyland

We took the kids to Disneyland on Brock's actual birthday. Wes of course has been before but Brock was a baby the last time we went. This was huge for the little ones.



Small world

We're getting better with the characters.

Dumbo ride

Small World

Oh, where to go??

King Arthur's Carousel

1st pic of the day and Brock was sooo excited.

I actually got emotional taking the kids to Disneyland. I just felt like this was a huge memory day for them and they will never have the 1st time to Disneyland again. Not to mention, Disneyland is one of my favorite places ever. They were super good the whole day and they still ask to go back every other day. It was fun.

Brock's b-day

Brock turned 5 on 9/26. (I'm a little behind on my blogging.)

His preschool celebrated on 9/25 and Steve and I were able to be there for his last b-day celebration at his school. They have the birthday child walk around the sun for the number of years they are. They tell a story or show pictures about the child's family. So I wrote a short story about Brock. I included pictures of Steve and I and wrote a little blurb about how Steve comes to fix the plumbing at the school and that I clean up at lunch a couple times a week. Well, Ms. Taffy (Brock's teacher) was prompting the kids as to what Steve does at the school and then what I do at the school. When she asked what does Abby do at the school, Brock loudly said, SHE BRINGS AVON! He made us all laugh. It's not really what I wanted to be known for but he is right. The teachers at the school are some of my best customers.

Yo ho, yo ho

A pirate's life for Lynzy.

Here's the story: Lynzy received a lacerated cornea after an accidental scratch from a toy. I was the lucky one that got to take Lynzy to the doctor so he could take a look at it. It took three of us to restrain her enough so that the dr. could get eye goo in her eye to diagnose the laceration. That was when Lynzy kicked him in the stomach. We then had to restrain her lying down to get the antibiotic drops in her eye and fashion this amazing eyepatch. After we were through, she demanded all of us to "GET YOUR HANDS OFF ME!!!" The nurse and I had to stiffle our giggles. We went back to the dr.'s office 24 hours later where we had to repeat this eye goo thing again and she still had to be restrained. She was very angry with us. Her eye healed in just 24 hours.

Tomorrow is her normal 3 year old checkup. I'm afraid she won't let the dr. near her.

Local Sprayground

This last Sunday we took the kids to our local sprayground park. It was a fun day. Here are the pics from it.

Lynzy is still a little nervous about water in her face.


Nice hat!



Brock loves this stuff!

Again, not so sure about it.

What do these pictures have in common?

The next 5 pictures (some taken from the internet and some from my camera) show what my soon to be 5 year old has been up to. Do they get their good sense anytime soon????



This picture represents the seatbelt that Brock took out of the booster seat guide. He then proceeded to tighten it and nearly choke himself to death...as we were driving.


Brock was standing on this chair (when it was upright) and trying to jump from it to the couch. Minor pelvic injury resulted and the fallen chair was left behind.


Brock had dirty feet and Steve told him to go to the bathroom so we could wash them off. When I walked into the bathroom to assist Brock, he had managed to get one leg up into the sink and was hanging from it. He pulled a leg muscle and was crying badly. (He couldn't reach the floor with his other leg.)


Bike rack similar to the one in this tale. Brock was at the park the other day and decided to stick his head into the bike rack. He then turned his body and tried to squeeze the rest of himself in. Steve promptly stopped him before we had to get the jaws of life.


Brock decided to fit himself into this laundry basket. He can get himself inside, just not out. Especially with his knees bent inside.

It's been a rough couple of days for the boy.

Princess for a Day

One of Lynzy's b-day presents from our good friends the Rose's was for her to dress up, paint her nails and go out with the girls all by herself. She went out for frozen yogurt and had her nails painted with glitter. She was such a big girl.

My Sunday Horoscope

Last Sunday this was my horoscope: "You will actually be more productive when you try to do less. And the best scenario happens when you intend to do nothing at all. So instead of buckling down or shaping up, try hanging out."

OH REALLY?!

Well who is going to do this?


Or this?

I think the horoscope was written for the unattached and have no dependents (kids or pets) kind of Capricorns.

In case you are wondering, the laundry was finished and all beds were made that same Sunday :).

I wish they had found gold

Just another beautiful day at the beach. I love my job.

Crazy Letter Song

This just made me laugh. We took many takes, and this was the best one. He is too funny.

The pinata

Lynzy had a pinata at her b-day party. Adam (her cousin) coordinated the smack down and Lynzy was first.

Lynzy's b-day song

Brock and I sang happy birthday to Lynzy on her b-day. I forgot to turn the video camera the correct way but you get the point. Also, note the toast. She is a picky eater in the mornings. It was the best I could do.

Lynzy's b-day cake

We decided to celebrate Lynzy's birthday when Steve's sister and her family were visiting from Connecticut in July. And Lynzy had specifically asked me for a castle b-day cake. I had been researching in cake catalogs and online for a castle cake design I could make. Lynzy and I had our first attempt on her b-day and she helped me. I am glad that we did a test run because I learned a lot about the ice cream cone issues - basically ditch the cake cones. Anyway, it isn't beautiful but it was a daughter/mother cake and it tasted great.

On July 25th, we had Lynzy's b-day party and Darlene (my sister-in-law) and Allison (my niece) and I decorated the castle cake. This one came out exactly like I pictured it and we added embellishments. Lynzy was very happy and it really was a fun project for us to make.

When I was busy

I had a girlfriend over to help me "redecorate" the house. We should have known when the kids were quiet for 5 minutes, something was up. Here's what they were up to.


The tape on her arm was extremely tight and difficult to get off. Gotta love these kids.

Beach Mondays

A couple of girlfriends and I have a standing date to head to the beach on Mondays. It's been a great thing to look forward to for the summer and we are having lots of fun. Brock is learning not to be afraid of the water and Lynzy is content to just play in the sand. We love Beach Mondays.

The Binky Fairy

Lynzy packed up her binkies on her 3rd birthday and we "mailed" them to the Binky Fairy. Here's the envelope that she decorated.


We went to another b-day party that morning so when we came home, the Binky Fairy had visited and left Lynzy her gift.


It was the Littlest Pet Shop. She had been asking for this since forever and I'm not sure why but that's what she said the Binky Fairy was going to get her so that's what the fairy got.

The first nap without a binky was horrible. Lynzy cried for 20 minutes straight, screaming BINKY!!! and sobbing. It was very hard for us to hear. Then at night time that same day she laid down with Steve and told him that she gave her binkies away and she got the Littlest Pet Shop and he said she was all grown up and that was it. We haven't heard a peep about binkies since. What a relief!!

Allergic

Brock informed us last night that he was allergic to broccoli. I asked him what allergic means and he stated that when you don't like something, then you are allergic to it. Interesting. I should have told him I was allergic to kid tantrums.

4 days

until Lynzy's 3rd birthday and 4 days until the binky fairy will be mailed all of Lynzy's binkies to give to another baby, and 4 days until the nights that I have been dreading for months now begin....Lynzy sleeping without her binky. Please wish me good thoughts. I am praying that the trauma will last a week or less.

You don't see this everyday....

They were competing on who was going to vacuum the dirt first.

A little hard time

I am having a little bit of a hard time. I am on a mission to clean my house up, get rid of stuff we don't use and clear out the bedrooms to make room for new things. Except I am having some emotional issues about it. Each time I clear out a drawer of clothes or decide that this toy is going on Craig's List or donated, I realize my kids are getting older and that there isn't another one coming. I don't have to save these things because there isn't another baby that will be using it. Super sad for me because if I could, I would probably have another baby. (Not that I like the totally dependent stage.) So, think good thoughts for me if you get a chance. I am nostalgic this week.

Here's the other thing...Lynzy is turing 3 on 6/27. That's probably more what is starting all this.

I'll be posting lots of stuff soon.

Good old Brock...

Sometimes my sweet son, Brock, is not so sweet. And throws a huge tantrum. Usually when he is tired and really can't control himself. This is about one such day.

Super tired, not nice to Mommy and actually hitting me he is so out of control. I sent him to bed without a story or snuggle time. He decided to "show me" who was in control. He not only stripped his bed, he stripped himself and then proceeded to sleep on the floor. Oh well, at least he was sleeping.

The stripped bed - see his legs?



All of his bedding (and then some) on the floor and his little legs peeking out.

Recent conversation in the car

Lynzy: Mom, why did the bird poop on our window?
Mom: Because he had an accident.
Lynzy: What?
Mom: Because he was flying over our car on the way to the bathroom but he didn't make it.
Lynzy: Where is his bathroom?
Mom: I don't know. But it's not on our car right?
Lynzy: (laughing) No, but maybe it's in his bird house.

That girl is too smart for me!

A slight replay of my own childhood story

This video reminds me of something that happened when I was a kid.

My mom HATES crickets. I remember her spraying bug spray every night outside her window because they kept her up during the night. When I say HATE, I really mean it. So, one day there was a cricket in our house and Mark (my stepbrother) and I decided we would take care of it for my mother. Instead of using bug spray, we found a rock (approx. 1/2 lb) and we decided that we could kill the cricket by dropping the rock on it. Great thinking for 8 year old brains right? Except that we dropped it on the carpet and didn't realize that the carpet pad would make the rock bounce back up into the air. Right into the glass coffee table. Now it didn't break the top into a million pieces but until the day my parents got rid of it, it had a huge circle dent/crack/rock impression in it. And the cricket lived another day too!

A cue from my cousin

A couple of my cousins write blogs as well and we all read each other's. So I am taking a cue from Jamie who had this on her blog awhile back.

The kids were filthy and had scratchy throats so I figured, kill two birds with one stone hence the popsicles in the bathtub.

Brock has a fan

Today at school, Brock was chased and teased by a new girl named Ashley. She really likes him and they played the entire day together. Brock told me that she is his friend and he had fun today. The teachers teased me that Ashley was going to be my daughter-in-law. Funny how that starts already. Ashley had been saying goodbye to Brock everyday for two weeks now and I guess she finally got the nerve up to just chase him. Too cute. (I figured I should write this down so it will embarrass Brock when he gets older...just doing my mom duties. :)

A penny is worth a lot more than a cent

For about 4 weeks straight, Brock would cry each time I would drop him off at preschool. For no apparent reason. We are talking full on SOBBING. I spoke with all his teachers and they couldn't figure it out. They each took him aside and asked if a kid was hurting him or if he was scared etc. Nothing. Nothing had changed at home, no schedule changes or anything. It was very confusing. I was starting to get very annoyed with him because he is 4 1/2 and this was a little ridiculous. I had started telling him that I thought he was crying because he was tired and then he was going to have to take a nap after school. Well, that didn't work either.

Well, one day as I was driving him to school, I literally had a brilliant idea. A true light bulb moment. I found a penny in my car. As we pulled into the parking lot, I told Brock he could have my special penny if he didn't cry today. He said ok. As I got him out of the car, we made a wish on the penny ("I wish for Brock to have a good day at school, not cry and think good thoughts etc."), each of us air kissed it and then we put it into his shoe where he could feel it each time he stepped and he would know that Mommy & Daddy loved him and that we were coming back to get him. He hasn't cried since. A little teary at the most, no sobbing. YIPPEE!!

And get this. I attend a Mothers of Preschoolers group once a month. Lynzy loses it each time I put her with the preschool class at the church. Without fail. Cries almost the entire time, clings to one teacher, doesn't always participate etc. Last Friday, Lynzy wanted a special penny. I said ok. We went through the same routine that we did with Brock and it worked. She cried only for a few seconds and off she went playing. It's been a wonderful trick! Use it if you need it.

We are not a "PC" family

We just aren't. And that makes for some funny stories. Keep it in mind as you read.

1) A couple of weeks ago we were all sitting around the dinner table. We were talking about how Wesley used to say "he's a girl," and how Steve used to have him say it all the time. Pronouns are tough for little kids and Brock & Lynz are no exception. So during this conversation I asked Lynzy if she was a boy or a girl. She said she was a girl. She then told Steve, Brock & Wesley that they were all boys and I was a girl. Then she took it a step farther and said (as she pointed to each of them - Steve, Brock & Wes) "Him has a penis, him has a penis, and him has a penis." We busted out laughing and I asked her "Do you have a penis?" She responded, "no, I have a gina." (pronounced the same as vagina without the va.) Which made us all laugh again because Wesley used to call it a gina when he was little. It's now the word we use for girl privates.

2) Lynzy and I are a little outnumbered. Only by one when Wes is around but believe me when I say, it changes the dynamic around here. And the topic of conversations and what makes kids laugh changes with the amount of testosterone in the house. So you can imagine that passing gas is absolutely hysterical here. Lynzy now thinks so too and has been able to pass gas on her own command. And then calls it "Burping out my butt." Which quite frankly is funny to me. She also recently showed her new skills at our local Michael's store. She and Brock were along the back aisle and proceeded to "burp out her butt" at each aisle break and laugh hysterically. She had me and Brock giggling all through the store. (and I don't even like bathroom humor.) I was afraid she might have an accident but she somehow controlled it. I think I have lost my little girl. She might be a tomboy yet.

Butterfly ride

After we walked, we went to ride the kid rides at Balboa Park. Wes, Brock, Lynzy and I rode the super fast carousel (I almost got sick.) The train ride was a hit and Steve, Grandma and kids rode that around the track.

And I took video of this cute little ride on butterflies. They both loved it and it went around a lot of times. The first video is of them going around. The second is super short and has Lynzy giggling. Super cute.

March of Dimes Walk

On April 25th we walked at the March of Dimes walk (March for Babies.) My mom came into town for the walk and to play with the kids. Each time I do this walk I think that so much time has gone by since our NICU days that I won't get emotional but each year I cry. In fact, I'm tearing up as I'm writing this post. There are so many babies born premature and for a lot of them, the reasons that they are born early is a mystery (ours included.) Some families have t-shirts made up for whom they are walking for or in honor of. I was doing well until I saw a mom and dad with one stroller. Their shirts had pictures of two babies and the caption read, "In honor of... and In memory of..." I felt so horrible for this family that they only got to bring home one of their babies. The reason we walk and fundraise is because we remember our days at the NICU and it's a very good reminder to us that we are EXTREMELY LUCKY and blessed. We have our healthy children and we have a good life. Thank you to those that donated to our walk. We greatly appreciate it!





Paulina, Fayline and Brock - We met the girls and their parents while we were at the NICU together after Brock was born. We have remained in contact and we usually see them at the walk or at b-day parties. These girls were just as small as Brock and look at all of them, healthy, happy kids.

Easter Egg Hunt

Bear with me. It's been awhile since I've posted but I have pictures so here we go!

Easter Egg Hunt at the park down the street. So much fun and well done. They had easter egg hunts for 1-3 year olds and then 4-8 and no parents were allowed to help the 4-8 kids. But boy can those parents scream at their kids. The video of Brock hunting has one dad yelling at his kids to get the eggs, right there, no there etc. Isn't it supposed to be fun? Both Brock & Lynzy had a blast and I think we will go again next year.