3.26.2012
Donaldson Visit Part 2
Grandpa and Grandma D. enjoyed a few more days at their own hotel here in San Diego last week. Grandpa ended up spending an afternoon and evening helping with a needed van repair. They took one day to visit Mom’s aunt and cousin and Dad’s Uncle Dale and Aunt Barbara but we still had a great time with them. We were able to meet up with them at the beach and they were sweet to have the boys over for a sleepover on Friday night. Grandpa told them some fascinating bedtime stories, with good moral lessons, which seem to have had a lasting impression. He also took them out on a trolley ride the next morning and they stopped for ice-cream and smashed pennies on the tracks. Mom’s friend, Tana died while she was here but we are grateful she took a break from serving all the people she helps in Provo to spend time with us here. We sure appreciate them coming down. It's so nice to have their support.
3.20.2012
Visitors
Grandpa and Grandma D. came to San Diego for a dermatology convention/to visit us! We’ve had a great time so far despite it raining all weekend and Grandpa being gone at meetings. Of course the munchkins love all the extra attention and I have been overjoyed to have extra hands around to help on the rainy days when we haven’t been able to get out. Today was sunnier so hopefully they will get a few nice days before they leave. Some of the highlights so far:
-Going to the beach with Grandma and the kids. I pushed Gracie on the swing while the boys and Grandma ran down to play in the water. It was great to have someone else to watch the boys while Gracie and I played.
-James looking out the window yesterday afternoon and saying, “Nope, he’s not home yet”, waiting anxiously for Grandpa.
-Having Grandpa help us out by teaching the boys some good life lessons: beating Jonathan at chess and walking home on a windy cold day with James, who was being punished for acting up in the car.
-The boys and Gracie having fun climbing all over Grandpa and playing games and reading with Grandma. The kids also enjoyed putting on a little dance show the other night for all of us. Gracie is quite cute moving her little arm again and again when she dances. They brought us blankets and pillows so we could comfortably enjoy the show.
-The boys have loved the ice-cream sandwiches that Grandpa pays as “rent” for letting them use their mattresses. It’s only fair seeing as how he
bought James his mattress anyway.
-Going out to The Fish Market with Dr. Bradshaw and his wife. I tried to get a babysitter but wasn’t able to. However, the kids were actually quite well behaved despite my worries. Jonathan loved playing hangman during dinner and made it all the more fun with his interesting spelling of words. We also met up with Grandpa's friend Doug and his boys.
-Grandma helping me with laundry, cooking (even helping make a meal for a new mom in our ward) and watching the kids while I went to my doctor’s appointment. It is always so hard to find someone to watch the kids during the day, so this was much appreciated. They left to stay in a hotel for the rest of the week so it can be more of a vacation for them but it was especially nice to have her extra help.
-Getting a babysitter and going out. Mike and I haven’t been out in quite some time and it was nice to just enjoy time with Mom and Dad without the little people. The kids seemed to have fun at home with the babysitter. I think this is the first time we’ve left all three of them awake with a babysitter.
-Going to the beach with Grandma and the kids. I pushed Gracie on the swing while the boys and Grandma ran down to play in the water. It was great to have someone else to watch the boys while Gracie and I played.
-James looking out the window yesterday afternoon and saying, “Nope, he’s not home yet”, waiting anxiously for Grandpa.
-Having Grandpa help us out by teaching the boys some good life lessons: beating Jonathan at chess and walking home on a windy cold day with James, who was being punished for acting up in the car.
-The boys and Gracie having fun climbing all over Grandpa and playing games and reading with Grandma. The kids also enjoyed putting on a little dance show the other night for all of us. Gracie is quite cute moving her little arm again and again when she dances. They brought us blankets and pillows so we could comfortably enjoy the show.
-The boys have loved the ice-cream sandwiches that Grandpa pays as “rent” for letting them use their mattresses. It’s only fair seeing as how he
bought James his mattress anyway.
-Going out to The Fish Market with Dr. Bradshaw and his wife. I tried to get a babysitter but wasn’t able to. However, the kids were actually quite well behaved despite my worries. Jonathan loved playing hangman during dinner and made it all the more fun with his interesting spelling of words. We also met up with Grandpa's friend Doug and his boys.
-Grandma helping me with laundry, cooking (even helping make a meal for a new mom in our ward) and watching the kids while I went to my doctor’s appointment. It is always so hard to find someone to watch the kids during the day, so this was much appreciated. They left to stay in a hotel for the rest of the week so it can be more of a vacation for them but it was especially nice to have her extra help.
-Getting a babysitter and going out. Mike and I haven’t been out in quite some time and it was nice to just enjoy time with Mom and Dad without the little people. The kids seemed to have fun at home with the babysitter. I think this is the first time we’ve left all three of them awake with a babysitter.
3.09.2012
Library, Leprechauns, Lester and Little People
I went to the library yesterday with James and Grace. As James ran ahead I made Gracie walk rather than carry her like she wanted. I figure she needs to learn a little more independence and just finished a book by John Rosemond which has inspired me to be more strict. As I slowly walked next to her toward that library I noticed James playing/dancing on the sculpture in front of the library singing, “I’m trying to be like Jesus”, over and over loudly enough for the listening pleasure of every patron coming in or out of the library. For a brief moment I enjoyed the anonymity of slowly walking by Gracie while people passing by couldn’t help but notice James. Once he saw me though, he stopped to yell, “Hi Mom”. Yes, he’s mine.
I had really been looking forward to having an hour or two to read my current book from the library or practice a couple piano songs last night after the kids were in bed, but instead found myself staying up until bedtime working on a leprechaun trap for Jonathan. I mentioned to Mike that Jonathan is only in kindergarten and if I’m up late working on his project, this is certainly not a good sign. Mike agreed. I ended up cutting a hole in a box, covering it with green “grass”, a rainbow and pot of gold and putting a little sign up that read, “Little People’s Swimming Hole” with a picture of a leprechaun in a swimsuit and hat. The blue swimming hole is actually not water, mind you; it is only paper and tissue paper waiting to trap an unsuspecting leprechaun. I was quite proud of the final product so when I get around to posting pictures, you will all have to email me telling me what a clever mom I am for making such an amazing trap. Mike’s, “its cute honey” simply didn’t do it justice. I should however, mention that Mike did a great job of showing the boys exactly how the trap would work on the unsuspecting leprechaun at breakfast this morning by acting it out with an Irish accent and all. The boys asked for an encore. Had I only known he had these hidden abilities we may have married sooner.
I’ve been reading a Miss Piggle Wiggle book to Jonathan and enjoying it immensely since I remember reading Miss Piggle Wiggle books when I was young. As he drank the last of the smoothie directly out of the blender at breakfast I suggested we invite Miss Piggle Wiggle’s pet pig, Lester over to teach him a few manners and he was quite responsive to the idea.
I had really been looking forward to having an hour or two to read my current book from the library or practice a couple piano songs last night after the kids were in bed, but instead found myself staying up until bedtime working on a leprechaun trap for Jonathan. I mentioned to Mike that Jonathan is only in kindergarten and if I’m up late working on his project, this is certainly not a good sign. Mike agreed. I ended up cutting a hole in a box, covering it with green “grass”, a rainbow and pot of gold and putting a little sign up that read, “Little People’s Swimming Hole” with a picture of a leprechaun in a swimsuit and hat. The blue swimming hole is actually not water, mind you; it is only paper and tissue paper waiting to trap an unsuspecting leprechaun. I was quite proud of the final product so when I get around to posting pictures, you will all have to email me telling me what a clever mom I am for making such an amazing trap. Mike’s, “its cute honey” simply didn’t do it justice. I should however, mention that Mike did a great job of showing the boys exactly how the trap would work on the unsuspecting leprechaun at breakfast this morning by acting it out with an Irish accent and all. The boys asked for an encore. Had I only known he had these hidden abilities we may have married sooner.
I’ve been reading a Miss Piggle Wiggle book to Jonathan and enjoying it immensely since I remember reading Miss Piggle Wiggle books when I was young. As he drank the last of the smoothie directly out of the blender at breakfast I suggested we invite Miss Piggle Wiggle’s pet pig, Lester over to teach him a few manners and he was quite responsive to the idea.
3.06.2012
James was in Time Out for taking a toy from Gracie and Gracie decided to put herself in Time Out next to him on a chair.
Gracie and James joined me for my OB appointment. James enjoyed hearing the baby's heartbeat. The doctor was sweet to listen to his heart too. James thinks it sounds like a train. Gracie, of course, just sat on my lap sucking her thumb the entire time (even when the doctor measured my belly) other than when I had to put her down to step on the scale, during which minute she was fussy. James said, "Now Gracie won't get any ice cream". Obviously, my good-behavior bribe was forefront on his mind. He had to go potty and said, "Mom, you can hold the cup for me." I had explained why they needed my urin sample. I guess he just figured they needed his too.
Today, James decided that rather than take his pull-up off, he'd go ahead and wear his underwear over his shorts. What to do with this little guy...
A couple in our ward is moving to AZ and kindly gave us three 50 gallon water storage containers. I've been wanting one for quite some time to make sure we have a solid 3 month supply so this was quite the blessing. Yesterday evening we took the seats out of the van and Mike and Jonathan drove over to pick up the containers and use Jonathan's birthday yogurt coupon from school. Out of the 10 flavors of frozen yogurt, Jonathan chose double cookies and cream and plain tart. He piled up all sorts of toppings and the two of them quite enjoyed it. I think those two have similar tastebuds because they like all the same foods. James says he wants to go out with Mike like Jonathan did because he "wants to copy them because he loves them".
Gracie has quite the hard time going to nursery but is always really proud of herself after we pick her up.
I have Gracie give the boys kisses goodnight before bed and Jonathan always smiles and tries to avoid them. Tonight she still managed to get his nose.
Gracie and James joined me for my OB appointment. James enjoyed hearing the baby's heartbeat. The doctor was sweet to listen to his heart too. James thinks it sounds like a train. Gracie, of course, just sat on my lap sucking her thumb the entire time (even when the doctor measured my belly) other than when I had to put her down to step on the scale, during which minute she was fussy. James said, "Now Gracie won't get any ice cream". Obviously, my good-behavior bribe was forefront on his mind. He had to go potty and said, "Mom, you can hold the cup for me." I had explained why they needed my urin sample. I guess he just figured they needed his too.
Today, James decided that rather than take his pull-up off, he'd go ahead and wear his underwear over his shorts. What to do with this little guy...
A couple in our ward is moving to AZ and kindly gave us three 50 gallon water storage containers. I've been wanting one for quite some time to make sure we have a solid 3 month supply so this was quite the blessing. Yesterday evening we took the seats out of the van and Mike and Jonathan drove over to pick up the containers and use Jonathan's birthday yogurt coupon from school. Out of the 10 flavors of frozen yogurt, Jonathan chose double cookies and cream and plain tart. He piled up all sorts of toppings and the two of them quite enjoyed it. I think those two have similar tastebuds because they like all the same foods. James says he wants to go out with Mike like Jonathan did because he "wants to copy them because he loves them".
Gracie has quite the hard time going to nursery but is always really proud of herself after we pick her up.
I have Gracie give the boys kisses goodnight before bed and Jonathan always smiles and tries to avoid them. Tonight she still managed to get his nose.
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