Gender Differences

Laurel, Ian and I are playing with some little plastic dinosaurs. First I interact with Ian. Growling, I hold a dinosaur before Ian and tease, "Roar, I'm a T-Rex and I'm going to eat you."

Ian picks up a nearby T-Rex, growls back at mine and begins to attack it. Soon there are chomping sounds, which I can only assume that his dinosaur ate mine.

I then turn and play with Laurel. I hold the same dinosaur in front of her and give a growl. "Roar, I'm a T-Rex and I'm going to eat you!!"

Laurel sweetly smiles and happily chirps at it, "I love you." She then takes the dinosaur from me and gives it a hug and a kiss.

A Happy Reunion

Hi, Daddy! (Day 4)

Dear Daddy,

We're so glad you called this morning. We love to hear your voice. Have fun in your classes today.

So far, we've played with trains...


and we've packed our bags to stay the night at Grandma Ann's.


We're so excited. Grandma says we get to ride the Molly Trolley to the park today. But there are lots of clouds and it may rain. Mommy says we won't melt if we get wet. We're also very excited because we'll get to see you tomorrow! We miss you. Remember, as soon as we see you, you have to be Tickle Monster.

We love you. Hugs. Kissy, kissy,
Ian and Laurel, and Mommy too

Hi, Daddy, Please Come Home!!!

Dear Daddy,

We talk about you all the time and wonder if you're ok in Las Sega (Las Vegas in Laurel-ese). We love talking to you on the phone. Ian yells so you can hear better since you are sooooo far away. We kiss the phone a bunch since we hear you on it.

Today we went to our weekly classes. Laurel had ABC fun in her class, and Ian played Duck, Duck, Goose in his. Mommy was going to take pictures, but she forgot to put the memory card back in the camera. Silly Mommy!

Here are some pictures of what we're doing at home:



Laurel is getting away with sucking on her fingers since you're not around to remind her, "Fingers out," and take away her blankie.






Of course, Ian is setting up his race track a different way.







He's also busy playing on his computer. *Picture courtesy of Ian.



Laurel's put together several picnics for us to munch on. *Picture courtesy of Ian.






Mommy never stops doing laundry. *Picture courtesy of Ian.







Don't worry, we're helping Mommy with the chores. Ian picked up the newspaper and rolled the black trash barrel back into the backyard. Laurel helped Mommy make sandwiches for lunch.

We also helped water the plants.

Look, Daddy, look! We pulled out some carrots. They almost look big enough to eat.

But we're not waiting, we're eating them NOW!!! YUMMY!!!

Good night, Daddy! We love you. Have sweet dreams.



Hugs and kisses,
Ian and Laurel and Mommy too!

Hi, Daddy! (Day 2)

Dear Daddy,

Oh, how we miss you. Mommy's keeping us busy so we don't think about you being gone too much. She says if we stay busy you'll be home sooner.





Today we went to the dinosaur museum.




















First we panned for gold. We did find some gold, but the fun part was getting wet! It was hot, but the water felt good. We'll show you our gold when we get home.
























The museum has lots of dinosaurs. Laurel was scared of them. Mommy kept saying they aren't real, but they were big and moving. Some have really big teeth. We didn't want to be eaten, so we stayed close to Mommy.













































We also saw stars, meteors, planets, and comets. We got to touch some meteors.
























Hey, Daddy, guess what? We're movie stars! That's right, we were on TV! The museum has a place where you go behind the TV, but you show up on it. It's fun Daddy. We danced and pretended to jump on the people.




























After the museum, we went to Grandma Edie's for lunch. We must have eaten too many snacks in the van, we weren't hungry for lunch. But Papa Chuck gave us chocolate milk, and we drank it all up. Ian got to stay the afternoon over at Grandma's, but Laurel went home with Mommy. Ian will come home after dinner. Grandma and Papa want to see our new shower.

We love you Daddy! We are sending you hugs and kisses.

Love,
Ian and Laurel, and Mommy too!

Hi, Daddy!

Dear Daddy,

We miss you. Night time is just not the same without the tickle monster around. Mommy just can't make the right noises for it to be effective. Promise you'll turn into Tickle Monster as soon as you get home.

Today we went to the mall and played indoors. Mommy says it's too hot to play outside today, but 108 doesn't sound hot to us. We did get to jump and run and make friends at the play area. We went on the carousel and got to get a book at the store. Here's a picture of us reading Ian's new Lightning McQueen book.

We are being very good. Tonight we both cleaned up all our toys and brushed our teeth without giving Mommy too much grief. Ian won the race to see who could get their jammies on the fastest. Laurel chose to read I Love You Stinky Face, and Ian of course wanted Curious George. Tonight, it was the one where George makes the pancakes. Can we have blueberry pancakes, Daddy?

Daddy, will Peter Pan and Tinkerbell visit us tonight? Can we go to Neverland? Remember when Captain Hook was scared of the crocodile, remember that Daddy?

We're sending you hugs and kisses. Sweet dreams, Daddy! We love you!

--Ian and Laurel (Mommy sends her love too.)

Sick, But Not Deterred

Ian has some stomach virus today. He woke me up at six this morning complaining that his stomach hurt. About an hour later, the vomiting began. He is all too familiar with what we call the Barf Bowl, and knows to use it when needed.

Today is garbage truck day. More than that, we get visited by two garbage trucks. One picks up our recycling, and another picks up plant material. Ian is laying on the beach towel covered couch. He is gray and still. But, upon hearing an all too familiar screech of brakes, he sits up and softly reports, "The garbage truck is here."

Ian staggers towards the front windows. I rush to grab the Barf Bowl and follow him. He opens the curtains to view the marvelous truck lifting our recycling barrel. Good thing I closely follow him with the Barf Bowl, he immediately begins retching into it. He will not stop watching his beloved garbage truck, but continues looking out the window, all the while throwing up.

The truck finally departs, and Ian pretty much collapses in my arms and I walk him back to the couch. After convincing him that chicken noodle soup would not be a great idea right now, and reading to him a book about garbage trucks, Ian is asleep and hopefully on the mend.

Moonlighting

So, I've got a secret blog. Back in September, I started trying to lose weight and was occasionally posting about it. Then, I took a break from blogging, those end of the year holidays came and went, and I gained all the weight back plus an additional four pounds. Heavy, heavy sigh.

Depressed and failure are some words that describe my feelings towards myself at the time. Fortunately, enough was enough, the clothes were getting WAY too tight, and I decided to stand up again, dust myself off and take charge over this part of my life.

Back in March, I refocused my efforts on getting healthy. I started taking note of portions and calories consumed, started incorporating exercise into a busy life, and chose to create a blog dedicated to this one aspect of my life. It's dull - just me keeping track of whatever goes into the pie hole, exercise, struggles, successes, and such. But, oh, it's so important to me. I'm posting daily, and it's helping me keep focused.

Unfortunately, this blog has suffered. Where are all the cute stories of the kids? I need to find balance between the two. So I now must offer a story, that incorporates both...

I need to exercise at home. Driving to some gym and putting the kids into a daycare while I work out is not my idea of fun. Yes, I gave it a try last summer, and I just didn't like spending 40 minutes on the road each day.

Exercising at home obviously takes away that 40 minute drive time, but there is a challenge: Laurel and Ian sometimes get in the way. I think it's so cute when they want to work out with me, but when I'm doing aerobics, I'm afraid I might jump on them, or my hand might hit them as they walk by. Actually, both kids have accidentally been whacked by me as they ran by at the wrong moment.

The solution was simple. Whenever I exercise, I divide the room with a long piece of yarn. The kids can work out or play on one side, while I sweat it out on the other. Does it work? For the most part, yes. Laurel still crosses the line to crawl between my legs while I'm stretching. To her, I'm a tunnel at that point and she just can't resist. I just hope I can keep my balance.



Ian doing the moves in the aerobics DVD with me.










Laurel tries to do lunges.













Ian holds wooden beads as his weights during strength training. He's having some fun.













*BTW: sometimes I have brain fart and forget to change my identity when leaving comments on your blogs. If you see someone by the name of Slenderella, that's me. :-)

Happy Mother's Day

Why I love being a mother...



Happy Mother's Day!

Bad Fashion, Beware

There is a Fashion Nazi residing in our household. She goes by name of Laurel, and she knows exactly what she wants to wear. Point blank she tells us if an outfit is not desired. Try to put it on her, and you face fits of fury exerting the energy of a tornado. There will be high pitched shrieks, tears, flailing arms, back arching, and the inevitable escape. We've learned to offer her choices in her apparel, giving her control. It makes for a much happier morning.

Evidently, ponytails and a sequined shirt
are appropriate apparel for a baseball game.

However, the opinions are not limited to herself. Paul likes to be shirtless when brushing his teeth, thus eliminating the possibility of getting toothpaste on it. This bothers Laurel to no end. She stands next to him, points and yells, "Daddy, put on a shirt!"

Sometimes I wear a light jacket in the house when cold. Laurel points at me and says, "Mommy, no coat!"

I usually respond, "Honey, I'm cold and I need the jacket to keep warm."

Comfort is not of importance to her, only how I look. She repeats herself, "Mommy, no coat!"

Me walking away does not deter her. She just follows, repeating her command. "Mommy, no coat! Take coat off, NOW!"

This lasts for a few minutes, but I refuse to give in to her demands. My needs are important, too. Eventually, she gives up or gets distracted, and I always get to laugh at my wonderfully opinionated daughter.

Look out, Ian. It won't be long before she notices you like to wear your shirts backwards. I'm just warning you...

Big, Scary Smoke Alarm, GO AWAY!

Lately, Laurel is obsessed with the smoke detectors in our house. Actually, fearful is more accurate. To put her at ease, I've been trying to explain how the smoke detector keeps our family safe from fires. Despite all my efforts, she is still unsure of the round object that looms on the ceiling just outside her bedroom. It scares her to the extend she quickly runs into nearby rooms, closes the door and states, "I am safe now."

So the discussions continue, trying to put her mind at ease. Even Ian is trying to help his little sister understand the role of a smoke detector and that it's just not some scary monster waiting to gobble her up.

This morning's conversation:

Laurel: The smoke alarm is my friend. It winks at me. (She's referring to when it blinks a red light.) The smoke alarm put out the fires.

Ian: No Laurel, the firetruck and firemen come and put out the fire.

Laurel: Yeah, the firemen and the firetruck put out the fire.

Ian: That's right Laurel, the firemen and the firetruck put out the fire.

Laurel: Ok. If the fire alarm goes off, we go to Grandma's house.

Ian: No, we go to Alex's house.

Laurel: Oh yes, we go to Alex's house.

Ian: Yes, Laurel, we go to Alex's house and the firetruck puts out the fire and puts the fire in the tank.

Laurel: Ok, the firetruck puts the fire in the tank.

Ian: Yeah, they put the fire in the tank and then they take it away.

Evidently, Ian knows something about the process I don't.

Finding Time for a Date

There just never seems to be enough time to accomplish all the things I want to get done. Of course, part of the problem lies within myself. I want to do it all! Gardening, exercise, play with my kids, teach my kids stuff, scrapbook, make awesome and healthy meals, bake, experiment with said cooking, hike, travel, just to name a few. Add in the daily housework, laundry, diapering, feeding and grooming of kids, grocery and clothes shopping, it's a wonder I ever get to participate in extracurricular activities.

Speaking of extracurricular activities, I would like to take my dear hubby out on a date once in a while, but when? We have little mini-dates at home. You know, when the kids are put in bed and we have our alone time. Lately, our together time has been consumed fighting off evil patrons of the dark side of the force. Aha, yes, we geeks (and proud of it) love to play Lego Star Wars on our Wii. I'm not typically a video game connoisseur, but Paul has found one that strikes my fancy. I love playing Han Solo and blasting my way through swarms of Storm Troopers on the Death Star.

Other mini-dates include being couch potatoes. Our favorite shows include Battlestar Galactica, Doctor Who, Torchwood, and Eureka (if it ever comes back). The combination of my hubby, a scifi show, and a glass of wine is downright romantic! Once in a while, none of our shows will be airing. Then we rely on our DVD stash, preferably something from the Lord of the Rings Trilogy.

It's been a long time, but we also like to challenge each other to a game of Scrabble. But alas, poor Paul, he is timid about playing against me, because of course I am the Scrabble Queen. It may because I taught second grade and had to teach phonics and know a phonogram or two, but the bottom line is I usually WIN! I think the one time he did win, is when we took the travel version to the hospital while I was in labor with Ian. The contractions definitely interfered with my thinking during that game.

What do you do for a mini-date?

Yes, We are Cheesy

One of the perks of parenting is torturing your kids by making them wear the same clothes.



Funny thing, neither kid minded. In fact, they were down right giggly about wearing their froggy jammies.

Bubble Busted

Last night, Laurel and I went for the three mile walk that goes around our neighborhood. Paul had just arrived home and needed to eat dinner, and Ian chose to stay behind to play with his cars and computer. I strapped Laurel into the stroller, and off we went.

Ian decided to play his Click Start computer. The game of choice involved popping bubbles that would splatter paint onto the surface. The computer gives you a certain amount of time, and then tells you how many you were able to pop. The idea is to help little ones learn to control a computer mouse.

Paul would encourage Ian stating things like, "Ian, you got four that time, that's a lot. Wow, Ian, six this time, good job," and so on.

Ian started getting excited along with Paul. "Daddy, Daddy, I got four!"

The next time around, "Daddy, Daddy, five this time, that's a lot!"

The following round, "Daddy, two! I got twooooo!"

Finally, "Daddy, Daddy, I got one!" There's a slight pause, his voice lowers an octave and he exhales, "Oh, that's not so much."

***********************************************
Unrelated topic:

I'm totally psyched about tonight's BSG! WHOO-HOO!

Finally.

If you're a true scifi geek, you'll understand.

Building Trust

Laurel is in the beginning stages of potty training. When the occasion arises, and she asks to use the potty, we oblige. We let it be her idea. So far, she'll sit a minute, nothing happens, and then she's wiggly and ready to go play.

But the little potty chair is not good enough for her. Lately, she wants to use the big toilet. Fine by us, less mess to clean up, that is if she ever produces anything.

One evening, Paul goes to help her remove her diaper and place her on the big toilet. She balances on the rim, Paul's hands nearby just in case. She worriedly looks up at him stating, "Daddy, don't flush me down the toilet!"

Easter Pictures

Some pictures for a certain grandma missing her babies...






Ian shows Laurel how to open Easter eggs.

A little Easter love.

Zonked out while traveling to Maricopa.

















Dreaming of jellybeans.
















Older cousin, Allison, made sure everyone lined up by height for the Easter egg hunt.







Ready, set, go!











Sprinkler fun needed to cool the kiddies down.









Laurel likes to jump like the Easter bunny.












No Easter would be complete without a little hot tubbing.

Natural Consequences: My Turn

Ian is desperate to retrieve one of his dump trucks from the backyard. I allow him outdoors to accomplish this task. Laurel and I peer out the windows, amused by Ian's tactics in trying to find his truck. After a few minutes, he is frustrated in not locating it. I instruct Laurel to stay inside while I join Ian in his quest.

After thoroughly searching the yard together, Ian and I conclude the truck must still be inside, possibly in his room. Together, we walk to the patio door. Ian turns the door handle and pushes, but the door does not budge. He tries it again and again, but the door remains steadfast. Offering support, I comment, "Ian, remember the handle is tricky. You have to turn it all the way first and then push the door."

This time I try opening the door. As I push against it, I can hear the distinct sound of metal hitting metal from the deadbolt cylinder. My heart stops as I look down and see Laurel on the other side of the glass door reaching for the lock. I flashback to a day about two years ago, when Ian had locked me outside. Learning my lesson, I usually take the house keys with me in case of such an emergency. Today, well, I am feeling just a bit stupid.

I yell through the glass, "Laurel turn the knob all the way around."

She gets up on her tiptoes and reaches for the knob. She turns it, but it doesn't rotate enough to unlock. "Keep turning it!" I urge her.

Laurel turns it the wrong way. "No, Sweetie. Turn it the other way."

She tries again and again, but without any luck. Ian asks, "Why won't Laurel open the door?"

"I don't think she can turn the knob all the way around, Honey." Then the light bulb goes off in my head. Laurel doesn't have enough leverage to reach the knob.

"Laurel, go get the stepstool."

She continues reaching for the lock. "No sweetie, first go get the stepstool."

Finally, she stops messing with the lock and trots off hopefully to get the stepstool. I squint through the glass and watch her retrieve it. She places it next to the door and climbs up. A few more sets of instructions and then, click. Oh, what a beautiful, heart-revitalizing sound.

Quickly, I push open the door in the small gap between it and the stepstool so Laurel is unable to accidentally lock us out again. Whew, another close call. Mental note: Always take the house keys outside with me no matter how short the stint, now matter how quick the task.

Natural Consequences

As parents, we try to protect our children from harm and teach them about possible dangers that lurk in our world. Hopefully our repeated chants sink into their ever growing brains. "Don't touch the stove, it's hot. Stay on the sidewalk so you won't get run over by a car. Pat the dog gently or he may bite."

Unfortunately, there are dangerous situations we parents may have overlooked, and curiosity will overpower any lessons taught.

Ian screams from the top of the stairs. They are nonstop shrieks that get my immediate attention. I race up the stairs and quickly look him over for any signs of injury. I see none. It takes me a few moments to calm him down enough so he can give me any sort of explanation. Between deep breaths, he sobs, "You should not leave the light on. The light hurt me."

My brain races with possible interpretations. He's oddly holding his hand. I look it over and find no cuts. It seems like an eternity before I figure out what Ian is trying to tell me. I remember having seen Ian and Laurel touch the hallway light that is just above the baseboard and behind a piece of translucent plastic. That gets warm, but if he just now touched an actual light bulb, that would be hot enough to burn his skin.

I rush him to the bathroom and immerse his hand in cold water. Within a minute he calms down. I look at his fingertips, and see a white blister forming at the end of his middle finger. "Ian, did Laurel touch the light too?"

"Yes, mommy."

I call Laurel to me and look her over. On her index finger a white blister is forming. I get the step stool for her to stand on and have her dunk her hand in the water also. Why she didn't cry is beyond me.

Upon further investigation, I find out that Ian and Laurel were reaching down between the staircase slats to touch the light bulb in a lamp. Evidently, this was a case of both curiosity killing the cat and monkey see, monkey do.

I discuss the circumstances with the two of them. "Guys, do we touch lights?"

"NO! Lights are hot and burn," yells Ian.

"No, Mommy. Ow, ow, ow," remarks Laurel.

No further lecturing is needed. My two curious kittens have learned their lesson. Some time spent in cold water, a band aid and a kiss alleviate their pain.

Later that evening, while Ian sits on the potty, he states, "Mommy, now I have to earn some more money to buy a new finger!"

Highland Games - Year 3

This post is for my Mother-in-Law Ann, better known as Grandma Ann. Some of you may remember that she received a double lung transplant last year. This year, she was looking forward to attending the Highland Games, however she unfortunately caught Ian's and Laurel's nasty cold and had to miss it yet again.




Paul helps the kids pose for a picture.

Hand in hand - too sweet!

Our wee man loves his kilt!

Our bonnie lass loves her "Princess dress," as she calls it.

A kilt isn't going to keep Ian from climbing...

...and playing.

Laurel follows Ian's lead.

Going up, up, up...

...and then down...

and down.

Now, that's what I call an ice cream cone!

Ian had to get one with pink on it. Unfortunately after only a few licks, it toppled over, hit his sleeve and landed on the ground. Oh yes, there were tears.

Sweet Laurel was willing to give up her cone to Ian in exchange for Mommy's strawberry shake.

Ian eats this cone more carefully. You can see the pink residue from the last cone's fall on Ian's sleeve.

The day ended with a fun train ride for the kids. I think each car was made from a keg of beer.