+ 2 - 5 | § ¶Children's Museum
For the month of May, the Children's Museum was doing a share thingy where if you have a Meijer Gardens membership, you could get into the Children's Museum for free. All month i kept meaning to go - i would think about going, and then something else would come up, or it would be too beautiful of a day to go play inside, or i just didn't want to deal with parking. Excuses, excuses. Well. Today was the last day of May, and therefore the last day of the free entry for us. As an added bonus, Juanito was sick. (Wait, that came out wrong....) So he was home all day and was able to drop us off and pick us up so i didn't have to deal with parking meters at all. Lovely. And so, i took the 3 kids and let Juanito sleep all day by himself, in peace and quiet.
I knew Houston and Katrina would have a blast. I was most worried about Zane, who is still really little and all. I needn't have worried. He found things to play with all over the place. Balls and mirrors and weird, random toys - they were all fun to chew on and get millions of germs from.
Katrina's favorite thing to play with was the play food, which seemed to be EVERYWHERE. There were at least 3 places downstairs and 1 place upstairs devoted completely to play food. It was insane. But at each spot, Katrina would gasp in glee and dash off to start cooking and gathering food. Crazy. I did manage to get her interested in a few other things, though. The construction site, where she got to dig in pseudogravel, the light table, where they got to play with shapes, the ATM machine, where Houston and Katrina spent FOREVER sending money back and forth through the stupid little slot, and the table with the spinny thing all held her interest for at least a short time. Sadly, bubbles didn't interest her at all. Neither did the art table, where Houston would have happily spent an hour or so.
Houston's favorite things were the drawing tables and the ATM machine. And the arch. I was pretty impressed with how interested in building the arches he was. We tried to do another arch too, but the frame was pretty wobbly, and we quit after Zane crawled under the table just as the arch collapsed, and Zane got bonked on the arm...narrowly missing getting whacked on the head with the big, heavy wooden block thing. Houston deemed it too dangerous. I agreed. (Speaking of too dangerous, and on a total tangent...i got a CD with a dramatization of Anne of Green Gables for Houston this past time we went to the library. I thought he'd love it. He refuses to listen to it, because it's too dangerous. Because she walks on the roof of the kitchen. "And that's just too, too dangerous!") So Houston spent his time bouncing from one interesting thing to another. mirrors and bubbles and cars and fishing and food and drawing and doing little rubbings of insects and coloring and cutting and shopping ....
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+ 2 - 5 | § ¶You look mahvelous
Juanito went to the store with the kids this evening, and he bought them new hats. They're really quite hilarious and adorable. Zane is very entranced by them, and apparently a little afraid of them.
This morning, our friends Karla and Linda called (well, one of them called - i'm not sure who, since Juanito talked to whoever it was on the phone) to see if we wanted to go to the water park with them today. So we threw ourselves together and headed out...which is a great thing, since it got up to nearly 90 degrees today. Hot! The last time i tried to take Houston to a water park, he hated it, but this time he thought it was awesome. He ran through sprinklers, and hardly even minded when his face got wet. Since he dived right in and had a blast, Katrina ran right in too, and completely enjoyed herself. But i think that Juanito might have enjoyed himself the most. I stood off to the side, taking pictures and holding Zane - who continued to hate water and screamed when he got even slightly sprayed.
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+ 3 - 4 | § ¶Baby Soup
These are a few of the things i want to remember when my kids are older:
Katrina always refers to a bathing suit as a "baby soup." I am a bit afraid of what she actually thinks that means.
Zane learned how to wave yesterday at the parade. He does that cute little chubby-baby-hand wave, palm up, with the fingers opening and closing. He also watches his hand closely as he does it, so he's waving more to himself than to anyone else. It's so adorable.
Put food near Zane, and he'll devour it. He's like that kid, Mikey, from those old commercials - "Hey Mikey! He likes it!" Tomatoes, onions, even lemon wedges - he'll eat them and barely even make a face. But today, i found a food that he really dislikes. Peas. I'd give him a spoonful, and he'd make that face that most babies make when they bite into something sour. Several times, he actually cringed back in his high chair from the horridness of it. I managed to
My kids are weird. They are definitely clowns, and thereby attract other kids to them. Other kids are often a bit confused by them, though. I've watched Houston and Katrina invent a game of standing on a ledge looking out of a large window, shaking their heads and making faces, and then jumping off the ledge to the floor, and then repeating the process over and over. They have a blast doing it. And so eventually other kids wander over to see what's so much fun. The other kids will watch my kids for a while, then kind of try it themselves to see what's so great about it. Sometimes they enjoy it and join in the fun. Other times they stop and look at my kids strangely and then wander away. But either way, i have to hand it to my kids...they draw a crowd.
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+ 5 - 2 | § ¶Memorial Day
It was Memorial Day today, so per our tradition, we went to the parade. There was supposed to be a fly by at 9:00, so we left the house bright and early to get there on time, met up with the family, set up our seats...and waited. Apparently something went amiss, because there was no fly by this year. Sad. And i'm thinking that the parade people were waiting for the fly by before they actually started the parade, so the wait was kind of a long one. Houston and Katrina amused themselves by playing with the dirt and tiny rocks on the side of the road. But eventually the parade started, and everyone had fun watching. Houston and Katrina made me excessively proud by not running into the middle of the street or out in front of other people to get the candy that was being thrown.
And, hey! Let's talk about that a minute. I remember going to parades back when i was little, and i can't remember exactly what was in the parades, but i swear there were more floats and marching bands and...i dunno...clowns or something. Fun things. Things that make you happy. Nowadays, it seems like parades are all about candy and advertising. And most of the time, it's advertising by way of throwing candy. Gah! If i wanted to see advertisements, i'd stay home, watch TV, and eat candy that i actually like.
But the kids totally enjoyed it.
After the parade, we went to my parents' house for a little while. My dad totally helped me out by drilling some holes into a couple of pieces of wood for me. When we got home (after moving loads of bricks, eating lunch, and taking naps), i had the kids each paint one of the wood blocks. And when the paint was dry, we silicone-glued some markers (marker lids, really, but with the markers inside the lids) into the holes. And hopefully tomorrow we will have cool new marker holders for the kids. (Does that make sense? See...the lid stays in the wood. They use the marker, then stick it back into the lid. So the lids don't get lost, the markers are always together, and we know whose markers are whose. Get it?) Hopefully it will work.
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+ 4 - 2 | § ¶Pizza and Pirates
After the worst-ever-to-interpret sermon this morning, going to the parents' house for lunch, and naps for everyone (except Houston and me), we went to the park. But we needed to eat, see. So pizza was suggested. So we sat at the park to eat pizza. All very well and good. Except that i may have forgotten that Zane likes to eat too. So, since there was a stunning lack of any other food around, i threw him a piece of pizza. A whole piece. And he loved it. He sat happily gobbling it up for a good 30-45 minutes. Is pizza still really unhealthy if i removed the pepperoni so that it's only cheese, sauce, and crust? Because the most unhealthy food eaten by Zane is now a toss-up between the pizza and the Cheeze-its that Juanito gave him and the cookie my mom let him eat. This is one spoiled child.
While Zane was snarfing down his pizza, Houston and Katrina ran around playing...mostly on the blue swing. They tried sharing it, but that scared Katrina, so it didn't last long. Meanwhile, i tried to take some nature pictures, and have rediscovered what a lousy nature-photographer i really am.
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+ 5 - 1 | § ¶Karen visits!
So today Karen came to visit us here. We played and played - Go fish, Candyland, "the store game," War, and...well, you get the picture. My kids love Karen...Houston and Katrina especially. Zane, not so much - yet. Athough he started warming up to her a touch.
We had lots of plans for today - involving working outside, mostly - but then it rained. And kept looking like it was going to rain. So we did very little in the way of actual stuff. Except for the hanging out with Karen until naptime, my going over to Beth's for 2 hours to work on Katrina's photo album, and the usual evening stuff. So i guess we were still reletively busy.
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+ 3 - 4 | § ¶Mmmmm...cake
This morning we drove out to Lansing to have lunch with my friend Karen and her mom, dad, and sister. I practically grew up with Karen, so i've known her family forever...but i hadn't seen them all in years. My mom drove up with the kids and me, so it was a fun little get-together and see them again.
By the time we got back, it was around 4:00. And then at 5:00, we went over to our friends' birthday party!.
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+ 5 - 2 | § ¶Clumsy
Shortly before Houston's fifth birthday, i was reading a book about 5-year-olds. In passing, the book mentioned that 5-year-olds are pretty clumsy - fall down often, even falling out of chairs and stuff. I smugly thought, "Well, THAT's something i don't have to worry about. Houston's really quite coordinated." And then he turned 5. And it was like he suddenly morphed into someone whose body didn't quite do what he asked it to. He will be standing still...and fall over. For no reason. I've watched him be sitting in a chair...and suddenly be sprawled on the floor. I took a walk with Beth and Rachel tonight, and Houston repeatedly walked into the stroller. (It was NOT my fault! I wasn't walking into him! He was bonking into the side of the stroller near the back...no WAY could i be held responsible!) At first i thought that i was just noticing the falling more now because i expected it. And then i realized that ... No. He didn't used to suddenly trip on nothing while standing next me and scrape his knees. It's a little bit hilarious, though.
I take too many pictures. So here's another web album. If'n you're interested.
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+ 3 - 5 | § ¶Weed-free
Our next-door-neighbor, Kris, is moving at the end of this month. I'm sad. She has been living there for about 6 or 7 years now - since before i was even pregnant with Houston. The kids love her. We don't see her very often, but when we do, she is Little Miss Chatty. She is sometimes hilarious (like when she acted like gravity was pulling her down to the ground so hard she couldn't get away), sometimes a little spacey, and sometimes just amusing to talk to. But she's always really friendly and kind, and she's been a great neighbor to have. I really hope the next people who move in are as great to live next door to. We were talking to her tonight, and she told us we should go raid her backyard for anything we want...because she'd rather give it all away or pour weed killer on the flowers than have the current owners get it when she moves. Mmmmmokay. So we might grab her big pile of bricks and make a little path in our backyard.
Speaking of yards! My mom came over today and we totally worked in my garden. It was all overgrown and horrible, but i just didn't dare to do any weeding, since i am never exactly sure which are weeds and which are flowers. I would have totally pulled out the lilies. (Because there's no flowers yet, you see. If they had flowers, i'd have totally left them.) So i don't dare make a major move without my mom's expertise. And now? It's all weeded and awesome-looking. Next stop...the backyard.
Houston helped with the gardening, of course. He is going to be a great little gardener. Katrina kind of ran around occasionally helping but mostly playing. Zane, in an awesome and surprising turn of events, took 2 long naps today, and was totally content this afternoon. We also finally planted the little herb gardens the kids "made" a couple of weeks ago. So it was a productive day.
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+ 5 - 2 | § ¶If *I* made the world....
Zane seems to do new things two at a time. Ages ago he learned to get himself to sitting and to stand while holding onto something in the same day. This time, it was a day apart, but still pretty close. Yesterday he started crawling for real. Actually moving his little legs as well as his hands. And once he figured it out, he wasted no time at all gaining speed and zipping around to grab fun things his siblings left around...markers, coloring books, shoes.... Then, today, he decided that he might as well perfect another skill at the same time. So without a lot of warning, he crawled to the couch and pulled himself up to standing. He's pretty proud of himself too. Except that he hates the falling part.
As we were walking out of the grocery store today, the kids suddenly dashed over to the big cement pillar and plastered themselves against it. And started saying, "AaaaaAaaaaAaaaaaAaaaa," over and over and over. Finally i asked them what in the world they were doing. Obviously, they were being Krank from The Emperor's New Groove. Y'know, when he's trying to get rid of the llama and he's doing his own theme music, but the two guys walk by so he has to "hide." It was totally obvious to both of them. Clearly they're smarter than i am, because i had to have it explained.
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+ 4 - 3 | § ¶Slogging through the first few days of Katrina's life
Karla and i went over to Beth's house tonight to work on our photo albums. Hi. My name is Karen. My daughter is now 3 years old, and i'm just now finishing her photo album pages from when she was still in the hospital. This is me sucking. But at least i haven't completely given up yet.
So we scrapbooked, and we talked, and we laughed. And we were supposed to leave at 9:00 so that Beth could get to bed. So just before 9:00, i packed up all of my stuff and set it in a pile so i could easily grab it. And then we talked for another hour and a half. Because, um...that's what we do.
And then...Karla and i finally grabbed all of our stuff to leave. We followed Beth to the back door, staggering under the weight of our numerous books and bags and cases full of paper. Beth said something to the effect of, "Well, i just have to wait until this one thing is done at work, and then i can get on with my life again." And i asked, "When is that?" Suddenly Beth, who had been turning her blinds closed, said, "Oh my gosh!" and flung around with huge, scared eyes. She focused her eyes at a spot in the room just behind me, and stood terrified. Karla backed into me, and we both screamed. At the top of our lungs.
It was fairly traumatic. There was nothing we could do. Our arms were laden down with gobs of stuff. We had no idea who was behind us or what he was planning to do. Was there someone out the window? Had she seen a reflection?
Beth glared at me and asked, "What is it???" I looked back in utter confusion. "What is WHAT?" Confusion abounded.
Apparently when i said, "When is that," Beth heard, "What is that?" And was convinced that a centipede was stalking her.
Much laughter ensued. Along with the quickened heartbeats.
+ 2 - 5 | § ¶Previously Unknown Talents
This evening the kids and i went to my cousin Michael's open house. Before we went, i explained to the kids that we were going to go to Aunt Alma's house. Afterwords, Katrina was terribly disappointed, because we hadn't actually gone to Elmo's house. But while we were there, they had a good time. I love it that my kids can play together like crazy now, and actually have fun doing it. Rather than, y'know...pestering each other to death.
I also love it that Katrina is learning to stand up for herself. While they were chasing each other,Houston got carried away and actually pushed Katrina hard enough for her to fall down. He went straight to time out, and Katrina went a short distance away. And then, after a moment, she came over to Houston and said in a very clear voice, "Please don't do that ever again!" And walked away. I didn't have to say a word.
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+ 4 - 4 | § ¶The Long Walk Home
This morning, Juanito stayed home with the kids (and brought them to Houston's last gymnastics class - which was good, because we missed 3 of them, and i was too embarassed to show up) while i went out for breakfast and to hang out with Beth. Fun!
Then, this afternoon, the kids and i took a long walk down to the bridge over the highway to look at the construction (which, sadly, was not in progress at the time), to the bagel store, and then over to the park. Houston walked the whole way, which is pretty far for a 5-year-old's little legs, but didn't complain at all. Katrina, who rode the whole way, told me "I am SO tired!" about 3 times. Yes. Because sitting is such hard work. Zane had a great time until we started walking back. At that point, i think he was just finished, so he flung his head back to cry more effectively. And whacked his head on the plastic holding the seat. That, naturally, didn't exactly calm him down at all - just made him more and more angry, as he continued to whack his head and scream. So the walk back was perhaps less than pleasant. Other than that, though...it was fun.
Zane has decided, the past couple of days, that he wants to eat whatever it is that the rest of us are eating. So if we are eating bagels, he wants some too. But not just any bagel! No, no. I can't give him the plain one i got expressly for that purpose. He wants the same kind that i am eating. Nevermind that it's tomato-basil, and he'll probably just chuck it on the ground after taking a taste. That's what he wants. Sigh.
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+ 6 - 1 | § ¶Simon Says...make your future teacher look at you funny
Houston had a kindergarten screening today (which i had expected to last half an hour, but instead it lasted a bit over an hour, which made us late for the second screening he was supposed to have - except it wouldn't have mattered anyhow, because i had the entirely wrong address for the second one). I was kind of looking forward to seeing what kinds of things they asked him and to see how he answered and all that. But instead, they took him and 5 other kids down to another part of the school to see how he would do in a social setting, among other things. A good idea, really. So i have only Houston's version of what happened until next week when they mail me their opinions. And Houston's version goes something like this: "We played Simon Says, and they said to touch your knee, so i touched my knee with my foot, but they said to just use your hands, so i did, but i kind of tipped over and rolled on the floor." So the letter might be interesting.
While we were there, i asked them whereabouts Houston was on the waiting list. He was number 34 or so a month ago. As of today, he was number 3. So i'm thinking there's a really good chance he'll be going to that school. I'm really glad, because that's totally the closest one to our house. And he doesn't have to wear a uniform, unlike some other charter schools.
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+ 3 - 5 | § ¶Our day, in reverse order
This evening we went over to my parents' house to roast hot dogs on the fire and hang out for a bit. The kids all entirely happy to watch my dad play with fire and eat outside. And then, of course, there's the trampoline next door, which is always a big hit with Houston and Katrina...and is now, apparently, a fun time for Zane around my parents' yard in the spring and see the millions of beautiful flowers they have springing up everywhere.
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+ 6 - 2 | § ¶Example #586 showing how my children are different from each other
There is a McDonalds that we have gone to many times that was recently torn down and then rebuilt. Apparently yesterday was the grand re-opening. I didn't realize they'd only been open one day, nor did i realize that Ronald would be making an appearance today. So when i decided to go to McD's for dinner after going to the library so as to give Juanito a little time to himself, i had no idea what i was walking into. It was mobbed. Crazy, insanely busy. There were no tables available, so we actually had to wait for some people to leave before we could sit down. And the playland area, it was madness. The noise! It was nearly deafening. But nevertheless, the children enjoyed themselves. In the car on the way home, i asked them what they thought. Their responses are as follows:
Houston: "There was a boy i played with, and when i would come down the slide, he would start climbing up the slide and when i would come down he would say 'Aaaaah!' and act really surprised, and it was funny. And then i would stand at the bottom and when he would come down the slide, i would say 'Aaaaaah!' and act really surprised, and it was fun to play with him."
Katrina: "Well, there was a girl who had pink shoes - just like mine!"
And Zane...Well, he just laughed at me and tried to grab everything in sight.
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+ 4 - 3 | § ¶Home again, home again.
Yesterday we made the trip back home. And then i slept. Hard. I thought about writing a post, but when we got home i was awake just long enough to crawl into bed and close my eyes, and that was it. But now, i am back!
The kids...i don't even know what to say about the kids. They were So Awesome. From the time we left our house to the time we returned, they were the ideal children. It was amazing. There was no fighting, no whining, no wildness. Instead, Houston and Katrina played happily together in the car, sharing their toys and laughing together. Zane either slept or watched the other two play. While we were in Kentucky, the kids all behaved like model children. Besides the time when Houston jumped off the porch and hurt himself because he'd "forgotten" the rule about not jumping off anything higher than he is tall, the rules were followed beautifully. Zane has recently developed his own form of mobility, and is now quite willing to play happily by himself for periods of time. It was amazing.
The drive home was great, as far as seriously long drives go. We saw strange things, like an old man in a suit pushing a shopping cart with a large tire in it down the sidewalk. And like this place, which we've seen before. But this time we had to try to explain it to a curious 5-year-old. We had funny conversations like this one:
Houston: "What's a bank?"
Juanito: "A bank is a place where they store money."
Katrina: " *Gasp* I LOVE money!"
We stopped at a really fun and good Mexican restaurant, where the kids went crazy over the cool chairs and stuff, where Houston took about 40 pictures of the decor, and where Zane ate two entire lemon slices. We also stopped at various gas stations for emergency potty stops, to feed Zane, and to get water for children who would certainly perish without it.
And then, after the kids fell asleep, Juanito and talked and talked about ... well, lots of interesting things that i can't all recall right now. Politics and the environment and the kids and books and .... Well, you get the idea. And after an exit was missed and it was late and i was exhausted, what with Zane waking up at 6:30 EVERY MORNING we were in Kentucky, i fell asleep.
(Oh, and the web album of the wedding is fixed now, if you're interested. Down two posts.)
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+ 3 - 3 | § ¶Hi Mom.
Juanito's parents have a trampoline, which is bouncy and fun, but i especially like it because of the hilarious things it does to the kids' hair. Katrina and Houston were out there jumping as often as they could find a grown-up to supervise them. The rest of us just kind of hung out and enjoyed each other's company for the final day of being together. Zane took his first proper nap in 3 days, and afterwards was considerably happier.
And then we said goodbye to Phoebe, who flew back to England, and JJ and Lauren, who we're not going to see tomorrow. And tomorrow we head out for the long trip home again.
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+ 2 - 5 | § ¶JJ and Lauren's Wedding
JJ and Lauren got married today! It was a lovely wedding, and i am so thrilled for both of them. Lauren is a wonderful sister-in-law to have. JJ and Lauren were both glowing and gorgeous. There was an ethnic theme, with guests encouraged to dress in ethnic clothes, which made for lots of color and variety, and also explains why we're all dressed weird. I could try to describe things, but i am tired, i'd rather just show pictures, and it's my blog. So i can do whatever i want. And i just want to make an album again.
Hi. This is Juanito. Since i don't have local access to our internet server, and i neglected to start VNC or forward ports for Remote Desktop through our router, i had to upload Karen's awesome photo album to a free hosting site, which is pretty much HORRIBLE. There's popups and banners and text ads, but if you're patient (or if you want to hone your twitchy point-and-click skillz) you could check it out. When we get back to Michigan, i'll put the photo album on our nice, friendly server.
Here's the photo album! Eew.
P.S. I fixed it now. Here's the real link, without the popups and nonsense. I'm leaving the other link there for posterity or whatever.
+ 2 - 4 | § ¶On the Road Again
Yesterday we drove. And drove, and drove, and drove. But to break up the monotony (and to spare our kids the agony of 8 straight hours in a car), we stopped a couple of times and let the kids run around. Which meant that i had to break out my new camera and have some fun too. So, without further ado; Houston, Zane, and Houston again. Katrina spent a long time blowing dandelions straight at Zane, who was amused and also somewhat alarmed, and then brushing him off to get all the seeds off of him. Both kids were blowing dandelions, so i tried to get a shot of them blowing them at the same time. When i said, "Ok, blow," Houston blew all silly and wild, ending up with seeds stuck to his tongue, while Katrina very carefully blew her dandelion until each and every seed was off the stem. It was a perfect little snapshot of the personalities of the two of them.
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+ 2 - 5 | § ¶Play date. Sort of.
I forgot to say yesterday that Zane cut his second tooth. He is now a two-toothed little being.Anyone remember Lucas, the boy who made Houston cry last week by telling him, "You're not my friend"? This week, they were great friends again. After playing together for the half hour, we were leaving and Lucas said, "Some day we can come to your house."
"Uh, sure," I said.
And Houston jumped right in with, "We live in the blue house. With two doors. One plastic and glass door, and one wood door. Ok?"
I'm sure they'll be able to find us now.
+ 4 - 3 | § ¶Hair today (subtitled "What a dorky title")
Houston's hair, in my opinion, was really quite adorable. It was a mop of curls, especially when he was sweaty. But it was getting a little ridiculous. He was forever pushing it out of his eyes, and it was past collar-length in the back. And i had a couple of people tell me what a cute little girl he was. So it was time to get it cut.
But we wanted to get it cut not really short. Kind of longish still, but more styled and less crazy. And more boyish. And i think that was well past my abilities. And i don't think my mom has ever had to cut boys hair like that. Usually when she cuts Houston's hair, it ends up pretty short. He wanted it "not very short." That was his stipulation.
So it was off to the barber we went, for the first time in his life. I was a touch nervous, because he's not always perfect when getting his hair cut. He HATES getting hair clippings on his face. But today, he sat really still for the lady, who was pretty good with kids.
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+ 4 - 3 | § ¶Warmth
Have i mentioned how much i love warm weather? Or how much my kids love the warmth? Because i seriously love that it's getting warmer and that we can be outside for long periods of time again. Everyone is happier. Zaney plays around on the blanket, working his way over to the edge so he can eat leaves and grass every chance he gets. Houston skated and played with his trucks, giving Puppy rides back and forth, and making up elaborate stories involving the smaller truck's "daddy" - the big yellow truck - going to the bagel store and leaving the baby truck behind because the bagel store was almost going to close. And Katrina ran around picking dandelions and blowing dandelions. While we were outside, Katrina suddenly told me, "My a lady!" And then she insisted that i call her "Lady" or "Little Lady" for the rest of the evening. Because she was wearing fancy shoes, see.
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+ 4 - 3 | § ¶Rest
The past few days have been crazy busy, so today i was prepared to have a relaxing day. Do very little, make sure naptime happens, let the kids just play for a good portion of it. I had only one plan - to meet my friend Karla over at my mom's house so Mom could help Karla come up with ideas for flowers at her new house.
So. This morning, Juanito got up with the kids! And then took them to "the bagel store" for a while. Meaning that i got to sleep in AND i got a little time to myself. Heavenly.
And then i brought the kids over to the parents' house for a while this afternoon. They ran around and played and jumped on the trampoline, and the rest of us discussed what kinds of flowers are pretty and won't get gobbled up by deer, and how to organize the flowers around the house so that they don't look dumb. My mom is smart.
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+ 5 - 2 | § ¶They didn't say "On your marks, get set." They just shot a gun. Which scared me every time.
Probably nobody wants to hear me whine about how all three kids' nurseries were full this morning so i had to be in church alone with three kids or about how i got completely lost on the way to the race and was ready to turn around and just go straight back home (even though i was 5 minutes away from the race and had been driving for 2 hours...even though it was only supposed to take 1 hour and 15 minutes), and finally got to the race about 10 seconds too late to actually see my brother start. So i'll just skip ahead to happier things.
We went to a race today! My brother Jim, his lovely girlfriend Alisha, and my brother-in-law Todd were all racing. In different categories, but all the same course. (Although Jim went around twice and Alisha and Todd went only once.) And all three of them got medals! Alisha got first place, Jim took second, and Todd got either third or fourth. (There was some confusion on that one, although it's probably been cleared up by now.) An altogether awesome showing from our family!
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+ 6 - 3 | § ¶Fun things to do on a Saturday Morning
Pretty much as soon as we were awake this morning, we were off and running. We first went to Home Depot, where the kids got to make a little herb garden thingy, which basically consisted of their "sanding" a couple of pieces of wood and then pounding 4 nails into it. Or, in Katrina's case, pounding 1 nail in and then letting me do the other 3. Another day i think i'll let them paint them, just so they are more "theirs." And we still have to actually plant the herbs.
From there, we went out to a park for a "community party," which was supposed to be an Easter party...except that it got snowed out. So there was an Easter egg hunt, even though it is May. And there were animals that could be seen and pet. There was one of those sucker-tree things, where you pull out a sucker and hope for a black dot on the bottom. And there was a little stand where they would spray paint a picture for you if you wanted to wait. We got in line, picked out which picture we wanted, and waited. After the line had not moved at all after 10 or 15 minutes, i realized it was going to be a long wait. So i asked Houston if he'd rather wait for the picture and then maybe not do any of the other things - like crafts and such - or if he'd rather go do lots of other fun things and then not get the picture. And he chose to wait for the picture. So we did. Or, rather, i did. I sent Houston off to do the penny search, where he pawed through wood shavings and found fistfuls of pennies. And i sent Katrina off to get her face painted. I pointed out where to go, and then watched as she walked over, stood there, and looked at them. Eventually someone noticed her and said something, she nodded, climbed onto the bench, and came back looking like this. And after an hour, when Zane was completely sick of waiting in line an hour in line, we finally reached the front, and got to get our paintings. They're pretty cheesy (Katrina's is a butterfly), but the kids love them.
But the best thing, by far, was the pony rides. Both kids have weird things that they will not try or participate in, so i was a little worried about if they'd actually ride the ponies. But when it was their turns, they got right on and loved it. Houston got to ride the bigger pony and Katrina rode the little one. Their first pony rides. Cute.
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+ 4 - 3 | § ¶I get no respect
We went to the tulip festival with my sister and my cousin and their kids for a homeschool group fieldtrip today. I was all excited to use my new camera. We got there, we walked over to the first beautiful spot we saw, i whipped out the new! fancy! camera...and it blinked at me. No memory card. The memory card was in my memory card reader back at home. So i was back to using my point and shoot. Which, y'know, is good. I like my point and shoot camera. But i had been all excited about using the new camera, so my heart wasn't really in the photos today. Sniff.
So we took a few pictures of the kids by the tulips. Zaney was the most willing participant of the three today. He seemed to enjoy all the hullabaloo going on. Plus he got to be outside for ages. He still isn't sure about the grass, though. Every time i put him down, he does the yoga V-sit, and lifts his little feet up as high as he can without falling over backwards. He's going to have the strongest abs of any baby ever.
In addition to taking pictures, we actually did some other stuff too. We had a little picnic lunch, and then watched the Dutch dancers. Houston, especially, was enthralled by them. He watched in silence, wide-eyed, with his fingers in his mouth to help him concentrate. Afterwards, he asked me if he could learn how to dance like that. And if he could get some wooden shoes too, because then everyone would know that we were that kind of people. As it happened, we were going to a wooden shoe-making factory after the dancing, with a quick stop-over at a playground for a snack. Houston was very earnest about wanting some wooden shoes, because he would "wear them all the time, because i don't have any tappy shoes like Katrina has!" I told him maybe - depending on how expensive they were.
When we got to the factory, Houston walked straight up to the first person he saw and asked, "Do you have any wooden shoes for a 3 and a 5 year old?" She didn't hear him. I led him to the back, where we could see the shoes being made. He eagerly walked up to the guy behind the glass, and again asked, "Do you have a 3 and 5 year-old? Because we would like to buy some wooden shoes! If they are on sale."
Sadly, they were $16, which isn't hugely expensive, i guess, but it's too much money for a pair of shoes that will be rarely worn and outgrown in a year. So instead, each kid got a little keychain with a wooden shoe with their name engraved on it. And they're pretty happy with those. Although Houston was sure to tell me, "But i wish i could have gotten some shoes to wear instead."
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+ 3 - 4 | § ¶Two Stories
Story #1
Katrina had her class today, and Juanito hadn't gotten to see her do her thing yet, so the whole family went. We aren't actually allowed to sit in the gym during the class, because 3-year-olds are pretty easy to distract. (We can, however, peek in when we're not noticed.) So all the parents and siblings are sequestered off to a little room across the hall. It just so happens that one of the siblings is a little boy, one month older than Houston. During the past 3 weeks, this boy (we'll call him Lucas - because that's his name) and Houston have played together and become friends - in the way that only little kids who hardly know each other can be friends.
Today, Houston and Lucas were having a jolly old time being silly together. But then.... Houston apparently did something to Lucas' sock that Lucas only wants his mom to do. And so he told Houston, "You are not my friend anymore."
I didn't hear all that, since i was sitting on the floor with Zane. But i noticed when Houston turned around to look at me. I asked, "What's up?" And he burst into tears. Great big, desperately sad tears that only a child who has never before known such heartbreak can cry. It was devestating. A couple of the other moms were practically crying for him, he was so sad. For a good 5 minutes, Houston sat on my lap in tears because Lucas no longer wanted to be his friend. Nothing could console him. Both kids said sorry, but it didn't alleviate the heartbreak.
And then class got over, we gathered up Katrina, and walked out the door. Lucas was already outside, climbing on the railing. "Hey! How'd you get up there?" asked Houston. And they were instantly friends again. All past wounds forgotten.
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+ 4 - 1 | § ¶And now, i pass the birthday torch on to Karla
It was Karla's birthday today, and she wasn't doing anything. Not an acceptable thing to do on your birthday. So we met her at a park and had a picnic, let the kids play, and took a walk on the boardwalk. Karla doesn't ever like pictures i take of her, so today i can either use the rock star picture or the silly picture. Because i have to post a picture of some sort for her birthday.
So...it was fun to see her on her birthday, and i always like hanging out with Karla and her kids...but i have to admit that i had a kind of ulterior motive today. I was dying to have a reason to use my new camera. And what better place than a park? So i took lots of pictures. And the verdict is? My camera is AWESOME. I am in love. Want to see why?
Here's a few of my favorite pictures from today. A bunch of Houston swinging, standing by the cattails he wanted a picture of, and after he completely fell in a puddle. The boardwalk had a few wet and really slippery, slimy parts, and he totally fell down. Since we were with friends, he didn't react much except to get up fast and walk ahead of us quietly for a few minutes. I think he was embarrassed. It's so sweet and sad when kids get embarrassed.
Katrina was unusually quiet this evening. During dinner she ran around a lot (eating very little), and then seemed to keep to herself more than usual. Except that she clung to Juanito, playing and being silly with him. She did break away for a little while to be "really dangerous" and to eat cake.
Zane was just happy to be outside. Pretty much any time he's outside, he's pretty content to just sit and watch. He did seem to get a little bit concerned when Houston was pushing his stroller in circles, though. And when Houston was running with the stroller. But then, i was concerned about that too.
And Karla's kids were just as cute as ever. They seem to have a love-fear relationship with Houston. They follow him like little ducklings until he turns around, and then they run as fast as they can to the safety of their mom's legs. They liked the "cake" too. "Bemmer" seemed very put out that she couldn't keep the entire box for herself.
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+ 4 - 1 | § ¶You say it's your birthday....
The very first thing i did today (at about midnight) was to read my baby book. I was a cute baby. At least it seems like i was a really cute baby from the pictures and the nice things my mom said about me. I had lots of hair when i was born (which Zane obviously didn't inherit), and i was totally chubby, apparently. But even though i was a chub, my mom wrote, "Karen was always a beautiful baby to care for from the time she was born. She was always so sweet and loveable .... She was very easy to get along with and is still very easy going at age 2." Also, since it's my birthday and i am allowed to talk about myself and brag a bit, i was a bit of a brilliant baby. I rolled over at 3 weeks, laughed at 2.5 months, crawled at 6.5 months, stood up at 6.5 months, walked at 10 months, and started saying "hi" to people at only 2 months old.
But enough about me. Let's talk about, um...me. It was my birthday today, you know. So i got presents. Lots of them. Katrina gave me four of her very own pennies. And Houston gave me three pennies and a nickle of his own money. Such sweet little kids. I love them. Juanito made me a little tiny paper camera, which is totally adorable. Houston wrote me a poem - his very first poem ever! It goes like this: "Nice little whale, swimming in the sea, nice little whale, loving in the sea." And finally...i got a new, awesome, really good digital SLR camera! It's FABULOUS. The kind Glamour Shots uses. And the kind Beth uses!
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