Full Weekend

This weekend was a full one. On Saturday we went to Santee Lakes to celebrate my nephew's birthday. While it was nice, it was also long and hot and I think J was pretty bored at times. He didn't want to play at the sprayground because he doesn't like water in his eyes and the only playground close consisted of a swing set with two swings and sand. Lucky for me he loves sand and he did play in the sand for a bit, but we were there for FIVE hours. And while I just wanted to lay on the blanket since I was melting from the heat, he wanted to run up and down the bank to go watch the ducks or watch his cousin play in the sprayground. Since the ducks were down a steep incline, I was inclined to follow so he would not fall in the water, and the sprayground wasn't exactly within good viewing distance either. Finally I decided that it was time to split from my family since everyone was doing their own thing anyhow and head to a real play structure. Oh I should have done this soooo much sooner. Needless to say I think he had fun, just being out and about. We were both worn out from the heat and he crashed as soon as we headed home and slept for about 30min, only to wake up, eat, watch a little George and head to bed, where he promptly fell asleep again.

Yesterday we stayed home during the morning, which he did not like. He ended up playing out back for a bit and being happy with that. After nap we headed to the Fair and got there around 4. It wasn't as hot as Saturday which was nice, but it was crowded. While J enjoyed seeing the animals and watching his other cousin ride rides, we both thought he was a little bored. Finally he got to play some games. He said his favorite part was the balls (throwing ping pong balls into jars) but he wished he had made it in. :) He still won a prize though. After the rides I suggested we take them to the playground (free) and on the way they found some hay bales and had fun running through and over those while the adults sat down for a minute and then we headed to the playground. There was a boy J's age there and this kid would not stop bugging him. I swore J was gonna deck him. I actually saw him turn around and the boy fall to the ground but I think, and J confirmed, that the boy just fell to the ground, no pushing or hitting involved. That kid was a brat. After a bit we decided to head home and I realized we didn't even hardly eat anything. J had a slice of pizza and an Icee, R some nachos, and I split some Tasti-chips with R. That's all I ate! I didn't want to deal with food at that point as it was already after 8 and we needed to get home and I knew J had eaten enough, which is all that really matters. When he was in bed I asked him if he had fun and he said "yes but I wanted to play another game, one that you ride." I felt so bad, he wanted to go on a ride, but just a few months ago we tried that at the carnival and he was super scared, and that just went in a circle. I guess we should have taken him on the little train or something :( Don't worry baby, mommy didn't get to do the one thing she wanted to go to the fair for either, to look at the cakes.

Bunnies and Birthdays

Wow it seems like there have been a lot of birthdays this weekend. My bosses was Sunday but we celebrated it here at work on Thursday. I got to make a gluten free, organic chocolate cake...from a box. It didn't smell very good, and J did not want to lick the bowl, but after it was cooked and frosted it was actually okay. Thursday was also my dad's birthday and Friday was my grandma's and R's (who's the only one that really matters in this story).

Friday I left work at 10. I never do that so it was a huge shock for R. I wanted to take him down to San Diego for lunch and a trip through the Body World exhibit but with the drizzly weather and the roll over accident next to our house we thought it would be best to just stay in. Not to mention daycare probably would be less then ecstatic if we ran late on Good Friday. Heck we had originally planned to go to Disneyland, free birthday and all, but that plan was foiled when we realized it was Easter weekend.

Thursday I had made R's chocolate cake. A deliciously sinful, full sugar, full gluten cake with sour cream frosting. Staying in on Friday gave me a chance to whip up some butter cream icing and decorate the cake. He wanted me to make roses, so I could practice, but with only a half hour to pick up, there just wasn't time. I grabbed the boy, the cake and off we went to pizza with his family. Where R and his brother got in an argument on the state of our economy. Why or why? It's so interesting to see how different two people form the same family can be, especially since they are only a couple years apart. Despite that bit of tension it was a really relaxing dinner, for me at least.

On Saturday we didn't do much in the morning and headed over to a carnival for about an hour in the evening. J rode one ride and was done. Thankfully he had a blast playing games and even got three ping pong balls in the little floating cups. Since I had purchased tickets for two rides I just had to use the rest of the tickets myself. Unfortunately the carnival was pretty ghetto and the only ride that looked safe was the Tilt-a-whirl. It was fun the first few times around but then it got pretty monotonous. By the time I got off I felt sick and my arm hurt, very strange. Guess I'm getting old. blah.

Sunday was a really great Easter! Other then trying to make it down to brunch, where my uncle works, in time for the egg hunt, there was no stress. It was nice. When we got home it was nap time. I guess the sun wore me out because I ended up falling asleep in J's bed. When he woke grandma came over and we dyed eggs. I think the adults had much more fun then J, as he lost interest after about 10min.

My Siblings

I have four siblings. 2 sisters and 2 brother, half brothers if any ones counting. I am the oldest. As of this writing we are Tanya (34), Chandra (26), Jenna(24), Jacob(21), and Tim(18).

Tim is the youngest and the craziest. I often worry about him and where his life is headed. For the first time ever I sat with him and had an actual conversation this past Christmas. I remember Tim as little Timmy. My cute but troubled baby brother. The one I was a birth coach for. The one I would often babysit for when my mom went to work. The boy who had to have speech lessons because at two he would say "boid" you know the things that fly in the sky. I remember doing a presentation about him for Psychology class, but not the specifics. It was so cute that he would say "boid". He is the one that got kicked out of preschool and sent to special classes once he entered kindergarten. He has learning problems still to this day, anger issues, and is on and off medication. I hope that as he gets older he can get on a regimen that helps him become a wonderful young man, but still I worry.

At the other end of the spectrum is Jacob. He was the cute kid I took to school with me to show off during child development. I remember him telling me when he was very young that he was going to own his own business. I asked if I could work for him in the office and he said "would you know what to do?" :) When he got to be about 8 he was annoying as hell, and would not shut up. He has grown so much since then, into a handsome young man who I can have a real conversation with. We should be closer. He's smart too and is getting ready to graduate from the University of Boulder with a degree in Engineering, Full Scholarship! Hey where's my sweatshirt? And to be honest I did not want him to be born. How much I would have missed out on if my mom had followed my desire. :(

Then there's Jenna, my 'little' sister, who towers over me. She probably doesn't realize how protective I am of her, but I am. Ever since the breakup with her first boyfriend. She's a good girl who slips off the path every now and again and then jumps right back on. She's smarter and stronger then she realizes. She's like me in that she is a pleaser. Take her to the mall and she'll go where you want, share a soda, and be sweet. She can tend to be loud, but that's just Jenna. She would never hurt anyone on purpose. She was a teen mom, who defied the odds. Graduated with honors and went on to finish nursing school. She's afraid of failure and that can tend to hold her back. She currently lives with my dad with her two gorgeous kids Kaylee(6) and Derek(7). She will succeed in whatever she does as long as she puts her mind to it.

And last but not least, is Chandra. My sister! My "twin". The one who ruined my single child-hood. ;) She seems to constantly change, never bad, just changing. She's an adult now. She lives with her boyfriend and desires to be a SAHM so didn't go further then H.S. She was the bratty one growing up. Always getting into my stuff and making me punch her in the stomach. Which she will gladly tell you the story of even today. She is more independent, take her to the mall and you better be ready to go to the stores she wants to go to and fork out the money for the extra soda because she isn't sharing with anyone. She's gone though the "black" phase, the "pot" phase, and I've even called her a "fag hag", and now she's just chill. She's not 100% sure of herself, but she tries to hide it. She is not a girly girl.

Those are my siblings in a quick nutshell. I'm sure I have forgotten to mention many things, but I love them all and just wanted to take a second to let them know I notice them, and love them. :)

Melt my heart

Yesterday J woke up before R left and stumbled into the bathroom, probably looking for me since I've been in the shower when he's gotten up recently. I call to him to let him know I'm still in bed and I hear him say "daddy I just wanted to tell you I love you" ahhhhh. Then he proceeds to climb into bed next to me, cuddle up and fall asleep. Double ahhhhh. Now why do I have to get up and go to work?!?

Christmas Celebrations

As busy as we were, our Christmas was really nice. It started when I left work on Friday, as that's when I began the marathon baking. (see below) As is his tradition, or so it seems, R went to do his Christmas shopping on the 23rd, fun.

The first celebration was on Christmas Eve. After R getting home late we finally headed to spend the evening, or what was left of it, with my Mom's family. I said 4:30ish, we got there at 6:15. It was a nice evening with some yummy food and some gifts for Justus. His favorite part of the evening was eating the entire plate of cream cheese stuffed olive penguins. The worst part of his night? Getting pick up by my sister. She tries so hard to get him to like her and he won't even smile for her. We have decided that he either thinks she's pretty or a spaz. lol

The next morning we got to open presents at home and were ready to actually get the chance to relax before meeting with my Dad's side. Usually we rush back down to my dad's first thing in the AM, but this year my grandma decided to have it later at her house, which would work perfect...except at the last minute R's mom calls and asks us to come for meat pies, yummy! But it mean getting ready right away and we were already eating cinnamon rolls, oh well so much for the relaxing morning. We head over for a quick visit and then back home so I can finish getting my cookies ready. Then we head down to my Grandma's. More yummy food, great company, and J getting to play the piano. After that we head back up to R's families for dinner, uck, can you say stuffed?

And finally, on New Years Day J and I drove up to see my other sister that couldn't make it down for Christmas. We just spent the evening relaxing at her house and they cooked for us, quite nice of them. :)

A great time was had by all and J got lots of (aka too much) stuff. Lot's of vehicles including a huge garbage truck and roller from Santa, the usual clothes, some art stuff, Duplos, Lincoln logs, and games. R got a set of cordless power tools and I got a sewing machine. Now I just need to figure out how to use it. Hopefully by next year we will have some new stockings and some home-made gifts!!!

SAHM...For a week

Last week I got to be a SAHM because daycare was closed. Before I the week started I told people things like, "you think I'm acting crazy now, wait till I get to be a sahm next week" and "I'll remember how much easier going to work is."

After worrying about how I would handle it, anxiety wise, I have to say that I loved the time with my son. In fact I did NOT want to come back to work. Sure you can think "who does want to go to work" but seriously I did not want to drop him at daycare and felt seriously guilty. So much so that the entire drive to work, I cried. Now maybe I would feel differently if R was still in school and gone 3 nights a week, or if was longer then a week, or if we weren't so busy the entire time, but I really want to stay home with him and let him crawl into bed with me and snuggle until he begs me to go play in the other room, sip coffee while I watch him play with his new trash truck, let him play outside and tell him again why he can't have water in his water table, give him a yummy lunch and then read to him, sneak in a shower and email time while he naps, play play-doh with him and then wait for daddy to come home while I make dinner. Giving us time to do all the things we didn't get to do during the week of Christmas. :( I'm sad.

Mon Oncle

I really don't even know what to say except that you will be missed, you were loved, and you are home now.

After a week in ICU following a major heart attack R's Oncle (uncle) passed away this afternoon. We are very thankful to have a wondeful hospital in our area that took very good care of him and tried everything to keep him here with us. But God had other plans, and was ready to bring him home.

We are thankful that it was quick, with very little suffering as you were active until moments before the attack. I promised you a cake if you woke up, but I will make one in your honor for the memorial.

Our Weekend

We had a busy weekend, mostly because R needed to do homework, so we got kicked out of the house. Thankfully he understands that if I'm not IN the house I have no ability to CLEAN the house, hey it works for me :)

Saturday - Since I knew we would need to be out of the house I decided to start Saturday with a little garage saleing. We left about 8:45 (late I know) and stayed out until about 12, so we could get home for lunch and a nap. After nap we headed back out to the park/spray ground, which was a first for J and he loved it. I think we'll be going back next weekend unless I can find another in the area. We we're there for a couple hours before heading home.






Sunday - Since I went to bed at 3am, I did not want to get out of bed. R got up with J and I slept another hour or so. We got ready and headed out again. We went and had some breakfast/brunch and then I tried to find some more sales, but all the addresses were a flop, oh well. At the last house I noticed a park at the end of the street so we headed over there. Lucky me, it was one of the parks I wanted to find and it also has a fountain that goes off every hour and a half that the kids can play in. Even better it was about 45min till the next time. So J played at the park and then we changed him into his bathing suit. Upon exiting the bathroom I fell off the curb hard and rolled, ouch. J just watched me, but thankfully no one else saw. He looked a bit scared so I just told him, see mommy falls down sometimes too, now give me a hug to make me feel better, and he did. :) Needless to say I am achy today. He enjoyed playing in the fountain, but seemed to like the spray ground better. After the fountain we headed home for nap. After nap we went grocery shopping and to the "vitamin store", also know as "the fruit store". It's like a farmers market store and they have testers of the kids vitamins and he gets so excited. Several times he has told me "I get the bear one for my birthday." If he's still saying it around his birthday, guess what he's getting.

So after our long weekend you would think he would fall fast asleep, he did at nap, but nope, he talked for a good hour+ in his bed after putting him down. Sleep child!