November 12th-18th

(11/12) Work day for Dad & me, and Kathy had the kiddos.  C threw a fit about coming home and when he was whining about me picking him up, D sat there and said "Of course! Of course!"   LOL!  And he now says it when C starts complaining about anything in the car.  Hee, I like it!  The littles had a pretty good day from the sounds of it.  A little light on the nap and lots of hugs from J.  Such a sweet boy!  Makes up for a whiny-butt C.  

(11/13) I slept in today, and it was glorious.  I spent part of the morning with the littles and then headed out to work in C's classroom.  Today we got to finger-paint turkeys.  What fun! After that, since Nanan was hanging at the house with the twins, I ran some errands that I normally don't have time for during the week.  All accomplished, I headed back home and visited with Nanan until it was time to go grab C from school.  Nanan went home after we got back, C did his homework and played on the computer while the littles took a bath.


(11/14) Work day for me & Dad had the kiddos.  There's truly no better way to end the day then to sit on the floor and get mobbed with cute boy hugs. 

"I gotta yawn, yawn, yawn my sleepies out..."

(11/15) Work day for Dad & me, and Kathy had the kiddos.  Kathy is very, very brave.  She got out the shaving cream and let the kids go to town.  She said D took a while to get into it, but he eventually did, and then proceeded to have a blast.  And I got freshly bathed kiddos out of the deal.  Sweet!  They also made darling Christmas trees from ice cream cones ~ what an awesome idea!  

(11/16) Busy day today!  It was picture day for hockey, so we had to be there super early.  Sarah & I squeezed in a walk with the pups, and then I came home and flew around trying to get everything done before I had to leave.  Granddad came to watch the twinsies so they didn't have to wait around between pictures and practice.  He said they were so fun - no tears and lots of peekaboo.   They were out by the time C & I got home.  After nap, we packed up and went to Jax's birthday party.  I thought I would just be dropping C, but there was enough room for the twins to stay and play too.  They had a ball!  The trampoline said it was only for kids, and only one kid at a time. The twins totally do not get the concept of one at a time, and kept climbing on while other kids were jumping.  They climbed on the jumps, played around with the foam blocks from the pit, got in the maze, and were very well behaved.  They even got a bit of cake and juice at the end.  I did not hear a peep from them after I put them down tonight. I am so taking them to gymnastics more often!  *I* was the first one to wake, of my own accord, and *J* slept till 8a on Sunday.  Unheard of!  

(11/17) Yay for lazy Sundays!  Dad cooked us up a feast this evening - we had a Thanksgiving dinner preview, complete with homemade stuffing, turkey, taters 'n gravy, and cranberry wine for the adults. While dinner was cooking and the littles were napping, C got to go to Grandma's for some cookie-making and I took the puppeh out for a long walk.  Cass and Shiloh (Sarah's Husky) did great - they talked to each other for about a block and then settled in.  Good pups!  

The littles have taken on the job of feeding the kitty, and like to feed him *every* time they go upstairs.  Their hands are small, so it's around what he normally eats, I guess. Little messier, but whatever.  They're helpful.  

(11/18) Work day for me, and Dad has the kiddos today.  I have a whopping one-day work week this week and then am off for the rest.  No plans yet, but I'm sure we'll think of something.  

Words

D (coughing):  ...  Alright?
Me: Did I forget to ask if you were okay?

Moose is a lap dog

D saying "No pull!" and pulling his own hair

D: Stuck!
Me: Are you stuck?
D: No.   ....   Yes.


Me: No pull!
D (pulling his own hair): No pull!
D (pulling Moose's fur): No pull!
Me (peeling him off Moose & shaking my head): No pull. All done puppies. No touch.
D: Yes.


D: Num, bite?
Me: No bites for puppies.
J (feeding Cass off his fork): Bite?
Me: Ugh...


D: Bat-time?
Me: No, it's not nap-time.
D: No bat-time.


D: Morning?
Me: Good evening.
D: No morning.

So... should I worry that my child is running around saying "No buttons!" and using a plastic saw on his belly button?

November 5th-11th

(11/5) Work day for Dad and me, and Kathy had the kids.  She said there was tons of hugging and kissing today.  LOL!  Attack of the kissy babies!  Traffic was insane today, so I felt like I was tucking them in pretty much right after we got home.

(11/6) I was off today, so Dad watched the kiddos until Nanan came to take over so I could go and volunteer in C's classroom.  I came home in time to put the littles down for a nap, and then Nanan and I visited and tried on glasses (there's a site where you can upload your picture and try out all the styles).  I ordered C a back-up pair and was "." close to getting myself another, but I didn't really want to spend so much on high-index lenses, so bagged it.  After I got C from school, he did his homework while I made snack, and he did his screen time during dinner, followed by bath and bedtime for all.

(11/7) The kiddos were home with Dad today while I worked.  I had book club tonight, and was home to play with the kiddos for a short while before putting them to bed and leaving.

(11/8) Happy Friday!  I "slept in" this morning (till 6a) and then headed out to work.  I had a pretty decent day.  Kathy said C was in a mood, and that J seemed off and had a low-grade fever.  I got them all home and made dinner fast to hopefully get them in bed equally fast.  C said he wasn't feeling well, and stopped eating to "go rest." Poor bubba.  J seemed okay.  Hope they're not coming down with something.


(11/9) No ice today, so I was able to catch a full Pump class at the gym before Dad went to work (owie!!).  After I got back, I gutted a couple of pumpkins and put them in to roast, then did up the seeds, followed by a yummy chocolate pumpkin bread once the pumpkins were done and pureed.  The littles napped through most of this, and C was on quality control duty.  He liked the bread, mostly because there was chocolate in it.  He is his mother's child. Nanan came this evening to grab C for an overnight.  I put the boys in their chairs to hopefully distract them with dinner, but instead they threw their dinner everywhere and hollered while I was trying to talk to Nanan.  And then Dad came home sick in the middle of all this. WEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!  I was never so ready for bedtime!

J is fascinated with earrings

C & D play ball with Cass

(11/10) I spent a lovely Sunday at home with the fam.  Dad still isn't feeling well, so we let him sleep. The littles had runny noses too.  Sigh.  The small fries took a three hour nap, during which I took the dog boys out for a long walk and caught a few Zs myself.  Walking the dogs together was quite amusing.  It was like walking a mule and a tornado at the same time.  The mule stopped about 0.75 mi into our walk and just stood there, refusing to move.  The tornado took about the same amount of time getting the hang of things (read: not tying me up!). I thoroughly wore Moose out, and even Cass came home and went to sleep.  After the littles woke up, we played, did some chores (well, I did), and then Dad made us dinner. For some reason, D really wants to pick Cass up.  So there was lots of firm talking, and now when I say "NO PULL," he responds with, "YES!"  Yaaaaaay.


(11/11) Veterans Day ~ To all who serve, and have served, we thank you!  I don't normally have this holiday off from work, but the boss lady made it so.  So yay!  We aren't planning a whole lot. Probably just a rehash of yesterday, but with a C-monster in the mix.

October 29th-November 4th

(10/29)  Work day for Dad & me and Kathy had the kiddos.  C tested the limits of my patience when we got home and found them.  Sigh.  He was on his best behavior tonight, trying to win back screen time for tomorrow.

(10/30) Jam-packed day!  Grandma & Granddad came and grabbed the twins for story time at the library.  J was full of bananas today and couldn't sit still, but D actually sat and read a book!  He normally can't sit still for anything.  I had some unexpected hours without little people in the house, so scurried to get the floors done.  Then I realized that Dad & I could actually go to lunch *together*.  I dropped the cleaning, and we headed out.  Unfortunately, the restaurant we chose was closed, so Dad went on to work, and I got to go shopping unassisted! After shopping, I went to grab C and run him home so I could come back for his conference. I just have to say that I adore C's teacher!  He is loving school this year and doing so well.  She had all positive things to say and I left bursting with pride.  Love my kid ~ even if he does test my patience.  I had yet another appointment for my foot to get orthotics casted. It's feeling much better, but I'm still limited as to what I can do for another few weeks.  Dr. says a 5k in December is reasonable, and I cancelled my marathons in late November.  Pout.  Stupid bursitis.  After Grandma & Granddad headed home, the kids and I did some baking and I made spider eggs for our Halloween potluck tomorrow at work!

Moose looks traumatized. No puppies were hurt
during this production

(10/31)  Happy Halloween!  C is going as Jet-Vac from Skylanders this year. I didn't dress up, but sure could have since half the office did.  FUN!  After work, we all went to Sarah's house for dinner.  The littles went home with Dad so they could go to bed, and Dad handed out candy and toys to our visitors.  I went trick-or-treating with Sarah, Jordan, Jamie, Nana, Papa and C.   Jamie got sick a few houses in, so he, Sarah, and Nana ended up turning back. Papa and I wrangled C & Jor down to the big, fancy house and back.  They both came home with buckets filled to the brim with candy, and I was told quite firmly that C was not giving his candy to the candy fairy this year.  Alrighty then.  Next year is going to be crazy taking the three kiddos out.  Can't wait!


(11/1) Work day for Dad & me and Kathy had the kids.  In our cruising of the internet, Dad found a very Shrek-like puppy and said he was possibly the one thing that could make him want a puppy.  I ducked out a little early and ran out to meet him, but he had been adopted before I got there.  Oh well.  I then ran out to Kathy's to grab C and take him to an eye appointment.  He has been commenting that he doesn't like reading because the words are too small, and has shown a strong preference for large fonts. I didn't know if that was because he's a new reader and it is hard or if the poor guy got my eyes.  Turns out it was the latter and he'll be sporting glasses for reading in a few weeks.  He threw a royal fit while we were out because I had the nerve to take him away from having fun to an eye appointment!  But then the doctor showed him how his gadgets worked, and he got to pick out new glasses, so all was forgiven. But sheesh! After his appointment and selecting frames, we ran out to pick up the littles. We went home to make dinner and then they headed for bed.

A little blitzed from his big day.

I did a little cruising of the internet myself and found that there was another pup from the same litter of the boy above, so I put together a list of some prospects and went to sleep.

(11/2) We were up and at 'em early today.  Dad had most of today off due to it being jersey day at C's hockey practice.  D & I headed to the shelter to see if we could meet the pup, and then the rest of the family could join us when they could. When I got there, I just laughed. There were people lined up an hour before the shelter opened, in a crazy windstorm, complete with chairs.  I got D out and wandered over to ask if they were all waiting for the same dog.  Yep. I texted Dad that I was going to head to PAWS and hopefully meet the second dog on our list. The power went out at the arena, so C's practice got cancelled and they arrived at the shelter to find an adoption hold on Cassius, and all the other dogs on my list.  We discussed a few others, but left empty-handed after filling out a pet request for both Cassius and another girl in foster care.  We went out for lunch and came home so the twins could nap.  After they woke up, we were all just getting in the car to head out to see one of the girls at another shelter when we got the call about the hold on Cassius expiring and would we like to come meet him?  Absolutely!  So off we went to PAWS.  Cass was full of kisses, chased the balls that the kids threw, greeted Moose nicely and even offered to play.  D calls him Shrek, which makes me happy. Cass seemed a little wary of the gregarious D, but I think we can manage D's enthusiasm and help him feel safe.  My house feels full again.

Puppy kisses... C cut off my head.

(11/3) Daylight savings time ended today, and the kids were all up at 6:30a.  Yawn.  I may have been a bad parent and turned the monitor down and let them play until I was ready to get up. We spent a low-key morning together.  I had to put the kids' shoes in the dryer since they're still drenched from their puddle fun yesterday (see puddle in video below.. they *really* enjoyed that puddle).  I attempted to get more pictures today, but it's difficult with Moose and both twins sitting on me while I'm trying to shoot.  Who says the Newfie isn't a lap dog. Dad & I are going out to dinner & a movie this evening with friends we haven't seen in forever and Nanan is coming to watch the kids.  Sooo looking forward to it!

(11/4)  Work day for me and Dad has the kids.  Happy Monday!

Words

J (standing at the drawer with silverware): Open! Put away! Close!

Full contact toddler.

D (throwing toys): Go get it!


D: G'boy! Pat-pat-pat!  NO PULL!
(Can you tell what we've been saying around here?)

D: SHREK NO! SHREK NO! SHREK NO! Hi guys! Hey Moose! LIE DOWN! No, DOWN!

Driving trains on Mom. Hard to photograph when he's on my lap.

Both have Mom's shoes on. Glad someone's using them!

J (during nap time): Spiiiiiiin!  Spin!  Spin!

In Mom's shoes

Done puppy is done

Me: Just a second.
D: MINUTE!

Playing with Moose's tail

C: I've been learning about liquids in class.
Me: Yeah?  What's a liquid.
C: A liquid takes the shape of the thing it's in.
Me: So, like a kitty?
C: Noooo, like water.
D: No water!

J: One, free, four, five! YAAAAAAAY!

D: D-D-D-need snack.  Mama-D-D-num-bite!

RAWR!