Thursday, May 28, 2009

Memorial Day Weekend

Since we had two sick kiddos, we decided to stick close to home over the long weekend. Plus, I’m not a fan of big crowds, and it’s always packed everywhere (zoo, coast, etc) on Memorial Day Weekend.
Saturday mornings, Z usually has his swim lessons, but he was still feeling the effects of his ear infection, and decided he wanted to skip it that day. Instead he ate pancakes and played video games with Dad. At least if you’ve gotta skip swimming; this is the next best thing!
Later in the day, everyone was feeling a little better and we decided to be adventurous and walk to the park, then walk to the grocery store. This is about a 4 mile walk (round trip) so we were being pretty brave!
To undertake a walk of this magnitude with two (sick…remember?) kids, required some extra packing, and planning. We needed sun hats, snacks, sunscreen, the Snugli, Tylenol for both kids… We also (by we, I mean I) decided to let Avalee ride in the stroller like a big girl, without the carseat. That meant we (by we, I mean Colin) had to tweak the stroller a bit, which took some more time. Finally we were ready to go, but by this point both kids were getting antsy and a little cranky. By the time we got Avalee strapped into the stroller, she was crying and yelling. A few blocks down the road though, and she realized she had a whole new outlook… She started kicking her feet, waving her arms and talking to everything in sight! A few more blocks, and we heard nothing, we realized she fell asleep!






The rest of the walk to the park went great, and Z behaved very well. Once we got there, Avalee woke up and had her snack ;0) while Z ran, jumped, slid, climbed and chased. He decided he wanted to play soccer, so I took him on. I’m not sure who won, but I will say Z definitely has more intensity on the ‘field.’ He’s also fearless, and ironically scared me more than once by running full force at me, and not stopping... Yikes!




So, now it was onto the store (about a mile from the park) to pick up some stuff for dinner. Before we got even halfway there, Z started complaining he was hungry. He had gone through all his snacks, so we kept promising him something once we got to the store. The promises turned more into bribes, when he started dragging along and wouldn’t get on the stroller. We asked, ordered and pleaded with him to get on the stroller, but it was not happening. Finally he said, “I can’t get on there. My flower is on the seat!” Well, I had picked him a flower on the way to the park and it was put on the seat. For half a mile, we dragged poor Z along and doubled (at least!) our time, and it was all because of that stinkin’ flower! Once the flower was re-located, Z happily jumped aboard and we sped off to the store.
After grabbing our dinner stuff and some raisins for Z to snack on, we hit the potty and headed out. By the time we got back home, both kids were tired and hungry, but happy.
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On Sunday, we decided to tackle our bonus room which was teeming with boxes of Christmas decorations. I know it’s May, but we’ve been a little busy since December, plus that room does have a door on it. ;0) When my mom called and wanted to take Z out for shopping and a picnic, we thrilled. Without Z, cleaning (and eating…and showering…and…) goes much faster! With Avalee asleep about half the time, Colin and I were able to clean/organize the room. Plus, we pulled out all the tubs (and tubs…and tubs) of Z’s old clothes/toys and found lots of ‘new’ stuff for Avalee. We even pulled out the highchair and the activity center for A. Yay!
Avalee tested out her new seat at dinner, and seemed to like it better than sitting in her bouncy seat. She still whined and fussed until someone (cough…Colin…cough) gave her the usual throne, as she is accustomed (that same ‘someone’s’ lap). But, she started the whining/fussing much later than usual so a small victory. :0)


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On Monday, we decided to have a last minute BBQ. My parents, sister and her boyfriend all came over bearing steak, potato salad and hotdogs. We broke out our hamburger that we got for an awesome deal at Safeway, and Colin made burgers (side note: if you suck at burger making like Colin does, get one of those burger patty thingies. Ours is from Tupperware and it changed our world!), then grilled everything up. After a yummy dinner, we all headed to the family room to play the Wii; we just rented Wii Music and had fun making music videos. :D

Z in his new "US flag shirt" helping get the BBQ ready



So, even with two sick kids, we still managed to have a fun (and productive weekend!)! I’m just hoping the sicknesses stay away for awhile, so we can all enjoy the upcoming Summer!

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Diary of Miss Avalee Apryl


I’ve been kinda sick the last couple weeks, so haven’t had much time to write in my diary…
First I caught this yucky cold and couldn’t stop sneezing and coughing. Plus Mommy kept attacking me with tissue (she can be pretty sneaky!). Personally, I don’t mind if my nose is runny, but Mom just can’t let it go!
I started feeling better, than my ear started hurting. Mommy took me to the doctor and they said I have an ear infection. I don’t know what that means, but they keep shoving this pink goopy stuff down my throat twice a day. Yuck!
But, even though I’m sick, I’m still happy about—well, everything! I roll over ALL the time now, but I get bored being on my tummy for too long, so I have to scream at Mom or Dad to help me. I rolled all the way once, and made the mistake of letting Mama see me, so now she keeps telling me, “You can do it, Avalee!” I’d rather just have her help me; that way I can give her lots of kisses while she’s there!
I recently discovered when I stick out my tongue; people laugh and tell me I’m silly. I like to do that a lot now, because I like to make people laugh for me!
And my new biggest feat is that I learned how to sign Mom & Dad! Mommy and Daddy have been showing me the signs since I was born, but I was just not coordinated to do it before. Everyone was so excited that I signed already, and said it was even earlier than Z. Yes! I think I’m going to work on some other signs pretty soon, and just impress the pants off everyone!
Well, Mama is here with that yucky pink stuff again, so I guess I better get goin’… See ya soon!

~Avalee

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Yay for warm weather & playdates… Boo for viruses & infections!

The weather last week was gorgeous and perfect for letting crazed, stir-crazy kids out of the house!
We had all been suffering from a yucky virus, and had used up most of the toilet paper in the house (I always think I’ll buy Kleenex when we’re sick, then feel too sick to actually go to the store to buy some!) on tiny snotty noses (that ironically produced lots of goopy snot). Colin, Avalee and I were nearing the end, when it hit Z.
We already had plans for the week, including a couple playdates and were certainly not going to let the virus stop our fun! Wednesday we met up with Liz and Madi (and Liz’s cutie-pie niece, Issy) at Liz’s house. Z had woken up earlier than usual that morning, so I wasn’t too surprised when he fell asleep on the way there. I carried him in and laid him on the couch and he napped away. When we decided to go get lunch, I woke him up and he was awake on the way to the restaurant. Once we got there, he got kind of whiny and laid his head in my lap, and went back. to. sleep! He seemed okay later that evening, and I chalked it up to the virus.
The next day we headed to the park for yet another playdate, with my friend Karen and her little girl Elise. Z seemed fine and was even his usual ornery self. ;0) When we left, it was onto Grandma and Grandpa’s, because I was going to an art show at Mercedes’ school with my mom later (side note: Mercedes won an honorable mention for a screen print she did!). Colin rode his bike over from work to hang out with the kids, while Mom and I were gone. When we got back, Z was not doing well. He was cranky, whiny and refused to eat anything. Then he started complaining his ear hurt, and I knew what that meant…ear infection! Almost on cue, Avalee started tugging at her ear too. Yikes!
I called their pediatrician’s office first thing Friday morning and they got both kids in, within 20 minutes (LOVE them!). The doc confirmed both kids had ear infections, and Avalee actually had a double! So, off we went to Target for Amoxicillin prescriptions (and a promised Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup candy bar for Z from Grandma).
Z started feeling better almost immediately, but poor Avalee was/is having a harder time getting over it. We are now on Day 6 of antibiotics, so hopefully this will all be over soon!
I hope we’ll all be done with sickness for awhile, especially since spring is here now! Maybe I should go stock up on Kleenex now anyway…just in case.

*I didn’t get any pics during playdates, because frankly I had my hands full with snotty noses, sleepy toddlers and whiny kiddos… But, I promise some super-duper cute pics on the next post (comin’ soon)!!

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Mother’s Day



Well, Mother’s Day this year started out a little rough…
We had decided to go out for breakfast/brunch to the same place we went last year. The restaurant, Busick Court, is a local favorite and well-known for spectacular food at low prices (we even had our rehearsal dinner there years ago). Because it is such a local favorite, it gets very crowded, especially on big days, like Mother’s Day. We anticipated a long wait, but were fine with that.
Once we got there, Colin put us on the list, and we waited. We waited, and waited…and waited some more. Colin eventually checked (after about 45 minutes) and was told there were only a couple tables available to seat a large group like us (we had my parents & sis, Colin’s mom & my grandma). We patiently went back to waiting, until over an hour had passed and groups just a little smaller than ours were being seated! So, we decided to give up on the idea of eating there and move on.
By this point, we were all starving. Z especially was very hungry and cranky, so we had to work fast to find an alternative. We ended up at another local restaurant, Best Little Roadhouse and had an awesome brunch! They have a miniature golf course attached to the restaurant, so we decided to play a little. We all had a blast and will definitely return!
Once we got back home, the kids’ presented me with a card and my gift—Print Shop 23 Deluxe. Woo-hoo!! Then…I got to take a nap, while Colin took care of the kids (and did dishes!)!
Colin even made dinner; awesome grilled chicken terriyaki...YUMM!
So, it turned out to be a great day! Happy Mother’s Day to all the awesome Moms in my life!! :0)

Me with Z on the golf course (cannot believe how BIG he is now!)


Look at my handsome little man!


Z working on a putt through a tunnel.


Me with my pretty little lady

Monday, May 4, 2009

Diary of Miss Avalee Apryl

Mama is always writing on here, and it looks like so much fun! I asked her if I could write something sometimes, and she said she thought it was a great idea. So here goes…

Dear Diary,
Things have been going awesome for me lately! I keep finding new stuff I didn’t know I could do before. Hopefully someday, I’ll be as cool as my big brother!!
Of course, Mom already beat me to the big one; but I rolled over on Saturday for the first time. Yay me! I really wasn’t sure if I wanted to roll or sit up first, but everyone seemed to be making such a big deal about it, that I just decided to go for it. Boy, you should have heard them all cheer and clap for me. It’s like I was a rockstar or something! I’ve gotta really get on this standing thing, because I have a feeling that will be even bigger! I’ll be like a god to them then!
I really like grabbing stuff now! It took me a little while to realize I could turn this talent of holding onto stuff into a really fun game of grabbing anything and everything! I really like grabbing onto my big brother’s hair, because he always makes funny noises when I do. And, I like to grab Mommy’s face with both my hands so I can smooch all over her face. Yesterday, I found Z’s super ball on the floor and picked it up, all by myself! Mommy took it right away though, then told Z he couldn’t leave it on the floor anymore ‘cause I could put it in my mouth. Darn…I thought that was the idea!
I also recently discovered I could get my foot up to my mouth. How cool is that?! I love putting my toes in my mouth, and hope that Mom leaves my feet free so I can. I really don’t understand why nobody else does this too, because it’s super fun!
Just yesterday, I decided I was going to take spitting to a whole new level! Mama calls it “blowin’ raspberrys” but whatever it is, I love it! I can’t believe I never knew I could do that, and I’m certainly not going to waste anymore time by not doing it all.the.time!
Well, I feel a little something coming on, and I need to let Mama know… See you soon!

~Avalee


Saturday, May 2, 2009

And, she's over!





Miss Avalee has been working on trying to roll over for a few weeks now, and tonight she finally did it!
She was laying on the floor at my parents, when my dad alerted all of us that she was working on it. Usually she gets almost there then flips back, yells and tries it over and over until she tires out. But this time, she went all the way! Of course, we all started cheering and clapping, which made Babycakes even more excited. She propped herself up, started looking all around, and was clearly quite pleased with herself. And, it was the first time she was on her tummy that she didn't whine. Usually she hates tummy time, but I guess since she got herself there this time, it was different. ;0)
About two minutes later, I had her on my lap, and she stayed siting up unsupported!
I think she might as well just start walking...heck I might even just give her the car keys so she can get a head start on driving.




So proud of herself!

Conversations with Zavion




It's been awhile for one of these, and I think about time!
Z is getting smarter by the day (heck even the minute), which means lots of interesting questions, musings and/or conversations. These are so frequent nowadays, that I have a hard time keeping track of all of it.
However, I manage to write a few down, and here are some faves...



Colin and I were watching TV one night while Z was going to bed. He was in bed with his music on trying very hard to get to sleep, but it was taking longer than usual. After awhile, we heard him call out, so Colin went into his room. Colin asked him if he needed something and Z said no. Colin said he thought he called us, and Z says:
"Well, it's just that your TV sound is getting into my music."
Hahaha! Well, of course we turned our TV down. :)

__________________________________________________

I was humming along to 'A Bicycle Built For Two' and Z asked what I was singing. I couldn't remember the name of the song, so told him I was trying to remember it.

Z: Is it the car song?

M: Which car song?

Z: You know..the car song!

M: Aaaah (racking my brain, trying to figure out if the song is indeed about a car)

Z: Mom, is it the car song about fighting?

M: Fighting?? What?!

Then, I realize he's referring to the Pink song, "I'm Yours..."

Na na na na na na
Na na na na na
Na na na na na na
Na na na na na

I guess I just lost my husband
I don't know where he went
So I'm gonna drink my money
I'm not gonna pay his rent (nope)
I've got a brand new attitude,
And I'm gonna wear it tonight
I'm gonna get in trouble
I wanna start a fight

Na na na na na
I wanna start a fight
Na na na na na
I wanna start a fight


So, now I've realized my days of listening to my radio are over. Raffi, here I come. Crap.
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