Sunday, October 6, 2013
cart lounging
Will went through a phase where he hated getting in a cart. He would absolutely
refuse and put up a fight every time we'd go to a store. But then, magically, things changed. Now he has no problem with getting in or on a cart. The only issue is how much I am going to worry about what other people *might* think about the way he is riding (no one has said anything to me). That, and not having enough room to haul our goods.
Saturday, October 5, 2013
2013 :: week 40
First off, how are we at week 40? This year is flying by.
Will made a crown in his Sunbeam class that Lauren was all too happy to commandeer. Lauren really likes to wear hats and crowns.
Part of our ritual when I take the kids to the gym childcare is playing in on the slides for 5-10 minutes (depending on my mood and what we have going on after). Will loves the hand sanitizer dispenser. I try to limit the amount of soap he uses, but it is an uphill battle.
Tuesday afternoon we visited the Farmstead. Getting out of the house was, as usual, a battle. I asked Will to put his shoes on no less than five times. When I saw that he finally had some on I didn't take a good look at his feet. I should have known something was up when he smirked at me when he finally but them on. It wasn't until we had been at the farm for about 20 minutes that I realized he was wearing one half of two pairs of shoes.
Wednesday we tried out a new park and went exploring. Lauren loved running across the bridge, but that was the only walking she was interested in. I ended up carrying her about half a mile. She's getting much too big for me to do that! Or maybe I'm just out of shape.
Thursday we got to help my dad celebrate his birthday. Both kids were fascinated with the candles. Will got to help put them in the pie, and then he rearranged them several times to get them just right. Lauren had a healthy fear of the lighted candles. She wanted to see them, but didn't want to get too close. Happy Birthday, Dad!
Friday evening Anthony and I colaborated to make the best meal we have ever prepared together (burrito bowls). TJ grilled the chicken and veggies to perfection and I chopped them up and prepared the sides. While the food cooked we spent some time as a family hanging out on the back porch. It was a gorgeous night and fun to watch the kids' imaginations at work as they played.
Saturday morning the kids and I made pumpkin chocolate chip muffins. Lauren has now entered the (dreaded) stage where she insists on helping with everything I do in the kitchen. Even though they try my patience, I enjoy baking with my kids.
Will made a crown in his Sunbeam class that Lauren was all too happy to commandeer. Lauren really likes to wear hats and crowns.
Part of our ritual when I take the kids to the gym childcare is playing in on the slides for 5-10 minutes (depending on my mood and what we have going on after). Will loves the hand sanitizer dispenser. I try to limit the amount of soap he uses, but it is an uphill battle.
Tuesday afternoon we visited the Farmstead. Getting out of the house was, as usual, a battle. I asked Will to put his shoes on no less than five times. When I saw that he finally had some on I didn't take a good look at his feet. I should have known something was up when he smirked at me when he finally but them on. It wasn't until we had been at the farm for about 20 minutes that I realized he was wearing one half of two pairs of shoes.
Wednesday we tried out a new park and went exploring. Lauren loved running across the bridge, but that was the only walking she was interested in. I ended up carrying her about half a mile. She's getting much too big for me to do that! Or maybe I'm just out of shape.
Thursday we got to help my dad celebrate his birthday. Both kids were fascinated with the candles. Will got to help put them in the pie, and then he rearranged them several times to get them just right. Lauren had a healthy fear of the lighted candles. She wanted to see them, but didn't want to get too close. Happy Birthday, Dad!
Friday evening Anthony and I colaborated to make the best meal we have ever prepared together (burrito bowls). TJ grilled the chicken and veggies to perfection and I chopped them up and prepared the sides. While the food cooked we spent some time as a family hanging out on the back porch. It was a gorgeous night and fun to watch the kids' imaginations at work as they played.
Saturday morning the kids and I made pumpkin chocolate chip muffins. Lauren has now entered the (dreaded) stage where she insists on helping with everything I do in the kitchen. Even though they try my patience, I enjoy baking with my kids.
Monday, September 30, 2013
September Saturdays :: Rooting for the Royals
9/21
In early September Will chose a Royals game as his second reward for a month of patch wearing. After consulting with both the Royals' calendar and TJ's travel schedule we were left with 2 possible games, one of which was Sunday. Will had to wait an additional 2 weeks before he received his reward, but he was willing to wait. He's always liked baseball, but this season he turned into a fan.
It was "Fan Appreciation Night," and the first 10,000 people got free blankets. Of course we got there early. We hung out in the kid zone for about an hour before we headed to our seats at the start of the game. It was a packed house, probably the highest attended game our family has ever been to. At the time the Royals still had an outside chance at the wildcard spot, so there was a spirit of optimism in the air.
By the time the game actually started I was ready to sit down. Early runs by the Rangers put a damper on the crowd's enthusiasm. Refusing to rest before we went to the baseball game put a damper on Will's enthusiasm. We still had fun.
Lauren surprised us all and had a was happy for the entire four hour excursion. Except for when I wouldn't let her eat a piece of hot dog the little boy sitting behind us dropped. Nobody's perfect.
In early September Will chose a Royals game as his second reward for a month of patch wearing. After consulting with both the Royals' calendar and TJ's travel schedule we were left with 2 possible games, one of which was Sunday. Will had to wait an additional 2 weeks before he received his reward, but he was willing to wait. He's always liked baseball, but this season he turned into a fan.
It was "Fan Appreciation Night," and the first 10,000 people got free blankets. Of course we got there early. We hung out in the kid zone for about an hour before we headed to our seats at the start of the game. It was a packed house, probably the highest attended game our family has ever been to. At the time the Royals still had an outside chance at the wildcard spot, so there was a spirit of optimism in the air.
Riding the carousel
Love those fountains
Will really enjoyed himself on the playground. Climbing is serious business.
There was a live 80s cover band that we danced to for awhile. Some drunk Rangers fans really liked TJ's moves.
Both Will and Lauren got up to bat at the "Little K."
Lauren
Will
It was fun having my dad with us too.
Saturday, September 28, 2013
2013 :: week 39
Will decided he wanted a glass of water Sunday afternoon, so he got our water pitcher out of the fridge. Some of the water spilled and instead of telling me about it he got out the broom and started to mop it up. While doing this he slipped and fell. He insisted he needed ice to help the bump on the back of his head.
Monday we got out and enjoyed the beautiful weather by spending some time at the neighborhood park.
Lauren loves Caillou. Lucky for her, we've got several books around the house thanks to Will's former obsession with Caillou. Unlucky for me, the books make it impossible to escape him. Tuesday she insisted on bringing a Caillou book along for our morning walk.
Our neighborhood library offers several storytimes. Lately we've been attending the Wednesday evening family session. Kids are encouraged to come in their pajamas. Will and Lauren really love it.
Lauren is crazy. She pulls out every clip I put in her hair, but when hair gets in her face (which it does all the time, I am trying to grow her bangs out) she just lifts it up with her hand.
Will has been asking me if we could go to the mall and ride on the carousel all week. We finally got around to it Friday evening. Will and TJ rode in the tea cup while Lauren and I watched. They had a fun time spinning.
We had a full schedule of fun outside activities planned for this morning. So when it rained all morning we were left with a not a lot to do. We ended up having a pretty low-key day. When a picture of your kid playing angry birds on the kindle and your husband on the computer surrounded by piles of laundry is the only picture you took that day, you know it was a pretty prosaic day.
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
visitors from the west
At the end of August Melanie's high school BFF got married. Melanie and Andrew came to town to be part of the wedding party and Jill arranged a visit to the homeland to coincide with the time the Staritas were in town. Almost a reunion with 10/13 of the family in town.
Will was pretty excited to hang out withthe Staritas Andrew. :)
As per usual, we spent a lot of time at the pool.
Pool rats like us are rewarded for our excessive devotion to the pool with seriously discounted prices at the snack bar. The only snacks we bought all year. Which leads me to the next thing we did a lot of while the Utahans were in town--eating.
While the rest of the family was at the aforementioned wedding, Jill joined us as we took in a Royals game. It was really hot.
Will really got into the game. He still talks about how the Royals are gonna beat the Nationals (the team they played that evening).
Our kids are really lucky to have so many fun aunts and uncles on both sides of the family.
Melanie brought a set of orchestra figurines that she was gifted at a white elephant exchange and Will loves them. Andrew listened to countless "jokes," (torture for all who have endured Will's jokes), taught him to play Nintendo, and let Will follow him around for hours.
Jill entertained Lauren while the boys were getting their hair cut, watched the kids for me so I could get some time to myself, and wowed Will with the fact that their names rhyme.
The days after everyone left were brutal. Not only were the kids used to extra adult attention, TJ went to DC and I didn't feel well. Writing this post made me anxious for Thanksgiving and Christmas, the next time we get to spend a lot of time with family.
Will was pretty excited to hang out with
So excited to show off his school he can't look at the camera.
As per usual, we spent a lot of time at the pool.
Pool rats like us are rewarded for our excessive devotion to the pool with seriously discounted prices at the snack bar. The only snacks we bought all year. Which leads me to the next thing we did a lot of while the Utahans were in town--eating.
Oklahoma Joe's
Eating BBQ sauce with a spoon
Mom stocks up on Blue Bell when Jill's in town
While the rest of the family was at the aforementioned wedding, Jill joined us as we took in a Royals game. It was really hot.
Will really got into the game. He still talks about how the Royals are gonna beat the Nationals (the team they played that evening).
Our kids are really lucky to have so many fun aunts and uncles on both sides of the family.
Melanie brought a set of orchestra figurines that she was gifted at a white elephant exchange and Will loves them. Andrew listened to countless "jokes," (torture for all who have endured Will's jokes), taught him to play Nintendo, and let Will follow him around for hours.
Jill entertained Lauren while the boys were getting their hair cut, watched the kids for me so I could get some time to myself, and wowed Will with the fact that their names rhyme.
The days after everyone left were brutal. Not only were the kids used to extra adult attention, TJ went to DC and I didn't feel well. Writing this post made me anxious for Thanksgiving and Christmas, the next time we get to spend a lot of time with family.
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
4 EYES
Will recently had a follow-up to his July eye appointment where we learned he has a lazy eye.
The good, the bad and the neutral:
:: The patching is working and the vision in his right (less dominant) eye has improved!
:: He gets to wear glasses in hopes of helping his eyes focus correctly.
:: He still needs to keep wearing the patch for an additional 3 to 6 months to prevent his eye from reverting back.
We're now about 10 days into the glasses-wearing-phase and the honeymoon is o v e r. Initially Will was quite excited about wearing glasses. He had fun trying them on and picking out his frames and case. But once the reality of wearing them ALL.THE.TIME. hit him things went south. We've already had to take the frames in to be repaired. I feel like I have a third child. I know that sounds dramatic, but I am constantly having to check to make sure Will is still wearing them, and when he isn't (most of the time) I have to locate them because he never seems to remember where they came off. Punishing him for taking them off isn't very effective because he really hates wearing them and agrees to put them on, only to take them off again as soon as I am distracted. When they are actually on, he spends a majority of the time peeking over the top. It's a bit of a hard sell because he can see fine without them. As far as I understand it, the glasses are to help his eyes focus correctly. We have good days and bad days with the glasses, and clearly today was a bad day.
The good, the bad and the neutral:
:: The patching is working and the vision in his right (less dominant) eye has improved!
:: He gets to wear glasses in hopes of helping his eyes focus correctly.
:: He still needs to keep wearing the patch for an additional 3 to 6 months to prevent his eye from reverting back.
Wearing the glasses
We're now about 10 days into the glasses-wearing-phase and the honeymoon is o v e r. Initially Will was quite excited about wearing glasses. He had fun trying them on and picking out his frames and case. But once the reality of wearing them ALL.THE.TIME. hit him things went south. We've already had to take the frames in to be repaired. I feel like I have a third child. I know that sounds dramatic, but I am constantly having to check to make sure Will is still wearing them, and when he isn't (most of the time) I have to locate them because he never seems to remember where they came off. Punishing him for taking them off isn't very effective because he really hates wearing them and agrees to put them on, only to take them off again as soon as I am distracted. When they are actually on, he spends a majority of the time peeking over the top. It's a bit of a hard sell because he can see fine without them. As far as I understand it, the glasses are to help his eyes focus correctly. We have good days and bad days with the glasses, and clearly today was a bad day.
Picking out frames
Looking over the top
Taking the glasses off and putting their well-being in danger
Tonight Will asked me if he could get new glasses without the glass. Such a hipster. I'm grateful that his main objection to the glasses is that it is harder to see out of them, not that he doesn't like them.
September Saturdays :: KC
9/14
We spent most of our morning and early afternoon making a few stops around Kansas City. First we had to find branch of our credit union that was open on Saturday. Then we had to head to the K to buy Royals tickets for the following Saturday (to get the best deal you had to drive buy your tickets AT the stadium). Google maps told us to take a back road between our two destinations that, as it turned out, was gated off with a hand painted "Private Property" sign. Our ensuing debate over how to get where we were going led Will to ask us "What are you guys DOING up there!?" in a very exasperated voice. Eventually we found our way and all was well.
Post errands we headed to the Power & Light District for some Family Fun, carnival style.
After lunching at the BK Whopper Bar we hit the street. As usual the kids enjoyed the musica. Will liked the the instruments and Lauren danced her little heart out.
We only let the kids participate in free activities. Luckily there was a fun art tent with chalk, spray paint, tempera paints, and face paints.
Unlike the previous Saturday the weather was idyllic.
We spent most of our morning and early afternoon making a few stops around Kansas City. First we had to find branch of our credit union that was open on Saturday. Then we had to head to the K to buy Royals tickets for the following Saturday (to get the best deal you had to drive buy your tickets AT the stadium). Google maps told us to take a back road between our two destinations that, as it turned out, was gated off with a hand painted "Private Property" sign. Our ensuing debate over how to get where we were going led Will to ask us "What are you guys DOING up there!?" in a very exasperated voice. Eventually we found our way and all was well.
Post errands we headed to the Power & Light District for some Family Fun, carnival style.
After lunching at the BK Whopper Bar we hit the street. As usual the kids enjoyed the musica. Will liked the the instruments and Lauren danced her little heart out.
We only let the kids participate in free activities. Luckily there was a fun art tent with chalk, spray paint, tempera paints, and face paints.
Lauren doesn't like grates and I don't blame her.
Chalk she likes.
Drawing a beard. What is it with men and facial hair?
Unlike the previous Saturday the weather was idyllic.
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