Conversation with Will tonight

Beach house, originally uploaded by tommiea1.

Tonight while putting Will to bed, he asks, "Mom can we go to our other house?"

I am wondering if he is talking about when we lived in KS....or even CA. I know he remembers going to a Wiggles concert when we lived there. I said, "Which house are you talking about, baby?"

Will: "Our beach house!" Like I am three degrees of crazy that I don't know what he is talking about!

I had to explain to him that we only rented that house this past summer. It is not ours! Boy that was not the right answer. He finally settled down after I told him we could go back when Daddy got home.

This picture is a some of the little houses that were just to the right of the one we rented.

I guess we will be making a beach trip in the spring before we move! I would hate to disappoint him and I know Husband would love to go with us this time!

Whew hoo!! Kickball is over

Whew hoo!! Is it bad that I feel this way? Who knew kickball for three and four year old's was so demanding? We are finally done with kickball. Last night we played a game, then had a pizza party for the kids to get their medals. We actually went to the same park we took the duck pond pictures at.
Will was so proud of his 'golden medal'. He wore it so proudly. He even wanted to sleep with it. I had to draw the line on that one. I can hear my mom's voice in the back of my head , "You're going to strangle yourself." Now, I don't know if she ever said that to me..but it sounds like something a mom would say!

Finally, Livi had to get some 'cheese' action in as well.....

Happy Friday y'all!

Visit to the duckpond

After I pick the kids up from school, we head straight home for naps/quiet time. 90% of the time Livi needs a nap after being at school all morning. Well, after a fairly hectic morning (apparently some kid lost two teeth after bumping into a table)....so the adrenalin was running high. After an hour or so I realized no one was going to nap. It seemed fairly cool .....how sad is it that I am say saying high 80's is cool?? So, we loaded up and headed over to the duck pond.

We got there and noticed no ducks anywhere. The kids were quite bummed, so we started walking along the jogging path to the other side of the pond. After getting quite scared by some mongo earth moving equipment, we made it to the other side. Whew hoo.....ducks. We only saw about three. But as soon as the kids started tossing old hamburger buns at them about 8 more materialized.

Livi was fine with them while they were in the water. Once they came onto land she kind of freaked out. We were by a little bench, so she just stood on there. We stayed for a bit until their cheeks started getting rosy. I guess it wasn't as cool as I thought. I had to use this picture to show Mike how long Livi's hair is. When he left, she was sporting a mullet, so I had it cut into an ear length bob. It is still super fine at the top, just enough to put up in a little piggy for her bows.

I just noticed this picture looks like Will is shirtless....he's not. I totally love shots from behind. It always reminds me of that Dr. Seuss book "Oh, the Places You Will Go". Right after I took this, he said, "Come on, you two slow pokes."

As we were walking back to the car, we came across this gazebo. I told them they could have a M&M if they would let me take a few more pictures. I got a few that looked like "mom, put us out of our misery....let me go play now." So I said the all-time favorite word that is guaranteed a laugh and big smile....."UNDERPANTS"... it worked.....Great job guys....I think I have a Christmas photo now.

Drive thru zoo.....

While looking for things to do in the few hours the kids aren't in preschool or napping has been challenging to say the least. .....so when Mike suggested this drive through zoo thingy not too far from here, I was all game.

Okay, first off...see the sign there on the left? It says, "Enter at your own risk." I think to myself, "How risky can it be?? " But no, there are even more warnings....Stay in your car in case of emergency. POUND your horn and FLASH your lights." <----That should have been a clue....a huge clue. Like someone really needs to stand at the cattle guard and hit you over the head with it kind of clue. But we entered anyway.

First off, we see the biggest ostrich I have ever seen. But come to think of it, I think this is the FIRST ostrich I have ever seen, but it was pretty big. Its legs were as high as my window, its body filled the window area, then its big neck and teeny head was at least 2-3 feet tall.....all this adds up to one big A ostrich. While we are still on the cattle guard, the big A$$ ostrich comes along side our car. I ask the other adults (my in-laws)..where do you think his feet are....should I go forward? We all agree we should and I push on the gas. My car just kind of stays there. Thinking I am only stuck on the cattle guard, I push on the gas harder. Whew hoo, we are finally free....only to see the big a$$ ostrich limping around....DANG! I must have run over its foot! My heart is beating a thousand miles an hour as I see this in my front window.

I just hear him now, "YOU want a piece of me?" You bet your pretty panties I had my windows up....AND I was afraid it was going to push its beak through my windshield.

Okay, we drive on.....oh that is a cute little mini horse, more the kids speed. Not some Big Bird wannabee trying to put his head through my car.

oohh, what's next? Some thing with big curled horns. I was not playing chicken with this thing. He looked like he could do some serious damage to my cool mom car. *Pic taken through the windshield**

The kids did like the tiger, at least it was in a cage.

About half way through the drive, Will said, "I see a rainbow." Just over to the right was a beautiful rainbow.....we had gotten lost on the way there and driven through a bit of rain. Though it was dry and dusty just a mere five miles away at the drive through zoo thingy!

Second mistake of the day......see every animal in the near distance eating stuff on the ground? That car in front of us bought the feed to throw at them....we DID NOT. Mike warned me to not get it because the animals are so used to it, they will stick their heads in the car. Talk about freaking my kids out! This zebra kept running along side us right at Livi's level.....She did not think it was cool at all!

Third and final freak-my-kids out of the day: See this mongo camel...yeah, the one blocking the entire road? He would not move. Again I was not playing chicken with something that had the potential to damage my car. Livi is freaking out....don't hit the camel, don't hit the camel!! Since my batting average with big animals wasn't too great, I made sure to swerve WAY to the right!

There was a petting zoo at the end. Will would go up to the fence of them. His favorite was this big white bird named Knock Knock. Livi didn't really have a favorite...she just wanted to leave!

Finally, saw this thing....not too sure if it is funny or sad. Who would do this to a plant??

Final beach pics and a week recap

This week has flown by! Tonight I had to be in two places at once: a MANDATORY meeting at the kids' preschool and a kickball game....it's preschool for goodness sake...I can read the manual. How hard can it be? :

• 1. Get your kid to school on time.


• 2. Pack a good lunch not something full of junk and sugar.


• 3. Pick them up on time.

See, my version could have been done in two minutes rather than the two hours I wasted there tonight! Oh well, despite the crazy director (who communicates with the kids much better than adults btw)...the kids absolutely love it. Livi is doing well. Today she told me, "Mom, they have shakers at school."

***Edited to add: I couldn't get it to load just the May 29, 2007 post, so scroll down to read if you click on the "shakers" link.***

I said, " They do!" Note to self: Talk to the teachers that if they are missing any maracas to check the kids' bathroom.

Being the little mother that she is, she said, "Now you don't have to worry about me, I can use the big girl potty at school. And I close the doors so nobody sees my business!" She is looking mighty proud of herself while she is saying this.

She is doing very well. I have already shown her on her calendar that there is no school on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. On Fridays they have to wear their school shirt. She was pulling out a pair of shorts tonight that matched the shirt. She cracks me up, she said, "This red gingham matches the red in the little girl's shirt." Gingham....who knew she even knew that word? She started to dig through her bows to clip on the shirt...when I showed her the one I had made that matches it. She gave me the biggest hug and said, "I will be the cutest one there!" No, self-esteem problems in her little world.

Will is doing fine with her in his class. Their preschool is a multi-age classroom with 3-6 year olds in it. He is very attentive of her without being too bossy. I was afraid they would bicker some, but so far (Knock on wood!) that hasn't happened.

We didn't make it to the kickball game...oh well, it is four year old kickball....not Friday Night Lights in Texas.

Since it is against my blogging religion to post without pics....just a few more from the beach.

One of the other girls took this. I hate to have my picture taken. But Mike always loves it when I put my mug on here too. Don't think I even took that hat off for a second the entire time we were there!

He was pretty much done taking pics by this time....he is saying, "Mom, may I please swim in these shorts??"

Livi is never far from her bunny....Bunny has been in every one of her yearly pics. I knew bunny would be on this vacation as well. I love pics taken from the back....so that's all folks with the beach pics.....Back to our regularly scheduled Will and Livi fest.

Thursday 13: Things I heard at the beach last week

1. Livi: Does Nemo live in this ocean? Me: He might, baby girl.

2. Will: This sand doesn't make castles, it makes volcanoes. Me: that is one cool volcano!

3. Livi: I loooovvvveee my ocean. Me: And it loves you too, baby girl.

4. Will: I wanna go back to my beach house with Daddy when he gets home. Me: We will come back, but this isn't ours.

5. Will: Oh yes it is, I wrote my name on it. Me: No, you wrote your name in the sand! (But to avoid a meltdown)...okay it is your beach house.

6. Livi: I just need to take a wee little bunny rest. Me: Do you need some bunny love?

7. Livi: May I peepee in the sand? Me: Sure, why not?? Just go over there where no one is playing!

8. Will: The water tastes salty....kind of like a booger. Me: Great! Quit eating your boogers.

9. Livi: May I sit on your lap and let the water spank me? Me: That is just the tide, baby girl.....of course you can. (It took her two days to finally sit in the water, but only on my lap!)

10. Will: I am ready to go back to our Texas home. Me: Just one more day.

11. Livi: A crab just bit me....Me: baby girl, he just ran over your finger. (She picked up a shell and it was hiding under it.

12. Will: I am lovin' me some s'mores! Cheer me, Livi!
Livi: It's yummylicious!

13. and the best for last:

Will: If you toot in the water, it makes bubbles! Me: Nice! Just don't do anything else!

beach aar...(if you know what an AAR is, then you are are geeky as I am!)

We are back.....should I do a The Good, the Bad, the Ugly...nah, let's just do a few quick words....

sunburned

exhausted

tired

kids had fun

great...(okay BEYOND great......I might even venture into AWESOME) evenings

long drives...really long drives...like 4-5 movies long

LOTS of tolls

CRAZY shopping for groceries

just a few pics

Favorite of Will...jumping in the waves...

One of my many favorites of Livi:digging for shells, lots of sand

I can't believe both kids start preschool in the morning!! I still have to pack lunches. More later...

Beach here we come....

I had just a few things to finish up today...It took a few bribes of cookies at HEB, but we got them done.

extra sunscreen: check

cash-check

new movie to entertain them for the first two hours: check

bags packed: check

list made for grocery store: check

note for last minute things made: check

----pack bathroom stuff

----pack sleep music

----pack Will's baby he sleeps with

We are ready to go....This is the first time I have taken the kids on a vacation since Mike has been gone. We are only going a few hours to the beach. I am really trying not to stress out and not just relax!

We get back Monday late afternoon. Both kids start preschool on Tuesday AM. That is making me get all misty-eyed...so I just want to enjoy this weekend. I really wish Mike were home to go with us. Again, one of the many things he has missed this year.

Love you husband...hurry home.

First Joke ....Knock Knock.....

Tonight as we were finishing up dinner, we always say one thing that was our favorite from that day.

Will: I have a new favorite. "Knock knock..."

Will: Mom, you are supposed to say, 'Who's there?' <---said like I was crazy that I didn't know I was supposed to say that.

Me: Who's there?

Will: Orange

Me: (Sadly enough to this Boomer Sooner, it has always been his favorite color!) Orange who?

Will: Orange you please let me in!

His bright blue eyes just lit up as he literally grabbed his belly from laughing so hard. I was laughing just as hard because it was the first time he has ever told a joke. It was even kind of funny in a four year old kind of way! Then because we all laughed, he had to tell it several more times! He tried to teach Livi how to do it, but she didn't get it. After he told the orange knock knock, he thought it would be even funnier if he used all the colors, so he told the same one using yellow! Silly boy......for being so serious all the time he is really starting to be a comedian.

For example, while at the Sprinkle Park this weekend, I usually just take pics as they are running around. He noticed I was taking pics and he said, "Take one of me dancing!' uuughhh, okay. So he busting out some moves that reminded me of Billy Crystal in When Harry Met Sally when he is doing the "white man overbite". He had some bizarre facial expressions that was making EVERYONE laugh. Livi saw him getting some laughs, so she joined in.

They did this for quite some time since everyone was laughing. It was like the more the people laughed, the more they did it. Yes, I think the Mike in him is starting to show through more and more every day! Oh wait that didn't sound right.....Mike doesn't dance like that....but he is goofy as ever making us laugh ever day.

***Edited to add: Livi must have been thinking of a joke since dinner. When I put her to bed she told me, " I have a special diamond for you." I said, "You do...(thinking she was going to point to my wedding ring or something.)...But she said, "Diamond cheese."

The only reason this is funny, is because we are HUGE fans of Black Diamond Cheddar Cheese. Whenever we get it, we ration it out like it is little white nuggets of gold. If the kids see the black wax wrapper in the cheese drawer, they will always ask for 'diamond cheese'.

After she told her 'diamond cheese' joke, she said, "I am such a silly little girl." Yes, you are little girl!

Sprinkle Park

This past week at Livi's story time the librarian mentioned that the library was teaming up with the fire department to do a water safety day......all Livi heard was "free pass to the sprinkle park". I really try to limit each kid to two activities a week....Otherwise I would be on the fast bus to Crazy! I asked her what she would rather give up: Open Gym at gymnastics or the Lion Park Playground......she quickly threw gymnastics under the bus.

I am so glad we went. In the parking lot of the library they had all kinds of fire trucks, water slides, and activities for the kids. The YMCA kids Sprinkle park is right next door. Since there so many kids in the parking lot activities....we headed to the sprinkle park. A day care was just leaving, so there were only a handful of kids!

There were all kinds of ways to get wet....little geysers would pop up from the ground. Little arches you could run through would mist you. One tall post thing had buckets that would dump water on the kids underneath when it got full. This was all on just a concrete pad....no pool. So I was not the 'helicopter' parent hovering over her the entire time.

I kind of felt bad for taking Livi while Will was at school. So we are definitely going back this weekend. Since all the rain has stopped, it finally broke 100 degrees here. Welcome to the heat, I guess we are lucky it has been so mild so far.

Happy Friday, y'all.....we will be ordering pizza and trying to stay cool!

Wild card Wednesday...W....Will is in kickety kickball.....whew hoo

The Kept Woman , who just needs to go buy some good knives... assigned no letter, so I am going with the old standby.....W





Will started kickety kickball this evening. Apparently kickety kickball is a step below soccer for the preschool set. It is a blend of soccer and t-ball. The kid kicks a ball and runs the bases.





Because we were moving last summer, Will did not play any organized sports at the ripe old age of three. So at four, he is just getting in the game. It was so funny...obviously not a single one of the ten kids had played much of anything either. There were kids running for the pitcher's mound....kids running to second, then to the fence. All of this is in 98 degree weather.










During this time Livi found some other little sis to play with. They were playing in the dirt together. She might like to wear bows and dresses every day, but she will dig in the dirt with the best of them!








Do you notice anything about this team? Of the ten kids, only one dad was present. We don't even live on post, but so many dads are deployed. I guess if the wives didn't take up the slack, there would be no teams. Not that I jumped at it when the Parks and Rec called asking for volunteers!





On a lighter note, I find it quite is hilarious is that we only have one practice, then a game in a couple of weeks. The team that we play was practicing tonight as well at the same field.....I think we can take them! Look at that aim, he is good to go....let's just hope he runs to first.

Swimming is over! Whew hoo.....and a nomination

I was kind of surprised I was nominated for the RFS Blog Awards but I was not surprised by the category! Thank you , thank you…I am nominated in the category of: 2) Do you talk about anything else?? Mono-Blogger. I feel like my goal has been accomplished since the kids are pretty much all I talk about. There are those few days of the month I get sappy, but for the most part...yep, it's the kids.

What cracks me up is in the category that I am in, there is a guy who only talks about his manparts....I clicked on his site, and oh my poor little eyes. I must be turning into a prude in my old age.

The other chick was something about perfume....I just skipped right on by it....sad to say I only have a limited amount of fluff time in my day.

Speaking of the little rug rats....we are finally finished with swimming lessons. We were driving about 30 minutes each way for a 45 minute lesson. But the kids pretty much had 1:1 teachers, so it was well worth it.

Whew hoo, give me a high five!....no more driving back and forth to the pool. On the last day, as we were loading up, I plugged in their DVD players. The little thingy that goes in the cigarette lighter came loose. Some magical part that is about a 1/4" long fell under the seat. I looked for 20 minutes and could not find that teeny tiny part!! Made for a long drive back with no easy entertainment in the back, but they were pretty good. Good thing I had some kid music ....

Will never did jump off the diving board, but this is his first year in lessons. By the end of the two weeks, he could float, kick on a kick board, and do some pretty good arm strokes. He would jump off the side, but not the board.

This is the little holding tank they kept the her class in when they didn't have a teacher with them. There were 5 kids and 4 teachers in her class....so most of the time, they were with a teacher doing something. The little cage thing had a bunch of toys they could play with. Livi's favorite was this little pink bunny that squirted water out of its mouth.

It was really nice today to pick Will up from preschool and not be changing into swim gear to get on the road.

happy Monday y'all

Wild Card Wednesday...What did we do on Mother's day??

From The Kept Woman who is a tutu-making fool these days....

On Sunday after Livi's nap we loaded up and went to the park. We met my friend Jill there with her little girl. Mind you it was already 90 degrees ! But I will attempt to not gripe about the temperature. Mike sent me this picture he took last week....yes, that says 110 degrees. Now I grew up in Oklahoma and it does get that hot, but not in May!!!

So since after an hour or so everyone was super hot we headed over to Mr Snow. Who doesn't like a nice cold cherry icee on a Sunday afternoon. Livi loved hers of course. She had the red mustache to go along with it. Will has texture issues and wouldn't even try it. He ended up eating a scoop of Blue bell ice cream. Not as good as Braums, but heck we are in Texas now.

This reminded me of when I was growing up. Before frost free refrigerators, I would scrape the top layer of frost out of the freezer and pour red Koolaid on it! Who knew I could have been selling those babies for $1 a pop?

Afterwards we went home and straight into the bathtub. I knew there was no eating dinner. So after the baths we just had a picnic on the living room floor of cheese and crackers. We watched Backyardigans...the cartoon of the week it seems. Not a bad afternoon.....

Did you play?

By the way this is my 97th post....anyone have any good ideas to do for the 100th??

Great day in Austin....

We went to the Austin Children's Musuem today. We lucked on and got rock star parking at a meter on the next block! Whew hoo, you know things are going to go well when you get good parking. The kids had a blast. It is spring break here so it was super crowded. But the kids had fun doing everything from trains, to building, crafts.

About five minutes after we left the house I realized I didn't have my camera....!! So no pics.

Around noon time we packed up and headed to Pappadeaux....the finest Cajun seafood place ever! Again, great rock star parking, life is good. Of all the things Mike wanted to while home on R&R, going to Pappadeaux's was it! Livi even tried some fried alligator tails. It was deep fat fried with a crisy coating what's not to love. At the end of the meal, no one was overly stuffed. So we ordered desserts. The kids shared an oreo cookie mousse. I couldn't believe Will ate all of his half!! Finally we were stuffed and started home.

Just as we got the second child buckled in, large raindrops started plopping down....which soon turned to a downpour! Overall, an excellent day....good food, good fun, all with family.

We are trying to enjoy our last couple of days together. He had to run up to the store, so I had a minute to blog. Mike leaves super early on Thursday. I don't think I am going to wake the kids to take them. Kind neighbor J said she could come over. I think I might take her up on it.

It is hard to believe he has been home for two weeks.

happy tuesday y'all!