Holiday weekend

the Griswolds visiting a battleground

We had a very relaxed weekend. We went to the Fourth of July parade, visited a battleground, ran 4 miles, and that was about it.  Everything was pretty low key.  I didn't take very many pictures.  

I've decided that I dislike summers here. Sorry but it's true. I'm not much of a summer person anyway. But you can take your humidity, your mosquitos and your crowds back, thank you very much.  The only thing that I like is the daily (!) rain and thunderstorms, but even they are getting old.

I got up early on July 4th, kissed my baby and my husband goodbye, and then went to the Firecracker Run.  It was hotter than ever.  I ran all 4 miles while the sun blazed down on me (and over 3500 other runners). Thankfully, some kind souls had their sprinklers and hoses out for us runners. I finished it!

I'm running again. I want it, I need it, I must have it in my life.  

This week, I've challenged myself to take the babies to different parks.  Yesterday we went to Eastside, which is right next to Bode's school. It is not a new park, so it doesn't count.  But it has great shade in the afternoon which is why we went there.

Ahh, shade!

Today, we went to Division Street, which has a splash pad, swings, a merry-go-round and the usual slide/climbing structure.  I like it because it is big, but small enough for me to see everyone in different places.  The children love the splash pad (of course) and swings (their must-have for a park).  They had never ridden a merry-go-round before and they both seemed to like it a lot.  

"Eyelashes McGee"

Eastside is always (weirdly) vacant, despite being a nice, clean park.   This park was full of other kids. Of course, I like that Bode and Gianna can interact with other kids at this park. But I did have a few panic moments of "Oh my gosh, where is he" while scanning for Bode in this park. I like empty parks! But I know that it is better to have a bunch of new friends to play with when you're at the park.

I know of two other parks to visit this week.  Hopefully, the sun will shine for part of the day and we can venture outside to the other two parks before the week ends.  We are in the middle of a thunderstorm at the moment.  It is welcomed! Bode is resting quietly while Gianna and Nico nap. I'm exhausted, too. 

See ya*

Happy Wednesday.

xo

* I promise, I did not let my baby crawl over God-knows-what for very long. I just saw him taking off, took a quick snap, then picked him up. His hands, knees and feet were then sanitized before "Eyelashes McGee" was in lockdown (the stroller) again. 

Friday play date pics

Priscilla has a brand-new, extra-large crate for our upcoming move.  Priscilla has no desire to get anywhere near it.  The babies are enjoying it, though. It seems like every time I turn my back, one or both of them is inside of the crate.  Here are pics from this morning:

Here are today's pics from the park.  Bode was off and running at the park. I stuck close to Gianna and made sure she didn't climb to the top of the play structure.

What are your plans for the weekend?  My plan is to pack, pack, pack (and pack some more). And to get out the calendar and plan out the next couple of weeks (as much as possible).  I also want to take Bode to a pancake breakfast hosted by our local firemen.  Shhh!  He doesn't know about it.  I haven't told him because I'm not sure if the timing is going to work for us. I hope that we make it. I know my little guy would love to see a real fire truck first thing in the morning.  Whatever your plans, I hope that you have a happy weekend!  And, HAPPY FALL!
xo

Friday Play Date

Four babies, and only two swings.  What do you do?  Double up!

These girls are in the same play groups as Bode and Gianna. Bode and Isabella are the same age and same play group. Mia is a month younger than Gianna, and in the same play group. It's nice to have a mother to compare notes and stories!

Today Bode climbed a structure that he has never attempted before.  Go, Bode, go!  I love seeing my little guy attempt new things.  When he got to the top, he got a little freaked about the last big hurdle. I was there to help him.

Bode is fascinated by reflections in glass and water.  He loves it when  he sees himself in windows.

A big biking guy now, Bode often wants to ride his bike after dinner.  "Ride my bike!" he announces, and so we head outside before bath and jammies. We are taking advantage of the extended daylight hours for as long as we can. 

Gianna is getting closer to that cruising-to-walking stage.  She now 'walks' on her knees.  And she'll crawl with her legs straight for a ways, too.  It won't be long.  We saw a lot of babies walking-toddling around at today's play date, and I told her, "Don't get any ideas." It is surprising how many of the babies in her play group are walking now.  Gianna is also quite the "cruiser" on anything with wheels. Maybe it's from watching Bode.

Any weekend plans?  We are in the midst of another lifestyle change! So I imagine our weekend is going to be spent close to home, planning and purging. At least, that sounds good to me right now.

Happy weekend!
xo

Carousel

I have been trying to keep the babies (and myself) entertained and busy this week.  Today I thought about going to the zoo. But I decided that wouldn't be a good idea with Bob being away.  So my next idea was to take the babies to Happy Hollow Park and Zoo in San Jose. 

We rode the carousel over and over.  Why?  Because that is what Bode wanted to do!  I thought, "Why not?"

I finally persuaded him to go see some animals.  First stop was the goats.  Bode didn't like them.   Inside, I was very, very happy. I didn't want him petting the goats or any other animal.  In fact, he was pretty much off visiting any animals after the goats. So we washed our hands and then went to lunch. 

In keeping with this week's  healthy eating campaign (see yesterday's post), Gianna and Bode both ate cheeseburgers and French fries for lunch.  I also gave Bode an "alligator drink" (Gatorade) because it was hot out.

After lunch, we went to a small park where Bode rode the see-saw and swing.  Then we went back to -- can you guess?  -- the carousel.  Why not?

Happy Friday! 
xo

I need a Sherpa

This morning,  I couldn't find my car keys so I  used our spare key to drive us to the park. First, we went into Starbucks. I placed my order and then I searched frantically through my bag for my wallet for 5 minutes, only to discover I had already put it on the counter.  The guy behind me was laughing at me.  I told him about my lost keys, and said, "It is amazing I can even leave the house!"  He was sympathetic, and thanked me for the laughs.  So happy to be of service.

This is why I need a Sherpa: two huge bags, one stroller loaded with a lunch box and other stuff (oh, and a 20 lb baby) and a 35 lb toddler who likes to act as a weight by pulling on the back of the stroller.

The play date was going great, until Gianna fell backwards on the play structure. She is fine. I'm just a bad mommy. Usually, I follow close behind her. But today, she was getting mad and swiping her hand at me, like, "GO AWAY! I DO MYSELF!" (a la Bode) So, like an idiot, I decided to giver her space. I was snapping a picture of her climbing up the stairs, and she smiled at me, sat down and immediately fell backwards. I won't even think about how much worse the fall could have been. Lesson learned.  Oh, and this happened minutes after another mother asked me about Bode's banged up face, and  I had explained that the baby sitter was negligent!

I have heard some moms talking about how age three is much worse than two.  And I'm beginning to worry that they may be right.  Bode is suddenly more obstinate.  And he is getting more feisty.  Today I had to pull him off a swing, his fingers interlaced in the swing's chain links tightly, screaming and trying his hardest to not be removed, while three other mothers with babies looked on in horror (I really don't care).  He is starting to lock his little fists onto things that I tell him to let go of. He may run in the opposite direction that I am headed.  He screams, or shrieks, all the time now. If I tell him not to do something, it is guaranteed that he is going to continue doing it. What is going on?  I hope that this is just a (quick) phase, and not the start of Bode being a three year old terror.

Photo taken this morning...should this have been a clue as to what was in store at the park?

What is going on?!?!

I am looking at myself, too:  Does he think that I am giving too much time and attention to Gianna?   Am I too hard on him, expecting too much of him, because he is an almost three-year-old who can walk and talk (and Gianna is still a "baby")? Am I too impatient, because my time and energy is divided between children to entertain, errands to run, and meals to prepare? I spend all day with Bode, but how much of that time is actually spent with him?

While I ponder these questions, I really must find my keys!  I hope I find them before I lose the spare pair.

Happy Friday, everyone.

xo

Bode models for Fall

Yesterday we had a nice little play date in the park with Bode's play group.  The most noticeable thing is the boys actually are playing together now (instead of "parallel play" or "side-by-side" play).  They all got on the slide and laughed while climbing over and around each other. They also played together in the sand box, moving their trucks around each other and pouring sand into each other's trucks.  After surveying the group, it seems that all the babies* are in preschool.  I am still on the fence. I like having Bode at home with me and Gianna.  And, I really feel that once I put him in, I won't be able to take him back out (of school).  I am gathering information and interviewing preschools now. But I am leaning (right now) (this second) toward keeping him home.

Derek

Gianna will not be contained, and crawls everywhere.

Billy and Bode

Bode's face has now scabbed up since his fall on Monday.  And I swear, I have had to stop myself so many times today from not wiping his face and demanding, "How did you get chocolate all over your face?"  It really looks like he's got food, or something, on his face.

I know that I just blogged about beachwear for the babies. But I am SO READY for Fall!!! I love Fall. It is my favorite season.  I love it for many reasons. The colors of green, brown, orange,  plum, grey and black.  The cooler air, and hopefully, a cold winter to follow. I love "falling back" and how it gets dark around 4:30 in the afternoon. The "back to school" supplies and clothes shopping. I don't mind firing up the oven when it is 50 degrees or cooler outside, and love how comforting soups and casseroles are in the evenings. I find the new Fall fashions featured in all the mags so exciting. I love wearing sweaters, fleece, and boots. My two favorite holidays are in the Fall: Halloween and Thanksgiving. Fall is so many great things!

Today we did a little shopping for Fall.  The whole family got some fleece jackets and vests.  Of course, after I had him try it on for size, Bode insisted on wearing his fleece vest while shopping.  Then the store clerk had to scan him in order to ring it up because he wouldn't take it off.  And he wore it outside, on our long walk back to the car, in our sunny 76 degree weather. 

Here he is being a "live model" outside the store. 








Check out the filthy hands!  He crawled around on the floor while I was shopping. Lovely 2 year old behavior.

Bode and Gianna both got the same green vest, thanks to the stock-on-hand. And, spoiler alert!  They both have the same fleece jackets, too. So they will be dressed alike, even though I did not purposely buy them the same colors.  I want to go on record:  it is not intentional!



Gianna is not buying what Bode is selling. She is, after all, a summer baby.

 Are you ready for Fall?  Do you buy new clothes and school supplies?  I can't resist a little "back-to-school shopping," even though it's been years since I've been an official student.

xo
* I read this post, and noticed that I refer to them as babies while talking about preschool.