Busy Day

Dan and I rolled out of bed today at around 8:00 a.m., well, come to think of it I don't think Dan got out of bed until 8:30 or 9. Surprised? Shocked? A little jealous (for those who have young children)?

Yes, Dan and I got to spend an evening, a night and a whole morning sans kids. And the boys got to have a sleepover at Nana's. I think both party's were thrilled.

It is always strange to not wake up to either my alarm or my children, and even more strange to still be in bed past 7:30 or so. I can count on one hand the number of times I have gone to sleep without my children under the same roof.

So Dan and I got to go out to dinner, see a movie (can you believe admission was $10.50!), sleep in and have a leisurely morning. Dan actually did some house work, repaired the toilet. And I hiked up a mountain. Yes, you heard me right, although Dan says it was only a hill. Who knew that only 15 minutes from my house there is a nice, climbable mountain. In a few weeks I will be going on a backpacking trip, so I am in training. I haven't donned a backpack since college, way to long ago, so I have some serious preparation to do.

So all and all it was a pretty busy day. Dan fixed the toilet, I climbed a mountain and the boys are home.

Lost and Found

I don't want to brag or anything...but, I have to say that I am very good at finding things. Well, not just good. I am the master when it comes to finding things. Dan might say I am the only one who puts things away so of course I know where everything is, but I would beg to differ.

From a very young age I was good at finding things. Just ask my Mom. She loved taking me shopping with her because I could always find what she was looking for. She used to call me her 'shopping buddy'.

This skill of being able to find things has been extremely useful in my life and since having children even more so. Children, or at least my children, love to hide things. I will often find toys, craft items or kitchen utensils in the most unusual places. Sometimes it is amusing, like finding a Lego creation under the covers, and sometimes annoying, like trying to find where in the world my circle punch went.

I pride myself on a very high recovery rate of lost items and the fact that I can find them quite quickly. So this morning I was feeling at quite a loss because Blipie, Daniel's favorite blanket, had been missing since last night. I had searched everywhere. Upstairs, downstairs, every drawer and cabinet and under every lid or cover. Nope, nada, nothing... I had come up empty handed. It was hard going to sleep knowing that I had failed at this task, but at least Daniel had taken the news okay (sad, but no tears) and was willing to spend the night with replacement Blipie. I was determined to find Blipie the next day with fresh eyes.

After I sent the boys off to preschool I again scoured the house for Blipie. Still no luck. I was at a loss. I knew Blipie had to be in the house, but I, the master of finding things, could not find him. And it's not like a blanket is a very small thing that could be anywhere. So, I took a break and headed off to Costco.

I came home desperate to find Blipie. I told Daniel I would find Blipie while he was gone, and that was what I was going to do. I decided to start with Daniel's room, the place Blipie spends most of his time. I scanned the room thinking of any possible place Blipie could be. Hidden under the covers...Nope. Stuck in a clothes drawer...Nope. Yesterday I had built a huge fort in Daniel's room with sheets and both Dan and I had already checked inside for Blipie, but I decided to open the fort up to let some light in. As I started to crawl in the entrance of the fort I looked up and there squished between two book bins was a light yellow, soft looking blanket. Relief flooded over me. Blipie was lost, but now was found. I am still the master.

Birthday Celebration

Over the weekend we celebrated Dan's birthday. I won't mention how old he turned, although I think you can probable figure it out. We started the morning out giving presents in bed: books, books and more books and Daniel made Dan a special Lego creation. Then the boy's and I took Dan out for a yummy breakfast. After breakfast Sammy and I baked Dan's birthday cake. Then probably the best part of Dan's day was dropping the boys off at Nana's house and having the rest of the day to himself. When you are a parent having time to yourself is the biggest gift of all. Don't get me wrong, I love my boys and love being with them, but having time to yourself is precious indeed.

Dan and I lounged around, went for a walk (when was the last time we did that?), watched a movie at full volume and had a nice dinner. We went back to Nana's house for cake and to bring the boys home.

I think Dan had a pretty good day, I know I did. Next year will be a big birthday for Dan because he will be just as close to the big 4-0 as he is to thirty. Now that is a scary thought. And even scarier because I am only 16 months younger than Dan! I guess you have to just enjoy each year because they sure go by fast.

"Yesterday is for remembering, tomorrow is for dreaming, but today is for enjoying, every minute that it's here!"

It's raining, it's pouring...

It is gray, cloudy, cold and rainy outside. I love it when it rains during the day. When you are holed up at home, just listening to the rain at it falls and watching it stream down the windows. And sometimes when it really starts to come down hard I like to stand out on the porch and watch. There's just something about a rainy spring day...perfect for snuggling up in bed with a good book and a hot cup of tea. I think I'll get to it. April showers...

Inspired

While browsing my local Michael's today some beautiful scrapbooking paper caught my eye and I just couldn't resist.

When I first started scrapbooking, maybe 10 years ago, the whole scrapbooking craze had yet to set in. The scrapbooking section in most craft stores was pretty small and held your basic tools and supplies: paper, pens, stickers, scissors, adhesives, albums and pre-made die cuts. Today the scrapbook section of my Michael's probably takes up a sixth or more of the store. The sheer amount of papers, stickers, rub-ons, punches, eyelets, ribbon, inks, die cuts and embellishments is overwhelming.

So while I was out shopping for someone's birthday present, whose birthday is this Saturday and who is going to be really old, I decided to stop by Michael's to use my 40% off coupon (you gotta love those). I usually skip the patterned paper aisle because I already have way too much paper, but the beautiful patterns jumped out at me and inspired me. Yes, these lovely papers I have picked out have inspired me, not to scrapbook, but rather to paint my bedroom. I have been longing to paint our bedroom, it is basically the only room I have yet to throw color on the walls. I want to paint it a light grayish blue. They say that blue is a good color for the bedroom because it is calming and serene.

So I have been inspired, but the logistics of actually painting our bedroom less than inspiring because we have so much furniture, shelving and pictures on the walls. And I still have to finish painting the boy's bathroom that I started a half a year ago. Well, at least I have my pretty papers to look at and maybe I'll buy Dan a big can of blueish-grey paint for his birthday.

Brothers Forever

A while ago my mom taught the boys the phrase"Brothers Forever". I remember her explaining to Daniel and Sammy that they have a very special relationship that will last forever. No matter what, they will always be brothers. I think that is every parent's hope. That their children will love each other and get along with each other. We want our children to be buddies, friends and have a special relationship with each other.

Although that is our hope, that is not always reality. I have talked to many people who didn't get along with their siblings as children and some sadly that still don't as adults. But I have also heard many stories of cherished memories with a brother or sister and relationships that grow stronger each year. I don't know why some sibling get along well and why some don't. I don't think anyone really knows. But I do know that parents, of more than one child, want their children to like each other, play with one other and develop a special relationship that will last forever.

Before Sammy was born I thought a lot about what kind of big brother Daniel would be. Would he like Sammy? Would he resent Sammy? Would they play with each other? Would they drive each other crazy? I know I wanted them to have the kind of relationship I had with my sister. We loved playing together and I have so many special memories of our childhood together. Sure we fought and I was a little pest, but overall we got along really well. I so wanted that for my children.

When Sammy was born Daniel showed no jealousy or resentment whatsoever. But he wasn't all that interested in his brother either. Sammy was just this little blob that slept a lot and occasionally cried. Daniel really didn't interact all that much with Sammy until Sammy was about 8 months old and started to crawl. And when Sammy started to walk a short while later, the interaction was ratcheted up a big notch. Daniel bore Sammy's toodlerhood with much patience. Probably more patience than either Dan or I had for Sammy.

As Sammy began to get older, less destructive and more willing to share, Daniel and Sammy began to play with each other. Well, at least for short periods of time. I would often have to mediate or break up an altercation, but I could sense a beginning of good things to come.

Fast forward to the present. Although there are moments and sometimes days that Sammy and Daniel fight, bother, argue and drive each other nuts, they get along and play really well. I think I can say that they really love being brothers. I love to see them playing together, not just because it means I can have time to myself, but because I love that they enjoy each others company and can have such fun together. Often in the middle of playing with Daniel I hear Sammy say, 'I love you, Daniel.' That is more than I could have hope for. Brothers forever.

A Nuanced Scream

When friends were over the other night for dinner the soon-to-be mom for the first time asked for interpretation on something one of the boys said to her. It reminded me of when the boys were little we had to determine their needs from what cry they were crying. Is that the hungry cry, the gotta poop cry, the tired cry or the something hurts cry? It sounds somewhat ridiculous, but you do, with time, start to figure out what cry means what.

Now that the boys are older the audible interpretations include screams. Was that the 'Daniel hit me' scream or the 'Sammy broke my lego creation' scream? The other night Suzy and I heard a new one. We were downstairs finishing dinner while the boys played in Sammy's room, which is right above the kitchen, dining area. We heard numerous thumps and thuds, but no crying, so everything seemed like it was fine up there. Suzy and I really enjoy these brief respites from the chaos of a five and three year old. Well, after talking about our days for a bit I heard a scream.

We headed up, slowly because typically the screams don't last long, and I wanted the boys to resolve their problem on their own. The scream didn't stop, but it did change. The volume actually got lower, but the pitch went through the roof. This was a new one. Our pace quickened to a jog all the while listening to the high pitched wail. We made it to Sammy's room and in particular headed for his closet, the boys new favorite play spot. Sammy was halfway up the closet shelves, perched there in a Spiderman position. But the wail was not coming from him. Where is Daniel? I look up, up, up. Is that a leg sticking out from the top shelf? Yep, and there is the head from which the wail continues to emanate. Daniel had managed to climb all of the way to the top of Sammy's closet, and was wedged in among the plastic bins Suzy had stored up there. He was stuck. He was stuck and screaming. Suzy grabbed Sammy and safed him up somewhere. I reached up and made sure Daniel didn't fall while a step stool was found. Stool procured, I proceeded to pry him one limb at a time off of the top shelf and bring him back to solid ground. So that's what that scream means. High pitched, not full volume, blood curdling scream means I am stuck at the top of Sammy's closet and I think that I will die up here. Please someone come save me.

Daniel is not normally one to get himself in these predicaments, so in the after-action report I was asking him what he was thinking. His response was: 'Sammy was up there and he fell and he didn't even cry.' Suzy and I took a closer look at Sammy and sure enough he had numerous scratches on him from falling from the top shelf. When we found him he was on his way back up for seconds (thirds?). I don't think Daniel is going to be climbing up there again, but my other child, yes you are correct, just two days ago I caught him at it again. Sammy, what are we going to do with you?

Butterflies and Friends

Today my old neighbor and I loaded our kids into her minivan and headed out to the San Pasqual valley to see the butterflies at the San Diego Wild Animal Park. We arrived less than an hour after the gates opened and were surprised to see lines of people streaming out of the park. It still being Spring Break for many folks, I guess lots of people decided to make the trek to the park also.

Despite the many people, we had a blast. The butterflies were very cool and even took a rest on a few of the kids. Of course they were delighted. Daniel and Sammy loved running around with 'the girls', my friend's two daughters. The four of them are so cute together. They are like cousins. The girls have known Daniel since he was 10 months old and Sammy since he was born and they all get along so well.

Because of the cool, breezy weather the animals were out and active. The kids had fun watching the gibbons and gorillas, running around the cool new playground, jumping on the lily pads (Daniel almost fell into the water a couple of times) and torturing, I mean, petting the animals in the petting zoo.

What a fun way to spend a spring day!

An Apple a Day...

...might keep the doctor away, but what about that darn dentist? And why does it seem that no matter how often and well you brush and floss your teeth, dentist appointments are still so unpleasant. I brush twice a day for a full two minutes and floss every night, yet at my last cleaning I had to endure a 45 minute teeth scraping marathon. I kid you not, 45 minutes, and the dental hygienist said my teeth and gums looked good! She took so long I actually started to fall asleep at the end.

Well, having to go to the dentist every six months is bad enough, but now that I've got two kids, I get to drag them into the dentist two times a year too. The good part is that Daniel and Sammy are the only two people I know who actually like going to the dentist. They are great patients. The hygienists always rave about how well they behave while getting x-rayed and their teeth cleaned. They never cry, complain or squirm. And of course they love getting to pick out a toy at the end. Although the boys enjoy a trip to the dentist, Dan and I dread it. Daniel's first visit to the dentist over a year ago is still too fresh in our minds.

Last year we had to take Daniel to see the dentist because of a tooth that was bothering him. Dan and I did not think it was a big deal, but it turned out that Daniel had cracked a tooth and it had abscessed. The tooth had to be pulled and Daniel also had some small cavities that the dentist wanted to fill. Well, the whole experience was very traumatic for Dan and I, thankfully not for Daniel, and we still have not recovered. Even though we have become overly obsessive about brushing and flossing the boy's teeth, we still worry that the dentist will have some bad news every time we go.

Today both Daniel and Sammy went to the dentist. Once again they were perfect, but I am pretty sure Dan and my blood pressure was up a notch until the dentist poked around in each of the boy's mouth and declared all looked well.

Maybe after we've got a dozen or so dental appointments under our belt those old wounds will heal. But I doubt that going to the dentist will ever be an event I will look forward to. If only there were something we could eat that would keep the dentist away.

Funny Things

Recently I have been having a bit of a hard time at home. I have been working pretty hard on some difficult stuff, and when I get home the boys have been... difficult. Suzy would back me up on this. The last few days they have been pains in the rear. Mainly Sammy, but with a steady dose of Daniel thrown in for good measure. Sammy has just been grumpy, we can't figure out a reason, and Daniel can't hear for beans, a wonderful left over remnant of a recent cold. Tonight on my way home from work I decided to make a change. At least a temporary one. I wasn't going to get off on the wrong foot, if they were making me mad, I would just turn it around and try to have fun with it. It worked. At least for a little while. The benefits of this plan, not including the lower blood pressure, are that I am now able to remember some of the funny stuff that the boys said tonight, whereas I normally forget. I will now pass those memories on for your enjoyment.

Sammy wanted to know what wine tasted like (now you know the real secret of my better mood). I put a drop on my finger and let him taste it.

'It tastes spicy!' - that is a fairly common response for the boys to strange tastes...

Daniel wanted to join the fun so I re-dipped the finger and let him have a taste.

'It tastes like a box.' - I don't think that the winery is going to use that one in their advertisements.

Over the past few days Sammy has been 'washing' his hair. That consists of him sneaking off to the bathroom and quietly wetting a hand towel and using that to get his hair wet. He then proceeds to rub in soap or lotion, it doesn't matter to him. The first time he did it I thought it was pretty funny. The second time he got in trouble because he made a big mess. Tonight he got in trouble because he was told that he couldn't do it anymore after try number two. I had Daniel check the bathroom and report back, and no mess this time so we let it slide.

'So, Sammy, why did you wash your hair.' we asked.

'So mushrooms won't grow in it.' - well, I guess that is a pretty good reason.

The moral of this story, we need more wine, because it sure seems to help my parenting.