The preschooler is saying some funny things these days (between the moments of complete sassiness and backtalk.....but, we'll save that for another day!)
She was having a bad day and was a bit crabby, so I told her, "You're being a crabby patty" (you know, from SpongeBob)
Her reply, "I'm not a sandwich!"
She didn't appreciate me laughing after her response....
Monday, April 27, 2009
Sunday, April 26, 2009
"Firsts"
We celebrated a couple of 'firsts' yesterday:
Our first 'garden':
planting the seeds in an egg carton, getting an early start on the germination.
covering the seeds up with dirt...
Watermelon and pumpkins....let's see if we get some yummy treats from the garden this year!
Then, we went to our first movie experience last night:
I know, we lead a sheltered life -- we've never take the now-4-year-old to a movie in a movie theater before!
We went to see Disney's Earth -- a really good choice for the 4-year-old crowd...
the baby wasn't too thrilled...
the big sister LOVED sitting in the comfy seats -- and I didn't realize that the seats in movie theaters 'rock' nowadays! I think it's been ~4 years since I went to a movie too!!
Our first 'garden':
planting the seeds in an egg carton, getting an early start on the germination.
covering the seeds up with dirt...
Watermelon and pumpkins....let's see if we get some yummy treats from the garden this year!Then, we went to our first movie experience last night:
I know, we lead a sheltered life -- we've never take the now-4-year-old to a movie in a movie theater before!
We went to see Disney's Earth -- a really good choice for the 4-year-old crowd...
the baby wasn't too thrilled...
the big sister LOVED sitting in the comfy seats -- and I didn't realize that the seats in movie theaters 'rock' nowadays! I think it's been ~4 years since I went to a movie too!!Friday, April 24, 2009
The search is on...
After 3.5 years of wonderful care from our current daycare provider/babysitter, we have to look for a new situation for the big sister and little brother beginning in June when I go back to work. Our current babysitter's youngest son is starting 1st grade in the fall and will be gone all day and she is ready for a change and doesn't want to babysit anymore. I have to say, I don't blame her! I could never care for other children out of my home -- I'm not cut out for that type of work.
So, after a period of mourning and sadness, I've begun the search for a new daycare provider. It's an interesting experience. Last time, when my daughter was an infant, our current provider went to church with us -- I didn't 'interview' anyone, we just sat down and decided the particulars and there you go -- we had a babysitter.
This time, it's a bit different. I'm looking for a home situation in which the big sister can get some education stimulation as well as the love and support of a home situation. I think the big sister would actually thrive best in a daycare center, however I'm not too fond of taking an infant to a center -- plus, the cost! It would cost us over $80 a day to have 2 children in a daycare center!
So, in my quest, I've run into some interested situations:
Situation #1: I called a lady who advertised in the local paper and this was her response to my call, "Oh, that would be great if you brought your kids to my house. I have a 3 year old son from my second marriage that I'm looking for a playmate for him. I do have 2 older children from a previous marriage, they're in their 20's so they won't be around. Then, sometimes my husband's son from his first marriage is here.......(and on and on)" I really just want a daycare provider, not a tangled personal mess.
Situation #2: I've wised up a bit on my cold-calling of daycare providers. I'm really looking for some sort of structure or preschool curriculum for the big sister, so I ask this question right away. One lady told me yesterday, "oh, I don't have a curriculum we do, but at lunch time I take the preschool-aged kids to the cupboard and have them pick out what they want to eat for lunch and then I have them spell the letters on the boxes." Not exactly what I was looking for...
Situation #3: this just happened today. I was at the park with the kiddos and another mom was there and we started talking about kids, her soon-to-be new baby and various other 'mommy' stuff. We started talking about working and staying at home. I told her I was on maternity leave and she told me she was a stay-at-home-mom. She then began to inform me that there was no reason to really work, because any home daycare I chose would be horrible and that she wouldn't trust any in-home daycare. She told me of a story of when her son was in daycare and the provider would go to garage sales while the kids slept, etc, etc. She looked at me and basically said, "why would you even work?" I ended the conversation and we ended up leaving (we were ready to leave anyway), but I wanted to say to her, "I like working....so there!"
So, the search continues...
So, after a period of mourning and sadness, I've begun the search for a new daycare provider. It's an interesting experience. Last time, when my daughter was an infant, our current provider went to church with us -- I didn't 'interview' anyone, we just sat down and decided the particulars and there you go -- we had a babysitter.
This time, it's a bit different. I'm looking for a home situation in which the big sister can get some education stimulation as well as the love and support of a home situation. I think the big sister would actually thrive best in a daycare center, however I'm not too fond of taking an infant to a center -- plus, the cost! It would cost us over $80 a day to have 2 children in a daycare center!
So, in my quest, I've run into some interested situations:
Situation #1: I called a lady who advertised in the local paper and this was her response to my call, "Oh, that would be great if you brought your kids to my house. I have a 3 year old son from my second marriage that I'm looking for a playmate for him. I do have 2 older children from a previous marriage, they're in their 20's so they won't be around. Then, sometimes my husband's son from his first marriage is here.......(and on and on)" I really just want a daycare provider, not a tangled personal mess.
Situation #2: I've wised up a bit on my cold-calling of daycare providers. I'm really looking for some sort of structure or preschool curriculum for the big sister, so I ask this question right away. One lady told me yesterday, "oh, I don't have a curriculum we do, but at lunch time I take the preschool-aged kids to the cupboard and have them pick out what they want to eat for lunch and then I have them spell the letters on the boxes." Not exactly what I was looking for...
Situation #3: this just happened today. I was at the park with the kiddos and another mom was there and we started talking about kids, her soon-to-be new baby and various other 'mommy' stuff. We started talking about working and staying at home. I told her I was on maternity leave and she told me she was a stay-at-home-mom. She then began to inform me that there was no reason to really work, because any home daycare I chose would be horrible and that she wouldn't trust any in-home daycare. She told me of a story of when her son was in daycare and the provider would go to garage sales while the kids slept, etc, etc. She looked at me and basically said, "why would you even work?" I ended the conversation and we ended up leaving (we were ready to leave anyway), but I wanted to say to her, "I like working....so there!"
So, the search continues...
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Happy Birthday Girl!
It was the big "4" yesterday for the big sister:
Wearing her birthday crown from school (I volunteered at preschool yesterday and of all things, forgot my camera!!)
Lightning McQueen stuffed animal from her little brother....
Birthday dinner at her favorite restaurant: Red Robin!
Big sister and little brother....
Wearing her birthday crown from school (I volunteered at preschool yesterday and of all things, forgot my camera!!)
Lightning McQueen stuffed animal from her little brother....
Birthday dinner at her favorite restaurant: Red Robin!
Big sister and little brother....Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Friday, April 17, 2009
A day at the farm
My friend, Heather, from work owns a horse at a nearby stable, so we decided to take the beautiful day and join her for the afternoon. The big sister got some horses and a stable for her 'early' birthday (thank you Mae Mae and Papa Bob!), so she's beginning to become interested in something other than Disney Cars....
I was really surprised how close she got to the horses -- she's been a very timid and shy-type of child, so I was impressed that she didn't hold back and really enjoyed the entire experience.
Here's Heather getting her horse, Fergus, ready to come out of the pasture.
Feeding Fergus an apple! The big sister actually let Fergus take the apple right out of her hand!! (This is a BIG deal that she was that brave!)
Brushing Fergus
Giving Fergus a bath. You can see how large Fergus is....the big sister actually asked Heather, "Can I ride him?" The horse that the younger kids can ride at this horse stable was at a horse show, so we'll have to go back soon to ride her -- Diva. The big sister is looking forward to going back!
I was really surprised how close she got to the horses -- she's been a very timid and shy-type of child, so I was impressed that she didn't hold back and really enjoyed the entire experience.
Here's Heather getting her horse, Fergus, ready to come out of the pasture.
Feeding Fergus an apple! The big sister actually let Fergus take the apple right out of her hand!! (This is a BIG deal that she was that brave!)
Brushing Fergus
Giving Fergus a bath. You can see how large Fergus is....the big sister actually asked Heather, "Can I ride him?" The horse that the younger kids can ride at this horse stable was at a horse show, so we'll have to go back soon to ride her -- Diva. The big sister is looking forward to going back!Feeding Fergus an apple:
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Oh no you did not...
....oh yes, I did!
After the first swim class, we came home and I hung up the little swimmer's towel and suit in the bathroom. After daddy got home and was helping the big sister get ready for bed, he found me and said,
"oh, you did not take the Bud Ice beach towel to swim class for our daughter, did you?"
"Oh, yes I did!" We then both started laughing hysterically. I couldn't find any other beach towel.....it was the only one in the closet. I guess I could have taken just a regular bath towel, huh?
But, she LOVES her 'penguin' towel....
After the first swim class, we came home and I hung up the little swimmer's towel and suit in the bathroom. After daddy got home and was helping the big sister get ready for bed, he found me and said,"oh, you did not take the Bud Ice beach towel to swim class for our daughter, did you?"
"Oh, yes I did!" We then both started laughing hysterically. I couldn't find any other beach towel.....it was the only one in the closet. I guess I could have taken just a regular bath towel, huh?
But, she LOVES her 'penguin' towel....
Easter 2009
I have a lot of fun pictures to post here from the past couple of days, but I'd better get the necessary holiday photos up too!
This Easter was wonderful -- great weather, great family, a new baby and we hosted the family.
counting the loot (yes, this photo should be last, but I'm too lazy right now to fix it)
searching the yard for the goodies the Easter Bunny left -- she had to find her way through the lines of water hoses (daddy planted grass seed and was watering it all weekend)
We also had an Easter egg hunt at church -- finding all the eggs at the playground!
I see LOTS of eggs! (the bunny scattered 700 eggs!!!)
She came home with a basket filled with goodies :)
This Easter was wonderful -- great weather, great family, a new baby and we hosted the family.
counting the loot (yes, this photo should be last, but I'm too lazy right now to fix it)
searching the yard for the goodies the Easter Bunny left -- she had to find her way through the lines of water hoses (daddy planted grass seed and was watering it all weekend)
We also had an Easter egg hunt at church -- finding all the eggs at the playground!
I see LOTS of eggs! (the bunny scattered 700 eggs!!!)
She came home with a basket filled with goodies :)Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Swim Lessons
We started swimming lessons this week and I was a bit hesitant about how the big sister would do....but, here she is getting ready:
Swimming suit and CARS socks to go too -- she refused to take the socks off until we got to the pool.
getting in the pool...
swimming with the teacher -- she did a great job for her first class, but there were 2 children in the class that were just so disruptive -- it was driving me nuts. The teacher had to reprimand the children time and time again -- they were jumping off the steps, splashing around and not listening. The interesting part of the story: their parents were sitting by the side of the pool NOT DOING A THING ABOUT THEIR DISRUPTIVE CHILDREN!! What is with that? Come on, parents -- say something to your children when it's obvious that their interferring with the class.
Swimming suit and CARS socks to go too -- she refused to take the socks off until we got to the pool.
getting in the pool...
swimming with the teacher -- she did a great job for her first class, but there were 2 children in the class that were just so disruptive -- it was driving me nuts. The teacher had to reprimand the children time and time again -- they were jumping off the steps, splashing around and not listening. The interesting part of the story: their parents were sitting by the side of the pool NOT DOING A THING ABOUT THEIR DISRUPTIVE CHILDREN!! What is with that? Come on, parents -- say something to your children when it's obvious that their interferring with the class. Monday, April 13, 2009
The First....
...bottle
It actually didn't go well at all! It was a horrible experience for all of us....the little guy choked and choked, daddy was nervous and big sister was sad that she didn't a turn giving little brother the bottle. Mommy tried a bit too, but the little guy just wanted to be with his momma....
Oh well, we'll try again another day!
It actually didn't go well at all! It was a horrible experience for all of us....the little guy choked and choked, daddy was nervous and big sister was sad that she didn't a turn giving little brother the bottle. Mommy tried a bit too, but the little guy just wanted to be with his momma....Oh well, we'll try again another day!
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Easter eggs...
We had our little friend over today for a playdate. I tend to like to have a project ready for the kids -- it tends to get their minds off of fighting over Cars toys for at least 15 minutes...
dipping eggs in the coloring -- the kids did great not making too much of a mess!
"Mom, can I get the egg out now?"
dipping eggs in the coloring -- the kids did great not making too much of a mess!
"Mom, can I get the egg out now?"
Monday, April 6, 2009
Updates
I'm having a hard time keeping up with the internet these days...do you blame me? So, I thought I would post a couple of pictures with a story or two...
Daddy works LOTS of long hours these days, but tried so hard to partake in family activities....all the boys in our family: baby, daddy and Pooh-kitty take a break from family life...
The preschooler LOVES her baby brother -- she likes to read books to him.
This little girl is growing up so fast! Before the baby was born, she needed an adult by her side every moment of every day....it was very difficult because I couldn't do anything alone. The minute her brother was born, it all changed and now she is "I can do it by myself"...as well as getting dressed and tucking her shirt into her pants?!
This is a common picture after a long day at work...
One month picture -- look at that very serious look -- he's thinking of his next meal (which is anywhere from 15 minutes to 4 hours away....)
Daddy works LOTS of long hours these days, but tried so hard to partake in family activities....all the boys in our family: baby, daddy and Pooh-kitty take a break from family life...
The preschooler LOVES her baby brother -- she likes to read books to him.
This little girl is growing up so fast! Before the baby was born, she needed an adult by her side every moment of every day....it was very difficult because I couldn't do anything alone. The minute her brother was born, it all changed and now she is "I can do it by myself"...as well as getting dressed and tucking her shirt into her pants?!
This is a common picture after a long day at work...
One month picture -- look at that very serious look -- he's thinking of his next meal (which is anywhere from 15 minutes to 4 hours away....)Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Sibling love
I keep waiting for the big sister to get bored with her little brother...but, so far no luck :(
"Mommy, I'll hold the baby and you take my picture, okay?" (the common daily request at our house...)
"Mommy, I'll hold the baby and you take my picture, okay?" (the common daily request at our house...)First bath...
The first bath for the little guy -- of course, big sister just HAD to take a bath together with him! (she doesn't really let him do anything alone these days....)
She just LOVES him so much!
"I'm not too thrilled with this whole idea...."
She just LOVES him so much!
"I'm not too thrilled with this whole idea...."
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