By George

I think we got it figured out!!!! The bed time fiasco that is! Like I blogged about last nite, my leaving on Sunday and Monday nites caused DJ to stay in bed and give no fuss...well tonite I didn't have anywhere to go really, so I faked it. *gasp!* lol But y'know...it worked!!! I told him I had to go shopping (he asked for a BIG apple) and I'd see him in the morning....he asked if Daddy was still going to be here, to which I assured him, that yes, he would be. And that was the end of it! ARE YOU KIDDING ME!?!?!?!! If I'd known that's all it took....I would have done this weeks ago!!! He didn't get out of bed once!! Not once!! Howie said he was in there talking to himself, but that's it! Didn't even call out to Daddy!! I know!! I'm shocked too!!! It worked! :)

Today was story time at the library, so we took off shortly after breakfast....and was actually a little too early...so we drove over to where my g/f Andie lives as I'd seen a For Rent sign on the main road and wanted to investigate...I found it...and it's way out of our price range!!! Nice area, but you get what you pay for...ifyaknowwhatImean!
Both kids did great at story time today!! They shared well...one of them sat with me pretty much the whole time...DJ even marched with the pom pom today!!! While Sam stood off near a corner with a pout AND a scowl on her face!! Then, the minute the music stopped she ran into the center of the circle of chairs and started shaking her pom pom....whatta kid!!

So, as you know we've been looking for a new place to live....and this past weekend we thought we'd found THE place!!!! *sigh* Sadly, it wasn't meant to bed....the owners are deciding to sell in 4 or 5 months and they knew we were looking for a long term house. I'm so bummed!! It was a 4 bedroom, 3 bath house with over 2000 sq ft!! AND a double car garage!!! The house we're in now has 4 bedrooms, 2 baths and NO garage!! And is total 1600 sq ft...I know, it sounds good, but remember that list??? Most times it feels like we're on top of each other in the common areas. In any case, we're still on the look out...the good thing is we don't HAVE to be out of here by any date, so we can take our time looking and find another PERFECT house for us! Just woulda been nice....*sigh*

After dinner Howie took Jake out for a driving lesson...and he says Jake "got the hang of it" as far as the clutch goes....just needs more practice to get that confidence. So, while they were off doing that, I took the kids to the park and let them run off that extra energy food gives them! And it would seem that both Jake AND DJ are going thru a growth spurt!! You should have seen the amount of food they both ate!!! DANG!!! Good thing they're not BOTH teenagers at the same time!! Whew!

OK, gonna go veg a bit and then get to bed...another full day ahead of us tomorrow!!!


Til next time...ciao!

Eureka!!

I have discovered the trick to getting DJ to stay in bed!!! It worked last nite and it worked tonite...all I have to do is LEAVE THE HOUSE!!! Last nite I went to my g/f Andie's house after tucking DJ in bed, and telling him that I was leaving to go visiting, and that I'd see him in the morning. Howie said he stayed in bed without so much as a peep!
So, tonite, I had to run to Albertsons after they went to bed, and while tucking DJ in, I told him this. Again, no peeping!!! Huh....I think I could go for his arrangement!!!!

Today was errand day!! Had to run to the post office...pay that ticket I got last month on the drive here....the bank, and then Walmart (where else??) to get an oil change on the Durango (put over 4,000 miles on it just driving across Canada!!) and a head light for the Jetta, and order Howie some new contacts. The oil change took an hour and a half! And by the time they were done, it was 12:30!!!! Hey, wait a minute...it took an hour and 50 minutes!! I got there for 10:40! Dang!! they really were slow!

I raced home to be here for Jake coming home from football practice, and when I saw his shoes at the door, knew I'd missed him!! He came home right before I put the kids to bed, had lunch and took off again! Not to be seen til dinner!

Then he played with DJ outside, while I took a bath with Sam.....um yeah, won't be doing that again!! She wasn't sure what to make of me being in there with her or with that much water being in the bath tub! LOL
Howie came and got her and dried her off and dressed her....and while I hadn't planned on it, DJ joined me in the bath...he thought it was fun! I did not! Won't be doing that again! :)

Now, I'm vegging with Jake...and then hitting the hay! DJ woke up 10 minutes after I shut the light off last nite with a hand on my calf....scared the crap outta me!!! He peed and went right back to bed...only to wake up at 6:30! And he didn't get the memo about going back to sleep til 8! grrrrrr

Til next time...ciao!

Busy Bees

That's what we've been today!! Busy busy bees!! We all got up early enough that we were ALL out the door for 9:10am! Do you have any idea what a chore that is?!?!! Both Howie and Jake showered before we left too!!!

Where did we go you ask?


Why, we went to the StanwoodCamano Fair!!! I have an online g/f, Sarah, who lives in Vermont, but grew up here in Washington...and usually once a year she comes for a visit! This year was no different!! She was in a wedding yesterday, so she's been here since last weekend with her little girl Hallie. She asked months ago if we'd be around to go to the fair with her, and it worked out perfectly that I happen to be here!!! So, we went!!!!

DJ, who's never been to a fair, was super excited to be going to the "fun fair"!!!! We arrived just as they opened at 10 am and the entrance we chose was where the goats and other animals were...so DJ was already hooked!!! But we had a goal, and that was to meet up with my g/f at the info booth...so off we trudged...well, I trudged, the rest walked. Pushing a stroller in gravel is like trying to catch a fly with chop sticks!!! But we did meet up with her and off we all went! Walked around looking a the various booths of information and wares. They were test running the rides, so we had to bypass them. We ended up at the horse riding corral and watched some riders racing. Along the way we passed pony rides, and DJ said he'd love to do that...so we headed back and let the kids ride the ponies.....not Sam tho...and boy was she not happy with that decision!!! At least with DJ he'll remember it, Sam won't!

It was THE cutest thing ever!!! DJ was on the pony, strapped on, by himself!, and riding along when all of a sudden (and I kid you not!) he takes his hat off with his right hand and yells "Yeehaw" and then put his hat back on! He cracked everyone up with his spontaneous burst!!! It was awesome!!! I did get pix, but they're on the regular camera...so I'll have to upload them tomorrow and post some!


We then watched a doggy entertainment show...it was okay....the kids were more into the goldfish than watching! I think it was over their heads a bit. They did ask DJ to come up on stage so a dog could jump over him and 4 other kids, but he declined...very shyly!!! LOL


And what else is there to do at a fair....fair FOOD!!! I'd brought lunch with me for SamSam and DJ...so we got Jake a pizza, and I got some hummus and pita...and then came the fries....a MOUND of them....well really, a block of them! Just look! And before you ask...no, we didn't even get thru them all!!! Maybe half of them...lol Anybody for some clogged arteries!??!?!



Around 12:30 we headed for home...Sam was gettin fussy and DJ was getting annoying! And both of them conked out on the way...so it was a nice quiet ride! We stopped at Jake's house to get his football gear for tomorrow's practice...and decided to bring his car with us. He's happy now that he can show it off to his friends that live around here.



Tonite...I got to watch Twilight over at my g/f Andie's house....I could never be a movie critic...I'm FAR too critical!!! Especially if it's from a book....I nit pick it to death! Just ask Andie...lol

It was good tho...and I do realize they have to fit a HUGE book into such a small time frame and do it with proper set up...I get that....there were just silly things that shouldn't have been done! Oh well....next time I see it, and you know there'll be a next time...I won't be as picky!! LOL



Ok...it's now way past my normal blogging time and I gotta get to bed!!


Til next time...ciao!

What a SWEET ride!

Jake is now the proud owner of a 1996 Ford Mustang that is the most beautiful blue I've seen in a while!!! Now, he's only 15 and a half, but he's got his learner's permit and has taken the driving course, so he's now working on road hours to be able to go get is license in December when he turns 16. Oh, and it's a 5 speed...so he really can't drive it yet!! hahaha Once his mom gets the insurance card for it, it'll come stay with us for the two weeks we have Jake here, and between Howie and I, we'll teach him (hopefully) how to drive standard!

Gosh does this bring back memories...my parents had a VW Jetta when I got my license....standard too! But I learned on automatic...and they weren't the kind of parents to just rush out and buy me a car just for turning 16. So when it came time for me to go for my driving test, the first time we rented a car...the second and third time (yes, I failed it twice!!! Being deaf is not an asset when taking these nerve filled tests!!!) we borrowed a car for me to use. So, when I did finally get it just before Christmas in 1989, I had the choice of driving the Jetta, had to learn how first, or driving this camper van we had that my parents had painted this gorgeous chocolate brown....and then had scriptures painted ALLLLLLLLL over it!! Ummm at 17, driving that van was NOT cool!!! So, after many failed lessons at learning standard, I finally had a dream about driving it and saw what I was supposed to do....and it all clicked into place for me!!!
So, the first time I take the Jetta out to my BFF's house....are ya ready for a laugh??...I stalled it 10 times at the light just before her street (remember this RJ!?!?) and it took 3 turns of green for me to finally get thru...NOBODY moved til I was out of the intersection....oh the horror!!! I was so embarrassed!!! When I finally got to her house, I called my mom in tears and told her what happened and begged her to come pick me up...of course she said "no" and that I had to figure it out and get myself home....such a mean parent!! Kidding mom! :P

So, now the chore is half mine to teach this boy how to operate a manual transmission vehicle...AHHHHHHHHHHHH When did I get so grown up!?!?!?! Stop the ride...I want off!!

Oh and I gave him crap for not smiling...if it was me, I'd be smiling ear to ear!!! In fact, I told him how freakin lucky he truly is!!! I didn't get my own car til I was 22....and even then it was my sister's cast off!!! And I had to pay for it!!!!!

Other than that, our day was pretty low key...Howie and Jake went fishing this morning with another friend, and we had chicken for dinner....getting tired of that! lol Ran some errands, did some laundry, played with the kids...played cards with Jake once the kids were both in bed....watched some gory movie (I'm blogging instead) and then bed time!

DJ did pretty good again tonite...and was asleep by 9:15...not sure what we're doing differently, but he seems to be settling better!! I'll take it!!!!

Oh and so far, and I'm not even a full chapter in, I'm liking Keeping Faith...it's grabbed me from the prologue!!! Not many books do that!

Til next time...ciao!!

Lions, Tigers and Bears

Oh my!!! And then we saw elephants, giraffes, gazelles, zebras, monkeys, a jaguar, gorillas, penguins, wild dogs, ummmmm and hippos! Whew!!! Can ya tell where we were!??!! And truth be told, I didn't see any tigers...and the penguins were awesome!!! They weren't there the last time we went! Judging by DJ's expressions and excitement....it was like the first time I'd ever taken him to the zoo!! Must be amazing sometimes to not remember things!!! He was full of stories for Daddy and Jake at dinner tho!

We got a wee bit of a late start on the morning...well, later than I wanted, quite normal in reality! We missed the free parking by about 10 mins, but got the most awesomest spot!!!! Got the kids unloaded and headed in. Today was the last day on my membership so I really wanted to get one more visit in. Probably won't renew again til next year...SamSam didn't really get anything out of it....and she was more angry at me than anything! I did let her walk with the harness on, but she just wanted to run...and with running comes falling down....not to mention she has no sense of direction....so it wasn't working out for me to have her unstrollered. That and I had DJ to monitor! Thankfully we had our friends Wyndi and her daughter Izzy with us! In fact, she's already on the ball and done a cute slideshow of our day on her blog...check it out! It was SOOOO cute to watch DJ and Izzybell (his nickname for her) walk around the zoo and do things together. Even cuter...he took her hand and they walked together....absofreakinlutely DARLING!!!

Watching SamSam on the carousel was sweet!!! She was so excited to go up and down and up and down and round and round! I know it doesn't look it in this picture, but she was bouncing up and down when it stopped! That, and some of my others were just too blurry!

As I said before, the penguins were new to us, and DJ posed out front of the exhibit and flexed his muscles...Wyndi asked him to....so cute!!!

This is the jaguar we saw...I'd never seen it move...usually it was sleeping...and far away! But today, it was walkin all around and checking it out! Again, go check out Wyndi's pix...she got good ones!!! And have you ever heard the noise a jag makes (the real one, not the car)....its kinda freaky deaky!!! Almost a cough...a smokers cough....and really loud too!!!

It didn't take DJ long to crash on the way home either! Sam snuck in a stroller nap in the last 20 minutes of our walk from the North entrance to the truck...and jabbered the whole way home....then as we were sitting in the line up for the bank, she fell asleep.

It must have been a more exhausting day for DJ than I thought...either that or he's finally accepting the whole bed time routine....tonite wasn't so much a fiasco as the past 3 weeks have been!!! He wanted out to pee once, which he did, and then tucked in one last time, and that was it...in fact, I think he fell asleep in his bed even!!! Haven't checked yet...lol

I did finally finish Breaking Dawn...and I love the ending!!! Ever read a book and think you have the ending totally figured out in your head...and then get there only to be pleasantly surprised!!! Uh huh! Loved it!!!! On the night table next....Jodi Picoult, Keeping Faith. I bought it months ago and have been wanting to read this author! I'll keep ya posted! As always!

Til next time...ciao!

20 Degrees DOES

Make a difference!!! Today was not as hot as yesterday...by a long shot!!!! I'm really hoping we've gotten over the hump of the heat wave we're in! To celebrate, the kids and I went shopping this morning!!! lol Truth be told....DJ LOVES going shopping!!! Especially to Albertsons where they have the race car carts...the ones with the car in front of the buggy part...he and Sam love driving me!! (crazy that is!!! Short trip too!!) If they get a free cookie outta the deal...they're even better!!! And behave longer so I can shop easier!!! Today was all about free stuff tho...I got this post card thingy in the mail from a store called Food Emporium, and on it was free Popsicles (shoulda got them two days ago!!), free box of capri sun, and a small bag of Kettle Chips....I don't look a free gift horse in the mouth!!! We also needed hamburger buns and lemon juice while we were there....oh and I got some frozen yogurt...WAY cheaper than that trip to DQ last nite!!!

While we were out I dropped by two places my g/f had seen for rent over by this particular grocery store....and lucky me, the previous tenant was cleaning the house and was able to give me the low down!!! 3 bedrooms, 2 bath (no en suite), teeny tiny back yard, no boat parking allowed as its and HOA street....and that they'd had a car stolen and a car broken into....so yeah, not my kind of neighbourhood thankyouverymuch!!! The other house was right across the street from the first one, and the only difference was that it had a full back yard....but still the same in terms of location. Again, good to know!!!

Howie was late getting off work today, so on his way home he picked Jake up and they both arrived in sweaty fashion just before 6. And then the dinner madness began!!! After dinner the bonding began!! SamSam was all over Jake....she discovered he'll lift her in the air and go "whee" any time she asks!!! This is one of her favourite things to have happen!!!! She's our little thrill seeker....even at the age of 1!!! Go figure! And of course, DJ can't be left out, so Jake really got a work out after dinner!!! Jake went home and the Bed Time Fiasco ensued....

Last nite, DJ was once again found at the gate...tonite is no different! I checked on him before coming online...whatta kid!!! When Howie was putting him to bed, he was going to lay with him for a bit, and DJ said "No, Daddy. You go out, put the gate up and I'll see you tomorrow" HUH!?!?! If only it was that easy!!! With Samantha, she was still awake when I decided she'd nursed long enough, laid her down, and not a peep out of her!!! Why oh WHY can't DJ go to sleep that easily!?!?!! He stands at the top of the stairs, and can reach the hall light (who ever built this house was SHORT! and that's another thing to add to that list of reasons!! The light switches are all too short!!) flipping it on and off while calling my name. After a half hour I let him go pee, put him back in bed and continued ignoring him. Hence him sleeping on the floor....Somebody tell me its gonna get easier!!!!!

Another blog I follow put up a post about comments....and I am like her...curious who my readers are!!! Most I know, as you do leave messages, but judging by the numbers of readers in a one week period, most I don't!! So don't be shy...leave a message!! Most times I respond! And if you have a blog, I typically like to check it out!!


On the last pages of Breaking Dawn....and I have date to watch Twilight on Sunday with a g/f!!! SOOOOO excited about that!!!

Til next time...ciao!

Hot enough for ya?!?!

Oh man....Seattle broke records today!!! Hottest day since they've been keeping track in 1891 ish....before today, the record high for a summer day was 100....we got to 103 at Sea-Tac...even hotter in other places! Me and the kids....we stayed indoors with the a/c running all day!!! It was my job to keep my lap kid-free....any idea how difficult that is!?!?!?! HA! I did finally figure it out tho....sitting in Howie's chair at the dinner table is THE spot to sit...the air is blowing directly on you, but the a/c unit is still 15 ft away so it's not coming right at you! Sit there for a few mins and you're good to go for a while!!!

So, last nite, I posted how DJ finally settled around 9:30...in other words, I didn't hear anyone screaming my name....so when I went to bed around midnite, I went to check on him first....this is how I found him...laying on his bedroom floor, so totally sound asleep!!!

Not sure why his book is on the other side of the gate, he must have dropped it....

Even Jasper was checking it out!!!

He murmured briefly when I picked him up (whew he's heavy!! 39 lbs!!) and put him in bed. I then took his gate down....good thing too! I turned the light out after reading about 1:10 and I swear 5 mins later he was waking me up (it was actually 45 mins, but didn't feel it) to sleep with us...nuh uh...way too hot for that, so I played dumb and asked if he needed to potty, which he said he did and so off we went. Then back into his own bed with no struggles! Next thing I know it's 6:59 and he's back at me wanting in my bed....Howie's already gone to work, so he hopped in. Dozed for a bit and then the lure of chasing the dog was too much for him!

He did have an altercation with the cat...I was in the kitchen doing dishes after lunch when I heard him come screaming down the hall. Now, any mother worth her salt knows the difference in her child's cry...and this was no ordinary cry.....he was hurtin'!!! Of course I zero in on the blood on his ear and his hand and try to very quickly assess where/what's bleeding....turns out his ear had a rather nice half inch gash on it...and was bleeding pretty good! Got him calmed down and asked him what happened...he then told me "I was standing on the kitty cat" and while I know that's not true for him to have gotten scratched on his ear, I did tell him that wasn't nice to do....and to leave them alone....we'll see how long that lasts....

Tonite he did extremely well!!! Even asked Howie to put up the gate!! Haven't heard a peep from him since 9ish...which is amazing considering the past 2 weeks!!! Haven't gone to check on him yet, but I'm hoping he's actually in his bed! Howie added another fan to his room....and he likes it blowing on him...and he's shirtless! So once they were settled, I simply mentioned how I could seriously go for a DQ blizzard...and Howie sent me! LOL It sure did hit the spot...even if it isn't on the list for low calorie snacks!!

Gotta go to bed now....I'm down to the final 50 pages of Breaking Dawn...it was SOOOOOOO hard to put it down last nite....but I was exhausted!!! This heat isn't helping either!!! I'm very tempted to grab a sheet and hit the couch...right under the a/c!!! Tempting.....

Til next time...ciao!