TJ's first day of Preschool was today. A friend of mine teaches, and had set up a class for 8 kids. I have heard lots of good things about her preschool and was excited that there was an open spot.
TJ had fun. They painted and played. When I asked him what they did, he told me that they "washed hands," and played on the "train," which I am guessing was the swingset. Today's topic was "I Am Special."
I don't know who is more excited about preschool, me or TJ, but this will be so good for him. There are days when he just needs a friend.
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Pink Pants
TJ has figured out how to climb up onto a shelf in the closet in the kid's room. He has also discovered that he can get into all sorts of stuff; clothes, shoes, soap, hangers and even M's crib. Sometimes he will join her for nap, other times he will play with her. Yesterday, he got into a lot of things, including a pair of pink velour pants that M will grow into this fall. It made me laugh.
Pink Bikes
Every time we go to the bike shop, the kids get very excited about the bikes, (Bike is one of M's words) and want to ride them. One trip, TJ figured out how to pedal and steer the bike. He rode it straight to the helmet display and picked out a "hat" so he could ride just like Mommy and Daddy.
We started making plans to get him a bike for Christmas. We went and looked at the bikes, and every time, TJ wanted the pink, frilly bike. As the search went on, we began to realize that TJ would enjoy the bike more now than at Christmas. So, one day, a friend called. She had a little bike, nearly new, that she needed to get rid of. She wanted to know if we would like it. The only catch was that it was a girl's bike. She said it was pink. I pictured a "Barbie" frilly pink bike. We could take the frills off for TJ, maybe paint it, but he would outgrow it so soon, that it would be good for M too. I gratefully took the bike. It was very pink, but not what I had pictured.
We decided that there was no need to paint it immediately, and surprised TJ with the bike after dinner. He was so excited. He rode all around our neighborhood and the schools nearby. Brent even took him "Mountain Biking" by dragging the bike up a small grassy hill and letting TJ pedal down. TJ learned to stop by riding into the grass, and fell over a few times, but had a ton of fun.
We started making plans to get him a bike for Christmas. We went and looked at the bikes, and every time, TJ wanted the pink, frilly bike. As the search went on, we began to realize that TJ would enjoy the bike more now than at Christmas. So, one day, a friend called. She had a little bike, nearly new, that she needed to get rid of. She wanted to know if we would like it. The only catch was that it was a girl's bike. She said it was pink. I pictured a "Barbie" frilly pink bike. We could take the frills off for TJ, maybe paint it, but he would outgrow it so soon, that it would be good for M too. I gratefully took the bike. It was very pink, but not what I had pictured.
We decided that there was no need to paint it immediately, and surprised TJ with the bike after dinner. He was so excited. He rode all around our neighborhood and the schools nearby. Brent even took him "Mountain Biking" by dragging the bike up a small grassy hill and letting TJ pedal down. TJ learned to stop by riding into the grass, and fell over a few times, but had a ton of fun.
Thursday, August 2, 2007
Finger Lickin' Good
This is M's first drumstick. There was nothing left on the bone when she finished with it.
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
M's and B's
It is so much fun to watch M make associations in the world around her. She started calling all animals "doggies," and then has been realizing that not all animals are "doggies."
A few days ago, I put her in her car seat and she started yelling "B! B! B!" and pointing out the back window of the car. I looked and sure enough, there was a bird perched on the roof of the garage. She was so excited about her "B(irdie)."
A few days ago, I put her in her car seat and she started yelling "B! B! B!" and pointing out the back window of the car. I looked and sure enough, there was a bird perched on the roof of the garage. She was so excited about her "B(irdie)."
Friday, July 6, 2007
Stylin'
M found a bag of hair clips and brought it to me the other day. She demanded that I open the bag and then picked the clips out, one by one, and handed them to me. She wanted them all in her hair. This is what we came up with.
Swimming Lessons
TJ finished his first session of swimming lessons this morning. What fun watching him progress. It was his first experience in a teacher/class setting, and he did very well.He started out completely unwilling to get in the pool, and tonight was blowing bubbles in the bathtub. He has fun, and his instructor is good about playing with the kids and making it a fun time, even when it started out scary.
He still needs to work on getting his face and head in the water, but it has been a great start for him. He can get in and out of the water all by himself. He can bob up and down while hanging onto the edge. He can do assisted back and front floats and roll over. We just need to work on blowing bubbles through his nose and retrieving objects from the water. I am so happy with the progress he has made. He likes being in the water now.
M has been rather jealous of her brother. She wants to get into the water too.
Thursday, July 5, 2007
Fourth of July
We took the kids on a 9 mile hike on the Fourth of July. We hiked from Bear Lake to Fern Lake, and then on through to the Fern Lake Trailhead. It was a beautiful hike. Brent has wanted to get me on this trail for a long time. It was a trail that he and a friend did on a three day snow shoeing adventure. It was nice to finally see what he had been talking about for so long.
TJ and M loved it. They really enjoyed being in the backpacks. TJ would tell Brent to “keep going Daddy,” as we walked along. He also kept us entertained with renditions of “Let’s Go Fly a Kite,” and “A Spoonful of Sugar.” M loved the lakes and rivers. Whenever she saw one she would bounce up and down in the backpack and yell, “Bubble! Bubble! Bubble!”
We came back sore and tired and one pacifier short, but it was a good time.
As we have done the past few years, we stayed in Estes Park for the fireworks that evening. A storm rolled through late in the evening and threatened to cancel the show. It stopped raining around 9 pm, just in time for the celebration. We had to wake the kids up. They were a bit groggy at first, but they enjoyed the show. M called them "lights," and TJ was very excited about the fireworks. He wants to see them again.
TJ and M loved it. They really enjoyed being in the backpacks. TJ would tell Brent to “keep going Daddy,” as we walked along. He also kept us entertained with renditions of “Let’s Go Fly a Kite,” and “A Spoonful of Sugar.” M loved the lakes and rivers. Whenever she saw one she would bounce up and down in the backpack and yell, “Bubble! Bubble! Bubble!”
We came back sore and tired and one pacifier short, but it was a good time.
As we have done the past few years, we stayed in Estes Park for the fireworks that evening. A storm rolled through late in the evening and threatened to cancel the show. It stopped raining around 9 pm, just in time for the celebration. We had to wake the kids up. They were a bit groggy at first, but they enjoyed the show. M called them "lights," and TJ was very excited about the fireworks. He wants to see them again.
Monday, July 2, 2007
Old Fall River Road
What an adventurous trip! We went camping in Rocky Mountain National Park for the weekend. I love that park. It holds so many special memories for me. We had been planning this trip for a while, and it has been my goal for a few months now to ride my bike up Old Fall River Road, in preparation for the Century Tour in Moab this fall. The road opened to cars on July 1st. We wanted to ride it while it was still closed to cars, but open to bike and foot traffic. We made it just in time.
I chose Old Fall River Road because it has 3,000 feet of vertical gain over 9 miles. The ride in Moab will have 3,000 feet of vertical gain over about 7 miles. The biggest differences are that the Moab Century Tour is on a paved road and starts at a much lower elevation, and Old Fall River Road is a dirt road that starts at 8,600 feet and ends at 11,600 feet.
It seemed impossible to me. How can I ride my bike up that far?? The first 600 feet of vertical were the hardest. Once I got past that, it seemed easier as I rode on. I could breathe, and keep up with Brent, and I rode my bike the whole way up in less than 3 hours and 30 minutes. Not too bad for my first big climb. I was so happy to see the top. Now all I need to do is add about 50 to 90 additional miles on top of that climb and I will be set. At least now I know I can do the Big Nasty.
I chose Old Fall River Road because it has 3,000 feet of vertical gain over 9 miles. The ride in Moab will have 3,000 feet of vertical gain over about 7 miles. The biggest differences are that the Moab Century Tour is on a paved road and starts at a much lower elevation, and Old Fall River Road is a dirt road that starts at 8,600 feet and ends at 11,600 feet.
It seemed impossible to me. How can I ride my bike up that far?? The first 600 feet of vertical were the hardest. Once I got past that, it seemed easier as I rode on. I could breathe, and keep up with Brent, and I rode my bike the whole way up in less than 3 hours and 30 minutes. Not too bad for my first big climb. I was so happy to see the top. Now all I need to do is add about 50 to 90 additional miles on top of that climb and I will be set. At least now I know I can do the Big Nasty.
M's First Sentance
WOW! Completly in context, M looked at me, held out her hands, palms up, and asked, "Where'd it go?" Not bad for not even 15 months old!
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Great Grandma
Today we went to visit Great Grandma. She is staying at my Aunt’s house for the rest of the week and we took the opportunity to visit her before she flies home. TJ and M were very sweet with her. It was nice to see the kids warm up to Great Grandma so quickly. TJ knows who she is and calls her “Great Grandma.” She just loves it.
TJ has been stealing my nose recently. It is a fun game of his. He will come up to me and say, “I get the nose,” and touch my nose. Today, he pretended to put it in his mouth and eat it. Then, he would pull it out of his shirt and put it back on my face. There are several different variations of the game. He and Great Grandma played the nose game. She would “look” for her nose and tickle TJ. He would tickle Great Grandma back. They were both laughing and enjoying it.
I am grateful that they do know their Great Grandparents. Family is so important.
TJ has been stealing my nose recently. It is a fun game of his. He will come up to me and say, “I get the nose,” and touch my nose. Today, he pretended to put it in his mouth and eat it. Then, he would pull it out of his shirt and put it back on my face. There are several different variations of the game. He and Great Grandma played the nose game. She would “look” for her nose and tickle TJ. He would tickle Great Grandma back. They were both laughing and enjoying it.
I am grateful that they do know their Great Grandparents. Family is so important.
Friday, June 22, 2007
Pit Stop
Today we went to Sam’s to get new tires on the Jeep. Between special ordering the tires, scout camp, and just being busy, it has taken about 2 weeks to get them replaced.
TJ loves going to Sam’s. He likes the tires because they have “hair” and he can climb through them when no one is looking. He enjoys the free cookies that we can occasionally get, and then there is also a large, plastic shed, meant for the backyard at Sam’s Club, near the tires.
This shed is the perfect playhouse. There are shelves and a window, and someone put a chair inside, and the kids love it. TJ calls it the “church.” It took a little while to figure out what he wanted the first time, riding in the cart at Sam’s while he was screaming, “Church! Church! Church!” Once I understood, the name just stuck. So now every time we go, he has to play in the “church.” It must remind him of nursery.
Today, the garage, with all the new noises and smells, fascinated him. He didn’t want to play in the church so much as watch the “pit stop” with Mommy’s car. Being a 3-year old and fascinated with cars (toys and the movie), the sight of Mommy’s car jacked up with no tires was an absolute delight for him. He and M were very interested in the whole procedure and very patiently and intently sat in the cart and watched nearly the entire time.
We snuck in a pretzel at the café before heading home. I enjoy going there and getting lunch. I can come home and put the kids down for a nap. M was up very, very early this morning and fell asleep in the cart as I was getting my keys back. The nap will do her good.
TJ loves going to Sam’s. He likes the tires because they have “hair” and he can climb through them when no one is looking. He enjoys the free cookies that we can occasionally get, and then there is also a large, plastic shed, meant for the backyard at Sam’s Club, near the tires.
This shed is the perfect playhouse. There are shelves and a window, and someone put a chair inside, and the kids love it. TJ calls it the “church.” It took a little while to figure out what he wanted the first time, riding in the cart at Sam’s while he was screaming, “Church! Church! Church!” Once I understood, the name just stuck. So now every time we go, he has to play in the “church.” It must remind him of nursery.
Today, the garage, with all the new noises and smells, fascinated him. He didn’t want to play in the church so much as watch the “pit stop” with Mommy’s car. Being a 3-year old and fascinated with cars (toys and the movie), the sight of Mommy’s car jacked up with no tires was an absolute delight for him. He and M were very interested in the whole procedure and very patiently and intently sat in the cart and watched nearly the entire time.
We snuck in a pretzel at the café before heading home. I enjoy going there and getting lunch. I can come home and put the kids down for a nap. M was up very, very early this morning and fell asleep in the cart as I was getting my keys back. The nap will do her good.
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Getting Started
Well, with the family going in different directions and places right now, I thought it might be fun to create a way for you to participate in the little things that are happening in my life right now.
It feels a little silly, writing this and putting it out there for the whole world to read if they wanted, but the kids are just so fun that I have to share. It also is a way to keep track of the things that they do that are so easily forgotten. So, please enjoy, and comments are welcome.
It feels a little silly, writing this and putting it out there for the whole world to read if they wanted, but the kids are just so fun that I have to share. It also is a way to keep track of the things that they do that are so easily forgotten. So, please enjoy, and comments are welcome.
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