Plan C

I am starting to feel like my trip to CA and summer plans are going to exhaust the alphabet. Craziness in Las Vegas, but not in the typical Vegas fashion. Last week, Adam was getting ready for his trip to TX for the 2 weeks of training and taking care of deployment stuff, (more on THAT later). I had hoped to get over to the Honda dealer and get the oil changed while he was still here, to spare taking the kids and chasing Rowan around the dealership. That didn't happen, so I took it in on Tuesday of this week with Adelle & kids in tow. I thought at least Adelle and I could take turns chasing Rowan, which we did. I noticed something was leaking from the car recently, but thought it was water from the A/C. WRONG! It was the transmission fluid and apparently a lot of it. Ummm, we are supposed to leave the following day to go to CA. The mechanic said he didn't even feel comfortable if I drove the car back to my house. Uh oh. They kept the car, (all still under warranty), to repair or possibly replace it. I left with a rental car that Hertz promised to be a minivan, but ended up being a Camry, which barely fits the 3 kids in the back. I was getting ready to refuse the rental car and just have the shuttle take us home, but the kids were hungry, grumpy, and tired, as we had already been there for nearly 3 hours and would have to wait for the shuttle to return; you see how this is going. I took the free crappy Hertz rental and went home.

Fortunately, (sort of any way), Adam is out of town, so his car is available to us. We can squish more comfortably in the 4Runner than a Camry. Then I had to transfer all the car seats, again, parked the rental in the driveway and will use it to take myself back to Honda to pick up the van. So, the crappy rental will prove itself useful in the end, but it didn't seem that way when I got it. And I was livid to even have wasted my time on the damn thing. Honda was very embarrassed, but what can they do? They just pay for the rental and I certainly appreciated the gesture.

Back to the van. They ordered some parts for it, hoping to get lucky and fix the seals, as nothing looked wrong with the actual transmission. With any luck, it would be fixed today, (Wednesday), and we would be back in business to drive to CA in the van on Thursday. Do you hear those screeching brakes again? Oh yeah, that's right, Aimee & the gang no go to CA on Thursday. The transmission is still leaking like new breastfeeding boobies, (my description, not Honda's!!), with all the seals replaced. That means the van is getting a new transmission. This apparently is ordered and hopefully will be shipped overnight so the mechanic can put it in first thing Thursday and hopefully be ready with no leaking to drive on Friday to CA to be there for the party on Saturday.

Now I have to think, what if the transmission doesn't get there overnight? Do I leave on Saturday? At that point, Adam will be home in five days, do I even go at all? As Jess pointed out yesterday while I was complaining/venting, are all signs pointing to not going to CA? I am not sure.

In the meantime, I have no food in the house; we've been eating out or picking up milk and bread here and there. Adelle is here and only packed a few outfits b/c she didn't need much more. I know, she can do laundry, fortunately we are not out of detergent! And tomorrow our house in FL will be inspected b/c the old tenants are out, so at least I'll be here and can speak to the agent if she calls with bad news. What I am really hoping is that all the bad news stays here in Vegas and that the FL house will be in great, move in ready condition for our new tenants. Holy cow, if something is wrong there I might just need a new transmission, (well maybe liver), myself. I am not sure how much more bad news I can take! Maybe Plan C should be a beach in Hawaii and a great spa???? Now that is a plan I could get on board with!

Summer – Plan B

It was bound to happen….. So often I make my plans b/c I never know what Adam's schedule will be like and most of the time it always works out. Here I am making all my summer plans this year, everyone involved in my plans are making their plans and then our summer plans came to a giant halt. Deployment. It wasn't a shock, we knew Adam was high up on the list, meaning he's due to go. It kept looking like the Fall was when he'd go; missing the holidays and the kids' birthdays. Then this email was sent saying someone from some group had to go and a day later that someone was Adam. I don't understand how the numbers work or how they divide up deployments between the different organizations within the AF. Adam saw the email on Tuesday and Wednesday he was the guy. Can you hear the screeching brakes?

Here is how his deployment breaks down: (1) 6/21 he goes to San Antonio for some training and returns on 7/2 (2) Then he's home until 7/20ish and then (3) leaves for Ft Dix in New Jersey for a month of training and from there he leaves to go to Afghanistan for 6 months, well 179 days, but who's counting? So, really he'll be gone for 7 months. Ugh. Of course, we had planned to be RVing with DPA during the time he'll be home before he leaves. RVing is off the calendar. The new plan is to go to CA on 6/24 with Adelle & the kids. Go to my g'ma's 90^th birthday party, since Adam will be in TX there is no need to be here. We'll get to see Christine and Brielle in Yuba City for a sleepover. (Christine is already counting down the days until Yuba City – I think she is the 1^st person in history to EVER countdown going to Yuba City) When C & B leave, the kids and I will head to Napa to wear out my mom, see as many Garlands & other friends as possible, go to Train Town and then head back to Yuba City in 7/4. Adam will fly up to Sac on 7/4 to help me drive back with the kids. Then he's home for a couple of weeks and he's off.

Adam will be deploying with the Army. He'll be an EWO, Electronics Warfare Officer, in a battalion at some army base in Afghanistan. Nope, don't know which one!! He's still not exactly sure what he'll be doing. We know he'll be maintaining equipment used to look for IEDs, training people how to use it and will probably go out with the army guys looking for IEDs, but that's about all we know. No clue about internet, phone access, even what his living arrangements will be. We think he'll have some internet access and we're getting him a cheapie laptop to take b/c I guess with all the sand & dirt, it isn't worth to get a good one. We are hoping to use Skype to chat via the internet with web cams. Not sure how that all works, but we'll figure it out. I think Adam hopes to have some opportunity to write in his blog about his experience.

Man, this sucks. The 7 months really sucks. Having to be in Las Vegas for most of the summer (alone with 3 kids) rather than part of the summer sucks too! And I can just say this sucks!?! Ha! It will all turn out fine and once school gets going, the time will fly. It's just that part from 7/20ish until 8/24. I flirt with the idea of going back to CA for a couple of weeks. But, then I have to drive and I don't think I can do it alone yet. Once Rowan is a little older. Russ and Rach are great with him, but once Rowan gets really upset, Russell is upset b/c he can't help and it stresses him out.

In the meantime, I have started getting together my single parent plans/mode; make lemonade out of this lemon of a summer!!! I think I get a free membership to the YMCA while Adam is gone. That will be cool. The kids love the pool there – we just finished swim lessons. I think their gym is all right. I am really thinking about joining the new Gold's Gym that just opened up instead. The grand opening specials are just too good to pass up. So, that will help. Then I can use nap time for some 'me' time instead of working out at home. I did get a cleaning lady and I love her! She's coming every other week to clean bathrooms, the kitchen and mop all the tile floors (we have a lot of them!). If I could afford to have her come more and stay longer I would and maybe while he's gone I will! Ha! But, that helps knowing I don't have to do it 'all'. I did find a teenage babysitter in our neighborhood. I used her once; she's smart, capable, military 'brat' and the kids liked her. So, that is a relief. We'll cut back on some activities so we are home more than one night during the week. It's all coming along, now that the shock is over, as it always does.

Wait, did I mention that this sucks?

Vincent 100

At Fall Festival back in October, Russ & Rach won 2 goldfish. These two 20 cent goldfish cost about $40 for an aquarium, food, pump filters, and don't forget the all important sunken pirate ship and plastic pink plants. Russ named his fish Vincent A b/c in his class he had a Vincent B and a Vincent D. Rachel named hers Colin Girl. They had some funk growing on them and promptly died two weeks later. Off we went to Walmart to get 2 more fish that cost 40 cents and an algae sucker fish. The big joke was that we would have a Vincent C, Vincent E, all the way to Vincent Z and then start on Vincent 1, 2 ,3 maybe even 100. Well, Russ caught on to the joke and cut to the chase and named goldfish #2 Vincent 100. Rachel named her fish Colin Lady and they named the sucker fish Skipper.

So last week Vincent 100 had some weird gash on his side, blood, the whole bit. We talked about it; maybe we'd get a Vincent 101? Then the gash healed, but he had some funk on him. Adam cleaned out the aquarium in hopes of saving poor Vincent 100. Then we noticed that V100 was missing his top fin. How did that happen??? He wasn't swimming well, how could he, he had no top fin. We thought he was a goner. Yet a day later he perked up and the funk was gone. A day or two later we noticed that he is growing a new top fin. Yah, so I have no clue what Adam put in the water, but V100 is making a comeback and I can't believe it. We are really getting our 20 cents worth out of that fish.

a-MAY-zing

My second favorite time of year is Mother's Day thru the end of May, my birthday. How selfish is THAT?? Ha! Thanksgiving to New Year's is my favorite time of year, incase you were wondering.. But the last part of May was really good to me this year and I just have to share some highlights.

This year, Mother's day was a bit off with the tummy flu and all that. We celebrated again the following weekend – Adam got me a spa day – 1 hour facial and a 1 hour massage – so relaxing! We also tried out a new restaurant (new to us) called Agave. The food was pretty good, (pumpkin seed crusted salmon for me and Adam had a braised short rib with some fancy mushroom rice); however the real standouts were the margaritas. They were outstanding. The kids were really good, it was great family night out.

I have been to the library a few times this month. I am thinking that a lot of people in Las Vegas read Debi's blog, b/c the books she reviews and likes are hard to get! I have had to put requests in for those. In the meantime I read a few books, non that I would read again. I did read "The Other Queen" by Philippa Gregory. I have read a few of her other books and enjoyed them, but this book I really struggled to finish and finished it b/c I had invested so much time in it. I am just starting "The Family Tree"b/c Christine recommended it and next on my stack is "Snowflower and the Secret Fan" which was suggested to me by two different people. By the time I finish those, I hope some of my 'Debi books' will be waiting for me to check out!!

Memorial Day Weekend was terrific, but I already wrote about that.

Which leads us to the 36^th birthday. I mean, 29^th birthday! Just kidding, I have no qualms about my age, especially since I still get carded!!! I slept in, Adam made waffles, I worked out, spent some fun time playing the Wii with the kids, and then went and had a deluxe mani & pedi and enjoyed every second! I have really been wanting a new camera, so Adam, who gets nervous about buying me gifts, asked if I'd mind picking out my camera so I could get what I wanted. Heck no, I don't mind, I appreciated that he asked. So, I ordered my new camera (got a fancy one b/c I added my birthday girl money from my mom) and it should be here soon. We went to Lotus of Siam (Thai Food) for dinner. So delicious, again. I have to mention the great service too. The regular table service is very good, they have no problems making Rachel just a plate of lettuce (I bring her salad dressing since they don't serve Ranch dressing), and this time a server noticed that Rowan threw his bink on the floor and he brought us a cup of hot water to wash it off. We just really appreciate little things like the cup of hot water, it is very thoughtful. The night ended with a homemade coconut cake that I LOVE.

Adam also insisted that we try out a cleaning service a couple times per month to help me keep up with the house. Who is this guy? Oh, just the greatest husband, ever! : ) Ha!

So, I guess it isn't any wonder why I heart the last half of May.

Aleeka

For a while now, Rachel has been talking about a little girl named Aleeka. I thought, well here it is, Rachel has an imaginary friend. We had no clue where she even got the name from and quite frankly, I am not even sure how to spell it! We have picked out flowers for a pot and Rachel says they are "Aleeka flowers" because Aleeka likes purple flowers. She even has told us that Aleeka lives in Las Vegas, in the city, meaning down by the strip. She and I drove down to the strip to pick up my friend form college, Trina, (visiting from Iowa while her hubby was involved in a dart tourney and we spent the day with Trina, yay!) Rachel was sure we were going to pick up Aleeka too and was DEVESTATED that we didn't. She was genuinely sad, crocodile tears, the whole package. I have to admit I was a little flabbergasted. I didn't know she was so into Aleeka.

Rachel also has an imaginary pink house where she lives with her "babe" (we assume she means husband) and her boy children and girl children and a girl baby. One day she told me she has a red bench outside of her pink house that she sits on and watches her boy & girl children play. She'll explain how they play and what they do, complete with silly sound effects. Then one day she and her babe took the boy&girl children and the girl baby on a picnic with Aleeka. Another time her babe was using a hammer and he hit his thumb. He said "Ow, Ow, OUCH!" (Rachel imitating it perfectly) and then she said she had to put a band aid on her babe's thumb. She has drawn a picture of herself, her babe, the boy & girl children and some barbells b/c her babe likes to work out. (Babe is beginning to sound a lot like Adam!!!) She has told us plenty of other stories, that I wish I would have written down. Rachel has quite an active imagination.

Well, about a week ago I finally figured out who the heck Aleeka is and how she came into our lives. Rachel and Rowan like to watch "Your Baby Can Read" dvds (usually in the van while we are carting Russ to speech or whatever) and guess who is the videos? The one, the only……. Aleeka!!! We had stopped watching the dvds for a while (I don't think that Rowan will be reading any time soon, but I figure it can't hurt them to watch them and learn some sight words. This could be another post. Adam is big on them and I bought them to appease him more than anything. Enough about that!) Back to Aleeka. So, Rachel talked a lot about Aleeka when we had stopped the dvds, but now that she is watching them again more regularly, she doesn't talk about her anymore.

 

A Memorable Memorial Day Weekend

We had a great long weekend! It really started on Thursday night, as Adam had Friday off too. Just a fun family night, it was hard to think that Russell actually had school on Friday!!

Nevertheless, Friday was Field Day at school and they had been practicing for weeks. Since Adam was home, I could go and stay at FD, help, watch, whatever. I was so impressed with the whole set up. Any FD I have been a part of is the traditional relay, tug o war, jumps, etc. This FD was mostly water play events – tossing water with cups at your opponent, this inflatable rocket that launches up 100 ft in the air, slip n slides, those giant inflatable waterslides you can purchase, some team building games, and even included a break stop to rotate thru which had popsicles for all the kids. What was impressive is that the whole school participated at the same time, which is no easy feat as the school has 1150 students. They rotated thru stations, 4 classes per station, each had their own numbered line to stand on, every station we went to our line was #4 so the kids were told what station to go to and they immediately ran to it and got on line #4, great music was being played on the loudspeakers and everyone was just having some 'good clean fun'. I was really impressed. I was the towel mom, I pushed around the cart of class towels, which sounds lame, but is helpful. I got a chance to catch up with Mrs. Cayer and chat with some other moms too. Mrs. Cayer did tell me who Russell will have next year for 3^rd grade, how pleased she was with that choice and has even pointed Russell out to Mrs. Justice. After chatting with some parents, they all pretty much said how they wished their sons/daughters could have Mrs. Justice too. So, I am hopeful for 3^rd grade!

After FD, it was off to the commissary with Rachel while Adam cleaned and waited for his mom & stepdad to come for the weekend. Rachel is always fun in the commissary. This time she kept asking Do we need this? How about this? Are we done yet? I think we should get _______ and then the reason why. The reasons varied from b/c dad's knee hurts (it didn't), or 'Rachel is soooo hungwee', or b/c Rowan pooped and we need more diapers. It sounds a little annoying, but she just gets so animated and is really into it, so it makes it fun/entertaining for me. We won't mention that it is a little distracting b/c I forget things on the list – doh!

Returning from the commissary, Jamie and Les had arrived and were staying until Monday. They went to Egypt last month, brought their pictures and Egyptian goodies, Jamie baked some awesome desserts for our bbq on Saturday and they babysat on Sunday so Adam and I could go out!!!

Saturday Jamie and took a long walk thru the 4 sections of neighborhood, it was great. Even better, Jamie made lemon meringue pie for dessert!! It really is one of my all time favorites, I haven't had it in years and homemade is the best! I am the only one here that likes it, so I never make it and I don't usually care for the store bought. A super treat! We bbqed that night, Adam's friend from work, Rachel, and her 4 yr old son came over. Rachel's husband is deployed and so I think she appreciated the invite to get out of the house on the long weekend. It was a nice evening. Our Rachel changed her clothes 4 times while they were here and one point she was running around naked, which kind of threw our guests for a loop, but 'big' Rachel told me she was relieved to see that another 4 yr old did the same goofy things with no rhyme or reason her 4 yr old does! Later that night we enjoyed the photos of Egypt while we all wore our Egyptian goodies. Russ got a bookmark with a hieroglyphic alphabet, so he was translating for us during the pictures. Pretty cute. Russ now wants to go to Cairo, look at all the cool stuff and find the bad guys from Indiana Jones.

Rowan impressed Grandpa Les. Row had some crackers in a little bowl and he ate them all. He took the bowl to Adam in the living room, then went to the pantry, opened the door, found his cracker box and took them back to Adam. Also, Rowan really has improved his receptive language. He knows what you are asking him. You can ask him to go outside, upstairs, downstairs, look for someone, the whole kit and caboodle; he gets it. He knows where we keep the bubble stuff outside, he goes straight for it and finds a wand and tries to blow thru it after you ask him if he wants to play bubbles. Grandpa got a real kick out of all of that.

Sunday we took Jamie out for a hike at Red Rock before the heat set in. We took a nice hike for about an hour. Rowan was pretty adorable – he knows his backpack that he rides in and is so excited to get in it. While riding along he just really takes it all in and not a peep out of him. No complaints, fussing, etc. Jamie enjoyed Red Rock. We took an easy trail that loops around to these shaded rocks the kids can climb. While we were walking back, Rachel said "I want to go to the shops. I don't like hiking!" And there you have it, my little shopping buddy proclaiming her allegiance to shopping!!! Ha! She does love to play outside and she would sit right there at Red Rock and play all day, but apparently the walking for an hour is not her cup of tea.

Sunday night Adam and I went to dinner and ended up catching a movie!! We went to dinner at a place called Marche Baccus, a French Bistro with a great patio on a manmade lake in a community called Desert Shores. The food was good, the wine was excellent, the setting was really nice too. The service was slow – we were there for over 2 hours. Someone had brought their children that were running all over the patio, thankfully not our section of the patio, but if they had we would have had a good talkin' with the manager. We felt bad for the other patrons, they all look irritated, we think some complained, anyway, not our problem! After dinner we made our way to Aliante station, the casino right near our house that also has the movie theater. We decided to watch Star Trek. We enjoyed it. And, unlike like our other date night, we were out past midnight, thank you very much!!

Monday we just were lazy. I have hurt back, another story, and it was really bothering me, so we just laid low. Jamie & Les headed home. We had a great visit with them. Not sure why, but whenever the Pricers come all together (both boys) or, I hate to say this, with Morgan, there always seems to be some kind of drama. If Blake comes there usually isn't too much drama,(Blake, I won't mention the past drama..), just Blake being a teenager who knows the world and the rest of us are clueless (were we ever like that? I am sure we were!! He'll learn), but Blake is really great with the kids, Rachel bosses him around like a pro and he just does what she tells him. It is so stinkin cute and funny. Anyway, my real point is when Jamie and Les can come without the boys, we really get a chance to visit with them and enjoy them. It doesn't happen very often, so we enjoy it. Sorry, Blake & Morgan!

Monday night…. We were watching Star Wars and when it was over, Rowan turned to look at me, held up his forefinger and thumb like a gun and made a shooting sound. I couldn't believe it. He did it again. I am frantically calling to Adam to come downstairs to witness this. As he does, Rowan turns to him with his fingers and makes the sound. Adam pretends to fall down and Rowan doesn't get it! He looks at him, like what's the deal?? Adam gets up and Rowan is pretending to shoot all over the place. Of course this seems like a great thing to capture on video, however the batteries were dead. He kept on for another minute or so and then it was over. He was done and hasn't done it since. It was so funny and amazing at the same time. How did he figure that out? The other 2 weren't doing it. Amazing what goes on their minds. He wasn't really watching the movie, just playing in the living room. And let me add that we aren't all for the pretend violence and all that. It was just so crazy to see him figure that out. It made us think about Russ and his 'pow powing' days. He did similar stuff like Rowan just did, not getting the whole concept of shooting, just pointing and making sounds. Russ was 4 when he really started getting the whole concept of shooting. He called it pow pow. He would ask my dad "Grandpa, I pow pow this?" asking about a rock or person or whatever. Dad would give the go ahead on the inanimate objects. This topic could make for another entry, so many things to think about and compare. But, I'll just leave it at that, as it is time to get Russ to school , Rach to gymnastics and get myself ready too!!!

Kadie

We got Kadie when we first were engaged, living in Vallejo in our great little apartment and Adam worked nights and I was teaching during the day. She was really my first pet. She was such a sweet kitten and very possessive of me. We got Riley a few months later and those were our 'kids' until, well, you know. I used to give her bottled water to drink, she was a spoiled little thing for quite some time!! Ha! She could hold her own against anything or anyone. One day when we lived in FL the first time around (00-01) she got out of the house and went after our neighbors dog and won. She was good with the kids, but kept her distance. She was beautiful – a tuxedo cat and she kept herself very clean and soft. She had attitude for days and we loved her.

So, last October Kadie became ill, had similar symptoms as Riley did when he died. After doing some testing with the vet, but again in a spot where we could go overboard with all the tests and costs and still not have a definitive answer. She wasn't eating and a feeding tube was discussed, but the quality of life was also an issue too. We tried some meds to see if we might get lucky, but her liver levels were already so over the top and gone, it seemed inevitable that we would lose her too. And we did. We had her cremated and the pet cemetery gave us this really sweet poem in a matte with some of her fur and her paw print. There is a place for her picture. I wasn't expecting to get that at all, but it really was comforting. I wish we would have had received that with Riley's ashes too.

After Kadie passed a way, my stepmom sent me this email about Swiffer wet jets and that they can be poisonous to animals and children. From what I can deduct, there isn't anything concrete, but a lot of personal accounts of people whose pets died and they all had liver issues and symptoms like our 2 cats. It is really strange. You have to really wonder about that. I did use a wet jet for a long time in OK and FL and they say cats walk on the chemicals and then lick it off their paws when they groom. We thought Riley had a tumor on his liver, but he never had an ultrasound. Kadie had an informal ultrasound (not by a specialist, just the vet. We didn't have that option with Riley) and there wasn't a tumor in Kadie. The circumstances of the accounts I read are just so similar with our story, we just really wonder if that is what happened to our Kadie & Riley. We still have Harry and so far he hasn't been ill, but I know I used the wet jet more before we got Harry than after.

Whatever the case, I miss Kadie and Riley. I still 'see' Kadie on top of the recliner, one of her favorite spots; it is hard to not actually see her there. She would sit there and kind of nuzzle into my hair while I fed the baby or relaxed. I miss that.

A Walkin’, Talkin’, Toddlin’ Man

Time to indulge in a little motherly bragging! Rowan is at such a cute age and is just so stinkin' cut, I can hardly stand it!!!! Ha! So, be prepared readers, this is all about our little Row Row and how fantastic we think he is.

Rowan is just the epitome of a toddler right now. He teeters and totters as he walks around. He is becoming more independent – won't even hold my finger while he's walking unless he really feels like he needs some help! And I just want to hold fingers while walking side by side, instead of holding hands!!!! He's into everything, doing everything, opinionated about everything and now is my chance to get all these little things recorded J

• He is still a shameless flirt. He looks up at people with his chin on his shoulder, pretending to be shy, batting his eyes and smiling. Sometimes, he'll give a little wave. Once at Starbucks, he was in his stroller facing me and a woman behind me. He was flirting with her the whole time. I had no clue until Jess had pointed out what a flirt he was. The lady was loving the attention and giving it right back to him. He makes friends at the kids' schools while we are waiting for them to be released. He has quite the fan club at Rachel's school with a few of the moms. He just stares at them until they make over him, tickle him, etc. They love it too. At Russell's school, he's always making a new friend, the latest of which is a grandpa that loves to watch Row play in the dirt with Rachel. Rowan will look over his shoulder to make sure he's still watching.
  
• Rowan is a great at mimicking. He loves to applaud when everyone else is or when he hears clapping. He always rubs his hands together when he sees me hand sanitizing (which has been a lot lately!!). He likes to help clean and takes a wipe to clean the high chair, the floor, the window, whatever anyone happens to be wiping clean at the time. He really tries to copy the kids when they do something that strikes his fancy.
  
• He was watching the kids gargle and I was making a big deal out of them gargling, not the great skill, the great use of gargling to delay whatever they need to do next. Yea, so Rowan now gargles and is so pleased with himself!
  
• He HATES having his face cleaned.
  
• Right now he is shaking his head no at requests, questions, etc. And when he is on a roll, he shakes no at funny questions like: Do you want a cookie? Is Dad ugly? Is mom your favorite?
  
• He won't say the word no. Like last night he wanted bananas and we tried to give him something else. He just shook his head no and said "Dat un" and pointed at the bananas.
  
• He does this finger taste test when unsure about what he is eating. He just puts in his finger tip and puts it in his mouth for the taste test. If it agrees with him, he digs in. Or he shakes his head no and proceeds to dump it on the floor. We are working on the latter.
  
• Of the 3 kids, he is the one that really likes to take stuff out and put it back in. He can spend an hour or more walking around the house taking things out and putting them back in. Now, this could be the laundry, kitchen towels, toys, bathroom drawer items, books, chalk from the art easel; literally anything. And when he puts it back, it doesn't mean that he puts it away, it means he puts it back someplace else or scatters it everywhere. He likes to put stuff back in the garbage can (his sippy cup), the toilet (toys & bink), and into various drawers and baskets. He takes stuff out of the garbage too – food, papers, whatever strikes his fancy. Now, when he puts in things of importance (his sippy cup) in the garbage and tries to get it back, but can't, he has a humongous fit.
  
• We'll touch on the fits… they are starting, so I am sure the 2s will be something else with him. He is really opinionated when it means something to him and persistent. For the most part he is happy to be out and about and doesn't have the public fits (yet), but at home he can get pretty pissy.
  
• He does what I call the gimme hands. When he wants something or you, he puts up his arms and his hands open and shut over and over and over. It is pretty darn cute. Sometimes he talks with the gimme hands, but usually just gestures.
  
• He loves to climb the stairs. When he gets half way up (and sometimes sooner) he does his "Ta Da!" which means he says it and throws his arms up in the air. He's genuinely thrilled with himself. Sometimes he wants to play on the stairs, which we aren't fans of that. So, I take his bink and throw it up some stairs and he chases after it. Then I take it again and throw it up the other half of the stairs to get him moving.
  
• He really likes the Wall E movie and he loves to say "Eva" just like Wall E.
  
• He is a snuggler at bed time. He doesn't go down unless he gets some snug time in at night. Not important for naps, but at nighttime it is a necessity. He can just sit in my lap and lean back and fall asleep and the head on the shoulder kind of snugglin' works too. I really love those snuggles.
  
• He makes these sounds that are hard to describe, but it is such a baby sound. It is a slobbery Geeee and Geh. Almost like a gargle, but not quite. He makes the sound mostly when he is playing with Adam and is really into it. It is a very sweet and happy sound.
  
• He loves to play outside in the sand box and he loves when we play with bubbles. His reflexes aren't fast enough to pop the bubbles, but he tries and squeals with delight. He gets a big kick out of watching Rachel pop bubbles.
  
• He is fascinated with the computer, typing on the keyboard, pushing the power button, taking the paper out of the printer and pressing its buttons.
  
• Rowan plays phone with anything. It can be his play phones, our phones or the remote controls to the TVs or the fans. He puts it up to his ear (kind of) and walks around and talks. It sounds kind like hello and then all baby jargon after. It is so cute. He really thinks he is getting away with something when he is using a real phone.
  
• He can open doors!! We have those lever handles on our doors here, so he gets into every room. He gets such great pleasure of opening the doors to get to Russ & Rach either while they are sleeping or using the bathroom. Russ plays with him with the door, so that doesn't help Rachel when she wants her privacy!! He gets into the pantry and will get out anything he can reach. Then he gives it to you and wants you to open it. One of these days I will open the tuna pouch and let him taste it. Little boogar will probably love it.
  
• He knows that there are other ways to open doors. For example the door at gymnastics – he knows you have to push the lever to open the door. He gets on his tippy toes and touches the lever, like he's going to do it himself. Then he will point to it and insist that I open it for him.
  
• This one is sweet – when he gives me a kiss, I say "ooooooooh, thank you" So now when he kisses me he immediately says "Oooooooooooooh" sometimes I get a thank you, but usually I have to thank him.
  
• He doesn't like to be told no and can get a little mad.
  
• He is also starting to get possessive of Adam & me. If Adam is playing with Russ or Rach, he has to be involved. Or if I am reading to either one, again, he has to get involved.
  
• Still working on some teeth. He has the 2 bottom teeth and one top tooth almost in and I think he is cutting (or getting ready to cut) 3 more on top and 2 more on the bottom.
  
• Words he is saying regularly and what they sound like:
  

  Hi Dad – Hi Da
  

  Thank You – Ank UUUUUUUUU (he says this one the 2^nd most!)
  

  This – Dis
  

  I Love You – uv U
  

  Mama – mmmmmmmmama
  

  Dada – dadadadadadda
  

  Russell – Ussel
  

  Rachel – Uchel
  

  That one – Dat Un (this is his most used phrase. It took us a while to figure out what he was saying!!!)
  

  Eva – Eva
  

  Wow- wow
  

  Whoa – Whoa
  

  Uh oh- Uh oh
  

  I am sure there are more, but I can't remember them right now, doh!
  

    

Summ-Summ-Summer Time

The weather man hit right on the nose this morning, weather wise, we have only had about 10 days of Spring. It is already in the upper 90s and it doesn't look like it is going to get cooler any time soon. This just adds fuel to my fire – getting' outta Vegas during the actual summer. Plans are starting to shape up. Unfortunately, Adam has to go to NM for a military exercise, so the plan just moves forward without him and hopefully, we'll catch him on the tail end of our trip.

So, here's the plan, even if you don't want to hear it ; ) My Dad's Mom is turning 90 this year and they (his siblings) are throwing a big party/luncheon at a winery in Plymouth, CA. I am not very close to this grandma, but all ten grandkids will be there and that is something that hasn't happened in years. It should be a lot of fun. The conflict for me is getting to Northern CA with the 3 kids minus Adam. I really want my car, so flying is not a good option. The 2^nd option is to have someone fly to me and drive with the kids and I. Adelle is stepping up to the plate and we will have an adventure together! I am looking forward to getting some alone time with her, she'd like to make a trip on her own and the kids adore her: we all win!

After spending a few days with the Vershaws, the kids and I will head to Napa and spend about a week with my mom. Martha already has the itinerary built, so it will be nonstop action! One of the fun and silly things we like to do is visit Train Town in Sonoma. The whole thing started with taking Russell and has continued with Rachel and carried over to Dawn's daughter, Ena, Shelly's son, Jackson, and Tonja's daughters too. So, of course, we have to take Rowan for his first trip and Tonja had a baby girl in February, Elizabeth, so the two newbies will get take their first Train Town trip together!! Tonja's kids and mine haven't been able to spend much time together, let alone experience any 'firsts' together, so even though it may be 'just' Train Town, it will be extra special! It is the little things that mean so much!!

After we wear out my mom in Napa, we'll go back up to Yuba City and the Vershaws and head off on the great NW Adventure. Meaning a big RV 'camping' trip. We'll head up through Oregon and top out in Seattle and make our way back. I think we'll be gone about 2- 2 ½ weeks. I am looking forward to it! My dad is a really good trip planner and quite frankly, I like to be a long for the ride. Grandma Rizzi (Dawn & TJ's grandma) once said "It's just so nice to be a passenger". I couldn't agree more. We'll get to see Andy a couple of times and Schelley in Seattle, which is a total bonus. One night we are staying at an RV park that is also a drive in movie theater – how fun will that be?!? We can put our chairs outside and watch a movie outside; the kids are going to love that.

At some point, Adam will fly up to Northern CA (and possibly Oregon) to catch up with up with us. We are hoping to leave the kids with the grandparents and get away for a weekend and then head back to Vegas.

August will hold some kind of trip too. I am hoping for san Diego area or maybe even Tahoe??? Adam will be deploying in the Fall, so we definitely want to get out and do something before he goes. All of the deployment stuff is up in the air and therefore, August is too. We'll figure it out – we always do!

20 Something Days and Counting.

Well, 2^nd grade is almost over. Where are we at? Russ doesn't like school. He is doing all right, not great, but not failing either. I feel bad for him. You never want your child to dislike school and 2^nd grade seems too young to not like school. Sigh. He has a great teacher and am hoping for another great teacher next year; I cringe to think where we'd be if we didn't have a good teacher. I wrote to the principal and asked her to place Russ in a good class since I don't know the teachers and I am afraid of what we'll get if the computer spits him out into any old class. So, I am hopeful she'll put him with someone that will continue to work with us to keep him successful.

His friend situation is still a concern. He has friends at school, but doesn't want to invite anyone over and he doesn't get invited over. He seems to eat and play at recess with the same group. I think at recess he will sometimes play with different kids or by himself. He's always been good at playing by himself without a care. He was like that when he was little. It is hard to tell what really goes on at recess, his memory for stuff like is bad and sometimes he's off in his own world that he just doesn't pay attention or process what is going on. It's frustrating.

I was at a PTSO meeting a couple of weeks ago (I am going to be on the Board next year. I have the easiest job – co-secretary) and we were meeting the principal and I told her who I was and that I had sent her a letter about Russ. Apparently she knows Russell, not in a bad way, which is saying something because there are over 1100 students at his school. Apparently she has sort of taken the librarian's twins and 'adopted' them as grandkids and the twins (girls) and Russ are in the same class and they all share the same birthday. Apparently the twins love Russell and spoke nonstop about him while they spent a weekend with the principal and her husband. She and her husband know all about Russell's likes and dislikes, his shark knowledge, etc. And this just furthers my point of frustration, Russ has no clue that the twins like him so much. Okay, maybe that is more of a girl vs boy thing. Who knows?

Russ is in 2 sports this season (soccer and tennis), not exactly great planning on my part. He doesn't like soccer this time. It is more the coaching style than it is soccer, I think. They are pretty serious soccer people and ride Russ pretty hard during practice b/c he is kind of a space case and his ADHD meds are wearing off, plus he's just not a coordinated guy. Never has been. So, while he needs the extra attention, our concern is that positive feedback and the negative feedback need to be equal. That is debatable. I think the other factor is that Russ doesn't do well when people are on his case a lot; he loses his confidence in what he's doing and then shuts down. We've talked to the coach, it does seem to be a little better on the coaches' part. We'll see. He doesn't hate soccer, but on Wednesday mornings he's already commenting on how he doesn't want to go. I never have to drag him out the door, if I did, then I think we'd let him quit. Oooh, that was painful just typing it. We are just taking it week by week.

After this season we are going to let Russ decide what he wants to do and keep it at one sport. I think he's voting for tennis. He's not great at tennis, but the coach has a totally different style. His feedback isn't negative, it is more constructive. Plus in tennis he has something to do with his hands. It seems like when he has something in his hands he's less likely to go off in his own world.

We are still in private speech. That is going well. We are up for a renewal, so we'll see if Tricare will give us more sessions. We've been lucky so far, so I am hoping for the best!

Anyway, as you can probably guess, Russ is counting down til summer break. Next up, summer plans! They are shaping up well and now I think I am kind of counting the days too!

Bumper Thumper

I am really using the list!!

 

When we moved here last July, we had the Minivan for just a few weeks. I had to take the kids on base to see the new pediatrician and get squared away with Russ's ADHD meds, etc. We were running a bit late and it was my first time to the hospital on base. I parked the van and immediately thought 'I shouldn't park here'. The parking lot spaces and aisles are narrow, there was a big truck across from us and I see every larger car has backed into their spot. I blow off my sense to repark and get the kids in the building –we were running late. Sure enough, when we returned my bumper had a dent and that truck was gone and you guessed it - no note. It just made me sad, you know. I think we had just made our first payment on it. All I could do was cry. (Ok, I was still nursing a 6 mos old and it was 100+ outside – hormonal and hot, not a good mix)

The Honda dealership in town doesn't do body work, but the guy gives me this card of a retired man who sets his own schedule and comes to you to fix those kinds of dents. My other option is to take it to a body shop and they'll replace the bumper. So, I called the dent guy in February. I know, I waited a while, but what I can say, I procrastinated. Well, the dent guy, Alex, is a retired master painter and former Sheriff as it turns out, AND he only takes cash, wink, wink, nod, nod. I got no problem with that. He comes and looks at the bumper, says he can do it for $200. $200, why the hell did I wait so long??? My deductible is like $500 and not having to deal with insurance is a bonus. Done.

Now, Alex makes his own schedule, so I had to rearrange around him, but for $200 I might have even let Russell miss school!!! Ha! He was going to do it at our house, but asked if he could take the bumper to his house and work the dent, paint it and use his heaters to get a good dry finish. I learned how to take off the bumper, (pretty simple), and that the van was missing half the anchors to hold the darn thing on. Never were put in, hmph, Honda. He brought back the bumper the next day; it looks so good, you can't even tell it was dented. It was $200 well spent and now all the moms that I see at gymnastics, ballet, etc. want his name and number b/c apparently everyone has some dent that needs to be fixed and everyone wants a good 'cash only' guy!!!

SSSSSSSSPPPRRRIIIIINNNNGGGGG BRRRRREEEEEEEAAAAAK!!!!!!!! (You know, in the “Spring Break, Woo Hoo” kind of voice)

Time to get typing on Spring Break. This is going to be difficult, as Rowan is trying to add his 2 cents by tapping on keys while I am!! He has a lot to say these days, but man, his typing skills are just not up to par!

Well, as it started out, I had no real plans for spring break. I wanted to do something, but travelling with the 3 kids alone is just not my idea of fun. Adam is so busy at work and that week was not looking good for him. So, when Pam & Dad suggested we meet in Anaheim for Disneyland, I was all for it! All I had to do was pack and drive the kids to CA, a feat I was sure the minivan and I could handle!! The plan was to drive to CA on Saturday, stop by my Aunt Kate's house, pick her up and go to see my Nana at her assisted living facility and then drop Kate off at home and head to the RV park where Dad, Pam & Adelle, (let's call them DPA from now on), were. The beauty of this is is that they are all within a 10 mile range. Then the kids and I would stay in the RV with DPA and then head home on Thursday, meaning 3 full days at Disney and 1 day to rest. A good plan!

Dun, dun, dun, duuuuunnnn. The week before Rowan gets this weird tummy bug, but seems to be getting over it. Okay, we're still good. Then Friday morning, as in the day before our departure, Russell is throwing up and Rowan starts up again too. Ok, Plan B? Umm, make Plan B!!! Plan B turned out to be wait and see what happens, if more throwing up, then hopefully leave Sunday, just one day late. Plan B in place, but luckily the turn around time was quick and we are still on for Saturday departure – phew! Mickey Mouse, here we come!!!

The drive to CA was GREAT. Could not have been any better. I've really figured this mom thing out. I packed a lunchbox for both Rachel & Russell, full of snacks, a couple of drinks and then they could eat what they wanted when they wanted and I didn't have to pull over to help. I sat Russ next to Row, who had diaper bag filled with yummies and toys that Russ could give him during the drive. As it turns out, Rowan wants what Russ has or what he thinks Russ has; like I said, I have totally figured this mom thing out! With Disney DVDs galore, we head out on the drive. Made it in just less than 4 ½ hours, hitting some traffic in Orange County. Just in time to pick up Kate, some lunch and go see Nana. This is a topic for another blog, but we had a nice visit, the kids behaved wonderfully and we left as nana was tired and so were we! We made it to DPA with plenty of time to walk the RV park, play at the cool playground and get out all our wiggles, have dinner and get ready for Disney Day 1!!! Let me add that the RV is HUGE. It has a bathroom with 2 sinks, a bedroom and then the kitchen/living room area has 3 beds and room for the pack n play, so while we might refer to it as 'camping', it really isn't camping.

Here we go, DAY 1…. Sunday, one week before Easter. I was expecting huge crowds and seemed like there were a lot of people, so we were expecting the worst. Remember how I said I got the mom thing down? I took Russell's lunchbox filled with snacks and attached it to the stroller. So, all day the kids could get a snack when they felt like it and I didn't spend a fortune on churros. I even took a plastic cup with a lid and could split drinks for the kids – a huge lifesaver b/c they think they drink a whole one, but they can't. Damn, when I am good, I am good! Okay, but back to Disney. We head to fantasyland first and go to Peter Pan, the line is 20 minutes and know that is the shortest it will be all day. We get in line and start looking around and notice that the rides in view have NO lines. I look at the family behind us in line and realize I KNOW them. The husband works with Adam at Nellis. How crazy is that??? That made the 20 minutes zip right by! So, after PP, we head to Snow White, Pinocchio, Toad's Wild Ride, Alice in Wonderland, Matterhorn, and Small World. All with either no wait or maybe 10 – 15 minutes. And in between, I am sending my dad to get fast passes for Buzz Lightyear and Autotopia, which he was awesome at doing and I think he got a kick out of my master planning!!! We finish all those rides and it is barely time for lunch. Rachel loved the Matterhorn – she said – that was too fast and too scary, let's do it again!!! Ha! Russ didn't like the Matterhorn, but really enjoyed Small World. He said something to the effect of – SW was so relaxing after Matterhorn and that's why he liked it. Next we hit Star Tours (the kids loved!), Buzz (another fave), Star Tours again and then time for lunch. Back to Buzz and Autotopia (boy has that changed in the last 10 years!!) and then over to Jungle Cruise, Pirates, Haunted Mansion, and Winnie the Pooh. Row even went on Pirates and didn't freak out. In fact he went on tons of rides and never freaked out. He would want to get up and get out when he thought the ride was over, but other than that he seemed to really like looking at everything and everyone. Day 1 turned out to be really great and we did way more than I had hoped for. The crowds dispersed well and we just took advantage of the short lines, it was great. The kids did well, but they were pooped by about 4pm and it was time to go. Rachel was so pooped that she fell asleep in the stroller. Kept nodding off and jerking herself awake. We have that sit n stand stroller, so her seat is a bench and there is nothing for her to lean against if she nods off. Poor thing. After cracking up at her for a few minutes, I did just carry her to the tram so she could snooze a bit. And at the tram, she woke up perky and ready!

On to DAY 2….. We decided to go to California Adventure (DCA) this day b/c we were unsure of the weather that was headed our way. I made dinner reservations for a Princess Dining Experience that evening, so we were in for a full day. Again, another good day, although a little warmer and humid due to the rain headed our way. I have never been to DCA, so I was looking forward to seeing why people like and dislike the park. We started with CA Soaring, a ride that makes you feel like you are hang gliding over CA. I wasn't sure how the kids would react b/c it lifts you in these seats and your legs dangle down. They LOVED it. Russ figured he could sit criss-cross-applesauce in the seat, Rachel followed suit and that made them more comfortable. At the end they had their feet out and pretending to dip their toes in the ocean. It was a fun one. Then onto Monsters, Inc (twice) – the kids were big fans. We watched the Muppet 3D movie; the kids cracked up, which made it fun for us big people! You felt like you were in the original Muppet Show Theater. That was cool. And those old guys were up in their seats making the usual funny cracks. Then Adelle, Rachel & I rode the Tower of Terror. I have to say that this is probably the best ride I have ever ridden. It was so fun. Rachel hated it, I tried to warn her beforehand, but she was determined to go and she was in tears afterwards. She learned to listen to mom a little bit better after that. Basically you are in a giant service elevator that goes up 13 stories so fast, you feel like you are going down. So while we were flying up, I thought we were going down and I was thinking, when did we go up??? Then you get to the top and these doors open and you realize you were going up. Then you make the big drop down in 3 drops. So it goes, drop, a little bounce, then a big drop, little bounce, and the last drop. Then you start the whole thing all over again. Back up you go!!! So fun and totally smooth. It was awesome. Awesome, awesome, oh, and did I say awesome????

Let's see… after Tower of Terror, Russ played on this Wilderness play structure with g'pa and the rest of us sat in the shade had some water and snacks. Then dad & I rode CA Screamin', the Disney roller coaster that you shoot off to like 50mph from 0, go upside and it has some pretty good drops. I think I would have liked that better if I hadn't just eaten a frozen banana! We waited in line for a Toy Story ride that is 3D and you shoot these goofy guns at like carnival games. That was a lot of fun! Everyone loved that and would have done it again, but the line was pretty long. I think we waited 30 minutes for it. The kids did good on that line, but weren't willing to wait again. Next up was Grizzly Run – a rapids ride – pretty standard. It was fun, wet. Rachel did this one and liked it. Then we had some time to spare before dinner. If we didn't have dinner reservations, we would have been done with DCA. So we headed over to a kid's area called Flik's Fair. Pretty simple rides, rode a couple and then went to dinner.

Oh boy, the Princess Dinner. First I could not believe the number of parents that hauled a princess dress around all day so their daughters could change into it before dinner. Crazy. Rachel had on a princess tshirt and had chocolate smeared all over it and her pants from a chocolate covered Mickey ice cream earlier. So, the deal with this is you go down and meet Ariel – she's the hostess princess and take pictures. Rachel did this and loved it. Then as you sit and eat, other princesses make their royal appearance (announcements, horn blowing, the whole deal) and they walk to every table to chat, take pictures, whatever. You get to pick from like 5 things for the meal, all were decent choices – tri tip, cioppino, pasta, chicken, etc. The kids had their choices too. At the table they have those 3 tier stands filled with finger foods, salad and fresh fruit ready for when you sit down. I liked that b/c we were hungry and it was waiting for us, no waiting for the food. After dinner they bring out these huge dessert platters for every table with assorted pastries, chocolates, etc. You get a lot of food, I think it is still overpriced, but what you are paying for is not waiting in line to see princesses at the park. Since I have just the one princess who may not be into princesses ever again, I thought it was a fair splurge for Rachel and fun to treat DCA since they pay for almost everything else. We saw Snow White, Cinderella (Rachel's fave), Jasmine, Mulan and one more, Belle, maybe? Anyway, Rachel liked talking to them, but didn't want to take pictures with them. Dad had his camera ready to snap a shot just in case!

Now let me give Russell's take on the whole thing. He was tired, we all were, and the children's menu had nothing he wanted. His choices were spaghetti & meatballs, tri tip with mashers, mac n cheese, grilled chicken breast tenders and maybe one other thing. He won't make a choice. I told him make a choice by blah blah time or I would choose for him. He doesn't choose, plenty of warning, I order him the tri tip b/c at home he likes it and mashers. Well, he says after he wants the chicken. Too damn bad, we already ordered, next time make your decision when you're expected to with everyone else. So, the meal was over for him in his mind, he was bordering on the turd side and after we left dinner, he was being rude to everyone and making comments about the worst meal of his life. Needless to say, Russell got a firm talkin' to. It is amazing how a boy who wants to get 'cool sharp prizes from Disneyland', (his words exactly), can change his attitude. But, he still got no dessert and we turned out the lights early for bed time. Typically Russ is so good, that if this is the bad/worst behavior, we can deal, but we still need to learn to not be rude to family/friends when things don't go our way.

DAY 3, a fresh start! So this was the question mark day for the weather. We decided to go back to Disneyland and take a chance. The weather was perfect, a little bit cool, but not too bad. This was the day with the biggest crowds, which was unexpected, but since we had done so much on Sunday, it didn't matter. Adelle & I rode Space Mtn while dad & Pam took the Rs to Toontown to play and see Mickey & Minnie. Space Mtn was fun, Adelle pointed out every cute guy she saw and I pointed out every guy that checked her out. Ha! Met up with the gang in Toontown and headed for Indiana Jones. Rachel was too small, but g'pa bought her an ice cream and she was good to go, well stay. Adelle & I took Russ and he loved it. I knew he would. Then he rode again with g'pa & g'ma – you gotta love fast passes!! Rachel made Adelle take her thru the Tarzan treehouse again while we waited for Russ, dad & Pam. We ended up having lunch at the Golden Horshoe, wasn't planned, but it turned out to be a fun thing. We saw a goofy play while we ate and relaxed. It involved a lot of audience participation and Russell just laughed the whole time. It felt good to sit and be entertained. I kept Row and the rest went to Tom Sawyer island, which is called Pirate's Lair now. The kids loved that and had sweaty foreheads!! Adelle, Rach & I rode Splash Mountain, which was Russell's fave at Disney World. He didn't want to ride this time, no big deal, but by the time we were off the ride, he had cotton candy!!! Ha! Rachel didn't like Splash and said when we were on an incline up, "I'll go wait with g'ma and g'pa!!!" Too late. She survived, wasn't traumatized, but I am not sure she'd do it again! Then we did Haunted Mansion and Star Tours again and called it a day.

We were all exhausted after a full 3 days. But it was a great time and very memorable! I really liked how the big people outnumbered the little people, that was a bonus. Doing stuff with DPA is always easy & fun. My dad is super anal about watching the kids and not losing them in crowds, which I appreciate. And he always had his camera ready so I didn't have take a lot of pictures, I can just get copies of his. I appreciated that too. There isn't too much drama, they are an easy group to be around. Just some teenaged drama with Adelle, but if she left her phone off and didn't text all day, that wouldn't be an issue. That could be a whole other topic!

Our last day, Wednesday, we went to the Santa Ana Zoo after it rained. Not a great zoo,( better than the Vegas Zoo), but a quiet park environment that was spacious, not crowded – a good little outing. The kids stayed at the RV in the afternoon and I went to see Nana one more time and I had a nice visit with her.

Thursday we headed back home. Missed all the traffic and made it door to door in just under 4 hours. Damn, you just can't ask for better than that! Besides all the fun family time, the trip reaffirmed to me that I need to get out of Vegas more than I am. It just felt good to get away from the flat brown city and I can't wait to get away again!

A few pics....

Easter morning

Rachel totally wiped after day 1 of Disney - she's asleep!!!

Autotopia - new & improved from when I was Rachel's age

Rowan gets his own ears, name on 'em too!!!

Spring Break, 1 st day of Disney

You gotta love Blogspot, pics are not easy to work with, but here they are nontheless. This overlaps a bit with FB, I post more pics there. FB is much more user friendly for uploading photos. I am hoping to write about spring break next.

Aim and Adam’s Big Night Out

In January, my mom came to Vegas b/c of work and to visit. She stays with us - she can stay a little bit longer than she would normally b/c AAA doesn't have to pay for her hotel. It was a weekend during the NFL playoffs and my mom suggests that Adam and I go out and take advantage of the free grandma babysitting! My mom is pretty good about that when she is here. We wanted to watch the games, so we decide to go to the new casino near us called Aliante Station. We find a great table at the bar in a Mexican food restaurant, right in front of the big HD LCD TV, we are totally set. The waitress knows we are there for the game, no rush to move our table, we are totally set. Adam and I LOVE NFL, especially playoffs and we were playing in this goofy playoff Fantasy Football League - we are just giddy with excitement. The game totally sucked. It was the Cardinals vs Panthers game and it was so over by the first half. Now don't get me wrong, we loved that Arizona won, it's just that we were out, sans kids, could really watch the game and we just wanted it to be a really good game. At halftime we gave up our prime table to walk around the casino, gamble a bit, maybe see a movie, whatever, it's our big night out. We checked out the movie theater, there wasn't really anything we wanted to see and anything semi-interesting didn't start for another couple of hours. We aren't big gamblers, so we played some 21 on the machine and lost $5 when it was all said and done. Time check – 7:20pm. What the Hell??? There was no way we could go home before 8pm and we had already eaten, we didn't want to leave and go someplace else- where would we go? So, we went in to the TGIFs at the casino to have a drink and at least make it until 8pm. Okay, we get in TGIFs and there is a very drunk Cardinal fan that provided us with 45 minutes of great entertainment. This guy was like our age, so drunk, slurring his words "I have waited a 100 years for this" "Go Cardinals" "Finally! Go Cardinals" He spouts off some dates in a drunken manner that don't make sense. His girlfriend comes to pick him up, he's so drunk, he's licking her face instead of kissing her "Hi baby" (all drunk and slurring) Then the whole "I have waited 95 years for this" rant. Every time it was a different number, hilarious! Oh and he's cheering at all these inappropriate times, like at commercials or when the ref calls a time out -classic harmless drunken behavior. We finished our drinks and headed home. Here it is our big night out, we are all excited and home before 8:30pm.

By the way, I am so impressed with myself – this wasn't even on THE LIST and I wrote about it anyway!!!

She Really Does Look Like A Connie

Rachel is enrolled in a couple of classes thru the city of NLV rec center. The classes are awesome and super cheap. You can't ask for a better deal. She takes ballet and gymnastics. We ended up taking both classes with a little girl named Laura. I got to talking with her mom every week and she is just so nice. Her mom works for the vendor at the commissary, so I'd see her while grocery shopping on base- just a really nice woman. For example in gymnastics, she always reminds the teacher that Rachel is left-handed and afraid of heights, so when Rach is struggling with cartwheels or doing something on the high balance beam, she always speaks up before I do. Such a nice person. So as the weeks turn into months, I realize I don't know Laura's mom's name. At the commissary she doesn't wear a name tag that you can see and I always think to bring it up, but it never comes up while we are chatting away and watching the girls in class. So Tracey enrolls Jaime in our gymnastics class and she and I make this plan for Tracey to introduce herself and then we could learn Laura's mom's name. The plan doesn't work! And it backfires b/c she hears Tracey and I calling each other by name and now she knows our names and we don't know hers. Tracey sees her at the commissary too and we can't get her name. One day I decide, I am going to write down my name and phone number b/c we have talked about meeting up at the park with the girls so they can play, going to see Sesame Street Live together. I figure if I do it, she'll either call me and say this is Laura's mom, _______. Right? Or, she'll write down her contact info for me. As it turns out, they invited Rachel to Laura's birthday party. Rachel is so excited to have a bday invite, she won't let me look at it and I am dying to know Laura's mom's name. Her name? It is Connie. I tell you, she really does look like a Connie. And we are taking the girls to Sesame Street Live in a couple of weeks, so new friend for me too, hurray!

Do I Have Powdered Sugar and Syrup????

The guest suite seemed to have a revolving door from February through the beginning of April. Andy was here (I know I blogged about that already, I am not THAT behind) and the end of February marked a visit from Schelley Olhava, then in March a visit from Jess and Maddie Boynton and the end of March Christine and Brielle Rodrigues visited. All were great visits and I hate to condense down to one entry, but I am going to attempt it. Sorry gals.

We'll start with Schell, who came for a weekend and it turned into a pork filled weekend. It wasn't the plan, but we fed Schelley pork at like every meal! How is that possible??? Ribs, bacon at breakfast, leftover ribs for lunch, more bacon at breakfast and Schelley chose to continue the pork theme with a pork taco for dinner the last night!! I don't think Adam had seen Schelley for about 5 years. I saw Schelley about 3 years ago in Portland while on vacation with my dad, Pam and Adelle. It was a great visit. We showed Schelley the sites one doesn't normally see in Vegas – the Springs Preserve, Red Rock Canyon, the vast expanse of housing that covers the valley. Aka, the non casino trip! We tried to get reservations to a local Thai food place that Schelley knew about, but since they don't answer the phone during non business hours, we did not get to go. Next time we will feast there. (We went there Easter weekend, and a feast it was! Too yummy for words!) Oh and I'd like to make note in my blog that Schelley has crowned me Best Hostess since I emailed her to ask her what she likes to eat for breakfast. It is a crown I wear proudly and if getting it was that easy, what other titles can I acquire??? Any title from Schelley is a total compliment!!!

Next up, Jess and Maddie! They flew in from San Antonio. We haven't seen them since June of last year, so it was so great to see them! I really miss Jess, we traded babysitting a lot and is just all around a super duper friend. Definitely one of those friends you hope to meet while your husband is in the service – always there for you! I am lucky to have made a few of those types of friends since we moved away from home. We had a full week – something every day. One day we ventured out to the Las Vegas Zoo, which is in a residential neighborhood across the street from a non strip casino and the big Cox Communications building. It has no parking lot, you park on the street and chickens come out to greet you. Let me say this 'zoo' (and I use that term lightly) had more chickens and bird poop than I can even describe. We could have taken a chicken or 10 home with us. We go up to pay and I have a coupon – they didn't honor it. Flat out said they don't honor that coupon. This was kind of surprising and startling. Not that I am cheap, but I mean honestly, it was from the Entertainment Book, I didn't make the coupon or anything like that. I think honoring coupons is just good business, but what do I know??? We get our tickets and go in. In Florida, we had a little zoo that we all kind of laughed at b/c it seemed pretty hokey. Well, the LV Zoo makes the Panama City Beach Zoo seem like the San Diego Zoo. It was that bad. And did I mention the chickens? There were a couple of lions, a chimp that watches TV and a whole mess of chickens!! That was the low of the week. We ventured out to the Mirage to see their dolphins and lions, tigers, jaguars, oh my! Of course, the Springs Preserve, b/c we take everyone there! And it wouldn't be a visit with Jess if we didn't get out and do some shoppin'. Jess and I also got semi-addicted to a new game on the Wii – Carnival Mini-Golf. It was hilarious, we played it for hours while the kids played, napped, went to bed, etc. Also while Jess was here, Rowan had some major milestones – taking first steps, eating his first popsicle and I think cutting his first tooth too. I think he was totally showing off for Jess – stinker!

And then Christine and Brielle came for a long weekend that seemed too short. I haven't seen C&B in a good 3 years and Brielle was a baby. So this visit was such fun getting to know Brielle and of course, catch up with Christine. It didn't feel like 3 years had gone by, I felt like I just saw her last weekend. An awesome feeling. Since they flew in around lunch, Adam stayed home to give Row a nap and I took R & R to pick them up and we did some sightseeing on the strip. I have to note seeing C & B at the airport – Brielle is like Christine's Mini-Me, except her hair is shorter than Christine's and bounces up and down, so she does have a resemblance to Side Show Bob. And I say that with love; even Christine says she looks like Side Show Bob and can't wait to tease Brielle about it when she's older. We had lunch at the Rain Forest café, walked down to the M&M store, watched the 3D movie and huffed it down to the Bellagio to watch the fountains. Rachel did not wear socks with her shoes and got huge blisters. Thankfully there was a CVS on the strip where I could pick up a round of water for the gang and band aids. The strip has it all. We also ventured out to the Valley of Fire, which is so beautiful. Even more so than Red Rock Canyon. We picnicked a bit; the kids climbed around on the rocks and played in red sand. The weather could not have been better. Let's see, then Monday we headed to the Springs Preserve – I know, we take everyone there! Something fun about the SP is that every time we go, we enjoy something different. My kids have been lots of times, so when we go with someone new, they always are interested in something different so we experience the SP in a new way. It is so big and has so much to do, it really does happen every time. Of all the people that have come to visit, Christine and my mother in law, Jamie, are the ones that I really looked forward to taking. I just knew they would appreciate it maybe more than I do.

Let me also add that Brielle is a riot. First, she is total tomboy and doesn't like to be called pretty, she's 'cool'. Not even pretty cool, just cool. She had cous cous for the first time and loved it. She called it Blues Clues, which was so funny. She told me she really liked Blues Clues at dinner. She really is a fun kid that gets it. You can joke with her and tease her and she just gets it, there's no other way to describe it. I really enjoyed getting to know her. Of course, being the tomboy she likes Russell and Adam more than me, but that's okay!! Sniff. Ha!

The visit with Christine was a great one. I look forward to future visits and hope that we can meet up down in So Cal for some play time too. Oh, and in reference to the title of this post. Since I have my hostess title, I emailed the ladies to ask what they like for breakfast and the kids' fave foods. If the kids aren't happy, then no one is. So, Christine emails back, do you have powdered sugar and syrup, in regards to eating waffles for breakfast. Do I have powdered sugar and syrup? I mean honestly, who do you think you are dealing with here? Do I have powdered sugar and syrup?

The Rachel Update

Well, I am on the ball – Row went to bed early and Adam is packing for a trip to NM, so time to get this blog on the ball!

OK, Rachel's big fall. One day after Pre-K, Tracey suggests that we pick up the kids – Rach and her son Jaime, go to the park for a walk and the kids can ride their bikes. Great idea! Babies in strollers, preschoolers on bikes and moms can yap. I love a good yap with Tracey!

A side note… I don't know why, but my kids don't like to use the brakes on their bikes. Russ would rather fall or drag his feet on the ground rather than use his brakes. Rachel won't use them, even though all she has to do is pedal backwards.

So, we are walking and talking, the weather is great; kids are doing well until Rachel starts down a small hill. Of course, as stated before, she won't use her brakes. She starts to pick up speed and is screaming. I am yelling - Pedal backwards, use your brakes, etc. I park Row in the stroller with Tracey and start to run after Rachel. Just as I am catching up to her, she is headed for a curb that surrounds the planter. In my mind, I am prepping for the blood, the ER, the dentist, huge bump/scrape on her head, whatever may come. Just as I grab on to her, she hits the curb and goes flying over her handlebars, does like a somersault over the bars and lands on her back, barely a scratch. Well, you wouldn't know this from all the screaming and tears and DRAMA. I get her calmed down, get her back on the bike for a little bit until she tells me she just wants to walk. Okay, fine. I leave her and Row with Tracey, put the bike back in the van. Before I do this, she grabs her play cell phone out of the pouch on her bike.

While I am at the van, she leans up against a light pole and "calls" grandma. Tracey heard the whole thing. Apparently the conversation went something like this:
Grandma, it's Rachel. I just fell off my bike. (Pause)

Yea, it really hurt. (Pause)

Well, I was riding and my bike went too fast down the hill, I couldn't stop and I fell off my bike. It really hurt. (Pause)

I did cry, cuz it really hurt. And I cried and cried and cried. (Pause, looks up at me walking up to her)

Ok, mom's here, I gotta go. (Pause) OK. Bye. (Flips her phone closed)

And now, she doesn't like riding her bike some 4+ months later.

 

And while I am on the subject of Rachel, let's visit the Pre-K issue. With Russ, he qualified for ESE Pre-K in both OK and FL b/c of his speech and language delays. We paid nothing, didn't have to research any preschools, he just went to the appropriate elementary school. I did have to research the elementary school in FL, but that was a bit easier in a way b/c I could pick whatever school and not have to consider the cost. Also in FL, the pre-k schools (not at elementary schools) were much more accessible than they are here. Decent costs, plenty of choices, and most were all very good. (Think good Christian women working part time b/c they love kids and the extra money!) And the other element in both OK and FL is the state sponsored voluntary Pre-K programs. Meaning the state subsidizes one year of preschool for children the year before they enter Kindergarten. You just have to attend a licensed facility that participates in the program. So, the cost for parents is a lot more reasonable. Here in Nevada there are not as many great little part time preschools, it is all mainly full day preschools/day care and no state subsidizing for the year before Kindergarten.

When we moved here over the summer, we missed all the preregistration for any preschool, except for the YMCA. Tracey had Jaime enrolled there and I wanted Rachel in something, so I enrolled her there also. I wasn't crazy about it. The times didn't work well, the 'head teacher' (who was terrific) went on a leave of absence indefinitely without any explanations from anyone and I just saw a lot of yelling at the end of the session when the head teacher wasn't there. I can yell at Rachel all I want at home for free. So, I put her on the list for a pre-k run by the city and just waited. Well, the next day I got a call and she was in, which never happens, but with the foreclosures and people moving, they have had a big turnover this year. I like it better there – the teacher is very good, lots of experience with little children, very patient, soft spoken, more mature. The curriculum is the same as the YMCA, but the times work better and the parents are so much friendlier than at the Y. There is a nice group to chat with while we wait for the kids to finish up. But, still it isn't perfect and we don't want Rachel going there next year and doing the same thing. So, we decided we are going to have to buckle down on the finances and pay for the pricier pre-K. I started the preschool hunt.

First I had to narrow down part time schools in our area, besides the two she had attended; there were like 3 or 4. I narrowed down to two based on parent recommendations from parents I have talked to at ballet, soccer, etc. One was a Co-Op preschool and was a Lutheran preschool, Lamb of God. I toured both, liked both. The Co-Op is more reasonable, but parents work two or three mornings per month, filling in as the aides, therefore saving salary costs and tuition costs for all. Well, I don't have anyone to watch Rowan for me three mornings a month, so that ruled out the Co-Op. Lamb of God it is. Rachel's pre-k in FL was called Little Lambs, so I have a good feeling about it. I felt comfortable there and I feel like Rachel will get what she needs to be prepared for Kindergarten. I was there right before 8am on the day of open registration and had walked in the office and looked at their clock, not quite 8am. I asked, "Is it close enough to 8:00 for you?" The lady at the desk laughed and said, "You bet!"

I enrolled her in 3 days a week, but had to do the afternoon class, 12:30 – 4:00pm. I figure I'll take her and get Rowan back for a nap and then I can have some Aimee time to work out, blog, do whatever I need to do. Typically I would put her in the morning class, but it was full. However, the more I think about the PM class, the more I like it. I tend run errands in the morning and I can do that with Rachel and Rowan. She helps entertain him and me as we run around. She starts in September, has to wear a uniform (that will be an adventure, as Rachel loves her dresses and the color yellow!! A worthy future blog for sure), and I think it will be a good experience for her.

 

Finding the Time

So, Christine was here a couple of weekends ago and I was telling her all these stories about the kids and things that are going on with us and several times I heard something to the effect of - You should write that in your blog. (It sounded much better coming from Christine's mouth and not my typing!!) It has been really hard to find the time to sit and type some thoughts. I am going to make a quick list to look at and hopefully I'll just make the time to write about each item on the list. Sometimes when I sit at the computer I just blank on what I want to write about. I am hoping this list will inspire me!! Of course now I am trying to organize my thoughts – do I make my list chronological, alphabetical, or just go for it with no rhyme or reason??? I am going for it with no rhyme or reason!!!

Rachel falling on her bike and pretending to call g'ma – fall 08

Grandmas – mine, g'ma Rizzi, my mom wanting to be called g'ma pam, not g'ma Flippin

Russ not really liking school, sigh. Soccer (the mom who gives out way too much info, Adam not really liking the coach, probably our last season)

Our house in FL, tenants, stimulus money for active duty people caught like us

Rowan latest greatest feats – talking, walking, two teeth, so much personality

Connie – the mom whose name I didn't know for several months

Rachel – preschools for next year

Our Spring Break trip to DisneyLand

A new bed and a good night's sleep, too many gray hairs (trip to get highlights), weight loss, time to exercise, read, blog, write the book, do anything! I love DVR.

Loving FaceBook and catching up with old friends, some of whom have blogs, super cool! (Kris – cooking, Debi – reading)

My cat Kadie, swiffer wet jet theory and how I don't think I can let go of her ashes or Riley's for that matter

Still not liking LV and possible assignment overseas next time around

All the visitors we have had and will see soon – Schelley (pork at every meal!), jess & maddie (the world's worst zoo), Christine & Brielle (valley of fire), Trina (coming soon), Pricers (in laws, Blake & Morgan, drama, Lotus of Siam)

Summer plans – get the hell out of Dodge! Well, Vegas for maybe a month – yes!

The cash only guy that fixed the minivan bumper for only $200.

OK, I think that is it!!! Plenty o stuff to write about and I think I have listed all of it.

Aimee According to Russell and Rachel

So, this is another note floating around Facebook….

 

This is a cute idea. Copy this note, ask your kid the questions and write them down exactly how they respond. Tag me back if you haven't done this, I'd love to hear the answers!

According to Russell, 8

1. What is something mom always says to you?
Do your jobs.

2. What makes mom happy?
Giving you a Valentine's card.

3. What makes mom sad?
Something that's not good.

4. What does your mom do to make you laugh?
Tickle, (smirk)

5. What was your mom like as a child?
Dance

5. How old is your mom?
18

7. How tall is your mom?
10 cameras long

8. What is her favorite thing to do?
You tell me.

9. What does your mom do when you're not around?
Always plays Cars recording (the movie on DVR)

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?
I don't know

11. What is your mom really good at?
Lego Batman the video game

12. What is your mom not very good at?
I'm thinking about it.

13. What does your mom do for her job?
Wash the dishes.

14. What is your mom's favorite food?
Fiber One bars and tacos.

15. What makes you proud of your mom?
By doing her best.

16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?
I don't know, that's pretty hard.

17. What do you and your mom do together?
Play Lego Batman and help each other.

18. How are you and your mom alike?
We are family.

19. How are you and your mom different?
Because you're a female and I'm a male, a young male.

20. How do you know your mom loves you?

Cause I love you so much.

22. Where is your mom's favorite place to go?
Target and probably Costco.

Now according to Rachel, 4

1. What is something mom always says to you?
I love you

2. What makes mom happy?
a hug

3. What makes mom sad?
cry

4. What does your mom do to make you laugh?
we tickle

5. What was your mom like as a child?
you turn into a baby

5. How old is your mom?
14, no 15

7. How tall is your mom?
so big

8. What is her favorite thing to do?
Clean up and build.

9. What does your mom do when you're not around?
Run around with the baby

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?
????

11. What is your mom really good at?
at the playground

12. What is your mom not very good at?
at the playground

13. What does your mom do for her job?
Um, I don't know

14. What is your mom's favorite food?
Oranges

15. What makes you proud of your mom?
You did it!

16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?
a princess with me

17. What do you and your mom do together?
Eat a banana

18. How are you and your mom alike?
girls

19. How are you and your mom different?
Mommy's good

20. How do you know your mom loves you?
You give a hug

22. Where is your mom's favorite place to go?
to the airport

Tennis Anyone?

Well, I have to quickly write about Russell's first tennis lesson. I signed him up for some lessons at thru the city rec center. So far everything we have done thru the center has been good, so I thought this would stand a chance at being good too. I was only a little bit wrong – it was great!!! We have only had one lesson, but it was worth every penny just for that one hour. Russell enjoyed every second. He just smiled the entire hour, even when they had to pick up all the balls all over the court. What really made me happy was just witnessing the pure joy on his face, it was amazing. It has been a long time since I have really seen that. Probably not since this summer. It was really cold that night and he had on a knit ski cap and it totally reminded me of when we lived in OK and Russ was about 3, playing at the playground and loving life.

As far as the tennis skills, I think he did well for never picking up a tennis racquet before. There was one game that they held a cone upside down and they had to catch a ball after it bounced. Russ only caught like 1 ball out 25, but he never gave up and he just kept trying and smiling. But as far as hitting the ball, he did well. The coach was so positive and had so much energy – you could tell that tennis is his passion and coaching kids really energizes him. That guy said something positive after every swing, hit, miss, try, etc.

On the ride home, Russ was on cloud 9. He really liked it. And one thing he mentioned that surprised me a bit was that he thought tennis was good for him because he had to really focus on the ball and nothing else.