Mixing it up a little

      The kids and I go on regular adventures.  It is what allows me to stay sane as a stay-at-home mom.  I loathe the days that we do not leave the house.  I rationalize the adventures by telling myself that I am providing them with enriching experiences they would not receive if they attended daycare.
Despite my best efforts, we occasionally fall into a rut.  This month I have taken it upon myself to try some new activities to spice things up a little.
       Our first new adventure was to OmKids Play Gym in Wallingford.  I normally dislike toddler gyms at the community centers.  They are loud and chaotic and then become dangerous when the community center preschool enters for their recess.  However, at $3 they are hard to beat.  Om Kids was an entirely different experience.  It should be called Zen play gym.  It was so relaxed!  The lighting was dim with Christmas lights strung from the ceiling.  Gentle music played instead of a 70s dance mix.  It was a little pricey at $8 per kid (they do have a punch card), but it was nice to have something to throw into the mix.  The place has tunnels, a balance beam, rings, one large and several small trampolines, swings, and a giant pile of Love Sacs.  I definitely wouldn't attempt to bring Linus to the toddler time.  They do have a preschooler time but he may still have to much energy for the space.  I'd also like to give out a shout out to the bathroom.  It was spacious and equally zen and had a changing table.  There's nothing worse than going to a "kid friendly" space with non-friendly bathrooms.  Here's a few pics of Eileen enjoying herself at Zen toddler gym:

Over the weekend we went to the Seattle Aquarium.  This is actually one of our regular stops since we have a membership.  I've taken to going when I know they have something special going on.  We've seen all the animals and fish tons of time, so without something different the kids fly through in 30 minutes.  Plus sometimes the special events are really cool.  This weekend was a special Hawaiian theme (it's going on next weekend complete with a hula show).  We all got lei'd. Both kids got their faces painted. Linus enjoyed being an octopus.

        Today we finally got to try something I've had on my list of ideas for a little while--Baby Jam at Yanvalou Drum School (right by the Woodland Park Zoo).  It's $7 per kid, and has a punch card option.  Baby Jam consists of singing and dancing with instruments and scarves in English, Spanish, and Hebrew.  They also do storytelling.  One of leaders is always drumming, which really enhanced storytelling.  Linus refused to participate during the first half.  He was only interested in playing on drums with sticks.  Luckily,  there is a good 10-15 minutes of straight drumming.  Linus picked the biggest drum he could find and went to town.  Everything was better after that.  He even asked to come back again every time class happened.  The class was very feel good and the leaders were all great about letting the children explore the instruments.  The people running it were really cool.  We'll definitely go back.  It was a great way for the kids to let out some energy.

You will notice Linus is sporting a bow tie and suspenders.  He dressed himself the other day in a plaid dress shirt, dress shoes, suspenders and bow tie and asked me, "Do I look like a man?"  Since then he has taken to wearing the suspenders and bow tie most days.

Eileen, for her part, is more interested in being part of the Seattle hipster scene.

No one can say my children lack style or personality.

The Status of Things

I just realized that it's been a little while since my last blog post.  I have been busy making a book of my blog instead of actually writing blog posts.  Blurb is a cool program that will import your blog and let you turn it into your book.  The process reminded me of the good old days in high school of doing layout for the newspaper and Lionize.  So here is a random assortment of what is going on in our lives right now.

Dave and I both are in need of a good night's sleep.  Eileen inherited my propensity for talking in her sleep.  This combined with a recent run of nightmares repeatedly wakes us up all night long, along with requiring frequent trips downstairs to the kids room.  It was so sad the other night when we could hear her crying, "No timeout. No.  I don't like it," over and over again.  Eileen rarely goes to timeout although Linus frequently tries to put here there.

Speaking of sleep, Linus is quickly giving up nap entirely.  Eileen has rapidly gone from 3 hour naps to 1.5 hour naps.  I miss my peaceful rest time in the afternoon.  I'm relieved Linus will have preschool in the afternoon next year so I will only have to deal with naptime for one child.

We recently started focusing on getting Linus to stay dry through the night.  Nighttime pullups were proving no match for him and I found myself washing his bedding several times a week.  Part of the problem was he frequently just enjoyed the convenience of a pullup.  Admit it.  You know you've often thought you were just wearing a diaper so you didn't have to get out of bed.  We decided to bribe Linus with the large caveman playmobile set he had been drooling over in the playmobile catalog.  You were be surprised how well playmobile acts as a motivator.  We currently take Linus to the bathroom before we go to bed. He looks so goofy half asleep. We are giving it a little more time before we stop that part.

Other big news is that Eileen has gone gluten free.  She has had a distended belly forever, looking more like one of the poor Ethiopian children from the 1980s than just a chubby toddler.  Eileen has also struggled with diarrhea since August.  As a result, potty training has slowed/backslid.  After her having a bout on my lap while in underwear, I relegated Eileen to pullups.  Like her brother, she got too comfortable with them. Evil pullups.  We've tried lots of yogurt and probiotics to help her poor gut with some success.  Anyhow, after playing Google doctor I thought it sounded like going gluten free after Christmas (I couldn't deny her Christmas cookies!) might be a solution.  We've seen a marked improvement.  Now that she can wear pullups less often and not having explosions of diarrhea, Eileen is doing better with potty training.  The rest of us miss gluten.  I stole Linus away for a date to Starbucks to eat gluten.  There have been a few tantrums protesting the lack of gluten. I'm hoping it's something she'll outgrow.  I don't think she is truly allergic.

We are making slow progress with the house.  My brother is almost done with the drywall.  The contractor was able to finish work on the back drain that had to be dug up.  Today painters came to give us an estimate on painting the whole basement, stairwell, and an upstairs bathroom.  So who knows, maybe by Easter I will have my basement back.

Today both kids are sick.  Eileen has had hives this yesterday (probably from a virus) and Linus has a cough and fever.  After cancelling our plans for fun adventure, I did take Linus to get a haircut.  Normally, I take him to a kids salon at U Village.  They do a great job but it's kind of expensive at $30.  Instead I took him to Supercuts.  I should have listened to the Yelp review that said watch out for the guy with the coke nail.  Being me, I didn't know what a coke nail looked like.  Once the hairdresser started cutting Linus' hair, I quickly learned. Linus noticed it too and wondered why he had one really long purple nail.  I asked for a crew cut and he didn't know what I was talking about, so I said buzz cut.  I then stood by in horror as I watched him butcher Linus' hair.  For the record, he didn't give Linus a buzz cut.  I give a lousy haircut, but I think anything I did would have been better.  Linus is wearing a hat for the rest of the day.  I think tonight either Dave or I will try and fix his haircut.  Lesson learned.  Do not go to Supercuts or at least do not let the guy with a coke nail who doesn't know what a buzz cut is to cut your child's hair.

So that's us right now.  Never a dull moment.

So done with 2012

I am sooo done with 2012.  Looking back over the year I can see that we've been through a lot, especially in the last six months.

Things that happened in 2012:

• our house got broken into
• an estrangement
• car run off the road
• car bumper fell off on the freeway
• infertility
• miscarriage, followed by D and C
• water damage to basement requiring a new outside drainage system, basement demolition, and remodel
• Linus got his adenoids and tonsils removed
• Eileen got tubes in her ears

It's almost overwhelming when you look at it.  Once you get away from all the drama, a lot of good happened too.

• Eileen finally walked at 15.5 months
• Linus started a new school
• family vacation to San Diego
• weekend getaways to Canada and Long Beach
• I officially resigned my teaching position in order to stay at home with the kids 
• lots and lots of little adventures 
• we get to do lots of upgrades on our house that we would have perpetually put off for years if not propelled to do so by water damage.

Since I am writing this post, the world must not have ended on December 21, 2012 as predicted.  A lot of things that really really sucked happened in 2012.  I am grateful that I can look at my little family and know that we came through the other side stronger. I'm excited about the possibilities that the next year holds.

Bring it 2013.

From the Mouths of Babes in December

Eileen:  I'm making Christmas.  I'm making fa la la.

Linus: (to me) If you don't make me a bat box I'll die.
Eileen:  No Linus. Don't die.

Linus:  Mommy, is there something strange in your neighborhood.  Who are you going to call?
Me: Ghostbusters?
Linus:  Mm hmm.

Linus: (to his friend)  Ari, can I snuggle you? I promise to keep you warm and cozy.
Ari: No.

Eileen:  Coffee is poisonous Mama.

Happy Holidays 2012

The Christmas rush is finally over.  The cookies have been eaten.  The guests have left.  We still are planning to get together with Dave's family for New Years but otherwise the festivities are over.  I now have enough time to breathe and post a few pics.

I went to my first Christmas concert as a parent.  Linus' school was all about efficiency.  The school does three separate concerts due the lack of space to house all those parents and kids.  The preschoolers and kindergartners do a concert together, preschoolers first.  After the preschoolers performed, we got to leave and pick up our kids and leave.  The kindergarten parents then get our seats up front. Total concert time for us: 20 minutes.

One of the smallest, Linus was easy to spot up front and on the end.

I have tried to shield Eileen from princess culture to no avail.  She will paw princess clothes and toys at Target.  Luckily, she has yet to fall prey to the Disney princesses and is inspired by Princess Pea from Super Why.

"With the power to read!" --Eileen as Princess Pea

Rainy weather, cozy Christmas decorations, and lots of Christmas movies meant lots of time snuggling on the couch.  We spent December perfecting the art of snuggling under blankets.

We simplified Christmas even further this year, limiting it to one day of craziness. Christmas Eve we went to the zoo in the morning, had a nap, and went to mass.  I tried to get some pics of the kids in their Christmas finery.

Linus can really pull off a bow tie and velvet blazer.

Eileen did not sleep all night.  She woke up at 1 AM ready for Christmas and stayed ready until 6 AM.  We finally stumbled down the stairs at 7 AM to learn what Santa brought.

 As he opened presents, Linus screamed, "I was a good boy! I wasn't on the naughty list!"

Using boxes to build a castle for his new Playmobile knights.

Multiple relatives gave Eileen princess gear.  Santa caved and gave Eileen the Disney princess slippers she had been coveting at Target.  For that matter, Santa gave Linus the Playmobile Future Planet set that Mommy said he couldn't have.  Hmmmm.

Dressed up in all her finery.  You will note she even has earrings and a giant ring.

My sister, Beth, and her family stayed with us for a few days after Christmas.  Everyone had a good time and we were sad to see them go.  As their car pulled away, Eileen exclaimed, "I love you Uncle Chris!"

Now it's time for the annual post-Christmas festivities naps.

December Madness

It's been a busy December full of merry making.

We decorated the house and wore our Santa jammies.

Visited the reindeer and camel at Swanson's Nursery (twice).

Listened to lots of Christmas music.  My sister, Beth, makes an awesome mix CD every year.  2008 and 2010 are my favorites thus far.

Attended a gingerbread house decorating party.

Made Christmas crafts, read Christmas books, and watched lots of old Christmas television specials.  I happen to own almost all of them. I'm still on the hunt for the old Alvin and the Chipmunks, Smurfs Christmas, Snow White Christmas, and Claymation Christmas. Anyone? Anyone?

Made our annual downtown monorail trip.  This year we visited the Gingerbread houses at the Sheraton and the Teddy Bear Suite at the Fairmount. Linus was mad when he was told he wasn't allowed to go on the bed. We looked at the winter village at the Seattle Center and even got a turn driving the trains.

Went to Wildlights at the Woodland Park Zoo.  Overall, it was a bit of a disappointment. Lights were sparse in comparison to zoolights. We liked the fake snow at entrance and carolers.  Building your own snowmen and throwing snowballs at Snowmazium was a good idea but totally crazy with hoards of people.

Lots of cookie baking and cozy family time upstairs. The upside to having our basement out of commission has been all the increased opportunities for fort building.  The house feels more cozy in a good way, not in a cramped way.

My brother and Dad have been coming up to help us repair the basement.  They've been a Godsend.

Tim was great and let Linus in on the action installing drywall.

Visited Santa.  The picture doesn't do the kids justice with how cute they look in the Christmas outfits.  I was impressed.  There were no tears.  Eileen walked right up to Santa and gave him a hug when he asked.  She was able to tell him she wanted a dolphin, although Linus was ready to help her out in case she was scared.

Drove around Olympic Manor to look at Christmas lights and then get holiday cupcakes at Cupcake Royale (Eileen's idea).

heading out for some light viewing there was a lot of love and jingle bells

Practiced driving a one horse open sleigh.

He used Dave's belt as a whip.

Taught baby bear how to fly a remote controlled helicopter we got during white elephant exchange at my extended family's Christmas party.

Linus came up with his own helicopter pilot uniform.  Personally, I think he looks like Murdock from the A-Team.

Finally, I took a few head shots of Eileen in an attempt to have a picture to give relatives along with Linus' school picture.  It was also to commemorate Eileen's hair before I chopped off her mullet, leaving her with a short bob.

she loves her pooh bear and lovey

Next up this week we have Linus' first Christmas pageant.  He won't tell me what he is singing and wants it to be a surprise.  I plan to do some more cookie baking as well.  The kids have been awesome recently, minus a weekend of puking.  I don't know what it is about the holidays but it just seems to put everyone in a good mood. I'm loving it.

Walk like an Egyptian

In case you did not know this about my son, Linus is very creative.  He's other things too: smart, witty, and funny come to mind.  But it is his creativity and vivid imagination that really define him.  Sometimes it is exhausting and other times it makes my heart sing. Tonight it was the latter.

Linus has had a fascination with mummies and ancient Egypt especially for several months now.  My friend, Heather, gave him a National Geographic kids book about Mummies and it is well loved.  While I was cooking dinner tonight Linus walked into the kitchen in just his underwear and told me he was in his pharaoh costume.  He asked me whether or not the ancient Egyptians would have eaten ibex and then left.  I walked out a few minutes later and found him stripping Eileen so she could be an Egyptian too.  After compiling the rest of his costume, Linus asked me to make him a pharaoh crown.  He grabbed his mummy book so I would have a reference.  I must admit I am pretty impressed with myself with how the crown turned out.  Linus insisted on a mini photoshoot.

"I'm not a pharaoh.  I'm just a boy pretending to be a pharaoh."

"Do I look like a sphinx?"

"Make sure to get my claws."

Eileen the slave is rowing the pharaoh in a boat.

Sometimes my kids are just too dang cute.