Cruisin

Schedule with the 2 boys

If you can't tell, blogging has gone down on my priority list due to staying busy with the boys. Life seems too easy right now which always scares me a bit. I think what is around the corner?? I guess it is a way of gaining hope that we will survive with another child. We have our routine each day which is great and makes us better people. Since it is my way of journaling, here goes a quick update of our week more for me than you, but if you are bored or dying to know about my random thoughts go right ahead.

Monday we have Joy School which is fun. They have such cute ideas and activities for the kids. The moms we do it with are all so creative and fun. I went to library time with Tyler when Scott was at school and it was fun. They tell stories and dance. Tyler is such an easy going child and it is fun to have some alone time with him.

I talk to Danny about how when the kids get older we need to do one-on-one dates with them. It is special for them to know they are special and get undivided attention. My parents went to Tahoe this weekend with Scott, while Danny and I stayed behind with Tyler. It was like having an only child. Tyler can't go to Tahoe because the altitude is hard on his heart. I visited one of our camp councilors at UC the other day who had an osteotomy on her leg due to a cath when she was younger. It wasn't heart surgery, but still complicated with HLHS and very painful. We were talking about going to Utah and she said it was pretty hard to breathe when she went. I love talking to older kids with HLHS because when I think Tyler will be fine in altitude, I realize that he probably won't be comfortable. We missed Scott and kept thinking about how certain activities weren't the same without him, but knew he was having a blast ice-skating, tubing and having fun in the snow. At the same time it was easy and fun to have just Tyler. We biked to downtown with plans to see Avatar in 3-D and the cheesecake factory. Half way through the movie there was a blackout and after waiting for a while eating our popcorn they refunded our tickets. We tried going to lunch but the power was out and it started to drizzle. We headed home and within about 2 minutes there were downpours. We got home soaked and Danny enjoyed the adventure. I just kept laughing at how we were trailering a child, I was nine months pregnant and we were trying to bike up hills.

Tuesday we do a bible study which I love. While I go to class, Scott and Tyler go to their classes which has singing, a lesson, reading, quiet, snack and play time. They both do great. Scott originally didn't like quiet/reflection time which is no surprise but good for him. His teacher is always amazed at how much Scott knows during the lesson and it makes me grateful for the tools we have to teach our children about Christ. You don't realize how much they remember and what they absorb at such a young age. I thought they would just have a childcare, like my other study does, but they have a full on organized program for each age group. It is such a great thing for the boys. I feel so blessed for a friend who invited me to do it. There are so many great things available to do.

A couple of months ago we learned about miracles in class. Today while we were playing he asked for a hammer so he could break open a rock and get some water like Moses. It made me laugh and I had to explain that not all rocks have water in them when struck open. We were reading scriptures yesterday and it mentioned people building villages. Scott said, "I lived at a village this weekend." He wasn't lying. He went to the Village at Northstar ski resort. I have a feeling it was a little different than the villages 200BC.

Wednesday we have a play date, go to park day which is now in our church's gym or some other activity. This Wednesday we reconnected with one of Scott's friends which was so fun. We rode bikes to church, played for 3 hours and than rode to the park. All of a sudden it went from a blue sky to pouring. Luckily my friend got there just in time to bring Scott and his bike home while I rode as fast as I could with Tyler in the trailer. That has been happening a lot to us lately. At least there were no major hills this time.

Thursday the boys go to "Charlie's pre-school" as they call it while I go to my class. They always have fun and we usually go out to lunch afterwards which is always fun to let the boys play and us talk.

Friday is our day off. Danny usually works half days which is so nice. It is like a jump start to the weekend. We are so blessed to have time together with our family. Danny LOVES being a dentist. He comes home eager to tell me about his day and is so good at what he does. That makes me so happy and makes me realize how important it is to find something you are passionate about. On top of that I feel blessed that it is a great profession to provide for our family and one that gives us so much time together. Danny is home the same time each day and never has work outside the office. One of our greatest blessings.

I love our schedule. I do so much better when we have something to do each day. It is so good for the boys to be with other kids and for me to be with other moms. Having your first child in some ways is the hardest because you don't have your routine, friends and schedule. I think it gets more and more fun with time.

I signed Scott up for Walnut Acres Pre-K for next year. He won't be able to start until Nov. 1st since you have to be 4 yr 9 months. They have a pre-k each day for 2 hours and other activities you get to choose to do. You do a minimum of 15 hours. At 2 it turns into daycare for the entire elementary school. They have carpentry, yoga, lunch time, pe and so many other fun things for the pre-k kids. I know he will love it.

While I am relieved that Scott enjoys going to class and being with other kids, it makes me kind of sad that he will be gone so much next year. I guess all I need to do is reflect on when he was about 1 1/2 and had such bad separation anxiety because of everything he was going through with Tyler to realize how blessed we are that he is now well adjusted. You realize that the time you have with your kids home goes so fast. The time that you can just rearrange your schedule to do what you want and what you kids want to do is almost over. I guess they need to grow up sometime. It makes you realize how important it is to treasure this special time as a mom with your kids.

Brothers

I am always running late in the morning. If I succeed at getting the kids up, fed and dressed, I usually resort to Curious George while I get ready. I couldn't resist capturing their closeness this morning watching their show. I feel so blessed to have two little boys so close in age. They really do love each other. Lets not forget with these moments also come the moments of stealing toys, overexcessive bath splashing and unwanted karate moves towards the other.

Da Boyz

Scott and Tyler are mostly friends. They usually get along well. Here they are, playing in the dirty laundry hamper. Scott has learned to ask for things for himself but states that "Tyler needs it," such as, "Can Tyler have a soda? He needs a soda cuz it's good for his heart." Meanwhile, he only wants the soda for himself. But they are good boys.

Another day in SF

Twas great to have a day off for President's Day. We loaded up the bicycles and RC cars and went to San Francisco, where the weather was very nice. We parked on Lincoln, assembled the trailer, then tracked along the sidewalk to 19th avenue where we entered Golden Gate Park. Scott and I drove our RC cars for a time and I was pleased with how well he did. Then, he let another kid drive the truck, which surprised me.

Tyler enjoyed just playing in the sand with his bulldozer. Then, we dropped into the museum for a few minutes. It's nice having a season pass because you don't feel guilty for leaving in that short amount of time.

As for the bachelor: Things are a bit too boring. I fell asleep during last night's episode and didn't see the rose ceremony, but I think Gia got kicked off. She was nice and pretty, but way too insecure and high-maintenance. I think Jake is going to choose Vienna, be miserable with her, and dump her on the next bachelorette. Meanwhile, Tinley (sp?) is going to be heartbroken and hang around in the distance until Jake rolls around. Predictable reality TV. I'm such a sucker for that nonsense. Originally, I thought Jake was going to kick Alli back on. That could still happen, since they need that drama leverage point.

RC Cars

Our family is just starting to get into "family hobbies". We love going bike riding and now the boys love driving Radio Controlled Cars. Danny revived some of his childhood cars and they are having so much fun driving them. He also got a really cool and really fast car that I am sure you will hear about in the future. Scott can drive better than I can which doesn't surprise me. We usually go for a bike ride and drive the cars before church. It is such a fun outing. I love doing things as a family and seeing everyone have so much fun. This is such a fun time in life and goes too fast. We realize someday they will be "too cool" to want to hang out with us, so we soak up the time they love being with mom and dad.

Scot loves his Monster Truck

Danny went with his friend to watch the pros at the racetrack. It was a fun excursion and I am grateful Danny didn't come back eager to join the big folks and enjoys riding with his little guys.

Scott driving

Scott's 4th Birthday Party

Scott had two requests for his 4th birthday. First, to have Daddy stay home from work and second to have a cars birthday party with his friends. To accommodate the first request, his birthday was conveniently moved from the 28th to the 29th (isn't is great only being four). We had a great time with friends. I had all these activities planned and of course with Scott's friends + siblings + us moms who just want to sit and chat while our kids play we only accomplished two things, which I thought that was impressive. We got the kids together to eat cake and played with a parachute which was soo fun. The kids had a great time. Scott loved having his friends over to celebrate with him and especially loved opening his presents. He got some very cool car items. There were no major injuries and no major meltdowns which equals SUCCESS! Happy Birthday Scott. We are so proud of you!!

Scott with his lightening car that pop made.

The kids eating ice cream and cake.

The younger siblings chilling in their carseats plus Roman who took someone elses seat for a picture.

Off to the races. Scott and I made three cars that a couple of kids took turns racing for quite a while.

The parachute...so much fun!!