Archive for August 2008

Friday, August 29, 2008

So, Vance has one week of school under his belt now. And by one week I mean two days. He only goes 2 days a week. Perfect for a first timer. Righto! Moving on..  


Each day after picking him up I grill him on his day. He gives me bits and pieces of information and the rest is left for me to glue together. Yesterday he mentioned that they made a, "Huge circle!" It was hours later that I heard him singing the Hokey Pokey and I got it. He knows his Left and Right hands now. It was Red Shirt day yesterday, so I asked if they talked about the color Red. He said, "yes". 

Mommy: What did you learn about the color Red?
Vance: Just pick One. (While holding up his pointer finger)
M: Pick one of what?
V: Just pick One. (Finger again)
M:What did you pick one of?
V: Just pick one red square.
M: Oh, you must be making something with red squares.
V: Blank stare.

I also started him in Little Gym again. Our first class was last week and he did very well. He's old enough for the classes without parents, which means I get an hour to myself sitting on the other side of the glass wall at The Little Gym. I'll take it. 

Last week, Vaughnie slept for half of the class which means I got to look through a magazine for the other half. There seems to be a lot of annoying moms at this class, so unfortunately I had to listen to them all hour long. (There's one in particular who talked loudly the entire class about all the stuff her kids do.) Don't be that mom. I was looking forward to some quiet mental time, but this lady wouldn't give it a rest. Talked. The. Whole. Hour. Long. Don't be that mom. I want a button to wear with that slogan because it works in so many situations.   

Vance clung to my leg when we first walked in but let go when it was time to go in. He had a good time in class and got a kick out of waving to me every so often. This was the first time he's really ever did anything without me and I got a kick out of being able to watch him do things on his own. (At one point he had his two pointer fingers in his mouth. I thought I was going to self-destruct at that moment. The Little Gym, at least our old one, was always great in the cleanliness aspect. Everything was wiped down after each class and smelled Bleachy when entering. I kept sending him mental vibes to take his hands out of his mouth, but nothing.

Ran out of time, again. Sorry for the abrupt ending!  

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

First Day




The first day went pretty well. Meeting up with Jack before we went in helped a lot, I think. We went in, put his lunch and backpack away, handed in his homework to his teacher and said our quick goodbyes. He went off to a table and started to play as I was walking out the door. 

He's not in school for a whole day, just 3 and a half hours, so I was able to get some errands ran, but that time goes fast! His teacher said he was quiet and timid the whole time. That sounds like Vance. It will take him a couple of weeks to warm up, then he'll be himself. When I walked in to pick him up he was busy cooking in the play kitchen. He was excited to see me and to tell me about his day. He said he had a good time and wants to go back. Out of the blue, on our way home, he said he cried just a little after I left, but his teacher made him feel better. I don't know if he really did, his teacher didn't say anything, or if he saw another kid crying and saw the teacher comforting them. Either way, I think he had a good day and that makes me happy.

It's TV install day here, just in time for Project Runway tonight. Yea! 

Monday, August 25, 2008

Scab


Vance has been on a Smiling For The Camera strike for months now, but I caught him looking extra cheery today. I needed a picture of him to complete his very first homework assignment. Just like me to wait until the last minute to finish homework....

Weekend Update!

Turns out Vance gets car sick. Lucky for us, we didn't discover this in our car. Sorry Uncle Mark! He's been on a million car trips, but I guess this is the first one that was up and down hills and winding roads. Good to know for future trips. 


Other than the vomiting (once on the way there, once on the way home) the boys had a good time. Justin failed to cover his entire back with sunscreen and has a bad burn. I've never really seen a sunburn this bad. 

The fencers are supposed to start soon, so we had to remove some plants that were going to be in its way. Justin wasn't too happy when I suggested we get that task done yesterday, but it's done and now we're ready in case they call early. We took out a bunch of plants we didn't like and it looks so much better. Everything was overgrown and it was in need of some work. 

Vance starts school tomorrow. Aaahhh! My baby!  


Saturday, August 23, 2008

Justin, Mark, Jack, and Vance packed up for a mini-camping and rafting trip this morning. They left our house around 6:30 this morning. Around 7:00 Vance projectile vomited in the car. I'm sure this won't be the last interesting story of the trip. Pray for them. 


I'm off for a shopping trip with the girls. 

Thursday, August 21, 2008

OMG! FGP!



Continuing my love/hate relationship with Pottery Barn Kids, I reluctantly ordered the Fantastic Giant Paintbrush on Sunday. It arrived on Wednesday afternoon (I know! Speedy! One of the reasons to love PBK.) Everyone, including Daisy, is pretty excited about it. Actually, the excitement is contained between Vance and I. I don't think Justin and Vaughn really give a hoot.   

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Because I'm never too busy to plot schemes

So, the disgruntled neighbor. Never met him, only seen him out doing yard work. Older man. Always has a cigar in his mouth. 


I found half of a smoked cigar on our deck, a couple of weeks after we moved in.

This is a hilly place. Our house sits up high, but the neighbors to the back sit low. (Having a rough time trying to create a mental picture for you guys). Our backyard slopes up in the back, but then dramatically slopes downward into the neighbors yard. It slopes down enough for me to get nervous when Vance plays on the ridge. I'm telling you this because Justin came up with the idea that it "rolled" or "blew" from his yard. This would have been one magic cigar. Rolling off the neighbor's patio, up a steep hill, down our backyard, up our 7 stairs that lead to the deck, finally resting to the left of our bay window. I don't think so. I think the old man winged it while no one from our camp was looking.   

Someone also pulled our property line stakes from the ground, leaving us to guess where the fence will be going. Hmmmm.... Sounds like the work of Cigar Man. (Do you name your neighbors?)

.......

Our old neighbors from Wisconsin are in the Lou, on a mini-vacation. They'll be coming over for dinner tonight, so lots to do to get ready. Later!

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Bullets

  • Vaughn officially (and finally) rolled over (back to stomach) yesterday. Vance was 10 weeks when he completed this task. Funny how different they are. 
  • She's teething. Fussy, poopy, and drooly. 17 lbs. of wobbly fun!
  • Vance has started to dread bed time. He comes up with reasons that he doesn't like his room to keep us from putting him to bed. Last night he didn't like the paint color on the walls and said that his room makes his buns itch. The only way he gives in is to leave his door open, leave the hallway light on, and play his "nite nite" CD. 
  • I'm convinced that our neighbor behind us is not happy that we're here. More on that later.
  • Out of time!

Friday, August 15, 2008

Proof that she doesn't sleep ALL day

Vaughn actually smiled and laughed for the camera today. Like the rest of us around here, I think she's excited to find out whether her newest cousin is going to be a girl or a boy. We're anxious to hear! 


Have a great weekend!

PS: If the sound doesn't work, double click to go to You Tube and watch it there. 



Thursday, August 14, 2008

Two nights ago, Vance woke up 3 times during the night. This behavior is unusual for him and I'm still not used to waking up with a little face staring into mine. Think it's time to teach him the Family Whistle, so he can announce himself at the doorway of our bedroom and stop scaring Mommy to death. One of the times, he was able to get on top of the bed and put his arms "push up position" on either side of my shoulders, so he was staring down at me. Gasp. It's unnerving that type of action can happen without me knowing. So, it's the Whistle, a belled collar, or a trip line at our doorway. I'll let you know.

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Frustrating things:


There's a bristle on my toothbrush that is longer than the rest. Every time I brush my teeth I think it's a hair and it's uncomfortable in my mouth. Cannot seem to remember to bring the scissors up to cut it off or to bring my toothbrush down to where the scissors are. These two must meet soon.

I noticed there was a bandaid halfway stuck to the bottom of my shoe, after I had carried them upstairs to my closet. Yuck. Reason #79 that shoes should not be worn in the house. 

I needed shampoo. Went to buy shampoo. When taking it out of the bag I noticed I had picked up conditioner.

.......

Vance's Open House went really well last night. Lots of fun stuff to play with in his classroom and his teachers seem nice. We know 2 other little boys in his class, so that's always a plus. Vance is anxious to go to school and to use his new lunchbox. 

Monday, August 11, 2008

Weekend Update!

I'm still recovering from the migraine that woke me up at 4:00 this morning. My head is in a fog.


It was a productive weekend here. We finished painting the family room. We bought curtains and rods for the family room, the office, and Vance's room. (Although, we decided we don't like the rods we bought for the office, so have to return those. One step forward, two steps back.) We found a double bookcase/storage unit for the play area and a side table for the kitchen. Justin cut down tree branches to the acceptable size and bundled them for yard waste pickup. (Which reminds me that I need to call and see when that day is.) We bought shelves for Vaughnie's room, still no curtains though.  We're making progress. Feeling more like our house.

Last Thursday we ate dinner at El Maguey's. It was great. Just a little hole in the wall, but really good food. I can't wait to go back. For all the E'ville folks, there's one going where To Do's used to be, down by Glik's. I think it might be bad news for La Fonda. 

Vaughn has been sleeping in these past few days, which is beautiful and much appreciated. Think she has gained a few more pounds because when in her car seat it takes everything I have to lift her. Pretty sure she's teething.

Vance has not been sleeping in, of course, and still has not been napping. His new interest in Diego has sprouted his curiosity in speaking Spanish, so all day it's, "Hola Mommy!" We have his Preschool open house tonight, so he's pumped. 

Today it's all about errands that we didn't get to this weekend and hopefully doing some playing outside. Am loving this cooler weather!

Tuesday, August 05, 2008

Tired of the heat


Remember this from last winter? Came across it today and thought it might help me appreciate this warm weather. 

Vaughn was tired of plain cereal and demanded applesauce this morning. I think she liked it.

Heard my sister won $500 dollars yesterday by filling out an online survey after her oil change. I never do things like that, but will now start. 

My $10 off Enfamil coupon? Turns out it was for a specific type of Enfamil, and not for the normal type we use. So, if anyone uses Enfamil Gentlease, let me know. You can have my coupon.   

Vance is very into Bob the Builder now. He carries tools in his pants and "fixes" everything. I had to make a phone call to a person named Bob yesterday and he got excited. Thought I was calling Bob the Builder. 

Try not to overheat today.

Monday, August 04, 2008

Weekend Update!

On Friday, I gave in and we ate dinner at the Olive Garden. Justin always wants to go there. While waiting for our table we decided that we haven't been to an Olive Garden since Valentine's Day of Justin's Junior year of college? Maybe? I don't even know what year that was and even if that's correct. Point is, it's been a long time and now Justin can't complain that I never let him go there. Afterwards, we bought Vance a new Big Boy car seat, a navigation system for my car, and 4 bottles of wine. Not all at the same store. Although, that would have saved us time. 


On Saturday, Justin played golf, then we ventured out to two different malls trying to find drapes. We didn't find any for the Family Room, but did get hosed on ones for Vance's room. Damn that Pottery Barn Kids. 

On Sunday, we made an exciting trip to the grocery store, where Vance loves to talk to the lobsters. The boys cut grass, then we went to a nearby park for a picnic and for some playtime. For dinner, we had an impromptu  BBQ with my side of family. We ate burgers, drank Sandra Lee's Cowgirl Coolers, installed a sink, and cut down a tree. That's usually how dinners with my side of the family go. Never really know what's going to happen. It was a 20' or so tall Birch tree, a nice one, but planted smack dab in the middle of the flat part of our yard. I'm glad it's gone. It was going to cost a small fortune to move it, this was our only choice. We're planning on planting another tree, to even things out, just in a more sensible location. When I heard the chainsaw I ran outside to grab a quick Before Shot.  

Disclaimer: The Management of this site does not condone nor recommend the use of a chainsaw without the proper foot wear. 


Will have to post an After Shot of the yard and one of the new sink. Been writing this post for 4 hours and keep getting pulled away. Must end it now. Good day.

Oh, Dave, will you send Justin or I your Stump Guy's info?

Friday, August 01, 2008

Vaughnie will be 3 months tomorrow




We visited The Grandparent's house last weekend and I had remembered that Gram said she had done some different things in the grandkids' room. We went to check the room out and she mentioned that I would have to give her some new pictures of Vaughn. 


What? Blink. Blink. Oh, fuck. 

Along with birth announcements, I have forgotten to take pictures. Is this a side effect of Reality TV? Do I watch so much of it that I too, think I have a camera crew following me, documenting everything so that I don't have to? 

So, in the spirit of my  forgetfulness, I took pictures yesterday. I've been letting Vance pick out Vaughn's outfits and he picked out her poofiest dress (her only poofy dress) and I slapped a bow in her hair. Persect! As Vance would say.

I took 78 pictures, only one in which she is smiling. And of course that's the one where Vance has his head turned. Vance is in the goofy stage of either not smiling or doing a goofy face, so it was a rough go. What's that saying about not working with animals or kids? Totally understand. Just smile! Vance, just smile normal! It was tense. Here's some of our attempts.

Still uncool

The first time I bought formula for Vaughn the checkout lady at Target told me how sometimes the computer spits out $10 off Enfamil coupons at the end of receipts. She likes to keep an eye out for them and will ask the person if they have any use for this type of coupon and if not, save them for people who did. (Unfortunately, she was out of them that day. Go figure.) 

I've bought a lot of formula since then and have never seen one of those coupons. Until a couple of days ago. I got one and I nearly crapped my pants. I got so excited! I've heard of these! No way! Vance thought I was crazy. I called Justin, glowing. Yes, this seals the deal that I'm uncool and get excitement of this level over one coupon. 

Anyways, watch the end of your Target receipts and look for those coupons! Then send them to me or let somebody else have them! $10 off is huge in the baby formula world!


 

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