67 posts tagged “alex”
The Frosty Festival was hosting the annual kids "Costume Skating". When Joe and Alex arrived home at 3:00ish, Joe mentioned that Alex had informed him "Mommy is going to make me an R2-D2 costume for the skating party."
Time between 3:00ish and skating = 3.5 hours.
I asked Joe "so did you tell him no?" Not so lucky. Instead, Joe picked up a bowl and some white poster board and came home to me. Challenge accepted!
Materials to make 1 kids R2-D2 costume (about $10 for us):
- scissors
- duct tape
- glue gun (and glue!)
- black marker
- aluminum foil
- blue and red construction paper
- one plastic bowl
The looks on Alex's face when he burst in the door after skating because he won first prize at the Costume Skating party? - Priceless :)
When remarked "How cool! Did they call you by name when you won?"
He replied: " Nope, they called out for "R2-D2!!!"
Control You Kids?
I almost feel bad for the lady who said this to me today. I don't agree with her, but I probably didn't have to call her a nasty old hag.
Lets wrap some perspective around the situation. Sarah woke up in pain yesterday morning about 2am which lead to an entire day at emergency getting tests done. She started off fussy, progressed to a bad temperature, then vomitting and total lethargy during our visit. When we were sent home last night they still didn't know what was wrong and it was scarey (she's fine now). So no sleep Friday, hospital all day then she was also up last night around 3:30am.
Despite the fact that everyone had already picked out costumes, yesterday the kids decided to be pirates for halloween. Since this would illiminate in-fighting on all hallows eve when one person had on a costume someone else wanted, I decided to see what I could pull off. The catch: Joe had to work today, my parents are at the cabin, Joe's mom is sick and Stewart is away - I'm on my own.
I've done this before, so I tried to call Value Village to see when they open... no answer. Checked the website: 10:00am! I packed everyone up and off we went. The plan was to get there as they opened to avoid the crowd and therefore keep a closer eye on the kids. However someone lied to their web site author and they in fact have new "extended hours". They open at 12:00 (irony at it's finest).
So instead we went to wallmart for a while first. I put the kids in a cart and they were awesome. We went back to Value Village at 12:07 and the kids were so excited, they had their little noses squished against the glass looking in the window of the store while I locked the truck. This wonderful fellow who worked there helped us drag up some clothes for 3 pirates and the kids played at pushing through clothes on the racks and coming out the other side and saying "boo" to their sibling. I thought this was cute as I remember doing this myself as a child.
Then this lady with a cart walked up the isle and snapped something at Alex that I couldn't hear. He looked dejected. As I walked up, she pushed past me saying "you should learn to control your kids". She mumbled something about how they should stand next to me and how one of them could get hurt.
Normally, I'd inwardly smile and let it go because the nasty old woman is probably not used to kids and is used to getting away with nasty comments because people are too polite to be mean to the elderly... but in the wake of the day before, she had lousy timing. Also, she made the utimate mistake of saying it in front of Alex who had been so good and helpful all morning. He immediately stopped having fun and put his head down dejected and my hackels went up.
I exaggerated my reaction on purpose and snapped at the lady: "Are you serious? I should somehow contol my 3 kids under 4 in a halloween section of a second hand store because they are playing a harmless game of peek-a-boo? Come on kids, the nasty old hag doesn't want you to have any fun." Her eyes went wide and she hurried off.
*rawr*
What a mixed up day. It started about 2am this morning when Samantha started crying and screaming that she "want to sleep with mommy". Joe went in to settle her down and when he came back she was still screaming. We left her (as you sometimes need to do) and a few mins later she was opening the door to our bedroom. For those who don't know, Samantha and Sarah sleep in cribs.
Or at least they did.
So today we acquired two toddler beds. One Dora, the other Princess. Sarah doesn't need to come out of her crib but if we brought a toddler bed in for Samantha and not Sarah she'd be pretty upset. We try very hard to treat them fairly. To get the new beds into the room, first I had to dismantle and remove the cribs.
The kids missed naps today and the twins are sick with a chest cold. It is bath night (all three same time) and by 6, Sarah was asleep on the couch. She woke shortly after when Samantha jumped on her.
It is 6:45PM, the twins have been in bed for 15 mins which is a full hour and a half before the usual bed time. Frankly that sucks on the first night in new beds but on the up side Alex isn't as tired and gets to stay downstairs for the screaming and bedroom visits that accompany this transition (and for the record are still happening). This is going to be a long night.
Where is Joe? Bachlor party... since 3:30pm
Where am I supposed to be? Bachlorette party.
....
He owes me.
On the way home from daycare a few weeks ago, Alex and I heard a song on the radio by Simple Plan called "Your Love Is A Lie". In one of those awkward moments only your child can manipulate you into, he asked "what does he mean mommy?" So I explained that the man was upset because someone he loved lied to him.
Fast forward a couple of days later when I am trying to get Alex to bed. He is finishing the required toilet visit and we are in a struggle about him having to wash his hands and brush his teeth once complete at the porcelain throne. I was getting frustrated and told him he didn't have a choice, he had to wash his hands or I was going to be very upset with him. He replied:
"...but mommy, my love is not a lie."
How am I supposed to compete with that!?!
What a fun New Year. Everyone had a cold from November until the beginning of February. Between Sarah and Samantha there have been four ear infections. Samantha woke up Wednesday night with the stomach flu (and the mess on her and the bed to prove it) which escalated to diahrrea, fever, cramping and loss of appetite. Things just got better from there. Joe was diagnosed with strep throat and as he got back to normal, fell to the stomach flu Friday evening. Sarah woke up throwing up later that same night. Even Jen caught it (sorry Jen). I was supposed to play in a volleyball tournament with work on Saturday...well stand on the court and watch other people play around me but obviously I was chasing kids around with a bucket, clean PJs and Javex :)
As I say too often, it could be worse. I'm still recovering from surgery and so far I have not shown signs of this tummy issue and neither has Alex. Joe bounded back to normal after a day and a half, Samantha has finally come around and Sarah might be. We made it through with only two visits to the hospital with Samantha, and one with Sarah but neither had to stay there. The team had enough players to play volleyball without me (I think) and Joe and I didn't get sick at the same time. Joe and Alex got to go skating - twice!
I understand that this stuff gets easier as they get older and since we made it through this week, then I think rest will work just fine :)
His friend Aiden from daycare was in this class which makes me very tempted to add him again in the class Aiden is going into. Sadly, with full time daycare, Sarah and Samantha in Little Gym, playgroup on Tuesdays, skating with daddy, and hopefully swimming, I think we should leave the rest of the time as "family fun" time. Either way, he might be back again next semester. We'll see!
After the milk and cookies, Aiden, Alex and another young girl were playing tag and I lost sight of Alex. I found him behind me in the bathroom with his pants around his ankles having a pee! I just can't believe how fast potty training happened once he started at the new daycare. I am so proud of him! :)
Alex started daycare today. He is only in part time but we are hoping a full time position will come up soon. He's been there twice to help him transition and loved it. The first time we went he waited patiently in the office with me while I settled some paperwork and after a while he politely interrupted us and said to the Administration Clerk:
" Excuse me? Is this where I hang my coat? (points to a coat rack) Cause I'd really like to go play now."
The day before his "first day", Grandmother Jen came over to make cookies with him that he could take in for the kids. That night, Joe took him to WalMart to buy some things he'd need. Alex got a new Cars tote bag on wheels and a bunch of stuff to pack into it. He was so excited! When he got to daycare he wouldn't let us carry the bag and he walked in like he owned the place. We had to call him back to say goodbye!
Apparently, the teachers were going through photos hung on the wall that showed "stages" of the day to help with routine. They'd reached the one that said the parents would come to take them home, and he asked "when are my mommy and daddy coming?" We walked in minutes later. He was asleep in the van shortly after we left the parking lot.
The long awaited and much sought after eye appointment for Sarah was this morning. She is very impared in both eyes but the good news is that glasses will most likely do the trick. If they do, she won't require surgery. She actually enjoys the eye exams but by the end of the second visit, she was getting tired and uncooperative. It was perfect timing, because it emphasised her reaction when the Dr put the lens in front of her eyes that emulate her prescription. She just stopped moving completely and studied my face in total wonder. Then Joe walked in the door after washing her pacifier and the doctor said "let her look at her pacifier" but she only had eyes for Joe. It was incredible. The doctor explained that some parents get very upset when they find out their child has a serious vision issue but we are just so impressed with that little fighter. She can walk, talk, eat, watches TV, loves stories... her development is on par with her age and yet she achieved it all with THAT vision? Imagine what she'll do when she can see! Besides, we picked out the cutest pink Disney glasses and they are going to look just adorable on her.
I picked up Natasha, Alex and Samantha at the park after Sarah's appointment. A quick trip to McDonald's and Subway then we took off downtown. While Natasha ran an errand, we drove by the waterfront and Alex got to see a submarine. After some MooMoos, we walked to the submarine to see if up close and lucked into seeing it leaving the harbor. We got poured on at the harbor but Natasha got Samantha to say Sarah's name a bunch of times while playing with them and it was so cute!
After supper and a bath, Sarah was running around upstairs and Alex asked "mommy what is on Sarah's pjs? Before I could answer he read the letters "B U M"... bbuu... BUM! Mommy that says BUM!" Sarah was wearing a BUM Equipment sleeper - Alex was totally right. He is actually starting to read... and that just blows my mind.
When our night time ritual was coming to a close, Alex and I tried to get off his bed at the same time and somehow I managed to bump him such that his forehead took a smack off Joe's knee. It was a good crack and I felt so bad :( As I cuddled him and offered to kiss it better, he threw his weight into me which almost knocked me off the bed! I caught myself with Joe's quick help but Alex (who was in my arms) tightened his grip and said "I got you Mommy!!"
He honestly believed I was going to fall and he saved me. How sweet is that? :)
Weeks ago I showed Alex how to blow on a dandilion and make a wish. So today, while waiting in the yard with me for Joe, he picked one... blew on it and as the seeds flew around said "I wish I could fly a kite".... it was adorable.
After everyone's naps (about 11:00), we coated the kids in sunscreen, packed the family into bike trailers and left Dan's house. We stopped at the top of the street to figure out a destination.
First Dominion: no kite.
Next Zellers : Finding Nemo Kite - $5
We scooted down to Bowring Park and camped out on the hill behind the swimming pool to eat lunch and fly Alex's kite. He learned real quick and soon needed no help from us unless it hit the ground. Samantha chased him (or us) and Sarah ate. You should have seen the size of a chicken breast she decided she to eat!
We played until everyone started to look sleepy then packed them all back into the trailers and followed the old railway bed to downtown. After a drive by the waterfront and a quick jump into the bike stores, we follow the railway bed back to bowring park and up to McDonalds! By the time we finally got back to Dan's, it was 7:00pm. I wish I had some photos of this perfect day, but I forgot the camera :( You'll have to settle for this one that Natasha took of Alex with paint on his fingers.
