Extra-Curricular Happenins

It's almost May already...Spring is in full force.  Chloë has her final gymnastics class tomorrow morning...only final because we are just not continuing in the month of May.  She's been going weekly for the past three months and really seems to enjoy it but we've moved on to...soccer!  She is being groomed to be the next Mia Hamm!  Just wait!   Well, we'll see.  This past Saturday was her first practice/game.  So it was a bit overwhelming for her I think.  We all piled in the car and rushed over to the local middle school where the YMCA holds their games.  It WAS PACKED...we could barely find a parking spot and then we finally did we unloaded and walked quite a ways to where the field was.  We got there, signed her in, found her new team, met the coach, got her soccer jersey and then it was time for their "practice".  The first half of the hour is practice and the second half is the game against another 4-year-old team.  Coach Scott is really nice and was very welcoming to all the kids as they arrived to Chloë felt at ease right away, which was great.  He started the practice with having them dribble the balls around the field.  We look up and see all the kids dribbling the balls around with their feet...except Chloë who is dribbling the ball like a basketball!  She is so focused on dribbling the soccer ball in this manner, bouncing it hard on the grass that she is completely oblivious that she's doing it wrong.  Hey, he did say "dribble the ball" and that's the only dribble she knew.  It was so cute- wish we had it on video!  By the way, this girl can dribble!  She's always been great with the basketball..maybe we'll have to sign her up for that one day as it's something she's always been really interested in.  But anyways, back to soccer and my future Mia Hamm (one step at a time!).

Coach Scott giving a pep talk (Chloë is #5)

The whole thing was really fun to watch.  We were soccer-parents to the fullest.  Yelling on the sidelines, snapping pictures and talking videos on our phones.  Chloë ran after the ball and was really into it for awhile but then she just hit a wall about 45 minutes into the hour.  She was done!  She came and laid down by us and rested and didn't go in again.  She was tired out...and I think a bit disappointed that it was so hard to get the ball.  We'll see how next time goes!  She does love her new jersey though and has worn it everyday since.  Go Blue Whales!

Chloë and our next-door-neighbor, Shane

The Hines Crew-  aka Chloë's cheering committee

Heading back to the car post-game

On another note, Myke & I got to go on another date night this past Saturday.  We have to set up date nights so we are able to actually talk without being interrupted.   However, once we get out on the date we start enjoying the silence so much we don't even want to talk to each other.  I kid, I kid...kind of. 

Oh, and of course Ella comes with us on the dates at this point.  She has yet to be introduced to the bottle so she goes where Mommy goes for now.  However, she's a great third wheel if you have to have one.  She's just the sweetest little baby.   

Napping on Myke's lap at dinner

Ella's first sunset

The long trail down to the water

(we only walked down part way)

Cheese!

Another reason we didn't re-sign up for gymnastics for Chloë for May is that it's due time that Owen & Eli got a chance to do a class or have something be FOR THEM.  I'm trying to make sure they get some outings that aren't just tagging along to Chloë's play dates or Chloë's classes.  It's a challenge with two the same age.  Classes aren't cheap.  However, I just thought it would be good for them socially to get out and about and try some new activities.  I found a children's resale shop nearby that has all sorts of classes for all ages.  They offer a Mommy & Me preschool-like class that meets on Tuesday mornings for 45 minutes.  I happen to have a nanny come help out on Tuesday & Thursday mornings so I thought this would work out perfect.  This past Tuesday I had Katrina (the nanny) take Chloë to gymnastics and I took the boys (and Ella) to the preschool class to try it out (It's so fun to pay a babysitter and I STILL end up with 3 kids!).  Anyways, the class consists of some free-play, a short circle time, a snack, an art project, more free play and then a closing circle time.  The boys really enjoyed it.  Eli refused to come join the circle time, but Owen sat with me for most of it.  Overall, they did great and I'm thinking I'll sign them up for May.  

Free play!

Stamp art project

snack time!

Friday Morning Babble

"Positives"

Woke up (success #1 of the day), brushed teeth, showered, dressed, combed hair,  boys were eating breakfast, started a load of wash, vacuumed play area rug, cleaned up boys' breakfast,  got the dishwasher almost emptied, got Chloë up, she dressed herself (in an outfit that actually matched AND was cute!), brushed her hair, put on her sunscreen, fed her breakfast, got boys in stroller, got Ella in the front pack carrier, got Chloë to preschool by 8:10am.  Myke's dentist appointment is in our old neighborhood in PB so he will be close to my favorite coffee place and (fingers crossed) will remember to pick me up my favorite drink..it's called "Best Drink Ever" and it REALLY is :)  YUM!  My kids are the best ever :)

"Negatives"

Myke had to be out the door by 7:30am to get to his dentist appointment so I was on my own for the morning.  Both boys dumped their cereal bowls upside down on the table and floor when I went upstairs to get Chloë up, I only got the dishwasher 1/2 emptied, didn't get Chloë's teeth brushed so she went to school with morning breath, I haven't gone on a run in over a week and I need exercise, the boys keep fighting over toys this morning, I didn't take Kyla on the walk to preschool with us (and I always try to since her exercise quotient is pretty limited lately and people keep telling us she's looking heavy), Chloë decided she wanted to ride her other scooter instead when we were already 1/2 way to school, I'm typing this into my blog on my laptop while my kids are neglected.

Let's choose to focus on the POSITIVES today :)


Happy Friday!

Messy boys (and this doesn't show the floor)

Where's my breakfast?  

She's sulking because I didn't take her on our walk to preschool.

Owen & Eli's First Dentist Visit

Photo with Dr. Doug

The boys had their very first dentist appointment today.  Our pediatrician says they need to go when they turn one (oops) and Myke and my dentist said they didn't need to go until they were three... so we met in the middle and went when they were (almost) two.  Sounds like a good compromise to me!

Yah, they HATED it.  Of course I knew they would hate it.  The boys are much more timid than Chloë ever was and they are pretty hesitant around new people...especially new people that try to stick their fingers and all kinds of metal instruments in their mouths.  Another reason I KNEW they would hate the dentist visit is because of how much they hated their 18-month doctor visit.  That was a NIGHTMARE!!  It was last fall and I took them by myself.  BIG mistake.  They were fine in the waiting room, walking around, reading books, checking out the huge fish tank.  However, when the (male) nurse opened the door and called their names, the fun began.  Eli and I walked through the door to the back area while the nurse held it open.  Once we were through I looked back to see if Owen was following me.  He was not.  He had sat down on the floor where he had just been standing, eyes wide, staring at the (male) nurse like a deer in headlights.  He REFUSED to walk by the nurse to go through the door...even though I was right there next to the nurse.   He was frozen in fear.  For NO reason that I could figure out.  So I had to go back through the door and scoop him up.  The nurse took us the exam room where he went to get quick temps from the boys (they just touch the pad of the thermometer to the forehead--nothing invasive at all). The boys SCREAMED like they were being murdered.  Oh man, I knew it was going to be a long morning.  Next we had to take them down the hall (wearing just diapers) to get on the scale and to get measured for length.  The boys were absolutely hysterical and flailing all over.  I was 6 months pregnant with Ella and trying to hold on to two boys who wouldn't go near anyone else, let alone go near the scale.  The nurse wasn't the most assertive--I needed him to just grab one of the boys and force him on the scale...but he just kind of looked at me and seemed to want me to get one of the boys on the scale myself.  Pretty impossible for a person to get one 25lb monkey to unclasp their arms and legs from your body while holding another 25lb monkey clasping just as tightly on your other side.  Especially when both monkeys are squealing in fear.  No, the nurse was not much help at all.  I think he was scared and reconsidering the field of pediatric nursing.  It was THAT bad.  Finally, another nurse (who seemed older and more experienced) rushed in and the two nurses together got one of the boys on the scale and pinned him down to get the length.  The screaming was ear-peircing and I'm sure everyone on the floor could hear it.  I was vowing in my head NEVER to bring them to a doctor appt by myself again.  After we FINALLY got their weights and lengths..at least estimates, as I'm sure they weren't accurate...we headed back to the exam room, both of them clinging to me tighter than ever with tears streaming down their cheeks.  The nurse told us the doctor would be there in a few minutes and closed the door and left.   I gave the boys snack cups and they marched around the room singing and dancing...they were happy as clams.  

After the traumatic weigh-in

"Snacks make us happy!"

Anyways, as I sat there watching them happily eat their snacks I began to fear another part of the appointment...the shots!  How would I get through this??!  However, when the doctor did come in she told us that they were up-to-date on all their shots and they didn't need any until they turned two.  I was on CLOUD 9 hearing that!!  Aaaaaaahhhhh!!   

Oh, so back to the dentist today...The story above was from nearly 6 months ago.  But I knew they would be scared...so I made Myke join me on the adventure.  I had learned my lesson.  Ella was with us, as well and Chloë was in preschool.  The boys (of course) freaked out when they were made to lay down on the exam chairs.  Even the TVs on the ceiling didn't help.  Myke held Eli down while the hygienist brushed and flossed him and I held down Owen.  They both went at the same time, which was good.  We were the only family there, which was also good.  No one else to witness the terror.  The brushing and flossing was done in literally 1 minute. Then the dentist came in and took a look at both of their mouths.  They screamed through that as well.  Then they were fine.  Overall, it was fine.  It was quick and to the point and we couldn't be happier with Dr. Doug Warner.  He's awesome.  He's awesome but I'm glad I don't have to bring the boys back to him for six more months!

Well, I just scheduled their 2-year-old doctor appointment for next month.  Myke will be taking them this time!!  Or at least joining me on the adventure.  Sighhhh.

Smiles :)

Ella will be two months old tomorrow.  She has grown like a weed, starting to get nice fatty rolls on her thighs and arms.  I have these same rolls...but mine aren't so nice!  Haha..  Yes, losing the baby weight seems to be a slower and slower process each time around.  After I had Chloë the weight just seemed to fall right off with little to no effort.  With the boys it took a little longer and then the last 10lbs hung around until I got serious and started exercising and eating better.  I figured that was because it was a twin pregnancy and I had gained over 50lbs (not sure the final number because I stopped looking when the scale hit two-hundy.  I'm fine talking about weight at this point).  Right before the boys turned one I got serious of shedding that last 10lbs and I was ALMOST to my pre-pregnacy weight (only about 2lbs away) when I found out I was pregnant again!  So my dieting and exercising efforts went to Hades in a hand-basket and I rekindled my romance with cinnamon rolls yet again throughout that pregnancy.  Anyways, here we are again.  However, this time I'm 20lbs over my pre-pregnancy weight and it ain't budging!  I know, I know, Ella is only 2 months old...but come on!  More than that had fallen off by this time with both previous pregnancies.  Anyways, I'm starting to come to the realization that I'm going to have to (somehow!) find the time to exercise eat healthy.  That gets more and more difficult with each child!  Where do I find the time?   I need more hours in the day.   

Anyways, I hadn't planned to go on a tangent about my weight.  Sorry.  Enough about that!  

Life with four small kids is chaotic.  It's non-stop.  There is NEVER a dull moment.  And if a quiet moment does somehow sneak into the picture I try to embrace it for all it's worth for the split-second it lasts.  You really learn to appreciate those little things when they do happen.  Like tonight Myke and I sat down and ate dinner at the table.  Alone.  Just the two of us.  That only happened because it is Friday night and that's our weekly "Pizza-Movie" night.  All the kids were distracted by Tinkerbell on the tv.  Yes, even Ella was in her bouncy seat in the family room with the other kids.  Not sure she could see the movie, but she was entertained by the toys dangling from the bar above her seat.  Anyways, it was nice.  Because we rarely get to talk all day long.  Someone is always interrupting us, needing something, crying about something, getting a boo-boo, etc.  Like I said, never a dull moment.  

BUT...TOMORROW IS DATE NIGHT!!  I found a babysitter.  I'm having her come at 5:30pm. Who goes out on a date so early, you ask?  US!  If I'm paying someone to come watch my kids then I really want A BIG FAT BREAK from the daily routine.  I don't want to make them dinner.  I don't want to get them in their pajamas.  I don't want to brush their teeth.  I don't want to put them to bed.  I want someone else to do that.  If we went out at 7 or 8 then we'd have to do all that.  What kind of break is that?  So anyways, we're looking forward to a night out.  Well, it's kind of a night out--Ella will be with us.  She still needs her mommy often enough that she needs to stay with us.  I left her home with Myke two times in the evening over the past week and both times I came home to her screaming bloody murder and apparently starving.  One of the times I was just on a run in the neighborhood and only gone 20 minutes.  So for now we'll just take her with us on our date night.  Having just one kid is break enough.

The boys having a snack on the front stoop

Chloë at gymnastics class

My big girls!

Playing nicely together (a minute later there was screaming and tears and fighting over a matchbox car.  They have 40 cars..why do they always want the same one at the same time??)

Oh, and I joined a twins group up here in North County.  I was actually pretty ANTI-twins groups at first.  I don't feel like I especially relate with other people with twins.  I don't need a forum to discuss what stroller is best for two babies or how to sleep-train two babies at once. I don't want or have time to go to monthly meetings to discuss twin-related-issues.   I feel/felt like my circumstances were different than someone who has just twins.  I need a group for moms who have four kids within 4 years.  That's an entirely different scenario and has all of it's own unique challenges.  However, after running into this same mom of twins about 4 times within the first month of moving here, and each time she trying to talk me into joining the group, I bit the bullet and decided to try it.   Hey, maybe I'll find another person in similar situation within the twins group.  We'll see.  Anyways, I decided to go in with an open mind--and I'm already excited that next Tuesday night they are having a pampering night for the members at one of the other mom's house.  A night of wine, desserts, and just hanging out....while we take turns getting mini-massages from a massage therapist who will be there.  Suddenly, I can find time to go to their "meeting"!  :)   (and non-crawling babies are welcome to join...which is good because I'll have to have Ella with me).   So, my main reason for joining the group was for Owen & Elijah to join the playgroup that the twins group runs.  They have never had their own set of friends- they've always just gone along to play dates and classes that I took Chloë to.  So I wanted them to have something that was just for them.  The twins group has a sub-group that sets up play dates and events for 2011-born twins.  The woman who runs this sub-group sets up 2-3 events and outings a week.  Her twins are her only children so it's easier for her to get out and about.  I figured if I made it to one event ever week or even every other week then it would be good for the boys.  Something just for them with kids their age.  We went to our first play date last week.  It was held at the home of another member.  At first I felt a bit odd just showing up at the house of someone I didn't know and barging in with 3 kids...but it was fine.  Everyone was really welcoming.  It ended up just being four moms total (and 4 sets of twins, and one Ella).  That was plenty!  In the end the boys had fun with some kids close to their age and I made some new friends up here in north county.  Win-win.  I'm looking forward to taking them to another playdate soon!

Snack time with the other twins

Easter Weekend

The Easter Bunny came! 

We had a really fun Easter weekend.  Saturday morning we attended an Easter egg hunt that the neighborhood does every year.  Some families on a nearby street host it and have been doing so for the past 12 years apparently.  They block off their street with cones on either end (it's a loop street) and the dads all meet up in the morning to hide the eggs all over the yards on that street.  The hunt starts at 9am and the kids all go wild running all over the place searching for eggs.  There were 2 yards set aside for the 3-and-under crowd as well.  Then everyone eats breakfast together- it's potluck style and they had a table set out in the middle of the street with coffee and all the breakfast items.  It was a good chance to meet a lot of our neighbors up here.  We just love the sense of community this neighborhood has.  People wave to each other as they drive down the road, neighbors often stop in front of our house to talk when they are passing by in their cars, kids ride their bikes all over the place.  People are very friendly and it just feels very safe.  We really found a great family-friendly neighborhood to raise the kids and we feel so blessed.  Here are some pictures from the egg-hunt:

Ready...set....

GO!

Eli got the hang of it right away...Owen wasn't so sure...

but kept stuffing his face with candy anyways

After Chloë got her 12 eggs (that was what each kid was allowed to find) she

helped out her little brothers in the kiddie-area

Me & Ella

Ella and her basket of eggs

Some other pictures:  

Owen and what was left of his his very first chocolate bunny 

(thanks to Gramma & Grandpa)

Easter morning bunny pancakes

(from Pinterest...though mine looked a bit more scary than the ones online..but kids didn't care)

The pool was warm enough to swim in.  It looks like we're connected to a hose but that's the vacuum..which was chasing me around the pool.  

Our friends and old neighbors back in Pacific Beach, Rich & Rachel, invited us to the fire station on Easter Sunday so the kids could see a firetruck up close and personal and get a tour of the fire station where Rich works as the firetruck driver (is there a more formal name for that role? not sure).   The kids really liked it, especially Chloë.  The boys were a bit timid and nervous about the big truck...though they LOVE anything trucks any other time.  I think they just weren't sure what to think about it being RIGHT THERE.  They refused to get in it and it took them quite awhile to even touch it.  However, I must say, that's how they are in general with new places and experiences.  They don't just jump right in.  They cling for awhile and observe and then loosen up at their own pace.  (When I took them to the neighborhood playground for the first time they sat on the bench with me for about 20 minutes staring at the play structure and sand before they finally got up and went to play on it...and I think I had to go on it with them at first if I remember correctly!...Oh yah, and there weren't even any other kids there at all...it was just us.  Not like the kids made them nervous)

Pics from Station 32 in National City:

The best pic we got of them- clinging to dad

Eli was not happy about sitting on this part of the truck

Matea & Chloë

Rich and some of the kiddos (the 2 on the right are his)

Chloë got to spray the hose!

Future Firefighter??