GG's Visit to San Diego

We are about 20 days into our house-guest holiday season here at Casa de Hines.  We have visitors for two solid months with only a few days here in there between visits where we're on our own.  

The first visitors were Myke's parents and his 90-year-old grandmother.  It was such a fun visit...went way too fast!  It was so special for the kids to have time with their great-grandmother.  The last time they saw here was 3 years ago when we visited the east coast.  Chloë was only 3, the boys were 5 months old and Ella was but a twinkle in my eye back then :)  

We're hoping Gram will come back for another visit...maybe next Summer??  

Chloë & "GG" (Great-Gram)

Dinner

Watching "Frozen" with GG

The boys reading a silly book with Mom-Mom

Pop showing the kids something on his laptop

Smooches for GG

Story time

Maureen helping Chloë with homework

All done!  Ta-da!

Halloween Re-Cap in Photos

Pumpkin Carving

My Batmen :)

Shane (our next-door neighbor) & Chloë

Pre-Trick-or-Treating Pizza party in our drive-way

Ella's "costume"

I gave up trying to get her to wear a real one. 

Happy Halloween :)

Halloweeeeeen is here!!  I'm so excited!  It's my favorite time of the year...not only because Halloween is my favorite holiday but also because it's the kick-off to the holiday season...which I love all the more now that I'm a parent.  It's all the more magical when there are kids involved...maybe because I get to become a kid again...and I have a legit excuse to act like one.  I'm more excited than Chloë or the boys are to go trick-or-treating...and not just because of all the chocolate that I'll steal from their treat bags once their asleep tomorrow night...well, that IS a significant part of said excitement, but I'm also just excited for the whole act of trick-or-treating.  Like I said, it lets you be a kid again.

A few weeks ago Chloë announced that THIS year, her 3rd year of trick-or-treating EVER, and only her 2nd year of really understanding what is going on, she will be abstaining from trick-or-treating and will instead be staying at home to pass out candy.  WHAT?!?!  You are NOT my child!!  (Insert shock face).  I tried to remain calm and to access the situation (WtH are you thinking, child?!?).  After a quick interrogation I found out this was because her little friend who lives next door, no names mentioned...SHANE..., had said that he was going to be passing out candy and not trick-or-treating...  and she wanted to do what he was doing (on a side note, she also changed her Halloween costume to a Ninja Turtle after finding out that Shane was going to be one, too....so I had just spent $30 on this costume ...which she had pulled the tags off already...but assured me that she would "wear it next year" and that my purchase was not to be regretted).  Soooo, after a few quick texts to Shane's mother to see what was going on and trying to remain calm while we ironed out this "issue"..I (relievingly (is that word?)) found out that Shane was going to do BOTH trick-or-treating AND passing out candy.  He'll just be starting earlier in the evening in order to fit in both.  Phewwwww!!!  Halloween is SAVED :)

As for Owen & Elijah, they are splitting a costume.  That's a whole 'nother story.  From day one Owen has wanted to be Batman and from day one Eli has wanted to be Winnie the Pooh.  My sweet Eli :)   I started searching around for this costume a awhile back when he had mentioned it more than a few times and I knew this was "the one".... only to find out that most places only sell Winnie the Pooh costumes in baby sizes.  Not 3 1/2 year old boy sizes.  Most boys this age are into superheros/firemen/policemen.  There is NOT a big Winnie The Pooh costume market for anyone over the age of 8 months....are we surprised?  Not really.  Anyways, I did finally find one online and immediately went to order it (I am not a crafty momma, I do not make my kids' costumes, though I do realize this would be much more economical).

So, Chloë and Owen both had their store-bought costumes for days as Eli waited and waited for Pooh Bear to arrive in the mail.  Every day he'd go running outside to the mailbox or look for a box on our front stoop.  "Pooh bear??  Here yet???"  FINALLY, it arrived and I was super excited for him to get home from school to open the box, as I know how much he had been excitedly anticipating this day.  We made it a BIG deal, opened the box, pulled it out (and I was actually really impressed with the quality of the costume...for $12 (and $5 shipping) I expected a step up from two pieces of cloth sewn together with yarn)....and then we tried to put it on.  It's an over-the-head costume.  We pulled, we tugged, we strained...but we could NOT get the costume over his head.  Eli's whines turned to tears as we desperately tried to get his beloved Pooh Bear costume over his head.  When his large noggin finally popped through the collar of Pooh's shirt was up to his mouth.  Obviously, this costume was WAY too small for him.  I checked the tag and, sure enough, it said it was for 2-4 year olds.  Eli couldn't get it off fast enough.  He cried and cried as we tried pried his head back out and, moments short of having to lube him in vaseline for the extraction, his head popped out.  And that was it.  He was not longer going to be Pooh Bear.

He was now going to be Batman.

Like Owen.

(Lucky for us, Owen's Batman costume has a body suit AND an over-the-the-eyes mask, head piece and cape.  Owen does not want to wear the body suit, only the cape/eye mask/head piece...and Eli will wear the body suit, but does not want anything over his head following his Pooh Bear trauma...so there we go.  They will SPLIT the Batman costume.  I'm feeling very economical right about now!)

We later attempted to put Ella in the Pooh Bear costume 

and HER HEAD WOULDN'T FIT EITHER!!

She's 20 months old!!

So either all my kids have giant heads

 (which they do according to all their pediatrician visits)

OR this costume is not accurately sized.  

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!  

My Big Kinder-Girl :)

The little sibs waiting for big sis to come out of her classroom 

It's rest-time here at the Hines Household....though the only person actually sleeping today is Ella.  I'm actually laying here on the floor of the boys' room because they won't even stay in their beds at rest time unless one of us is in here....so that's fun!  Elijah has outgrown the nap pretty much but Owen still needs it so we still at least attempt quiet time where he can fall asleep if he needs to.

Chloë is on Fall Break this week and last so we've had her home from school...which has been GREAT!  I'm really enjoying a break from the pick-up and drop-off commute to and from her school. I'm REALLY enjoying that we don't have to be out the door by 7:35am, too!  It's much more relaxed around here.  Haven't had to pack any lunches, haven't been as strict about enforcing the 7:30pm bedtime, etc....  Oh well, better not get too used to it.  I'll just enjoy it while it lasts!

We are a full two months into her kindergarten year and it's still hard for me to believe she's a kindergartener already.  What happened to my baby Chloë?  She's so grown-up looking now.  No more baby curls in her hair. No more pudgy cheeks, legs and arms.  The baby fat has left the building (hers, not mine...mine is sticking around!).  Her school photos came in and I just look at them and her classic, beautiful smile and I still see my little 2-year-old Chloë in her face...and am so proud of her.  She's really blossomed into such an amazing little girl.

Kindergarten Photo- Sept 2014

The past year she has just changed so much, both physically and just overall.  Physically, she has sprouted up and thinned out.  Her hair has been cut to a short chin-length style.  As for her temperament/personality, I guess they always say 5 is the "magic number" where things get a bit easier.  Chloë was never an "easy, go-with-the-flow" baby or toddler, so we definitely welcome this "magic" age :)   I have always openly and honestly said that ONE Chloë was more difficult than having twins...for both the baby and toddler stages.  She's always been INTENSE.... and she still is...But, again, the past year has really been different.  She's calmed down little bit.  Chloë is such a nurturing big sister and friend.  Watching her take care of her little siblings and look out for them when we're out and about just makes me glow with pride. 

(hours later...)

Agh! As usual, my blog entry and train of thought got cut short.  I need to hit the hay so I'm just going to throw some pics on here and call it a day.  

Chloë's T-Ball Team

Eli at Pumpkin Station

Owen

Tea Party!

Chloë got to join Ella at her baby tumbles class since 

she's on Fall Break this week!

Play date with a friend from kindergarten

The boys are SO into games right now.

A Little Bit About Nothing

Summer has come to an end, according to the calendar anyways.  I'm READY for the cooler autumn weather to make its appearance.  We had quite a few days of hot weather the past couple weeks and, without air-conditioning in our house, it would get pretty yucky around the 3pm hour.  Thankfully, it would cool down by dusk and then overnight would be chilly enough to sleep with doors wide open and blankets on (and by "doors" I'm speaking of the french doors on our bedroom balcony.  Yes, Mom, I do lock our lower-level, outside-access doors at night time!).  For the most the inside of our house stays relatively cool, even when the sun is baking the sidewalks just twenty feet away.  I think it's mainly due the open floor plan, tile and wood floors (no carpeting downstairs). So thank goodness for that!

We are staying busy, as always (who isn't?) and getting into our groove, or at least attempting to.  Picking up Chloë from school is still a bit of a pain since she still isn't able to do the drive-up pick-up thing just yet.  Eli seems to be pretty much DONE with his napping days, so I'm mourning that loss right now.  Meanwhile, Owen definitely still needs an afternoon nap...and I definitely still need an afternoon BREAK!  Actually, Eli napped today...and napped for 2 solid hours...BUT he is still awake right now at nearly 9pm.  He usually is asleep by 7:30/8pm so this is a first for him.  He keeps coming out of his room and asking if it's "wake up time" yet?  No, buddy.  Try again in about 10 hours!  Oh man, I just heard his door open again.  At this point I'll just decide that he is done with naps.  I'd rather him not sleep in the day than stay up late.  Better go check on him-  Goodnight!

Great shot of Gramma & Eli

Picnic dinners outdoors- love this in the summer

(oh wait, we can do this year-round..but not shirt-less!)

I walked around the corner to this the other day.

Eating their goldfish snack on the stoop.

Caught me off-guard.  Were they planning something?  Conspiring?

They look cute and innocent enough...but one can never be too certain....

brotherly love :)

Sunday Morning Family Workout!

                                        Generic Google Image - We left our cameras in the car


Myke and I took the kids to an indoor trampoline park this morning.  I had never been to one of these, but it has always sounded so fun...I NEEDED to try it out.  It was a blast-and going in the morning right when the facility opened was definitely a good idea.  No crowds.  We all were able to run around and jump in the main trampoline area (versus the lame-o kiddie section in the back corner which is where kids under 6 usually have to go when it's busy.)  Everyone had a blast, even Ella!  There were giant foam block pits where you jump off the trampolines into.  There were also video monitors above each one with delayed video footage so you could watch your jump just after doing it.  Great way to see how utterly awesome I looked jumping into a foam pit!  Ha.  The jumping in part was GREAT...it was the getting out that was extremely difficult and challenging. That's what the video should have been of.  Me trying to get back to the shore after diving into the middle of a pond of big foam blocks.  It was a sight I'm sure.  I basically had to roll to get out as I couldn't get footing on anything.  They kids had no problem.  They just crawled right out.  I looked like I needed a lifeguard to come save me.  Of course that didn't stop me from jumping in multiple times.

We had a blast.  It's nap time now.  Myke and I are exhausted!  Hopefully the kids are, too!

Quick Post Before Bed

We are back on our own here in Encinitas.  My mom headed back to Virginia Friday morning, though she didn't arrive back there until tonight (Saturday).  She kept accepting travel vouchers as a trade for being bumped to a later flight.  She took two bumps and received hotel accommodations and breakfast and now has about $1000 in Delta airline vouchers!

I'm half-asleep as I type this, but I'm determined to post more regularly!  Nothing too exciting to post, though, and that's not always a bad thing.  Things are quiet.  I'm enjoying the quiet :)

We're in a heat wave here.  We don't have A/C and so far haven't really needed it at all.  Somehow our house stays cool inside even though it's baking outside.  All tile and wood floors downstairs, so I think that's a big part of it.  Either way, I'm ready for cooler temperatures.  We miss being outside, going to the park, etc.  I've been following a training plan to do a half-marathon and I'm up running by 6:30am 3-4 times a week so I can run in cooler temps.  That said, I'd probably be running that early even if it was overall cooler, as I try not to take too much time away from the rest of the day with the darn running! I like to get up and get it over with.  Did 7 miles today.  Just over two months until the half ...which I have yet to actually sign up for!  I better commit, huh?

All is well with the kiddos.  Chloë has completed 4 weeks of elementary school.  Owen & Eli have started in their new preschool classroom with Ms. Jenny (whom we ADORE! Chloe had her and we couldn't wait for the boys to get in her class).  Ella is all over the place, and jabbering away, yet not making much sense.  She's just 19 months old (as of today!) but she doesn't actually say many words yet (mama, dada, hot, dog (kind of)).... though she talks and talks and talks.  She understands, follows commands, etc... so we aren't too worried.  The boys were late talkers, as well.  Chloë was speaking in sentences at this point (and she never stopped talking from there).  Every child is different, I know. We'll see what they say at her doctor appointment coming up.

Anyways, time to cut myself off and get to sleep.  :)  Goodnight!  Buenos Noches!

Trouble Maker Chloë

Here we are starting into week #3 of having an elementary school student.  It has been a ride so far, let me tell you!   In the car on the way home from school today I asked Chloë how her day went and she said, "Well, I didn't get sent to the office today."  Ha.  Well, that's good!

Back story: Chloë went to the office twice last week (or maybe one time was the first week...can't keep track!.  Nice) after getting minor injuries in the classroom.  The first time a boy and her were arguing over a toy and apparently he scratched her side (or something like that...the teacher had to relay this story to me in Spanish at the hurried pick-up time at the end of the day, so I could have missed some detail).  She was fine.  I saw no mark on her side but apparently she and the boy were sent to the office to get an ice-pack for her and to call the boys' parents (!!!).  WHO is this boy?!  I WILL find out!  

Theennnnn, a couple days later I was told she was sent to the office AGAIN after the boy at the desk next to her poked her in the face with a marker.  A DIFFERENT boy than the first, I was told.  He is "very hands on" according to Maestra Castillo (her teacher).  He was moved to a different desk in the classroom so he and Chloë are no longer neighbors.   Oh my...!  My kindergartener is already KNOWN in the office at her elementary school.  She is a on first name basis with the school nurse.  She's had two ice-packs.

THEN today I sent her to school with a BLACK EYE.   I will have to take a picture, but she was roughhousing on the couch with a friend over Labor Day weekend and must have bumped her face a way that caused a black eye.  She never cried or acted like she got hurt but suddenly her eye swelled up into a hard ball.  We put ice on it, trying to figure out if she got bit or stung by something (??) or if it was an injury (because it looked like something that would have definitely caused tears if it were injury-related).  Today, two days post-apparent-run-in-with-couch it's black and blue.  Looks bad!

Thanks GOODNESS school picture day was last week!

Gramma at Moonlight Beach with the boys

Night out with my Momma!

(she took me to dinner and to a play for my birthday present)

Gramma has A LOT of patience...teaching games to 3 year old boys!

And...cooking with 18 month old girls!

We installed a fan!  Bring on the heat! (or NOT)

 Summer has come to an end.  At least as far as the Encinitas Union School District is concerned.  We are here at the second week of school already with our big kindergartner, Chloë.  We couldn't be more proud of how well she has done and how she seems to be handling the Spanish immersion program she's in.  To answer a commonly-asked question: she is in a regular public school within the Encinitas district.  This is not a private-school, charter school, etc.  The Encinitas Union School District happens to offer a Spanish immersion program at two of their nine elementary schools, and this is one of them.  It is not our "home" school, thus the commute is a bit further than it would be if she did go to the "home" school, but so far the drive has been very easy.  Takes about 8-9 minutes one way.  Not bad.  Chloë seems to really be liking the kindergarten experience so far...though I can only imagine how it is to sit in a class where the teacher speaks ONLY in a language that you don't know at all (besides "hello" and to count to 10).  We keep waiting for her to seem frustrated or to say she doesn't want to go back the next day (and I'm sure those things WILL happen at some point) but so far she is going with the flow.  She's more concerned about what I pack her for lunch than anything else at this point :)

I have to wake up early for a run tomorrow.  Going to sign up for a half-marathon in November.  I'm 35 now (eEEKS!) and it's time to get running before I'm attacked by middle-age spread issues!  I already have to deal with the no-more-nursing-so-no-more-300-extra-calories-burned-per-day-for-free thing.  Still trying to figure out how to fit running into the new schedule of getting Chloe off to school by 7:35am.  I like to get my running in in the morning.

Anyways, going to close.  I'll add some photos.  I KNOW I'm well overdue for a post.  We just had a very busy summer, Myke's parents were in town for a month, we spent part of that month visiting Myke's sister up in the San Fran/Sacramento area, Myke's back went to hell in a hand-basket so I basically had a 5th child for a time there (his words), etc.  There was NO free time going on to be posting blogs.  I wish there had been.  I don't like big gaps in my "online diary".  Oh well,  'Tis what 'tis.

Outdoor meals

Super-Baby

Thom at Llamapolooza!!!

Chloë and a chicken

Owen & the piggy

Chocolate milks in the pool!?!  At Legoland Hotel

Legoland Hotel visit 

Mom-Mom (Myke's mom) and the boys at the beach

Lunch with my girls

Everyone loves the iPad

Pop and the 5 youngest grandkids

Vegging on the couch with cousins

Owen & Eli in the cockpit of a KC-10 (their uncle Dan's plane)

In the cargo area of the KC-10

Maureen (aka Mom-Mom) 

Movie time at the $1 Tuesday movie!

Moonlight Beach Park

Cousins

Ella & Eli (love that they held hands on their own) 

Carousel

 At the beach (impromptu trip..hence Eli's "swimsuit" or lack thereof)

This is what 35 looks like!

JC Penny photo shoot.  Fun times!

She started!  

Us on the first day at drop-off (SELFIE)

Boys new bunk beds (make by Myke!)

Ella at her new baby gym class