Katie and Tyler

Princess Dance Camp!

2012-01-31T09:16:00.003-06:00

For the most part I don't hate working full-time and the kids seem to enjoy school, but I do regret that there are some really fun things that happen during my working hours that we just can't do. I thought we were going to have to pass on Princess Dance Camp this summer (which I know Katie will just love), but I think we might be able to work it out. It is from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm and just for that week I am thinking about taking Katie out of school and having Lance pick her up (just don't know what his schedule will be at that time) and I can probably drop her off. I am so excited that we might be able to find a way for her to do the camp, because I know she will absolutely love it. The princess camp comes highly recommended and our friends with girls say that it is the best experience for little ones who love to dance and play dress-up (sounds like Katie). We weren't able to coordinate swim lessons since they are at 5:00 and I can't really get there by then, but hopefully we can fit it in when work slows down a bit (ha) and I won't have as much trouble leaving a bit early. If all else fails, dance class ends in May and then we could do the Saturday class.

Tyler participated in an autism study last week (as a "typically developing" comparison) and goes back next week to finish up. He did so well answering the questions and playing games and the doctors and researchers just loved him. He was so full of himself, but it was pretty cute. The lady who was doing the assessment asked him if he was a silly boy and he said "no, but my daddy is" and then said "I'm actually a handsome boy!" Wonder where he heard that - ha ha - I tell him he is my handsome boy all the time because one time he got upset when someone called Katie a pretty girl and didn't tell him he was a pretty boy! The study requires him to lay still with his arms by his side for 30 minutes and we are supposed to practice that for the next session with the scanner sounds cd they gave us (haven't quite found time for that yet, either). She said we could put a movie on since that is what they will do there (they are surprisingly still not that captivated by movies, though), but we discovered some crazy (worse than Yo Gabba Gabba) show this week - Lazytown - that they absolutely love and that might do the trick to keep him still since it is mesmerizing for some reason to them. I am going to try to see if I can get a dvd copy to take with us.

Nothing, however, mesmerizes them quite as much as the Leapfrog games, though. They love those things (and we are seriously regretting not getting the same one for them since they fight over who gets the "good" one) and are doing pretty well figuring them out. I think they have really helped Katie with her letters and numbers, and especially with drawing and writing letters. We ultimately want to get them the tablet style Leapfrog, so we are trying not to spend a lot on games and accessories for these, and don't want to get another of the kind that they like best because we are probably going to replace them next Christmas, or maybe their birthdays. It is hard, though, because I know they would be just as happy if we got another like the one Tyler already has and then they could play the same games at the same time. We got Katie a different one because it was supposed to be better for younger children, but had no idea that she would love a game that is only available on the one Tyler has! The tablet one has a camera, plays music, and is more touch than controller based so I do think that will be the best option eventually and we will just deal with the arguing over who gets to play Mr. Pencil now! Katie is learning to draw letters in one of the games and just yesterday drew me a picture at school with an "n," "o" and "t." She is really coming along with learning letters, and even sounds and is ahead of Tyler in being able to write them, and I do think it is a combination of those games and her being competitive and getting tired of hearing Tyler praised for knowing them! Tyler enjoys the e-books (and they are great for sight words which I think is the next step for him), and they both really like the building/drawing/coloring/shape game that happens to just work on one of the games (we have one Leapster Explorer and one Leapster 2). I like that the games are really good at reinforcing shapes, colors, problem solving, basic vocabulary, etc. so I will deal with zombie kids in the car and try to make sure they aren't playing with them too much beyond that!

We had a good weekend, but didn't take any pictures :(. We went to dinner with So-So and Ray, went to one of our favorite breakfast places in Leipers Fork and had ice cream! Sounds like a lot of food now that I write it out and makes me realize why no pictures were taken - we were too busy eating! I was still sore yesterday after boot camp on Thursday, and I played tennis last night (yeah) and have boot camp tonight again so I don't imagine we will have any big plans the rest of the week since I will undoubtedly be whining and complaining about not being able to move (boot camp is serious), but hopefully this weekend will have something fun in store!

Go here, go there!

2012-01-23T09:42:00.002-06:00

I never would have imagined that we'd need to employ elaborate planning to keep up with the schedule when the kids were just three years old, but it sure seems like organization will be key in the next few months! Katie is still enrolled in dance class (and absolutely loves it). She will have a recital in May and classes every Saturday up until then. Tyler is begging to go back to Tumble Tots, and we may after a session of preschool swim lessons. We are anxious to get them swim lessons because they love the water and we love taking them swimming, but would be more comfortable if they had a little training in water without us and especially some safety lessons from someone in addition to us! Those start next week and I must admit that I am nervous as well as excited - it will be hard to watch them and not be in the water to hold and guide them! We have talked about doing soccer and the kids say they want to, but we will see since I hear a lot of people say three is too young for organized sports. To top it all off, my tennis season starts soon and I am enrolling in a boot camp (eek) at the Y starting this week. Lance's business has picked up some (woohoo), and getting everyone where they want and need to be will probably be challenging in the next few months, but I think it is good for all of us to get to play and enjoy hobbies and in the case of the kids, find new interests.

I still have the lingering stress of trying to figure out the school situation, but after calling everyone and getting information from all places with PK and Jr. Kindergarten I just don't know how we can swing it. Even the metro PK program at the elementary school they will attend is pretty expensive when you factor in two children (even though it is at a public school they do charge for PK), and the equally as taxing expense of after care. It seems that most people I know have both parents working, but none of the programs (at schools or the Y) seem to be very working parent friendly. The PK programs end at 2:00 or 3:00 and then charge an arm and a leg for aftercare, and all of the things at the Y start at 5:00, which is pretty difficult to get to when I am not even off work until then! I will still probably try to get them into the PK program at the elementary school by our house and if they get in see what we can work out in terms of before and after care (I may be able to switch around my work schedule to get done a little earlier if need be). Who knows, maybe by then we will have won the lottery :) (although I guess we need to start playing in order to win)!

Gatlinburg Trip 2012

2012-01-16T16:08:00.010-06:00

After a pretty rough start, we had a really great trip to Gatlinburg this year. When we made it to the cabin we were anxious to start a fire and shake off the chill of the snow and cold chalet (a few inches up there). We collected wood, started the fire, opened the flue damper and then promptly the whole house was engulfed in smoke! After we got on the phone with the owners of the chalet (which Katie kept calling a shadow), managed to get the smoke alarms turned off, and tried everything imaginable to get the smoke out of all of the rooms in the A frame, all while keeping the kids outside on the snow covered deck (the smoke inside was unbearable and not good for Tyler's asthma) we finally figured out that that the flue was stuck and the only fix was a good yank. The rest of the weekend Lance got to be the pyro that he loves to be and make warm, cozy fires and grill in the snow. That was enough fun for us since it combines two of our favorite things, but it got even better with a couple of great breakfasts (Pancake Pantry and Applewood), rainbow trout at Park grill, a visit to the aquarium, a day spent at Cades Cove, a drive through the National park, and one of the highlights for the kids "swimming" in the hot tub. We are already planning to make a trip back to go to the indoor waterpark and Ober Gatlinburg which we neither had time for, or the patience since it was really crowded pretty much everywhere and impossible to even park after 9:00am at Ober Gatlinburg (first real snow of the season). The kids kept asking if we were going back to the "cool" house whenever we were out and about and I think they enjoyed sleeping in bunk beds and playing in a new environment almost as much as seeing the much talked about sharks!

Ever since our beach trip they have been fascinated with jellyfish!

Touching the crab, playing with penguins, and watching the sharks swim overhead were big hits too!
Cades Cove was awesome, even though deer were the only animals out and about. The kids had some pent up energy after the drive there and were pretty silly, but enjoyed running around and even learned a little about mills from dad!
Our visitors who "trapped" us in the house the last evening there - obviously they have been fed a lot because they were bound and determined to get in the house and couldn't be spooked!

Drama

2012-01-12T10:15:00.003-06:00

One of our favorite book series (meaning ones that I can deal with reading over and over again and the kids will actually sit still and listen to) are those about Llama Llama. A phrase that always sticks with me from one of the books is when the Mama Llama begs little Llama to "please stop all this llama drama." Yesterday, I definitely felt like begging for all of the drama to stop! Most people reading this (since you are the special ones privy to knowing how crazy I really am) know that my anxiety levels ratchet up tremendously when on the interstate and especially when there is merging and tractor trailer trucks involved. Well, imagine that all of that is compounded by being a disabled vehicle on the side of a busy interstate while trying to manage two children who keep questioning "why we don't go, momma" and you get a glimpse of the state of panic and fear that I was in yesterday when my car tire blew out.

In my mind we were in the absolute worst place for it to happen since it is a part of my daily trek that I dread every day (cars merging from one interstate to the other with one lane oblivious that cars will be IN THEIR LANE in no time at all), and is embarrassingly not an interstate that I was totally sure of the name or direction of (I know now) since I literally merge for 1 minute and then take the first exit from there. After pulling off to the side of the road I immediately called Lance and as I was watching in the rearview mirror was becoming more and more afraid and hysterical. I have had to drive on the shoulder a few times because people failed to let me merge, and I could see that others were doing the same thing and coming dangerously close to us at high rates of speed. Plus, it being right at the end of morning rush hour, people were also unable to get over (move over law) to give some separation once they saw the car on the shoulder and were whizzing by, shaking the car and freaking me out even more. I was admittedly in a state of extreme panic, unable to stop crying (even though Katie kept telling me "it's ok mama." I opened the door to get a look at the tire and realize that I could not continue driving at any speed, and then edged as close to the guardrail as I could manage and didn't move until Lance pulled up (and then I still crawled across, not about to open that driver side door again)!

Lance saved the day and came to give us his car while he ended up sitting for over an hour waiting for the wrecker (and he said that it really was a very frightening spot to be in so it wasn't just me being an interestate wimp). It was an unusually busy morning in Nashville with accidents around the whole city, which accounted for the long wait. Nevertheless, USAA roadside assistance was again fantastic and I am so glad that we "accidentally" signed up for their driver program years ago. It was one of the scariest experiences of my life because not only was it a nightmare situation for me personally and my phobias, but also because I could not get my kids out of that situation and all I could think about were the numerous reports of disabled and emergency vehicles in accidents from the same type of scenario. It didn't help that Katie refused to keep her arms in her carseat straps, and Tyler immediately opened the car door on the traffic side when we put him in Lance's car!

The day ended with going to the mailbox and receiving what I thought initially was an audit notice from the IRS (which probably would have been worse news), but ended up being a correction to our 2010 filing which means we owe money. Katie has been somewhat of a nightmare lately, testing all boundaries of every kind of discipline we can throw at her and she was proceeding to have one of the biggest tantrums of her life as I was reading the incredibly difficult IRS jargon. They are both definitely testing us at every opportunity now, but for the most part are just fun, fun to be around these days and tantrums, whining, grunting and screaming (in Katie's case) are not overly abundant (knock on wood). Luckily too, we have a trip to Gatlinburg planned this weekend. It will be great to get away, to spend some time in the mountains, and enjoy some fun activities with the kiddos! I think a visit to the aquarium, some yummy rainbow trout, and a trip down the Alpine Slide are great rewards for dealing with some drama!

Merry Christmas

2012-01-08T12:25:00.007-06:00

Well, I realize that we are now into January, well after the Christmas festivities, but it has been a whirlwind with no time to post so I figure better late than never. We had a fantastic Christmas this year. The kids are at a great age to really enjoy the magic of Santa Claus, not to mention all of the toys that they finally like more than the packaging they come in! We got to see most of the family the weekend of Christmas, but didn't see my dad until he came up the following weekend to watch the kids while Lance and I want to the Vandy bowl game. That was a lot of fun too, and we were very grateful that we got to go AND the kids had a fabulous time playing with Paw Paw and the girls.

It is difficult to take a lot of pictures Christmas morning when so many things need to be opened or exclaimed over, but here are a couple! We are making another trip to Gatlinburg in a week, and although it doesn't look like we are going to be lucky enough to get snow we will visit the Aquarium again and get some pictures there too!

Posing in their cute, cute Christmas pajamas from So-So. They have very different gift opening strategies (kind of like my and Lance's vastly different opinions on how exactly Santa leaves gifts under the tree). Tyler takes his time and really notices what he unwraps - Katie tears through them as if she is being timed!

Tyler is still a big fan of matchbox/hot wheels cars and really enjoyed his parking garage. He has found a new love too though - squinkies! They are these tiny little squishy figurines that get lost and scattered around the entire house, but he loves to carry them, play pretend with them and see how they can interact with all of other favorite toys - dinosaurs, blocks, and his new airplane and train set from Paw Paw and Tia.

This picture kind of sums up what made Katie a very happy little girl Christmas morning. A playhouse (from Grandma and B-Bob) that Uncle Matthew and Ray-Ray so graciously put together since Santa didn't, the princess dress that was the only thing she consistently said she wanted from Santa, and Hello Kitty pez that she was carrying around in her new purse (and she insists on carrying her purse everywhere now if we are out and about).

We went to breakfast this morning (the first time the kids sat without boosters or high chairs and they did really great) followed by a trip to Target, and as we were walking the aisles (trying to entertain them and wear them out) they pointed out things they wanted next Christmas. I don't think they have any idea how long of a wait it will be, but hopefully the year has so much fun in store that they won't notice!

ICE!

2011-12-18T18:30:00.005-06:00

This weekend we made the trek out to Opryland to see Merry Madagascar out of Ice. It seems that Ice may be one of those things that is better in theory, at least with three-year old, tired children. Tyler really seemed to enjoy it, especially the ice slide, but Katie was mostly just cold (it is unbelievably cold in there) and really ready for a nap. We had a good time, but it was very, very crowded (which is a bit frightening when you are trying to keep up with two short people who have no idea the danger of getting lost in a crowd and when the crowd is made up of people all wearing the same coats) and people didn't really have much of the holiday spirit (maybe it was because we were with all of the other people who didn't spring for the VIP ticket that allowed you to skip in line and had to wait in a corral for 30 minutes with little children of all ages). All children under the age of 4 are free so this may be our last year for a while since the kids will be 4 next Christmas and the awe of seeing all of these cool things made out of ice is more enticing when we aren't paying for four tickets :)!

This was waiting in line, he had this jacket on under the special one and it was STILL cold!

An Early Christmas Delivery

2011-12-13T09:18:00.002-06:00

My crazy husband was really itching to have some presents under the tree, but since the only shopping we have done is for the kids we didn't really have anything to put under there yet. So, last night Santa's helpers - the elves - made an early delivery of some wrapped gifts. Bribery really works and the kids have been on their best behavior (and going to sleep well thanks to the song that tells them he knows if they are sleeping) in anticipation of presents! They woke up this morning to some gifts with their names on them under the tree but they know that they can't open them until we put all of the dates on our calendar "tree." They were super excited though, and Katie kept saying I can't believe Santa came (she must know that she has been more naughty than nice). They keep telling everyone that Santa came last night, but they will be really amazed when he brings even more stuff Christmas Eve!

We made a second attempt at attending a movie last weekend. We went to see the Muppets (pretty cute), and they did alright. The previews lasted for what seemed forever (30 minutes) and I really think that if those had been a bit shorter the movie would have captured their attention more and they would have made it better through the last 15 minutes, which were rough. I do think, too, that if they knew the characters we would have better success so if there is a Dora, or Diego, or Super Why, Dino Dan, or Strawberry Shortcake movie anytime soon we are there! All in all it was a fun time, even if Ray-Ray and So-So may have been embarrassed to be with us there at the end!

There Are Two Santas, Momma?

2011-12-06T19:54:00.008-06:00

Santa made an appearance at the Y tonight and we took the kids to visit with him. They did great telling him what they want (and even what I wanted), and eagerly sat on his lap to take a picture. Unfortunately, I only had my camera phone with me but we will surely be visiting a more formal Santa sometime soon! When we were leaving Tyler asked me if there were 2 Santas, because he talked to one when he was at Home Depot with dad while Katie was at dance class. His count will definitely be up by the time Christmas arrives - I didn't think I would have to be explaining that one so soon! We still haven't taken our Christmas card pictures (so those will definitely be late), and I toyed with trying to get some tonight but none will really work. So, here are just a couple of random shots too!

Rockettes!

2011-12-04T19:48:00.004-06:00

Katie spent the day with So-So at the Rockettes show! From everything I have heard she had a great time. She came back with a Rockettes costume that she immediately stripped down to put on when she walked in the house. She brought Tyler a bear and told me all about the bear in the show who was wearing "her" costume. Tyler was excited about his gift and had a good time while his sister was away playing at Ray-Ray's house and watching football with the boys. I got to go shopping and to the grocery store by myself which meant I also had a pretty darn good day!

Decision Maker For Hire

2011-12-02T10:06:00.002-06:00

I have had the hardest time making decisions lately (let's be honest - I am never good at it but it has just gotten worse)! I think it is because I have been uber stressed with lots of work responsibilities and my little brain it just at capacity thinking about things that have to be done rather than decisions that I need to make! My car is acting up (again) - the battery light keeps coming on and power steering goes out - and despite having it looked at and tested nobody can figure out what is wrong. My decision there boils down to do we just hope that it will be alright since it seems to recover when you turn the car off and just pray that it doesn't happen while driving on the interstate, or do we urge someone to find something wrong to fix. Or, I guess the other option is do we hold onto it until it is paid off in a year and see if we can drive it into the ground with hopefully minimal repair costs, or cut our losses (and probably expenses considering the history of this thing) and find a way to get something different which would entail somehow paying off the loan on this one and qualifying for something else with equally as low payments.

My hired (for cheap) decision maker would also help me with parenting issues. The school thing is still out there and if I want them in PK next Fall I have to decide by December 31st. Plus, we just got a letter from Katie's dance class that wants $130 for her recital and costume fee and I can't decide if we are going to do that because it doesn't really make sense if we don't sign her up for classes the next session since the recital isn't until May. Katie loves dance, but I don't think she would notice if we didn't do it and it is pretty expensive considering that she keeps talking about wanting to go to swimming classes, play soccer, etc., too. I could get her that for Christmas, but then she wouldn't have as many tangible things under the tree so it is another one I just go back and forth on. In the face of hearing the stories of the families I work with and others struggling, I know that we are lucky to have these dilemmas - some people (some that the kids go to school with) don't have cars at all, can't even consider dance classes or soccer teams, and would love to get just one thing for Christmas. Nevertheless, it is just hitting me that you think the expensive time of having kids is over when they are out of diapers, not drinking formula, and not in child care but I am fast learning that those expenses just get replaced with even bigger ones!

Holidays

2011-11-30T09:26:00.002-06:00

We had a fantastic Thanksgiving, even if we didn't get to spend near as much time as we would like with everyone. The kids had fun visiting with Uncle Matthew, and always have a good time at Ray-Ray and So-So's, on Thanksgiving Day. They then got to play with their cousins and my dad's kids on Friday and continue the fun with cousins, including playing at the park across the street, on Saturday. They were big days for two little ones (they are still little to me but don't let them hear you say it or you will promptly be told that they are big kids), but they did good! The kids don't quite understand Thanksgiving and Christmas, and surprisingly didn't like Thanksgiving food as much as I thought they would, but they sure are excited to see all of the lights and Christmas trees starting to pop up around town. They keep asking me if it is Christmas and I try to explain that the whole month is "Christmastime," but of course they don't quite get that. We will put our tree and lights up this weekend, will visit Santa soon, will start the Elf on the Shelf craziness, do the Christmas calendar, hopefully go to the Ice exhibit or the light show, take some Christmas card pictures, and Katie gets to go see the Rockettes with So-So, so maybe it will all start to make sense soon that we get a whole month of Christmas fun! I haven't done one bit of Christmas shopping, but I am excited about their Christmas morning this year - I think they will be so excited and finally start to really dig this Santa character! I have long said that one of the most challenging things about a marriage is coordinating holidays and this year is no exception, especially since Christmas falls on the weekend. Hopefully, though, we will get to see everyone again. Vandy is playing a bowl game in Memphis on New Year's Eve which throws another wrench in the plans, but we are hopeful that we can make it to that too! Somehow I always forget how hectic and busy the Holiday season really is - if I did remember I might actually make good on my promise to myself to do some things ahead of time!

No big plans this weekend (for us that is, little Bug has a fun-filled weekend of dance class and Rockettes), but we will surely get some pictures and I'll update here! Work has been crazy busy lately, but all the big projects are coming to an end so I am definitely going to try to update here a bit more!!!

Funny Kids

2011-11-15T17:57:00.011-06:00

This age is almost equal parts exasperating and lots of fun, and with two three year olds we get a healthy dose of both! Katie has discovered nightgowns thanks to my sister and is overjoyed at getting to wear dresses (she is still obsessed) to bed. She has relented and will now wear jeans to football games (they got to go to the tailgate again with us for the last game), but any other time it is a battle to get her dressed (she literally undresses the minute we put jeans on her) until she is satisfied that she is sufficiently girly. Tyler is starting to pick up on humor and is always trying to tell you jokes and riddles (that usually don't make much sense, but that crack him up). He is also getting pretty silly - like yesterday when I picked him up at school he told me he couldn't walk because his legs were stuck in circles and he was walking around and around with crazy legs laughing like a hyena. He is doing great on his letters and letter sounds and both of them quiz me and each other all the way home each day on letters, shapes, colors. Their new demand is "momma talk to me," and they love to have conversations that are really funny to hear when they recreate them when they are playing on their own.

It is back to decision time. We have decided that we want them to go to a more traditional pre-school the year before they start Kindergarten and that will be next year if they start when they are about to turn five. Deadlines are the end of December for most programs, but we are still hesitant about them being a bit too young (especially when you look down the road and realize they will be 17 when they start college). I definitely don't think they would benefit from two more years where they are, but maybe one more year and then a new program although I think they would do great in a true PK program next Fall. We are weighing our options (since some end with a school day and don't offer aftercare, some are too expensive if we can't get financial aid, and some aren't really that much different from where they are now other than location), but the main decision on the horizon is just if we want them to be the youngest in their class (I am confident that they will be ready for school according to assessments even if we do it when they are about to turn 5) or the oldest and spending probably too much time in a preschool environment working on things that they already know.

Anyway, we keep going back and forth so the decision will probably be made by us not making a decision in time! I didn't get any pictures this weekend with the kids in their Vandy garb, but I do have these random ones that show them happy and grumpy - something that can change minute by minute!

Another Big Thank You Needed

2011-11-06T18:39:00.002-06:00

We went to the beautiful wedding for my cousin this weekend in Mobile. It is about a six hour drive and we went down on Saturday morning and left to return home early Sunday morning. That is a lot of time in the car with two three year olds who after sitting in car seats with us on a time schedule would then have to be in an environment where they would be expected (probably just by me) to be on good behavior. So, we are very lucky and grateful that Ray Ray and So So watched the kids for us and made it possible for us to spend time with family and get there and back much easier than we would have with them in tow. It was no hardship for the kids, though. Despite Katie running a low-grade fever tonight and obviously feeling pretty crappy, she keeps excitedly telling me about the people she spent time with and asking to see them again - they both seemed to have a fun day with their Grandparents at a friend's house. Tyler does not understand why Katie is getting more attention than him tonight, but I would rather deal with his jealousy than him sick too so I am hoping he doesn't get it! All in all I think it was a good weekend for everyone and we are so, so thankful that we have somebody to help us out in times like these that the kids love so much and have so much fun. AND we are thrilled that we got to go to the wedding (which incidentally made me feel old because a person that I remember as a baby should not be old enough to be married)!

Cupcakes and Firetrucks!

2011-10-31T09:01:00.006-05:00

We went to the 1st annual Fall Festival at the Y yesterday and I am a little surprised at what made the biggest impression. We did traditional Halloween stuff like hay rides and trick or treating (in car trunks), and got to jump in jumpy houses, eat popcorn, and do a little more dancing in costumes, BUT the main thing the kids liked was the cupcake walk. On the way to school today they couldn't stop talking about how you walked around the circle and stopped on numbers and if your number was called you got a pink cupcake! What actually happened was that the lady running the walk tried to match up the number to the one Katie would eventually land on (since we circled many, many times without being called) and when her number was called she asked Tyler if he wanted a cupcake too (of course, he said yes).

They also got to get into a firetruck. Tyler was thrilled, Katie wasn't too impressed. We just can't get Tyler to wear the Tiger hat, but he still enjoys "roaring" when he wears just the body part of the Tiger costume. Along with the cupcake conversation we had a few more this morning that had me stumped on how to explain. Tyler had to use the bathroom and we weren't far from school so I asked him if he could hold it. He did the typical reach down and try to physically "hold it" so I tried (again) to explain that what I really meant was to not go until we got to a bathroom - difficult! Then Katie asked me who her Auntie (which she says Auntee) was and I told her who her Aunts (which I have always said like ants) were, but tried to explain that they are called Aunt and not Auntie in our family and then she insisted that she had an Auntie because all of her friends do so we are just going with it, for now! The other was with Tyler, he was talking excitedly about hiding since lately he has really enjoyed hiding and listening to us seek him out. I was trying to explain that hiding is ok if we are playing a game, but that if I ever say Tyler come out now he has to do it (because I fear he will hide at a time when he shouldn't and he will get lost or scare me silly that he is lost - he is a good hider). He kept telling me, but mom that isn't how it works - you are supposed to find me - and I tried to explain that most of the time we can do it that way, but that if I ever tell him that he has to come out it is because I can't find him and need to. I am not sure if he got it, maybe I need to test it when I actually do know where he is and praise him for doing what I ask! Doing what I ask is not typical these days, but we had their parent teacher conferences and both of their teachers said they listen and mind really well so I am hopeful that it is just with me that they pretend like they can't hear or understand what I am asking. They both got really great evaluations in their first event parent/teacher meetings :)!

We are excited for Halloween fun tonight. I think we are going to attempt one of us trick or treating with them and one handing out candy, but that may mean that the extent of our trick or treating is our little neighborhood! This is the first year that the kids have actually gotten to eat the candy they receive and understand that it is a special treat - I think Halloween has created monsters out of these two in that they are not complete candy mongers! We have talked a lot about "too much candy will make you sick," and watched a couple of shows with that same theme so I am hopeful that they understand why we limit them to just a couple of pieces!

COLD Halloween Fun

2011-10-29T19:26:00.008-05:00

We went to the Zoo Halloween extravaganza last night with So-So and Ray, which was the first time the kids got to wear their costumes. We will let them wear them to a festival at the Y tomorrow and on Halloween, of course - but ever since they have come in they have been itching to wear them so they were super excited about our zoo adventure. It was very cold, considering this is essentially our first cold snap, but the kids had fun even if they wouldn't wear pieces of their costumes - tiger head for Tyler and daisy headband for Katie. It was "trick or treat training" since they had booths set up on a trick or treat trail for the kids to visit - and surprisingly Katie was the shy one and Tyler was all about getting some candy!

Tonight I think we had an all-time most tired child in Katie, who spent the day at the tailgate and bouncy houses and was completely exhausted. They were both worn out - we went to the Arkansas/Vandy game where they had a fall festival set up and we had our usual tailgate which meant lots of fun and activity for T&K and we didn't get home until 4:30 after leaving the house at 9:00. It was a long, but fun day. I hope to have better success getting pictures on Halloween since I had an uncooperative camera and children this time, but here are a couple from the zoo.

The Daisy, Princess, Fairy - as Katie describes herself.

The headless tiger! Trick or Treating.

Tyler, especially, was a dancing fool. He was cutting a rug at the game today too and it is pretty funny - let's just say rhythm is not his "thing," but it makes me smile because he is having so much fun and doesn't have a self-conscious thought when he is letting loose!

More Fall Fun!

2011-10-23T12:11:00.007-05:00

This weekend meant more Fall fun for everyone. Lance and I got to go to the Vandy game (big, big thank you to So-So and Ray-Ray for watching the kids again) and had a great time watching a victory and spending time with friends. Earlier in the day we went to Gentry Farms and I forgot to charge my camera, but got a few shots before it completely died! It was much more crowded out there since it was such a beautiful day and the second to last weekend of them being open - but the hayride, hay maze and playing in the corn troughs were still lots of fun. This evening is pumpkin carving time so we can finally "light them up" like the kids have been begging to.

Tyler has been telling everyone who asks that he is going to be Super Why for Halloween, but his tiger costume came yesterday and he loves it so hopefully he will go back to that choice! Katie is upset that hers isn't in yet, but hopefully it will be here soon. They have Halloween parties and a festival at school next week so it should be fun for them - they are of course big fans of candy and seem to be at the perfect age for playing pretend and really getting into being in costume. Tyler has become a champ with letters and letter sounds, even if S and C, G and J still confuse him. I don't think Katie is behind, but she is not nearly as interested as him in figuring out letters and spelling. She can tell you how to spell her name because she was jealous that Tyler could do it and we have a little toy that has letters that you press and it tells you each letter and he can pick out all the letters of his name which makes Katie want to figure it out too! I guess a little healthy competition won't hurt in this instance!

Tyler with the pumpkins. Neither of them would cooperate and look up at me when I was taking a picture, and my camera didn't have enough juice to wait them out!

Katie in her super cute outfit from So-So!

Tyler called this a jungle! The corn is always a big hit.

Halloween

2011-10-19T08:59:00.002-05:00

Well, after much deliberation, we have finally decided on Halloween costumes. After agreeing, Tyler has already changed his mind, but hopefully we can talk it up enough in the next two weeks and he'll be back to wanting to be a.... Tiger! Katie has decided to be a flower "princess." We got her a daisy costume since her primary requirement was to have a tutu and she pointed it out and said that was what she wanted to be. The price was right on both of their costumes so we just went for it, last minute since they are being shipped and won't be here until right before Halloween. I want to get them out to Ghouls at Grassmere, but probably won't have their costumes in time so they might have a second costume pieced together from stuff at home (princess dress-up dresses, cowboy, etc). Tyler has become determined that he wants to be Super Why (of course, now that I ordered something different and it is something that I can't really create at home), and I am hoping that changes but love that he is so into that show. It has been great for him picking up on letters and letter sounds - and Katie watches too and pretends to be Princess Presto spelling stuff with her wand. They crack me up with the stories they tell to each other and us, and playing pretend - I am loving watching their imaginations grow.

Last night was the last Tumble Tots class and they got to jump in a bouncy house! We have some decisions to make because Katie still loves her dance class and it is over in December unless we re-up (would probably do the one that includes tap since she is mesmerized by the girls in their tap shoes). They both have shown interest in soccer (we got a little goal for the back yard and they have been practicing scoring!) and want to do swim lessons, and Tyler is convinced that he wants to do tumbling some more. I don't want them to be over-scheduled (and Lance would rather Katie do soccer than dance), but they do enjoy the classes. There are lots of things I want to do in the next few weeks - the zoo Halloween, still haven't been to Gentry Farms, carve pumpkins, and then Christmas and Thanksgiving stuff and since most of the classes are on the weekend I feel like we should probably hold off until January and re-evaluate what they want to do after we see how much "free" time we have. This time of year is so difficult - mostly because of (I am ashamed to admit) football. We love going to football (and eventually basketball) games, but the kids are still a bit too young for the night games - plus, that is a long time for them to essentially entertain themselves since they can't really follow the game action. I still wish we could find an affordable sitter that we trust (and probably could if Lance was comfortable with a "stranger" watching them), because not going to games is really not an option for Lance and I feel bad imposing on our current sitters which means that since that is my issue I should be the one not to go and to stay home with the kids. I see his point, though - if we hire a sitter, spend money out, and then get a cab if we have some cocktails - we both can't afford to go out anyway :)! Regardless, we hope to make it out to a pumpkin farm Saturday and maybe the zoo on Friday so hopefully the next post will include cute Halloween/Fall photos!

Owen Farm

2011-10-08T17:23:00.005-05:00

It was another eventful and oh so fun Saturday! We started the day with dance class and then along with So-So and Ray-Ray made the trek out to Ashland City for a day at the pumpkin farm. There were slides, swings and even a pumpkin cannon. We were all too worn out before we made it through the corn maze, on the hayride or playing in the corn, but we will probably do those things at Gentry some time this season so it was fun to try some new things. The kids are running on fumes right now because even after a fun-filled, activity-packed day naps were a no go. I have no clue how they get them to nap (occasionally) at school, because at home they talk (to themselves if separated), sing, cry - anything to avoid sleeping. Monday I have to work, but the kids don't have school and dad will have them on his own so maybe he can figure out the nap thing!

After the day on the farm I went looking for some dresses (Katie is still insisting on wearing dresses every day to school and it will be cold soon), and was shocked to learn that Columbus Day weekend is apparently big for shopping because they were literally sold out of everything in Katie's size at Old Navy, Target, etc. I came back with the intention of loading them in the car and taking them to the mall with me to give Lance a break, and I have never seen two more exhausted children. They are having meltdowns right and left and would fall asleep standing up, I think, if they didn't have such amazing willpower! Needless to say it will be an early night for them (and probably consequently an early morning), but our farm fun was just too much for these two. Lance was in charge of bringing a change of clothes for Katie since we met over at So-So and Ray-Ray's, and he forgot them but So-So saved the day with a "popcorn" shirt that Katie just loves!

When I asked them what their favorite thing was they said picking out pumpkins (we got two big ones) AND Katie said the swing and Tyler's was the slide! They also said the pumpkin cannon, but really they couldn't decide if they were scared of it or not!

Our Little Tumblers

2011-10-04T20:27:00.004-05:00

Tonight was our Tumbling Tots class (I think we have just a couple left), and the kids are definitely going to be sad when it is done. They were pretty shy at first, but now they are excited about it and doing well. They are still working on the very basics - standing, jumping and balancing on one foot, forward rolls, banana and star jumps (their favorite), the beginnings of cartwheels, etc. - but they have gotten better (at listening and staying in line, too - but they still struggle with the line thing) every time. Katie told me today that she loves the Y because she gets to swim there in the "whale pool" and go to Tumbling Tots! Just a couple of weeks ago, they had to be coerced into the room and quickly had to hide out of sight, and now we have to make up elaborate explanations for why we have to go to school before we go to class because they just can't wait to get there!

Their classroom has big open windows and Katie is such a ham when she can see us watching and constantly looks at us and waves or acts up. It is so different than watching her on the closed circuit tv at dance class when she doesn't know I can see her - she is a completely different child! At dance class she is careful to stay where she is told, listens to the teacher intently and tries hard to figure everything out - at the tumbling class she skips in line, only does the parts that she likes, and runs over to the window to wave and preen the entire time. It might have something to do with the time of day, but more likely it is just the same strange behavior that means they are on their best behavior around everyone but me!

Stretching at the beginning of class!

Tyler is still working hard to learn his alphabet. He has learned to spell his name - for the longest time he insisted that it was T - I- L - E - R and that it couldn't be Y because that makes a different sound (he is learning the sounds letters make). Tonight at bedtime he told a pretty shocked Lance (because it is a car game on the way to and from school to talk about what letters we see on signs and what sounds they make and what other words start with what letter, so Lance had no clue that he has been asking about his name and the letters) how to spell his name and he finally said Y instead of I! He almost has Katie's too (and Katie is getting there), but he gets caught up in telling me that they both have a T in their names for Tyler. Our discussion this morning really opened my eyes to how difficult it is to learn the English language. He was telling me what people's names start with and said So-So started with a C. I told him that it was actually "s" like snake (one that he knows) and he said "no, C like cereal." Ugh - I don't really know what to do with that one! I just thought of other S words and C words like cat and car (although he asked me why those weren't K) and he seemed to accept it, but also looked at me kind of like he was just humoring me! I might need to read up on teaching reading and literacy to preschoolers, because I have definitely confused myself lately trying to figure out how to explain the rules and how best to introduce a three year old to phonics!

So Opinionated

2011-10-03T10:30:00.002-05:00

I don't know how we ended up with two very opinionated little people (ha, ha, ha) - but Tyler and Katie surely do know what they want and will do everything in their power to make it happen like they intend! Katie is doing it with clothes and I am trying very hard to let it roll off my back. She is back into a dress stage - and she cannot be convinced that it is too cold to wear the ones we have since we don't yet have long-sleeved ones or tights. I am trying to pull the trigger on the 48 hour sale for 30% off at Old Navy/Gap since they have some ones that look like they will be easy to play in and cute and comfy, BUT with Miss Independent I have know way of knowing if I am purchasing something that she will deem worthy to wear (and the sale is only online so I can't take her to find out even though she LOVES shopping). She insists on picking out what she is wearing for the day and never thinks that the first shoes I pick for her are appropriate (I need to learn from that and offer the ones I really want her to wear 2nd). She doesn't do too bad, because she is starting to pick up on matching and does seem to have some fashion sense already (probably better than mine), but the shoe thing is a debacle. She always wants to wear ones that are not quite right (black patent leather to the playground, pink sparkles a size too big to school, brown platform almost heels that I have no idea where she got), and I always end up letting her because it isn't worth the fight! Her feet have finally grown, though, so I need to go behind her back and pack up all the ones that don't fit since those are the ones she usually wants to wear, even telling me that "they only hurt a little bit mama - it's ok." Lance is appalled that she doesn't seem to care if she gets a blister and I have tried to tell him that it is not surprising that our little girlie girl already understands that sometimes you have to suffer for beauty :). I have to pick up a pair or two of shoes for her for fall/winter and I think I am going to try to find them as neutral as possible that will still be worn by my little fashionista so we don't have as much clashing!

Tyler's opinionated streak doesn't have much to do with what he wears (he could care less other than, against Lance's wishes, when he insists on wearing nail polish like Katie), but if he thinks something is correct he cannot be convinced otherwise. He is starting to recognize letters and tells me what words start with what letter and if he is incorrect and I try to tell him that his name has a "y" not an "i" for instance, he says "actually mom, it is an I - it's ok you got confused." He has definite ideas of how exactly he wants to build his blocks, put his puzzles together, or be read to as well and he will let you know what way he prefers! He is still getting so frustrated, and is whining a lot (but much better now that he isn't on prednisone) and we have yet to find anything that gets him to calm down or tell us what is wrong. Lance says that he was like that, too, and that the best thing we can do for him his to teach him to take deep breaths, keep trying, or walk away to calm down if it is too overwhelming so we are upping our efforts to really enforce time-out anytime he has a meltdown to give him the opportunity to learn both that the behavior will not be tolerated and that there is a better way to handle frustration. It is a bit touchy feely, new-age parent who thinks their kids deserve explanations (which is so not me)- but there has been a bit of progress so we are sticking with it for now. The allergy medicine seems to really be helping him, too and hopefully if we can get that under control he will have less breathing issues and no need for the rage inducing steroids!

The kids spent Saturday night with Ray-Ray and So-So (and we are so thankful), while Lance and I went out to celebrate his birthday so we didn't have much on the agenda for the weekend other than the usual dance class for Katie. We had a good time, though, playing in the backyard with the beautiful Fall-like weather and of course, watching Tyler put puzzles together (he is still obsessed). Next weekend I either want to go to Gentry Farms or I want to try out a new place I heard about in Chapmansboro that has all the same things as Gentry, but also has inflatables and a little train. Lance has to work, though, and I always get lost trying to find new places (still, after living here for many more years than when I was driving in Florida) so we will probably end up where I know! Either way, I hope to have pictures of our Fall fun next time I post!

Update on Tyler

2011-09-28T16:21:00.003-05:00

Tyler had his follow-up appointment today and the verdict is that we should move :). Just kidding, sorta! I never had allergies until I moved to Tennessee, and Lance has some of the worst seasonal allergies that I know of so it only makes sense that Tyler also has seasonal allergies, and that I think if we moved somewhere (like Florida) he would not have to suffer quite so much. Anyone that knows us, though, knows that we aren't going anywhere so instead we are going to battle with the allergies. He had an ear infection, and will take daily allergy medicine, BUT his lungs sounded good and we don't have to continue with the steroids or breathing treatments right now - woohoo!!!

If we lived somewhere else neither of the children would have had the same opportunities to have as much fun as they did on Sunday! Tyler got to go to the Titans game with his dad. They made it to halftime (it is pretty taxing to a three year old just getting in and out of there) and Lance said that most of the time Tyler spent eating, but that night when I asked him what his favorite thing about the day was he told me "going to the football with daddy." I also asked him what he wanted to play (when he was commenting on me playing tennis) when he got bigger and he told me he wanted to "be the best football game" - he doesn't really get the difference in game and player at this point and if he decides he is saying something correctly then he is convinced that he is right! Katie and I went to the arts and crafts festival at Centennial Park and fed the ducks, went to a puppet show, played on the playground, walked around and looked at the booths, and Katie had her first sno-cone. We had a lot of fun spending individual time with them, but next time we need to switch it up since Katie was pretty jealous that she didn't get to go to the game! Here is a phone picture (with Katie still obsessed with her Dora dress) - I don't know if Lance got any at the game or not (I still worry that it shows some sort of favoritism if I post a picture of only one of them :) - but posts with pictures are better)!

Thanks Grandma!

2011-09-22T19:54:00.002-05:00

Neither Lance nor I remember ever saying anything about the soon to be hot wheels track in front of Tyler, but when we finally brought one home today Tyler said "got me a track with birthday money from Grandma?" The answer was yes, and he was very excited! Tyler got lots of great hot wheels for his birthday and has been creating "tracks" out of everything he can think of - empty wrapping paper rolls being the favorite since they shoot out of it when it is on an incline. So, we got him a track that launches cars through loops and over a jump. Surprisingly, they were both enthralled with it enough to play together very well and were delighted every time we found a car that would actually make the jump!

Fall Fest Fun

2011-09-18T18:24:00.009-05:00

We made it out to Fall Fest today - twice! We went when they opened, came home for lunch and back out this afternoon - and we had a blast. The kids scared me silly with their opening act - the climbing wall and long slide! They did it over and over again and thought it was the best thing ever.

Until we went on the train, and then that stole the show!
The obstacle course bouncy and t-ball were big hits too!

The Fair and Go Vandy!!!

2011-09-17T19:50:00.001-05:00

Last night we went to the State Fair. It is sneakily expensive considering getting in the gate isn't that bad, but we had a great time. The kids wanted to ride every ride but they weren't tall enough to make a wristband worth it (although $5 apiece for any of the games, and $5 for tickets for one ride means it makes a lot of sense if they were just a little bit bigger). They did get to ride the cars and thought it was so fun. We got Tyler out of his seat when the ride was over and he very calmly walked back, climbed back in and buckled himself up when he decided that he wanted to do it again. The only thing that distracted Katie was her desire for a "lollipop," which I finally figured out was a candy apple!

Today, thanks to our awesome sitters Tommy and Ashley and Liz (in shifts), Lance and I got to go to the Vandy game to see a win over Ole Miss. We had a great time and are very thankful for the help watching the kids! It will probably get a little cooler soon and we can take them out with us to enjoy the bouncy houses they have set up in Vandyville. It would have been impossible today - I took Katie to dance class and we were rushing to get home and get back in time for the early game. Dance class is a huge hit - she is loving it more and more everytime. They are also doing a tumbling class at the Y, and with the exception of getting in trouble for wanting to do everything at the same time when they are supposed to wait in line, they are doing great. They have made people watching through the big open windows melt with how sweet they are to each other in the class - I don't know if it is trying to comfort each other in a scary situation, or because they are separated in class now, but they walk around the class holding hands and trying to help each other learn the moves, and twice they have given each other the sweetest hug seemingly out of the blue. Tomorrow I am going to take them to Fall Fest and will try to remember the camera so we can get better pictures than these taken with the camera phone.

Katie (on the wrong side of the car) chose the right color and was having a ball waving and smiling everytime she went by us! Tyler was the first one in to his choice (orange matchbox looking car, of course) but for some reason sat in the backseat and he didn't really notice us - he was just intent on beeping his horn!

3 Year Stats

2011-09-12T12:52:00.003-05:00

The kids were so good today at the doctor appointment for their three year well-visit and didn't even cry when they got their flu shots. Lance and I, of course, were nervous nellies since we were listening to every parent come in there and say their child had a fever of 103 all weekend, this one has been vomiting, etc., etc. and the kids they were talking about were running around touching everything and trying to play with K&T. I really wish there was a separate waiting area for sick and well kids. I think they tried to get the sick ones out of there quick, but I was really a bit annoyed at the parents who were just letting their children play with the other children even though they were there because they thought their child's illness was bad enough for a doctor visit! Here's hoping we didn't pick up anything - although I did while at a wedding this weekend in Indiana (big, big thank you to So-So and Ray-Ray for watching the kids for us again) so if they do get sick I won't know if it is my fault or the doctor visit (where they always seem to pick up something).

Anyway, they got a good check-up report. I find it very hard to believe since Tyler seems so much heavier than Katie, but they were only a pound apart - Tyler at 31 pounds and Katie at 30. Katie is 3 feet tall, and Tyler has her by one inch at 3 foot, 1 inch. They are both in about the 50th percentile for weight, and 25th for length. Katie's little head is almost a full inch smaller than Tyler's - I guess it goes along with her teeny tiny feet that have just now grown to a size toddler 6. I think we are going to have to pick up some wide shoes for Sweet T since they have grown a bit in length (he is in an 8/9 I think) but seem to just keep getting wider and wider :)!

Poor Tyler, during the course of the regular check-up the doctor said that little man was wheezing pretty bad. I didn't even notice, especially since the coughing has subsided somewhat since his very slight cold (or maybe weather change) the last week or so. We have been giving him breathing treatments periodically to try to curb the coughing, but didn't notice any retracting or wheezing. Our doctor, though, wants him back on the albuterol every four hours, wants him to take prednisone (yuck, yuck - that is what makes him so angry and irritable) for a week, and then wants to see him back in 7 days. When we do go back we are going to get a child inhaler/spacer device with mask that should be a little quicker to use for Tyler, and talk again about putting him on something daily preventative. I had hoped he would grow out of the asthma stuff, but it seems like it is something he will have to deal with for a while :(. I really want to get him in to see an allergist to see if there are any triggers that we can minimize, and I am glad that we are sitting down with the doctor after this course of treatment and devising a plan going forward of how we are going to deal with it, what we need to be on the look-out for, etc. My crappy, no co-pay insurance is going to take a beating again this winter it seems, and we have to add dental appointments into the mix now for these two big kids! BUT, we are pretty much done with diapers/pull-ups in the day and getting there at least with Tyler at night, and since they are still pretty short a lot of their pants and jeans from last year will still fit so that's good news! Still, if you know of anyone looking to buy or sell real estate in TN please send them Lance's way :)!