Category: Activities

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Activities Cole Family & Friends Ryan

Moving Day

While I wish I could say today was our moving day, (hopefully we’ll have one in the near future), Ryan and Cole got a taste of what moving is like.  Our wonderful child care provider was moving into a new house today, and needed some extra help. 

Ryan had a preschool make-up day today and he spent Friday night at Grandma’s house.  So we picked him up from Grandma’s and took him to school, where we were informed that a cow just had a calf that morning!  Mama Cow and Baby Calf weren’t ready to make an appearance today, so hopefully we’ll be able to see them on Tuesday.  We also got to see several baby goats and Ryan also said that a sheep had a baby lamb.  It must be spring time or something!

 Joe, Cole, and I went to get some coffee (Cole had water) and then we took Cole to the park to play for a while.  It was a gorgeous day.  Then we headed over to J.’s house.  I am so glad we decided to help out, because all of her “man” help had canceled.  There was only her daughter’s boyfriend (teen aged boy), and one other man there.  J. didn’t have too many things but with not a lot of help, it took Joe and this other guy about 3 hours to move the heavy stuff.  I was trying to help with smaller items, but had to keep an eye on Cole too.

I managed to load a few things in the van, and move some toys into the van too.  Cole had fun “sweeping” J’s garage and walking up and down the moving truck’s ramp- hence why I had to keep an eye on him.  I was trying to let him walk up the ramp in between Joe and other guy loading loading heavy, big, items.  At one point, Cole was getting really fussy so I was holding him in one arm, and carrying what I could manage in the other arm. (more on this in a sec.)

When it was time for me to go get Ryan, the truck was loaded, so Joe said he’d go over to the new house and help unload, and then I’d come by and pick him up.  Well, Cole was tired, hot, and hungry. After I picked up Ryan, we made a pit-stop at Grandma’s for lunch.  She made the boys a nice lunch, and definitely helped thwart off two melt-downs.  Even though Ryan eats lunch at school, he was outside playing all day, and he was hungry!   Thanks Grandma!

We finally made it to J.’s new house, where Ryan flipped out when he saw a real live moving truck, with a ramp no less!  They were about half way done, and Ryan turned into the moving director.  He would stand at the side of the ramp, and tell me to stay back- it was too dangerous for me and Coley, but since he was a big boy, and Dad was a big boy, they could be near the truck.  After Joe and the other guy were off the ramp, he would run up the ramp, into the back of the truck, and pick out what Daddy and “the other man,” were going to move next. Of course Cole had to be right there too, next to Ryan.  I managed to help unload a few things, and set some toys up, but spent most of the time watching to make sure Cole didn’t fall out of the truck!

We finally finished at 2, and J. was very appreciative. They boys were exhausted, but we managed to keep them from falling asleep on the way home, so they could take their naps at home.  I’m very happy we were able to help J.  She does a phenomenal job of taking care of Ryan and Cole.  You can’t really pay someone like this, who not only watches your children, but loves them too, enough, so we were happy to be able to do something else for her.

Now for the reality check: as we were driving home, Joe said that he heard J.’s teen aged daughter and her friend talking at one point. He said he didn’t hear the entire conversation, but he heard one of them say, “He is the husband of the mother with the two little boys, (obviously referring to Joe and I), and then she added, “they are old.”  OUCH! 

I guess to high school kids, we are old.  But Joe made the point that even if he was old, him and this other man (who is also “old”) out worked all three teenagers combined.  I also realized I was carrying a 30 pound toddler in one arm and carrying crates of movies, toys, and chairs in the other arm at one point, so enen though  I may be “old,” I’d like to see those teenage girls do that!  So take that, young whippersnappers!  🙂

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Activities Cole Current Events Family & Friends Mothering Parenting Ryan Work

Take Your Sons to Work & Weekend Activities

We have had a pretty busy weekend around here.  On Friday morning we had our Music Together class.  After that I took the boys to my office, because Ryan has been asking where I work, and all kinds of questions about my office.  Plus, my boss has been wanting to meet the boys since started, and it has just never worked out before.

We got to my office about 11:15, and discovered my boss, “Jane” (not her real name) was the only person in the office.  One of the ladies had called in sick, and the other person was a client’s office.  So Ryan and Cole had the place to themselves.  Ryan walked right up to Jane, stuck his hand out to shaker her hand and said, “Hi, I’m Ryan.  Nice to meet you.”  He was so cute and not shy at all! 

Jane got stamps out for the boys and let them stamp their hearts out.  Cole progressed from paper, to stamping his shirt.  Of course, I dressed them up in nicer than normal clothes, so I have yet to see if the red ink will come out of the shirt. 

I finished up a tiny bit of work, while Ryan and Cole “worked” too.  They were very busy three-hole punching paper, highlighting accounts, and of course stamping.  Then Jane was trying to fax a really long document and Ryan was very interested in the fax machine.  I tried to move him away from the fax, while Jane was trying to use it, and Jane told me it was OK- he wasn’t in the way.  Then Ryan said, “Yea Mom, I’m working with Jane.”  He proceeded to follow her around the rest of the visit, and ask her about all of her pictures of her family on her desk in her office. 

The favorite part of the day was the shredder.  We have a closed and locked bin where all documents go, and then once a month a company comes and shreds the entire bag.  We can open it if we need to, but there is a slot where we slide the papers down.  Ryan and Cole were just enthralled with that.  I guess for little boys, that was just way too cool. 

Another funny thing was about half way through the visit Ryan told me he had to go pee.  I took him to the bathroom, and after he was done, he asked, “Is this where Jane goes poopie?”  I had to laugh at that one.

As we were leaving Jane told Ryan and Cole that they had both been very good boys, and they were welcome back anytime.  Ryan smiled at her and said, “OK, we’ll come back then and finish our work.”  Then he hugged her.  I would have to say that I think Ryan has a little crush on Jane, which is very sweet.

Then I treated the boys to lunch at our favorite noodle place, just up the street.  We had an awesome view of the mountains, and just had a fun lunch talking about the office.

On Saturday I took Ryan to his friends fourth birthday party, where he of course, had a ball.  He got to dress up as a fireman, make a train placemat, play grocery store, play with all kinds of trucks, trains, and toys, and play outside.  The party was in a city-operated preschool, where they have birthday parties on the weekends.  The best part for him was the birthday cake-of course. 

It was fun for me too, because Cole stayed home with Joe, so he could have his nap, so I got to visit with my friends more than I normally do at parties like this.  It was a nice afternoon.

Then the reason Cole needed his nap was we went to my dad’s house for dinner, to see my grandmother, Mimi, who is in town for a few weeks.  She comes to “the big city” to get away from the cold winters where she lives.  Mimi is the only great-grandmother that Ryan and Cole have, so it is very important they visit with her when they can.  Ryan gave her lots of hugs, and Cole did too, once he got used to her.  We had a yummy dinner, and got to visit.

Today Joe, Cole, and I made a Costco run, while Ryan was at Grandma and Grandpa’s house.  Then Joe took Cole out there, and I found myself alone- with no kids.  How often does that happen?  I went for a really, really, long walk and it was great, despite it being windy.  Now I am off to fold some laundry and get some dinner ready.

I am also excited about the Academy Awards tonight.  I LOVE to see all the fashions, and will write my “Mama’s Blog Second Annual Academy Awards Fashion Reveiew” tonight, hopefully.  So check in later to see who made my best dressed, and worst dressed list, as well as the overall winner in my book for best and worst dressed.  Enjoy the show dah’lings.  🙂

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Activities Cole Family & Friends Parenting Ryan Shopping

Odds & Ends

  • It finally warmed up today.  Ryan received an air rocket launcher for his birthday (over a month ago), and has been dying to use it, but it has been too cold.  Today when he saw the sun was shining, he said, “Today is a nice day.   Can we go to the park and shoot off the rocket?”  After breakfast we headed out, only to discover it was way too windy to shoot the rocket off.  We took the boys to the park instead, but the wind was very strong, and was making it cold yet again.  After about 15 minutes, we had to call it quits. 

We came home, had lunch, and then the boys took a nap.  When Cole woke up I took him to the health food store, and the grocery store for groceries.  The wind had died down, and it was wonderful.  Cole and I didn’t even need our jackets.  Joe took Ryan to finally shoot off his rocket.  We all got home at the same time, and Ryan had so much fun with the rocket.  He kept saying he hopes it is warm tomorrow, so he can go again. 

  • While we were eating dinner, Cole was particularly fussy- he didn’t want to eat, but he kept pointing to my plate.  When I offered him my plate, he would just start fussing again.  We couldn’t figure out what the problem was.  I was trying to get Cole to eat something, but to no avail.  I tried bribing next- I told Cole if he ate his food he could have dessert.  Even that didn’t work.  But Ryan, not missing a beat, had to point out that he was already done with his dinner and he was going to get dessert.  I told him that was correct, but we were going to wait for dessert until Cole had eaten.  Frustrated, Ryan pulls says to Cole, in his best stern Sir Topham Hatt voice, “Coley, you are causing confusion and delay.”         

I just burst out laughing- it was so funny, and just perfect timing.  Later, as they were getting dressed after their bath, Cole was goofing around, and was not being very cooperative, when I was trying to get him to stay still, so I could put his diaper on.  Again, Ryan tells Cole, he “is causing confusion and delay.” 

  • I got my hair cut yesterday.  I realized it had been almost six months, since the last time a pair of scissors had touched my hair.  It was to my shoulders, and I got about three inches cut off, and got it thinned out.  I always forget how much lighter my neck feels when I have this done.  I like it.  I didn’t get it a new cut, but it feels great to have it trimmed up again.

  • My Alzheimer’s is behind me!  I finally, finally, found the bag of art supplies I have been looking for now, for several weeks.  Were they in some obscure place?  Nope.  They were in a Dillard’s bag, in the front closet- the closet I have checked at least 20 times before.  Don’t know why I never found them before, or how I missed them, but I was very happy when I came across them yesterday. 

I think what threw me was the Dillard’s bag.  I hardly ever shop at Dillard’s.  I can’t say when the last time I was there.  I don’t know where the bag even came from, so I think when I saw it, I figured it was something really, really, old in there- like clothes that need to be donated or something like that, and I just skipped right over it.  Now we’ll see if we get another snowy day, in which the boys could actually use the supplies before next winter.  

  • My Alzheimer’s is gone, but now it has hit Joe.  He has a bad habit of forgetting to close the garage door.  Someone could walk right in our house this way, or just help themselves to his myriads of tools on the shelves in there, and we would never know they were gone, until that day he is looking for that one tool, and can’t find it.  Joe carried in the groceries for me this afternoon around five.  We carry them in through the garage, since it leads right into the kitchen.

Tonight at 11, the doorbell rings.  We were watching a movie, and wondered who in the world would be at the door that late?  Joe answered it, and it was our wonderful neighbor across the street.  He told us he was sorry to bother us, but they were getting ready to go to sleep, and had noticed that our garage door had been open all night, and he knew we usually keep it closed, so he wanted to let us know.  Thank goodness he did.  That would have been great- leaving the door up all night.  I check it sometimes before I go to bed, but not always.  I told Joe we need an alarm or something. 

  • Tomorrow it is supposed to be warm again, and no wind.  I desperately need some new clothes.  I won’t complain, because I finally, finally lost all my baby weight for good, and then some.  I have forced myself to stop eating dessert every (only occasionally now) night, and surprisingly lost almost 10 pounds.  So once again, I don’t have any jeans that fit great.  I’m hoping to sneak off to the mall for some shopping.  I also have a friend who is due in March with her first baby, and she is having a boy.  I know they are having some great sales right now too, so I want to get her baby some goodies.  🙂  We’ll  see how that goes. 

  • I have to take my Jeep back into the shop on Monday.  We had it in last week for a tune up, and the shocks were shot.  After we got it back, it idled very rough, and the check engine light came on.  Guess they didn’t fix it right, or did something wrong.  So I hope to get all those little things done tomorrow, since we’ll be home-bound on Monday. 

 Hope you can stand all the excitement around here.  At least we aren’t sick.  J

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Activities Cole Current Events Family & Friends Me Ryan

Super Bowl Sunday

Today we had a Super Bowl Party in our living room, according to Ryan.  We had plans with the in-laws, but father-in-law was not feeling well, so we stayed home.  Ryan and I made some marble cheesecake squares, (recipe from Cooking Light) some salad, and my own special Italian grilled sandwiches.  Ryan was so excited to have a “party,” he had to call my dad, and invite him over.  Of course my dad couldn’t come, but it was cute.  We had fun watching the game, and eating our treats in the living room. 

 I was super excited, because I was rooting for the New York Giants.  I was really into the game the last quarter, and I was hooting and hollering, as they took the lead.  I think I was too loud, because Ryan told me to stop making all that noise.  🙂  Football is the sport I like to watch the most, and I think this year’s Super Bowl was one of the best!  It was a great game, with an amazing upset the Giants pulled off.  It made for an exciting afternoon and evening.

But the best part was watching the boys during the half time show.  Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers were playing (who I really like), and on the last song, Ryan and Cole decided they were going to be rock stars too- here they are rocking out during the half time show:

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Hope everyone had a fun Super Bowl.  Sorry if you were rooting for New England, but the game belonged to the Giants!!

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Activities Cole Family & Friends Health Me Ryan

Another Busy/Sick Week

I haven’t been blogging much for the following reasons:

SICK- Both Ryan and Cole have been so sick with a viral infection.  It is just plain gross, how much congestion is coming out of their noses and eyes.  They have sore throats and fevers.  Ryan a stomach bug on top of that.    We took them to the doctor on Friday, who informed us since it is viral, antibiotics won’t help. She said if it lasts more than 10 days, or they get worse, they just have to wait it out. 

There is no way that I could be around all that gunk, and not pick it up myself.  So since last Thursday, I have had the same infection, minus the stomach bug (thank goodness).

WORK- I have been working like a madwoman trying to finish up my project from work that was due today.  I didn’t feel much like working on it over the weekend, and frankly couldn’t.  I had such a sinus headache, looking at myriads of numbers, and trying to compute and organize them into a budget, was the last thing on my mind.  I have put in about 17 hours since Monday, getting this done.  Ten of those hours were from home, while sick, while trying to take care of  two sick boys (and myself).  I don’t think I have ever been as happy to e-mail a document, as I was tonight when I was finally able to e-mail the draft of the budget to the client.  YAY!!  It ended up being so complicated, one of the accountants had to help me figure it out, but I learned a lot! The client will have a few minor changes, and then I’ll have to incorporate them in for a final draft, but compared to the two weeks of budget marathoning I have been doing, that will be a piece of cake!

SISTER IN TOWN- Unfortunately, I only saw my sister for a few hours on Monday- before she left for the airport.  We were all so sick, we didn’t want to get her sick, and I know she would have a lot better time hanging out with family and friends “in the big city,” then she would at our House of Sickness, watching us go through tissues like crazy.  I was so disappointed, but hopefully it will work out better next time.  She is hoping she can come back in March.  We’ll keep our fingers crossed.

After what has been two of the most stressful, sick, and disappointing weeks, Joe and I have a big night coming up this weekend.  We get to cash in his Christmas present, and go to a rock concert of a band we both like!  My dad and step-mom are going to watch the boys for us, and Ryan will probably spend the night, as long as he is feeling up to it.  We are really excited, and it will be a great date night, and a chance to have some fun.  We are ready- rock on!