Sick Day

Yesterday at lunch time Kyle came home sick. He promptly went to the couch with a blanket and pillow. He put in a movie and relaxed. While I was making lunch I realized the kiddos were exceptionally quiet. Usually they are all over the kitchen telling me what to make and how to make it, and is it done yet?! I went to investigate and this is what I found:

Everyone enjoying a midday movie!

Talking In His Sleep

When I went to check on Brian last night I found him like this

When I was moving him to the center of his bed Brian started to talk. He was saying "Lets do this one, lets do this one, lets do this one, lets do this one. Dad said, lets do this one, lets do this one". He finally stopped when I said, "Ok." He relaxed and settled into his pillows and stopped talking. Too dang cute. I love my kiddos.
CJ has not had anymore monster dreams waking her. We talk at bed time about what to dream about. I give her ideas like riding unicorns through the clouds and riding them to the ice cream store. I hope putting her to bed thinking about fun things will help, so far so good! She does still ask to sleep in our bed. She didn't put up as much of a fight last night. I hope we're at the end of this phase.

Update

Still going down! I'm down another 1.6 for a total of 38.8 pounds!! I'm this close to my goal, that is, if I don't change my goal. I'm about 5 pounds from my first real goal. I'm not sure that's where I want to settle, so I may keep going. I guess we'll see in five. I feel great. New gym is big, but good. I'm still trying to figure out a good schedule. I did take a core fit class. It was challenging but fun. I think I will go again.

Surprise!

This afternoon I went to the gym, I know what's new? CJ and Brian loooooove the new gym. They love the new big kids room. They love that they do art projects, I love that they do art projects. When I dropped off my children I dropped off a Son and a Daughter. I picked up and took home a...














Butterfly!

and a...

Pirate!


Who knew Tuesday was face painting day at the gym? I totally didn't expect that when I went to pick them up! It looked awesome. I was sad to wash it off tonight. CJ and Brian wanted to go for a walk around the neighborhood to show off their faces. They smiled ear to ear when someone mentioned how cute they were. Brian kept looking in the mirror saying "ahr, I'm a pirate!" CJ flapped her wings when she was walking. So funny.

Bad Night

Last night CJ woke up several times very worried about monsters. I checked under her bed, behind the toy box, and out the window multiple times. We even sprayed the anti-monster spray. She would never tell me what her bad dreams were about. Finally this morning I got it out of her. We were in my bad talking about real monsters and fake monsters. It went like this.

ME: What were your bad dreams about?
CJ: Monster
ME: Can you tell me about it?
CJ: No. (Lots and lots of tears)
ME: Did you know if you tell someone about your bad dream you won't have it again?
CJ: NO!!!! (many many more tears)
ME: Please CJ, I want to help you so you don't have more bad dreams
CJ: In my dream, there was the tickle monster!!! (more tears)
ME: Did it hurt you?
CJ: NO!!! (tears)
ME: Did he stop when you said "Stop please?"
CJ: Yes (more tears)
ME: (perplexed) Did it tickle?
CJ: Yes (more tears)
ME: Lets try to think of monsters that are not scary. Is Elmo scary?
CJ: No (no more tears)
ME: Are the monsters on Monsters Inc scary?
CJ: No
ME: Ok. Now lets try to think of real monsters we've seen before.

long silence

ME: Can you think of any?
CJ: No
ME: Do you know why?
CJ: No
ME: Because they are not real. The monsters on Seasame Street are puppets. The monsters on Monsters Inc are something someone drew on paper and computers. Artists made them up for fun, not to be scary.
CJ: OK.

Now, two questions:

1. Why would the tickle monster be so scary that she would cry that much about it and stay up all night worried and scared?

2. How do I teach her that monsters are only pretend?

Busy Busy Weekend

Friday night we spent a few hours at Harry's. Kyle was there early for a sloshball meeting and then, Hope, Jeremy, Kiddos, and I showed up to watch the BSU game. It was a great game. Fun was had by all.

Coloring and watching the game


mmmm Dessert Time!


I'm surprised Jeremy was able to sneak in a few bites! I didn't dare, I would too scared to come out with a missing finger, or possibly the whole arm!


Saturday morning we went out for breakfast, searched for yard sales. We didn't find anything exciting. Had big lunch, I made a healified version of hawaiian casserole. It was super yummy, and had much less calories and fat!! Go Me! We took family nap and then it was off to Ann Morrison Park for sloshball. Sloshball, is like baseball played with beer, you still bat, run, pitch, outfield, all that, but you also drink, a lot. It was incredibly funny to watch. CJ and Brian spent their time coloring, picking flowers, collecting the nuts that are falling from the trees, and throwing a ball around. I spent my time laughing, crying, staring up at the clouds, and enjoying what is sure to be one of the last perfect weather weekends of the year.



Kyle is ready to play

Churros after the game. They were so yummy!


Sunday morning we took Kyle to the airport, again. This trip is going to be a super short one, we're all excited about that! In just a few minutes the kiddos and I are off the a birthday party! Then baths, bed time, and our week starts all over again! Whew! I'm getting tired just thinking of the week ahead. One day at time. Think positive, be positive!

Update

I lost 1.8 this week, which makes up for the .6 that I gained last week plus 1.2 more! I'm down a total of 37.2 pounds. I'm so close to my goal! When I get there, I'm going to finally clean out my closet, take what's still good and trade it in at a consignment shop. I can't wait.

I did get a bit of bad news last night. My gym is closing next week. The kids and I had so many great relationships at that gym. They are sad that they don't get to go back and play with the kids club girls, I'm sad that I don't get to workout with my trainer anymore. I loved my little friendly gym. I've gone down to Gold's Gym and have signed up for a membership. I am looking forward to a few things, like a pool, and classes; but I'll still miss my tiny friendly gym.

RIP Fitness 19, I can't mourn for too long, I must keep moving forward if I want the scale to keep moving downward.

First Day of School

walking to school with Daddy and friends.


Posing by the big rock. Brian and CJ are just silly


The first day of school was on September 8. Kyle took the morning off. We all walked to school with Laci and Dakota (neighbors). I told the kids if they went the entire day without going into timeout we could go to a play land for lunch. I made that promise because CJ spent almost her entire first week in time out. When it came time to pick them up I was excited to see how they did. I thought CJ was going to be bossy and Brian was going to punch her. When they came out of the classroom they ran to me yelling "WE DIDN'T GO TO TIME OUT!!" They immediately started to remind me of my promise. We went to McDonald's for lunch. Then we went home and finally took a much deserved nap.

Preschool Preview Day

On Friday Sept. 4 CJ and Brian had a preview day at their school. They got to have an hour to check out their classroom and meet the teachers. CJ and Brian both knew what to expect from the classroom and the teachers, what they were excited about was meeting all the new kids and playing with returning friends! CJ was in the class last year. Brian was not, but he went to every party and field trips. He watched for a year from the windows as they did show and tell and circle time. He knew the drill, and all the returning kids. When we got to the school they were so happy to see all their friends. Watching Brian finally get to fully join the class was awesome. His face was pure joy. After we were there for a few minutes I sat down next to Brian at the Play Doh table and asked if I could play. He said, "NO. You go, I stay. That's what you do. I go to school now and you leave and wait outside for me later." No abandonment issues there! So, CJ and I played instead. They met their new principal, Mr. Hettinga. The preschool is at an Elementary School, so it's a real public school, with the rules and grades, but still fun like a preschool should be. The pictures are kind of blurring because my children were seriously moving that fast! They were a little excited.

First walk to school of the new year! How cute are they? How corny am I that I bought backpacks with their names on them?


Brian at the Play Doh table. This was just before he told me to leave.


Mrs. Ruddy and Mr. Hettinga, Teacher and Principal


Brian playing on the circle rug. He's so big!


CJ at the Play Doh table


After School treat. The last ice cream truck treat of the summer. :(

Our Coeur d' Alene Visit

Walking my Moms dogs

My dessert from Dockside. Deep dish huckleberry cobbler. It was beyond yummy. I was only sad that I couldn't finish it
Kids eating their gooey desserts


Walking off the calories from dessert.





FAIR PICTURES












mmmmmmm elephant ears














TUBBS HILL









FUNECAN PARK
Brian was so proud that he learned to do the monkey bars!


CJ still won't do monkey bars, she just likes to hang from them








BACK TO SCHOOL FAIR
CJ wanted a paw print like my tattoo ;)


Brian was not worried about his manhood, he has muscles and a butterfly!








jump house obstacle course

















This is my cousin Jessica's daughter, Samantha. CJ and Harley loved playing with her


Harley, CJ, and Brian. Of course CJ is the only one making a goofy face


CJ doing Brian's nails


Waiting for our Huddy's


My Bubbles








CDA BEACH PICTURES



CJ dug this hole to sit in, because????





They love love love the fountain











Beach Yoga














Becky doing CJ's makeup



Thrift store shopping



Eating at the bar in Hudson's

FORT SHERMAN PLAYGROUND










































Waaaaaay back in August the kids and I went up to Cda. It was our last opportunity before school started. We stayed about two weeks. Kyle was out of town working and we wanted to get in one last summer visit before school started. We spent most our time at the many local parks, beach and with all our awesome family. We are lucky enough that my parents and some of Kyle's family all live in the same area.

The kids enjoyed Silverwood (there's a post further down the page). The whole time we were up there they kept telling me, "Next time we bring Dad to Coeur d' Alene, we need to take him to Silverwood, he's gonna love it!" The beach was always a popular place for us. The kids love the cement steps, and the little fountain at Independence point, (not to mention the guy selling snocones right there) and the wooden park nearby. We had many lunches with Grandma at Funecan Park because it's so close to her work. The kids loved all the time they got to spend at Nani and Poppi's house. We had a sweet BBQ one night, Greg and Family came too! They loved going into the woods behind Nani and Poppi's house with Gabe and Sage hunting for deer. They also want me to tell you that Nani and Poppi have cool two wheel scooters! We even spent an evening at Greg and Julies for Gabe's birthday party. The kids and I managed to go to Hudson's only twice. The first time we sat at the bar, each had a burger, root beer and shared a slice of chocolate pie. By share, I mean I got 2 bites (1st and last) and CJ and Brian had fork wars over the rest of it. The other time we got it to go and enjoyed eating it on a bench in the sunshine with my Mom. Our two week adventure ended with a trip to the North Idaho Fair. We saw Motocross races, tons of smelly animals, rode some rides, had unbelievably good elephant ears, and of course got to check out Grandpa's motorcycle on display. We came home pooped. We were all ready to crawl into our own beds for a very good night's sleep.

BTW, I think this might be my longest and most time consuming post ever. See what happens when you procrastinate?!