Safety first

Part of the at home preschool program is social studies. This goes over how to interact with people and safety rules. This morning we were going over some safety rules and the topic was strangers. I was explaining to the girls that if someone you don't know offers you candy or something to eat you need to walk away, find an adult you do know and tell them. Kate in all her wisdom added "if you want the candy you have to say trick or treat." Needless to say we will be going over this more then once. I love the things that kids come up with....they make my day and keep me laughing. I just love my kids! I am so glad that safety rules are a part of this program and the timing is perfect with us moving into a neighborhood. Which by the way I am so happy about and can't wait to take the next step. Two weeks till Paul is home and we can start the process!!

One less tooth to worry about...

So I guess I did end up blogging again. It does help that I have something that is blog worthy. Natalie lost her first tooth!!! I put the kids to bed and about ten minutes later I remembered the windows were open so I headed upstairs. Natalie stepped out of the bathroom and had blood running down her chin and all over her hands. I was caught off guard and asked her what had happened. Her hands were shaking and I could see that she was a little scared but no tears. She looked at me and said "I didn't know what happened and I don't want a shot". The last time Natalie went to the doctor she had to get booster shots to get her ready for school. So she thought because she was bleeding she would have to go to the doctor. (like Kate went to the doctor when she cut her eye and it was bleeding) After I got her cleaned up I noticed a tooth was missing. I asked if she had the lost a tooth and she held out her hand and showed it to me. Natalie had never told me that her tooth was loose or that it was bothering her...nothing. She had pulled her own tooth out and was a little shaken but no tears. She is such an independent child that is amazes me sometimes!!! I had to tell her about the tooth fairy and that he leaves money in exchange for the tooth. This was the only way I could get her to go back to bed. Of course Katelyn was looking on saying how disgusting the whole thing was. I told Natalie that a new tooth with grow in its place and she looked at me and said "but there is a hole in my mouth"...so cute. I really wish I was able to tape Natalie saying she didn't want a shot but at that time I didn't know why she was bleeding so grabbing the video camera wasn't something I was thinking about but it was funny.

Flip crazy

I got a Flip for Mother's day and I have gone a little crazy with it but I love it. I love that it is a HD video camera that fits in my purse!! It is so handy that taking videos really isn't a hassle anymore. Anyways Paul took the camera to Alaska for the next three weeks so if I update the blog before he comes back it will all be videos. (There is a really good chance that I won't update again...hehe)

I have put a bunch of Disney songs on my phone and when we go on long trips I play it when the girls start to get restless. Natalie doesn't have all the words but she gave it her best shot. I think she defiantly has a career in singing....I am thinking the next American idol!! haha

Home School

When we moved to Parkdale our Pre-school options were limited. If I wanted options I was going to have to be willing to drive a lot so I decided that it would be best to home school. It turned out to be a good decision because we are moving again and things are all up in the air right now. I found a program and order the CD with a 9 month curriculum. It is called ABC Home Pre-School and if anyone wants it after I am done with it just let me know. The program is filled with worksheets and activities that covers reading, writing, arithmetic, science and social studies. The program is divided up by months and what you need to cover during that time. (super easy to follow)

So this was our first day and Natalie loved it. As soon as we were done with today's lesson she asked if she could do tomorrows. Natalie had 1 year of pre-school already which has helped me because she has the basics and is remembering quickly the stuff she had learned. For her age are big thing will be working on reading words and learning the sounds of the letters. I am hoping this will help prepare her for Kindergarten.

Katelyn did so well for her age but I have decided that it is best if I don't go over an hour because she will lose her focus after that. She is still pretty young and still has two and a half year before she goes to Kindergarten so I just let her do what she can. She did trace the dotted line letters but didn't want to write any of her own. She is really not that excited about school so it just may turn into a coloring hour for her This fall when Natalie is in school I can just work with her and give her one on one attention and maybe she will be more into it then.

New bike

We got Natalie a new bike and of course it has princesses all over it. Funny thing though the barbie helmet was the only one that fit so it is not all the same theme. This was a problem for me but Paul said I just need to get over it.

As soon as we got home Natalie was ready to go so Paul took her back and forth around the driveway. She did really good except she kept pushing backwards on the pedals at random times so she would all of a sudden come to a screeching halt.

I felt really bad for Katelyn because she is the second child and she gets the hand-me-down trike from Natalie. I told Paul that I wanted to buy Kate a bike too but when we put her on one she didn't like it. Paul said she isn't ready which I know she's not but I felt bad about the hand-me-downs. Paul says that's just life and I buy plenty of new stuff for Kate. I always got hand-me-downs and I know that it is what it is but I hated it so when it is reasonable I buy new for Kate too.

As I read through this I want to make it clear that yes I do spoil my kids and I don't have a problem saying that....sometimes haha. I am however teaching my kids to be nice and grateful for what they have....hopefully. Natalie told me a few days ago that I say "no" to much and I need to learn to say yes more. I laughed and said "no". HAHA I told Paul that is proof that they aren't that spoiled.

Natalie's moves

I caught Natalie on the back porch dancing and singing but by the time I could tape her she saw me so it is not as cute as before I could tape her. I had to post this for Emily so she could see that Natalie is improving....not by much but anything is an improvement. Natalie has no grace or rhythm at all....takes after dad!!!!

Sick kids

We had a couple days of laying around due to the girls being sick. I think blankets covered the living room floor for about three days. Natalie got sick first and I know this is really bad to say but I love it when she is sick. She takes like four naps a day and still goes to sleep on time. I could really get a lot done on those days except normally I just lay on the living room floor with them. With Natalie getting sick first I knew Katelyn wasn't too far behind. In the past I hated it when Kate got sick because that meant 24 hours of whining but this time no whining.....just more sleeping!! I guess know matter what I shouldn't complain because I can't even remember the last time my kids got sick. I think that it has been at least over a year. I have always had really healthy kids....I am so lucky in that area of parenthood.

Ride

So today I thought I would brave it and I took my first motorcycle ride. I...of course was not driving but I was holding so tight to Paul that I think I might have bruised some of his ribs. haha I think the whole motorcycle thing is definitely a guy thing. I don't get it....it wasn't that much fun in my opinion. The worst part is the turns I felt like I was about to fall off so my survival instincts kicked in and I was leaning away from the road....silly me! As soon as we got back home Paul informed me that you are suppose to lean into the turns. I don't think so!!!! The other thing I didn't realize was how heavy the helmets are. I seriously need to work on my neck muscles before I do that again. Although I think it might be a while before I take another ride and I don't think Paul with be offering any time soon. He couldn't understand why I was screaming so much and he said that I make it harder for him to drive. I am just glad that we made it home and I can check off death defying act off my bucket list now.

Spring time clothes

Our whole family got some needed new clothes. OK maybe the girls didn't need them but I couldn't help myself. Gymboree had some really cute clothes and I had a coupon!! The girls had to try on their clothes the second they were out of the box.....of course! I also got their Easter dresses there and Paul's comment was "well good thing we got those or else we would have had to cancel Easter". I love having a husband that doesn't really mind that I buy my kids cute clothes. He says that I treat them like my dolls and dress them up all the time but if you had cute kids like mine who wouldn't want to dress them up! I love the tutu for Kate and the shirt has alligators on it so it is not too girly because that is who Kate is. She loves the girly stuff but definitely has a strong tomboy streak in her. Natalie saw the tutu and asked where is mine but I want it to be pink. She is all girl and she was a little sad when I told her she didn't get one.

Good Day!!

I don't have any pictures for this post but it was a good day so I thought I would document it. We signed papers on the old house today!!! We are no longer responsible for two houses and what a load off! Although.....because we are working with the state we still have up to another 4 weeks before all the money transactions are done but I don't have to worry if the old house burns or not. Natalie has decided that she doesn't like Buster's name anymore and came down stairs and inform Paul and I that his new name is Hod-chi. I spelled it how it sounds because I have no idea where she got the name from so I had no reference to look at. So all day long when we would call Buster name was right on our heels saying "no.....he has a new name......remember". I got new jeans in the mail and they were too big....anything too big is awesome!!! It does suck that I have to send them back but I will get over that. Katelyn has gone two nights in a row with a dry pull-up! We are on our way to being completely potty trained. She just has to go potty before bed and we are good. I am not going to say that pull-up are behind us yet but we are getting closer. Overall it was a good day, we got to spend time as a family and enjoy the day.

Vacations

I know this is a lame blog but I am so excited that I have to share. I can't wait!!!! Paul and I generally plan out the vacations we want to take for the year during January so we can save money and work out time off work. We have decided during the first part of May we are taking the girls to the beach for about a week. Paul and I camped in a yurt and drove up and down the coast of Oregon seeing just about everything for our honeymoon. I know it sounds like a boring honeymoon but we had a lot of fun and we thought that it is time to do that with the girls. We have told them that we are going to the beach when all the snow melts. Kate informed me that she will stay on the beach and not go in the water....oh Kate. We have only done day trips with the girls or maybe stay over just one night so a week will be great. Next Paul and I are celebrating our 10th anniversary this year. Which now days is a pretty big number. I was asking Paul what he wanted to do and the next day he tells me that he is planning our trip and he is not going to tell me where we are going or anything about the trip. All he told me was that we both need to get in shape for the trip. I automatically freaked out and asked why so I can wear a bikini after my 5 min rant he said what are you talking about. He said that WE need to be in shape to do some of the activities he is planning. I am glad that he understands that after kids on matter how much weight I might lose I will never wear a bikini again. HaHa So Paul and I now have a goal to get into shape this year. I am so glad that he is also doing this with me because it is a lot easier to diet and exercise when I don't have to watch him eat whatever he wants. I have been asking questions about the trip and he has given me a few hints already. He says now matter what he tells me I won't be able to guess what he has planned. I do know that we are not flying (which means I can save my frequent flyer miles to go down and see Emily's new baby...yah). We will be camping some and staying in hotels some. We will not be packing food though........hmmmm. Could be interesting!!!! So that is what we have planned this year....I am so excited for these trips.

My angel

Natalie was dieing to go outside and do a snow angel. It was so fun and she loves playing in the snow. Notice Kate is not in this video. I asked her if she wanted to go outside and play with us but she said no it is to cold and I want to stay inside with my blanket.

Christmas

We had decided to have a very low key Christmas at home this year and I am so glad we did. I love getting together with family but it is so nice to have a holiday at home with just our family sometimes.

The girls opened their pj's on Christmas eve but instead of opening them right before bed they opened them around noon. It was the only way I could get them to clean their bedroom and toy room. I told them if they cleaned their rooms they could open one present. The girls liked their pj's so much (and who wouldn't with the princess's and Tinkerbell on them) that they put them on when they opened and stayed in them the rest of the day.

That night we read the Jolly old Santa Claus book which went so-so. The girls had a really hard time sitting still at first and then they were fighting over who could see the book more but towards the end they settled down and listened to the story. They love to find "lazy Brownie" and "lady whiskers". (Just a side note that is the new color of my hair)

Christmas morning was a blast I thought for sure that Natalie was going to pee her pants or pass out. Katelyn was the first to notice that Santa ate all the cookies and drank the milk. They came running into our room screaming "Santa came, Santa came". While Paul and I were getting out of bed we got to listen to the girls freaking out in the living room. Natalie being Natalie looked at me when I walked out and said "I just can't believe it". This year the girls got big gifts to help build up the playroom. Natalie got a Barbie house which every time I go upstairs to the playroom the furniture for the house is on the floor and not in the house. I asked Natalie why she kept taking it out and she told me the barbies like it on the floor. I hoping in the future she will actually use the house. Katelyn got a kitchen which she loves and now I get to try her food all the time. She always brings something downstairs and says "try it I made you something". Over all we had a great Christmas. Paul thinks that we went over the top but I say who cares it's Christmas. Along with that Paul might think we go over the top but he always buy the girls extra gift right before Christmas and doesn't tell me he going to. We try not to buy a lot of toys and stuff for the girls during the year so Christmas and birthday's can be a little bigger. I think that's more fun. I loved having the wood stove this year so when we were done with everything we got to burn all the boxes and wrapping and I really like having a fire. I could sit and watch it for hours.

Later that afternoon my aunt Laura, uncle David and cousin Garrett came for dinner. My sister had come up a few days before that so we had a small group. The meal was great but the best part was just sitting around the table talking and relaxing. I also got to put out my china and glassware which I really do love and I am so looking forward to the day that I have a china cabinet to put it into. For now I still have to wrap it up and put it in boxes. The girls loved having Mimi and papa come up and not just for the presents (but I do think that helped). Garrett learned that when playing with Katelyn you have to use earplugs. Every time Garrett would do anything to Katelyn she would scream and then Garrett would go "shh". They repeated this several times. When Mimi was getting ready to leave she was giving Kate a bunch of kisses and I didn't hear Mimi say anything but I could be wrong but while Mimi was kissing Kate goodbye Kate just very sweetly said "I love you too".

Letter to Santa

We have been watching some of the Christmas shows....OK all of the Christmas shows. I really love watching them. In a lot of the cartoon shows kids write letters to Santa. Well Natalie picked up on that and started her own letter. After she was finished she brought it to me and said we need to send it to Santa. The only thing I helped her with was the "Dear Santa" but I only told her the letters she wanted to write them down. Also as you can probably tell there isn't really a list of toys that she wants in her letter. She didn't know how to spell any of the toys so she drew pictures of them instead. She even asked Katelyn what she wanted so she could draw that picture too. She signed it Kate, Dad, Mom, Natalie. Just an FYI she told us that she drew a teddy bear, a princess mirror that sings, a backpack, a Dora doll and a Tinkerbell for Katelyn. There is also a map on the last page. She kept asking me which way was left and right so she could draw that on her paper. We are sending it today...Natalie wanted to show her letter to her dad before she sent it. This is just one of those great moments that makes the crazy days of parenthood worth it.

Sleep walking

I had thought that the last few times that Natalie had come downstairs in the middle of the night that maybe she was sleep walking but last night confirmed it. It is really weird to watch and sometimes funny. When she comes downstairs it is like she is on a mission to do whatever she is thinking. It is very hard to pull her out of it and get her to go back to bed. Then when she does start to come around she is very disoriented and it scares her a little. Last night she came downstairs and Paul and I were in bed but I heard her come down. She went into the living room, sat down on the couch and looked at the TV like she was watching it. When I called out to her she looked at me but just continued to watch the TV. I finally got her to come around and she was a little freaked out so I had her sleep with Paul and I. This morning she woke up and asked me why I brought her down to our bed. She doesn't remember coming downstairs and said that she was sleeping in her bed and we carried her down to our bed. I had to laugh. I slept walked as a child but it is so weird to watch someone else do it.

Fall is over for us

I love fall but I am so excited and looking forward to winter this year. I think all the snow is so pretty and I just can't wait for it to come. Our first arctic storm is suppose to hit this weekend and I can't wait for it to look like Christmas outside. I think I am more excited this year because I know that if I don't want to I don't have to drive in it. With the closing of fall I took the girls outside for some last pictures in the leaves. Out of about 30-35 pictures I think only three turned out where they were both looking at the camera. Two of them I used for Christmas cards this year so I will not be posting them on my blog.

This was one of my favorite poses but not one of the ones I took were they both smiling or looking at the camera. I am so enjoying them being older and listen to me when I say sit like this or look this way. They are still kids so it takes a bunch of pictures to just get a few but they are getting better.I love the look of leaves on the ground but all the hard work to clean them up is a little depressing. The girls look so grown up and so much like sisters and yes they are being good sisters now but they fight like the best of them now too. We have moved into the "she's touching me" and the also favorite "she's looking at me" stage. There are the sweet moments of Natalie going up to Kate when she is crying and saying "it's OK honey we will find your leapster together". That gives me hope that they will grow up to be close friends.I love the look of the snow on the mountain. This is an OK picture but the ones in the early morning with the sun hitting it just right are beautiful. I love living up here and now that I am settling in and getting used to it I am feeling comfortable and at home...it is so nice.

Motorcycle

I know this is a little crazy but Paul and I have finally ended a 2 year conversation about getting a motorcycle. I think he found me in a weak moment during the holiday season to bring it up again. I love the holiday season and it is hard for me to say no during this time. Don't worry Paul and I have had some real blunt conversations about driving safe and how everyone on the road is out to kill him. We have also maxed out his life insurance. haha Although it is a little scary Paul loves his new toy. When we finally decided to get it I said lets make it your Christmas present (which was good because I didn't know what to get him this year). I am thinking that because the bike has to sit in the garage for the next 4 months that when it comes time to drive it Paul will be a little more carefully because the excitement for a new toy has worn off a little. Overall I think Paul is very excited and looks forward to doing some bike trips with his dad.

Winter is coming

At 7:30 in the morning Natalie came into our room opened the blinds and wouldn't leave until Paul and I looked out the window and saw the snow. She was so excited to go play in the snow she could barely stand it. She also decided that she was going to clean off the truck but it kept snowing and after awhile she gave up. Next time we go to Portland I told her that we will pick up some snow boots and snow pants. She tried to make a snowman but I didn't have any gloves so I couldn't help her. It ended up just a mound of snow and a little while later I saw Buster peeing on it. Kate is not in the video because as stated in the earlier post it was to early and she didn't want to get dressed. It was raining by the afternoon and when Kate finally decided she wanted to go outside it was slushy and muddy so she didn't get to go out. Maybe this will motivate her to get moving in the morning.

Lazy days

Katelyn is not a morning person....she so takes after me. She will get up and come down stairs with her blanket and have to lay on the floor and watch cartoons for a couple of hours before she really starts moving. Some mornings she is up and playing with Natalie but when I say it is time to get dressed Kate will have none of it. Most days she doesn't get dressed till around 10 and I have decided to stop fighting the issue. I figure I will put off the fight until she has to go to school and be dressed by 8. Probably not the best plan and will more then likey come back and bit me...oh well.

Crafty

So I had to decided what I was going to do with the walls in the playroom. I had this this big idea of pictures all around the room of the girls growing up on a fabric board but this is what I ended up with. I would like to say that I thought this was a better idea but the truth is that I just got lazy. This took a little bit of work but not as much work as my other idea. I am on the fence with the turn out.

Halloween

The girls were Tinkerbell and Jasmin for Halloween. This was the first year they got to pick out their own costumes. That is why Natalie who is blond and pale got to be Jasmin who has long black hair and olive skin. I am hoping I can have more of a say next year but I think the years of my opinion mattering are fading fast. We went round to some of the family first who never get trick or treaters but always buy one bag of candy just in case.

We stayed in Parkdale to do the trick or treating which was really nice because it was cold and the girls didn't last very long. I took the time to curl the girls hair and and pin it to the top of their heads. Of course Paul's reaction was why do you need to do everything so over the top. What else am I going to do...and I know he loves the reactions from people when they say how cute his girls are. Paul also helped the girls go through their candy to make sure that everything was sealed properly and I think to check out which ones he wanted too.

Hanging with family

I got to spend almost a week at my aunts house while my cousins were in town. We had a lot of fun and my girls always love playing with their cousins. Emily and I took the girls to a movie (I forgot what it was called but it was the one with the food falling out of the sky) and this picture was taken before the movie started. We should have taken one after the movie to show what a total disaster the girls made but we were in such a hurry to get out of there just in case they made us clean it up that I didn't think about it.

Emily and I went out one morning to get breakfast and came back with donuts of course. Natalie had white lips from all the powered sugar. We are such good moms...nothing unhealthy for our kids!! lol

When it was time for us to leave I told Kate to give Sadie a kiss and as you can see I think they were a little shy about it at first but then they made it happen. I have learned that Kate loves it when Emily and Sadie come to town so Kate can try and use all the baby stuff that come too. I normally have to retrain Kate on a few things when we get home but the worst is she tries whining again. Kate would love to be a baby forever I think.

Party at Claim Jumper's

For Natalie's, Sadie's and Papa's birthday we all went out for dinner at Claim Jumper. We had a big booth which was good so the girls could open their presents and make a total mess. Mimi thinking ahead brought something for Kate too so she didn't feel left out. It was fun to go out with family and have a nice dinner.

They all got cupcakes with a candle to blow out which Natalie loved. I am glad we got to do something together for their birthdays.

David/Papa turned 50!!!

We very quickly threw together a party for my uncle David for his 50th birthday. My aunt got him out of the house so we could decorate the house and get things ready. I was in charge of blowing up the balloons and my girls were so helpful. They kept trying to blow up the balloons and when they couldn't do it I got the desgusting spit soaked balloons back to blow up. After the house was ready and we were waiting for David to come home the girls got bored and Emily thought it would be a good idea to give them confetti. My girls along with Sadie got that stuff all over the house.

The cake was really cute and in this photo you can see Katelyn's fingers. She kept trying to stick her fingers in the cake and Emily kept telling her no. Haha I know my daughter and knew that she was not about to listen to Aunt Emily. Finally Emily was over it and after about 10 times of telling Kate no she finally stopped. Welcome to my world and by the way Katelyn did in the end get one finger tip of icing before we brought the cake out. The girls loved seeing papa and we had a great night.

Playing in the park

We took a day and went to the park. The weather was great, Paul was home and I didn't want to be in the house.

We packed a picnic lunch and took off. We went down to the river and the water was freezing so we didn't even take off our shoes. We tried to teach Natalie how to swing by herself but she decided to sit there and pout instead. It was a great day and I love the parks around this area. They always have green grass and are so well taken care of.

Natalie's 5

Natalie turned 5 a little while ago and with all the changes and everything that has been going on with us we decided to do a very low key party. Just us!!! It was really nice and relaxing....no fuss. Natalie got to pick out her cake and of course she picked a princess cake.

Katelyn was sure to be right at Natalie's side as she opened her presents. She had to look over the goods and try and state her claim to some of the toys. I told Natalie that she didn't have to share any of the toys for one day but that if she did that would be nice. So in true sister form she did not what to share. That was a fun day trying to keep Kate occupied.

My kids

I love my girls!!! They are so cute and I can't get enough of them....today. HaHa We had some pictures done and they turned out. This was the first time that any pictures of me and my kids actually turned out. My girls don't sit still very long which makes it difficult and to ask them to smile at the same time that is just silliness. I love how different they look. It reminds of how they are different in every way. I can't wait to have a third and she what she looks like.....maybe auburn hair. I am not a fan of red hair but I will take auburn.....and green eyes.....one can dream.