Katie was up at 5:52, crying—we’ve turned her lock around so she can’t get out and wander…but the flip side is she cries because she can’t get out. YOU CAN’T WIN. She came back to my bed and laid quietly with me for about 20 minutes before I gave up and took a shower…at which point she went and woke Owen up. STINKER!
We came downstairs and Owen noticed the sun was coming up…and he wanted to watch it…and wanted Katie to come out, too. 🙂
We’ve gotten rid of a few random odds and ends while moving in, but I haven’t done much dedicated purging overall. (Who has the time?!) But, I did manage to do two small areas.
Day 34—While unpacking and organizing the master bathroom and hall closet, I got rid of a bunch of old bath products. Some from probably 2003 or so. Yeah, I hoard bath stuff.
Day 35—I was looking for something in the file cabinet and ended up sifting through and tossing about half a garbage bag (which I’ll actually save to be shredded). The goal is to eventually get rid of the file cabinet entirely so I do have more to sort and scan, but I started!
Except for artwork on the walls…which will come eventually, just not in time for our first guests tomorrow!
She was doing this for a good minute or so before I started recording. 🙂
After running our errands, we surprised the kids by taking them to the Lego store at the mall. They were both excited! There was lots of Star Wars stuff around so Katie kept screeching “YODA! YODA!”
We were willing to buy him a huge $80 set (that was on clearance) but he chose a little $10 set instead. 🙂
Then we stopped at the play area on the way back.
It’s REALLY loose now but he won’t let us try to pull it. We’ve been able to see the replacement tooth for awhile now…
Gramma Jean got this for the kids to use when we were in Michigan but we never had time for it…so it came home with us. We finally got it out today (the kids were driving me crazy so we had to get out of the house)! And of course they loved it!
She loves climbing up in the chairs.
Ever since Owen got the little toy ninja at the grocery store the other day, he’s been talking pretty much non-stop about getting another ninja. First he wanted a blue one then it was definitely a green one—and I told him that he couldn’t pick the color and he’d have to be happy with whatever one he got. He wanted to go get one RIGHT NOW…multiple times a day. I told him that the next time we went to that store, he could take his money and get one. Well, of course, he then asked multiple times a day if we were going to that store.
Well, this afternoon was finally the time. He got dressed with me only asking once (rare), picked a quarter out of his bank, and put it safely in his shorts pocket. On the way to the store, he asked “How do I get the toy?” I said it was in a machine that he had to put the money in. He wasn’t sure about that and I said I’d show him when we got there. When we entered the store he was SUPER excited—but he knew he had to wait until AFTER the shopping was done and we had checked out (the machines are right at checkout). He even said a few times “I’m being good and waiting!” 🙂
Then out of nowhere he says “I know how the machine works! You put the coin in the slot and turn the handle and make sure your hand is underneath it to catch it!” Of course he was 100% right—we must have gotten him something in the past but hell if I can remember what or when it was but of course he remembers!
So we shopped…and then it was time.
And he got the green one! YIPPEE!
You would NOT believe the excitement over a 25-cent piece of plastic. 🙂
Or crate, actually.
I was washing Maggie’s bed and blankets so her crate was completely empty…until this happened.
After she had Owen lock her in, he was shoving Legos in for her to play with. 🙂
Whoops! I meant to post this on 7/29.
I had taken Owen grocery shopping with me and through a unique set of circumstances he was gifted a tiny ninja trinket out of the coin-operated machines (they were located at the end of our checkout and the guy was filling them, heard Owen ask for the ninja and saw me search for change which I honestly didn’t have, and then he handed him one). I explained he was a very lucky little boy to get something like that. He was excited but he wanted another one and he kept asking me about it all night.
Owen: Mom, I want another ninja. A green one. When we go back to that store again, I want the guy to give me another one.
Me: Remember what I said? It was lucky you got that one. I’ve never had someone give me something out of a machine before and I’m way older than you. If you want one, you have to pay for it.
Owen: What’s pay?
We’ve had a talk about money, but I think it’s time to ramp it up. 🙂
I was putting Owen to bed and noticed his stool was moved away from his bed.
Me: Owen, do you want your stool on this side or that side?
Owen: I don’t need a stool anymore. I’m a big kid.
Me: Yes, you are. Okay then.
Owen: Watch, this is how big kids get into bed. (He climbs into bed.) See?
Me: Should we give the stool to Katie when she gets her real bed?
Owen: YES!
I then put Charlie’s cat bed back on his bed (it had gotten knocked off sometime while they were playing in there today).
Me: I’ll put Charlie’s bed back up here in case she decides to sleep with you tonight.
Owen: No. She sleeps with you now. (She has been sleeping with us ever since we got back from vacation and he misses her.)
Me: Owen, what do you want for dinner tonight?
Owen: Chicken nuggets…macaroni and cheese…and chewies [fruit chews].
Me: Okay.
Owen: Really?
I added fruit and yogurt, but yes!
Me: Owen go find your shoes.
Owen: I can’t find them. Can I just wear my feet?
I smelled a grill or a fire.
Me: Owen! What do you smell?
Owen: /sniff sniff/ CAMPING! Who’s camping?
Me: Doesn’t it smell good?!
Owen: Yes. It smells like chicken!
We were trying to convince Owen to let us pull his loose tooth.
Owen: But my tooth is powerful!
I loved the idea of this cabinet, but I had no idea what I was going to put there because I’ve never had cupboards like that (they’ve always been regular cabinets with no glass).
This isn’t quite done yet (I might end up hanging our anniversary plate on the wall, which would allow me to put all the cookbooks in that middle right section) but for now it’s good.
This bench has had boxes on it since we moved in. Today I started clearing it off. This happened within 30 seconds of me moving the first box.
Katie is repaying Owen’s no-terrible-twos in spades. He basically skipped the terrible twos…so of course we’re getting it twofold with Katie. Holy crap.
I can’t even remember what this was about (I think I just wanted her to come upstairs to get dressed). But these little tantrums happen multiple times daily. (This isn’t the best showcase video, however, because it doesn’t show her stomping her feet or throwing/kicking things or screaming.)
Owen was trying to entice Katie back into his room. 🙂
Turns out, Owen wanted Katie to follow the Legos back into his room. 🙂
Today was the day! We had been preparing Owen for a few days prior, telling him he would be seeing his new school. We didn’t know what all would be involved (aside from turning in the paperwork that I’ve had completed since June) but we were hoping we’d get a little bit of a tour. As we were walking out the door he said “But I forgot my backpack!” We told him we were just visiting today—school doesn’t actually start for another month. He was relieved (that he didn’t need his backpack) but a little bummed it wasn’t actually time for school.
It’s four miles and 10 minutes away so not too bad—but I’m still pissed we’re not within the district lines for the school that is 1.5 miles away. GRRR. But he will hopefully be taking the bus—we know the bus stop is at our corner and I know he wants to ride the bus—but we’ll see how it goes because we all know how Owen is with new things (though he is getting better).
First impressions? The place is HUGE—definitely not Grayling- or Kalkaska-sized. I was seriously in awe. And to think it’s one of two schools in a five-mile radius! (Click the picture to see it a bit bigger.)
The lady who handled registration was very nice and Owen actually talked to her without being suddenly bashful. She was impressed with me because I had the forms already printed and filled out AND had a copy of the lease and his shot records for her to have. The only thing I didn’t have was a copy of his birth certificate and my drivers license—but that wasn’t on the list. (Well, I had his original birth certificate but hadn’t made their copy.)
She took us to see a kindergarten classroom which was really big—but not much set up yet. She said the class size will be about 20-25 with a teacher and an assistant (so just a handful more students than his pre-k class). It has their own bathroom, cubbies, windows, etc. She said they will go out once a week for art and twice a week each for phys ed and music. (I don’t remember going outside the classroom for that stuff until first grade but maybe we did?) They also go to the cafeteria for lunch. Which I guess I knew in the back of my mind…but that’s a lot more work for me coming from pre-k where breakfast AND lunch were provided for free. 🙂 We will find out who his teacher is going to be (and see his actual classroom) at the Open House in a few weeks.
The school was hopping when we got there about 9:20—she said it was the last day of their summer school programs. They were actually getting ready to start their morning welcome session in the cafeteria and asked if we wanted to join. We asked Owen and of course he did. He got to take a number for a game they would be playing and we sat at a table on the outskirts of the kids (who were all on the floor). He said he wanted to go sit with the kids and we said okay…but then he changed his mind (there were about 80 kids). Everything was done on a laptop and drop-down screen. We had to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance which he didn’t want to do—I never thought about it but this made me realize they didn’t do that in pre-k—but he eventually did. They also had a moment of silence which of course is when Katie piped up with “Mama, what are they doing?” 🙂 The game they played was Family Feud and the assistant principal used a random number generator on the laptop to choose who was going to get a chance to answer. Of course Owen was excited—and then bummed when his number was never called (they only called about 12 total for the first game and then we left before the second game was over because we had errands to do).
And then on the way out he threw a little tantrum because HE WANTED TO STAY. Well, at least we know he wants to be there. 🙂
So, overall, a successful trip. And we all can’t wait for school to start. 🙂
You just can’t predict what your kids will do or like. I wanted to get Katie new bedding for her new twin bed. I really really wanted the pretty stuff at Bed Bath & Beyond but I also didn’t want to pay $80 for it. (Normally I wouldn’t have thought twice about it, but we’ve had to buy A LOT of stuff for this new place.)
So I decided I was going to just walk down the bedding aisle at Target and see what caught her eye. I was positive it would be Doc McStuffins or Frozen or possibly Despicable Me.
So what caught her eye? As you’ve seen: Sesame Street. Big bright bold colors—red, blue, green, and yellow (Elmo, Cookie Monster, Oscar, and Big Bird). I really didn’t think I’d have an opinion on what she chose, but I honestly really would’ve preferred Doc McStuffins (she loves it, and it’s pinks and purples). And I even tried to get her to take that one—or even Frozen or Sophia the first—but she just kept saying Elmo Elmo Elmo. So I bought Elmo. And it’s fine. And she seems to like it well enough…but it also kind of irritates me a little every time I look at it because I don’t love it. But I also felt a little guilty because I never let Owen pick what he wanted—at the time I was ready to relinquish that control (age 5) I hadn’t even thought of Target so had him pick something at BB&B which wasn’t kid-related. (He doesn’t complain at all, though…so since I still felt guilty I let him pick a new sheet set and he chose Minions.)
Kids are difficult when you’re a perfectionist.
She wasn’t sure about it at first but now she likes it. Owen even wants to “wear the mermaid.” 🙂
Give a cat a soft place…
We went to our first farmers market since moving here. It’s pretty much right up the main road about two miles away. It’s a small one (maybe seven booths) but it’s a Wednesday!
The kids tried fresh kettle corn (being made as we watched).
We tried and bought homemade honey mint dressing (better than you’d imagine) and zesty balsamic dressing.
We bough fresh corn on the cob, pickles, cabbage, and multi-colored carrots.
We tried pumpkin chocolate chip bread and white cheddar garlic bread (and bought that one).
We sampled cookies…and bought some.
Then we got the kids some Venetian Ice (I think it was called) and went to sit on the lawn in the shade. There were some kids nearby eating some as well and Owen desperately wanted to go sit with them. So we said okay.
Then Katie wanted to go sit by Owee…
We’re ready to go outside!!
We’ve unpacked more toys!
Helping me water the basil!
Well…once they saw the water, they wanted to play in it. So they got a bucket full. 🙂
Cuteness.
Since Katie’s X-rays came back negative, the Doctor then wanted to do bloodwork to determine if any of her whatever levels were elevated… Increased levels of whatever might point to arthritis or a blood borne reason for the continued inflammation.
Tom took her to the lab and SHE WAS A ROCK STAR. The nurse was a bit nervous when Tom told her it was Katie’s first time, but Katie didn’t even flinch or wince and it was over just like that. Yay Katie! But what she didn’t like? The tape holding the cotton ball on! 🙂
Before any curtains…
Tom and I disagreed about how many curtains to put up. I wanted to reuse our two orange panels (I like the orange and it would save money) and didn’t think we needed to cover the door (thinking it would look like we had two windows instead of a window and an unusable door). We’re not worried about blocking anyone’s view or really even keeping the sun out—it was more just to add color. Tom wanted three panels to cover all glass openings. And…??! We ended up with what I wanted…but installed a long curtain rod over the double door so we can always add more curtains if we change our minds.
Of course the room still isn’t quite done—the mantle still needs to be filled and artwork decided on…