Owen’s Official Report
He saw me through the door and I could read his lips: “Mama!” And he was excited to see me. (Yay!) He finished out his turn in the game they were playing and as I was gathering his bag, his teacher said he did just fine—that he’s VERY talkative!
The first thing he said to me? “I love school! School is SOOO fun! When can I come back?” 🙂
On the way home I just started recording him because he kept talking about school and I was afraid he wouldn’t do it once we actually got home…I didn’t want to miss the moment. So that’s why the video is all over the place—I was driving and obviously not watching.
When we got home:
Me: Do you want to tell me more about school?
Owen: No, it’s a secret.
And then he asked for a granola bar and to watch TV.
So I’d say his first day was a success!
This was the form the teacher filled out:
A typical Katie meltdown
This is what I get to listen to off and on all day every day—this is her reaction to me taking something away from her or telling her no. It gets old FAST.
Owen’s first day of school!
After being excited about school being today, he actually started the morning with a mini meltdown because he didn’t want to put clean underwear on because his weren’t dirty (“See? There’s no poop in there!”)—which he was right, there were no poop stains (which is, honestly, fairly new) so I tried explaining that we change our underwear every day but he wasn’t having it. It wasn’t a battle I really cared about, so he got to wear his ninja underwear again.
Then the outfit he had picked out was a little too small. It’s been on the verge for awhile now, and of course this morning was the morning it was too tight…so he wasn’t happy about that and I had to make other outfits look appealing. He wasn’t thrilled, but picked another. While he was getting dressed, he came up to me with sad eyes and said “I don’t want to go to school because I will miss you!” Awwww. I told him he would be so busy and be having so much fun that before he knew it it would be time to come home…and I couldn’t wait to hear ALL about it!
Socks still proved difficult to get on so I had to help with that…and he got frustrated with the tennis shoes, too. Poor kid. But he was still VERY excited for school!
Ready to go!
He was the first one to arrive!
He found his cubby! The poor picture quality is because I only had my phone plus I was holding Katie plus he wouldn’t stand still!
Playing with the other kids before class started.
Then it was time for me to leave so I actually had to get his attention to come over and say goodbye. Yeah, he couldn’t have cared less. 🙂
As I was out in the parking lot talking to another mom friend (from mommy group) asking about our other mom friend, she texted saying she wouldn’t be coming to school because her husband took both sets of keys. I told her I’d be right over (she only lives five minutes away). She’s the one who has volunteered to bring Owen home now and again, so I figured it was karma at work!
Un-bear-ably Cute
Owen’s new backpack!
Owen is very excited about his new pirate backpack! He wore it around the house for a good 30 minutes. 🙂
Owen is 4 years 7 months old today!
Showing off his fresh new-for-school haircut!
Lucky shot!
Katie has no fear about crawling up on the table. Thankfully she’s already pretty good at it and can also get down on her own.
I’m amazed they were both looking at me!
One of these things is not like the other.
Kitchen Calamity
So you all know I hate our kitchen—it’s just ENTIRELY too small (even if every single counter was completely cleared off, there’s still no good place to put a cutting board or mixing bowls, etc.). So I was getting dinner ready for our little grilling dinner party—starting the water boiling for rice, turning the big pan on for sauteing onions, and chopping onions on a cutting board on the stove. (I had debated cutting them across the sink, but I had already dirtied up the too-small cutting board so figured why change mid-stream?)
So I’m peeling and cutting onions and I see a small wisp of smoke and notice that my cutting board is a little too close to the rice pot, so I move it and continue. A few minutes later, there’s suddenly way more smoke and a putrid toxic smell and HOLY SHIT—I had turned the wrong burner on and my big plastic cutting board was melting. 😯
So in about the span of three seconds, I grabbed the melting board and set in on the sink, turned off the burner, and turned on the fans…just as Ruth was walking in from outside. She was surprised, of course, but there wasn’t much she could do. I opened the sliding door and was fanning the smoke out to hopefully keep the smoke detector from blasting…when it hit me: GET THE BURNING PLASTIC OFF THE BURNER. So I grabbed the always-handy razor blade from the drawer and scraped off the melted plastic which just about immediately halted the toxic smoke (and man was it TOXIC—it was literally burning my nose and throat). The smoke alarm never went off and the kitchen was back to normal in about five minutes.
Thankfully the rest of the dinner went off without a hitch and was super delicious!
I joked that I cursed myself because just that morning I ordered three new bamboo cutting boards to replace some of my plastic ones that were getting a little janky…
Wine Cooler Goggles
We had people over for pool and dinner (the friend who said she’d grill for me) and Katie was up on my lap. She reached for Owen’s goggles and wanted them on so I put them on. Then she reached for my empty bottle. And amused herself for MANY minutes just like this:
He’s good at building cars!
I have had magnatiles on Owen’s wishlist for quite some time but have never bought them because A) he has so many toys already and B) they are damn EXPENSIVE. So when I saw these Magformers available on Amazon Vine (the program where I get to pick items for free and then I just have to write a review on it), I snatched them up!
Owen picked them as his weekly Chore reward this week. (Normally expensive toys aren’t options, but since they didn’t cost me anything—and mostly because he saw them before I could hide them!—I let him choose them.)
As it happened, Tom Skyped in right as Owen was wanting to open them, so Tom got to watch the fun for about 20 minutes! Even though the age said 3+ I wasn’t sure if he’d be able to follow the patterns to make the cars without getting frustrated—but he jumped right in and before I knew it, he had laid out all the pieces for the spaceship with no problem!
Then he made two cars (with a little of my help since the pieces kept snapping together) and then he was making his own shapes and vehicles without the patterns.
Of course, now I want at least one or two more sets so he can build bigger and better things…I’ll be adding some to his wishlist. 🙂 The other good thing about these is that the pieces are big enough AND the magnets are enclosed so they are fine for Katie to grab and play with (though it tends to make Owen melt down when she does that).
A good place to relax
Every once in awhile I actually fold up all the blankets instead of just having Owen throw them up there. While I was vacuuming he decided that was a good place to relax. 🙂
I think we’re gonna need a bigger box.
Tom’s new room!
The guy Tom was replacing finally left so Tom got moved to his room! It’s much better as there’s only one set of bunk beds and there’s a recliner, mini fridge, and microwave!
August pictures are online!
>>> August 2013 Pictures—all 462 of them! 😯
Owen’s new foods: Week 2
He only had six new foods this week since he was in the hospital for one of the days.
- chicken from my sandwich at Costco
- guacamole
- chicken fingers (samples at Sam’s Club)
- chicken nuggets (samples at Sam’s Club)
- watermelon
- provolone cheese
Funny story.
So we were obviously at Sam’s Club one night this week and they had the samples going. I immediately hoped there would be some stuff I could have Owen try because how perfect is a one-bite sample? Besides, he needed one extra food because he had skipped a day—and that was the only thing standing between him and his Reward toy for the week.
First up was fruit punch Vitamin Water and he flat out refused that. That floored me because it’s pretty much water. And he likes to sip daddy’s drinks…so I told him it was like that. NO. Not happening. Okay, moving on.
Next was fancy chicken fingers (meaning real breading that looked like fried chicken and not pulverized cracker coating). He said no. I explained how he needed TWO foods to catch up to earn his toy. He said no. I said “It’s JUST LIKE the popcorn chicken you like except it’s a different shape.” Okay, he’d try it. And he liked it—IMAGINE THAT. 🙄 I asked if he would eat those if I bought them and of course he said yes. Fine, whatever, we’ll get them and worst case Katie and I will eat them (unlike the Gogurt he HAD TO HAVE and PROMISED to eat and he ate one and now refuses to eat them). In the same aisle, he saw the dinosaur chicken nuggets and expressed interest so I asked if he’d eat those, too, and he said yes. Okay, in the cart they go.
So the next aisle’s sample was…chicken nuggets! Tyson brand vs. whatever generic brand the dinosaurs were. I asked Owen if he wanted to try that. No. SERIOUSLY, KID?! You just ate and liked chicken fingers but you don’t want to try chicken nuggets? He kills me. So I again explained about needing an extra food and this is JUST LIKE THE CHICKEN HE JUST ATE…and he agreed to try it. So he’s nibbling on it as we’re going down the next aisle (where Katie scarfed the full sample of red potato potato salad) and before I realize it, HE ASKED IF HE COULD HAVE ANOTHER ONE! 😯 So we made another pass and grabbed another one! Then we put back the dino nuggets and grabbed the Tyson nuggets! WOOHOO!
I didn’t want to push my luck any farther so that was it for him.
It’s been that kind of day.
Pool work and fun collide
It was one of those days when both kids were trying my patience (even though the morning was fun at the playground) so I just decided we were all going to go out in the pool. I was hot and cranky, the kids were cranky, and the pool needed attention because I’ve been neglecting it. (It doesn’t ever need a lot of work, but it does need to be cleaned out now and again.)
Katie’s new (used) size 2T suit (which is none too big). (I can never seem to find both pieces of her suit when I want them and I don’t always want her to go nekkid, so I just bought a $3 suit from the resale shop.)
So I stepped in the pool and started cleaning out grass and bugs and whatnot when I realized WOW the water level was REALLY low—like below my knees low (it’s usually quite above my knees). By the time all was said and done, I had put about 5″ of water back in! FIVE INCHES! I’m sure some loss was due to evaporation, but I’m sure the majority of loss was from all the kids playing in it, hanging over the edge and letting water pour out, using squirt water toys outside the pool, etc. (We have rules, but honestly they’re somewhat hard to enforce when there are six kids under six running wild—though we do try!)
So while I was “working” (skimming the whatnot out), the kids had fun, too…
After an hour or so in her floaty, Katie wanted OUT. She did pretty good walking by herself (and only slipped under once—which barely phased her) but I was a nervous wreck so we didn’t do that for too long. It would have been better to let her do that when we first got in and the water was 5″ shallower!
Playground Morning
After we had to leave the park yesterday since it was SO F’ING HOT, I promised Owen we could go back when it was cooler. It was cooler this morning, so I told him we could go as soon as he pooped. Instantly: “Mama! I have to go poop!” And he did! After a quick breakfast, it was off to the park. Some of the mommy group met us there.
Katie has no fear of the steps and climbs right up!
The slides were still wet and had some standing water. Katie thought that was great fun!
These are the same bars he couldn’t reach a few weeks ago! (This is the same park we stopped at one the way home from seeing Tom off.)
Katie getting ready to go down the slide.
This is how she went down the whole way…which was just fine because it was more of a sticking/scooching/slow-motion trip (and easier on my nerves).
The other way she goes down the slide.
Reaching to play with Emily’s shoes.
Owen (4), Emily (4), and Olivia (6)
Post Preschool Park
Since Owen really wanted to play, I took them to the closest playground…but it was SOOO hot that we couldn’t stay long (I hadn’t planned on stopping so had no diaper bag, no sunscreen, no drinks, etc.). But the kids still had fun during their 15 minutes.
Well, she didn’t LOVE the swing…
Up the stairs…
Down the stairs…
Someone conked out.
Owen’s going to preschool!
Well, Owen is officially signed up for morning preschool three days a week! I wanted two, but she said better to start with more and cut a day (if necessary) than start with two and want to add a day and have there not be room.
Best part? One of his friends is in the same class! 🙂
Worst parts? Class starts at 8 and ends right in the middle of Katie’s nap. 🙁
So this means we’re all getting up by alarm (YUCK). This was a VERY rude surprise since we thought it was 8:30 (that’s what the paperwork I have said) and that was VERY doable with our regular schedule (Owen is up at 7, I’m usually up and showered by 7:30, but Katie can sleep until 8 or 8:30 sometimes—though it’s usually 7:30). But 8? Good god, that’s a BIG change in our schedule to be up and out the door by 7:35.
And on the other end, I either keep Katie up and deal with her being a hot mess and she falls asleep on the way to pick him up OR I let her nap but have to wake her up after 30-45m. Neither are appealing. Poor second kid gets the shaft nap-wise. The only thing I’m hoping is that maybe by getting her up earlier she will be tired earlier and will nap earlier… FINGERS CROSSED!
That said, one bonus to having a friend in the same class? I already know his mom well (she’s part of our mom’s group) and he’s an only child so she doesn’t have to deal with other kids napping…so she has GRACIOUSLY offered to pick up Owen on occasion and bring him home! So they’ll just come out for lunch and a play date! I swear, this mom’s group just keeps on giving and giving!
The only other thing I was planning on but didn’t pan out is dropping Katie off at the same place for once a week morning preschool…but they only do full-time care for one-year-olds (you have to be potty trained for pre-school classes). They do have drop-off first-come-first-serve daycare, though, so I may still be able to have a morning to myself now and again!
We got to meet his teacher, Miss Jennifer, and see his classroom. He had been SUPER excited about going to school and wanted to GO (not just visit) today but he didn’t seem too thrilled once we got in the classroom. I think (am hoping) it was because they just cleaned it (while the kids were outside) and it smelled like disinfectant. He also could see the playground and wanted to go play but that wasn’t an option.
After a few minutes he seemed a bit more at home and was walking around exploring. He had to go potty when he was there, so he got to check out the bathroom and wash his hands in the kid-sized sink (and learn how to use a different soap bottle and towel dispenser).
The teacher and I talked about his issues (mainly pooping and autism diagnoses) and she said she had another kid with GI issues and that she hadn’t noticed anything autism-related with him. She said they eat breakfast there, there’s no rest/nap time, water is available all day (they just have to ask for it), they have outdoor play time, and there’s no real regimented activity time (like “Okay, you HAVE TO sit here and practice writing for 15 minutes.”).
I still can’t believe this is happening. My baby is leaving the nest… I just wish he was taking a school bus so I didn’t have to spend an hour of my day trekking back and forth. 🙂
So much for wearing a bib.
Seriously? Why do I even bother putting a bib on her?!
Mmm. Watermelon.
Mini heart failure
We were headed to Sam’s Club and I had Owen get in first while I went back to get Katie. Buckled her in and left. On the way there I noticed in my rear view mirror that he was sleeping so at a light I pulled out my camera to get a picture…and noticed he wasn’t buckled in! I had completely forgotten. After a moment of pure panic, I realized we were almost there so by the time I could manage to pull off, I could almost be at Sam’s Club. Lesson learned…always buckle Owen in first OR leave his door open so I stop to check on him.
Lap time!
Play Group Morning
Today we just had to drive a few streets over!
He loved the pirate boat, even if it didn’t have water in it!
Testing out a cool chair! She liked it because it was bouncy!
The host said Katie was great to have there since his baby is only 4mo—so the house wasn’t really baby proofed at all—and she certainly showed him everything that could be gotten into from hot wax to dog food bowls to toilets to cupboards to candles to decorative shells to lamps… 🙂
Pics from Afghanistan
These are from his trip over and the first week in Afghanistan. He didn’t have time to write info on each photo until recently (which I wanted before posting them) so that’s why they’re a little late.
At the military airport At Cherry Point. The snack bar closes at 6pm, but they have the troops show up at 7pm and wait for 4 hrs…WTF?
Lobsters in the Airport at Bangor. Yes, fresh Lobsters. You can see the tank at the back left in picture.
Giftshop area of Ramstein military annex.
Ramstein computer area where they allow unit graffiti.
Phone bank at Ramstein
Manas International Airport is the main international airport in Kyrgyzstan located 25 kilometres north-northwest of the capital Bishkek.
My (first) room! I now have a new room but don’t have pics yet!
The door to my room.
Angle 1
Angle 2 – you can see where I sleep and sit to Skype.
Extra bed and rifle.
Our in-room A/C unit.
The gym area outside my room.
Stairs to the second level of rooms.
The door to my room.
The pathetically see-through TP.
Today’s Two Outfits
I think this one was from Gramma Jean…
And this one was from Grannie Lin.
My first actual Tom job!
Other than changing batteries in kid toys, taking out the garbage and recycling, making sure the pool survives, removing/installing car seats, troubleshooting the network, installing a new video monitor, and dealing with cat litter [whoa, I didn’t plan to list that many things but I just kept thinking of them]…I had my first actual Tom job to deal with today: ant piles. (So really, I should say my first outside Tom job that I only do when he’s gone.)
Three really big piles had sprung up in the front yard and a few tiny ones had popped up in both the side yard and back yard. So I put the poison granules on them and watered it in. This is what one pile looked like after I doused them.
/shudder