I survived.

This was the big birthday weekend i've been planning and everything turned out wonderful. My birthday boy turned 4 and had a fantastic time. Disneyland was fun, I haven't been there in years. Andrew did well in the morning but started to meltdown towards the end of the day, but we expected that. He got scared on a few rides and wouldn't go on anymore, so we walked around and ate!

Sunday with birthday party time. We had a small group come over for a bbq, cake and ice cream.  Andrew loved playing with his cousins and friends on the new swingset.  Auntie Susan won the spotlight for getting Andrew a car that spun around with lights. That was the first present he opened and then nothing else mattered, for the moment anyways...he did enjoy all of his gifts.

We're exhausted, but it was all worth it.

Happy Monday

A little lunch time blog

It's a gloomy, cold day in Calabasas. I kind of like the cold right now, but I hope it's sunny on Saturday when we trek to Disneyland. I swear, I don't know who's more excited me or Andrew.

I've made a decision that I didn't think I would ever make, no not giving up my ice blendeds, but -- going back to school. I already have my AA degree and I think I'm going to get a degree in Organizational Leadership. I never thought I would go back to school, but recently I got to thinking that I need to do it. Not just for me, but for my kids too. I want to have my degree before i'm 40. Holy Moly!! 40! 

I'm attending the Adult Program at Cal Lutheran University. It's an accelrated program, so I will go to class once a week and complete a class every 11 weeks. It's going to be a lot of work, especially with a full-time job and two little ones.

Wish me luck on my adventure.

Alright, back to work I go.

Happy Thursday.

Dinner tonight

I love picking Andrew up after school because he runs to me with the biggest, happiest smile! Changing his school was the best thing I did for him.

The next thing I love is Andrew and his commentary. Tonight I made corn muffins with our chicken tacos and Andrew tells me: "mom, this is tasty!"  Just makes my heart melt.

To be young again

I miss the days of being young and having no responsiblities. Playing with friends, swinging, and laughing. I went on the swings with Andrew and it brought a smile to my face! Now I know why Andrew loves swinging so much. You feel carefree and happy.

Now, back to reality: tantrums, meltdowns, crying, tears -- oh boy. The screaming and crying wears you down. Trying to find the right discipline strategy is draining.

Will my kids hate me for trying to make them into strong, polite little boys? Will my marriage suffer because the kids are out of control? 

Time to re-focus:  I'm a good mom, and a good wife. My kids will love me no matter what. I will put together a good disicpline plan and get my little men back on track.  We just ran into a little bump, that's all.

I went to the mall on Saturday and looked around. Andrew may have his moments, but he's a happy, smart, healthy, imaginitive little boy.  I think he's going to do something great when he's older. Fpr example, I moved this plastic desk out of his room and he goes and opens the window and says "yes I'll have a cheeseburger please." I realized he was pretending he was the drive through at McDonalds. This kid remembers everything.

Not to long ago there was a car accident near our house. Of course there were fire trucks, ambulance, police, tow trucks, etc., and Andrew observed it all. When it was all over, I see Andrew in the backyard trying to hook his wagon onto his tricycle. He said it was a tow truck. So much imagination.

... And my little Adam, so full of life, and aggressive, yet..has a sensitive side too. He knows what he wants and goes for it and boy does he get mad when he doesn't get it. He's for going to be a fighter.

My little Guys...

I love them

April 15

It's Thursday! I'm looking forward to the weekend! Raul came home on Sunday from traveling. The week he was away went fine with the kids. My neighbor cameover for dinner on Friday and my friend Jessica came to visit me (with coffee in hand) on Saturday. Those little gestures keep my sanity when i'm on my own.

This weekend will be busy. Andrew has a playdate on Saturday and a birthday party on Sunday. Raul & I get a date night on Saturday! We're very excited as we don't get to go out much. So it's dinner and a movie, yay!

Then, next weekend is Andrew's birthday weekend. I don't know who's more excited, Andrew or me. We're going down on Friday to downtown disney, staying the night and hitting Disneyland Saturday. I'm praying for clear skies and no meltdowns; I think the latter will be inpossible!

After a day at Disneyland, Sunday is Andrew's birthday and we're celebrating with a small group of just family and cake and ice cream.  Should be fun!

Happy Thursday

Mother Goose

I just love Adam's new daycare. Rachel is a warm, loving person who cares about each child. 

She follows a curriculum from Mother Goose that includes monthly plans, themes, letters, shapes, and art projects.  Rachel is also singing songs and teaching them their numbers. I could of sworn I heard Adam counting to 5 and humming the tune to twinkle, twinkle little star, which is a song she is teaching them.

It's nice to know your child is getting taken care of when you're working full-time.

http://www.mothergoosetime.com/curriculum/themeDetail.php?id=50

I should be ...

Cleaning off my bed
Folding the laundry
Packing lunches
Getting ready for bed

Instead, I'm...

Eating pringles
Surfing the net
watching tv

So much fun when the husband is gone!

The clothes will not get put away until Saturday night. I don't mind sleeping with half the bed covered in laundry! shhhhh, don't tell raul.

Nite nite...

on my own

Raul left yesterday for Phoenix. He's working at Nascar. All is good at home. I think i'm getting use to him traveling and being alone with the kids. It only get's tough when Andrew has his little meltdowns, but last night was a good night. 

I'm trying to think of something to do on Saturday with the kids. It's supposed to be a nice day. I'm still afraid of going to the park on my own with both kids. How terrible is that? I think I picture the worst, andrew running off or having a tantrum. 

Yesterday I saw a mom with a newborn in a carrier and her son sitting next to her eating. I thought, "I can do that!" Well, maybe. I wish my kids would just sit and eat quietly.

I talked to a friend yesterday who's son is Andrew's age and he is high energy and likes to scream too. So, it's nice to know there's other moms going through the same thing.

OH, and we have our new swingset! I have a built in park at my house!  The boys love it. It's funny that Andrew only wants to go on the baby swing, *sigh*. He is totally regressing. Crawling on the floor like a baby and holding his arms up for me to pick him up. Just like Adam. Just a phase, right? 

I think i'll have a picnic lunch outside on Saturday. The swingset has a little bench for them to sit on! Brilliant!

Tonight is sloppy joe night. My co-worker gave me the fabulous idea and I bought my fixin's this morning. Today at lunch i'm going to Ralphs by my work to buy the cutest beach chairs for kids. Only $9 bucks and they look like animals!

Happy Wednesday!

Busy week

The week is finally over. I had another rough week at work. I've been at my job almost 8 years, and this has been the toughest past 2 weeks ever, but i'm moving along. Just grateful I have a job.

My head is in party planning mode. Andrew's birthday is a few weeks away. We're planning something small as we're taking him to Disneyland too. So, for his birthday, we'll have a few friends and family over. I want to make a big cupcake for Andrew, with little cupcakes on a cupcake stand and decorate them with his favorite candies. However, he likes to make his own decisions these days.  He'll probably want just a regular cake, but we'll see.

Easter is this Sunday and I haven't even bought my ham! Off to the grocery store I go tomorrow. I think i'll go to Smart n Final instead of Coscto. I need to shake things up in the kitchen; i'm bored.

Raul built the boys' brand new swingset today and they love it! Of course Andrew already hit his head.

Alright off to bed. I don't get to write much at work anymore :(