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We keep picking up words around here at a pretty good rate. Sometimes thought its funny the things they decide are important words to learn. Or what they hang on to.
Livi today when she heard someone crying went running saying "ut appen?" -what happened?
I think I say that a lot!
And once this morning I yelled... Hayden Thomas Maas.
And this afternoon Livi points at Logan & says "Go gen". Then points to Hayden & says "Maas." I've been laughing hysterically, so she just keeps doing it. Guess he truly is our "Maas!"
Thursday- Pumpkin Patch
Another Thursday means, another day Jeff is gone ALL DAY. Means another no housework, fun with mom all day, day. (I think next semester even when Jeff doesn't have night class I'll keep this tradition of one day of all fun each week!)
I woke up briefly at 4am to discover, we had no power. Back to bed until the kids woke me up at 7:30 (boo)... and still no power. We ate breakfast. Mama showered & got ready in the dark. And still no power. I called the power company to find out "The good news is- they know what the problem is. The bad news is- its a main underground line that shorted out last night so I can't guess how long repair will take."
So knowing that no power, no cooking ability, & no Elmo would mean no happy mama & tots.... we headed out for an afternoon of fun to VALA'S PUMPKIN PATCH!
I won't lie. I was a little terrified going in. Taking 3 almost 2 year olds all by myself. I must be insane! But we were there for almost 4 hours!! Had one minor melt down. Ate lunch. Played HARD. Came home a filthy mess. And had an absolute blast! There is SOOO much for them to do there. And I know we missed a ton of things. We stayed far away from the train, because I knew I couldn't take all 3 of them on my own & I didn't want to battle those screams & tears. So we missed a whole play area over in that corner. We never made it to the actual "pumpkin patch." But lets face it, thats not where the real fun is anyways. My feet are sore & my fingers nearly blistered from pulling the wagon up & down the hills. (Honestly, I was beat by the time we got up the hill from the parking lot to the gate! One hill in there there was a lady at the top saying "you can do it" over & over for me as I was chugging up the hill, trying to catch my breath, & talking to myself, er.. talking to the kids about how they were getting just a little too heavy!) But it was worth it. They were in awe & loved absolutely every minute. Since I already have one more trip there scheduled for this fall, I bought myself a pass (& kids under 2 are free so we went for pretty cheap!) So besides my one trip planned with GG next week, I only have to go 1 other time before October's end to make up for the $ I spent on the pass. And considering its a 5 minute drive & all the fun we had, I don't think that will be an issue. Anyone up for a playdate at Vala's??
I woke up briefly at 4am to discover, we had no power. Back to bed until the kids woke me up at 7:30 (boo)... and still no power. We ate breakfast. Mama showered & got ready in the dark. And still no power. I called the power company to find out "The good news is- they know what the problem is. The bad news is- its a main underground line that shorted out last night so I can't guess how long repair will take."
So knowing that no power, no cooking ability, & no Elmo would mean no happy mama & tots.... we headed out for an afternoon of fun to VALA'S PUMPKIN PATCH!
I won't lie. I was a little terrified going in. Taking 3 almost 2 year olds all by myself. I must be insane! But we were there for almost 4 hours!! Had one minor melt down. Ate lunch. Played HARD. Came home a filthy mess. And had an absolute blast! There is SOOO much for them to do there. And I know we missed a ton of things. We stayed far away from the train, because I knew I couldn't take all 3 of them on my own & I didn't want to battle those screams & tears. So we missed a whole play area over in that corner. We never made it to the actual "pumpkin patch." But lets face it, thats not where the real fun is anyways. My feet are sore & my fingers nearly blistered from pulling the wagon up & down the hills. (Honestly, I was beat by the time we got up the hill from the parking lot to the gate! One hill in there there was a lady at the top saying "you can do it" over & over for me as I was chugging up the hill, trying to catch my breath, & talking to myself, er.. talking to the kids about how they were getting just a little too heavy!) But it was worth it. They were in awe & loved absolutely every minute. Since I already have one more trip there scheduled for this fall, I bought myself a pass (& kids under 2 are free so we went for pretty cheap!) So besides my one trip planned with GG next week, I only have to go 1 other time before October's end to make up for the $ I spent on the pass. And considering its a 5 minute drive & all the fun we had, I don't think that will be an issue. Anyone up for a playdate at Vala's??
Hayden is such a big boy. Opened the gate himself & took off running to go check out the bunnies! They wore their backpacks all day, just because I wasn't sure how it would go. But they listened so well we really didn't even need them.
More bunnies! Can you see Liv's tongue clicking?? Thats how we say bunny at our house (sounds like Bugs Bunny eating a carrot.)
A wagon with a SLIDE!
"Weeeeee!!" Livi heaven!!
Then we fed the goats! They LOVE goats. They all learned to say "goat" today, clear as day. And Hayden had a 2 word phrase "More Goat!"
Hayden
Hayden
Olivia
Logan
My best attempt at getting them to all sit in the big rocking chair. Never a still moment!
We were playing at another play area. And Hayden apparently decided he was hungry. He went right over & crawled up on the seat of the picnic table with another group of people & asked for a "nack"?! Poor guy was devistated when he found out there was none for him there! So I had to pry Olivia away from the slide AKA "mor wee" (enter our one said small meltdown). So we could go find some lunch. Hayden had 1 1/2 hotdogs & some fries. Logan had a big boat of fries. Olivia had a bite of hot dog, a bite of "bun" (did not know she knew that even was a word), a bite of a chicken strip, a bite of a few fries.... and mama had the rest!
Getting creative with our "table" for lunch!
Livi apparently thought she needed to put her feet up & kick back for a while ;)
We stopped to get some more quarters.... then back to our favorite activity of feeding the goats. We also saw a camel, llamas, a donkey & some type of cow.
We walked through a nursery rhyme village....
And then we found toddler boy heaven!!!
I honestly can not believe I got them out of there without dragging anyone kicking & screaming. The boys had an absolute blast! Vala's could use some newer tractors, like ones with 1/2 of the wheels not broken off. But they didn't care. Livi enjoyed the sand & tractors too, but not like her brothers did. Good thing we got plenty of "weee"s in for her earlier in the day.
Hayden worked so hard to find a tractor & trailer with all their wheels & put it together all on his own. He is such a little perfectionist! And apparently pretty darn smart!
We outlasted several groups of kids here!
A little bit different of a trip than last year...
Just to compare, I tried to get one picture of them by the pumpkins & this is the best I got. I told you they were in awe of everything they saw.
When I pulled out of the parking lot, I turned to ask the kids if they had fun. And the boys were already alseep. Literally - played so hard they were alseep before we left the parking lot! Livi was out half way home, so 2.5 minutes later! I told you we played hard! This is the first time in their entire lives I've been able to carry them sleeping from the car & straight into bed. When we got home our clocks said it was about 1:00- leaving me to assume the power had only kicked back on an hour earlier. Glad we weren't home all that time! (And hope our food is ok to eat??!!) What a fun, fun, fun day!
YUM!!!
Why did you all wait so long to tell me about the deliciousness of Nutella!?!? Seriously!
Hayden & I are IN LOVE!
They were right!
I guess I have learned to just trust my kids. They know when they are ready.
This toddler bed thing has been a breeze. Hopefully it stays so great! I never in my wildest dreams imagined it would go so well. Bedtime goes off without a hitch. Almost easier than it did with cribs.
Naptime today, it was less than 20 minutes before they were all asleep. Not bad. I put Logan back in bed twice, Livi once & Hayden 4-5 times. He kept trying to crawl in bed with someone else. Which is fine really, if they would sleep nice. But there was giggling & fighting too. And I know that it would not equal much sleep. They again slept their normal 2 hours. And were happily playing in their room after they woke up. I could have left them in there a long time!
But I didn't. Because this morning when I left them in there happily playing.....
Needless to say I spent today doing a little more dresser drawer latching!
And their closet doors look like this!
And just a few of the boys & their ongoing obsession!
This toddler bed thing has been a breeze. Hopefully it stays so great! I never in my wildest dreams imagined it would go so well. Bedtime goes off without a hitch. Almost easier than it did with cribs.
Naptime today, it was less than 20 minutes before they were all asleep. Not bad. I put Logan back in bed twice, Livi once & Hayden 4-5 times. He kept trying to crawl in bed with someone else. Which is fine really, if they would sleep nice. But there was giggling & fighting too. And I know that it would not equal much sleep. They again slept their normal 2 hours. And were happily playing in their room after they woke up. I could have left them in there a long time!
But I didn't. Because this morning when I left them in there happily playing.....
Needless to say I spent today doing a little more dresser drawer latching!
And just a few of the boys & their ongoing obsession!
Seriously will you be done teething already!
Of course he HAS to have all 3 Lightning McQueens! And I know they need hair cuts SOOO badly!
On a side note: Logan today says moon, window, boat & Olivia.
And Livi says Logan, or something like "Go gen" or "Coke en"
One of these days someone will say Hayden!!
So far, so good!
I shouldn't even say anything, because everytime that I do...the kids prove me wrong. But so far (knock on wood) this big kid bed thing is going so much better than I ever dreamed.
Nap time today, nap #1 in big kid beds, went ok. Took me 25 minutes to get them all asleep. Not too bad for round #1 right? And they all slept for their normal 2 hours. One thing I wish I had was a video monitor. Anyone have one they want to loan us for a while??!! I'd put them all in bed, walk out, close the door & stand right outside the door so I could hear what was going on in there. When I heard someone out of bed (this is why it would have been nice to have video so I didn't have to guess what was going on) I went back in & put them all back in bed, without saying a word. It was a LONG 25 minutes before they gave in & zonked out. By the last few times I went in, they knew what was coming. They'd go running & jump in their beds. Or if they were standing in them, they'd quickly lay down. Finally... sleep.
Tonight.... they crawled right into bed. Kisses. And they were alseep without a peep. I was simply amazed beyond words!!
The only downside... their room is always a DISASTER! There are a few toys in there & a storage cubby & everything is everywhere instantly! Triple toddler tornado! Their closet doors are locked at least. And I have latches on most of their dresser drawers. Besides the toys, they can only get to their shoes.... which are scattered all about our house now. And their hamper. I need to find a new home for their hamper. Today there was dirty laundry EVERYWHERE. And I almost threw a CD in the laundry, not sure how it got there, but it did!
Nap time today, nap #1 in big kid beds, went ok. Took me 25 minutes to get them all asleep. Not too bad for round #1 right? And they all slept for their normal 2 hours. One thing I wish I had was a video monitor. Anyone have one they want to loan us for a while??!! I'd put them all in bed, walk out, close the door & stand right outside the door so I could hear what was going on in there. When I heard someone out of bed (this is why it would have been nice to have video so I didn't have to guess what was going on) I went back in & put them all back in bed, without saying a word. It was a LONG 25 minutes before they gave in & zonked out. By the last few times I went in, they knew what was coming. They'd go running & jump in their beds. Or if they were standing in them, they'd quickly lay down. Finally... sleep.
Tonight.... they crawled right into bed. Kisses. And they were alseep without a peep. I was simply amazed beyond words!!
The only downside... their room is always a DISASTER! There are a few toys in there & a storage cubby & everything is everywhere instantly! Triple toddler tornado! Their closet doors are locked at least. And I have latches on most of their dresser drawers. Besides the toys, they can only get to their shoes.... which are scattered all about our house now. And their hamper. I need to find a new home for their hamper. Today there was dirty laundry EVERYWHERE. And I almost threw a CD in the laundry, not sure how it got there, but it did!
Night #1
It went so incredibly well, that I don't even want to say it! I fear I'll jinx todays nap & the remainder of the nights of my life!
They quite enjoy their "bea"s (can't get the D's out for some reason). They like going in & out & in & out. Exclaiming "bea" & "night-night." They occasionally fight when someone else is in their bed. And somewhere, that I assume to be school, they learned the word mine, "my." We have given them (for the first time really) the opportunity to use their room for something other than sleep. Their door is open during the day (for now) & for as long as they keep it open (which is proving to be a PITA by the way).
Last night, when asked if ready to go to bed, they all replied "NO!" Though they were exhausted! Only Livi was in her bed when we closed the door. But we just gave our kisses, turned out the lights, shut the door & walked out. There were a few tears, literally like 5 minutes or less. And then quiet. We peeked in a little later just to see where they were......
We'll see how naptime today goes.....
And how night #2 goes...
And just incase you need proof of the constant fighting.... Seriously kids its a plastic bin!!
Hayden, the main instigator of this, in his bed before & after
I think there are toddler rails you can buy that attach to & match their cribs. Would look a little fancier. But they aren't in stores, & they cost as much for 1 rail as I paid for 3. So these will work just fine while we need them.
Logan's tall enough to get over THIS rail ;)
Last night, when asked if ready to go to bed, they all replied "NO!" Though they were exhausted! Only Livi was in her bed when we closed the door. But we just gave our kisses, turned out the lights, shut the door & walked out. There were a few tears, literally like 5 minutes or less. And then quiet. We peeked in a little later just to see where they were......
They all slept all night in their beds. Logan cried once, Livi lost her "wuvie" once. Otherwise, not a peep until I heard them up at 8:30. Someone apparently quickly pulled their radio/CD player off the shelf though. So we have one casualty from the night. But it went pretty darn good I'd say.
And how night #2 goes...
And just incase you need proof of the constant fighting.... Seriously kids its a plastic bin!!
A Whole New World
Well, my hope the kids continue to not remember that they can crawl out of their cribs plan.... well, it failed.
This was Saturday:
I think Hayden climbed out 100 times. We put him in. And by the time we turned around & got to their bedroom door, he was standing by our side. Slick as a whistle. Shimmied right down without so much as a peep. After dozens of times putting him back in his crib at bedtime, we finally just gave up. Shut the door & let him lay there on the floor... little fingers poking out under their bedroom door....crying. What else do you do??
Livi was SO tired. She was in bed, all tucked in, just hoping he'd shut up so she could sleep. Logan was in bed crying, wanting out too. (Though he can crawl out of his pack & play, he has yet to actually get out of his crib. I always have just found him with one leg swung over the edge. He's probably 1.5-2 inches shorter than H though.)
After a while.... quiet. I gave it a little time to make sure he was good & asleep, wherever he lay. Then I snuck in, to see where I'd find him. You will never guess where he was???!!!
IN. HIS. CRIB!!
He apparently gave up, crawled back into his crib & went to sleep?!
Sunday morning:
Both Hayden & Livi out of bed in the morning.
And after some brief parental debate, we decided we can't risk out children's necks (or arm bones or leg bones) crawling in & out of bed, over a little (or a lot) of sleep. And after consulting been there done that parents of all shapes & sizes, we decided crib tents for us would only prolong the inevitable.
So tonight.... we endure night #1 of THREE TODDLERS IN BIG KID BEDS!!
Incase you don't hear from me for days... I've been committed!
Wish us luck!
Pictures will follow, that is, if I remain sane....
This was Saturday:
I think Hayden climbed out 100 times. We put him in. And by the time we turned around & got to their bedroom door, he was standing by our side. Slick as a whistle. Shimmied right down without so much as a peep. After dozens of times putting him back in his crib at bedtime, we finally just gave up. Shut the door & let him lay there on the floor... little fingers poking out under their bedroom door....crying. What else do you do??
Livi was SO tired. She was in bed, all tucked in, just hoping he'd shut up so she could sleep. Logan was in bed crying, wanting out too. (Though he can crawl out of his pack & play, he has yet to actually get out of his crib. I always have just found him with one leg swung over the edge. He's probably 1.5-2 inches shorter than H though.)
After a while.... quiet. I gave it a little time to make sure he was good & asleep, wherever he lay. Then I snuck in, to see where I'd find him. You will never guess where he was???!!!
IN. HIS. CRIB!!
He apparently gave up, crawled back into his crib & went to sleep?!
Sunday morning:
Both Hayden & Livi out of bed in the morning.
And after some brief parental debate, we decided we can't risk out children's necks (or arm bones or leg bones) crawling in & out of bed, over a little (or a lot) of sleep. And after consulting been there done that parents of all shapes & sizes, we decided crib tents for us would only prolong the inevitable.
So tonight.... we endure night #1 of THREE TODDLERS IN BIG KID BEDS!!
Incase you don't hear from me for days... I've been committed!
Wish us luck!
Pictures will follow, that is, if I remain sane....
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