Slowing Down

This past week I feel like I am going in more directions than normal. My “to do list” seems to be endless these days and with two small ones in constant tow, I make little progress if any. My biggest frustration is my office area. I’m the kind of person that must be organized and know where every little thing is at a moment’s notice. I use to be quite good at organization. Now, I clean up a little and then turn around to find it messier than before I started. I have been on a mission to get my clutter cleaned up.

Well……it isn’t going so good! I had to put the cleaning aside to start Halloween projects, lessons, and costumes. In the midst of doing several things at once, I looked around my disastrous office and had to laugh. I am truly losing the fight for organization. It amazes me I can be creative in such a mess, but I am. I am so far behind in all my many projects, taking the time out to clean, seems pointless when I see my end result. What do you think?

Okay, this really isn’t what I wanted to post about. In my frustration to organize my life and make progress on my lists, I gave in to my preschooler’s call to play with him. And I’m glad I did! Some special memories were created along with some perspective. We made some play dough and paints and headed outside together. What a marvelous time was had by all. I get all warm and fuzzy when I watch my kids having fun together. This was one of those times.

Another wonderful development that is happening is that both kids are starting to enjoy coloring. This gave me a few moments to fix Kaitlyn’s Halloween costume. Something I had to do while she was awake so I could make sure it fit right. Zachary was feeling a bit left out, so once Kaitlyn was down for a nap; Zachary got to try on his costume. Here is a little preview….

I admit that I have a hard time slowing down, keeping my perfectionism at bay, and relaxing. But this week, I was able to do two out of those three things and am better for it. And I wouldn’t have these beautiful pictures and memories if I hadn’t slowed down.

A Firehouse Birthday Party

Today we went to a fun birthday party.  And what is more fun than a tour of a firehouse and then a pizza party?  We all had fun!  Zachary has started, just recently, being so protective of Kaitlyn when we are out of the house.  He will hold her hand and keep her safe when he thinks she is in danger.  It is so heart warming to witness.



He is actually thrilled to be sitting in a Fire Truck. 



Kaitlyn was thrilled to sit in the Fire Truck\

Both kids got to hop up and sit in the passenger seat of a fire truck.  I was surprised at how thrilled Kaitlyn was.  It is so hard to get her to smile sometimes, but not today, she was in heaven.  Zachary on the other hand, hasn't wanted to smile for the camera, even when he is having a blast.  Oh...the challenges of a Mommy!!

 A fun part of the tour was the to see all the gear they have to wear to fight a fire.  This was an attempt to let the kids see who is inside all that equipment and not to be afraid of them.  Zachary was very excited and thrilled by it all, until he was able to go up and give the fireman a "high five".  Kaitlyn wasn't too thrilled either to talk to him either.

After a fun tour, we headed over to a local pizza place and helped Zaiden finish celebrating his 3rd birthday. 

Zachary couldn't stop talking about all the fun he had all the way home, and all evening.  At the end of the day, I always ask him what his favorite part of the day was.  His response today was sitting in the fire truck.  He also added that was also Kaitlyn's favorite part of the day too.

Thank you Zaiden for inviting us share your special day.

50 random things about Kathy

My blog has been 99% about my kids, as it is easier for me to talk about them than myself. But some friends have posted this on their blogs and has inspired me to do the same. Hmmm....this was way harder than I thought, 

1. I love chocolate and rarely find a dessert that is too rich

2. Haven’t had cable or any TV except for dvds going on 3 years and am surprised how I don’t miss it

3. Have a cell phone mostly for emergency purposes and I don’t know how to text. Only turn it on when I am away from my children.

4. I suffered from Didaskaleinophobia as a child and have worked hard to get over it.

5. I love the rain and snow.

6. I love to travel and the farthest I traveled was India. Want to return to Africa and Greece.

7. Am a stress eater

8. Having children was the best decision I ever made in my entire life.

9. Deciding to have children was the scariest decision I have ever made

10. My mom is my best friend

11. My first car was a Fiat Spider and I bought it without knowing how to drive a stick shift. I loved that car!

12. I have a hard time throwing memorabilia away.

13. I have struggled with my weight since puberty.

14. I am not athletically minded in any way. I don’t like to watch sports, participate in sports, or talk about sports.

15. I’m a perfectionist and hate it

16. I have never smoked…cigarettes or anything else.

17. When I was little I wanted to be an actress. That is until I went to an acting class and discovered I was too uptight and guarded.

18. I played the flute in school and quit because my teacher kept calling me Vickie (my sister). He thought that was funny, I failed to see the humor.

19. Am very introverted and guarded. One of the things I hate the most about myself.

20. Felt that I was a very patient person until I had children

21. My favorite color is lavender

22. I never left the house without makeup on, I had kids, and now it rarely finds my face

23. I hate having repair people fix things in my house; I would prefer to do it myself.

24. I am left handed and slightly ambidextrous. One reason I am not athletic, I could never figure out which hand to use.

25. I am the youngest in my family. I have a brother (7 years older) and a sister (5 years older)

26. My friends were always older than me (usually by 10 years or more) until I had children.

27. My favorite movie as a child was Grease. Don’t have one anymore.

28. I use to read constantly. Now I can’t seem to enjoy it. I now enjoy books on tape.

29. Never really like talking on the phone, but spent all my working years at a job where I was on the phone 8 hours a day.

30. Both my Father and Grandfather passed way when I was 16 years old.

31. I use to ballroom and country western dance in my 20’s. I miss it, and would like to take lessons someday in the future.

32. Hate going to get my hair done, so I do it myself, and yes, it looks like it.

33. I have never had a manicure or pedicure

34. Love getting the mail. Guess there is always hope that something exciting will come, which it never does.

35. I have always lived with cats. I use to be a foster and took care of over 70 kittens. I only adopted 1.

36. I have depression and have to be careful to not have it disrupt my life too much

37. I love cuddling under blankets in bed.

38. Christmas in my favorite holiday

39. Was scared of anyone dressed up in costumes until I worked for Disneyland and saw the characters backstage without their heads on.

40. Worked for Disneyland for 15 years in their travel company

41. Like being in control of things, but hate making decisions. Not a good combo.

42. Would prefer to be the driver than a passenger

43. Tend to cope better with routine but finds it hard to keep with children

44. Seem to start many projects but never completes them

45. My greatest joys come from spending time with my children

46. I have always had long hair and have colored it since I was in my early teens. Mostly blond but I did go red a couple of times

47. I find being around water very calming. My vacations were usually taken near the ocean and I miss my waterfall running in my backyard.

48. I miss getting massages and going to my acupuncturist. Both help to give me a sense of inner calm.

49. When I get stressed, I like to retreat to my home and become antisocial.

50. I have a poor sense of taste and smell. Makes me a picky eater since I like things according to texture

Another Hair Cut

 No, I wont be blogging about each and every new hair cut.   But for a long time now, I have felt that is was due time for Zachary to have a shorter hair cut.  Each and every time I go to cut off his hair, I just can't.  Last time I did get it shorter, but today we went short!

While I was cutting, Zachary kept saying, "NO!!! I love my hair!!"  Then when he finally saw himself in the mirror, his response was "I don't look like myself, I look like a stranger".  And yes he doesn't look like my baby any longer.  Not sure if I like it either, but who knows, only time will tell.

 

Zachary loved this picture. 

Since he was having such a hard time, I promised him a candy kiss if he sat still. 

He is showing off his kiss.

Big Boy's NIght Out

Zachary is now tall enough to ride some of the roller coaster rides at Disneyland.  So a couple of us moms decided to take our boys out for a special night.  Zachary has never expressed a desire to ride any of these rides, but I thought he might enjoy them with his friends.  I'm still not sure of his true opinion of these rides since his response to my question, "What is your favorite ride?", receives a "None of them!" response.  But when asked if he wants to go do them again, his reply is "Yes". 

But it was a fun evening spent with our "Big Boys" .  Now I need to plan a special time out with my little lady.

Morning At The Aquarium

Today we ventured to the Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific for their homeschooling day event.  We met friends there and we all have a wonderful morning.  The kids just loved all the ocean life.

Both were enjoying the sharks, or I think they did.  Maybe they just like splashing the water.

We all loved the sea stars to touch. Zachary asked about a sea slug, and after learning his name, refused to touch it.

The sting rays were very friendly and would come up for a pet.  Kaitlyn got to touch several times and then all of a sudden got terrified.  Zachary wanted to touch sooooo bad, but every time one came up, he got too scared to put his hand out. 

Two cutie pies!

The boys bringing Kaitlyn back after a run around the grass.  Zachary was very gentle with her until she decided she didn't want to come back.  Zachary handled it by dragging her. 

A Day at Disneyland

After a long summer break from Disneyland, we enjoyed a day at the park with friends. 

A must is a ride on the carousel

Though he doesn't show it, it was a big deal for him to meet Tinker Bell and Terence.

What To Wear?

Both kids got a new find that was great fun for both.

Kaitlyn found an old hat of Zachary's that was just her size. She just loves this hat!!!!! She will carry it around with her, putting it on and taking it off for hours.

Zachary has fallen in love with his new cowboy boots. I got these as part of his Halloween costume, but he could not wait to try them on. And now, they are a daily part of his wardrobe around the house.

Goodbye To Summer

I finally braved an overnight stay at the kids’ Great Grandma’s. Staying at her house is like a toddler’s heaven. We technically camped out at Mama Pete’s Nursery School, since it is right there on her property. We made camp in the nursery school for a three night stay. The kids loved playing in the yard with the huge play house, gigantic sandbox, and millions of toys and bikes. What more could a little one ask for?

The before and after move in

Each morning would start with feeding the turtles and then the kids played while I attempted to grab a small “mommy” moment. Kaitlyn just loved the slide and bringing out all the play food from the play house. Zachary spent his time dressing up and pretending to be a policeman or fireman.

The playhouse that is guaranteed for some fun

Zachary is explaining all about the turtles and what they are doing

Kaitlyn is pointing and attempting to say "turtle"

All smiles while enjoying the slide

Later in the morning we would have a swim in the pool. Sad to think it will be the last swim for the summer. Luckily, we were able to have more time swimming than in previous years.

I attempted having a quiet time each afternoon. No nap time for us, as we all know, sleep is a forbidden thing for toddlers and preschoolers. Thankfully, Kaitlyn didn’t mind sleeping in her new accommodations and Zachary was happy to spend his time on the computer doing his lessons and watching movies.

He is loving that he can now use a lap time just like Mommy

Such a good girl about sleeping in her pack n' play. She always awoke with smiles

A few afternoons, they had the joy of playing with the bunny and feeding him carrots. That is if they weren’t swimming. Each night, Zachary could hardly wait to finish dinner so we could do “camp fire”. We would have a fire and roast marshmallows for s’mores. Kaitlyn was fascinated by the fire and loved the s’mores. Zachary didn’t care to eat the roasted marshmallows as they were “too gooey”. So mommy gladly ate the “gooey” ones.

Time flew by and we all headed home tired but with some wonderful memories spent at G.G’s. Thank you G.G. for opening you home to us!! Zachary asks every morning if we are going to G.G’s today.