Sunday, June 27, 2010

the side effects of borrowing kids

Because I apparently don't have enough to do in my life I am doing some childcare this summer. Feels funny calling it "babysitting" at my age. That seems like a term that belong to teens and pre-teens. I've got 5 different kids that come on different days. One is just for 4-5 hours a week. One has been nearly 40. The other 3 will be here just one day week, they start this week.

My mother (and apparently my SIL as well) think I'm a little crazy. I don't disagree with that but I like to think of it as a good crazy. Sure there are days that I want to put all of them out to the curb (even the borrowed ones...I think their moms might be okay with that).

Two weeks into summer and I'm already finding myself relying greatly upon my calender to inform me of what day it is and what's going on. I'm learning what foods they will and won't eat. I'm learning that some are always hungry and that the only way to get them to drink water would be to stick their heads under in the kiddie pool. *disclaimer...I have never actually done this, though the idea has crossed my mind*

They are learning how to play nice most of the time. They're learning that just because they are together doesn't mean they have to play the same thing with each other the entire time, that they can do their own thing. They're also learning to help with cleanup and maybe someday will grasp the concept of cleaning up as they go.

We've gone on a few adventures so far - the Farmer's Market and the beach, the local library. We've got the sandbox out and the kiddie pool to be filled on an as needed basis. I've got a list of activities that I need to get printed out onto slips of paper for the kids to choose when they are bored. I'm hoping to get a menu for meals and snacks together but it's just not coming together...guess I'm more a day of planner, a hard habit to break.

I am keeping our weekends free of other kids for the most part so that we can have some family time. Even if it's just sitting around the yard watching kids dig in the sand it's still an entirely different experience when it's just back to the 5 of us.

Saturday, June 19, 2010

Dancing Queen & King

Alexa has this complete fascination with dance. Perhaps someday she'll be able to do it in the form of a class, although our last experience didn't end well. At just over 2 she wasn't ready and preferred to cling to the pole in the middle of the room or mom.

These days she not only sings and dances, but also directs!


not sure where the sound went on this one but it's still good for a viewing!

strange eats

Back when Alexa was little I decided I wanted to try and be a Discovery Toys rep. And quickly discovered that I am not a sales person. Sure I was able to talk a few friends into purchases but my heart wasn't in it. On the plus side I ended up with a pretty sweet deal on some wonderful toys that are still around.

Some favorites of the twins are the Measure Up Cups, the bean bags from Flip Flop Faces, the bugs from Busy Bugs (cards are long gone but the bugs live on), and a game that I can't remember the name of. It have the body parts for 4 animal: an orange elephant, a pink/yellow zebra, a blue giraffe, and a green lion. You are supposed to roll a die that has pictures of the body part and "build an animal". I think we've done it that way a few times without much success.

However, apparently they make good snacks. As I type this I am surrounded by stacking cups filled with body parts, bean bags, and some food. A very common occurrence when I am trying to do anything on the computer. And of course it can't be around me but right in front of me. I do get the un-subtle message, I choose to ignore it and do a little shuffling.


So remember this. Because when you come to my house I can't guarantee that you won't be served legs of some safari animal with a side of head and bean bag. And yes...in this case they are supposed to be that color.

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

the fickleness of being 2

I'm not sure if it's the weather, the crap in the air, the moon's alignment, or just being 2 that has got J and E all over the place moodwise today. The morning started pleasant enough with all 3 kids playing happily together. There was a little spat regarding J not wanting to be E's dog but it was quickly gotten over and play resumed. They sat for at least 20 minutes playing with some musical flowers and covering each other with blankets. They played nicely when they attempted to raid the fridge and cupboards.

There is this conversation: J "ride my train", E "no", J "ride my traaaain", E "NOOOOO". Then E decided to sit in the toy shopping cart. After falling and getting back in (several times) I made the mistake of mentioning maybe she should find something else to do. How do I get paid for my advice? By being hit with a little toy dog. And J got smacked when he told her not to "hit my mama". Then just as quickly as the temper came the temper went. Back to playing nicely for the time being. Let's see how nice they play when I put them down for naps...

9 1/2 days left

The countdown is on. Although it's been on at the school for weeks now with an electronic timer. I wonder how long it'll take us to get into the routine of having Alexa home all day, every day for more than a week! I bet the twins will find it fascinating, at least for a little while.

My goal? To have us stick to routine as much as possible. That while it is summer vacation it doesn't mean we are going to lounge around in pjs till lunch. And that I'm not going to be the only one constantly picking up toys. Summer will be a good time to start introducing Alexa to some household chores beyond maintaining her own room - like laundry duty! Reading, writing, and math to help keep the brain fresh.

I have started a list of activities we can do out and about, or here at home. Of course adjustments will have to be made given that we are no longer a 2 car family. Hopefully C will get himself on a regular schedule at some point.

Jacob's milestones

  • weight/length @ 7: 55.6lbs, 48.75"
  • weight/length @ 5: 42lbs, 43.5"
  • weight/length @ 4: 36 lbs, 39+"
  • weight/length@ 3: 32lbs, 36.5 inches
  • weight/length @ 2 years: 26lbs, 33.5 inches
  • weight/length @ 1 year: 18lbs, 29 inches
  • walking: 11/17/08
  • standing: 3/31/08
  • crawling: army, 2/5/08
  • first time rolling: 9/30/07, belly to back
  • first smile: 9/7/07
  • birth date/time: 7/8/07, 12:49am
  • birth length: 19.5 inches
  • birth weight: 6lbs, 1oz

Elizabeth's milestones

  • weight/length @7: 53lbs, 47.75"
  • weight/length @ 5: 40 lbs, 42.25"
  • weight/length @ 4: 34lbs, 38"
  • weight/length 3 years: 28lbs, 35.5 inches
  • weight/length 2 years: 24lbs, 6oz 33 inches
  • weight/length 1 year: 18lbs, 1oz 27.5 inches
  • walking: 9/1/08
  • standing: 4/4/08
  • crawling: army 3/16/08
  • sitting alone: 2/29/08
  • first time rolling: 11/23/07, back to belly
  • first smile: 9/7/07
  • birth date/time: 7/8/07, 12:50am
  • birth length: 18.75 inches
  • birth weight: 5lbs, 8oz

Alexa's milestones

  • weight/height @ 10 (really 10.8): 186, 5'3"
  • weight/height @ 8.4 years: 113 lbs, 55.5 inches
  • weight/height @ 5 years: 61lbs, 4oz 45.25 inches
  • weight/length @ 4 years: 49lbs, 42 inches
  • weight/length @ 3 years: 38lbs, 38 inches
  • weight/length @ 2 years: 32lbs, 8oz 35.75 inches
  • weight/length @ 1 year: 22lbs, 3 oz 29.5 inches
  • 1st day of preschool: 9/3/08
  • solo somersault: 3/4/08
  • whistling: 3/2/08
  • potty training: 10/7/05
  • walking: 12/21/04
  • standing: 8/23/04
  • crawling: 8/21/04, only a week, then became a butt scoot
  • first wave: 7/27/04
  • rolling: 5/2/04, belly to back
  • sleeping thru the night: 3/1/04
  • first smile: 1/20/04
  • birth date/time: 12/4/03, 10:41pm
  • birth length: 20 inches
  • birth weight: 7lbs