March 9th 2010
PiYo No Go
We are going to try out taking turns doing the PiYo class and the yoga classes with the girls at the Y. The PiYo (pilates and yoga mix) is on Tuesdays and the yoga classes are on Wednesdays and Fridays. The only drawback to this is that the PiYo class starts at 8:25 and the yoga classes start at 7:30... a.m. This morning the girls slept until about 7:00, but I didn't hear them get up and didn't get up until Enzo woke up at almost 7:30. This didn't leave much time since Enzo was ready to eat and I'd hoped to get out of the house by 8:00 to give us time to get there and have our mats set up a few minutes early.
Chris and I decided that if I was going to go into the class with the girls, as I was going to this morning, he and Enzo would still come along in case Enzo needed me and then Chris could get me and just stand in to monitor the girls in the class. When we do the yoga class this may be especially neccessary because I'll need to get up and have the girls up by 6:30 at the latest, right around when Enzo usually does his morning nursing. Anyhow, we all scrambled around and got to the Y just barely before the class was to begin. However as the girls and I were heading back to the aerobics room, the person at the front desk directed our attention to the hand written note on the door saying that the instructor had just went home sick and class was cancelled.
Chris was just coming in with Enzo in the stroller as we were talking at the front desk. We told him we rushed for nothing and headed back to the car. Chris told the girls that this was a "Piyo drill". We're all wondering how on earth we're going to make it to tomorrow's 7:30 yoga class.
Chris and I decided that if I was going to go into the class with the girls, as I was going to this morning, he and Enzo would still come along in case Enzo needed me and then Chris could get me and just stand in to monitor the girls in the class. When we do the yoga class this may be especially neccessary because I'll need to get up and have the girls up by 6:30 at the latest, right around when Enzo usually does his morning nursing. Anyhow, we all scrambled around and got to the Y just barely before the class was to begin. However as the girls and I were heading back to the aerobics room, the person at the front desk directed our attention to the hand written note on the door saying that the instructor had just went home sick and class was cancelled.
Chris was just coming in with Enzo in the stroller as we were talking at the front desk. We told him we rushed for nothing and headed back to the car. Chris told the girls that this was a "Piyo drill". We're all wondering how on earth we're going to make it to tomorrow's 7:30 yoga class.
Abby @ 6 years, 2 months, 26 days
Zoë @ 6 years, 2 months, 26 days
Enzo @ 1 year, 5 months, 16 days
News posted by Laura at 9:32 PM | 
Comment
March 8th 2010
Another Give-Away
I'm trying again to win one of these thing! I just saw that softbums (the brand of cloth diapers we use) is coming out with new prints for spring and they're doing a giveaway, which you can earn entries into by doing various things - one being to blog about it. :)
We still just have the original cover colors we started with ('cause I didn't win anything in the last giveaway!), green, blue, orange and one white. It sure would be nice to get some extra covers and such! Keep your fingers crossed for me (us)!
We still just have the original cover colors we started with ('cause I didn't win anything in the last giveaway!), green, blue, orange and one white. It sure would be nice to get some extra covers and such! Keep your fingers crossed for me (us)!
Abby @ 6 years, 2 months, 24 days
Zoë @ 6 years, 2 months, 24 days
Enzo @ 1 year, 5 months, 14 days News posted by Laura at 1:37 PM | Comment
March 6th 2010
Sunny Play and Potluck
This morning Daddy took the pedals off of the bikes, as well as the 'training wheels' off of Enzo's little fisher price bike, for some more balance practice. This time we had them go on our side street, so that they'd be able to coast a little on the (very) slight hill. Doing it this way seemed to really help, both of the girls were at least attempting to balance. Zoë was coasting for a good few seconds by the end of our practice.
Later on Grampy came over and brought his air pump and filled up the tires in both bikes. We all went out for some more bike riding. Each of the girls got two turns down and back up the road with Grampy helping, and two turns with Daddy.
Just before dinner time we packed up and Grampy joined us for a potluck that one of the families in our homeschooling group was hosting. We made a spinach artichoke dip in the crockpot to bring. I was excited to use the carrying case for the first time. (It's the little things in life, right?) Of course, when we first arrived the girls were too excited about running around with Iris, Greta and some of the other kids and wouldn't sit down to eat. Finally, a little bit before the fire was started outside, we got the girls to sit and eat a little something. Grampy followed Enzo around, as he was curious about everything around. Chris got Zoë and Abby rounded up to get their shoes and coats on to go outside as all of the other older kids were heading out as well. Grampy, Enzo, and I stayed inside for a while and then we too joined the group outside.
Enzo was getting tired by now, but instead of settling down to snooze in the ergo, he got into over-tired mode and was just cranky and all over the place. At about 20 minutes to 8:00pm we started getting ready to go... unfortunately some of the girls other friends had just arrived and everyone was bummed that we were leaving. I told them that we'd try to make it to the indoor park day on Wednesday and they'd get to hang out then. As the girls admired the beautiful starry night, they said their good-bye's to Grampy and then we got home. I got Enzo to sleep while Chris got the girls stuff done and to my surprise, when I came downstairs, the girls were all cozy on the couch with a movie! They were happy to be snuggled up having a late night movie night.
Later on Grampy came over and brought his air pump and filled up the tires in both bikes. We all went out for some more bike riding. Each of the girls got two turns down and back up the road with Grampy helping, and two turns with Daddy.
Just before dinner time we packed up and Grampy joined us for a potluck that one of the families in our homeschooling group was hosting. We made a spinach artichoke dip in the crockpot to bring. I was excited to use the carrying case for the first time. (It's the little things in life, right?) Of course, when we first arrived the girls were too excited about running around with Iris, Greta and some of the other kids and wouldn't sit down to eat. Finally, a little bit before the fire was started outside, we got the girls to sit and eat a little something. Grampy followed Enzo around, as he was curious about everything around. Chris got Zoë and Abby rounded up to get their shoes and coats on to go outside as all of the other older kids were heading out as well. Grampy, Enzo, and I stayed inside for a while and then we too joined the group outside.
Enzo was getting tired by now, but instead of settling down to snooze in the ergo, he got into over-tired mode and was just cranky and all over the place. At about 20 minutes to 8:00pm we started getting ready to go... unfortunately some of the girls other friends had just arrived and everyone was bummed that we were leaving. I told them that we'd try to make it to the indoor park day on Wednesday and they'd get to hang out then. As the girls admired the beautiful starry night, they said their good-bye's to Grampy and then we got home. I got Enzo to sleep while Chris got the girls stuff done and to my surprise, when I came downstairs, the girls were all cozy on the couch with a movie! They were happy to be snuggled up having a late night movie night.
Abby @ 6 years, 2 months, 23 days
Zoë @ 6 years, 2 months, 23 days
Enzo @ 1 year, 5 months, 13 days News posted by Laura at 9:54 PM | Comment
March 5th 2010
Two-Wheeler Practice
We finally had some sunshine and warmer temps today so I decided to take the girls to the park to practice riding thier bikes without training wheels. One of the bikes had a flat, so I took the training wheels off of the other bike and got Enzo into the ergo and off we went to the park. It didn't take long for me to give up, though I did let each of the girls have a couple of turns trying. Instead I decided to just let them run a bit in the park.
On the way home I was sure that I just wasn't going to be the person that would be able to work with the girls on this balancing act of riding a two-wheeler. I got some suggestions though and have renewed hope that Zoë and Abby really will one day ride a bike with no training wheels. And hopefully before Zoë's exasperated prediction of "by the time we're 10".
On the way home I was sure that I just wasn't going to be the person that would be able to work with the girls on this balancing act of riding a two-wheeler. I got some suggestions though and have renewed hope that Zoë and Abby really will one day ride a bike with no training wheels. And hopefully before Zoë's exasperated prediction of "by the time we're 10".
Abby @ 6 years, 2 months, 22 days
Zoë @ 6 years, 2 months, 22 days
Enzo @ 1 year, 5 months, 12 days News posted by Laura at 9:21 PM | Comment
March 3rd 2010
Morning Play at the Valley's
After breakfast the kids and I got all ready to go hang out with Auntie Reanna and Cousin Elijah. They will all be leaving for Hawaii early Friday morning so we won't see them for a couple of weeks. We arrived and Alicia was there with Aurora as well. I guess she had the same idea - entertain Elijah so that Reanna could pack.
The kids played until a little before lunch when we all got ready to leave - Reanna and Elijah needed to get to school. Zoë and Abby helped clean up the mess that, mostly, the boys had made and we gave Daddy a call to ask him start boiling water for pasta and then we too were on our way. Of course Enzo (and the girls really) wanted Auntie Reanna to buckle him into the car, as he'd been snuggling with her before it was time to go. So, after Reanna got my kids in the car and I got Elijah into their car then we headed home.
The kids played until a little before lunch when we all got ready to leave - Reanna and Elijah needed to get to school. Zoë and Abby helped clean up the mess that, mostly, the boys had made and we gave Daddy a call to ask him start boiling water for pasta and then we too were on our way. Of course Enzo (and the girls really) wanted Auntie Reanna to buckle him into the car, as he'd been snuggling with her before it was time to go. So, after Reanna got my kids in the car and I got Elijah into their car then we headed home.
Abby @ 6 years, 2 months, 20 days
Zoë @ 6 years, 2 months, 20 days
Enzo @ 1 year, 5 months, 10 days News posted by Laura at 10:47 PM | Comment
March 2nd 2010
Solo Family Swim
It seems like we may have figured out the perfect block of Family swim time at the Y. They offer a few different choices throughout the day - some new times have been added since we last went - some being just half an hour and others being all the way up to an hour and a half. Today we went during the 3:00-3:30 block, figuring that the kids don't really last all that much longer than half an hour anyway (especially Enzo, who's shivering and ready to get out after 20 minutes at the most).
We literally had the pool to ourselves. The Y had lost power during the storm, which means that the heater for the pool wasn't working, so the water isn't as warm as it's supposed to be - it's still slowly working up to temp. - , but it wasn't all that bad. Enzo was chilly though, as he's not moving a whole lot, and just wanted to sit on the side and play with the toys. He was ready to get out probably 10 minutes after getting in, so Chris took him and tried to keep him occupied for at least a little longer. I think he'd probably like it better if he could touch and just mill around in the water with some toys, but hopefully we can work him up to wanting to kick around like he does in the tub.
Not only was this a nice time to go for empty locker room and pool reasons, but it was nice to let Enzo have his full nap at the usual time, us to get a snack a little bit before swim time, and then to have time to finish up anything that needed to be done for dinner. (Tonight it was making the cornbread to go with the black bean soup, which had been cooking in the crock-pot). I think we may try to get there at this time for the majority of our swims.
We literally had the pool to ourselves. The Y had lost power during the storm, which means that the heater for the pool wasn't working, so the water isn't as warm as it's supposed to be - it's still slowly working up to temp. - , but it wasn't all that bad. Enzo was chilly though, as he's not moving a whole lot, and just wanted to sit on the side and play with the toys. He was ready to get out probably 10 minutes after getting in, so Chris took him and tried to keep him occupied for at least a little longer. I think he'd probably like it better if he could touch and just mill around in the water with some toys, but hopefully we can work him up to wanting to kick around like he does in the tub.
Not only was this a nice time to go for empty locker room and pool reasons, but it was nice to let Enzo have his full nap at the usual time, us to get a snack a little bit before swim time, and then to have time to finish up anything that needed to be done for dinner. (Tonight it was making the cornbread to go with the black bean soup, which had been cooking in the crock-pot). I think we may try to get there at this time for the majority of our swims.
Abby @ 6 years, 2 months, 19 days
Zoë @ 6 years, 2 months, 19 days
Enzo @ 1 year, 5 months, 9 days News posted by Laura at 8:25 PM | Comment
March 1st 2010
Back to the Y
We've really slacked the past couple of months with going to the Y. January we just didn't go, no excuses really. February was full of sickness so we really weren't motivated to go out and swim. We decided that this was the month we were going to get back into the habit of going there daily. Reading about all of the swimming the Gaver cousins have been up to was a good motivator. :) Zoë and Abby were so excited and kept reminding us that we would be going swimming today. Enzo even has some new swim trunks to wear that Auntie Reanna found him at the fill-a-bag sale, which I missed due to sickness. They have a reusable swim diaper built into the swim trunks, so they're quite handy.
We got some carrot ginger soup in our bellies and then quickly got ready to make it to the 5:30 - 7:00pm swim. Even though the girls and I put our suits on under out clothes at home, and I get their hair conditioned and tied back - swim cap ready - it still seems to take us forever to get set and out to the pool. Chris is forever baffled at how it can take us so long. The girls don't need a lot of help, but I do have to remind them of this that or the other, as well as focus their attention on what they're supposed to be doing instead of the goings-on of the locker room. I prefer to have things organized and ready to make our after pool time easier (Chris will roll his eyes here) and I also have to get Enzo all ready. I guess I need to figure out some ways to cut our locker room time down - because after swimming is worse. :) Either that or Chris just needs to learn to deal with our pokyness. (Besides, soon enough Enzo will be going into the locker room with Daddy and that should even us up a little - even if we are three girls vs. two boys)
We got some carrot ginger soup in our bellies and then quickly got ready to make it to the 5:30 - 7:00pm swim. Even though the girls and I put our suits on under out clothes at home, and I get their hair conditioned and tied back - swim cap ready - it still seems to take us forever to get set and out to the pool. Chris is forever baffled at how it can take us so long. The girls don't need a lot of help, but I do have to remind them of this that or the other, as well as focus their attention on what they're supposed to be doing instead of the goings-on of the locker room. I prefer to have things organized and ready to make our after pool time easier (Chris will roll his eyes here) and I also have to get Enzo all ready. I guess I need to figure out some ways to cut our locker room time down - because after swimming is worse. :) Either that or Chris just needs to learn to deal with our pokyness. (Besides, soon enough Enzo will be going into the locker room with Daddy and that should even us up a little - even if we are three girls vs. two boys)
Abby @ 6 years, 2 months, 18 days
Zoë @ 6 years, 2 months, 18 days
Enzo @ 1 year, 5 months, 8 days News posted by Laura at 7:46 PM | Comments ( 1 )
Comments:
Yes, Enzo should go with Chris,,,then he wouldn't have to wait so lomg for you to come out!!
Foe Turned Friend
We've introduced Jake before. Now he's being re-introduced to you as Enzo's new best pal. I kid you not, Enzo does not want to be without Jake for the past two days. Chris has been trying to warm Enzo up to Jake, kissing him goodnight/goodmorning as they pass him on the stairs.
Yesterday Chris asked Enzo if he wanted to sleep with Jake - Enzo's never wanted to sleep with any sort of snuggly no matter how fond of it he is in the daytime, as long as he has my hair and some warm milk, that's all he cares about at bed time - and Enzo shook his head yes. Lo and behold, come bed time, Enzo insisted that we bring Jake upstairs with us. After Jake went off, "got angry" as we refer to it, twice I tried telling Enzo that I'd put Jake to go night night in the playpen, but Enzo wouldn't have it. He wanted to have Jake right there in his arms. I'm not fully convinced that it isn't a case of "... keep your enemies closer" and that he feels better knowing exactly where Jake is, but he wanted his arm around Jake, patting him. After a little bit of nursing he even turned over and just wanted me to pat his back with Jake and he fell asleep. Chris came up with the camera, but by this time Enzo had turned over, now resting his back on Jake.
Today at nap time, after carrying Jake around all morning, Enzo again insisted on taking Jake up. He fell asleep holding on to Jake so I put him down in the playpen just like that, and there he slept with his arm around Jake. I managed to get a few pictures of this too, though Jake's face was covered by Enzo's girraffe blanket/mat type thing (we use it as a pillow cover, since it's much softer than the case on his travel size pillow). Enzo did wake up during nap and sound a bit scared over the monitor, rather than just upset, but I went up and got him back to sleep and he finished out a nice long nap.
Yesterday Chris asked Enzo if he wanted to sleep with Jake - Enzo's never wanted to sleep with any sort of snuggly no matter how fond of it he is in the daytime, as long as he has my hair and some warm milk, that's all he cares about at bed time - and Enzo shook his head yes. Lo and behold, come bed time, Enzo insisted that we bring Jake upstairs with us. After Jake went off, "got angry" as we refer to it, twice I tried telling Enzo that I'd put Jake to go night night in the playpen, but Enzo wouldn't have it. He wanted to have Jake right there in his arms. I'm not fully convinced that it isn't a case of "... keep your enemies closer" and that he feels better knowing exactly where Jake is, but he wanted his arm around Jake, patting him. After a little bit of nursing he even turned over and just wanted me to pat his back with Jake and he fell asleep. Chris came up with the camera, but by this time Enzo had turned over, now resting his back on Jake.
Today at nap time, after carrying Jake around all morning, Enzo again insisted on taking Jake up. He fell asleep holding on to Jake so I put him down in the playpen just like that, and there he slept with his arm around Jake. I managed to get a few pictures of this too, though Jake's face was covered by Enzo's girraffe blanket/mat type thing (we use it as a pillow cover, since it's much softer than the case on his travel size pillow). Enzo did wake up during nap and sound a bit scared over the monitor, rather than just upset, but I went up and got him back to sleep and he finished out a nice long nap.
Abby @ 6 years, 2 months, 17 days
Zoë @ 6 years, 2 months, 17 days
Enzo @ 1 year, 5 months, 7 days News posted by Laura at 3:17 PM | Comments ( 1 )
Comments:
Maybe Enzo figures that if Jake can guard the stairs during his waking hours, he can guard Enzo during his sleeping hours! No one would bother a baby and a gorilla, right?!
February 28th 2010
Un-Processing
We really, really want to get ourselves to a place with our diets and lifestyle that we're truly 'un-processed'. In a country where we're bombarded with processing from infancy, it's harder than it seems. To the untrained eye it may seem that we're a pretty healthy family, and we do try to be...just not hard enough. Sure we have our green smoothies a couple of times a week and we eat salads/greens pretty much daily, but we have a lot more processed foods in our daily diets than we should and more than we would like to.
To say, "well, we'll just become vegans" is not enough. There are plenty of vegans that are still not really healthy. The healthy diet that we're looking for is a plant based diet full of fresh, real, 'whole' foods. You can go into a health food store and see loads of processed foods marketed for the vegan diet. You can look at a vegan cookbook and see how much of the recipes are for desserts. I'm not saying that it's not okay to have these things sometimes, but I feel like 'sometimes' is becoming more like once a week, or even once a day, instead of once every couple of months. Yes, we would like to keep our meals meat free, and I personally (though I can't speak for Chris, who LOVES cheese) would like to give up the dairy/other animal products, but that's not it. We really, really want to get all of the processed items down to a bare minimum. Also, instead of focusing on what we want to keep out of our diets, we are trying to foucs on adding (back) in all of the things that keep our bodies running the way they should be running... all the way to the end.
To say, "well, we'll just become vegans" is not enough. There are plenty of vegans that are still not really healthy. The healthy diet that we're looking for is a plant based diet full of fresh, real, 'whole' foods. You can go into a health food store and see loads of processed foods marketed for the vegan diet. You can look at a vegan cookbook and see how much of the recipes are for desserts. I'm not saying that it's not okay to have these things sometimes, but I feel like 'sometimes' is becoming more like once a week, or even once a day, instead of once every couple of months. Yes, we would like to keep our meals meat free, and I personally (though I can't speak for Chris, who LOVES cheese) would like to give up the dairy/other animal products, but that's not it. We really, really want to get all of the processed items down to a bare minimum. Also, instead of focusing on what we want to keep out of our diets, we are trying to foucs on adding (back) in all of the things that keep our bodies running the way they should be running... all the way to the end.
Abby @ 6 years, 2 months, 13 days
Zoë @ 6 years, 2 months, 13 days
Enzo @ 1 year, 5 months, 4 days News posted by Laura at 1:31 PM | Comment
February 25th 2010
Stormy Day
The rain poured down all day today, and the wind began to really pick up by the afternoon. Reanna called in the evening and asked if I could return her pump and bring a couple of things she needed for Elijah, who came down with the icky tummy bug. The drive was interesting, and for most of the way Enzo was very quiet, just watching the rain whip against the car. He was so upset, though, when I hopped back into the car at the Valley's and we started to drive home right away. He kept asking me to get him out.
Later on, after the girls were in bed already, Chris and I heard a big thud then we continued to hear some banging around. Finally we thought to check the deck and see if anything was missing. Sure enough our (empty) garbage can had blown away somewhere. I donned my rain coat to go out searching for it. Luckily I didn't have to go far, it had apparently hit the car and hung out just in front of it in the driveway. We put our almost full trash bag in it to help weight it down. Before heading to bed I had to put it back in its place again as it had started to sneak towards the edge of the porch. The winds have really picked up now, already at hurricane force. It should be an interesting night.
Later on, after the girls were in bed already, Chris and I heard a big thud then we continued to hear some banging around. Finally we thought to check the deck and see if anything was missing. Sure enough our (empty) garbage can had blown away somewhere. I donned my rain coat to go out searching for it. Luckily I didn't have to go far, it had apparently hit the car and hung out just in front of it in the driveway. We put our almost full trash bag in it to help weight it down. Before heading to bed I had to put it back in its place again as it had started to sneak towards the edge of the porch. The winds have really picked up now, already at hurricane force. It should be an interesting night.
Abby @ 6 years, 2 months, 10 days
Zoë @ 6 years, 2 months, 10 days
Enzo @ 1 year, 5 months, 1 day News posted by Laura at 6:29 PM | Comment
February 24th 2010
Dentist, Doctor, and Meds Oh My
Today has been a very busy day of running around. For the last couple of days my upper molars on one side have been bothering me and then last night and this morning it was a lot worse so I called the orthodontist, who said to call a dentist. I managed to get in as a stand by at the dentistry part of Families First health care this morning. Luckily there were no kids in the childcare room so Enzo and I hung out in there and played while I waited for them to call me, then Enzo was able to stay with Parkie while I had my appointment. I don't like leaving him, but I know he's familiar with Parkie (since we've done so many groups with her there) and I was going to be having an x-ray and all. Well the problem turned out not to be that I have a cavity, but a sinus infection. Yeah, go figure. The dentist scooted me right across the hall to the medical, who had an opening, who diagnosed the sinus infection part. Then the dentist came back in and said that the two molars look good, the reason for the tooth pain is that my roots on those teeth are up in the sinus area so with the drainage or whatever, it's causing pain there.
So, I left there to find Enzo having a great time at the little sink with Parkie, who'd discovered his great love of washing hands/dishes and was letting him play with a soapy sponge. She said that he was quite mad after I left, but they figured out the sink fascination and he was happy since. Of course then he didn't want to leave. Enzo fell asleep shortly after getting in the car, so we stopped by the house to see if Daddy and the girls would want to hop in the car for errands. We stopped at the library, bank, and post office then CVS. When we got home I called the pediatrician to have the kids checked out to make sure all of their sinus stuff was under control. I figure if they're not over it and will need antibiotics as well, we should all just go through it at the same time so we're not passing it back and forth.
So, shocker, all three kids have this junk stuck in their sinuses too. Zoë's was most visible, Lillie said that she could see the post nasal drip and the irritation it had caused. On Abby one ear was looking close to infection and Enzo's sinuses were just generally puffy. The girls will have amoxicillin, but since Enzo doesn't do well on that (bloody diarrhea = not good) he's going on cefprozil... we shall see. While we waited, yet again at CVS, I read some Barenstein Bears to the girls and finally we got to go home. What a day!
So, I left there to find Enzo having a great time at the little sink with Parkie, who'd discovered his great love of washing hands/dishes and was letting him play with a soapy sponge. She said that he was quite mad after I left, but they figured out the sink fascination and he was happy since. Of course then he didn't want to leave. Enzo fell asleep shortly after getting in the car, so we stopped by the house to see if Daddy and the girls would want to hop in the car for errands. We stopped at the library, bank, and post office then CVS. When we got home I called the pediatrician to have the kids checked out to make sure all of their sinus stuff was under control. I figure if they're not over it and will need antibiotics as well, we should all just go through it at the same time so we're not passing it back and forth.
So, shocker, all three kids have this junk stuck in their sinuses too. Zoë's was most visible, Lillie said that she could see the post nasal drip and the irritation it had caused. On Abby one ear was looking close to infection and Enzo's sinuses were just generally puffy. The girls will have amoxicillin, but since Enzo doesn't do well on that (bloody diarrhea = not good) he's going on cefprozil... we shall see. While we waited, yet again at CVS, I read some Barenstein Bears to the girls and finally we got to go home. What a day!
Abby @ 6 years, 2 months, 9 days
Zoë @ 6 years, 2 months, 9 days
Enzo @ 1 year, 5 months News posted by Laura at 6:34 PM | Comments ( 1 )
Comments:
You poor babies..you too Laura!!
February 23rd 2010
Zoë and Abby's Winter Dentist Visit
The girls were so excited that they were getting to go to the dentist this morning that they were awake and downstairs before 6:30. Zoë told us that she wishes that everyday was a dentist visit day. Abby showed off her missing baby tooth and new adult tooth coming up in its place. Both of the hygienists as well as the dentist noticed how wiggly Zoë's two front bottom teeth are. Not only did they give the girls permission to wiggle their loose teeth, they encouraged it! One of the hygienists told Zoë that if she wiggled them every night this week, they'd probably be out by the weekend. She's on it.
Both girls were told that they were doing very well brushing, which we were glad to hear because we've been letting them do it a little more on their own. We monitor it of course, and we still give them a once over at the night time brushing, but we're not doing the bulk of it anymore like we used to. I think once those 6 year molars come in, they'll need a little help making sure they get all the way in the back. Speaking of those molars, they said that Zoë will probably beat Abby in getting them in, as they could see some puffy gums back there right now on Zoë. (As if everything isn't already enough of a competition between these two).
After a clean bill of health the girls both got the fluoride treatment "painted" on and we were free to go. Soft foods and drink okay immediately, hard and crunch things have to wait. It's better than when they had to wait 30 minutes before eating or drinking anything after wards because you know the girls were always begging for water as soon as we were done. Oh, and Enzo did a great job watching everything from my back. He was really interested in all that was going on and even got his own little green toothbrush with choo choo trains on it.
Both girls were told that they were doing very well brushing, which we were glad to hear because we've been letting them do it a little more on their own. We monitor it of course, and we still give them a once over at the night time brushing, but we're not doing the bulk of it anymore like we used to. I think once those 6 year molars come in, they'll need a little help making sure they get all the way in the back. Speaking of those molars, they said that Zoë will probably beat Abby in getting them in, as they could see some puffy gums back there right now on Zoë. (As if everything isn't already enough of a competition between these two).
After a clean bill of health the girls both got the fluoride treatment "painted" on and we were free to go. Soft foods and drink okay immediately, hard and crunch things have to wait. It's better than when they had to wait 30 minutes before eating or drinking anything after wards because you know the girls were always begging for water as soon as we were done. Oh, and Enzo did a great job watching everything from my back. He was really interested in all that was going on and even got his own little green toothbrush with choo choo trains on it.
Abby @ 6 years, 2 months, 8 days
Zoë @ 6 years, 2 months, 8 days
Enzo @ 1 year, 4 months, 29 days News posted by Laura at 1:24 PM | Comments ( 1 )
Comments:
So gald you like going to the dentist and have a good report.
February 22nd 2010
Enzo in his office - no productivity
Enzo only wants to sit on the toilet if Daddy is there to help him. Laura thinks it is funny that I have to get up, and sit right next to him for him to want to try to pee on the potty. While mommy and the girls were upstairs, Enzo pointed and asked for the toilet so I got his pants and diaper down and on the potty. He pointed to the toy station and I moved it over for him to play with. He sat on the toilet for a good while, "working", but had no productivity.
Abby @ 6 years, 2 months, 7 days
Zoë @ 6 years, 2 months, 7 days
Enzo @ 1 year, 4 months, 28 days News posted by christopher at 5:18 PM | Comments ( 1 )
Comments:
Good Boy Enzo!! xxoo
February 21st 2010
No Church Again
We missed church again this week, this time mostly because of me. Enzo's nose is still drippy and he has a cough when he's sleeping, my head just generally doesn't feel well. The past few weeks have just been brutal for us. Instead we called the grandparents, Zoë and Abby played with their polly pockets for a while and they also got to watch a movie.
We're really hoping we'll be all healthy and able to go out and about again by next week, cross your fingers for us!
We're really hoping we'll be all healthy and able to go out and about again by next week, cross your fingers for us!
Abby @ 6 years, 2 months, 6 days
Zoë @ 6 years, 2 months, 6 days
Enzo @ 1 year, 4 months, 27 days News posted by Laura at 1:15 PM | Comment
February 20th 2010
Upstairs Play Day
Enzo and I got to sleep in a bit and then we went up to the playroom to get it started warming up. After breakfast I took the kids up to just play. At first when I suggested we go "up, up" the girls said, "But it's Saturday, we don't have to do school work today." I informed them that we were just going up to play and they scampered right up.
After doing lots of playing, pretending this that and the other, both of the girls decided to take a break and color some pictures. Of course Enzo needed to sit at the table and color as well... and climb on the table to get all of the things his hands aren't supposed to touch.
A little before lunch time we headed back downstairs and got ourselves some bowls of the chili that Daddy started in the crock-pot last night. Then Zoë and Abby played some board games together while Enzo and I got some much needed rest.
After doing lots of playing, pretending this that and the other, both of the girls decided to take a break and color some pictures. Of course Enzo needed to sit at the table and color as well... and climb on the table to get all of the things his hands aren't supposed to touch.
A little before lunch time we headed back downstairs and got ourselves some bowls of the chili that Daddy started in the crock-pot last night. Then Zoë and Abby played some board games together while Enzo and I got some much needed rest.
Abby @ 6 years, 2 months, 5 days
Zoë @ 6 years, 2 months, 5 days
Enzo @ 1 year, 4 months, 26 days News posted by Laura at 4:00 PM | Comment
February 19th 2010
Hard Working Knot Heads
Yesterday evening Chris mentioned that with their bangs, the girls looked some character or another, who had braided 'knots' on her head behind bangs. So this morning I indulged him and I did some braided buns in the girls' hair after their showers.
The first thing I had the girls do this morning for their school stuff was spelling. They finished up Lesson 17 and then we did their weekly spelling test. Both of the girls got a 90%. Zoë spelled "purple" as 'pruple' and Abby spelled "turtle" as 'turttle'. After I showed them which words were wrong, I asked them to correct the mispelled word and both got it right on the second try, without any clues, so I gave them a corrected 100% . Next was math and then we took a break with 'Mad Gab'.
The first thing I had the girls do this morning for their school stuff was spelling. They finished up Lesson 17 and then we did their weekly spelling test. Both of the girls got a 90%. Zoë spelled "purple" as 'pruple' and Abby spelled "turtle" as 'turttle'. After I showed them which words were wrong, I asked them to correct the mispelled word and both got it right on the second try, without any clues, so I gave them a corrected 100% . Next was math and then we took a break with 'Mad Gab'.
Abby @ 6 years, 2 months, 4 days
Zoë @ 6 years, 2 months, 4 days
Enzo @ 1 year, 4 months, 25 days News posted by Laura at 1:58 PM | Comment
February 17th 2010
Mommy and Enzo Down for the Count
Enzo's had this upper respiratory yuckiness for a couple of days now, but today I woke up feeling like he's been acting. He did have more spurts of being a happy boy and played and helped with dishes and what not, but he's still not feeling so well. I told Abby today that now I know why she was so whiny yesterday, this just makes you feel so icky. Lots of raw honey, green tea, and vitamins for us today (minus the green tea for Enzo). It's going to be an early to bed for the little guy and me tonight.
Abby @ 6 years, 2 months, 2 days
Zoë @ 6 years, 2 months, 2 days
Enzo @ 1 year, 4 months, 23 days News posted by Laura at 1:55 PM | Comment
February 15th 2010
Lap Harp
We got the girls a lap harp that was on sale at Wal-Mart for $9.00. It has a pick and different cards (each card has a different song) that go under the strings with where to pluck the strings and in which order, how long to hold the note, etc. Even though it is currently out of tune, the girls are getting pretty good at it.
Abby @ 6 years, 2 months
Zoë @ 6 years, 2 months
Enzo @ 1 year, 4 months, 21 days News posted by Laura at 1:59 PM | Comment
February 13th 2010
Beach Clean-Up
After Lowe's, we zoomed to Jennes Beach to join with the Blue Ocean team to clean up the beach. There were a lot of people there! That probably had something to do with Disney's promotion of giving a day of community service and getting a free day in the park.
We got there and I signed us in, while Chris bundled the kids. We got Enzo set in the ergo and went to listen for instructions. The whole group walked a ways down the beach, some people had garbage bags and clipboards and then everyone started combing back up towards the parking lot. We were in the back of the pack and were skeptical that we'd find anything, but managed to find some ropes and fishing wire and other little debris. Once we were back by the beach wall at the parking lot, a lot of people stopped there and didn't keep combing the beach down toward the rocks, so Chris and the girls were able to find some more things to get logged in. Enzo and I had taken a seat on the beach wall, as he was ready to nurse.
We got an email later saying that a total of 105 pounds of trash was collected. If that much was collected in February, can you imagine how much the collect in the summer? Even though we did originally do this to get the free day at disney certificate, we plan to go back again with the girls and help out next month and possibly join in on some of the other events this group does.
We got there and I signed us in, while Chris bundled the kids. We got Enzo set in the ergo and went to listen for instructions. The whole group walked a ways down the beach, some people had garbage bags and clipboards and then everyone started combing back up towards the parking lot. We were in the back of the pack and were skeptical that we'd find anything, but managed to find some ropes and fishing wire and other little debris. Once we were back by the beach wall at the parking lot, a lot of people stopped there and didn't keep combing the beach down toward the rocks, so Chris and the girls were able to find some more things to get logged in. Enzo and I had taken a seat on the beach wall, as he was ready to nurse.
We got an email later saying that a total of 105 pounds of trash was collected. If that much was collected in February, can you imagine how much the collect in the summer? Even though we did originally do this to get the free day at disney certificate, we plan to go back again with the girls and help out next month and possibly join in on some of the other events this group does.
Abby @ 6 years, 1 month, 29 days
Zoë @ 6 years, 1 month, 29 days
Enzo @ 1 year, 4 months, 19 days News posted by Laura at 10:30 AM | Comments ( 2 )
Comments:
Correction; last paragraph...Disney captial
I think this is just great. Community service is wonderful..so happy you all contributed.
February 10th 2010
Quarantine for Zoë, Baking for Abby, Treats for Enzo
Yesterday Zoë woke up with a cough that didn't sound so good. It wasn't gone by this morning so I gave her some raw honey 'cough syrup', a mask, and told her she was quarantined to her bedroom. I just can't handle sickness going through the house again, especially can't handle Enzo getting anything else. She got to watch two Strawberry Shortcake dvd's and one Gigi dvd on the little portable dvd player. After 41/2 years of use, the dvd player has seen better days, but it worked well enough for Zoë's movie enjoyment. I brought up a muffin for morning snack, and also brought down the dollhouse and accessories from 'storage' that she hasn't had a chance to play with in a while. Zoë came down for lunch, and went back up to play for a while and then after snack she just stayed downstairs, mask firmly in place.
Meanwhile, Abby and I (and Enzo) were busy in the kitchen. We had buttermilk leftover from when Chris and the girls made my cake so I searched for some recipes to use it up. First we made blueberry buttermilk muffins, and after we were done cleaning up from that we got started on buttermilk brownies. When we were pulling out the muffin pan and lining it with our silicone cupcake liners, Abby noticed the heart shaped silicone baking pan that Nonna got me for my birthday. I went ahead and poured the batter into this, which came almost to the brim. It took longer than the recomended bake time and was risen in a nice mound by the time it was finished, but it came out tasty too. Abby had wanted to make sugar cookies as well, and I was up for it at first, but after these two things were all said and done, along with all of the other normal needs of the day, I wasn't up for making a third treat and all of the dishes that go along with that.
Meanwhile, Abby and I (and Enzo) were busy in the kitchen. We had buttermilk leftover from when Chris and the girls made my cake so I searched for some recipes to use it up. First we made blueberry buttermilk muffins, and after we were done cleaning up from that we got started on buttermilk brownies. When we were pulling out the muffin pan and lining it with our silicone cupcake liners, Abby noticed the heart shaped silicone baking pan that Nonna got me for my birthday. I went ahead and poured the batter into this, which came almost to the brim. It took longer than the recomended bake time and was risen in a nice mound by the time it was finished, but it came out tasty too. Abby had wanted to make sugar cookies as well, and I was up for it at first, but after these two things were all said and done, along with all of the other normal needs of the day, I wasn't up for making a third treat and all of the dishes that go along with that.
Abby @ 6 years, 1 month, 26 days
Zoë @ 6 years, 1 month, 26 days
Enzo @ 1 year, 4 months, 16 days News posted by Laura at 12:57 PM | Comment
