Ok. So this weekend we did a little TOO much...
Friday night:
- We had an indoor picnic, or a dinner & a movie, if you'd rather. We spread out a blanket on the living room floor, popped in a movie, had chicken nuggets, fries, candy, popcorn and a good time.
- After Cody went to bed, Ravyn helped me wrap his presents, then actually got to watch tv in her bed.
Saturday:
- Was Cody's 2nd birthday. We got him up, sang happy birthday to him, showed him his first surprise, one of those activity tables which Ravyn was more than happy to show him how to use.
- Then we all got ready and headed out. Ravyn went to her first cheerleading game where she cheered for the lil football team.
- Afterwards we went to Chuck E Cheese for a fun party with pizza, cake, games, presents, and friends.
- As if that wasn't enough for one day, we decided to go to the Big Dig in Greer. Ravyn and I went on a very fun dump truck hay ride, then we had snacks & ice cream. Ravyn got her face painted and got to sit in a bus & a fire truck.
- We hadn't done nearly enough, so next we went to a small toy store called Duck Duck Goose where we forced the kids to play with every toy and even made them buy one.
- Since we weren't nearly tired enough we ended the day by eating fruity pancakes, hot chocolate, and other nasty things at IHOP.
Sunday:
- We went to our new church which has an awesome children's program.
- Afterwards, we went to Walnut Grove Plantation. We did alot there, wondered around to find leaves, acorns, flowers, and pine cones for a lil project Ravyn had at school.
- Then we took the tour, where the lady told us all about the houses and items in them, which Cody personally insured I heard none of.
- We watched the blacksmith there actually make a hook.
- Dodi also squished 75 ant piles to show Ravyn how many millions of ants live there and all the eggs they have, but mostly cause Dodi just has anger issues.
- Got the kids some Burger King then got them ready for bed.
After that weekend I laid down and died of exhaustion.
Monday morning:
While Ravyn was eating her breakfast, I went over all the things we had done this weekend. She looks at me for a moment then ask: "Yeah, but when are we gonna do something fun?"
Monday, September 22, 2008
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Sat Aug 9 - Smithsonian
Wow. What a day. We got up at 7am to 'leave early' and started feeding kids, dressing them, and packing. We were in a big hurry to try to beat the DC traffic. To make a long story short, our get ready quick took over 3hrs. We left about 1030a.
- We make the long drive over to the Arlington Cemetery.
- Unpack the kids, put stuff in stroller, put Cody in stroller, head to subway.
- Take Cody out of stroller, hand all stuff in stroller to kids, go down escalator.
- Repack stroller, put Cody in stroller, go to get subway ticket.
- Wait in long line, for 20m, for the ONE vending maching, to get a subway ticket for EACH person, so we can get on the subway. You're a genius DC.
- Take subway ride under river where our ears pop, get off at Smithsonian stop.
- Luckily the Smithsonian stop had a handicap elevator.
- Quickly go to the History museum to grab some lunch.
- Holy Mother of Pearl lunch cost $40 for one wrap, one side, 2 kid meals. Smithsonina free: yeah right.
- We head out to the museum and look at tons and tons of bones, bugs, and animals. Was lots of fun.
- Move on to the Air & Space museum and look at tons of planess and space stuff. Was lots of fun.
- John meets us there as we're wrapping up.
- Once again unpack Cody and stuff from stroller to get back off subway.
- We head to Rainforest Cafe (LOVE IT) for dinner.
- WTH? Where is the Cafe? Drive around for a few min, can't find it.
- Smack Kim in the head for making me dream about Rainforest Cafe for the last couple hours.
- Head to Red Robins instead for dinner. Used to be one of my favs in Colorado. Not all that anymore.
- Make the long ride home, kids dead alseep.
- Instead of getting home about 4p or so like planned, we got home at 11p
- Note to self: Don't leave crockpot on for 16hrs - threw away blackened charred lump of meat.
All in all, it was a very fun, very exhausting day.
Elise, Ravyn, Cody, Greyson, & Nathan
Finally here. Cody loved that elephant.
Watch out behind you!
Ravyn in butterfly heaven. Nathan just happy to be near bugs.
Cody took a walk around with us.
In an old cockpit.
This is how much food they USED to serve. Man have they gone downhill.
The kids favorite place. This spot vibrated & shook like airplanes used to.
Cody's not too sure bout this.
- We make the long drive over to the Arlington Cemetery.
- Unpack the kids, put stuff in stroller, put Cody in stroller, head to subway.
- Take Cody out of stroller, hand all stuff in stroller to kids, go down escalator.
- Repack stroller, put Cody in stroller, go to get subway ticket.
- Wait in long line, for 20m, for the ONE vending maching, to get a subway ticket for EACH person, so we can get on the subway. You're a genius DC.
- Take subway ride under river where our ears pop, get off at Smithsonian stop.
- Luckily the Smithsonian stop had a handicap elevator.
- Quickly go to the History museum to grab some lunch.
- Holy Mother of Pearl lunch cost $40 for one wrap, one side, 2 kid meals. Smithsonina free: yeah right.
- We head out to the museum and look at tons and tons of bones, bugs, and animals. Was lots of fun.
- Move on to the Air & Space museum and look at tons of planess and space stuff. Was lots of fun.
- John meets us there as we're wrapping up.
- Once again unpack Cody and stuff from stroller to get back off subway.
- We head to Rainforest Cafe (LOVE IT) for dinner.
- WTH? Where is the Cafe? Drive around for a few min, can't find it.
- Smack Kim in the head for making me dream about Rainforest Cafe for the last couple hours.
- Head to Red Robins instead for dinner. Used to be one of my favs in Colorado. Not all that anymore.
- Make the long ride home, kids dead alseep.
- Instead of getting home about 4p or so like planned, we got home at 11p
- Note to self: Don't leave crockpot on for 16hrs - threw away blackened charred lump of meat.
All in all, it was a very fun, very exhausting day.
Elise, Ravyn, Cody, Greyson, & Nathan
Finally here. Cody loved that elephant.
Watch out behind you!
Ravyn in butterfly heaven. Nathan just happy to be near bugs.
Cody took a walk around with us.
In an old cockpit.
This is how much food they USED to serve. Man have they gone downhill.
The kids favorite place. This spot vibrated & shook like airplanes used to.
Cody's not too sure bout this.
Yeah. Thats right. We stopped & we stood. We're rebels!
Subway ride home. Hold on tight Cody.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Fri Aug 8 - Flush my pipes & change my pads
It somehow takes me 3 hours to pack up what little we brought with us. By the time I was done packing I wanted to call it quits for the day and take a nap.
Have to rush though. Car needs a 50k check up and a oil change. So I called Thurs to set up an appt for a Toyota near Kim's house. I have to be there by 1p...what was I thinking??
We jump out at Kim's house, throw everything in the garage, threaten the kids to move it, then rush over to Toyota just in the nick of time.
Ends up that they rotated my tires, changed oil, replaced air filter, replaced cabin filter, replaced brake pads and flushed out my sludgy transmission fluid for a whopping $571. Ouch. Shoot me now and get it over with.
On an up note, I got me a yummy Five Guys burger for dinner. MMMmmm. Five Guys rocks! Man I love that place. I think they mix cocaine in the meat or something.
Have to rush though. Car needs a 50k check up and a oil change. So I called Thurs to set up an appt for a Toyota near Kim's house. I have to be there by 1p...what was I thinking??
We jump out at Kim's house, throw everything in the garage, threaten the kids to move it, then rush over to Toyota just in the nick of time.
Ends up that they rotated my tires, changed oil, replaced air filter, replaced cabin filter, replaced brake pads and flushed out my sludgy transmission fluid for a whopping $571. Ouch. Shoot me now and get it over with.
On an up note, I got me a yummy Five Guys burger for dinner. MMMmmm. Five Guys rocks! Man I love that place. I think they mix cocaine in the meat or something.
Wed/Thurs Aug 6/7 - As One with the Downward Dog
Wed & Thurs we spend with Grandmama & Papa. We do a little shopping, relax a little, and just chill out. Overall, I think its the 2 calmest days I've had all summer. Loved it.
Tues Aug 5 - Heading Out
Today I packed up my clothes as well as Cody's and headed out. Were heading for Kim's house and my long lost daughter. 7.5 hrs drive with no stops, as if thats possible with kids.
For lunch Cody gets exactly what he's always wanted. Not wanting to waste any time, I put on him one of those bibs with the large pockets and shove them full of french fries. I don't hear a peep out of him for an hour as he happily basks in all the golden fried heaven a 2yr old could ask for.
Kim's planning to take her 2 older kids to the Jonus Brothers concert on Wed nite, and will be gone 1/2 of Wed & Thurs, so I decide at the last minute to pick up Ravyn and Kim's youngest, Greyson, and head to Grandmama's house instead. Grandmama & Papa live about 1.5 hrs closer, near Richmond.
We meet Kim and the gaggle of kids at Cracker Barrel where we have a nice dinner. Kim is willful & naughty and forces us all to order ice cream. Cody has found the new love of his life and enjoys his first hot cocoa.
Ravyn, Cody, Greyson and I head to Grandmama's for a nice little visit.
For lunch Cody gets exactly what he's always wanted. Not wanting to waste any time, I put on him one of those bibs with the large pockets and shove them full of french fries. I don't hear a peep out of him for an hour as he happily basks in all the golden fried heaven a 2yr old could ask for.
Kim's planning to take her 2 older kids to the Jonus Brothers concert on Wed nite, and will be gone 1/2 of Wed & Thurs, so I decide at the last minute to pick up Ravyn and Kim's youngest, Greyson, and head to Grandmama's house instead. Grandmama & Papa live about 1.5 hrs closer, near Richmond.
We meet Kim and the gaggle of kids at Cracker Barrel where we have a nice dinner. Kim is willful & naughty and forces us all to order ice cream. Cody has found the new love of his life and enjoys his first hot cocoa.
Ravyn, Cody, Greyson and I head to Grandmama's for a nice little visit.
Mon Aug 4 - Potato Head Cody
So with my daughter gone having the time of her life, saying 'Mommy who?' I take Cody to the eye clinic to pick out some glasses. Just in case you haven't noticed, he's as crossed eyed as a drunken sailor.
The place was very nice and actually had a pair of those rubber glasses for toddlers there. So, while Cody screamed, we tried them on him. (he doesn't like strangers touching him) They look like the kind you see on Mr. Potato Head, thick, round, and bendable with a strap to hold them on. I picked out light blue.
They were not as expensive as I thought they would be. Ravyn's Disney wrap around the ears ones were about $250. Cody's Potato Head strap ons are $150. The good news is the lenses have a 2yr warrenty on them for scratches and breaking. Sweet.
The place was very nice and actually had a pair of those rubber glasses for toddlers there. So, while Cody screamed, we tried them on him. (he doesn't like strangers touching him) They look like the kind you see on Mr. Potato Head, thick, round, and bendable with a strap to hold them on. I picked out light blue.
They were not as expensive as I thought they would be. Ravyn's Disney wrap around the ears ones were about $250. Cody's Potato Head strap ons are $150. The good news is the lenses have a 2yr warrenty on them for scratches and breaking. Sweet.
Mon Aug 4 - Twinkle Twinkle Little Jaws
Ravyn's now on her big adventure.
So Ravyn takes off Sunday morning:
- Doesn't call me Sunday at lunch.
- Doesn't call me Sunday at dinner.
- Doesn't call me Sunday at bed.
- Doesn't call me Monday morning.
- Doesn't call me Monday at lunch.
Finally I break down and ask Kim to get her on the phone. She gets on the phone and says:
'Hi. Look what I can do.' and immediately starts pounding at the piano.
'Did you hear that? Wanna hear it again?'
Pound pound pound.
'Did you hear that? Wanna hear it again?' etc...
I realized I'm not gonna get anything else out of her, so I tell her to call me later.
1 hour later
'Hi. Look what I can do.'
Pound pound pound.
'Did you hear that? Wanna hear it again?'
Pound pound pound.
'Did you hear that? Wanna hear it again?'
And yet again, 1 hour later
'Hi. Look what I can do.'
Pound pound pound.
'Did you hear that? Wanna hear it again?'
Pound pound pound.
'Did you hear that? Wanna hear it again?'
There's no love there I tell you. Seriously though, she actually figured out how to play twinkle twinkle little star on there all by herself. It was impressive...except for the times where she played me the satanic version by using only the low-turn-around-theres-Jaws keys.
So Ravyn takes off Sunday morning:
- Doesn't call me Sunday at lunch.
- Doesn't call me Sunday at dinner.
- Doesn't call me Sunday at bed.
- Doesn't call me Monday morning.
- Doesn't call me Monday at lunch.
Finally I break down and ask Kim to get her on the phone. She gets on the phone and says:
'Hi. Look what I can do.' and immediately starts pounding at the piano.
'Did you hear that? Wanna hear it again?'
Pound pound pound.
'Did you hear that? Wanna hear it again?' etc...
I realized I'm not gonna get anything else out of her, so I tell her to call me later.
1 hour later
'Hi. Look what I can do.'
Pound pound pound.
'Did you hear that? Wanna hear it again?'
Pound pound pound.
'Did you hear that? Wanna hear it again?'
And yet again, 1 hour later
'Hi. Look what I can do.'
Pound pound pound.
'Did you hear that? Wanna hear it again?'
Pound pound pound.
'Did you hear that? Wanna hear it again?'
There's no love there I tell you. Seriously though, she actually figured out how to play twinkle twinkle little star on there all by herself. It was impressive...except for the times where she played me the satanic version by using only the low-turn-around-theres-Jaws keys.
Sun Aug 3rd - My Baby Done Left Me
I decided since the entire summer was about moving and selling the house, that we would do a little mini vacation. My cousin Kim and her family were coming by for a nite before they headed home to VA. So I decided now would be a great time for Ravyn to take her first big adventure and go hang out with her cousins.
It's the first time she's gone somewhere without me. She went home with Kim, then I followed a few days later. I needed to stay and get Cody's glasses ordered on Monday. She's hasn't been away from me too much, I'm wondering how she'll handle it.
It's the first time she's gone somewhere without me. She went home with Kim, then I followed a few days later. I needed to stay and get Cody's glasses ordered on Monday. She's hasn't been away from me too much, I'm wondering how she'll handle it.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Sleep Issues
Today was a weird day for Ravyn.
We had a late dinner last nite and I let Ravyn have tea which usually spells out: wet bed. So being the great mom that i am, I got her up about 2am'ish to go potty.
Well, apparently that was just the beginning of her day, cause I don't think she went back to sleep after that.
She was up at Dodi's door bright and early this morning bout 615a to help Dodi get ready, which is not normal.
Then she came and got me up bout 8a.
Later we went to grab some lunch and stop at Target. 5min in the car and she was out cold, which is NOT like her. I woke her up, she claimed she wasn't sleeping, then crashed hard again. She fell asleep 4 times before I could get to the nearest drive thru. After her lunch she perked right up again.
I tried to make her take a nap when we got home, but oddly enough she didn't.
Later that nite she went to the store with Dodi, where again she fell asleep.
I said early bedtime for sure tonite. So we threw some bread at the kids, slapped some water on them, and had them ready for bed early.
Ravyn was up there bout 45min then came down saying she couldn't sleep.
HUH?!?! I don't get it.
So I told her to never get out of her bed again and called it a nite.
We had a late dinner last nite and I let Ravyn have tea which usually spells out: wet bed. So being the great mom that i am, I got her up about 2am'ish to go potty.
Well, apparently that was just the beginning of her day, cause I don't think she went back to sleep after that.
She was up at Dodi's door bright and early this morning bout 615a to help Dodi get ready, which is not normal.
Then she came and got me up bout 8a.
Later we went to grab some lunch and stop at Target. 5min in the car and she was out cold, which is NOT like her. I woke her up, she claimed she wasn't sleeping, then crashed hard again. She fell asleep 4 times before I could get to the nearest drive thru. After her lunch she perked right up again.
I tried to make her take a nap when we got home, but oddly enough she didn't.
Later that nite she went to the store with Dodi, where again she fell asleep.
I said early bedtime for sure tonite. So we threw some bread at the kids, slapped some water on them, and had them ready for bed early.
Ravyn was up there bout 45min then came down saying she couldn't sleep.
HUH?!?! I don't get it.
So I told her to never get out of her bed again and called it a nite.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Spider vs. Pincher
On Thurs/Fri we found a big spider in the bathroom. It was too big for me to do anything but panic. So I grabbed a cup to put on it thinking it would die in a couple days.
It didn’t, so we got one of those bug vacs at the store, sucked it up and put it in one of those bug holder cages. Now its Ravyn’s beloved new pet…sad huh? Well it’s been stuck with us since last week and I thought it would be cool if we found a bug to throw in there so it would eat it. Last night I found a pincher bug (or Earwig) and thought, ‘Hey hey, dinner time.’
I always thought the spiders controlled the pincher population, every time we’d get Terminex to kill off all the spiders we’d suddenly get a huge burst of pinchers in the house.
To my surprise I was wrong.
The spider is scared to death of the pincher and is freaking out trying to get away from it. The pincher keeps using its pincher to attack the spider. I left them together all night. >:)
This morning as Ravyn was watching them. The pincher proudly went over to the spider, used its pinchers to rip off one of its legs and started eating it!!!
Ravyn started feeling really bad for the spider, so we threw them both out in the front yard.
Lesson of the day: Pinchers eat spiders.
It didn’t, so we got one of those bug vacs at the store, sucked it up and put it in one of those bug holder cages. Now its Ravyn’s beloved new pet…sad huh? Well it’s been stuck with us since last week and I thought it would be cool if we found a bug to throw in there so it would eat it. Last night I found a pincher bug (or Earwig) and thought, ‘Hey hey, dinner time.’
I always thought the spiders controlled the pincher population, every time we’d get Terminex to kill off all the spiders we’d suddenly get a huge burst of pinchers in the house.
To my surprise I was wrong.
The spider is scared to death of the pincher and is freaking out trying to get away from it. The pincher keeps using its pincher to attack the spider. I left them together all night. >:)
This morning as Ravyn was watching them. The pincher proudly went over to the spider, used its pinchers to rip off one of its legs and started eating it!!!
Ravyn started feeling really bad for the spider, so we threw them both out in the front yard.
Lesson of the day: Pinchers eat spiders.
Monday, July 28, 2008
One-Eyed Chica
So I tell Ravyn, its time for bed, go brush your teeth. Somehow between the living room and the bathroom she mysteriously gets a toy.
Its one of those ice cream cone things, where the foam ice cream shoots off the cone when you push a button. I haven't seen one of those in awhile so wasn't prepared when Ravyn jumped around the side of my chair and says 'Want some ice cream?' and pushes the button just as I turn towards her.
Needless to say, being about 6 inches from my face it plows full force straight into my eye before I even had a chance to blink.
OOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!
So now everythings kinda blurry in that eye. I made her throw all of them away. Who knew ice cream could be so painful?
Its one of those ice cream cone things, where the foam ice cream shoots off the cone when you push a button. I haven't seen one of those in awhile so wasn't prepared when Ravyn jumped around the side of my chair and says 'Want some ice cream?' and pushes the button just as I turn towards her.
Needless to say, being about 6 inches from my face it plows full force straight into my eye before I even had a chance to blink.
OOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!
So now everythings kinda blurry in that eye. I made her throw all of them away. Who knew ice cream could be so painful?
WoW Chops
Tonight I made us some pork chops. They were very good. Dodi's friend Kaye came over to talk over some VBS pre-planning with Dodi, so I sorta had a mini dinner party. :)
You get those Oven Roasting Bags and put in some boneless pork chops, potatoes, carrots, a little olive oil and lots of seasoning. Throw it in the oven in some pans (for drips) at 325 for about 30min. Take out the pork chops, they're done, then put the veggies back in for another 30+ min till soft. I like that dinner a lot. I learned about it from one of my online friends that plays the game WoW with me. Thanks X.
Cody who normally LOVES carrots and doesn't care for potatoes, once again defied all logic and decided he didn't want the carrots and tore up the potatoes. I'm telling you now...there's something wrong with that kid.
You get those Oven Roasting Bags and put in some boneless pork chops, potatoes, carrots, a little olive oil and lots of seasoning. Throw it in the oven in some pans (for drips) at 325 for about 30min. Take out the pork chops, they're done, then put the veggies back in for another 30+ min till soft. I like that dinner a lot. I learned about it from one of my online friends that plays the game WoW with me. Thanks X.
Cody who normally LOVES carrots and doesn't care for potatoes, once again defied all logic and decided he didn't want the carrots and tore up the potatoes. I'm telling you now...there's something wrong with that kid.
Homeless, and proud of it!
July 23 - The papers are signed and we are officially homeless...WOOOO!
Dodi watched Cody for me while Ravyn and I went back to Summerville for the closing. Ravyn got to play with one of her old friends while I signed all the papers.
It was about time! I had spent 1/2 of nearly every work day on my phone trying to get the repairs made and everything worked out so they wouldn't run out on the deal.
I kinda miss my home, but I'm so glad its over and done with. Now I have a year to pay off bills till Pat comes back, then we move again.
Dodi watched Cody for me while Ravyn and I went back to Summerville for the closing. Ravyn got to play with one of her old friends while I signed all the papers.
It was about time! I had spent 1/2 of nearly every work day on my phone trying to get the repairs made and everything worked out so they wouldn't run out on the deal.
I kinda miss my home, but I'm so glad its over and done with. Now I have a year to pay off bills till Pat comes back, then we move again.
The Beginning
Dodi kicked me, slapped me around, pushed me down the stairs and then spit on me until I created this blogspot. So fine. Here I am world.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)