Tuesday: summer activities, Mother's Day pictures

This morning Isaac pulled the following activities out of the jars: draw a picture for Yameogo, our Compassion child, and beat the rugs.

Joshua had a picture, but since he really just wanted to eat the crayon I'm not going to send it.

Then the rugs...Isaac really enjoyed throwing them over the railing.

Then we beat them.  It was cold.  And the dust didn't really come out all that well...we quit before it stopped coming out.  I remember a character in some book hating beating the rugs (Laura Ingalls, perhaps?) and now I understand.

The Mother's Day pictures from church came out.  At least Ben and I look happy.

Monday: 41 weeks and first day of summer

Joshua turned 41 weeks today.  He's been in a better mood the last few days.

Today also started the beginning of our summer activities.  This morning Isaac drew two items, one from each jar.  (Ok, he drew three.  One we couldn't do today because it was rainy.)

Our fun activity was to have lunch with Ben.  Luckily, that worked for Ben so we met at Culvers, because Isaac really wanted to eat somewhere with chocolate milk.  Our work activity was to cut up / flatten the cardboard that has been in the garage forever and to jump on it.  So we started...


Joshua found the activity hilarious!  (Don't you just love the sound of his laugh?)  So it was a win-win.  Eventually we filled up the garage and, even though it was raining, started making a path outside.  More fun in the rain, right?

I told Isaac he could take a few pictures, and after taking the one above he started taking a picture of every single box.  Since Joshua was starting to get fussy, I ended that rather quickly.

We got the boxes back out after rest time, although it was windy (but sunny) and the boxes kept blowing.  I put a few in the recycle bin; it turns out that wet boxes go into it much more easily than dry boxes.

Sunday: Happy Mother's Day

It was a very nice Mother's Day.  Not that much different from normal, but I really like what we do on a normal Sunday.  Except that the boys slept in, which was awesome.  It seems to be a normal Mother's Day activity.

We went to church, I took a lovely nap, played a bit, and put the boys to bed early.  Isaac almost started crying when we were playing Uno and the color wasn't yellow anymore, so he obviously needed to sleep.  Also, Joshua played peek-a-boo with us.

Saturday: a walk

We ended up going on a walk late this afternoon.  I carried Joshua.  Ben and Isaac were in front most of the time, but then we went in front.  Joshua kept doing the following:


Then at the very end we found a log and were balancing on it.  Ben was pretending to have trouble, so Isaac went over to hold his hand.  Ben was still having trouble, so Isaac showed him how to do it.  Oh, by this time Joshua had also clearly shown that he wanted to be held by Ben.  Not sick of me, but would rather have Ben.

Friday: catch -up

First up, we have a wiggle dance.  Isaac asked me to take the video, which is rather rare.



Secondly, a few days ago Joshua had his 9 month appointment.  He weighs 17 lb, 8 oz, which puts him in the 13%, up from 6 months.  His height is 27.5", and that kept him in the same percentile around 8%.  The doctor said everything looked good and wasn't worried about his lack of crawling.  (Also, we were given a "test" to take at 10 months and he already passes most of the categories, including gross motor.)

We went downtown with some friends again this morning.  Joshua was rather grumpy so I put him in the carrier and Isaac got the rare treat of riding in the stroller.

First they played on the bleachers.

Then we went to a park.

Later Joshua showed us that he could move himself backwards.  He's never done it before, and the floors probably helped, so it was fun to see.  He ran into the couch.

And Isaac kept running by the camera.

Thursday: vacation day 2

Today was my second vacation day.  It was also lovely, but it had a very different feel than the one on Tuesday.  Maybe because it was sunny out.  Anyway, I stopped by some fabric stores after dropping off the boys for their last day of school.  Then I took a walk around the lake.  I had been planning on doing this in the afternoon, but it felt like it was going to get hot out so I did it earlier.

Then I putzed for the rest of the day.  I did some quilting, some reading, some napping, and a bit of work.  Basically, whatever I wanted to do.  And without anyone talking to me.

Ben and I went out for dinner and to look at buying a new kitchen table.  I really like the size we have now, and how big it can get.  To match the other furniture, I can either go same day-to-day size and expand to a smaller full size or a bigger day-to-day size and expand to the same full size.  Decisions, decisions.

Wednesday: tulip time

We went downtown tonight to eat carnival food.  It seemed like a good time to dress up the boys and get a few pictures.

Joshua didn't look at the camera for most of the pictures; the two above are the only ones.

We ate on a ...stone thingy.  It was the perfect height when Isaac was standing up.  However, he frequently squatted like Ben and I were doing and then he was way to short.

Look who decided to show us some smiles!

Tuesday: vacation day

This morning during breakfast Joshua was being loud.  Food didn't quiet him down like normal, so I put him in a modified time out (his bedroom with toys with the door closed).  Needless to say, I wasn't handling things very well.

But, hooray hooray, I had a vacation day today!  Ben suggested that we get an extra week of day care and I immediately agreed.

It was a wonderful day.  I got home, grabbed a cup of spice tea and read for a while.  It was rainy and my book was excellent.  (The Martian...highly recommended!)  Then I took a nap.  I got up and did some quilting, played some Warcraft, and finished my book.  I did a few chores, but barely any.  I was on vacation!

Isaac had swimming lessons again.  He did ok...I think he got rather cold.

Monday: 40 weeks...and a rough day

Joshua is 40 weeks old!

I think he's teething.  He's been a bit grumpy.

So, today was rough.  It started with Isaac throwing up at 8:30.  We've had amazing luck...this is the first vomit that required more than a quick clothing change.  Ok.  Got it cleaned up, Isaac seems back to normal...he seemed pretty normal before hand too, although he did complain a bit about his stomach hurting.  He seemed so normal that I just assumed he was hungry.

Since Isaac seemed back to normal, we went to the quilt show.  Or at least started to.  It was an odd trip, starting with both of us wanting to go, then only me wanting to go, then only Isaac wanting to go, then only me wanting to go.  We got to the parking lot and I just pulled right through as we both decided not to go.  Then Isaac threw up again.  Yuck.  So going probably wasn't the correct choice, but hindsight is 20/20.

We get home and Isaac goes in the shower, seemingly fine again.  Joshua won't calm down.  Don't know what his problem was.  Luckily, Isaac decides to play outside for a bit and Joshua eventually calmed down, so I have a few minutes to try and get some stuff done.  Joshua then becomes a bit grumpy, but at least holding him solves the problem.

I had told Isaac he could sleep with me when we got home, but Joshua woke up.  So he slept with me during rest time.  We didn't sleep.  I kind of expected that, but was ok with it because Joshua's been sleeping through the night and I wasn't super tired.  Joshua woke up and wouldn't settle back down until I nursed him.

Ok, let's try the quilt show again.  Look!  It's my quilt!

Isaac did pretty well at the show until about five minutes before I was ready to leave.  So not too bad.  He fell asleep on the ride home and I had to try and wake him up three times before it finally worked.  (I know I could have tried harder, but when I try the normal amount and there is absolutely no response I figure he really needs to sleep, even if it is at a bad time.)

Dinner.  It happened.  Again.  Joshua started crying at the very end and didn't stop again.  I finally got him ready for bed and put him to bed early.  Isaac went to bed at his normal time but fell right asleep.

Phew.

Sunday: summer is coming

Summer is coming.  And while that means there are suddenly a ton more things we can do, it also means the end of day care and more "Do you want to play with me?"  I like to play with Isaac, but...sometimes the same things over and over aren't so fun.

So my plan is to have two jars.  A fun jar and a work jar.  Each day we'll choose one activity from each.  (Although I have the right of refusal if it isn't going to work that day.)  We'll see how it works.  It might flop, but if it doesn't I think we'll both have a more fun summer.

Are there any more things that you can think of?  For anything around the house I would like to have the materials or spend a very minimal amount; that's the criteria for most of the art/science projects.  I expect that some things, like going to the park or playing in the sand/lake will still just happen as many activities aren't that long.

Clean fridge

Fruit picking

Feed ducks by Carter's

Clean duplos

Get a movie from the library. Eat with popcorn

Clean under things

Dutch village

Clean a room

Bouncy balls under deck or downstairs bathroom-with hat

Critter barn

Dominoes

Timber town

Move furniture around and run

Play twister

Make another thread holder

Have an m day

Have a j day

Have an i day

Make a fort and then have rest time in it

Get out some new duplos 

Get out the new books 

Make cookies

Invite someone over to play

Make milkshakes

Cut up cardboard in garage and then jump on the pieces

Put up a curtain in frog room

Clean window frames

Clean door knobs

Change everyone's sheets

Clean bathrooms

Draw a picture for yameogo

Do something nice for someone

Read a Jesus story and activity

Have lunch with Ben

Dressing up in funny outfits and taking our picture

gliding robot: http://buggyandbuddy.com/robot-craft-for-kids-free-printable-gliding-robot/

chicka-chick- boom boom come to life - buggyandbuddy.com

cut up magazines and glue

name writing: http://buggyandbuddy.com/beginner-name-writing-practice-for-preschoolers/

seperating colors: http://buggyandbuddy.com/chromatography-butterflies-separating-colors-in-markers/

water bag and pencil: http://buggyandbuddy.com/science-activities-for-kids-baggie-and-pencil-magic-science-invitation-saturday/

make a rain cloud: http://www.growingajeweledrose.com/2014/02/rain-clouds-in-jar-experiment.html

density: http://pandawhale.com/post/7013/density-of-liquids-illustrated

Squirt gun fight

Water colors

Scooter ride

Make freezer meals

Help with vbs prep

Sweep and wash garage floor

Garden

Dust

Write a letter

Ice cream or capt sundae

Degraaf

Outdoor discovery center

Walking trail - Riley?

Go to the zoo

Fly a kite

Excersise with wii fit

Science activities

Clean Isaac's bedroom...have him decide what to move

Water balloons

Paint outside with paint brushes and water

Clean kitchen and bathroom floors with a tag

Garden

Do all the puzzles

Big coloring book

Visit great grandma

Dust vents/fans/walls

Saturday: 10000 steps

I finally hit 10000 steps today...I apparently need to be way more active than I normally am.

It started with a race!  Isaac (and I) ran the kids' fun run around a park, about 1k.

I wasn't sure how it would go.  We practiced a little bit, but not really all that much.

And we're off!  They split the race into 5 and under and 6 and older, which made the starting rather nice.  It sounded as though it was crazy last year.

We made it all the way around, running a bit and walking.  Isaac likes to try and step on my shadow, so when the shadows were aligned properly that helped.  The playground almost detoured us, but I kept us on track.

At the end he got a medal!  He seemed to enjoy it and said that Chico was saving the race so he could run it again.

When we got home I mowed the lawn.  Blah.  Later Isaac tried popping some of the large air cells by jumping on them.  He's only semi-successful with this, but Joshua found it hilarious.  It was some of the biggest laughs I've heard from him.  We also got the sprinklers working...well, started at least.  There are a few that need more help than we were willing to give this afternoon.

Friday: 40 months

Isaac is 40 months!

He thinks carrots are treats/snacks, and so has been eating a lot of them.  PB&N is still the favorite meal, and still the answer to what he wants for breakfast.  Every single day.  And every day I tell  him it's a lunch food.

He doesn't like having his picture taken as much anymore and will often hide.  He still doesn't have many songs, but he does know his ABCs and sings that one a lot.  The rest of his songs are "locked away."

He likes to open the garage door.  I feel like we're not having as many semi-meltdowns as we were in the beginning of the year.  When he does cry he can sometimes calm himself down without a wipe, but it is an effort.  He is "getting bigger."

He can get himself dressed in the morning, but it still sometimes takes a half hour.  (Why?  I'm not sure.  I think he gets distracted.  And he always wants to know where his color change T-shirt is.  It's usually in the wash.)  He sometimes needs help getting his socks twisted the right way.  (Above he's showing Adam and Eve in furs.  He made it in Sunday School.)

Thursday: grades

I spent most of the day grading.  But they're done!  Grades are in!

I only had two people upload the wrong files (the temp files).  Sigh.  You'd think that after a semester of me telling them to make sure they have the right file they'd know.  Especially since I stressed that it gets harder for the exam since they might not be on campus.

Luckily, they both found a way to get access and got me the files.

Wednesday: exam

Well, all the exams have been given.  Now grading.  I spent a significant amount of time grading today and have 20/50 exams complete.  Blah.  I'm still hoping to finish tomorrow and put in grades, but don't expect to have a bunch of extra time.

Also, Isaac figured out how to snort today.  It was hilarious.

Tuesday: pictures and swimming

We put up some new pictures on the picture wall today.  Joshua LOVED playing with the envelopes and several times cried when I picked him up to do something else.

Isaac had his first swimming lesson.  He had fun doing the games and wants to go back next week. He did let go of the wall once when they were hand walking on the wall, giving me a slight heart attack, but the instructor quickly got him.  I went up to him and he was surprisingly unphased and went right back to the lesson.  He told Ben about it later, so it was a memorable experience, but "the teacher got me".  So I think the whole incident scared me more than him.  The class size was also a bit bigger than I was hoping for considering that they need a lot of personal attention.  

During the whole lesson Joshua just cuddled on my shoulder and it was really nice.



Below he is the second kid from the top and is putting his ear in the water.

(Side note: the life guard had to rescue a child that wasn't part of the group.  Hooray for life guards, who really have a hard job.  I think that all the time.  Most of their work is really, really boring, but then there are thirty seconds where it is really, really important.)

Monday: 9 months old

Joshua is 9 months old!  A three quarters of a year!

Sleep - he's slept through the night (11pm-7am) a few times.  He takes two or three naps a day, depending on how long the second nap is.  He seems to be a pretty light sleeper as he wakes up shortly after Isaac does most days.

Eating - this is going so much better.  Sweet potatoes seem to be his favorite (and they also seem to help him sleep through the night the best).  But puffs and rice crackers are a big hit too.  Yogurt and peas are eaten pretty easily.  I haven't been giving him a ton of new foods this month, trying to just get the eating thing down.  It doesn't help that summer produce isn't here yet.  But he has a good tenish foods that we rotate through.

Moving - he can (and does) roll to get somewhere, but it isn't continuous rolling until he gets to his destination, so it might take him a bit.  He's been pulling himself onto his knees.  He can eat his finger food by himself  (puffs, sweet potatoes, peas) and gets most of it in his mouth.  He still enjoys his jumper.

Attitude - still pretty mellow.  Usually he's happy to play with his toys, especially if someone else is in the room.  Most of the time he's ok being with people that aren't Ben or me, but there are issues sometimes.

Talking - he does quite a bit of babbling.  I hear mama and dada a lot, but I'm not sure if that's just what my ears pick out.  He knows to holler if I'm not feeding him fast enough, unfortunately.  He doesn't like to be put in the excersaucer and have you walk by it a lot without picking him up and he lets us know.

Saturday: Critter Barn

We went to the critter barn today with another family.  We had been planning on going to the zoo, but it was just a bit too cold.  The critter barn was nice as it still got us outside, but there was a lot of stuff out of the wind too.


Getting ready - we had to find Joshua a hat.  Apparently we like raccoon hats.

Petting bunnies

Feeding sheep.

Feeding a goat.

Friday: silliness

This morning we were waiting for the library to open and Isaac wanted to know what Ben was doing at work.  Maybe jumping or exercising or a game?  

We got an Amazon shipment today.  It included an attachment for changing high-up light bulbs.  (Side note: high up light bulbs are dumb.  We had one in the NY house too, but it was under a fixture.  So we didn't use that light.)  Anyway, I put LED light bulbs in so we can use these lights now.  And I really, really hope they never ever burn out.

(Below is the stick still sticking to the light bulb, but it came off pretty easily when I tilted it.)

The other thing in the shipment was ultra-washable markers.  Roommate used them with her kids for face drawing.  Isaac wouldn't let me draw on his face (although he drew on it himself a bit).  But he was happy to draw on mine.  He gave me a mustache and a goatee.

Thursday: last day

Today was the last day of classes.  Exams are next week and then summer!  I'll miss it and I won't.  It's probably a good place to be.  I will be teaching again next semester, so I can look forward to that.

Tonight Isaac starting putting this bag on everyone's head and called it a party hat.  It seemed appropriate!