First Sleep Over

It was "party central" here on Friday night.  Dave was out of town most of last week and through the weekend (in Memphis for work) so I figured what the heck - why not have a few friends over to keep us company.  So Mason and Troy came over for a sleep over - their first as well as Drew's.

It was a great time!  I picked up Troy and their booster seats and then we were off to the preschool to gather Drew and Mason - who were all so excited about the night ahead.

We got to the house and then walked over to the nearby elementary school where there's a few playgrounds and a big grassy area to hit some golf balls.  This mama was thinking if we could get some energy used up the bedtime routine would go a bit more smoothly - ha!

Front L-R: Troy, Mason, Drew headed to the park

L-R Monkeys - Drew, Troy, Mason

After it started to get late, the boys reluctantly left the park with the promise of pizza for dinner.  And while we were eating dinner and waiting to get our PJ's on we watched the "Wizard of Oz" - Troy's pick.

But about 7:30 it was time for lights out and the feature presentation - "James and the Giant Peach".  Well the boys had their pick of that or "Kung Fu Panda" - and the "apple" won. (that's what they called the movie at first).

L- R: Drew, Troy, Mason

About 9:15pm I made the move to try and get them to bed.

Drew fell asleep within about 5 minutes.  Mason and Troy used every ploy in the book to stay up.  They were thirsty - our house rule is water only and in a big cup (no sippies).  They weren't happy with that, but after about 20 minutes of off-and-on negotiations I won.

Then I'd no sooner get 1/2 way down the short hallway from Drew's room to my bedroom and I heard Mason and Troy saying they had nightmares.  We're talking less than 10 seconds since I was last in their room.  So we had a discussion about what their dreams were like - and I finally said you boys weren't even asleep.

I get to my bed and within minutes I can hear the toy box and closet being opened in search of toys.  Back to the room I go to get them to settle down.  Oh we even tried the game "let's see who can be the quietest the longest"... um everyone failed miserably - including my son (this game was played/lost as soon as the boys were put into the room.

After about an hour I moved Drew into his bed so he wouldn't get nailed by things I'm sure were flying across the room - and then put Mason and Troy on the opposite side of the room.  Troy then crashed immediately.  Mason was fighting it for another hour and finally gave up.

Don't mistake that I was mad or anything - tired yes.  Mad no - I fully expected what I got.  I honestly thought Drew would be as much an instigator.

See we all survived the evening - Drew and Mason were up at 6am - Troy an hour later.

Note to self - next sleep over have both parents home to tag team!  It really was a great time.  And days later Drew's still talking about everything the boys did.  He just loves to play with his friends!

You Came Back To Me!

After a 5 day business trip to Memphis Tennessee - Dave's home again.  When Drew woke up from his 3 1/2 hour nap yesterday he started whining as he sometimes does after waking up from his slumber.

But when he heard Dave ask "is somebody up" all we heard from our bedroom was Drew say - "uhhhhh".  And then a few moments later Drew peeks around the corner and proclaims:

"You came back to me!!!" And jumps into Dave's arms!

It really was a sweet moment.  And then a few minutes later the boys were going through all the "presents" that came back from Memphis with Daddy.  Check out our little rocker...

Yes a blow-up air guitar and a Memphis headband.  Drew was in heaven.  Daddy had a proud moment as he's "singing" some VanHalen in the background.

Dear Mr. Sandman...

Dear Mr. Sandman,

Would you please bring my nearly 3 year old son a peaceful night sleep?  I mean for the past few weeks, you've been plaguing him with nightmares, night terrors and other restlessness that results in sleep deprivation for this mama.

Can you please giving him a happy dream about "spinners" or baseball.  It's not nice to torment him with dreams of "a big man telling him there are no chicken and french fries".  Or having "Daddy eating all of his waffles".  It's better than the night terrors you send his way and the incessant screaming at the 2am or 4am hours.

But please.  Cut this exhausted mama some slack.  Send happy dreams his way.

Thanks in advance,
Mommy

Beating the Heat

We've seen triple digit temperatures the past few days and well... enough's enough!  Last night Drew and I finally ventured over the the pool (our first time this season) and cooled off for a bit. 

I threw a suit on him that had built in flotation devices and then put him into a Spider-man tube and he wanted to swim by himself across the pool!  He was so proud of himself!

Zoo Train

We had a zoo train this past weekend, when we invited Drew's former day care provider Ms. Stephanie and her family to the Sacramento Zoo with us.  We had free tickets (well I paid an insanely discounted price anyway) from a school auction from another friend.

With the summer running away from us, and the fact that we had a free weekend - something we don't have many of through the fall - we figured we better hop to it.  It was a great time and all the boys were well behaved - keep in mind Mason is 4, Troy is 3 and Drew is nearly 3.  So they're like brothers - more than just friends.  Sometimes things can get hairy. 

Here are some of the pictures....

Drew on the left, Troy on Right... in front of the ostriches.

Butterfly Troy

The Hornbill eating Lunch - yest that's a mouse in his mouth.

Daddy & Drew

Front to back: Troy, Drew & Mason.

Top photo Drew... Mason in the bottom photo looking scared in the web.

After the zoo, we headed over to Scandia (an arcade, miniature golf, etc) for more free fun.  This is how Drew spent the 20 or 30 minute drive...

Holding onto his "spinner" no less!  I love free (or nearly free) fun!

What the Freak!?!

Bear with me... today I'm going to rant and rave a bit about someone who apparently has ZERO common courtesy, in hopes that you'd never do this to another parent.

Yesterday we were at Michael's because for one they were having a sale, and two I had some birthday money and gift cards to use.  So when we pull into the parking lot Dave purposely parked the car at the complete end lot.  Where no one ever wants to park... as far as possible from the store and right up to the street.  There were only a smattering of cars there.

Fast forward to when we're leaving with our purchases and I'm getting Drew buckled into his seat.  This I admit is always a production because well he's two and operates on Drew time.  Not Mommy time.  Not Daddy time.  Not even turtle time... much slower.  So anyway he finally settles in his seat and I'm starting to buckle him in and there's this blaring BEEEEEEPPPPPPP!

Some middle aged, white SUV driving, 80s hairdo beotch just freaking honked at me because my door was open so she couldn't park in the spot next to us.  Um there were about 30 spots where we were near, but she had to rudely honk at us?!  I was fuming!!!  Thankfully all that popped out of my mouth was "Good Golly" since my oh so parrot-like child repeated my statement for the next 20 minutes.

I mean if you had to park in that very spot, give a courtesy half honk or better yet, wait 10-seconds for me to finish strapping the child in.  It's not my fault you're driving a vehicle too big for you to park and you needed that space.

Well I said the words out of my mouth were innocent... my husband's not so much.  Of course I tried to say something to the lady after she parked but it was quite obvious she was trying to "look busy" in her car.  Searching for some invisible piece of lint most likely.  Dave rolled down all of the car windows to wait to tell her off.  Of course after about a 4 minute standoff we decided to leave.  That's when evil middle aged beotch decided to make her exit.  Dave yelled out the window at her as we passed by her in the street - thankfully the parrot-like child didn't repeat his statement.  Drew was stuck on "good golly".

We figure she didn't realize I was in fact strapping a child in the back seat, and when she realized it she felt about the size of a flea.  I hope karma bites her in the butt for sure.

Enough of my rant... and so that I don't leave you with such a sour post, here's a shot of Drew pretending he's a "spinner" - his term for a windmill.

A Conversation With Daddy

A few days ago, Drew was sleeping in.... as in... it's-now-7:30am-and-Mama-needs-to-go-to-work-and-you're-not-up-yet. So Daddy pulled the short straw that day and had to bring Drew to preschool.

I get home that night with child in tow and and Dave told me about an interesting conversation he had with Drew...

Drew:  Daddy, I look like you.
Dave: I look like you?  Why does daddy look like a little boy?
Drew: No you're a big boy
Dave: Am I a kid?  Or am I a man?
Drew: No. You're not a man.  You're a big boy.

I would really love to have editing  rights and say that the conversation ended there... saying your Dad isn't a man... come on that's funny!  But in all fairness, here's how the conversation ended

Dave: Am I a big boy?
Drew: Yeah.  I'm a big boy too.

Dave said he really wanted to go back to the conversation about what color he was as I mentioned last week, but he chose not to. He really thinks it's funny that he's brown and I'm gray....

Video Fascination

Whenever I turn on my computer at home, it's over.  Drew instantly comes running up to me, tries to wiggle his way into my lap and says in his oh so sweet and innocent voice, "I watch spinners now?"  Or perhaps it's "first you blog, then I watch spinners?".  For the record it doesn't matter if I'm blogging, working, relaxing, playing games or chatting online.  Everything should cease when he sees the computer is open.

And what captures the interest of a 2 year old, but things breaking on YouTube, most specifically this one video - of which there are about 5 or 6 variations...



I think Drew needs to get his own computer. I'm tired of fighting with a two year old about the fact it's my computer.

Parent's Night Out/Pajama Party

Boy did we ever start going to preschool at the right time!  About a week after Drew started going, a notice went up mentioning a Pajama Party for the kids aka, Parent's Night Out for last Friday.  It was a chance for a few of the teachers to make a little side money while using the preschool facility for the kids. 

We totally jumped at the chance to get a local "sitter" and have a night out.  After our friends and Drew's former day care provider noticed we signed up, I had a call from Brian asking what we were going to do.  After two weeks of going back and forth we decided on dinner and bowling.

We even invited Drew's teacher (she's become friends with Brian and Stephanie) to join us - with her husband of course.  Dinner was a blast!  I was nervous about how Ms. Jonelle would manage dealing with Brian and Dave together... they can be a bit over the top.  But her husband fit right in... and we had a ton of laughs.

Here are a few pictures from bowling that night.

Brian - the comedian

The competitors - Brian & Dave

Travis (Drew's teacher's husband) and Brian - showing off their team spirit.

We seriously had a TON of laughs that night, and Ms Jonelle was still talking about it when I dropped Drew off on Monday.  We're all looking forward to the next pajama party - which it sounds like will happen at least once every other month if not once a month - depending on teacher and parent participation.  SWEET!

The Pressure is On

So in a brave moment, I decided to put some pressure on myself as well as some accountability... and yesterday I signed up for my longest race to date... a 10K!

Yes you read that right, a 10K (6.2 miles)!  My previous "long" race distance, a 4.2 mile race - the Tillman Run. 

I always do better when I have a race to look forward to, and I've wanted to get a 10K under my belt for some time.  Problem was I kept saying I can do it for my next race, but I stuck to 5Ks because that's what I'm comfortable with.  Well it's time to get out of my comfort zone and challenge myself.

At the end of October I'll head out to run in the Grape Stomp race, and I'm nervous and excited all in one.  Time to really hit the pavement now and train!

Under the Big Top

Drew's birthday may still be a month away, but we are starting the celebration early.  On Saturday we gave Drew his birthday present... a trip to the circus!  Ringling Brothers was in town and we jumped on the chance to do this excursion for his birthday.  (We decided the birthday presents for our child will be something fun to go and do... last year we went to the Wiggles).

After his third BART trip in 3 weeks, we started out by checking out a few of the animals outside Oracle Arena.

That would be an elephant's tooth... as Drew shows off his own pearly whites.

After visiting the animals outdoors, we moved inside where the wind and cold wasn't beating us up.  Drew I think was a little overwhelmed, he wouldn't smile for anything!

And then we took our seats for the "Greatest Show on Earth".

Meanwhile Drew is eating his nachos.... and moments later...

Yes... Drew fell asleep about 15 minutes after the intermission and stayed that way until we entered BART when he was wide awake again.  So maybe a 30 -40 minute nap.

If you ask Drew whether he had a good time, he'll say yes although he missed all the great stuff - trapeze artists, most of the elephants and many of the clown shows.  Oh well... it was still a great show.  I guess we'll have to find something a little less dark for his next birthday.

Giveaways Galore!

I confess... I don't have any scrapbook pages to share with you today.  So instead let me show you a few freebies you can win...

I've mentioned I have some Mommy friends scattered around the country.  And one of my Mama friends is the mother of identical triplet boys who are only 3 weeks older than Drew... and she's pregnant with baby #4!  We even went to see her and some of those mamas earlier this year in Kansas City.

If you haven't checked out Helen's blog, you HAVE to see some of the great items she's giving away!

HERE you can enter for a chance to win a free purse, diaper bag, or even cosmetic bag.  Christmas is coming up faster than you expect.. so if you don't win one for yourself, perhaps you can win one for someone on your list.

Not interested in a bag?  Or want a chance to win something else.. how about a necklace that keeps your child/ren close to your heart!  Enter HERE for your chance to win a necklace with your child or granchildren's name on it!  How awesome are these?

You have to hurry!  These giveaways end on the 17th and 20th of this month. 

Good luck to you!

Show Me Your "Guns"

One of Drew's favorite things to do is make faces at himself in the mirror (he has mirrored closet doors).  And other than checking out his shoulders, he likes to see himself make muscles.

In this video he's showing us how he does it - be sure to have your audio up...

Toilet Talk

Here's a few toilet stories from last weekend...

Toilet Talk #1
Picture it, Saturday Morning.  I'm making breakfast, Dave's in his chair watching TV.  Suddenly there's a piercing scream coming from the bathroom.  Dave walks in to see Drew sitting not on, but inside the toilet.  It seems his little tush fell right in - with only his arms and hands hanging out.  It turns out Drew doesn't like it when Mommy and Daddy laugh at his misfortune.

Toilet Talk #2
Now a few hours after the terrifying toilet bowl suck, we're at Grammy and GrampC's house and Drew and Kady are running around the house.  After a few moments I notice the screaming/chasing stopped.  I go and investigate only to find Drew and Kady splashing each other with toilet water!  Who knows which one started that... but I will say that it's uncharacteristic of Drew to initiate something like that.  Follow someone?  Sure, but initiate?  I'm gonna throw my niece under the bus on that one :)

Toilet Talk #3
We're at Ms. Stephanie's house for a BBQ on Sunday and Dave is in the bathroom with Drew.  Here's the conversation that goes between the two of them as it's replayed for me:

Drew: "Daddy, why are you brown?"
Daddy: "What color is Drew?"
Drew: (Analyzes his arm) "Orange."
Daddy: "What color is Mommy?"
Drew: "Grey"

Great, thanks a lot kid.

Birthday BBQ

On Saturday after picking up our wine shipment we were off to Grammy and GrampC's house - and of course this means a ride along Vasco Road, where all Drew's favorite "spinners" live.  So throughout the early part of the ride there were plenty of hoots and hollers from the back seat.  Finally after they past we made it to Grammy's in peace.

Grammy and GrampC were having a BBQ to celebrate both Dave and my birthdays.  GG also joined us as well and it was great to see her (I suck and never got any pictures of her with the kids - we were too busy visiting).  The kids were anxious to get outside and play in the splash pool.

Then the news that the pool was ready and they could get down to business.  Cousin Kady got right in there... Drew on the other hand was a little more tentative.

Drew twisted his ankle and was forced out of the pool, while Kady kept at it for a few more minutes.  But the blue lips and the chattering teeth finally forced her out of the pool a short time later. 

So how do two toddlers fill their time?  Why playing with GrampC's fountain.  Yes, the two of them love putting rocks in the bucket then dumping it out.

The adults on the other hand were perfectly happy doing some arm curls....

Dinner and company were of course delicious.  Kady and Drew were able to run around the house at least a million times and successfully wore each other out.  A great time.

Drew's Wine Tasting Adventures

It's no surprise, Drew's parents love wine and often find themselves in Livermore picking up one wine shipment or another throughout the year.

You see we  figure if you bring them young - Drew's  gone wine tasting with us since he was born - that they'll learn how to act in such situations. Well Drew is pretty darned good when he goes tasting with us.  It has to be the most boring thing when you aren't able to drink, as I realized while wine tasting with the family when I was pregnant.

Drew will find things to do anywhere though.  At Bent Creek on Saturday he started playing hide and seek by himself and then quickly got a 4 year old girl to join him.  The two hit it off - unfortunately we had to leave and head to another winery - McGrail Vineyards.

So how did Drew pass the time here - in a very crowded winery?  We brought him outside to enjoy the view - ok we enjoyed the view and Drew threw rocks.  He loved it.  And I'm sure the crowd enjoyed not having a 2 year old whining in their ear or running under their legs, or even the dreaded walking behind you when you can't see them and you run over them...

It was a great day for wine tasting on our way to Grammy and GrampC's for a BBQ.

Take Me Out to the Ballgame

For the second time in less than a week Drew hit up another baseball stadium - I think this is the first time he's been to the Oakland Coliseum.  This game was not on our agenda at the beginning of baseball season, I just stumbled onto some inexpensive tickets thanks to Groupon.

So Friday night after work and school we put on layers since it's mighty cold in Oakland, and got to the ballpark to pay an arm and a leg for dinner from the concession stands and took our seats - which were in right field near the foul pole line.  Pretty awesome seats I may add - we were in a row of three chairs giving Drew some room to play without annoying anyone next to us (I can't say for the people in front or behind us...).

Before the game against the Rangers got crazy we snapped a few shots.

Every time Josh Hamilton or Vladamir Guerrero came up to bat, Daddy grabbed his glove - you know to protect the family from home run balls.  Not to to score himself a game ball or anything.  Drew thought this ritual was pretty cool, so he too wanted to protect the family from rogue balls.

As the game went on, it became colder and colder.  Thankfully I came prepared not only with layers of clothing but blankets as well - since it was a fireworks show after the game.  Drew who usually hates blankets on him happily let us cover him with not one, but two different blankets.

Shortly after this picture was taken, Daddy did have to "protect the family" from a stray ball - one that the A's right fielder tossed up into the stands.  It was coming right for us, so Daddy with his outstretched glove tried to shield us.... only to topple the poor lady in front of us and to injure himself pretty bad.  He has to screw gouges in his left leg where he stepped down the stairs behind the chairs and very large bruises on his upper hamstring where he was pushed into the chairs in front of us by a very large man from across the aisle from us - who then jumped on top of Dave thinking he could get the ball.  Needless to say Dave did not walk away with the ball making the injury all that more painful.  The man sitting next to the crushed lady caught it and gave it to her for getting buried by three men.

Poor A's couldn't come out with a win:

But as I hinted at earlier, just because the game was over doesn't mean that the fun was!  We got to head to the field for fireworks.  First we had to wait in line for them to prep the field for our entrance.  And while we were in a mob of people many of whom were more than a little inebriated, Drew managed to entertain himself with some old turnstiles.  He thought it was great that when you turn the arm, the number on the side changes.  Kept him busy while Daddy nursed his injuries.... which were now bleeding.

Then it was time to hit the field!

After playing "When the Lights Go Down in the City" - well the lights went down in the stadium, but they lit up the sky!  Since we missed a big fireworks show on the 4th of July - this more than made up for it!  It was a production playing to a montage of Beatles songs.  It was absolutely AWESOME!

I was a little nervous that Drew would have a hard time with the fireworks.  One because they were so loud and two because it was so far past his bedtime I fully expected a meltdown.  Thankfully neither was an issue and we made it home without much incident - other than having to wait out the massive crowds trying to get on BART after fireworks.