Reason 41 that I love Vegas

Visits from family and friends!

Uncle Dan and Kate.

Luke drools on Niki.

Mermaids and jelly beans

We promised the kids two things over the holiday weekend: to take them to the Silverton Lodge casino to see the mermaids, and to take them to the Adventuredome at Circus! Circus! I had high hopes for the prior, and was disappointed, and had low expectations for the Adventuredome, and was pleasantly surprised.

The girls were just plain excited (especially Kate) to see fish, and a mermaid swimming with them. Kate tried to monopolize the swimming lady, and was mesmerized by her floating hair. The mermaid taught her how to make a heart shape with her hands (which Kate totally hearted), and even blew Kate a bubbly kiss. I was hoping to eat at the restaurant right next to the aquarium, but it turned out to be a bar and was age-restricted. We were stuck eating at the casino grease pit Johnny Rockets, instead. The mermaid tank itself was quite amazing, though, and even Luke enjoyed it. He stared open-mouthed at the giant sting rays "flying" up and down the tank. Granted, he stares open-mouthed at a lot of things.

Kate loves mermaids.

Later, Claire decided she needed to be cleaner than she usually is, and dumped approximately 3/4 of a bottle of Huggies soap into the tub before Tim caught her. I've never seen so many bubbles. She calls this her "bubble crown".

We spent Monday talking up Circus! Circus! and all the rides we would go on the next day. It even worked to keep them from misbehaving. For about an hour. I expected totally rundown facilities, gum stuck to inappropriate surfaces, screaming toddlers, and long lines. Besides the gum (which I had the distinction of accidentally sitting in)(BTW, does anyone know a good way to get gum out of your favorite pair of shorts?), everything else was pretty good. Since we went on a Tuesday, the lines were virtually non-existent, and our children even behaved well.

Kate has been talking about going on roller coasters for more than a year. Once she saw an actual for-real roller coaster, however, she fell silent. We asked her if she wanted to go on any, and she silently shook her head in a rather emphatic "no". We did manage to take them on a hot air balloon ferris wheel-type thing (twice), Tim and I each got to take Kate on the bumper cars (which she and we LOVED), Kate rode one of those airplane rides where you get to "fly" your own airplane and the planes and helicopters go up and down at the whim of the kids "flying" them (Kate didn't realize her airplane could actually rise up off the ground, but she loved it anyway, and even spent time shooting down the guy in front of her, much to her proud Daddy's delight), I took the girls on this school bus ride that was sort of like a ferris wheel on a lot of caffeine (Claire was so scared she was shaking, but she didn't cry or even utter a word of protest while we were on it), Tim and Kate rode the mini-Himalayan ride (which she thought was great until they hit the first "hill" and I saw her face go from big smile to slightly freaked out), and Tim and the girls rode the carousel twice (Claire chose to ride on the bench both times, waving gleefully at me each time she went around, and Kate picked the only horse with roses on its saddle: "I love the one with flowers and jewels, Mommy! It had yellow roses on its back!"). So, Adventuredome: success!

Roller coaster!

Luke enjoyed all the lights and sounds, and even napped for a bit.

Kate, aka the Red Baron.

Enjoying a sugary snack while I rode the big roller coaster.

Not! Yet!

19lbs of chub.

This bundle of joy is 5 months old today. Time is going too quickly! My baby is growing up too fast! Soon he'll be telling me he's not a baby anymore. GAH.

Luke is sleeping well, eating well, and socializing well. He loves television (third child) and chewing on things. He wakes up happy every morning, babbling to his mobile or his stuffed animals. He spins himself around in his crib, rarely waking up in the same position he went to sleep in. He can drool like nobody's business. He adores his big sisters, who in turn adore him back. He wants so badly to walk or crawl or run. He wants to be in the center of it all, and hates it when we leave him in the living room in his saucer when we are in another room. He usually only gets one good nap a day, due to his sisters' activities, but he does all right with it. I would like for him to stay this age for *just* a bit longer.

Weight of the world: lifted!

Aaaaah. That's me, exhaling, and feeling slightly giddy with the prospect of the girls both being on the same school schedule starting on Monday. [!!!!!] You guys are awesome. I had myself convinced, before I read the comments, that the Tuesday/Thursday morning classes were the only ones we could possibly do, but lo! Y'all changed my mind. And I thank you for it. You were, of course, right - three days a week is Much Better than two days a week. Now all I need is to find a decent (single!) jogging stroller. And a job to pay for it and the two young children in private pre-school. Seriously. Why are there no mother's-day-out programs in Las Vegas? Anyway, I am smiling for the first time in a week now that I know I don't have to drive to school every single day next week.

Kate was not amused by our decision to go to a teppanyaki restaurant instead of our local sushi bar last weekend. She heard us mention the term "Japanese food" and she was in heaven thinking of all the edamame she and Claire would soon be flinging at each other. Instead, she got a splattering of hot oil on her chest (luckily only a drop or two, but still), and was freaked out by the fiery onion volcano. Next time we'll stick closer to home. At least the girls enjoyed using their chopsticks; Claire is pretty darned good at using them, too.

Luke at nearly 5 months. I can't get enough of this guy.

Dilemma

What was I thinking? The girls started school last week, and life is crazier as a result. Isn't school, at this age, supposed to ease my stress levels a bit? The problem is that they each go to school on different days, at different times. And although it's been just over a week, I am going [sing-song] cuck-oooo!

There are other options, but I am unsure which will be best. All involve switching Kate out of her class, a class where she knows a bunch of kids, and I have a high level of guilt over this. But I am telling myself that it will be for the better for EVERYONE if I am less stressed out every day. [This is where Tim will nod vigorously.]

So, please help me, dear readers. Claire is currently in the Tuesday/Thursday a.m. class, and Kate is in the Monday/Wednesday/Friday p.m. class. The options:

• both girls in the Monday/Wednesday/Friday a.m. classes
• both girls in the Tuesday/Thursday a.m. classes (means not switching Claire around at all, which I am actually not that concerned about, because I'm not a huge fan of her class at present)
• both girls in the Tuesday/Thursday p.m. classes

Pros:

• Morning classes would allow me to just throw on my running gear and go for a run with Luke (note to self: must get crap stroller fixed) before getting ready for the day. Of course, I could do this for the p.m. classes, too, when the weather cools down...
• I am generally more productive in the mornings, and therefore morning classes would allow me to increase my a.m. productivity as I would only have one child with me on some days.
• Tues/Thurs classes are a better value: when there is a holiday, it is usually on a Monday or a Friday, and you get charged for the whole month, regardless of whether there is class or not. Also, family days for the Air Force are usually on Mondays and Fridays, so the girls would be less likely to miss out on them, or we wouldn't have to have them play hookie.
• Three days a week sounds really, really nice right about now.
• Afternoon classes are easier all around for scheduling.
• Morning classes allow Claire to have her nap in the afternoon.
• Tim can occasionally drop the girls off for morning classes; not so for afternoon ones.

Cons:

• Morning classes are hectic for drop-off and pick-up. School starts at 8:30, so we need to be out the door by about 8:15, and it ends at lunchtime. This means that by the time we get home, they are starving, but I usually have not yet made lunch. I could probably get into a schedule of making lunch before I pick them up and this would help on the pick-up end of things.
• Afternoon classes mean no nap for either girl, and Claire still really needs one. She will rally through the afternoon if inspired, so if I do put her in the p.m. class, she won't fall asleep while there. She might, however, be grumpy.
• Tues/Thurs mornings will cause us to miss out on the playgroup we are part of on Thursday mornings. This group is fun, with seasonal parties, and I would hate to have the girls miss out on such things.
• The Mon/Wed/Fri class adds to the already outrageously expensive bill from the pre-school.
• When Tim is on nights (granted, this doesn't happen that often), he pretty much misses out on time with the girls that day if they are in the a.m. class.

I am totally stuck. I keep thinking: "Oh! Yes, that's the one we'll sign up for!" And then I think of a reason that it won't be so great. All I know is, something has to change, or I will have completely lost my mind by the time fall comes around.

8 years

Happy Anniversary, Tim! As a certain card says, "Once upon a time...happily ever after."

Pre-K

Today is Kate's first day of pre-kindergarten. She waffled between being super excited about going and whining about not wanting to attend school this year. Once we arrived, she was giddy.

Reese, Claire and Kate. Claire starts school tomorrow.

Wasting time is so much fun

I've been playing with some old photos...

Milford Sound, New Zealand.

Hong Kong.


Hong Kong.

Hong Kong skyline.

Great Wall.

Days of Our Lives

It's been a lot less soap-opera-esque here than the title suggests, but it's kinda catchy, no?

The weekend was full of peeing on floors, bribery involving M&Ms, painting with acrylics (thanks to Elizabeth for the suggestion), and some swimming.

All my children enjoying some cartoons.

If this kangaroo punches me again, I'll hit him back.

Also, I ran a whole 7.7 miles last week. Sixteen weeks and counting until my first half-marathon.

And, today Claire told me approximately 24 times that she had to pee on the potty. She might actually gain weight from all the M&Ms she's getting. She refuses to poo on the potty, but it's all in good time.

Shopping trip success!

I know it probably sounds like a simple thing: going to the commissary for our weekly grocery shopping. Add triple digit temperatures, and three children under the age of four, however, and voila! Potential craziness. But! We survived. No major incidents, no diaper malfunctions, no hysterical crying. There was even a lady we were following (so her children said) who used my children as an example for hers on how to behave! I had to wear Luke in the bjorn, and put the girls in the airplane cart. They didn't even fight much, which is more than I can say for most afternoons around here lately.

Luke is super crabby today; he has a cold and I don't know what all hurts him, but know he is sick because the rest of us have had it and his nose is runny. He slept for 12 hours last night, though, so maybe that will help him get over it soon. Last night was the first night that I didn't wake him up between 10-11pm to feed him one last time. I fed him at 8pm, and he didn't wake up until after 8am this morning.

He hates rice cereal. I have only given it to him about 3 times, but he purses his lips in a surprisingly effective effort to keep the spoon out of his mouth, and spits out most of what I get in there.

We are struggling with potty training. Claire starts school next week and is supposed to be potty-trained before she attends pre-school. Last week I took her to Target so she could pick out her own potty treats (she chose M&Ms and Midnight Milky Way bars), and she peed twice that day on the toilet! Since then: fail. She doesn't even want to try. And when you tell her she has to pee on the toilet at school she will tell you that she doesn't want to go. Tim put her in undies last night when he got home, and I think she peed in 2 pairs before bed. I keep waiting for time when we have less going on so that I can stay on top of the situation and put her on the toilet every 30 minutes, but that time never seems to happen.

Kate is 40% to a prize. I promised her a new toy when she could stay dry for 10 nights (not consecutive). I wish I knew how to help her over this hurdle. I know she is capable of staying dry, but it happens so rarely.

Running is going so slowly. I hyper-extended my knee slightly when Tim's family was here, and it still hurts. But it only hurts when I'm walking or standing - running doesn't seem to bother it. Running does bother my lungs, though - it is taking me a longer time than ever before to get back into shape. I am now up to 2 miles, and am hopeful that this weekend my "long run" will be closer to 3 miles than to two.

Stats and cereal

Luke is already 4 months old. FOUR MONTHS. Wasn't he just born? I do not know how time is passing so quickly, but I would like for it to slow down a little. Except for the witching hours - those can speed up any time now.

At his well-baby check, we learned that he is heavy. And tall. Specifically, he weighs 18lbs 3oz (95%), and is 26" (75-90%). His noggin is proportionate to his height, at 43cm (75%). The good doctor recommended we start on some rice cereal, which I was all too happy to comply with after Luke started waking up in the middle of the night again last week and consuming an additional meal. Today we had some rice cereal. We didn't care too much for it.

Dropped off the face of the blogosphere

Tim got back two weeks ago, and we've been non-stop busy ever since. He was home for about 24 hours before the Oregon contingent of his family showed up (a surprise to him) for his 40th birthday.

Bekah holds Luke.

Our first family trip to the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign. It was 110* outside, but we took the obligatory photos and then moved on to the Bellagio.

Tim's birthday celebration (and Buji's and Tom's, for that matter) started at Battista's for dinner.

And ended at Mandalay Bay's Foundation Room.

Then there was the surprise birthday party the next afternoon...

Tim held up well through all the surprises, especially given the fact that he had four flights in a row the week after he got back, one of which was a checkride. Thanks to all who came to the party, to the 12 family members who drove 20 hours each way in a crowded 15-passenger van, and Happy 40th Birthday, Tim!

Tidbits

We went to Cici's Pizza last night for a buffet dinner. For those of you who aren't familiar with the Cici's dining experience, it can only be explained as an affront to Italian epicureans everywhere. The girls loved it. Claire ate approximately 4 pieces of pizza (four!), plus a brownie. Her favorite was the macaroni and cheese pizza. You should have seen the look on her face when she figured out she could have two of her favorite meals put together into one entree. Kate also made several trips to the endless buffet. Not bad considering I didn't have to pay for either of them (children 3 and under ate for free). The girl behind the register might have raised an eyebrow when I told her the children were under 4 years old. Kate's 43" might have something to do with that.

Luke laughed today. Is there anything better than baby giggles? Love.

He is also arching his back so that he almost rolls over to his belly. This I do not love. He needs to stay immobile longer! He almost worked his way out of the bouncy chair the other day, and he is not in the same position when I get him up from his naps. Time to use the seat belt functions on all baby contraptions now. Damn.

Claire has had a cold for the past week that has made her voice hoarse. She sounds like she's been smoking a pack a day since she was born. It's so sad, but so cute.

Kate has told me several times over the past few days that she has "beautiful blonde hair", which she "loves". Vanity starts early in this household.

Also, she told me today that she needs to "follow her heart". I had to ask her to repeat herself, as I wasn't sure I had heard her correctly. She looked at me in all seriousness and said, "like in Cinderella, Mom." Perhaps it's time to lay off the Disney fairytales.

Found: 2 fists, a thumb and even some toes

Erm, that sounds a bit macabre. But this is what I mean:

Look! I have fists! Also, a wedgie. I am now wearing size 9mo, whenever my mom can remember. When she forgets, I just shake my fists at her. Or at the world.

Drooooool. There is a lot of spit around here.

Been a bit busy here. The girls started swim lessons this week. In Summerlin. So that's about a 2-hour event every day for 20 minutes worth of lessons. Not getting much else done around here.

Tim is trying like crazy to get back home. By this I mean that he is done with his work over there in fanistan, but is jumping through flaming hoops to catch the right flights. He's probably stuck in the Italian riviera right now. Love ya, babe!

Name that baby

How to Lose a Babysitter in 3 Hours

First, make certain that your oldest child has been sporting a fever throughout the afternoon. Give her some Tylenol in hopes that she'll be able to go to bed early and fight off whatever is bugging her. Put the newborn to bed in his crib and smile as he sleeps peacefully. (Sort of facetiously) tell the babysitter that this will either be the easiest night of babysitting ever, or the hardest, if the oldest child were to, you know, get sick or something silly like that. Leave the babysitter upstairs playing with the middle child, and drive to the airport while listening to Pink's new CD.

Once you arrive at the airport and are trying to find the right garage to park in (why are there so MANY of them?), receive a call from the babysitter, who sounds frantic. Listen to her as she says, "Oh my God, Kate just puked everywhere!" Start to fret as you hear the newborn screaming his little lungs out in the background, and wonder to yourself how a 15-year-old is going to handle this situation, when you as a 30-something experienced mother would be extremely stressed out and borderline hysterical. Tell the sitter you will call her back in a few minutes, and pull into a parking spot that you hope is somewhere close to the correct terminal. Shove all the quarters in your possession into the meter, thinking that surely 75 minutes will be long enough to get to the terminal and pick up your 13-year-old niece.

Start walking and dialing, trying to reach your two neighbors on a Saturday night to see if they are available to help. Leave messages when no one answers. Call the babysitter back and hear her telling Kate to run! Find out that Kate is in the processing of vomiting for the third time. Hear the baby continue to cry and try to explain to the sitter that you can't head back home yet because you have to pick up a family member who is flying for the first time, and that her plane is late. Sit at the terminal biting your fingernails, hoping that all is okay at home. Receive a call from one neighbor, who is able to go over and take the baby home with her. Receive another call from the other neighbor who goes over to see if there is anything she can do to help. Talk to the sitter and find out that she has called her older sister who is on the way over.

Stop pacing when you see your niece get off the plane, and tell her that we need to speed walk because there is no time left on the meter and there is chaos at home. Arrive back at the car with one minute remaining on the meter, and start driving. Receive a call from the neighbor who has the baby and find out that Kate is quite sick and lethargic. Try not to stress out more.

Arrive home approximately 35 minutes later to a quiet house. Pay the babysitter almost double what you would normally pay her in hopes that she will actually return your call again some day. Quickly check on Kate and find out that she is super hot. Re-wet the washcloth for her forehead and leave to go get the baby. Spend all night worrying about how high the fever really is, since you can't get an accurate read on the thermometer without removing the washcloth that actually seems to be doing some good. Finally bring the sick child back to bed with you at 5am so you can keep an (asleep) eye on her, and breathe a sigh of relief when her fever finally breaks around 6:30am. Spend the rest of the day utterly exhausted, and finally shower and dress at about 4pm.

Kate seems to be fine now, thank God. She alternated between having a surprising amount of energy and wanting to sleep, and is now resting well. I'm hoping for the best tonight.

P.S. Happy 40th Birthday, Tim! We miss you and love you and hope you at least got to have a near-beer with someone you know over there. I celebrated with a bottle glass of wine.

Maybe

D'ya think this is why the girls were up late tonight?

Claire's favorite part of dessert: frosting. Yeah, yeah. She's my daughter.

Nice pile o' purple icing.

Hey, it's only July 9th

And here are my 4th of July pictures! It's been a full week. Tim had a long weekend to celebrate Independence Day, and we were busy almost the whole time. We invited friends over on Friday night, as they are ready to PCS. The kids swam and swam and ate and swam and lit fireworks and cried and covered their ears. Then they slept.

Saturday was a party at another family's house. The kids were up until 11pm that night...and crabby. Kate tried her first sparkler, and just as I was telling her not to touch the end of it (it had just burned out), she started crying. She had already grabbed it. I did the same thing when I was little, which is why I knew to tell her not to touch it, but I got to her too late. She is fine - just small white burns on three of her fingers.

On Sunday, we went to Max's birthday party at the gymnastics gym (is that redundant?), and they ran and jumped and ate cake. They slept pretty hard that night, too. We took Tim to the airport on Monday morning so he could go to "fanistan", according to Kate. We've been keeping pretty busy since then, so they are holding up fairly well.

Bandages.

Three months old: 25" and 16.5 pounds. WOW. Someone's been eating well.

The kitty is ready for fireworks.

The Sixth Sense of a Toddler

How is it that a two-year-old can spy a jar full of pens, and choose the one pen that has that special permanent ink? Also, does anyone have a remedy for removing Sharpie from furniture?

Way to go, Claire! She got both cushions. Don't do a half-assed job, I always say.