No School for Twenty-Four

On Monday Tommy threw up at school so I had to go pick him up early.  At Trinity they aren’t allowed back for 24 hours after ralphing.  Susie had a training so I had to stay home with him Tuesday morning.  By Monday night Tommy was feeling better so on Tuesday I let Maggie stay home too.  It is rare that I ever have a weekday off with them alone so we decided to do something fun.  At first I was thinking swimming at Kelly’s but it was cool and raining, so I was thinking Giggle Factory—but before we headed there I wanted to run into H&M Kids at Maplewood Mall.  Well we never made it past there.  Somehow we were at the mall from 10:15-2:00.  There is a great play area, some little rides and the big carrousel too.  I didn’t know most of that stuff was there.  We had lunch at the food court, Maggie really enjoyed that part too.  I can’t remember the last time we ever ate at a food court so it was a new experience for her.  Maggie told me she was having a “great day” several times.  Both kids were exceptionally well-behaved and sweet, it was the best sick day we have ever had.  :)

Ready to hit the mall

Tommy loved going on rides with his big sister

 

Maggie might have been a little bored in the play area but it was perfect for Tommy

His first tunnel experience--at first he was timid but Maggie dragged him through--literally and by the end he was doing them on his own.  As soon as we got home he was crawling through his highchair and under the dining room table showing off...

Once he wasn't afraid of them anymore, he liked to sit in the middle of the tunnels and hide on Maggie and Mommy.  I panicked a few times when I couldn't find him for a couple seconds.  He thought he was pretty funny.

Maggie loves the big carrousel at the mall

I bought two tickets thinking Maggie could do it twice by herself while I feed Tommy, little did I know that meant Tommy and I had to go twice too since Maggie wasn't tall enough to do it solo.  Tommy loved it.

Maggie driving the bus

Tommy and I riding in the back of the bus--looks like Tommy is terrified of sister's driving skills

She wanted me to put Tommy on the back with her, I thought better of it.

 

Soccer Shots

Maggie started soccer back in June.  It is really convenient because they come to their school and have practice there.  Any kids that have signed up for it they go pick up from their classrooms, take them outside to practice, and bring them back to their classrooms afterwards—so the parents don’t have to do anything.  Almost seems too easy.  I have watched a couple times, it is pretty funny.  It is mainly 3 year olds with a couple 4 year olds mixed in so there are lots of emotions and very short attention spans.  Maggie usually stays engaged for the most part and talks about it like she really likes it.  I think her two favorite parts are: 1.) getting a sticker at the end of class and 2.) putting their hands in the middle and saying “Soccer Shots” on the count of three.  :) 

Maggie is in the middle, all the kids want to be goalie

 

Maggie's in the yellow shirt

Getting ready to work on some skills

 

Maggie holding on the goal--making sure she gets to be goalie

 

Maggie and this little boy decided to do their own thing in the middle of some drills.  I have no idea what they were doing or why the two of them decided to go off on their own.  It made me laugh pretty hard though.  My cousin Danny and I used to run off and hide during soccer practice too!  :)

 



First Boat Trip

Last Sunday (July 28^th) we finally uncovered the boat and took it out for the first time(sad, I know).  It was also Tommy’s first time in our boat since he has been born—he went on quite few trips in my tummy  last summer.  This is probably the longest we have ever waited.  Basically since the time Susie and I met we have been avid boaters and used to go every weekend or at least every other weekend.  The kids have definitely slowed this down a bit and the summers seem to go faster and faster.  Anyways, we were forced to get it out and get it ready for our annual St. Croix River camping trip coming up this weekend.  We didn’t do any swimming/tubing/skiing/wakeboarding this time around, it was more of just get out and make sure everything works properly.   Maggie loves the boat and wanted to help drive the entire time.  Tommy seemed to enjoy himself too.  Susie and I had forgotten how much we enjoyed it and agreed we need to get out more often. 

Maggie knew just what to do

Tommy and Susie cuddling--it was chilly

Maggie wanted to go faster and faster and make bigger and bigger waves.

We talked Maggie into letting Tommy have a turn

The Prince and the Pea

I have created a monster.  It is 100% my fault but Tommy has not spent a full night in his crib since his first night in the hospital.  I am not even sure how it happened or when we realized that he slept so much better/longer when he was being held.  The first 4 months I slept semi-upright in the recliner holding him--mostly because he was nursing 24-7.  Once I went back to work I decided I needed to actually sleep in a bed.  We tried the crib a handful of times but it would last maybe 45 minutes so we would always give in and let him come sleep next to me in our bed.  This was convenient when he was nursing and it allowed all of us to get pretty good, uninterrupted sleep.  He still eats once around 2-3:00 AM but for the most part he goes to bed between 7-8:00 PM and sleeps soundly until Susie wakes him up at 5:30 AM to go to daycare.  He is such a prince when he sleeps.  He is 10 months and already hogs the bed and the pillows.  When you see the little prince sleeping in our king-sized bed he looks right at home.  At some point we need to start crib training him but he is so sweet and cuddly it is hard to imagine making him cry it out. 

 

His legs get so hot he started sleeping without pants. If I try to put a blanket on his legs he kicks it off.  I don't know how he isn't cold. 

He is such a little snuggler.  Susie and I will catch him holding our shirts or our necklaces while sleeping just to make sure we cannot get away.  I usually try to move away from him a little because he is such a sweaty, hot mess when he sleeps, but he always seems to rollover and find me. :)  I never ever thought I would let our kid sleep with us, after all Maggie is the perfect example of a wonderful crib/bed trained kid.  We could lay her down in her crib and walk out of the room and she would put herself to bed.  These days as a toddler, she will occasionally want to snuggle with mommies but never wants to sleep in our bed or have us lay with her.  When she is tired she will simply say “I am going to my bed”.  Maybe this is the way Tommy could have been too but I don’t think so.  They were complete opposites as infants too.  Maggie could sit contently all day in her swing or bouncy chair; whereas Tommy has always been a lot more needy.  Needs to be held, needs to know where his mommies are at all times, etc.  I am sure we are responsible for creating this monster but he is awfully cute and with the second child we just gave in and did whatever worked.  Hopefully sometime before he turns one I can do a crib training post!  :)

 

St. Croix County Fair

I grew up going to the St. Croix County Fair as both a 4-H exhibitor and spectator.  We have passed the tradition down to Maggie.  We have visited every year since she was born.  Granted, with each passing year, it is becoming more about the rides and less about the animals and exhibits.  Cousins Grace and Lucy are both in 4-H and had numerous projects.   Grace also showed a chicken this year.  This was the most time we have ever spent at the fair—we headed down at 9:00 for the chicken judging and didn’t leave until 5:30.  Grandma, Becky, Leyton, Cal, and Fiona joined us for unlimited rides and we sure got our money’s worth.    

Lucy, Maggie and Grace checking out the Llamas

 

Grace showing her chicken.  She named her "Beauty Queen"

Tommy's nap #1

Grandma and Maggie heading to see some cows

Petting the sheep

Maggie letting the lamb eat out of her hand

One of the 4-H leaders gave the kids ice cream

Lucy shared hers with Tommy

Tommy loves ice cream.  Horrible I know.  We would have never allowed this with baby #1

Maggie and Lucy

The cousin train.  The older cousins all agreed to ride the train so Tommy could go and sit with Grace.  Well once they got to get on the train the operator wouldn't permit Tommy to go since he wasn't wearing shoes--he never wears shoes--he doesn't walk!  So anyways the big kids still went and they all acted bored.  You can see them with their arms crossed.

Grandma has loved the tilt-a-whirl ever since we were young.  She was super excited to go on it with the grandkids finally.

Grandma, Lucy, Leyton, Maggie, Grace

Tommy's nap #2

Pilot and Co-Pilot:  Maggie and Cal