Stalking

I've started letting Parker walk to school with some other kids. But most days I stalk him. I'm not convinced he's entirely ready but I'm hoping he proves me wrong.

Lunch notes

The other day Elizabeth asked me to write her a note in her lunch to remind her to have her cheese with her pasta (I put some parmesean cheese in a little tupperware to put on her left over pasta.)  I told her I was busy but why didn't she just write herself a note. So she said ok.

Then I found the note. It said, "Dear Elizabeth. Don't forget to put cheese on your pasta.  Love, Mom and Dad."

Which I found hilarious on many levels.

Disneyland

We are going to go to Disneyland for our spring break. In 2012 we determined that 2013 would be a good year to go. Parker will still enjoy the rides that they have and the girls are young enough to enjoy all the other crap.  We didn't want to go during the summer or christmas due to the crowds   so our off schedule spring break seemed just the time.  Because we figure we are only going to go this one time, we are doing it big, staying in a hotel inside disneyland and doing it over three days. I've talked to many, many people who have gone and this seems to be the preferred method. You can't see it all in 1 day and with three days you can relax and even spend some time at the hotel pool walking back in the evening for fireworks and other such nonsense.   We haven't told the kids yet, but plan to let them know next week, which would still give them sufficient time to tell all their friends about it.   They still aren't really sure what Disneyland is as evidenced when I asked them, "What do you know about Disneyland?" when they were whining that they wanted to go there and their answer was "it's where the magic happens."   Blah.

Easter

The girls have been very excited about Easter, which I find incredibly bizarre.  This morning, Miranda said, "Is the Easter Bunny real?" (She asks often if things are real or not...like the other day when Parker and I were reading a mystery that referred to a will so I told the kids what it was and she asked "is a will real?")  So I replied, "Well...Miranda, what do you think? Do you think there is a giant rabbit that comes around and hides eggs and candy for all the kids in the word?"  The way I said it, there was no way in hell it was real. Then she says, "Well, I think I'm going to believe in the Easter Bunny. I believe in Santa, the tooth fairy so why not the Easter Bunny. And I definitely believe in the switch witch."  Then she adds, "Do you think Grammy works for the Easter Bunny?"

We made them each baskets and did some eggs, but now they are expecting some bunny to hide them tonight. And this bunny is going to bed so we'll see how the shit will hit the fan tomorrow.

Easter comes early

Grammy and Ginny strike again! (The matching outfits and earmuffs have nothing to do with Easter, it's just their chosen outfit for the evening. The pearls really brought the look together.)

Another half

Ran another half marathon today. Slowest time ever but with a heel and knee injury, just finishing was good enough for me.

Saying goodbye was hard.

Miranda woke up this morning hysterical that the dog and puppies were leaving. She was balling so hard.  We've fostered many kittens and even puppies before and she has never reacted like this. I had to explain to her about rescue groups and how they help shelters make more space for other homeless animals. I told her we would do it again and how great it was that we helped the dogs and how nice it was to have them here but that they were going to a place that could ensure they each got great homes.  She didn't really stop crying until we got in the car.  I let the dog sit on her lap back to the shelter and by the time we arrived, she was ok. Oy.

Two Day Adventure

The kids had no school on Thursday and Friday due to parent teacher conferences so we went off on two adventures.  Thursday we went with our neighbors to Ano Neuvo State Preserve to see the Elephant Seals.  We knew it would be a long drive, but I didn't quite know how much standing around there would be on the tour. It was windy and the kids were cold and bored pretty quickly listening to the old volunteer docent ramble on. We didn't see any seals until over an hour into the tour.  But they were pretty impressive when we did see them.  Miranda was the most impressed and interested as I knew she would be, but all the kids had a good time I think in the end.

Before the tour

Climbing trees at the staging area

Measuring up to Elephant seals

Our first sighting!

Several more

Lots more!

Lunch after the tour. Except for my Dr. Pepper my mom would have been proud of me.

Then today, Friday, we took one friend each and went back to Fairfield for the trampoline place.  We were the only ones there so the kids loved it.

Lily and Miranda

Water Break

Lindsay and Elizabeth

Lindsay is Elizabeth's "old" gymnastics pal. They were both pre-team and quit.

Lunch at Denny's. Six kids plus me for 30 bucks. 

Thank god for crayons

And straws. 

and more straws.

A full car.

Gary is from China. Moved here last year. His mom only speaks Chinese so arranging this outing was a monster accomplishment. Many emails with his sisters. But Parker really wanted him to come, so I made it happen.

Lily is pretty sweet. A little needy, but sweet. At one point she said to Gary, "You are from China?" as if his strong accent wasn't a total give away.  Then she said, "Me too!" I asked where she was born and she said, "I don't know."   Seems like adopted kids should know where they were born.

Happy kids on the way to Scandia.  Mini golf, arcade games, bumper boats. Kid heaven.

Boat rides at Scandia. Again, the only ones there.

Bye bye

Mama and puppies are going to their new home at a rescue group on Friday. I'm going to let Miranda hold the puppies before they go even though their eyes aren't open yet.  She's sad already.

Basketball season ends

Parker made some awesome shots and steals in the last game. He really likes basketball.

Strange boy

His hair has since been cut.

Survivor

We are letting the kids watch old episodes of survivor. They love it.

St Patricks Day

All the kids were excited to wear their green clothes they got last year (Thanks Grammy!) but didn't get to wear for some reason.  Even Parker got in the spirit even though I didn't get a pic of him.

Fostering Continues

Another tooth bites the dust.

This one was hanging by a thread for a long while. It took a basketball to the face to knock it out.  Miranda still hasn't lost any.

Art with Suzie

 The girls are taking an after school art class.  They made these garden decorators and they were actually pretty cute.

Carpool from basketball practice

Fostering, again.

I got a call from the Alameda City Shelter yesterday that they need a foster home for a mama dog and her three day old babies.  So....now we have a mama dog and three two day old babies.  Mom is a wired hair chihuahua.  She seems pretty nice so far. A little jumpy, but not at all barky and is potty trained.  Her babies look like rats with closed eyes.  The eyes will open in a week or so.  We'll keep them until the babies start to get loud and messy.  Miranda is thrilled and doesn't mind picking up the poop. Elizabeth is happy too. Parker could care less.

The Button Jacket

The girls are studying different authors in school. Mo Willems, Arnold Lobel, Lois Elhert, etc.  For the Lobel part, they read the Missing Button story.  Then they all get to take jacket home, sew a button on it and take pictures in it. They also have to do a little writing about the button they chose and where they wore it.  It's a BIG deal for the kids.  They just love it.  And coincidentally both girls got them today on the same day.  Today.  Miranda was satisfied with the pic of the two of them, but Elizabeth wanted some pics in the trampoline.

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Zeke

Zeke is acting strange these days. He seems tired, skinny and oily. I'll take him in if it doesn't improve soon.

Scary rides

Took the kids to traveling carnival yesterday. Parker just loves the scary rides.