Keeping Track of Lauren & Jack » April 2008 Journal Entries » AboutMyBaby - online baby scrapbooks, photo albums, videos, birth and pregnancy announcements

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Wed, Apr 30, 2008 1:45 PM
Yesterday Jack did very well in My GYm, so well, in fact that both intructors made a point of saying so, and Jack seemd very proud of himslef. So I decided to stop by the consignment store since it was on the way home. Jack was thrilled because he knows they have toys in there. I had been told that a bunch of really nice girls things were in there, and I was just trying to take a quick look, but Jack was screaming about a truck he saw in the back, and no amount of reasoning would stop him screaming, so I picked him up and we left. He was hysterical at that point, a full blown tantrum, but I just reamined calm and put him in the car and drove home. I am really trying to stay consistent in my response to the screaming. If you scream, we leave, no two ways about it. I suppose he'll learn eventually, but it's very difficult to deal with at the moment.

Sara was out sick, so Lauren came along to Jack's swimming lesson, which was fine, since she's used to going anyway. Jack is doing very well and he's going to do his final test with shorts and shoes today, and fully dressed tomorrow.

I went to a free parenting class last night that Easter Seals was sponsering at the library, and it was very informative about communicating with your toddler. I'm considering taking their upcoming class which is geared just for Jack's age, but it meets when we have MyGym, so I'm going to see if I can juggle the schedule around a little. I feel like I can use all the help I can get!

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Mon, Apr 28, 2008 10:56 PM
Sunday we went down to Longboat Key which is just off Sarasota to see Mike's pal from grad school Rob,his wife Julie and their kids Sophie, (4 1/2), and Ben, (almost 3.) Our kids were almost exactly the same ages, which was great. They were staying along with some cousins and aunts etc, at this beautiful resort which was right on the beach. It was so gorgeous, I want to go stay there for the weekend! The girls were like two peas in a pod until there was a disagreement about who owned a certain shell and then it all went to pieces. Sophie was then taken up to the room and proceeded to sleep for the next 3 hours, so apparently she was very sleep deprived! The boys played a little bit together, and Jack enjoyed pulling Ben's little wagon around on the sand. After lunch we foolishly went to the pool. I should have known better because all they wanted to do was jump in and then Jack proceeded to throw up his entire lunch. He immediately seemed to feel better, but I was so mortified, we showered off and slunk back to the beach. We tried to get them to nap in their little cabana shade things, but it wasn't ever going to happen. Finally we just went up to their room to chill for a few hours until we had to go. Lauren got it into her head that we were staying for a vacation and kept asking where our room was. She really did not want to leave, and I didn't want to leave either, so we'll have to look into staying there ourselves sometime.

Today was hectic. I took Lauren to school in Mike's car since he had driven down to Longboat Key and we hadn't switched the car-seats back. When I returned, he switched the seats back to my car and took off to work - with my wallet which I had left in his cubby thingy. I wanted to get Sara a gift for her birthday which was today, but I couldn't do that without my wallet, so I had to drive down to USF to retreive it. Then I had too rush back to meet the cleaning lady Keily. So later, after Sara arrived to watch Jack, I picked Lauren up from school and took her with me on my errands. I got back and dropped her off with Sara and picked up Jack to take him to his swimming lesson. I was worried it would be cancelled because we had some nasty looking clouds heading our way, but it actually didn't rain and he had a good lesson. Then he wanted to play on the playground on our way out. There was a 4 year old there who was standing near the see-saw, so I asked Jack if he wanted to ride with this boy Paxton. Paxton then put down the 3 matchbox cars he was holding. After a few see-saws, Jack decides to get off and go check out the cars. The boy was nice enought to let him play with one for about 1 minute before he snatched it up and ran off. Jack was VERY distaught. Hysterical in fact. Paxton's Mom came over and asked if I wanted to make him share the cars, which was nice of her, but the truth is, you can't make a kid share if he doesn't want to, and I don't really think you should force it. Plus Jack is starting to think that if he screams loud enough, he'll get his way, which a very dangerous precedent. So I told him if we didn't calm down we had to leave, and he continued to have a fit, so we left. He calmed down as soon as we got to the car, but I'm still glad we left. I was somehow able to keep calm myself this time, which felt like a personal victory. I think it's because I didn't have Lauren also screaming she wanted something at the same time.

Anyway, we got home and had a little birthday party for Sara, who's turning 21! HAPPY BIRTHDAY Sara!! The kids decorated some cupcakes and we blew up some balloons and we gave her her presents. It was almost more for the kids' sake since Sara doesn't like sweets, but we had to put the candles into something! Oof, the ensuing sugar rush was really something!

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Sat, Apr 26, 2008 11:39 PM
Friday I was largely MIA because I had an audition in Orlando. Mike sort of became me for a day, taking Lauren to school, Jack to Music class, picking up Lauren, taking them to swim lessons. I got caught in traffic and didn't make it back in time for swimming, but apparently it was good for both of them. I caught up with them at soccer which went much as normal. Lauren actually played in the beggining. Jack was unusually content to sit on my lap a lot of the time. I think he missed seeing me all day, but I also think he was just tired since apparently he did not nap at all, just screamed "I'm AWAKE!!!" for like an hour. I was just releived to not be pulling him off the field every 5 seconds!

Today we had our community yard sale, so Mike took Lauren (and Jack tagged along)to ballet while I sold off a bunch of our junk. It's amazing to me that people will pay you for the privelege of carting off stuff even some charities won't take! The kids were very excited that there was an event happening that involved people coming by our house. When they got back from ballet they hung out with me and jumped in the huge jump-o-lene thing we have, which so many people asked me about I was tempted to sell it! The main focus was selling the beds we had just replaced in our master bedroom, (which was a king that unzipped into two singles), which I ended up selling to my neighbor across the street. I had been tempted to keep them for the kids, but since their cribs both convert into doubles, I have already bought all their bedding for that size. The other problem with the kids being present is that they wanted to take back some of the stuff I was trying to sell, like stuffed animals which they NEVER touch, let alone play with. But I consider the garage sale a success since most of the big stuff I put out was sold. The kids stuff went like hotcakes! I wish I had done more purging from the playroom. Oh well, maybe next time!

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Thu, Apr 24, 2008 2:55 PM
Yesterday we had Jack's playgroup at the park, and we took an impromptu stroll on the nature path which they have there, which was a great way to get Jack all tuckered out. The highlight was when we had the kids collect pinecones and put them on a bench and then count them. It felt almost like an Easter egg hunt, they were so excited. All this activity did lend itself to a good nap without too much complaint for once!

I had missed Lauren's conference at preschool last week because she was home sick, so I didn't remember. Her teacher Ms. Nicole agreed to give me a few minutes of her time at pick-up time on Wednesday. It's all good news, Lauren seems to be progressing normally with all her pre-writing and pre-reading activities, and she follows directions, is cooperative, gets along well with the other children, and shows a lot of empathy to her classmates. That's all I could possible ask of her, so I'm very pleased. Part of me is wondering what happens to that girl when I take her home! I guess the dynamics really change when she's constantly competing with Jack for attention.

Swim lessons are going well. Lauren did great yesterday in her sundress and crocs, so today she was fully dressed in jeans, t-shirt, sweatshirt, light jacket, socks and shoes. She did so great, I'm so proud of her! In fact, Ms. Emma was asking the boy who goes right before her to watch what she was doing. Jack really seemed to respond to me encoraging him from the side of the pool. Both times that I said "You can do it, swim all the way to the wall!", he did it!

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Tue, Apr 22, 2008 12:26 PM
Something I forgot to mention is that some very belated Christmas presents from Uncle Peter arrived in some big packages they other day and we finally put them together on the weekend. They're sort of like Big Wheels and the kids love them. For some reason they're easier to pedal than the trikes. Lauren's is decorated with Dora and has a little basket, and Jack's looks sort of like a motorcycle.

Today Jack's MyGym class went surprisingly well and he actually did everything in the cirlce time. I think it's because he has a crush on Ms. Ashley, and he had the seat of honor right next to her today, so he paid attention for once!

Naptime has been sort of problematic for Jack lately. After about a half hour he screams that he's awake, and I go and remind him that he needs to actually sleep for a while longer before he can get up. He's starting to have demands, like leaving the door cracked. It doesn't seem like an unreasonable thing to ask, except that if the door is cracked, then he can hear Lauren as she swans by humming loudly back and forth to her room. So today he finally fell asleep only at 3 and then we had to wake him to go to swim class about 4:20, and he was very cranky. He screamed and cried gettting into the pool, but was smiling after a few minutes in the water, so I'm not sure what that was all about, excpet that I'm convinced that there is an ideal napping window and that if we miss it, we all pay the price!

Jack has also been on a violent streak. Something I forgot to mention earlier from mygym was when he pushed a boy on the trampoline. Luckily it was another boy who was non-plussed, but he's also been attacking Lauren with a renewed gusto. He's been tackling her and slapping her and pulling her hair. I've been giving him automatic time-outs, and he does seem contrite when he comes out, and apologizes with what seems like sincerity, but then it soon happens again. Tonight he grabbed her from behind in the bath and left marks on her cheek with his fingers. I've been worried about this phase, when he gets to be bigger than her and there starts to be a power shift. I really need to do some reading on how to handle it, because other than giving consequences I'm not sure how to handle it. I think I could do more role-modeling about gentle touch, but it's not like he doesn't know what he's doing. I ask him if he wants someone to hit him like that, and he says no, so he seems to understand that it hurts.

Lauren has been doing very well in swimming and is going to be ready to do the final test which are doing the swim/float/swim technique in clothes. Tomorrow she'll be in a summer dress. Jack is also doing well and could be done this week if we wanted. He just seems so much less confident in the water, I think I'd like him to do another week. Other people at the pool seem very impressed that he's swimming so well, they don't believe ehe's only 2 years old. He actually makes it look very easy, but he doesn't seem to enjoy it all that much. Maybe if we make a point to go to the pool just to play he'll get more into it. I bought some pool toys that are designed to get them to enjoy diving down to get things, dino eggs, torpedos etc. Of course at first we have to start on the stairs, but that should provide another focus other than their technique.

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cz brandy: try "Siblings without Rivalry". It's written in simple form and very easy to understand. shows how parents sometimes set up scenarios for children to compete without realizing it. also gives practical advice on how to address jeolousy and physicality between siblings in a non-judgmental manner. you'll love it. after that, try their other book, How to Talk so Kids will Listen. and then How to Talk so Kids will Learn. Both are very powerful and easy for busy moms to read. love, prima brandy

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Mon, Apr 21, 2008 11:33 AM
Friday was Jack's first music class of the session. There are a lot of babies, but also a few boys his age, so he had company in his wandering shenanigans. Darren is supposed to be joining the class too, but missed the first class.

Sara finally came down with whatever virus we've all been fighting off for weeks. Of course that would be the day Jack takes a 2 hour nap, so we picked up Lauren quite late. By the time we got home and had a snack and changed we had to leave for soccer. We got there early for once, and it was great because the coach was there and she got some individual insruction and practice, which gave her some confidence. I brought sand toys for Jack and he spent most of the time there pushing a truck around the sand volleyball court, which just happened to be right next to the field where Lauren's game was being played. Lauren played a little in the first half, but then she had a potty break, and then she had to sit out for a while. By the time they put her back in, she was over it. It's very difficult to get her to pay attention when she's sitting on the sidelines. She kept wanting to come play in the sand with Jack!

We finally got out of there and tried out a new pizza place which was sort of a disaster, mostly becasue they're not really set up for families to eat-in, I think they're mostly a take-out place. And Lauren is currently refusing to eat pizza even though she begged us to go to this place. Luckily they did have a chicken salad that she found satisfactory, but I don't think we'll ever go there again!

Saturday Lauren had ballet and then we had a relaxing afternoon until I decided to take them to Cracker Barrel for dinner. Mike wasn't feeling well and I didn't feel much like cooking, so off we went. They were fairly well behavevd for most of the time, but they were getting tired toward the end of the meal, and Jack was screaming that he wanted to sit in my lap as I was packing up all our leftovers to take home. I got some of those pitying stares, and I thought, "What, you've never seen the terrible twos in full force?"

Sunday we went to a bithday party for Nicholas Wolf, (a friend from playgroup)at MyGym in the morning, which is always fun. They do such a great job. It was a pirate theme, which Jack loved. He might have taken the whole pirate thing a little too much to heart when he pushed a 4 year old off of this one step thing. I was HORRIFIED and he had an automatic time-out. I have such terrible fears of him becoming a bully because of his size.

I wasn't feeling well after we got home, but ater naps Mike took them both down the street to Taylor's house for a playdate on her swingset. I was very grateful for a few hours of quiet rest! For dinner all I could manage was grilled cheese and soup. Soup is Lauren's new favorite thing to eat, and especially tomato, which is funny since she won't eat actual tomatoes anymore.

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Thu, Apr 17, 2008 8:53 PM
Urgh, after 3 days of solitary confinment, we finally ventured out today! Well, actually I did send Jack to MyGym on Tuesday with Mike, and they had lunch afterwards too, so it was a real boys morning out. Miss Emma just decided that swimming was a wash after we missed yesterday, so we'll start fresh next week.

Today we went to Lauren's playgroup and it was actually a beautiful day. Nicholas and Scott have a swingset and a playhouse in their backyard, so I spent quite a lot of time receiving "ice cream" from the window of said little house, as well as several cups of "lemonade". At one point my two both laid down in there and pretended to be napping. I thought, why don't they just pretend to that at home in their beds? Pretending would work just fine for me! Nick and Scott's mom Christina has been introducing me to the idea of digital scrapbooking on the computer, which I'm thinking will be a more effective way for me to actually get some albums finished, so I'm very grateful for her help!

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Mon, Apr 14, 2008 11:08 PM
I took Lauren to the doctor and she does indeed have pink eye in both eyes, as well as an ear infection brewing in her left ear. She did say something the other night about her ear hurting, but she was saying that it happened at soccer. I think she was just confused as it was the middle of the night. But she hadn't mentioned it hurting at all since. Oh well, the doctor said we caught it early so hopefully it won't be to troublesome. Apparently it's common to get ear infections when there is an eye infection present and vice versa. I didn't realize everything was so . . .connected. Anyway, lauren was in good spirits at the doctor and even heed my warning not to touch anything because we don't want to spread her pink eye to everyone who comes into that office. I was feeling a litle guilty about not bringing Jack, since his cough is actually worse than hers. The doctor said her chest sounded clear, so her cough is probably from post nasal drip. I think they have the same thing, but it affects them differently. But Jack has no fever and his eyes seem clear, so I'm going to see how it goes with him. I hate to downplay the symptoms that he does have, but I also don't want to expose him to the germs in that office unneccessarily.

After picking up Lauren's presciptions we got home and had to administer the oral anti-biotocs and the eye drops, then I made a point of washing all the linens, bedcolthes, towels etc that she'd come into contact with. It took me a while to explain everything to Sara who had come early as planned. All of this put me dreadfully behind schedule, as I had an audition down in Sarasota to get to. I retrospect I wish I had just decided not to go. But I got showered and out of there and was a mere 30 miles from Sarasota when my car made a load noise and then all the lights came on and it started chugging, so I pulled over to the shoulder. At first I thought my tire had a blowout, but my tire was fine. I got back into the car and it would start, but then die. So my audition went right down the tubes in that moment. I had to get AAA to tow me back to Tampa to the Volvo dealership to get my car fixed. Luckily they have a rental car place on the premises. By the time I got the car seats transferred over to the rental car and fought traffic the whole way home, the day was done and so was I! I am very dissappointed. I prepared a lot, I read the play, watched the move, and worked a lot on my Irish accent. Oh well. . .next!

I know none of that technically had to do with the kids, but I wanted to share my adventures today. Apparently both kids were very good and BOTH took long naps. (Of course - it's a day I'm not there to enjoy the silence!) I have to say, it was nice to come in the door and have them both running to greet me with such glee. They both accosted me with bear hugs and Jack said "I missed you!" It really was just what I needed after my adventures on the road.

So no school, so swimming, so lets hope they get better soon!

Oh before I forget, Lauren is now 34 pounds and 43 1/2 inches tall! I KNEW she was growing, but I didn't realize how much!

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Sun, Apr 13, 2008 9:19 PM
Friday was quite a day. We got up and right into swim gear and left for swim class which started at 8AM, because Ms. Emma had her daughter's birthday party later in the day. The lessons went well and then I got them dressed and we had breakfast out, and then we dropped Lauren off at preschool about 10AM. It was a nice morning, so I took Jack to a playground near our house. Whie we were there Jack engaged in some very detailed imaginative play. First he said he was picking up a baby, and then he sat her next to me on the bench. Then he got up on the bench and said we're watching TV. I asked what we were watching, and he said "Noggin. . . .no... ummm we're watching a dvd." So I asked which dvd and he said "Cars" Then he got off the bench and pretended to put it into an imaginative dvd player and then got back on the bench again. I don't think I'd ever seen such involved imaginative play from him. He also carried the "baby" around with him and put her on the swing next to us, and later when another kid came to use that swing, Jack mentioned that he sat on the baby!

When we got home from the park Jack saw our next door neighbor Dominick who's about a year older than Lauren. He was home because it's Spring break here this week. He was driving his little yellow Corvette around and he was gracious enough to let Jack ride shotgun. Jack was BEYOND thrilled! Jack also tried to drive himself, but he didn't seem to get the pedals. Dominick's dad Derek was saying that he's growing out of that car and he may upgrade to a bigger one. I told him we would be interested to buy the Corvette if he wanted to get rid of it, since Lauren and Jack are the perfect size for it. We may have to clear out some space in the garage!

I picked Lauren up from preschool and she accompanied me to get some lunch, and then we had a playdate with Taylor when we got home. The we ran home for a quick early dinner, then off to soccer. Lauren was a bit confused because Coach Ashton was out this week and they had Coach Mike as a substitute. Actually that really cracked her up that he had the same name as Daddy. There weren't so many players present on our team, so Lauren got plenty of time on the field. Most of the time she skipped around and followed the crowd, but I did see her actually kick the ball when it came near her at one point, and that's a first!

Saturday the kids went with Mike to an Expo at USF which was all about sustaining the environment. Apparently there was a bounce house and there re few pics of them climbing around in a hummer. Beyond thatI don't have many deatils but I've asked Mike to blog about it. (We'll see if that happens!) I had to stay home to take delivery on our new king matteress for our master bedroom. It's HUGE! We had orderd the low profile box springs, ut they brought regular box springs, and with the pillowtop it puts it up about levelm with my hips, and I'm tall! The kids were amazed when they got home and had fun climbing up there and jumping off before I shooed them off because it's too dngerous. I cracked my head open a few times jumping on the bed, (real ER visits) when I was little, so it makes me very nervous!

Today was sort of a slow day since it was cooler and rainy. The kids both seem to be developing a cough, Jack has some nasal congestion and Lauren has some weird green gunk draining out of her red eyes. So we stayed inside today. Another cute thing Jack did after dinner, he pretended there was snow on the ground, and had a pretend snow ball fight with me, then he laid down and said he was making an angel! He's just in his own world sometimes.

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Thu, Apr 10, 2008 11:03 PM
Wednesday Lauren had school, and despite the fact that every day lately that she has school she says she doesn't want to go, when we get there she's happily skipping down ahead of me to get to class, not to metntion when I go to pick her up, she doesn't want to leave!

Another cute story I didn't want to forget, as I scooped her in my arms and we were looking for the moon before bedtime last night, I said "There it is, it's just a little sliver." And she said "Yes, Mommy, it's a crescent." I was so shocked I almost dropped her! I guess she IS learning something at that school!

Anyway, they each had another good swim lesson, and since our lessons are in the afternoons, Sara was with us we were able to split up, so that as I was watching Jack during his lesson, Lauren went with Sara down the slide, which is like something from a water park. I was sort of bummed to miss that experience with Lauren, but I've been under the weather with a terrible sore throat and laryngitis, so I wasn't feeling up to going in the water. I must say, Lauren is quite the dare-devil and didn't have any trepidation going down that thing. After Jack's lesson ws over, we asked him if he wanted to go I was surprised that he didn't have the slightest interest. All he wants after his lesson is the treat which is a piece of candy from Miss Emma's box. We should just call it "Baby Crack"!

Today we had playgroup at a wonderful playground with a shade covering which I was so grateful for because it was baking hot. Oddly enough, soon after we got there Jack kept saying he wanted to go home. I'm not sure what that was about other than it got sort of crowded there at one point. He also gets so hot, he was sweating. Lauren had fun seeing Thomas who is her buddy from school last year. They were chasing each other around like old times.

Today's swim lesson went very well, there was absolutely no crying from Jack and I'm seeing visible improvement from both of them. I'm amazed at how rapid the learning is with just 10 minutes a day. They lingered quite a while at the playground on the way out. They love the see-saw there, it's so cute to see them bumping each other up and down. Jack is heavier than Lauren, but her legs are much longer, so she has better leverge.

Another thing we've been dealing with at bedtime is Lauren's resistence to going to sleep. Or should I say staying in bed. She will find a million excuses to get out of bed. She's quickly learned that if she says she needs to go potty, I will let her, and I'm not sure how to handle that since more than half the time she really does hav to go, even if she just went few minutes before. But there's a lot of other excuses, "I need more water", and the hardest to deal with 'I'm too scared to sleep" I'm re-reading the Supernanny book and tonight I tried her technique of just saying "No, it's bedtime." and returned her her bed, no more talking or eye contact. I was sure we'd have another appearence after that, but it did the trick. She did scream just a few times, but she didn't get up any more. I guess I just need to be firm and not so responsive to all her little requests.

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Tue, Apr 8, 2008 10:32 PM
Yesterday was our first refreher swim classes through ISR (Infant Swim Resource) with Miss Emma. It went very well. First of all, Lauren was bouncing in her chair saying "I can't wait til it's my turn!" That was a good sign right there, and indeed she took to the water like a duck. There was a big smile on her face the entire time. She did swallow a little bit of water, but she gave a big burp which is actually great. Jack was interested and was happy to get in the water at first, but there was some screaming when he remembered, "Oh yeah, this is hard work, I have to hold my breath and kick and everything!" But he quickly got over it and had a pretty good lesson after that.

This morning I took them to Pride park, which is a public park next to our local elementary school. I thought since this week is spring break here, it wouldn't be crowded with big kids. Instead, there was a birthday party going on. I thought, well, it's a public park, so we have every right to play here as well. What I didn't realize was that the partyy was for a little girl named Maggie who was turning 4. Lauren started playing chalk with her and this whole pack of girls her age, and soon she had comletely installed herself right into their party. Luckily the Mom, Suzy, was extreme gracious and invited us to participate in the craft and have pizza and drinks and cupcakes. I had also seen some of the other Moms at Kidz Club before, and some of their kids also went to Hand in Hand Academy, Lauren's preschool from last year, and where she's returning in the Fall. I was so mortified, but every time I tried to extract them, something else was going on that I just couldn't drag them away from. The worst was when we were finally leaving and Lauren kept screaming that she wanted a goody bag. I tried to explain that we just met them, so they didn't have one for us, but somehow it did not penetrate her 4 year old brain! I did get their phone number and I plan on tracking down their address and sending them a card. I would love to invite them over for a playdate too.

Today's swim lesson was even better. Lauren was still all smiles. She has to be reminded to turn over and breathe and rest while floating. It seems like she'd rather just hold her breath the whole way to the wall. She's also working on some stroke technique to try to encourage her to use her arms more. But Miss Emma said she's very strong and fast. She reminds me so much of myself when I was learning to swim! Jack was more resistent at first getting in, but once he was in he didn't cry at all, and actually had a great lesson. He has more to learn about keeping his head down so that his feet can rise to put him in the right swimming position, but he's doing so well already. I'm so proud of my two little fishes!

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Sun, Apr 6, 2008 11:31 AM
Wednesday we aquired a little freestranding basketball hoop from one of Jack's playgroup buddies. It's now on our lanai and seeing a lot of action as the kids keep asking to go out there to play. I am realizing that we really should play out there as much as possible before it gets too hot!

Thursday we had a playdate with Taylor, and Hailey actually walked a few steps which was exciting! She's at the point where she could totally do it, she just needs to build her confidence. We hadn't had them over for a long time due to Hailey's nap schedule, so it was nice to recipricate for a change, since we're always over at their house tearing the place apart!

Friday I had to get pick up Lauren late because Sara couldn't come, and Jack was still napping. (That HAD to be the day he sleeps 2 hours!) Then we had to hustle to get Lauren a snack and dressed in all her gear and then it was off to soccer. She seems a bit more comfortable with the whole thing, but she didn't play for the first half of the game. It was hard trying to keep her attention on the field. I made the faux-pas of asking the coach if he needed another player, because there were only 4 and I thought they were supposed to have 5. He had Lauren come join the game, but told another girl to go sit down. What I didn't realize was that yet another girl was on a water break, and she soon came back. OOPS. I am making a personal vow to shut the heck up and just watch supportively from the sidelines! It was my turn to provide snacks, so I brought watermelon cubes with toothpicks and little individual bags of cheez-its. They seemed to go over pretty well. Dinner was sort of a wash when we got home, but I guess I shouldn't be suprised.

Yesterday Lauren had ballet and her teacher, Miss Joan asked us to come into the room to learn the routine so we can practice at home. I had Jack with me (Mike had an event at school to attend), but he sat and watched very patiently, I was impressed.

Afterwards I took them down to Brandon to get Sadie's dogfood, and then we had lunch at Denny's. There was a balloon artist there, so Lauren got a big flower nd Jack got a helicopter. But the most exciting thing for them was their rocket ship cups for their drinks with bog curly straws. They ate OK, but it took FOREVER, punctuated by runs to the bathroom, visits with the kids at the next table etc. As we were leaving someone asked me if they were twins. I guess it's easy to get that impression since Jack is gaining on Lauren.

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