Austin's 5th Birthday

Brian made it home just in time of Austin's birthday.  On Friday morning, Austin liked being called the birthday boy.  Brian took the kids to school for half a day.  I ordered pizza and Brian dropped it off for Austin's class for lunch.  Both classes had rice krispy treats for dessert.  we picked up the kids at 12:30pm and we went to Zip City for toddler time.  It was a lot of fun!  I definitely want to go back.  Kids had a great time!  Then we went to diary queen to pick up Austin's cake.  We came home and Austin had me blow up several balloons to decorate the house. Brian took Sydney to store to get Austin a birthday present. She decided to get him a big box of crayons.  We have a diaper wipe container full of crayons so we really didn't need crayons.  However that is what Sydney wanted to get him.  (On a side note, they have left the crayons in the box and they love them and use them every day). Then my parents came over for dinner. We went to steak and shake per Austin's request.   Austin had chicken and Sydney had a cheeseburger.  They both like cheeseburgers now.

After dinner, we came home and we took our family birthday picture.  It's always a challenge to get the kids to look at the camera and not put their hands in the cake for the picture.  It drives Brian and I nuts!  We think they are old enough to understand now but still make it so difficult!  After pictures, we let Austin open his presents.  He is learning about being thankful and greedy.  He wants more and Brian had a good talk with him to be thankful for what he got and not ask for more.  My parents got him a cape and mask he can decorate.  We got him a Cavs jacket, intro to circuits board that he can make things, and balance bucket.  

After presents, we sang happy birthday to Austin.  He loved it!  Him and Sydney blew out the candles together.  Austin started too but they put so many candles on it he needed help.  He allowed Sydney to help.  Sydney was happy.

On Saturday, we had Austin's friend party.  Austin wanted a teenage mutant ninja turtle birthday party this year.  Austin had a lot of say about his birthday party this year.  Brian and Austin did a photo shoot to make the picture of the perfect birthday invitation.  We ended up inviting 38 kids.  We had to invite both of his classrooms since he just moved up.  I let Austin pick out a birthday shirt for him.  He was a ninja turtle with a 5 on it with his name.  It was orange for Michealanglo (his favorite).  He has never watched ninja turtle turtles before but likes them.

I also let him pick out the party favors.  We got ninja turtle bags with ninja turtle learning to read books.  Each bag got one book.  Then a turtle mask and little typical party favors.  I also let Austin pick out his cupcakes for his party too.  I got some from a local bakery but they were expensive so I got some from a grocery store (those ones had rings on them).  They were all very cool

His party started at 3:15pm.  We had it at Pump It Up.  They jumped for an hour then we had the party room for pizza and cupcakes.  The kids loved it!  I didn't see either of them the entire party.  They were running around in all of the bounce houses.  It was a lot of fun!  Austin loved it!  We had Pizza Hut pizza which is good since that is the only pizza Austin will eat.  Then we allowed the kids to pick out a cupcake they want.  They had lots of options to choice from.  Austin had a great birthday party!  We decided to open his gifts at home.  He got a lot of legos!  He got a laptop toy, sleeping bag and slippers, ninja turtle hat, and ninja turtle cars.

Austin had a great 5th birthday!  Now that it's over Sydney is excited to start planning hers.

Brian goes to China

On Tuesday, Brian had leave for China for work.  It was a first real snowstorm this year too.  So he had to leave early at 7am to get there.  He got there in plenty of time.  His plane was actually delayed because of the snow.  He had a flight to Detroit.  Then he had 3-4 hour layover there.  Then he got on his flight to China for 10 days.

The kids knew he was leaving. They were sad but excited for him to come home.  When Brian gets home, it will be Austin's birthday.  Austin is so excited for his birthday.  Austin is also excited to talk to Brian via the computer.  Sydney made a count down until when Daddy comes home.  Austin has a countdown for his birthday which is basically the same thing.  Sydney decided that she wanted an airplane (that I made on my cricut) as a countdown until he comes home.

On Tuesday, Austin and Sydney started big kid story-time.  It's in the afternoon now.  I am sad because we love our old story-time but I can't have Austin in a 3 year old story-time.  They did amazingly well.  They even sat with all the other kids while I sat with the adults.  That is a huge step for Austin.  After story-time, we played at home until dinnertime.  For dinner, I took them to Chick Fil A.  The kids were so excited to go there.  Austin was fabulous at dinner.  He sat nicely in his chair until it was time to go and play.  He even ate all of his and Sydney's chicken nuggets.  Sydney only ate her fruit.  She is a terrible eater these days.  She only eats what she wants.

On Wednesday, we went to my parents for breakfast.  Sydney actually did not get up until 9am but we finally made it down there.  We all have fun while there.  I make pancakes and eggs.  The kids have 1 small donuts.  My mom always has crafts for the kids to do too.  They love it!  Then I took the kids to an art class with my mommy group.  The kids made a snow globe.  Sydney had a meltdown because Austin wrote Happy Birthday on his and she wanted it on hers. I told her it was her birthday and she cried for about 10 minutes.  It was lovely!  After the craft, the kids got to play in the different art stations.  Austin had a great time!

On Thursday it was my first day working with the kids alone.  For some reason the kids got up before 6am.  If I didn't have to work, I could have got them back to bed but I couldn't.  We all got ready and then Skype Brian.  It was a great morning.  I dropped them off at school and got to work reasonably.  After work, I went straight and picked them up.  There was still snow on the ground but it was melting fast.  We got our snow clothes on and went and played in it.  Sydney stayed out for about 15 minutes then she went inside.  I set her up at the front window working on her computer so I could see her the entire time while I built a snowman with Austin right out front.  Austin was proud of his brother and sister snowmen.

Friday morning was a bit of a disaster.  Austin wanted to lay in bed longer and I did that but it wasn't long enough.  He cried so much that he woke up Sydney.  We talked to Brian briefly.  Then they decided they wanted pancakes.  We did not have any so I made homemade ones quickly.  They ate them at school.  After work, I had to go home and clean before picking them up.  Then we went to Kaitlyn's to play in the evening.  Before bed the kids, Skype Brian.  Then we went to bed.

On Saturday my in laws were in town.  They spent the morning and afternoon with us.  The kids enjoyed playing board games like trouble and hoot owl hoot with them.  Austin also loves playing the fish game on Nana's Ipad.  We went and saw the play Goodnight Moon.  It was cute.  The kids enjoyed Runaway Bunny more.  I let the kids watch a movie that night.  They don't get to watch many movies but I let them and they enjoyed it.

Sunday was my roughest day.  Sydney just wasn't happy all day long.   Sydney was just a disaster!  It started off before church. Sydney put in like 8 hair clips in her hair. I made her take them out because it looked terrible.  Well that was a mistake.  She cried all the way to church and when I dropped her off.  I was actually late to church because she would not stop crying. Finally she did and I could go.  I had to stand during church.  

Then I had to grocery shop. We all went to Walmart. That went fairly well.  We got home and Austin was very helpful putting groceries away with me.  We had lunch. I made Sydney lunch she won't eat it wanted new things. 

We had to leave for basketball. Austin was again great.  He was excited to go (besides really pushing Sydney down for some reason). So I am getting everything ready. Sydney refused to get her shoes on.  Austin and I went outside to load the car. I come back and she refuses shoes.  I tell her to put them on and I take the recycle out. Come back in and still no shoes. I pick her up and put her in the car screaming without shoes.  She cries all the way to basketball.  The roads were slippery.  We only had an inch of snow but timing wasn't good.  We get there.  

Luckily Austin was eager to do this because Sydney wouldn't let me put her down.  There are chairs against the wall for parents to sit.  It was crowded.  Neha said next to me.  Austin went right out there and practiced.  Sydney barely let me get a camera or anything.  Finally I gave up and used my phone. Then like 10 minutes into the practice Austin has to potty.  I ran with them to potty. Austin goes quickly and I let him run back into the gym per his request. I know Neha and Kanak are there and he is eager to go back while Sydney is still on the potty. Austin does great. Sydney decides she is not leaving the bathroom until AUstin comes back.  She is crying again and is a mess.  I am annoyed because I want to be in the gym!  Finally I tell her she can have fruit snacks if we get back in there.  That worked.  I come back and I guess parents needed to give high five to their kid and Austin was upset I wasn't there! He would only give the coach a high five.  He never mentioned it to me I just heard from Neha.

We came home and played.  I even brought in the basketball hoop for Austin as he requested.  They played in tunnels.  Then we had dinner and left for Skyzone.  Sydney requested to come to the dinner table.  Austin and I ate alone.  He had 3 servings of meatloaf.  He was really hungry.  Finally Sydney comes to dinner and Austin and I are done.  I read a book per Austin's request at the table so Sydney can eat and she cries because she is the only one eating.  She ate meatloaf and refused corn.  Austin wanted a sucker and I let him since he ate great.  I told Sydney she could if she would eat her corn.  She refused and cried.  I finally fed her the corn and she got a sucker in the car to sky zone.  

Sky zone was great for Austin and Sydney.  Kaitlyn wanted to leave within 15 minutes but she got better and stayed.  She is just not a physically active and Austin and Sydney.  Austin asked he next time we can come for 2 hours instead of only 1!  Austin enjoyed the basketball there. We came home and kids had a snack. Sydney wanted a bath and they were in bed asleep by 8:20 pm.  They were exhausted! 

On Monday we went down to my parents for breakfast.  The kids had fun playing.  I was able to get some work done on Austin's birthday party.  I was surprised how many RSVP's kept coming in.  Austin is going to have a big party.  Around lunchtime, we came home.  Trish and Kaitlyn came over. Trish celebrated Austin's birthday with him.  She got him some cool camper legos.  Then I took the kids to swim class.  It was extremely cold like 5 degrees outside.  The kids had fun swimming and even leaving wasn't that bad.  We came home and the kids went to bed.  I had them to bed a little after 8pm. 

On Tuesday I signed the kids up for a  Kinderalm activity at Metro Park.  The kids learned about woodpeckers.  They listened to story and made a craft.  We went for a brief walk too.  Then we went to the library.  The kids are having fun doing their winter reading program.  I read to them for at least 20 minutes each day.  The kids turn in their form and they get a small prize.  After the library, we went shopping.  After shopping we went to McDonald's for an early dinner.  I didn't want to go back out so we went a little early.  The kids ate a cheeseburger.  Then they were able to play at the play area.  They had fun.  I was able to get the kids to sleep around 8pm.  

On Wednesday I had to work.  We got up at 6 am so they could be at school by 7am so I could get to work.  The kids are not usually there that early but they did not mind too much.  I packed the kids pancakes to eat at school for breakfast.  They liked it.  I got to work and then got the kids afterwards.  We had an relaxing evening at home.  It wasn't too bad taking them so early and picking them up too.  I like the Brian does the mornings when he is home but all and all it was not too bad.  

On Thursday, I had to work again.  It was another early morning for all of us.  It was the same as yesterday.  After school, there was Reading Night at school.  I picked the kids up and Sydney was a disaster.  She cried and cried about everything.  It was difficult not to lose my patience.  We were actually late to reading night because they were upset about so many things.  We finally made it.  Once there, we all had fun.  Kids ate some pizza.  Then the listened to some storied and did some crafts.  We went home and all went to bed.  

I was nervous because there was an ice storm in Shanghai and there was a snow storm in Newark.  I was worried Brian wasn't going to make it home for Austin's birthday.  But luck was on our side and he made it.  Brian was home that night around 11 pm!  It was nice to have Brian back home.  

We got a Camper

People recommend that we go to the RV show this year.  We knew that we wanted to buy a camper this winter/early spring.  We hear great things about camping and it's something we want to do for several years.   Neither Brian or I camped as a kid.  We have camped a few times with a tent and had a great time.  Our tent is old and needed replaced so instead of buying a tent, we got a camper.

We knew we did not want a pop up.  They can be great but too much work for what we want.  We want something easy to come and go.  When we get home, we don't want to set the thing back up again.  That is the reason we didn't get a hybrid either.   We wanted something enclosed and sleeps 6.  We know the kids will want to bring friends eventually so sleeping 6 will be perfect.  We also wanted a slide out and bunk beds.

Before we went to the RV show we went and got Austin's passport renewed.  It's hard to believe it's going to expire.  We needed to get it before Brian went to China.  We are going on a cruise in the spring.  It's crazy to look at Austin's first passport picture and the new one.  He has grown up so fast!  We are so fortunate to be able to travel with our kids.

After we got back from the post office, we hung out at home for a while.  We weren't in too big of rush to get to the RV show.  We had no idea what we were getting into.  We got there around 1:30 pm.  The line was crazy to get tickets.  After we finally got tickets, we went inside.  We realized there are so many campground just around us.  It was cool to see what they have to offer.  Then we started looking at campers.  We had a good idea what we wanted but there were SO many!

We went in all the campers that we the right size and had potential for us.  The kids loved it at first.  Then it became overwhelming for all of us.  I even went out and got the stroller for the kids.  The only time we use a stroller now is either Disney or the zoo.  But this was a lot of walking and we were there for hours!

We finally had it narrowed down to three campers.  One was bigger than we wanted but was a great price.  The middle one was very nice but more than we wanted to spend. The third one was the one we picked out last year but didn't work out since the van couldn't really tow it.  Brian had to negotiate pricing and everything.  I had the kids and they were getting restless.  Finally we caved and got them ice cream so we could talk.  That is something we never do is buy food at a place like this.  However it was past 8pm and still had not eaten dinner. We had some snacks though.

We decided to go with camper number 3.  It was the right price and size.  We were happy with our decision.  The camper place knew Brian was going to China and we couldn't pick it up for a few weeks and they were find with that.   On the way home, Austin said he wanted Pizza Hut for dinner.  That sounded good to us too.  I ordered it and we picked it up near home.  By the time we got there, the kids were sound asleep.  They wanted sleep over food.  We got home and Brian and I had a entire pizza dinner for ourselves.  After the exhausting day the RV show, we deserved it!

Winter Break and New Year's

I worked New Year's Eve.  Brian and the kids were home.  I accidentally took both sets of keys to work with me.  They needed to be at indoor kids play center for a New Year's Eve celebration at 9am.  I got a text around 8:30am asking where his keys were.  I checked and I had both sets.  I had to leave work and bring him keys.  Luckily they made it there in time.  They got to play for an hour and then there was a big balloon drop.  Then they got to play for another hour.

After I got home from work, we had appetizer food for dinner.  The kids liked the mozzarella sticks, pizza rolls, and quesadillas.  We also had potato skins.  Brian set up our old Wii. We haven't played it for several years. I wanted to have it out for something else to do while Brian is in China.  It took a little bit but the kids were able to play bowling.  They also liked playing tennis.  Then it was time for bed.  I had to work New Year's so I went to bed soon after the kids.  Brian was up alone at midnight.

I went to worked New Year's Day too.  After I got home, we took the kids to their first movie at the movie theater.  We saw Alvin and the Chipmunks.  Austin liked it.  Sydney was scared at times especially when they were being chased by the bad guy.  I had to explain to her it was not real.  It was fun for them.

Brian is luckily and has been off from Christmas Eve until the day after New Years.  This year we decided to take a trip to Sesame Place for a day during this break.  We left Monday morning and drove all the way there.  We got there a little after 1:00pm when the park opened.  We stayed all the way till close at 8pm.  The kids rode the rides.  We saw a Christmas show.  They got to see Elmo and Curious George.  We saw the parade twice.  And they rode a little train around the water section of the park.  Austin and Sydney had a great time!  They can't wait to go back in the summer.  It was cold but it wasn't terrible.  It was in the upper 30's.  The kids wore their snow pants so they were warm.  We are very happy we went.

Also during break we went to first Monster's game.  Austin won a monster's hockey shirt at the air show.  He has wanted to go since then.  We got some free tickets so we decided to go.  Austin really liked it.  Sydney just likes to go for the snacks.  She knows she gets fun food while at the Q.  It drives me crazy but it works for us.

Brian took Austin to a Cavs game alone too.  Austin really loves basketball.  It's his favorite sport.  He likes to cheer the Cavs on.  Austin screams so loud he gets T-shirts and balls a lot of the time.  So one night the boys just went.  Sydney and I stayed home and went shopping.  It's so easy to shop with one of the kids.  There is no fighting.  The kids are usually pretty good at the stores but there seems to always be a fight about something or them always touching each other.

It was sad on Monday morning when Brian had to go back to work.  Everyone was sad.  We had great holiday week with him home!