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.