It's official

My baby turned five yesterday :) :( I am incredibly proud of her, she is smart, sweet and funny. I could not ask for a better kid but I can't believe how fast it's gone by. I brought cupcakes to her class, Rylan had to tag along. I was so nervous he would be awful. But he was scared to death of all the kids who thought he was the greatest thing, there were 11 of them all crowding him, touching him and talking to him at the same time. He didn't move, he sat on my lap petrified and quiet, lol. At cupcake time he calmly sat in a chair next to his sister and ate his with no incidence. Then he stole hers, and the kids on the other side. It was alright with them, they just ate the frosting off and left the bottoms.

Saoge started soccer tonight, there are 6 kids on her team. She only knows one, a little boy in her class. The two of them are the only first time players and they both did terrific despite it! She LOVED it and can't wait for the weekend to do it again. Rylan shocked me and was great for the hour as well. He was upset that he couldn't go on the field or steal their balls but handled it very well. I totally forgot to bring him his own ball, oops. Not that I think that will help, he wants to play with Saige, but he was getting right into cheering them all on screaming GO and clapping his hands.

Candy Land

These two just because I like them, playing with daddy's shoes.





The birthday girl
Rylan pouting because daddy took the battery out of the jeep, he loves it but doesn't steer it-just goes and plays demolition derby with anything and everything in his way.


Having a tantrum in the chair because I told him no soda. He had enough, we didn't give him any but he snuck around and stole everyone else's all day long. Could be why he is still up at 9pm.On uncle RJ's bike with Papa, he REALLY likes bikes.

The swingset, it took ALL day yesterday and it still wasn't done, but we managed to get it done in time for the party. She was thrilled and I would love to add pictures showing how much but it's all video, same for the pinata, was was pretty funny. Someday I am going to learn to edit and post them, I have been saying that for years though so don't hold your breath.
And finally the cake, which could also contribute to why they were wound right up and Ry-guy is still sitting here. It took 4 cakes, 6 cans of frosting and well you can see the candy for yourselves, lol. Thankfully Saige forgot about hers and the boys took home their pinata candy. I also managed to get send off all but a couple pieces of cake. I think I did a pretty good job.


All in all it was a great day, she was one happy little girl.

Soccer practice got canceled, The coach wasn't going to be there anyway but his wife was. She called and her kid is sick and it's cold and rainy, well it was until about 20 minutes ago now the sun is out.

I have one disappointed kid. She has moved on to "how many more minutes until next Thursday?"

I am a dumbass

The swing set is in!!! and I ruined it.

Toys R Us called, it said it on the caller ID and when I answered the woman asked for Barb, I said no, then she asked if Eugene was there, again I said no. So she said sorry I must have the wrong number....
AND I piped in Wait, I'm Tara are you calling about the swing set? and she said oh yes, for Tara, it's here.

Sweet.

Except Saige was sitting right there when I blurted it out and jumped up screaming "I'm getting a new swing set!!!!" I can't believe I am such an idiot. In my defense she was playing quietly and I had no idea she was right there.

I broke one of my cardinal parenting rules and I lied. I told her we were just trying to get a piece to fix her old one and that it wasn't a birthday present but they didn't have it anyway so maybe someday we will get her a new one. I told her I was getting her a new mop for her birthday, she grimaced and said can I have a new broom too? LOL I don't think she bought it, but she isn't sure and she'll be happy anyway when she sees it. Now wish us luck getting it assembled in time.

Now I am really wishing we had invited her friends to her party. We decided one last year of a family party since we are really tapped from the gift and couldn't really afford to do it elsewhere. My house is tiny and I was afraid I would invite all these people and it would be nasty and we would be stuck inside unable to move and no where to sit. Plus everyone has been on warning it would be postponed if the swing set didn't come in. It's suppose to be 82, so outside shouldn't be an issue, but I think 3 days warning is a bit late. I am going to have enough cake to feed an army, and enough candy for six armies. I know 90% will get tossed, there is no way I am letting them eat that much and what is left will last until Halloween if not longer.

Soccer practice starts tonight, I am not sure who is more excited, Saige who keeps asking "how many more minutes?" every thirty seconds or me. I am excited too, but half dreading it because I just KNOW that Rylan is not going to be happy that he can not go play with all the kids and balls. I plan to bring him his own ball to play with, but to him it will not be the same... he will want someone else's ball and he will want to be right there with the other kids. I'm mentally preparing for the stares that say why can't you control your kid, when he throws a never ending fit. Of course I am hoping by throwing that out here, he will prove me wrong and be angelic, lol.

Busy day

I had a parent-teacher conference for Saige this morning. She is doing wonderfully and her teacher says she is more than ready for Kindergarten next year. I love hearing great things about her, it's nice to know my thinking she is great kid is not just my bias speaking. Plus I know I need to enjoy it while it lasts.

Then I spent two hours arguing over a bill.... I was right. It should not have taken two hours. At least they spoke English.

Rylan had a hearing evaluation today also. It went much better than the first, he is in normal range. She said it could be lower but normal. I actually think it's better than the test shows. We were in a tiny sound proof room and the lady was in a booth making noise in the corners of the room and waits to see when he looks. He was not happy about being in the little room and he did really well the first couple of minutes and then stopped looking. He was sitting in my lap saying uh uh and GO. He had just had enough I think he heard a lot more than he let on but was just being Rylan.

She did say that one of his ears is possibly plugged but it could be that she had a bad angle with the machine. Huh? I told her to do it again to be sure it wasn;t a bad angle, she didn't. That kind of pissed me off, I have to pay almost $400 for the 20 minutes so damn it I want actual results not well we can't be sure when it only took three seconds and a push of a button.

On a good note though she did say she recommends a hearing evaluation but will put us in touch with Early Intervention. I am so relieved, they come here. I dreaded the idea of forking over another $400 to take him to yet another hospital over an hour away with a stranger. I already know how that would go- he would not cooperate and I would still have to pay for nothing. Someone coming here where he is comfortable sounds much better to me, they can see him where he is comfortable and I think it will be much more beneficial to him that way. They also do follow up and work with him if they think he needs it, in our home.

We went to Target since we were near by to get Saige her shorts for soccer that starts this week and let her pick out her pinata for her birthday party. She is going to miss her first game, because of her birthday party, but in fairness I had no idea when soccer was starting until the coach called last night. I am kinda upset, I figure it would be great entertainment to see a bunch of 4 year olds FIRST GAME when none have played before and after only 1 practice but....

Of course this is assuming her gift shows up, we got a rain check weeks ago on a swing set (this is not a typical gift but we need a new one, the one we have is rusty, falling apart and tetnus waiting to happen, plus it is something that should last a LONG time and is really for both of them and any future chidren if I ever lose my mind as well) and they said it should be there Thursday but possibly not until next Thursday, which just wont do. They made me give them $150 just to order it and still can't tell me when it will be coming for sure. GRRRRR I understand things take time but they waited TWO weeks before calling me and saying hey we need 20% down just to order it.... could have told me two weeks ago and ordered it then. I am not overly thrilled with Toys R Us at the moment. So if it's not in by Friday I am going to postpone the party two weeks. Reading reviews it's going to take us two days to get it put together and I really want to surprise her with it on the day of the party. Well again assuming that Rob, RJ and I can get it together before the party while the kids are at my moms. I will most likely just stay out of the way, it will probably speed up the process.

Anyway...Target is huge, we have only been there twice, Rob and Rylan wandered off and it took about 45 minutes of walking repeatedly around the store to find them. I swear I need a leash for that man... he does this at Walmart and pretty much everywhere and I get so annoyed as I spend countless minutes dodging carts looking for him so we can leave while my frozen stuff melts. I also got most of the stuff I need for the Candy Land cake I am going to attempt to make. I don't have much faith, I lack patience and attention to detail for this sort of thing, but I am going to try. If it's semi decent I will share pictures, if not I'll just tell you about it, lol.

Then we stopped at the pet store and got Saige the fish I have been promising her. She wanted feeder fish, lol. I didn't complain so we got her 10 for a buck. They are actually pretty large for feeder fish except for one really ugly creepy white one with orange around it's eyes. I hate fish. But I figure out of 10 a couple should last at least a little while.

Easter pictures

In no particular order. It was COLD out. Saige is on vacation this week and (knock on wood) it has been terrific weather wise, 60's and perfect. We've been busy outside enjoying it while it lasts. Anyway back to Easter, the kids each got three baskets and three egg hunts. Well Saige had four if you count the one my SIL took her to on Saturday. There is absolutely no doubt they are beyond spoiled, and I swear most of it does NOT come from us. Saige was thrilled with her magnifying glass, it was all she wanted so she could be a Science Kid, lol.

They both had a blast, Rylan had no interest in the eggs at home (where the Easter bunny hid them INSIDE because it was flipping freezing out there, lol) but did pick up 3 at MILs. By the time we got to my moms Rob and I were sufficiently frozen so they went out with my dad and we watched from the windows. Okay I watched from the window, Rob passed out on the couch, did I mention they were up at the ungodly hour of 6:30? Rylan did get one and chased around Saige who had the basket but she wasn't sharing, he finally tired of trying to put it in and threw it at her.

There is enough candy to last 50 kids a lifetime here. I left them a couple and put the rest in the freezer to stuff in Saige's pinata she wants for her birthday party, so I can make everyone else take it home. I told Saige she could have one piece a day but she has forgotten the last two. That's a plus.

I am starting a countdown. 2 years and 5 1/2 months and counting until Rylan starts school. I love him dearly but I think I am ready to send him for a couple hours a day. Think I could get away with claiming he is just short for his age and doctoring the birth certificate?

I made the mistake of taking him to Walgreens with me last week for what should have been a 5 minute trip, to pick up Saige's picture with the Easter bunny it took almost 45. He is at an age where he no longer wants to ride in the cart. He much prefers to walk and rip everything off the shelves and scream when I tell him no and put it back. Then he moves on to the next thing and it's a viscous cycle. If you have been to Walgreens you know that their carts are not exactly safe for kids who want to fight their way out with all their might and my dearest hubby an over his stroller or something, I really don't know he ran it over but either way it's mangled. So I am left with the choice of him jumping out on his head or letting him walk. I could carry him but he is rotten and I can only handle so many kicks and his head with should be classified as a dangerous weapon. Normally I would have picked him up and just left but Walgreens is a 35 minute drive one way and it really would not have been fair to the child who was behaving and wanted her Easter bunny picture in bad way. She even cleaned her room that morning all on her own and came and got me and said mommy can I now PLEASE have my Easter bunny picture, pretty pretty Please? Needless to say his little heiney will be sitting home with daddy while I shop for a long time coming.

Bunny Brunch

Why can I never remember my camera when I go to school? I usually think of it, as I pull into the parking lot :(

Today was Saige's Bunny Brunch, it was fun. Of course I always think it's fun when I go to school, 4 year olds are cute. They all had made their own rabbit ears, the teacher broke out the lipstick and eyeliner and gave them all pink noses and whiskers. She told them she was doing this yesterday, Saige wanted to go to bed around 1 pm so she could get to school to be a bunny, lol.

Brunch consisted of cucumbers, celery, carrot sticks, dip, crackers, and cheese. Plus one of the boys brought everyone a little chocolate rabbit. There were 4 of us parents, can you guess which four kids actually ate their veggies instead of going straight for the chocolate and tossing the green stuff? LOL I was proud of her, apparently my presence was enough. Everyone else was eating the candy and she ate almost all her veggies and then said mommy can I eat my chocolate now? I never told her she couldn't.

She insisted on the bunny get up for the rest of the day, we had to take Rylan to the doctors (he loved that, and was so cooperative to the doctor checking his ears.... not). One of the nurses saw her and said oh wow it's the Easter Bunny. Saige told her, "no I am just a fake one, but don't be upset no one is allowed to see the real one, he is magic like Santa" lol. Then we hit three different stores, picked up her picture with another fake Easter bunny from Walgreens, everyone got a kick out of her and she ate it right up. The picture came out pretty cute, we went shopping Sat, the bunny was a surprise, but she was thrilled. She has been hounding me to go get the picture ever since.

I'm not sure what kind of eyeliner the teacher uses but I had a hell of a time getting those whiskers off, I want some of that, lol. I hope the lipstick comes off her clothes a bit easier, I did end up breaking out one of mine and redoing her nose about 12 times. She was NOT happy about me not letting her keep it on at bathtime. I told her she can do it again tomorrow when we color eggs. Hopefully I will remember to break out the camera for that one.

On another note hubby finally made me a garden box!!!! I am thrilled, now I have to get soil, lol. I want two more but honestly I was beginning to lose hope on getting any. My seeds are all sprouted, I am so ready for warm weather that is here to stay. Unfortunately mother nature is not cooperating with me. It's cold and has been snowing for days. Some stuck yesterday, we had a half inch, it was still coming down this morning but the ground is clear again. It's still cold, cold, cold.

Things the damn dog ate this week:
2 fuzzy duck slippers
1 cardboard box
3 rubber toys heads, we now have a collection of headless bath barn squirters (at least I don;t have to worry about cleaning them anymore)
1 box of Rice Krispies, cereal, box and most of the bag.

snow

It's been snowing all day. It's not sticking so it could be worse. I blame you Amnesty.... you cursed me, otherwise it would be sunny and warm. Really. Could you maybe comment about 70 degrees and nice? LOL

Not a whole lot happening around here. We got our seeds started, now just waiting for the good weather. We've had a few nice days and I have to say it is such a relief to get outside. Rylan is up to about 25 words, not great but a huge improvement for him so I am happy. Saige is doing great in school, just a couple short weeks until my baby is 5 :(


blowing kisses
Their matching Spongebob jammies
Doesn't she look pretty... right down to her ankles, lol. I noticed the night before class pictures her dress shoes no longer fit and I was not going to run out at 8 pm to buy new ones.
Rylan likes the pink rain boots.