Caillou

There are several children's shows/cartoons that I don't mind watching with the kids, but there is one in particular that I CANNOT stand... Caillou! I avoid turning on this cartoon as much as possible, but every now & then, my sneaky kids start channel surfing & happen across this whiny little Canadian boy. And, I think that is the one & only thing I hate about this cartoon... he whines ALL the time!! He whines about his sister, when he wants something, when he's upset... ALL the time! I get enough whining at home with my own kids. Why do I want to hear more whining for another 30 minutes from a cartoon kid on TV? It just absolutely drives me crazy when I hear his voice! It's like nails across a chalkboard for me! I CAN'T STAND THE WHINING!! I'll take Barney any day over Caillou!

Why??

Why does it have to be God's will instead of my will? Why can't God's will always be what I want? Sometimes, praying for His will to be done is the toughest thing for me to ask...

Did God make Aliens?

Today, the twins & I were discussing how God creates babies inside their mommy's tummies. We talked about how He created both of them in my stomach at the same time. Then, we talked about how He created Nicholas 2 years later. We talked in length about God's different creations, then Samuel surprised me when he asked, "Did God make aliens?"

"No" was not an acceptable answer for him. He actually got upset when I explained that aliens were just pretend creatures, like monsters and ghosts. Maybe he knows something I don't...

Done with Diapers!

That's it! I am done getting kicked in the shins by a wiggly kid who hates to have his diaper changed! Potty training starts today!!

After I changed Nick's dirty diaper this morning, I about lost it. I practically have to sit on his legs with my knees in order to avoid being kicked repeatedly. All the while, he is yelling at me "no... no". And, when I have to clean those extra sensitive areas that little boys have, he says, "ouch... ouch!" It has become such a battle between the two of us & I am done with it! So, every 15 minutes, he & I make a trip to the potty & pray for success. We turn on the faucet in the hopes that the noise of running water will contribute to this success. And, we sit & wait & wait & wait... He has been successful once today & such a big deal was made of it. However, his diaper has been clean & dry in between. Always a good sign! He is now napping, so we'll see what the afternoon brings...

Wish us luck!

Swimming & Watching Fireworks

In addition to enjoying our neighborhood's 4th of July parade, we also spent most of the day swimming and relaxing with our friends. Kelli's parents live in this great big house with a swimming pool, a hot tub & a theater upstairs. We swam until we were all shriveled & wrinkly... we ate until we were stuffed... and we watched Firewall in the theater, while all the kids watched The Little Rascals downstairs. Then, we all headed to the new Firewheel Mall to enjoy the fireworks show. It was so much fun!

(It was much more enjoyable due to the fact that Teresa literally saved Nick's life! I'm forever grateful, but still can't talk about it. Maybe later...)

Samuel is swimming like a pro:






Sydney is content to hang on to the side of the pool:


All the kids (minus Jackson) are waiting for the fireworks to start:

Unsolicited Advice is Unwelcome!

I get so irritated & angry when strangers offer unsolicited advice about how to raise my children!!! My blood starts boiling & I'm almost certain you can see steam spewing out my ears. This instance was no different...

We took the kids swimming last night after dinner to their Uncle Jake's pool at his apartment complex. We've been several times before, both during the day & in the evening. After about an hour or more of swimming in the pool, we decided to relax and chill out in the hot tub. The kids LOVE the hot tub and have been in this one several times before. In fact, they spent a lot of July 4th sitting in a hot tub at a friend's home. So, hot tubs are really nothing new to us or them. As we get out of the pool & start walking towards the hot tub, a couple (probably in their 40s or 50s & without kids) opens the gate surrounding the pool area & starts heading towards the hot tub as well. Usually, the hot tub is such a small area, that this would be uncomfortable, but this particular one is especially big, so it doesn't bother me one bit. So, after they get in, Jake, Sammy & I get in each holding a kid in our arms. We situate ourselves on the opposite side, which is a good distance away from this couple. After we all get in & are enjoying ourselves, this man tells me from across the way that it's not safe for them to be in here. He says it's "too hot". I politely smiled & just said that they seemed to enjoy it & returned my attention to my family. Meanwhile, this couple lit up their cigarettes & sat on the opposite side talking. After a bit of time soaking, I got out to check Nick's swim diaper. He was clean, so I climbed back in the hot tub with him in my arms. As I was walking over to where Jake & Sammy sat with the twins, this man asked me, "How old is he?" (Pointing to Nick.) I said that he was almost 2. He pointed to the hot tub rules & guidelines posted on a sign behind him & told me, "It says here that the hot tub is not recommended for kids his age. It's too dangerous." He proceeded to tell me that the chlorine levels they put in hot tub water are not safe for babies' skin. It's too harsh... dries out their delicate skin... blah... blah... blah! I replied that he has been in a hot tub several times before, thanks for your concern. And, then he said, "Well, I've never seen you here before." WHAT?!?! Is he the hot tub police? I looked at him & said, "We usually come during the day." Then, I was so mad at myself for saying that because it felt like I was trying to justify my decision to him! It's none of his $#@* business! At that point, Sammy looked at me & said, "I'm ready to get out." So, we all did, which is what I'm sure this guy wanted all along. And, then, of course, after fuming for a bit, I came up with all these great "comebacks" to his unsolicited advice:
* "Well, second-hand smoke is far worse for my child than the chlorine in this hot tub, but I'm not asking you to stop smoking, am I?"
* "Just thought you should know that cigarette smoke can cause cancer and numerous other health problems."
* "It's funny that I've raised 2 other children to the age of 4 so far without your help."

There were lots more in my head. I finally had to stop & pray. And, I'm still praying about it...

Celebrating the 4th

We celebrated July 4th by enjoying our neighborhood's first annual parade and picnic. We all had a great time, the kids loved the parade (especially the fire truck!) and we all met new neighbors. It was so much fun and what I have always wanted out of a neighborhood. I sure hope we can find that when we move into our new house.

Sydney & Samuel smiling big:

Patiently waiting for the parade to reach us:
First Annual Northrich 4th of July Parade

Dallas Zoo

Texas Instruments hosts free weekends at the Dallas Zoo about a couple of times a year, which seems to be the only time we make it out there. So, we went last Sunday afternoon while it was HOT, HOT, HOT! Thankfully, they have a children's water play area where the kids spent most of their time. It was a fun family day!

Samuel the Shark

Anytime I tell Samuel he is swimming like a fish, he corrects me... "No, I'm swimming like a shark!" He LOVES sharks lately, so he is thrilled to finally be swimming like one. Well, he's almost there. He prefers to swim underwater, rather than lift his head out of the water, so we've still got some work to do. And, even though he does great in the shallow water, where he is more confident, he feels insecure in the deep end of the pool. But, I am sure he'll be swimming "like a shark" by the end of this summer!

Today, I finally bought him some good swim goggles instead of the cheap ones he had been wearing. The new Speedo goggles actually keep the water out of his eyes, which is good since he enjoys swimming under the water entirely. We didn't have these goggles when we went to the pool yesterday & his poor little eyes were so red & irritated for the rest of the night. It hurt me to look at him. So, he was excited to wear them at the pool today. They did the trick!

I've always loved swimming & have been anxiously awaiting the day one of my kids can swim with me. So, I will be thrilled when Samuel & I can finally race each other up & down the pool!

Daddy's Little Boy

Nicholas has become a HUGE Daddy's boy lately! It's crazy, because I feel like I'm the one who is home all day with him, who caters to his every need, who cuddles with him, who comforts him, who plays with him, who reads to him all day long and yet the minute he sees his Daddy, I am but a distant memory!! (Just so it doesn't sound like I'm dissing Sammy, he does do all of the above mentioned also.) For instance, on Friday, Sammy got up early with Nicholas and spent some time with him before he had to leave for work. So, when he walked out the front door, you would have thought Nicholas was in immense pain by the sound of his crying. It was pathetic! I felt so sorry for him because he wanted his Daddy so bad. He kept crying "Daddy, Daddy..." Then, he would ask, "Where Daddy go?" (He asks this about everything! "Where bunny go?" "Where Sydney go?") So, I explained that Daddy had to go to work. Later that afternoon, we were swimming at a friend's pool & Nicholas was getting a little tired. He started fussing a bit and crying again for his Daddy. When my friend, Kelli, asked him why he was sad, he said, "Daddy go work. I wanna go Daddy work." My heart broke! He said that same phrase several times, "I wanna go Daddy work." Poor little guy. He adores his Daddy!