Such a Hayden

Hayden had knee slappers rolling off his tongue today. I wish I would have had a pen and paper handy so I could jot them all down. However, I did not, so I only remember a couple pretty close to exact.

1. We picked the rest of the oranges and lemons off the trees today as I was pruning them. Hayden asked to make lemonade. I told him I really didn't know how to make real lemonade with lemons and sugar. He says, "just watch Ni Hao, Kai Lan and she'll tell you. She knows how, she'll show you."

2. I was cleaning up the kitchen as H and Maya are playing and being extremely loud and crazy. Then, he gets quiet and says to stop. "Maya, we have to stop playing like this, I'm allergic to sisters."

I may start wearing a fanny pack equipped with that pen and paper, there were a few more today that sooo needed to be documented.

Two Years Ago and Now

Two years ago I had an almost 6 month old:

All she did was smile, eat, poop, sleep a little, poop and smile. She was so fun, so happy and so stinking cute!

Now, I have an almost 2 and a half year old that:

Smiles, eats, poops, talks back, sleeps, has a head full of curls, smacks her brother, gives amazing hugs, gives adorable kisses, poops, says she loves us, sings, dances, laughs, loves, is joyous, poops, eats, learns, never sits still, talks amazingly and just absolutely not matter what brings a smile to our faces every single day.

She is so fun, so happy, and so stinking cute!

Mr. Popularity

I don't know what it is with my son, but he seems to have something about him that attracts other kids. I know he didn't get it from me. At the daycare at the gym, he has made so many friends. Most of them I don't know the names of and he doesn't either, but I see him playing and having fun with so many kids. He looks forward to going anywhere where kids will be, even if he doesn't even know them; school, daycare, soccer, camping, anywhere. He gets super bummed if we aren't going to daycare on given day, like Saturday or Sunday. He just has so much fun!

Last week, I over heard him ask one little guy if he would be his friend, the boy said "Oh yes, that's great." Monday a different boy asked if Hayden had to leave and yes we did but we'd be back tomorrow. Sure enough, the same boy was there when we came in, spotted H and just waited for him to come in. Every day we go there he asks if specific kids will be there.

Yesterday at school, this adorable boy was saying goodbye to Hayden and his mom says, "Oh my gosh, we hear about Hayden all day long at our house." (this was his fourth day.) She said she took her son to get his haircut and the boy said he had to get it cut like Hayden. It had to be spiked like Hayden. Then as we are getting to the cars, H's new little friend says, "can we have your phone number so my mom can call you and ask if Hayden can come over to play because that would be so cool if Hayden could come over and play with me." Seriously, didn't take a breath.

I LOVE that Hayden is making friends so easily. I am hoping this will help with the transition to Kindergarten next year (did I really just say that?!) I always had a hard time fitting in and making new friends because I was so shy and it takes me a bit to really "let it all out" I guess. I'm still a bit like this and it bugs the crud out of me. I probably come across as a big stuck up b*#&@, but really, I don't mean to! =) Thankfully, Hayden gets his friend magnet from his dad.

Anyway, I meandered a bit there, huh? I am just quite proud of my little guy and his ability to make friends of all ages! Way to go Dude!

No more Shirley, temporarily

Maya took an evening shower Saturday night. I don't like putting her to bed with a wet head because it's just a mess of tangles in the morning. She was sitting quite nicely when I was combing through her hair so I asked if I could braid it. She said sure. I was halfway done and she got wiggly, but I was able to somewhat finish and her hair was easy to comb through the next morning.

As I just started to comb through, I thought I would give in to the urge I have had for a long time. Since it wasn't in ringlets, I got the flatiron out and ask Miss if I could straighten her hair. She didn't seem to care. She plopped right down on my lap on the floor of my bathroom and let me get to work.

It is AMAZING how different she looked with it straight! Not only does it go halfway down her back, but her running and it flowing behind her was so weird. She would brush it out of her face with her hands like it's always there. I found myself just staring at her thinking how just hair can change a little face so much.

It was a fun two days with her long, straight locks, but her face and spirit was made for those curls.

Home for the Holidays

Our little vacation to Minnesota came to an end on Sunday. We had such a great time will all of our family, it was very, very hard to leave.

The kids were worn out with all the fun they had. They have 6 cousins on Buddy's side, all older than Hayden by two years or more and both Hayden and Maya kept up. From playing outside, inside with toys, all eating at the same table for dinners (not always all 8), up and down stairs, opening gift after gift, Monday morning was so lovely for me to have silence until after 8.

Sadness hit me a couple times at my family's home. It was the first year there that my Grandma wasn't present. I felt her in spirit and through food, but it tugged at my heart a couple times missing her.

Christmas Eve mass was eventful with Maya unable to once sit in the pew. She was on the kneeler, on the floor, in the aisle, in the pew ahead, grabbing hymnals one after the other, playing by her baby cousin, Maggie, and she even belted out a few notes singing along with a couple songs. Hayden fell asleep halfway through the homily (holy longness) and was a great boy the entire service.

Christmas Day was the traditional brunch and relaxation, followed by saying good by to my family and traveling to Buddy's. Caos, cooking, cards, laughter and fun were had by all.

Presents were aplenty and great, the kids had a blast and we are all thankful we were able to be HOME for the Holidays.

I am rambling all over, but I am tired and wanted to post my two favorite pics of the trip. Both are from Christmas Eve. We tried for a nice picture of the two kids by the tree....

Nothing says Merry Christmas that strangling your sister and, well I am not sure what Maya's hand is doing.

Baby it's cold outside, but they love it!

I made a trip to the Thrift store in Olivia today. I was on a hunt for boots for Hayden as he has been begging for some for three days! I lucked out and found some a little big, but he will be able to wear them next year, so all is good. I even picked up a pair of snowpants for Maya. $9 well spent.

After begging, whining, beggin some more, finally cleaning up toys and stopping whining, we broke out the sled. They loved it and I got a good workout in. Pulling over 70 pounds through snow covered streets isn't as easy as it may look. We had fun though. Totally worth it.

It's obviously not a fashion show here. Red jacket, light pink snowpants, dark pink boots. But do you see that smile?! She loves her little ensemble from head to toe!

Maya's hands were up like this through most of the ride. A few times I caught her with them on the ground shoveling through the snow.

See, I'm here too! Not quite the pic I was going for, but can you tell how cold it is? It was about 16 degrees when we were out. It's Christmastime and it's worth it.

A Snowy Day

The kids literally begged me this morning to go and play in the snow! These two are born and raised Arizonans, but do have that Minnesota blood running through them. Hayden is pretty much begging for a pair of boots, but my little hometown has no clothing store and the little place that just might have them, does not. We may need to venture into "the city" (Willmar) to find some. :)
Surprisingly jackets, hats and gloves went on without a fuss and they could hardly wait for me to get my jacket on too. Both of them dove their hands into the white stuff. Their feet kicked at it and sprayed snow everywhere. They walked into the snow, threw it, jumped in, ran, and didn't want to go inside. I was freezing and they wanted to stay at it.
Then tonight, my dad had to do a little shoveling; he only had one foot in his boot when these two were standing next to him and begging to go watch. Bundled up again, they repeated what they did this morning. This was only day one. Tomorrow, we may take out the sled!

Traveling and backtracking

The kids and I took off to Minnesota today. I'm gonna back up just a hair here and give a slight rundown of the previous couple of weeks:

The floors were finished in the new house, I finally finished up all the painting of the 7 rooms I wanted to complete, and I took a load of boxes/stuff/crap on every run to the house. I had to meet cabinet guys/electricians/plumbers/flooring guys everyday at the house by 8 o'clock when most of the time they didn't show up til 9 or 10. (Although through all that, everything looks amazing!)

We moved out of storage and the rental on Thursday. Basically, not everything in the kitchen is done yet, so it is making it very hard to unpack because without counters and drawers, there are NO PLACES to put things.

I came down with a cold Sunday and my ability and desire to continue to put things away went to a halt. I had to clean out the rental and it took me about 4 hours. Although it was nice without the kids running amuck, I wasn't feeling great and really just wanted to be on my couch. And had to pick up the cooktop because the counters we being put in on Monday.

Monday, had to sign H up for preschool, run to the bank/Lowe's/carwash, get gas, feed children, fight a cold all before 1 so the counter guys could put in the countertops. They show up close to 2 and low and behold, they cut the hole wrong for the cooktop and have to redo the dang thing! Still no drawers or doors on the cabinets. Oh and I don't have a sink!

I still have to pack for Minnesota for me and the kids, fight the flipping cold and clean up as best I can, which is very little considering every thing is just boxes and pictures and stuff thrown about.

Tuesday arrives and I am up at four for a 7:50am flight. Buddy gets the kids up around 4:30 and gets them dressed and we are ready to roll right when I wanted at 5:15am. I grab the computer to check the flight status and make sure all is good with weather and all. Then I realize what the *&#@ I have just done. I had looked at Buddy's itinerary the night before, thinking it was odd because I thought I had a 9 something flight but remembered looking at a 7 something flight when I booked.

Our flight was at 9:45! I was up a whole frigging 2 hours early FOR NO REASON! I am thinking I totally need this vacation...

We stayed at home for another hour and got to the airport in plenty of time. The kids ran amuck basically at the gate. I couldn't fight them feeling like crap. Hayden wasn't too bad, just pushing his cars everywhere and going a little to far at times. Maya, she is perpetual motion. Seriously, if anyone knows of something I can give her to just make her pause at times, I will pay good money.

Maya pooped right before take off. The one thing I dread on a flight most is this. Luckily we were in the very last row, so I just changed her there. Thankfully she fell asleep just after takeoff and slept for an hour and a half. She would not sit still in her seat at all. Up, down, up, down, seatbelt on, seatbelt off, slink out of the seat and get seatbelt stuck under her arms and freak, repeat, repeat, repeat, poop again (did she not realize where we were or what?!), and repeat the first parts over.

Hayden was awesome. Best flight with him, ever. He sat great, played, talked, slept the last 20 minutes, just was great.

Anyway, we made it. It's frigging cold here, there is snow over everything and it finally feels like Christmas!! I am feeling better too, the cold is making its way out just in time.

Ya, stop it.

See that face? That sweet looking, adorable round face with the blue eyes and Shirley Temple curls? Well, that little face is about all that is saving her from being shipped UPS to Minnesota early!
I used the "b" word to describe her a couple times in the past week. Demanding, crabby, whiney, intolerable and annoying. That about sums it up. Maya's 2 year molars have decided to come at an inopportune time: moving/packing/painting/stressfilled time.
Hayden was never a bad teether. I hardly knew he was teething until I realized he wasn't quite himself, not crabby, just a little off and bam, there was a tooth. This girl is a bear (not the "b" word I used). She is constantly demanding gum or her NUK and I realize why, but if you could hear it, you would understand. And when you're driving and cannot find a darn thing or reach a thing, it's worse.
I know this phase will pass, as they all do, but this one is dragging on a bit too long for my taste. The only good thing that has come out of this week is she does want to snuggle at bedtime. She gets on the couch and says, "Snuggle Mama." I love when she calls me "Mama", she says it so cute. For Maya, who never, I repeat, never sits still, this is amazing. I am eating that up. The rest of the bitchiness can go back into hiding.
Oops, did I just say that?!

Things are coming along!

Just wanted to do a quick house update since Facebook status is a little limited in space. :)
In November we (finally) closed on our new home! I think it was the 17th. It's been a long few weeks, hardly remember what I ate yesterday. Anyway, starting on the day of close, we started gutting the kitchen, painting, removing flooring and baseboards and knocking out a closet to make the laundry room bigger.
And wouldn't you know?! It's starting to look like a home again. No, we have nothing in the kitchen but a stud wall and the oven we have yet to get out. And the majority of the floor upstairs is dirty concrete and carpet pad. BUT, the wood floors were started yesterday, I finished painting both kids' rooms, the office, the hall, the upstairs living space, the kitchen and the entry; and I am almost done with the guest room, just started the craft room and have paint for the laundry when it's complete!
Buddy has gotten the laundry room wall built and is finishing up the sheetrock on the inside this weekend. He demoed the entire kitchen, so he has done more than just the laundry room walls. :)
Wood laying continues, carpet starts Friday, cabinets start Friday, countertops, not sure when but...
With the way things are heading, we'll be moving in next Thursday!!! Merry Christmas to The Blattner Family! We are two days ahead of when we thought we'd be moving. We just wanted to be in before we left for Minnesota and woo hoo we will be!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Enjoy your turkey, your stuffing, your taters, your bread. Enjoy your wines, your pies, your coffee, your rest.
Enjoy your family and friends. Be thankful. I am.
Happy Thanksgiving from our family to yours!

Someone's got baby fever!

And it isn't me! Ha!

Hayden has been very inquizitive about babies lately. A couple months ago he asked where they come from. He knew Maya was in my belly, but he finally figured out she came out somehow. I was able to avoid the answer by saying I had to go to the bathroom. Whew.

Then, last week on the way to preschool, the question was asked again.

H: Mom, how was I born?

M: Um, well, you were in my tummy and then you were out.

H: How did I get out?

M: Well, I pushed you out.

H: Pushed? From where?

M: Mmmm, not ready to answer that quite yet, Dude.

H: What does the doctor do?

M: She helped take you out.

H: Did she cut me out?

M: No, Mommy pushed you out, but some babies are born where the Mommy's are cut to get the baby out.

H: You pushed me from where?

M: We're at preschool, let's talk later.

This week was this:
H: Mommy, we should have another baby.

M: Mm, ya, that's probably not going to happen.

H: But we need three. Amy has three, Ryker's mom has three.

M: That's what they want, but Mommy and Daddy just want two.

H: Well, I would like another baby. How do we get one?

M: Ask Daddy.

If these are the questions that are being asked at 5, I don't want to be around when he figures out that he's part me and part Daddy.

Soccer

Hayden is coming up on his last game of soccer on Saturday. It has been a fun season, but our guy seemed to be more interested in his green shoes that the ball.

Buddy and I are hoping it's just his age, he is the youngest on his little team, so we are assuming there is just a difference in his attention because of this. He did have fun being with his friends during practice and games, so I guess there is a benefit there. Hopefully the soccer skills will develop a little more for the Winter/Spring session!

Eco-Friendly, whatevs!

Last night, we took a little road trip to pick a couple things up. Along the way I ran into the grocery store for one gallon of milk.

Grocery stores around here are pushing the canvas bags, which I use happily instead of plastic. This is a sort of recycle/eco-friendly thing to do, right? I didn't use a bag, by the way. So why is it, that when I purchase TWO things: my receipt looks like it has taken the life of a tree? 18 inches of wasted paper for a gallon of milk and cookies?
Can't ya print that other crap on the back instead of repeating the ads that I don't know who actually uses four times on one receipt?

Sigh.

Apparently my hair needs work...

Hayden just saw a commercial for Natural Instincts hair color.

H: Mom, you should get that.

M: Why?

H: Because it changes your hair color.

M: You don't like my hair color?

H: No. It looks goofy.

I stared him down at this point with an evil look.

After a couple seconds he laughs and says, "I'm just kidding. It doesn't change your hair color."

There's one lump of coal added to his stocking.