Top Secret Personal Beeswax

Being a working mom is HARD... especially with school aged kids. They do so many fun things during the day and it is disappointing for both of us when Mom can't be there to join in.

That I why I make a concerted effort to attend as many things as possible. I try to go to just about every soccer and basketball game. When I have to miss one I make sure Daddy, Grammie or Grampa is there. I go to Girl Scout events, ballet recitals and special plays, concerts and performances.

I also try to go on at least one field trip with each child each year.  Last Friday was my turn to go with Grace. I went with her class to see a Junie B Jones play. I had seen an earlier version of the play with Emma Jo when she was in 2nd grade. Just like that time I was engrossed in the play. It was quite fun to see how many characters there were in the play with just a handful of actors. It was also great fun to remember all of the stories from reading them with Emma. It made me realize that I need to dig them out of boxes so that Grace can read them before she is too old to enjoy them.

Family Camp 2011

Two years ago, when we joined FBC Windsor, we heard about members of the congregation going to Family Camp. I didn't grow up with a family camp tradition but I was curious. I did grow up camping with my family every Memorial Day Weekend and I love all of the memories. I wanted to give my kids an annual tradition that they could look back on with fond memories.
Jason and I talked that first summer and agreed that we would go to Family Camp the next year. Then last year I was 8 months pregnant with Henry. We weren't able to attend. This year we decided there was nothing that could stop us.
Last Friday we packed up two vehicles and headed up 101 to Redwoods River Resort.

After a short 2.5 hour drive we were setting up our campsite.


I had been very worried about how much work it would be to camp with a baby. It turns out it was just as much work as I feared. But thankfully I have a wonderful husband who does more than his share, and great kids who help out as much as they can.

In no time Jason had everything set up and we had our new home sweet home.
Then I took the kids to the pool.
Later that night we had a group dinner, devotional and campfire.


After getting a little sleep, Saturday morning we kicked back in front of a campfire.

One of my biggest questions about camping as an adult was "how are we going to make our morning coffee?" We decided to get a French Press and I'm happy to say that the coffee wasn't too bad, in fact it was pretty good.

Cooper loved camping! He played with his scooter, hung out in either jammies or a swimsuit all weekend, and generally just enjoyed hanging out with daddy and getting dirty.


I was amazed with God glorious creation all around us. We slept under "Big Jack". The redwood trees are amazing and it is cool to think that they are one of the oldest living things on earth and they are only found on the Pacific Coast.



The church had activities for the kids every day. Gracie was in heaven since she loves to do crafts.


The only way to keep Henry from eating rocks, sticks and dirt was to hold him or strap him into his highchair.



Saturday afternoon we went to the pool and then took a short hike to the river.


There were fish in the river.


Henry tried to eat river rocks by the handful.

Snow

I know it is nothing like the snowpocalypse that his the east coast a few weeks ago, but it has been COLD here in Northern California the last few days. In fact, it snowed on the hills surrounding Sonoma County this week.

The kids have always been fascinated with snow and every winter they beg us to take them to see some. Thursday night on the way home from school we could see snow just behind Grammie & Grampa's house. We talked about driving up to it, but I knew that if Jason didn't get mad at me for driving up there in the van with the kids, that my dad would have something to say.

Today much of the snow has melted, but we could still see it on the peaks above the valley. Since it is warmer and there hasn't been any rain in the last 24 hours, I felt it was safe to travel the roads up the mountainside. I offered to take the kids up to see if we could find the snow and they were ecstatic.

We drove up the road, past Grampa's old ranch, and after many twists and turns we found it. SNOW!!! Emma and Grace especially were excited to get out and touch it. There was a meadow full of people playing in the snow. Some were even trying to sled, and I saw one snowboard.

It definitely wasn't Tahoe quality, but it did result in being called "The NICE mommy. Even nicer than Daddy." I'll take that for a Sunday afternoon drive.

Quiet Week

This week as been very quiet at our house. Sunday afternoon both of the girls went off to week-long sleep-over camps. Emma Jo spending the week at Mt. Gilead Bible Camp. Jason and I drove her out there on Sunday afternoon. She was so excited, but a little nervous. She must have asked me a dozen times if I had requested any of her friends to be in her cabin. She was so worried she wouldn't know anyone and would be lonely. When we arrived we discovered that not only was Anna F. in her cabin (whom I had requested) but there were actually four girls from school/church in her cabin. And three more in the cabin next door! We got a letter from her yesterday and it sounded like she was having a blast!

Grammie and Grampa watched the little kids while we were dropping Emma at camp. After dinner, Gracie went home with them. She was planning a week at "Grammie Camp" so that she could be big like her sister. Grace loves to spend the night at Grammie's and has been begging to send a week there. We agreed that the week Emma was gone would be the perfect timing. I heard the sleeping didn't go so well the first night (with Grace crawling in between Grammie and Grampa in the middle of the night) but everything has been great since then. She calls every night to share a highlight of the day, but is quick to hang up and get back to the fun with her grandparents.
I think Grampa is having as much fun as Grace. We got this email from him yesterday: What a joy it is to have Gracie visiting. I enjoy seeing her skipping from the house, coming to visit me in the vegetable garden; not a worry in the world. I told her last night I might have to leave this morning before she was up and that I wished her a good day. She comes up to me and said for me to come to her room and wake her up, that she would give me a hug and a kiss. I went in there this morning, but she was sleeping so comfortably that I could not bring myself to waking her to give her a hug. It is wonderful that she seems so comfortable.

Cooper is the only one at home this week. He reminds us that he is at "Mommy Camp". He has asked a couple of times where Gracie and Sissy are but for the most part he is pretty happy to have Mommy and Daddy to himself. He has been enjoying working in the garden and workshop with Daddy and watching movies with Mommy.

It is nice to have such a quiet week because it will be anything but quiet in less than 10 days when the baby get here!

The Big Switch

There was lots of activity in our house this weekend. We finally made the switch and gave Emma Jo back her own room. With Cooper becoming such a big boy, we promised Emma Jo that she could get her own room back and Cooper could bunk with Grace. Everyone seemed pretty excited about the possibility. Grace is ecstatic to finally be big enough for the top bunk. Cooper is so proud to be a "big boy" and get to sleep in Grace's bed. Emma is just happy to finally have her own space.
We started the move on Saturday morning by having Emma sort and pack her closet. To make matter really complicated Grace wanted to move from her dresser and her side of the closet to Emma Jo's dresser and closet. Clearly those are to be used by the oldest so it was her rightful place. So Saturday we had to get Emma's things out of her room, Cooper's things out of his room, Grace's things into Emma's old space, Emma's stuff into Cooper's room and then Cooper's stuff into Grace's room. We also had to put the baby stuff into our room so that Emma could have her real furniture, not a baby changing table/dresser combo. Right smack in the middle was nap time so most activity had to halt as Cooper took a nap in his old room. By that time I was exhausted and so happy Daddy was home to help.
Thankfully by Sunday afternoon Emma Jo's room is completely re-done. She is so very, very happy to have her own room and is so proud of how she put it together. We didn't do any painting or even change the window treatments since we're not sure which room she will be in after the remodel.
The little kids' room is about 70% done. Their toys and books need to be organized. Cooper's clothes need to be loaded into his dresser. All of the wall art needs to be shifted or changed.
The biggest work still needs to be done in our room. We have odds and ends from each of the kids on the floor. We have several loads of laundry that need to folded. The baby's stuff is sorted but nothing is washed or put away. It is basically chaos in our room. Jason is frustrated since he doesn't do well with disorder. I'm even starting to feel claustrophobic. Unfortunately I've felt awful today so I haven't been any help at all. I'm counting on feeling better tomorrow and tackling at least the clothes and having Rosie vacuum the floor. I'm sure that will go a long way towards our room being livable again.
I am happy to say that we now do have a car seat and diapers! I just need to wash some baby clothes and we wil be ready for baby!

Night Off

I have the best parents ever!

A couple of weeks ago I asked if they could watch the kids on the 27th since I had won tickets to an A's game. I thought it would be nice for Jason and I to spend the day together and I knew the kids would love swimming at Grammie & Grampa's for the day. Of course Grammie said yes. Then last week they suggested that we drop the kids off on Saturday night so that we could go out and have the night off. Who am I to say "no" to an offer like that? I warned them that the kids are a lot of work and I knew that they would be worn out, but they insisted.

So, Saturday afternoon, after Cooper woke up from his nap, we loaded the kids up and drove them up to Grammie & Grampa's house. We dropped them off, took Mom's new car (a convertible!) and headed down to Marin. Jason and I had a great time driving with the top down and feeling the wind in our hair. We had a great dinner at Buckeye Roadhouse where we ate way too much food. Then we came home to a quiet house and got to sleep all night (with no one crawling into our bed at 4am)!

Sunday morning we enjoyed a hearty breakfast at Norm's and then headed down towards the game. Again we put the top down and cruised down to Pleasant Hill. Jason enjoyed shopping at Rocklier, one of his favorite wood-working stores that he never had the opportunity to visit. Then we made it to the almost empty coliseum and watched a fun baseball game. Even though it wasn't very good ball playing, at least the A's won and we got to watch from the comfort of a suite.

When we got home we discovered that everyone was worn out. Cooper was crashed on the couch in just a pull-up and t-shirt. Grampa looked ready to hit the sack but Grammie was still "on the job" taking Emma Jo to Youth Group. Only Grace seemed energized and ready to move on to her next adventure. She LOVES spending the night at Grammie's and is looking forward to July when she gets to spend a whole week up there.

Home Stretch

Tomorrow we will be 35 weeks pregnant. That means Little Bean is due in just 5 weeks and since both Grace and Cooper were induced a week early it is likely Little Bean will be here in less than a month! I'm starting to get really excited about this.
Last night we took the kids to see Toy Story 3 and I kept looking at them thinking this is one of the last outing we are going to be going on with just 3 kids. Kind of funny to think of just 3 kids. I never thought I'd have more than 2 kids and for a few years after Emma Jo was born I didn't think I'd be blessed with a second child.
Now that we are expecting #4 I'm trying to be thankful and positive. Even though my back hurts so bad many nights that I just want to curl up in a ball and cry and the contractions take my breath away I'm trying to stay positive. If I say "I'm fine" enough times it has to be true, right? I know many women who would love to trade spots with me and would gladly take the discomforts of pregnancy in a heartbeat. I'm trying to remember that these discomforts are only temporary and in just a few short weeks I'll have a new baby to hold and love and cuddle which will make it all worth it.
Since we are just a month (or so) away from meeting this new little one, I've realized we need to get ready. We are going minimalist with this baby, but we still are going to need a car seat, diapers, wipes and some clothes. So far I have about a dozen sleepers. We have a big kid stroller, changing table and Ergo carrier. I was blessed by my colleagues with very generous gift certificates to Target so in the next week or so I'll sort through the house and decide what we are going to need right away. Then, before my blood pressure gets any higher and my doctor orders me on bed rest, Mom and I will go shopping for the essentials. Then I'll just have to find the baby clothes I've purchased over the last few months and wash them up and wait for this little one to arrive.

Official Summer Kickoff

I know the calendar says summer doesn't start until next week, but in our house it has officially started! Yesterday was the girls' first day of their summer camp. This year they are going somewhere new, Steve and Kate's Camp. The camp has been in Marin and San Francisco for years and is new in Santa Rosa this year. It looks like a lot of fun with many options for the kids and both Grace and Emma can attend, which makes it a great choice for us!

On their first day, Grace knitted a scarf and sewed a pillow. Emma Jo learned hip-hop, started recording movie, started knitting a hat for the baby and played Dance-Dance Revolution. Both girls talked about camp all night last night and were excited about what they might try today. Emma is thinking about making a blanket for the baby. Grace wants to try out Hip Hop.

Both girls agreed that the food was fantastic. Emma had a crepe for morning snack. Yesterday was cinnamon crepes, but she thinks there might be different flavors every day. She also enjoyed the lunch of Margaretia Flatbread and Shredded BBQ Chicken Sandwiches. Each day there is a choice of five different meals (Sandwiches, Pasta/Rice, Flatbread, Salad and Soup). Grace wasn't willing to try something new, but did say their pizza (flatbread) was very good.

I'm so happy that we found someplace for the kids to spend the summer that they really seem to enjoy. It makes me happy to hear them so excited about their day.

In Cooper news, he is officially potty trained! He decided himself on the Friday of Memorial Day weekend that he was done with diapers. He went through a few days of protesting having to use the potty but we have only had a handful of accidents since he made his declaration. This past weekend he discovered the joy of peeing outdoors. I think he has only used the potty a couple of times since Friday night when he discovered that he could stand and pee on the grass. I think he is the cutest little thing and I'm pretty happy that we will only have one in diapers in August.
Cooper has also gotten better at going to sleep. He moved into his toddler bed last month and we've been transitioning him from rocking to sleep to being put in his bed awake and falling asleep on his own. Last night we read a story, rocked for about 10 minutes and then I put him in his bed. I held his hand for a couple of minutes (until my back couldn't take it anymore) and then I kissed him and walked out of the room. Cooper protested a couples of times (he said he needed a band aid) but after just 2 or 3 visits from Papa he fell asleep and stayed asleep until almost 6am.

I could do without some of the heat we are experiencing, and I wish my back and side didn't hurt so much from this pregnancy, but overall we are having a great kick-off to the summer. On this week's agenda is: Saturday-Emma Jo's birthday party, Sunday-shopping for Father's Day then dinner at Grammie & Grampa's, Monday-Basketball practice for Emma, Tuesday-Jason's softball game, Wednesday-Bible Study for Mommy & Youth Group for Emma, Thursday-Emma's 11th Birthday!, Friday-Family Game Night (or maybe the new Toy Story movie), Saturday-Mommy & Daddy Date Night, Sunday-Father's Day. We are busy, but having fun together.

How many times can I look at them and feel so overwhelmed with love?

Tonight I was cleaning the kitchen counters when I glanced out the window and saw Grace and Cooper playing outside. They were laughing and swinging on the swings side-by-side. They were having a great time just the two of them. I stood there watching in amazement. Amazed that they were having such fun together. Amazed that they were mine. Amazed that each and every day I love them more and more. You'd think that after time I'd get used to it. I'd know they are mine. I'd know that I love them. There would be no capacity to love more. And yet, it seems that the love swells and swells and it never bursts.

Later, Cooper was playing ball while Emma Jo watered the garden. Cooper bent over to get his ball and whacked his head on the edge of the table. Emma immediately ran over, scooped him up, kissed his owie and made it all better. She hugged him, kissed him, loved him. It made my heart swell again. How did I get so lucky to have such great kids? I love them, they love each other. There couldn't be anything better.

I'm one lucky Mommy.

Happy Birthday, to me!

The 22nd was my birthday! I know lots of people don't want to admit when it is there birthday, or they want to let it pass quietly in the night. I'm not one of those people. I love birthdays, especially my own. I don't mind getting a year older. It is sure better than the alternative. I might feel differently when I'm "old" but I'm perfectly happy being 36.

It is not about presents or having all the attention on me. I just like that birthdays are a chance to spend the day with family and friends. And, of course, there is no pressure to bake a big meal or decorate the house like on other holidays.

Jason likes to joke that my birthday lasts for a week. The first year we were married my father took Jason to Mexico dove hunting over my birthday weekend. I joked that we could celebrate before he left and finish our celebrating when he got back. Since then I try to stretch the party out as long as possible.

This year the big day was on a Friday, so I could only stretch it over the weekend. On Saturday, my parents, Jason, the kids and I all went to the Melting Pot in Larkspur for fondue. We had never been there before but I've been wanting to go for several years. I think Jason and Dad weren't too sure what we were getting into, but went along for the ride since it was a request I had made. Turns out the place was fabulous. Everyone enjoyed themselves and the food. Cooper especially liked the chocolate. The only bad part was I forgot my camera so no chocolaty grins for the blog.

On Friday night we gathered at our house for Chicken Parmesan and presents. Both of the girls made me homemade cards which I absolutely adore. There is nothing quite like a personal note from one of your kids. Cooper can't write yet, but he did sing me happy birthday (his favorite song). Click on the photo to hear him singing.

Mommy Time

I'll admit I had some selfish motivation for signing the girls up for Awana. Sure the main reason I wanted them to participate was for them to learn more about Jesus Christ and strengthen their knowledge of Him. The secondary (selfish) reason was a little Mommy time. I figured that Jason would most likely stay home with Cooper on Awana nights since Cooper is too little to participate and he would normally be asleep before Awana even gets finished. That meant that on Wednesday nights, I could drop the girls off at 6:30 and I would be free until I needed to pick them up at 8pm.
I envisioned going to Starbucks, grabbing a table, and sitting there reading a book, knitting a scarf, writing a list, or doing anything else that I wanted. I thought about shopping in Montgomery Village and not having to listen to "Are we done yet?" or "Can I have this?". I was sure it was going to be 1.5 hours of bliss.
Then reality set in. Last week when I took the girls I realized I was nervous to leave them at Awana by themselves. I new in my head that they were fine. I knew they would have fun and be safe, but in my heart I was worried. What if Grace got scared and Mommy wasn't there to comfort her? Would they know to get Emma Jo? What if Emma Jo didn't know anyone in her group and she felt lost and alone?
I did leave them and headed out to Montgomery Village. After struggling with the number of cars going so fast on the winding roads in the pitch dark, I finally got to Montgomery Village and realized J. Jill was closing in 5 minutes. So much for that option. With the stores closing it made me realize how late it was at night (7pm!) which made me think I needed to get back to my girls. So I went to a Starbucks, got some coffee to go and headed back to Awanas. I parked where I could see all activity into and out of the gym. I turned on my light and enjoyed my coffee and book from the comfort of my car.

This week was much better. I was calm and collected as I drove the kids to Awana. Not as rushed and frantic as last week. I got them there on time and got everyone to their assigned groups. It felt great when one of the leaders greeted Grace by name, took her hand, and escorted her to their group. That reassured me that someone was looking out for her and taking care of her in my absence.
Then I headed to the nearest Starbucks. I got some coffee, secured a table and worked diligently on my Fantasy Football lineup, read my book, and started on Christmas wishlists. I did notice myself checking my watch every 5 minutes to see if it was time to go gather up my girls. Finally around 7:25 I headed back. I didn't want to be late. I reached the parking lot at 7:30. So, like last week, I parked close, turned on my light, listened to the radio as I worked on Grace's new scarf.