Swimming, peeing, and molars.

I haven't posted this week because I have all but pulled every last hair out dealing with Jack. He is 2. He is getting his 2 yr molars. He is on antibiotics for an ear infection. He is constipated from these antibiotics. He is KILLING me. He screams bloody murder for like 5 minutes with zero warning and no consolation. One night he had me up until 11p.m. I haven't been in the best of moods to say the least.

On to peeing. Kade is no where near being potty trained. In fact, we don't even try. He as well, screams bloody murder at just the thought of it and heaven forbid we put him on the toilet.... we might as well cut his arm off or something. I have been fine with "it will happen, they have to be ready." Well tell me if this doesn't change your mind. Yesterday after I got the boys home from taking a quick dip in the pool.... it was quick by the way because of 2 things. 1) Kade got in and out and said "ok, I'm done, I want to go home and play baseball now. 2) Jack sees his sister not wearing floaties or a vest and so he doesn't want to put them on either. He has to have them on to get in the water if Im not in there. Well - we put them on him ( very forcefully because he was fighting it the whole time ) and he proceeded to scream, yes bloody murder, for 5 full minutes while he was in the water biting the side of the pool. SOOOOO I had had enough at this point, and pulled him out. I started to take off his vest and floaties, because clearly this is what he wants right? NOPE. He has no idea what he wants. He acts like he wants them on. I'm really done at this point, so I wrap him in a towel and throw him and Kade ( and Kade's scooter of course ) in the car and go home.

Ok... that was quite the build up, but it's what happened to get me to this point.

My boys were naked after getting them home so I could put their dry clothes on. I finally after fighting Jack to get his diaper on realize that naked Kade has been missing for 2 minutes. I call him and this is the following conversation:

Me: "did you pee on my floor somewhere?"
Kade: "No, I didn't."
Me: "show me where you peed so I can clean it up."
Kade: "Ok, it's right over here."
Me: " I thought so."
Kade: "There it is mommy, I peed in the cup."

Me: "Kade, there is no pee in the cup, only on the carpet."
Kade: "are you sure? I know I got some pee in the cup!"
Me: " Nope, no pee in the cup Kade. Where are you supposed to go pee?"
Kade: "In the cup instead of on the carpet?"
Me: "NO, try again."
Kade: "Oh yeah, on the grass."
Me: (trying not to laugh) "nope, try again."
Kade: "but I like to pee on the grass."
Me: " I know you do, but where are you SUPPOSED to go pee?"
Kade: ( head hanging now ) "In the toilet."
Me: " Ya, now get a towel and clean it up."
Kade: "Ok."

The thing is, this cup was previously full of dominoes that he had put in there after he finished his nightly tea. ( I know, I know. ) So he had to actually take the dominoes out of the cup, then put the cup on the floor all BEFORE he went pee in it. I'm sorry - but doesn't that sound like the child knew he had to pee and can now PEE in THE TOILET? I think I'm over "waiting." I've taken away his bat, ball, hat, & glove until he pees in the toilet. Do you think that sounds about right, or should I just keep waiting?

Ok - on to very exciting things:
Kyla can now do handstands and swim down to the bottom of the shallow end (so far) and get rings... I'm so excited. It seems like just last week she learned to really swim under water and not doggy paddle. She can swim the whole length of the pool even! I video taped her, but I used my phone instead of my camera and I can't figure out how to download it. I'm sure I have a cord somewhere...........

Here is her and Aiden finishing their handstands.

And here is Aiden actually diving off the diving board. He can swim to the bottom of the deep end already.

Lastly - I figured out a way to actually get some of the pictures that we took on Sunday off of the website without paying for it. I wont even get into how horrible they turned out. I am so disappointed. That's a whole separate novel in itself. She barely captured Kyla - I mean she took 84 pictures, and I barely like 5 or 6 of them. Kyla is normally very photogenic so I thought being a professional they would be awesome... nope. ( not to mention I had WAY too much makeup on and my jeans were too big )

Picture filled weekend -

Saturday night Robert and I went to a "no kids" party. I had to call it that so the kids could understand why we were leaving without them. It's funny if you use certain key words sometimes they just get it.

My friend Amber who I've known for about 13 years invited us over. She and her ex, along with me and Geoff, Jason and Cheryl, Branden and Nicole and Becky & her ex ( Henry ) all used to hang out every single Friday and Saturday night for several years! My mom also used to watch her oldest daughter... We lost touch with her through the break-ups but have recently gotten back in touch and it was like no time passed at all!!

Too bad Nicole wasn't there... I could have posted a 1998 & 2008 picture!

How adorable is she?

Look, I was out with my husband AND my friends!!! Crazy I know!



Sydney and her mom watched the kids, and Sydney stayed the night too! Kyla couldn't have been more excited, it was probably the longest day of Kyla's life waiting for Sydney to get there. They said the kids were great ( I'm choosing to believe them, even though they said Kade didn't throw even 1 fit! ) We got home about 9:30 - and I had just enough to drink to get my brain talking about sending the boys home so the girls could stay longer, but smartly my friends all declined that idea!

I've been kind of sad lately about how fast Kyla is growing up - and now she's having "friends" spend the night. BUT... she made me feel better by crying ( this probably sounds inconsiderate of me ) at 4:00 a.m. saying that she just " needed you mom " Yeay! I brought her in my bed and got some great cuddling in.

Sydney ended up staying with us for a park trip and more swimming! I swear my life is so much easier when she is around. I'm not tense, I'm happy and relaxed. It's crazy. I told her mom I wanted them to move in with us.






This brings me to Sunday night. We were supposed to take family pictures down at Seal Beach with a photographer... Well, I wont get into why it was just me and Kyla - but let me just say I was NOT happy about it. I'm thinking the pictures are going to turn out great and we actually had a very nice night together just me and her - but I don't do well with last minute changes.

These are just from my camera.... we went for a walk down Main St. and Kyla wanted a vanilla milkshake and french fries. I just love her.



Healthy huh????

this was after walking back to the beach to get the car... she was freezing.

Ok last but not least - how cute is this picture????

Tea Party's, popcorn, and sibling love....

The antibiotics are done for Kade and he's back to his normal 80% my sweet addiction, 20% how am I going to be able to raise you, " punk ", instead of 80% punk and 20% sweet that he had been for about 7 days... and Jack is now back to his 90% sweet and 10% "I'm 2" ( how can I call a 2 yr old a punk... I had to think of something else - but I can call Kade a punk, because he just is - there is no debating it )

ANYWAY - back to my post.

Last night the kids had a tea party with mom followed by making homemade popcorn with dad and a group viewing of "Air Bud." We had to find another baseball themed movie because Robert and I are about to lose our minds if we have to watch the Sandlot again.

Notice Kyla's tongue.. hehehe


I have NO Idea why she picked this hat. Kade declared - KYLA, that's a snow hat... she answered matter of factly: "I'm just PRETENDING it's a tea hat Kade!"

Yes, even my Jack likes his tea like his mommy!

They are fascinated with the actual pouring of the tea. You should see how they drink it though, you would think it was a shot of tequila or something!


Anxiously awaiting the popcorn to be done!



Later in the night after Kyla had already retired to her room - Kade had called out from the playroom: "KYYYLLLAAA, I NEED you." "Kyla, I need YOU." I told her Kade needed her, and she promptly jumped out of her bed with this long sigh that was meant to be annoyed but more sounded like - "awwhh, to be important is great" kind of feel. She declared, "I'm coming!" Apparantely he had some sort of question regarding who was who in the movie that he was confused about. She answered to his satisfaction, and she marched back into her bed with a huff and puff, and a whew - saying "ok, that's taken care of." OMG - she cracks me up.


The boys are getting so much closer too - not only does Kade teach Jack all of his bad habits, but he is starting to take care of him too. They ride their scooters together, Kade is teaching him how to throw a ball and play catch, and he made sure he gave him lots of hugs and kisses over the last few days. Kade will hold Jacks cheeks and give him a nice long kiss after saying in his high "mommy" voice that toddlers use with babies - "commerre, give me a kiss"

I'm an official "member"

I seriously never thought I would be a member of a fan club despite my past obsessions with singers & actors.... well that's changed.

Robert bought me the presale CD from Staind which came with a T-shirt
( Which is sideways sorry! )

A few little "extras" DON'T steal my code for the website!! LOL


And of course this wonderful man that sings to my heart every time I hear his voice. ( did you know he has 3 little girls with his wife?? He's a daddy too!! )


The concert is on August 31st!!! I can NOT wait.

How cute is this?

Someone did this for me - I wish I could figure out how to do it....



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Happy Birthday Mersey Ann!!!!!!!!!!

I am the worst best friend in the whole world. I forgot Maria's birthday on August 3rd! I actually tend to blame her because she clearly didn't fill out my birthday alarm email or I would have gotten a reminder! ( does that get me out of it?? )

(Truth is I forget everyone's birthday unless I get a reminder sent to me, I'm sure I forgot Becky and Cheryl's birthday too.... I'm really bad. )

We went out to dinner at Cheesecake Factory instead of CPK because the wine gave us a headache last time. How sad and old we are, worrying about the alcohol. Gone are the days when we could drink with no worries and just jump out of bed the next morning!!!

Maria, I wish I could convey how much I love you and our friendship. You are such a beautiful person inside and out and I am so lucky to have you in my life. Ever since I met you, you have always been there for me~ Thank you! xoxo

You were there for my 30th b-day when I was pregnant AGAIN ( even though I took away our "life style" by continually being pregnant! LOL )

You were my beautiful Maid of Honor at my wedding

You kept me very busy for the best summer EVER when Robert was in Texas!

You are my Vegas partner!!!

You put up with our horribly decorated bed and breakfast choice so I could save money in Lake Arrowhead!

You've been there through all the changes and stages of Robert ( and my hair )

You ALWAYS make me laugh and taught me how to laugh at myself!


Can you believe she's 41??????????????? ( sorry Mersey but you need to be proud of it! )

Can't think of a title

I feel like all we do is discipline. Back and forth between me and Robert. It's way worse when he isn't home from work yet, so by the time he gets home I've about had it.
He's way better at diverting their attention than I am, something I really need to work on due to their age - but when they are all coming at me at once being really naughty, I get so frustrated.

I am really down on myself and the truth is, I know why. I actually thought I would have better kids. I was a really really good kid. I thought I would have really really good kids. I did. I know, crazy and irrational, but I did. My kids aren't horrible, I do know that. I am proud of my kids. When they are all going through REALLY difficult stages, I have a hard time seeing the positive. Kade can just be down right mean. His antibiotics is NOT helping his attitude. Jack is the hardest terrible 2 to date, and Kyla - oh my god. She is too smart for her own good, and actually debates with me like I did when I was 13 to my parents. Um, I don't think so. I will win that battle.... she doesn't seem to get that. The good thing is, she feels bad if she's been bad ( after awhile, not right away )

One good thing, Kyla and Kade went to bed before 9 last night - but Jack - not until 10:00. He was tired, he really was - but he just couldn't get to sleep. He just kept talking and rubbing my head and kissing me, and pulling up his shirt so I would rub his back, and singing, and banging his head on the mattress ( he's always done that when he's trying to fall asleep and can't... ) He's also sucking his thumb less. I keep trying to give him his thumb and the tag from his blanket to get him to sleep, he'll take it for a second - then throw it away with a huge grunt.

I've decided I have multiple personality disorder. lol. I go from being so angry and frustrated at any given one of my children to uncontrollable love and wanting to hug and kiss and hold them forever - all within seconds of each other.. WHAT IS UP WITH THAT???????????

I can't keep my emotions straight. Ok, I'm done.

Ok, back to posting!

Thank you to everyone that posted for baby Gavin! I'm hoping for a lot more, so if you are here to comment on that, please scroll down to the title: Introducing Gavin Joseph Chapman...

Thursday night I took Kyla to see baby Gavin - she's so funny... she goes: "awwwhhh he's sooo cute, are you sure you don't want a baby in your tummy mom? " Um, let me think.... NO.
Truth is, I really miss holding a newborn, but I got to leave and give this one back. He's doing so good - he eats constantly and is already sleeping from 11:30 p.m. - 5:30 a.m. How unfair is that? I hope he doesn't change and get his days and nights mixed up or anything. I'll cross my fingers for them that they stay lucky since it's pretty early on.



Friday night it was SO hot, we decided to go swimming about 7:00. The water felt so good and Kyla had just learned how to swim under the water with no floaties, so she could barely fathom the thought of possibly wating until the next day to show us! This is a movie of her and Aiden swimming together. I'm so proud of her! URRGGHHH I just sat here trying to upload a video for 45 minutes and it didn't work. It got all the way to the processing stage and then just stopped, so your stuck with pictures so imagine them as action shots!
My underwater swimmer!!!!!

She would scream: "Cannonball!!" and jump in the water

They were just so proud of themselves!

My Jackie. He dives and jumps right in, he's pretty fearless too. He goes under water and everything. The good thing is, he doesn't go in the water unless he has those things on ( That's for you Julie )

My poor Kade just observing. ( Just kind of cute to have all 4 in a picture.. ) It's going to be so hard to actually get all 5 cousins in a picture if it takes this to get all 4! )


Saturday morning Robert had to work, so I called Kim to see if she wanted to meet us at the park - we haven't seen all the kids for awhile. We were going to Del Valle but it was packed so we went to Mayfair park... did you know they have a wading pool????????? I didn't - but it's totally cute. My kids only lasted about 30 minutes and wanted to go home - well not Jack of course. I really wanted to stay and visit because Jeana had just gotten there with the girls too. Oh well, Kade pretty much turned into a nightmare of not wanting to share his scooter so I had had enough after a few of his outbursts!

Look, the boys have the same expression on their face! Cute!!

Abby is fearless!! She is so entertaining to watch

Jack in his element, loving the water and concentrating on what it's doing

Trevor and Kyla taking a break from the cold water and getting some sun!



The rest of Saturday involved more big pool swimming for Kyla and Robert, a trip to Target for stuff and baseball gloves for K & K, Mommy and Jack time ( he was extra loving and giggly with me, I had to capture it on camera ) and lots of dancing and singing.. Notice the stuff on Kade's headboard - he must sleep with his hat, bat, ball, skateboard, spiderman box and diego blanket... I've learned to not argue with his passions.






Kade has been sick for the last week, and I'm so bad at taking the kids to the doctor for fear of totally wasting everyone's time. He's been on and off feverish and now has developed a cough for a few days. We decided instead of me missing any more work if the other 2 get sick, we took all 3 kids to Urgent Care on Sunday morning. Kade has bronchitis, Kyla and Jack are fine... just a slight summer cold. A couple of days of antibiotics and we should be back to Kade just being his normal "punk" and not a "whiney, extreme, I can't take it anymore punk."

This is the kids being quite good at Urgent Care


After urgent care we went to the grocery store ( my kids love the grocery store and think those carts that look like cars are the best thing ever... I forgot my camera ) We bbq'd for my parents and they were only supposed to stay for an hour so I could get the kids down for a nap. Well that didn't work and by the time we realized what time it was, it was too late for naps -so we decided to skip them. Well - almost everyone skipped them! Robert took a 2 hour nap!!! I did this because I had plans to go out and I knew he would need his patience to deal with 3 un-napped kids while I was gone. He also had specific instructions not to call me while I was out. He didn't listen and called twice - but just for a tiny vent like I do when he's out.


A picture of most of the group at Islands.... I had so much fun and about 5 margaritas!

This is what I got to come home to!! It was heavenly. ( Of course they all woke up twice through out the night to punish me for leaving ) I think they all sleep walk. Jack though, I have to say just, woke up to squeeze my face and give me a kiss, then he grabbed my hand and pulled me out of my bed to lay with him in his bed. Seriously, I could kiss and hold him all day.





Now that I think I've caught up ......... I'll end with what is going to get me through my Monday!!!

Have a great week!!!!!!!!