Carter Plays Royals Baseball

This summer every night Carter asked to go outside to play baseball. Every night. I must have pitched a thousand balls and Kevin must have played hours of catch.

Anna took these videos so we could capture Carter announcing himself as each Royals player when he bats. You can see me pitching in my work clothes and Baxter helping to fetch the balls (he is handy that way... except when Carter hits them past the invisible fence line).

He says he's going to be a baseball player when he grows up. If it comes true I'm sure this video will be played more later than it will now.

Science City at Union Station - Kansas City

With all the snow I was looking for something different to do with the kids indoors. Anna really wanted to go to Science City. I thought it was geared towards older kids so I was pleasantly surprised. We ended up putting our admission that day towards a membership. I recommend using the free parking at Crown Center and walking through the Link indoors to get to Union Station.


Science City at Union Station - Kansas City from Cara on Vimeo.

Conversations with the kids

When I picked up the kids today Carter announced

"I'm NOT going to be a baseball player when I grow up anymore."

Ok, what do you want to be?

"I just want to be a regular Carter that works."

Ok.

Anna chimes in "I want to be a baker!"

Ok.

"Because you get to taste test the icing!"

A good reason.

Later at dinner when I was telling Kevin all of this she added

"And it smells better than other jobs."

Very true. A good enough reason for me.

They are so hysterical.

Science City at Union Station - Kansas City

This past weekend I had a "mommy day" with the kids. First we went to Kaleidescope at Hallmark, then we ate at Crayola Cafe at Crown Center. Then Anna really wanted to go to Science City at Union Station. We had never been to Science City before. I thought it was geared towards older kids to understand science.

I was really shocked. There were all kinds of hands-on activities and "rooms" for the kids to play. Like a train table.

And a classroom

 And rolling balls

And indoor miniature golf 

And an entire airplane inside 

And a tree house

And a sky bike (no, that's not Anna) 

And a floor maze

They loved it. It was so cool. So cool, that I decided to put my day's ticket costs towards a membership. If we go two more times in a year it will pay for itself. That also let them ride the train for free then. And we also did the Dinosaurs Unearthed exhibit one more time (it leaves this month).

After they got off of this train ride Anna told me that that kid behind Carter was being mean to him. "I had to say 'Stop being mean to my brother'" she told me. "That's the first time I ever had to say that."

I told her I was so proud of her for saying that. And that if someone was doing that to a friend or another kid she should do the same thing. I hear all these stories in the news about bullying and how it is one piece of life that parents need to be better at teaching their kids how to handle.

December Daily - Day Fifteen

Anna gets a dollar from the tooth fairy. She tells me that she saw a light outside and it was probably the tooth fairy flying away. She said that the tooth fairy tapped her on her shoulder in the middle of the night and then she woke up and found the dollar. Really!?

I send Anna to school and go to the office for the first time all week.

Fast forward through a day of nothing exciting.

It was a Merry Maids day! Clean house. (maybe I will use something from their leave behind to scrap this day)

I try to head to bed early. Kevin takes a picture of me so I have something to capture today.

Then Carter is up with his asthma bothering him and the prescriptions are waiting for pick up at CVS. But it's freezing drizzle outside and I didn't want to go get them. I end up going to bed after 10:30, so much for going to bed early.

December Daily - Day Thirteen

Well, it's almost half way through December and I haven't scrapped a page. But at least I'll have all my journaling done when I'm ready!

As I suspected Anna woke up sick. 102 fever and a horrible cough. Croup was going around the daycare and I think she might have caught it. Or if not, some other virus. I worked from home. She wrote her Christmas list

1. American Girl doll
2. Littlest Pet Shop
3. Robe

We put it in an envelope and then I had to explain stamps and why they cost money. It takes a lot of work to get that letter to the north pole I explained, gas, people, airplanes, cars. "Ah, I get it now."

Our kitchen pipes have been frozen for a few days. As you can see I really needed to do the dishes. So Kevin found a new use for my hair dryer and thawed the pipes. Yay. Then I got to do the dishes. Boo.

Anna spent most of the day in my bed watching cartoons. I started out in here, but was quickly annoyed with the Dora song and Wonder Pets song and so on and so on. So I switched it to a marathon of The Fresh Prince of Bel Air. Very early episodes. She thought that was hilarious. That evening she watched The Princess Bride. She didn't eat dinner. In fact she only ate toast, chicken noodle soup and cheese crackers. And motrin. My kids are so picky about the flavors. We have two chewable flavors and three liquid flavors of motrin. She only likes the Original Berry Motrin (that's the one with strawberry and raspberry, not to be confused with Fruit Flavored Motrin which is strawberry and cherry). And she likes the orange Delsym but not the orange chewable motrin - "those are spicy." I can't remember what Carter likes but it's the opposite. My medicine cabinet is full of every flavor they make.

While Kevin was using my hair dryer I tried to change the channel on the TV. It was that crazy show with the obstacle course that's impossible to complete and they fall in the water and everyone laughs and laughs. Carter about flipped out and claimed "Daddy is watching that" when really it was him. Boys. Then Kevin was watching that logging show and Carter had his feet propped up on the coffee table. Boys.

Tassie finally got some love. Kevin has been joking I should call it the 25 days of Baxter because I keep taking so many pictures of him. He's so dang cute! Except for when he pooped on the floor.

December Daily - Day Twelve

Snow! The glittery kind that is dry and doesn't stick and just dusted the ground. With all the wind it built up a few drifts around the front door. The kids wanted to go outside immediately. I got them to wait until about 10 am. I haven't bought any new snow pants or boots this year. We made do with last year's snowpants and tennis shoes.

"I'm gonna make a big pile of snow and then jump in it!" Carter announced before they headed out.

Baxter LOVED his first snow. Pouncing around like a kitty cat, laying in the snow, running, rolling and happy as could be.

The kids used their kid-sized snow shovel and scooped the snow onto the dogs.

Upon coming back in (because they were too cold with very rosy cheeks) Anna said "Off to the hideout" and so they were off to play upstairs and begin the day of sibling annoyance.

Kevin finished the closet and I began putting all the clothes back in.

Looking in from the bathroom.

3 laundry hampers, hidden. 

Ironing board, also hidden. 

To the right, to the right... of the hampers.

My shoes.

My side (to the right of the door as you come in, almost looking back into the bathroom)

To the left, to the left... of the back wall and hampers.

Kevin's wall, opposite my shoe wall.

Carter slammed his door one too many times and lost it. The door that is. I'm sure that happened to me when I was younger but I think I was 11, not 4.

Sunday is taco night. However, it is so cold that the pipes in the kitchen are frozen so I can't do dishes.

I think Anna is coming down with a cold and starting to run a fever.

December Daily - Day Four (Saturday)

Saturday morning. I need coffee.

Lots of coffee.

I get back to work on the final demo. I removed the left wall of the center shelving unit.

 And had my first moment of doubt when I realized it was part of the floor. I realize it shouldn't show because hampers will be here. And Sam is good with wood working, if I need to have him shim it it won't be a big deal.

I roll paint.

After two coats my parents arrive. We begin hanging the first track. We realize we have to remove the trim to get these flush with the wall. Parts will have to be cut to be reattached later so we keep them in tack (except for one that cracked).

After we get shelves in, Anna and I can hardly wait to start putting shoes back. We get the second track and shelves up.



And the third track on Kevin's side.  But on this side, my dad hung it a few inches too far to the right, forgetting that the right panel has a finished side so we can just move it over to the left because the panel isn't cut all the way through. This one really needs to be shifted to the left a few inches, because otherwise I think the hanging clothes will run into that panel. There is also a vent on the floor. We will probably need to install the toe kick board behind the vent on that section. These will eventually have shelves and drawers.

By then it was 5 pm and my parents had dinner plans. Ok, no problem. We still have the largest part to go in on the back wall. I'll text Sam and he can come help.

Uh oh. Sam had surgery on Thursday on his knee and is on crutches. Scratch that idea. Ok well, I'll just do as much as I can on Sunday. Reality sets in that Kevin is going to have to finish this. It won't have the impression I had hoped for. Oh well. There's no turning back now.

The kids had been so good that I took them to Christmas in the Park at Longview Lake. Carter liked it but Anna thought it was for little kids.

Best quote of the day "Mommy, you have too many projects. You don't need to start any more projects." - Anna

Yes, Anna. Lesson learned. Lesson learned.

Johnson Farms Pumpkin Patch

Johnson Farms Pumpkin Patch from Cara on Vimeo.
Just south of 150 Hwy on Holmes road in Missouri. This is one of the best pumpkin patches in Kansas City where you actually pick your own pumpkin off the vine. There is a lot more fun too - animals, slides, corn maze and more.

Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party at Walt Disney World

Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party from Cara on Vimeo.
At Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party there is a Parade called Boo To You, dance parties, trick or treating, Halloween fireworks (they call Hallowishes) and more.

It requires an additional ticket to get in, which means it was much less crowded! After entering you receive a wrist band. Only attendees with wrist bands can ride the rides.

A lot of people dressed up in costumes which was also fun to see. Carter and Alex were Buzz Light Year and Anna was Cinderella.

We had so much fun and give the Halloween party two thumbs up!

Welcome to the Magic Kingdom

We were there for the opening of the park and it was awesome!

Magic Kingdom Opening from Cara on Vimeo.

Tomorrow...Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique!

Surprise...

A package arrived in the mail last Thursday for Anna and Carter:

Surprise...We're Going to Disney World from Cara on Vimeo.
A package arrived in the mail for the kids. Surprise! Mickey invited us to Disney World for the weekend.


Next video and pics... our hotel.

Originals by Anna and Carter

Tonight the kids each wrote me a song. Well, Anna wrote what Carter said for his. Then they brought them to me...

Anna's:

Carter's:

I read/sang them and they laughed and laughed. Too funny.

Anna's first loose tooth

Anna's First Loose Tooth from Cara on Vimeo.
Mid-August 2010


Then the video camera was full and quit recording.

The tooth fell out on Friday at daycare at the nurse's office. They put it in a tiny treasure box and then we headed out of town Friday night. The tooth fairy flew to Rolla and left four quarters under her pillow. Missing tooth pic coming soon (camera battery was dead).

Weekend Recap

Carter: "I'm going to marry mommy"
Anna: "No, you can't."
Carter: "Why not?"
Anna: "Because she will be too old for you."

Didn't do much this weekend. Ran 10 miles on Saturday morning. Got a triple shot Starbucks, came home, showered, took Anna to swim lessons, tried to make it to the end of Carter's baseball game but didn't quite get there in time. Came home, made lunch and then promptly fell asleep on the couch around 12:30. Slept for 2.5 hours and woke up around 3:00. Apparently getting up at 4:30 am three times this week finally caught up with me. I was impressed that I drank a triple shot at 8:00 am and took a 2.5 hour nap 4 hours later.

Went to Target to get a few things. Realized their toy sale is going on. Stocked up on toys for all the birthday parties the kids get invited to throughout the year. A lot are 50% off, some are only 30% off. Each of the kids got to pick one toy since I was buying a cart full and felt bad not letting them have one. Anna picked a baby doll. Really? You have a million baby dolls. Carter picked out the Toy Story inflatable pool with blow up aliens that you get to shoot with the water guns that attach to the hose. I had to admit that one was kind of cool and it was half off so it was only $15.

We grilled bratwursts and asparagus and I made macaroni and cheese with velveeta and elbow noodles. Then the kids played in the new pool which Kevin reluctantly blew up. After they came inside Anna immediately started complaining that she didn't feel well. I just thought she was tired and put their pajamas on and put them in bed. Kevin and I watched Extract. It was funny.

Fast forward to midnight and I hear Anna yelling that she threw up. I went upstairs and it was so gross. The volume was a lot. So much that it had soaked through the sheet, through the mattress pad and into the matress. I moved her to the bathroom and started to strip the bed.

I had to then move laundry around because there was a load in the washer and a load in the dryer. This was a necessity because it smelled so bad I thought I was going to throw up and there was no way I could leave it anywhere. Then I made a "bed" out of a quilt from the guest bedroom and slept on the floor in her room for the rest of the night.

That was it. It was the only time she threw up. She at toast for breakfast, spaghetti for lunch and fajitas for dinner. It was weird. It was like she had food poisoning because it came on so fast and after dinner but we all ate the same thing. I think she had a low fever when she threw up but I didn't take her temperature.

Was then lazy all day today. Did grocery shopping and that was it. Tried to get Carter to take a nap and after two hours I gave up and only made myself sleepy. Then he fell asleep on the couch watching the world news at 5:00. And woke up a monster and didn't eat dinner and is now in bed. He was a peach today.

I am surprisingly ready to go back to work tomorrow.

Anna-Carter Conversations

While driving in the car to the carnival at the daycare.

Anna: "I'm going to marry Justin Bieber"
Carter: "Me too"
Anna: "You can't because you're a boy"

a few minutes later...

Anna: "If I have a baby you'll be an uncle"
*impressive I think*
Carter: "No way, Jose!"

There was more I wish I could remember. I wish I could drive while I write these things down. I wish my brain could remember these conversations.

I worked all day. On my day off. It is very busy at work with new projects kicking off and associates going on vacation and new hires starting. Needless to say I was exhausted when I picked up the kiddos and immediately they reminded me that today is the carnival night at daycare and last time we couldn't go because anna had swimming lessons.

I swung through the McD drive through to get them dinner which they ate on the way home, got home and changed clothes, put on their swimsuits and drove back up to the daycare to let them play for 30 minutes. Then home and finally I got to eat a meal. I had so many meetings today that when I was walking out I realized...

I ate a banana on the way into the office
I drank a grande triple shot non fat light whip white mocha
I ate a donut
I ate a Reese's PB Cup
I ate a cup cake
I drank a Coke Zero

On the way home I had a sugar free redbull. On the way to the daycare I ate some cashews. When I got home I ate the frozen Schwan's meal Kevin had cooked.

Crappy eating day. Didn't run this morning because it was raining. I'm up too late but going to try to run in the morning and sleep this weekend.

They had a lot of cute activities at the daycare carnival.

Washing the car:

"Spray painting"

Pool time:

Fishing:

Happy Fourth of July

Parachute Chase from Cara on Vimeo.

Kansas City Zoo - Tigers

On Thursday the weather was so gorgeous that we decided to do something outside instead of going to see Toy Story 3. I had to go to a quick lunch with Tom from the Pumpkin Run, then we did a little shopping, then off to the Zoo. We got there at 2:45 and I realized they close at 4 during the week, so it was a short visit. We thought the Polar Bear exibit would be open but it was still under construction. We ate ice cream and then walked to the tigers. They were up and about and that was fun, captured on video with some narrating from the kids :) Then we rode the train and the merry go round and then we were done.

Kansas City Zoo Tigers from Cara on Vimeo.

Carter gets a foul ball at the Royals game

Mike Aviles hit a foul ball to the seats a few rows behind us. The nice fan gave the ball to Carter. He was so excited. They love going to the games (although we did get a few complaints today because of the heat).

Royals Game from Cara on Vimeo.

Carter gets a foul ball hit by Mike Aviles

A Week in the Life - Thursday

My earliest wake up call of the week: 4:30 am. I actually think I somehow hit snooze in my sleep because I didn't hear the alarm until 4:39. Crap! I hurried to get my running clothes on and head over to Candi's house. I left Tassie at home because I was super grumpy this morning and knew she would only annoy me. I let Candi take my picture even though I was not in a good mood and would really rather have been in bed. Super sleepy. Luckily Candi is chatty and talks a lot to get my going. When we finish it is light and the sun is starting to come up. That's nice.



They are having their basement refinished and I went inside to check out the progress. I'm excited and it's not even my house, but we do spend a lot of time there and it will be fun to have another "living" space to hang out.

Afterwards I head to a local coffee shop to get a Zebra Mocha.


Home. No one else is up yet. While I'm showering Anna comes down and snuggles with Tassie on the bathroom rug. It's really cute and I wish I had the camera. Then it's over and she's off to watch cartoons. She can turn on the TV and cable by herself and navigate to the channel she wants now that she can read. It's very handy.

Anna didn't have school today and I'm off on Thursdays. We had planned a girls day but of course when Carter got wind of it he wanted to come. He promised to have good behavior and I gave in, thinking I want to have quality time with my children but fully knowing I may regret my decision. The kids eat yogurt and Carter also has a pancake while I do the dishes from last night.

I check email and work for about 30 minutes to make sure the day goes smoothly while I'm gone. We're ready to go. Anna had written me a sticky note earlier in the week and put it on my mirror. It says "Dot froget adowt Thrsday mommy" translation "Don't forget about Thursday mommy"


8:45 I had a long list of errands and returns to get done. We were ready early so I decided to go ahead and drive to the outlet mall since none of the other stores were open anyway and it takes 45 minute to get there.

9:30 Carter has to potty so we go to Target, take care of business and get a few things. It starts to sprinkle.

10:00 We head over to Banana Republic Outlet so I can return a few things my mom got me for my birthday that don't fit. It really starts to rain. Luckily Anna has an umbrella and rain coat and Carter and I have hooded sweatshirts and I brought the double stroller. We are wet.

Kids are great at BR. We head across to Stride Rite Outlet to look for sandals. They have nothing I want in either kids' size. I find a pair of shoes in a half size larger on clearance ($12!) for Anna for fall. We buy these and now she has to go potty. So we head next door to Gap Outlet where they have a bathroom.

We get a few things here as well including a gift for Anna's teacher who is having a baby and some shorts for Carter. Carter starts to whine. I think he's hungry. It's 11:00 so I decide we can eat and we are probably done at this outdoor rainy mall. I run in the rain pushing the stroller to the nearest restaurant Chipotle and we eat.

Carter eats little and drinks a full drink of orange soda. Then he has to potty again. We are done around noon. I have an appointment to get my bangs trimmed at 1:00so we go ahead and leave. We are soaked by the time we get in the car what with all the unloading and loading of the stroller and bags, etc.


12:30 We're early but it's ok. Bang trim goes wonderfully. No charge.

We head to regular Banana Republic because I need to exchange some shirts and I have two pair of BR Outlet pants I want to get altered. The lady tells me they can't alter the BR Outlet pants. "Not even if I pay you?" "No. They are a completely different store" she says. "Owned by the same company" I think. Whatever. Carter gets really fussy. We go back and forth and back and forth. Do you want to go home? Do you want to go to daycare? Do you want to stay and have good behavior and get a treat? He thinks about it. We go outside and he thinks some more. He decides to have good behavior and seems to pull himself together. He's tired I can tell but he won't lay down in the stroller.

I try on one skirt and decide there isn't anything I want. I only have 30 days for returns so I decide to just get store credit so we can leave. Waiting in line Carter starts to mess with some contraption on a manequin. I pick him up and hold him while he begins to throw a fit while I wait for the one lady in front of me to checkout so I can get my store credit before my 30 days expires on my receipt.

Finally.

We leave. I didn't get to half of the things on my list but I can tell this is only going to get worse. We drive home. It pours. Both kids fall asleep. I owe Anna a treat for her good behavior so I go through the Dairy Queen drive through.

We get home and Carter wakes up and throws a fit.


The heating and air conditioning repair guy arrives (long ongoing saga). I move some laundry around.


3:00 I decide to try to take a nap. The kids keep coming in every five minutes. The thermostat is right outside our bedroom door and the guy keeps talking loudly to Kevin as he's fixing stuff.

I actually think I fell asleep for awhile.


4:40 The kids are begging me to get up to play babies. Eh. "I'm serious" Anna keeps saying.

I play babies by sitting in the chair in Carter's room and watching them play with the baby toys I'm planning to sell in an upcoming garage sale.

5:15 make dinner. Carter helps. Homemade margherita pizza.


Anna opens another present from her birthday party last weekend and I teach her how to make a pot holder.



Carter wants to do everything his big sister does. He gives it a try. I check email and make sure the day went smoothly and there aren't any issues for tomorrow. Find out I probably need to hire another person for some new work we are expecting. Post a job on Career Builder and in Facebook and LinkedIn hoping to get some resumes ASAP.

While Kevin does the dishes I give baths, brush teeth and put both kids to bed. I read "Froggy gets dressed" to Carter. Anna reads me a story from a new Curious George book she got for her birthday. She's never read it before and reads the entire thing. Carter won't stay in his bed. A pretty typical night.

Anna reads Curious George from Cara on Vimeo.

Anna reads Curious George and Carter won't stay in his bed.

8:30 Kevin and I watch a DVR'd episode of The Office while we eat our DQ I got earlier. Tassie gets raw hide because it's her fourth birthday. Happy birthday Tassie.

Blog. Bed.