Thursday, March 3, 2016

Parachute Fun

Well, it has been an active fun filled day - and it's only just begun!!  We woke up to a snow covered world this morning.  It made for a nice break from the grey that Iowa winters usually entail.

This mornings big activity was going to the library for Parachute Play.  It's a popular program, and requires registration which is a bummer. We missed out on it previously because it fills up very quickly.  It is once a month, so I'll be registering again for April really soon.
There were some other programs for kids going on at the same time as this one because when we got to the parking lot there were school buses, and general mayhem.  I ended up parking by VF's school and we walked through the skywalk to reach the library.  I'm sure we were quite the sight to drivers below. I had JA in the Moby wrap, a backpack diaper bag, and carrying VF for part of the walk it was quite a workout. I was glad that I left 20 minutes early though because we made it just in time!
VF saw the parachute through the window and was so excited I had to drag her away from it to go in the door around the corner.  Silly kid.  As soon as we hit the room she was peeling off the coat and shoes and racing out to run with friends.  Now I remember playing with a parachute a couple times at school when I was a kid, and can I don't remember it being as much of an arm workout!  Why don't gyms have a parachute workout class?
Veda ran and sang and had a really great time.  After class the instructor blew some bubbles, which of course was a hit.  I haven't let VF blow any indoors, and she hasn't wanted to go outside to do it.   So it was a well timed side activity for her.  Afterward I saw there was a concert for kids in the auditorium that was just about to start.  So we popped in for some impromptu music fun.  It was a very talented and patient quartet.  They have to be when a train goes by and half the audience runs for the windows!
Both girls loved the show. We were due for a potty break so off to the bathroom to change a diaper, assist VF and generally juggle everyone and everything.  I know this isn't what you come here to read about but just know - the bathroom struggle when outnumbered is real.  Poor Jo was laying on coats so I could wash my hands!  Next we went down to the kids library so VF could play while JA ate.  I would have gone straight to the car - but JA was a bit upset at being overdue.  So after playing with trains and eating it was a quick scurry through the sky walk and back to the car.  The downside of parking in front of the school is that we needed to move the car before pick-up.  I can't say that no one was upset about a vacant car in the pick-up line; but I can say that no one was inconvenienced.  We were on our way as the first child exited the building.

That's my morning.  I'm exhausted, but grateful that both girls are down for a nap. Now if only it lasts a bit longer I'll get some sleep too!

Sunday, February 28, 2016

The Big Bad Wolf

So while VF was sick she spent a fair amount of time watching cartoons.  Since Netflix has some Silly Symphonies on it right now, I took advantage and showed her some of the old ones from my childhood.  She saw the three little pigs, in three different short shows.  Of course the big bad wolf made a big impression.  During the first show while the wolf blowed down the stick house and the piggies ran she cried out "That wolf wants to eat those piggies!" "He's hungry." And when practical pig held the door to the brick house open she said "Over here, come in my house and be safe!"  So she was definitely getting the idea of the plot.

As with most things it then became a game.  Daddy or myself would play the wolf, and she would be the princess piggy running away to her room. While we blowed the door down she would hide. Well last night Daddy was the wolf, and she was hiding in her room.  JA was up on VF's bed just playing with her feet and socks.  The wolf came in and looked around, not finding VF though he went over to the bed and started to eat JA.  VF didn't waste any time, she leaped from her hiding spot crying out, "No not my Jovi! Not my baby sister!" She put her hands up by her face turning into a lion. "ROAR!" And that lion chased the wolf right out of there.

It's a pretty good time.  Meanwhile, VF isn't just pretending the princess part.  Aunt Alicia sent up a Sleeping Beauty dress for her, and she has worn it every day since.  Thanks Auntie. 

Finally, regarding her being ill, she has an ear infection. She is on antibiotics.  Of course it is between us having health insurances due to S switching jobs, and policies not being allowed to start mid month.  We ended up ahead though, because health insurance is $926 a month. And the Dr. visit, and medicine without insurance was only $100.  This whole health insurance thing is quite the racket, and it's pretty ridiculously priced.  Next year we will give Obamacare a try and see how it is priced for us.

Thursday, February 25, 2016

My lovey girl

J was lying on the floor under her new toy crying.  She'd had enough of it I guess.  I was wrapped up and couldn't get to her that minute.  VF went over to her got down next to her and says "Don't cry.  I'm here.  Mommy's here.  Fletcher here.  Jovi here.  It all ok.  Let me help you play!"  Does it get any sweeter?

Sunday, February 21, 2016

An amazing Friday

V was sharing the happy all day on Friday, so here are our stories.

On the way to school I gave her a bowl of O's to eat. The bowl I used is the one with the plastic flap lid that helps discourage messes.  I had bought it for J because it was on sale somewhere.  Now V had seen this bowl used by friends at different playtimes.  Well you would think I had just handed her the toy of the year.  "I have one of these?" "Holden has this bowl!" "Just like my friends!" Yep, the kid was over the moon because of a bowl.

When I went to pick her up from school Ms. Sophie had this story for me.  Walking from the playground back to the school there was a huge gust of wind.  V and her 4 friends were lifted off the ground and were about to be swept away! Dylan exclaimed "I'm in the sky!" Ms. Sophie envisioned the incident report stating that she just couldn't save them all.  She jumped to action. She had Veda and Izzy each grab a leg. She put Ethan on her back. Then grabbed the last to kids and held them each under an arm.  Then she braced against the gale and carried them all into the school.  Hooray!

Once in the car V asked: do you know where we are going next?
Me: um. . . home?
V: nope, the bank! it's Friday!
Yep, she is keeping track of the schedule now.  Of course we had to go home first to get the monies to take to the bank, but we did make it to the bank for her Friday popcorn.  At the bank while I was making the deposit I turned to see her pulling the kiddie chair across the sitting area.  When I went over I asked why.
V: to get taller, taller, taller.
M: why do you need to be taller?
V: to get up there? (pointing)
Not sure how she knew, but sure enough there was a bowl of candy up there.

Let's see.  When we were home she took a moment to show J how her new toy works.  (See picture) Thanks for sharing it with us Black family!

Later after her nap she found a piece of a chair that was waiting to be put back in. She tried to do it with her fingers, but it didn't work.  So she started looking through drawers.
Me: What are you looking for?
V: I need a screwdriver.
Well, I wasn't going to get in the way of her completing this task so I helped her out.  I got the screw pushed in and barely had time to grab my camera before she started using the mallet to tap in the cover.

 
It was a really great day.  V has been sick since with a fever of 102. So that is why I am late getting this posted.  Poor kid just gets to stay in bed watching Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Netflix cartoons all day.