Ice Skating in May

Joshua AND Jason had their first experience ice skating today along with the girls up the street. Mira and I watched. They had so much fun and got a great work out. Joshua just loved it. The rink provides 'walkers' for unsteady kids to push around and Joshua loved that, too. They skated for about an hour and 15 minutes. I am sure he would have gone all afternoon but the public skate sessions are only 2 hours and we got there a bit into it. Mira ran around and I just tried to keep her nearby.

We have all been a bit sick with stomach bugs and sinus issues lately so most days we are just making it through. Plus, now that preschool is over we have to learn a new routine and schedule. The 4 day weekend of Memorial Day was nice but it made this normal weekend of only 2 days seem REALLY short. That's ok, we have a long weekend away coming up. Jason and I are heading to a B&B for two nights and Memaw and Grandad are watching the kiddos. It is going to be lots of fun for everyone. We can't wait!

Baby Tres is now 28 weeks along. I had my gestational diabetes test this week and rhogam shot. Now the appointments are getting closer together. Things are really moving along now. The baby is active a lot of the time now. He/She seems to be quiet for the moment but will probably be playing soccer in there again soon.

Last Day of Preschool

Joshua had his last day of preschool today. He will go again in the fall with the same teacher and new students. There was a nice picnic lunch and his teacher made little books for each of them. Joshua asked me, 'What are we going to do after preschool?'. Good question! I've come to depend on that 2.5 hour chunk of time so we'll have to find other fun things to fill it in.

Mira added 'fish' in sign language and also 'tookie' or cookie, and down in spoken words.

Mother's Day

I think I had the best Mother's Day yet! The day started with well... not starting! I didn't have to get out of bed. It was great. Jason let me sleep in and went downstairs to prepare a delicious breakfast in bed for me with Joshua's help. He made french toast out of raisin bread topped with powdered sugar and sliced strawberries on the side he had bacon and grapes. He even made fresh squeezed oj. My day could have stopped there! I ate and enjoyed the breeze rustling the leaves on the tree outside our bedroom window. When I finally, at the urging of Joshua, wondered downstairs I found that Joshua (with Jason's help) had made a fantastic card for me. It was great.

We prepared for the Mother's Day Tea next. Family arrived around 1pm and we enjoyed sandwiches, tea and other treats until 3 or 4. After that we vegged in while the kids watched 'The Secret of Nim'. We had dinner out at a local 'home-cooking' type restaurant. We put the kids to bed and watched an episode of Heros and that was the day. It was great!

Joshua has one more day of preschool left for the year until fall. He is really looking forward to the picnic. I don't know what I am going to do during preschool time! I've really come to depend on those 2 days, 2.5 hours each week to get things done!

I have another OB check up tomorrow. I am 27 weeks along now. The ticker says that the baby is probably 2.5 pounds! Baby Tres is such a mover and shaker. I had a massage on Saturday morning and the massuse, who also was a doula, said she had never seen a baby move so much! I am really getting excited. It isn't much longer now and I am so looking forward to meet this little one. Lots to do to prepare, well not really, just lots of projects that I think we ought to finish before he/she arrives.

Mira has become MUCH more demanding recently. She is testing to see what screaming gets her, um...nothing, and gets VERY upset when I leave the house or her. Even when she is with Daddy. But thankfully this passes within a few minutes.

Good Report

Both my boys are doing great in school! Joshua received a note today that he had 'his best day ever!' we are thrilled. He is really getting into the swing of things and talking about school... only two more classes left for the semester but we will look forward to next fall.

Jason passed both classes with an A in each and passed his first 2 (out of 5) WPE's (Written Practical Exams) We'll have to see what his plan is for the rest of his PhD.

Mira now says, 'diaper', 'apple' (for all food) and emphatically shakes her head 'yes' and 'no' in response to questions. She has been having difficulty with her afternoon naps and I hope she works it out soon! She falls asleep at 9-9:30am every day but that is not enough to make it 'til her 7pm bedtime.

The seeds that Joshua and I planted indoors are outside and thriving now. He is enjoying gardening and exploring the outdoors. Mira can climb up the slide and go down on her own. She is quite the dare devil so you really have to keep an eye out!

We are planning for our annual Mother's Day Tea on Sunday and looking forward to it. Right now the weather says rain but I hope that changes so we can have it outside as usual. Jill graduates with her Master's degree from SUNY Purchase tomorrow. Way to go, Jill!

Travel

We are up in New York now to see Aunt Jill perform. The kids did well in the car. The 3 hour drive is easy, they were contained and they slept for about 1.5 hours of it. It is the eating out and dealing with all the new stuff: hotel, schedule, etc that is a challenge. I think this is it for traveling without daddy! Jason finishes next Tuesday for the semester. He passed his first WPE!!!! This is fantastic news! Gotta go.

Speech

Mira is really catching on with communication and is adding new words every day. She woke up the other day and looked out the window then made the sign for 'bird'. The birds were chirping loudly outside so that made lots of sense! She nods her head for yes and shakes her head for no. She says 'peek a boo'. She is coming along with the potty, too and we can get through most days on two diapers. She uses them at nap time. If she is nakey butt she will take herself to the little potty we keep in the main area of the house. If we are out and about, I will just try her on the potty when we make stops. It is going great and I have ordered some training pants to make the process go a little easier.

Joshua is coming to the end of his first year in preschool. He has been letting me leave without a fuss about every other time. This Thursday is a Mother's Day tea and I can't wait. All he will tell me is that, 'I can't tell you it is a surprise'. He has been more involved and social recently. I think that a new friend is helping. He has latched on to the most social girl in the class. What a match!

Baby Tres is now at 25 weeks! Welcome to the third trimester. Time is flying by. I am just now starting with heart burn. But if that is my only complaint, I am happy. I still feel pretty good and energetic. I sometimes have trouble sleeping but nothing too bad. Jason and I are getting away to a bed and breakfast at the beginning of June with his and hers massages and two nights of uninterrupted sleep! I can't wait. It will be a nice break from this LONG semester of PhD classwork.

Off to bake some bread!