I haven't written about all sorts of things but today, DJ reached a milestone!
He has a loose bottom tooth!!
It's been bothering him a little, so he's complaining of a little pain here and there. But he's learned to adapt in terms of eating (put the food in the back of your mouth, and don't bite down on anything!).
I thought losing teeth didn't come until after 6 years old, so I thought I had some time! Clearly, my timeline was wrong on that count!
We'll see how long this tooth takes to fall out! Hooray for the Tooth Fairy!
Sunday, December 30, 2012
Sunday, October 28, 2012
The Whistler and The Stair Stepper
We have hit a couple of milestones in our household!
First, we have a new Whistler -- DJ! He says that his current favorite friend at school, Hanna, taught him. It's awesome!!
Second, Elektra is now walking up stairs one foot per stair!
Hooray for the kids!!
First, we have a new Whistler -- DJ! He says that his current favorite friend at school, Hanna, taught him. It's awesome!!
Second, Elektra is now walking up stairs one foot per stair!
Hooray for the kids!!
With cold weather...
...comes creature trying to come inside.
Today, I went into our utility room to get the front storm door (to replace our screen door), and noticed that my bug traps were full.... full of mice. Oh there were plenty of bugs, too, but the mice were an unexpected surprise.
Interestingly, the sticky bug traps caught 3 mice. I had no idea that they were THAT sticky.
I haven't seen any mouse droppings in the finished area, so I'm wondering if drywalling/insulating everything has kept them out of those parts of the house. The only place they can get out of the drywall area is in the utility room.
Time to set some MOUSE traps.
I also saw live camel crickets. Those buggers are back, so I put out fresh glue traps.
Maybe I'll catch more mice along with the camel crickets.
YUCK.
Today, I went into our utility room to get the front storm door (to replace our screen door), and noticed that my bug traps were full.... full of mice. Oh there were plenty of bugs, too, but the mice were an unexpected surprise.
Interestingly, the sticky bug traps caught 3 mice. I had no idea that they were THAT sticky.
I haven't seen any mouse droppings in the finished area, so I'm wondering if drywalling/insulating everything has kept them out of those parts of the house. The only place they can get out of the drywall area is in the utility room.
Time to set some MOUSE traps.
I also saw live camel crickets. Those buggers are back, so I put out fresh glue traps.
Maybe I'll catch more mice along with the camel crickets.
YUCK.
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Elektra's 4 year well-child visit
Today, Elektra visited the pediatrician and not surprisingly, she came out with a clean bill of health!
She weighed 35 1/4 pounds (50th percentile) and is 40 1/4 inches tall (65th percentile). Last year, she weighed 31 pounds (51st percentile) and was 38 inches tall (69th percentile). Despite the fact that it felt like she shot up like a weed, she actually didn't grow as fast as I thought.
She did a fantastic time doing what the doctor asked her. Also, she acted out playing doctor while we were waiting for him. It was really cute. "Ok, take a deep breath...." "open your mouth and say 'ahhhh'"... so cute!
On the downside, she did receive 5 vaccines, 4 in her thighs, so her legs hurt. We gave her some Tylenol to help her cope, and that seemed to help. But this seems like the last big bunch for awhile. DJ didn't have very many at all at his 5 year well-child visit. I can't imagine getting shots in the thighs.... it has to hurt more than in the arm.
She took a long nap at Eleanor's after her appointment, and was thrilled to go to swimming lessons with her friends, Evan and Gracie (and DJ, of course). She also pounded her favorite dinner -- salmon!
Hooray for a happy and healthy Elektra!
She weighed 35 1/4 pounds (50th percentile) and is 40 1/4 inches tall (65th percentile). Last year, she weighed 31 pounds (51st percentile) and was 38 inches tall (69th percentile). Despite the fact that it felt like she shot up like a weed, she actually didn't grow as fast as I thought.
She did a fantastic time doing what the doctor asked her. Also, she acted out playing doctor while we were waiting for him. It was really cute. "Ok, take a deep breath...." "open your mouth and say 'ahhhh'"... so cute!
On the downside, she did receive 5 vaccines, 4 in her thighs, so her legs hurt. We gave her some Tylenol to help her cope, and that seemed to help. But this seems like the last big bunch for awhile. DJ didn't have very many at all at his 5 year well-child visit. I can't imagine getting shots in the thighs.... it has to hurt more than in the arm.
She took a long nap at Eleanor's after her appointment, and was thrilled to go to swimming lessons with her friends, Evan and Gracie (and DJ, of course). She also pounded her favorite dinner -- salmon!
Hooray for a happy and healthy Elektra!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELEKTRA!
Where did the years go?! Elektra has turned 4, and she couldn't WAIT to turn 4.
She requested pink icing for her cupcakes, so she got bubble gum pink icing. We had a small celebration for her on Sunday, and she loved EVERY minute of it!
And of course, the obligatory... my-big-brother-tried-to-blow-out-my-candle-with-me picture!!
She was so thrilled to get clothes for gifts, and couldn't wait to wear them, and the matching hair accessories that came with them.
Happy Birthday, Elektra!
She requested pink icing for her cupcakes, so she got bubble gum pink icing. We had a small celebration for her on Sunday, and she loved EVERY minute of it!
And of course, the obligatory... my-big-brother-tried-to-blow-out-my-candle-with-me picture!!
She was so thrilled to get clothes for gifts, and couldn't wait to wear them, and the matching hair accessories that came with them.
Happy Birthday, Elektra!
Saturday, September 08, 2012
First day of soccer!
Today, the kids joined the rest of the kids in their age group of the United States ... they started their first day of soccer with the Carroll Manor Hot Shots -- Team #11, also known as Team Germany! I saw as many as 14 teams... that tells you how many kids are playing!
The kids did wonderfully. They each had their own soccer ball, and that really helped keep the kids focused.
They are learning the basics like trapping the ball and kicking it not with their toes. They spent some time dribbling, and they really enjoyed playing Sharks and Minnows. DJ was the first shark, and he was good at stealing the ball from the other players!
At the end of practice, the coach decided to play freeze tag with the kids to give them another opportunity to run around.
They had a good time today! Looking forward to next week!
The kids did wonderfully. They each had their own soccer ball, and that really helped keep the kids focused.
They are learning the basics like trapping the ball and kicking it not with their toes. They spent some time dribbling, and they really enjoyed playing Sharks and Minnows. DJ was the first shark, and he was good at stealing the ball from the other players!
At the end of practice, the coach decided to play freeze tag with the kids to give them another opportunity to run around.
They had a good time today! Looking forward to next week!
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| DJ |
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| Elektra |
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| DJ kicking his ball |
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| DJ kicking his ball again |
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| DJ and Elektra! |
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| CM Hot Shots - Team 11 -- Germany! |
Wednesday, August 08, 2012
Swimming at Wrightsville Beach
The family has made its annual trek to Wrightsville Beach and the kids, being a year older, are enjoying it even more than previous years.
This year, I decided to see if we could give the kids a little more independence in the pool, and bought them floaties/swimmers. Plus. they are missing one of their swim lessons, so I am hoping that we can make up for that with lots of time in the pool doing lesson-type skills!
Elektra took right to the floaties. She immediately figured out that they help her float, and around the pool she goes all by herself. DJ, on the other hand, was not confident in them, and stuck to the stairs. It took awhile to convine him that they aren't just for decoration, but he still didn't want anything to do with leaving the area in which he could stand (the stairs).
Then my sister suggested goggles so that he can see underwater, and a small miracle happened. DJ not only started to put his head under the water, but he started to try and float/swim around the pool. It was a serious breakthrough for him. And it's all he wants to do now in the pool... swim around looking under water.
Below is a video of the kids swimming. The first is of Elektra swimming the length of the pool by herself, and the subsequent scene is DJ swimming around.
If you can't see the video, click on this link: http://www.youtube.com/embed/Bwzh4LmKtms
This year, I decided to see if we could give the kids a little more independence in the pool, and bought them floaties/swimmers. Plus. they are missing one of their swim lessons, so I am hoping that we can make up for that with lots of time in the pool doing lesson-type skills!
Elektra took right to the floaties. She immediately figured out that they help her float, and around the pool she goes all by herself. DJ, on the other hand, was not confident in them, and stuck to the stairs. It took awhile to convine him that they aren't just for decoration, but he still didn't want anything to do with leaving the area in which he could stand (the stairs).
Then my sister suggested goggles so that he can see underwater, and a small miracle happened. DJ not only started to put his head under the water, but he started to try and float/swim around the pool. It was a serious breakthrough for him. And it's all he wants to do now in the pool... swim around looking under water.
Below is a video of the kids swimming. The first is of Elektra swimming the length of the pool by herself, and the subsequent scene is DJ swimming around.
If you can't see the video, click on this link: http://www.youtube.com/embed/Bwzh4LmKtms
Thursday, June 21, 2012
PreSchool Graduation pictures
I can't believe I forgot to add the pictures from DJ's preschool graduation to my last blog post.
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| DJ and Grace with their teacher, Lisa Strzelczyk. |
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| DJ and Grace |
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| DJ and Grace |
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| DJ and Grace, on their way back to day care.... starting the sillies... |
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| There are the sillies!!! |
PreSchool Graduation
I realize this is really late in being posted, but I figure better late than never. It took me awhile to compile all of the video clips.
On May 24, both DJ and his daycare girlfriend, Grace, graduated from St. Paul's Lutheran PreSchool to move on to Kindergarten.
There were two classes of preschoolers --- the morning 4's and afternoon 4's. DJ and Grace were in the afternoon 4's together with 10 other children and 2 teachers. It was a nice sized class.
The service started with a procession, then the kids sang 2 songs. At that point, the director of the school gave a few words. Then the kids sang 4 more songs. The pastor of the church gave a few words, too, and then each child said what they liked the most about school. They processed out, and lots of yummy goodies were served!
And without further ado, here is the video!! The link to it is here: http://youtu.be/e2mxA7MMQps. Be aware, this video is approximately 10 minutes long, and I'm going to apologize for my horrible camera skills... it was hard to hold the camera still when having to hold it high above my head to not be blocked by others.
Happy Graduation, DJ and Grace!
On May 24, both DJ and his daycare girlfriend, Grace, graduated from St. Paul's Lutheran PreSchool to move on to Kindergarten.
There were two classes of preschoolers --- the morning 4's and afternoon 4's. DJ and Grace were in the afternoon 4's together with 10 other children and 2 teachers. It was a nice sized class.
The service started with a procession, then the kids sang 2 songs. At that point, the director of the school gave a few words. Then the kids sang 4 more songs. The pastor of the church gave a few words, too, and then each child said what they liked the most about school. They processed out, and lots of yummy goodies were served!
And without further ado, here is the video!! The link to it is here: http://youtu.be/e2mxA7MMQps. Be aware, this video is approximately 10 minutes long, and I'm going to apologize for my horrible camera skills... it was hard to hold the camera still when having to hold it high above my head to not be blocked by others.
Happy Graduation, DJ and Grace!
Saturday, June 02, 2012
DJ's last day of T-ball
T-ball season came and is already over!
Although I can't say that he LOVED it and can't wait to play again next year, I know he learned a lot! He never did give up playing with the infield dirt; he just couldn't help himself. But, his hitting was better, he learned how to run the bases in the right order, he can throw much better, and he can now field grounders!
In his last "game", the coaches decided it would be the Carroll Manor Orioles vs. their parents! The parents were up to bat first, and we were 3 and out! However, we gave anyone who wanted to bat an opportunity, although no runs counted! Therefore, Elektra got her first ever at-bat! She then ran the bases, too!! I guided her to 2nd, 3rd and home, but she did great!
Then the kids got to bat, and go figure, EVERY SINGLE t-ball player hit a HOME RUN!!!! We parents in the field were just a calamity of errors! For example, during DJ's at-bat, you'll see Steve miss catching the ball at 2nd base and "running" to go get the errant ball while DJ comes heading home! If you can't see the video, click here: http://youtu.be/4IC1jvyjfA0
After the game was over, we all went to a local creamery for ice cream, and the coaches handed out trophies and certificates for the kids.
Although I can't say that he LOVED it and can't wait to play again next year, I know he learned a lot! He never did give up playing with the infield dirt; he just couldn't help himself. But, his hitting was better, he learned how to run the bases in the right order, he can throw much better, and he can now field grounders!
In his last "game", the coaches decided it would be the Carroll Manor Orioles vs. their parents! The parents were up to bat first, and we were 3 and out! However, we gave anyone who wanted to bat an opportunity, although no runs counted! Therefore, Elektra got her first ever at-bat! She then ran the bases, too!! I guided her to 2nd, 3rd and home, but she did great!
Then the kids got to bat, and go figure, EVERY SINGLE t-ball player hit a HOME RUN!!!! We parents in the field were just a calamity of errors! For example, during DJ's at-bat, you'll see Steve miss catching the ball at 2nd base and "running" to go get the errant ball while DJ comes heading home! If you can't see the video, click here: http://youtu.be/4IC1jvyjfA0
After the game was over, we all went to a local creamery for ice cream, and the coaches handed out trophies and certificates for the kids.
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| DJ and some of his teammates |
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| DJ and his coaches, Greg and Pat |
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| DJ's t-ball participation certificate |
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| DJ's trophy which says "Carroll Manor Baseball - T-ball 2012" |
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