A Day in the Life

After reading what I wrote about Pajama Day, I realized how day-to-day life is changing, and I wanted to make a note of what the day is like here.

Somewhere between 6 and 8am: Nina wakes Mommy up, asks to be dragged into our bed, perhaps gets a little milk.

5 minutes later: Nina grabs Mommy’s iPad and starts watching “Foofah” which is Yo Gabba Gabba, a show from Nickelodeon. Mommy takes a shower.

Around 8am: Daddy wakes up Ian, and grabs the piles of clothes that Mommy carefully chose the night before.

8:15am: Daddy ushers the kids downstairs and gets them dressed for school if it is a school-day. This usually happens while watching a show on TV like Yo Gabba Gabba, Bananas in Pajamas, or Busytown Mysteries. Generally Daddy (foolishly) dresses the children even though they (particularly Ian) know how to do so. Nina asks for raisins for breakfast. Daddy fills up water cups, feeds the cat, shaves, and continues to help kids get dressed, perhaps feeding kids a little breakfast in the form of Cheerios.

8:30am: Mommy comes downstairs, kids get into coats. (Nina now decides that she needs to go potty… sigh.) Regardless as to whether or not the kids have eaten enough in the morning, they request cereal bars as if this is a God-given right. Kids are strapped into Mommy’s car, kisses are exchanged. Daddy breathes on windows of car and draws Muno for Nina, the Millennium Falcon for Ian, maybe writes their names… if it is cold out. Mommy slowly backs out so that Daddy can walk along the front of the car and wave good-bye. Sometimes she rolls down the windows if the kids are saying good-bye or I love you.

(Mommy drops off kids.)

9am-6:15pm: Work.

(Mommy picks up kids, loads them up, drives home, unloads them.)

6:25pm: Kids come home, and even though Daddy has been home all day, both kids say “WELCOME HOME, DADDY!” Daddy wanders up the steps eventually as dinner is put into motion by Mommy. Mommy and Daddy read the sheets that tell us how the kids did today.

6:30pm: At this point we might go outside for a little bit, particularly if Brendan and Jake are available, or just stay in and play. Usually the latter happens and the kids get in Mommy’s way while she cooks. The table is set. Hands are washed. Vitamins are distributed and consumed. We say grace. We eat dinner. (Ian usually does not eat whatever is being served…) Ian is excused from the table, he washes his hands, forgets his face, has to go back to the bathroom and try again. Second time he’s successful but leaves the light on in the bathroom, and must go back a third time. Nina is cleaned up with a wipe, she’s free for a few minutes, but suddenly has to go potty again.

7:30pm: Usually Ian has to go potty around this time as well.

8:05pm: When it gets closer to bedtime, there is an overall resistance to the very idea of bedtime that is palpable in the air. Eventually, pajamas are put on. Daddy generally does not help with tooth-brushing as it is a trial of patience that Daddy is ill-equipped for. Stories are read. Hugs goodnight are exchanged. Ian gets a sippy cup of cold water, Nina gets a zooey, and some milk. Ian gets to watch a couple videos on Daddy’s phone. Ian says a good-night prayer.

8:30pm: Ian gets up 2-3 times in the next hour needing something ridiculous.

Later: Mommy stays up late working and getting things ready for the children’s next morning. Daddy goofs around. Most nights Mommy and Daddy enjoy a show on Hulu Plus.

March Pajama Day

I’m writing this one for Ian, mostly.

Your old man is far from perfect, but this story is important because I’m not sure you’ll remember it in the big scheme of things — and I did something right, for a change. As elementary school nears, and things like pajama days become an event of the past, this is all the more important. I’m giving this to you so that you can balance it against some of my less finer points, I guess. We’re all still learning, this family.

You and your sister rode away in the back of Mommy’s car, headed for daycare in the wee hours of the morning. I slipped back inside after the usual “walk the car down the driveway” ritual and went to grab the milk out of the fridge when I saw the calendar of events for the day: “Pajama day.” But I knew you hadn’t left the house in pajamas. I ran upstairs, picked out a couple PJ options, and hopped in my car. I wasn’t trying to be dramatic, but on the way to daycare I admit to hoping I would look like a bit of a hero.

Again, I wasn’t trying, but somehow the timing was perfect. Mommy had just knelt to your side, your lip pouted out and your eyes began to brim with tears as you stood, surrounded by a class full of pajama’d children. But then Mommy looked up and smiled big as I walked in and presented jammies to you. Honestly, you weren’t as thankful as I thought you’d be — it turned out there was a new teacher there and part of your tears were from the unfamiliarity… but you were happy to see me, and it felt great to do something good.

I’ve had to yell at you a lot lately, because you don’t know how to sit still in a chair at dinner, or can’t seem to stop eating your own shirt. But I love you. I always love you and if I could somehow present you with the equivalent of your forgotten pajamas every day, wild dragons could not stop me from doing so. It is just that sometimes life has a way of not giving a dad the calendar that tells him what his son needs today. We’re all still learning, kiddo.

March Dialogue and Milestones

Here’s some of the fun things that were said and some milestones that were reached during the month of March…

Dialogue, March 2nd
Ian: “I’m so cool!”

Milestone, March 2nd
Nina Pees in potty again, is pretty proud that it turned yellow, proceeds to ask Mommy if pee pee can be blue, red, green, orange, or purple.

Dialogue, March 2nd
Nina’s been saying this for months: “Daddy, my Daddy!”

Dialogue, March 2nd
Again, Nina’s been saying this for weeks… a phrase at a time, she learns from Ian: “Daddy lemme showu sumpin!”

Dialogue, March 4th
Nina calls from crib: “Mommy. Mommy. Mommy? It’s me, Nina!”

Daycare Sheet, March 7th
Nina’s Daycare Caregiver: “This morning we did a lot of playing. Nina would stack the blocks then count to three and knock them down!

Daycare Sheet, March 8th
Nina’s Daycare Caregiver: “She kept doing her ‘knock knock’ joke all day!”

Milestone, March 8th
I was doing my laundry this day, when Nina showed up and said “My do.” I explained that white stuff went in a separate pile. I told her this precisely once. She then sorted my laundry, pressed the correct buttons, added imaginary soap (while I added real soap) and she slammed the drawer for the soap shut.

Dialogue, March 10th
Ian: “Nina, look up! Nina has really pretty eyes when she looks up.”

Daycare Sheet, March 16th
Nina’s Daycare Caregiver: For art she glued fruit loops on her rainbow! She did very good at matching the colors.

Dialogue, March 17th
I took the kids to one of our local parks. If I had had a stopwatch handy, I would not have had time to start it before Ian made a friend. His name was Adam and Ian simply walked toward the park, and before his feet hit the park surface he yelled “what’s your name?” The boy did resist Ian’s friendship a bit, but they played together anyway, and it was pretty heartening. At some point Ian met Adam’s dog whom Adam described as a super fire dog. Ian told him that his dog needed spots to work at the fire-station.

Dialogue, March 23rd
Daddy: “I don’t know where she went, I guess she has to go consult her oracle or something.”
Ian: “Insult her orkle? Daddy talks kinda funky now.”

Milestone, March 24th
Nina asked me to read a book three times, and then read it to me, more or less, having memorized it.

Milestone, March 24th
Nina filled in dialogue for two characters she was playing with.

Milestone, March 24th
Ian played outside with many older kids, and was great!

Milestone, March 26th
Ian learns the carpet is lava game.

Dialogue, March 26th
Daddy: “Alright Ian, you said thank you!”
Ian: “You know Dad, you’re supposed to say ‘You’re welcome.'”

Daycare Sheet, March 28th
Nina’s Daycare Caregiver: “She was a little opinionated today. she did end up telling me no a few times.”

Daycare Sheet, March 29th
Nina’s Daycare Caregiver: “She kept rolling in the wood chips.”

Daycare Sheet, March 30th
Nina’s Daycare Caregiver: “She was very excited to play, she just has so many friends. She sang the ABC song for us all by herself, it was adorable.”

March Goes Out Like a Baa

March 21st, Ian on the swings in our backyard! See this image larger.

Ian practices his mean face!

Can you believe this little boy is headed for kindergarten? See this image larger.

He’s made some very good friends in the boys next door, and I’m happy about it. Aaron and Clara and their boys Brendan and Jake are good people. See this image larger.

Nina makes a shot, and the hoop sighs in happiness for being used a second time this year.

Nina looking cute in a skirt that reminds me of her ol’ Baskin Robbins style swimsuit! See this image larger.

*Nice to see ya, Daddy, gotta go!*

She’s such a delight at this age. See this image larger.

Must be out of gas!

Can’t believe this weather, wearing short-sleeves and a skirt in March! See this image larger.

March 24th, Ian makes a little gas station out of blocks for his car. Awesome!

March 25th, these kids just keep getting bigger! See this image larger.

And heavier! *Hold ’em up, Mommy, I want that tree in the background!* See this image larger.

Another awesome day with the family! See this image larger.

March 26th, Ian writes Nina’s name given what information he has… “NIANN.” (We told him Nina’s name is made up of the same letters as his, plus an extra N.) I then showed him how to do it right, which is what you see under “NIANN.”

Ian tries on Daddy’s welder goggles! See this image larger.

I like these as an alternate to safety goggles, for things that won’t bust through glass, of course.

I should have taken pics of him without the goggles, he looks really cute in a Steve Jobs’ style black turtleneck and blue jeans! See this image larger.

This is part of my War on Brass. I have no problem with brass in anybody else’s place, but for some reason I don’t like it in mine. Call it a preference. This day was to tackle most of the doorknobs in the house, with Ian as a helper!

Hey, watch where you point that thing! 🙂 See this image larger.

Butterflies 2012!

Breakfast drink for Daddy, thank you Nina!

*Ian, there’s a… There’s a… b-b-b-*

Still our cute lil’ boy! See this image larger.

Nina – *WATCH THOSE HANDS, MISTER.* See this image larger.

Ian’s class went to Meijer Gardens to see the butterflies, so here we are!

Almost a great picture… See this image larger.

Ian’s trying to tickle her and smile at the same time, doesn’t always work. See this image larger.

This, on the other hand, is probably one of my favorite shots of all time. Look at those faces! Look at the perfectly centered wings and antennae on Nina’s head! Awesome! See this image larger.

Alternate shot. See this image larger.

Just a quick shot, looking down at her, she looked so happy.

Waited for her to see herself, and then came the smile! See this image larger.

A couple atmosphere shots.

Pretty!

Ian asking questions. You can see a couple of Ian’s classmates in the background. See this image larger.

Ian, Nina and Mommy hanging out near the waterfall. See this image larger.

Daddy and the distracted kids. See this image larger.

All four! Thanks photographing stranger! See this image larger.

Pretty!

Time to head outside! See this image larger.

Bye butterflies!

The infamous entrance to the Children’s Garden at Meijer Gardens… See this image larger.

*But it won’t bite me, right Daddy?* See this image larger.

Heading across the bridge to the wooden fort… See this image larger.

Nina managed to get all the way across this hanging/swinging bridge! She did so well!

Time to play in the sand! See this image larger.

Ian the paleontologist! See this image larger.

Weee! Thanks Meijer Gardens, we had a blast! See this image larger.

The Hot Spring Continues!

March 16th, playing outside, without jackets! On March 16th!

Nina putting stuff together. See this image larger.

Ian joins in.

Nina does not approve.

March 17th, trip to the local park! See this image larger.

Nina actually seemed to think this was a fun “ride.” You step off the ladder and hang from your arms.

Nina poins out the colors on the monkey bars. See this image larger.

Staying hydrated is very important.

March 18th, at church! What a cute little dress on Nina!

Up in front of the congregation together during “children’s time!”

March Madness

March 13th, And this Micky Mouse imitation was lent a small boost by Ian’s hairline… almost perfect! See this image larger.

Less effective on Nina. I’m reminded of the Chapman-side tradition of giving bunny ears. See this image larger.

March 14th, the first ridiculously warm day of the season, and it just kept getting warmer… the minute the kids came home, they sprung out of the car and began drawing on the driveway with chalk. That or Nina’s breaking in her formerly clean diaper. Hard to tell — usually that stare means the digestive world is in motion.

Here Ian springs from Mommy’s car to join in on the drawing!

Have I mentioned Nina’s favorite color on the blog? Purple. See this image larger.

And that’s good because she wears it well! See this image larger.

More chalky goodness.

I love Ian’s face in this shot. He’s still extremely sensitive, and can be whiny at times, but he’s grown up a lot lately, and I think some of it shows in these pictures – though I couldn’t explain precisely why. See this image larger.

So that first warm day, of course it was time for our first wagon ride. And as you can tell the wagon part ends up being more of a liability than a boon. See this image larger.

Still, plenty of giggles to be had! See this image larger.

March 15th, surprised by how old she looks here!

Even older without the zooey!

I’m not sure what to say about these other than diapers were involved, but bottoms were not, and it was probably my idea. Sorry kids!

Another set to share with Ian’s prom date. 🙂

March Comes in like a Boo Boo Kitty

March 3rd, and no your eyes are not deceiving you. This isn’t Ian, this is Brandon’s son Max. I was helping them move, we stopped to eat, he got a really big sundae, and, well, it was a cute picture.

March 5th, Nina smiles a nice one at me. See this image larger.

I think she started singing here, was she in time out? See this image larger.

*Hey God, it’s me, Nina!*

The kids going nuts with markers and whatnot.

March 10th, we went to Ikea and Nina started using an abacus as we shopped. With the speed at which she seems to pick stuff up, I almost wouldn’t be surprised if she figured this thing out.

Nina wandering around Grampa Dave and Gramma Marcia’s – she was pointing out a small crystal bunny in the cabinet. We went there to wish Grampa Dave a happy birthday! (We didn’t have an opportunity to take too many photos… I did get one nice video, though, which I’ll share shortly.)

March 12th, at Gramma Marcia and Grampa Dave’s, the kids got these cool cardboard houses! The best part about them is that they fold away and pretty much disappear. I want to underline that again… these very large toys disappear. That’s awesome, because we’re pretty much getting overrun by toys. Disappear is good.

Also on March 12th, I got out the clippers. Here’s the “before” picture…

And here’s the “after!”

He was such a trooper. I even nicked his ear and caused it to bleed, and he was sad, and cried, but got over it very quickly. I expected him to then hate his own reflection, because that seems to be the way of things… but he loved it!

See? (He took an impromptu bath… wow cutting off that much hair really generates a lot of hair!!)

This adorable table and chair set was only 20 bucks at Ikea. Since we got it, it has seen daily usage.

Ian said this ball of tape with more tape inside of it looked like when I tried to hide a pea in his bread. (There was a time when we were trying to force Ian to eat some vegetables, but he only had to eat ONE pea, for example. So I helped him by hiding it. Long story. He still doesn’t drink milk at home, and frankly his nit-picky eating is probably the biggest issue we have with the raising of the kids currently.)

Ian made a shadow on the bathroom floor and said it was just like his spaceship toy. (Millennium Falcon.)

Rounding Out February

Audio, February 25th
I turned this video into audio to save a little room, as the image is unnecessary. To hear this audio, click here.

Video, February 26th
Daddy reads Nina “BigLittle” with a lot of questions. This is a long video, might take a bit to download. To see this video, click here.

That’s it for February, will we ever catch up?!?

Yet More February Movies

Video, February 14th
This is a video I took just pointing my camera at the television while we played a special video game. Before you skip this because it sounds horrible, trust me, this is kind of cute… you can SEE the kids on the screen. To see this video, click here.

Video, February 16th
The night before Mommy’s triumphant return to our home, Nina decided to try and say grace. Listen for “Sawd (God) ess grate, thank him for our food our food.” The video is out of sync with the audio a bit here, sorry. To see this video, click here.

Video, February 17th
On the 17th, we met Mommy at the airport! To try this video, click here.

Video, February 24th
Our neighbors next door invited us to Brendan’s birthday party, and Ian, Nina and I had a blast! I mentioned before that there was something I wanted you to see, and that’s Nina climbing to go down the slide, check it out! To see this video, click here.

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