Keira in financial trouble?

Yesterday afternoon Cassidy took a huge nap. So we were a little worried about when she would go to bed. We were thinking of heading out for a walk when I remembered that the other Cassidy's parents were big time into watching the Oscars. So I called them up to ask if they would like to get rid of 'CJ' for a couple of hours. We walked over and picked her up and headed back to our place for some play time. The girls played for a bit, did some hula, and ate some dinner. Keira was due to go to bed during the middle of this. So I put her up at one point, but a few minutes later she started crying. CJ said, "Poor Keira", and I nodded saying, "Yes, she's very tired and needs to go to sleep." Then CJ said, "Keira is poor." Now how am I to respond to that? Funny how you don't think about some turns of phrase.

Cassidy Turns 3

Cassidy was on 'winter break' from preschool this week. So Monday we had the neighbor girls over to play, and then celebrated with a little cupcake and the opening of presents after dinner. Then Tuesday we celebrated again with the other Cassidy. The kids had a good time dancing, playing, eating dinner and finally ending on a cupcake. Wednesday we headed to the doctor for her 3 year check up, she's doing great! Friday we went to 'Music Class', which both girls loved. Cassidy fell asleep on way home and then the babysitter came up with her little sisters while Jeremy and I headed out to a movie. Amazingly, when we came home, Cassidy was still awake. She's had quite a week, and I thought it would be mellow during 'vacation'. So much for that idea. I'm really looking forward to school starting again on Monday!

Keira meet ... Kira

Today we headed out to "Pump it Up" for a 3 yr olds birthday party from Cassidy's classroom. They have giant inflatable toys, like a 30 foot slide and obstacle courses. It was mostly kids from El Salon Rojo. So we finally got to meet some of the kids that we have been hearing about and also their families. Cassidy jumped right in to things and Keira was quick to follow. She went down the huge slide with Jeremy and had a blast. That encouraged another couple with their baby to take her down the slide. She wasn't as impressed. We made some chit-chat and went back to our respective children when I heard a familiar sound. I stopped, and thought, "No. That couldn't be." So I went over and asked them, "What's your daughter's name?" "Kira" (I know because the next thing I asked was how do you spell it.) I then told them that we had a Keira too. What are the odds on that one? So not quite as identical as the other Cassidy. Spelling variation and it seems that they are about 3 weeks apart in age, not just a couple of days. Jan. 4th for ours and Jan. 26th for theirs. It does seem a little odd to keep running into ourselves out here though.

The cutest kids in the world, seriously

So many times we have claimed our children to be the 'cutest' in the world. You always hear that parents will go on about how 'cute' their kids are, even when they aren't. Well, I have PROOF that my kids are the cutest in the world. Ok, I have some evidence that may be allowed into a court of law. Tonight there was a fund raiser dinner at a local restaurant for Cassidy's preschool. So we did our duty and headed out even though both girls were pretty beat from a playdate earlier in the day. I was surprised at how well our girls behaved considering how tired they were. So we were pleased enough. Then we headed to the book store after eating to let the girls roam a bit before heading home. We ran into Miss Jane, the teacher. She told us how well Cassidy was doing and that she was just so cute. In fact, it seems that Miss Jane has had to tell several of the older girls in the class that Cassidy is "not a doll." They are trying to 'take care of' Cassidy, helping her with her jacket, shoes, washing her hands etc because they think she's a doll. Thankfully, Miss Jane, informed us, Cassidy has learned to tell the other girls she needs her space, but when she needs some comforting there are plenty of 'friends' around to help her.

I knew I was good...

Well, Mothers & More, a group for mothers (duh) who think there is more (duh) to life than just being a mom was looking for some bloggers, so I applied. Guess what? They picked me! And everyone else who applied, but still, they picked me! So soon I will be linking up to their national site so Moms across the country can check out my blog. Everything here will remain the same, but I will warn both sets of parents, that I might start going a bit edgier and talk a little bit more about me. Hey, they wanted me to blog! Don't worry, the point is that I'm a Mom so it will still focus on the girls, but I have avoided some more personal stuff knowing my audience in the past. Just an FYI. Wish me luck!

Princess of Everything!

Let me start out by saying that today is a day of sickness in our house. 3 out of 4 Noonans seem to be fighting a cold, which means by tonight we should be to 100% sickness. Just in case I make any errors, my brain is checked out.

Cassidy went through a princess phase this fall. She wanted to dress up like a princess, she wanted princess panties. She got plastic high heels and a tiara at Christmas, and loves to wear those heels. How she walks in them I don't know. So you think the "Princess of Everything" would be her. Nope. It's me. I have taken to popping on the tiara while doing my daily duties. You see, doing the dishes, or folding laundry doesn't seem as mundane when you're royalty. I know feel that all women should have a tiara and wear it whenever they see fit. If a man is 'king of his castle' shouldn't the woman be 'queen' or 'princess'? I prefer princess as queens seem to have an older vibe going. Besides, a princess is young and vivacious, just like me. :) So I declare myself "Princess of Everything"! Now to see if I can switch out with Jeremy to get a nap.

Look at me, I'm a scary goat!

Sorry blogging has been sparse as of late. It's mostly because I've been feeling down and don't feel like doing anything. Thankfully, or not, because of the girls I still have to do things, like get out of bed in the morning. We've had almost a week of sunshine, and so guilt has forced me on walks and to draw with chalk. I know, sounds terrible. Keira seems to be a snuggle bunny. She loves to cuddle and to shower me with kisses, and when I say shower it does get you that wet. She comes at you with an open mouth and a big ol' grin. Slobbers on you for a brief second and then pulls away to laugh. It's making Cassidy more snuggly as she's jealous that Keira is sitting in my lap or slobbering on me. Today, Cassidy tried 'quiet time' and it actually worked! We used a kitchen timer, and I told her it would beep when quiet time was over, and sure enough she stayed in her bed and played quietly the entire time. Woohoo! Keira on the other hand, is transitioning to one nap a day, and so today she decided to forget about the afternoon nap. So instead of a quiet 30 minutes, I got screaming, checking on the baby every few minutes. Figures. We had a nice dinner as a family tonight as Jeremy ducked out of work early. Then bath time and time to play. Cassidy loves to pretend that she's whatever is on her hooded towel. So she'll buzz, or ribbit, or hop around for awhile. Tonight after she did that, she waved her arms around with the towel flowing behind and said, "Look at me, I'm a scary goat" Jeremy got it, and corrected her. "You're a ghoST?" "Yeah, ghost. Woooo." Watch out, I have an idea for next Halloween!

The real benefit of early to bed

Was it Ben Franklin who said, Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy and wise? So what happens when it's your kids who are early to bed? Well, as you have read many times in my blogs, my children are extremely wise, and very healthy. But then, what happens to the parents? You think we would be too. Well, perhaps so if didn't act like kids ourselves. We've been watching movies and playing video games. It doesn't get much better than that. Ok, so the laundry is piling up and the toilets could use a scrub. At least the kids are ok!

Why I hate parenting magazines

Robyn, a mother of two in Redmond, WA (Cassidy almost 3 and Keira 13 months), is having a rough day with the kids. It started when she woke up tired, continued through fussing baby at grocery store, middled in construction traffic picking up preschooler and had almost ended with both kids screaming their heads off while Daddy is 30 minutes late leaving work. A few suggestions for this mother at wits end to finish her day on a better note. 1) Call a girlfriend and hit the town. 2) Recharge by taking a bath...alone. or 3) Write a saracastic blog and hope to vent some steam.
Option 1. Thanks for the reminder that I don't have any girlfriends since we've moved across the country. I was feeling tired and slightly depressed before, and now I am feeling even worse b/c I haven't made the time to make some girlfriends. I have met people, but no one that I can call and say let's go out now, or for that matter, that I would want to hang out with.
Option 2. Started the water at a nice hot temperature. No babies getting in here. Considered putting on jets, but realized that would require remvoing the bath crayon from one of the jets and cleaning the tub better. Pulled out some nice chocolates. Got in and turned off the water. *aahhhh* No that wasn't my sighing at the heat loosening my muscles, that was the sound of Cassidy screaming at her Dad. Oh, and is that Keira chiming in too. Yes. Dig in to the chocolates. Nice Belgian chocolates, no 3 Musketeers tonight. Although by the time I'm done, I would have been better off with one 3 Musketeers instead of eating the ENTIRE set of Belgian chocolates. Do I hear the dog getting yelled at too? Something about him peeing in the house. So much for recharging!
Option 3. Sarcastic, check. Vented, check.

Sunny Days

Amazingly we had a beautiful sunny day here yesterday. Yes, in Seattle! Then amazingly it was sunny today too. Woohoo! So after preschool I called up Jeremy and we had a picnic lunch at the park. Cassidy has really grown in her ability to play with other kids. She is not as timid. So she had a great time going down the slide. I realize that I really need to get Keira some shoes for outside now that she's walking. She was all right today hanging out with Mom and Dad, but that won't last long. All afternoon she did laps around living room and upstairs. Any time she would plop down, she would get back up instead of crawling. No more of that baby stuff.