La Quinta

We finally got away. It was long over-due.

We had hoped to get away during the boys summer school and fall term break, but John had to work. It was probably best, because we went to Palm Springs (La Quinta), which of course is the desert, and it was hot.

We actually went the perfect week, because if we had gone when we were supposed to have gone, it would have been above 100 degree's the entire visit. We had high's in the 90's, dipping into the mid 80's at night. It was really nice.

The pro's of the visit were that we had a change of scenery, and many wonderful pools to splash in. The grounds of the resort were gorgeous, and it smelled like a flower. I had no cooking or cleaning-up, no laundry...

The con's were and are pretty obvious. The boys got up at the crack of dawn every day, and were loud. We shared a room, so there was little sleep for the weary. The boys also shared a bed. This was good and bad in that they LOVED having a big bed. But getting them settled down was a challenge. Bedtime started at 8 pm. But they would never truly be asleep until close to 11 pm.

Eating was the other con, in that Henry was just a beast. He refused to sit. He wanted to wander. If we were outside, he wanted to chase birds. This might sound cute, but it got old really fast. Making him sit just caused him the scream.

Michael did great eating out. He has become a real joy to take out. He is eating a really balanced diet and is more open to trying new foods. Henry will get there... but right now, he is hard.

We did have a little bit if drama. Before breakfast one morning, we stopped for a family picture. Right after the picture was snapped (see above family photo), Michael screamed. This was not an angry scream, but a scream of pain. He was very loud and would not talk. He just screamed. People stopped and looked, security came running over. I finallygot him to show me where he hurt, and he pointed (still screaming) to his foot. We took off his Crock and saw a big sting. It was determined a Yellow Jacket got stuck in his Crock. The thing got mad, trying to get out and stung. Here is a picture of the sting we were able to get while waiting for the medic to arrive with some sting relief meds.



The pools were lots of fun, and we all enjoyed the down time. No meetings, no phone calls, no rushing to get to school. It was nice.

The boys totally exhausted themselves everyday. Here is one picture of a very tired Henry sacked out in a cart at Target. We ran out of sunblock. Henry fell sleep the second the car turned on. He slept the whole visit, as well as 2 other stops, the drive back to the resort, and the transfer to the bed. He was one pooped little dude.



It was nice to be home, though. Although I do miss having breakfast prepared for me!

Bottle and Binky Report

Henry refused the bottle all yesterday. He looked at me and said, "all done", then walked away.

I gave him his milk in a sippy, he took a sip, and said, "all done", then walked away.

This morning, Henry said, "milk please". I said he needed to have a waffle first.

He ate half of the waffle, then asked for milk again.

I told him he had to have his milk in a sippy, and he said, "all done", then walked away.

The binky is practically gone!!! He only asks for it if he is really upset and only at night.

I am hoping the words binky and bottle will not be in any posts soon.

Summer is Over

The boys started school today.

All went well. They attended Summer school, which is more like camp, so it was no big deal for them to start. Everyone was all smiles!

But with the month of September, one knows that Fall is around the corner, even here in Southern California. There was a certain smell in the air, letting me know that the mornings were going to get cooler soon, and jackets would be needed. The leaves really do not change here, if fall, but it does get cool, even cold sometimes.

That being said, we have been going to the back alot this Summer. We have a few more weeks of beach weather we think. We also made our park rounds. The boys never grow tired of the beach or parks which is good.

Here are a few pictures from this past week.








In other news, Henry is pretty much binky free. We started only allowing him to have it at night for sleeping. He did great with all this, always taking the binky out and leaving it. He no longer naps with it, so we are working on night time now. Last night, I thought he was going to not have it at all, but he wanted it. I took it when he was asleep, and he did great. Henry is also escaping the crib very quickly and easily. So the cribs days are numbered. Henry showed up in our bedroom about 3 am. I heard this rustling near the bathroom, and got up to find Happy Henry plopped on the floor. He had his Lovey's but no binky. He wanted water. It was very sweet. I am not sure how long he would have just sat there. I can not believe I even heard him!

Michael is loving his bunk bed still. The whole sharing room thing has gone very well. And the playroom is a big hit. I was unsure this would be a good idea, but I am sold now.

Michael is also pre-reading and doing very simple addition. Counting to 100 is something he loves to do. He is also a builder. And he is good! He has a good eye, and enjoys getting lost in creating.

Michael has become terribly shy. He will look away and say nothing if he has never met a person, or has not seen someone is a long time. I am working with him on at least saying hello, but so far, that has been really difficult. He is fine once he gets to know you, and is very chatty.

Henry is completely different. Talks non-stop to anyone who will listen. He is very head-strong as well, hence the nickname, The Bull.

The boys are good buddies and play well together. Henry LOVES Michael and wants do everything he does.

On that note, I am off to get earthquake kits together for the boys school.