Pumpkin Patch Trips...

I finally got around to downloading the photos from my camera so I can post them...Life has been busy and chaotic, but overall good. Tuesday Zach had a field trip at preschool...he went to the pumpkin patch...my dad and I went with him...those photos are at the bottom...he had fun and especially loved the big slide. I was so surprised...last year his field trip was awful...nightmare to be honest. This year he handled the change in his routine and day so well. He waited his turn with minimal whining and really had no issues...so nice. Thursday we then went as a family to the pumpkin patch in the town Rosamond...on the outskirts of the west gate of base...still a 20 minute drive from my front door. The town has nothing in it other than an Albertsons, Rite Aid, some homes...very run down to be honest. But, they have a nice pumpkin patch every year and every year we have gone...So my mom and I took the kids to this...it was nice, but very hot and we didn't stay long. Seriously...I like hot, I love summer and of all things of living here, don't mind the desert heat...not when it is still hitting in the 90's daily and it is mid October...that is a bit much even for me.
All in all it was fun. Sadly Zach had a rough Friday night...good AM Saturday, but rough night....good Sunday. He now has a cold though and sounds awful. Poor guy. So...we are waiting for the other shoe to drop, Erin to get sick and right when my mom and dad leave a week from tomorrow, I should get it. :) Can't believe two weeks have come and gone. Hoping to hit the apple orchard in Tehachapi tomorrow with the kids...Zach LOVES apples...eats one a day no joke, sometimes two. So, hopefully he will feel up to it and we can go...
Here are the photos...

Erin had her eyes on some big pumpkins...
Zachary however went for the little pile, knowing he could easily grab one, pick it and head to the jumpy castle...oh my son.
Erin and mommy playing peek a boo in the giant pumpkin....

Zach and I taking a photo...never fails that the kids want nothing to do with the camera on days I have someone to take the photo for me...
Smiley face...
Self portrait of us in the AM...

Still no camera love....but it was a decent attempt...

Got his pumpkin...notice bounce castle in background...he was all about that....
Sadly this was the best group shot I got...our Christmas card will be blank I fear....
Erin unsure of what to do next...
Searching for our pumpkins...
Zach and his friend Luke from his Palmdale preschool...they have been in class together since last January...good pals...

Most of his class with a few random kids thrown in and some missing, but you get the idea...
Coming down the slide with Luke and Ryan (the girl behind him....might be his girlfriend, they held hands a lot while walking from area to area that day).
The monster slide...he loves those things...

I am super tired...

Up early this morning, 4:45 AM...Zachary has a space heater in his room...his room is about 4-5 degrees cooler than the rest of the house...I had bought two last year when we lived in the old house...so it came in handy...well it is really nice and has a digital number/temp on top....he likes it too much...he has a big things for numbers.  Anyhow...he was up that early watching the numbers on there and talking really loud.  Oh my Zachary...so I got him back to sleep around 6 AM and then I had to wake him up an hour later.  He took a nap so he would be rested for Miss Gerri....So we will see how tonight goes with his sleep.  Oh the joys...

I am just tired...too many mornings up early, construction, the kids, etc.  No chance ever to nap since I have two that don't nap at the same time...Zach usually never naps now...sleeping on the sofa bed...it is just exhausting...

I think I have gotten Zach's referral for speech taken care of finally....a million calls to TriWest...oh those people are not super smart and so frustrating. I hope it is resolved now.  I am tired of wasting time on the phone with this issue. I have so many appointments in the next two weeks...his IEP about OT (occupational therapy) on Friday...then the doctor again next week for follow up visit...then a trip to Pasadena to this weekend to the children's museum.  I think that it will be fun...then my parents will be leaving on the 27th...they have an early flight on the 28th...so they are going to Ontario the night before so that we don't have the big drive that night...next week I got a sitter for a dinner out with just the adults...hope it will be a fun night.  

I watched the debate tonight...I voted via my absentee ballot last week and I feel good about the vote I cast...

I am off to read and to bed...

Quiz time...

Getting to Know You
My friend April had this on her blog for others to do...always fun I think...
WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? My sister's doll I believe.
WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? Monday night when my parents came back from seeing my grandmother and told me about her...we have always been quite close...
DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? Not so much...
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? Probably turkey, but I do love mortadella...
DO YOU HAVE KIDS? Yup....two cuties...Zach and Erin.
IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? I have no idea...I would think so and hope so...but I am not sure....I know I have a ton of flaws and lots of people that don't like me, so I am not sure...
DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? I use it like i breathe...
DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? Nope...had them removed between my freshman and sophmore year in college...THANK GOD! I suffered through tonsillitis my whole freshman year.
WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? I am scared to death of hieghts...so most likely not.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? Smart start...I do love rice crispies though.
DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? not so much...
DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? Yes...I think I am stronger than other people give me credit for, but sometimes I need to learn it is okay not to be strong all the time.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM? Chocolate chip cookie dough and mint chocolate chip.
WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? maybe eyes...more if they smile and say hi back when I talk to them at this point.
RED OR PINK? Red
WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? Temper....I can name more, but that would be the big one.
WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? Can't answer that one...the list again would be too long...
WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE? Buffet pasta at the club...
WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? Dora the Explorer
IF YOU WHERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? blue
FAVORITE SMELLS? The Ocean and Rain in the desert...
WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? Stupid moron at TriWest about Zach's referral...
FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH? College basketball. (GO DUKE)
HAIR COLOR? Brown
EYE COLOR? Blue
DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? No.
FAVORITE FOOD? Mexican food...heck I love food...I have lots.
SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? Both, depends on the mood I am in...
LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? I have no idea....
WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? Black...
SUMMER OR WINTER? Summer!! I don't mind the heat....hate the cold.
HUGS OR KISSES? Both.
FAVORITE DESSERT? Italian creme cake
WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW? Nineteen minutes
WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON TV LAST NIGHT? The HIlls and jon and Kate plus 8...tivo rocks
FAVORITE SOUND? Ocean!
ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? Beattles...
WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME??? Europe
DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? Being bitchy
WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Woodland, CA

Fill this out and add it to your blog if you want...fun...

Slow Sunday

Had a slow and boring Sunday here...headed out to the commissary late today and then played out back for a bit...still chilly here, but no wind today, thankfully. I don't have a good coat for Erin yet, so I am not as willing to let them out.  I wasn't sure what size she was and hadn't found anything yet....I had bought things last year in preparation for Zach when things were on sale...so he had things.  I did go online and got a few things from Old Navy since they had some sale items...so hopefully they get here soon for Erin.  

 My mom and dad are heading home tomorrow...the trip up there has been hard for them and I am glad I didn't go.  Apparently things with my grandmother are not as everyone had imagined.  She is in a hospital like room, hospital bed, has a "bracelet" on her wrist to monitor her at all times...she has a roommate and is in a locked ward of the facility. Most people there sound like they are in bad health or mental states and it is heartbreaking for my mom to see her mom there.  I think my mom feels so helpless. She and her brother don't speak often and don't have a very good relationship...he lives in SF and tends to take over without my mother's opinions being considered or asked....it is a complex situation to say the least.  I am selfishly glad to not have gone. I had a wonderful relationship with my grandmother and we have always been close...when I was in college she lived in Scottsdale near my parents....I saw her a ton and we spent a lot of time together during those 4 years. I cherish those moments now.  

My sister and I had a nice long talk today and that was a nice treat. She went back to work right after Brandon left, so we have had little time to talk in the past month with her being super busy and me having two crazy little ones to myself...add in the time change and it makes it hard to keep up with her.  It is nice to have a chance to catch up with her.  We aren't always on the same page on things and are quite different.  We went on a cruise two years ago and no one thought we were sisters...it was quite funny.  We don't look alike, but also have very different lives, interests, etc.  We have a lot in common under the surface, but some times we don't see eye to eye and we have been known to have a fight or two. :)  But, she is my big sister and I love her a lot...I know that she loves me and my family and would be there for me, as I would for her.  I think that is what matters most...loving someone despite your differences.  

Tonight is slumber party night...Zach is ready now and it isn't even 7...Erin isn't ready at all...this should be interesting...

More later....

Photos...

Just wanted to throw on a few cute photos of the kids from the past few days. We have all had such a great time with my mom and dad here...it is has been a big breath of fresh air we needed! We are doing well and happy! My parents left this AM for the Bay Area to see my grandmother (mom's mom). They should return Monday night if all goes well for them and with her. I am hoping it is a good trip for my mom and she has some time to enjoy her mom. I know these trips are sometimes not easy for her...to see your parents age and become more limited can't be easy....something I do not look forward to in my own life.
The kids and I have been home bound all day, not even in the backyard...the wind is bad and it is in the low 50's...too cold to be out and playing in this...we did hit the BX for a bit and got some dinner at Charley's....yummy. Early to bed I think for all of us here....More fun photos to come, but here are a few...
We pulled out costumes and dress up clothes....Erin had fun with the fire hat...my little girl is so full of smiles. Love it!
Zach being Zach...took his Halloween basket and put it on his head as a hat...silly goose!
My dad with his biggest fans....
Erin was so happy to have new playmates...she loves my dad and is always looking for him or following him around...so cute.

Weekend Alone...

My mom and dad have been here a week now and it has been awesome. The kids are so happy...I have had real meals and conversations. THe house feels alive and like a home...we have had laughs and discussions. It has been great. Tomorrow they head to see my grandmother. She is 94...she has lived in an assisted living center in San Rafael for about 8 years. She was recently moved to the care unit after wandering away. Before that event we had planned for the kids and I to go up with my parents and see her. She had her own room which was nice for visits since we could go in and sit and hang out a bit even though it was small, it was her space. Now she is in a room with someone else and we have no idea what to expect. So, I decided that it would best for us to not go on the trip. The drive up there can take up to 7 hours with traffic and stops and I wasn't in the mood for that with two small kids...Zach is the best traveler ever created...Erin isn't a bad traveler, but Zach has spoiled me. She gets fussier much quicker on the long road trips...So after planning to go, we decided Monday that we would stay behind and let them go alone. I think my mom will need the time with her mom and that undivided attention that can't occur with little ones around. I am not sure we could find activities fun for a 4 year old, 16 month old and 94 year old...so this will be best for all. They leave tomorrow and will return Monday night if all goes well. I know the kids will be devastated...they adore my parents. Zachary knows they are leaving and that will help that he can discuss, talk and understand that concept. Erin will again search for them as she did with her dad and then hate me that they left...She has just been so thrilled to have a captive audience to her cuteness these past few days. Zach is loving that he has more time to play one on one with someone. We got to go bowling today and that was a thrill for him and for me...I love my time with my buddy. So...this will be a long weekend for us since Monday is also a holiday and he has no school...bummer. The weather turned wickedly cold today and I had to turn the heat on this AM...very windy...20-30 mile and hour winds with gusts up to 40 at times tomorrow and the high in the low 60's....so tommorrow we won't head out if we can avoid it...I hate the wind and cold here for the little ones. Zach and I have planned our slumber party for Sunday night and both are excited. I am thrilled to get two nights back in my bed since I have been on the sofa bed all week...those things aren't super comfy. :) We have had a fantastic week though and will make it through the weekend in anticipation for their return...

A little less from me these days...

So I have been on here a little less the past few days...nice to have the company of my parents both for me and the kids. We took Zach to school today, shopped a bit at Target and then I had a doctor appointment...will go back in two weeks for more tests...nothing is wrong per say...just some issues that needed to be looked into... Then lunch and off to get Zach...came home and we all played, hung out and had a good afternoon...dinner at the club tonight...then it was another early night for the little ones. Erin is working on 2 new teeth and just being as cute as she can be. I swear that little girl is just a blessing beyond words...so sweet, fun and adorable. Zachary and I played soccer out back for a bit and he actually did pretty well with it.
Still being woken up by the construction trucks...not adding to my overall well being. I am so fed up with it...I have no words...
On that note...I have to say at times I know I say too much. I know I can be a super bitch. It is just me...I am that person that says it like it is and sometimes, often, it gets me in a load of trouble. But, in fairness...I feel like others are often so insensitive and I can't take it and snap.
Examples...I get an email tonight from someone I have known here for about 3 years. She isn't someone I am friends with or even so much get along with...I don't know what I did to her, but she hasn't ever really been super nice to me. She knows my husband is out of town, our kids used to go to Brenda's together and we saw each other several times at the end of the summer and the kids played...but we don't get invited to her son's birthday party two weeks ago...4 friends asked why weren't there and were shocked when I said we weren't invited...they don't know her as well as me and did get an invite...oh well. Then tonight I get a forwarded email about Autism services at UCLA...and the header says, just in case this might affect you. SO strange to me...you can't invite us to your party and the bowling alley, but you can forward me info about autism...I am not sure why that makes me so enraged, but it does. Then a friend of mine sent me an email regarding a mutual friend of ours...she is in the hospital...her amniotic fluid level dropped low...the baby was breach, but is now down and okay...however with the fluid level low there is still risk and they might have to "take the baby" (her words not mine). She was due in three weeks, so not super early and certainly safe...but the email went on to say pleas pray she stays that way, she is very concerned about having a c-section due to the recovery time, etc. She sent this email to two friends, myself and another lady here...I have had two kids, two c-sections. I guess maybe it is wrong of me, but I take offense to that on a huge level. Since I had Zach and even with Erin, people act like I didn't give birth the "right" way since I had a c-section. I some how didn't try hard enough, what was wrong, was the baby in danger, etc. Like some huge excuse must be needed or else I wasn't doing something right. And God forbid they or anyone else have one...that is just not acceptable. Well let me say this...I would have gladly gone back in time and had them give me a c-section with Zach and not gone through any labor. Not because it ended in a c-section and I some how was disappointed. Not that I feel less of a woman...not any of that. I got a beautiful baby...twice!!! In fact having Erin, was easier in so many ways. I drove to the hospital that AM...got taken to a room and given an IV and the royal treatment...a nice cocktail and spinal epidural...nothing waist down was felt for a long time...I had a great OB deliver my baby girl and I was sewn up and no worse for the wear. My recover, not bad at all. I stayed in the hospital for 4 days...I went home and was up walking the neighborhood that first night. My parents went home a few days later and Brandon went back to work...I was good. It wasn't a blast, no surgery is, but it isn't the end of the world. I am not advocating them for crying out loud, but in the end, I have two amazing kids and a minimal scar...I am good with that.
So...maybe I am a huge bitch...maybe I am too sensitive...but I also think others are frankly not sensitive enough. They don't think before they say or do and then after it is oh, Susan takes things wrong...well maybe, but maybe people aren't always worried about how they say it and how it will be taken before...they should. I might be honest and sometimes say what I shouldn't...but I try to be sensitive and aware...I always try to apologize and recognize my mistakes and wish people would help me point them out more often. Life is short...I am not interested in always having to ignore and overlook...
Big sigh...okay that was my rant...I know you have all missed one of those from me.
Off to bed...will take and post my family tomorrow...

Big first day...

Well the kid were so excited and exhausted after the first 24 hours with my mom and dad.  The drive to the airport is about 1 hour and 45 minutes to 2 hours...Zach is an awesome car traveler, always has been.  No dvds, just chills and rides.  Erin did well the way down, but had some complaints the way back.  In fairness we got there and it was raining and cold...high 50's is cold in S. CA.  I didn't want to get them out and park if I could just grab my mom and dad at the curb...we got there right when the plan landed because of fog through the mountains on the way down...So we circled 3 times until they were ready...security about curbside stuff is so tight.  Zach about flew out of his seat as they got in and he was able to see and touch them.  It was so cute. Erin remembered them better than they had thought and was all smiles too...we got home and Zach wanted to play with my dad right away.  A child who used to not care about playing with people now is all about it...most of the time.  They went to bed finally and were so tired, but happy and excited...my parents were exhausted.  Well up early for Miss Erin and all day she was tired, but fun and happy. I have never seen the kids, especially Zach so animated...wanting to play and engage...asking to play games, brought out his dress up clothes, board games, you name it. It was so cute...he was exhausted by the evening and was in bed before 7.  Erin then put on her show and had fun being alone with my parents...such a character.  I had fun watching the interactions all day with my parents and the kids.  It is just great for me to see my mom and dad here in Zach and Ern's environment and get to know them as they are at home.  We usually visit them or they come for short trips and stay in billeting, not with us...so this was in fact and will be a huge treat to us...maybe not my poor parents who now realize my family is more like staying with a circus than anything else.  We had fun though and to me the fact I heard that much laughter in one day was great. I had gotten into a rut as we all do with the kids, myself, etc and having them here is really helping me on several levels.  I don't need the "help" with the kids as much as I enjoy the company and chance to share experiences with them.  I hope the trip for them is as rewarding...

It is 6 AM and thanks to my insane dog...thanks April!!!!  I am up early and starting the day, early...

Oh I never got to mention the umbrella issue...about an hour before heading the airport my table umbrella snapped right off...wonderful.  Damn wind here. It was so hard to try to wrap it up and get it put away so it wasn't loose and able to go through a window...wind here is so bad!  So I called for help and finally got it put away, but it is all done...no more umbrella for us...

Gotta run...

On their way...

Well tomorrow my parents are heading out for a nice long visit with us...Bless them for coming to Edwards and my crazy home for a visit. I am so glad they are willing to make the long trip to see us and spend some time with us. My sanity level is teetering...
The behaviorist came today and did more questions, not much interaction...said I would hear from her in six weeks...Okay...I will very lose my mind by then...thankfully we have no massive issues that we need immediate help with, but man they can drag out services...
Zach is okay this week...just overtired every afternoon...no naps, so he is done by the evening and we have issues that arise from that specifically...if I let him nap then our nights are long and difficult...so tough, but I know that it is actually a very normal parent issues, so that is reassuring.
Trying to get his speech therapy with Miss Gerri referral redone...oh the people at this medical clinic kill me with their incompetence and passing the buck...it is just ridiculous...and sadly enough when I say one thing to them they talk to me like I am five and dumb...my husband calls from his deployed location and says the same thing...oh yes sir, we will do that sir. Bite me!
Went to Rosamond tonight for a play date with my friend Michelle and her two kids...they are very close in age to mine...Jack and Zach are a year apart, Zach being one year older...Erin and Sam had the same due date, but Erin was ten days early with the c-section...so they are a perfect match and good buddies. My Erin hold her own with the boys, God bless her. It was nice to get out, but the weather is getting cold and overcast and windy tonight with a storm brewing in CA...so we left early and headed home to get ready for the company...
Had plans yesterday to go to the park, but didn't...ran into the same friend at the commissary about 2 hours later and the kids all hugged in the aisle...it was sweet and worked out in the end since we saw them anyway...
I feel pretty ready for my parents to get here...The house is cleaned up and stocked with some items and we will be able to get more Sunday if they need anything...the kids are ready and I am ready...I hope they have fun and it is a good time for all....
As for my hair...I appreciate all the compliments...I like it too, but it isn't what I had asked for or had been working toward, so I was a bit irritated that I will have to grow it out some to get it re-cut and shoot for that style again. She actually does my friend Michelle's hair too and told her today that Susan just doesn't like her hair short in the back...I told her to stack the back and leave the front long...my front is layered and the back long...hmmmmm....oh well...I brought a photo and told her...not sure how much more specific I could have gotten on that one. :)
Off to get tubbie time going and bed...should be slumber party night, but Zach is about at his limit and super tired...we will see if he makes it...
Pictures to come with the grandparents soon!!!!
*** Notice I didn't go into the debate comments...I figure my political rants get me the least amount of comments from my readers and part of that is most of my blog readers are more conservative than me...so again, sorry if offended, just saying it as I see it and think...

October!

So I wanted to just say a big yeah for it being October...I love this month! I also love the fact that I am 30 days into this and all of us are alive and doing well. Yeah! Zach was so excited to switch his calendar today and he is all ready for October 4th, my parents arrival. I am glad he is so aware of their visit...he is just growing in leaps and bounds when it comes to things like that. He has had a better week, but still super tired some days...refuses his naps, but might need one...if he takes one bed times are difficult. It is just a difficult transition time for kids I think. Erin is great...babbling a ton and starting to make some definite words in there. She is able to communicate to me much more than Zach was at twice her age, so it is pretty cool to see and witness...she has a lot of spunk in her this one...I got a bit of myself in her! She is a lot of fun though and always a happy sweet girl. Spoken to Brandon a lot and he is doing well...it helps to communicate with him as much as we do. Not much else to report...getting the house ready as I can for my parents arrival. I am so excited and hoping that they enjoy their stay with us....I know it will be crowded at times and just crazy...but I want them to have a nice time! Off to watch some tv...
Here are some recent photos. We got a surprise of rain on Monday...it never rains here...literally never. I lived in Arizona for 5 years in college my parents were there for 13...they got way more rain then we ever see here. So even 20 minutes of that shower was awesome for Zach. We got nice storm clouds and even a rainbow to enjoy. Plus some cute ones of the kids playing together and self portraits of the group of us. :)