Christmas Eve

Well, I keep writing posts in my head but I never seem to come here and actually post. I keep saying I'll wait for the pictures but right now we have had the sickies invade our house so who knows when I'll get a chance to post pictures. So let's do one day at a time. =)

Well, unfortunately Taylor had a fever on the 23rd and we got a call from preschool saying she was falling asleep and had a fever. So they gave her tylenol and let her sleep. I guess when she woke up, she was fine so they never called me back and Surbjit picked her up at normal time. I don't remember if she had a fever later that night but definitely Christmas Eve morning, she had a fever. Luckily I was already off that day and I was going to spend it with the kids, making cookies for Santa and appetizers and dips for us to enjoy all day. Well, Taylor decided to nap all morning and Connor and Emily played together (quite well I might add! There wasn't much screaming or yelling going on that morning. It was so nice!!!). I ended up taking Taylor to the doctor and she was diagnosed with a bad chest cold. So not much we can do. Went back home and she napped some more.

While she was napping that afternoon, I ran to the grocery store real quick and then Connor and Emily helped me make chocolate chip cookies. Yum yum!! They turned out so good thanks to my little helpers. I think we will do that every year from now on. =) Bigi also joined us and spent the night. The kids later got to watch Polar Express before going to bed and also got to unwrap ONE present each. All three went to bed in their cool new Christmas PJs and we slept until about 5 am the next morning. Thankfully Taylor did ok that night but she still had a fever on Christmas and was NOT into opening presents!!

Stay Tuned for Christmas!

The Christmas Musical 2009 @ Crescent Ave. Preschool

So the Christmas musical was a HIT! Well, at least I think my kids did awesome! =) There was a little crying but it turned out well!!

Connor in his angel costume:

Taylor in her angel costume

Emily in her angel costume

Connor sitting down getting ready to go perform with his class.

Connor walking into the church. He saw us sitting there and waved and said hi. =) I didn't really get a picture of the girls. Taylor had started crying and I didn't want her to see us for fear she'd want to stay with us. Emily was FINE. Taylor stopped crying when they got on stage and things settled down a bit. That was more than I could say for this one girl who cried throughout the ENTIRE musical. =( Poor thing! There was even another boy that the parents ended up taking out about 1/2 way through the performance.

Connor getting ready to do his speaking part. He did awesome! Very loud and CLEAR.

Emily with her teacher Miss O. She LOVES Miss O. =) She was supposed to be on the OTHER side of the stage with her sister and other teacher Miss Gina but apparantly she had a mind of her own. =( =D

Taylor with Miss Gina (where Emily was supposed to be too!). Taylor loves Miss Gina so it works out good with the girls having the two teachers! =)

Connor standing at the back. He must be a tall one to be put in the back. =)

When he noticed Daddy taking a picture (at this point all the kids were just standing on stage and the parents were like paparazzi standing in front taking pictures!!!!) he had to be his funny self. Of course, he was goofing around with Connor W (the boy next to him) during the performance too. But he sang and did mostly what he was supposed to do!

Emily

Taylor

And as part of their festivities, they had tables set up for each classroom. They asked parents to donate baked goods and holiday crafts for sale with the proceeds benefitting the classroom. These were the cookies, peanut krackle, fudge and brownies that I made!

It was a good night and we were able to share it with Bigi, Uncle TJ, Auntie Debbie and Mona. Plus we were lucky to have Jackie, Brian and Grant there too!(They are the twins old daycare providers - well Jackie is. Brian and Grant are her sons). Uncle Harjinder and Aria were supposed to join us too but unfortunately Aria got sick so they had to pass. No worries! We taped the whole performance (well almost all of it!) and I will try and make copies for everyone's enjoyment! I know the kids had a blast and really had fun. I think I have some blossoming singers, dancers, and actors on my hands. =D

Christmas Musical

Tonight is the kids Christmas Musical. I'm so excited to see them dance and sing. The last couple days I've been asking the girls if they dance and sing in it and to show me. They start singing softly and moving their arms in movements. It's too cute!! Connor even has a speaking part! He's had it memorized since basically the first day. He even knows the girl's part before his.

It was too cute this morning I was talking to the girls about their musical and how much fun they are going to have singing and dancing. Then I mentioned brother having a speaking part and Emily said she wanted a speaking part too. =) So I said his line to them and Taylor and Emily repeated it to me. So cute! Not that they could memorize something this young but maybe next year!

We are definitely going to videotape it. It's supposed to be a short program and then they have a Holiday Boutique afterwards. They asked the parents to bring Holiday crafts and/or baked goods so I made a bunch of baked goods this past weekend (cookies, peanut krackle, fudge and brownies). Each classroom has a table and the proceeds from the sale go back to that classroom. Apparently they are even going to have crafts the kids made for sale to their parents. =)

Connor was so excited this morning and kept asking who was coming. He was so excited to hear that Bigi, Uncle and Aria were going to be there. He kept telling his teacher this morning that his cousins would be there. He asked if his Aunties and Mona would be there but I couldn't tell him for sure and didn't want him disappointed if they didn't show up because it sounded like he really wanted everyone there. Whoever doesn't end up making it, we'll have it on video!! =) Hopefully I can figure out a way to take bits and pieces out to share with everyone because I doubt I'll be able to upload the whole thing to the Internet. It'll be too big a file. But stay tuned. I'll definitely have pictures to share!!!

Christmas Decorating

The kids helped us put up the Christmas lights outside in the front yard.

And they helped me decorate the tree inside. (Well Connor helped and the girls threw ornaments).

We have Annual Passes!!

We just bought annual passes for Knott's Berry Farm for Surbjit, Connor and myself - the twins are still free for another year. =) They were offering a really good deal and we couldn't beat it. All we have to do is go three times and we more than cover it. Yeah!!! So whoever comes out to visit (HINT HINT!) we will probably take you to Knott's one day! =D

The kids

Conversation with Connor this Morning

It was VERY foggy on our drive to preschool:

C: Who made the fog?

M: Well, that's a good question Connor. I'm not sure but I think it has something to do with the temparture being cold and something ...

C (interuppting me): I know Mom! I know who made the fog.

M: Who?

C: The weather guy!

No Binkies & Big Girl Beds

Well we had a wonderful birthday for Connor & a wonderful Thanksgiving spent with Grandma & Grandpa. But the most noteworthy news is - no more binkies and we are in big girl beds!!! Emily is taking it much better than Taylor. How did this occur you ask? When we got to Grandma & Grandpa's on Tuesday night (like 1 am so more like Wednesday morning), the girls were UP. Well so was Connor but I at least can tell him to lie down. So we played a little and they still had their binkies from the ride and I proceeded to tell them that Grandma does not allow binkies in her house. They immediately took them out of their mouths and handed them to me. And that was the end. It was not smooth. Still isn't as Taylor keeps waking up. At least now she is asking for her blanket instead of a binkie.

Of course, when we got home Saturday night, as soon as we put them in their cribs they cried for their binkies. We did not give in and they went to bed within about 10 mins. (They were tired!). So Sunday morning we switched their beds to toddler beds and they are big girls now and don't need their binkies!! So far it's kinda working. I just need to figure out how to get Taylor to calm herself down and QUIT waking up in the middle of the night. I think I need to hit the store and buy two toddler sheet/comforter sets so I can tuck them in and maybe that will help. I can only try right??

Last night Taylor kept waking up every hour. We tried to ignore her but she kept getting louder. Guess why?? She made it into the hallway and took her shirt off.?.? Not sure why. Surbjit asked her what was wrong but she was so worked up it took her awhile to say anything. Finally she said she had to go potty so Surbjit took her to the potty. Did she go? No but she tried. Whatever. Of course this morning she wouldn't wake up. Gee I wonder why she was so tired. Ugh. I hope tonight is better!!!

My Gym Birthday Party

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2 Year Check Up

Seriously?? Really?? The twins are TWO!! Where did the time go? I have to say though except for the tantrums and the it has to be my way - I LOVE this age. They are learning so much and enthralled with so much that it's just plain FUN.

So anyway, we had the annual check-up yesterday. And silly me. I took them myself. Ha. I ended up calling Surbjit and requesting backup. The girls would NOT calm down from the time they saw the nurse. Ugh. Actually Taylor did once I gave her a pop-pop (lollipop) and I put the music video for Bolt on. Of course once the doctor got to her it was all over again. LOL! When he said they needed to have thier blood drawn I knew I needed reinforcement! Thankfully, Surbjit got there right before the shots so he was able to comfort one while i held the other. The blood drawing was a nightmare too. Emily did great (so unlike her!) but Taylor would not calm down and in turn, it caused her blood to stop flowing so they had to poke her again on the other side. Thankfully that is all done and over with and now it's Yearly check ups from now on! YEAH!! I have to wonder though that when Dr. Karp goes to pick up his son if they will start crying when they see him at preschool. LOL!

Stats:

Weights: 24 lbs 13 ozs & 24 lbs 9 ozs. It was crazy! I'm amazed I remember those number although I don't remember who was which.

Height: Taylor 33 1/4" Emily 34"

So if what they say is true and you double their height at 2, Taylor will be about 5'6" and Emily will be 5'8". Their brother will be about 6'. It will be interesting to come back here and see if this is true! Regardless, it appears that all my children will be taller than me! =)

THE Birthday Party

Well, we did the Birthday party on Sunday. I have SO many pictures I have NOT uploaded pictures yet. I will do that tonight. The kids had a blast! I really liked having it at MyGym. It was perfect for the 2-5 year olds. We had a couple kids who were 9 and 8 and they were a little bored. Good thing they were late and were only there for like 30 minutes! =) Hee hee. It was 1 1/2 hours and that was perfect! The kids got to do so much. They danced, they played dodge ball, they got to pick up turtile droppings (i kinda missed this game but the kids loved it!), they hula-hooped. We did the birthday march in which Emily did NOT want to sit in the car so I held her the whole time and Connor helped pull. They sang Happy Birthday, they ate cake and we ended with the zip line! Everyone was able to ride the zip line. Connor didn't really want to at first. All the kids went and then his sisters got to ride a swing on the zip line (which they LOVED. I was shocked. I thought Taylor would give me a problem as she hates the swing at the park but she didn't want to get out!). When Connor saw his sisters ride on the swing that's what he wanted to do. So they found a bigger swing and he got to ride the zip line too.

All in all, a GREAT birthday party. I'm just glad it's over and done with and I don't have to worry about anything for a full year now. =) Yeah! We are taking all three kids to Disneyland on Monday which is Connor's birthday. He is free on his birthday as part of Disney's promotion this year and the twins are under 3 so they are free! Should be lots of fun. Taylor LOVES Mickey Mouse so it will be interesting to watch her. I really hope we get to see Mickey while there. ;)

We also went to the aquarium last Friday while Grandma was here. The kids loved looking at the fishes and walking around. We found a rainfall exhibit and the kids just LOVED it. Kept wanting to go back. It was nice too because we got there about 1/2 hour after it opened and it was empty. So i didn't have to worry about the kids wondering around and getting lost in the crowd. As we were leaving around 11:30 it was getting crowded. Still not as crowded as when I've been there before but I hate crowds now. (Oh, I'm gonna love Disney huh?!?) =D

So that's our story for the past week. We have one week "off" and then we are headed to Grandma and Grandpa's Tuesday night for Thanksgiving. Looking forward to seeing their new house and the kids want to see Grandpa. It will be nice for them to see Grandma again too. =) The kids have their Thanksgiving Feasts at school tomorrow. I'm glad it's this week and not next as they are only there one day next week due to Disneyland and going to Grandma & Grandpa's. So if you don't hear from me for awhile it's because we are busy! But I promise I will send out pics of the birthday party and stuff SOON!!!

When is a weekend NOT busy????

Especially this time of year with MY family. So lots we did last weekend, and lots to do coming up. My goodness. Well, on Friday I ended up staying home with Emily. She woke up crying and felt hot so we took her temp and it was 101.5. Eek. I took Connor and Taylor to daycare and kept Emily home with me. She was acting fine all morning. She ran two errands with me. We ate lunch. She went down for her nap right away and when she woke up, she was not a happy camper. Took her temp again 102.0. So off to the doctor who diagnosed her with an ear infection. Prescribed antibiotics and off we went.

Bigi came over and spent the night since we were all going to Day Out with Thomas on Saturday so we got the kids ready for bed and left for a couple hours to enjoy some time alone. Went down to the beach and walked the pier and then got some coffee (hot chocolate for me =) ) and walked up and down main street, then headed home. It was a nice distraction.

Saturday woke up, got everyone dressed and fed and were out the door! The kids LOVED Thomas. Well maybe not Emily so much but that was because she still wasn't feeling good. The all got to pick out something at the Thomas gift shop. Connor got the breakdown train and the girls each picked a toothbrush. Hey, I'm not going to argue! We left Thomas and headed to a nearby park we saw and ate lunch. It would have been a nice park except for all the graffiti everywhere. Oh well. We quickly ate and then headed home because Connor and I had to head up to Victorville for Dylan's 6th birthday party.

Got home (all three kids feel asleep on the way home) and then I grabbed a few things and off Connor and I went. It was a bowling party! How fun. I haven't bowled in FOREVER. And it sure showed. LOL! Connor even did better than I did (although in my defense I didn't have the bumpers in the gutters!). After the party we headed over to Melanie's to visit for awhile since we were there. While we were at the bowling alley, Connor found a new friend. I'm not sure if I've mentioned this in the past but he ALWAYS gravitates towards older girls. And this day was no exception. Melanie's sister has a 10 year old daughter Grace who Connor instantly started hanging around and playing with. Even after the party when we went to Melanie's. Too funny. And she didn't mind him at all so that was nice too. =) We ended up leaving a little after 10pm so I didn't get home until after 11pm. LONG DAY!

Sunday we slept in a little (very little) and stayed around the house all day. We did go for a walk to the park and the kids played there for a little over an hour. They loved running, climbing and sliding. And Connor befriended another girl that was at the park. Well, she tried to befriend Taylor and Emily first but they would have nothing to do with her. =D

So that was our weekend. This is going to be a very busy week ahead. We have a Holiday on Wednesday and then Grandma is coming on Thursday. Friday we are going to head to the Aquarium (I hope that's ok if you are reading this LOL!) and then Saturday will be a relaxing day before Sunday which is when we decided to do the kids birthday party. Yes, all three at once. Yikes! At least I get it over and done with right?!? Meanwhile, this week I will be busy getting the stuff together for the birthday party since I have done exactly NOTHING so far. I ordered plates, napkins and goody bags but I have to fill them, order cakes, get some appetizer type food together etc. At least I don't have to clean or set up. But still it will be one hectic week!

I'll share pictures from this weekend soon! Just have to download them from the camera. Hopefully tonight!

Connor Saying the Lords Prayer

For those of the family that are Catholic it is a "little" different but it is still the Lord's prayer. Enjoy!

Preschool International Dinner 2009

My goodness!! This preschool just amazes me. AMAZES me with everything they do and plan for the kids and really, it doesn't cost me that much! So anyway, last night was their annual International Dinner. Everyone brought a dish from thier culture. There was TONS of food. Everything from pasta salads, baked beans, enchiladas, fried chicken, pizza etc. You name it and it was probably there! By the way, Taylor LOVES pizza. Could probably eat it every day. Can eat two pieces at one sitting. Wow! But I digress. When we walked into the chapel area (which is where the tables and chairs were set up) there was lots of different artwork the kids had been working on this month. So much fun! Connor had made a maraca and a pottery dish. There were paper flowers on the tables that another class had made. There were pictures of the twins (and their class) making a pinata. So fun! Everyone had lots to eat and then we had entertainment. They had a dance class each week at the preschool and those students that attend got up front and did a little Hula dance for us. Then a professional Hula dancer got up and started dancing. Connor was hulaing (is that a word?) with her in his chair. =) Then she allowed all the kids to get up front and dance with her. Connor RAN to the front. =D That is so unlike him! But obviously he feels very comfortable in this surrounding!  Emily and Taylor (Emily especially) kept leaving us and going to sit with Miss O and Miss Gina who are their teachers. Obviously they like them. Good sign! When Connor went up to the front Taylor kept asking to dance too. I was afraid she was too little but I let her go and she did fab! I took some pictures with the cell phone and did some video too. I uploaded those to youtube so you'll have to wait until I get home to share on the blog. I cannot access youtube at work. =( But here are some pictures! Emily even joined them when she realized we had moved down to the front (she was sitting in the back of the room with Miss O).


Connor right up there watching the Hula dancer for directions. (He is on the right of the girl wearing the Laker jersey as you look at the picture).

Starting to do the moves

Taylor joined in and is sitting on Connor's lap (she's in the purple shirt and you can barely see Connor)

We all had a fabulous time and realized how much our kids really enjoy this preschool so that is good!

This past weekend

Well, like I said, it was a BUSY weekend. Family portraits went . . . well . . . not as great as I had hoped. The girls just did not want to cooperate. Emily wouldn't let me move her at all. Not even to sit in my lap. It was like I was going to give her away or something! And now that I look at the pictures, Taylor looks like she is in a firing squad. Sheez! At least Connor cooperated! So I'm going to have a tough choice picking out what picture I want. :sigh: Here they are (excuse the quality of the pictures. I had to take pictures of my computer screen):

And we tried to get all three kids to take a picture. Nope - Emily wouldn't let me put her down to stand next to brother. :sigh: So we got a couple of Connor:

Oh well. It is what it is. Maybe next year!

Later on Saturday, our friends Monica, Trevor and their daughter Kaylee came over and we ate dinner and hung out. Connor just LOVES Kaylee and she likes playing with him and the girls. The girls took to her no problem (it probably helped she was all around them during her birthday party at Pump It Up helping me get them in and around the jumpers!). So Monica and I were able to actually visit as the kids played and basically had fun. =)

Sunday was an even busier day. I still had to get some stuff for the Halloween party that night so I took Connor to Costco with me. When we got back, we ate lunch then headed to the birthday party that was down the street. We only ended up staying an hour and a half. Connor really doesn't know the kids that were there and they were all older (6 & 7 and up) so he was bored. I can't blame him. We then went home, the girls woke up and we got ready for the Halloween Party at Frogg's Bounce House. It was a great party. Lots of fun. The kids LOVED all the jumpers. It was so funny because the kids flip flopped. At Kaylee's birthday party last night Connor wanted nothing to do with the obstacle course and neither did Emily until the end. Taylor I couldn't get out of there. This time it was the opposite. Connor and Emily kept going and going and Taylor wasn't really liking it. Here is one picture of Taylor I took on my cell phone:

The other pictures were taken by our regular camera. I'll share as soon as I download.

So that was our busy busy weekend! Tonight is the annual International Dinner at the preschool. Potluck all the families bring a dish from thier culture. Since I do have THREE kids there I figured we should bring two dishes so I of course "made" an apple pie (ok, I bought it from Costco but come on! I really was going to make it until we decided to go to BOTH parties yesterday.) And Surbjit went to the Indian store and bought Samosa's to share.  So I think we have both cultures covered! I'm looking forward to tonight. I have to remember to bring the camera! Hopefully it's a little more relaxed than Back to School Night and we can talk with some of the parents this time!!

Busy Weekend Coming Up

We have a jam packed weekend coming up! Tomorrow is our family portraits at the beach. I can't wait! I hope the kids cooperate!! Then we are going to have some friends over and hang out. Sunday is a birthday party at Noon that Connor and I will go to (Costume birthday party!) and then my Multiples group Halloween party at 3:30pm. Fun! This will actually be the first family event I get to go too! YEAH!!

I have a video of Connor I've been wanting to share. He learned the Lord's Prayer at Preschool last month and is SO CUTE when he says it. So I video taped him. Of course, he was wearing his Halloween costume. Oh well! For those that are catholic (like my whole family!) it's a little different than what we say but it's still the same. It threw me the first time he said it and I wanted to correct him but that's how they learned it. It still throws me everytime he says it! I'll share that hopefully this weekend sometime when I get a chance to upload it to here. I hope you all have a great weekend!

Pumpkin Patch 2009

So we went to the Pumpkin Patch at Irvine Park Railroad last Sunday. It was a gorgeous day! We got there right when it opened and we couldn't have asked for a better day. I would highly suggest you go first thing as when we were leaving around noon it was quite crowded and was getting hard to walk around without bumping into people!!

First, we were able to hit up all the photo cut out! What fun!! All three of the kids LOVED getting their pictures taken in them.

Then we decided to try out the hay maze while we waited for Uncle Harjinder and Aria to join us.

When Uncle Harjinder and Aria got to the pumpkin patch - we waited in line for the train ride. Of course this was the highlight for Connor!!

While on the train ride, Connor noticed some kids with face paint. Of course, he wanted to get his face painted. So when we got off the train, we found the face painting booth. He ran right up to the chair, sat down, and procceded to tell the makeup artist he wanted to be spiderman. I never had to prompt him one bit! So spiderman he was!

Then we headed back to the hay maze since Aria hadn't had a chance to go in it yet.

After going round and round in the hay maze (the kids LOVED running around it), we went in the Haunted House. The kids weren't really liking it but they went through. It was mostly just DARK. Nothing really scary (except for a witch with some bug eyes that was it). After going through the haunted house, we let Connor ride the tractor ride. After listening to another parent tell her husband that the ride was for kids 4-7 only, Connor caught on real quick he had to be 4. So when the ride "operator" asked how old he was, Connor replied 4! And let me tell you, he just as good if not better than the older kids!

By that time, it was getting close to lunch time, so we picked out our pumpkins and headed out of the park. We ended up going out to lunch with Uncle Harjinder, Aria and Bigi at Sizzler. Yummy. But now I know why we don't go out to eat. I totally did NOT get my money's worth on the salad bar. I think I got ONE plate. Woops!  But the girls both had another plate of mine so I guess it all evens out in the end.

It was really fun. This was the first year I've gone to a pumpkin patch. I know Surbjit took Connor the year I was pregnant with the twins. I know this will be an annual event we do every year. It was lots of fun and the kids LOVED picking out pumpkins!!

Preschool Photos

Here are the preschool photos that they took. Theses first pictures are the class pictures. Who knew we'd get something like this. Great way to look back and remember!!

Connor's Class

Taylor & Emily's Class

Connor's Pictures

Taylor's Pictures

Emily's Picture (remember she did not cooperate on the first day of pictures so that is why we only got one pose of her).

All three on makeup day. Unfortunately Connor nor the girls would let me do their hair. =(

Sorry the pictures aren't the greatest of quality but I don't get an electronic copy so these are pictures of pictures (hence why you see the carpet in some of them!). =D Enjoy!!