A Mishmash of Updates

In the normal chaos of life, and in the past week, we have had such fun things happening! Let's see, it started when Jenna woke up with pink eye last Monday. This was the second time in less than two months. Fun fun fun! It means constant washing hands, daily bedsheet changing, separate laundry washing, etc. Thank goodness, no one else in the family contracted it, either time.

Jenna is now walking like a crazy kid. She is even learning how to stand up without holding onto anything. Her favorite pastime it to pull all the DVDs off the TV stand. Mackenzie has determined that it is great fun to help, so we find piles of DVDs, several times a day, all over the floor.

Mackenzie, for that matter, is starting to enter her terrible twos. We must have had some sort of delusion when we thought she was too sweet for that. But, we were wrong. Within the last two weeks, she has had at least three timeouts. The first, for a karate chop on Jenna's head. I can't remember the second, and the third for biting me on the back of my leg. (Could that have been avoided if I had listened to her from behind, as she said repeatedly, "Mommy. Mommy. Mommy! Mommy!!) At least Mackenzie sleeps through the night. There's always something positive to find in the midst of the day, right?

Mason has been claiming to have dreams of dogs and giants that scare her. So, she had relocated her bed to the floor of her bedroom. This went on for about a week. Last night, she moved back into her own bed...finally. Or so we thought. When Jenna cried out at 2 AM, I discovered Mason in the middle of our bed. She didn't wake Alan nor me. It seems, after her monster unexpected nap yesterday, she wasn't tired after getting in and out of bed from about 9:30 PM until past 11 PM. Alan and I were exhausted, so we went to bed anyhow. Mason was back in her bed when we retired. Ahhh...what would one night of restful sleep be like?

On Saturday evening, we had our Passover Seder here at our house. We invited our neighbors, Chuck and Mary, from across the street, and our cousin Erica, who lives a couple miles away. It was a fun event for all, and it was truly like a Thanksgiving feast, with all the food. Unfortunately, we forgot to take ANY pictures to commemorate the event.

Mason is at school, Alan is at work, and my two other charges are probably getting into trouble. I must be off until next time. Enjoy the rare pic of Alan and me, as taken by Mason, where we both look halfway decent. :-)

March Like a Lion We Did - All Month Long!

Well, March came and went with a fury, or did it? We saw so much happen in March. First, Deb's parents came for a visit, sort of... They arrived for two days and then we dropped them off at the cruise ship terminal in San Diego. How envious we were, thinking of them walking on to that big ship and a week of complete relaxation. There's just something about having three little kids and not knowing what relaxation can be like, isn't there? So, life went on as usual for the Bice clan. The girls continue to come up with new words, new sounds, and more actions. Jenna started clapping and giving five on demand. She also learned to wave when we said "bye bye."



Then, cousin Tracy came for the first time to our home. She spent two nights with us, overlapping with Grandma and Papa, who returned for another two days, during which we did nothing much...although Mason went to a bowling birthday party and become quite adept at pushing the ball down a slide that she pre-aimed, and ultimately bowled a 99! It was fun to be with all the family, yet relaxing when everyone was gone again.



But, we needed serious help preparing for Jenna's 1st birthday. Yes, her 1st birthday was on the 20th of March. Unbelievable! So, Grandma and Papa came back again, this time for a week. They pitched in and helped with preschool dropoffs and pickups, playing with the girls, baking hamantaschen (a traditional Purim cookie), and running to Costco with Deb, to take advantage of their membership and get food for the party.



On party day, we had a great time. It was in the 80s, and we planned the party to be in our backyard, where the trampoline stands center stage. We had cousins, neighbors, friends, and co-workers here. Will Jenna remember them? Probably not, but it was nice anyhow. She had the cutest bumblebee cake. The picture was taken just before the wings began to melt (they were made of white chocolate). Jenna loved her traditional American lunch of hot dogs, macaroni and cheese, and lots of fresh berries. She especially loved decimating her birthday cake. What a mess!



Grandma and Papa stayed on for a few days more, during which time we spent a day and a half at SeaWorld. We saw Shamu, the dolphins, the penguins, polar bears, beluga whales, walruses, the Sesame Street characters, a pet show, and more. It was good fun, especially since it was Mason's first of two weeks on spring break. Unfortunately, Grandma and Papa left, leaving Deb running the show solo again. Such is life right?



We took a day off at home before venturing out to the nearest playground in walking distance. The walk took more than 40 minutes, so it was decided we would stay at the park as long as possible. Four hours later, we trekked home, and by the time Alan called to say he was leaving the office, Deb was done. Ready to hand off the kids. We spent a few hours at the Zoo, later in the week, and then were visited by our Aunt Naomi, Uncle Neil, and cousins Jess and Maddie. Jess and Maddie stayed with us, which was great fun for the girls. Mason had a playmate and can't wait for Maddie's return.



When they left, we went to a Pump it Up party. The girls had a blast jumping on all those big bouncy things. What are they called anyhow? After that, would you believe everybody crashed. We all took a simultaneous nap after the crazy weeks that had preceded this time.



Now that things have slowed down again, we have had a quiet week. We've played some, we've been to the Science Center once, we've run errands (a true chore with three kids), and Jenna has taken her first steps without holding onto furniture. It's been fantastic...and exhausting!



Mason goes back to school on Monday. Hallelujah!



Did we mention also that Alan and Deb joined a softball league? Alan is needed for every game. Deb is an alternate so usually stays home with the kids. Alan has learned that he can field balls at third base like a pro, but can't throw worth anything. He had shoulder surgery back when Mason was a baby after tearing his rotator cuff. It seems he now has wussy strength in that arm (his right, of course). Maybe he'll have to try second base, where the throw isn't so far. Ha ha.



A little too much time has passed between blogs here. Sorry, folks. We just have to make time, so we don't have to write as much the next time. Until then...happy trails to you!