What Mom and Dad Do

We are trying, I stress trying, to become not only visions, but realities of our former selves. Yes, it's true. We once looked younger, slimmer, and, well, younger. That about sums it up. For those of you with small children, you know just how difficult it is to find time for exercise of any kind. Here's what we've done so far. We've joined a co-ed softball team, I've joined a women's softball team, and we bought Wii Fit. Let's talk about the co-ed team first.

This is really Alan's team. I'm an alternate and do not play every week. Mostly, I play when needed, or on early game nights, when we can get someone to watch the kids, but not have to attempt bedtime. We had a game tonight where we both played. We were playing the #1 team in the league. Our team is decent, but not great. We started off very poorly. But, then came our big inning - Alan hit an inside-the-park homerun! Yay! Who knew the little guy could have such a big hit? He's still running like a madman, re-living the victory. Unfortunately, the other team hit an out-of-the-park homerun in the bottom of the last inning to take our hard-earned lead and turn it into a loss. Sigh. Good exercise, nevertheless.

The women's league is not nearly as exciting, and we are yet to win a game since I joined, but it's fun to get out there and try to pretend that I still can play like the teenager I once was. Not. It's really quite self-defeating to realize that I'm older, slower, chunkier, and more prone to injury.

Thus, we jumped on the Wii Fit bandwagon, and it's great! Every day, I hop on and take a body test. Then, I do some aerobics, strength training, yoga, and balance exercises. All of this focuses on posture and center of balance. I wake up feeling sore after my nighttime exercise. It's a great change from sitting in front of the tube after the girls go to sleep, even though mindless TV watching is sometimes necessary after a day with these three.

Speaking of these three, I'll just write one quick blurb about Jenna. Jenna is sick. Teething and just plain sick. So sick, in fact, that when she is awake, her face is soaked from runny nose, watery eyes, and drool, and she walks around whining. There is no comfort. Especially since she is now completely weaned. Mommy is free! See, I knew I could bring this blog back to Alan and me. No pics, though. Sorry.

And for those of you who are wondering what Wii Fit is, I highly recommend you google it. It's a fantastic workout regime using our wonderful video console, and a special board that measures your balance, weight, etc. It's amazing technology, and since it is impossible to get to a gym, this is certainly a great alternative! I'll let you know when I've lost my extra girth. Alan is working on his too. It's late, and we must sleep now (if Jenna will let us).

Birthdays and Poop

Mackenzie's birthday was great fun for all of us! We had her party at a playground near home, during a heat wave on the 18th. We had no problem getting a picnic table in the shade, to be host to the party, because no one else was dumb enough to be out at the park on such a hot day. :-) Regardless, we had four little girls show up for the party, ranging in age from 1-4. Everyone played great together. The two 1-year olds (Jenna included) found respite by sucking on ice from the cooler. Fun fun! When it was time for birthday cake, we unveiled "Hello Kitty," known to Mackenzie as "kitty cat." We lit two candles, sang "Happy Birthday," and encouraged her to blow them out. She stood there despondently, probably thinking we were all crazy. After continued prodding by everyone to blow out her candles, she finally muttered, "No way!" All the other big kids helped blow them out. Ewww...spit all over the cake! But, before cutting into the cake, we pulled out the cupcakes and showed them to the kids. That was the real hit. Cupcakes with Elmo on them. Mackenzie was so excited!! Elmo!!! She ate Elmo. She did not eat the cupcake.

Present time was fun too. Mason kept encouraging Mackenzie to open her presents and tried to show her how. It took quite a bit of coercing and constant prodding, but it finally happened. Mackenzie was quite pleased with her loot.

On Wednesday, the 21st, we celebrated her real birthday, just us and our cousin Erica. We had more cake (an Elmo cupcake for Mackenzie). She once again ate Elmo, but no cake. Her first present of the day was a new tiger suitcase. She dragged it everywhere and called it "kitty cat." She even took it in the car with us on our normal errands.

Mackenzie also saw an opthalmologist on her birthday. She has always had teary eyes, so we thought it was worth having it checked. They would like to perform a procedure to try and clear her tear ducts, assuming that is the reason. We'll keep you posted if and when that will happen.

After the birthday came bathtime, and hence, here comes the poop story! Okay, many nights are bath night, but last night was poopy bath night. There is a difference. After having a very large water bill after we moved in, we have been very conservative with water, and we tend to bathe all the girls together. Alan was doing the bathing while I was cleaning the kitchen. "Deb, I need some help." I went to the bathroom to see what was the matter. And what should I see? There was such a poop splatter! (Okay, that's my extent of Dr. Seuss rhyming.) All the kids were standing outside the bathtub, dripping water. Inside the tub was floating poop shrapnel. The culprit? Jenna. How cute. Ha ha. That was her fourth, yes, fourth poop of the day. Who would've thought? But, who's counting anyway, right? Needless to say, the kids had to be bathed again. Hurray! And, the very next night, she started to poop again in the tub. We yanked her out and sat her on the toilet. No more poop. Whew!

So now, almost one week after our heat wave, it's barely 60 degrees and very stormy. Global warming. Need we say more?

Why Are We Always So Busy?

It's been almost a month since our last blog. What have we done? Ummm...school for Mason. Ballet for Mason. Work for Alan. Softball for Alan. Softball for Deb. What about the two little ones? Well, we go to the playground a lot. Jenna climbs stairs now, and ladders, too. Scary! Mackenzie is finally starting to play with other kids and talk to them. She is slowly relinquishing her need for a "binky." We don't allow her to have one at the playground or in time out. We keep it away from her much of the time besides.

We are now preparing for Mackenzie's second birthday party. It will be tomorrow, at a playground (imagine that), in the heat wave. Temperatures will be in the 90s at least! We have borrowed a big canopy shade to put over a picnic table. We hope we will survive. Mackenzie's actual birthday is not until Wednesday. She'll be visiting the opthalmologist on Wednesday. Lucky girl! We're having her tear ducts checked, because she has frequent watery eyes. We'll keep you posted.

Oh yes. We attended a fest a couple weeks ago, right here in our little community of Allied Gardens. It was bigger than our usual Nussloch, Germany fest. There were several rides that Mason could ride. Only one for Mackenzie, though. Lots of food, entertainment, and big jumpers to be had. We watched a parade and collected candy and of all things, a beach ball. I guess that's San Diego for you! It was good fun for all of us. It brought back memories.

What else is there? We're always too busy to write, let alone remember our lives day-to-day. I must not forget Mother's Day. That was a brilliant weekend for me. I was told to "go take a hike." Ha ha. Actually, I asked if I could go take a hike. Really! Alan needed the girls to prepare my Mother's Day present, and he needed me out of the house. I hiked for three hours and had a blast! A little lonely, but great, nevertheless. I also was sent out shopping on my own, so I visited Target (without kids) and Borders. What a joy!

Just to catch you up, these pictures of the girls were all taken within the last week. Plus, a picture of my Mother's Day masterpiece, which traumatized Alan. Afterwards, he said, "imagine having three plates of paint on the ground, and trying to keep Jenna out of it." I am at home with them every day, and I DEFINITELY would not have undertaken that task alone. Brave man! Enjoy the pics.