Catch the Train--April 2013

I know I'm behind on this, but I had to document something that was so awesome for Kai! When I heard that there was a traveling "Thomas the Train" that you could RIDE on and enjoy Thomas-related-activities....I KNEW I better figure out a way to get Kai in on that! So we made it work and made a day of it. We wanted to get there early enough that we weren't melting, so we got an earlier ride. I thought we'd get there with plenty of time to spare, but life happened and we got there JUST in time! We didn't tell Kai what we were going to do, but he saw a big sign with Thomas on it just outside of Boulder City, and Kai said, "Are we going to see Thomas??!!" We kind of ignored the question, and kept going. But then he saw the actual train going alongside the road. We still kind of didn't really answer his questions, but when we got to the parking lot, I said, "Kai, do you know what we're doing today?" He said, "What?" I said, "We're going to ride Thomas!" And he was so happy. Rob's parents really wanted to see his reaction, so they met us down there and rode the train and hung out with us. Kai was excited to have them there. There were tents with activities. One was full of Thomas items to buy, one had face painting/tattoos, and stories, another had tons of tracks and trains to play with, and one had food. They also had a bounce house, games and a small train ride. Kai would've stayed in the tent with the tracks and trains for HOURS! He was so sad to leave it. The line for the face painting was sooo long, so he got a tattoo on his face instead. He didn't want it to wash off. He's so cute!

Even Kirra had a good time! She only through a couple fits in the car when she was DONE with the driving.

 

We also stopped by the Hoover Dam for a quick look. Kai thought it was cool

 

We made a day of it, and went to the Silverton Casino to see the mermaids that swim in the fish tank. We ended the day stopping at Toys 'R' Us and got Kai a Thomas the train tent (it was about $20 cheaper than at the event) and got Kirra her first baby doll. They were exhausted after the day was through.

 

We'll definitely taking them again to see the mermaids, when Kirra is old enough to enjoy more. I'd REALLY love to take them to Thomas's day out again too. It was an amazing day!

 

Update

KIRRA: (17 months)

Stood in the middle of the floor without holding anything 5/4/13

Took 3 steps at daycare 5/14/13

Took several steps for mom and grandma on 5/26/13

I think she's taken forever because she's afraid of Kai plowing her over! It took her until she was 16 months to walk on a regular basis. She just wouldn't do it.

She's been throwing fits like MAD lately. Assuming its teething. She's had 8 teeth for some time now, and I finally now has at least 4 molars in.

 

 

KAI: (3 years, 11 months)

Pooped on the potty at daycare: 5/30/13

Pooped at my mom's house: 6/1/13

Pooped on the potty at our house, first time ever: 6/6/13. He had a couple accidents after that (he'll get "too busy" and forget) other than that, underwear all the time except at nights (we'll work on nights soon after he's got days down good). Has not had any kind of accident since Father's Day.

**didn't think I'd ever have to blog about bodily functions so much, and I appologize, but this is a huge accomplishment since Kai will be 4 in August!! (Its been rough)**

Kai was first saying he wanted a "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory birthday, but he's now decided he wants an "Aquabats" birthday (his new obsession).

Kirra is ONE!!!

Well...actually she's 14 months old now....not that I'm slacking...
Some pictures of the occasion...

Of course Amanda made a beautiful cake! :)

 

She liked the candle....

 

So....she grabbed it...and I hurried and blew it out. I don't think she really burned her hand, I think it just scared her when we all freaked out.

 

When we finally calmed her down, she was very prissy about eating her cake, she'd grab it with 2 fingers.

 

Pretty Josh...

 

It was a good day.

Music

Anyone who knows me knows I LOVE music. And my children share my love for it as well.

And I know it sounds a little stupid, "I love music..." because really?? Who doesn't??? Its like someone NOT liking watermelon!! Craziness!!! (actually my cousin, Jason, doesn't like it. And I always thought that was strange! ;)  )

Kai makes me laugh. He has several favorite songs that are always on rotation.

See, along with music, I, too, love to sing....Now Kai isn't always a fan of this. I dont know what his deal is, but many times he'll ask tell me to stop singing. He says the funniest things sometimes!!

Just last weekend I was singing along to one of his current favorites, and he didn't like that, so he said, "Mom! Stop singing, or I'll seriously go into space, and that will hurt my peepee!"

WHAT????

Not sure if that has anything to do with potty-training, but it was random!

Speaking of potty training, he hasn't had ANY hint of interest in that until 2 weeks ago, he was with my friend, Amanda, and I'm not sure if it was him, or her, but he started going in the potty, and he had dry pants all day. Only once he started to poop in his pants, and finished in the toilet. He's been really trying since then. It has been amazing how his attitude has changed towards it.

Anyway...On my phone I have a play list for me, Kai, and even one for Kirra (more mellow music to calm her). The songs that Kai currently is loving are:

Sweet Home Alabama - Lynyrd Skynyrd

Call Me Maybe - Carly Rae Jepson

Baby - Justin Bieber

Crazy Train - Black Sabbath

We Are Young - Fun.

Boom Boom Pow - Black Eyed Peas

I Get Around - Beach Boys

Ho Hey - The Lumineers

Payphone - Maroon 5
Girl on Fire - Alicia Keys (he heard it at my moms, and now he keeps wanting to watch the video from the Grammys where she sings with Adam Levine)

and most recently:

All I Need - Awolnation

Knights of Shame - Awolnation

The last two are on constant rotation in the car right now. I gave Rob the CD for Christmas, and for some reason Kai just loves those two songs. Its cute.

Here is a video we got of Kai singing with Girl on Fire.
He was singing it normal everytime until we recorded, then he started singing about her burning on fire. :P   Typical boy.

 

Kirra dances along to most anything. She started by doing the little bob dancing, and every once in a while will twist at the waist back and forth. (this is my favorite!! it is ADORABLE!!)

My dad...

I realized that it's not often that I post anything about my dad.

Except that he made it to my wedding.

 

He emailed me a link to a video his friend uploaded on YouTube.

See...my dad is a musician.

Has been for forever.

My FAVORITE memories when I was little was watching my parents' band play.

When I visit my dad, I make him play his guitar and sing for me.

And he will. But when he tries to stop, I make him "sing one more".

This goes on for hours ;)

As I was watching this video, I started thinking I really need to try to get up there and visit. It's been way too long. The last time I saw my dad was....my wedding? So almost 5 years ago.

That makes me sad. He's never met my kids.

I try not to think about it much...or else I'd probably cry.

 

 

Background for anyone interested:

My parents got divorced when I was 8. We were living in Chewelah, Washington at the time. When they divorced, my mom took my brother, and I to live in Southern California with my grandparents. My mom remarried when I was 9. My step-dad, John, was in the Air Force and was about to be stationed in Englad. So we moved there for 3 years. Had a little contact through letters with my dad, and I think TWO phone calls during that time.

When we moved back to the states, we were in California for a little bit, then my mom moved us to St. George, Utah. We visited my dad when I was 13. So, 4 years of not seeing him then. That was the last time I'd had that long of a gap of seeing him. I tried to make sure I visited him here and there. But after our wedding, we just haven't made it work.

It just sucks when I happen to think "what if something happens?....and I don't GET to see him again...." I don't like that....

 



Randomness to fill in the space....

Some random pictures I came across to catch up a bit (in the last year!! :P  )

And random facts.

One of the first times I let Kai hold Kirra. He still doesn't really get to hold her. Hes too rough and can't sit still to save his life.

Kai was pretty obsessed with Cars for quite some time. Somehow he got on an obession for Thomas the Train. I think he had to have gotten that from our neighbors across the street. Their boy loves Thomas and that's probably the first exposure Kai had to it. So when I was on maternity leave, it was 87 different Thomas shows that was on rotation to keep him busy! He has quite the collection from stuff we got him and a co-worker of mine who was nice enough to force her son to sell a TON of his trains and tracks to us for Kai. He got all that for his 3rd birthday. (pics to come eventually)

Playing in Pine Valley at the West family reunion. With his trains, of course.

Being goofy in the tub.

"Giving Loves". I had to stop him right about here, he likes to try to press his face too hard. He really does love her, I just think he doesn't understand that he hurts her. And he has SO much energy that it's just exploding out of him in the form of head bunting, hitting, pushing, squeezing, etc.....

Kai was actually just letting Kirra sit for once. Kirra LOVES Kai. Its so funny how he can just push her around and be so rough, but he is definately the one that can ALWAYS make her laugh.

"Bleeeahh" So cute that Rob caught both of them at the same time. Kai would always want to lay under her play gym with her.

Watching Thomas. Kirra started to be a bit interested. Probably because it was a song.

She LOVES when music comes on and she perks up, and lately she'll totally focus and start dancing. Its adorable.

She was about 6 or 7 months here. Pretty Princess, just started sitting alone.

For the longest time, this is the look that she would give most people. So serious! Just really checking people out.

Amanda made this cute headband that Kirra wore with her Witch costume for Halloween.

I can't get over her eyes. She is gorgeous.

Kirra had reflux like Kai, so she was constantly soaking bibs and spit rags. Kai had it until just after he was a year. Kirra's let up finally around 6 months, thank goodness.

Until later....

...A rough day...

*8/25/12*

 

 

 

It still doesn't feel real. I keep thinking we need to get together for dinner soon....

 

Here's the video my cousin did for the memorial:

The beginning of it just tears me up.

And this song is the first song I thought of when the news sunk in....