As usual, I had no idea how long it had been since I last posted - sorry! So much has happened, and yet so much has stayed the same.
So. Since the last time I posted, Carmen has left and come home, Mom has come and gone and now it's the next weekend. It's been a fun couple of weeks, literally, but also tiring. First, Carmen left for Denver on Monday, October 13th. Columbus Day is court holiday, so I had the day off, thank goodness. I dropped Jayden off at Julia's in the morning, since she was open, went to yoga and ran a few errands. Then I picked Jayden up as early as I could and we came home to play. He decided to take up football, which was awesome. I taught him how to throw it, and as is expected from a three-year-old, he developed his own way. It's kind of a side-arm underhand combination. And most of the time you're pretty sure it's going to go flying over the fence. But it's fun, and that's what matters. He told me "Less pway football! I thwow it to the othah team and they catch it and iss a touchdown!" Sure. That works.
Touchdown!
Showing me the "book" that Auntie sent, which is National Geographic Kids. Lizzle, I meant to send you this picture and completely forgot. We read the "book" for three days straight. We learned about silver foxes and galapagos tortoises, and a bunch of other stuff. He loved it. Great birthday gift Auntie!
Carmen came home late Tuesday night. Jayden was very excited to see him Wednesday morning; we planned on Tuesday night that Jayden would run into our bedroom and jump on Carmen when he woke up, and Jayden didn't disappoint. It was very sweet.
We told Jayden Tuesday or Wednesday that Gramma was coming. For the rest of the week we had to tell Jayden that Gramma was working but that as soon as she finished working she'd get on an airplane and fly to Santa Ana. Jayden could not quite comprehend that and every night would tell me he thought Gramma was packing and was on an airplane right now!
Finally Friday came and we could tell Jayden that I was going to pick him up early, before lunch, and that I wouldn't be alone. He was definitely excited. Of course I was late because I can never leave work on time, but Gramma and I did finally make it to Julia's. We went out to lunch and made it home for naptime. After nap, Gramma and Jayden got their play time in:
Gramma and the original granddog.
Building something. Whatever Gramma had planned didn't usually work for Jayden...
Friday night, Gramma got Jayden to herself. Carmen and I went to one of his friend's birthday party, where one of the highlights was the birthday boy slicing the top off a magnum of Chandon sparkling wine with a saber. The saber and the wine were provided by Carmen. It was quite a moment.
Saturday we had swim lessons and not much else. Carmen had to go to San Diego in the afternoon/evening for work, so Gramma, Jayden and I hung out at the house and played in the backyard. It was relaxing.
Look Gramma, I did a somer-belt! (In Jayden talk that means a somersault).
Putting together and taking apart the airplane. Another great birthday gift Auntie!
Check out the frisbee skills (and Gramma's photography skills). And don't be jealous of my Nike boots. Everyone else is. But I got them at the Nike employee store years ago and I don't think they make them anymore. I'm so lucky! ;)
Sunday we had soccer class and then found a pumpkin patch after naptime. We had a great time; Jayden played on bouncy houses and drove a tractor, and then we picked out some pumpkins to carve/paint. And then we found a wonderful little Mexican restaurant about five minutes from our house for dinner. It was a good day.
Sliding sideways. Sort of.
Picking the cones upright with his feet.
In the bouncy house at the pumpkin patch.
Driving the tractor. He likely will never be allowed to get a license. Half of the time while he was driving he was looking sideways or backwards. And he ran into the hay (which was immobile) and other tractors numerous times. But he had a great time, and moved the tractor on his own, so that's what matters.
Picking out pumpkins. By this time he was tired and a little grouchy, so pumpkin picking was not as joyful as we had hoped. Gramma distracted him with a maze, which was very helpful.
At the Mexican restaurant with a cute (big) courtyard where we ate. We'll definitely be going back!
Three families (as Jayden says). Not my favorite photo, but everyone else likes it, so I'm including it.
Monday was the biggest day of the visit - DISNEYLAND!!! Jayden is funny at Disneyland. He didn't want to go on Pirates, he got scared on the Jungle Cruise, he didn't want to ride a lot of other rides either. So it sometimes feels like a waste with him. But he does have fun, so that's what matters.
On the bus to Disneyland - this might have been his favorite ride of the day!
Petting the goats at Big Thunder Mountain Ranch. Who knew Disneyland had a petting zoo?!??
"Cheese" on the teacups! About halfway through the teacups Jayden leaned over and laid his head in my lap. He was over it already.
Finishing up Winnie the Pooh. There were dark spots, but he mostly enjoyed it. And we even got an almost smile!
In front of the Mickey-o-lantern. Jayden didn't want to be in the picture so he sat in the stroller while we got our picture taken. And thank goodness we did, by the way. I managed to forget to get our hands stamped as we left Disneyland to cross to California Adventure. So when we got to California Adventure, they weren't going to let us in, except that I had pictures to prove we were in Disneyland a few minutes ago. Whew! My PSA for the day: always remember to get your hand stamped when you leave Disneyland, even if you don't think you need it.
With Gramma in front of a fountain in Disney's California Adventure.
Red!
Photo with Lightning. Jayden was a little better this time than last time - not nearly as scared. But still not overly excited, either.
Even less excitement for the Cars ride itself. He told us a few times he didn't want to go, but after we'd waited in line 20 or 30 minutes, he was okay with going. He definitely got scared during the race part, but I think he had fun overall. I've told a few people, but I struggle with how much to push him and how much to leave him alone. I don't want him to miss out on things, but I also don't want to force him to do things he's really uncomfortable doing. So I try to push some things - things he really might miss out on - and let most other things go because it's just not that important. It's part of the reason we only went on a total of six or seven rides at Disneyland.
Check out the car I got! He got to pick one thing for now and one thing for Christmas (which he later demanded to get for his birthday, somehow thinking that was better for him - I'll still give it to him for Christmas). I don't normally buy things for him at Disneyland; I'm very aware of how much stuff he has and how little of it he "needs." But even I give in every once in a while.
Tuesday morning Gramma flew home and Jayden went to Juju's for a few hours while I ran some errands. He was exhausted. Disneyland takes it out of everyone.
He passed out five minutes after we dropped Gramma off at the airport and stayed asleep until I carried him in to Juju's. I tried to let him lay down once we got there, but that wasn't happening.
And because he fell asleep earlier, he didn't nap at Juju's, which means he passed out on the ride home also. He stayed asleep once we got home, so he and I cuddled on the couch for 45 minutes or so until it was time for me to make dinner. I don't get this cuddling much anymore, so I take advantage of it when I can get it!
And Wednesday was back to life as we know it (except I had an event so I was home late). And Thursday was normal too, and so was Friday, except we all got haircuts!
They made Halloween bags at Juju's this week. Cute art projects.
And Jayden became a dunking machine:
Today I had to take a picture for no real reason, but because he just looks so old.
"Cheeeeeese!" Also, this is the way clothes are supposed to fit him. The waist is a little big, which is normal, but it has a drawstring so I can adjust it. With this potty training thing, drawstring or elastic waistbands are a requirement. Snaps and buttons do not come off fast enough, and he can't do them on his own. But these shorts are also long enough, which is hard to find in a small enough waist. I'll have to figure out the brand and buy all his clothes from them!
I had to work this afternoon, but it ended up being shorter than expected, which was nice. Carmen and Jayden got some quality father-son time, which I'm sure was good for them. Tonight we went to Boo at the Zoo, which is at the Santa Ana Zoo, a few minutes from our house. It was fun, although we almost didn't get him into his costume. He didn't wear the whole costume the whole time; he just doesn't really care about dressing up.
Before we convinced him to wear the whole outfit. Blowing bubbles in his sparkly jacket and hat. We finally convinced him it would be more fun to wear the motorcycle shirt to soccer in the morning. Whatever works...
Showing off the sequined jacket. He doesn't have black shoes and wouldn't have worn them even if he did have them so we stuck with the green ones. Also, he would not stand still so this is the best "cheese" picture I could get.
Running to the zoo. He got a few compliments on his outfit, and people totally knew he was Michael!
Family photo. In order for Jayden to wear his outfit, we all had to wear hats, white shirts, black pants and jackets. Carmen never put his jacket on, but I stayed true to the costume.
Checking out some animal - I think the bald eagle. (for anyone concerned, the bald eagle is injured and cannot fly, which is why it's not abusive to keep the eagle in confinement)
"Michael" reading a book while waiting for his turn in the bathroom. Hilarious.
We got home a little late, but not too bad. He was cooperative and pleasant and went to bed easily. I think he was pretty tired. But it made for a much easier bedtime for everyone. Tomorrow is a normal Sunday - soccer and football (on TV for Carmen; probably in the backyard for me and Jayden). And then it's back to life as normal on Monday. Booo!
One more thing that's super exciting that happened in the last couple of weeks is that I bought plane tickets to Dallas to see our friends Kelly and Mike and their daughter Ella. I haven't seen Kelly in at least a couple years, definitely not since she was pregnant with Ella, which means I've never met Ella, which is just so sad. So we're going to stay with them for a weekend, to relax and visit. I am SO excited. I've been trying to plan this trip for the longest time, so I'm really glad we finally made it happen. Hopefully they really don't mind us imposing; I promise we're grateful (and mostly pleasant) house guests!
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