Chore Time!!

So lately Nate has gotten into this kick with me - and refuses to clean his room. He says he would prefer to watch me clean! Soon I won't be able to get down on the floor or if I do, I may have trouble getting back up!!! :) So yesterday he was home with me. I started out doing the dishes and a load of laundry. He saw I was dropping water on the floor - which is what happens when you have a dishwasher BEHIND the sink! So he asked if he could mop the floor! I said sure! Then I changed the sheets on my bed. He helped me take the pillows off. Proceeded to lay on them until it was time to put them back up again. We headed into his room and he helped me clean up his toys and made his bed! He was so proud. He kept commenting as we put more toys away that it's getting cleaner mom! Funny how that happens - huh???!!!???!!!

So we had to run out to go to the doctors to drop off paperwork. We decided to stop at Staples to get supplies for a Chore chart. I don't think he *quite* gets it but he is understanding that if he does all his chores, he will be able to get a squishy dinosaur next time we're at the Russian River. :)

This morning as we were getting him ready to go to Nana's house for the day, I asked him what toy he wanted to bring. He said his Chores!! LOL He was funny though because in the hallway was his Star Wars Gun and of course the beds weren't made yet. He starts waving his hands saying "Mom - what happened to our house?? It's not clean like we like it!!" That kid!!!

He's growing up!!

What happened!! Recently I noticed that I am now MOM! Hey mom; Mom, I need; Mom can you get; Mom; Mom; Mom. I guess there is no more mommy. :( He is a big boy afterall. The other day he asked me for a cookie. I said, no, we're having dinner soon. What does he say??? Awww Mommmmmm!!!!!!!!

And he's so chatty!! His sentences are getting longer and more articulate. You can really have a conversation with him now! And his imagination. Sometimes it's hard to figure if what we are talking about is real or imaginary. He watches this program called the Upside Down show. It's two Australian guys - Shane and David. They run around acting goofy and then they ask the kids to press a button on their "remote" to get them to stop being silly or to get out of a room. The show has helped with his imagination. He also has an infatuation with fish. Especially Nemo. He talks about fish constantly. Usually he has bought fish and they are in the car with us?!?!?!

I am enjoying this time with him at home before the babies arrive. I've realized you can't do it all - work that is - and not miss out on the little things - like vocabulary!

Oh Nate!!

Last weekend we were up at the Russian River with Jim's parents. It was a nice 3 day weekend. We are STILL working on the potty training. He still refuses to poop in the potty. I've tried everything! Anyway, we're sitting in the living room and Nate is playing. He stands up and asks "Mommy did you bring extra underpants???" So I answered, "of course I did???" And then I get "good, I went poo poo in my pants" Ugh! I feel like at this rate, the triplets will have this down long before he does!!!!!!!

What we've been up to!!

We've been a little busy! I am now on disability to make sure my blood pressure stays down! I do need to continue with my exercise so we're trying to do more family things on the weekend. We started out the New Year with a drive to Point Reyes to walk the Earthquake Trail and the Miwok trail.

We started out on the Earthquake trail. Here is a sign explaining about the history of the San Andreas Fault Zone..

Nate checking out the gofer holes... he had no interest in the guided tour!! :)

Jim participated in the guided tour. I believe this is where the fence moved as a result of the '06 quake.

Checking out the bridge and the creek while waiting for daddy.

Running the trail - while waiting for daddy.

I guess we forgot to take pictures of the Miwok trail. Maybe next time.

Then my very first Sunday not having to prepare for work...Jim and I noticed the outdoor guy in the Chronicle wrote a piece about the man made waterfall in Lagunitas (Marin County). So we hopped in the car and headed out North. This guy is definitely one for us to follow because we've now gone on two of his recommended drives and had a blast!!!

The watershed was overflowing with the intense amount of rain we have been having!!! Here are a few pictures to share...

Nate didn't quite make it to see the waterfall!! He fell asleep!! We'll take it since most days naps are hard to come by and he DOES need them!!! :)

The Waterfall - cool!!! It was pretty mucky out though. Lots of people must have read the same article because there were a lot of people around!!!

The actual Watershed. It was such a beautiful drive there. Lots of lush green trees and hills. Really, very pretty countryside!

On our way back down I spotted this Turkey Vulture! Jim was able to zoom in with my camera and capture this awesome picture!! He couldn't believe I saw it - it was quite a distance.

Finally this past Saturday, we decided to take Nate to the Aquarium of the Bay. I had been once years ago and Jim has never been, so we decided to check it out with Nate. As I was getting coupons off the net, Nate noticed pictures of Sharks and decided he didn't want to go! I told him that there would be Nemo fish so off we went!!!

Fortunately for me, the first thing we saw - was NEMO!!!! However, we could not get him to leave! So I told him I think there might be more Nemo's downstairs so we need to go check! He was GAME!!!

First thing we did see was Jelly Fish! He was in HEAVEN!!! He loves jellyfish!

Mom - LOOK - MORE JELLYFISH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I was really not getting good pictures inside with or without the flash. So this is what we've got - but Nate was purely excited! It was fun! We actually went around a second time. And his favorite fish at the end of the day....The sharks and the Sting Rays!!!! And to think, that was what was stopping him from going!!!!!!

Then we went back upstairs for the final portion of the exhibit. We fell in love with the pool of sting rays. You were actually able to pet it's wing. Our little boy - normally afraid of everything- was happy to get close to the sting rays. He even put his fingers in the water. He did not however, pet the sting rays!! :)

Daddy Did though....

Then there was the star fish.

Keeping in pure Nate fashion, he would not pet the star fish! However, he would not leave the exhibit. There was a little waterfall that caught his attention. We were able to distract him with other exhibits.

Like the tree frogs!!!

And the turtles.....

But this by far was my favorite...The African pygmy Hedgehog. We seriously believe Nate thought he was Diego or at least one of his buddy's on a great adventure! Nate has a Diego camera - similar to what Diego uses on the show. Diego takes pictures of the animals he encounters on his adventures. Nate, in all his seriousness, turns to me and says "mommy, I need the camera, I have to take a picture!!!" We gave him the camera - he didn't capture a shot but he was delighted thinking he was Diego - even if only for a moment!!! :)

Of course a trip out to the Pier would not be complete without checking on the Sea Lions! While almost all of the Sea Lions have left the bay onward and upward to Oregon; we were able to see a small few left in their home. Hopefully the others will return one day!

So we're having a great time - this weekend we're heading up to the Russian River for a 3 day weekend. Weather isn't looking that great, but it should be a nice restful weekend and we can't wait!! And we can actually get on the road earlier Friday night since I will be home!! :) Life is good!