Noah Doesn’t Want to Go To School

This morning, it took a while to get out of the house. Noah did not want to go to school. I decided to go to Noah’s classroom first and have Evan come with us. Noah was not happy to be there. I eventually just needed to leave and let the teachers try and calm him down. They asked what room Evan was in so they could visit Evan if Noah wasn’t calming down.

After dropping off the boys I went to HEB.

I put the groceries away at home and then went for a bike ride. I rode the Velloway, one time around the loop, and then back home. It was a good ride – a good workout. It’s about 10 miles.

I had a little bit of time at home, just enough to clean up and cool down from the ride.

I picked up Noah first. The teachers said he seemed sad today, but it’s not unusual. Quite a few other kids were crying as well. They did not need to visit Evan’s room, so I guess that meant Noah was dong ok. Evan had a good day and was wearing his Batman sweatshirt when I picked him up. He told me he gets cold at lunch time and wanted to bring in his sweatshirt.

When we got home I put Noah down for a nap.

Blanca was supposed to come over this afternoon, but she canceled due to a class schedule conflict. She had to change some of her classes at the last minute. I didn’t want to cancel tutoring, so I brought the boys with me to tutor at the library. I brought a backpack full of toys and snacks. They did really well playing on the floor next to me. My tutoring started at around 4:15 and Morry was able to come to the library to pick up the boys at 5pm. I tutored a few more students and got home about 8:15.

In between tutoring, there was a really pretty, bright rainbow in the sky. When I was stopped at a stop sign I took a picture.

When I got home Morry had put the boys to bed, but they were both still up and talking. In fact, almost an hour later they are both still awake. Hopefully, they fall asleep soon.

Running, Swimming, Biking

This morning I went for a run with the boys in the stroller. I ran/walked about 3.5 miles.

We came home for just a little bit. I made a smoothie for all of us and then we went to the gym. I swam and then sat in the hot tub and steam room, cleaned up and then picked up the boys in the child care. Evan and Noah had a good time at the gym. They both colored pages from a coloring book. Evan was especially proud of his Scooby Doo coloring page.

After the gym we went over to the bike shop. I wanted to talk to someone about options for taking the kids with me bike riding. The guy wasn’t sure Evan was big enough for one of those kids trailer bikes (makes like a tandem bike on and adult bike). We put him on one on the lowest setting and he seemed comfortable. The guy recommended doing that and a bike trailer rather than getting seats on the back of the bike. I didn’t buy anything, we just looked around.

It was getting late and there was a McDonalds right next to the bike shop, so I picked up lunch for the boys there.

When we got home Evan and Noah finished eating and then I put Noah down for a nap. Noah wasn’t napping and was crying a lot. I’m not sure why.

Gabby came over at 3:45 and I tutored one student.

I got home around 6pm and we got dinner started. Morry and the boys had pasta. I had a sandwich and soup.

After dinner I gave Evan and Noah haircuts on the upstairs porch.

We gave them a quick bath and now they are both it bed, though both are still awake.

Star Wars Shoes

This morning Morry let me sleep in. While I was sleeping Morry folded the mounds of laundry that had piled up. What a good husband!

Evan really needed new shoes so we went to Stride Rite in the mall. They had Star Wars shoes, but not in his size. We had to order a pair for Evan from another store. They’ll come in the mail in a few days. Stride Rite was having a buy one get one half off sale, so we got shoes for Noah too. Noah did need new shoes. They measured him at a size 8. He was wearing size 7 shoes. Noah got light up fire truck shoes. We liked a differed pair better, but Noah said he wanted the fire truck shoes.

On the way out of the mall we got cookies and on the way home we stopped at Petco to get food for Lizzy.

We ate lunch and the put Noah down for a nap. Noah didn’t sleep.

During the time Noah was in his room. I got some party planning stuff done.

For dinner Morry made chicken nuggets and couscous. I also had some soup.

After dinner all of the boys watched some of the Steelers game.

We gave Evan and Noah baths and they are in bed now.

Cranky Boys

Hello everyone, this is Morry.

The day began early for a Saturday as Rachel got up before 7 to meet some women to go running. She did a 5-mile run which is pretty impressive. It was cool for Austin this morning which helped, I'm sure.

Noah got up at 7:30 but I left him in his room. Evan got up at 8am and let Noah out and then the two came into my room. They got up in bed with me and I put Mickey Mouse Clubhouse on for them. Rachel came home shortly thereafter.

We had a birthday party to go to for a friend of Evan's. It was a pool party. It started at 10 and Rachel had a baby shower to go to at 11. She said she'd show up a bit late to that and help me out longer at the party. Evan seemed to be the only boy his age that couldn't swim without the aid of floaties or a life jacket. Ironically he was the only one who consistently wanted to be in the pool. The other kids were using a blow up water slide not attached to the pool. Rachel and I were the only parents in the pool helping Noah and Evan. When Rachel left, we got the kids out of the pool because I couldn't hold them both at the same time. That started the crankiness. Then they served cupcakes. Evan ate his fine but Noah said he wanted one. But then he wouldn't eat it, so I gave it to another kid who wanted a chocolate one. Noah, of course threw a fit, even though he wasn't going to eat it. So then I gave him mine but he still didn't want to eat it but he didn't want me to eat it. Then he wanted grapes but he wouldn't eat them and wouldn't let me eat them. He insisted on having me hold him but he was crying and just being plain miserable. He wanted a juice box but then he didn't want a juice box. I couldn't put him down for even half a second. Then Evan decided the other boys weren't sharing toys with him although the birthday boy was simply opening up the presents. No one was playing or sharing anything. I think it stemmed from the fact that Evan wanted the present that we gave to the boy and he wanted to play with that. So Evan just stood and cried. I said "we're leaving" but then Evan's friend called him over to come play which made him happy. When it was time to leave the father of the birthday boy helped me get everything out to the car since the boys were of no help. I didn't talk to any adults the whole time.

We came home and had lunch, and of course, the boys were in fine moods at home. Rachel came home from the shower and we put Noah down for a nap.

Evan and I watched the Little League World Series. I asked him if he wanted to play in the LLWS and he said no, he wanted to play for the Pirates. I said he can do both and he said no, he just wanted to play for the Pirates. Later he said he wanted to play for the Pirates, Rangers and Steelers.

For dinner, Rachel and I went and picked up Chipotle for us and made dinner here for the boys.

They're in bed now.

Until next time...

Nice Day – Lots of Treats

This morning, after getting the boys dressed and fed we all got in the car. I had to make a quick stop at the library and then we went to the zoo.

When we first got to the zoo the boys wanted to see the goats. We were able to go in the fenced in section and pet some of the goats. The boys thought it was funny when one of the goats started peeing. They both jumped back really quickly. We fed the goats and deer, then saw the pigs. About that time Evan and Noah said they were ready for lunch. We found a picnic table in the shade and ate our picnic lunch. The boys ate well and were well behaved so we all got shaved iced from the little stand. Evan and Noah shared a bubble gum flavored one. I had strawberry. By the time they were done with their shaved ices it was getting late so we left to go home. We have a membership to the zoo and it’s pretty close to our house, so it’s nice being able to go there for a little bit and not feel like we have to spend the whole day there.

It took Noah a while to fall asleep for his nap.

For dinner we went to Trattoria Lisina. It worked out really well. The boys ate a lot of pizza and then we all got gelato for dessert.

We just put the boys to bed, but Noah is still talking at his gate.

Solo Bike Ride

This morning Evan and Noah went to school. Noah cried at drop off. The class was going out on the playground so I came out there for a little a while.

When I got home I went for a bike ride. It was nice riding the bike without the trailer. I rode to the Velloway, once around the trail, and then back home.

At school, I picked up Noah first and then Evan. When I walked into Noah’s class he was participating in the song/activity with the rest of the class. It was cute.

A little after we got home I put Noah down for a nap.

When Morry got home we started getting dinner ready. Morry grilled a steak for him and I had a spinach stuffed salmon that we picked up at HEB the other day. The boys had pasta.

We just put Evan and Noah to bed, but they are still awake and playing with their Leapsters.

Morry’s Night Out

This morning I went for a 3 mile run with the boys in the stroller. At one point a woman jogging with a dog passed us going the other direction. She looked at me pushing the double stroller and said, “Now that’s a workout. Kudos!”

When we got home, I quickly showered and then we left again to go meet Morry. Morry met us at Groovy Lube to get my car inspected. We dropped off the car and then ate lunch at Steak N Shake. The food is just decent, but it’s a great place for the boys. It’s very kid friendly. Evan and Noah did really well there.

After lunch we picked up the car and came home. I put Noah down for a nap.

Blanca came at 4:30 and I went to tutor.

Morry came home for a little bit after work, but then left again to go see a movie with some of his work friends. They were meeting up at the Alamo Drafthouse.

When I came home it was 7:30 and the boys and I hadn’t eaten dinner yet. I took them to McDonalds. They say a commercial that McDonalds now has Batman toys, so they have been asking us to go there.

Morry just got home and he said he had a nice time. It’s 10pm and both Evan and Noah are still awake. Hopefully they fall asleep soon. They have another day of school tomorrow.

First Day of School

Hello everyone, this is Morry.

Today was the first day of school for the boys. It's the start of Evan's 3rd year in pre-school and Noah's first. It's also Evan's last year of pre-school. Next year he'll be in Kindergarten. I honestly can't believe it.

I stayed home today to help Rachel and see Noah at his first day. I heard Evan get up at 7:30 but he didn't remember that I was working downstairs so he stayed upstairs. Noah slept in and I had to wake him up to get him ready. He's been very excited to go, but he doesn't wake up well. He was whining and crying about not wanting to go to school. He wanted to go back to bed. He's not 16 either.

We got to school and Noah was still kind of cranky but you could tell he was excited. We took Evan to his room first. They wanted Evan to trace his hand and cut his hand out with his name and a heart on it. We needed to help him. Noah wanted to do one too, but time wouldn't allow it. We needed to get Evan done and bring Noah to his class. So Noah got upset about that and he wanted me to hold him. Rachel did most of the helping with the drawing and cutting.

We took Noah into his classroom and he didn't want me to put him down. Rachel and I were both thinking this was going to be tough. But we saw a puzzle sitting out where you have to put the cars and boats and trains into their proper spots. Noah wanted to do that. So we quickly kissed him on the head and said goodbye.

Then Rachel and I got smoothies. Tuesday is my smoothie day. I go every Tuesday morning. The guy working there asked if we needed any help. Rachel said, no, that I come often. He said "yeah, it's Morry right?" I guess I go there too much.

Then we came home and there were no kids at the house. Rachel said we were empty nesters. I have to admit it was really weird with no kids.

We went and picked Noah up at 11am. He was sitting in the teacher's lap and he had been crying. I thought "oh no". But she said that he had had a great day and only became upset when another parent came. I couldn't believe it when she said that. It was like deja vu. That's exactly what happened on Evan's first day. It was the same classroom and the same scene. And I had the same thought when I saw Evan had tears in his eyes. And the teacher (different teacher) said the same thing. It was funny.

Noah was upset that Evan wasn't coming home with us.

Rachel got lunch together for her and Noah and I had some lunch as well. Then we went and picked Evan up. I was a bit worried about Evan because his good friend Cayden is not in his class any more. But he was very excited about playing with Ben and wanted to invite Ben over.

Rachel and Noah napped and then Gabby came over while Rachel tutored. Gabby said that Evan wanted to pretend to be Star Wars the whole time.

I made tacos for dinner. I made ground beef ones for me and veggie ones for Rachel.

The boys are in bed now. They seemed tired. It was a big day.

Until next time...