Father's Day 2012

Kherington once again came home from school with something cute.  I didn't notice that it was supposed to be for Father's day (I should have since it was wrapped up).  I let her open it and here's what she made :).

Belgium's father's day was a week before the US Father's day.  Even with two chances, we didn't manage to celebrate until Monday.  We had phillycheese steaks and fries for dinner which were pretty tasty (and super quick/easy to make).

Ryan's a pretty awesome dad.  He even shares his clothes with Kherington and cuddles Kevin in the morning (neither like getting up).  I'd say he balances me out pretty well...he's calm and patient, and likes to read bedtime stories.  These kids are pretty lucky to have him :).

I do a long run on Saturday's and when I got home I came in to this:

Ryan had pulled up the chairs and helped the kids make their breakfast then let them eat at the counter.  He always makes everything so much fun.  The kids are sad when he has to go to work and they're stuck with mom again.

I had Kherington answer questions about her daddy.  She surprised me and actually did pretty well...other's were just plain funny. 

 My Daddy's name is Dad, Ryan
My Dad is 2 years old.
His hair is brown and his eyes are green.
My Dad's favorite food is mac n cheese.
Daddy's favorite color is green.
My Dad likes to wear the monkey shirt "oo oo ah ah".
My Dad's job is to take pictures to work.
He loves to eat popcorn.
He's smart because he knows how to eat dinner at the table.
My Dad works hard at playing with toys and making tunnels.
Daddy always tells me "one, two".
I'm happy when Daddy comes home.
I love my Daddy because he make me happy.
  By: Kherington, Age: 3

Kherington Cuts Hair

Last night I decided that I would finally cut my hair...as in the front part of my hair.  So while the kids were both in the bath tub, I figured that would be a good time to do it.  I cut it shorter than I wanted (just shortening the side bang type things) but eh, hair grows.  I finished up, cleaned up the hair and thought I up the scissors on the shelf, but I was wrong.

I went out, got Kevin ready for bed and was putting one some dance music when Kherington comes running into the room to show me something.  Well, that something was a fist full of her hair.  Awesome.  Her first self-cut hair cut.  From looking at what she did, she really was just doing the same thing I did...and it was too short...go figure.  Here it is after she cut it:

To 'fix' it I made it into side swoop style bangs.  I really really don't want her to have bangs.  Bangs mean I would have to keep trimming or keep pinning neither sound very appealing...plus I think she's cuter without.  I didn't cut up quite as short as she did so I'm hoping it grows out fast so I can do one more trim before just letting it grow out on their own.

This morning I was getting Kevin ready and noticed that Kherington cut his hair too.  There's a big cut on the top front.  Kinda scary to know she had scissors that close to his face, but I had been debating whether to buzz his hair (with an 8) now or later.  I guess it's going to be now.

A Day with Kids

Kherington is loving dressing up lately, so I figured I'd document day (it's actually one afternoon and the next morning) with the kids.  We have mess making, followed by Kevin stuck trying to get something out of the box.  Kherington trying on multiple stylish outfit combinations.  Kevin trying to steal part of her outfits (but not wanting to wear any of the dress-up stuff).

Kherington falling asleep at the dinner table...but notice she did eat everything but a few tomatoes.  We had dinner around 5pm and we were going to running errand that evening so I figured a short nap then was better than a short nap in the car later.  Kevin made a mess and had a great time doing it.  They were both wide awake and ready for clean-up time.  Ryan has been playing the Dora clean-up song on YouTube while they clean up which they love.

The next morning Kherington selected her own outfit for school (again).  As long as it's weather appropriate and it includes leggings/pants/shorts, I don't care too much.  Kevin was enjoying his pancake breakfast eating like a big kid NOT in the highchair.  After school we made some fruit loop / Cheerio necklaces.  I bought some plastic needles last time I was in the US and I just tie it onto the string so it can't fall off.  Definitely recommend it (Kevin even liked handing us cereal to put on...and dumped the box of Cheerios out, but I guess I'll just have to take the bad with the good.

So there you have it.  We do love to go places, but sometimes we do lead a normal at home life.  The kids are busy bodies and drive me crazy most of the time, but they're learning and that's what makes them fun :).

Working Out

Since Kevin has been born I've done two rounds of p90x. The first round I started around 6 weeks post-partum. It went well, but then we had visitors from August - December which meant lots of traveling, lots of sampling different countries food and no working out. Probably not the best combo.

Well, with both Kevin and Kherington my goal was to be in my normal clothes by their first birthday. Which means with a couple months left, I usually ramp up the working out and eat better. This time, that is when I started the second round of p90x. Towards the end of the 12 weeks I decided I need to start running too so there would be some type of transition...and so I didn't despise running. Even though I'd been working out my first run was slow and difficult. I do think that running is ultimately the best bang for your buck workout.

When p90x ended, I started alternating running with the slim in 6 workout DVD, but my normal 3 mile loop was getting pretty easy. So I started increasing miles to feel like I was still getting a good workout and just to see if I could do it. The most I've ran to date is 10 miles and I did it in 1h 36m (actually I've done it twice in exactly the same time)...and that was with a normal running pace instead of pushing myself to do it fast. Not too shabby for a non-runner.

After a couple weeks of running/slim in 6 I have now gone to a p90x/running hybrid workout schedule.  It has resistant workouts, 2 easy runs, 1 long run (5 or more miles) and a couple p90x ab workouts.  I'm on week 3 right now.  I was pretty sore after week 1, but I'm feeling good now.

Ultimately I just want to feel like I get a good workout each day and along with that get some good 'me' time.  Bed by 10pm, up by 6am for now :).

Basilica of the Sacred Heart

This weekend we had a little bit of time Saturday morning so we decided to bus/metro up to the Basilica that I've wanted to go to.  I'd heard it was one of the largest Roman Catholic churches in the world (wikipedia says top 10 by area in the world). The kids love taking public transit.  Especially being able to sit in their own seats on the bus.  At the metro stop there was a big flea market going on.  Not really my thing, but for anyone else considering going that's probably good to know.  We walked around a little park near just across from the Basilica and found a little playground for the kids to play at.  We opted not to climb up for a view the city...I figured someday we'll actually go up in the Atonium and I don't feel the need to do both.  Just a fun/short family trip.  Day where we can relax and do whatever at the pace of kids are kinda nice (and even better when they're blue sky).

Kevin's 12 Month Appt (at 14 months)

Kevin had is 12 month appointment at almost 14 months which means measurements and shots.  I did take both kids by myself because only Kevin was getting checked-out  instead of both (never again).  Kevin was super clingy this time and did not like the doctor poking and prodding him...he got two shots.  The doctor gave him one, put a band aid on it and was holding the needle to give him the second one.  Kherington was standing watching and he turned to her and ask her if she wanted a band aid too...uh...she shook her head and started backing away.  I'm guessing holding the needle while asking was not such a good idea (he was just trying to be nice and didn't realize what he did).  Well, the next day Kherington scraped her knee and she did NOT want a band aid on it.  Kinda funny

 

Back to Kevin.  The appointment went fine.  Here are his stats:

  Head: 47.5 cm (18.7 inches)

  Height: 77 cm (30.3 inches)

  Weight: 9.2 kilos (20.24 pounds)

 

I've already blogged with most my pictures so here's a couple that haven't made it.  He really likes watching/riding the vacuum cleaner (worst vacuum cleaner ever for carpet). He still loves to go 'bye bye' and will bring you his shoes and sit down for you to put them on.  Currently both him and Kherington love family home evening.  Here they are having it on their own Tuesday night (once a week isn't enough).  Kherington is saying prayer and Kevin is leading the music.  Pretty cute kids :).

Kherington's 3 year interview

Here are Kherington's answers to round 1 of her birthday questions (about a 1.5 months late :):
Favorite food: “bread and sandwich”

Favorite movie: “chipmonks”

I am good at: “playing games”

If I could go anywhere I’d go: “cemetery and the park” (we walk to the cemetery sometimes, but it’s always been closed)

Favorite color: “pink”

Favorite princess: “Sleeping Beauty”

Favorite book: “Woody and stories” and “Pink princess”

Friends: Lea, allysa, fabiean, alex

Favorite parent: “George”…then “Daddoo”

Favorite aunt: “Shell, I want Shell to come”

Favorite uncle: “Uncle Guillaume”

Favorite toy: “pink pillow”

After I did the 'interview' above, I decided it would be more fun to have it on video, so here's the video.  There are two parts, but haven't yet been motivated enough to play around and make it one.