Hair Loss

Jenn, Paul, and two of Paul's friends arrived yesterday evening.  Bohdin and Nyla had fun with the visitors.  Jenn brought a battery operated stuffed pig for Nyla which was a huge hit.  Now Nyla has two pink pigs.  Cora received a stuff monkey.  Piggy, the monkey, and the little pig all accompanied us to the grocery store this morning.  Our car is filling up with animals. 

The kids have been having fun with a rolling box the past few days.  Bohdin zooms them around the first floor.  He's a great brother for doing that because he doesn't really get a turn inside.  He just alternates between pushing Nyla and pushing Cora. 



Nyla's hair has been getting pretty long.  She seemed iffy on the length but every time I brought it up she insisted that she wanted to keep it long.  I guess she changed her mind tonight because she grabbed scissors and cut it short.  She also gave Cora a hair cut.  I love Cora's curls and was really sad to see them go.  I don't mind Nyla cutting her hair too much but cutting Cora's was not cool at all.  I hope I finally got the message across to her this time to not cut her own hair.  Nyla gave herself a half mullet by the time I found her.  It might not have even been that much.  She cut a lot of hair off and was nearly done.  I evened it up a bit.  One side is still longer but she was getting impatient.  Cora had to have her curls cut off so it would match the short side.  It looks like they will grow back eventually but time will tell. 




This is the shorter side that I hardly touched. 

Lucky Kids

We're trying to take advantage of the Derby Festival this year.  I had planned to take the kids to the park for Discovery Days on Monday which included a story time with the local children's theatre, a soccer clinic, and bouncy stuff.  Cora slept super late.  The latest I think she has ever slept because she didn't wake up until well after 10am.  The event started at 11 and we didn't make it there until close to 12:30.  The fact that Bohdin couldn't find his shoes didn't help matters.  Then he lost a piece of watermelon in the car and we spent time searching for that.  We missed the best stuff.  There was three bouncy things and that was pretty much it.  The carnival stuff was set up right next to it and of course Bohdin and Nyla were interested.  I didn't have much cash with me since the event was advertised as free and it was but it was right next to really enticing not free stuff.  I was one dollar short of being able to buy a bunch of tickets so Bohdin and Nyla were able to each choose one ride.  Bohdin chose the big slide and went first.  Nyla chose the carousel.  When it was her turn we found out that it was free until the Discovery Days event was over at 1:30.  Nyla was able to choose the other ride she really wanted to do as well.  In all they rode the carousel three times and had one extra ride per piece. 

There was a local elementary school there on a field trip which made the small event a bit crowded.  The lines for two of the bouncy things were too long but we had time for the bouncy slide.  Bohdin did it twice.  The first time Nyla was too scared but she joined Bohdin the second time and ended up liking it.  On each turn they were given the opportunity to go down the slide twice which was nice. 

It was kind of a lame event especially since we showed up too late for the best parts.  My favorite part was being in Waterfront Park again.  I had only been twice before and both times at night for the fireworks.  It was nice to see it during the daytime.  Bohdin and Nyla had a much better time than I did. 





Tuesday evening was the Pegasus Parade Preview Party.  For just the cost of parking which isn't particularly cheap at the Expo Center, the kids were able to see all of the floats, balloons, and horses that would be in the parade.  It sounded better than actually going to the parade.  We left later than I anticipated.  I wasn't that excited about going and Bohdin was procrastinating on cleaning the car.  He needed to find that missing piece of watermelon before it became gross and moldy.  After lots of looking we did find it.  That watermelon had flown to the front of the car. 

The event was supposed to end at nine and it was after 8 I think when we finally showed up.  There were signs that everybody was wrapping things up already.  Nevertheless the kids had fun.  This event was much funner than I expected.  In hindsight we could have spent several hours there easily.  We had to race through the area to try to finsh the scavenger hunt before it was too late.  The kids had to visit every float or balloon and get a stamp on a card.  They weren't able to finish because people went home early but they were given the prize anyway which was just a pin.  Nyla and Cora liked the horses quite a bit.  Bohdin loved the fog cannon.  Since there were so few people at that point Bohdin was able to shoot it a few times.  It was a neat device. 



There was a bouncy slide and a bouncy house and the kids did both.  Again since it wasn't busy anymore there was no waiting.  They had a lot of fun with it.  When all of the kids were kicked out of the bouncy house, Nyla wanted to go back to the area that was giving free popcorn.  We didn't get any earlier because we were trying to get those scavenger hunt stamps.  As we neared the table, one of the booth staff asked if we wanted to take the balloons home they had on their table.  I thought they were the luckiest kids ever because it was a huge bunch of helium balloons.  They were too late for the popcorn though. 



Nyla, Bohdin, and their balloon in front of the Pegasus balloon for the parade.



Today we just had to focus on cleaning which nobody wanted to do.  Nyla ended up occupying Cora so I could clean.  Bohdin thought it was unfair that she wasn't cleaning but he couldn't see her valuable contribution like I could.  If it wasn't for Nyla I wouldn't have been able to accomplish as much.  She does an excellent job of playing with her.  Bohdin doesn't do nearly as well.  When we asked him to watch her the other day while we were grouting he squirted her with water from the hose.  She was quite unhappy with her wet face and clothes and came in to tell us about it.  That's not helpful watching. 

Cora is completely enamored with Nyla.  She calls her "Ila" or sometimes "Lila"  with a heavy emphasis on the "la" portion.  Nyla likes to play princess and baby with Cora.  Cora usually will do whatever Nyla wants.  She really looks up to her. 

We went to the grocery store tonight.  Cora was in the basket and decided to play the up and down game.  She likes to stand up and say "up" and then go down and say "down".  It's one thing when we're at home but quite another when one is supposed to be sitting nicely in the basket.  That seatbelt was doing nothing to keep her contained.  She then moved on to the loud game which is her yelling loudly the word loud.  Have I mentioned before that I dislike taking her to the grocery store?   

Challenge

The kids have been painting a lot this week which is really messy when Cora is around.  She insists on participating and she is not the least bit careful.  She likes to squeeze paint directly onto the paper instead of using the palette like Nyla.  She picked up the method from Bohdin but he is old enough to not overdo it.  Cora did make some pretty decent art.  I'll have to take some pictures.



Nyla says that Cora is sleeping in this picture.  She set her up on this chair with a blanket while they were playing babies.  Cora's paint covered arm is visible in this picture. 


It's been a challenging week with Cora.  Her most common words this week were momma, me, mine, let go, and no.  She wanted me to hold her a lot.  She refused help.  She cried for at least 15 minutes when I wouldn't let her have anymore paint.  She doesn't want a new diaper put on or her dirty one taken off.  The list goes on.  The only thing she listens about is going down the stairs.  I have finally convinced her that backwards is still the best way for her.  On the other hand, Bohdin and Nyla have been a breeze.  They've spent the week immersed in Playmobil play.  The Romans and kids are doing something in the castle.

We sold the Civic on Thursday morning to the first person that came to look at it.  Overall the process was super easy.  We were really lucky. 

Friday evening was the balloon glow.  Nyla nearly missed it because she refused to take a nap despite waking up super early.  She wanted to play with Bohdin instead.  Once Cora woke up she said again that she was not tired but laid down anyway on her bed.  She was asleep in minutes.  Her timing was poor because Cora is not a quiet child.  She woke up numerous times even after I kicked Bohdin and Cora outdoors to play.  After dinner the kids and I went to the Expo center.  There were around 30 balloons there I think and they did look really pretty lit up.  We were able to walk around and get next to the balloons.  Nyla didn't like the fire at first especially when we were close.  Once we moved further away she loved it.  The favorite was the Energizer Bunny balloon.  It was the largest and was having trouble staying inflated.  Multiple kids and some adults were running underneath the shoe which was flopped on the ground a good distance from basket.  They were trying to push it up.  Bohdin joined in and eventually Nyla tried it out as well.  We wandered around a bit more until my contact lens fell out after I lightly rubbed my eye.  I've been wearing contacts for around 20 years and I don't recall that ever happening before.  I did my best putting it back in but it wasn't easy in the middle of a field.  The contact was really dry.  I couldn't get it in quite right and told the kids we would need to start heading out.  We had already seen the balloons glow a few times.  Every 15 minutes or so there would be a countdown and all of the balloons lit up at the same time for a few seconds.  It was a beautiful sight.  We rode the shuttle on the way back to the car which the kids loved.  It was one of the highlights of the evening. 

Changes

The plumbers came on Thursday and by mid morning we had a functioning toilet on the first floor after more than one year.  I think we are all in love with it except for Cora.  I know that both Buddy and I have been in the kitchen and not wanted to go upstairs to pee only to remember that we don't have to anymore.  It's so much more convenient.  As I'm writing this Buddy is installing the door.  It doesn't resemble the old kitchen at all anymore. 

Buddy had been working late for many days so Friday he came home early.  He asked me if I wanted to go to the dealership to check out a car since he had some time.  He has been driving the Civic ever since I got the minivan but he never fell in love with it.  I think it is a fantastic car and I still enjoy driving it.  We bought the car twelve years ago so it is getting a little old I suppose.  We looked at Toyota Camry hybrid.  The only thing Buddy liked about the Civic was the gas mileage.  Cora was getting fussy there so I took Bohdin and her to the grocery store.  Buddy told me he was just going to talk them.  He wasn't going to buy a car yet.  He bought the car.  He called me and talked to me about it but I did find it amusing that he bought it after saying he wasn't.   He really likes it.  I've been struggling to find three car seats that will fit so we can use it around town with the kids but no luck yet.  Bohdin is the trouble child since booster seats are generally wide. 


Last night was time for Thunder Over Louisville again.  After Cora had a really long nap we had dinner and got ready to go.  A cold front came through Friday night so it was pretty chilly.  I can't remember the last time we've had such cool temperatures.  Earlier in the week it was in the 80s and the high yesterday was in the 50s.  The good part about the cooler weather was the lower crowds.  They estimated that over 400,000 went but that is way lower than the 750,000 that could show up with nicer weather.  It wasn't as cold as last year.  We parked almost two miles away to give us a better chance to beating traffic.  We also showed up late in the day so we couldn't be all that picky.  The kids did a good job walking there.  We set up chairs and hung out for a while before the fireworks started.  Cora hated the air show.  Most of the airplanes scared her.  The first of the fireworks scared her as well.  After the first few she looked tired and bored more than anything.  Sometimes she looked at them but she spent more time looking at the people behind me.  Bohdin seemed bored as well but he said he was just tired.  He stood on a chair for a better view.  Buddy held Nyla mostly on his shoulders.  She was giddy.  She was cheering, yelling, clapping, and about as excited as a person could be.  She loved it.  This morning the first thing she said when she woke up was how great the fireworks were and how she wishes they were everyday.  Buddy and I thought the show this year was better than last year.  The finale was fantastic.  No other fireworks show can compare.  Buddy thinks one of the good things is how close you can be compared to other shows.  Cora had ash in her hair and paper was flying around us.  Bohdin said he could feel the boom of the fireworks in his throat.  Nyla had trouble walking on the way back.  I put her in the carrier for a while and Buddy held Cora in his arms.  Bohdin complained of tired legs but he made it.  I think we need to walk more if four miles tires him out so much. 






I don't think fireworks photograph well because so much is lost in a picture.  Without the sound and the smell and the smoke, it's not the same.  Buddy thought I should have taken pictures last year so this year I did.  The bottom picture shows the first firework waterfall off the bridge.  We were set up between the bridge and the barges again this year.  They set off nearly identical fireworks from both with the exception of the waterfall effects and few others.  From this spot we get a great view of the bridge but we sort of see only half the show since one part is to our right and the other fireworks are set off to our left.  If we ever have an opportunity to go again perhaps we will try another location. 




Today we went to the Revolutionary War encampment demonstration at Locust Grove.  Cora started crying after the musket shots.  She's had a noisy weekend.  There actually wasn't that much there.  There were some tents set up, a few games, and a lady demonstrating washing and ironing clothes.  Bohdin wanted to go back inside the museum.  He read the kid area again and said he had no memory of any of it even though it's only been a month since we were last there.  The Kentucky History Homeschool group was there and I talked to one of the dads.  It's a neat group that I think Bohdin would enjoy but the meeting are at 2pm.  Cora is almost always asleep at that time.  They have one more meeting before summer break and I might try to attend anyway.  The group had put together a scavenger hunt of pictures from inside the museum.  Bohdin and Nyla loved it.  Cora behaved just as badly as the last time we were there.  She just wanted to run around. 






Cora fell down the steps again this week.  She ended up with a large bruise on her forehead.  I was hoping it would teach her to be cautious but no luck.  She is more determined than ever to walk down the stairs normally.  She refuses to let me carry her and even though Bohdin and Nyla have begun crawling down the steps backward in an attempt to make her do that again she will not.  

Garbler

It's been over a year since we've played with G- but today we finally had the opportunity to see him again.  They've moved to a new house which had a very nice backyard complete with baby chicks.  The kids spent a lot of time chasing them.  Everybody had a good time and wanted to see G- and A- again.  With G-'s school schedule it's tough but perhaps this summer.

I've been reading Little House on the Prairie to Bohdin at night.  Most nights I will read at least a chapter.  Sometimes Nyla listens and sometimes she doesn't.  She has missed the past few nights but did come in tonight to listen.  It was the chapter where Laura and Mary were scared because of the panther on the loose that eats little girls.  They were scared the night they heard it and couldn't sleep.  Pa tried for days to hunt it down so it would be safe for them to go outside again.  At the end of the chapter the panther is dead. How could I turn off the lights and say goodnight to Nyla after reading that chapter to her?  She is going through a random scared phase that won't let her be in a room alone at times.  The timing of it is really random so there is no telling when it is okay to leave her and when it is not.  I decided to read another chapter to erase the memory of the panther.  It was the chapter where Laura and Mary were scared of the Indian jamboree while Pa is away in town.  Two scary chapters in a row and probably the only two scary chapters in the entire book.  At least the chapter ended with new hairbows for Laura and Mary.  Nyla spent some time studying the picture and I hoped hairbows replaced panthers in her mind.  After I put the book down Nyla said that she was still thinking about the garbler.  Bohdin was confused but I knew she meant panther.  I set up a protective shield for all of us and eventually she managed to go to sleep.  I hope she doesn't dream of a garbler that eats little girls tonight.

Mail

We had some nice weather this week so the kids spent some time outdoors.  Actually Bohdin spent a lot of time in the garage listening to an audio book.  Nyla did various things.  She rode her bike, painted, and had a picnic.  She has been asking for carrot soup ever since Grandma sent a recipe for it.  I finally made it.  We all ate some but I don't think we'll have it again. 





Nyla has been working on single handedly saving the post office as Buddy put it.  She has been on a letter writing streak this week.  I think she mailed four letters last week.  Two are ready to go tomorrow.  Mostly it's just art.  Sometimes I will write down what she tells me to.  Sometimes I don't even get a chance to see what is inside.  She seals it, puts a stamp on it, then hands it to me. 

I can't remember what else has been going on.  Buddy had to work really late on Thursday and Friday so those were long days with a grumpy Cora.  The drywall is finished so we've been working on painting that area and cleaning it up.  We need to get it done soon because Nyla is holding her pee again and I think having that bathroom would help.  She's had several accidents this week because she just refuses to pee.  I don't know why. 

Buddy put Cora to sleep at night for many many months but in March she refused to be with him any longer.  She would cry and scream like nothing in the world could be worse than him holding her.  I took over.  Some nights she would nurse to sleep without too much problem but other nights it was hard.  This past week has been one of those hard times.  She wants to play instead of going to sleep.  The past two nights she chose Buddy again and didn't cry at all.  I'm hoping she goes back to him permanently.  I miss the reading routine we used to have.  Right now Nyla is the one who doesn't get to choose a book because I read to Bohdin with just a red headlight while Cora tries to go to sleep.  His book doesn't have pictures. 

Mountain

Bohdin spent a lot of time with a shovel to make a mountain for himself.  He didn't really do much with it once it was constructed but that may be because he became distracted with the idea of the sprinkler.  It was a little too cold for the sprinkler but they had fun trying anyway.  After dinner we all went for a walk and Buddy discovered the path that links our neighborhood to the trails of the nearby park.  I can't believe it took us over two years to find it.  We walked to the playground there but couldn't stay long.  Nyla needed to pee, Cora didn't have shoes, and it was getting dark.  On the way home Bohdin declared it an amazing adventure.  I hope we take advantage of the trails often.




Nyla likes to create art and her recent art has feautured more drawing instead of painting.  It has become impossible to paint with Cora around so Bohdin and Nyla have to paint when she is asleep.  Nyla is able to draw when Cora is awake since Cora will use her own paper for that.  Nyla's current art features a lot of letters.  She likes to put some random letters in somewhere.



This is Nyla's art from several weeks ago when she did an art lesson.  I like how she painted the hands. 



Bohdin's art from his art lesson several weeks ago.  The bright blue building is a power plant and the black line is the electrical lines.  The poles are light purple.  One house and one roof fell off due to bad glue. 



Bohdin has been enjoying the spring weather by reading outside.  Nyla doesn't like that he's reading so much because he won't play Playmobil with her.   Today he read three books.  He goes through spurts and today was a reading day.  Since it became windy in the afternoon they did have fun flying "kites".  One kite was a plastic bag with a piece of yarn attached and one was a piece of paper with yarn.  They also used a store bought sort of kite but Nyla didn't like it after it hurt her neck.  She ended up with rope burn after it somehow scraped her neck. 


The drywall will be finished tomorrow.  Nyla is the most excited for the upcoming bathroom.  She hates climbing the stairs when she has to pee.  Too bad the stairs aren't a deterrent from her changing multiple times per day.  I can see where her priorities lie.  Perhaps by the end of next week Nyla will no longer have to hold her pee for hours.