As of April of 2014 I went back part-time as the Marketing Manager of The Renaissance Companies. I was not looking, but a job found me that I couldn't say no too. My neighbor Amy watches Nate on Mons from 8-11 while I work from home and my mom for the past year has watched them 2-days a week. Recently she is doing one day a week and I got a good reference about a lady named Karissa who is watching them and so far so good!
I love that my mom can watch them during the week. Brice and her have always had a close bond since she watched him while I worked when he was under a year old. And now she has that same relationship with Nathan which is so great. They love Grandma!
I have been enjoying my working time and makes the days with my kids even more special.
Friday, May 1, 2015
Four is a Wonderful Age
Brice is finally easy. Easy in the sense that he overall listens, doesn't run away, can eat at a restaurant without getting up, can almost sit through all of church, can walk through the grocery store successfully, I can trust him to go to a friends house to play nicely, go to bed without a fuss, can blow his nose, he uses polite words, cares about Nathan and his well-being, can take an assisted shower, can get dressed, goes to school without a fuss, the list goes on and on.
We have some rough days, but he is growing up and is becoming a nice, smart, handsome and caring boy. He finishes up preschool in a couple weeks and is so excited to go to kindergarten (which starts July 27th and is modified year round). I volunteer in school and I watch him interact with kids and sit nicely on the carpet and yes gets into a hitting match occasionally (he is provoked, I swear I witnessed it). I love hearing him talk about his friends and what show and tell was that day.
It is going to be so hard to watch my baby walk into kindergarten. He has always been with me for the past 4 almost 5 years. Now he will be gone 5-days a week from 8:05-3:05. This is going to be tough on me, just me, he is going to love it.
I love my Brice to pieces!
We have some rough days, but he is growing up and is becoming a nice, smart, handsome and caring boy. He finishes up preschool in a couple weeks and is so excited to go to kindergarten (which starts July 27th and is modified year round). I volunteer in school and I watch him interact with kids and sit nicely on the carpet and yes gets into a hitting match occasionally (he is provoked, I swear I witnessed it). I love hearing him talk about his friends and what show and tell was that day.
It is going to be so hard to watch my baby walk into kindergarten. He has always been with me for the past 4 almost 5 years. Now he will be gone 5-days a week from 8:05-3:05. This is going to be tough on me, just me, he is going to love it.
I love my Brice to pieces!
California Vacation - September 2014
This vacation deserves a post, because it was the first one with children that was almost relaxing.
We drove out to CA for a week and a half in September. The ride was overall good, kids did well and everyone including the adults were antsy by the end of the 6 hour car ride.
We started our trip in Carlsbad, CA at the Carlsbad Inn right next to the beach. We were on the ground level overlooking the lawn and the kids couldn't escape. The CA family came down for a day trip to go to the beach then went back to L.A. We enjoyed our beach day with Riley and had a nice dinner before they left. The next three days were all beach days which tired the kids out. I would go back with Nate and he would sleep and I would just fall asleep on the patio in the gorgeous weather. The boys were so well behaved. Brice and I would sneak out once Nathan was sleeping and go in the pool and the 'hot tub" kids warm pool. As usual Brice would make friends. The Inn had strollers we borrowed, sand toys and beach chairs. Everything in the town was walking distance.
We said goodbye to the relaxing part of our vacation and drove 15 minutes to the Legoland Hotel. They LOVED it. We stayed in the pirate hotel room with bunk beds (best thing ever according to Brice). We had the all you can eat breakfast and enjoyed the hotels lobby which had a huge castle.
The next day we explored Legoland. I took Brice on his first roller coaster ride I asked if he liked it and he said "It was fun, I'm dizzy" I asked do you want to go on again? "nah." We could do a few rides as a family, or we would do separate rides with each of them. Except for one nuclear meltdown by Brice (do to over tiredness) at Subway the Legoland trip was a success. We stayed over one more night and did another day at Legoland and the aquarium. Then we drove up to L.A. to visit with the family for the weekend.
We got to celebrate Nathan's 2nd birthday and get in some good Riley time. It was great!
We drove out to CA for a week and a half in September. The ride was overall good, kids did well and everyone including the adults were antsy by the end of the 6 hour car ride.
We started our trip in Carlsbad, CA at the Carlsbad Inn right next to the beach. We were on the ground level overlooking the lawn and the kids couldn't escape. The CA family came down for a day trip to go to the beach then went back to L.A. We enjoyed our beach day with Riley and had a nice dinner before they left. The next three days were all beach days which tired the kids out. I would go back with Nate and he would sleep and I would just fall asleep on the patio in the gorgeous weather. The boys were so well behaved. Brice and I would sneak out once Nathan was sleeping and go in the pool and the 'hot tub" kids warm pool. As usual Brice would make friends. The Inn had strollers we borrowed, sand toys and beach chairs. Everything in the town was walking distance.
We said goodbye to the relaxing part of our vacation and drove 15 minutes to the Legoland Hotel. They LOVED it. We stayed in the pirate hotel room with bunk beds (best thing ever according to Brice). We had the all you can eat breakfast and enjoyed the hotels lobby which had a huge castle.
The next day we explored Legoland. I took Brice on his first roller coaster ride I asked if he liked it and he said "It was fun, I'm dizzy" I asked do you want to go on again? "nah." We could do a few rides as a family, or we would do separate rides with each of them. Except for one nuclear meltdown by Brice (do to over tiredness) at Subway the Legoland trip was a success. We stayed over one more night and did another day at Legoland and the aquarium. Then we drove up to L.A. to visit with the family for the weekend.
We got to celebrate Nathan's 2nd birthday and get in some good Riley time. It was great!
Nathan
My little (Big) Nathan is a happy kid and I haven't written about him in a while, why you ask, because life happens. But I want to make sure I can still fill in from time to time what is going on, because I would hate to forget these moments!
Nathan is super verbal and has been since he was a year. People comment all the time how well he speaks and how much! He is 2 1/2 and talks clearly and uses some good words. I thought as the second child his older brother would talk for him, definitely not the case. Nathan is determined to be heard and will not let his brother stop him!
Nathan is into Super Heroes and can name everyone. He likes to be Batman and has the Cutest whisper voice and says things like "I only work in black and very very dark grey" (a Lego Movie quote).
Nathan is also into Star Wars he is usually Ezra (from the Rebels) and really likes Yoda. He usually tells me I am Princess Leah, Black Widow or Wonder Woman,
Nathan will tell you he is scared of sesame street, but can watch Star Wars Legos?!
Nathan plays very well by himself and has a huge imagination!
Nathan is super adorable (I know I am his mom, but he gets a cute complement every other day).
Nathan is smart. This is good and bad. Bad because he uses it to tease his older brother. Good because he picks up on things quickly.
Nathan loves to tell jokes: knock knock, whose there? a cow jumping on the bed. a cow jumping on the bed who? A cow because he jumped into space and landed on Darth Vader. HAHAHA, that funny mama?
Nathan LOVES to wrestle Brice. He sneaks up behind him and takes him down. Brice also thinks this is hilarious and is actually pretty gentle when he wrestles. So much so that I say Brice, Nate's only 10 lbs lighter then you feel free to roll out of that headlock!
Nathan has the best doe eyes and uses them! He looks up at you and bats his big blues then asks for some thing like fruit snacks or to play animals with him. It is very hard to say no to that look.
Nathan has been in a big boy bed since December 3, 2014. He actually stayed in his crib, but milk spilled in the mattress and we knew it was time. He did well overall adjusting to it. The door had to be held shut on occasion (for a minute) then he would get back in and fall asleep.
In April, 2015 Nathan stared sleeping in Brice's room. He had been saying his room is scary (I think he just wanted to be up) so we told him he could sleep in Brice's room.
Nathan is now in a phase where it is a struggle to put him down and stay down. He wonders out of the room, comes downstairs and starts playing nicely thinking maybe we won't see him. So either Darren and I go lay with him in our bed til he falls asleep. Then we move him to Brice's room. Hopefully this is just a phase.
Nathan is definitely getting closer to 3 and the naughtiness is picking up. He has never stayed and sat in timeout, he yells and says "I don't wanna", he squirms off the couch to the floor if he doesn't want to do something, he tries to hide from me in stores and says "I a lost boy".
Nathan is also very sweet and a little shy at times. He gives big hugs and kisses and says "I love you mom". He is a good sharer, especially with Brice. If Brice wants something Nate will go find it or give him what he wants.
He is such a happy and fun little boy and is growing up so fast! I love him to pieces!
Nathan is super verbal and has been since he was a year. People comment all the time how well he speaks and how much! He is 2 1/2 and talks clearly and uses some good words. I thought as the second child his older brother would talk for him, definitely not the case. Nathan is determined to be heard and will not let his brother stop him!
Nathan is into Super Heroes and can name everyone. He likes to be Batman and has the Cutest whisper voice and says things like "I only work in black and very very dark grey" (a Lego Movie quote).
Nathan is also into Star Wars he is usually Ezra (from the Rebels) and really likes Yoda. He usually tells me I am Princess Leah, Black Widow or Wonder Woman,
Nathan will tell you he is scared of sesame street, but can watch Star Wars Legos?!
Nathan plays very well by himself and has a huge imagination!
Nathan is super adorable (I know I am his mom, but he gets a cute complement every other day).
Nathan is smart. This is good and bad. Bad because he uses it to tease his older brother. Good because he picks up on things quickly.
Nathan loves to tell jokes: knock knock, whose there? a cow jumping on the bed. a cow jumping on the bed who? A cow because he jumped into space and landed on Darth Vader. HAHAHA, that funny mama?
Nathan LOVES to wrestle Brice. He sneaks up behind him and takes him down. Brice also thinks this is hilarious and is actually pretty gentle when he wrestles. So much so that I say Brice, Nate's only 10 lbs lighter then you feel free to roll out of that headlock!
Nathan has the best doe eyes and uses them! He looks up at you and bats his big blues then asks for some thing like fruit snacks or to play animals with him. It is very hard to say no to that look.
Nathan has been in a big boy bed since December 3, 2014. He actually stayed in his crib, but milk spilled in the mattress and we knew it was time. He did well overall adjusting to it. The door had to be held shut on occasion (for a minute) then he would get back in and fall asleep.
In April, 2015 Nathan stared sleeping in Brice's room. He had been saying his room is scary (I think he just wanted to be up) so we told him he could sleep in Brice's room.
Nathan is now in a phase where it is a struggle to put him down and stay down. He wonders out of the room, comes downstairs and starts playing nicely thinking maybe we won't see him. So either Darren and I go lay with him in our bed til he falls asleep. Then we move him to Brice's room. Hopefully this is just a phase.
Nathan is definitely getting closer to 3 and the naughtiness is picking up. He has never stayed and sat in timeout, he yells and says "I don't wanna", he squirms off the couch to the floor if he doesn't want to do something, he tries to hide from me in stores and says "I a lost boy".
Nathan is also very sweet and a little shy at times. He gives big hugs and kisses and says "I love you mom". He is a good sharer, especially with Brice. If Brice wants something Nate will go find it or give him what he wants.
He is such a happy and fun little boy and is growing up so fast! I love him to pieces!
First Dentist Visit - April 21, 2015
I finally made an appointment for the kids to go to the dentist. Brice was excited and Nathan was excited because Brice was excited. It was a pediatric dentist so there were games, a small theater, toys you name it. Brice went first and did great, no cavities and they told him he did need to floss because he has spaces between all his teeth! He also had x-rays taken and we saw his big teeth coming down!
Nathan I was a little worried about because he is two and who really likes the dentist? He was perfect (It helped there was a TV on the ceiling). He also had no cavities and has all his teeth in!
I should have had faith Nathan would be good, he goes with the flow with most things, even slightly falls asleep when he gets his haircut!
Nathan I was a little worried about because he is two and who really likes the dentist? He was perfect (It helped there was a TV on the ceiling). He also had no cavities and has all his teeth in!
I should have had faith Nathan would be good, he goes with the flow with most things, even slightly falls asleep when he gets his haircut!
Brice's 4th Birthday- June 23, 2014 and Nathans 2nd Birthday - September 30, 2014
Birthday update before they turn 5 and 3!
Brice had another fun and hot birthday. We had his friends and family over for a pool party and the theme was Octonauts. He had a pinata that the kids loved! He was spoiled with toys and his birthday wish was that Auntie Lauren (Englert) will stop telling him he can not get older and have no more birthdays. After telling Auntie Lauren his wish she called him and told he he can grow up!
Nathan had a Toy Story birthday party. September is warm, but you can at least sit outside. We had a large Buzz Lightyear greeting everyone and a pin the tail on Bullseye. Friends and family came to celebrate and he was also spoiled with toys. He of course ate all the frosting, because he has a little bit of a sweet tooth :)
Where are my babies!?!?!
It seems to be the norm now. The older the kids get, the busier our family gets. I have been telling my self for months now to get on the computer and write. So much has happened since I last updated my blog and the kids are saying and doing the cutest things and saying and doing the naughtiest things!
I am going to start this 2015 blog post with a conversation I just had with my Brice (4 1/2)
At home after school
Brice - Mom I am in love
Me - (of course thinking it is about me) that's nice with who?
Brice - A girl at school, but I don;t know her name.
Me - Oh, is she in your class?
Brice - No she is in Ms. Utleys class. But I am not going to marry her, because she already has a mom.
Me - Did you talk to her on the playground?
Brice - She was riding the bikes and I had to move out of her way and then I just sat there and stared at her. I'm just in love with her.
Me - (slightly shocked) oh well maybe next time you should say hi to her.
Thursday, August 1, 2013
Nathan's baptism 4/27/2013
We are a lucky family. We got to celebrate the big event with Grandma Ruth and grandpa who came out, as did uncle Russ and auntie Lauren Englert. Uncle Russ and auntie Lauren are Nathan's godparents and did a fabulous job. We celebrated with friends and family having a lunch beforehand, then mass and cake after. We have a very loving and generous family and are very blessed.
God bless Nathan Guy McCollem
God bless Nathan Guy McCollem
California Trip
We visited the capistrons and Lauren in Ca. The kids and walker were rockstars on the drive. With only some crying here and there. Brice got to sleep in Riley's room and Nathan did alright in the pack n play. Some nights were better then others. Jake and Kyla had to work, so we took all the kids to huntington beach. It was a rainy cold day, but we wanted to see the ocean. We ate lunch and walked the pier quickly, then went to a nearby park. At the park the rain stopped and it was beautiful. We had a great trip as always. I love watching Brice and Riley play, they really love being around one an other. We lo forward to more trips out!
Holidays 2013
I love having Nathan's first holidays, we have had California trips Mother's Day Father's Day and one of my favorites this year was the 4th of July. We rented a place for two nights with a loft in Sedona with a gorgeous view of a hiking trail with Bell rock in the background. The kids did well. On the 4th they had a laser show to music and food on the high school field. It was a beautiful night and Brice could run around and Nathan was free to crawl. Sedona is just beautiful and we relaxed as much as we could with a 3yr old, 9 month old and a dog.
I look forward to many more memorable trips with the family. It is a complete joy to see the happiness in the kids when they are experiencing things for the first time. Not a care or worry in the world which makes my heart melt. Ahh, to be a kid :)
I look forward to many more memorable trips with the family. It is a complete joy to see the happiness in the kids when they are experiencing things for the first time. Not a care or worry in the world which makes my heart melt. Ahh, to be a kid :)
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