Bird Brain

Having chicks for a little over a week is certainly making me the expert on chicken lingo.  Today I put a bowl of treats into their cage.  They all stood around ignoring it until one chick pecked at a piece of zucchini.  Suddenly the race was on and all four chicks HAD to have the same piece of zucchini even though there was a whole tray full over it.  They fluttered and chased each other all over the cage, spilling hay everywhere and surely ruffling their feathers.

Chicken Coop Day 1

After spending all day yesterday (a Saturday) looking at coops for sale online, on pinterest, on DIY sites we got nowhere!  The coops that we could buy were way to expensive and too small for our four chickens.  We also couldn't afford to spend $500 to $1,000 for something that looked nice and was big enough.  So we started trying to do it ourselves.  The day ended with frustration.  Luckily Katie had felt a little sick all day and had been stuck in bed so by the time the evening rolled around she was ready to go.  Dan and Katie went to Lowes at like 9 pm (gasp) and bought some wood and screws.  We were committed.  Without a plan in mind I knew I wanted something Dan called "fancy" for my chickens.  He brought home siding which matches the style of our house and some 2 by 2s.  After drawing a crude design we got to work this morning.  Dan cut and I painted.  We decided to stick with the colors of our house, which is pretty dull, but it will blend in nicely in the backyard and we already had the extra paint around from the previous owners so it was essentially free.  I also figured I could add a few touches to spruce it up.

After a day of work, I think it is coming together nicely.  We have the base of the house built.

A giant piece of siding to work with

Dan is cutting the frame

Katie is ready to paint

first coat is on

Painting the shutters (I tried 4 colors)

Everything is upright now

Katie Approves

The coop so far

We still have A LOT to do!  We need shutters for the other side, planter boxes, shingles for the roof and not to mention the practical stuff like roosting boxes, a pull out tray for easy cleaning, a stick for them to sit on, a ramp to get into the coop, and an actual run to play in.  Glad tomorrow is Monday and this probably will be sitting in the garage all week :)  At least if the chicks don't make it Katie will have an adorable doll house!

Even Cokes Not Working

So it is Thursday morning (10:31) in Okinawa and I am drinking a huge coke and nursing a head ache.  Levi woke us up at 4:30 in the morning ready to go after we went to bed a little after midnight this time, which is like 5 am my time.  Anyways, the flight,

We arrived at the airport on time and in realitivly good spirits.  Katie had a meltdown in the parking lot which was very scary and then fell down trying to get on the escalator and cried again.  Not the most reassuring start.  The ticket people moved us to a bulkhead seat (good and bad) but wouldn't let my mom have a gate pass though security.  When I flew to DC with the kids my mom and Dan got one on both sides.  IT was wonderful, but this time we had to say goodbye to grandma :( They did have an agent escort us through security so we didn't have to wait in line.  The security people we very nice since I had 97 squishies, benadryl, epi pens, and tyloenl.  The guy was like, "are you going to give this to your kid on the flight?"  I guess he thought I  wanted them to sleep.  May have been a good idea in hindsight.  We squished everything back into my bags and headed over to buy some milk and toys.  Katie picked out a mermaid, Atina, and Levi got a penguin.  Katie named him Founder before I could make a suggestion.  We ventured over to our gate to check it out an immediately they said they needed our stroller.  So much for gate checking it.  So we had my purse, diaper bag, 3 sweat shirts, a blanket and Katie's backpack on the ground while they ran around like banshees. 

I took pictures of both kids before the flight in case I lost one of them

We waited until everyone had boarded the flight and hoped aboard.  The bulk head seats were really nice.  We had a ton of legroom but had to store everything above for takeoff which was tough for me.  The plane was amazing.  We flew on a Dreamliner.  The windows didn't have pull down shades, but had tinting options for how dark you wanted it (you could still see out)  Every seat had USB plugs and regular outlets (and converters).  The bathroom had a cool changing table, bench seat, tooth brushed, automatic flushing toilet when the lid closed and two full length mirrors.  The aisles were wide enough that the food cart could go down and a person could squeeze by if they had to.  The Japanese stewardesses are so nice though that they always move the cart back to let people pass- not like the grumpy American ones.  We had allergen free meals.  Fish for both.  Katie and Levi both loved the food. I wish I has taken a picture.  We had three little salads lined up in little boxes.  Our lunch didnt come with dessert though.  Luckily someone didnt want their ice cream so Katie got one.  I could see that ended badly if she had to watch everyone else eat ice cream.  

The flight was long!  After 2 hours, Katie asked if we were almost there.  Nope- another 10 1/2 to go..... The ipad that we just bought was a Godsend.  Katie watched Frozen, Tangled, a Tinkerbell movie with the fairy in it that she got from the Christmas party (score for Mommy) Sofia the First, and played games the whole way.  She was perfect.  Levi was charming and adorable and very well behaved, but did not want to sleep even though he was puffy eyed and exhausted.  I finally got him to sleep and laid him in the bassinet and he slept for 30 minutes, which was just long enough for me to fill out the customs forms.  The bassinet was a great place to store stuff.

After the flight I had to carry Katie, Levi, the diaper bag, my purse, Katie's backpack, 3 sweatshirts, and a blanket down the stairs and onto the bus.  Katie had one small meltdown at this point where she said she couldnt stand for me to pick her up.  When I told her if she stayed on the plane shoudl would be stuck on it all the way back to San Diego she got up long enough for me to pick her up.  It was freezing cold and of course our stroller was not gate checked.... They gave me a loaner strolled eventually since I had to drag everyone through immigration and then collect all of our bags to go through customs.  Then I had no idea what my next fight was or even what airline I was on.  I booked everything through Japan Airlines and figured they would give me everything in San Diego.  So I was frantically messaging my mom and Dan for info and rushing around Tokyo airport pushing a huge cart with two huge suitcases, and two car seats and pulling a stroller with all my crap and kids.  Katie fell asleep sitting above Levi so I had to hold her up as I pulled them so she wouldn't fall over.  

on the bus.  they woke up for about five minutes and conveniently fell asleep when it was time to walk :)  I wanted to join them

Eventually I found out my flight and went to check in.  Again I had to give up my stroller.  Does no one understand that gate check means I get to take it to the gate?!?!  Katie fell asleep on the floor as I had to watch them put my bags on and Levi was asleep in my arms.  So again I had to carry two sleeping children and all that junk through security (que removing 53 squishes, and medicines)  Katie slept on the floor at security while I did that.  Drag them onto another bus and up more stairs.  Thankfully the women next to us moved so the kids could lay down.  Katie fell asleep first and I was so delirious that I kept twitching and waking Levi up so eventually I laid him down next to her and seat belted them in.  They slept the whole way.  Katie even slept through the windy landing in a seated position.  I lugged them all off the plane and to baggage claim.  My arms were aching.  In Japan you can't meet people at baggage claim so I sent the kids through to Dan and collected all of our stuff.  We got back to his room late and went to bed around midnight.  Levi woke us up at 4:30 :)

My adorable sleepy kids

Now he is napping and Dan and Katie are off buying me more coke :)  Then I want to visit a park or beach or something to make this journey all worthwhile.  I can not believe how amazing my kids were for the entire trip.  It was long and exhausting, but they were perfect angels.  I am so lucky that they travel so well.  Hopefully we figure out how to live on this strange base and I am brave enough to drive off base.  (I drove off base twice in the three years that we lived in Iwakuni)

We have taken over Dan's neat room.  Que Chaos!!!

He hated this last night but is napping in it now.  YAY

Daddy's clothes are easy to pull off the hangers

stuff everywhere

this is no place for clean clothes

well maybe they are comfy. silly Levi

 

The Magic of Elfie

After Levi's morning nap I got him all cute and ready for the football game but we had a few hours to kill and he was getting restless and was dying to go outside.  Literally, he was leaning against the door looking out making little noises.  I had to let the kid outside.  He happily scampered around with Katie while I picked up all of the leftover beads from the Kid's Christmas Party and moved the hammock back.

Look at all these cute, happy kids.  We had 13 of them

I wasn't sure what Levi could do, but he loved every minute of it

   

Levi's adorable ornament

Anyways, while I am busily cleaning up and trying to remove all of the remaining chocking hazards from the patio, Levi was busy getting into his own brand of mischief.  I turned around to find this.

Turns out the recent rain left a lot of water in the blue water jug that Levi likes to stash his dirt in.  Dirt + water + ashes that Daddy left under the grill made for quite a mess.  I let him play in the mud for quite a while.  I figured I would have to clean it up anyways.  Katie stayed neat and tidy the whole time and just watched the mess

Yesterday an Elf came to live at our house.  I mentioned the idea to Katie and she seemed a little indifferent to it so I figure she had forgotton about it.  But on Friday I heard her telling Levi that an elf would be arriving any day and that he would be watching them for Santa.  It was time for amazon prime to the rescue.  The elf arrived on Saturday.  How is that even possible?  I got the box after they went to bed and created a small welcome for our elf

He is a sweet, soft little elf that doesn't mind playing in the morning and evening with the kids.  During the day he sits on the fireplace mantle to watch them.  Their job today was to name him.  He became Elfie the Elf.

After reminding Elfie of three good things that she did today and one good thing that Levi did, both kids wanted to dance with Elfie before bed.  It was so sweet.  Levi absolutely loves him.  He actually saw him first this morning and was cooing at him (or all the bows).

get back here so I can take your picture

happy dancing Katie

give me the elf!

 Tonight I was feeling frisky so the elf had some fun making paper snowflakes and bringing snow to Escondido.  I wanted to take a good picture, but I certainly didn't want to wake anyone up.  Maybe tomorrow morning I can get a good one.

making the snowflakes

Elfie left a note that he and Santa thought their rooms were too messy and needed to be cleaned.  Let's find out how much power Elfie really has.  He also doesn't arrive until 7am

Elfie's snowflakes

 After drinking a little wine and eating a few too many cookies from the cookie exchange I need some exercise!  Man, my friends make good cookies.

You Better Not Pout!

Today was a strange day.  Levi slept until 8:45.  He usually takes his morning nap at 9..... Clearly that wasn't going to happen.  Around 9:45 he got grumpy so I tried putting him down.  That didn't work at all.  So we ran out to the dollar store and picked up some cute trays for people to use for the cookie party on Saturday.  They aren't dishwasher safe (which is a must in my house) but they were better than the paper plate alternative.  And I got some cute styles so people can pick their plates.  I picked my cookies recipe- Oreo Peppermint Crunch Cookies and thought of a couple of snacks.  I think I have everything together once I go to the grocery store.  Oh and I need some glue.  Not sure what kind of glue will work the best or how it will go to have 12 little kids making ornaments at my house but I'm sure we will all have fun :)

Our garden is growing wonderfully.  We do have some worm holes.  I have looked for worms but every time I do Levi rips out my flowers before I find any and I give up.  He likes to rip out the flowers and rip up entire plants- kind of like a puppy would (I imagine)  After he rips the plant out if I don't get there fast enough, he will rip apart the roots and tear off any flowers.   I am amazed that any of my flowers are still around since he has pulled every one of them out at some point.  Hardy little buggers.

our cabbage, Brussels sprouts, and purple kohlrabi

see my little holes?

Katie took one of us so we could be on the blog too

Before bed, Katie had a stern warning for Levi.  "Levi, you better not pout or cry or Santa won't bring you any presents."  She did have the desired effect.  I laid him in his bed and he was as still and stoic as can be.  No crying or pouting.  I guess even 14 month olds understand the importance of presents.

all today?

My mom spent the night last night so I got a lot done this morning- picked up my sewing machine, dropped off my dress, got passport pictures taken, got my international drivers license, got fresh fruits and veggies for Levi's breakfast (and wine).  When I came home from my errands Katie and Levi were jumping in the trampoline and then Katie realized she had to go pee.  She didn't make it.  She peed all the way to the bathroom.  Once that was cleaned up and she was bathed, Levi pooped.  he had diaper rash so I let him run around naked for 5 seconds while I put his poopy diaper in the trash.  While I was gone, he peed on the floor and was playing in it.  he got a bath too.  For some reason, I decided that we should bring brownies over to Rachel's house for dinner.  How hard could that be, right?  Levi climbed up on the chair that Katie was standing on, stole the spoon, licked the batter and then whacked me with the spoon.  Brownie mix everywhere.  While I was trying to wipe it off my skirt he stuck his whole hand in the mix and shoved it in his mouth then overturned the bowl.  We got them in the oven and I strapped him in his stroller so I could clean up a little. Katie was bringing him 'toys' to play with.  She gave him a box of macaroni and then tried to get out a bag of lentils which spilled all over the kitchen floor. She did try to help me clean it up at least.  

At Rachel's house, Katie gave her piece of corn to their dog and then Levi traded the dog a stuffed animal for his squeaky toy, which of course Levi put in his mouth and started squeaking.  

It was actually a really good day and Rachel's parents gave me some food for lunch tomorrow which made it even better.  I sure was ready for bedtime though :)  It is still raining outside too.  I might light a fire and drink some wine and listen to the rain.

Didn't realize that it was December....

You would think with my pre-thanksgiving Christmas decorating that I would be on top of things once December rolled around.  It wasn't until 20 minutes before bath time that I even realized that the magical month had arrived.  Time to rush out to the garage and try to find the Advent calender.  Ooops, last year I said that I would sew on the trim that I bought for it before this year.  Well, 11 months have passed and there is still no trim  I guess next year we may get it.  Oh well, it was still in one piece so we hung it up and Katie picked the first ornament.  

They started off so sweet

found one they liked

Levi was so fascinated by her examining each ornament that he decided he needed to do the same thing.  He found a few that he really liked and for 20 minutes he would sneak away stealing ornaments each time.  Sometimes he ate them, sometimes he hid them, and sometimes he tried to stuff them back in before I caught him.  

caught red handed! 

 
He tore the thing down over and over again and it would fall on his head covering him.  How much fun that was.  Poor calender is never going to make it this year.  Wonder if they will expect me to pack it up and bring it along.....

putting up day 1

she chose baby Jesus

We managed to make it to the grocery store for a mostly random trip.  Meat and vegetables.  Some how we will put them together and call them meals.  Katie and I watched Brave today.  I meant to have her watch it while I cleaned the house, but it was so cute that I wanted to see it too.  So the house never got cleaned.  I did get my dress today- holiday festive.  Gotta love Rent the Runway.  I don't think that I have purchased a single gift from an actual store this year- only my wrapping paper.