OK...I've been a little lax. Today Liam had one scrambled egg with cheddar cheese, one piece of toast (on home-made bread) and about 3/4 a banana and some water lightly flavored with apple juice. he seemed very hungry. Then he had a gigantic messy, messy, yucky....you get the picture. Cleaned him up in the sink and he didn't protest too much. Now he's out in the shop with dad...a father-son bonding experience!

We do love Mondays...especially when our uber talented son-in-law fixes our computer in about 10 seconds!!! We had an eventful morning. Started with cheerios, raisins, cinnamon toast for girl and regular for boy and hot chocolate for girl and Motts for Tots apple juice (40% less sugar and on sale at Wal Mart for $2 a bottle) for the gentleman. Then we baked Halloween cookies with black cats on them. Then we ate a cookie...yum! Then Raina practiced making C's on the homework paper and we printed off some more of the line paper on the computer and she followed the dots to write Raina Ann Harwood. Then we did laundry and it was time for Kindermusik. Still the youngest and bottom of the class, he watches all intently but does little. He DID scrub, scrub, scrub with the sponge and sat right down for bubbles. He walked in the circle holding hands and stopped with everyone at the right time. He also went over with the other kids to get a star stamp on each hand. He doesn't like the rocking time with lights off...so Miss Rosalind shared a bear book with him. He was teary eyed, but didn't cry out loud. I think he's afraid we're trying to put him to sleep! We're going to work on banging blocks together this week...

Lunch was mac and cheese for each, milk, watermelon for Raina and banana for Liam. And two little tomatoes for Liam. He begged for them, calling them "apple". They had cookies for dessert, and are playing together under the table now. What a nice Monday!!

Big day today...started with cinnamon toast triangles, multi grain cheerios with milk and hot chocolate for girl and juice for boy. Then Raina did all her papers VERY WELL and stuck with it till done. Grandma worked on HER school work for the GED class, so we were study buddies. Then we all went to Simpsonville where Liam had a super time at the story time. He walked around and touched other guys, did books away and scarves away well and was proud of himself. He liked all the little ditties, but of course, did nothing himself. He just smiled and swayed. Did say bye at the end and wave. Raina and grandpa went to Wal mart and got stuff for me. Then we did McD playland for lunch. Raina ate 4 nuggets and apples and choc. milk. Liam had a whole carton of peach yogurt I brought from home and almost a whole chicken wrap and white milk. Also grapes from home. We are now trying to tone down for naps. Both are looking like they need a nap, as do the grandparents.

Tuesday....day before 1 1/2 birthday! We'll have to play with that tomorrow.

This morning I felt creative and made him scrambled egg with cheddar cheese, slice of bacon, and toast. He can't really eat the bacon very well; it kind of crumbles. But he tried well to stab his scrambled eggs on his fork, and ate about 3/4 of a piece of whole wheat toast. Also had some Mott's for Tots apple juice, watered a little.

We're just hanging loose today while grandpa works at Samaritan House. So far he's put shoes on me and changed my shoes and listed to a book (while standing) and helped with some laundry, putting things in the washer and taking out of the dryer. What a guy! Now I'm going to TRY to bake some bread. Not sure he'll stay in sight well for that.

Wednesday...we thought maybe the kids would be late from what Brian said yesterday, so we went to exercise. Then we picked them up on the way home, about 8:45 (after calling to get the scoop) Liam seems much more lively today. We brought Raina's papers with us and she worked hard on them; of course Liam had to work too. Grandpa made her write her name on all the papers....he patiently did the little dots and was really cute. We are thinking about heading out to the "baby story hour".

Story hour was great. Liam did "books away" and let me read a book to him at the start. He stayed interested most of the time, although he didn't "do" anything, just let me do things withhim

Lunch was out at MCD and both loved playing. Liam approached several children and tried to play with them we thought. Raina made a friend who hugged her good bye. We got books out for reading before naps. They were down about 1 1/2 hours but went down early since Liam fell asleep in the car on the way home.

Tuesday morning breakfast of scrambled eggs with cheese, one slice bacon, little bit of toast and juice. Very happy that he stabbed some eggs himself. Runny nose is thickening but he seems in good spirits. I scrubbed his nose with a washcloth and then put vaseline on to keep it soft.

He got progressively cranky and we rolled on the bed and just played. He didn't want to do anything alone...made lunch early. He ate almost a whole toasted cheese sandwich and a whole carton of strawberry yogurt and a little banana and a cup of milk. Now he and grandpa are drawing. Don't tell Raina, but he's sitting in her blue chair and using her crayons to scribble away with grandpa sitting next to him to monitor where the crayons go. He thinks he's a really big deal, sitting up to the table and working away.

Yeah Monday!! Grandpa is off at substituting in 8th grade science. We had pancakes and banana for breakfast. Neither likes the apple in the pancake, so we had to pick it out or not eat it. Raina then ate some raisins next to some cheerious and milk...just a few....

We are off t kindermusik with the lad. He has already swayed in time to music from his truck. Very cute....

Liam has had a good day, but is definitely coming down with a cold or allergies. Thick mucus...He ate yogurt and a few chicken noodles and a couple crackers and milk for lunch. Dad came in to talk and distracted him. He might have eaten more? He played outside this morning at the church on that nice playground and had a great time climbing and exploring. I showed him off to the knitting ladies who all oohed and aahed and he just looked stoic about the whole thing. Hope he doesn't get sick sick and Raina is OK.

WEdnesday morning was a pancake day. No one ate a whole lot, but there was enjoyment all around. So I sent parents some pictures. We opened Liam's kindermusik materials and found a book called Cookies. He actually listened and pointed. Found his interest!!! The title of this Kindermusick is Milk and Cookies, so it sounds right. We are contemplating a trip to Simpsonville library but must take the little car since the big one is in at Fairway Ford for the major repair. Hoping it's not too lengthy a repair (or too costly). Lots of smiles today!!

Baby story hour was great. Not too many, again and Liam smiled and smiled. He doesn't "do" things, but neither do most of the others. But he did walk in time to the drum today and "stopped" when she said to. He seems to really enjoy seeing the other children (and one girl from last week walked over to pat him, so he's become a chick magnet already. We ate lunch at McDonald's. I took applesauce for the man and he had some grilled chicken, yogurt, a couple french fries and white milk. Raina had chocolate milk, a grilled chicken wrap and some yogurt and a few fries.

Liam's language is just exploding! He is saying all kinds of things....just once of course, so you have to be there to hear it. He can find hair, nose, eyes, and ears and looked down the front of his bibs when I asked where his tummy was. He only does this when he's "in the mood". He has said grandma or grandpa several times. He's got by and daddy and mamama. Today I kidded with him and he said by by by by a couple times as we laughed. He has quite a sense of humor. He also said shoes and went to look for socks. He just seems very aware today.

Monday morning....hurray for Mondays! We have a fun-packed week planned. Today is Liam's first Kindermusik. He had cheerios, toast, and banana for breakfast. He stabbed all his banana pieces by himself with his fork. Raina had cinnamon toast, a few raisins, and cheerios and milk. Yum! She actually ate without prodding! Then we did some coloring and then blew up balloons and played with them. Now they are out with Grandpa in the garden, seeing if there is anything to pick. Soon we leave for excitement.

Liam was interested in the kindermusik and smiled numerous times, but didn't really take part. That's OK because there are only 4 in the class and they are all about the same and he is the youngest. Raina got to go to a special Children's Theater production there while he was in class...how fortuitous! It was about an extinct dinosaur. She may tell you about it...puppets and reading a book, I think. Lunch was toasted cheese and applesauce and snack after nap was fudgsicl for Raina and graham cracker and juice for the lad.

Liam had 4, yes FOUR, bm's today and Grandpa cleaned them all. Good Grandpa!!!!!

This morning started early with kids coming a little after 8. Both seemed a little sluggish. For fun, I wrapped Raina in a quilt on the sofa and let her watch Word Girl and eat breakfast on a tray. I figure she's recovering from big day yesterday and early out today. Liam ate a whole banana himself and some cheerios and milk. He likes to try himself and can get them in if we help load the spoon. He's really starting to get it. They both had diluted apple juice for tots and Raina had cheerios and milk and raisins on the side.

Grandpa has left for the dentist. He's going to meet us in Simpsonville to play with Raina while Liam has his baby story hour. I see Mcdonald's play land following if all goes as planned.

Liam had a very poopy loose diaper just now.

More later...

Successful story hour. It was really nice since only about 15 or 20 there. He watched and smiled and was a great listener...and he liked the other children. No hand motions, but all the way to Mcdonalds he kept saying bye-bye as if to make up for not waving good-bye during all the ending songs. They played and played at McD. Liam climbs with the best of them, with a big grin...his own gymboree. They ate grilled chicken, wrap, and he had yogurt and she had french fries...sorry...grandparents' day out, I guess. They drank all their milk. Now they are swinging with grandpa before nap. Raina seems tired. Wonder if she slept yesterday???

sorry to be so late today....Liam was soooo good today! He had pancakes for breakfast, stabbing with his little fork so well!!! I gave him a little juice and then some milk. He had a banana snack after a trip to the grocery store and then had grilled cheese and applesauce for lunch. After nap, a graham cracker square and a little juice with an ice cube (he likes to rattle it). He played nicely and we even read a couple books (my favorite). He wants to go bye-bye in the truck with his father. When he heard the truck after lunch, he went right to the door and said bye-bye. That truck is super! I think we all miss Raina, though, and have been hoping she has a wonderful day at her new school.

Monday morning. Raina had cheerios and milk and some cinnamon toast and some apple juice. She was a good girl. Liam had a little blueberry oatmeal, cheerios, toast and some apple juice. I asked Brian not to give them juice before they came and they ate breakfast better...tummies not full of sugary juice.

Raina helped bake brownies and do the the laundry. Liam played outside with grandpa and Raina joined them later. Now we are working on bread and Raina is going to play on the computer at the

Barney place.

For lunch we had green beans, fresh from the garden and steamed. Also bacon (I used some to make a big pot of bean soup which is simmering away the afternoon) and bread and butter and applesauce and Liam had red jello, but Raina wouldn't try it. She had peanut butter on some bread instead of butter.

Daddy stopped by with the big truck and Liam went ballistic. He really wants to ride in it. He had a very sticky diaper, but Raina is yet to....

Now they are building with blocks. Liam can get 4 high if no one bothers him (ie, if Raina doesn't try to grab one away)

We are working on no high pitched yelling. We say Shhhhhh and talk softly to him. I don't know how successful we'll be, but he needs to talk instead of scream for grandparent sanity.

After yesterday's trip to NC, we are relaxing a bit today. We went up to the little park in Piedmont, but it was too hot already this morning, so we came home to play in the shade. Liam loves Raina's bike (much to her consternation) and he pushes along on the ground...no pedals.

They did not eat very well this morning. Liam did pretty well on his oatmeal with bananas and some homemade bread and butter. Raina ate a few bites...and then some loose oat squares. I don't push either of them much, esp. Liam. When he said "all done" I said OK and got him down. After our trip outside we had some VERY watered down juice (that was already "less sugar for tots" stuff) and half a cookie. They will be ready for lunch, I think. Raina is watching Little Einsteins now while Liam plays with me in the computer room. More later...

Today is cookie day! We baked chocolate chip this morning and have a bin for the Harwood house. This caused Liam to learn a new word "cookie" which he repeated several time after he got half a one for a little snack. THEN he pulled open the oven door, scaring me half to death. I said "NO, NO" and he crinkled up his face to cry. Something more we have to watch. Raina has never tried that. He just loves his food, and now knows where the cookies are coming from.

They had scrambled eggs and toast for breakfast and I gave Liam some blueberry yogurt. Raina didn't eat hardly anything, but then said she'd eat grapes, so she had a handful of green grapes. (She was the one who asked for eggs BTW) Of course she has had a cookie and several sneaky chocolate chips.

Now we are playing. Liam was outside with Grandpa for a while as we were baking inside. I got Raina some sewing cardboard things and she has done them all. I can't convince her yet that they can be taken apart and done again, over and over.

We cleaned out our clothes and found the red size three winter coat you can have for Liam. I've got a 4T new (from a sale a while ago) London Fog winter coat for him next year and her for here if we need it this year. I'm set now for wet and dirty days without sending them home naked!

I baked a sweet potato this morning too for Liam's lunch. He likes it and it's a good thing for him to eat I think. Who knows about Raina?!

Both had hardy BM's so far today...

Lunch was toasted cheese and applesauce and sweet potato for Liam. Raina had the same but didn't eat well again. Liam has been having fun with a fork; I help him stab and then he knows what to do.

Raina has been having fun "sewing" and is bringing one card home to show you.

Grandma went to her prayer thing this morning and stayed for a little knitting while grandpa stayed behind. The kids seemed to have had a great time playing outdoors with him this morning. It is so nice it isn't so hot and sticky early on. They had oatmeal and a little toast for breakfast but did not eat heartily. Raina ate a lot of raisins and Liam had some banana.

Grandpa went to his men's group for lunch, so grandma had that meal.

Oh, did you know Liam eats pineapple???? For lunch he had spaghetti (left over from last night) and some carefully arranged blueberries and a little bread and butter. I was eating a left-over fruit salad that he "asked" for, so I let him put his hand in the container and he pulled out a chunk of pineapple, followed by about 6 more chunks. He just smiled and shoveled them in!

He had two poopie diapers and Raina went once, so all systems are go.

Raina had peanut butter sandwich and grapes for lunch and a little chocolate pudding for dessert.

She watched a show about reading this morning and was mouthing the answers...she seemed to understand a lot about putting the letters together. I'm going to figure out the name and start taping it for her.

We are shortly off to the zoo. 11:30 class for 3 year olds on orangutans. We plan to play outside on the equipment first and then go in and see a few animals. Lunch out on the way home.

Raina didn't eat much breakfast...only a few bites of oatmeal, some banana and a little nibble of whole wheat roll(bubble loaf!) Liam ate well the same things only a lot more. They had about half a cup of milk, too, since Raina said they had had juice. We will take a little for a zoo snack.

Liam had a very big, messy bm and soiled his clothes so he is in a brand new Carter's outfit (80% off from the outlet store in GA last time we went down) that just happens to have zoo animals all over the shirt!! So a question to Mom...did we score tickets for the Easley sale? I need some back up things...cheap! More after the trip...

We had a good time...the orangatan Bob was sooo cute, playing and with his mother. He is 4 now. The kids had popcorn and I think he saw it through the glass and wanted some too. They had some pretzels and very diluted juice as a snack at the zoo. Raina had some popcorn as a part of the program. They played outside the zoo for a long time on the playground and then inside saw elephant, monkeys, etc. before Raina's program.

We ate a McDonalds. They split a plain grilled chicken wrap and small fries and yogurt. Raina had chocolate milk and Liam had white.

They were pretty tired...Liam has awakened a bit crabby but is having graham cracker and juice on the porch with grandpa.

As a side note...Raina isn't getting any attention if she whines or asks for something with a single plaintive word that sounds like a baby. We are being firm, but not punishing...just ignoring the request until it is phrased in a normal voice, preferably with a "please". Hopefully this is just a short phase while she gets used to the new school year.

Tuesday...soccer day!

Breakfast was cinnamon toast and oat squares for Raina and oatmeal and toast for Liam with milk since they had already had juice. Our adventure for today was to go to the new playground behind the swim park on Grove Road. It was great!! And there was a little breeze so it wasn't too hot. Liam loved to climb and slide and Raina played a lot on the Ages 5-12 set. She is very strong! After that we went to their football field and grandpa set up a couple milk jugs for goals and Raina practiced dribbling down field and making a goal. Both kids got warn out. Good thing we brought water bottles. Then we went to Fred's but couldn't find what we were looking for. Raina and I found princess party things...very inexpensive...and she thought she'd like a princess theme this year. Is that what you're hearing?

Lunch was toasted cheese and fruit. Raina ate a whole sandwich. Liam concentrated on fruit. If I help stab it, he manipulates the fork to his mouth and smiles his sweet little grin. They had juice with lunch. Raina also had a fudgsicle since we had just bought them.

Monday

We had a great experience this morning...stopped in at Raina's new school to show everyone. Liam stood outside the little play area, watching kids a little older than him play and he talked through the fence at him and a bunch came over to babble back. He was enthralled.

Raina almost threw a fit when we told her we were just looking. She started to cry before we even went in because older kids were playing in the other play area and it just looked like too much fun.

We knocked on the door and Miss Becky showed us around. We met Miss Kayla who was getting her room ready for school to start. There were a lot of 4 year olds there with Miss Jordan. They asked if Raina wanted to stay for awhile and she said "YES!". So they said she could stay for an hour. We did our grocery shopping and came back and she was outside with the kids and very happy. She didn't want to go home; she thought she could stay with the kids and eat lunch. We finally convinced her to come home with us and now we are preparing mac and cheese for lunch.

They didn't eat a whole lot of oatmeal this morning, I think because I was ready when they got here and they would rather eat about 9. So we are doing a little bit early lunch.

Sooo I think school will be a great success.

One note...both their noses are running and I think the cranky factor is a bit elevated. And grandpa thinks he's getting it too. I shall try to stay strong~! Ha, Ha!!!

Liam had a great time with his little fork at lunch. I would help him spear watermelon or blueberry and he would just beam and then negotiate it to his mouth with no trouble!

Hi readers,

Today is Friday...we started the day with scrambled eggs and homemade toast. Raina had oat squares and raisins and toast. She broke all the eggs for the scrambled eggs by herself.

Liam went outside to play with grandpa. They walked all over and he tried several times to get on grandpa's motor cycle. Vroom.....

Raina worked on Barney on computer a bit, colored, practices cutting with her thumb on top and worked on counting past 10 and writing her first name. It is a start...we will do "school" a little each day. Now we are heading out for a few library books and some grandma exercise while Raina plays with "the children".

She loved playing with a little boy in a tent playhouse they made. She didn't want to go home, but did come to watch grandma throw the ball 20 times.

She did some fine coloring at the library. We are working on holding her crayons correctly. She just grabs with her fist. She needs to rest the crayon on her third finger and grasp with the pointer.

Lunch was great!!! Grandpa fixed green beans fresh from the garden. Yum!! Raina ate a whole plate full. And they had mac and cheese and grapes. Liam also had sweet potatoes. And everyone drank milk well.

After lunch they played in the kitchen on the porch and helped grandma clean the siding there and the table and chairs. Raina worked very hard on cleaning and it was a dirty job. I was actually very thankful for her "down low" work that saved me a lot of bending.

Then mama called and grandpa took off for the Harwoods to lay Liam down for his much-needed nap. Raina took home the 4 library books from Piedmont, saying she would bring them back Monday so we could read them here.

Tonight is grandpa's poker night so it's off to finish cleaning up for the men.