What is it going to take?

I'm going to take a moment and complain about my wonderful, amazing husband whom I love and adore. Feel free to ignore this post if it's going to be too hard to handle ;).....I have learned when talking with Tim, there are often two conversations going on at all times....the conversation he has in his head and the actual conversation that happens between him and the other person. He is the first to acknowledge he doesn't have the best memory, but yet he's never ever wrong when I recall previous conversations. He will swear up and down he said something or told me something, when I know for a fact he didn't. For example, Tim acted surprised that I was taking Friday off and my sister was going to as well (she was coming into town for my birthday, which was already established earlier in the week.....or so I think). I mentioned to him that we had this conversation while chatting online and he gets so fired up and tells me I never told him. He has no issue with it, he just wants to make sure I am aware I did not tell him about it. I am in shock because I recall the conversation exactly because I mentioned I wanted to take the day off on Friday and Tim actually contemplated the idea of taking a day off himself (which NEVER EVER HAPPENS...seriously, it doesn't). I knew I had this conversation somewhere in my e-mail, so I challenge him and said I have actual proof. Of course, Tim steps up to the challenge and I show him our previous chat:

Tim: Que pasa

me: nothing

don't want to work

i think i'm going to take a day off on friday

Tim: Me too

me: so is michelle

Tim: Ok

me: let's do something
The conversation continues as such as we discuss what we can do on our day off and when Michelle is coming into town, etc. Tim reads this over, looks me in the eye, and says, "This doesn't say anything." I look back to make sure I actually pulled up the correct chat. My eyes are about to pop out of my head I am so shocked by his response! What is it going to take for him to admit he's wrong??? Tim can take a chat like the one above and come up with a completely different interpretation. I was in such awe of his ability to twist this around that I couldn't even get mad at him. He never ceases to amaze me.

Tractor Heaven

Some guys were doing a job at Tim's work, so he had access to a big tractor. Noah was scared at first because it was so huge and loud, but once he saw Sophie take a ride he was ready to jump on! Tim took him around and played with it for a while....Noah was in heaven!

Pumpkin Patch!

Since Grammy and Goppie were in town, we decided to hit the pumpkin patch in Half Moon Bay early this season! They just opened up on Sophie's birthday, so we made it down there for the weekend to enjoy and welcome autumn! The kids loved it and we picked out some great pumpkins (I just hope they make it to Halloween!).

Sophie has her pumpkin all picked out!

Noah is much more concerned about rides.

Sophie absolutely loved the pony ride. She could have ridden in circles all day long! Noah, on the other hand, wasn't so fond and was ready to get off after a few rounds.

Even I wanted to jump around in this bounce house!

Taking some time to feed the animals!

Grammy and Goppie!

Hard to believe Grammy and Goppie were here for a week...it always feels like their stay goes by so fast! The kids had such a blast with them and can't wait for them to come back for Christmas. I think the kids are still winding down from their visit! We were able to do a few things while they were out; unfortunately, Tim and I still had to work but we made the most of it. We went to Fenton's Creamery in Piedmont, enjoyed the sunset in Berkeley, celebrated Sophie's birthday, and just enjoyed each other's company. Thanks for coming out Grammy and Goppie!

Guess who posted?

I keep checking my own blog in hopes someone else posted something so I don't have to. Now that I have actual homework (i.e. Kindergarten sucks), I have no desire to write. I'm hoping this feeling will pass because I know I will disappoint my loyal fans and the million daily hits I get on my site (or 10 hits, but who's counting?).

Anyway, I'm just starting to catch my breath. Grandparents just left after a wonderful visit with us and now my parents and sister are coming into town this weekend to celebrate my birthday. I'm hoping to do a lot of TV watching and web surfing this week, but we'll have to see what kind of homework is in store for us! I'll post pictures soon from Grammy and Goppie's visit....just wanted everyone to know I am still here!

Happy Birthday Sophia Hope!

Today, my little girl turns 5 years old. Five years ago today was one of the happiest moments of my life. I remember every moment of that day, down to the sweet smell of her hair and the sound of her tiny cry. When I first became a parent, I don't think I thought much past toddlerhood. Now, I'm raising a school-aged child and find myself recalling the moments I shared with my own mom and dad. These are now days she will remember. She will be able to recall her first days of Kindergarten. She will have memories beyond this blog. She will remember her teachers and friends, experiences and new adventures. As she grows, I hope she remembers how much her Mommy and Daddy love her. I hope the memories she takes with her will forever bring a smile to her face, as my childhood did for me. I wish my Sophia Hope a very happy 5th birthday and the very best of memories from this day.

Thank you to Grammy for taking these beautiful pictures.

Surprise!

Sophie turns 5 tomorrow and Grammy and Goppie decided to come into town and surprise her! They came just in time to pick her up from school and she was confused and timid for about 2 seconds, finally realized what was happening, and she has been bouncing off the walls since! She is so excited she can barely stand it. She's going to have a great birthday week!

Here she is looking a little confused, taking off her shades to make sure she isn't seeing things.

Giving Goppie a big hug.

Greeting Grammy, still in shock!

Potty Training: What NOT to do

To describe potty training as frustrating is minimal at best. Today was a classic afternoon in the Youngberg household as both Tim and I pretty much lost it in the parenting department. Noah probably spent a good hour and a half in the bathroom trying to go potty. Actually, let me rephrase that....he spent a good hour and a half in the bathroom REFUSING to go potty. The only good part of this was I actually cleaned out my whole car while he was sitting on the pot. I understand Youngberg men are stubborn, but I think Noah is bringing this trait to a whole new level....one that even Tim isn't prepared for. Noah found a way to entertain himself, with intermittent episodes of "shut-the-windows-or-our-neighbors-are-going-to-call-the-cops" bawling.

Needless to say, we hate potty training. I think Tim and I went from bribing this kid with any toy he could possibly want to an actual full-size race car. And then after our frustration level was mounting, we did the absolute opposite and pretty much threatened to take away everything and anything meaningful to him. Yeah, I don't recommend either method, by the way.

With that said, I know he is progressing well as he wears underwear most of the day and only uses a diaper during naptime and at night (and sometimes when we have a long car ride he wears a pull-up). The accidents are becoming less and less each day, but it's more the fighting and the refusal that is making me go nutso! Tonight, I told him when his diapers are gone, then that's it for diapers FOREVER. Right now, he is probably sitting up in bed wondering if Mommy is telling the truth when she told him all the stores in America no longer sell diapers! Seriously, wish us luck....this kid has my number.

School Fundraising

Working in a public school, I understand how important fundraising is and how much it makes a difference in making sure schools can provide ESSENTIAL materials and items for their students. With that said, I was never a fan of some of the companies they have used to make money....specifically, the crazy expensive wrapping paper I get sucked into buying year after year. Well, guess what folks? That's right! We are now that family who is selling this wrapping paper for an obscene amount of money. So I am sucked in once again, trying to explain to family members and friends how this wrapping paper is of the absolute best quality and how you are no longer limited to purchasing wrapping paper, but now there are tons of expensive stuff you can buy if you are okay with cashing out just a little of your 401k!! Saying "no" to Sophie is pretty much impossible for my family and friends, so I anticipate she will be a big seller this year. And once again, I will be wrapping Christmas presents in wrapping paper thick enough to use as window treatments.......but it's all for a good cause, now isn't it?

Summer's End

We decided to culminate summer in our favorite place, Lake Tahoe. We had a great time and I felt more relaxed than I have been in the last three months! The weather was beautiful and the company was so much fun......the kids were so well-behaved and had a blast as well! We can't wait to go back again soon, but maybe it will be to enjoy the snow instead of the sun!

My dad and Tim enjoying the fresh Tahoe air.

Noah squirming to get out of the picture and Auntie Michelle trying to make him pose!

Julie and Sophie showing off their best smiles!

Sophia enjoying the warm sand after feeling the freezing cold water!

Noah is in heaven playing in the sand!