The D Monster

Disneyland!

2009-11-17T16:41:00.000-08:00

This past weekend we finally took our long awaited, first ever, family vacation! We stayed at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel and enjoyed four days at Disneyland and California Adventure. Of course, everyone came down with a terrible cold just prior to the trip so we were still coughing and sneezing when we got there which elicited some sharp glares from numerous H1N1 phobic parents...funny how no amount of "It's just a cold...we've been to the doctor" quelled anyones fears...

Dmonster was overwhelmed at the sights and sounds of the Disneyland Resort...The holiday decorations were already up and many of the rides already had the Christmas feel to them...

When we got to the hotel, there was a basket and balloons waiting in our room for the D-man...He was over the moon! A huge Mickey balloon and then Mickey ears, an autograph book, special pen, and then candy on top of that!!! His eyes were permanantly glued wide open from that point on...

After settling in from the long drive, we made our way out to the park for his first ride...I thought Fantasyland would be a good place to start as there were many kid-friendly rides there...Mind you, it's been at least 10 years since I've been myself so I'm a bit rusty on the content of these rides...I look up and see "Snow White"...so we board the ride...2 minutes later, after lightening and thunder and an evil witch screaming at us loudly that she will get us....the d-man leans into my lap and cries, "I want to go home Mommy!"...I felt horrible! And as we left that ride Todd looks up to see that the full name of the ride is "Snow White's SCARY Adventure..." Good job Mommy...we immediately headed over to It's a Small World where everything was much happier...however, the most often asked question by Dmonster after that point was, "Is this a bad ride or good, happy ride?"

The rest of the trip was terrific! Dmonster got to see his current idol, Lightening McQueen and Handy Manny and even rode his first roller coaster in Toontown...

As you will see from the photos, a good time was had by all and Dmonster fully enjoyed his first trip to Disneyland.

D-isms

2009-10-20T12:01:00.000-07:00

I keep promising myself to write down all of the cute/funny things that come out of the Dmonster's mouth...So here are a few:

The other night at dinner: "Phlech, that's Spanish for ewwww"
apple tyler = apple cider
neatball = meatball
renumbered = remembered
pack pack = backpack (and don't even try to correct him on this one!)
ponga = grandpa (Grandpa Richard to be exact)
big hunk = big hug

More to come when I emerge from my cloud-filled memory haze....

Swim Lessons

2009-05-12T12:15:00.000-07:00

The Dmonster took his first swim lesson this past weekend at the YMCA near our house. I have never seen him smile so wide as the first 15 minutes of his 1/2 hour lesson. The instructor (who looked like she was 14 - see photo) took turns taking each child out individually for kicking practice. Dylan loved his turns, but didn't quite like waiting for everyone else...so he jumped in a couple of times without the instructor. Luckily the pool is only 3 1/2 feet deep because that boy has NO FEAR...period! At the last 5 minutes, patience wore thin and we had to endure the mother of all meltdowns which concluded with, "I'm not going to class anymore mom". I listened and then smiled and said, "That looked like a ton of fun out there..." and then left it at that.

We'll readdress this weekend. Wish us luck...

Out of The Mouths of Babes...

2009-05-05T14:22:00.000-07:00

The DMan has been learning yoga at preschool lately. Yes he's in preschool now...Been awhile since I last blogged. He started at the Action Day Primary Plus- Coventry School and for the most part, he likes it. They sort of shuttled him from one room to another at first due to potty training advances and then his favorite teacher went out on maternity leave. Needless to say, there have been some rocky moments of adjustment but I think we are moving along nicely now.

So back to the yoga...His teacher at school gets the kids warmed up in the mornings by having them do some yoga poses...Nothing advanced but she helps them become more aware of their bodies...Maybe a little too aware...

Last night the Dman was showing Grandma Penny one of his yoga moves (something unknown to me and very much akin to the hula?) when he announced "see Grandma...Look at my penis and my legs..." Enough said. Where does he get this stuff???

Turn This Car Around

2008-12-19T10:41:00.000-08:00

So the Dmonster's vocabulary is getting bigger and bigger these days...Case in point this morning. As we are driving to daycare he says to me, "Mom, we are driving to Sayde's but I want to turn turn this car around and go home and make cookies with you for Santa so he will leave me presents."

I kid you not! Spoken as one long sentence and you could almost hear the gears turning as he was forming the thought. He continues to amaze me every day.

So of course we are making cookies tonight. And maybe we'll have some good chats while we do...

Gobama!

2008-11-05T16:20:00.000-08:00

Todd and I are registered absentee voters and have been for some time now...Trouble is, we never seem to get our ballots in the mail by the right time. Inevitably, we end up walking our ballot down to our polling place on the day of the election. So it has now become a tradition to take the Dmonster with us when we go. We explain all about voting and how important it is and we even let him put our ballots in the box for us. He gets very excited. Such was the case last night. On my way home to meet up with Todd so we could go to the polls, I explained to the Dmonster that this was "a very historic election. If Obama wins, we will all be very happy, except maybe for daddy who wanted the other guy...Go Obama!"

So as we enter the polling place, Todd hands his ballot to the Dmonster who drops it in the box. Then he reaches for mine and I let him put it in the box too. And as he is doing this throws his arms in the air and shouts "Gobama! Sorry daddy" Everyone cracked up at this and I'm thinking "oh no!" we're gonna get charged with electioneering...But instead they showered him with "I voted" stickers and a lollipop.

Go Obama! A new day has dawned! Go America! I'm finally proud to be a United States citizen again...

No Leverage...

2008-10-31T09:58:00.000-07:00

Toddlers...Can't live with 'em and you can't duct tape their mouths closed. So last night we made a last minute run to Target to pick up a few items including candy because SOMEONE (Todd) ate the first installment meant for tonight's trick-or-treaters.

Then I realized that I had to go to the fabric store a few doors down to get some items to alter Dmonster's Halloween costume. So I left Todd and Dmonster in Target for a total of 10 minutes. When I came back, I found Todd, red faced with steam coming out of his ears and the Dmonster sitting in the cart, remnants of a tirade etched on his face but quiet and still as could be. Uh oh... When I asked Todd what happened he said that a battle to end all battles ensued once the Dmonster realized I was gone. He screamed at the top of his lungs, threw stuff out of the cart, refused to sit down in the cart and spit at and hit Todd. Todd assured me that he had already disciplined the Dmonster for the attrocious behavior but in the car ride home I felt the need to say "When we get home, you will put on your jammies and go straight to bed. No stories, no rocking. Straight to bed." The Dmonster replies, "Hey that's a great idea Mom. I'm tired from all that screaming anyway."

Ughhh...You aren't supposed to agree with me!

2008-10-29T16:13:00.000-07:00

Make a Smilebox postcard

mmmmm....beef

2008-10-22T15:44:00.000-07:00

Just a quick funny Dmonsterism from last night... Todd was looking at a food magazine when Dmonster approached him and said "what's that Daddy?" pointing to the picture on the cover. Todd replies, "It's a rib roast". It's meat, beef, that comes from cows. So the Dmonster pauses for a second and I'm thinking, "Oh great. Now he's never going to want to eat beef..." Then he smiles and says, "So cows that moo are yummy too?"

Yes son, cows are yummy. Oh Lord!

New Boat

2008-09-12T12:27:00.000-07:00

This week, Todd bought a new-to-him boat. This has been a dream of his for awhile so needless to say, there has been a lot of excitement around our house. Of course, the Dmonster thinks the boat is "his" and you must ask permission before boarding...

However, judging from the Dmonster's actions in the boat on dry land, we think it will be a few more months before he can take "his" boat out for a ride. He did however have a great time pretend-fishing with his bathtub fishing rod while Todd got his new toy cleaned up and ready for use this weekend.

After these photos were taken, the Dmonster ran into the house and grabbed his fishing hat and proclaimed he was gonna catch a shark for mommy...Thank you Dmonster for looking out for mommy...

Safety First!

2008-08-25T11:31:00.000-07:00

I just had to post this photo of my little Evil Knieval...He was riding his cousin's toy motorbike and had to put on my brother's helmet because that's how "Uncle David rides his bike".

The Haircut

2008-08-21T16:27:00.000-07:00

Who said the Dmonster was allowed to develop his own mind? This is way to fast for me! He's so young....

Anyway, a few weeks ago, before our trip to Chico, the Dmonster informed me that he needed a haircut. As much as the request took me by surprise, I had to agree. He did need a haircut. They took him right away which is always a good thing when you have a toddler who is willing to comply. As soon as he sat in the little car chair, he said, "Please watch Nemo". Well he said please....So they put in Nemo. As they began to cut his hair I leaned over and said short on the sides but a little longer on top. Dmonster looked over at me with all sincerity and said, "I like short hair mom. Please cut it short."

Who said that? Was that my two year old? Does he even know what short vs. long is? As we were almost finished, the hairstylist let him choose his lollipop flavor, and the Dmonster, who had up until this point made nearly every decision about the whole haircut experience looks up at me and says, "You choose mom".

What a kid!

Cousins

2008-08-21T16:17:00.000-07:00

The Dmonster recently got the chance to play host at "his" (everything is his) house when his cousins from Chico came for a visit. They had a great time playing, rough-housing and generally getting into trouble/being cute. The Dmonster's youngest cousin who is 10 months older than him taught him how to make a "secret" handshake and he's used that one everyday since, though it's really not so secrect when he tells you what to do. It's a high five followed by tickling each other's palm of the hand. Very cute to see in action.

They play like long lost siblings each time they reunite...I can just see them 10 years from now getting into who-knows-what kind of trouble together.

Grandpa's Visit

2008-08-01T15:56:00.000-07:00

The Dmonster has been in his element these last few days as Grandpa Richard has been taking care of him while his daycare provider is on vacation. Three whole days of nothing but Dmonster and Grandpa spending quality "guy time" together...

Many long walks, stories, games of catch and a pistachio eating contest have been taking place at our house. I think the Dmonster is glad he didn't have to share "his" Grandpa this visit. Having a cousin who is only 10 months older than you can be hard sometimes!

Speaking of cousins, we decided to BBQ last night and the Dmonster got to invite his older cousin Katy over to play. A nice night was had by all and we even got a chance to take a great picture of the "Price" influenced genes in the family...Man it's a strong gene.....

Monkey See...Monkey Do...

2008-07-22T10:11:00.000-07:00

It is truly a new age...While our parents marveled at how quickly we grasped the hang of the tv remote, we now see our own children leaping into technology with both feet. Such was the case this morning while on my way into work I hear the Dmonster quietly whispering from his car seat. I asked "What are you talking about back there?"...Silence....One minute later...

Dmonster, hand cupped to his ear "Name Dial"............. two seconds later, "Nana"...................... two more seconds, "Hello Nana, this is Dylan. I called you on my bluetooth."

Who knew that a two year old knew what a bluetooth was, much less, how to use one! That boy is a constant wonder. And I love it!

A Night Out...Yeah!

2008-07-15T09:43:00.000-07:00

As much as I love the D Monster, (and it's a whole bunch) every now and then I need to get out and do something fun. Such was last night when the hubby and I went to the Police/Elvis Costello concert with our friend Chris and my neice Katy. We had a rollicking good time and got several laughs in courtesy of the yuppy 80's-style dancing we were doing. Katy only rolled her eyes at me once when I shouted, "I love you Sting!" But I couldn't help it...I DO love Sting...and he needed to know at that precise moment. Heidi, you know what I'm talking about...

Attached is a photo from the concert. Can't tell we're related at all huh?

Announcing FAAP!

2008-07-15T09:16:00.001-07:00

So I thought I would post an update on the name sitatuation with my new nephew. We can stop calling him Sparky as he is now known as Flynn Atticus Ain Price. Welcome to the world FAAP!

Happy 4th!

2008-07-07T09:28:00.001-07:00

This Fourth of July we welcomed a new addition to the Price side of my family. My brother and his wife had their third child, a boy. The name has yet to be decided so we're calling him "Sparky" until they do...The Dmonster was very excited to meet his newest cousin and had a great time in Chico visiting with his older cousins and Grandpa.

Bye Bye Baby

2008-06-30T11:52:00.000-07:00

I know I'm probably the last of my friends with 2 year olds to do so, but this weekend we took down the crib and put up the Dmonster's big boy car bed. I think it was more traumatic for me than it was for him...It suddenly hit me that he's not a baby anymore. **sniff** Anyway, we celebrated the event by going shopping for his very own pillow and car themed bedding. He slept through the night just fine, but when I went in to get him up this morning for daycare he had pushed the pillow to the floor and was sleeping with his head at the other end. He's so much like daddy sometimes!

I guess this is when other couples start thinking about another baby huh? We're still on the fence about that decision, but in the meantime I mourn my baby and welcome this incredible little person, with emerging likes and dislikes, into our lives. Onward and upward!

Preschool Practice!

2008-06-30T11:40:00.000-07:00

On Saturday, the Dmonster went to Campbell's Toddler Fun Class. It's an introduction to preschool where the kids get to play, have circle time, make crafts and generally just "be kids". Mr. Dmonster LOVED it! There was so much to do, touch, play with and so many new little faces to meet. They had several stations set up for the kids to play with whatever they wanted to such as blocks, trucks, dolls, paydough/crafts, coloring, booknook, etc. The Dmonster's favortire spot? The kitchen! He whipped up a delightful banana soup with avocado and then served pizza to everyone who was sitting at the table. He even "washed" his hands in the pretend sink! It was too much fun for all and he gets to go back over the next two Saturdays for more fun...Maybe he'll even try circle time next go-round...We'll see....

2008-06-18T16:25:00.000-07:00

Even with all of the up/down weather we've been having in "Sunny California" lately, the garden seems to be doing fairly well...We're expecting a bumper crop of about 5 different types of tomatoes (good foresight huh?) including one called Hawaiian Pineapple, which is supposed to weight in at about 2 & 1/2 lbs each. We've also got corn, tomatillos galore, cucumbers (mmmm...homemade pickles) and green beans. The best part? The Dmonster is actually very excited about having a garden to harvest and eat from. Grandma also bought him some blueberry bushes last year which have produced about 5-6 berries a day since late April. Here is the Dmonster in "his" garden...and yes, on his ever present skateboard...

Father's Birthday 2008

2008-06-17T08:54:00.000-07:00

So this Father's Day just happened to fall on Daddy's birthday this year. So, as a treat, we headed up to San Francisco to the DeYoung Museum for the Dale Chihuly art glass exhibit and then lunch at the Fog City Diner (french fries with truffle oil and asiago...yum!)

It was a beautiful day and we all had a great time at the museum (which was free that day-bonus!). Plus, they had arts and crafts for kids, clowns and acrobats, and a great place outside for the Dmonster to run off some of that energy that he wanted to exert in the museum around the glass sculptures! Yikes! Are these people crazy? We had to check our stroller because they weren't allowed but apparently, otherwise unrestrained, wide-eyed and curious toddlers are acceptable...All went well though and the Dmonster thought the art was "gorgeous mommy".

Lunch at Fog City was great too...Never been before but would go again in a heartbeat! Food was to die for! Not your ususal diner food...http://www.fogcitydiner.com/ Highly recommend next time you find yourself in San Francisco.

All in all it was a great day...

Cookies

2008-06-04T16:10:00.000-07:00

The D-Monster decided he wanted to bake cookies last week. In my head I began to think about what kind would be kid-friendly and of course the dough was going to be made from scratch as I always have done in the past. I pride myself in the fact that I take the time to make things rather than crack open a can. It's who I am...It's what I do...

Fast forward to Tuesday night of this week, and to begin with I had to work late, then come home and make dinner, straighten up around the house, go to vote, and the D-Monster reminds me we still have to "bake a da cookies mom" Oh yeah...Right...Ummmmm...

So this is how how I find myself staring blankly at the rolls of cookie dough in the refrigerated section of our local grocery store. What are these oblong gooey masses with the quirky marshmallow-looking puffy white creature on the label? I grab one and a bag of the ubiquitous "numanums" that seem to have a special place in my guys' lives and head to the check out counter. All the while I'm reassuring myself that I am a good mother and "just don't look at the label of ingredients".

However, just look at the photos above...It was all worth it. Less stress, more time for laughs. Good lesson learned. Mmmmm.....Cookies......

Numanums

2008-05-21T10:28:00.000-07:00

So last night after dinner we were kicking back as a family playing and snacking on "numanums", the Dmonster's word for M&M's. He grabbed a few from the bowl and stared at them for a moment then looked up at me and said, "Three numanums Mom". I wasn't quite sure I heard him right so I waited to see if he would repeat it like he does most things these days. Sure enough, "Three red numanums Mom". I about fell over and my husband looked dumfounded. I guess all the counting and color identification I've been doing has paid off. I know it's not a miraculous feat, but it never occurred to me that he's progressed as far as counting yet. My husband decided to see if this was just a fluke and gave him two more "numanums" and then said "now how many?" The Dmonster said "okay...count them" and was again silent..."Five Dad". Oh goodness... life comes at you fast huh?

The picture here is of the Dmonster and his cousin O.

Mother's Day

2008-05-15T08:54:00.000-07:00

Mother's Day started off terrible but ended great, as do many days in our household lately...The Dmonster, who has not yet had a nightmare to speak of, suddenly woke up at 4:30 that morning sobbing and wailing and asking for....his nanny. Happy Mother's Day to me I thought. I tried to reassure him that mommy was here to take care of him but he wanted nothing to with me. So I diverted his attention with a favorite Froggy story and suddenly everything was restored to normal. Mommy saves the day! Not quite....in an attempt to get a few more hours of shut eye, I bring the Dmonster into bed with us and soon he's bouncing like a monkey all over the place including, before I know it, head over heels right onto the floor, face first. Ouch! I pick him up, give him mommy kisses and my husband says in his infinet wisdom, "can you guys go in the other room...I didn't get any sleep last night" I guess I gave him a look that could kill because he quickly followed that up with, "just kidding, Happy Mother's Day".

After a well deserved nap for all, we packed up the family truckster and headed out to Half Moon Bay for some brunch at Moss Beach Distillery and agate collecting at Bean Hollow State Beach. The weather was gorgeous, the Dmonster got to fly a kite, we went tidepooling and found hermit crabs and "Star" (shades of Sprout). It was a beautiful day and a wonderful reminder of why I LOVE being a mom!

MMMM...Donuts...

2008-05-12T12:19:00.000-07:00

Every once in awhile, the Dmonster and I will make a detour to daycare on a Friday morning by way of the donut shop. Apparently I have become pretty predictable about my routine because as we were pulling into the BANK, (yes, I said the bank) he realizes where our next stop will be and says, not unlike Homer Simpson, "mmmmm...donuts....yeah!" Toddlers do love a routine don't they?

As I marvel over his language acquisition thus far I have to share some funny "Dmonster-isms": when asked if he will do a certain task these days I am responded to with "Um...Let me 'tink 'bout it" and then invariably, "uh...no."

And my favorite, courtesy of Todd's friend, Dylan now refers to going #2 as "Having a sit down with Mr. Poopy" which comes out as "have shit down wit Mist Poopy" We're working on correcting that one...

Wisdom of Youth

2008-04-25T16:11:00.000-07:00

So...Yes, it's been ahwile. I told you my insight would be spotty...but I have good reasons...Todd's dad passed away unexpectedly on March 28th which had us dropping off the Dmonster with my mother for a week while we went to Las Vegas to settle the estate. Having never left the Dmonster overnight EVER since he was born, I was very aprehensive to leave for a whole week. My mom handled things in stride though and Dylan only rebuffed me a few times when we got back. The night we returned as I was getting him ready for bed he looked up past me and said "see Grandpa". Now, Dmonster never had the chance to meet Todd's dad due to a very conflicted relationship so he could have been talking about my father, but it seemed to right and so sage at that moment. Sometimes I wonder if innocence is actually omniscience.

Fast forward to this morning...As I am hurrying this way and that to get the Dmonster's clothes ready for daycare, his lunch packed with a sound nutritionally balanced meal that he probably won't touch, searching for my last clean bra, and trying to ensure we get out the door in some reasonable time frame for a change, I enter the living room where the Dmonster has been methodically lining up his Hot Wheels along the backside of the couch and all chairs in the room. He takes one look up at me so proud of what he's accomplished and before I could begin to tell him to clean up, he says "Oh Mommy! So beautiful!" Of course my heart melted....Of course he didn't have to clean up the damn cars...They could wait until tonight along with everything else he pulled out of his room...Gotta love 'em.

Road Rage

2008-03-28T09:21:00.000-07:00

Look, I get irritated with stupid, oblivious drivers just as much as the next guy..."Put that cell phone down and shell out the $60 for a bluetooth device!" or "Gee that's a real talent to be able to shave while driving but do you have to do it in the lane next to me..." but apparently the DMonster has his share of reservations about the kind of drivers we have on the road today as well...

So as the Dmonster and I were driving home last night from the grocery store, this lady, who apparently doesn't know her left from right as well as my 2 year old, put on her left hand signal and then proceeded to turn right at the last minute, narrowly avoiding the family fun wagon! My response was the usual "thanks ding-dong" however, the Dmonster decided she deserved a bit harsher sentence and added his own, "Nice, DUMB-ASS" to the reproach. Needless to say, I nearly spit out my Starbucks and simply couldn't contain my shock and laughter... I know, I know, don't laugh it only encourages them you say...You try not to laugh when a 2 year old accurately and with the appropriate passion, says exactly what you WANTED to say but didn't because he was in the car! I, of course, blame my husband for this new found lexicon as he by far and a way is the most repeated offender...hee hee...

Prelude to A Blog

2008-03-26T14:20:00.000-07:00

O.K. Heidelberg! I blame you for dragging me kicking and screaming into this mess! I was so inspired by your blog and saw the potential for real understanding and commiseration that I couldn't help but give it a go...

Here is where I will attempt to share with you all of the joys and guilt of being a working mom. Stay tuned...it's going to be a wonderfully bumpy ride!