Key's Kindle Fire

So I took the plunge and bought a Kindle. So far I am enjoying learning about it. I bought one book: Cleopatra: A Life. I am able to update my blog on the Kindle, which is great. Kindle tech support is bad. I find googling my issues and reading about users' solutions has been the best troubleshooting route.

More to come.

Cleo and Sidney are getting super excited about Christmas.

Big Boy Bed

Sidney's "big boy bed" arrived on Wednesday, December 14. Sidney was very excited, especially for the Cars 2 bedding. We have Thomas the Train sheets and need to get him a comforter. Cleo was very excited for Sidney's bed too.

Sidney actually sleeping in the bed was not received as well. Roger put him to bed Wednesday and Thursday night. It normally takes around 15 minutes to put Sidney to bed and now it takes 1 to 1.5 hours. Thursday morning at 3am Sidney woke up crying. I laid with him for an hour until he finally fell asleep. He slept through the night on Thursday and he was very proud of himself. I put him to bed last night and it took him an hour to go to sleep. Sidney woke up crying at 5:30am this morning and it took Roger half an hour to get Sidney to go back to sleep. Sidney doesn't get out of his bed, he just cries and cries until one of us go in his room to check on him. Roger put him down for a nap today and after a few minutes of lying with him, Sidney asked him to leave. So maybe Sidney is adjusting to the bed or maybe he was just super tired since his nap was super late today.

We took Cleo's side bed rails and put them on Sidney's bed. Cleo was excited to have them removed because it was evidence that she was a big girl and didn't need them anymore. She was concerned that her Tinker Bear could fall off the bed but I assured her that the bear would be okay. I knew the bear would be okay because every morning I find the bear safely ensconced in Cleo's arms. She keeps it too close to allow it to fall out of the bed. Tinker Bear is a Build A Bear brown teddy bear with a Tinkerbell outfit on it. Cleo just calls the bear "Bear." She won't name it.

Today we went to Cleo's classmate's, Paige's, 5th birthday at KangaZoom. It is a party center with lots of infatables for kids to jump on. Our kids love it but Cleo always ends up crying at some point because she bonks heads with one of her friend's head. This time, Cleo did not cry or get hurt. A lot of her good school pals were there so she had a lot of fun. Cleo also got her face painted with Hello Kitty's face on her right cheek. Cleo loves face painting, I think I mentioned that in a previous post. The party was 1:00-2:30pm - smack dab in the middle of their nap time. They were not too cranky. They napped when we got home - from 3:15-5:15pm.

I won a $100 Best Buy gift card in connection with a walking competition at work. I came in 3rd place. I thought I was going to come in 2nd place so I was a bit disappointed. If I came in 2nd, I was going to be able to get a Keurig single cup coffee maker. I told Cleo that if I won I would get the machine and she could make hot chocolate on it. The day the winners were announced she asked me if I won - she remembered on her own that the winners were going to be announced on Thursday, December 1. I told her I didn't win but came in 3rd place. She was very disappointed. Roger and I explained that it was okay that I didn't win this time and maybe I would win next time.

With the gift card I won I am going to get an e-reader. I suspect Best Buy sells one cup coffee makers but I would prefer an e-reader. After doing lots of research, I decided that the Nook is a better machine. But, I want to have Amazon as the materials provider, e.g., books. The Nook is linked only to Barnes & Noble and the Kindle is linked to Amazon. I tested out the machines at Target today during the kids' naps. I was leaning toward one of the basic ones (that cost $99) of either type of machine but after testing the Nook tablet and the Kindle Fire, there's no comparison - the tablet version of both machines is so much better than the $99 versions. So, I will treat myself to a $199 version and get a Kindle Fire tomorrow during the kids naps.

Tomorrow we are going to church, food shopping and then Cleo and Roger are making cookies for Santa. Santa is visiting the Wynn kids twice this year - he's coming Thursday while they're at school and then again on Dec. 24 when we are in Jacksonville, FL. The kids will open gifts when they come home from school on Dec. 22. We leave for FL the morning of Friday, Dec. 23. I have that day off from work and then the entire next week. I return to work on Tuesday, Jan. 3. I have jury duty on Jan. 4. I received the type of jury duty summons that requires me to call on Jan. 3 at 5pm to see if I need to actually go into court. I have had this type of jury summons before since living in Atlanta and I didn't have to report in person. I don't mind either way. Work is busy but jury duty will allow me time to get more familiar with my new Kindle Fire. :-)

I joined the L.A. Fitness gym on Thursday. I will start working out when we return from FL. I cannot wait. I am also going to restart doing my P90X dvds. I went to a Weight Watchers meeting on Weds., Dec. 14 and I lost .4 lbs. I have 3.4 lbs to go until I am back at the weight that allows me to attend meetings for free. Yahoo.

Have a good week.

Roger's Birthday and Kids R Kids Xmas Show

To all of my loyal followers: My company discontinued access at work to blogs so I can't update my blog during my lunch hour like I used to. Now, I need to use Roger's apple computer and I don't know how to upload pictures yet. I will have him show me so that soon, I can include pictures again in my blog updates.

Yesterday was Roger's birthday and it was also the Kids R Kids Annual Christmas Show. Kids R Kids is the name of the daycare that Cleo and Sidney attend. Cleo did the welcome and was fantastic. She performed in the ballet portion and also had a starring role in the pre-kindergarten classes' show, "Twas the Night Before Christmans." Cleo played the mother. She sat in a little rocking chair after she spoke her part. They put little glasses on her so she looked as motherly/grandmotherly as possible. Cleo looked so cute in her costume sitting in the rocking chair. Roger shot video and will post it when he can.

Sidney's class performed "Away in the Manger" and he was one of the the wise "men" along with two of his female classmates. The second the curtains parted all the way, Sidney started to cry. He stopped at one point and then started crying again. He couldn't explain why he was crying when I asked him later. He got to see Cleo's performance because she went after his class and one of his teachers brought out the kids from his class and handed them to the parents.

I ran into Sidney's best friend's (Taylor Donald) mom after the show was over. She said that Taylor Donald started crying when Sidney was crying. I hadn't noticed it. Taylor's mom asked her why she was crying and Taylor told her mom she was crying because "they made Sidney Wynn cry." There's a Sidney Dickinson and a Taylor Hartwell in Sidney's class so those 4 kids are always called by their first and last names.

Instead of the Elf on the Shelf as the spy for Santa, we have Rudolph. He disappears in the morning and reappears somewhere in the family room once the kids return from daycare. One morning this week, Rudolph was gone as usual. Sidney asked me where he went. I told him that he went to the North Pole to report to Santa. Sidney said no, that's not where he went. I asked him where he went and he said "shopping." I asked him what Rudolph was shopping for and Sidney said, "french fries."

When I was putting Sidney to bed one night this week, we were looking/reading a book about trains and Sidney said, "watch the closing doors." He hadn't ever commented before on the NYC subway announcers' directions to watch the doors. Another demonstration of Sidney's excellent retention skills.

My boss gave me a big tin full of Thomas the Train and Friends trains and a huge plastic bin of wooden train track. His 2 sons have outgrown the toys. The tin contained 2 Percy trains, Sidney did not have one that was compatible with his train set. The tin contained some duplicates of what Sidney already has and some trains that he didn't. Last night, Sidney played mostly with Iron Harry and the two Percy's. During our bedtime singing routine, Sidney and I have made up all sorts of variation of "I've Been Working on the Railroad." While Sidney was playing last night he sang one as follows, "Iron Harry been working on the railroad. Percy been working on the railroad. Good job Iron Harry. Good job Percy. Percy." He added the 2nd "Percy" because he had the two Percy trains lined up with Iron Harry. I thought that was hilarious.

This weekend (Sunday), we are shopping for Sidney's big boy bed. We are getting him a full size, brown sleigh bed. The problem is finding full size Thomas the Train bedding. I have only seen it on line and it's pricey. Hopefully we can find some Cars bedding in a store at a more affordable price. Sidney is older now than when we transitioned Cleo to her own bed. She was 2 years and 7 months old and Sidney is now 2 years and 10 months old. I know it's not a competition but he looks so big and long sleeping in his crib. I am sure he will miss his crib like Cleo did. When we showed her the new big girl bed in her room for the first time she said, "I lost my bed. I lost my bed!" We showed her that her crib was in Sidney's room and she seemed to accept that. I am sure the Dora bedding on her new bed helped the adjustment.

Cleo was so excited for her performance yesterday. All week she was rehearsing with the other classes and working on her welcome at home with us. She did it so often that Sidney committed it to memory. We have these two inflatable microphones from a birthday party gift bag. Sidney and Cleo would stand in the family room and recite Cleo's welcome together.

Yesterday, in the morning, I went to get Cleo up and gather her clothes for school. When she saw it was me in her room, she said, "no, I want Daddy to get me up because it's his special day!" So I got Roger to go to Cleo's room and I went to get Sidney up.

Prior to leaving for the Christmas Show, Cleo helped me with "birthday business." She signed her name to her card for Roger and Sidney's name to his card to Roger. She also wrote "Daddy" on the envelopes for her and Sidney's cards. She helped organize his gifts too and when we were done she asked what other birthday business there was to be done. She's the best.

I got Roger a little cake from Publix - chocolate cake with white buttercream. It was really good. We had cake when we got home from the Christmas show. Cleo was disappointed when she saw the cake and was all, "where's the birthday cake. Daddy needs a sports cake." She expected to see a sheet cake super decorated like the ones we get for her and Sidney - and every other kid has one at the birthday parties we attend. Then we gave him his cards and gifts.

Today we are taking the kids to a book sale at the Southwest Arts Center where Cleo takes her art class. Then, home for lunch and naps. Then to dinner for Roger. We aren't sure where we are going for dinner. Prior to dinner, we may take the kids to a Christmas lights show in the building where a Macy's used to be in downtown Atlanta. I will write more about it later if we go.

Have a good week.

Weekend Update

Cleo's welcome statement at the Dec. 9 Kids "R" Kids holiday show consists of the following: "Good evening parents, family and friends. Welcome to the Kids "R" Kids annual Christmas program. We thank you for coming and again Welcome!!"

She's committed it to memory and performs it with perfect drama and flair. Sidney has memorized it too and he's beyond cute reciting it.

When I was putting Cleo bed tonight she told me that since I was putting her to bed tonight, I was the parent who was supposed to pick her up in the morning and take her downstairs to breakfast. She said that tomorrow evening, Roger will put her to bed then the following morning he is supposed to pick her up in the morning and take her down to breakfast. She explained that that is an example of a pattern. I asked her how she knew that and she said that she just knew it. She's brilliant.

I took Cleo and Sidney inside Nicholas House to drop off the gifts and Sidney was perfectly behaved. I think his shyness precluded him from trying to wander off or making too much noise. Cleo is always well-behaved. Sidney tripped on a poorly-placed computer cord and his sneaker came off but that wasn't his fault. Cleo said, "oh little guy lost his shoe." She's so charmingly condescending to him.

Now I must go watch the Good Wife. It's one of the best shows on TV. I also like 2 Broke Girls, the New Girl, Up All Night and Grey's Anatomy. In case you were wondering what my favorite TV shows are right now.

Another update about me is that I rejoined Weight Watchers. I have gained 7 pounds since March 2011. I blame Cleo's birthday party. I ate at least 2 cupcakes that day - we had it at a cupcake shop in Marietta, GA. For some reason, cupcakes are my undoing and I was never able to regain my discipline after that. I simply indulged too much since March. Then, I hurt my knee in June by over-using it doing certan exercises. I haven't been able to get back into exercising as diligently as I was before I hurt my knee. I did physical therapy for 6 weeks this summer but my knee is not the same.

My clothes simply don't fit the same and I am tired of my jeans fitting too tightly. I can't buy a whole bunch of new clothes. So, I am getting back on track.

Back in Atlanta

It took me some time to adjust to being back at work after being away in NYC for the week. We had a great time and I miss my family a lot. It was so nice seeing all of them.

All week, Sidney has intermittently insisted on being called either Christian or Percy (as in Thomas the Train's pal). Christian is Cybele's fiance's name and he appears to have left an impression on Sidney. Christian was wrestling a little with Sidney on the day we left or the day before we left and Sidney really enjoyed it. I asked Sidney today if he wanted to call Christian. He said, "no, Gabriel." Then he added that he also wanted to call Christian. Then he started saying something about Uncle Howard, my uncle. Sidney is funny.

Cleo and Sidney had a good week at school. We learned that Cleo is delivering the welcome at their daycare's annual holiday program on Dec. 9 at 6pm. That is Roger's birthday so we are celebrating his birthday on Saturday, Dec. 10. Cleo also has a starring role as the mother in her class' contribution to the program. Sidney's class is singing "Away in a Manger."

Yesterday we went to my work friend Cindy's daughter Madison's 2nd birthday party. Cindy has 4 nieces who live next door and Cleo enjoyed playing with them - their ages ranged from 8-15. Sidney enjoyed playing with all of Madison's toys. He's an old 2 year-old since he turns 3 in 2 months so he seemed a lot older than Madison who turns 2 on Dec. 8.

We have completed most of the kids' xmas gifts shopping and must now start gathering gifts for Kaelin, our niece. We head to Jacksonville, FL on Dec. 23, I have off from work that day, and likely return on Dec. 29. We are taking the kids to the movies on Dec. 30. The options thus far are Happy Feet 2, Alvin and the Chipmunks Part 3 or Arthur (he's the nephew or son of Santa). Cleo wants to see the latter but we think the Alvin movie will be the only one that keeps Sidney's attention. It will be Sidney's first theater movie. The Princess and the Frog was Cleo's first theater movie. She doesn't remember seeing it in the theater - she was only 2-3/4 years-old but she does recall seeing Tangled last December.

Both Cleo and Sidney are acting so old these days. It breaks my heart but also makes me happy that they are becoming a little more independent.

The kids are napping. When they wake up, we are dropping off some gifts at Nicholas House, which is a transitional home for homeless families. It is in the same area of Atlanta in which Roger and I lived before we moved to Southwest Atlanta.

Have a good week!

Day 4 & Thanksgiving Day

Wednesday we had breakfast with Ahnya, Vivian and Gabriel at Cafe Luluc on Smith Street. It was great to see Vivian and Gabriel. Ahnya and Vivian went to Harlem to have lunch with Vivian's friend. Gabriel went back to the apartment he's housesitting. We went to Tick Tock Diner on W. 34th Street and 8th Avenue for lunch with Marcia. It was great to see Marcia. Then, we went to a huge store on 8th Avenue for souvenirs. We got Cleo and Sidney's teachers some pink coin purses that say I Love NY on them. Cleo picked out a little Statue of Liberty clock as her souvenir and Sidney selected a little black car which he is still playing with. We made our way back home. The kids slept a little on the subway so by the time we got back to my dad's they wouldn't nap.

Isak and Cybele came over so we got to see them for a short bit before we headed out again.

We had dinner with Rachel, Hunter and John at Rice, my favorite restaurant in NYC. Dinner was really nice and it was wonderful to catch up with Rachel and her family. After dinner, we walked to the Plaza Diner to say hi to Fran, her mom and their family. We got there in time for dessert and the kids got dessert with the other kids. Cleo got a Hello Kitty heart cookie and Sidney had some Italian dessert cookies. We were there for around an hour and got car service back to my dad's apt.

Thursday, Ahnya and I met Ruby, Isak, Rhudi and Shelly for Ahnya's Annual Tofurkey Trot in Prospect Park. We walked around the inside of the Park. We snagged medals from the Turkey Trot and Sidney has enjoyed wearing them around the house. He prefers to wear two so he clangs a bit when he walks. After the walk, Ahnya and I headed home.

We took naps. Cybele and Christian came over and we headed to the Westway Diner. We planned on meeting at 4pm but we got there at 4:30pm. We met my mom and Gabriel there. Dinner was really nice and much more affordable than Josie's. No one got a classic Thanksgiving dinner. Ahnya and I got veggie sandwiches (tomato, portabello mushroom, avocado, lettuce). My mom got salmon. Gabriel got Belgian waffles and eggs. Cybele had a veggie burger deluxe. Christian had a burger with waffle fries, pancakes and bacon. Roger got a pastrami sandwich. Cleo got french fries and broccoli. Sidney ate a roll and french fries. We got him chicken fingers but he didn't eat them. It wasn't too crowded when we got there but as it got closer to dinnertime, it got more crowded. We walked through Times Square to get to the A Train. The streets were crowded with people. Sidney and Cleo enjoyed the lights.

Today, we are relaxing a bit. A van is coming to pick us up at 3pm to head to Rye, NY for the Friday Thanksgiving dinner at Tom and Melinda's house.

Days 3 & 4 in NYC

Yesterday (Monday, Nov. 21) afternoon we went to Lulu Cake Boutique on 8th Avenue between W. 15th & 16th Streets in Manhattan. I got a chocolate twinkie and a red velvet twinkie. The red velvet twinkie was really good; the chocolate one was not. I think both would have been better if they hadn't been fresh from the very cold refrigerated case. Roger got a chocolate cupcake with white frosting, he said it was ok. Cleo got a heart shaped raspberry linzer cookie and she liked it. Sidney got a raspberry cream cupcake with lemon curd inside it. He enjoyed around 1/2 of it. This is the second time we have tried a restaurant or bakery featured on the Food Network or Cooking Channel and been less than impressed. The food always looks so delectable with it's featured on TV. The first one featured on a TV that we tried was Marietta Diner in Georgia. My dad wanted to try it during one visit to GA and we went. It was ok. Since my dad's visit, I go there fairly often because it's close to my job. It's good for large groups because it has such a diverse menu which caters to all tastes. I always get a steamed vegetable platter with yellow rice and this awesome teriyaki glaze on the side. I end up eating it all every time. I used to get the eggplant parm with linguine on the side but stopped when I started Weight Watchers.

Afterward, we went to Duane Read and we got Cleo some classic cherry Chapstick. We went home for naps.

We had dinner at La Villa pizzeria with Rebecca (Aaron Milestone's wife - Aaron couldn't make it because he had to work), Daniel, Stephanie, Ook and Aalea. It was fun and the food was good. Sidney loved saying, "Uncle Ook." Cleo sat next to Stephanie and was very happy showing Stephanie all of Cleo's jewelry and the contents of Cleo's purse.

Today (Tuesday, Nov. 22) we went to the Children's Museum of Manhattan a few blocks from my mom's apartment in Manhattan. My mom and Ahnya accompanied us. It was a lot of fun and the kids really enjoyed it. We were there from 11:30am to 2:00pm. We had lunch again at McDonald's because the diner we like was packed and we wanted to get the kids a quick lunch and head home. We got back to Brooklyn around 4pm and the kids would not nap. We got caught in the rain during our walk from the train station to my dad's apartment. We didn't have an organized dinner this evening. I am doing some laundry because the kids' socks and pajamas are all dirty. We are about to give the kids a bath.

Tomorrow is a jam-packed day because we have 9:30 am breakfast with Vivian, 11:30am lunch with Roger's aunt Marcia and dinner at 6pm at Rice in DUMBO with Rachel, her son Hunter and husband John. Gabriel comes to town this evening and he's housesitting in Park Slope. Cybele comes to town tomorrow but she's spending the night with college pals. We will see them Thursday.

Sidney and Cleo continue to enjoy taking the subway trains.