School's out forEVER...

{...well at least until they turn 5, but still...}

In June we pulled the boys out of Primrose for the summer  - This was one of the hardest decisions we ever had to make, but tuition for 3 boys was pretty steep, so we started to look for some other options, including an Au Pair and our old nanny Desiy. We had time, since I was on maternity leave and my mom is here to help out, but we got lucky and found someone through a friend who also was looking for a new job. It worked out and we now have a full time nanny working with the boys. The boys LOVE her and right now I get to hang out with all the boys.

We really miss Primrose and all their friends. Nicky especially misses Kylee Jo, Ella, Mariana, Jackson, Kylie, Bennett, and Ethan. Brandon misses his teachers Tess and Crystal, Olivia, and Maddie.

I miss the school setting structure, socialization, and someplace to keep them other than home. But I wont miss driving them to school and back when I work from home, fighting with them to put on their clothes and shoes. I will miss the organized holiday parties, the morning chit chat and running into the other mothers. I miss the feeling like I am doing something good for my kids.

But we got lucky. I know our new nanny is wonderful., she is patient and kind. she truly loves them, and listening to them play together makes me happy. I think Nicky has been the happiest he has been in a long time. Mornings are nice and quiet and fun. No screaming and fighting and tantrums. 

For now this is the plan. We will miss Primrose and will always have great memories.

0 comments

Potty Training Fail

By two years old, Nicholas was potty trained and in pull ups. I was pleased and liked to take credit. Easy as Pie. However, I'll admit, I did not put too much leg work into it and I have a secret. I have to personally thank Nicky's teachers at Primrose, Miss Crystal and Miss Noemi. They did all the heavy lifting. In fact, by the time he moved up to the Toddler Class (2 years) he was in big boy underpants. THANK YOU, ladies.

Then they changed the policy at Primrose, and the Early Toddler class stopped the potty training introduction before 2. Now that Brandon is out of school, I dread tackling the potty myself. Especially when I go back to work.  And at this point, Brandon could care less. In fact, this {see below} is about how close we get to the potty! I have a feeling I have a long summer ahead of me!

{caution! please view at your own risk} 

1 comments

Sneak Peak: School Ties

Sneak Peak of the boys Spring Class pictures at Primrose!

0 comments

You're Moving Up! Boys are growing up

Look what we got in the boys cubbies! Best little presents from Primrose!

You Are Moving Up notice!

Next week Brandon move to his new  Toddler's Class

We are so proud of him, but we will miss Ms Tess and Ms Rachel who spoil him to death

Brandon will join Ms Crystal and Ms Meredith

This use to be Nicky's favorite class, so I know he will have a great time

There they will focus on teaching them their letters and numbers and colors. 

He will also be introduced to potty training!

Go Brandon!

Nicky will move to EPS 2 (Early Pre-School) 

I don't even know how to comprehend that in just 6 months, Nicky will be in  P R E S C H O O L!!!!!

{They move them in June, but the school year officially starts in September}

His teachers will be Ms. Christina and Ms. Saira

He will definitely miss Ms Delane and Ms. Tiffany, his "best friends" after Kylee Jo

In EPS2, Nicky will have a pretty tight schedule. They focus on the transition to a Pre Schooler and  the age "of rapid discovery"

{see below}

 

Congratulations B A N J O and N I C K Y!

And thank you, Primrose for another $15 a month tuition cut too!

I just need another ~$200 reduction to pay for Baby #3

0 comments

Primrose Fall Class Pictures!

So Smiley, my Banjo!

Nicky's typical pouty face

 

No Smiling Zone

 More class pictures here, and here

And this was Nicky's school picture from last fall that I never posted. 

(Brandon wasn't at Primrose yet)

0 comments

Rash, rash go away

Nicky's had a rash on his face for a while now

We avoid discussing it so Nicky doesn't get embarassed

We thought it was eczema so we got some calendula cream

It didnt go away

We thought it was a yeast infection and we did a combo steroid & yeast cream

It didnt go away

Finally we made another dermatology appointment

His appointment was during Nap Time at school

This is what I found...

You see, Nicky doesn't like his Rash either

0 comments

Spring Picture

I forgot to order these pictures when Nicky and B took their class pictures back in April. 

So I am posting for posterity.

0 comments

You're Moving Up, Brandon: Young Toddlers!

Look what I got this morning! 

Next week Brandon will join his friends Maddie, Devan, and Emery in his new Young Toddler's Class. 

We are so proud of him, but we will miss Ms Belkis and Ms Krystal.

Congratulations B A N J O!

Thank you for the $15 a month tuition cut too! 

Between you and your brother moving up, Mommy can buy new shoes.

0 comments

Daily Cuteness: Brandon gives Kisses

B r a n d o n' s

favorite thing to do

kisses, wet and slobbery

all the babies in the nursery get one from B

{not the best picture I know, but had to share!}

0 comments

{Bright Side} Moving on UP!

...On June 7th, Nicky is moving up to Early Preschool 1. New teachers, and some old friends like Emily, Bennet, and Trey! Oh and tuition goes down too. Way to go Nicky, new shoes for Mommy!

I found this notification in his cubby this morning.

Luckily, his best friend Kylee Jo is going too!

Could they be any cuter??? Also moving with Nicky and Kylee Jo, are Marianna and Andrew.

0 comments

Daily Cuteness - Brandy Boy!

Miss Belkis sent me this picture of Brandon aka Brandy Boy at school!

(adorable outfit courtesy of Auntie Amy Ferris)

0 comments

Primrose May Family of the Month!

We were honored to be picked as the Primrose Family of the Month at Nicky and Brandon's School. They featured us in their newsletter and on the peanut Bulletin board at school.

Here is what we had to say:

The Abeling's moved from California to Steiner Ranch when Victoria's job transferred her to Austin over 3 years ago.  Victoria is a Sr. Manager at VMware, a virtualization software company and Dan is a Sr. Surgical Sales Rep at Covidien. They have 2 son's Nicholas (2) and Brandon (10 months) that attend Primrose. Nicky is in the Toddler class with Miss Noemi and Miss Crystal, where he enjoys playing with trucks, dancing and coloring, reading books about Thomas the Train, Tractors, Dinosaurs, and playing with his friends, especially Kylee Jo Wilson. Brandon is in the nursery with Miss Belkis and Miss Krystal, learning how to sign language, clap, and take his first steps. Brandon keeps busy with his girlfriends Emery, Presley, Allison and his best buddy Maddie. Both boys are thriving and doing especially well socializing with friends and exploring the world. On the weekends, we take the boys for walks with our 2 Boston terriers, Roxy and Zeus and enjoy playing in the front yard with the neighbors. Nicky is learning how to ride his tricycle, count to 20, say his ABC's, while we try to keep everything out of Brandon's mouth. We are so lucky and happy to have the boys in Primrose. We made some great friends, enjoy watching the boys blossom and become little men! We look forward to many more years learning and making even more memories!

0 comments

Happy Gram! Happy Gram!

Nicholas came home from school with a Happy Gram last night. Happy Grams are special notes from the teachers at Nicholas and Brandon's school when something awesome happens. In this case, our little Einstein counted to 5 all by himself! and he did it 3 times! here is a copy of the Happy Gram in all its glory.

I am SO proud of you Nicholas!!

0 comments

New Pictures Posted

New Sets added to flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriaabeling/sets/

• Nicholas -18 months
• Brandon - weeks 18, 19, and 20
• Decorating boys room and playroom
• Nicky's Rash (turns out it was eczema!)
  
• House Updates and Stella and Dot party
• Thanksgiving feast at Primrose
• Thanksgiving in Austin
• Vintage Babies

0 comments

May the Force be with You - Happy Halloween 2009!

I hope everyone had a great Halloween! My boys had a good time dressing up as Star Wars characters. Brandon was an Ewok and Nicholas was Luke Skywalker. Nicky especially loved his light saver. We had a candy and cookie filled weekend that started at school on Friday with a morning parade and a party in the afternoon.I will upload more pictures to Flikr shortly!


Grandma Booba was in town so she was able to see them all dressed up and help me out too! Saturday we had a lot planned, starting with pre-festivity drinks at the Wilsons, a 2nd Birthday party for Grace Andreson, and then dinner at our house with Grandpa Ray Ray and Grandma Booba. We didn't actually go Trick or Treating because Nicky really didn't get it yet, but we had a fun time anyways. He definitely understands the candy and cookie part. He was semi-successful saying "Trick or Treat". I got it on camera one time, so you tell me what you think! Also vote for them in the CUTE KID Halloween Costume Contest!

Check out the video of Nicky below. "I don't know" and "Whereditgo?" are his new things.



Vote for Nicky and Brandon!

0 comments

Our Weekend Recap

It's finally fall in Austin! After a record breaking summer (hottest on record and 1 day away from most 100 + days since 1929 (68)) we are thrilled to enjoy the change in season. This past weekend we had crisp cool mornings, sunny afternoons and warm evenings. We enjoy sitting on our front patio watching the sunset over Lake Travis (not that we can see the lake, but still, we know its there)

Friday night, I spent a couple hours packing away the summer shorts, the tank tops, and rotating in the winter clothes for the boys. Brandon has a lot of "new" stuff that Nicky never wore because it was too hot when Nicky was size 3-6 months. I pulled out some puffy vests and sweat suits for the boys to wear this past weekend. Even though its not that cold, its still fun to dress them up like little sausages.

We had a lazy Saturday morning and had breakfast at Panera Bread followed by a stop at the new Nordstrom Rack that opened here in Austin.  On the way home we stopped at the park and watched some of the local boys (and girls) play flag football! Brandon hung out with daddy on the sidelines, while mommy pushed Nicky in the swing and  chased him around the park. Nicky is getting so big,  he can even go down the slide all by himself!

Saturday afternoon, Dan watched both boys while I went to my friend April's baby shower for her baby girl McKenna. She arrives in late December and we can't wait to meet her. (Speaking of new arrivals, I have 9 friends pregnant right now! Holy Cow!)

When I came home, we all went to Tara and Aaron's daughter Hayley's 1st Birthday party. Nicky's friend from school Kylie Jo and her mom Stacie were there. Nicky had a great time sharing his shoes with Kylie, looking at some 1 week old bulldog puppies, and hanging out with the rest of the kids. Lori came over around 6:30 to babysit while we went to dinner and a movie. Dan and I never made it to the movie, but we enjoyed a nice dinner at Rocco's and had some after dinner drinks at Fion while we caught the end of the Longhorn game. We were home by 9pm, but enjoyed winding down to catch up on our shows: Heroes, Desperate Housewives, Flashforward, and The Next Iron Chef.

Sunday we had plans to visit the Sweet Berry Farm Pumpkin Patch, but decided against the hour and a half drive and spent the morning hanging out at Starbucks and grocery shopping at the HEB. After naptime, we headed over to Lifetime Fitness just to LOOK. We signed on the dotted line after we discovered they provide 2 hours of free babysitting each day!! BEST MONEY SPENT EVER!!

We are excited to belong to another club, like Pacific Athletic Club and can't wait to start working out again (haha right). They even have a heated indoor pool equipped with water slides! I have a feeling we will be spending a lot of time at the new club. You can check out the club here!

This is an exciting week because Brandon started at Primrose and Grandma Booba comes to visit. This upcoming weekend is Halloween and the boys have the CUTEST costumes. You'll have to wait and see!

0 comments

Brandon's First Day at Primrose

Brandon started his first day at Primrose today. Its a raining day in Austin, so I took advantage of the weather and dressed the boys in matching sweat suits. Yay!

0 comments

My Letter to Nicholas - 17 months

Dear Nicholas,

Happy 17 month birthday, my angel. I've decided to write you a letter each month to document your accomplishments and try to capture what life is like for you at this time. Needless to say, you (and your brother) have become what I live for. I love watching you develop into my little man. I wont say that these past months are easy - you are a handful! You're daddy and I never know what will come next with you. Nicky, you are wild, completely unpredictable, non-stop chaos and delight, willful and adorable, smart and playful, curious and stubborn. You test us each day, mostly Daddy...Mommy has more patience :).

At 17 months, you have become very vocal and make sure we all know. I tried making a list of all your words, but now I can't keep up. This month, you started shaking your head Yes and No. You can repeat almost any word we say. You will often throw your hands up and say "I don't know". Right now we are working on "Trick or Treat", but it's still a tongue twister. I have no doubt you will have it down pat in time for Halloween.

You can say the names of your friends at school, especially Kylee Jo. It comes out...Kaiyee. Speaking of school, I love watching you through the window before we pick you up. I can't describe the rush of emotion I feel every time I see you so independent - playing with your friends, dancing to the music, covered in paint, or even sitting by your self reading a book. I am so proud of you.

Nicholas, you must get this from me - you love books. I think most kids do, but I hope this love stays with you. It will open up a whole new world for you one day. I can't wait to read you the Harry Potter series. Mostly because I can't wait to read them again!

Right now you sit in the "book closet" before bedtime and we read all your books. We try to finish off with Good Night Moon - it seems to calm you down - if that's possible. Then we say "Good Night Daddy, Mommy, Brandon (baby), Roxy, Zeus, Grandmas and Grandpas, Alex, Val, Frank, and Amy." and then we go to your room, turn on your lullaby music, give you your nini, your blankets, and you grab all the tags and put them to your ear.

I kiss you good night and *hope* that you will lay down and go to sleep. If we are lucky you do, if not, its about 10 - 30 minutes of you crying out for us. It breaks our hearts, and many times Daddy gives in and goes up there to sing you softly to sleep. He sings "Good Night Nicky, Good Night Nicky, Good Night Nicky, goodnight, goodnight, goodnight." it works. You adore your Daddy.

At 17 months you can eat with a fork and spoon. You love to drink out of a water bottle and can even put the cap back on. At dinner time like to play with your food, and usually throw it all on the floor for the doggies to pick up. You say "Ca" for Chocolate because Daddy gives you Hershey Kisses. You tell us when you want juice or milk or water. Your favorite foods are still fruit and crackers, but you also like hot dogs, fish, chicken, pasta, anything Mexican or Thai or Chinese. Usually the best way to get you to eat EVERYTHING is to feed you on our laps. This is like a treat for you!

Nicky, you are so loving. You will kiss us and hug us. Sometimes bite us. That's fun.

Every morning when you wake up you climb up on our bed and hug the doggies. Roxy and Zeus usually respond by licking you all over. This makes you laugh. You are so ticklish and we love to rough house with you. You usually say MORE! MORE! and we have to flip you upside down until you are dizzy and we are exhausted.

I love to hear you say Mommy, to watch you sweep the floor, to hear you say Ra for Roxy. I love watching you run around the couch and wait for us to catch you. I love watching you fall asleep, and I can't wait to feel your arms around me. I love it when you smile and when you say a new word. I love your little tail, and the color of your eyes. I love it when you clap after you have accomplished something. I love when you hold my hand. I love when you draw on the new floors and when you run away from dead bugs. I love dressing you in cute clothes and watching you run around naked. I love when you kiss your brother, and when you fall asleep with Daddy. I love YOU and love being your Mommy. I am so lucky you are mine.

I love you always,

Mommy

0 comments

My Lion King

Nicky's report card from school last week...Take a look at his favorite activity for the day.
I love my little lion.

0 comments