The Borden Family

WOW am I failing this blog...

2010-12-30T19:36:00.001-08:00

I have been inspired by several of my twin mom friends to reignite this blog.

I don't know if I could be as eloquent as they have been - or share just so much greatness about me - not sure i have that. None the less - I want to document the fun times about our family. I know there will be times were I am frustrated, angry, and sad but I hope to conquer that with more positive and happy thoughts. I know I have alot to be thankful for.

I want our boys to know how much I love them. I would do anything for them at any time. They are my boys...all four to include my hubby.

The neatest things the boys have been up to:

Hayden love to play with his brothers - it usually winds up with someone getting hurt. But completely unintentional and a sorry to follow. Tonite was no different. Brook and I were hugging (haven't had one for some reason in 2 days) and Hayden rammed into him. Spencer was at my feet. Brook lost his balance, I then lost my balance....I fell and took Spencerwith me who hit his head on the tile. Brook grabbed Spencer and started looking him over and consoling him. Me I just sat there in disbelief that it all took place....and poor Hayden went and hid around the corner. I believe in normal circumstances I would have been very angry that the end result was a brother getting hurt but I know he was really feeling horrible for what happened. I peeked around the corner and he was in tears. I just asked him if he thought that was a good choice and if he would do it again. He said no. I told him he should apologize to his brother and his daddy. He did:) So he loves to play -just a bit rough. He even reads every nite to his brothers...sometimes they just don't want to give up the book for him to read it. But he tries. He also has been playing Soccer ALOT. He played on a team this falland loved it. I look forward to him playing more in the Spring. I feel bad we had him in TKD for so long and hated it.

Spencer - He has shown a huge love for the guitar. If you haveFB access check out the video I downloaded. He was playing along with Sesame Street. It was the cutest thing. If he continues I would love to get him a good guitar and some lessons. Brook and I have no musical talents whatsoever...but I had some as a kid. I played piano in first grade, hand bells in 4th and 5th. Maybe... He is just so cute. No one is allowed to touch the guitar except him. That can be a problem for Jacob. His second love of life -torturing his brother.

Jacob - He is so out going. He shares my love of life. He says hello and good bye to everyone. He is a hugger and kisser. He LOVES mickey mouse. He talks NON-STOP. He loves to say - Mommy, mommy, mommy, mommy. Mickey mouse. He does like to bite but overall is a lover not a fighter. Not sure I can say that about Spencer:)

I am excited for 2011. I can't wait to see what it brings. Our boys will be getting older, Hayden will go to his grandparents for the summer again - and love it. The twins will be having a great time at school and on their new playground...and hopefully be growing out of the hitting, biting, and pushing stage. I won't get my hopes up on the last thought but I have to stay the optimist.

Here's out with old and in with the new...

My New Year's resolutions:

1. It wouldn't be New Years if weight loss wasn't on it. I lost 10 lbs last year - the lowest weight I have been since Hayden was born. My goal is to get to where I was when I was prego with him. It wasn' t my best weight of my life but it was good. I may not have felt great at the time but I know I would feel great if I could get there.

2. Have more patience. Patience with 3 children and that our house is and will be chaos. Just make it happy chaos. Patience with my husband that I can accept that when he is home with the kiddos that NOTHING will get done except the kids will be in one piece. The house will look like TWISTER....The dishes piled up. They ate crap all day but they are happy. (happened today)

3. Get the kids out to more places. Practice makes perfect right? So more we practice going out the easier it will get. The kids will learn acceptable behavior in public and we don't have to be embarrassed. They do really well now but can always be better! I know that Brook doesn't like going places since it is soooooooooooo much work to get us moving. It feels like more work than fun. It will get easier. So part of getting out more...is getting Brook out more.

If I have too many resolutions I risk not being able to reach them...so I will just have to settle for 3. If I accomplish them - then hey I can make resolutions in July:)

Oh lastly will be to post here more...we'll see!

So it has been a while

2010-09-06T12:28:00.000-07:00

Apparently I have lost track of our blog site but We are back with a vengeance. It's Labor Day and we were supposed to be camping but it didn't quite go the way we wanted. We drove 5 hours to Lake Isabella to find it HOT - 101 and NO SHADE at our site. At least if there was shade we would have attempted to "suck it up" and then say we would never go there again. But this was bad. So we drove 5 hours home. It was the longest scenic drive in history but we have our babes to protect so we did it. We have some good memories of our drive. :)

So what we did do was set up the tent in the backyard. Had steak and potatoes on the grill and then we made smores from the grill. Note to self - grill sucks for making smores. So I don't recommend it..

We did take some pictures and videos.

Enjoy.

Videos of Screaming, Clapping, and Playing!!

2009-10-12T06:17:00.000-07:00

Spencer is definitely our quieter of the 2 boys. Sometimes he will allow a few screams to get out (when he isn't crying) This is a video of one of those times....

Jacob has just hit a new milestone....Clapping.

The boys playing...

2009-08-17T05:41:00.000-07:00

We have not posted alot lately....I want to do this more. Just seems like the days speed by and the nights slow down! HA So I don’t have as much time as I would like. Right now it is 5:30am and it is the quietest so I can get stuff done but it is also a Monday so there is alot to do to get all of our boys ready.

So this particular blog is to rely when Hayden started Kindergarten last Monday. I really didn’t get to write about it and post pictures....and I wanted to. So for history’s sake - this is for Hayden’s first day of school.

Hayden goes to Heritage K-8 Charter School. It is a school of choice here. There is no one slated to go by where you live. It is a straight lottery. Luckily for us we got in. They take 40 Kindergardeners and we were #29. So lucky!!! This school is high on the academics and less on the PE. It is a great school and gets rave reviews by parents. They wear uniforms which is great! I don’t have to keep buying clothes and takes out the distractions from the school. This is one of those schools where they expect parent involvement.

So his teachers are Miss Rochon and her aide Mrs. Lang. They are great. Miss Rochon looks like she should still be in college! But very nice. He really likes her.

I took off 3 days to spend time with him before he had to start the 6-6 program for our early/late work schedules - GOOOOOOO military! I wanted him to settle in okay with the school before making him go to an additional program. From the first day he was so excited. His new backpack that he couldn’t wait to wear. It had star wars on it. New lunch box....and all the supplies!

He really likes the school! He got homework the first day and every day after that. Just practice writing letters but nonetheless it was homework. I can’t wait to volunteer more. I worked 2 days at the school and got to have lunch with Hayden. I want him to know we are here for him and that he still has his OWN time with us. That it isn’t just about the babies all the time. So I had them in daycare for first 2 days. Then spent the 3rd day just with the babies.

Let me just say this - I can’t wait to retire!

So first thing in the morning Hayden has to line up on his “K” line. Then at 7:55 the bell rings the gates close, and the children are led to the classrooms. Parents aren’t allowed in classroom for first few weeks to allow for adjustment. I understand but I wasn’t happy about it. Especially first day. She said that she loses 2 hours with students due to parents hanging around. I wouldn’t have done that....yeah right! LOL

So I have attached some pictures and videos of his first day. Enjoy!

Hayden and his purple belt test

2009-08-16T11:33:00.001-07:00

Well Hayden has been in Tae Kwon Do now for 1 year. He has received his yellow belt and yesterday he tested for purple. I can't believe how far he has come in TKD. Most days he never wants to go and then once he is there he generally likes it. Except when he has to do push-ups. When he tested for his yellow belt - there were other white belts testing too. So Hayden wasn't alone. However, for purple belt - Hayden was on his own. We are so very proud of him.

The twins were a bit restless but that is to be expected. I am just glad they allowed us to stay and watch his whole time. We were outside after this to ensure we were respectful of the others testing.

Hayden's Video

Then Hayden for his final test had to break a board with his foot. It took him a few tries due to him not using the heel of his foot - so he couldn't break it. But he did....and he paid the price for it....

Hayden's first attempt at the Pledge of Allegiance

2009-08-14T20:09:00.000-07:00

I know this will get better - In less than a week it has improved dramatically. So I expect him to be an expert the end of next week!!! But it is funny to hear the first time.

OMG our first roll over....

2009-08-13T05:34:00.001-07:00

Wow I can't believe it. I was home to video our first roll over!!!!

Oh what solid foods can do!

2009-07-26T19:09:00.000-07:00

Our beautiful Friday!

2009-07-03T18:42:00.000-07:00

Our day in the new pool. No pictures of babies due to taking both parents in order to get them into pool and hold them there...Have to work on that. So for now - just pictures of daddy and Hayden in pool.

A beautiful Friday afternoon!

New Photos

2009-06-14T05:30:00.001-07:00

Brook and Spencer
Jacob in a Bumbo
Big Brother!!
Spencer Smiling
Our Preschool graduate!!!

New Video

2009-06-13T19:44:00.000-07:00

Brook Dancing!

2009-04-21T07:48:00.000-07:00

Updated photos

2009-04-20T22:35:00.000-07:00

TKD - testing for yellow belt!

the beach!!!!

2009-04-15T13:13:00.001-07:00

2009-04-15T12:37:00.001-07:00

Christmas Videos

2008-12-25T16:04:00.000-08:00

Hayden Bouncing....

Hayden opening presents

playing with toys...

San Antonio, TX

2008-11-16T06:19:00.000-08:00

Our trip to San Antiono. This included the Children's Museum, Rain Forest Cafe, and pic/videos from the RV park we stayed at.

Enjoy!

Driving the Trolley!

Ticketing AgentThe Runway schedule...

The control tower!

Your Pilot

Thomas Story Time!

The sitting room

Big Bubbles!

The AG center

Calling Daddy!

The dental office

The country store....

The Front Loader...

The Rv park playing with sticks.

Rain Forest Cafe.....

Mommy and Hayden!

The river boat...

Hayden's Face...

The statue .....

Out shopping for new looks.

Now for the videos....

making bubbles

Brushing teeth.....

Grandma in the store....

Hayden's face...

Looking for monsters....

Milking the cow...

My bubble.....

My engine won't start....

More monsters...

Take us to Kuwait....

What are we doing?

Our baby boys....

2008-11-04T22:06:00.000-08:00

Enjoy the pictures of our new Baby Boys.

They are both very healthy and wiggly. They weigh 12 oz and are due the exact same date....not always the case when measuring. They are both exactly where they should be at this point. Enjoy the photos!!!

Happy Halloween!!

2008-11-01T19:52:00.000-07:00

Jose and Michelle's Halloween Party

2008-11-01T19:40:00.000-07:00

Tyler and the pinata

Sydney and the pinata

Hayden and the pinata

Aaron and Rachel

2008-10-18T21:12:00.001-07:00

This is from Aiden's birthday party tonite. They went all out and Hayden had a blast.

Enjoy the photos!!!!

the treasure hunt!

Surrender your Booty!

Video of Hayden and the pinata

Twins!!!!

2008-10-15T05:18:00.001-07:00

New ultra sound pictures of the twins.

We will see if we can tell the sexes on Nov 4. Too long to wait if you ask me...LOL

Miramar Airshow!

2008-10-15T05:15:00.000-07:00

New pictures of Hayden at the Airshow with Grandma Janie:)

MERCY

2008-10-02T05:31:00.000-07:00

The MERCY coming home!

2008-10-02T05:08:00.000-07:00

New Hayden TKD videos!

Here is another video from Hayden's TKD.

Last video

Brook's Adventures in Kuwait Part 1

2008-09-03T00:20:00.000-07:00

19 AUG 2008
So this is my first trip into Kuwaiti City on the search for the elusive camel, Im Shallah (God Willing). The trip consisted of visiting the Grand Mosque, Kuwaiti Towers, and a trip to a Kuwaiti Mall!

So here we are in front of the Grand Mosque. The city itself is quite busy full of cars, (They drive worse than Californians) and people. There is a sense of the “old” Kuwait blending in with the more modern Kuwaiti city.

Here is a picture of the Kuwaiti Bank/Stock Exchange. They use Kuwaiti Dinars or KDs. Exchange rate about $3.25 US to 1 KD!

Here are some buildings under construction. The temperature is around 125, it was a cool day:)

As we enter the Grand Mosque, we are greeted with a nice little fountain.

And some infidel sitting in front of it! Get out of the way infidel!!!

Next we enter a visitors’ area where we await our tour guide. The have water, coffee, tea, and crackers while you wait. There is even a mock tent set up along with some old photos of Kuwait circa 1940’s.

The tent looks nice and … hey there is that infidel again!!!

As we enter the Mosque the enormity of it cannot be described, but I’ll try.

They have no paintings or statues only complex mosaic designs and artwork throughout the mosque because it is easier to concentrate on praying and ladies you get to hide behind some screens so you don’t ruin their concentration either.

Each one of the rows in the carpet helps for the men to line up rich or poor they all take spot; except if you’re a lady :) !

Here we have a case containing a copy of the original Koran, which is kept in Turkey.

Here we have the seat where an Iman, or priest sometimes sit, hold on that’s no Iman!

As we leave the Grand Mosque, we head towards the Famous Kuwaiti Towers and still on a search for the camels.

The Kuwaiti Towers are famous for the fact that they represent the symbol of the country of Kuwait and its main source of revenue; pearls! (I bet you were thinking oil) Back in the day, pearl divers would collect pearls and place them on a stick or spike and offer them to the Kalif or King to pay tribute. Now these towers also play another key role in Kuwait, one is a water tower which provides the necessary water for all of its citizens cuz hey it’s a desert! (Trivia Note: During the invasion by Iraq, a lot of things were destroyed. Fortunately they only shot up the restaurant but not fully destroying it because of needing the water in the water tower.) The other contains a restaurant and view tower which provides some pretty good shots of the city, possibly here is where we can spot some camels!

As we ride the elevator into the main tower we are greeted with a spectacular view of the city and are provided a delicious 5 star lunch.

Above the restaurant there is an observation tower that actually rotates 360 degrees around the city, which allows the fat and sassy lunch guests to expend as little energy as possible to look around… like this guy!

Well that’s it for this adventure and still no signs of the elusive camel. Will try again on the next…….

MY ADVENTURES IN KUWAIT part 2!

Take care love, Brook

2008-08-28T05:42:00.001-07:00

Hayden's first baseball game - Padres VS Arizona diamond backs. We didn't win but the game was sure fun. Hayden made lots of friends and learned how to throw peanuts at people. IT was crazy! As you can see, he had a HUGE sugar rush! Enjoy!

2008-08-28T05:39:00.000-07:00

Photos from when Hayden went to the Dentist! He did great. Second appt and got x-rays and a cleaning. NO CAVATIES! YEA!

TKD

2008-08-28T04:55:00.000-07:00

Hayden has been going to Tae Kwon Do for the past few weeks. He absolutely loves it! Sometimes is hard for us to make it to every class but we keep up as best we can!

Enjoy the new pictures.

At the beach...

2008-07-30T06:04:00.000-07:00

On the opposite side of the world...there is Hayden and I - I feel bad even posting these after the last pictures and the 130 degrees but it keeps us all up to date:)

Hayden and I took the train to the beach - Hayden loves to ride the train. He had a great time in the sand and water - mainly the sand!

He was running around everywhere...Crazy boy! It was a typical summer day at the beach...crowded.

Brook's first pictures from Overseas

2008-07-30T06:00:00.000-07:00

This is the first tent area Brook stayed in since arriving in Kuwait - he moved to another part of the compound last weekend. An area closer to work and closer to activities. He can take a shuttle that will drive him around the campgrounds as the base is quite large.

Nothing but flat - and hot. 130 degrees on average.

Hayden's Skateboard Experience

2008-07-28T22:21:00.000-07:00

So Hayden went down the driveway on a skateboard...and eventually went by himself. He really likes it and can't wait to get a skateboard. Told him he has to wait until Daddy gets home:)

I have also thrown in some pictures from Hayden's painting festival - which looks like he just painted himself!

Hayden and Baseball

2008-07-18T05:56:00.000-07:00

We took this video a while ago but it is hilarious....Just couldn't send it to anyone due to the size.

Hayden's Birthday party

2008-07-17T21:50:00.001-07:00

We know this is a bit late...but Just got videos downloaded.

Enjoy!

testing out videos

2008-07-17T05:24:00.001-07:00

This is just a video of Hayden and Brook at the beach:)

Brook's Deployment

2008-07-09T09:36:00.000-07:00

Well - Just wanted to give an update on Brook's deployment....

He has survived both NMPS (Navy Mobilization Processing Support) and NEMTI (Something about Navy Enviromental Medical Training Intelligence)...

This included qualifing at the range, receiving new medical training, as well as moral boosting.

He is slated to be on a plane within the next week... 27 hour flight with 2 stops.

We will try to keep everyone posted with pictures, emails, and blogs....

We are all doing okay for now...

Love to all!

At the beach...

2008-06-17T11:10:00.001-07:00

This was our trip to Oceanside pier. It was a beautiful SOCAL day!

Camping at Mount Laguna, CA

2008-06-17T08:44:00.000-07:00

Well as we get closer to Brook's Deployment - we were able to get away one more time for family camping. We went with the Garcia and Higgins families...

Great picture of Brook!

Look at these cute kids!

We had a great time - weather was great! Cold at night, hot during the day. Ate smores, steaks, and pancakes. Life is great!

Our Family Vacation to Disneland

2008-06-16T08:12:00.000-07:00

Well we had our first true family vacation...

We went to Disneyland for 4 days

Acted like Tourists

Went Swimming like crazy

And just had a blast.....Enjoy the photos.

The Borden Family

WOW am I failing this blog...

So it has been a while

Videos of Screaming, Clapping, and Playing!!

Hayden and his purple belt test

Hayden's first attempt at the Pledge of Allegiance

OMG our first roll over....

Oh what solid foods can do!

Our beautiful Friday!

New Photos

New Video

Updated photos

Christmas Videos

San Antonio, TX

Our baby boys....

Happy Halloween!!

Jose and Michelle's Halloween Party

Twins!!!!

Miramar Airshow!

MERCY

Brook's Adventures in Kuwait Part 1

TKD

At the beach...

Brook's first pictures from Overseas

Hayden's Skateboard Experience

More older videos

Hayden and Baseball

Hayden's Birthday party

testing out videos

Brook's Deployment

At the beach...

Camping at Mount Laguna, CA

Our Family Vacation to Disneland