A Day in the Life of the McClartys - 2018

I haven't done one of these posts in literally years. I keep meaning to try to find the time to document one of our days, but to be honest they are incredibly hectic and full and taking pictures and keeping lots of notes just isn't something I could prioritize. Now that the boys are older I'm working a lot more, they are in school, after school care, and extracurricular activities. We have made an informal agreement that they can do up to two activities (hopefully one athletic and one artistic/scholastic) at any given time. During the last few months Reed was in baseball and keyboard class and Kieran was in a music class. I am lucky to be able to set my own hours and have been able to work in Reed's class for a few hours one morning a week all school year. With all that being said here is what a Wednesday looked like a few weeks ago:

5:00 am - I wake up, get dressed to workout, head to the kitchen to turn off the crockpot and let food cool (I knew I wasn't going to have time to cook that evening, so I put a freezer meal in the crockpot overnight).

5:15 am - I do an indoor cycle workout, then jump in the shower.

6:25 am - Jon is up and getting ready to head out. We talk about plans for the day while I clean out the dishwasher, feed Dodger, and make the boys lunches (grilled chicken slices, berry salad, toasted cinnamon raisin bread).

6:30 am - The boys both wake-up within a minute of each other and are hungry for breakfast. Kieran is a bit grumpy and refuses to let tell me what he'd like for breakfast, but wants it to be known he needs to eat immediately! They have blueberry waffles, chicken apple breakfast sausage, and hemp milk. Reed elects to have a nectarine and adds in a half of a bagel too. Kieran adds blueberries as he now wants a "B" breakfast. I eat breakfast as well, while I finish their lunches and pack up all the bags for the day (from left to right - purse, bag of stuff I've been working on at home to return to the office, baseball uniform, music class bag, Reed's backpack, Kieran's backpack, and Reed's baseball equipment bag).

 

7:05 am - The boys are done with breakfast, they wash their hands, put the clothes I've laid out for them on, and I give Reed his medicines (nasal spray and an inhaler). Reed preps toothbrushes for both of them and they brush their teeth while I put gel in their hair. Reed makes his bed.

7:20 am - While I do my hair and makeup the boys make Birthday pictures to send Auntie Laurie

7:40 am - We leave for school, we drop Kieran off at preschool, make a quick Birthday video for Laurie, and then drive to Reed's school. When the weather is nice we usually walk since the schools are only a couple blocks away from each other, but since I'm working in the classroom I want my car to be close when I get done so I don't waste any time getting to work. I check in on the volunteer sheet and walk Reed to the playground to play with his friends while I head to the classroom to help his teacher do prep work.

8:00 am - For the next two hours I help in Reed's classroom. For the first 45 minutes I cut and staple books and help kids with makeup work. Then for the last hour and fifteen minutes I have the exhausting pleasure of having 5 different groups rotate through my center.

10:00 am - I'm done with my volunteer duties and head to work. Since I came in late and know I have to leave early today it is a bit frantic trying to get everything done.

4:00 pm - I leave work to pick up the boys. We are very lucky that the teachers from after school care walk to the kindergarten and pick Reed up so at the end of the day we only have one pick-up to grab both boys. They also both get an afternoon snack, playground time, and Reed's group does any homework they have been assigned. Reed has music class in Reedley but also a make-up baseball game after so I make him change into his baseball uniform so we can rush back to Kingsburg as soon as music is over. Today they claim they are still hungry so luckily I'm prepared and have more snacks for the car ride. This should work out well since we will have a late dinner.

4:45 pm - Reed has keyboard class. While we sit and watch I have Kieran do his music class homework that is due the next day. There is also a lot of parent interaction required and I'm always pretty proud of Kieran staying quiet and well behaved for the entire hour.

5:00 pm - Jon heads home to walk and feed Dodger and then heads out to meet us at the baseball field.

5:50 pm - Music class runs a few minutes late and we rush to the car to try to make it to the baseball field before the game starts.

6:05 pm - The game has started but Reed hasn't missed much and is still able to have an at bat.

7:00 pm - The baseball game is over and we head home for dinner. I'm very happy I made dinner overnight so as soon as we walk in the door all we have to do is reheat and serve. Kieran is once again in a grumpy mood and dislikes his meal - he refuses to look at the camera.

7:40 pm - Jon gives the boys a bath while I clean up the dishes, put baseball/music/school stuff away, and start a load of laundry. The boys put pajamas on, Jon gives Reed his allergy medicine and a puff on his inhaler. Teeth are brushed, a quick book is read, and the boys are tucked in for bed.

8:15 pm - Lights out (and nightlights on) for the boys. I get a few things ready for tomorrow morning and start a load of laundry. Jon and I watch a little TV while catching up on the days activities and then head to bed by 9:45 ourselves.

Reed Playing Coaches Pitch Baseball 2018

Reed really wanted to play baseball again this year so we signed him up for his second year in the Coaches Pitch League. He struggled a bit with listening to directions during practice, but to be honest all of the kids did and as the season went on there was some obvious improvement. I feel like he understood the strategy to the game a bit more this year and definitely upped his effort level. By the end of the season he was rarely hitting off of the tee, and had made or contributed to a few outs. Of course he had a big cheering section and Grandma deserves an MVP award for getting both boys ready and to the game every Tuesday so we could just meet them there. Reed's coach was really nice and helped them all grow a ton during the season. It was such a good experience and while I won't miss the late nights I am sad he's done playing with such a great group of kids. The coach organized a party to celebrate the end of the season and the kids all had a great time receiving their trophies and getting to hang out all together one last time.

Four and a Half Years

It's hard to believe this will be the last half year post I plan to ever do. While Kieran seems like a fairly mature four year old the thought of us being on the countdown to his fifth Birthday just boggles my mind. K is my cuddly kid. If we sleep in the same bed he must be touching me (or laying completely across me) at all times. If he is upset, even if I'm the one who is upsetting him, he usually just wants to be held. He is typically pretty easy going, letting Reed dictate the games they play and the rules they play by most of the time. However if this kid is hungry or tired he's pretty unreasonable and inconsolable. Usually when we get to that point he is fine once fed or if he can get comfortable somewhere he will pass out just about anywhere.

Kieran still takes a short nap on the days when he is at school and then naps are hit or miss when he is with the Grandmas or me. The kiddo is pretty tough and doesn't have a lot of fear but is going through a big anti-social phase. He rarely likes talking to adults and will usually clam up anytime he is put on the spot or spoken to. Kier is a little sponge and has learned a ton at school this year. When Reed reads to us at night he gets frustrated with how slow he goes and often will just try to read himself in hopes of being faster. This cute kiddo is so funny and truly one of my favorite people. We just love him to pieces and have found a lot of joy in watching him grow up so far!!!

Interesting Facts
Weight: 34.5 lbs


Height: 42 inches

Clothing Size:  4T and 5T tops and pajamas, he can still fit in 3T shorts, and we go back and forth between 3T and 4T pants but both are still big around the waist

Shoe Size: 11


Kieran likes: Playing with Superheroes, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and Hot Wheels. He loves playing soccer, riding his bike, and doing anything outside or with Reed. Screen time favorites are Paw Patrol, Octonauts, Magic School Bus, movie nights, and watching soccer and baseball with Jon. He also loves working in the garden and playing with Dodger. 

Dislikes: Overall there isn't really anything he detests. He has definitely become more competitive with Reed and is much more likely to speak his mind if he doesn't like something.

Nicknames: Kier, K, K-Bug, Bug, Cuddle Bug, Boo

Food: This kid is a Snacker. He loves cheese, crackers, fruits, salami, prosciutto, nuts, and hard boiled eggs. I often joke about how he's going to be the best wine tasting buddy when he gets older. If asked he will say his favorite food is pizza. His favorite pizzas are olive, sausage, or pepperoni. He also loves anything with cheese - quesadillas, grilled cheese, mac n cheese. At home he sticks to a pretty Reed friendly diet but he loves eating out and being able to order things we don't get at home. Kieran's favorite places to eat are In-N-Out, Bella Rose, and Starbucks.

Communication: Kier has a pretty big vocabulary and I love watching people's reaction when he uses a big word. He knows all of his letters (upper and lower case) and what sounds they make. He can also write his own name as well as Reed's. 

Favorite Color(s): Blue


Best Friends: He loves to play with Connor and is so excited to get to school on the days he is there and K typically plays with Lyla and Jeffrey during preschool. He loves his brother so much and the feeling is definitely mutual. When the boys are getting along they are as thick as thieves and I can only hope they stay this close all of their lives.

Favorite Number: 10

How K is sleeping:  He goes to bed around 7:30/8:00 pm and sleeps until between 6:15 and 6:45 am most mornings. He sleeps in a twin bed, with a night light and sound machine on. In bed he has his Star Wars blankie and usually a couple stuffed animals. He still stock piles random toys in his bed most nights as well. As mentioned above, he will nap for about 45 minutes if he's tired in the afternoon.

Milestones over the last six months:

The Bug gets dressed almost every morning all by himself

Kieran learned how to ride a 2-wheel bike

His first freckle appeared

K has started to do a great job writing his name

He can clear his plate from the table

Kier was invited to a party for a friend he made at school

April 2018 Happenings

Besides staying busy with school, music classes, baseball practice, and work we also managed to fit a lot of fun into April. At the beginning of the month Reed won an award at the district wide art fair and he was so proud to show off his masterpiece (his is on the right)!!!

A few days later I was able to chaperone his class on a fieldtrip to the zoo. We had a great time checking in on our favorite animals and it was so special to be with some of the kids who were at a zoo for the first time.

My friend Katie is now working at Cru Winery and invited us to their 15th anniversary party. It so happens some of our friends from work were there too (one is roommates with another employee). We had a great time sampling their wines and catching up. Jon and I even managed to go out to dinner after - I can't even recall the last time we went out just the two of us.

After hearing about Reed's fieldtrip Kieran was super jealous but luckily his class went to the Firestation the next week. He was pretty excited when we were walking there but then just clammed up when we got to the station. He didn't want to go inside any of the vehicles or meet any of the firefighters. It's fun that C and Erin are both Moms in the class too and I look forward to many fieldtrips together in our future!

For Jeffrey's Birthday he had a Monster Truck theme that the boys thought was awesome. Mikael even built a mini arena for all the kids to do stunts in. Mikael and Erin rigged the piñata with 5 different compartments of candy so the fun was on repeat while all of the kids took turns swinging. Of course Erin was a sweetheart and filled the entire piñata with Reed friendly candy. I think the boys would have stayed forever if I hadn't forced them to leave well after bedtime.

The very next day was John and Alice Hart's 4th Birthday party. The boys don't really know the twins but Lee and I have been friends for 25 years and always find it ridiculous that our kids don't know each other better. I was so excited that we were able to make it to the party and celebrate these two cuties. Lee even managed to get a picture with me and Amanda - something we have far too few of.

We ended our string of Birthdays by attending Emilia's First Birthday party. The boys both managed to wish Emilia a Happy Birthday but were much more interested in playing with the bigger kids, hitting the piñata, jumping in the bounce house, and playing trains. Denae won big points with the boys when she dumped out an entire bag of dum dums after the piñata was broken. I thought Kieran ended up with nearly all of them until I saw Serena walking around with a fistful of her own!

The Fresno Football Club had a Sunday game and we convinced Pepe, Nonna, C, Tio, Lyla, and Zach to come along to watch. I'm not sure how much of the game the kids even saw but they had a great time playing with each other and it was so nice to finely be able to sit outside in the evening and enjoy some nice weather.

The last weekend of the month I was out of town for our annual Girls Weekend trip. Unfortunately the first night away was Reed's Open House. I didn't feel too bad about missing it since I'm in his classroom once a week, but I still made Jon promise to send me pictures from the evening.

Meanwhile us ladies were having a grand time on the Central Coast horseback riding, wine tasting, shopping, and most importantly enjoying some kid free meals!!!

I have to say April was a pretty fun month but there definitely was another theme to the month that I noticed when going through my pictures - Kieran being super silly. This kid is such a comedian, I have to share at least a few of these pictures.