Two Is Here!

Hello, I'm two. It's a really good thing I'm so cute, because now I've got lots of opinions and feelings, but not many ways to express them. I still like to laugh, play, and have fun, but I can have a short fuse when I'm misunderstood, and then I fall back on my go-to communication skills- yelling, and crying. I may throw an "Aahhhh!" or "NO, MAMA!" in every now and then too. It's really lucky my mommy loves me so much! I guess she realizes one day I'll be rational, but by then I won't be so huggable and kissable. It's the ultimate catch 22.

Patrick's Birthday

Patrick is turning eleven (yikes- where does the time go?), and celebrated in style with a Toy Story 3 movie party. I wasn't sure how Peter would do in the theater, but he was a total champ! Thanks to Patrice, I learned about the movie theater booster seats. I set up both kids with snacks in their special seats and they were good to go. Lizzy loved the movie, and easily sat through the whole thing. Peter made it about 90% through before getting a little antsy and needing to step to the back. Weirdly, even though he was ready for it to end, he cried and cried when it was over saying, "More show! More show!" I guess he liked it. We walked to Baskin Robbins for some ice cream cake. Peter figured out a great way to beat the heat by playing in a nearby fountain. Patrick loved his cake, his friends, and opening his awesome presents (lots of Toy Story gear). We loved getting to head to our cousins house after for some playtime and dinner. As usual, the kids had a blast, and just played and played- so darling. What a great party for a wonderful boy!

Butterflies, Flowers, and Rainbows

Lizzy is in a butterfly, flower, and rainbow renaissance. She loves to color and draw pictures with lots of flowers and butterflies. Sometimes, she even tapes pages together so she can fit more. I also love how she draws her darling people. For girls, she puts them in a dress with flower petals on the bottom and puffy sleeves. Girls always have long eyelashes and long hair. Lizzy is a very careful worker, and spends lots of time adding cute details to her pictures. I so love seeing what she creates, and I'm amazed by her imaginative work.

Amy's Party

It was Amy Heinz's birthday, so Amy Nelson planned a Mexican fiesta to celebrate her special day. We all went over to the Nelson's house to enjoy a delicious dinner. The kids had a great time playing, and the parents had a great time talking and having fun. The kids even got to watch the movie Cars, which was a hit with Peter. We so love having these special friends right around the corner, and we'll take any excuse to celebrate and have fun:)

Peter's Party

We had a party at our house to celebrate Peter's special day, and it was a lot of fun! We ordered a jumpy house shaped like a car, since Peter likes cars so much. Peter and Lizzy wanted to jump right away, and had a great time. The party was in the morning, and lots of our neighborhood friends came by to jump. Grandma and Papa came by too, which was awesome. The kids all jumped and played for a while, then daddy BBQ'd up a great lunch of yummy burgers and hot dogs. Daddy loves his new BBQ, and has made us many delicious meals. We had cupcakes and sang "Happy Birthday." It was really nice to have a small group of special friends to share Peter's day with. I love that many of these friends we have known for years and watched their families grow with all these beautiful children. In the afternoon, long after the party was over, Lizzy and Peter and daddy and I jumped and jumped for a long time while we waited for the people to pick up the jumpy house. How fun to have it all to ourselves and to play and laugh on a gorgeous afternoon.

Music and Hoops

Peter is two today! Happy Birthday, big boy! How did my baby get so big, and how did it happen so quickly? My baby is arguably not a baby anymore. He is a little boy with lots to say and lots to do. Peter started out his day running out of his bed and discovering some great new toys. He ran right to his new basketball hoop and started shooting hoops right away. In the playroom he now has some actual "choo-choos" on the train table that he loved playing with. This evening we packed a picnic and went to the jazz concert at Stanford. The kids loved dancing around to the music and having fun at the fountain. We picked up some Sprinkles cupcakes and sang Peter "Happy Birthday" after our yummy dinner. When we got home it was basketball-o-rama. Lizzy was determined all day to "learn how to dribble." She was having a great time bouncing the ball around, and working really hard to figure it all out. Peter is more of a shooter. He loved throwing the ball at the hoop, and was really getting the hang of it making lots of baskets. I loved watching the kids! I loved their enthusiasm, their joy at learning something new, and playing a fun game together outside on a beautiful evening.

Peter, I am so thankful for you for so many reasons! I love that you are my little boy, and that I get to share "boy" things with you. What fun we had setting up your trains and basketball hoop, and how wonderful it is to see your enthusiasm for trucks, cars, trains, and balls. I love that you love to wrestle and hug a lot, and how playful you are. You love your family so much! You love your mommy and daddy a lot, but you really love your sister. You always want to be near her and are so curious about all the things she is doing. You are a big "copycat," but in the most flattering way:) You love to color with crayons, and you have quite a pencil grip for such a little guy! You love being outside. You love going on walks, playing at the park, and are always up for an adventure. You love being a part of the crowd, but sometimes it takes you a little while to warm up and figure out how to fit yourself in. Once you do that though, you are right in the thick of things with the big kids. You love books, and will often sit in your room and "read" to yourself. You love cars, trains, trucks, and buses, and will point out all of them anytime we are on the road. You also really love colors, and love to point out the color of everything around you. I love your sweet, sweet face. I love all your different smiles, but your big grin with the dimple and your tiny, proud smile are my favorites. I love your long, "cool," little boy hair. I love all the parts of you, especially your big tummy, your kissable neck, and your tiny toes. I love hearing all you have to say (which is more and more each day) and I love the wonder you have for everything around you. And, I have to admit it, I even love that you only want me to pick you up first thing in the morning, and that you always have a "hi, mama" and a big hug waiting for me every morning, first thing, before you ask for anyone else. You are my special boy, and I do love you so. I've loved watching you change from a baby to a toddler, and I'm so excited to watch the little boy you will become.

Summer=Swimming!

Lizzy has been taking swim lessons for quite a while now. She's getting the hang of "bubble faces," floating on her back, and kicking. Usually Peter just has to sit by the side of the pool and wait around and watch Lizzy do her thing. Since the weather has been so nice, and the baby pool is now open, we decided that everyone should swim now! I took Peter into the pool during Lizzy's lesson. He was pretty hesitant at first, but quickly got bolder and bolder. By the time Lizzy joined us he was having a ball, and even dunked his head in (inadvertently) a few times. Both kids loved the pool, and we may have to make this a weekly tradition. They loved getting wrapped up in their towels when we were finished, but what they really loved, was taking a long, hot shower in the locker room. We had to pull Peter out kicking and screaming (literally) because he loved it so much! Here's to many more swimming adventures this summer!

Let's Watch Golf

It's pretty well known that our daddy loves golf. So if you come by our house during a major tournament, you may have to sit down and catch a few holes. I guess the kids are already Mickelson fans! Who can blame them, right?

The Best Day

One of the things I just love to do is pack a lunch and hit the park. Today we visited a really fun park with an enormous slide and the kids had a blast! They went down the slide over and over, and had such fun climbing and exploring the playground. There was a huge field next to the park, so we had our picnic there. After we were done eating the kids ran all around the field. They loved the open space, twirling around, and running about. It took my breath away to watch them! What joy, what freedom, what love of life! How wonderful to have a sunny day to sit in a field, spread out a blanket, and enjoy life. It never ceases to amaze me how much children love the world around them! How they are so entertained by the very simplest of things and how they love to observe everything around them. How thankful I am to share these days with my children and husband!

Our Favorite Museum

Daddy had the day off from work, so he suggested we visit one of our very favorite museums, the Bay Area Discovery Museum. Seriously, this place is amazing! It is right below the Golden Gate Bridge, so not only do you have a fantastic view of the bridge and bay, but the museum itself is so amazing in it's design. It's like they totally understand children, and know just what will engage them. They don't need to have any rides, or anything fancy, the simplest of experiences is captivating and wonderful. I love the beauty, the joy of being outside in a wonderful spot, and the awe of watching my children captivated by the world around them. Peter easily spent at least 30 minutes (and could have spent much longer) putting rocks inside a cone while Lizzy sorted through rocks looking for the most beautiful ones. As I sat next to Peter I thought, "could this get any better? Watching his serious little face working so hard pouring rocks is just the best!" We explored around and had a great time climbing trees. Lizzy even found a golden ladybug to enjoy! What a special day!

Ladybugs

Lizzy loves ladybugs! She thinks they are so special, and whenever she happens to find one and gets to hold it, she is so happy. The other night she found a ladybug on the roller coaster track. The poor guy didn't look too good. He'd been out in the sun for a long time, and frankly he seemed pretty dead to me. Lizzy held him and cooed at him for a long time until, low and behold, his little legs started to wiggle and that little guy was alive! Of course, the inevitable happened- she dropped him and couldn't find him! Lizzy was really heartbroken, and even shed a couple of tears over her lost ladybug. The next morning I found her out front constructing this "ladybug" house out of clover, dirt, and flowers. What ladybug wouldn't want to live here? It looks like a paradise to me!

"Shhh!"

This is how Peter says, "Shhhh." I find it totally adorable:) When he says it, it comes out more like, "Ssssss," but he says it in a whisper with a really serious face because he knows he should be quiet. He puts his finger to his cheek and says, "Ssss" sometimes followed by , "Mama, baby!" or "Mama, Lizzy!" If you need someone to quiet things down, Peter's your guy!

Summertime

Summertime is just the best! It is so wonderful to have no real schedule, no pressure to get to school, and beautiful sunny days ready to enjoy. One of my favorite things to do in the summer is to pack a lunch and hit the park. Today we went to one of my favorites- Mitchell Park. This park is just so great with it's fun fountains and great play areas. Lizzy and Peter both loved playing in the fountains! They were having such a great time running through the water, laughing and splashing. I remember taking Peter here last summer, and how hesitant he was to get really wet, and how cautiously he explored the water. Well what a difference a year makes! Peter was having a great time and was squealing with delight as he ran around and jumped in and out of the water. Our friend Charlie came too, and we all enjoyed playing together on the play structure. Lizzy was climbing all over the place, and was very proud of her accomplishments. We had perfect weather for a lovely picnic too. I'm excited to find more fun parks to explore this summer.

Happy 4th Birthday, Lizzy!

Yesterday was Lizzy's fourth birthday! Really, I can hardly believe how time flies. Lizzy was a baby five minutes ago, and now she is a lovely little girl. I would hate how fast it all goes, if I wasn't having such a wonderful time watching this little girl grow and learn. We started off the day with a "birthday breakfast" and Peter and I sang Lizzy "Happy Birthday." We visited Grandma and she made Lizzy her favorite egg salad sandwiches for lunch- yum! Lizzy had her swim lesson in the afternoon, then we went to Safeway and got to pick out a princess cake for dessert. Wow! What a fun way to celebrate a very special little girl.

Lizzy, from the day you were born, you have been a light to everyone around you. Your big, beautiful smile, warm eyes, and contagious laugh fill all of our hearts with joy. You love life so much! You love to explore your world and you are curious about everything you see. You appreciate the simplest of things. You love nature in all it's forms. You are awed by the beauty of flowers, the wonder of sea creatures, and the curiosity of bugs and animals. You love to collect "shiny things," and have an uncanny ability to find a sequin or jewel pretty much anywhere. You love to draw, color, cut and glue, and you will sit for a long time and patiently create a beautiful art project. You love running, climbing, jumping, dancing, and playing games. You are a "joiner" and are ready to participate and have fun in whatever activity is happening around you. You love your brother, your mommy and daddy, your cousins, grandmas, papa, and friends. You love princesses, dolls, ponies, and "pretty things." I love being around you! You are very interesting to talk to, have wonderful things to say, and have a fantastic sense of humor. You are always ready for an adventure and eager to have fun. You also love to snuggle and be cozy, and you create the most amazing and complex "houses" for babies and animals out of blankets, chairs, and boxes. Pretty much, I think you're amazing! You opened my heart to a love I never knew existed, and you have taught me so many lessons on kindness, love, generosity, and living joyfully in the moment. I am thankful everyday for you, and the boundless love you bring to our family. We love sharing our lives with you, and look forward to another special year of learning and growing.

Lizzy's Party

We had a big party to celebrate Lizzy's fourth birthday. We ordered a jumpy house and it came really early, and Lizzy and Peter spent most of the day jumping away. In the afternoon, our neighborhood friends Charlie, Nick, Owen, Evan, Trevor, Connor, Drew, Paige, Maddie, and Jack all came over. Some school friends, Bennett and Riley, as well as some of Daddy's friends from work, Brendan and Noah, and our families also came by for the celebration. Whew! That's a lot of people, but we had a lot of fun getting to see so many special friends. It was a really hot day, but all the kids jumped around in the bouncy house, played with the roller coaster or sandbox, or played in the backyard or playroom. We had a special pony pinata, and of course some cupcakes. We loved getting to spend time with our friends and family and to celebrate our special Lizzy girl.

Academy of Sciences

Our cousins called us on Thursday morning and said they were heading into the city, and though we had lots to do to get ready for Lizzy's party, we can never pass up time with our cousins (and work can always wait, right?). We met them at the Academy of Sciences in San Francisco. Golden Gate park is just so beautiful, and it was a gorgeous, sunny day. We found a darling hidden garden, "The Shakespeare Garden," where we ate lunch. Lizzy and Peter held hands all along our path to the garden, then everyone enjoyed a great lunch and playing outside. We had a wonderful time in the Academy of Sciences. We loved seeing all the butterflies in the rain forrest, and of course the aquarium is always a favorite. I think Elizabeth really loved just being near Jack! Who can blame her really, the guy is pretty great:) She always loves to walk around and hold his hand, and she really just loves spending time with him. Jack is so wonderful with all the kids- he plays with them and talks with them. Pretty amazing for a teenage boy to be so wonderful with kids!

The bummer of the day was when I discovered that I had locked my keys in the car! I didn't know what to do and felt so frustrated and upset! Instead of being proactive and thinking of a solution, I spent a lot of time being mad and crying! I don't usually cry a lot, and rarely in front of Lizzy and Peter, so I don't think they knew what to make of me. Lizzy was so wonderful and really patient with me. She hugged me and stroked me and kept saying, "It's okay, Mommy." She really taught me a lesson on compassion, and I was so grateful to her that she just let me have a little time to be upset. Lizzy and Peter spent two hours in the parking garage, and the majority of the time they were laughing and playing around. I was reminded how lighthearted children are, and their amazing ability to make the best of any situation. They certainly showed me that locking your keys isn't the worst thing in the world, in fact, it's just a chance to spend more time in San Francisco having "fun."

Backyard Getaway

Our Papa came over the other day and brought a very special present for Lizzy and Peter for their birthdays! He helped us put together a wonderful play house for our backyard. Right away, everyone was eager to get inside and enjoy a cozy new spot for playing. The most popular part of the new house........the phone (narrowly beating out the doorbell). Everyone wants a turn to talk on it, and we're working on sharing (without throwing) the phone. Lizzy loves to take out lots of blankets and stuffed animals and create a special house for her stuffed animals to live in. Of course the little house is awesome, but we really loved getting to spend an afternoon with Papa. He helped us water all our flowers, which were desperately thirsty. A vivid memory of my youth (and it's still going on to this day) is Papa coming home from work, changing his clothes, and attending to the lawn and plants. He would carefully water each one and set the sprinklers just so. I guess that explains why Papa's garden looks pristine, and our plants are suffering a dry, slow painful death. Papa even stayed for dinner. We loved getting to spend some time with him and enjoy a semi-peaceful dinner together. Thanks for all your help, Papa!

Pearly Whites

Oh, what a difference a year makes! Last year (yes, it's been a year- bad mommy!) when Elizabeth went to the dentist for the first time, it was not a good experience. She was super scared and would barely open her mouth. Since it's almost her birthday, I figured it was time we tried again. I went in expecting the worst, but my brave little girl surprised me with how willing she was to try everything. She let the hygienist use all her tools and give her a thorough cleaning. She was so brave and easy going I couldn't believe it! I guess she really is growing up:)

Four Wheelin' It

Today we were driving home after running some errands, and we saw that Drew and Paige were out front playing with their big car. We stopped to have a little fun before lunch. All the kids were so excited to see each other, and they loved taking turns riding the car. As you can see, Peter was pretty excited to ride around! It's hard to tell which he enjoyed more- riding in the car or being so close to Drew. Honestly, the way both Lizzy and Peter hug and kiss Drew, it's getting a little ridiculous. I guess they just really love their friend! It cracks me up how Peter is such a big boy now, waiting for his turn, and finding his own quiet way to be included. Peter rode around and around, with his small, proud smile on his face, so happy to be having fun and hanging with the big kids.

Bike Ride Peter-Style

Yesterday I had to open the garage door, and Peter ran right in, moved a whole bunch of junk aside, and pulled out Lizzy's old tricycle. I guess he wanted to go for a bike ride, and really get to ride something himself rather than sit on the back of my bike and watch Lizzy get to have all the fun on her bike. Lizzy and I got our bikes and Daddy pushed Peter. Lizzy did great! She is really getting the hang of riding close to the sidewalk so cars can get by, and turning and stopping. She kept saying, "What a lovely day for a bikeride!" Peter was in heaven. He did a pretty good job of keeping his feet on the pedals, and loved being a part of the action. Everytime I would look at him he had this little smile on his face that he gets when he feels really proud of himself. Patient Peter finally got his turn to ride a bike!

p.s. Yes, if you look carefully that's Lizzy's pink princess shirt that Peter insisted upon wearing! We all know that guy loves his big sister, and since pink is in for guys, why not? Daddy on the other hand wasn't too crazy that Peter's riding around town looking like that, but we've all learned to pick our battles:)

Ta-Dah!

Okay, it could be just me, but it seems like Peter is just getting cuter and cuter each day! I know I'm biased because I'm his mom, but seriously, that guy is pretty darn adorable! One of the really fun things that is happening with Peter is his talking. He is starting to talk more and more, and is saying lots of two word combinations. It's really fun to have "conversations" with him, to feel like he is really listening and understanding, and to hear what he has to say too. Now, whenever Peter feels like he has accomplished something, like walking across rocks or climbing something high (you know, the really important stuff), he puts his hands up and says, "Ta-Dah!" with a really proud smile on his face. He also is fiercely independent (hmmm, where could he get that from?) and wants to do EVERYTHING by himself, declaring, "I do it!" Yesterday we went for a walk around the neighborhood, and Peter pointed out every car and truck to me, as well as all the yellow and blue things he could find. This guy is shaping up to be a real talker, and I love hearing what he has to say!

Lizzy's Brush With Celebrity

Lizzy was invited to celebrate her friend, Hazel's, fourth birthday. The exciting thing was that Hazel was having a double party with her friend, Summer.........Summer Young.......the daughter of Steve Young, legendary 49ers quarterback......and the party was at Summer's house (and I use the term "house" loosely. Mansion, chateau, or estate would probably be more appropriate). All the girls dressed up as princesses, and as we arrived we were beckoned to the backyard cabana (next to the pool and amazing BBQ). The girls all made crowns, and then were surprised by the arrival of Cinderella (the real Cinderella that works at Disneyland- this chick was the real deal. She even had me buying her act). The girls walked down a red carpet one by one and were introduced to Cinderella to have their picture taken with her. Then after we played games and had cake. Barb and Steve (as I call them since we're such close friends) were actually really nice, incredibly generous, and very sweet. Elizabeth had a nice time, and as we were leaving said, "that sure was a really big, beautiful house!" Indeed it was! A once in a lifetime chance for both of us, I'm sure!

Make-Up for Mary Kate

Believe it or not (and I really can hardly believe it), our cousin, Mary Kate, just turned 15! I remember when she was a little girl, and now she is a lovely young lady, but that is a separate story. To celebrate her birthday, Auntie Elizabeth planned a special night out for Mary Kate and invited me to come along. An added bonus was that Lizzy and Peter got to hang out with their special cousins while I was with Mary Kate and Elizabeth. Every time we visit our cousins, Peter needs a couple of minutes to warm up, and Lizzy is always eager to be his helper and protector. As soon as we pulled up she held his hand walking in, and then hugged him for a long time until he felt ready to play. Of course as soon as he saw the trains, he was ready to go! I always appreciate what a loving big sister Lizzy is to Peter. Lizzy and Caroline had a great time playing. They really love each other so much, and have a great time together. They are very similar in their personalities- both very independent, capable, and strong-willed- but really enjoy one another's company and friendship. It's delightful to see. Uncle John watched all the little kids (which he said was a breeze because they were all so happy playing) while us ladies had a night out. We took Mary Kate to the MAC store for a special make-up lesson. Her teacher, Mary, was wonderful, and really took her time to show Mary Kate the ropes. When she was done, Mary Kate looked amazing! You could tell how excited and happy she was, which was so fun to see:) We went out to dinner afterwards, and what a treat to get to spend a night with my sister and niece over a yummy dinner! We had a wonderful time and it was a very special night!

Soccer Girl

Friday was the last day of soccer (for the session), so the coaches decided to have a little scrimage for the last few minutes of class. This has been such an awesome class, and Elizabeth has really enjoyed it. She loves all the little games they play, and has become quite good at kicking and dribbling. She, in typical form, listens careful and follows along enthusiastically. I loved watching her in the scrimage. She "got" what was going on. While many were sort of aimlessly running around, Lizzy went for the ball. She even had (somewhat of) a breakaway and a shot on goal! She's not super aggressive, but does work really hard and is having a great time- I think that's what is most important!

Crib Time

I hate to say it, but sometimes Peter has been known to have a tantrum or two. The guy is just about two, so I guess we shouldn't be too surprised. Lately, when he is yelling, I just put him in his bed until he calms down, then he can come out. Yesterday Peter was crabbing in his bed. Lizzy said, "I think Peter is upset. I'm going to go help him." She went into his room, and I could hear her talking with him through the slats of his crib. She came out and asked if she could bring some of her stuffed animal friends into his bed and go in there with him. They played in that crib together for almost half an hour! I could hear them laughing and talking together. They piled the stuffed animals on top of each other, threw in a little wrestling, and had fun together. What a perfect remedy for being crabby!

The Box Clubhouse

When we moved to our new house, one of the movers was kind enough to let Elizabeth keep one of the wardrobe boxes. She's put it in her room and it's become a sort of "house." Of course, in true Elizabeth fashion, it's decorated with jewels, necklaces and bracelets, special key chains and blankets. There are also blankets, books, and stuffed animals in there to make it extra cozy. Lizzy and Peter love to hang out in the house and play. Isn't it amazing that a simple box can be transformed into a beautiful getaway?

Memorial Day Fun

We got to go to a super fun BBQ at our special friends, the Heinz's, house. They really went all out! Out front they set up some great water toys. The big kids loved sliding down this great water slide into the pool. Everyone, especially Peter, loved the shark slip 'n slide. Peter would crawl down the whole thing, then make his way through the tunnel and run back to get in line. Lizzy wasn't too crazy about the tunnel, but would slide down until she reached the tunnel then run back to line. In the back, they set up the jumpy house- so fun! Lizzy was so sweet, and helped Connor by holding his hand in the jumpy house. Peter loved a chance to sneak in a few tackles/hugs while I wasn't looking. We had a delicious dinner and spent time with lots of wonderful friends. What a special day, and fantastic way to spend the long weekend.