Playdate With Caroline

We love all of our cousins, but it's really special when Lizzy and Caroline get to spend time together. They really enjoy one another, and they always have the best time together! It's so fun to watch them, because the minute they get together, they just play and play and play. They have very similar personalities and though they can both be very strong natured girls, they seem to play off one another perfectly. We got to visit the Academy of Sciences, and we had the best day. The kids loved the aquarium and the animals, but I think Lizzy really loved the butterflies in the rain forest exhibit. We got to see so many, amazingly bright and colorful butterflies right up close! It was a very special day with a special cousin.

Parents' Night Out

Family time is wonderful, but sometimes it's very necessary to "get away" and have a little adult time. We were so fortunate that Grandma Susan could come over and watch Lizzy and Peter so we could go to a concert with our friends. Lizzy was so excited to see her Grandma! She loved getting to show her all her special things and play with her. Peter wasn't too thrilled we were leaving, but he got over it pretty quickly. We met all our friends and had a "tail-gate" in the parking lot of the concert. How fantastic to just sit back, laugh, and enjoy the company of wonderful friends. We had a great night and lots of fun- thanks Grandma!

Yin and Yang

One of the amazing things about parenting are the extreme highs and lows. Nothing ever stays the same, and kids can drive you totally crazy one minute, and the next you'll want to burst with joy just looking at them. Yesterday, we had to make a last minute stop at Safeway. Sure, it was the end of the day, sure she had had no nap, but Lizzy had a tantrum for the ages in the store! Screaming, red-faced, jumping up and down, it was a site to behold. Then, when we got home, she was surprised when I told her I was upset. She said, "I said I was sorry. Isn't it over now?" And that's the other amazing thing about kids- they live in the moment, and want you to too. For good or bad, they are completely involved in the now, and then they move on.

This morning we went to the park with some friends. Lizzy and Paige were having the best time. They rode scooters all around, then moved on to the play structure, where they became involved in all sorts of pretend games. By the time I checked in on them, a whole circle of little girls were surrounding Lizzy, as she led them in a game of making an apple pie by putting leaves into a bucket. There was turn-taking, lovely compliments, including everyone, and sharing. Wow! Is this the same girl as yesterday?! The one going completely crazy because she couldn't have a princess toy? And the answer is.....YES! Of course it is! Because she is all those things wrapped into one. She is joy and pain, lovely and awful, generous and selfish, kind and hurtful, just as we all are. She is transient and ever-changing, and she is the flash of the moment. She is what I strive to be like- my real, truthful, soul-bearing self, even when it's not pretty, it is revealed and present.

Explore

If there is one thing I just love, it is watching kids kids explore and learn. I love the wonder, the curiosity, and the joy of touching, getting grimy, and digging right in. The kids are both at such great ages now to really enjoy museums. They play and play, and have the best time! It's wonderful to see:)

Bubble Boy

Every night when it's bath time, Peter starts asking, "Bubbles? Bubbles?" Since Lizzy's not always a bubble fan, we have to compromise, and can't have a bubble bath every night. When it's finally Peter's turn......boy is that guy excited! He loves to pop the bubbles, put them in a cup, and just revel in the soapy fun.

For You!

Every day, I am the recipient of numerous "gifts." Lizzy is constantly drawing, and coloring, and creating........and the result is more often than not, "I'm making this for you, mama!" In fact, I was getting so many pictures and presents, they started gathering into a junk pile. Then, I had an epiphany! Don't take these treasures lightly, and certainly don't take them for granted! How often are you someone's inspiration, the recipient of the things they're most proud of? How often does someone love you so much, they take the time to make you something special? I noticed something else too- the things Lizzy was most proud of were all ending up on my nightstand or taped to my wall. So far I have several pictures, a crown, and a painted pine cone and rock. Now I'm taking the time to say, and feel, "thanks"- for the effort, for the love, and for the kindness! Thank you my dear girl!

Farm Friends

Just like her daddy, Lizzy is often the "idea person" in our relationship. She is very creative, and always using her imagination to think of new projects for us to make. I'm the "grunt"- the person who puts the ideas into motion:) Lizzy wanted to make some puppets. Instead of my usual route of thinking big, I thought small......as in finger puppets. Lizzy picked the animals and drew the faces, and I did the cutting and gluing. We had lots of fun using our puppets for songs and stories. Good idea, Lizzy!

Sleepy Girl

Elizabeth assured me this afternoon that she did not need a nap. While watching a show with Peter, she fell fast asleep on the couch. Our laughing and playing couldn't even wake her. I guess all her weekend fun caught up with her.

Sunflowers

On Lizzy's last day of school, she received a packet of sunflower seeds. I am a notoriously black thumb, so I wasn't feeling too optimistic about the future of these sunflowers. We planted the seeds in our planter box in the backyard, and lo and behold, they sprouted! The great thing about sunflowers that I've learned is they're hearty! They grow quickly, and boy do they get big. By August they were taller than me, but still we had no actual flowers to show for all our "hard" work. Well just last week we saw the flowers beginning to bloom. Most of them are still closed, but one has fully opened, and it is now a big, beautifully bright sunny bloom. We have had such fun this whole summer watching the plants grow, and it is really exciting to see the flowers beginning to blossom. Though I've never been a big fan of sunflowers, now I find them sweet and whimsical. I love how big they are, how bright, how present. Honestly, they remind me so much of Lizzy's spirit, I will forever carry a love of these flowers in my heart.

Special Lunch Date

Our daddy has been working a lot this week, and the kids have been missing him. Grandma and Papa came over for lunch this weekend to keep us company. Everyone was so excited to see them, they waited out front on the driveway for them to arrive! Lizzy played tic-tac-toe with Papa, and Peter vegged out with some quality T.V. time. We had a yummy lunch, and loved spending some time together. We can always count on Grandma and Papa to entertain us when we need some good company!

A Summer Sprinkle

We hit up a new park last Friday, and the kids sure had a blast. The park had a great water area, with crayon sprinklers, and a giant sprinkler in the sand box. The kids were so excited waiting for the water to turn on! They all ran around and around, giddy with anticipation. What fun to see everyone with big smiles on their faces, enjoying the last days of summer.

Papa's Big Day

Papa has been working at his job for 25 years! For a long time, he has told us he was going to retire, but then he'd always change his mind. Finally, Papa really decided that now's the time for him to retire, and he's made it official. His co-workers planned a lovely lunch in his honor, and Grandma, Brian, Elizabeth and I all were there to help honor his service. What a day! It was one of those magical days that you don't want to end, filled with camaraderie and love, where you fill all fuzzy and warm inside. The location was beautiful, the food was delicious, but the company was amazing. How wonderful for all of us to be in a room full of people, all there to honor someone we love so much. There were lovely speeches and numerous awards, but the day was topped off by a breathtaking piano piece composed just for Papa- wow! For me, the highlight of the day was hearing Papa's "going away" speech. Off the cuff, he delivered a rousing and inspirational talk that not only recognized and praised his co-workers, but encouraged and demanded everyone continue their hard work and seek to improve themselves. It certainly deserved the standing ovation it received! Congratulations to Papa for all of his accomplishments.

Little Messenger

Lizzy is really into "writing" notes these days. She is, however, limited by the number of words she can write: "mommy", "daddy", "Lizzy", and "no." When she is writing, she will usually only write the words she knows, or she will fill a whole paper with lots of random letters that she "reads" to herself. Today she wrote a note and taped it to the mailbox. When I asked her what it said, she told me "It says Lizzy and no," which I could read but didn't really understand. When I asked her what her note meant, she said it was a letter to the mail lady to be careful because there might be scary things in the mailbox. Upon further investigation I found some "magic beads" inside. It must have been an exciting day for the mail lady!

Cookie Monsters

If there is one thing Lizzy loves to do, it's bake cookies. She stands on her little step stool and carefully watches as I prepare all the ingredients. Her job is to pour everything into the bowl and oversee the operation. Making the cookies is fun and all, but I think her ulterior motive is creating......cookie dough. She loves it! And she's certainly not alone.......daddy, mommy, and Peter are all big fans. We always make a "big" cookie in the shape of a heart, and the mixer and spoon are then devoured. Lucky for Peter he just snuck in on the tail end and got a few licks of the mixer after he woke up from his nap. As Lizzy kept saying, "Poor Daddy. He's totally missing out." At least he gets to eat the finished result.

Abby's Princess Party

Last weekend was Abby's 3rd birthday party, and what a great day it was! We got to visit a wonderful park, listen to Cinderella share a story, and have delicious food and cake. The park had a great play structure with a "choo choo" that Peter loved. Both Lizzy and Peter loved the water area, and Pat and I loved seeing their big smiles as they splashed around- Lizzy bravely jumping right into the fountains, and Peter running around splashing in the puddles. Lizzy listened attentively to Cinderella's stories and loved getting her face painted. Peter loved his crown and sword that he got to take home- he's still wearing them around! Abby is a sweet, darling girl, and we loved getting to celebrate her special day.

Relay For Life

Every summer we have a tradition: we gather in Davis for the annual Relay for Life. The relay is a 24 hour walk to honor survivors of cancer, fund raise for research, and build awareness for all those that have battled the disease. Patrick celebrated a major milestone this year- he completed his treatment for Leukemia five years ago, and is living a very healthy and happy life. We loved getting a chance to celebrate Patrick, and of course Grandma, who has also battled and survived Lymphoma. While the relay has a serious side, it's always very fun to get the whole family together. We loved getting to walk laps together, hanging out on the field chatting and laughing, and just enjoying the great company. Lizzy and Peter loved getting to see their cousins, and the fantastic bouncy house. I think they also loved getting to go back to their cousins' house and visiting Buddy the dog. What a great day!

Spring Collection

What will all the ladies be wearing this season? Why gorgeous gowns made from tea-party napkins and hair ribbons, of course! Throw in some tape bracelets and random accessories and you'll be all the rage!

How Are They So Smart?

I take my kids to lots of places. If there is a notable park or museum within 50 miles, chances are we've hit it. I love to watch them explore, to enjoy the beauty of the outdoors, and to soak in the wonder of the everyday. I don't think I spoil them too much with possessions, but I certainly shower them with experiences. It's hard to know what they're taking in, and if all these experiences are truly valuable for them. I'm having a great time, but are they? The other day when we were riding around in this train at the park, we started talking about birds. I asked Lizzy, "What's your favorite bird?" She quickly responded, "Um, I like the heron." The heron? I had to do a double take- which one is that? Oh, yeah, the one with the really long legs and long beak. How did she know that! Couldn't she have gone with pigeon or duck, or one we at least see on a regular basis? I guess there is, in fact, something to be said for seeing the world around you! These kids are certainly taking it all in.

Sweet Face

How is it possible this little baby is turning into a little girl right before my very eyes? Every day she seems more "grown-up," more capable, more independent. It seems to be the ultimate irony of parenting: the thrill of discovering the child they are becoming while longing for the baby they were.

On and Off Guy

Tap, tap, tap, tap.......what's that mysterious sound coming from Peter's room? It's his lights going on and off! Clearly we weren't thinking too clearly, because we positioned Peter's crib right by his light switch, and he loves to play with it when he's in his crib. Many times lately, I'll go in to check on him at night and find him fast asleep with his lights blaring down. In the morning, we can tell he's awake when we hear that familiar tap, tapping. Oh, well.....I'm sure the thrill will wear off eventually....

Level 2

Lizzy has been taking swim lessons for a while now, and today was the day she got her ribbon and moved up to Level 2! She has been working very hard, and it's been hard for her to watch other children move up while she has stayed behind, so she was very proud of herself today. To move up to Level 2 she was able to pass three "checks" the past three weeks where she was able to swim out to her teacher with her head down, arms out, and legs kicking. Way to go, Lizzy! You are so awesome and I'm so proud of you:)

Humph!

This is Peter's go to pose lately when he's getting frustrated. It's accompanied by a loud and annoyed, "Hmph, hmph!" I know I should take this seriously because obviously he's really upset, but the folded arms crack me up, and I was so excited to actually capture it on camera!

Hide And Seek

Today at Grandma's house Lizzy started a hide and seek game in the front yard after lunch. This is always hilarious because you never know where the kids will hide, or if they even understand how to hide. Lizzy finally seems to get the whole hiding concept, and Peter, well.....he finds you even when it's not his turn and jumps on your back and gives you away. He's laughing so much though that you don't really mind. Even Grandma joined in the game, and found some good spots of her own. I love playing games with the kids, and it always warms my heart to see Grandma playing too, laughing and sharing a fun afternoon with us.

Camping

We went camping with our friends on Saturday night, and it was an amazing experience. I was really hesitant to go, in fact I was even dreading it a little, because I'm not the "roughing it" type. I love the outdoors, but then I love going home to my own bed, and I wasn't sure how the kids would handle it. Turns out we all loved it. We drove up a very windy one lane road to get to Big Basin. It was so hard to believe this dense, humongous redwood forest is so close to our home. Our friends were staying in tents and we had a tent cabin right next to them. Amazingly, right by our little spot was the perfect glade of trees for the kids to play in. They loved climbing all over the trees. A huge tree that had fallen down was hollowed out and made a magical cave that they called the "cave of wonders." They chased each other all around the forest, and had the best time. We went on walks and I loved seeing all the gorgeous trees! At night, Pat made a bunch of hamburgers and hot dogs that we all enjoyed, then we had a spontaneous dance party with the kids while we were cleaning up. For dessert, of course we enjoyed s'mores. The kids must have been exhausted, because I was amazed that everyone went right to bed. The adults built a big fire in the fire pit, and laughed and talked well into the night. It was a great day, and we definitely hope we can do it again.

To The Top!

Lizzy loves to climb as high as she can, and it's always fun for her to get to the very top of these climbing structures at the park. Go Lizzy!

Summer Walks 2010

This has been my view for most of our walks this summer: Lizzy riding her bike while Peter pushes his stroller with all his cars piled inside. This is our quintessential summertime image.

The Bike and Scooter Show

After dinner, we usually like to have some family time. Sometimes we'll go for a bike ride, sometimes we'll shoot hoops or play soccer, but lately, Pat and I have had the pleasure of witnessing The Amazing Lizzy and Peter Bike and Scooter Show! Our job is simple- we sit in chairs on the front porch while Lizzy and Peter furiously bike and scooter around the front and back yards while we applaud their "tricks." Pat describes it as "the near-miss show" since it's amazing how they avoid colliding by mere millimeters. Peter shows off his scooter prowess, staying in eyesight of us and maintaining eye contact at all time. He has a giant smile on his face as he takes in all the praise and applause. Lizzy furiously speeds around the front and back, shooting out of the side yard and back into the front. It is pretty amazing we haven't had any big crashes yet. Here's to helmets and guardian angels.

Heart Art

Lizzy received a darling book for her birthday in which all the animals are made out of hearts. The other day when we were at Grandma's house we decided to make some of the animals ourselves. We had a great time! It was one of those amazing moments when everyone is engaged, everyone is interested, and the laughs and conversation are flowing. We made a bunny for grandma, a bluejay for Papa (because everyone knows how much Papa loves birds and a family of bluejays live in his garden), and a frog for Daddy. I wonder what we'll create next?