Peter is 3!

Wow! How can it be? Peter is 3! We had a wonderful, chalked full-of-fun day to celebrate our special boy. The car gods aligned- they know a true fan when they see one- and Cars 2 was released on the very day of Peter's birthday! Peter was so excited to see the movie! Every morning leading up to his birthday, Peter would ask, "Is it Cars movie 2 day?" Finally, we were able to tell him yes. We went to the early showing of Cars with Drew and Paige and Trevor and Connor. Peter was fully geared-up in his Cars shirt, hat, and special ribbon. Though I found the movie less than thrilling, it passed all the kids' tests. Lizzy told me after, "That was a great movie, wasn't it mom" Um......okay? I'm glad they all liked it (I'll leave it at that). That afternoon, we gussied up the driveway with some Cars decorations, put out a few snacks, and the neighborhood kids all came over for some scootering and cake. Peter was in heaven. What a fun way to celebrate with Peter.

Peter, we are so very thankful for you. You have been such a joy to us from the very day we met you. You are the most beautiful mixture of so many things. You are calm and quietly inquisitive, taking it all in.....then silly and so funny, someone who loves to tell knock-knock jokes and roar like a dragon to crack yourself up. You are hesitant and cautious........then completely at ease, smiling with your friends, playing, having the best time. You are an intent worker, coloring carefully, lining up your cars in just the right way......then a bit of a daredevil, riding your plasma car so fast, a huge smile on your face. You are so, so sweet! You love to sit on my lap and listen to a story, and snuggle next to me on the couch watching a show. You still hold my hand (sometimes) when we go for a walk, which I completely love, and sometimes you'll spontaneously come up and give me a kiss on the cheek. You are a happy, joyful, loving boy, and we love you so. You love your sister, your family, your friends, playing with cars, riding your plasma car, and just being a part of the action. You are such a special you. The most perfect Peter! Happy Birthday to my very special boy!

Birthday Breakfast- Peter syle

And now.....after much patient waiting........it's finally Peter's special day! Boy was Peter excited for his birthday. Having no concept of time can make waiting especially hard, so Peter was thrilled when his big day finally arrived. He raced out of his room (once Lizzy reminded him that it really was his birthday, yes really) to see his presents waiting on the coffee table. He was so excited, he was literally cheering and jumping up and down. Peter loved going through his presents, and surprise surprise, he really loved getting some new cars. Afterwards, we all sat down for a wonderful birthday breakfast. Happy Birthday special boy!

A New Hat

We went to the party store to buy some supplies for Peter's birthday party, and I got suckered into buying this hat. Okay, it actually didn't take too much arm twisting, because as soon as I saw it on his head, I had the wonderful reaction of simultaneously finding him totally hilarious and amazingly adorable. Peter's not usually a hat guy, so the mere fact that he wanted to wear a hat was pretty unusual. Peter's daddy often wears a hat, so you could say I'm a sucker for a guy in a cap. I think it was a pretty good impulse buy.

Swim Lessons

Another summer time rite of passage- swim lessons. Last year, Lizzy began her lessons, and Peter and I watched from the sideline. Lizzy is blessed with a lot of confidence, and a willingness to give things a try, so she pretty much took everything in stride and dove right in (literally). This summer, it's Peter's turn to get in the pool. He's extra lucky because his friend Charlie is in his class, so we thought this might make it a little smoother for Peter. Peter is a little more hesitant when faced with a new situation. He's a little more uncomfortable, a little reluctant, a little concerned. I know this about him, so I always try to explain what's going to happen in advance, support him as much as I can, but then I just have to let him go to give it a try. Ugh, it never feels good to leave your kid when they're crying! I always second guess myself- am I doing the right thing? When it was time for their lesson, Peter and Charlie certainly gave each other a shoulder to cry on. They boo-hooed like it was going out of style. Their seasoned teacher expertly swept them into the pool, asked us to take a walk, and got the lesson moving. I watched nervously from the side, some distance away. To my relief, both boys quickly calmed down and made it through. Peter even let his teacher put his whole face under water- what a champ! I was so proud of him, and reassured that every one of these situations in an opportunity for him to build his confidence. Hopefully next week will be smooth sailing (or swimming, in this case).

Summer Concert

Oh summer, you are just the best! One of the best parts of summer is listening to concerts in the park. To kick off the concert series, our town had a huge block party downtown, followed by an awesome concert in the park. We all loved strolling down the street, looking at all the people and checking out the different merchants. Peter was amazed by all the interesting cars- the old police car, the food trucks, the video game van- so much to see for a young car fan! When we got to the park, the real fun began. We saw our friend Trevor, and Lizzy and Peter and Trevor made their way up to the front and had a blast dancing. Well, Lizzy was dancing, and Peter and Trevor took turns dancing and tackling each other. Who knew Peter could cut such a rug? It was hilarious and wonderful to watch. He boogied, he shook it, he got down. Wow! I didn't know he had it in him! He is certainly his father's son. We'll have to make this a habit, for sure.

Driveway Adventures

Lizzy got a pair of roller skates for her birthday, and she has really taken to them. It's amazing how good she's gotten in a relatively short amount of time. When she began, she would walk in tiny steps very cautiously. Now, she's picked up the pace, and has even begun gliding a little bit. I know very soon she will be a pro. It's already well established that Peter is a plasma car professional. He can zoom and zip all around, steering through any obstacle. The other afternoon the kids were playing on the driveway and I was admiring their various wheeled talents. If you stop to think about it, you can measure a lot from your driveway adventures. I remember when Lizzy was only one, pushing her little toy around the driveway, so proud of herself. I remember Lizzy and Peter pushing their strollers around, Lizzy with a baby and Peter's piles high with blocks. I remember pushing Peter around in his toy car, and Lizzy riding on her princess scooter. I remember Lizzy getting her first bike, and being amazed watching her pedaling around, Peter chasing after her. Now it's wonderful to see both kids zipping and zooming around, laughing together and having so much fun. Yup, a lot happens on the driveway, if you take the time to notice.

Summer Sprinkles

You know it's officially summer time when you start hitting the parks with sprinklers. I love these kinds of parks, and I look forward to going to them all year. They are so pure and simple in their fun, and kids totally go crazy and have the best time. When you think about it, they are really just glorified sprinklers, but for some reason, they are so exciting and wonderful. We went to a local favorite the other day with Drew and Paige. It was a hot day, perfect to enjoy the water, and the kids had the best time. They ran around, screeching and squealing in delight, and it was wonderful to see. Of course Peter tried to drink them (he seems to think every water source is a drinking fountain), and Lizzy and Drew made up games to entertain one another. It was an awesome day!

Lizzy's Tea Party

Last year, when Lizzy turned 4, we had a big party. We're very fortunate, because we have lots of neighbor friends, school friends, old friends, and family. We love all of them, and it's always so fun to see everyone, so we invited everyone to the party. It was crazy! Kids running all around, a blazing hot afternoon, total chaos. I could barely find Lizzy, amidst the chaos of running around filling drinks, and supervising kids, I couldn't even keep track of the birthday girl. I found her in the back of the house, away from it all, coloring quietly, peacefully, by herself. I got the message loud and clear. A birthday is meant to celebrate one person, take a moment to focus on them, what they enjoy, and what is important to that person. If we wanted to reconnect with friends, we could have our own party on a separate date. No more crazy parties for me.

This year, Lizzy took a real interest in planning things. We talked about what special friends she wanted to invite, and decided to keep it down to just a small group. Lizzy wanted to have a tea party, do an art project, and have a treasure hunt. We decided to have the party at a local park. Lizzy and I worked together to find a darling tea set, decide what the project should be, and create all the finishing touches. It was perfect! We were so fortunate to have a gorgeous day, with special friends and family, and really enjoy one another and celebrate Lizzy. Everyone loved being outside and it was a wonderful day. It felt sweet, and simple, and just right. Happy Birthday, dear Lizzy!

Frosty Fun

When I was a little girl, I remember my mom taking me to Wendy's to get a Frosty for a special treat. I remember the tiny yellow cups that we would split our Frosty into. It was so thick you would eat it with a spoon, then use a straw to suck up the last little bits of yumminess from the bottom of your cup. It was soooo good. So chocolatey, so refreshing, so perfect. On our way home from running errands the other day, we passed a Wendy's. Since it was a hot day, it seemed like the perfect chance to grab a Frosty. Guess who else shares my love? Lizzy and Peter, of course (especially Peter- he cried when his was done and got mad when I took a bite of the extra Lizzy shared with him). We'll definitely need to add more Frosty's to our treat menu in the future.

Happy Birthday, Lizzy

Lizzy is Five! Even saying those words seems unbelievable. How can Lizzy be five? How can the time have passed so quickly? How can she have already raced through babyhood, and toddlerhood, and preschool, and now has evolved into a lovely little girl? Oh, Lizzy, we love you so. When I think of you, I think of joy. I think of big laughter, a huge dimpled grin, readiness to try anything, join in, have fun. I think of someone that can be super silly and funny, but also incredibly reflective and quiet. Someone that loves the world around her, is ready to explore the off-beat path, go on a "journey," look at bugs and flowers, be amazed by everything. I think of someone so thoughtful, very sensitive to the feelings of friends and grown-ups. Someone that is a little bit of a daredevil, willing to try new things, and never give up. I think of the best girl I know. My special hand to hold on walks, an enthusiastic play-mate, my precious daughter. When you were born, truly our dream for a family came true. You've blazed the trail with grace and energy, and we love standing back and watching all the amazing things you can do.

We loved getting to have a special day to celebrate Lizzy. Daddy was home, and we took a special trip to Golden Gate Park. We walked along the lake, admiring the ducks and turtles, and looking for fish. We visited the butterflies inside the Academy, and walked around the trails in the park. When we came home, Lizzy practiced her roller skating on the driveway (one of her favorite new gifts). We invited our neighbor friends to come over and have cake and ice cream with us. What a perfect way to cap off a very special day. Happy Birthday to our dear Lizzy!

Birthday Breakfast

We have a tradition that we begin every birthday with a birthday breakfast. Daddy made french toast (with bread from our favorite bakery in Half Moon Bay), we had candles, and sang Happy Birthday. What a way to start of the day right!

Chilly Beach Day

Daddy was home from work, and the sun was out, so we decided to have a beach day. But, as often happens, the weather fooled us. Though it was very sunny and warm at our house, the beach was socked in- fog, wind, big waves, and chilly. None of us minded too much though. You see, we're all used to NorCal beaches, and that's often what you get. It's my favorite way to go to the beach (though I do like to be able to splash around in the water too). Instead of laying in the sun, we wear sweatsuits. Instead of body surfing, we go beach combing. We watch the huge waves, we walk around the sand, and we have fun. We even followed the trail along the rim of the beach and stumbled into a "secret" forest. The kids loved climbing the trees, finding pine cones, and playing with sticks. It felt spooky and exciting, and I think we all felt hidden and far away- even though the parking lot was 100 yards away! What a perfect way to spend a beach day!

Surprise

The other day Lizzy came bursting excitedly into my room. She told me, "Mom! Come into the living room. There's a surprise for you!" When I came into the room, I found a long yellow string. Lizzy told me to follow the string to find a surprise. When I got to the end, I found a beautiful card next to a pile of "treasure." The treasure was pure Lizzy- shells, flowers, and gems. What a wonderful surprise, indeed!

Wildflowers

We had a picnic at Stanford yesterday, and it was such a beautiful day. Pat joined us on the lawn, and we loved watching the kids scooter down the hill over and over and over again. They had such fun! Afterwards, we went to try to find the "secret spot" we had stumbled upon last time- the grove of tall grass that was home to dozens of ladybugs. But when we got there, the grass had been cut, and the ladybugs were gone. The kids weren't really phased, but I was sad- I loved those ladybugs! It reminded me to cherish the moment, and enjoy all the little things you experience, because you probably won't get to repeat them. We walked along, enjoying the trees and birds, and discovered a grove of wildflowers. Oh, how I love wildflowers! Not only are they breathtaking with their rainbow colors, they are survivors, they are resilient, they are amazing. How can they grow, baking in the hot sun, in dry, craggly dirt, with no one tending them? They seem to thrive while bucking all our ideas of what things need, what's necessary to grow. Wildflowers make me smile because they make me believe that anything is possible, we can all bloom, no matter where we're planted, because we're strong too, we're exceptional, we're amazing.

Our Garden

We have a big planting space in our backyard, that is usually filled with dirt and weeds. The kids love to dig around in it, play in the mud, and make "cakes." But what they'd really love........is a garden! I've had the best of intentions for the planter, but on my list of things to do, it always seems to fall last. In passing, I mentioned to Grandma and Papa how the kids would love to do some planting. Maybe they could help us? But, as I should already know by now, you can't mention anything to Grandma and Papa because they latch onto it and run with it. They love us so much, and are always listening, and I mean truly listening to what we say, that the moment you utter anything you may want to do, they're on it. Also, they don't do anything, anything, half way. So when Grandma and Papa, say they're going to come over and garden, you better be ready. They showed up with tons of plants, soil, and Papa's excellent tools, many of which I remembered using when I was a little girl and I would help Papa dig holes and plant flowers in the backyard. We tilled the soil, and organized our layout. We dug holes, loosened up roots, and planted beans, tomatoes, lettuce, garlic, mint, cucumbers, parsley, and strawberries. Finally, we watered- everyone's favorite. Now, the garden is beautiful, and we watch it everyday for signs of growth. Every time I see it, I smile, because it reminds me how much my parents love me. How when they love you, they love you all the way. How they care about what you say, and what you're interested in, and how they can help you. And how they're always willing to go all they way to make something beautiful and special, just for you, because they love you.

Little Notes

I ran the kids around the other morning, and I knew I would probably pay for it. Peter, on those occasions, sort of zones out and goes with the flow. Lizzy, on the other hand, begins to wilt and gets visibly worn out. It can get nasty. On the way home from our errands, Lizzy was starting to give it to me. I had her go to her room while I was making lunch. She asked if she could have some paper and a pencil and I figured, "Why not? At least she'll be doing something constructive." After a few minutes, she called out, "Mommy! You might want to look at my door! Someone left you something!" I knew it probably wasn't going to be good, so I wasn't too surprised to find a note that said, "No Mom" with a picture of me x-ed out. I gave virtually no reaction, but said, "Oh. That's not a very nice picture. That doesn't make me feel very good" and walked away. I heard her tear the picture down, and a few minutes later I heard, "Mommy! You might want to look at my door again! There's something special for you!" When I checked it out, I found a darling picture of me with flowers and butterflies, and the words, "I love you Mom!" Not that's more like it! Lizzy stood there smiling. Thank goodness for a guilty conscience. I told her how much I loved it, and how special it made me feel. I told her, "Let's have lunch. Everything always feels better on a full stomach." I have a feeling I'll be getting lots more notes, good and bad, in the years to come. At least she's expressing herself, right?!

Making Amends

We all know that Lizzy is usually a very sweet sister to Peter, but sometimes, when pushed to her limits, you better watch out. Let's just say, she's been known to give a pop in the heat of frustration. The other day, Peter was bugging Lizzy, and much like a pestering little fly, she swatted him away......except she didn't just swat........she stabbed him in the chest with a ball point pen. Thank goodness she's not that strong, and Peter wasn't really hurt, but that was pretty mean, and I was mad. I sent her right to her room (after a good old fashioned scolding). It was pretty quiet in there, until after a few minutes, Lizzy opened her door and said, "Peter! I have something special for you!" Peter came running, and so did we. Lizzy had put together a basket of some of Peter's favorite things, like binkies and his blue bear, and some of her treasures, like her "moonstone" and wishing rock. I was so proud of her, because I told her that's what big girls do. When they're sorry, they say more than just words- they make it right by showing that they're sorry too. We've been having more and more of these "big girl" moments lately. They are wonderful to see.

Lizzy's Last Day

As always happens with the school year, you just begin..........and then you zoom through! You must be very diligent to be aware of the special moments that are happening each day, really enjoy all the little things, because truly (and it's a cliche by now), it's over before you know it. How can school be done? How can Lizzy be finished with preschool? I remember so clearly when we took her for her first day in the two's class. She was all dressed up in her darling apple dress. Peter was just a tiny baby in his car seat. He even dressed up too in his sweater vest and khakis! Lizzy went right in, explored the room, dove right in to the art project for the day, and seemed comfortable. I was nostalgic about her being such a "big girl," but I was never worried about her. That's the gift that Lizzy has given me pretty much since she was born- her independence, her confidence, her ability to feel comfortable with lots of people and in lots of different places have always allowed me to step back (a little) and watch her go. Sometimes it can be a little scary to watch her go. Will she ever stop? Doesn't she need me, just a little? But, it's also reassuring to know that she's okay, she's happy, she's so comfortable in her own skin, doing her own thing. On the last day of school, the kids made delicious home-made ice cream. We all gathered for a picnic after school, and the kids ate and played and the adults talked and wondered where the time had gone, and how these kids had gotten so big? Lots of people kept telling me how emotional they were, and how sad, and how they just wanted to cry. I thought about my own feelings. Sure, I feel wistful that time passes so quickly, and my little baby is now such a big girl. But I mostly feel happy. I'm so happy she's had such a wonderful school experience. I'm so happy that she has loved school, and has been somewhere truly magical, with teachers who have really loved her. I'm so happy that I've really been watching, and enjoying, and sharing in all the different parts of school. To be honest, I don't think I'm sad. I think I'm thankful, that this part of her life has been so fantastic, just how I could have hoped it would be, and that we've gotten to enjoy her so much. I'm excited for what will come next.....

Lizzy's Birthday at School

It's really fun to get to celebrate your birthday at school, and Teacher Kelly makes it extra special. First, you get to open the yellow mailbox, and inside is a special birthday card just for you, and one white candle. Then, you get to open the big red box. Inside is four wooden parts of a circle, four red candles, and lots of different flowers and characters. Lizzy got to assemble the circle, put in the candles, and pick her favorite decorations (she, of course, went mostly for flowers). The birthday ring is adorable, and when it's all lit up, it's spectacular. Then everyone sings "Happy Birthday" and Teacher Kelly reads a very special birthday book. Finally, we all enjoy the special birthday snack together (banana chocolate chip muffins and watermelon). What a wonderful way to celebrate my special girl!

Mazes and Cars

Sure, my kids can fight. Sometimes, they bug each other, and I'll hear an indignant (and loud), "Lizzy!" from Peter, and an equally indignant (and loud), "Mom! Can't you just put him in his bed?!" from Lizzy. They've even been known to give an occasional bonk to the other when they're feeling really mad. But I must say, and this is the truth, more often than not they play together, and this is just, for me, the most wonderful thing to behold. I really must give them both a lot of credit. Lizzy, as the leader, often finds ways to include Peter. And Peter, he's so good natured that he goes along with the game, but as he's gotten older, and more opinionated, he has his own good ideas to contribute too. Lizzy wanted to make a maze out of the magnatiles the other day. Peter, as he often does, lurked around trying to see what she was doing, and how he could join in. He wanted to make houses for cars- their usual go-to game. Through teamwork (and some quality negotiating power from mom), they figured out how to make the maze together, and then Peter was in charge of "racing" the cars. Lizzy had many elaborate ideas of how the cars were teamed together, where the maze started and ended, and where the cars should "rest", but somehow it was okay with her (she must have imagined it was following her plan) for Peter to line the cars up, just the way he always does. I've said it a million times, but my kids are the greatest gift to one another. I can't imagine one without the other. They are so different, have such unique strengths and personalities, but someone they bring out the best in each other. Peter has taught Lizzy patience, empathy, teamwork. Imagine having to constantly work with someone that's not at your level, that can't do all the things you can, that wants to be with you all the time, and, if you don't figure out how to include them, will become the ultimate anchor around your neck. Not only does Lizzy include Peter, she enjoys him. She mothers him, protects him, cares for him, and cheers him on. Lizzy has taught Peter to try new things, to enjoy the unexpected, to explore and love the world around you. For an "observer," it can be daunting to dive into something new, but Peter does it with such zest when he's with his sister. We are in such a fun time of life with these two, and we so appreciate how much they love each other. I'm thankful for it every day.

Jack Has Graduated!

I'm not sure how this can possibly be, but Jack has graduated from high school! Seriously, I remember so clearly the night he was born! We were all SO excited, and so thrilled for him to be in the world. He was an adorable little baby, a darling boy, so creative and interesting, and has turned into the most awesome person. I don't know too many 18-year-olds that take the time to play and be silly with their two and four year old cousins, but Jack always does. Jack cares about his family, the world, and all the important stuff. It's pretty incredible to see someone so grounded and mature in such a young body. We're so excited he gets to head off to college soon, and begin so many wonderful new adventures. We can't wait to see what he'll do next:)