Can't Stop Cars

It's amazing that no matter how profoundly things change, they often stay the same. Peter's still playing with cars. He still lines them up on the couch, still makes elaborate parking lots, and still enjoys "fixing" them when they're broken. Now, he has a new friend that likes to watch. Catherine loves being a part of the crowd. She wants to be right where her family is, and she watches everything around her with her big, blue eyes. Peter says, "Look, she's doing her exercises" when Catherine is kicking her legs. Or, "Mommy, Catherine's watching me, she likes cars. I love you Catherine Grace." Maybe one day, Catherine will want to play with cars too. Goodness knows that Peter will love to have another friend to play with who loves cars as much as he does.

Winter Beach Day

We're spoiled. We know it. A couple of weeks ago Lizzy had a half day at school, and Pat had the day off from work. It was a glorious day outside- sunny, warm, clear blue skies- perfect for a quick getaway. We picked up Lizzy from school, and surprised everyone by heading to the beach. Our first stop was our favorite sandwich spot in Half Moon Bay. We could have spent the whole afternoon there. We had a delicious lunch, then the kids loved running around our "secret garden." Next, we hit the beach and had a fabulous time. Lizzy and I loved combing the beach for sea glass. We found some great pieces, and Lizzy even found a red piece- so awesome! Peter loved digging around in the sand with his trucks, and we all enjoyed putting our toes in the water. It was a perfect day for Catherine's first trip to the beach.

Yard Work

Lizzy, Catherine, and I have it right: when we need some yard work done, we call in the big guns......the boys. We still have lots of leaves falling from our trees, and when Pat just can't stand it any longer, he'll head out to rake them up. Thank goodness he has a very good helper in Peter. They will make a huge leaf pile and sweep it over to the gutter for the street sweeper to pick up. Peter is pretty possessive of his leaf pile. He loves to play in it, jump in it, and bring his trucks out to scoop and dump the leaves. When the other neighborhood boys try to play in it, he gets pretty bent out of shape and I usually have to talk him down. The good thing about a leaf pile is that it's pretty tough to mess up, and there are always more leaves to add to it.

Bike Riders

Peter got a new bike for Christmas. He is getting the hang of it, and enjoys riding around our neighborhood. Sounds super fun, right? Well, it is...........but, Peter is quite possibly the slowest bike rider in the universe. Ever heard of the Tortoise and the Hare? Well, he puts that tortoise to shame. He embodies the "slow and steady" attitude. The good news is that Peter's friend, Connor, enjoys the slow speed as well. The other day we decided to take a bike ride to the park. The boys had a blast, even though they were eating Catherine's dust as she sailed past them in her stroller. I always tell Lizzy to slow down and enjoy the journey. That life isn't a race, and if you move too quickly you miss everything that is happening around you. I guess Peter is reminding me of this. I will certainly enjoy ample time to take in the world around me on my bike rides with Peter.

Pajamas

You've just got to love kids in their P.J.'s. I always thing they look so cute when they're all cozied up in their little jammies. Maybe it's the snuggle factor, or maybe it's the sense of calm that settle over everyone as we get ready to settle in for the night. After a long day of playing, it feels good to clean up, get cozy, and snuggle in for the night.

Library

These guys! I love to watch them play and see all the different ideas they come up with. It's pretty amazing. We all know they love to create different "places" around the house- the auto shop, shell shop, castles, houses, etc. The other day they decided to create a library. It was awesome! Full of great books (gotta love that they included the bible and an atlas), cozy spots to curl up and read, and even a few shells for some extra-special flair. I'd visit this library anytime!

Three Peas in a Pod

I hit the lottery! Three times! With odds like that, I should head to Vegas. Seriously, I am humbled every day by my good fortune. I've been given the most precious gift.........three times! I can't believe I get to know each of these children from the very moment they enter the world, spend each day with them, see their triumphs and hug them through their difficulties........it's breathtaking. I'm asked all the time, "What's it like with three? How are Lizzy and Peter doing?" I think people expect me to answer that things are awful, it's crazy, Lizzy and Peter want to ship the baby to the moon. We have moments like that, for sure. It is crazy, it is chaotic, but there is such beauty in that messiness. Such moments of love and friendship, companionship and teamwork, synchronicity. Sometimes it feels like a roller coaster ride, complete with the exhilarating highs, the wild turns where your stomach drops, the frightening anticipation of what's around that turn. It's the best journey I've ever been on! When old ladies stop me and say stuff like, "Enjoy these days, they go quickly!" or "Believe it or not, these are the best days of your life!" with a knowing smile and a touch of sympathy, I always answer with a big smile, "Don't I know it!" Because I do......I get it.....in the most profound way, how truly wonderful these days are.

Let's Play!

Our daddy was at work one Saturday, so we had a chance to visit Grandma and Papa. Sadly, since Lizzy is in school now, we don't have as many opportunities to go over to their house, so we were glad to get a chance to have a visit. We were able to do all our usual favorites: have egg salad and chips for lunch, play under the stairs, scooter around. But we were also able to go some place extra special that we don't usually get to visit- Pixie Playland! Amazingly, this place that once seemed so big for Lizzy and Peter, is now just right (and maybe even getting a little small for Lizzy). Lizzy and Peter got to go on all the rides, and especially loved driving the cars. We all even rode the roller coaster! Catherine made her debut on the train. It was exciting day for everyone involved:)

Smiles!

Smiles.......oh yeah, they're happening over here:) Big, gummy, light up your whole face smiles- could anything be better than that? Catherine is full of smiles. She loves to be around the whole family, usually laying on a blanket or in her little chair. She loves to be in the thick of the action, near where her brother and sister are (loudly) playing. Oftentimes she's quietly looking around, but more and more, we're beginning to hear her completely adorable coos. If someone comes near her, she locks on with eye contact and starts smiling away. You can literally see her face light up- it melts your heart! Those first baby smiles are just the best.

New Writer

Wow! Look who is starting to write his name all by himself, and draw adorable pictures of people, complete with eyes, nose, mouth, hair, arms, hands, legs, and feet. Of all of the milestones that we've seen the kids conquer, blossoming literacy is perhaps the most exciting to me. I think it is just amazing to watch kids beginning to put it all together. To understand how letters and words fit together, and then to be able to apply that to paper is truly wonderful to see. It is so humbling to see how hard they work to form those first letters, how carefully they are trying their very best. There is no forcing Peter to do things. He has always done things at his own pace, in his own way, when he's good and ready to do it. And every time, he proves it's the perfect moment. Way to go, Peter! I can't wait to see what new words you'll be writing, and all the amazing pictures you will create. You are such a smart boy!

My Baby

Your mommy loves you, sweet Catherine! I'm so, so happy to have a new baby in the house again:) It's so fun to have someone little, amongst all these other cuties that are getting way too big, way too fast.

Wheels

Everyone has their preferred method of transportation. Some ways are slower, and some are faster, which can make it a tricky balancing act if you're trying to stay somewhat together on a walk. The other afternoon, we managed to find a balance. Peter wanted to take his new bike out for a spin around the neighborhood. Good idea, right? Except Peter is perhaps the slowest bicycle rider known to mankind, and Lizzy.......well, she's always had a need for speed. In the middle is Catherine, or rather mommy pushing the stroller, trying to keep everyone herded together. Somehow, the stars aligned, and we found a good set-up. Peter, going ridiculously slow, but steady, on his bike. Lizzy, riding her roller-skates, her slowest form of wheels, still faster than Peter, but not light years ahead. And finally, Catherine, keeping the pace in her stroller. Yay, we made it all work- at least once around the block, right?

What's In A Name?

Oh, excuse me.......what did you say?.........oh, you're wondering what my name is?........oh, you can just look at my sweater.........it's Catherine........Catherine Grace.........and you may want to admire my long eye lashes, full eyebrows, and chubby cheeks while you're at it........I'm turning into quite a beauty.........and so modest, too!

Workers

Lizzy and Peter are busy bees. We all know they love to create different stores, houses, and shows, but they've moved on to a new favorite- the mechanic's shop. What a perfect merging of Peter's two loves-cars and tools- and Lizzy's love of managing (a nice euphemism for bossing) and organization- it's a match made in heaven. Lately they have been taking Peter's tool set that he got for Christmas, combined with some of our household "real" tools, lining up the cars, and getting to work. The cars in our house have never looked better! When you ask Peter what he wants to be when he grows up, he says, "drive a truck" or "fix cars." Maybe he will one day.....we'll just have to see.

Hello, World!

As Catherine gets older, she is becoming more and more wakeful. It's so fun! I love looking down and seeing her big, beautiful eyes taking in the world. She loves to look all around. She loves being outside, going for stroller rides, but most of all, she loves to be held. People tell me all the time how amazing her eyes are- how they are so big, so blue, so beautiful. I couldn't agree more:)