Budding Buddies

Every time you add someone new to your family, you bring an extra piece to the puzzle.  The amazing part, is watching how they fit in, the different relationships that are created, and the feelings and qualities that bubble out of your heart once you meet them.  It always strikes me how you have no idea how much you were missing, how different you'll be forever, once you meet them.  By far, one of the most joyful parts of parenting for me has been to see how my children interact together, what amazing friends they are, what team-mates (for better or worse), what buddies.  Lizzy and Peter have always been such special friends, and I'm so thankful for their beautiful bond.  Now, since Catherine has come, it's amazing to see the effect she's had on them.  Lizzy, a natural "big sister," a leader, so mothering and loving, has opened her heart to Catherine, and always has a smile for her.  When Catherine is upset, Lizzy will try to make her smile.  She talks to her, smiles at her, and always wants to hold her.  Peter has blossomed as a big brother.  He's always looking out for Catherine, ready to pick up a dropped rattle, or to tell me if she needs help.  Peter loves to hug and kiss Catherine, and is so excited when she learns something new.  Having siblings lets everyone be such a complete version of themselves- everyone's a leader and a follower, a companion, a snuggler, a friend in a time of need and a ready playmate.  They are so, so lucky to have each other, and it goes without saying the profound blessing all three are for Pat and I. 

Bubble Boy

Peter's school is something really special.  Every time I go there, I get happy, and I don't want to leave.  I do.....reluctantly, but only to give Peter a little bit of space.  What a treasure it is!  What a blessing to send your children someplace where they are truly valued, thoroughly understood, and given every opportunity to slave away at the busy work of childhood- play.  The other morning they brought out trays of soap and all the fun bubble wands.  As soon as Peter walked up there, I felt a spell come over him (and me).  I couldn't look away, and I couldn't wipe the smile off my face.  I felt transfixed- by the beauty of the bubbles, by the joy of something so simple, by the concentration and steadfast determination of my little boy "working" so hard to make bubbles.  In this time when everyone has to seem twenty-two when they're three, when we constantly push dittos and work and over-scheduled crap onto tiny children, it felt fantastic to become enveloped in the beautiful simplicity of bubbles, and laughter, and smiles.  I am so very thankful Peter gets to go to his amazing preschool!

Hidden Forest

I love the wild, free, exhilarating feeling of stepping behind the curtain of nature, if only for a few moments.  I love the sense of calm that sweeps over me, the feeling of being so small nestled into something so big, and so very beautiful.  I love feeling like I'm in a different world, far away, where there's so many things to see and explore, and all you have to do is open your eyes and you'll be blown away.  Unexpectedly, I got to have this very experience, and all I had to do was visit our local nursery. We needed a few supplemental plants for our garden, so the other day after we picked up Lizzy from school, we swung by the nursery.  I'd never been there before, and boy was I in for a treat.  Sure, it had all the usual supplies for gardening, but hidden in the back, behind a little wooden gate, was a tiny, private redwood forest, complete with a small fountain, benches, and a gazebo.  Those are all adorable, but what just takes your breath away are the trees, so tall, so majestic, so magical.  Instantly it felt like we had been transported to a magical place, and Lizzy and Peter had such fun running around exploring and playing.  I love when we stumble upon someplace like this.  In the middle of our town was this perfect spot, just waiting for us, ready to transform an ordinary errand into something really special.

Garden Grow

We've gotten into a lovely tradition of planting a fruit and vegetable garden every spring.  Grandma and Papa come over, loaded with soil, their special tools, and an array of plants to help us turn a tattered gardening box into something lovely.  I certainly can't consider myself a particularly green thumb, but I do love the process thoroughly.  I love weeding out the old, while discovering all the remarkable things that thrived while we've ignored our garden all these months- worms, rolly pollies, snails, spiders, and tenacious strawberries have been flourishing!  I love watching the kids getting their hands dirty (literally) as they dive right into the task, eager to dig and explore.  I love sharing something so timeless with grandparents and children- a respect for growth, and life, and nature that we all feel deep in our hearts and can connect with.  Last year I was very pregnant with Catherine while I was pulling out weeds and sewing seeds, determined not to let my huge tummy slow me down.  How surreal it was to see Catherine playing on a blanket this year, as Lizzy and Peter worked away.  Plants aren't the only things growing around here, and there is something distinctly precious and lovely about watching children tenderly plant a garden, with wonder and excitement in their eyes.  

Moms!

I love moms.  I just do.  It's that simple.  I love being a mom myself.  I've never felt more completed, more fulfilled, more me, than since I've become a mom.  Sometimes I feel like I was a mom my whole life, just waiting for the right kids to come into my life to fill my heart in just the right way (and boy did they!).  I love being with other moms.  I love the kinship and understanding that you feel with moms that are in the same boat as you.  The way you can exchange a glance and have total understanding pass between you because you've both been there.  While being a mom can make you giddy with joy, it can be pretty treacherous too.  It's a spotlight on all that makes you the most vulnerable, an adventure you want to treasure every moment of, but sometimes just need to grit your teeth and survive.  The further down this path I travel, I love my own mom, and Pat's mom, in a deeper, more profound way.  They went through it, and came out the other side.  They survived, and thrived, and are still smiling.  They gave the very best parts of themselves to their children, happily, willingly, and would do it again.  Being a mom is a badge of honor that I wear proudly.  Happy Mothers Day to all the mothers that I treasure, who make this journey remarkable and blessed.

Mommy's Beach Day

It was Mothers Day weekend, and I got to pick what I wanted to do for my special day.  It was an easy choice for me: hit my favorite beach with my favorite people.  I love a beach day with my family!  I love all of our traditions- grabbing sandwiches from our favorite deli, putting up our beach tent and having a picnic with a stupendous view, combing for shells and sea glass, dashing in and out of the waves, and spending the whole day laughing, and smiling, and just being together.  It really can't get much betting than that.  I loved watching Lizzy dash in and out of the water, getting more and more daring with each wave.  I loved listening to Peter squealing with delight as the water rushed in, tickling his toes.  I loved seeing sweet Catherine taking a rest in the tent with Pat, so content with the beach breeze on her face.  Being at the beach feels like the end of the world.  There's just water and sand for as far as you can see, and even though you're not really far away at all, it feels so exotic and wild.  It's intimate, and timeless, and you could just get lost there, in one of those beautiful moments you wish would never end.  A perfect place to spend a perfect day.

Jog-A-Thon

Lizzy had her jog-a-thon at school, and all I can say is....Wow!  Something you've got to admire about Lizzy is her tenacity.  She works so hard, and really gives her best, to everything that she does.  She told me before hand her strategy: she would pace herself, not go too fast in the beginning, or too slow, so that she would be able to run the whole time.  And she did!  Sure, she took a few quick breaks for water, and to catch her breath, but Lizzy ran, and ran, and ran, with her cheeks red and her ponytail swinging, for 30 minutes!  She is full of heart, and hustle, and tons of determination, and that is only some of the reasons why I love this girl so ferociously!  

Water Balloons!

Oh, there are probably few things more fun on a hot afternoon that a whole bunch of water balloons.  Trevor and Connor invited Lizzy and Peter over for a good-old-fashioned water balloon fight the other day.  It was awesome!  Sweet Amy had spent a ton of time filling up lots of balloons, and the kids ran around, squealing in delight, having the best time.  The only bummer about water balloons, is they sure do go quick!  Before you know it, they're all gone!  That didn't disappoint the kids too much.  They entertained themselves by filling up giant cups with water, dumping them on their heads, and running around like crazy people.  Oh, how I admire their ability to find fun all around them.  It's the best!

Happy Position

Smiling is pretty easy........but sitting can be tricky.  Catherine can sit for a few seconds by herself, but it's not long before she's flat like a pancake or tipping over.  Soon, oh so soon, I know she'll be so sturdy, enjoying her new point-of-view.  For now, she sure feels pretty proud of herself, even if her tricks are temporary.  

Big Boy, Big Ride

Last summer, Lizzy, Peter, and I enjoyed many bike rides around our neighborhood.  Lizzy would ride her own bike, and Peter would sit in his bike seat on the back of my bike.  It was wonderful.  But a lot has changed in a few months that has made bike riding a little tricky lately.  Lizzy's bike is broken (bummer, but she's getting a new one for her birthday), Peter has gotten way too big to ride on my bike with me (plus, he's got his own big bike now), and Catherine is too little to ride on my bike yet.  Peter has been itching to ride his bike to the little school down the street, but it's been logistically difficult.  Plus, he'd have to ride on some busy roads, and that makes me nervous.  Finally, he came up with a good solution.  He told me girls could drive to the park, and boys could ride their bikes.  It sounded like a pretty good plan, so we gave it a try.  I was so nervous waiting for him to arrive at the park.  Could he really do this?  Would he be safe?  I have never been more relieved then when I saw Pat and Peter riding down the street toward the park.  Peter had a huge smile on his face, and a swagger in his step.  I was reminded again how important it is to give Peter (and all the kids) these chances to spread their wings and feel "big."  It was flashed in my face once again how very big, and capable, Peter has become.  He's not a little guy anymore, and he's ready to do all sorts of big stuff.  The really tricky part will be for me to have the courage to let him give it a try.

First Swing

We went to the park a couple of weeks ago, and Peter was busy playing with Charlie and Nicky.  Catherine, as usual, was patiently and pleasantly observing their play from her front row seat in her stroller.  She's so sweet.  She'll just hang out, loving looking all around, watching all the action.  It struck me that she's getting so strong now, maybe she can enjoy a little play time too.  I put her in the swing and she loved it.  It was so adorable!  She was a little wobbly, but that didn't stop her from smiling her big, beautiful smile, as she gently rocked back and forth.  It won't be long before she's running all around the park, but for now, it's so wonderful to see her in her little sun hat, smiling away, enjoying a lovely day in the swing.

Special Visitors

We love whenever we get to spend time with our Grandma Susan, and the last time she visited, she brought along someone extra special- her sister, Jane.  Jane is just the best.  She always has a smile on her face, dives right in with the kids, and is ready to play, listen to lots of stories (very patiently), and is an excellent audience to everyone's treasures and tricks.  We played for a long time, went for a lovely walk around our neighborhood, stopped at a lemonade stand, and had a wonderful time.  

Morning People

We are early risers, that's for sure.  We definitely follow the motto "early to bed, early to rise" around here.  We're pretty lucky when it comes to sleep, and I really shouldn't complain.  All our kids go to bed easily without much fuss, stay in their beds during the night, and wake up happy and ready for the day.  They just wake up really early ready for their day.......  In fact, this may be crazy, but Catherine is often the last kid up- weird, I know.  The good news is that Lizzy and Peter are now old enough that if they get up early in the morning, they can just go and play for a while until the rest of us get up.  In fact, I tell them on the weekend that tomorrow is a "sleep-in day" and there's no waking up mommy and daddy.  They actually play pretty well in the morning, but we do hear the pitter-patter of little feet moving around, the giggles and sometimes yells of their play, and then, when they just can't take it any longer, their little faces peeking around our door waiting for us to get up.  It's pretty wonderful to have people that are so excited to see you in the morning that when you get up, they cheer and run to hug you.  I love the newness of the morning, the blank slate, the possibility of a great day.  I love those first hugs, like they actually missed you during the night, and are excited for another day together.  All that fun, all that energy, all that expectation for what will be, wrapped up in those fist snuggles and giggles.  Mornings can just be the best.    

Waterguns

Oh, Target dollar aisle......I love you!  You always have the best finds for the kids.  During a recent shopping trip, we found these great water guns.  On a hot afternoon, I put out a big bucket of water and the kids went crazy playing first with the guns, then with the bucket.  It was the best.  They watered the flowers, cleaned all the trucks, and sprayed the side of the house.  Then they just couldn't resist the allure of the bucket, and had to put themselves inside and splash around.  You might be surprised at how entertaining a tiny bit of water can be, but I'm not.  I've seen first hand what experts children are at making the ordinary amazing, the everyday exciting.  I went inside for a moment then noticed Catherine's wet hair when I came back outside.  I guess there's something else that's irresistible to soak too........  

Baby Push-Ups

Ahhh, Catherine.  She's a very contented baby.  So much so, that when it's tummy time, she'll often just lay her head down to the side, smile, and suck her thumb.  When she's lying on her back, she's content to look all around, kick her legs and move her arms.  Usually, the most excitement we get is when she plays with her feet or rolls to her side.  That's all great.......but we've got to encourage this girl to get stronger, so we help her with her "baby exercises" during tummy time.  Now we all get very excited when we see some baby push-ups!  Yay, Catherine!  You can do it!  She's getting stronger all the time, and she's got quite an audience cheering her on.  

Signs of Peter

We're all familiar with the little signs of Lizzy that are sprinkled all around the house.  The drawings, the designs with nature, the little surprises.  But she's not the only one who leaves her own special stamp around here.  You can always tell when Peter has been busy at play by the intricate patterns of cars that he leaves behind.  Almost anywhere can become a parking lot, or a mechanic's shop, if you use a little imagination.  The back of the couch has been transformed into a l-o-n-g traffic jam, waiting for a green light.  The throw pillow on the couch and a precisely placed blanket have become tunnels and caves for cars to park in.  I love listening to Peter chat away, lost in his imaginary game, carefully moving his cars into just the right spots.  

The View Up Here

Who wants to just lay around when there's a whole world to see?  Not Catherine, that's for sure!  On a lark I pulled our exersaucer out of the garage to stick Catherine in it while I was trying to make dinner.  I wasn't sure she was strong enough yet to do it, but of course, she loved it.  How could she not?  The view is much better up here, where she can look around and see what we're all doing.  I definitely had one of those, "Oh!  We're already into this stage?" moments.  They fly by so quickly!  She loved just laying on her back and kicking her legs one second ago!  Now she wants to be standing up.  Yikes, please slow down!

Boys' Day

Peter and Daddy had an extra-special day at school together- a day reserved just for daddies to come and get a sneak peek at what happens at school.  All us girls were stuck at home while the boys went off to share a special morning together.  They made volcanoes, played on the monkey bars and swings, built cool tunnels and bridges, and even got to share a special snack together.  When Peter got home, he, of course, turned his tunnels into a parking garage, and it has since become one of his cars' favorite places.  What a wonderful day to spend with Daddy, and how very lucky Peter is to have such a wonderful daddy that loves him so very much!

Toes

One of my very favorite baby stages is when babies discover their toes.  It is so adorable!  Catherine has certainly discovered hers.  Every time she's on her back, she grabs right on.  I love it!  The other day, I even found her putting her foot in her mouth and chewing her toes.  Now that's perhaps taking it a little too far, but I must agree with her- baby toes are so cute, they're hard to resist.

Springtime Sprinkles

Springtime means the return of so many of my favorite things: sidewalk chalk, bubbles, BBQ's, hikes, staying up late and enjoying those long, lazy days.  But one of my favorite is definitely playing in the sprinklers.  It's just the best.  It's amazing how much kids love water, and how just a little bit of water can go a long, long way in entertaining them.  We went over to Trevor and Connor's house the other afternoon, and everyone had the best time running through their new water toy.  Oh, it's starting to feel a lot like springtime around here!  I love it!

Driveway Fun

We've had some lovely spring weather lately, and we've been taking advantage of it.  Springtime has us out on the driveway, drawing with chalk, digging in the garden, or scootering around.  The other day we were making an awesome road for Peter's cars.  I drew the road, Lizzy drew the buildings of the town, and Peter directed traffic.  And what about Catherine?  She sat in her chair, looking around, watching our city unfold before her.  Soon she'll be adding her own stamp to our creations.  What a perfect way to spend a sunny afternoon.

Almost Gone!

Wow!  Lizzy is such a big girl now, it's totally crazy!  It feels like every day she surprises me with something new she can do or an amazing insight into something she's thinking about.  Sometimes I'll have to do a double take when I look at her.  That can't be my little girl, right?  That girl that's so tall, with the long skinny legs, the long, long, hair, the strong body and capable mind.......that's not my little Lizzy, is it?  Hard to believe, but it is.  And if you needed any more proof, just check out her smile.  Hanging by a thread, is what remains of one of Lizzy's front teeth.  Pretty soon there'll be no denying it.  That gap in her smile will speak volumes:  she's arrived, she's big stuff, she's the real deal.  A big girl excited to take on her world.

Seashell Surprise

Want to know how cute Uncle Brian is?  When he was talking to Lizzy at Grandma's house, she told him all about how much she loved shells, and how she loves to collect them.  Turns out they have something in common, because Uncle Brian loves shells too.  In fact, he loves to dive deep in the ocean and find awesome shells.  He promised to send Lizzy a package of shells for her collection.  Every day Lizzy would check the mail box, anxiously awaiting her surprise.  Finally, her package came, and it was well worth the wait.  Brian had filled it was awesome shells, carefully laid out.  There was a special net to keep shells in at the beach, and a small box with a sand dollar inside.  He even wrote her a beautiful letter- so special.  Lizzy was thrilled!  Uncle Brian is just the best!