"I Can Do It"

Lizzy has been itching to visit Fairyland again, so today we had a free day and decided to go. Lizzy and Peter love to just run around and explore all the different fairytales and nursery rhymes. Today, however, running around took a backseat to climbing. I've mentioned before that Lizzy LOVES climbing lately, and no climbing challenge seems too big for her these days. We spotted this big crows nest, and Lizzy wanted to climb up to the very top. First, she tried the shaky ladder, but once she was a few feet up she decided it was too scary. She even tried the net a few times but couldn't quite figure it out. We left this pirate area and looked around at other things, but it wasn't long before Lizzy wanted to give it another try. "I know I can do it!" she kept saying. And guess what? She did! She scaled that net like a pro, and made it inside the crow's nest. After a little help from me, she was able to figure out how to get down, and then did the whole thing again by herself. She kept exclaiming, "I told you I could do it!" And that seems to be the essence of it all: stick with it, persevere, and with a little help, anything's possible. I so admire Lizzy's determination, bravery, and constant willingness to challenge herself to try new things. Great job, Lizzy!

"My Family"

Lizzy presented this beautiful picture to me this morning. She had been in her room drawing, and I wasn't quite sure what she was working on. Boy, did I love the result! I don't think she's ever made a picture of all of us before (certainly not on her own). I love this picture so much, because I love how she included small details about each of us that show who we are. We're standing on a beach by a river. Lizzy is in a big pencil phase now, and loves to use pencils to draw and write. I LOVE watching both kids draw, write, and create. It amazes me how they are learning right before my eyes, and I am in awe of what they are capable of. I've watched each tiny step along the way- beginning to hold a crayon, scribbling, making circles, getting more control and beginning to draw lines and shapes. It is amazing all the little pieces that come together as children learn, and I am constantly in awe of their work, their patience with themselves, and their dedication to plug along and improve.

The Beauty of Time

Yesterday I was in the midst of the usual morning drudge (dishes, bed making, getting dressed) when Lizzy asked her daily morning question: "What are we going to do today, Mama?" What almost escaped my lips was "go to Target," but somehow that awful statement (seriously, is there any bigger horror than dragging two kids along on errands?) never passed my lips. Instead I asked, "What do you want to do?" Well, Lizzy's thirst for adventure is legendary, so she was quick to say, "How about the big zoo?" I thought to myself, "Why not? We have no real place to be today, and errands can always wait until another day, right?" Oh, the luxury of time! It is a blessing beyond measure to be able to have time to enjoy the day, enjoy one another, and have fun together. We packed a quick lunch and were on our way. Since our friends Nicole, Abby, and baby Ella live so close to the zoo, we told them to meet up with us. They were only able to stay a little while, but it's always fun to play with Abby. Lizzy and Peter are both at such a fun age now. They love being out-and-about, and have such fun exploring the world around them. Lizzy loves to climb now, and is eager to climb pretty much anything she can. And Peter is right there too, trying his best to keep up with his sister.

A Balloon at Safeway: The Inevitable Outcome

Today a very nice lady gave the kids balloons while we were at Safeway. They were very excited, and I was very wary: this never usually ends well. Lizzy FINALLY will let me tie the balloon string around her wrist, and there is a high likelihood the balloon will actually make it home. Peter......all bets are off. He won't tie it around his wrist and insists upon holding on to the string, which is great.....until he forgets and it flies away and the predictable panic and hysteria result. This exact scenario unfolded in produce, except a kindly produce man stepped in and was able to run and jump and just reach the balloon string and, like the hero he was, had it back to Peter! Success, you are so sweet, yet so fleeting! Barely two minutes later off flew the balloon in the meat area and, due to the higher ceilings, was out of reach, but still so frustratingly close, a total teaser, right beyond our grasp. Oh poor Peter, crying and reaching up for his balloon, not understanding why it wouldn't come down! This could have been the sad ending to our balloon saga, but because Peter is so lucky, and has such a very nice big sister, Lizzy stepped in right away and said, "Here Peter! You can hold on to part of my balloon! You can have this part of the string and we can share." And because Peter is so agreeable, and easily loves any suggestion his sister makes, he grabbed right on and was happy as could be the rest of the time. And as those two little ones meandered around, clutching onto their piece of the string, a single balloon bobbing between them, I was the only one that knew that on this day we won the balloon battle and kindness and generosity won out over the finicky fleetingness of balloons.

Grandma's Birthday!

It's always REALLY fun when we get to see all of our cousins and family at the same time, and in the same place- a rarity, for sure, so you know it must be for something important. And it was: our Grandma's Birthday! Our Grandma has had a long, tough year, battling lymphoma and recovering from a knee replacement, so we were all so thankful to celebrate not only her birthday, but her courage, her spirit, and her beautiful heart. Her greatest joy is to see her children and grandchildren all together (a joy I can totally understand because it's my favorite thing too). We met at a restaurant in Davis and had a big room all to ourselves, so the kids were in heaven. Everyone did great at lunch, laughing and playing together, and it was a very fun day. We even got to play at our cousins' house after, which is always the best. We love you Grandma, and we hope you had a wonderful birthday!

Playdate with Maddie and Jack

Our neighbors had an afternoon playdate in honor of their daddy's birthday. You can tell everyone is growing up, because all the kids had lots of fun playing together, and even the mommies and daddies got to enjoy themselves a little bit while the kids played. One of the favorite activities of the night: dress-up! Paige, Maddie, Lizzy, and Drew made a very beautiful (and handsome) crew, and paraded all around in their gorgeous get-ups. Peter saw what they were doing and pulled me into the house to help him put on a skirt and high heels. Here he is, in all his manly glory, playing in the kitchen in his skirt. Oh, his daddy must be so proud! I guess we'll let it go for a little while.....since he's also super in to cars, trains, and balls too;)

Team Cheer

Lizzy's soccer class has started up again. She had a great time dribbling the ball around and kicking it into the goal. At the end of every class, all the kids get together for a team cheer. Look carefully and you may spot an interloper- someone ran over to join the big kids, put his hand in with the others, and joined in on the cheer. Too cute!