Family Traditions

We had the great pleasure of attending family camp last weekend at the camp that my husband was a camper at in his youth. A beautiful camp, terrific speaker, and good people made for a wonderful weekend away with the kids.

The kids had a blast exploring nature, going on a hike, and getting dropped off for their respective classes. Of course it was the three year old who really took it in and didn't want to leave. We were getting ready to pack up to go home and she asked if we could stay at Forest Home forever. Oh how familiar these words were, taking me back to the days of my youth when I couldn't make enough tears to express my sadness at having to get back on the boat and head for home. Yes, camp is a special place and has more significance in our home than I could possibly express. So when I heard my daughter ask to stay at camp longer my response was, "I'm sure this isn't the last we have seen of Forest Home." It brought me joy to see that my daughter already "gets" that there is something magical about camp although she has no idea.

I fully intend to encourage my children to have the camp experience. My hope is that they love it as much as I do and it molds and shapes them as much as I. That they too will build friendships for a lifetime and become better people because of the people they meet and their experiences away from home on some secluded parcel of land where one can retreat to find the fullness of God's love.

It was just one weekend, but the seed has been planted.

Fall Festivities

One of my most favorite events of the year, a visit to the best pumpkin patch EVER, and it did not disappoint. Our annual journey to the Bates Nut Farm in Valley Center came on the first day that actually felt like fall this year. The weather was cool, clear and crisp which made for beautiful pictures with the vast array of pumpkins. We were accompanied by the kiddo's best buddy, the one who brought flowers to her first dance recital, and his terrific family.

What a joy to watch these two frolic in the pumpkins and giggle with excitement on the tractor ride.

The little munchkin had the excitement of his first pony ride!

We even managed a family photo which is no small feat when dealing with two kids desiring to go in two different directions.

We are closing in on the first birthday. Wow, so fast! It's busy around here which is reflected in my inability to post to the blog. The past few weeks have been especially fun with the two kids as they actually begin to play together, even if my little boy is playing with Barbies and doll houses. He is quite the observer as he watches his big sister then imitates her play, all with a huge grin. Last week she came home from school with two brightly colored plastic plates. She started marching around the house banging them together as she tells us she is in a parade. It was cute. The next morning, baby brother stumbled upon the two plates left on the coffee table while we were in a different room. We hear a banging sound and laughter as we see him marching into the room, with a huge grin. It was cuter.

So it has been busy and I've been challenged as I do my best to parent a three year old.

A friend calls it the threenangers and I have to agree. If this is any insight on how she will be at thirteen, I just don't want to consider it. Oh well. My neighbor of two teenage girls gave me some unsolicited advice yesterday, just hold and enjoy your babies. Enough said.

Time Marches On

Sadly, we are closing in on the end of summer. I'm grateful that Southern California hangs on to the warmer temps a bit longer as I try to get more wear out of my shorts and tank tops and relish in the last days of heat for the year. True that many people I know wear their "summer" clothes year round in beautiful San Diego but for me, when the temperature drops below 75, I layer.

So I anticipate the fall. Daddy proudly placed this years crop of "giant" pumpkins on display yesterday and the plans and invitations are developing for the coming months. So too, do we plan for our little guy's first birthday. But for now, I just got around to getting his first picture sitting. Here he is at 10 months.

Big sister wasn't interested in taking pictures and opted to "help" her brother get his done. She did venture off to the first "official" day of pre-school yesterday, where she was most impressed by the class pets. One of which was a guinea pig named Rocky and the second were a pair of caterpillars in insect containers. The classroom is a fun and stimulating place with all her favorite things, including a terrific dress up collection. Oh to be three again!

The Warm Up

A few choice pics from recital rehearsal.












Now bring on the show! This weekend she has two performances, one Saturday and one Sunday. It's sure to be a hoot! If anything noteworthy happens, I will be sure to post about it.

Sweet Sounds of Summer

Summertime! I love it and the whole family loves it. Beach on Sunday, ice cream social at the local spraygrounds yesterday and sand/water play at school today. The weather this past week has been beautiful. I've been longing for the morning sun and warm temperatures and it seems it's finally arrived although this morning is overcast but I'm sure it will burn off soon.

This week marks our first participation in the gala event called the dance recital for our 3 year old little princess (note sarcasm). Her costume actually comes with a tiara. What to expect? Anything goes. She knows the dance...I think. She refuses to practice with me and she gets about half of it in class before she is distracted by herself in the mirror. The singing of the song she has down and is likely to demonstrate on stage at full volume. Well, at least it will be cute. The teacher says the three year olds always are. Ha Ha.

She loves to sing. EVERY TIME we get in the car she asks, "Do you have the ipod Mom?" Followed by, "May I listen to _________ (Insert song title from one of two Disney albums we own.) The movie of the week is Lion King. The song of the week is Hakuna Matata which we come back to every few weeks.

Sidetracked. As I'm typing this on the new fancy laptop, baby just pulled himself up to his feet to get in the toy box. Probably the first legitimate time all by himself. Never a dull moment.

So I hear a lot of "No worries Mom. Hakuna Matata." It goes something like this:

Mom says, "It's time to get dressed to go to the store."

Child answers, "No worries. Hakuna Matata, no worries Mom. I'll get dressed after I play with my castle toys."

Our routine usually starts with repetitive listens to chosen Disney tune in the car, followed by a visit to the library to check out the book to read and reread, and then it's movie time. Wash, rinse and repeat.

Last week it was Mary Poppins. How many times can you say supercalifragilisticexpialidocious?

I think we may be heading into a Bambi phase. Shoot, I don't think we have any music for that or the movie.

Like I said it's never dull and always busy. I've heard people say motherhood is the most rewarding job you can have. I believe it's true but I'm thinking the rewards come in about 20 years. For now, I better go do the laundry.

The Best Cat I Ever Met

I miss him.

The Party Rolls On

We made it through the 3rd birthday party-aganza!  Whew, it was a good one and we're pretty sure it was a success .  The party started at 11:30am and the last guests left at 8pm, all the food was gone, the bounce house lingered in the backyard until the next day, and the napless birthday girl collapsed 1/2 hour after normal bedtime.  The house has recovered and so have we.  Just in time for our Anniversary this weekend followed by my birthday and Easter in the next two weeks.  Here is the birthday girl considering which treat to dip in the chocolate fountain first.

And here is the birthday girl after her first haircut, one week later.  

It needed to be done for some time, but I just didn't have the heart to cut the baby curls off.  The little one was reluctant and terrified.  She is a very cautious and sensitive soul which makes trips to the dentist, doctor, and apparently the hairdresser, a traumatic experience.  Fortunately we have a shop that caters to the little tots not too far away.  It's about as fun as you can make the mundane chore that is a haircut.  Adventure Cuts has different stations to choose from, all of varying kid funness.  My little girl chose the Barbie car, picked the Tinkerbell movie to watch on her personal flat screen TV and indulged in a lollipop while the nice girl went to work.  She asked me what I wanted and I hesitantly said, "Cut 3-4 inches.  A little longer than shoulder length."  Then the first snip.  My heart sank and I did all I could to not look disappointed.  I know it needed to be done but it was difficult none the less.  It looks cute.  I think it's just another symbolic act of letting go of my little baby.  

And look at this kid.  

His smile never fails to melt my heart, it's a good one. 

Another Month Already!

Life is fun and never dull.  The four month old is mostly happy, except when he is screaming from 1am-6am and the little girl turns three this weekend.  Last night when we asked her how old she was going to be she said, "I'm going to be sixteen on my sixteenth birthday."  After a little chuckle we corrected her and she said, "No.  I don't want to be three, I want to be sixteen."  I'm certainly not ready for her to be a teenager, why I'm barely managing the toddler years!  Maybe it's the teenagers on the block that so kindly play with her, doing her hair and putting lip gloss on her.  Last night she asked me to read the Prinesses book at bedtime (for the 100th time) and when we got to Sleeping Beauty it all became clear.  For those that are not familiar with the story, Princess Aurora is suppose to prick her finger on the point of a spinning wheel before her 16th Birthday and DIE, but the Prince slays the bad dragon fairy and rescues the beautiful princess and... wait for it....they live happily ever after.  So there you have it, my want to be 16 year old little Princess waiting for her Prince to arrive.

Last night was punishment.  The four month old little man is sick.  I know, again!  Poor guy couldn't breathe and couldn't sleep without choking on the mucous running down his throat.  I felt so bad for him I just wanted to hold and rock him all night but he wasn't interested in that, nor could I possibly manage to stay vertical so we did the best we could.  This morning he is all smiles!  The reward for my suffering.  He is the happiest little boy, most of the time.  

We can't get enough of his smiles and no one draws bigger giggles from him than big sister.  

The past month was sufficiently busy with birthday parties, fairytale playdates, dance classes, potty training, park play and juggling childcare with Daddy so we can keep the business afloat.  The coming month is much of the same.  I hope to post more perhaps I will find time to report back on the birthday party this weekend.  The theme is Mickey Mouse.