To The Beach

Happy Memorial Day!

The kids and I ventured to the beach for the long weekend.  We left Saturday morning, because Ryan refused to miss school on Friday, and returned Monday morning.  The drive wasn't too long and our time wasn't too short.  I was worried about both, so was quite happy it turned out to be a great weekend.

The kids had so much fun, as always, and I got a little break thanks to Grandma Karen and Grandpa Bill.

Natalie kept busy helping Grandpa unload the dishwasher.

All three of the kids loved up Robbie.  He was so good to put up with them.

Ryan played a lot of baseball, and kicked his mom's butt.

To the beach we went!

Natalie LOVED crawling in the sand.

Kendall didn't have enough shovels (apparently the 3 in her hand were not enough!) so threw a fit, and grew increasingly irritated because the wind kept blowing her hair in her eyes!

She did eventually calm down and enjoy herself.

And got super silly.  She really can be hysterical.

Ryan was eager to build sand castles, but was a bit disappointed they didn't stay intact.

Grandpa and Robbie just enjoyed the view (watching the kids play).

It was a bit windy to stay too long, so I gathered up my three little tumbleweeds and we headed back to the house.

It felt so good to get out of Seattle for a few days, and so thankful we have such a wonderful place to go to escape.

The One I'll Never Live Down

My dad sent me this for my birthday last month:

It was my favorite gift this year because I know how much it made my dad smile when he found it.

You see, when I was in 5th grade (or so) I got a bike for my birthday.  As I was helping my dad put it together in the back yard he sent me down to the basement to get a Phillip's screwdriver out of his tool box.  I was taking FOREVER, so he yelled down to see what was taking me so long.  And then I yelled back the thing I will never live down, "I can't find a Phillip's, Dad, they are all Stanley's."

To this day, I can not use a Phillip's screwdriver without thinking about that day.

Eleven Months

Natalie is SO busy at 11 months.  Some days we just can't keep up with her.  She's into climbing, so if there is anything she can get her knees up on she is all over it.  The little rocking chair is her favorite thing.  For awhile she was so proud just to sit on it and rock a bit, but now she stands up on it.  Not so safe.  She flipped it the other day, but that didn't stop her.  She just uses the backside of it as a ladder, then does a face plant when her weight shifts it.  She cries for a bit, then gets right back to business.  Why I was blessed with 3 children who can't sit still is beyond me. 

At Ryan's baseball games she's up and down the bleachers like a crazy fool.  It makes her so happy!

She's taken a few steps, but still prefers to crawl.  She stands unassisted really well, but just doesn't have the desire to walk quite yet.  I'm sure it won't be long.  She cruises along the furniture.

Her sleeping habits still stink.  She's easier to put down for the night, but we've been working on that. Instead of rocking her completely to sleep, we feed her then sing a few songs and then lay her down.  She cries for a few minutes but then crashes.  She's typically up an hour later crying, but I'm over that game too. I let the poor thing cry.  She usually goes back to sleep after a few minutes, and is up again an hour later.  I sound so mean, but seriously, we are so exhausted.  We decided we had to change something.  If we let her self-soothe the first part of the night, the second half goes so much better.  We'll win this sleep battle one day.  It will probably be 4 years from now, but we will win!

She's all smiles during the day  Her smile is the best!  With her horrible sleeping habits aside, she really is such a joy.  We all love her to pieces.  Both Ryan and Kendall freaked out when we dropped her off at Aunt Melanie's the other night while we went to the Mariner's game.  Kendall said, "I want my sister back".  Natalie adores the two of them, too.  If Ryan doesn't say "Good Morning" to her, she whines until she is acknowledged.  Once she is greeted, she's fine.  It is pure joy watching them all interact.

She loves to be outside.  LOVES it.  She is so content in the fresh air. 

She isn't making too many more sounds from last month.  She likes to mimic which is so great now that Kendall is screaming and throwing tantrums more often!  When I sing "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" to her I flash my hands like twinkling stars, and she's started doing it back to me.  I love it.  I love how proud of herself she is when she does it!

She hasn't grown too much over the past couple months.  She seems to be thinning out if anything.  I'm sure this is due to her activity level - on-the-go-constantly.  Her hair is really coming in and getting longer.  We may have a to attempt a first haircut soon!  And as it grows, it's lightening up quite a bit.  It has gone from black to dark brown, to almost light brown now.

The First Curl

Natalie woke up the other day with the sweetest curl over her ear.  Her hair has been stick straight since day one so it was so much fun to see a little curl emerge.

My Trio

I feel so blessed that I get to be Mom to these three!

Even if they don't sleep, and are making us crazy right now.  The joy they bring to each day is priceless.

M's Game

We went to our first Mariner's game of the season when my parents were here.  It was also Natalie's first M's game.  How fitting that they played the Minnesota Twins!

Ryan was so torn as to what gear to wear.  Grandma and Grandpa had Twins gear on, and so did the girls.  He was so relieved when I told him I was wearing Mariner gear.  He was so happy to put on his Ichiro shirt.  We love our Mariner's - even if they are bad.

It was a perfect day for a baseball game!  We had sunshine, great seats and the girls did really well.  I was worried about Kendall since the game was during her usual nap time, but she did good.   She was entertained by the Little League boys sitting behind us.  It was unfortunate that the highlight of her day took place in the first 5 minutes of us sitting down.  Not only did Mariner Moose make an appearance, but Elmo did too!  She's still talking about it.

My Mom was anticipating us having to leave early, but we made it through the entire game!  Ryan and I had fun cheering for the M's while the rest of our crew grumbled about how lousy the Twins are playing this year.      Go Mariners!

Cinnamon Rolls

My Mom makes the best cinnamon rolls.  And her grandchildren love to help her make them.  Whenever she visits, or whenever we are at the cabin the kids always ask to make them. 

Kendall helping with the kneading.

After the rolls raised it was time to add the cinnamon and sugar roll them up and cut them.  I loved how intently Kendall was watching the entire process and how Ryan was so helpful.  He took his job very serious.

Yummy!  They were delicious, and such a special treat!

One on Two

When my parents were here I asked my mom to work with Ryan on his bike riding.  He refused to try with me.  I knew he could go on two wheels, but he would whine and whine anytime I suggested he try.  I was so frustrated hearing him say, "I...I...I..CAANNN'T".  So frustrating.

With Grandma's help, he took off.  He learned how to get started all by himself, too.  When I got home from work on Thursday I found this note:

How cute is that?  

On Saturday, I took him out so he could show me his skills.  It was so much fun watching ride so confidently, but he took a HUGE spill while being distracted by his sister.  After 3 bandages and loads of drama, I was worried he might not want to try again.  

But on Sunday, he biked all the way around Green Lake (3.5 miles) all by himself.  We are so proud of him.

Mom and Dad Magic

My Mom and Dad were in town last week.  The weather was beautiful so we spent lots of time outside.  With their help we knocked a zillion things off our To Do list.  David and I agree that our yard looks better than it ever has.  Thanks Mom and Dad! We also took in a M's game (or Twins game), went to WildFin for lunch, watched Ryan play baseball, made cinnamon rolls and Ryan learned to ride his bike.  It was a magical week! We blinked and they were gone.  Our time with them is always too short.  Kendall sobbed the entire way home after we dropped them off.  David and I cried a little, too.

Downward Dog

Natalie practicing her yoga.

Ryan at 5 1/2

Ryan is officially 5 1/2.  He's growing up so fast.

He's becoming much more independent.  He will play for hours using his imagination.  Most of the time it involves a bat and a ball and a make believe game of baseball in which his team always wins.  I love to watch him.  I think that his career path may be a play-by-play announcer! 

We've been working with him to make his own decisions instead of following the silly kid's lead.  He's grown leaps and bounds over the school year.  He does need a good reminder every now and then, but who doesn't?

He loves school.  He loves being with his friends.  He loves being silly with his friends.  I know he'll do great in Kindergarten next year.  Going to school 4 days a week is not enough for him this year.  

He has more energy than I will ever be able to keep up with.  Need I say more?

Kendall and Natalie are so lucky to have him for a big brother.  They do have their share of squabbles, but they also have so much fun together.  Ryan is so sweet to Natalie, and so good to include Kendall in his games.  I love watching them all interact and laugh together.  My favorite is at dinner time when Natalie is making silly sounds and faces, and Kendall and Ryan think every noise or expression she makes is the funniest thing in the world.  The giggles are priceless.

Ryan is also become such a good helper for me.  He's good to let me know if Natalie is into something she shouldn't be.  And when I ask him if she's OK (if she's out of my sight) he's very good to check or say, "she's fine, Mom.  She's right here."  He uses his "Geez Mom, Relax." voice which always makes me laugh.  He is also good to let me know if Kendall is doing something she shouldn't be.  This is more to get her in trouble than to help, though! 

Baseball is by far his most favorite thing.  I really believe it's on his brain 24/7.  He's always asking questions about baseball out of the blue.  I'm not sure what we'll do when T-Ball is over in a few weeks.  He absolutely loves having games and being on a team.  He is very good to listen to his coaches and follow directions.  I never have to ask him to get dressed on game days.  He wakes up and puts his jersey on first thing.  On non-baseball days I have to nag him 3 or 4 times to get dressed. 
 


He can calm himself out of tantrum so much quicker now.  This is a true sign to me that he is growing up.  The boy has always been able to through a good tantrum.  I thought they would end at 3, then 4, then 5.  I guess 5 1/2 is the age.  I am so proud of him when he can pull himself out of one.  I know there will still be a few in his future, but so happy he can find his calm so much quicker.

He really is a happy, sweet, loving little boy and I'm so proud he's mine!

Week In Review

We started last week out with sunshine and a trip to Carkeek (our favorite beach).  We packed a picnic and enjoyed the sun and beach.  It was a gorgeous day and we enjoyed every minute including the 3 trains that passed by.

Beach Bums.

Ryan played baseball.  Twice!  He had team photos this week, too.  Kendall conned her friend Owen into doing some sunbathing at the game.

David brought home belated birthday cupcakes for us to enjoy.  They were amazing!  One of his employees has a bakery business, and makes the most delicious cupcakes.  I would rate them higher than my favorite Seattle cupcake shop, and that's saying a lot.  Believe me.

A little devil was swimming in our bath tub.  This photo is so fitting of Kendall this week.  She started out the week with so much drama and defiance.  Thankfully, she mellowed out by week's end.

Ryan and Kendall had cold pizza for breakfast.  Why not?

We had an awesome play date with some old friends.  It was amazing how well the kids got along.  Charlie is Ryan's age and his sister Kate is 3 weeks younger than Kendall.  All of them had so much fun in the bouncy house, and using their imaginations.  I loved how both girls played dress up!

David had Sunday off so we enjoyed a family adventure downtown.  We rode the trolley, walked through the market, had lunch and did a quick tour of the aquarium.  We also popped into the newly renovated Cutters Crabhouse.  David and I worked at Cutters before we had kids.  It was fun to see the changes, and the kids were so patient while we visited.

Waiting for the trolley.

So excited to be on the trolley!

The market flowers were amazing.

Waiting patiently for mom and dad.

To end the week we learned that Natalie is not a fan of bubbles being blown with bubble gum.  This is the reaction you get.  Poor baby...but kind of hysterical, too.  Her Daddy was not nice to tease her.

We also fit in 2 meetings, swim lessons, yard work and regular work.  You could say it was a busy week, but a good week!