kid's club

The kids are really great about going to the gym with me. This wasn't always the case, but has been for quite some time which makes it very nice for me to get in a quick run, take a class or simply workout. I don't go every day, but just whenever I can fit it in so the kids usually go 2 or 3 times a week. During late afternoons it's a nice break and an hour of quiet that is rare these days. Meredith enjoys playing with the other children, sliding on the equipment, having tea parties with the other girls, coloring, and the list goes on and on. Thomas doesn't love it as much as Meredith, but he tolerates it and knows I'm a better mom when I've had a good run. However, by far the best thing at the gym, in their opinion, and what they love most is the bounce house. The staff will take the kids out in small groups to jump, but Thomas and Meredith usually wait until I've picked them up. We'll spend a little time bouncing around; they'll often get it all to themselves. They love it!

Thomas' fashion statement today

This morning we talked about going to a local street fair with all the good stuff street fairs have -- rides, food, vendors, classic cars, etc. Thomas was excited and dressed himself for the occasion, or so he says. Not sure how the pirate hat from yesterday's birthday party or the old tie with a t-shirt fit into "street fair dressing", but it all means something to him. At the fair we picked up some sunglasses for everyone -- 3 for $10! -- and this blue pair is the one he chose. You can't see them well, but they are blue with white polka dots. He had quite the ensemble on today!

we've replaced the kids...

... with a couple of adorable geckos (the one on the right is a pirate gecko!) we found this morning wandering a street fair!

art museum

Our family generally spends every weekend all together. We like it that way, but every once in a while it is fun to split up for adventures. Today we did just that! Mike took Thomas to a birthday party for a preschool pal while Meredith and I enjoyed a day in La Jolla. She and I took in the current exhibition of some local architects' work at the Museum of Contemporary Art and then lunched at the adjacent museum cafe. We spent a good chunk of the afternoon in La Jolla and had a great time. Thomas and his dad also had a good time at a (really awesome!) birthday party that left him worn out and napping for 2 hours (!!). He's been seen around town this evening wearing his new pirate hat, a party favor from today. Though the time apart this afternoon was good, the two kids clearly missed each other and were happy to be playing together again this evening...

wild & crazy

I recently made mommy mistake #2546: Asking the 2 year old how she wants her hair -- pigtails, ponytail or "wild & crazy"? Prior to that day I had simply given her two choices: "Do you want one or two in your hair?" She always picked two. Adding that third option was a big mistake because now every time I even start to ask the question she quickly responds "wild & crazy!" So, wild & crazy it is!

my helpers

This afternoon the kids and I are making dinner for a playgroup mama who had twins last week. They love to help in the kitchen, particularly when it involves a dessert item and there's the possibility of them licking something after it's all mixed up!

silly and sandy

Meredith is undecided. This past week she told us she wants to be a princess and a lifeguard when she is bigger. She can't decide. Maybe both? But there's one thing she's clearly not undecided about: being both silly and full of sand is fun!

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Today was our third beach play in the last week. Tomorrow will be the fourth in one week. Hooray for late summer days on the beach!

snapped by Thomas

Thomas took this photo of Meredith yesterday while we were waiting for our lunch. I love this photo of her!

birthday weekend

My birthday weekend found us spending a day in La Jolla, a date night for M & I while the kids enjoyed a new sitter, a warm day at the beach for some water & sand play, and some great memories... As the kids get older, special days like birthdays and their excitement about those days make them so much more fun!

water play w/the girls

Untitled from c on Vimeo.

sunset

The middle of August begins a great time of year. The summer crowds are thinning. The ocean is warm. And it's still light and warm enough to get an hour or two in at the beach after dinner. This is such a nice way to end a busy week...

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And so it begins...

She wanted to wear her princess shoes to the park this afternoon (they're too big and have a low heel). She told a complete stranger, "Look at my pretty dress! See my fancy princess shoes!" She put on and removed three different dresses this afternoon, one right after another and each only lasting about 2 minutes. She went through a minimum of 5 cycles of this. She hadn't shown much interest in princesses prior to today but I have to ask... Is this how it all begins?

thinking she's so grown up

Today while at the Outlets she said to me, "I'll stay here while you put that in the car."
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Last night, upon finishing her treat at a frozen yogurt shop, she said, "I'll wait for you outside." And she left the shop while Mike and I looked at each in disbelief.
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Two examples of how grown up our two year old thinks she is. She doesn't buy the "because you're only two!" argument. I feel the hairs on my head turning grey by the minute.

color selections

The kids have been busy looking at paint samples and thinking about which color(s) they would like their bedrooms painted. Yes, we are finally starting to go down that road of actually maybe painting a wall or two! Today, afterall, is the one year anniversary of our home purchase. [Hey, it's been a busy year and painting projects with littles ones around isn't high on our list!]
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For the most part, the kids have honed in on the color palette(s) they are considering. Meredith is exploring her options in the pinks, purples and blues. Thomas, though he'll often look at other colors, seems to be holding pretty steadfast to red. Yes, the color that is a favorite of all boys at this age. He wants red and "Mickey's Pants" red from the Disney line of paint is his red of choice. Being the mama I am, we'll find a way to work in a little of this red -- it just won't be on any one wall entirely!

summer camp

This morning Thomas began a new preschool. The one he attended last year wasn't going to work for us this year so we moved him to one offered in the Lutheran Church near our home. It's a very popular one so we were pleased to get him in for the 2009-2010 school year and also for the last summer camp offered. This camp began today!
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It was a morning of excitement and nervousness. He was thrilled to be going but once we started to walk to his classroom he held my hand a little tighter. Seeing his friend Michael and another boy from his last preschool seemed to help. I spent about 5 minutes getting him settled by finding his cubby, putting his things away, locating the classroom's bathroom, identifying different interest areas in the classroom, etc. He asked for a last hug and then he was off doing whatever captured his interest.
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Meredith, on the other hand, wasn't so easy. She wanted to go to summer camp, too. I packed her backpack (per her request) and she wore it to take Thomas to preschool. The three of us held hands and walked to preschool where she cried when I told her she would be going home with me while Thomas stayed at summer camp. She asked where her cubby was (I had to find an empty one to put her things in.). She said she had to go potty after seeing the toilet, but then quickly laughed and said she was kidding. The walk home was full of questions about when she could go to summer camp like Thomas. Soon enough, my little one, soon enough...

flying home

We all had such a great time in Portland. Mike only stayed one week (our next trip back will be planned for a week more convenient to us!) while the kids and I stayed two full weeks. Many trips out exploring the best of Oregon with the kids, a couple of date nights for us (wishing I had more of that yummy goat cheese ravioli -- thanks for a fun evening out, GoGo Parents!), lots of play time with cousins, new little friends in the neighborhood, fun BBQ with old friends, and most importantly, many special moments shared with Grandma. She's the primary reason we come back. The kids love being with her and they missed her the second after we said our goodbyes. They want to know when Grandma will come visit!

historic Oregon City

Towards the end of our vacation in Portland and the weather has turned. Suddenly the 100+ degree days have been replaced with low 70s. Definitely much more in our comfort range, but without the sun shining it feels cooler. We donned our warmest clothing and headed out for some fun around historic Oregon City this morning.

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Our first stop was a favorite coffee shop & cafe that serves up really yummy waffles and good, local coffee. After filling up our tummies we walked over to the only municipal elevator in the country (and only one of four in the world!) and rode it 130 feet down to the downtown city blocks. From there we caught the trolley and took a 45 minute ride around all the key historic sites and buildings in O.C.

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Oregon City has grown and changed so much over the years. At first glance it looks the same, but there are interesting new tenants/businesses, new restaurants, etc. However, there's something reassuring about going back and having so many things remain the same. The same elevator ride with the live operator reading her book and snacking. The same toy (antique, really) store at the bottom of the elevator. The same Muno's Bakery on Main Street. All these things that remind me of my childhood. It's nice to get reacquainted with these places through Thomas' and Meredith's eyes.

yummy berries

Grandma and I took the kids around the block to pick some blackberries from the neighbor's bush...

Meredith savored each and every sweet berry.

Thomas inhaled his.

the Oregon Garden

The Oregon Garden in Silverton, Oregon has been on my list of places to visit ever since it opened some nine or ten years ago. Today we enjoyed a day in the garden with Grandma -- exploring, touching, smelling, listening and seeing all the beauty that makes up this garden. There are many different gardens within this park, all a little bit different and each possessing some unique plants, sculptures, water features, etc. From one garden, the visitor is afforded peek-a-boo glimpses into adjacent gardens. I found myself enjoying one garden but anxious to get to the next because of the sneak peeks I got. Grandma and I loved the garden, both from walking through it and later during a tram ride around the park. The kids enjoyed exploring the "kid-friendly garden" the most but also just loved running to the next fountain or down this path or over to the next sculpture... A very fun day for us all!

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The kids were tired from all the walking so we skipped visiting the city of Silverton, but it's on my list of places to return to. Many new restaurants and shops have opened in the historic downtown area and it'd be fun to wander through them. A glass of wine on a restaurant's deck that overlooks Silver Creek far below would be a wonderful way to end a day in Silverton!

Thomas' favorite drinking fountain (a slug) ~ the "rain curtain"

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the "hobbit house" ~ my favorite (a gate in the children's garden)

farm fun

Sing along if you wish...

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Uncle Douglas had a farm,

Ee i ee i oh!

And on that farm he had some chickens,

Ee i ee i oh!

With a cluck-cluck here,

And a cluck-cluck there

Here a cluck, there a cluck,

Everywhere a cluck-cluck

Uncle Douglas had a farm

Ee i ee i oh!

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Uncle Doug also has 5 turkeys, 5 pigs, 2 dogs, a baby bird they are rehabilitating and a cow who is due any day now with a new calf. Whew! Oh, and that other cow in the lower pasture... Have I missed any other animals on Uncle Doug's farm? The kids had a great time checking out the John Deere tractor and the animals. Thomas fed the expectant cow (pictured below) and cooled off the pigs. He loved "making mud" for them!

Emily

Both Thomas and Meredith adore their cousin Emily. Is it because she's a much older cousin (she's 9 years old) than the W cousins? Is it because she obliges their every request to read this book, play that game, do this, do that...?? Is it because she will play with them for hours and never seems to be bored? Whatever it is, she's definitely tops with them! They loved spending an entire day with just her.

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Grandpa Marlyn & Grandma Susan

The kids had a great time visiting Grandpa Marlyn and Grandma Susan this afternoon. Though they don't get to see them often, both kids love to go see them and play at their house. Thomas and Grandpa Marlyn have always had a great connection and it was nice to see the same thing beginning to happen with Meredith today. She enjoyed swinging and making him foods to eat at the play kitchen. Thomas climbed all over the play structure, did his fair share of swinging and really got a kick out of "mowing" the lawn. A sweet treat and some special time with Grandma Susan completed the fun afternoon!

Meredith in her "happy shirt" ~ Thomas helps with the lawn