kissed by a boy

First kiss!

from 2 year old Jacob at our neighborhood park

I believe it was Meredith's first kiss from a boy. Jacob had been following her around the play structure for awhile and at one point found himself face to face with Meredith, so he kissed her. Very sweetly and I believe on the cheek though I didn't clearly see it since his back was to me. Anyhow, she stared blankly at him after the kiss. Then she turned and walked away.

[No worries for little Jacob... He must be okay because today she received an invitation to his birthday party. I guess rejection doesn't sting so much at 2 years. ?]

101 questions

harbor seals at Children's Beach (Casa Beach) in La Jolla

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Just a typical conversation with our three year old on the streets of La Jolla yesterday afternoon...
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me: "I have to go to the bathroom, too. Let's find one."

Thomas: "Mommy, do you pee out of your penis?"

me: "No, mommy doesn't have a penis."

Thomas: "Does pee come out of your bottom?"

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M and I look at each other, trying to figure out how to best answer his question. I totally wimp out.

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me: "No, mommy pees out of her "private area"."

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But, of course, today I'm trying to understand why I responded in that way. Had Meredith asked me the question, I'd tell her exactly where mommy's pee (and hers!) comes out of. We don't use nicknames for body parts; Thomas has known for as long as he could talk that he has a penis. Why shouldn't he also know what the correct term is on the female's body? I feel so silly today.

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T on the concrete breakwater (wall pictured at top) with his daddy

beach morning

the kids snack on sand covered crackers (yum!) while I pack us up

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We woke up this morning to a wide open day and beautiful blue skies. I knew there was only one thing to do so the kids and I loaded our beach essentials into the car and went to the beach. Hitting the beach at 9:30 in the morning still feels a little weird, but the sun was out and the air was warm. I thought I was being pretty cool taking the two to the beach by myself (last minute decision, M was working, blah, blah, blah...). After all, there's a lot of stuff to take and parking right off 101 and lugging everything up and over the dune sounds a bit daunting. Meredith walks well but trekking over sand dunes is still a bit tough even for Thomas (I make him carry things). However, once we were settled and the umbrella was up I looked around and noticed that I was not the uber cool mama I thought I was. On either side of us were mamas hanging out solo with their own three small children. Wow. We quickly introduced ourselves to one of the mama & three kids combo and spent the next two hours hanging out with them. Thomas had a great time with Fletcher (3.5y) and Meredith enjoyed watching Hartley (9m) eat sand. Their older sibling, 6y old Isaac, was annoyed by all since the four were intent on destroying everything he worked so hard to build in sand. It was a really fun morning!

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One of the things I really love about living in this area is that nearly everyone you meet is a transplant. I have met very people who are actually natives to the San Diego area. Maybe it's because of the way in which I meet people, but there are also just a lot of people who have moved here in the last 5 years. I can see how it's comfortable to live in hometowns where your friends are the ones you went to high school with, but living where you don't know anyone and meeting people from all over is really quite fun. Unfortunately, Angela and her kids are vacationing from Florida (dad was surfing), but it was still nice to chat it up about vacationing in Florida, the marathon last weekend (she ran -- weird thing is, she's the second person I've talked to this week who also ran Chicago in 2002 -- M and I both ran it that year), fun things to do with kids in this area...

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Well, everyone is either a transplant, on vacation, or retired. Lots of grandmas and grandpas living here... And let me tell ya, that Meredith is a hoot. I'll bet she's surfing by the time she's 4. Seriously. She loves the ocean and didn't even care when the water rushed back to the ocean, her balance was tested, and she fell face first into the water and sand. Something water-related is definitely in her future.

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post-beach picnic at home

second day of school

Are you wondering how the second day of preschool went? This morning was a bit hectic getting out the door and Thomas repeatedly told us that he didn't want to go to preschool, but once there he walked in happily. Meredith and I hung around for a few minutes talking to the other children and when it was time for us to go I gave him a hug and a kiss and out the door we went. All afternoon he's been asking about Miss Abby and talks about going to preschool again tomorrow. When asked what he did today, he doesn't say much but over the course of the afternoon I heard about the bugs they studied with magnifying glasses, the front loaders working nearby they got to watch and the painting project he worked on. It may have started out rough, but he clearly had a good second day of school. After naps/quiet time we headed over to Legoland for a couple hours of rides, a show and lots of play and walking. These two were pretty tired by the time bedtime came around!

first day of school

Today was a big milestone day for our little family. Not only was it Thomas' first day of preschool, but it was also the first time he'd been in a stranger's care for an extended period of time. He's been excited to go to preschool ever since we registered him two months ago. The last few days have been filled with questions. "Will there be books to read?", "Will there be music?", "Is there a radio?", etc. It's been a bag of mixed emotions for this mama to watch her little boy take this next step, but Thomas made it very easy this morning with his smiling face and excitement. He's ready for this. And, now that the first day of preschool is over, I'm feeling pretty ready, too.

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So what will Miss Meredith and I do without Thomas? This morning we joined friends for a walk at the beach and shopped at Costco. We'll soon be enrolling in some fun activities for just the two of us to enjoy. I really look forward to this special time with her!

We've had lots of fun

the kids at the country's only municipal elevator

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the kids behind the wheel together

. typical photo of the kids

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[Note: The following highlights our week in Oregon. Some of this won't mean anything to anyone but me, but it's still fun to sing along. And really, who doesn't love to sing along with Cash?? The tune is I've Been Everywhere by Johnny Cash.]

We packed our bags and left the house at four thirty in the morning
Thought they would sleep on the drive down or board the plane with much yawning
No such luck made for a long first day, but we arrived smiling
Family, friends, relaxation - all things we have been craving
We missed Oregon but are happy to be south again
And we say, "Listen, guys! We've got plenty of room, you just tell us when!"
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(Chorus)
We've had lots of fun, guys
We've had lots of fun, guys
Flew from here to there, guys
Over one thousand miles, guys
To see family and friends, guys
We've had lots of fun
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We saw Grandma, Grandpa, eagle claw, Cole's first birthday
comfy booth, her new tooth, smart youth, fun cousin play
where we were, Doug Fir, Tow Mater, happy babies
small feet, lorikeet, no Uncle Pete, very tall trees
screen door, dinosaur, humidor, close down the place
boy Cushman, miles driven, Chinese chicken, I know that face
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(Repeat Chorus)
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tennis, old mattress, tortoise, Honda race car
Grandma's place, boat race, suitcase, drinks at a bar
old neighbors, toddlers, need diapers, elevator
some sun, no run, hot dog bun, alligator
icky colds, full households, no real scolds, shopping fun
long walks, some good talks, hear her squawk, hi Logan!
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(Repeat Chorus)
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great spirit, her vomit, big omelette, fun barbeques
super clean, Dairy Queen, one tough 'tween, day at the zoo
old peer, good beer, birthday cheer, tattoos on arms
lots of rain, delayed plane - what a pain!, no set alarms
IHOP food, we shampooed, warnings issued, I don't mind her
daily coffee, missed him madly, see what I mean, sir
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(Repeat Chorus)
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shiny chromes, childhood homes, free to roam, noisy beagle
learn to drive, we survive, high five, yummy bagel
videos, blow your nose, friends and foes, fun with brothers
mailings, borrowed things, bear sightings, friendly cobblers
Ground Kontrol, waterhole, vacant fishbowl, missed the city
tall cousin, girl cousin, fun cousin, oh so pretty
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We've had lots of fun, guys
We've had lots of fun, guys
Flew from here to there, guys
Over one thousand miles, guys
To see family and friends, guys
We will have to go again soon
We've had lots of fun
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Thomas enjoys jam with breakfast ~ Tow Mater

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feeding the lorikeets

thirteen months

Does 13 months get any cuter than this?

public works

The city's Public Works Fair this morning was perfect for Thomas. Garbage trucks, wastewater trucks, fire truck, police cars, a cherry picker, tractors, everything imaginable for the kids to view and some for them to even climb on. Thomas loved it. I also enjoyed the fair but didn't enjoy being cornered by the wastewater guy who really wanted to show me how his truck works... I guess I must have looked interested? I wasn't.

Thomas picked out these new Teva sandals yesterday after trying on every sandal and flip flop that REI sells. They are a size 11. The kid has very large feet for a just-turned-three year old. He was so excited to carry the box around the store and then place it on the counter for purchase. He was grinning from ear to ear when he told the cashier they were his new shoes. He wanted to nap in them yesterday. Sometimes new shoes make me happy like that, too.

sweet baby curls

Meredith loves to watch herself in the mirror

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Thomas' hair was pretty straight until right after his first birthday. Then his hair became curly and much lighter. Today we keep his hair pretty short because it begins to frizz when it's a little longer. Meredith's hair has always been dark and straight, but appears to be getting a little lighter also and definitely has a wave to it that becomes more apparent every day. It'll be interesting to see what her hair is like a year from now. As much as I love Thomas' hair on him, I hope hers doesn't go that direction!

fun

laughing together from c on Vimeo.

Yesterday and today we enjoyed hanging around the house and taking care of business. What kind of business? Playing in the spare room's closet, having a dance party, etc...


Untitled from c on Vimeo.

three

Thomas tackles Meredith and plants a kiss on her cheek

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Today was Thomas' 3 year checkup. He did great -- passed the vision and hearing exams, listened and followed directions given by the pediatrician and aides, and he didn't even flinch when they gave him a shot in the leg. He's such a trooper.

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height: 39" ~ weight: 36lbs

swinging together

Photos of the two kids together always look like this -- each child doing their own thing and neither really looking at the camera. They're candid and candid is good, right? Yes, but sometimes it'd be nice to have them both looking and smiling at the camera... Today Thomas tested the weight capacity of this swing at "my park, the cool park" while Meredith laughed on.

About six months ago I picked up these shorts for Meredith. M's response at the time was "Aren't those a little short??" Ha. I think shorts, skirts and dresses are probably always "a little short" for daddies.

Thomas is 3 years old!

T wanted a "car cake" made with strawberry cake and chocolate frosting

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Three years ago he entered our lives and changed everything.

Today... he's excited to be starting preschool next month, he inspects his trucks and other toys to figure out how they work, he makes connections and asks for explanations regarding everything, he thanks me for taking him to swim lessons during the drive home, he's kind to his sister, he has a great sense of humor and he's such a joy. Happy Birthday, Thomas. We love you so much!

strawberry picking

I don't know how Thomas even got on the kick of wanting to go strawberry picking (he's never been), but all morning he asked me to take him. So this afternoon, the three of us went. It took less than 15 minutes to fill our bucket with perfectly red, deliciously sweet and fabulously large strawberries. We whipped up a shortcake (compliments of Martha Stewart) and enjoyed this yummy dessert after dinner. Mmmmmmm...

So did Thomas enjoy the actual picking of strawberries? He did! They are his favorite fruit and he knew exactly which ones to pick and which ones to leave alone. Meredith, on the other hand, picked one and spent the whole time smooshing it between her fingers (and then all over me!).

Happy Mother's Day

Tulips on the table, a wonderful husband, two cute kids, a vanilla milkshake, frittata and a full breakfast by M including extra pulp orange juice (yum!), an afternoon nap, sleeping in, a phone call from my little brother, dinner out, an evening run with Bela and Greta... all my favorite things. Hope yours was equally happy!

Shamu & friends

seaworld whales from c on Vimeo.

We sat in the Soak Zone for the Shamu show. After seeing other spectators pull out ponchos, umbrellas, etc. as the show time neared, we purchased a $6 SeaWorld poncho from the moving vendor. We didn't get nearly as soaked as promised (we had two very large splashes so we would have been pretty wet!), but witnessed another section get hammered six consecutive times. Those poor folks were completely drenched. They aren't kidding when they warn you about the possibility of becoming very soaked in the Soak Zone!

SeaWorld

During our drive to San Diego's SeaWorld this morning I was explaining to Thomas how SeaWorld is different from the Zoo. When I said "We see giraffes, monkeys and elephants at the Zoo, but at SeaWorld we see animals that live in the water like seals, whales and dolphins", his response was "That's it?" At nearly three years, he's a hard one to impress! However, we all had a great time at SeaWorld today. Thomas says his favorite were the Clydesdale horses. Not the seal lions he fed? Not the Killer Whales leaping out of the water and onto the platform just feet from us?? Not even the large turtle he got to see up close and touch??? Nope, it was the horses. Granted they are quite large, but the horses?! [SeaWorld is owned by Anheuser-Busch, hence the Clydesdales and the Hospitality Center with complimentary samples. :)]

Thomas feeds the sea lions

sea stars, Clydesdales & us in the Soak Zone before the whale show

sea turtles sunning

On our way out of the park, Thomas told us he wants a turtle -- a big one to play with in the backyard and walk around. Oh boy!

picnic in the park

Who doesn't love a picnic in the park with two dozen other moms and their children? There was something for everyone in this large gathering. Thomas enjoyed games with his new pals Rowdy & Rorin (twin boys with the last name Lyons... silly, silly parents) and Meredith enjoyed checking out some new babies and a couple of girls her age like little Maia above. She loves riding these rocking dolphins.