Beautiful Boy

Yesterday we drove down to Santa Monica to have dinner with our friends Phil and Beth. They just moved into their new place, so we went down to celebrate with them. We had such a great time. We laughed so much our cheeks hurt! Beth was kind enough to read the bedtime story and she was so animated Connor was in stitches.

Here are a few pix.

Lynden, Washington 09'

This past weekend we flew up to Lynden, Washington to visit the Rice family. Chris's sister (she feels more like my own sister) Annemarie, brother in law Stephen and their daughters Gracie (three and a half) and Katie (almost 2). We had lots of fun in the short time we were there. Our visits with their family are always way to short.

Silly boys on the plane. Connor was an absolute champ traveling both there and back. We were very impressed & relieved! This was Connor's 1st trip with his own assigned seat.
It was a big deal for him to have his own space and feel like a big boy.
I think it helped him act like a big boy as well.

Daddy, Katie and Annemarie pose for a pick.
Katie drove the gator all over the yard always smiling for the camera and
never watching where she was going. It was very comical!


Connor rather push the gator than ride it.
Go figure.

Auntie lala getting a hug from my beautiful niece Gracie.

The weather was so beautiful, we ate most of our meals alfresco.
It was wonderful.

Instant best friends.

Connor and Katie quickly developed a close bond.
They would have full conversations that only the two of them seemed to understand.

The two loveys chased a duck on the golf course together.
So cute, makes me almost cry.

Uncle Stephen letting the kids "help" put the new fire pit together.

The human trampoline.

Roasting marshmallows around the completed fire pit.
The 1st night we let the kids stay up until 10:30pm and they all did great.
It's a bit tricky getting them to bed on time when the sun stays out so late.
It was light until about 9:30 or 10:00.

Annemarie and Stephen

Katie telling Connor all about the stars. Again so cute, I could almost cry.

Good times in the bath.

Muscle man Chris making breakfast Sunday morning.

Gracie doing a little dance.

Connor and Katie rode in the double on our walk to the park.
They were tickling each other and giggling.
I loved watching all the kids play together.


Still more to come...

ghetto fabulous

"Ahhhhhhh, So Refreshing."

Terrific Twos

Terrible Twos, I don't think so. For us its the Terrific Twos.
Things I love about Connor as a 2 year old.

• He can tell me when he is hungry.
• He surprises me with kisses and hugs.
• He is becoming confident in his abilities ie. climbing, running, jumping (sort of).
• He likes counting & pretending to read.
• He sings Beyonce in the car with me.
• He likes to try to help me with dinner.
  
• We are buddies.
  
• You can successfully negotiate with him.
• He's not really a tantrumer.
• We watch Dora while I have my coffee and wake up, every morning.
  
• He is a very mellow kid. At the beach or pool I can really relax and know he is not going to dive/jump in with out me. He's happy to sit next to me and play.
• He's happy most of the time.
• He'll eat almost anything you put the word cookie in front of ie. tofu cookies or salmon cookies. Sneaky I know.
  
• Watching him struggle and then get it, he'll yell "Got It!!!!!" That's so rewarding.
  

I think I appreciate this age so much because I found the 1st yr so HARD. Now I feel like I'm enjoying ever minute.
I love the terrific twos!

Toddler Tuesdays, all you can eat apples and crackers

Laughing, Sharing, Hugging, Playing.
Priceless!

Devilish smile, what were you getting into Sam?

Reese lookin' pretty watching Dora.

Hey bucket head.

Table surfin'.

Cheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeezzzzz.

The girls took turns climbing up into
the booster chair to eat apple slices.

Party's over the host is passed out.

Reese, Where did I park my car.

If I Had My Child to Raise Over Again

If I had my child to raise all over again.
I'd finger-paint more, and point the finger less.
I would do less correcting and more connecting.
I'd take my eyes off my watch, and watch with my eyes.
I would care to know less and know to care more.
I'd take more hikes and fly more kites.
I'd stop playing serious, and seriously play.
I would run through more fields and gaze at more stars.
I'd do more hugging and less tugging.
I'd build self-esteem first, and the house later.
I would be firm less often, and affirm much more.
I'd teach less about the love of power,
And more about the power of love.

(I tore this out of a book a while ago and didn't keep the authors name but I keep this on my fridge as a little reminder.)