They CAN Play Together!

My kids have never been exactly what you would describe as loving siblings. And usually when I hear other moms bragging about how their kids are best friends or how loving and kind the older sibling is toward the younger, it elicits one of two responses - me wanting to vomit in the corner (because we all know those statements aren't true) or me wanting to lie to the other moms face and act as if my two sweet angels are also best friends that never fight.

Now I am all for talking my kids up. The thing is, sometimes we talk our kids up so much, it is as if we are trying to convince ourselves of the very thing we are saying. That is why I am all for the moms that will just be honest and admit that their kids fight. And, if yours don't, maybe you are just better than me (because God knows my brothers and I beat the crap out of each other growing up) and my kids. Unless you had a girl first. Girls are lovers and helpers, not the fighters that I have discovered boys to be...but sisters still fight, just not the same as a brother.

But, a corner has turned. My kids can now play together for like 10 minutes without fighting. Those 10 minutes are literally like slices of heaven to my mama heart. Watching them play, interact and even make each other laugh is just oh-so-amazing...even if it does end in a fight.

Hopefully this budding relationship will continue and by their teen years, they will be conspiring with each other, trying to hide things from mom and dad...or threatening each other for silence. Aww, siblings. They are the best, aren't they?!

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See You Later, Lazy Mornings

It's no secret that I'm not a morning person. I never have been. It takes me daaays to wake up in the morning. When I worked in an office, people knew to give me my space for the first hour or so. And, luckily, my kids have mostly gone along with this. Neither of them are the kids that wakes up at 5:30 for the day...they probably know mommy would die. 

Besides not getting up early, I just enjoy lazy mornings. I enjoy reading the newspaper while drinking a cup of coffee. The kids seem to play the best by themselves in the morning. When we have nothing going on, you won't find us dressed and ready to leave the house until almost noon.

But, school started last week, so that all must come to an end. Preschool starts at 9am. By no means is that early. But, to Jessica, that is early. I have to cut all the "fluff" out of my mornings and focus on the essentials - clothing the kids (and myself) and breakfast. I take my coffee to go.

Those lazy mornings will still creep in every once in a while. And I will be thankful for them. I will be thankful for the playful imaginations I get to watch at work. I will be thankful for the cup of coffee in a mug instead of a tumbler. I will be thankful for reading the paper...or at least the parts that I want. Summer spoiled me. But, its end also made me realize just how good I had it.

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Quite the Character

Last year, when Connor came home with these shoes, I was mortified. Not only are they crazy bright and tacky, but they LIGHT UP. Just not my style at all. But, they made Connor happy. Oh-so-very-happy. He wore them until he could no longer squeeze his feet in without them hurting...which was just a couple weeks ago. And he actually squeezed his feet in a few times while they did hurt, but stubbornly didn't want to wear other shoes.

The ironic thing about these shoes is that they opened the door wide to Connor choosing what he wants to wear. It started with these shoes. Then came the minion shirts, which never seem to come off his body. And, he just seems to have an affinity for wearing really, um, tacky things. It's almost funny. Now that I think about it, loud clothing must just be his thing.

Gone are the days that I can dress Connor in polo shirts with a v-neck cardigan on top. In fact, if I want him to wear anything other than a minion shirt, I have to prep him for days. Still, he will ask for his minion shirt on the day of. This morning, as he was getting dressed, he came and told me I had obviously put the wrong shirt out because it was just a plain shirt and he didn't want to wear a plain shirt. Now, it wasn't just a plain shirt, but it didn't have anything crazy going on, so plain in Connor's book.

All this to say, it's funny how we will change to allow our children be themselves. As time goes on, I have gotten more and more ok with Connor wearing clothing that wouldn't be my first choice. Why is it ok? Because he is his own person and I get wanting to be proud of your outfit. So, my son, wear whatever crazy minion shirt you want. But, I do draw the line at shirts that have ridiculous sayings on them. Because, mama has to draw the line somewhere!

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Connor: This boy and his legos, I tell you. He has more concentration and energy to play with legs than anything else. And this imagination that goes along with playing with legos, makes me so happy. 

 Isla: Isla loves turning things into telescopes. If there is nothing handy to use, she will use her hands and it is oh so very cute. 

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2014."

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The First Day of School - times two!!!

You would think one decent picture of each kid would suffice on the first day of school. Alas, I am me and my mission in life is to document every moment in pictures. So there you have it. The important pictures to me are the ones of them holding the signs. It's an easy way to watch them change over the years. Plus, I know eventually they will no longer let me take pictures of them at school, but I will always be able to force them to take pictures at home before they leave for school! 

   

Connor was the first to be dropped off. I figured he would be the easiest as he has really been looking forward to school. As soon as his class opened, he ran in and started playing. We said goodbye to him and he really didn't look back at us.

^^ Connor went and played with the very toy he said was his favorite at orientation. 

Next up was Isla. I was a little nervous how she would do. She has been really weird about going into daycare at the gym or nursery at church lately, so I expected a little drama. Turns out, I shouldn't have. We were all lined up waiting to go in her classroom and as soon as the teacher opened the door, she ran past the line and into her class. She used to do that with Connor, so I think it helped that she is very familiar with the class. By the time we got in her room to sign her in, she had already deposited her Tabby Cat in the show and tell bin (which I thought would be drama trying to pry out of her hands), had her name tag on and was off playing.

After a morning to myself (say what?!), I went to get the kids. I decided to go for Isla first, anxious to see how she did. As soon as I walked in her classroom, she came running, yelling, "MOMMY, I PAINTED!" She was so excited and I in turn was really excited for her. 

^^ Isla and her little painting

Connor, on the other hand, did not come running to me and more had to be drug from the classroom. I love you too, buddy. I got from him that it was someone's birthday, so they got a cookie and juice. Also,  that there were two boys from his class last year (there is way more than that from his class last year, but that's ok). He seemed to have a really good time. 

^^ Connor was purposely closing his eyes for the picture, but I caught him peeking! 

It was a good morning for everyone. Now it's time for me to get used to regularly setting an alarm again and getting back into a morning routine of sorts. 

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Still Summer

I keep hearing people brag (or lament) about the changing of the season...summer giving way to fall. While, here in central California, we are still enjoying? solid summer temps. Besides kids going back to school, there is no sign of fall coming. I even drove past my favorite pumpkin patch yesterday and saw no sign of them starting to set up. Definitely still summer! But, I know, all too soon, my neighborhood will be covered in leaves. Shorts will give way to jeans, short sleeve shirts to long sleeve. Warm crock pot meals will fill our bellies. The bun warmers in my car will become my best friend.

Not so long ago, I wasn't a fan of fall. I am a summer girl through and through. I love long, summer days. I love being outside. I love tank tops and sandals. Spring was my second favorite season, because, well, it was just before summer! It brings hope that summer is coming. So, fall was my least favorite, because it ended summer and took it all away from me. But, somewhere along the line, that changed.

Maybe it is because both my babies were born in the fall. Or maybe it is because I love pumpkin patches so much. But, fall has really become a great season for me. So, though I love summer and will happily allow it to stay around a bit longer, I get a pang of jealously every time I see someone talk about fall coming to their area. Soon, it will be my turn to brag.

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Lake Tahoe

We spent four days in Lake Tahoe this past week. My aunt and uncle offered us their timeshare, as they couldn't use it. Lake Tahoe was amazing. Though it is practically in our backyard, Ian and I haven't been up since we were newlyweds. And neither one of us remember ever going when it wasn't ski season. Let me just say, we now know we have totally been missing out! It is beautiful up there. We saw some amazing spots to camp and fully intend on taking the kids back to camp some time.  It really is the best of both worlds up there. You are in the mountains, but also get to enjoy beautiful beaches. I really did enjoy our time away. Now, be forewarned, you are about to be bombarded with photos...photos that will probably make you want to head to Lake Tahoe too!

 ^^ Swimming in the resort pool. The kids thought it was so cool that it was an indoor/outdoor pool. 

^^ On the south shore, you could walk out in the water forever, and still only have it at your knees. Ian was probably 100 feet from the shore in this picture. 

^^ Glow stick fun 

 ^^ I don't know how I have never heard about this amazing beach before - Sand Harbor. The water was crystal clear. The sand perfect. The views stunning. We definitely will be heading back there again. 

The kids had so much fun playing in the sand. I remember a time, not so long ago that my kids hated the sand. So, it's a nice change to just sit on a beach and watch them enjoy the sand. Connor wanted to be buried in it, then Isla followed suit and wanted it done to her too.

 ^^ Do you see what I mean?! Just look at that water and that view! My family is pretty dang cute too.

 

As the kids are getting older, they are getting easier and more fun to travel with. They get so excited over little things and that always makes it more fun for me. Lake Tahoe, thanks for the great time. We definitely will be back!

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