Go with the Flow.

As I've mentioned, my kids are bored. In an attempt to switch things up a bit, I let them ride their bikes on our morning walk instead of riding in the stroller. I thought this was a brilliant idea.

It lasted a half mile. 

Then they saw a sidewalk opening to the ocean and decided they were done. Instead of being put out that our mileage would be low, I went with the flow of things. It turned out to be such a nice morning. As they played I realized I need to chill out a little sometimes. I don't have to be saying, "no," all the time. If they want to stop at the beach, awesome--let's do it, if they want another story at bedtime, just read it. It's only a few more minutes of my time. It's unplanned beauty like this that make me grateful I carry my camera around with me. It's clunky and heavy and most of the time unnecessary but I am in love with these pictures and what I remember when I see them.

When I was a fun mom.

When I was a fun mom (she disappeared this month) we did the following:

Picnic at Bonzai Cliffs

 

Flower picking, outdoor tents, pudding pops and books.

Drum circles.

The dishes were always done.

Pretend baking.

These poor kids. Fun mom is gone and boring mom has replaced her. I've reached the point in my pregnancy where I am just tired and sore all the time. As soon as I hit my 3rd trimester my energy completely disappeared and out of nowhere my hips, back and feet started to ache. These days I'm pretty useless and my poor kids are so bored with me. Today I made a list of every single possible thing I could realistically do for the next 6 weeks (until Owen returns to preschool) so that their brains don't turn to mush from boredom. Wish me luck!

Life with Kids.

Back when I still had energy (about a month ago) I was washing dishes and captured the following moments.

Fueling up.

They got into my potted plants.

And then threw dirt bombs at each other.

And then attempted bubble bombs. 

Seriously, life with kids can be so hilarious!

He did it!

This adorable boy completed his first year of pre-school back in June! 

I was such a wreck those first few weeks, I almost pulled him out, but he loves school and has made amazing progress. Before he went to Head Start (the pre-k program) he was only using about 5 words total. After his first month or so he was putting together sentences! Now after one school year I can understand about 80% of what he's saying! It's amazing! He had great speech therapist that he absolutely loved and has made huge strides in speech and self help. (Brushing teeth, putting on shoes, etc.)

We are so proud of our boy! 

Aboard the Jade Lady III.

Tim is the hardest to get gifts for. (Aren't all men?) He always gets me the most thoughtful things and I'm left with this guilt of feeling like I never get him anything cool. (Anyone see that Parks & Rec?) This Fathers Day I kept it a secret and whisked him on a sunset dinner cruise aboard the Jade Lady III. We had talked about going for years now and just never got around to it. It was a little different than we expected but we had a great time.

Highlights:

-Live Music

-Bottomless Sprite

-Amazing Sunset

-Steak AND brownies

-Dancing

-Laughing until our sides hurt when a little boy requested, "Gangham Style," and he totally played it! Even funnier, the little boy and his sister danced to it the entire time.

-Watching a couple who had gotten married on the boat that day dance to a Japanese Wedding song. 

-Slow dancing with Tim.

-Getting the best picture of the two of us in YEARS.

-Watching all the tourists and their crazy dance moves after their 4 or 5 beers.

-Stealing kisses in front of some very conservative Koreans.

-Pretending I was Kate Winslet on the Titanic.

-The YMCA dance ending. Definitely went out with a bang.

Golden Hour.

Tim's main request for Father's Day was to go to the beach. The kids ended up taking a late nap so we didn't have time to swim but we stayed long enough to play and take in the scenery. The children happily played in the sand and water while Tim and I talked about how lucky we are to live here. How lucky we are to have each other, this family we're building and so much love in our lives.

 I knew I loved my husband the day I married him but seeing him as a Father has opened my heart to an even bigger capacity of love. He's very quiet about it usually but I hear it. Like the other night when we were trying to figure out how to keep June from wandering into the fridge at night and eventually onto the couch where we'd have to carry her to bed at 10pm I suggested we maybe close her door. His answer so simple but so sweet. He quietly said he didn't want to do that because he didn't want her to feel trapped or afraid. He didn't want her alone in her room and scared. Heart melted. 

Or a few days ago when I was in full nesting mode and started painting the walls. He helped me do two walls and then said, "Is it okay if we save the rest for later? I think the kids feel ignored." Then he took us out for pizza as a family. 

I hope he knows how special a Father he is. I hope he knows how much the kids adore him. I hope he knows how my heart has grown watching him with our children. I make sure to tell him often but I hope he really knows it.

Happy Father's Day Tim. We love you oh, so much.

Senior Photos: Kaitlyn

This girl rocked my socks off. 

She found out 7 months ago that she had cancer and managed to still graduate high school while simultaneously kicking cancers butt.