Bubble Trouble

Maeve took her first bubble bath this week.

She was thrilled, but unsure of what she should do with all that white stuff. Eat it? Splash it?

No worries! Big sister to the rescue. She knows exactly what to do with bubbles.

Switched

Eva is my wave swimming, in the ocean, over her head, without a fear, girl. Since she could crawl she would just head right for the nearest body of water and go in. Waves, no problem. So I asked her if she would like to surf at the conference(showing her pictures of the last conference surf lesson). Surprise...the answer was a resounding "No." Okay, fine...and in pipes Elias, "I want to."

What? My son who spends all his time building and digging on the shore. Who rarely can be coaxed into the waves at all. Elias wants a surfing lesson. "You sure?" Yes, he was sure. We signed him and Craig up for the lesson. Up until a couple minutes into the lesson I was pretty sure he wouldn't do much with it. Maybe go out a few feet and sit on the board while the waves lapped at him. Stand on the sand.

Kids love twisting your world around. I love that they do!

Heading out.

Heading in. Upright and happy.

I asked how he liked his lesson. His response, "It is the most awesome thing ever!" His smile muscles were sore. Love this life!

Time Out

Being at a conference with lots of other parents and kids for five days is amazing! It can also be a bit overwhelming. We decided we needed to take a break and spend a couple hours at the beach.

We think it was a good decision.

Community and Ideas

Part of the reason we go to a conference is to meet up with others doing the same types of things we are doing. I think as the kids get older this view of other kids, in other places, with similar life leanings will give them a broader sense of community.

Another reason we go is to share and explore the ideas and inspiration that other people bring into their lives. This art room was full of that needed inspiration and my kids spent quite a bit of time in here painting, drawing, and exploring with friends and on their own. I really appreciated this room as it gave me ideas as well.

Ocean Observations

It is hard to pick just one picture of the beach. We take hundreds on every trip there and the kids have so much fun they are all great! This picture reminds me of some of the "moments" that happen. We just were able to stop and focus on what was going on around us. Love these moments.

Stack 'em Up

Sometimes things in life just balance themselves out and line up for your viewing pleasure. We took great photos of the kids at Birch Aquarium, sometimes they pose perfectly. Sometimes the fish do!

Magnetic Personality

Eva floating a paperclip!

We played with magnets today.  I had a bunch of paperclips, iron filings, numerous small magnets and one powerful neodymium magnet.  We moved the filings around, made different lines of force, chased them, and floated them with our hands.

Five Minutes, Tops

I always stack these cool blocks. Numerous times a day. Over and over and over. I just can't help it and all of my kids get such enjoyment out of knocking down the tower. You would think it would get old and the tower would just stay there for a while (even an hour or two), nope. It sits there for around 7 hours in the dark and is immediately toppled when Maeve enters the living room first thing in the morning.

I love the simple enjoyment of my kids!

Oasis

This is a little bit of our paradise. We have clocked numerous hours in this pool during the few months of living here. The sunlight streams through the windows at 6 am, making mornings golden. We have yet to water that green lawn. The kids will spend lots of time on the play set during the winter months and with the addition of a zip line and trampoline in the future, I can't think of why you wouldn't want to hang out here.

Oh, and let's not forget the great people watching!

Monkey Platters x Three

I create a platter for my kids to munch on many afternoons. In this instance I had to create two platters and a table full for my La Leche League meeting. During this one meeting a month I try to give them something to do that is out of the way. They love playing with the babies, but neither one has much volume control and Elias, in particular, can not stop talking and talking during the meeting.

If I create them each their own special platter, give them a new movie, book on tape or have them play a game, I can usually keep them occupied for an hour or so of the meeting.

You Have to Crawl

Elias pulled out the tunnel today and had it immediately usurped by his baby sister. I don't think she had seen it since learning to crawl/walk. She was thrilled by the rolling structure and kept picking up an end and looking down it. She didn't want to go in it because that involved crawling! After several demonstrations by Eva and some encouragement from the camera, she decide to give it a go. She made sure to stop and give me a good picture. She then came over to the camera to take a look at herself. What a ham!

Random Structures

We have an extensive assortment of building material at our house. Legos, Tinker Toys, Lincoln Logs, Magnaforms, blocks, marble runs and these colorful disks that Eva quite enjoys. I try to pull them out and strew different boxes of builders around the house. My kids often strew the results.

They seem to make great pathways for Mouse Trap mice too.

My Three

There they are, all three of them: Maeve (1), Eva (4) and Elias (7.5)

Trying to get a picture where are three are looking at the camera AND smiling is close to impossible. I do like this picture; it has all sorts of interesting things in it. Maeve is trying to figure out what her siblings are doing. Elias and Eva are almost holding hands. Eva, as usual, is wearing a big grin and, as usual, has chocolate around that grin. Elias is looking at the pond where he will quickly go when this photo shoot is done. None of them possess combed hair. Amazingly, they are in relatively clean clothes and there is an incredible lack of scabs and bruises. They are lovely.

Planning

Sometimes inertia takes over and we spend a week or two having little interaction with each other or others. Before our camping trip we were bursting with creativity, adventure and starting a few routines that the kids were enjoying. After the camping trip it seemed easier to not strew or engage and just let the kids watch movies, swim and play video games. When I realize that we are getting grumpier and not enjoying this I try to find a way to get us back on track. Often it means I need to be proactive and strew, offer and get excited about my own projects.

I started to talk to them about things they would like to do and was getting nowhere. "Later, I want to watch a show." So I wrote "Eva" and "Elias" on my board and listed the things they like to do and a couple of plans we had on the calendar. This started a great discussion of interests and ideas. Elias and I purchased tickets to the King Tut exhibit, I found out Eva really likes the zoo, they asked to restart the smoothie/reading sessions. The things I brought up as ideas were often not commented on, but sparked others. I didn't write everything down, but was able to get a feel for the types of things they are in the mood to do. Hooray for creative discussion!

Always a Giggle

My grandmother had this book when I was a kid. The Monster at the End of this Book is always a good book for loads of giggles.

The real point of this picture is to point out that wonderful man in the middle. He spent his day doing yard work, swimming with Eva, he stuffed diapers, washed dishes and kept the kids entertained while I did some computer catch up. Not only did he do all this wonderful work, but he also made me coffee, complimented everything I cooked, and gave numerous hugs and gave generous amounts of love to all of us. I love this man!

Spark

In honor of Maeve's 1st Birthday, I have decided to post two pictures.

The first was taken a few hours after birth; she was so welcome, a relief after a couple years of stress and heartache. You can see the blonde hair that attracts so much attention.

The second was taken today. This bundle of joy is no longer a baby, but a full blooming toddler with oodles of personality. She is friendly; she will reach out to strangers to be held. She is full of smiles, spark and a general happiness that makes everyone smile. I already miss the baby, but look forward to what this Spark of mine will show us this year!