Born with it!

I never totally got it when pre-kids, people would say: they come out with a personality all of their own. Ok, I get it now. It is so amazing and fun and exhausting and wild to watch the personalities of our little boys unfold. They certainly live up to the title of this post because man are we in the midst of a personality explosion - all their own! These are unfolding more and more, but the interesting thing is that although they have of course evolved in magnitude from their early teeny tiny days, the core of them has remained the same since birth.

Particularly, Colin. (More on Logan for the next post). Our feisty yet sweet first born is sure strong willed, independent, particular and confident. He showed signs of this early on, but that has grown and grown. Everything and I mean, EVERYTHING is a negotiation and his brain works in ways that I literally never knew a 4 year old could even consider! Take his justification of why he NEEDED to bring 2 toys to swim class for instance. After many rounds of affirming he was to only bring 1 toy, he finally reluctantly agreed only to turn around 30 seconds later with 2 toys in tow (a motorcycle and small toy bird) and tell me that he knew he was only supposed to bring 1, but the bird would have no way home! And because of this, the motorcycle was something he just had to bring!!! Blew my mind.

Also, he most definitely has certain ways of how to do things, and an orderly fashion about him. I can tell you, this does not come from me! :) If something he deems important is not done is the manner in which he feels necessary (vitamins distributed the same each morning, underwear not hanging from the knobs of his dresser etc.), he not only notices, but it unnerves him! I keep telling myself all this will serve him down the road - his organized and confident self - and that this is a kid that clearly needs to exert himself. In the meantime, we are living the life of learning boundaries and consistency....and facing the meltdowns with the knowing that this too shall pass :)

While I was taking in groceries from the car, Colin (unbeknownst to me) unloaded the first bag in Colin-like fashion)! ;)

My little fish

It's so much fun to see how far Colin has come last summer and this summer (courtesy of weekly lessons with Miss Kate). Aside from being a true water lover, he has become very competent in his abilities to kick and pull and easily swim across the pool. I'm looking forward to watching him grow even more, and also to have Logan jump in next summer too!

Busy Bees

While summer should stand for relaxation - in the sun, by the pool, beach days - it somehow always manages to kick my butt with busy times. Yes, we have done all these relaxing things, but man have the days (and nights!) been packed with countless things to do - none of which I can even think of right now!! Guess it's just the fact the this is my busiest time of year with my big fundraiser coming up, and all the activities the kids are in, plus lots of visitors and activities and commitments. All good things, but I have felt a bit overwhelmed, and short fused lately. 2 busy boys who are definitely in the stage of independence in addition to a full schedule can be exhausting!

This past week, our bodies rebelled and let us know we need to slow down. All four of us got slight cold symptoms. Not enough to knock us out initially, but enough for us to pause. And then the dreaded firsts came on Saturday night - Colin's first bought with an ear infection, first dose of antibiotics, and first Urgent Care visit. Of course this all had to explode at 2am and Morgan and Colin disappeared into the night until 4am, returning with the meds.

SO... this week, I am focussing on fun, and true relaxation!! AND... maybe a little hokey pokey to remind us to slow down and cherish the journey - all that comes our way - whatever they may be!

Summer through pictures

Beach days...


Tball practice and games...



Lots of TLC for our first garden...



And lots of swimming and outdoor time!

4th of July traditions (a bit late on the posting)

I remember as a kid, waking up early on the 4th of July to go down and claim the bus bench to watch the Ashland 4th of July parade. All these years later, although there is no bench any longer and we have taken to putting out blankets 24 hrs in advance, it is so fun to continue this tradition with my own little ones. In Colin's 5 fourth of Julys, we have been in Ashland 4 of those... And my hope is this will continue to be an annual trip to go up for the hometown festivities every year. It is a special time filled with memories of the past, and new memories being created. It is special week and lots of fun to spend time with Grammy and Dave and all my lifelong friends, as well as to share this tradition with my boys.



Nothing better than Emmigrant Lake waterslides! The kids had a blast - - and so did the big kids!! :)






We celebrated beautiful Jada and Jordan and I cherished my time with my wonderful High School friends!!




Fun times!!

So much to learn

I realized that over the past couple months, we without really knowing it, have stretched the brains of our sweethearts. Classes, activities, new school - it has been a time of transition and expansion! I am realizing this is the way it will be from here on out and it is a mix of exhaustion and excitement as we watch them learn and grow, and yet become glorified taxi drivers taking them from activity to activity. I realize now, why my own mama must have felt she was always on the go!

It began with 'Tots n Pots' for Colin last month. A darling cooking class with 4 boys and 3 girls. Celine, our french cooking goddess was wonderful with the little ones, showing them fun and healthful things to make. Colin is a natural foodie and he loved every tasty moment!
>



Onto a big moment for our sweet Lo Lo's...his first day of pre-preschool. June 2nd was a big day as he joined his big brother with lunch box in hand to begin ABC school for 2 half days a week. Although just shy of 2, I feel strongly this little time each week is and will continue to be very good for him as he grows verbally and socially. And the cherry on the top is that he has the same teacher Colin had as a 2 year old, Miss KK. We adore this amazing lady, and luckily Logan has known her since he was just weeks old.


And now we are submerged in swimming lessons, Tball (practices and games) for Colin and Logan has begun his first music class. Despite the crazy schedules we maintain, our energetic boys LOVE these outlets, and we love seeing them smile. I had intentions of adding tap to mix for Colin, but that will have to wait until fall :)






Happy Summer!!

You are my Sunshine!

We celebrated Logan's 2nd birthday with a traditional summer pool party. Our summer solstice baby shined in true Lo Lo fashion - happy and smiley, and he truly soaked up all the love this past Saturday. It was a great day of family and close friends,swimming, playing, eating and having fun! I made sunshine cake pops and Logan thoroughly rocked his vegan, non sugar pumpkin muffin with organic whipped cream. Mmmm!

A great day with special memories!!