Monday, July 27, 2009

Beach Days

do not disappoint.

Camping

While we were eating dinner Saturday, Summer asked, "Can we sleep in the tent tonight, please?" David was happy to oblige. After getting the kids ready for bed, they trucked down their blankets, pillows, loveys, and books from their rooms to the screened porch where the tent is set up. The kids could not contain their excitement for camping out.

Trying to go to sleep... Forrest had a hard time adjusting. After an hour of struggling, I moved him to his bed where he went right to sleep within minutes. Summer, a true trooper, slept all night. David stayed in the porch with Summer while I slept in the house to keep an eye on Forrest.

The next morning... Forrest and I woke up to this sweet sight. Summer loved it and asked to do it again. She said she heard a lot of bullfrogs all night, which she found it amusing. I am sure we are in for many more nights of camping.

Sunday, July 26, 2009

Forrest & The Scooter

This boy knows how to ride his scooter. Quite well. His crocs are brimming to the edges of falling apart from scooting his little scooter. He has his wheelbarrow in tow, filled with his toys such as Tonka trucks and Summer's pink barbie bike. It was a beautiful day when we went out for our walk. Summer was riding her bike in a straight line with cautious, while Forrest loved to scoot onto and down neighbors' driveways like a rollercoaster. Forrest, I'm on... for the search for some new shoes that will withstand the scooting for many days to come. I love you, my sweet scooter.

Saturday, July 25, 2009

The Gymnasts


Do they get any cuter than this little one? Forrest adores his sister and would do whatever she does. Ever the optimist, Summer puts on her leotard every day in hopes that I would take her to a ballet class like Angelina on "Angelina Ballerina". When Forrest sees her in her leotard, he has to be in one too. I adore this little boy. Every little thing about him. He is our funny child and I love that about him... loves to make us laugh. The other day I was teaching him how to sign "I" when reviewing ABC's and he just laughed his head off (thinking that hand sign was a pretty hilarious sight) and then all of us laughed too. Silly, loud and HAPPY. I love, love, love YOU, Forrest.

Saturday, July 18, 2009

The Party








Happy 4th Birthday to my Summer! She was so excited when she woke up. she kept saying "Am I really four years old?!" All week, the weather predicted rain on the day of her party at the sailing club. When we got to the lake, my worries for a rainy day faded away once I saw the beautiful sun. It was partly cloudy, low humidity - just exactly what I had hoped for. Staying true to her roots, Summer wanted an Ariel, the Little Mermaid, party. Three of her dearest friends came - Amelia, Coco and Chloe, along with their siblings. The kids had a blast swimming, jumping on the water trampoline, lots of laughter, and just playing together. Everyone had a blast. I would say it was a pretty great way to kick-off her year as a big 4 year old.
Happy Birthday to my sweet girl. I love you forever.

Friday, July 17, 2009

Summer's Haircut





Let me tell you, this girl knows what she wants. "Mommy, can I please get my hair cut?!" After begging for the past month, I finally oblige. Summer loves her new haircut. It's so much easier to brush her hair, I must say. She looks so grown up. Where is the time going? 

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Members Only

My cute Forrest & Summer sharing the stool during a snack time. It was a sweet moment when Summer came down after her nap and Forrest was already sitting on the stool eating. Forrest saw her coming, and moved over so Summer could squeeze in. I love seeing the love they have for one another. Having siblings is like being a part of a very private club. Only those with siblings can truly understand what I mean, but it is so, so true. I know Summer and Forrest have established this club, almost subconsciously. Even being their mommy does not give me access... and because I know how important and wonderful this club membership is for them, I am not jealous in the least... I get it. I love this moment. I am one blessed mommy.

Toy Boat




One of our kids' favorite books is "Toy Boat", and we have named our sailboat after this book. In the book, it talks about the relationship between the boy and the toy boat. How the toy boat loved to go out and explore the world when the boy lost the string to the boat, yet loved to return back home to its owner, the boy. This is a metaphor of our children's lives. We are slowly expanding their safety net, how far they can go out and explore. They know mommy and daddy will always be here when they return.

Sunday, July 5, 2009

Summer's Special Day







When I asked Summer what she wanted for her birthday, she said she wanted to go see a movie at a theater, which she had never been to. Since the movie, "Ice Age", was coming out that weekend in open-captioned, it was the perfect time to take Summer there. Summer wanted to wear a dress, her only necklace, and of course her signature boots since she said it was raining outside. She was ALL in smiles. It was her very special day. I've never seen her so excited. Before we left, Summer said something I would never forget - "I want to bring something back for Forrest". So sweet. Forrest stayed home with Leigh, our nanny.

We got to Mayfaire a bit early, shopped around a bit before the movie started. Summer loved to do the skipping part where Daddy and I held on to her hands and swing her back and forth. When we arrived at the theater, I told Summer she could pick any candy she wanted. After a long wait, she finally decided on Twizzlers. Get this, Twizzlers are Daddy's all time favorite candy. Summer looked at me with her worried eyes, "But, mommy, that is daddy's favorite candy". I told her, "It's all yours. You don't have to share with Daddy". Oh my. I wished I had a video camera to catch her expression when she said, "All by myself?!"

Summer loved the movie, and did incredibly great for a first time goer! She sat very still for the first hour then got restless. Afterwards, she got to pick where she wanted to go for dinner. She wanted to stay at Mayfaire and specifically wanted mac and cheese with shrimp. Fortunately, Brixx, a pizza restaurant, was able to accommodate her wish. We browsed around a bit more before heading home. Summer held on to her bag of 4 Twizzlers tightly on the way home, kept repeating, "This is for Forrest." I walked in the house to find Forrest, and the first thing he signed "Summer?!" and ran past me to find his big sister. My heart melted. It is so special to see how much they missed each other even for a few hours of being apart. I hope she knows that we loved our time with her. It was a very special day for Summer.

Happy 4th Birthday, sweet Summer, we love you so much!