The Big Five: A Birthday Retrospective

At long last, the birthday montage! This time, with a bit of nostalgia. Age five can do that to you.

The Big Five: Lucie

To our lovable Lucie B, can you really be turning five? You told me you'd be four and a half forever. We are constantly amazed by your recent growths and changes -- here's a quick look at incredible you on your fifth birthday.

This has been the summer of swimming for you! You are an amazing swimmer. You jump right into the water and begin swimming face down while kicking and doing your arm strokes.

You aren't afraid to jump into water that is over your head, even surprising me by doing a dive into the pool on a recent trip. Your risk taking in the water is commendable -- you're constantly pushing yourself to try new things, without putting yourself in dangerous situations. It's lots of fun to watch.

You love to be read to. Several times a day, you snuggle up next to me for a book or two, from Magic School Bus to Berenstain Bears, or any book having to do with dancing or ballet. You love to listen to books, both for enjoyment and for relaxation.

You also enjoy reading your most special books to your loved ones. One of my favorite images from this summer is walking into a room to find you sitting on a stool reading a story aloud, surrounded by all your stuffed animals. I've watched the same scene acted out with carefully placed paper dolls or all your Littlest Pet Shop animals. You love to take on the role of teacher.

Along with your growth in the water comes your determination to try new things on the playground. You got a jump rope recently and have been set on learning to use it. It's still quite difficult for you to do on your own, but you keep trying, and with a little growth, will surely get it soon.

A new fascination at the park is with the monkey bars. One recent day you spent so much time trying to get across the bars, you came home with calluses on your hands. The set of bars at your new preschool is at the perfect height for you, sure to be a favorite destination at morning drop-off.

Your imagination soars. It's not uncommon to find you on the couch, surrounded by all your worldly possessions, pretending you're on a car/ship/airplane journey to the moon/playground/ballet class. You make steering wheels out of paper plates, and gear shifts out of spatulas and wooden spoons. That old green couch goes on some pretty great adventures with you.

The year ahead is sure to be full of adventures and independence, with a new preschool and kindergarten next fall. We look forward to sharing it all with you, and watching you continue to grow and change. We love you Lucie B.!

The Big Five: Ryan

To our Ryan, despite my numerous pleas to stay age four forever, you've gone ahead and done it -- turned five! How did the time go so fast? In case you plan to keep changing and growing older, here's a peek at you on your fifth birthday.

You used to adore all things firetruck, but that's old news. Now, it's baseball. Playing baseball, talking baseball, reading about baseball -- you love it all. Cousin Scotty passed down his major league baseball bed sheets to you, and they've now replaced your once-loved orange bedding as your favorite set.

You started with the National League sheets on your bed, and spent time poring over every team name and emblem until you had memorized them all. You love it when we point to a baseball team and quiz you on their name and city. Now that you've got the National League down, you're on to the American League, with a head start on familiarity with the Angels and Orioles after recently attending a game with your Dad (which from all reports I've heard was likely one of the best days of your life).

You love projects around the house and yard, especially if they involve a trip to our local Ace Hardware Store. The staff at Ace knows you well, and always makes sure you get your bag of free popcorn and can operate the train that navigates the ceiling. I can genuinely say that your assistance with projects is very helpful, as you know the names and locations of most every tool in the garage and are happy to fetch them (and even help me operate them in some cases). You seem to have a better understanding of our never-ending house projects than I do, happily filling me in on each one's status and estimated time to completion.

You've always loved to help me cook, especially on nights when your Dad has to work late and we enjoy a well-loved tradition of "breakfast for dinner". Banana pancakes are your specialty. Along with cooking, you continue to love to eat. Every time I turn around it seems you're declaring, "Mom, I'm STARVING!" Fruit is still your preferred snack, from fresh to dried. I felt bad the other day for telling you you couldn't have one more apple, only because you'd just polished off three.

Though your language is constantly changing and growing, you still say some cute things that remind us that you're not all grown up yet. Sunscreen has turned into "skunskreen" and instead of saying "my" you say "mine", like "mine arms" or "mine shoes".

The year ahead is sure to be full of adventures and independence, with a new preschool and kindergarten next fall. We look forward to sharing it all with you, and watching you continue to grow and change. We love you little man!

First Day

Always a favorite tradition in my family, the first day of school photo lives on in our house with Ryan and Lucie.

Yesterday's first day at a new preschool was met with much excitement and anticipation. The kids were up, dressed and ready for breakfast by 7:05 am, long before I had even put the muffins in the oven for breakfast.

Though super tired when I picked them up, Lucie and Ryan both seemed to enjoy their first day. Lucie was especially vocal about the day, chatting all the way home about the different craft stations she visited, her successful trips across the monkey bars, and the kid-sized bathroom (not an automatic flushing toilet, to her great relief).

Ryan was a little more quiet, but happily perked up at dinner when he told us all about his assigned job in the classroom as "Electrician". It seems for the month of September he is in charge of turning on and off the lights for rest period, outdoor play time, etc. Since we know he loves buttons and all things having to do with electricity, this is the perfect job for him, and one in which he takes great pride.

Before and After

After a summer of chlorine and sun exposure nearly every day, Lucie's hair was due for a good cut. Looking over some "old" photos together (well, old for a five-year-old), we found a shot from when Lucie was about three-years-old and had her hair cut just above the shoulders. She loved it, and decided she wanted to go for that look again.

Here's Lucie's latest look after instructing the stylist all on her own. The new short cut is great for staying cool and quick dry-offs after the pool. We all love it (and I not-so-secretly wish I had Lucie's hair too...)

Uncle Greg and Aunt Jessica

We just returned from a week visiting with family and enjoying Greg and Jessica's wedding festivities. It was a wonderful time, and the kids are now having fun switching from saying "Uncle Greg and Jessica" to "Uncle Greg and Aunt Jessica". Hopefully by Thanksgiving they'll have it down...

The day of the wedding was gorgeous with perfect weather, a radiant bride and ecstatic groom, and, all modesty aside, a cute and poised ring bearer, and an equally sweet and dedicated flower girl.

Though we talked about the wedding a lot leading up, Lucie and Ryan had no idea what it meant to be a ring bearer or flower girl. All they really knew was that it was a special honor, involving wearing fancy clothes and shoes, and at the end of it all, they could eat cake. Beyond that, things seemed a little unclear to these little guys.

Thanks to an on-site rehearsal and a few stick figure diagrams, the kids did great on the wedding day, and each took their responsibilities very seriously. Ryan cruised down the aisle at the perfect speed, cradling his pillow, and giving Greg a high five as he reached the end. Lucie was so dedicated in her petal tossing, making sure Jessica had plenty of petals to grace her steps, right up to the officiant's feet (this caused a few giggles from the audience).

We were super proud of Lucie and Ryan, not knowing how they'd react to the attention. The only moment they exhibited the slightest bit of apprehension was when the DJ announced the wedding party. Lucie and Ryan were supposed to walk in the reception hall together holding hands, but as soon as they opened the door to a room full of cheering people, they bolted back by our sides. Instead the four of us walked in together, which was just how we all liked it anyway.

Congratulations to Greg and Jessica! We are so happy for you, and were honored to be a part of your day.

Flow Control

Pre-potty training:

Post-potty training:

To be fair, the post picture represents two years of trial and error. Fortunately for our bathroom hardware budget, Ryan now has his aim under better control...

Summer

Despite our strange on-again/off-again weather, Ryan and Lucie have been enjoying all their favorite summertime pleasures this month.

Beach days:

Cool treats in the backyard:

Pool time:

With swim lessons four days a week, the kids have been making great progress. It's so fun to see them glide and kick, with faces in the water, across the pool. Thankfully, the water is heated, as our overcast weather has made for some shivering towel-offs. Though I'm not sure any amount of teeth-chattering would stop these two from loving the pool.

The Many Faces of a Ferris Wheel Ride

Big smiles and confidence:

Apprehension:

Anticipation:

Pure joy!

Not sure what to expect:

Warming up:

Comfortable enough to check out the crowds:

Loving the ride:

Happy Summer!

Tackle!

A very happy father's day to a dad we can always depend (and endlessly climb) on...

You're the best.

Camping

Our first tent camping trip as a family was lots of fun. We hope to camp more in the future, and made a few mental notes of things that worked/didn't work for upcoming adventures.

Lucie and Ryan taught us a few things along the way too:

Though your parents may try to convince you otherwise, skirts really are appropriate camping and fishing attire:


Sticks, campfires and s'mores can provide hours of entertainment:


Sleeping inches away from two four-year-olds makes for a restless night (think sleeping next to two flopping fish). Though you couldn't ask for a more cheerful or goofy wake-up crew the next morning:

Shopping Helpers

When I wasn't watching, a little boy (and his sidekick sister who came up with all the ideas) added a few items to my grocery list this weekend.

They found it hilarious, and kept asking me, "Read the list, Mommy! Read the list!" I wonder how much a "Ryan", "Gigi" or an "ATM" goes for at the store these days?

And, speaking of shopping, we picked up a bag of the first cherries of the season last week. The kids love cherries.

Last summer we had to take the pits out for them, as Lucie and Ryan hadn't quite mastered it on their own. But not this year. They were very proud of themselves for figuring it out. We just had to make sure everyone was well covered up, because there was a juicy, sticky learning curve.

At this age, every seemingly small accomplishment is celebrated with such enthusiasm and excitement. It makes me want to eat cherries with Lucie and Ryan every day.

Cousins in the Sand

We were fortunate to spend some time at my Grandmother's beach cottage, right on the sand in Capitola. The kids loved opening up the door every morning to reveal the wide, open beach, chasing sea gulls, and listening to the waves as we went to sleep each night.

Of course, we also indulged in large, cheesy slices of Pizza My Heart on the beach wall for dinner, keeping watch over any interested birds, and Polar Bear ice cream each afternoon. (I'm getting really good at passing along all my favorite habits to my kids.)

Tate, Caleb and Aunt Rach joined us for two days of cousin time in the sand. Lucie and Ryan had discovered this enormous hole on the beach. The kids spent lots of time there, running and jumping in,



playing "bad guys" and turning Lucie into a sand mermaid.


Caleb crawled around in the sand too, teasing us by trying to chew on every stray piece of seaweed he could find. With tons of smiles and an ever-cheerful attitude, we sure love that little cutie.

I'm happy Caleb knows he can always come to his Aunt Meg for a supply of Cheerios. And, with just ten days until his first birthday, he'll soon be able to join us for ice cream too...

May travels

Though we know the flight practically by heart, each trip to visit family includes new experiences for Lucie and Ryan. That's part of the fun of traveling with these two -- there's always a discovery around every corner.

With Grandma and Grandpa we visited a newly reopened zoo/amusement park, one I had fond memories visiting as a child. Lucie and Ryan surprised us by trying and loving rides they wouldn't have gone near a year ago, including their first roller coaster, and a crazy, bouncing aerial drop ride.

At the end of the first frog hopper ride, we expected the kids to run over to us clutching their stomachs or crying, but instead they raced back into the open line, ready to try again, even individually. Such bravery for our two.

Later in the week at the beach, Lucie, Ryan, Tate and Papa headed out on a fishing trip. They had been fishing with Papa several times before, though unfortunately never had caught anything. Things started slow, but after a location change to a warm spot with views of diving pelicans, the fish started biting.

On the first day, Lucie caught one fish and Ryan caught three. The next day the total went to twelve with fish coming in like crazy, even two on one line for Lucie. The kids were so excited, doing most of the reeling themselves, and helping Papa throw each one back in the ocean (Lucie wasn't so sure about the feeling of fish scales on her fingertips). They couldn't wait to call Daddy to share the news.

Before boarding our flight home, we checked out a great children's museum with Gigi. Lucie made a new friend in the make-your-own-pizza play room, and the two became fast playmates. With Ryan in tow, the kids raced around the museum together as their new friend showed her favorite exhibits, inviting L & R to her birthday party (in December -- too cute) along the way. We could have spent the entire time pulling levers and making big splashes in the water room. Mr. Ryan made good use of a dry shirt for our flight home.

More photos to come of our beach time and fun with Tate and Caleb.

Beach Kids

We've had a few gorgeous days at the beach lately. The skies have been clear and blue, and the sand wide and open. There's been plenty of room for making and selling "mud ice cream":


turning the beach into our personal soccer field with Gigi and Papa (Ryan could have played for hours):jumping waves:


and getting cozy in a warm towel.


Ryan was mesmerized by a pair of skimboarders on our last beach visit. While he has a few more years until he can try that sport, Chris found two used boogie boards at a family swap meet that the kids can't wait to break in. The ocean is still pretty cold, but when things warm up, I think we'll have a tough time getting these two out of the water. They love it.