Our summer fun on this past weekend

This weekend was lots of fun for Kaylee and Levi. Friday we had their bff’s over and they had pizza and a movie night and had a ball chasing and role-playing around the house. Those girls are like my surrogate children, but the ones I can say “you have to go home now” to. We are very glad to have them involved in our lives.  They are sweet girls when we take all 4 kids someplace I get “special” looks from people, like “awww! You had four children, you lucky and poor thing!”  The brood all really does look alike and the age-spacing would make sense in family planning. I think it’s funny.  Then in the evening, we did some leftover sparklers from July 4 and they really enjoyed doing those!

Anyways, Saturday we had lunch over at Eric’s grandpa’s house which was a lot of fun. Then after naptime my friend Becca was over with her little boy swimming.  It was a lot of fun seeing them! Before that we played bubbles/balls in the driveway.

On Sunday we went over to my parents, the kids played with their toys and while my Mom showed Kaylee games on the I-pad, my Dad and I got to talk some shop while watching Levi. That was fun! Then we went to DQ and to the beach. The kids really enjoyed themselves playing in the sand and the water. Levi walked in with much bravery up to his neck after being really afraid most of the rest of the time, but then we had to quickly retreat from there as he was getting a little too adventuresome.  We had a lot of fun! Later Eric had some friends over to swim and Kaylee and Levi had some playmates for the evening, we had a nice meal bbq’d out on the patio.

Chivalry?!

Chivalry? I think I am seeing some beginnings of chivalry from my little Levi! He continues to hand me the towel when I come out of the shower, he wipes up messes on the floor while I’m doing dishes, I dropped my keys this morning and he looked down said “I’ll get it!”  and then picked them up for me. I know that Kaylee at that age also started to try to help out around the house and do more things. It is so exciting to see it from him! I definitely love those sweet moments.  I picked him up last week and was like “wow he’s gained weight” but I weighed him and he’s the same. I need to work out more! J I don’t think I’ve been carrying him around as much since he doesn’t really need me to anymore and so my arms, back and core are getting out of the practice. Still finding lots of time to cuddle my little guy (and girl) though still! J

This weekend we had fun. Thursday Eric took them to a concert in the park and I went to go get my hair done.  It was a real treat for me to have some alone time. Thanks Eric! I had thrown out my back and we weren’t sure I could handle the long walk. Eric came home with a story about how Kaylee was shy when a man with down syndrome asked her to dance.  A mother of a girl from daycare was there and she danced with the guy instead. She learned about what down syndrome is. She is becoming more and more aware of the nuances of things such as diversity of cultures and lifestyles. It’s interesting to be a part of. 4 is fun for so many reason. She asked “Are unicorns real?” “Are dragons real?” “Are mermaids real?” “Are fairies real?” Really?! “Why not?!”  “Are dinosaurs real” She tells us more of what’s going on at daycare. It is fun to answer (a bit of one at least) to “how was your day?”

Friday I had to work half day but then got all the laundry caught up and stuff so I could enjoy the kids while we were together.  Saturday we went to a little boys birthday party and enjoyed ourselves. Kaylee and Levi loved throwing the water balloons, getting their faces painted, playing with someone else’s toys. (Always!) Both days we went swimming for a bit in the pool – this year has been so good to have a pool! J Eric does a nice job taking care of it. Kaylee continues to do well learning how to swim. Levi swims by himself now with his life jacket on, of course. He kicks his little legs and obviously loves the independence of swimming by himself. Kaylee is so cute the pride she feels while doing her swimming.

Sunday I took my sister out for a meal just the two of us. It was fun to have the opportunity to have a real adult conversation. I feel like I’m kind of able to get out more and not needed all the time quite so much by the kids. Also Eric has wanted some special Daddy time with them too, which is so awesome. The kids had fun with him – Kaylee discovered she can do a complete puzzle (50 or so pcs, big ones) all by herself with no help.  And then they got to have a long chat online with the Smiths in Co. Eric couldn’t believe how big our niece and nephews looked! How time flies!

Pretty ladies

The other day I had to work until after midnight. Eric took the kids to a park. Kaylee saw some Muslim women there, a few together and they peaked her interest.eric said they were dressed up very beautifully for something and Kaylee was enamored. They went off as a group to the bathroom. Kaylee told Eric she had to go potty. Eric as dubious if she actually had to go. He noticed her interest in them and suspected she just wanted to watch them. So he thought, I'll let her go to the bathroom alone, some of them are moms and they'll help her. It was her first time in the restroom without us. She went in willingly. But all the sudden the group of women broke into a loud song. She was very frightened and burst into tears. They helped her out of there and the little 9 year old apologized for scaring her and explained they were preparing and readying for a festivity. They felt bad and gave Kaylee a few fake flower petals to play with. She's now told me the story about the pretty singing ladies who scared her in the bathroom multiple times. I think it's a very funny story and I desperately wish I could add the sound effect here, anyways she survived and is all the better for the culture and independence she was exposed to when I wasn't around!

Is Kaylee a preteen?

I've been wondering lately if kaylee has hit preteen mode waaaaay too early, signs and symptoms have been, 1)the development of sarcastic sense of humor, after yesterday I said, "wait a min for me to get to you, I have been swimming a long time and I'm tired now, " to which she says, "ok, Lazy. My name is Sparkles and your name is Lazy." to which I yelped some surprise giggles, muffled my smile with the water and eric said, "let's come up with a not-mean name for mommy, please." 2) she's sleeping "in" compared to Levi, until 7:30. 3) she stands in front of the mirror for long periods admiring herself in different angles. 4) she wants to talk on the phone every time it rings. 5) she thinks she knows more than me, asserting herself at every opportunity. To those who ask is four better than two and three years old, my answer is still a resounding -yes! 6) she shuts herself in her room for her "me-time" (and I do mean that innocently) 7) as usual for kaylee she is obsessed with shoes, dresses and hair things 8) what she wants more than anything is to be like her friends, she proclaimed yesterday that she wished her name was her bff's "Nina". Eric said , "that wouldbe confusing we would have to call you both Nina and then you wouldn't know which one we were talking to" 9) when she doesn't need my help in the bathroom, she closes the door declaring her need for "my privacy". 10) doing nails, tattoos and hair has a great pull for her interest. So mothers of teenagers, I know that there'll be a lot more of this in my future lately I've cherished the moments she's held my hand, asked for a hug, laughed uncontrollably, does a silly dance, is affectionate with her brother unabashedly because I can see a bit of a glimpse into the what the future holds and while every step in parenthood is new and great in its immensity of what it has to offer; I do prefer the moments she acts like the our little four year old, which to my relief is most of the time, and with abundant opportunity for the innocence of childhood to prevail a while longer in our household. You should know I am writing this with a smile and know that this is totally normal for a smart little girl to go through! I am happy to report she is not embarrassed by my presence yet, which I am enjoying. Another update on Kaylee, she is swimming several feet to Eric, shes on her way to learning how to swim! She and her dad have lots of fun together during swim lessons. Eric is a fun daddy! So thankful for that! Update on my baby Levi (not by any means preteen) 1) is drinking out of big boy cup 2) is waking up ungodly early lately, between 430 and 530 ...ouch I'm exhausted! 3) loves airplanes and helicopters, got o see a plane up close at daycare. Stops to look and point them out while outside 4) loves swimming and does a little froggie kick just like kaylee 5) chases around bugs, and tries to catch them, he'll hold up his hand offering you a bug (not really there) with pride 6) he loves girls already and stares at the teenage girls when they cone to swim, oh boy...continues to talk about and cuddle his 10 year old girl "friend" when ages over 7) stll doing well with asking to and learning to go potty he's spotty at best, but he justed turned 22 months so how much can one expect? 8) Is talking a lot, in sentences and so others can understand, said "belly flop" clearly. Sometimes I'm a bit unsure which kid just spoke he's so clear, but his voice while stll babyish is lower and much more boyish. 9) is not as affectionate as kaylee, obviously a boy, doesnt cry as much and not as sensitive. He will hit and then say sorry and then immediately get over it and move on, we're doing lots of timeouts. He's a sweet boy though I'll tell ya, I'm very very proud of both my kiddos if you can't tell! Duty calls take care.