Alki Beach

My sister Jill LOVES the beach.  She seriously loves it.  Today, she asked me if we would like to join her and I couldn't pass it up!  Damien offered to stay back with Emily while she napped, which I really appreciated. 

I forgot how beautiful it truly is at Alki Beach.  It made me realize why Jill finds such peace and tranquility there.  If you look one direction, you see beautiful blue water with a mountainous horizon in the background.  If you look another direction, you have one of the most breathtaking views of the Seattle cityscape.  It is a lot to take in and certainly a place where you can clear your head and enjoy the beauty of the outdoors.

The weather was perfect and Michael, Claire, and Matthew were so ready to jump in the cold, salty water.  As we approached the beach, they saw a kid carrying a clear cup with a miniature crab in it.  Suddenly the need to swim dissipated and their minds went straight to catching crabs!

Kyle, Jill, Jake (Jill's finance) and his two children Tiernan and Morganday came prepared for a long day at the beach.  They had packed us all lunch and had everything we could have possibly needed!  All six kids had a blast as they splashed through the water looking for their pinchers.  Another cool part of the day was that unbeknownst to us, we sat right at the finish line for outrigger races.  The outrigger club was blasting cool Hawaiian tunes and every now and again, announced the boats that were finishing straight out in the water ahead of us!

I loved the day so much.  While the three kids explored the beach, I stretched out on my towel and read my book (The Help).  It was nice not to have to watch a two year old who is always pushing the boundaries.  Even though I love Emily so, so much- it was like a day off for me not to have to chase her around!  Claire and Matthew combed the beach for shells while Michael checked out all of the seaweed and found his own special treasures (one being a tiny crab leg that eventually would smell so bad- it stunk up my Mom's entire kitchen).

After some yummy lunch, Jill started burying the kids in the sand.  First, it was Claire who wanted to be buried 'all the way' while the other kids watched and swore they would never do that!  After a few minutes of seeing how cool Claire looked, they all wanted a try so Jill and I got busy pushing the sand all over them!  By the end, we were all laughing.  Especially when Michael asked it there was such a thing as bugs that live in the sand and bite.  You could see him debating over whether to get out or risk being bitten by the sand bugs!

As we enjoyed the beautiful sunshine and the gorgeous beach, I wondered why I don't come here more often.  There are so many amazing places to go in the Seattle area but I find myself spending so much time on the Eastside (Kirkland/Bellevue area).  While the Eastside is beautiful, I want to make sure I explore more of Seattle and all of the amazing things it has to offer.

I know that my kids will remember this day as a highlight of this trip to Washington.  I know that being at the beach for me was like a pushing 'reset button' for more patience and a clear head.  I loved it and loved spending some quality time with my amazing sister, Kyle, Jake and his great kiddos. 

Summer's Last Hurrah!

We flew up to Washington today to start a wonderful two week stay with my family!  Our trip in June was great but Emily was sick and things didn't go exactly as I had planned.  So why not try again?  The flight up was a breeze, we all arrived happy and rested and ready to finish out the summer on a high note!

Of course, there was the initial gushing from my family members to the kids.  It is always that difficult dance of wanting to cover the kids in kisses without overwhelming them as they walk in the door!  The kids were so happy to be back at Nonna and Grandpa's house that they weren't phased a bit by all of the smooches.

The first night we were back, Jill, Jake and the kids came over and it was so wonderful to see them all.  Especially Kyle.  He is just the sweetest.  He immediately was drawn to His Emmy or His Baby.  He has loved her to pieces since the day she was born. 

The following night, we went out to pizza and ended up at the marina where my kids love to hang out!  Ducks, sunsets, laughter, and family.  It was just perfect.  As usual- Emily kept us busy as we tried constantly to keep her from falling into the water!

Michael, Claire, and eventually Laura- found a way to wade out to a rock in the water for a cute pose.  We were cracking up watching Laura make her way out there because she was so ridiculously determined to do it!  I love her so much!!!

It's a wonderful first few days with my family.  I value this time more than I can even begin to communicate.  My family is amazing and being home makes me feel so grounded, loved, and at peace.  I can't wait to see what more is in store!

Emily . . . Where Are You?

Emily is a great communicator.  One thing that she struggles with is answering me when I call her.  Don't think I am fooled.  I know she doesn't answer on purpose.  She is just too busy getting in trouble!  I about died when I found her in Claire's hamper.  Lucky for me, she stayed in there long enough for me to run and get my camera for this shot.  Oh, Emily.  You certainly keep life interesting!

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

Going to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is a MUST do for our family every summer.  We love it there.  Now that the kids are getting older, most importantly Emily, it is really manageable!  The kids love to go on the rides there.  This year, Matthew wanted to go on rides that both Michael and Claire wanted to go on, too!  That meant that Emily was hanging out solo on the baby rides. 

Matthew went on the log ride and the pirate ship this year for the first time.  Two years ago, Michael absolutely panicked on the pirate ride.  I feared the same result for Matthew but instead, he cracked up the WHOLE time!  Matthew surprises me on a daily basis, I swear.  We usually don't play boardwalk games while at the boardwalk.  (Geez, this sounds kind of contradictory.  Maybe I need to rethink our intentions!)  However, Matthew couldn't get the game called Stinky Feet out of his head.  And since Daddy seems to be Matthew's sucker, he promised him before we left he could play.  Matthew was so happy to shoot the water at the target and win a ducky.  Okay, here's the truth.  Michael actually played too and despite being told to lose, he won.  Classic.  We did convince him to give Matthew the ducky, though.  Those two . . .

Claire and Michael were the most excited to go on a ride called Tsunami.  It is one of those circular roller coasters that is on an angle and goes around and around and around and around.  Basically, you pay money to ride it so you can feel sick!   Oh, to be a kid again.  Emily and I were watching these two crazy kids when all of the sudden, both Michael and Claire had a look of panic on their faces.    What's wrong, I mouthed.  They were trying to tell me something but I couldn't make it out!  I thought maybe one of them needed to barf.  Then, I saw Claire raise a bare foot in the air and I knew what had happened.  Claire had lost her flip flop while being pulled and whipped by the centripetal force.  I mouthed to them that it would be okay and they went on about their business of having fun.  We did find Claire's shoe which was a major plus and now the kids had something extra silly to laugh about and tell their Daddy!

Emily had a blast over in the kiddie corner.  She rode on the boat ride, the car ride, the dragon ride (with Mom), the Pepsi truck ride, and I am sure a few I am forgetting about.  She didn't feel slighted about not being able to go on the big kid rides.  She was in all her glory in the kiddie corner! 

We indulged in yummy boardwalk food and had a blast on this gorgeous summer day!  We headed down to the beach with all of our gear, excited to swim in the ocean!  Last summer, Matthew got tons of sand in his eye and we almost had to take him to the ER.  I was dead set in keeping sand out of the kids faces this year and thankfully, we had no issues. 

The ocean was cold, but that was to be expected!  Michael and Claire didn't seem to mind the mild hypothermia and splashed around like they were in a hot tub.  Matthew took a little time to get used to the temperature but was waist deep in only a few minutes!  Emily did a great job, too.  We were worried about Emily.  Thinking of my fearless, crazy daughter in this vast body of water made me a little worried.  Thankfully, she was totally uncomfortable in the ever changing current.  YES!!!!  I found something that scares my sweet girl.  She hated the feeling of standing in the shallow water and then having the water and sand pull back out to the sea- making her feet feel weird.  This kept Emily out of the deep water and let us all relax a bit!

A few times, Emily would yell out to Michael and Claire to Come Back!!!  She was worried about them out in that big ocean!  We splashed around for a long time and once everyone agreed- we headed to the candy store to load up on salt water taffy to eat on the ride home.

Going to the Boardwalk during the summer just feels so right.  Happy Summer to one and all!

A Visit with Auntie Gina

Now that my sister Gina is a short one hour car ride away, we had to take the kids up to San Francisco to see her new place!  San Francisco living is very different living than San Jose or even Kirkland.  It has it's own feel, it's own vibe and Gina is loving it. 

The kids thought her apartment was really cool and really different.  It is updated but certainly has a 'historical' feel to it, to.  They loved looking out her bay window at the SF cityscape and couldn't wait to walk the really steep hills on our way to lunch.  We took a nine block walk into a really cute area where we noshed on pizza and sandwiches.  The kids loved seeing how people in SF live!  They saw a park and couldn't believe how small it was, realized that there are places called laundromats, noticed that a lot of people walk in the city, and that in certain parts- it smelled funny.  Michael was in his own world and kept asking us 'Am I Going to Fall into the Sky?'  Um, not sure where this came from but he was scared!  The sky was so blue today and it was really warm, too!  Nothing like a clear, warm San Francisco day. 

Gina had promised the kids ice cream after lunch and wanted to take them to Swensen's Ice Cream Shop for their sweet treat!  At first glance, they thought she had found a place that was identical to their last name!  Only on further review did they realized there was no D in this Swensen's.  But it didn't matter.  They had ice cream and plenty of it! 

We walked back to Gina's, took a few scenic pictures, Gina quickly painted Emily's toenails, and then said goodbye.  Claire and Michael are already talking about having a sleep over with Gina in SF one of these weekends.  Thanks for the great day Ween!!!

Simply Summer

I love this picture of my kids.  We had just walked into downtown Willow Glen for some after dinner frozen yogurt.  Everything about this picture looks like summer.  They are relaxed, they are happy, they are on summer vacation!  It is just the best.

Academy of Sciences & Japanese Tea Gardens

We've been wanting to head to San Francisco to see the newly renovated California Academy of Sciences.  For one reason or another, we just couldn't make it happen.  We found ourselves with a fully vacant day and a yearning to explore so we headed north to check it out! 

I went there once with Damien in college.  I am petrified of snakes.  Fact.  Damien took me there and didn't tell me he wanted to show me the only two headed snake in the world.  Fact.  Too bad it died by the time we got there.  Relief!  This was really my first time exploring the academy and it was really cool!

By the time we arrived, all of the kids were so excited to see everything this museum had to offer!  Damien was thrilled to walk in and see the first exhibit featured was the 40 foot robotic snake from the movie Anaconda.  Wonderful.  I put on a brave face and pretended this wasn't the snake the tormented me for an entire hour and a half movie years prior!  The kids loved it but the little two were a bit scared because it was so realistic!

We loved the aquarium portion of the academy, loved the rain forest area where butterflies abound, the kids LOVED seeing real life crocodiles (even an albino one), they loved the Foucault Pendulum and were stoked to have been able to see it knock over one of it's pegs, we got to walk over a see-through floor with giant sting rays swimming beneath us, the little kids loved the Young Children's play area, Damien and the boys were so impressed with the planetarium, and the yummy food from the cafeteria was just what we needed to give us a boost!

Overall, we loved it.  It has a little of everything and really helped the kids expand their knowledge of so many different things! 

Afterwards, we walked across the way to the Japanese Tea Gardens.  We have been there a few times in the past but we were just too close to it not to go again!

We ran and ran around and around the different little scenic areas.  The kids loved climbing on this giant rainbow bridge.  They must have climbed it a handful of times! 

We were able to sit down and have tea in the outside restaurant and I prayed that my overly tired two year old's lack of nap time didn't ruin our experience.  Turns out, she did great.  She is crazy little girl but uber-adaptable. 

We all had hot tea (which was great for the overcast SF day), almond cookies, fortune cookies, and the Japanese candies Hi-Chew.  It as absolutely perfect.  As I looked around the table and saw my kids so content and appreciative of our efforts to show them some new things, I thought to myself that I am truly so, so blessed. 

Here's to more summer outings and making time for these amazing experiences.

Do You Believe in Magic?

I'd like you to meet my magical girls.  Claire has donned this costume on occasion for over a year or so now.  She will come out of her room and approach me in the kitchen and say, "Would you like to know your fortune?"  I think it is hilarious.  Ever since she was little, she has enjoyed dressing up and I hope she continues to do it for years to come.  I love it!  What I love in particular about this costume is the sign that reads Magical Crystal Ball.  Amazing.

Monkey see, monkey do.  Emily went into Claire's room the other day and put on this costume all by herself!  I swear.  I about died when I saw her come in the kitchen wearing this.  When I asked who had helped her, she answered "Nobody do anything!"  Claire is a wonderful big sister and such a great example and role model for her little sis.  Here's to imaginary play and much more of it!

Swimming Lessons

I have the BEST memories of taking swim lessons when I was a kid.  It was such a highlight of the summer for me!  Jill and I were usually in the same class or in the pool at the same time while my Mom somehow managed to juggle three other kids on the edge of the pool.  (It is moments like this where I look at the great accomplishment my Mom achieved by raising the five of us.  How did she do it?)  I loved swimming in the sunshine (okay, the rain- too) and I especially loved the day where you got to wear all of your clothes in the pool to tread water in the deep end for safety's sake.  I remember showering afterwards and watching Jill use the shampoo that prevented blond hair from turning green from the chlorine while thanking God that my hair was brown and I didn't have to use the stinky stuff!  Then I remember the quick trip to 7-11 on the ride home to grab a small treat.  Swimming lessons were the best and it makes me nostalgic to see my kids enjoying the same.

A few years back, I enrolled Michael and Claire in an outdoor swim session at the Camden Community Center.  They loved it and it was so much more affordable than the other local options (with amazing swim results).  This year, I did the same and they loved being under the sun in a great big pool!  Matthew and Emily loved the wide open space on the side of the pool where they could run around and play games together.  I loved the brief thirty minutes where I could sit back, sunglasses on, and soak it all in. 

They both started in a Level 3 class but after the first day, they were asked if they didn't mind switching up to a Level 4!  Good job Michael and Claire.  I was so impressed with the instruction they got in their class.  They were taught so much in two weeks and I can definitely see an improvement in their strokes and pool skills. 

Matthew and Emily were insanely jealous the whole two weeks.  Luckily, I bribed away the jealousy with snacks and goodies.  Sugar is my friend!  I am so glad that I was able to find a pocket of time this summer to give Michael and Claire this opportunity.  During the school year, they are booked with other sports and mounds of homework.  Swimming skills are so important and I think summer will continue to be the time of year we designate to becoming stronger swimmers and continuing pool safety!  Ah, I love summer.

My Date With Matthew

So, we have this gift card giving ritual on both Mother's Day and Father's Day.  Basically, we take the kids to the store and let them pick out a gift card with the intention of giving it to Mom/Dad for a one-on-one date!  I love seeing where they want to go and love when I actually get to take them there!  This year, Matthew picked a really swanky restaurant Subway (which also happens to be one of his favorite places)!  I thought it was the perfect pick!  And to be honest, I could use a nice healthy sandwich, too! 

Our conversation over lunch was absolutely priceless.  I loved being just with him . . . alone with my little boy.  I am not going to say that I don't have guilt that stems way back from when Emily was born.  Before she was born, he was MY little guy.  A total mama's boy.  It is amazing and in some ways sad how the birth of another sibling can affect kids.  One minute- he was my main focus and the next, he was a one of the big kids and instantly a big brother.  I remember the day I came home from the hospital with Emily and how Matthew just wanted to be with me.  Those big beautiful eyes looked at me and said, "Remember?  I am your little baby?" My heart broke.  I wanted to give him my all, my everything. Problem was- I had to take care of Emily.  I gave him as much time as I could but the sad truth is, it probably wasn't enough in his eyes.  I know that at the time, I gave him every ounce of energy I had- it's just sometimes I miss that little baby boy who only wanted to crawl into his Mommy's lap.  I loved when he was my littlest baby and this lunch made me realize how important it is not only to me- but to Matthew to get time alone together.

Over our turkey sandwiches (Matthew's had only turkey, cheese, mayo, and lettuce) we talked about life and funny memories.  I was in mid-sentence when Matthew reached across the table and grabbed my hand.  He held it up like a Prince would do and kissed the top of my hand.  Then his left dimple peeked out as he grinned ear to ear.  Seriously?  He is the cutest thing ever.  After a few moments of trivial conversation he sprung a BIG question on me.  "Mom, will you marry me?"  He said that he would buy me flowers that I could have on our wedding day.  Of course my answer was yes.  Matthew is just too much.  My little lovey.

I was so happy to have had lunch with Matthew.  He really is amazing and I am glad that I was reminded of our times together before Emily.  I was happy to hear about his Star Wars dream the night before.  And mostly, I am happy that I apparently have captured the heart of my youngest son.  Little does me know, he has had my heart since the moment I first laid eyes on him.