end of June

Last day of the 30-day challenge.  I actually missed a day.  I just completely forgot.  Most days it was the last thing I had to do before going to sleep.  I actually put it off until laying in bed most nights.  It's not that hard to write a few sentences.  It is just one more thing to do after a long day of doing many things.  I know that I want to remember these days though; the days of messy faces, giggles, tantrums, learning to talk, learning to read, running outside to see the ice cream truck, digging in the dirt, pointing at bugs, splashing water, toys all over the house, and bedtime hugs.  And those are just a few of the things that I enjoyed about TODAY!  We really do have a good life.  Some moments I wish I out working in some fulfilling career and some moments I wish for more time for myself.  But, usually when I look at the big picture, home with the family is where I want to be.

Library

We have been going to the library frequently, at least once a week.  And Evan always wants all the Lego or batman books he can find.  Also, I signed Evan up for summer reading club, so we have been looking for books to meet those goals.  So we have a ton checked out.  I learned issue that the maximum is 40 books.  I was trying to check out an additional 3.  Instead, I had to use Tony's card.  So we currently have 43 items from the library at our house.  I hope I can find them all.

Running

Usually I just run to do it.  Not because I like it.  I just need to exercise and it's the quickest way I can get a good workout.  Today I had fun running a 5k race.  I did have to walk the hills as I pushed two kids in  stroller, but it felt good to run and be part of something.  That is why I likes the Bayshore half-marathon as much as I did.  Being part of it.  And it was a rewarding feeling to say "I did it!"

A good day

Not every day is a good one.  I don't really have any bad ones.  It's just that some are better than others.  Today was great!  Tony was off of work.  That makes for a better day.  And we had a lot of fun things planned.  Soccer camp, watching the World Cup game at the State Theater, park with friends, beach, family dinner, swimming lessons.  The moment that I consciously thought about how great of a day we were having was when I was pushing Colin on the baby swing and he pointed to the swing next to him and said "mama", meaning that I was to swing next to him, and I swung next to a happy baby with a happy 5 year old running around with his friends and lookin at the blue sky and bay.  I thought, this is living the dream.

Strawberries

Picked some strawberries today!  They didn't eat quite as many along the way as I expected.  They were a little goofy.  Evan joked around by saying "here's a good one" and then holding up a moldy one.

swimming and soccer

I don't want to push Evan too hard with sports.  Really, he's 5.  And it doesn't really matter anyways.  But, watching him at soccer camp, I just want to go out there and tell him, "to try".  He mostly observes the other kids or after the ball passes midfield he runs to the goal to be the "goalie".  Though, even when being the goalie it looks like he is there just daydreaming.  Afterwards camp today I told him that tomorrow he should get in their with the other kids more and try to score a goal.  Though, it should be about having fun, and that he seems to be having for now.

Swimming lessons are the opposite.  He has surprised me with his eagerness and fearlessness after a few lessons.  Up until a couple months, he hated putting his head underwater.  And today, he went under and got a ring from the bottom!

It is really fun for me to watch him to these activities, and even more fun when he is improving!

"I love everything in my life."

Evan must have had a good day!  As we were eating dinner on the patio, which meant grab a bite here and there between running around for the boys, Evan made up a little tune.  The only words were "I love everything in my life."  Just the way he kept repeating those words really made me feel happy.  We must be doing something right!  But it also made my think... Do I love everything in my life?"  I would love to run around singing those words too, but I don't get that urge.  Is life really better at 5 years old?

19 months

As I was reading Colin stories at bedtime tonight, I remembered its the 21st… so he is 19 months old.  I still like to count up the months and have a brief moment of thinking about his birthday in months.

Wah-Wah

Colin found his own lovey.  We got him a cute frog to sleep with and he did for awhile.  But one day it was clear he wanted a cute little puppy for sleepy cuddles and daytime friendship.  He calls him Wah-Wah.  But he calls all dogs that, and actually most furry animals.  He is now to the point that he asks for him when he is hurt or is just thinking about him.  He shows Wah-Wah things he is excited about that, like the tower of Legos he made this morning, and he puts things right in Wah-wah's eyes. And he mushes his face into Wah-Wah.  This is something we are used to because Evan was always mushin Froggy.  Its so sweet to see these make friends with a stuffed toy.  One that comforts endlessly.

33

It was almost just another day.  It was a good day with Tony, Evan, Colin, and my parents.  There just isn't anything too special about turning 33.  Well, it was cute when the boys brought wrapped my present in the morning and then brought it to me as I was still resting in bed.  Loved to see Evan's excitement about my birthday.

Little things

Today, my friend Kristen and I were talking about the life of a stay-at-home mom.  With my part-time NMC job, I do feel like a stay-at-home mom.  And we chatting about the challenges of it.  The sacrifices that go along with this role, yet the importance of this role.  That is why I am here.  Oh, at least that is my current purpose, to raise these boys.  Being their full time mom allows them with the opportunity to spend their time with the most important person (well equally important to their dad) in their lives.  I am not handing my kids over to someone else to raise.  They have the opportunity to experience the world at this early age with us.  We control (mostly) what they do, the things they like, and how they begin to understand the world around them.  Kristen told me that many religions and cultures have a similar saying "God is in the little things".  I have been thinking about this in a way that reflects the importance of those small moments.  Those small moments when having your mom at your side is crucial.

Storm cuddles

I actually was glad to hear "mom!" at 4:40 this morning.  I was awake listening to the thunder.  I went to Evan's room and he told he was scared.  I jumped in his bed for a cuddle.  And was able to enjoy the lovely sound of thunder and rain, and have that sweet, warm, growing boy in my arms.  So it didn't even bother me too much that we never fell back asleep.  It was also cute that he asked if his sandals and soccer ball and net were still out there.

Image

It's the end of another busy day.  I want to go to bed with the image in my mind of Evan holding Colin's hand.  We were at the splash pad (the coolest new hang out for little kids).  And I asked Evan to stay with Colin while I ran back 20 feet to grab our bag. Well, when Colin started walking further away, Evan grabbed his hand and walked with him.  I quickly caught up to them and just walked a few feet behind them looking at this image.  Sometimes I don't want to grab my iPhone camera.  I just want to live in the moment, reflecting on the gift of seeing their lives.

and we have a reader...

Just like that, we have a reader.  Sure, it is only the first 3 BOB books…  "sat", "cat", and "has" and a few others.  But, it was so amazing to hear him sounding out the words and then repeating the words on the page to sound like real sentences… and real reading.  And he was into it.  Tony was just going to go through a few sight word flashcards and one BOB book.  But, Evan asked to do more!  

uh-oh

One of the cutest things that Colin does is says "uh-oh" whenever something falls or just does something that he knows is not right.  Lately it has been when he pees on the floor.  I let him run around naked sometimes after a diaper change.  He thinks it's fun and I am sometimes in need of break from holding a flailing toddler around after wiping his bottom.  So I let him take off. Most of the time is not a problem.  Once in awhile I hear him say "uh-oh" and run to me and then run back and point at the puddle.  Tonight he did it in the glider chair while I was in the room.  I caught him in action and saying  "uh-oh" in the process.

Heading to the beach

Love this picture of the cutest little 1-year-old on his way to the beach.  He now asks to go to the wa-wa "water".  And starts his way down the road.

preschool graduation

We celebrated Evan's preschool graduation from A Little School House today.  He last been with this this school since he started going one day a week at 3 months old.  We are all looking forward to the adventure of kindergarten!

home again

Evan traveled back home today.  Grandma Steeno brought him on the Lake Express and Grandpa Bray drove him halfway to TC.  I was so excited to see him when I met them on the road.  Though, as soon I saw him, he started just sobbing.  Big tears, unable to speak, tight hug.  I managed to get out of him that he was sad to leave.  But he pulled it together after a couple minutes and we talked with my dad for a few minutes.  Then, again with just me in the car the tears started again.  He was so sad!  I had to pull over to talk to him about because he wouldn't stop as I was trying to make him feel better and drive.  We talked about how its ok to be sad and miss grandma.  I told that I also feel sad to leave something really fun or miss someone that I don't see very frequently.  I felt really bad for him.  He told me that he was too scared to cry when he actually said "bye" to Grandma Steeno and while in the car with grandpa.  He waited until he saw me.  And let it go.  I am glad they had that time together.  I know how they loved it!

lots of alone time with Colin

The past 4 days I have had plenty of time with just Colin.  It has been fun, and a nice change of pace to just focus on one child.  But it also is a little lonely here without Evan.  He is the one that I talk to all day.  And Colin seems to like being goofy with Evan too.  And without the distraction of Evan, I have been losing my patience a little easier when dealing with the tantrums and cries from a toddler.

first year video

The best of Colin's first year!  Brings back so many memories!

Hi mom

Evan is staying at Grandpa and Grandma Steeno's house for the first time without us.  Here is the video I got today!  He is having fun!

pre-k soccer

It's fun to run around coaching pre-K soccer players.  They are all cute.  Some of them have no idea what is really going on.  Some of them prefer to sit on the sidelines eating snacks to playing soccer.  And some of them love being on the field, but are mostly just watching the other kids or daydreaming.  This has mostly been Evan.  He is not the most assertive or competitive kid out there.  A couple times I would see the ball coming towards him and he looked surprised.  By the time he thought about doing something the chance was gone.  But he seems to like it.  And it would be fun if he got more 'into it', but we'll see.  Maybe there is something else out there for him.

Bar bar

Evan and Colin live on Clif bars (aka "bar bars" in Colin's world).  When Colin is hungry is asks for bar bars or guk (milk).  He picks at his food during every meal and the table.  He actually prefers to eat his food while walking around the house.  And its even better if we can walk around and eat a Clif bar. I have thought about not buying them anymore because of their addiction.  But, then I wonder what they will eat.  As far as snacks go, it is a pretty healthy choice.  And I eat them too.  I have to believe that someday Colin will prefer other foods.

always more to do

There is an endless list of things to do around the house.  It is hard enough to keep up with the daily chores of cooking, washing dishes, laundry, and picking up the piles of stuff everywhere.  Except for the couple that I did last night, I honestly can't remember the last time I washed a window… 6 months, more, not sure.  I think Tony did a couple not too long ago.  But, really our windows are not clean.  Our bathrooms get clean when we have guests coming over.  There are sometimes days of crumbs under the table.  There is just not enough hours in the day, and we certainly would prefer to do other things with the hours we have.  

But, today I am busy at work at home.  The boys are at their last school day for the year.  I have been moving since I dropped them off.  The more I do, the more I realize all the things that still need to be done.  Not complaining.  Just the way of life.  I will get through what I can, and soon will have those two little guys in here making more messes.  The list will always be there.  It's really not that important.  

big and small

Sometimes I look at Evan and see this big kid.  Like, wow, he can do all this stuff now.  And, wow, he looks more grown up.  Then, other times I look at him and see how small he really is.  I see his skinny  little arms.  I see how when he falls down he still usually cries big tears and has this so sad look on his face.  I realize that there is so much ahead of us yet.  And that really I don't have a big kid right now at all.  He can only read a handful of words.  He only gets the answer to 2+2 right sometimes.  He is barely able to pump on the swings.  He can't ride a two-wheeler yet.  There are so many things left for him to learn to do.  Its exciting.  I love seeing him learn.  Of course, in some ways its a little sad for a mom to see her baby growing up.  But, as with everything I've experienced parenting, its amazing.  To share in the learning and joys of life with this little sponge is a unbelievable experience!

First geocache

We found our first geocache today.  I chose the easiest one in TC to do for our first, so that Evan didn't have a negative experience.  I would love it if he got into this and we could go on geocaching adventures in the summers.  Hoping for more cool treasure hunting soon!

a world of Legos

Evan is a little obsessed with Legos.  His first real Lego set was a garbage truck we got him for his 4th birthday.  Before that we had a collection of my old Legos that we played with.  But the obsession began as he turned 4.  For the first year of his fascination with Legos, it was mostly with police Legos.  He wanted all the Lego City Police sets and our days were spent with hours of police play.

Since his 5th birthday, his interests seem to grow and change pretty quickly.  Though, his interests all come in Lego mini figures.  After police it was Coast Guard, then Batman, then onto Spiderman and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.  Every other week or so lately, he has said "now I'm into…".  Fill in blank.  Ninjago, Chima, and as of last week Star Wars.  And today a Lego catalog arrived in the mail and it showed a new line of Lego products with Arctic Explorers, so of course he is now into that and wants those sets.  He is actually able to build some creative vehicles.  And has thought of ideas to change his mini-figures to look like other characters he doesn't have.  So if wants a Star Wars droid and doesn't have it, he wants to make it.  He can negotiate the Lego website better than I can.  He knows what many of the sets specifically come with.

I am sure that I will have more Lego stories to come.  It is quite the fascination at our house!

30 day challenge

A couple weeks ago, Tony and I went to Tedx Traverse City.  I actually only went a couple hours so I could get back to the boys.  I happened to miss a clip they played of a man encouraging the idea of 30 day challenges.  Pick something you have always wanted to do, and do it for 30 days.  Sounds easy enough.  I am going to attempt to get caught up on writing about the adventures of our family.  There are so many things that I don't do because  "I am too busy" or just don't make the time for.  So, let me begin 30 day challenges with this.  Two cute things.  Colin does thing like where he puts his face right up to our faces, grits his teeth, scrunches his face, grabs our neck or side of our head, and makes a monster noise.  I need to get a picture of this.  We love this!  So adorable!  Evan  is goofy in the shower.  He does this silly hair washing dance.  The other day he made up this song about mushing and washing his face while rubbing his hair and moving his whole body to the beat of his new song.   Love them!