Summer fun 2015

I admit. I find joy in food art and take pride in my culinary creations.

 I mean some of the stuff is really cute and I love when it makes Evie giggle. 

 Evie is definitely at this age when she is starting to appreciate the extra effort I put into life. yay!

Thank you!

 She is at an age where nothing is "uncool" and everything that is spoken and done is without filter. 

Her innocence radiates and its so refreshing to see a little girl dancing with wild abandon  around her daddy playing his guitar. 

I'm realizing how difficult it is to put on my serious "mom no happy" face when the boys are doing something that is "bad." They are 17 months old, and they are definitely exploring their boundaries and discovering all they can get away with.

 For example, Caleb is becoming such a barbarian at the dinner table. Even though we have him seat belted into his chair, he still manages to slip his skinny little body through the binding and stand  up. He smiles so proudly and knows full well what he is doing I do not approve of.
 Furthermore, he has begun taking his food and chucking it across the room. I look at him sternly and say, "Caleb, NO."
He just smiles his big broad grin and cranks his hand back, again launching the food and says "No. No!" right back at me.

 He thinks it's a game, and he gets so much joy from it. Sometimes he just has a full out emotional breakdown at dinner and won't eat a bite and just wants to take it and fling it all over himself and his brothers. I don't want to put him to bed hungry, so I go to ridiculous lengths to ensure that his tummy is full. (Such as individually spoon feeding him mac and cheese while he lounges on my lap watching a kids' show...)


Levi, on the other hand, never has to be tied down.

 He never tries to escape his eating chair, or stand. Ever. He sits and eats and lets me know when he's had enough. He even has become a taddle tale, gasping and pointing up at defiant standing Caleb, letting me know what his brother is doing is wrong. 

Caleb spends his days walking around the house, trying every latch, door, cat escape and lock to see if anything was left unchecked so that he can make his escape. He would love nothing more than to wander aimlessly around the neighborhood, randomly picking up dried leaves and small stones and wave, smile and exclaim, "hi" to anyone who passes by. 

He is king of the baby pool. He will dump water on his head, stand there absolutely stunned for a moment, contemplating what just happened, laugh, and then do it again. He gets extremely over heated (being a red head and all) so outdoor summertime actives are very limited for him. 

Levi just wants to do the right thing. He is so kind to his brothers. He loves being around them, gets anxious when they aren't in the room with him and is so willing to share his toys. 

Evie and him have started to have a really neat relationship. They both share a love for food; Evie delights that Levi follows her around like a lost puppy when she's enjoying her dessert after dinner. He is at her complete mercy. She does however, give him a bite or two of whatever sweet treat she is enjoying. 

Levi is cautious. He understands about stairs, and making cats mad and needing his diaper changed. He gets life and understands everything I tell him. He is sturdy on his feet and walks next to me like a true little boy. He is always looking for my open lap. 

And then there is James. He has finally started walking- really walking -and he's getting really good at it. James just loves making baskets with the sports balls around our house. He manages to make anything into a basketball game, tossing balls behind shelves, into sinks and onto ledges. 
He delights in "rough housing" casually swiping a toy or ball away from Levi, causing Levi to have an absolute fit. He then allows Levi to take it back, only then to use that as an excuse to full out tackle Levi to the ground. He already understands what a choke hold is, and during the whole entanglement, he has a sly little grin on his face. 

And let's not forget Miss Evie.

Sometimes I just can't believe her. She is a little person who I can have actual conversations with. She is becoming more content with being alone and I'm noticing she is enjoying being around her brothers more (rather than just absolutely detesting them) I think it's because the boys (especially Levi) are starting to interact and really have a sense of humor with her. 

She understands people and relationships. She get excited about holidays. And in general, she is able to express her emotions rather than throwing herself on the floor and screaming. 

At the end of June, Amanda was gone in California for two weeks. We missed her here, but my amazing grandma flew in from Chicago to help us out while she was away. 

Evie really really enjoyed her time with GG. 

They already have a very special relationship. My grandma has always been very intentional with all her kids, grandkids, and now great grandkids. 

We all love her, and I admire her so much. 

Evie  anticipated the fourth of July, and seemed to remember and was excited about all the festivities that would take place. 

 We went to the parade in the morning. Evie loved running out into the street and collecting the candy. Initially, the boys were content in their stroller. However, they soon realized that most of the parade is focused on running around and collecting treats so they wanted to participate too! Levi especially understood what was going on. He dominated the space, trying to get as many wrapped goodies as possible. It’s amazing what a difference a year makes! 

In the afternoon, we took on the 95 degree sunshine and decorated the bikes and strollers to participate in our neighborhood parade. 

2015 parade

2014 parade...(the bike actually fit her...)

Amanda came back a few day after the 4th and everyone ran to her arms. Evie clung to her with such love and joy at her return. 

So far the summer is pretty low key. 
 I knew this summer would be a bit challenging and honestly a little boring. There is not much we can do or places to go with the family. The boys are at an age where they enjoy being out, and I want to take them out!...but really, their wanderings, and accidents and lack of ability to communicate make it stressful and a lot of work. 

A picture from last summer....

This summer! They really do grow!!!

Many of our friends are enjoying summer vacations and weekend get aways. I so wish we were physically able to do that. I do get jealous of those fun, carefree summer family pics I see people posting. Our family stays home right now. 
I just have to remember that we will have our time as a family to travel and make memories. I must be patient! :) 

Right now, our memories are in our daily routines within the walls of our house.

And someday as we are running around going here and there with sports and friends and vacations, I will probably crave these simple days at home. 

Even these simple days at home are exhausting!

Raising kids in a bubble

Evie stole my iPhone the other day. 

 She discovered how to take pictures with it.

In fact, she is very enchanted by the iPhone...and iPad...and technology in general. I swear it instantly casts a spell on her. Suddenly, she doesn't need me. She can sit on a chair, all by herself and is totally content...for as long as she has this device in her hands! 
It's so tempting to just give it to her ALL
                                           THE 
                                          T I M E 
when I want to get stuff done around the house. 



 It is fascinating; all the little apps and dings and beeps ignite my curiosity too. And the crazy thing is, she'll never know a world apart from it.  

or  life apart from  frozen yogurt...or Costco...or the automatic doors on the mini van. 

                        Or kid shows on demand....
                                or warm pink sheets 
 or shampoo that smells like peaches 
and toothpaste that tastes like bubble gum. 

Evie's life is one big fantastic scoop of rainbow sherbet... with sprinkles and a cherry on top. 

All of our kids have a good, safe life. They live in a nice community, with a stable family and extended family and friends who adore them. 

It's not a bad thing that they feel safe and happy and that all their needs are met.  But it's definitely a small little world in which she/they live. 

Let's talk about Birthday Parties. Oh, So many birthday parties. I never realized until I entered into the world of children that parties now revolve around the life of their kids and are all about the kids and for the kids (except for my friend Linsey who had margarita snow cones along side the blue raspberry ones...)     
Shrieking children covered in neon frosting, overly stuffed goodie bags, and endless amounts of juice boxes have consumed a majority of our weekends. 
Don't get me wrong, I love celebrating my friend's children.I love the excuse it presents to get together with friends.  
But Evie really loves it; birthday parties and the explosion of treats and fun it brings are also very much a part of her normal life.


FOR EXAMPLE...here is a sample of the recent events in her life:

 Two years ago three of our good friends had babies right in a row…Mon, Tues, Wed. ...boom...boom....boom.

So last past weekend was filled with three birthday parties; celebrations which included pinatas, pools, bounce houses and face paint. They were time spent with people who we love dearly. 

AND...A few weekends before that she posed with  princesses at the show "The Little Mermaid" downtown:

And then she went strawberry picking with her friends:

Shared a seat with her friend at the Rose Parade:

And went on a special date with mommy and posed for silly pictures:

Ect....ect....ect...the fun just goes on and on!

Yes, Evie lives a charmed life. 

A few weekends ago, John and I attended our dear friend's benefit dinner at the Lake Oswego Country club to support African orphans. The irony of the event always strikes me when I go to dinners like this; it is such an elegant affair. We all dress our best, drink good wine and eat great food  while looking at slide shows of starving, impoverished children. 

However, it is a great way to raise a lot of money for a good cause! (and my friend always puts on quite a successful night!) 

A rare kidless night

And it does take us out of our big, wealthy, spoiled, American bubble for a few hours and renew our gratitude for the material abundance of our life. 
I've been to Africa...and India...and some other far away  countries, so I've seen this lifestyle first hand. 

  They have a very special place in who I am, although I feel as if the American life has consumed me and that land I once visited is a dim memory.

 Despite their living conditions, I saw  joy and passion for life in the people I met, which was very humbling, inspiring and energizing. 

And although it is a memory now, I believe that it has a profound affect on how I see the world still. 
For example, I still get amazed by the quantity and quality and variety of food at Winco. 
 We get served free, safe water at a restaurant...and most of the time mine is mostly untouched during the whole meal and it is tossed down the drain. 

   BUT, the question I've been wrestling with lately is: How in the world do we raise a kid who understands that life is more than french fries and Birthday Cake?!

One night shortly after the African benefit dinner, Evie was complaining about what was on her plate for a meal. I was so frustrated. I used the cliche' "mom" line that I swore I wouldn't use.  It literally just slipped out of my mouth.

 "Some kids don't have dinner, Evie." 


However, when I said that, Evie stopped her fussing and asked, "Really? Some kids don't have dinner?"

"Yes Evie...and some kids don't have a bed. Some kids will sleep on the streets tonight."
"And some kids don't have preschool.  Or a mom and dad."


She got very quiet. I felt as if she was really processing the things I told her and a veil had been ripped from her naive little eyes. 
She actually looked a little sad. 
But she ate her food.




So, whenever I feel like her whining or complaining is getting out of line...or whenever I feel like her life is one big special sugar-laden event, I simply pause and remind her of this truth. 

Someday John and I have a vision of cultivating a heart for the world in our kids. Travel and service will hopefully be a big part of that. 

 However, in the mean time at age 3, I'm learning that it's in the little conversations where big truths are brought to light. 

Evie brings that conversation up a lot now. Like when we are getting dressed or putting on our shoes. She reminds me that some children "don't have shoes." 

I guess that next part is figuring out what we can do about it. But until then, my goal is just to cultivate a heart of gratitude in my children, a realization that they aren't better or more special or more entitled. 

 I want them to see a world beyond their safe windows.

And live for something greater than themselves.