Spring Break Snipets

It's been a good week. Granted, it's been about as "normal" of a week as any we've ever had. We didn't go on any trips or plan anything glamorous, which is probably a good thing since at the beginning of the week Ellie was sick and by the end Jim was too.

We rode bikes to a nearby park and the girls ran around for a bit, but this park is geared toward younger kids and they tired of it quickly. We rode around a while more and called it good.

So we made salt dough egg ornaments and had fun painting them. I amazed the kids by putting them in the oven to dry the paint quickly. They now think I'm super-human.

I really love Aeryn's hipster glasses - aka 3D glasses with the lenses popped out. She's worn them to school a couple times and is really bummed that she hasn't successfully convinced me she needs real ones.

Needing a break from playing cruise director, I suggested a lunch picnic. It started barely sprinkling and the kids decided they needed shelter from the storm and moved under the apartment stairwell.

More great everyday moments to remember... Every time we are together I feel they are building a closer bond. They play and bicker and act somewhat like real siblings. Now if only we could get past the need for everything to be identical between them. They have different interests and personalities, but if we give one a surprise or opportunity that is different than the other there is great outcry that we are being unfair. Lucky kids, it's best to learn early that life isn't exactly fair - and that is ok.

Teaching Whippy

The kids favorite plaything is not a thing at all. Cute little Whippy (I'm sure her mom would like me to disclose that is not her real name...) gets her share of attention from all the neighbor kids (and adults!). My only question now is how early is too early to teach a baby to ride a bike?

I love how excited her older brother was about this (below, left). Ellie sure loved it too! If there are babies around, Ellie is playing with them as though they are real life dolls. It's a habit that I can completely relate to!

It was like a cute little family: mom and dad teaching their baby to ride a bike.

In case it isn't obvious, it's currently spring break and life is fantastic. I can't describe how excited Ellie was to get her own library card. On our first trip we checked out 24 books, three DVD's and two puppets. I told the girls there was no limit and we ended up each picking 8 books. Coincidence? The girls have been so excited about it that we have had no trouble getting some quality reading in.

New Bike!

Someone in our house has a new set of wheels.

It's a good thing too. Family bike rides were almost comedic with her legs pedaling the tiny little bike she used to have. We noticed last summer how funny it was that she and Ellie had bikes the exact same size, though Ellie's seat was all the way down and Aeryn's was all the way up.

She loves it.

After trying SO HARD last year to get her to push back on her pedals to brake instead of just putting her feet down, now she's got to transition to handlebar brakes. So far she hasn't crashed. Let's hope it stays that way.

Family bike rides just got a little bit more fun.

Back to the Track

Saturday morning began as every Saturday should(not). While trying to squish my way into my favorite jeans a giant rip made it's way through the derriere. They were the most expensive jeans I've ever owned and I've worn them for many, many years. They had a great wash, make my legs look skinny, and go with everything.  It was not a happy moment. In a spirit of makethebestofitness I continued on with the morning as though my heart was not broken.

Squirt however had a lovely morning. We picked up a friend and headed to the track for the kids run, jump, throw events prior to the Spring Preview meet. It was a cold morning, and I didn't think to suggest sweat pants. All was well though, the excitement carried her through the chill. 

There was a mini javelin throw, using foam javelins and softballs. That was not Aeryn's specialty, but she got a real kick out of trying. Even if her first attempt at throwing a softball didn't even make it over the fence. I think I need to get this girl outside more.

Somewhere the girls are hiding in one edge of this picture. They had all the kids throw javelins at once.

Long Jump was another fun deal. Aeryn tends to run and take a tiny jump right to the edge of the sand then a second jump into the pit. It's not quite the way it's supposed to work, but it gets the job done well enough when it's all for fun.

The girls probably had more fun dancing in the line than doing the events.

These tiny hurdles were about the cutest things ever. They were maybe 10 inches tall and it seemed the kids would be able to clear them if they just ran normally. Aeryn was super excited for this event and it made her feel like a rockstar.

As fate would have it, the final event was a run. Not just any run, but the 400m. I was pretty nervous since neither girl is tremendously athletic. Aeryn put her all into this one and actually beat 4 kids! I can't say how many there were in all, but the best part was that she was happy and not dead at the end of it. Her friend survived it, but didn't enjoy it as much as she did.

Afterward I dropped the girls off and headed to the mall to recover from the great denim tragedy of 2013. There was some seriously good shopping energy going on and I was able to find two pairs of jeans that I like and FIT! Even better? The total for both pairs came to less than $30 and one of them is Seven for all Mankind. I've never been so happy about ripping a favorite item of clothing. Let the new week commence. 

Afternoon Delight

The sun keeps teasing us with minor, but well appreciated, appearances. It's funny what happens when the sun shines in the Northwest, life is put on hold and the focus is on drinking up the brightness and warmth while it exists. I love these kind of days. 

I'm happy with the frequency of these days lately. We've had more than two now and it's almost addicting.

The neighbor kids all run around like hooligans and have a serious blast. There was a time when I thought the worst thing in the world would be to raise a child in an apartment, but goodness gracious we have a good deal here. So many friends abound; Friends who occasionally seem more like part-time siblings.

One half of our typical group is moving this summer. Selfishly I've told them all that this is not acceptable and they must stay until we graduate too. Then I stop being a shmuck and start being happy for them that they are done with this grad-school roller coaster. After that I get on realtor.com and fill my wishing-to-own-a-house-again daydreaming binges through virtual shopping homes for friends' families. Seriously, like pinterest isn't bad enough for my insatiable dreaming...

In the meantime, I'm just so happy everyone is still here.

Silly Spring-like afternoons are just so much more fun with company.

I'm going to be really sad when my baby-boyfriend moves (in the red car). Perhaps his parents will let him stay here with me??? I know what you're thinking and I don't think so either, unfortunately.

At least I'll still have this hunk of handsomeness to keep me company.

I don't know if I've said it enough, but I really love these kind of days.