Summer Fun!

Hooray for Summer! We've been busy knocking things off our Summer Fun list, spending time at the pool, trying to keep cool in the 100 degree heat, and enjoying lots of BBQ. Here's a look at what we've been up to:

lots and lots and lots of swimming

playdates with best buddies

special art projects

first time trying slurpees!

ice cold summer cherries at the pool!

It doesn't get much better!

potato harvest time!

Sports time!

and lots and lots of ROBOTS!

(Sam's request, for those of you who aren't familiar with the obsession

And finally, I've been thinking about my birthday. It's in a few weeks, so I put together a little "wish list."

evy's tree hoodie, dramatic makeup, fossil watch, olukai kukuna sandal in pewter, frames for my family photos

And here's the "wishful thinking" list:

Madwell wedge sandals in camel, the ability to eat sideboard french fries without messing with my gut or gaining any weight, and the ultimate 85mm lens for my camera. It's so fun to wish! :)

Happy Summer, loved ones! What sort of things are you knocking off your Summer lists?

a budding photographer

Last week we had a playdate at Snake Park. Maddie was having kind of a hard day, and so I sent her off with my camera for a while. She took about fifty photos! Here are my favorites:

She has quite an eye!

She was also very gentle with my camera. I think this will be the start of a new trend!

Maddie: 53 Months

Dear Maddie,

What a fun month it's been! You have had so many adventures and conquered so many obstacles in just a matter of thirtysome days! Amazing!

You went boogie boarding for your very first time while in Kauai:

You had your last day of school in the 3s Yellow Room with Mrs. Murtaugh, Mrs. Silliman, Mrs. Kaucic and Mrs. Cambra (some of the finest preschool teachers we've had the pleasure of knowing!):

Along those lines, look how much your drawing has changed since the beginning of the school year:

Your drawings are full of life and detail! Eyes, ears, forehead, bodies, feet, fingers, clothes. Amazing! You absolutely love to draw and create and imagine. One day this month we played pirates. You and Sam decided to make a treasure chest out of an old diaper box and some brown paint. We created a treasure map and spent the afternoon hiding and finding our buried treasure, followed by the obligatory pirate jig:

And, you learned to swim! Yippee! Hip hip hooray! You are a bonafide fishie, water girl, mermaid, dolphin, shark (among other fishing creatures we've named). You absolutely love the water and are totally confident. It is such a joy! In just one week, I saw you go from barely kicking, to making your way across the pool, to jumping off the diving board, to going down the slide, to jumping into the deep end of the pool and swimming to the side. WOW!

Slide!

Dive!

Jump!

Swim!

It seems like every month you grow more and more mature, less and less a little girl and more into a person. You have definite opinions on just about everything. You are engaging and talkative, verbose and enthusiastic. You share your Daddy's passion and zest for life as well as your Mama's heart for people. The other night we had a friend over for dinner, a friend you've been praying for. When he shared that he has been learning about God, you turned to him and remarked, "well that's because I've been praying for you to know Jesus!"

You have some perfectionist tendencies. You are confident and assured in your abilities but on the rare occasion that something doesn't come easily or quickly to you, it becomes a major problem. You can be surprisingly patient with your little brother yet not with yourself. I am constantly reminding you of the grace God has shown us in Jesus as I point you toward his perfection and not your own. (It's not easy).

You are funny all the time. You love to crack us up with your homemade jokes and silly antics. One day when I was feeling sad you put a hula skirt on your head and followed me into my closet to dance, shake, and move your booty because you know how much I love to see you shimmy.

You are beyond kind, gentle and loving to your brother. Most of the time your sibling behavior is positively breathtaking. You two rarely fight because you are so generous and caring and cooperative with one another. Sam looks up to you, follows you around, and wants nothing more than to be playing with you.

I can't imagine this world without you. You are such a delight, such a unique and glorious treasure from God. We love you, punky boo!

Love,

Mama

Samuel: 27 Months

Dear Little Buddy,

I don't even know where to start this month. You are really becoming your own little person, a bonafide boy with an incredible personality. You are vivacious and hilarious, sweet and snuggly, sneaky and creative. You make me laugh each and every day yet also exhaust me (in the best possible way) with your constant energy.

You started in your big boy bed one month ago, at your 26 month mark. We had one rough night, and of course it happened to be small group night, so I was up and down those stairs too many times to count as I carried you back to bed, disciplining and shushing all the way. But there was only ONE night where you fought it. My goodness, what a sweet and good-natured boy you are!

In Hawaii you were amiable, sweet, adventurous, brave, and a real cut-up. Each and every night you snuggled in close to your sister as you shared a bed in the condo. When we returned home, you would pat your pillow at night, saying, "Mah-Mah, Nigh-Night." (AKA "Maddie go night-night with me?") When we finally got around to arranging a sleepover for the two of you last week, you climbed out of your bed four or five times as I read books, just to kiss your sister. You were so satisfied and contented with her there on your floor.

You've always had the greatest personality, but as I said earlier, it's as if you are really establishing yourself in the family and the world these days. You are very funny, and you know it. Just last night we watched as you entertained a group of older kids. I didn't know whether to laugh or cringe (or both, simultaneously), as you inched your chair across the sidewalk, bounce by bounce, fully aware of how hilarious you were to everyone watching. The look on your face was pure self-satisfaction as your audience looked on, amused and incredulous.

We used to worry how you'd be able to hold your own against your sister, Miss Personality herself. It is clear that you will have absolutely no problems in this area. Ahem.

Just yesterday you awoke from your nap early, groggy and disoriented. I heard your door open and then you called out, "Mama? Mama-Daddy?!" I scooped you up in my arms, carried you back to your big boy bed, and snuggled down under the covers with you. I know by now to put you down with ample room for myself because you will snuggle and push your way as close as possible and I've nearly fallen off the bed before as you make your way into the Sam-shaped spoon I provide. Yesterday afternoon you were so close, your arm wrapped around my neck, your face tucked under my chin, that when I thought about rising, my short-chained necklace was caught between my shoulder and your face. Your breath fell on my face as you dreamed, twitched, and sighed. Your hand held me tight, gripping on like a baby monkey to its mama. And I loved every moment.

You are a constant ball of energy, running and screaming and climbing and throwing. You think outside of the box, often getting yourself into (high or tight) situations that leave me perplexed at: 1) how you got there, and 2) what in the world you were thinking when you attempted said act. I've just learned to follow the squeals (cries, screams, panicked calls) until I find you, retrieving you and setting things right.

This month you really bonded with Daddy. Getting so much one on one time in Hawaii was just so good for your little boy soul. You LOVE your Daddy and enjoy his company immensely. He is likewise smitten and finds you absolutely, incredibly lovely and adorable. You've taken to calling for us collectively, "Mama-Daddy!", knowing we both can provide what you're looking for. When we first returned from vacation you would walk around, forlorn, telling me, "Go." I would ask, "Go where, buddy?" Your answer was always the same. "Daddy. Go Daddy." You just wanted to go and find that fun, playful, affectionate friend that is your Dad.

You and your sister maintain a close and loving bond. You truly are the best of friends. You put up with all kinds of things she wants to try out, and vice versa. When the two of you dress up together it always provides a laugh. You love to pretend with her and I'll find the two of you mimicking animals or playing baby. You just eat up her attention. When she is away, you ask for her and when we go to pick her up, you are excited and full of glee.

You are SUCH a joy, sweet boy. Welcome to 27 months!

Love,

Mama