Special Dinner

Duke's is our favorite restaurant. It's down on the beach, has amazing fresh fish and we tend to go for special occasions. We don't go for everyday dinners, we do save it for birthdays, anniversaries etc. Last night, being the oh' so special day that it was (wink wink), we headed on down for some yummy food. When we take the kids, we sit in the bar area instead of the restaurant. Let me clarify, when I say 'bar area' it is not a bar. It has a bar but has tables where families sit. It's not just adults. Remember , there is no smoking in CA restaurants also. The kids are not surrounded by drunks who are smoking! Anyway, as we were eating the lady at the table next to us taps me on the shoulder. She introduces herself, her name was Cristine, and she was celebrating her mother's 80th birthday, which happened to be that day as well. Her mother, Dorothy, was this adorable older woman who obviously didn't see very well. She asked if she could talk to the kids. I took Sara over to her, the boys followed. She gently stroked Sara's arm and said hello. I could tell by the smile on her face, that is all she wanted. We talked for a few minutes then returned back to our table. A few more times during dinner Cristine leaned over toward me and spoke about the kids. How beautiful they are, how we should cherish them. I couldn't help but feel a connection with these women. One shared a birthday with me, the other her daughter, had a very similar name. The mother and daughter were making conversation with Sara and I.

Toward the end of the meal, Iain took all three kids to the bathroom. As I was sitting at the table by myself, a gentleman approached. He had been sitting at the bar having a few beers. I noticed him, but didn't think much of it. He looked me straight in my eyes and told me how beautiful my family was. He then told me that he had noticed Sara and she reminded him of his daughter. He paused, then told me how his daughter just went away to college. He paused again, and said "Please enjoy every minute. One day they're small the next they go away to school." It was very touching. I told him we were enjoying it. He then said goodbye and left the restaurant.

It was a very surreal experience. The mother-daughter who were celebrating an 80th birthday together. The somewhat sad father who was reminded of his little girl. I walked away from the meal feeling like it was more than a birthday dinner.

Snow Bunnies

A few weeks ago on Martin Luther King Day, we ventured up to the local mountains for a snow day. (I know some of you are probably laughing that we were seeking out snow!!) Iain T. was bummed that he had missed Winter Camp so we promised we'd go to the snow soon. Not knowing what the weather would bring, we decided to go sooner than later. There was plenty of snow but it was icy and patchy. Of course they have a few more feet of powder now, but who knew!!

We had a great time! The boys were sledding down some crazy hills. There were times when I admittedly looked away. I knew they were having a great time but it scares me to see them launch through the air! Sara went on a few runs with Iain and I. She loved the experience as a whole but wasn't super into sledding. As snow tradition goes, we made a snowman. Maybe I should call it a snow bump. We gathered some branches and even some trash from the area to incorporate into our 'bump'!

Splat goes Iain!

Our Snow Bump

On the drive back home, we noticed the temp outside. I should've taken another picture when we got home, 76 degrees. Amazing how a 2 hour drive can have a 32 degree difference!

Odds and ends

We're back in the swing of things...again. Just as school was starting after vacation, the kiddos got sick. Sara - Monday (her birthday) and Tuesday then Iain - Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. The following week, last week, felt like all catch up. There was extra work for the boys from school, I had cleaning up around here to do, lots of laundry from Winter Camp. This week has a whole different feel. Granted, there wasn't school on Monday and today is only Tuesday but I'm likin' it!! I guess the fact some friends threw me a little birthday party this past Saturday didn't hurt either!! :-)

Sara had her three year old well check last week also. She is weighing in at a whopping 29lbs! She is still a peanut! I had let her know ahead of time that she would be getting a shot. She asked if it would hurt and I told her that yes, it would probably hurt a bit. She asked if she would get a band aid, I told her yes she would! The nurse came in, she offered up her arm like a champ. Then the shot came! She looked completely offended! As soon as the needle was out, she asked for a band aid through tears, still holding her arm up in the air. As soon as the Tweety Bird was on her arm, she jumped off my lap and ran out the door! She wasn't waiting around to see if there was another one!

She did pull the shot card for the rest of the day! She enjoyed showing people her badge of honor!

Winter Camp

This past weekend, Sean went to his first Indian Guide camp with his dad. The three boys had planned to leave early Friday morning and spend the weekend in the snow. Two days before they were to leave, Iain T. came down with strep throat. We were hoping he'd be better in time to go, but unfortunately he wasn't. He was pretty upset but I have to say he took it very well. He was out of school three days that week as well as missing Winter Camp. Luckily he was better by Saturday so we had a nice weekend at home. Sean was so thrilled to go. Just watching him pack up was adorable! This was his first time away from me for more than one night, except when I was in the hospital with Sara. I knew it was a special time for the two of them but I have to admit it was a bit tough for me to say good bye to him! Looking back, I think it was probably best that Iain T. stayed home this time. It gave Iain and Sean a chance to have a few days together, just the two of them.

Checking out the accommodations. Not quite a 5 star hotel but he looks pretty happy. Click to see his smile!!

After going on stage and being presented with a feather and patch for attending his first camp.

Sean's in there...somewhere!!

Entertainment

Last Saturday, as we were on our way to Nanny and Grandad's for dinner, we stopped at a baseball card shop. Iain T. had been wanting to pick up some new cards with his Christmas money. We decided I would stay in the car with Sean and Sara while the Iains went in the store. To pass the time, which was all of about 10 minutes, we started taking pictures of ourselves. We had a good time! Our goal was to get all three of us in without having to change seats. (Please ignore that I have no make up on!)

We did it! They look so darn cute in this last one!

Expressions

A few of my favorite pictures of the birthday girl and the last few days she had...

Big girls wear chonies

Many of us have known for awhile now that Sara was ready to say adios to diapers. The problem that we faced was that she didn't know it yet. She showed us in many ways that she knew what was going on, but at the same time had no interest in wearing panties. As her 3rd birthday was creeping closer I was getting more and more ready, which really doesn't mean much if she wasn't ready! One evening as I was wanting to pursue the potty training route a bit, I showed her the calendar and asked which day she wanted to be a Chonie Day. (Chonies = her brothers word for underwear) She picked the following day, which was Tuesday, 12/30. When that morning arrived I showed her the calendar and told her we would be starting potty training. She protested, as I knew she would, but I continued to take her diaper off. I set her small potty out and kept telling her what the day would involve. The boys headed out to the zoo and Sara and I stayed home to potty! Well, here we are 7 days and 1 accident later. She is potty trained! That morning she had one accident while running outside with a friend, but other than that she was stayed dry. We don't have to remind her, she goes on her own. She is of course still in diapers at night, which will take a bit of time.

The whole situation makes us laugh, it is so Sara. She has showed us signs of being ready for months now. She just wasn't ready herself. Once she was ready, it was done! That's our girl!

We did have her No More Diaper Party that night as well. The boys loved celebrating with her and telling her all about their own No More Diaper Parties! (Please do not look at the sugar filled junk in her cup!)

Happy 3rd Birthday Sweet Girl!

Three years ago today we were blessed with this sweet little girl!

Who knew that just three short years later, our beautiful, furry, little baby would grow into this smart, funny and beautiful big girl!

Happy 3rd Birthday Sara!

We love you sweet girl!

Growing up

My new favorite picture...

(He was riding by on his skateboard)

Monkeys watching monkeys

One day this past week, Iain took the boys to a local zoo. We have a few in the area that are larger but farther away. This one is much smaller but much closer also! We've never gone, so the boys were excited to check it out. They had a great time! Sara and I were home doing something else (you'll have to wait for another post for that info.) so we didn't join them.

Purplicious!

A few weeks back we started talking to Sara about birthday options. We decided on a few friends at the park. Sara was open to everything we proposed with one condition, it had to be a Purple Party. Easy enough! So today was the big day, Sara's Purple Party! She had a blast! It was fairly low-key, as long as you count 25 kids plus their parents as low-key!! :-) Seriously though, it really was easy...pizza, cupcakes and the kids just played and played and played!

Getting ready to go. Notice the purple outfit?

There is a little girl under all those!

Her special cupcake

Pizza Time

Cousins Sage and Terra

Sara said she didn't want us to sing Happy Birthday to her. We didn't. But when the candle was blown out, everyone clapped and this was her reaction!