Sluggers

Saturday is baseball and softball here. Kyle and Emily are both having a great time playing on their teams. 

Emily at bat

Kyle at bat

Sleeping

It may be hard to see, but when I looked at Kyle sleeping on the monitor, I had to do a double-take. I felt like I was seeing 5 years into the future with Aaron. I hadn't seen the similarities between them until this picture. And really, the more I look at it, I see Kyle, Emily & Aaron. 

Walking

Look who's walking!! Crawling is still faster, but this is big progress for Aaron who just 2 weeks ago would stand up for ages, but refused to put one foot in front of the other. Go Aaron!

A New Car

We got a new car this weekend! Aaron especially loves it! 

Always butter your corn with your feet

There is a funny Curious George episode where George is upset with the rules of the adult world - like buttering your corn at the table with your hands and no writing on the walls. He then creates his own tree house with George rules where you can butter your corn with your feet under the table and draw on the walls. When Aaron did what he was doing in the picture below, I couldn't help but think about that episode. I'm sure Kyle, Emily, Jeff, Adam, Max & Leo would likely think of this very episode as well .

Booger on a raspberry

Emily checking out her owie on her knee that she scraped up pretty badly when she fell off her bike: "Mommy great news. One of the boogers is falling off the raspberry." 

I apparently called the owie a raspberry when she fell. She said that's what she calls it and didn't know what to call the things hanging off of it. Descriptive. Gross. Cute. Clever. Still a bit gross. 

Cousins

Karen, Pete and Ethan came out out to visit us for a week. It was a great time being able to hangout and for everyone to play together. Kyle and Emily were back in school that week so they didn't get to spend as much time as they would have liked, but they did enjoy the evenings together. Aaron and Ethan were fascinated with each other. They are 6 months apart. It's amazing seeing how much babies change in such a short time. 

Conversation with Kyle

This was funny at the time, though without the moment and being there it is likely not as funny. 

We were driving home from somewhere and Aaron was fussy (tired) but calming down / falling asleep.  When we are so close to home, we don't like to let him fall asleep in the car and take a quick 5 minute catnap at the expense of a good, longer nap in his crib. 

Me: Is Aaron sucking his thumb?

Kyle: Yes. He sometimes does that to shut himself up.

Me: [chuckle under my breath 'shut himself up' which Kyle heard]

Kyle: Yes to put a cork in it.

Haircuts for the boys

Time for the boys to get haircuts again. The military barber got them all cleaned up nicely. Aaron cooperated again. The lollipop may have helped too, but he did great the his barber was very patient with him. 

Arizona

We took a little spring break drive out to Arizona to visit with Grandma Edith who spends her winters there. It was great to visit with her. We may have overwhelmed her a bit with the crazy that 5 people bring to a normally quiet house. And Aaron was / is going through crazy separation anxiety so whenever I'd get up from the table to get something from the kitchen for him, he would shriek like it was the end of the world. Nonetheless, we had a great time with Grandma Edith. We got to swim, hike, relax and enjoy the desert heat. 

The road to Arizona

Sadly, Camelback Mountain was closed for renovation to the trails and parking lots Grandma told us so we went to a different one whose name is escaping me now. It was still a great mountain to hike. But it was HOT that day. About 90 degrees. We all had our water backpacks or a baby in a backpack. ;-)

This was halfway up the mountain, which was the top for us. We traded baby backpack / water backpack duties and made our way down after a little rest. Kyle and Emily did very well given the heat and incline. Aaron got really tired for us doing all the work and fell asleep on the way down with me. 

Sweaty hair mohawk Kyle

Though we tried, we don't have any pictures of Grandma Edith from the trip because she didn't want her picture taken. 

Easter Hunt / Brunch (2013)

We kept up with our annual tradition of a fun easter egg hunt for the kids and followed it up with brunch together. Aaron got to join in on the fun this year, though he was more interested in eating things that weren't meant to be eaten - like his bowl and his toy car. 

Following our big meal, we went out to play on the beach and soak in the sun. Jon joined us this year so he was getting as much sun as he could before heading back to 30 degrees that afternoon. 

Easter Hunt Clues (2013)

Happy Easter to our lovely Aaron, Emily and Kyle

On an egg hunt we send you if you’re up for the trial.

For each of you, a special treasure you shall find,

if you solve all the clues with your powers of mind.

Find each egg in order of the clue

To know where next we will send you.

Not two but three young ones we do send,

So to clues marked Aaron his ears you must bend.

Mommy or Daddy can help and carry your bro.

Start with this egg:  READY... SET... GO!!!!!!!!!

[Aaron]

In the penthouse Aaron loves to play

If he could, he would cook here all day

You play a ball game up on this table

With your hands, or paddles, if you are able

Where you keep your baseball and softball cleats

You will find an egg here, it’s not very neat.

USA played the USSR in hockey

Find an egg on it if you are lucky

[Aaron]

Bounce bounce goes Aaron while Mommy showers

There is no way Aaron would happily stay in this for hours.

Hanging by our closet in the doorway

In this Aaron likes to do a little sway.

This toy helps your baby brother walk

Sometimes this toy even seems to talk!

Shoot some hoops over here, SWISH!

And find an egg as well if you wish!

We are growing some yummy yummy berries

Go get the egg here that you can carry.

[Aaron]

This is one of Aaron’s favorite places in the kitchen

It seems with the stovetop cooking he will pitch-in.

[Aaron]

Aaron is an expert in all things Tupperware

Let him find the egg over in there.

While in Madison you did your first kind of this race

Be careful and look up high to find an egg in its place.

In Dominican you held a special monkey named Gabby

When you see here, there is an egg for you to grabby.

In gymnastics on this you do a big bounce

Find an egg on yours, but on it don’t trounce!

In Park City Mommy gave Emily a dream catcher.
Find an egg on it, but don’t let it hatch-er

Monkey mountain is a fun place to hide

And one of those chimps may have just left an egg inside.

For this clue, individually you will have to work

For in a place for each of you, there is a great perk.

Emily

Emily, to find a fun, magical book

Seek where you rest upon kitty’s sweet smirk

You found your book, very good for you.

Now go get Kyle for two more prize we send you.

Kyle

Kyle to find a book about what you want to do when you are big

Look in the place where Daddy gets an IPA to swig.

You found your book, very good for you.

Now go get Emily for two more prizes we send you.

Aaron

Aaron to find your fun word cards,

Look by your crib, it’s not very hard.

Emily & Kyle

A conversation starter for the dinner table

You can find this prize, in fax, if you are able

This will be something fun to show everyone your intellect

Look by the signal that tells drivers right or left.

Congratulations! All the eggs and prizes you have found.

Now on to brunch at the Del we are all bound!

Aaron on the beach

These pictures are from Easter after brunch. Back when little Aaron couldn't yet walk, but merely meerkat. 

Cabrillo with Jon

Jon came to visit us and we have had a great time with him showing him the sights and relaxing. It was his first time in California, but something like his 48th state to have visited. Jeff and Jon took the kids over to Cabrillo while Aaron got a much needed nap.

Aaron's new ride

Aaron's birthday present from us arrived today! We got him a bike seat and he LOVES it! And we love it too! We never had one, or two for that matter, with Kyle and Emily, but rather the trailer that attaches behind the bike since we needed an option where I could take them both on my own if I wanted. This little seat is so much fun. Granted we've only had it 2 days now, but Aaron is very content on it and it is fun to ride with him. The only trouble is he wants my handles to steer as well. Notice his right hand in this picture. Typical boy wanting to steer. 

Play ball!

Breakfast on a Saturday before baseball and softball. 

Emily at bat last weekend

Emily at bat this weekend. She was the last batter so all the kids round the bases to clear them. It's very much a learning league. Watch Emily fly around the bases! 

Another home run ;-) It was a good hit off the coach pitcher. They get 3 pitches from the coach and if they don't hit his pitches, then they hit off a tee. Great hit Emily!

Easter bunny

No, we didn't go see the Easter bunny, but Emily put some bunny ears on Aaron for kicks. 

Cuties

This is a picture from a while back, but it's a cute one of Emily & Kyle. 

Aaron's playmate

At Kyle's tennis today, Aaron had fun with his playmate. 

Aaron at the park

Aaron is now very proficient at climbing the stairs and going down the slide at the park. And he's going feet first too. Great work Aaron!

Aaron on the trampoline

Speaking of climbing, Aaron also climbs up on the trampoline in Emily's room and likes to bounce. The boy sure knows how to find fun!

Easily entertained

While I was getting ready, Aaron entertained himself in my shower with a ping pong ball. Sometimes life can be so simple and so very fun. 

Kyle playing baseball

Kyle is playing Little League baseball this year and having a great time with it. The first game he took to get warmed up to it and by the time the third game rolled around (we missed the 2nd) he has been ready to play. He is great at getting hits and runs as fast as he can to round the bases. This video is from last weekend, but at his game last night, he nearly batted all around - he had 2 singles, a double and a triple. Pretty impressive Kyle! And he's getting to play short stop, pitcher position (they use a pitching machine but still have someone at the position), and center field. Needless to say, he's pretty involved in the game offensively and defensively. He's the only lefty on the team, though he bats righty. Here he is a video of one of his hits last weekend. 

Door opener

Aaron can now open doors...

Park City - Skiing

And now the skiing part of our trip. Day 1 we spent at the tube park. The next 4 days we spent skiing. Since it was spring break for many kids, not ours, ski school was full. We didn't book ahead so the kids were out of luck on that front for day one of skiing. They got to ski anyhow and worked with an instructor on the magic carpet to get their ski legs back. Both Kyle and Emily did well remembering how to ski. Jeff and I also got some skiing in with our legs back under us. Aaron stayed back with the sitter. 

The second ski day, Kyle & Emily went to ski school while Jeff and I skied with Mike and Mary. Mike is a crazy good skier - like black diamonds with ease - and Mary is a great blue skier. I could mostly hang with Mary though she is a lot faster than me and Jeff went with Mike a bit. Aaron and Mason were back with the sitter having a good old time. 

Ski day three, Kyle wanted to do ski school again as he was advancing very quickly. Emily was done with it because she didn't like them telling her what to do and she was bored doing the tiny practice hill. She wanted some real runs. So she stayed with the sitter in the morning and then skied with us in the afternoon. We were adventurous and took her from the hotel on the ski out run - her first time this trip off the magic carpet. It was a bit steep, but Jeff skied her down.

Jeff then went to ski some harder runs and I took her on the lift to some greens and she was a champ. Well, I should clarify. She skied well, but she was a kamikazee skier. She would just blaze down the hill as fast as she could. Granted she could stop, but she wasn't into turning and controlling her speed very much. She certainly scared me. She didn't want me telling her to slow down and she just wouldn't. Kyle, meanwhile, was working with his group and doing blue runs and having a great time advancing and being very controlled in his skiing.

Day four, neither Kyle nor Emily wanted ski school and they were ready to be turned loose. Kyle was ready for the blues and he showed us he had good control so Jeff took him on some blues. I stuck with Emily on the greens until she could show me control. After a few runs down green with great control, she was ready for blues. So we went all over the mountain. We did her first blue with Jeff, Kyle, Mike and Mary just to have extra eyes and help if needed. She did great. We ate a quick lunch and then all paired off to ski some more.

Emily skiing. Much better control today.



Emily and I went to all ends of the mountain and skied from top to bottom pretty much. She did great and only had two small mishaps. One area was very icy which was difficult to turn and control so I carried her skis down while she slid on her tooshy. At the same part, a dad and his 9 year old kid were doing the same thing. Our last mishap came on the Orange Bubble lift where Emily got off the lift about 1 second too early so instead of having her skis land flat and being propelled forward, she put her skis down and they were angled back and she slid down under the lift. They stopped the lift right away and we got her, but she was quite a bit shaken. There was a lake we had passed over about 300 feet prior to that likely scared her too as she slid backward (but really only about 5 feet, but under the lift so that is scary). She recovered well and we skied back to Jeff and Kyle for a few more runs together before having to call it a trip. 
Emily & Kyle skiing together

After we landed at 11pm, Kyle was sooo tired. He even slept most of the plane ride back which is uncommon on a plane for him since it's a chance to play on the iPad. Needless to say, he skied a lot - 4 days straight for 7 hours each day. After we landed, Jeff and the kids went to get the van and came back to get me, Aaron and the bags. Kyle insisted on getting out of the van to help load the car and the picture below demonstrates what he did to help... Notice Miko there with him. It took him several days to recover rest wise and his legs even longer. But he loved every second of skiing. It sure was a great trip.