An Emme Update

Precious Emeline...you are so much fun right now.  The pictures speak volumes of words almost to where I don't need to give an update. 
You love to draw-pens and you are good at drawing circles, squares, triangles and faces. I love watching you playing in your kitchen, talking on your pretend phone or drawing outside with your chalk all over but it's been really fun watching excitement in your eyes with each new baby monarch caterpillar you find in the backyard, each cocoon you count and each butterfly you watch fly away.  You put your shoes on effortlessly, and are at the moment only wearing your boots (which are Zackary's old fireman boots).  You play so well with your brother, you are so sensitive to his needs, concerned about his boo boos and forgiving of his loud voice, yelling and his staying away when he asks from his creations!

You are growing at a fast rate...stop it.  You hold your pencil perfect, are eager to ride your bike, and pretty much are so easy going with everything.  You love to sleep with two huskies, two cats and a Winnie the pooh along with 3 pacifiers STILL.  And you still love to have your bottle of milk in the morning and evening.  You have a handful of food you will eat...that's all...but it's a good handful!  We love taking you anywhere with us as your happiness, joy and cuteness makes all of those around you smile.  Your expressions are priceless and I believe you follow after your mother as you love love love animals.  Any animal (except for bees or flies which you call bees) you see you are all over and its not easy to get you away...from kittens to dogs to fish to a little ant. You point to Bentley's picture almost daily, I know you remember him still. 

And your likeness to dolls is starting.  You carry your baby everywhere you go and she has to be tucked in at night.  You are so girl...watching me put on my makeup, jewelry (wearing Zackary's watch), and loving manicure time with mom.  I cherish holding you in my arms and watching you develop into this little toddler.  I just don't want to not be able to hold you in my arms like my little baby anymore, as time is flying to fast and I am loving my little 2 1/2 year old.  

One more thing...you are so in tuned to all emotions around you.  You hugged everyone over and over at Grandpa's funeral on the boat and kissed with your hand his urn.  You were amazing that day, watching you throw the roses over the boat like a few others was precious.  I am just blessed at who you are becoming and who you are becoming with your brother.

Preschool Graduate

I can't believe its all over.  It is weird that I won't be dropping him off at his preschool anymore...that the comfort it took him over a year to feel in school will be washed away.  I hope that next year at his new school because he's older now, he will adjust sooner and easier.  I am so proud of him for how much light he brought to his classes...and how much he has grown.  Mrs. Johnson was so calm with Zackary.  She opened the patio and stayed out there too every morning which is where Zackary loved to spend his time.  She was a great guitar player and singer. 

Ms. Hett came along in summer school in between your two years here and the bond you both developed was special, which is why you also had her as your teacher for year number 2.  She loved the color orange like you and she liked fountains.  She was good building up confidence and self esteem and really got to know Emme too.  Emme will maybe start here soon but for now...we say goodbye to NCUMP!  We have a kindergartner! 
Zackary you are growing more and more everyday.  You love building right now with anything.  Yesterday you used your toys outside and put them all together and said it was a machine that carried water.  You build with Legos and Lincoln logs a lot and put together quite elaborate buildings and homes.  You are learning about coins and have begun drawing more since your sister loves to draw.  And wow do you help me take care of Emme.  What a big brother you are-calming her down, making sure we understand what she wants, sharing and playing with her everyday.  You are also a very good hiker, and explorer at the tide pools.  You love to visit Grandma and pick her boysenberries.  You two have visits together and read books, sing songs, and investigate everything and anything.  Your most passionate about playing the drums though, and you are exceptional at it.  Daddy says you are better than he was at your age and you know what, he played the drums from a young age too on everything, just like you.  Your sweetness and vocabulary melt my heart.  I am the luckiest mom because I have you as my son.  To the moon...and back

First Soccer Class

Emme just finished her first soccer class.  She rocked the first day...and maybe was into it about 5-10 minutes each additional practice.  She would walk around, play and run but not use her ball and occasionally run onto the baseball field and over to the fence and sit and watch.  She wanted more than needed water breaks and really ignored the coaches.  There were two coaches and her favorite was the one below.  She always made sure she high-fived him and only him and did what he said.  She really does only what she wants.

Below is the last day.  The coach from England gave her a certificate and she looked so proud.  She wore her uniform to the cutest level possible and enjoyed her idea of soccer playing!  I enjoyed watching that!  Don't worry she's signed up for gymnastics-maybe more her forte right now!

Sad Day

Here is one of your three grandfathers.  He was married to Grandma for 33 years.  Zackary you had some time with him your first 4 1/2 years and were only just developing that wonderful personality some have for hiking and exploring, and I wish you were able to share in that with the man known for it, but I am glad you knew him.  Emeline, you probably don't remember him well...but he loved you to bits. He thought you both were the cutest things and incredibly smart.  He always wanted to hear what and how you were doing.  Emme he would have loved your 2 year old puppy  birthday party.
In this picture he is giving his last speech/lecture at the Adventures Club in LA.  He made an endearing speech about your Grandma, and who thankful he was to have her in his life.  That kind of love between them is rare, and I really hope you both find that.

Grandpa was a very special man.  You both will have to look him up and read about him as you become adults. 

If you ever need some peace and want to work things out in your head, or want to say hello I can show you where he is.

You both brought so much sunlight to Grandma in very hard dark times.  We visited her a lot and she so enjoyed having you there keeping her going and smiling some.

Mothers Day

What a perfect morning!  We spent it at the Montage along the ocean, and it was a lot of fun.  Zackary went tide pooling with Ben and Emme and stayed in one little small pool just for her.  Zackary met a friend as well and they had so much fun searching and hunting for crabs, and they found huge one.  After a morning of exploring we walked around for awhile at the hotel and came home. 

That afternoon we drove up to Grandma's and we all took her too dinner for Mothers Day along with GG (Great grandma).  Dad spent the couple of hours with your Grandpa in the hospital watching over him, which was so sweet of him.
I am so lucky to have two amazing, beautiful, adventurous, smart children and one sweet husband!

A Disneyland Moment

So many magical family moments happen at Disneyland.   In the midst of the screaming crying, overly tired, hungry kids there are the moments that make it all worth it.  You actually get on a ride after spending 30 minutes keeping your kids happy in line, you get to sit, relax and enjoy the moment.  Our adrenaline gets revved back up again and everyone is excited to find the next ride.   My mission at Disneyland is to always find the magical family moments.

The carousel is always a big hit with our kids.  I personally get dizzy but I will suck it up and keep going on it for the sake of their happiness and our moments like these pics.  Look at those smiles.

Another big hit is "It's a Small World."  It's gratefully a long enjoyable ride and it really relaxes them both.  Last time we went on it Emme fell asleep half way through!  This time she looked over at her brother and put her arm around him...what brought that feeling on, don't know but it was another magical moment!

I was attempting to ride the cars land ride with Zackary while Ben took Emme to meet Lightening.  She wouldn't get out though. I thought this was a great moment!

Vegas Baby

For Zackary's spring break this year we decided to visit a dear friend of mine in Las Vegas.  She has a son Zack's age.  All the kids had a great time together playing in J back yard (especially since we don't have a fenced in grassy yard).  Emme obviously made herself feel at home with her coloring!

The boys enjoying their frozen yogurt-obviously all over their face!  So cute together.  

Both Zackary and Emme loved J scooter.  Hum....Christmas!  And she did so good on it.

We took a trip down to the Bellagio to see the tulip display.  It was amazing.  I loved it of course.

It's so fun playing with a whole new group of toys!  I think Ben had just as much fun with their toys as our
our kids! 

We had great food, company and most importantly the kids really enjoyed themselves!  It was nice to see where MG lives and be able to hang out with her.