Update on Sleepover

So the sleep over didn't end up happening. My sweet friend, Kate, drove Mae home last night at 9:30. Kate said that Mae didn't cry or ask to go home the entire time but neither of the girls were going to sleep, they kept chatting, and would call to her to come in. After doing this for some time and realizing it was going to be a LONG night for my pregnant friend, she asked Mae if she wanted to go home and she said, "yes." Oh well you live and learn. Glad to see Mae wasn't totally ready to let us go so soon. Although I was glad to have her snuggled in her bed under our roof, I secretly was hoping that she wasn't going to be here because it would have made my morning routine much easier since Pearson is gone and I could have walked the dog first thing in the morning with only one kid.

We are soon going to go pick up my parents who are swinging by on there way back from Alaska. Me and the kids will be flying with them back to the East Coast on Tuesday where we will be spending the whole month. 

Independence

I have always known Mae is independent. She does what she wants to do when she wants to do it. She also has strong affection for other people and can bond to folks relatively easily. Some times I wonder if it is because she doesn't want to be with me but I have to squelch that fear. I tell myself that I have given her enough love and attention that she is a confident, young girl. Again, this is what I tell myself to make myself feel better. 

To night was a case in point of Mae's independence. We were at our good friend, Kate and Ash's house for dinner with their daughter Nora. Pearson was out of town and Ash was at a swim meet. At around 6:50 I told Mae it was time to head home for bed. She said she was not ready. To which I responded, "Then I guess you are going to have to spend the night here." To which she responded, "I want to spend the night here." After a couple more times asking her if that is what she really wanted, she insisted that she sleep there. And she said, "I will not be scared." My friend Kate is awesome and totally undeterred and said she would love to have her. I was a little sad but I am guessing this is just the beginning of her not wanting to be with me. God I love that little girl and her independence and courage. She totally aMAEzes me at every turn. 

Fits and Starts

Summer has seemed to be happening in fits and starts this year. I would almost venture to say that we haven't even really had much of a summer. This is affirming my decision to go East for all of August and to not grow any tomatoes larger then the size of a grape and cherry.

This past week was a fit and then a start and now is a fit. The beginning of the week was pretty gloomy and by yesterday we were in full summer glory. Here are some photos from visiting our garden plot at the PPatch the other day (generally an excursion that we do a few times a week) and a day visiting a farm with a few of Mae's classmates and a new friend.

Spring Street Patch! 

Our garden plot. We are growing carrots, lots of beets, squash, tomatoes, and beans. 

Whit checking it all out. 

This is Mae trying to smile through tears. She was pretty upset that I wouldn't let her take a gardening stake home with her. 

Riding in the red wagon (which isn't even ours is pretty common). Normally we head up to the garden and go visit the local cat thin the neighborhood. 

Whitaker thought this was the funniest thing. 

A visit to Kelsey Creek Farm to see a kids band play. None of the kids were really into the music. They were far more interested in the animals. 

Mae and Ellie staring at the 30 year olds playing to a bunch of kids. I think they find them a little strange. 

Reese checking out the pig. 

This is Eloise. I met her mom and dad at a wading pool a couple of weeks ago. They are from Virginia and just moved to Seattle.  In either stranger things and under the category of "this is a small world" Reese's grandma, Eloise's mom [Kelly], and myself all found out we knew one family. The family lived around the block from me when I was young, Kelly went to school with the son, and Reese's grandma is good friends with the parents. It was pretty crazy that we all discovered it.   

Ellie, Mae, and Reese checking out the chickens "all by themselves." 

Enjoying a picnic after visiting the animals. 

I begged the girls to take a picture. Here is Mae and Ellie doing I don't know what - the chicken dance maybe? 

Reese, Mae, and Ellie. You would think that we all could do our kids hair. 

Faces covered by hair. 

And done with picture taking. 

First Cut

Over the last couple of weeks, Whitaker has been called a "she" on a few occasions. I don't blame folks, Whitaker  has quite a pretty face and he is the most beautiful baby (or at least in my most unbiased opinion) I have ever seen. The few "she" references prompted me to realize it was time for a hair cut. Also prior to having a boy, I was pretty judgmental about parents who had boys with long hair and you couldn't determine whether they were a boy or girl. I didn't want to be a hypocrite so we went in today to get Whitaker's locks trimmed. Whit was a stud about it all and now looks so handsome. (It should because it cost $30!!) 

His before shot. 

Kids getting their hair cut get to sit in these little cars. Of course, Mae wanted to sit in one and they let her. 

Getting his hair dried.  

And then the stylist asked if I wanted something done with it so I said sure! 

The kids get balloons after hair cuts (again for $30 they should). Mae got one as well which then flew away, which then prompted a ton of tears. 

Happy with his new do, the balloon, and the fake turtle. 

Imitation

They say imitation is the best form of flattery. I don't know how true that is when it comes out of the mouth of a two year old. Case in point.

Mae yesterday in the bathtub says, "I got an eye on him [Whitaker]." I think was in response to me saying, "Where is Whitaker?" Something I say far too often. Clearly, I can't keep track of my little animal. 

Mae after falling, "That is why you need to be careful." Something I say ALL the time when I see Mae or Whitaker doing something that I know is going to lead to falling and lots of tears. 

Mae after me telling her she couldn't have another food item because she hadn't finished something on her plate, "Don't say, 'no thank you' just say yes!"

After me dropping something all over the floor, "Don't worry Mom, we will fix it." 

Wowzers

I was reading an article in the New Yorker yesterday. It was specifically diary entries from a woman living in Spain in the 50's. In one of her entries, she starts off by just writing key words. I thought to myself I should do that on the blog since so much has been seeming to happen and I can't seem to keep up or find the time to write it all down. Even though, I have felt like my life has been on fast forward since having Whitaker, I feel that since Whitaker has started walking we are constantly on the go! As I said to someone I feel that I have one child that is physically exhausting and one child who can be emotionally and intellectually exhausting. I don't know how my sister does it with 3 boys!

Also, I haven't been taking my camera out. With all the outdoor activities, I have been packing outdoor bags complete with towels, sunscreen, snacks, diapers, and change of clothes. With the huge haul that I am carrying I some how have forgotten to pack my camera on all these occasions.

In some words, this is what has been going on...

5:15 am wake ups with Whitaker, dresses, outdoors, beach, fire engine playground, playgrounds, suntan lotion, climbing, falling, wading pool, splash parks, Ours by Taylor Swift, 50 Shades of Grey, hanging in the closest, Pearson traveling, marathon training, picnics, crashing into bed, spinning at the park, vacuuming, window gazing, Spring Street PPatch, laughs, tears, cuddles, snuggles, biting, kisses, sibling rivalry ALREADY, sibling love, pillows, pooping in a diaper, homeless shelter part two, boot camp, Pearson and Crossfit, Pearson and Paleo, exhausted, and blessed. 

I read somewhere that as a parent the days seem long but the years fly by. I think that accurately would describe how I feel on some days. Without a doubt, I love what I do everyday but on some days, I think that it might just be easier or more relaxing to go to the office. Then, I snuggle with my kids and I think that there is no place I would rather be then with them. 

Here are a few photos from the last couple days at home. 

Summer Finally!

Seattlelites have a thoroughly annoying saying that summer doesn't come till July 4th. Like clockwork summer showed up yesterday. Here are some photos from the last couple of days. 

Most adorable kid outfit. Courtesy of Grandma K. and Aunt Julie. 

The pants have pockets! 

Shucking corn. 

How cute is that little rump? 

My bathing beauty.  

The closest she goth to the water.  

I put both kids in bathing suits, including a swim diaper for Whitaker and this is about as close either of them came to it.  

Whitaker more interested in eating.