Solo Beach Trip

Our friends invited us on a spontaneous beach trip and John was working, but it was the last day of summer vacation. So I loaded everyone and everything and attempted my first solo beach trip with four kids.

I put Jane in some old pajamas to minimize the sand and keep her protected from the sun.

We all kept our distance, but it was still very helpful when they arrived to have an extra pair of eyes since Jane is not afraid of the water and I have a non swimmer and 2 not strong swimmers. So this is the only water picture I got before putting my phone away.

Whenever we go to the beach, I think we should go more often because they all truly love it so much. 

 Being on alert at all times and dragging Jane and our junk by myself, this time I just praised my efforts.

When they take a break from the water to go in the sand, I can breathe easy and watch them play. And pass out food. 

It was pretty chilly in the water, so I changed Jane into this dry, lovely sunsuit-looking romper that was beach perfection.

She crashed on the drive home and I took this picture of her sandy baby face.

Now time for baths, de-sanding everything, cleaning out the car, laundry, and putting away lunch and diaper bag contents. So much work after a mentally and physically demanding day, but worth it for a final summer hurrah.

SIP Week 22: Aug 9-15

Jane loves food. Bottles she likes for soothing, but she was never a big eater until she got some real food in her hands.

We keep hoping a fuller belly will one day lead to longer sleep stretches without us, but no dice so far.

"Mommy, look! The crenels are up to my second legs!" Perry knows castle anatomy better than human anatomy.

Jane found the snack in the bottom of her stroller, pulled it out, and unzipped the lunchbox all by herself.

Jane's favorite toys seem to be weapons and tools.

Baking utensils count.

Homemade popsicles

Two grocery bags of trash after our park clean-up night.

Double hugs for John

Just lounging in her rocker.

Fun bath hair

Great volume

And a slight curl as it dried.

Perry played monopoly by himself, but moving 3 characters. He'd come ask me what the chance cards said, but the rest was all him. I overheard him say, "ooh, my turn!"

She found another Mickey Mouse book.

You can never have too many pacifiers on hand.

My little sweetheart.

And terror. We have to remind the kids to stop her, not just take her abuse. They say it doesn't really hurt, but we want to teach her to be nice.

The only time she's peaceful and calm.

I bought matching shirts for our next Disney trip, which seems to get further and further away instead of the other way around.

Perry does an ipad preschool game once or twice a week. It doesn't matter what's on the screen, everyone wants to watch.

He also does workbook pages. This one was healthy foods he likes and he circled everything except cucumbers.

Screen magnet. Good thing it's a giant couch.

After watching the Great British Bake Off, I made an 8 plaited loaf. It was good, but not any better than regular bread for a lot more effort.

You can't leave the bathroom door open for a second or she'll find her way into trouble.

The only break we get from her mischief is on walks or when she's napping.

I love when she falls asleep being held. I never want to put her down.

Jonah Turns 7

 The weekend before Jonah's birthday, Karen and Alan were in town, so we met up with them at the park and celebrated.

There was a BIG surprise in the car from them.

A bigger bike, just like Scott's. He rode it around the park and was thrilled.

On his actual birthday, I borrowed a sign for our front yard and put it in before he woke up.

He seems to really appreciate surprises and anything done especially for him. 

John made sourdough waffles. I put a candle and we sang to him every chance we had. We wanted him to feel loved and celebrated despite not having the normalcy of a party or friends over.

He chose all of the meals and dessert and everything he wanted to do that day. The list was long, but we tried to fit as much in as possible.

Perry and I made his cake while he went on a bike ride with Scott and played video games, we went swimming again at our neighbor's house when John had a break from work.

Amanda met us there and kept her mask on and stayed distanced. It is so hard to not be close to family, especially for things like birthdays, but she was great about wanting to keep us safe and I know it meant a lot to Jonah to see her.

He opened presents after dinner (quiche).

Lego, minecraft, books, star wars, games, a hiking water backpack and binoculars, plus of course the bike. It was all his favorite things.

Then molten cakes because he loves lava. And chocolate.

Jane does, too.

They were so good.

On his 7th birthday, Jonah didn't have a check-up because of covid, but at home he was 3 feet 11 inches and weighed 49.8 pounds. He's still on the smaller side, wearing size 5 clothes.

Jonah's favorite color is red

food is haystacks, he just chose quiche because "we don't have it that much."

animal is shark

primary song is Follow the Prophet and story is Jonah and the Whale

His favorite books are the Percy Jackson series.

He likes to play outside, go for bike rides, play video games, and read.

When he grows up he wants to be a video game maker.

We love our Jonah Bear.

SIP Week 21: Aug 2-8

She loves climbing in seats and looking at books, particularly this Mickey duplo one.

Our second round of bocce was trickier because Jane wasn't as tired and wanted in on the action.

I was shocked she could carry this heavy ball.

Concentrating hard.

Copying what she sees.

Scott tried to keep her from climbing in while the game was in play. He is very helpful, but she's a wily one.

Her little sniff face while she stole the pallino.

She was worn out when we got home and needed her bottle of milk and a pacifier in each hand.

Scott and Jonah reading and talking about their books in the living room

while Perry and Jane played with their pretend kitchen. I love when the kids play together nicely with each other.

We dropped something off at our friends' house and Jane got out to walk around on their grass.

We also got her a low slide to play on from a neighbor. I want to give her some approved climbing opportunities since she still hasn't been able to play at a park.

Sleeping in late in our bed after keeping us up half the night.

Doing some pet sitting for a neighbor. The kids love feeding the fish.

Trying out a bop it game.

Jane the mimicker.

She's been going to bed a little earlier lately. Not as early as the boys, but before we're ready to sleep at least.

My baby hairs are curly after getting sweaty from exercising. I lost far more hair after Jane than the other kids and the regrowth is all over.

John likes to dress her in overalls. 

Ready for cleanings at the dentist.

Sharing with Jane. If they take turns giving her a bite, she's usually satisfied without her own.

Always climbing

Always reading

She loves reading with John

We seem to be 6/6 on readers in the family.