Solvang and Happy Father's Day!

We headed to Solvang last week to visit Mio, Rikka and Patrick.  Despite the torturous car rides(betsy) and fevers(curtis and betsy), we had a great time.  It was beautiful weather down there and it was so nice to get away from home, if only for a few short days. 

 

 

 The clog got a paint job. Betsy was not so into this photo shoot.

 

My Beautiful Mio. When I was a kid she told me she was 102 years old.  I believed her. 

Aunt Sally thrifted some super cute vintage dresses for Betsy. 

 

 

Out of order but on our way home we burned off some energy at Pismo Beach.  I could have stayed in the sand all day.  

 

 

 

We had a great time just hanging out at the house!

 

While we were visiting Mio she kept telling me what a great dad that man I live with is and how patient and good he is with the kids.  And as cute as these two are, they need a LOT of patience. I agree with her, he is amazing.  I'm glad we got to celebrate him for father's day.  Daddies are the best. 

And we got to take a little hike to Nojoqui Falls! It felt like such a long hike as a kid. 

Curtis is the sweetest boy to his Mio. Probably because she gives him gum. 

Betsy was not into posing for a picture. 

 

And just like that, he's not a kindergartener anymore.

First day of school

Last day

School is out. Or as Curtis says, "I beat the whole level of kindergarten! I'm a first grader!!"

It's useless to even comment on how fast time goes by because everyone already knows.  But man-oh-man it goes by so fast!

This boy is something else.  He is a handful and has taught us A LOT about patience to say the least. For all the hair that has turned gray or been pulled out in frustration, we wouldn't change one second. He is just the sweetest, most imaginative, funny, stubborn, silly, kind, loving little boy we could have asked for. Not to mention that his dancing skills are incredible. Betsy is pretty lucky to have this kind of role model. 

Curtis and I were noticing in these pictures that at the start of kindergarten his ears were below the line in the door and now they are above. 

Mors Dag

"I lorve you monm." Sounds like talking with your mouth full.

 Mother's day. Nailed it. I have the two cutest cutes in the world. I'm so lucky I get to be their mom.
 We packed up a picnic and slathered on the sunscreen and headed out to the beach. Of course the parking lots were full and it was way too cold for sandcastles and one child needed a bathroom RIGHT NOW and the other one was screaming her head off.  Ahhh..Perfection! We did get to take a short foggy hike and play in the cypress trees.  We ate our PB&J's on the drive home, Gram J came over in the evening and Andy cooked up some yummy turkey burgers for dinner.  Curtis and I threw the frisbee in the back yard, Betsy entertained us all just being her funny self. All-in-all, a pretty great day. This is the life. 

Seriously, who are these kids?

 

 

Oh, and this is a thing now. She climbed up there all by herself. So proud.

Sweetness

Today this boy complained that he had a sore throat.  He was trying to convince me that he needed to watch another movie and rest. I figured he was faking it.  Betsy was down for a nap so I gave in.  I gave him some advil and I took my opportunity to read my book until my own eyes couldn't stay open.  It's rare that I get to snooze during the day, so I took my chance. Then later after the betsy woke up we played outside in the water and ate watermelon and a Popsicle and everything seemed fine. Then, because I'm a jerk, the next thing I know he was falling asleep on the couch and burning up with a fever. Ugh, he really is sick. Poor guy.  Naps never ever happen anymore so it must be bad. Wish us luck tonight! I hope he and the rest of us get some sleep.

Oh and Betsy officially sleeps in her room with her brother! Not in the big crib yet and not all night unfortunately, but she loves it in there. Actually they both love being in the same room.  It's pretty sweet. 

Look - more hair!

She still has the Kewpie doll tuft on top

These two entertain each other and really like playing together these days

And Betsy gives us the cutest open mouth kisses ever. 

Notice the beach towel to make sure Betsy doesn't have to touch the grass.  

And here's a little video of Betsy enjoying the water

Lately

This sweet little girl

I made this romper for her last year. She wore it to curtis' birthday party in July. It still fits. Kind of. Look at this ridiculousness - those skinny little legs and new (to us!) shoes that are two sizes too big. The girl loves shoes! She's a keeper.

Our tattooed boy working on his 'sperients'

Nudie escapee

Mama did not do the best job of organizing Easter morning. Andy was sick, I had too much wine the night before. Aunt Sally slept through it all. But the Easter bunny pulled through. Betsy wasn't too interested in the eggs and Curtis was too distracted by the goodies in his basket to mind me napping on the couch :) 

And we love books now. ESPECIALLY turning the pages.

Feats of daring-do abound

Love this pic. The house is a wreck, but it is a realistic glimpse of our everyday chaos.  It's been fun now that we have an extra little person who likes to pull things off the shelves and "reorganize" them to her pleasure.  Add to that two exhausted parents and that sums up our home. Messy. But so cozy. 

Action shot. Poor kid had to get a haircut because hair was getting in his eyes. Unfortunately for him, the only way I know how to cut hair is short. He is still the cutest thing in the world. Now I just have better access to the back of that white neck for kissin'!