Zoo Trip!

Today we headed to the Cincinnati Zoo! Grandma has a great pass, so we could all go. All the kids had a great time. The first picture is of them looking at something really cool in the tiger exhibit...no not the tiger, the dead bird on the ground;) Addie and Austie had a nice time sharing snacks while we were walking around. We all got to pet a big lizard, and Gavin says this was his favorite part. We got to ride the train and merry go round, and watch real construction while eating lunch. (They were building a new elephant exhibit) What a fun day, thanks Grandma!

 

Off to Cincinnati!

And we are off! The boys did really well on the flights....but oh man, what a long day!! I really am proud of the boys for how great they did. There was a lot of turbulence on the slight from Salt Lake to Cincy, so Gavin was a little scared, but he was fine once it was over. Thank you, THANK YOU Grandma for all the help!!!!

"Drandma" is here!!!

"Cincinnati Ma" and now called "Drandma" is here! She got in on wednesday and we have been super busy since! Lots of walks, park trips, trip to the zoo, last day of school, and the beach today! So happy she is here...Gavin is in constant show off mode, and super happy she is here:) Austin warmed up after a few days, and is now letting Grandma hold him and take care of him...SUCH a mama's boy. 

Mountain School in the spring

Here are some of the pictures of mountain school this spring. The class is at the outdoor sites, so its extra fun...lots of creek play, hikes, and learning about animals and bugs. In the first pictures the snake by Gavin is obviously dead...and the kids were all measuring to see who was taller....them or the snake. Gavin said he was taller than "Mr. Colorful" and he was very happy. Was not AT ALL scared and held Mr. Colorful for quite some time. So glad I was not there that day;)

The last picture is us at the beach field trip. It was a very fun day. 

Gavin LOVES to look at pictures of school. He asks to see them every day, and I am wondering what we will do all summer as he wants to go to school every single day. Also wondering what we will do when ONE day he has to sit in a classroom! ;)

Little Bird

Today was Gavin's last class in the Mountain School 3's class! I still can't believe it. Next year will be his LAST year at Mountain School!

Today was extra special because Grandma got to come...it was the first time she got to see the outdoor classroom, and Gavin was SO excited to take her. They did a hike up the creek, played on the big fallen redwood tree, and made ice cream together. It was a very fun day.

During circle time, Teacher Angie gave each of the kids a special birthday candle, so we could sing happy birthday to all the summer birthdays. He thought this was so special, and smiled ear to ear the entire time. There were LOTS of summer birthdays!

At the end of class, we all joined hands in a huge circle. Teacher Angie explained that at the beginning of the year, the children were like little birds...and she reminded them of the story she often told about the little birdie that gets a little sad when its mother leaves, but the mother ALWAYS comes back. No matter what. All the kids who used to get sad when mommy left, loved this story...and they often talk about it. Today, The children are still like little birdies, but they get to fly, and they get to fly to their next class. I am probably not telling the whole story, but all the kids were fascinated. We sang to each child...and as their name was called, they broke free from holding hands, and they ran in between everyone's windows (The space between the people under the hands). This is what we sang:

Gavin, Gavin, fly through my window,

Gavin, Gavin, fly through my window,

Gavin, Gavin, fly through my window,

And on to your next class.

***This song is a spin off of Elizabeth Mitchell's "Little Bird" and we know and love this song a lot. Fits so well. 

Little bird, little bird, 
Fly through my window, 
Little bird, little bird, 
Fly through my window, 
Little bird, little bird
Fly through my window, 
And find molasses candy.

Through my window, 
My sugar lump, 
Fly through my window, 
My sugar lump, 
And find molasses candy.

-Who knows a bird?
-Me! Chickadee! 
-What's a chickadee say?
-chchchchchch

Chickadee, chickadee, 
Fly through my window, 
Chickadee, chickadee, 
Fly through my window, 
Chickadee, chickadee, 
Fly through my window, 
And find molasses candy.

-Elizabeth Mitchell

A lot of the kids did not want to run, and stayed holding hands...but some LOVED to run....and Gavin was one of the kids who LOVED to run! He was last, and he waited so patiently...and he RAN! He smiled so big, and was laughing....so so happy....and so free. Lisa (Ryan's mom) really did capture on camera how happy he was. Pictures I will cherish forever. 

I just can't describe how wonderful this "school" experience has been. I know it sometimes sounds corny, but honestly, it has just been amazing. The school, the atmosphere, the teachers, the other parents, the great kids, everything. I really am so glad we did this and look forward to next year when he does so much more...then again when Austin heads to school! 

Mr. Smiles

This little guy is such a ham. Always smiling at everyone. He LOVES the slides, and now he likes to go down them like a big boy...instead of backwards on his belly. He then gets nervous and holds on to the sides and laughs. Such a silly guy. 

Natural Bridges

Today Gavin's class had a field trip to Natural Bridges Beach in Santa Cruz. We had never been there (No idea how!) and I think we will be going a lot from now on! It was completely empty (It was foggy) and the kids had a blast. We went on a hike to the tide pools to see all the sea creatures in them...Gavin had the most fun during story time and then drawing people and letters in the sand. What a great classroom it was!

Austin 15mo check-up

Today Austie had his 15mo check up. Gavin came along for the ride...and a shot! 

Both boys were very good, and very nice to Dr. C. Austin was SUPER shy around her, and started to cry when she was touching him! So funny this kid...sometimes so so shy, and other times he lets strangers hold him!

Here are the stats:

Weight-23 pounds (50%)

Height-32 inches (75%)

HC-47cm (55%)

We talked about all the milestones he has been meeting, and it seems that he is right on track. He showed her how he runs and even jumps...

We talked about his words, and how he has a few...not many, but a few. Mama, Dada, and Cookkk (cookie) are his main ones...he has a whole language of words we don't understand too;) 

His eating, sleeping, and development are all perfect! She said he looks wonderful and she is so happy that my boys are just always so healthy. She said they win a record for being in the office least. (I knocked on wood;)

The visit ended with 2 shots for Austie, and one for G. Gavin volunteered to go first (???) and he did fine, but once it was over, he sobbed. Then the nurse gave him 3 suckers and he was immediately quiet. Then it was A's turn. Poor guy started screaming when he saw her come near him! He also stopped crying as soon as I shoved a sucker in his mouth. 

The day ended with ice cream and a fun trip to Kevin Moran park in Saratoga...sun, sand and ice cream made it all better.

What happens when I open the garage door *MOVIE

Where is Austie???

Austin can usually be found climbing on or hiding in something. He is a complete monkey.

Letters

Gavin loves his letters. He also has started to love writing them too! He uses his dry erase boards and will trace them all by himself. He is SUPER proud of his writing...and we are too. 

My Mornings

Since we got home from vacation I have had a lot to do with work and school. (I am on three committees for Gavin's school) so I have been busy!

The boys are usually OK entertaining themselves for about 5 minutes...then there is usually trouble. This morning Gavin decided to take the corn starch and salt outside to make "pancakes" in the sun. I knew what he was doing...I buy this stuff at the dollar store for this reason! But then I found Austin...he was quiet. He had taken a marker, and was drawing all over the floor. He was having SO much fun, and it washes off, so I let him continue. He was in HEAVEN. I got him out paper, and he told me no, he wanted to color the floor. Oh man!

Gavin's Girl

Gavin was so excited to get Ryleigh a present in Maui, and was even more excited to give it to her. A shell necklace and a Hawaiian flower for her hair. Such a little ladies man!

{Gavin 45 Months}

Dear Gavin,

Today you are another month older. Oh, so much older! You are such a silly little guy...always smiling, laughing, and saying, "Are YOU tricking me????" :)

You are totally into playing tricks and being goofy these days. You do and say the funniest things, and you sure know it. You also have learned how to stretch the truth...yes thats a nice way of saying lying! If you did something bad, most of the time you will fess up, but every once in a while you will tell me "no" very quickly (and you don't look me in the eye) and then run away. Hmm, sure does give it away....but hey, you try!;)

We had a BLAST in Hawaii, and you are a total island boy! LOVED Maui and everything it had to offer. You learned to swim (better) this trip, and you even put your head UNDER WATER on the last day! OH MY GOSH, it was a miracle! You fell in LOVE with swimming in the ocean, and were pretty fearless with the big waves...funny since you don't like to go under water;)

You continue to eat every two hours all day long...eat everything, but favorites include waffles, pancakes, eggs, smoothies, cheese, yogurt, any fruit, chicken, rice, and of course any sweets. You are super heavy to pick up, so I weighed you...almost 40 pounds!

Sleep still the same, no complaints! Go to bed at 8:30, get up around 6 or 7, and nap for two hours a day....wonderful!

We love you so so so so much Gavie. You are such a joy to be around, and you always make us smile and laugh all day long. Life with you is amazing. 

Love you to the moon and back-

Momma

Mother's Day 2013

Mother's day this year was the best! We got home from Hawaii super late the night before, so the boys all let me sleep in until almost 9:30AM!!! Thats LATE for me!!

Gavin then brought me waffles in bed...followed by flowers later in the day. We went to the school to play, went for two walks, and just took it easy. Could not ask for more! Thank you boys for making me the happiest momma around:)

Hawaii dancing movies!

sunrise. rainbow. sunset

We had one of the best family trips to Hawaii. We all loved it and one of our favorite things to look at was the rainbows....happened all the time. 

Goodbye Maui!

The rain this morning made it a little easier to leave the island. Such a great trip!

The second picture is just a little glimpse of the plane ride home. While both the boys did really well, it definitly took FOUR adults to entertain them! Austin is a BIG mama's boy on planes, so I am usually the ONLY one who can hold him, or he throws a tantrum. Oh my. So how do I manage him? Give him an entire bag of rice crispy's...and let him eat and play. Sorry Alaska Air!

Last Night

Tonight was our last night in Maui, and we decided to go out to the Lahaina Fish Co for dinner. After a really great dinner, we strolled down Front Street because there was a big festival going on. Live music and dancing...and we watched a fire show too!