{Austin 30 Months}

Dear Austin,

Another month passes. You continue to be so so much fun. Every day you say something new, and make us so proud.

You are very busy in these summer days. You are just so easy going. You never fuss or whine about doing things. You say "OK!" really loud and then you are off!

You help me with cooking, cleaning, and getting dressed/shoes on. You brush your own teeth, and you can play for long periods of time by yourself. You love to entertain yourself with trains or cars.

You are sleeping and eating beautifully, and there is nothing to say there!

We are just enjoying these days of unscheduled summertime. Each day is new, and each day we have tons of fun. When you are older, I will really miss these days. I hope I can come back and read this to remember how much fun we had. YOU are my sunshine Austie!

Love you-
Momma

Swimmer G

Gavin is now officially a fish! He just loves the water, and is a great swimmer. Today he had his first ever swim lesson (We don't count the three he did when he was three...he never got in the water, and told the instructor that he 'didn't really like the water')

He immediately showed off all his skills, and the swim coach told him he was so good, he needed to move up a level! Gavin was so proud! 

He is learning how to do different strokes now, and so happy!

So lucky

I know that I say it over and over again, but I am just so lucky to have you both in my life. You are each so incredible in your own way...and so unique. I have to pinch myself when I see your sweet faces. So incredible you are. 

When we go out places these days you both are getting to be so easy. You run, play, and occasionally need me. Gavin you are so sweet to Austin, always looking out for him, and making sure he has a spot on a ride or swing. Austin you look up to your big brother so much. You adore him. I adore your relationship. 

I thank God each and every day that I am a momma to you both. God is so good to us. 

Summer Fun

Our weeks have been completely unscheduled, and every day we get to pick what we want to do....its been so much fun! We have been hanging out a LOT at lots of parks (whats new!), swimming at Ma's house, day trips to Monterey Aquarium, and LOTS of cooking. We have been eating lots of sweet fruits and lots of ice cream as its been HOT. You both just love to invite friends over, or meet them places...and just play play play. I love it. 

Camping at Mt. Madonna

Last weekend we went down to Mt. Madonna to go camping with the Hayden's and Draheim's. We had been planning to go camping ever since the last camping trip we had with Mountain School...we had so much fun!

We got some really great spots, all three next to each other so we could set up our group camp site. Lets just say that we were not camping, we were glamping. Jenny (Will's mom) is incredible...she had the entire camp set up before we even got there...table cloths, fruit baskets, fresh flowers...and best of all? Chris (Will's dad) set up a zip line, tree swing, and a hammock! It was insane. Of course all the boys had a blast! We had 6 boys under age 5, so it was wild and crazy, but they all had so much fun together. 

The road we were off of was paved, so the boys all had their bikes. The first evening they all went flying down a huge hill. Austin fell at the bottom, and scraped up his hands and got a pretty big laceration on his forehead. Thankfully his helmet protected him enough, but it was pretty yucky! After some tears, he was back at it! Of course I was a complete nervous wreck...first there is Gavin and James, flying down the hill as fast as they could, and then Austin would take a turn. Thankfully he didn't fall again, but I was so nervous. Guess its something I have to get used to with two boys!

We went on a really cool hike in the morning, to Henry Miller's summer estate, and got to see the ruins of his mansion. It was pretty neat. Of course the Mountain School boys did great on the hike, and were way ahead of us the entire time. 

The weather was perfect, pretty chilly at night, but it was nice to snuggle up in the blankets under the stars. We had bonfire going all the time, and had delicious food all weekend long. I'm certain the boys ate a billion marshmallows too. 

When the kids were all in bed, we would sit up late drinking and playing games. Perfect adult summer night. We were even asked by the ranger to keep the noise down at one point...Oops!

I still am in shock that Austin went zip lining! He is such a daredevil...just hopped on the seat, and took off. What a life...two years old and zip lining in the redwood forest. Not bad!

Rain!

These boys do not get to see the rain very much...I am not complaining, as our weather is amazing, but sometimes its nice to have rain. Finally after a long long time, it rained! It was 7am, but that did not stop us from playing out in the rain until it stopped. They were soaked in their jammies, having a blast. Even though it was VERY short (an hour) it was nice. Hopefully it rains some more.

My Austie

For almost the first two years of his life, I took a nap with him each day. It was one of my favorite times of the day, and I miss it so much. Every once in a while, he will need me to lay down with him, and stay until he falls asleep...so of course I do. These are times that I will always remember. 

Now, his special thing he likes to do with me is kiss my lips, but only when my eyes are closed. I will close my eyes, put out my lips, and he will come over and plant a big one on me....then when I open my eyes, I am very "surprised" and he thinks this is the most hilarious thing in the world. I will keep pretending to be surprised my entire life if he continues this. Love it so much. 

Look at those eyes...and lips. He is amazing. 

(The nice big scrape on his head was from falling off his bike. He insisted on riding down a HUGE hill while camping, because the big boys were doing it. Got up, and said "Whoa!")