Almost Wordless Wednesday--Running Buddy

My son and I after his first 10K

Within the last year, my oldest has taken up running races with me.  Usually it entails him rolling out of bed minutes before I leave, scarfing down a quick breakfast, and totally smoking me in the race.  At the end of his first race he said, "Mama, where were you? I was waiting for you and I was getting a little worried because you were taking so long!"  Yeah, kid, I run a LOT slower than you do!

Ever since that first 5K race, we realized that he is a natural runner and has run several 5Ks, a 5-miler, and most recently a 10K with me. And by "with me" I mean, we travel together, the starter goes off, and he's gone.  Several times he has said that he'll start with me and then take off. Hasn't happened yet. I think the adrenaline gets to him and he's gone.

I registered him for rec Cross Country. He only has to run a mile and I told him that it was good for him to work on his speed work.  We have a 5K to sign up for and I realize that it is less than 10 days away and I really should sign up for it ASAP!  I am happy to have a running buddy and that my sweet boy has found something that he enjoys.  He enjoys the race and his aunt made him an awesome bib hanger/chalkboard where he can write down his race times. I love that this is something that he and I can do this together. I strive to look for something to do with each of my children and to partake in their interests. Whether it's racing with #1, coloring in our favorite coloring books with #2, playing legos with #3, or watching Cinderella over and over again with #4. As they age, I'm sure their interests will change and I hope I can keep up.

Almost Wordless Wednesday--Chester

Chester has been with our family for about 6 years.  He was given to Boogie as a party favor when he attended a birthday party when he was about a year old. Little did we know that this party favor would be a beloved animal friend and best friend to our oldest. He sat unnoticed for almost a year before Boogie fell in love with him.  We think he's a Cheetah and when Boogs asked me his name I suggested Chester.

Chester has been Boogie's best animal friend. He has sparked an interest in anything that has to do with animals. Boogie wants to be a animal biologist or a zoologist when he grows up. He loves studying anything that has to do with animals, especially African cats.  He has become known as the "animal expert" with his classmates. I love that this simple little gift given as a party favor has inspired my son to read, explore, watch documentaries, and learn about animals. What a great gift for him.

Chester usually finds himself abandoned in various rooms in the house. There have been nights where he sleeps alone because Boogie has forgotten about him, but Chester always finds his way back to Boogie.  Just the other day I found Chester propped on the bannister waiting patiently for his buddy to come home from school. And tucked underneath Chester is Boogie's yellow blankie, the same blanket in which Boogie was swaddled when he was infant.  Chester and Yellow Blankie are reminders that even though my sweet Boogie is growing up, he is still my baby.

Chester and Yellow Blankie waiting patiently for Boogie to come home from school

Almost Wordless Wednesday--Boogie Starts 2nd Grade!

Boogie started 2nd grade this week. I am grateful that the preparations were drama free. I think that since we have had so many activities this summer between swim team, Chinese camp, religion camp, and our beach vacation, going to school was just another transition in our busy lives.  The only hint that Boogie was nervous was the fact that he couldn't fall asleep easily the night before.  He woke up easily on the first day and had a great day. Hubby was able to walk with us to take Boogie to school and then go into work late. I know it meant a lot to Boogie and it meant a lot to me. I think it helped to make the day go a little more smoothly. Hubby got up early and picked up Boogie's favorite crumb donuts for breakfast and flowers for Boogie to give to his 2nd grade teacher.  Boogie came home all smiles and the day ended well. We had one more swim lesson for Bananas and spent a wonderfully warm afternoon swimming after school. Dinner was fast food and ice cream, but why not? We were celebrating!  I hope that 2nd grade continues to go smoothly for our big second grader.

Super 2nd Grader!

Love note

My little boy

I love this face!

Daddy and son

All my loves walking to school

Almost Wordless Wednesday--Taking Time to Smell the Flowers

My little girl loves flowers.  She loves to stop and smell them. Yesterday we went to our favorite grocery store to pick up a few items. They always have a lovely display of fresh flowers right inside the door.  While I was picking up some food for dinner I found her going from display to display smelling all the different flowers.  A nice reminder that we should take time to stop and appreciate God's creations even if the are in a grocery store.

Almost Wordless Wednesday--Aloha

It's January. It's windy and cold. Too cold. I miss warm weather. Sigh.  Here is a picture from warmer days. This is the view off the ocean front balcony from my parents' condo in Maui. Gorgeous isn't it?

Almost Wordless Wednesday--Dancing with the Chosen

Last Sunday we were able to see The Chosen live! It was a wonderful concert and I am so happy to introduce my little ones to children who live in another country, their words, and their music.

Here is a video of Mr. Bananas dancing with The Chosen. I apologize for all the shakiness. I used my phone to take the video and I don't have the steadiest hand. But nonetheless you can see Mr. Bananas dancing and enjoying himself. LOVE!

Mr. Bananas is in the very front in a long-sleeved red shirt speaking to Millie from Chosen. Every now and then he would stop and look for me and say, "Mommy!" but he couldn't see me. But you can catch him cheesing for someone else's camera. This kid loves being on stage.  If you look closely you can see Buggy and her friend Cha Cha dancing behind him.   Enjoy!

Almost Wordless Wednesday--Crocheting Buddy

Over the last few years I have taken up crocheting. I have found it to be incredibly relaxing and I love making afghans and baby blankets for friends and family.  I have enjoyed it so much that I have also joined the knitting/crocheting ministry at church. However, I am woefully behind on many projects. I'm crocheting a couple of afghans for daughters of friends who are entering college. I better get moving or the girls will graduate before I finish!  Mr. Bananas tries to help whenever he can ;)

The hook goes into this loop...

This isn't hard, look how much I've done!

Really, Mommy, this is a piece of cake!

Almost Wordless Wednesday: Lunch with Daddy

This is the last week of Summer vacation and the weather has been gorgeous. We had an awesome playdate on Tuesday, on Thursday we are going to visit my sister-in-law for a much needed catching up session, and on Friday we have an open house for Boogie's school and we are going to meet his 1st grade teacher.  Today I did not have anything planned and I thought we'd go to the gym, but after some thought I checked with Hubby who, amazingly, did not have any meetings or conference calls scheduled.  The kids and I ended up taking the train into the city and meeting him for lunch.  We took advantage of the great weather and ate lunch outside.  Two of Hubby's coworkers joined us and the kids and I had a great time. I'm grateful for this time together, especially since Hubby will be leaving soon for a 5-6 week business trip (yikes!).

Buggy and Mr. Bananas occupying themselves on the train.

Boogie reading about his favorite topic: animals! 

Trying to look like Daddy at work.

Hanging out in Daddy's office.

Being silly in Daddy's office.

Wordless Wednesday: For Bridget

I was hoping to visit with my sister-in-law several times this Summer. I think we were able to squeeze in one play date and haven't been able to see each other since, except at full family gatherings. We were trying to see each other before my family's trip to the beach, but with my washing machine on the fritz and trying to pack for the trip, we just couldn't make it happen.  My goddaughter, who is my sister-in-law's youngest child, has been wanting to see our Mr. Bananas and to see how big he has gotten, and how many teeth he has.  Fortunately, while we have not been able to see her, with technology I was able to snap a picture of Mr. Bananas with my phone and send it to her mom.

This picture is for you Miss Bridget! I look forward to seeing you next week.

Almost Wordless Wednesday-Bonding over Trains

Hubby recently brought up Boogie's old train tracks and trains.  I remember how Boogie used to play with them for hours on end.  He lost interest about two years ago and traded his trains and tracks for dragons, dinosaurs, and books.

However, when Hubby brought up the trains from the basement it has brought back hours of fun for all of the kids. Boogie builds amazing tracks, Buggy makes up story lines for the trains, and Mr. Bananas acts like Godzilla and knocks everything over. Fun for all! I love the hours they have spent bonding over the train set.

Mr. Bananas and Boogie playing trains

Trains for everyone!

Almost Wordless Wednesday--Silly Faces

My kids are silly and fun. I love being goofy with them. One night Buggy and I spent our time making funny faces together and just being silly. I love these times together.

Almost Wordless Wednesday--My Monkey

My Monkey. He's so lovable and sweet. His new favorite thing to do is to blow kisses as he's leaving a room. Everyone melts when he does it. He's been walking for about two weeks now. It's amazing. One day he was crawling and the next walking...literally. How does it happen so quickly? On April 20th he took about 8 steps to me when I picked him up from childcare at the gym. Since then, he's been walking everywhere! By the end of the weekend he was barely, if ever, crawling. He loves people and is happiest interacting with his siblings...and by interacting I mean crawl all over them, sit on them, pull on them, and be the center of attention.

The only trait that I could do without is the earsplitting screeches.  He hits a decibel that truly hurts my ears. One day in the car poor Buggy started crying because he had screeched so loudly and it hurt her ears.  He screeches to get what he wants and we are desperately trying to break him of this habit by encouraging him to use his words (verbal or signed).  It works...except when we are in the store...like today...45 minutes was a VERY long time...I would have left earlier except I was waiting for something.

Here is a sweet picture of my little my monkey...after his overtired 20 minute crying jag.  Sweet dreams, Little Monkey.

Almost Wordless Wednesday--My Loves!

My Loves! What more can I say?

Bedtime stories with Daddy!

Almost Wordless Wednesday: Mama with her Kiddos

I don't have many pictures of me with my children. I love this picture because it is totally us, in our natural setting, taken on my 34th birthday.  My kids and my husband make me who I am. I am humbled to be a part of this wonderful family!

Almost Wordless Wednesday--Dancing Man

Because we all need a smile and there is something so cute about a baby dancing :)

Almost Wordless Wednesday--Sibling Play

There is something harmonious when having three children. Yes, harmonious. Not always, but when it happens it is something beautiful to behold.  I love they way the way they occupy one another, help one another, teach one another, and play with one another.  Unfortunately, I don't have any pictures of the three of them playing together. Probably because they all move too quickly for my camera ;)

Recently I was able to observe a sweet scene to between Buggy and Mr. Bananas.  She loved playing with him (and dressing him up!) and he loved the one on one attention given by his favorite person.

Hmmmm, what can I find for you to put on?

Try this! You look gorgeous!

Picnic anyone?

Almost Wordless Wednesday: Mothering Tip on What NOT to Do!

My darling Buggy loves her baby dolls. She loves playing Mama and doing things that Mamas do:  nursing babies, changing baby diapers, and wearing babies.

Most recently after a work-out at the gym,  I came to the childcare room to find this:

My sweet Buggy, wearing her baby. I had to chuckle at her complete oblivious nature as she wore her baby. She thought her baby was perfectly safe and happy on her back and not falling out of her seat. Good thing Baby was buckled in!

Almost Wordless Wednesday: Hello Friend!

I can't believe my sweet baby will be turning a year old this month.  He's growing so big. Just last Friday he learned to climb the stairs and I had to pull out the gate and block him. My, he's quick!

I found these photos I took of him one night. He found his reflection on the back sliding glass door.  He was kissing his new "friend" and very excited to see someone waving back at him. My goofy boy!

And here are kisses for you...

Hi Friend! Do you want to come in?

Almost Wordless Wednesday: My Girl

It's so different having a girl. With my firstborn I learned a lot about trains (especially the Thomas and Friends series), dinosaurs, dragons, and cheetahs.  Having a girl as a second born was a bit of an adjustment. She loves pink and purple. She loves to try on my shoes. She critiques my clothing choices and usually says, "You look beautiful, Mama!"  She loves dresses that twirl and will spin and spin just so that she can see her pretty dresses twirl.  I knew that when I had a girl I would want her to try dance classes. I thought she would love it and she does.

Here is my little girl on one lazy Saturday morning. She had dressed herself in her dress up clothes over her pajamas and dances for me.  I think wearing her sunglasses upside down is my favorite part of her outfit! This one is for you Ms. Chi!

Almost Wordless Wednesday--Cooperative Play

Nothing warms my heart more than when my children play well together.  I love when they cooperate and share.  Last week Buggy had an assignment for her bilingual class. She was supposed to write and illustrate a book to share with her classmates.  We co-authored a book titled, My Family.  She told me what to write and I wrote it for her.  She then spent her time illustrating each page.  When her brother came home from school, he was excited to learn that she was making a book. Boogie loves to write and make books.  He offered his help and the two of them spent quality time illustrating her book.  Buggy was thrilled with the extra attention from her big brother, and Boogie was happy to lend his expertise to help her out.