growing up.

That little saying that goes, "the days are long but the years are short" struck me hard this week. Somedays I feel like all I do is go hour by hour to get things done, bags packed, dishes cleaned and meals made. But these last few days there have been moments that have made me stop and slow down. Moments where I step back and see how quickly these little people are changing and growing. And moments where I just want to freeze time and take it all in. 

Nothing significant really happened but in these little moments I am reminded what a great life I really have. How I need to slow down more often and appreciate the sweet times admit the frustrating ones or relish in the cuddles and hugs when I'm really just wanting some alone time. 

It's been a good week.

Weekends are usually go, go, go. Between me working some Saturdays, basketball games, tennis lessons, Sunday School and birthday parties it's rare we have much down time. But last weekend we had a lazy morning and it was so fun to just get out some old toys and play downstairs. 

 I surprised Matt last weekend with a date night. We don't get many and I had really, for months, been wanting to just go on a simple date with him. A nice, fancy dinner where we had time to just talk and not feel rushed. I asked a friend if she would watch the kids in return for a date night with her husband next weekend (babysitters are expensive so trading with friends is so much easier!), researched some local wineries and restaurants and planned the whole thing out. More surprisingly was how I kept my mouth shut. I'm known for not keeping secrets very well but this worked out according to plan and it was the perfect 4 hours away. 2 wine tastings and then a delicious meal paired with appetizers and dessert - amazing!! We can't wait to go back!

 Simon is just growing up so fast. He is busy (by far the most busy toddler we've had), gets into EVERYTHING and constantly keeps me on my toes. He wants to be a big kid so desperately so sitting at the table, using a spoon and feeding himself was a very big deal.

 We've had some really beautiful weather the last few days. When it hits 50 in January you get outside! Park dates have been so fun for all of us to run around and play. And in true PNW kid fashion, Lucy even asked me to pull out the swimming pool since it was so sunny. Ha! Not yet silly girl!

 Most kids have a special teddy bear or blanket they carry around with them. For Carter it has been his treasured Peter Pan doll. For years he has slept with him, loved on him and held him close. Lucy has a pink blanket that is so torn and tattered it's barely holding on. And Simon? Well, it's still early but I think this Seahawks football might be his special thing. He spotted it at Target the other day and hasn't really let go since. It's soft and squishy, just the right size for throwing and he's obsessed. I think Simon is going to be our big athlete. He loves to kick a soccer ball, throw a basketball (especially during warm-ups for Carter's games which is always fun for a toddler to run around while 49958373 basketballs get tossed in the air by 1st grade boys! EEK!) and adores watching football. For now we'll let him cuddle with this ball, it's so funny to watch!

 And the biggest news of the week? Lucy is now officially registered for kindergarten! How did this happen? She couldn't be more excited or ready to start. As we were walking in the school to turn in the forms she honestly thought she got to start that day and go visit her classroom. When I reminded her it was still 8 months away she was crushed. She is going to love kindergarten and have so much fun. And I'm going to miss her terribly when she's gone. Thank goodness Carter will be there to help her when she needs it, although, I'm not too worried.

 To celebrate we got a little ice cream treat and headed to the park! Here's to a fun, busy weekend ahead with more birthday parties, basketball games and family movie night!

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january.

How is it already nearing the end of January? Where did the last 3 weeks go!? I thought our January would be a little more relaxed after a busy Christmas but these days just keep flying by. Kids are back into their school routine, new sports seasons have begun and I'm continuing to balance a busy schedule. 

Lucy is looking so grown up these days. I keep having to remind myself that she is 5 and will be in kindergarten next year. Which reminds me....we register her for school next week! Eek!

For her winter sport she chose to play tennis this year. It seemed a bit random at first but she is super excited and really into it. We found a great class for her with only 4 kids in it and the coach really focuses on proper skills and technique. So far she's doing great and we already signed her up for another session!

Carter is working on learning to tie his shoes. He's almost got it! And finally, after 5 long months one of his top front teeth is starting to come in. I'm already missing those little baby teeth in his mouth. This new one just seems so big!

It's been a very cold winter this past month. I wake up cold, go to bed cold and spend most of the day cold. I hate to complain because I know we have it pretty easy compared to other parts of the country but I really just don't like being cold! It was particularly icy last week which meant a 2 hour late start at Carter's school. I loved it! Getting to have all 3 kids home together is crazy at times, but so fun too. We had a relaxing morning, headed out for a special treat at the local bakery and even had time to run to the library before dropping him off at school.

I'm not sure how or why we've gotten into this little habit but before school crazy pictures have become the norm around here. These little goofballs crack me up. And each other. All day long.

I hope they never get tired of dressing up!

Even though it's been cold we all decided to bundle up and head to the park last weekend. Fresh air, lots of room to run and play and the sun shining through the clouds made for the perfect afternoon.

2017 is off to a pretty great start!

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new years at the mountain.

New Years Eve was definitely not the typical celebration that most people like to do. We had zero plans, made no effort to celebrate, put the kids to bed early and went to bed early ourselves. We aren't typically night owls so staying up until midnight was never really the plan (especially when kids still wake up early!) and we thought a fun New Years Day might be more enjoyable with a lot less crowds. 

So, a night in with cozy pj's and a little tv time was perfect!

But before the quiet evening at home I decided to take Carter and Lucy out for a special date. We went to the bookstore so Carter could spend his last gift card and then went to sushi for lunch - their choice! I'm always so impressed with how excited they are to try new things, especially raw fish! 

They definitely weren't a cheap lunch date! Carter devoured quite a few shrimp rolls and Lucy loved her salmon. So, after $60 they finally said they were full and we headed home.

 This morning we bundled everyone up, loaded the car with snacks and drove to the mountains! With it being a holiday and thinking everyone would sleep in we figured it'd be the perfect morning for some sledding while avoiding the crowds. And it was great! Right as we were leaving to go home more people were arriving but we really had a fairly open sledding hill most of the time we were there.

 I'm not sure what is more work. Getting 3 kids dressed from head to toe in snow gear or actually doing the sledding. I got my workout in the for the day just putting on layer after layer to keep them warm and dry. Whew!

 The groomer hadn't arrived yet when we got there and there was an abundance of fresh powder from last night so the kids happily played until the tubing hill was a bit more compact.

 And then they were off! Simon took 2 turns with Matt until he decided it was more fun to just stay at the top and play. I was so happy he didn't cry the entire time because I made him wear a hat. (fyi - he HATES hats). I think he loved just watching all the people and seeing so much of the fluffy white snow. Carter did great until he landed at the bottom of the hill in a huge pile of powder over his face. The kid who is always hot and sweaty actually complained about being cold! Once he shook that off he took some more turns before playing with Simon in the snow. And then there was Lucy. This girl, the one who is usually timid and a bit nervous with new/fast/scary/cold things was completely fearless! She would squeal as she flew down the hill always going further than anyone else and even ran into the fence a few times! She kept asking me to push her faster and faster on her tube and was almost in tears when I said it was time to go.  Love it!

 All in all it was such a fun morning and I'm so proud of the kids and how well they did. I think we are now ready to take them to a more adventurous tubing area to go longer and faster. And then hit up some snowboarding with the big kids too!

 After coming home and having some lunch we decided to venture out again in the cold and go for our annual walk around Bothell Landing. I'm not even sure how it started but for the past 4 years we've always taken a family walk on the same path at this local park. It's a fun way to get moving and enjoy the crisp, cold air on the first day of the year. The kids were wiped out when we got home which was perfect timing to relax on the couch and watch the Seahawks game.

 Happy New Year everyone! I can't wait to see what 2017 brings!

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