Doodlebug - Tally Mark 24 - Part 1

Dear Doodlebug,

A picture of my ankles from two years ago popped up on Facebook the other day. My ankles were HUGE and I exclaimed, "Holy crap!" when I saw the photo. It was worth it, because you came a week later, but having huge ankles and arms and a belly was tough. The things mamas go through for their sweet babies!

Can you believe we're celebrating another year of your life?! Where, oh where, have these two years gone?

I can still remember the doctor handing you off to me and taking one look at you and thinking how much you resembled your cousin Jonah. The older you get, and the longer your hair gets, it still rings true! You definitely have Daddy's genes running through you.

You are a thick boy that has no problem butting heads (literally). You do have a tendency to cry when you fall down or get hurt but as long as I assure you you're okay, the crocodile tears quickly stop and you resume your activity. Most of the time, it's wrestling your big bro. You are most likely going to be bigger than him but time will tell.

Your little personality is blossoming and you are hilarious. You have no problem expressing yourself through your face and it gets me laughing each time you give me a look under those long bangs or from the side. As long as you don't hit or scream at me, we're good. Because, unfortunately, you do hit a lot. So rather than telling you to stop, I try to encourage you to be soft. And you're great at that! We're both still figuring each other out but as long as we do it together, we'll succeed.

You love water features and get extremely excited when you see one.  I'm anxious for the community pool to open up because I know you'll just love it.

You have always been a huge helper and I appreciate it so much!  If I get the vacuum out, you're begging me to use it.  If I start sweeping, you're right behind me with the dust pan.  If I'm switching laundry, you throw it in the dryer for me.  And if I'm unloading the dishwasher, you put the silverware away.  I don't know what clicked in your little brain but the fact that you notice and then act makes my heart swell!

Your love for dogs has increased, too.  You can spot them from a mile away and are great about letting them sniff your hand before you pet them.  Daddy told me that we're going to have to get one eventually, because you love them so much.  The things he'll do for you!

You are amazing at baseball; both hitting and catching/throwing.  We play baseball every day outside and you hit the balls off of the tee, one right after another.  You can even toss the ball up in the air and hit it.  I can't wait to see where this talent takes you!

Heavenly Father knew we needed your lovable, kissable, demanding, funny, sweet, joyous, loud, athletic, smart self in our family.  You are the perfect fit to our craziness.  I love you and am forever indebted to Heavenly Father for choosing me to be your mom.

Happy Birthday!

Love,

Meme

Golden Gate Park

Every time we go to San Francisco, we try to do something new.  We didn't have enough time to do everything we wanted during this last visit, but we definitely made good use out of the time we did have.

I've been to different parts of the park but never have I seen the windmills.  As we drove up Highway 1, I could see the sails poking up above the trees.  I was so excited!

We visited the Murphy Windmill this time but I'd love to visit the Dutch Windmill, too (especially when the tulips are in full bloom!).

Up the road, we got to see the bison (from far away).  While we were there, they were all just hanging out but when we left, they were all standing.  I don't know if I've ever seen a bison in person before.  Check that one off the list.

Doodlebug was sleep deprived and had a hard time enjoying our adventure.

But once he realized he could run free, his attitude improved...a little.

Golden Gate park is filled with so much wildlife, so many plants, and flowers, I could hardly believe it! Literally every direction I turned, there was something new to see. I'm not an outdoorsy girl AT ALL but I was loving all of Heavenly Father's beautiful creations.

We took a little path up to the casting pools. I don't know what they do to the water to make it so majestic but I could have stayed there all day. It was so peaceful.

Another trail took us to the horse stables where the police department keeps their horses. I couldn't get enough of these doors. The color caught my eye and I was trying to imagine what I could do with them.

Time had run out and we had to hop back in the car to head across the bay to my sister's house. But first I had to snap a picture of The Lime and his awesome tattoos (which are almost impossible to see in the photo...whoops!).

We had a fun time exploring the park and already have a list of things we'd like to do on our next visit (lots of food)!

Cherries

I went to the Farmer's Market on Tuesday and saw my apple man had some cherries for sale. Something told me to just keep on movin' so I didn't buy any.

Rewind to last week when I was looking for an old picture in my trusty "letters and pictures" box. I had no luck finding the picture but I did find a note my grandma wrote me, including a poem, when she sent me an apron almost 10 years ago. It's my favorite apron and I wear it on Sundays when I don't want my clothes to get dirty.

Today's plans were all over the place and some of them fizzled out. It left me with enough time to swing by my grandma's place and water the plants (since it's starting to get H.O.T.). As I pulled into the driveway, I looked at the cherry tree and saw that it was completely full of ripe cherries just begging to be picked. I was SO excited!

I ran inside, got a bowl, and started picking. The bowl ended up not being big enough so I got a plastic bag and continued picking. Most of the cherries were ripe and within my reach and before I knew it, I had a couple pounds of cherries.

Doodlebug was asleep in the car and everything around me was quiet and serene. I had a chance to think about Grandma and how she's still giving even if it's not coming directly from her. I imagined she and Grandpa working in the yard and picking fruit from the same tree I was. Then my mind wandered to what their new life must be like, reunited and so stinkin' happy. It made me miss her, and them, but also grateful that I can still have moments like that where I feel her close to me and am reminded of her love.

As soon as I got home, I had to take pictures of these beauties. Doodlebug caught on and went into my room to get our old camera and began moving things around to where he wanted them.

I'm hesitant to eat them because they're so perfect but they also taste perfect and there's no way I can let them go to waste.

I'm glad I didn't buy cherries on Tuesday. This was a pretty neat and happy day and I know someone else's cherries wouldn't have had the same impact on me.

Doodlebug - Tally Mark 23

-Asks to play baseball from the time he wakes up until he goes to bed.
-Makes an "Oh!" face and lots of chonga lips.
-Likes to say hi to our neighbor, Dean, across the street. Except Dean comes out more like Dadda.
-Can sing the "Mama! Ooooohhhhh!" part of "Bohemian Rhapsody".
-Likes to dance to the theme song from Shimmer & Shine.
-Loves having his nails clipped and ears cleaned.
-Hates when I hold another baby.
-Finally has all his teeth.
-Never goes to bed quietly - always screams for a little bit.
-Can say doughnuts.
-Likes to pat me on the head.
-Does not like potato bugs crawling on him.
-Desperately needs a haircut.
-Is a joy to have around.

Baseball 2016

We are about halfway through The Lime's little league season and we're having a blast!

Things started out a little rocky; lots of rain which meant cancelled practices and games, a new coach, older boys on the team, and not very many hits. In fact, The Lime was getting ready for practice one day and began to sob. "I don't want to play baseball!" he said. I told him that's fine, but Mommy and Daddy already paid for it so he was finishing the season.

Turns out he does want to play baseball, he just doesn't like being in the outfield. Being the catcher is his top pick.

We had some worries about his hitting, or lack thereof. Were his glasses affecting him? Were the pitches too high, too fast? We've been practicing more, took off his glasses, and the other coach has been pitching. Since those changes have been made, we've seen lots of improvement.

While The Lime practices/plays, Doodlebug and I play with his little bat and a wiffle ball. He then has the nerve to ask for "more ball" as soon as we get home. That little stinker is going to have the hardest time waiting for his turn to play t-ball.

We are extremely grateful for all of the time and effort The Lime's coaches put into these boys (and girl). They have a genuine desire to help them and see them succeed and as a mom, it's nice to know that someone else wants those things for your child.

Blue Jay of the Week

At The Lime's school, each class picks a college that becomes theirs. Every first Friday of the month, they wear their school's shirt. The Lime's class chose Howard University and their mascot is a blue jay.

Each week, a child has been able to take home Buzz, the blue jay, and document all of their adventures in a book which then gets passed on to another student and so on.

Every Friday, The Lime would be disappointed that his name wasn't picked for that week's "Blue Jay of the Week." When one of the little girls from church got picked, I told him maybe his teacher was saving the best for last (him). He said that he wasn't the best, Aubrey was the best. "Why is she the best?" I asked. "Because she's the best at everything," he replied. And that's true, she is really good at most things.

The Friday before Spring Break started, his class walked out to the pick-up area and I noticed The Lime carrying a bag that I didn't drop him off with. "What is that?!" I thought. Then I realized...he was the "Blue Jay of the Week." I was so excited for him, I almost started to cry...almost! Not only did his turn finally come but it was during Spring Break, so we got Buzz for two weeks!

The Lime didn't waste any time. As soon as we got home, Buzz went bike and scooter riding.

The Lime remembered to bring Buzz to the dentist with us. Buzz patiently sat and watched as The Lime got his teeth cleaned.

Buzz joined the boys on their weekend visit to the doughnut shop and even tagged along on our first visit to Dunkin Donuts. The final verdict was that the doughnut holes were just as good as the ones from our Mom & Pop store, but the chocolate raised got a thumbs down.

The Lime was SUPER excited to take Buzz across two states! And I was SUPER excited that we didn't forget Buzz in either of those states :)

Our final adventure was going to lunch with LaVor and then riding the tractors at his work.

After The Lime took Buzz back to school, he got to bring home this awesome blue jay that has all of the things his classmates admire about him written on it.

I especially love the "he is a lovebug" comment. I want to know who said that!

We had a wonderful time with Buzz and I can't wait to read the book of all his adventures at Open House.

Make That Two German Boys

Several months before The Lime was 2, we put our lederhosen on him that we bought in Munich. He only wore them a couple of times and, since I kept them separate from his other clothes, I forgot about them until he could no longer wear them.

Good thing Doodlebug joined the family so they could get a second round of use.

When we tried them on him a few days ago, he found them extremely uncomfortable. Unfortunately, I'm a pushy mom and made him wear them today anyway. Something was different about today because he actually seemed excited to wear them (I think it's the pockets or the fact that every time we saw him, we told him how handsome he looked).

As soon as we walked into church, a woman gasped and said, "That is the cutest thing I've ever seen!" I really couldn't argue with her.

After church, LaVor picked him up from Nursery and I met them in the hallway. Two ladies saw him and suggested we all wear traditional German clothing and perform a musical number like the Von Trapp family. We all got a good laugh out of that. And I honestly would not be opposed to wearing a dirndl.

In the meantime, I'll just enjoy my two little German boys in their lederhosen.