Season's Over

I'm pretty sure we just started baseball but somehow the season is already over.  The Lime had to miss his last game (due to some unfortunate circumstances that took place at school) but we were looking forward to the end of the season party.

One of the team moms and her husband saved the day by bringing hundreds of water balloons (it was 106°) to throw. The coaches started out with a simple balloon toss between the kids.

Then one of the dads threw a balloon at one of the coaches and things got crazy...fast!

Doodlebug was set on only getting Coach Kris and at one point, he had The Lime attacking him from the back and Doodlebug coming from the front.

Once all the balloons were gone and the remnants picked up, the team (and siblings) sat down for pizza and Gatorade.

Since it's 2016, every kid on the team got a trophy. Both coaches had wonderful things to say about The Lime and his ability to play baseball.

All of the other kids got to take their pennant home at the last game but Coach Nyle pretended to auction off The Lime's at the party. I think The Lime got it for $6,000 :)

We had a good time this season and are very appreciative of the time, effort, and patience the coaches put into it.

The Lime is still debating on whether or not he'll play Fall Ball. Check back in a couple months.

Complete

My sweet boy,

Can you believe Kindergarten is over?! You survived your first year of school and you did AWESOME!

I've loved going through all your work and seeing the amazing progression you've made over these last 10 months. When school started, you could write your name but it was HUGE and messy and there was a mixture of upper and lower case letters. Your numbers were also a little skewed but I'm pleased to say you're now a pro at both.

Daddy and I were sad to know that Christmas 2015 was the last year we'd be able to spell words to each other without you knowing what we were talking about. You're too smart for us now and are reading up a storm, sounding out your letters, and doing an excellent job at spelling.

Prior to school, you were not a fan of coloring, writing, pretty much sitting for any period of time "working." But now, you usually have your notebook and markers with you. You draw pictures, write numbers until your hand hurts, write stories and notes, and practice your addition and subtraction.

You've made friends inside and outside of your classroom. You've learned how to deal with difficult people. You've learned to think before you speak. You've learned to be respectful and patient.

Right before school let out, your class and the class next door gathered in a circle and counted down to 1st grade. Thank goodness for sunglasses to cover my tears because I couldn't believe I was going to have a 1st grader! That means you don't get snack time (which was your favorite thing about kindergarten) and you'll be at school longer. But you're excited to get three recesses.

I've loved working in your classroom, I've loved going on your field trips and attending your class parties, I've loved reading your work, I've loved the gifts you've made me, I've loved the time and effort your teacher has put in to making your first year of school a positive one, I've loved seeing your report card go from average to excellent.

Continue down the path you're headed. You are so smart and can do outstanding things as long as you try! Way to go on an awesome year, dude!

Love,

Mommy

Party Time!

The second I heard Doodlebug call for me, I walked into his room and serenaded him with Happy Birthday! Not that he knew what it meant but he smiled real big.

The day continued on as it normally does; eat breakfast, get dressed, and take The Lime to school. Only Doodlebug had an awesome birthday sign to keep him entertained at breakfast. "Rubba! Skye! Dee! Dee! (Dee is everyone else that he can't pronounce)" he'd say over and over again. I might have to keep the sign and hang it next to his crib or something.

After we dropped The Lime off, we baby-sat some friends, ran errands, and ate lunch. Then it was time to pick The Lime up and I finished Doodlebug's cake while he napped. He was nice and refreshed after several hours of sleep so we played outside, even though it was HOT. When LaVor got home, he asked why us crazies were outside. It's just what we do.

Even though it wasn't a watering day, LaVor took full advantage of the heat and played in the water with the boys. Nobody took showers last night so it all evens out, in case you wanted to report us for wasting water.

Doodlebug has lots of LaVor's qualities but when it comes to being sprayed with water, his reaction is very similar to mine.

After everyone dried off and changed, we called grandparents and Doodlebug opened their presents.

He scored in the Paw Patrol department and has been on cloud 9 ever since. I'm just glad he has toys to play with so he isn't asking me to watch doggies all.day.long.

On a side note, The Lime had a hard time not getting the attention or presents (even though my mom sent him something). He was joking in this picture but it depicts his attitude throughout the evening perfectly.

After the grandparents' gifts were opened, we went to dinner where we waited and waited and waited for our food. The new toys were put to great use, especially when they weren't being fought over.

We headed back home to finish the gift opening and enjoy birthday cake!

We lost Doodlebug's water bottle during our most recent trip to Utah and he's been going crazy ever since. The Lime has one and Doodlebug couldn't figure out why he didn't always have water with him.

He's also been wearing The Lime's old A's hat so LaVor really wanted to get him his own. And I must say, he's dang cute in it.

And lastly, he loves to do puzzles on the iPad so we got him some actual puzzles, to help cut down on the screen time.

For The Lime's 2nd birthday, we resorted to buying an ice cream cake from Baskin Robbins because I had to work that day. I've felt bad ever since so I think that's why I made an extra special effort to make Doodlebug's cake just what he wanted.

I've been looking back at birth and 1st birthday pictures of Doodlebug and I can't believe we're done celebrating his 2nd. Time just zips on by whether we like it or not.

Doodlebug - Tally Mark 24 - Part 2

-Is spoiled...mainly because we don't enjoy listening to the whining and screaming.
-Spends too much time watching Paw Patrol.
-Got his first ear infection on 5/11.
-Can run to The Lime's school.
-Likes putting his boots on by himself.
-Likes singing Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes.
-Says popsicle.
-When you ask him how old he is, he holds up all five fingers.
-Now goes to bed quietly as long as I say the same thing every night: "We're going to get our nigh night, get our baby (Curious George), lay down, close our eyes, and go to sleep." Somehow when he has a plan, it's not so bad.
-Doesn't want me to push him on the swings but rather swing next to him.
-Still gets hiccups every time he laughs (has since birth).
-Pats me on the back when I hold him.
-Has started calling me Meme.
-Is the best 2 year old in 2016!

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.