More of Our Backyard

Here's more of our "backyard", the beach just below us.  There's the normal beach part with sand and ocean, but just to the left there is this really cool rocky area with a sidewalk going around it.  The kids like to go there and explore, throw rocks, and look for shells.  Yesterday they had fun watching (and gently poking) a sea snail.

Finley Turns 4!

We got to celebrate Finley's 4th birthday on his actual birthday on Sunday.  We had a very small "Rockstar" party with two of Finley's friends, Jake and Iris, and their families.  Some of Finley's favorite things are music, playing loud instruments, playing outside, and sprinkles, so all of those were incorporated into the party. We wanted to keep things as small and low-key as possible in order to keep emotions somewhat under control, and it definitely helped!  Finley had a great time!  

Since Finley's favorite song right now is "Rockstar" by A Great Big World, he and his friends got to rock out to it in one of the music rooms in the school while we played it on the smart board.  Finley had a blast on the drum.

Elise was happy to get in on the action, too.

Then we went outside and had birthday cake and time to play on the playground.  Finley's request was sprinkles, so sprinkles he had!

Happy birthday to ME!

So excited about this piece of cake.  Just goes to show how often (or not) he gets cake...

Elise loves to play in the sandbox, and she's a big fan of Iris.

Finley got one gift from us this year, but it was a big one...

...A new scooter!  His old one was breaking and he's too tall for it, but this one is adjustable and should last a while.  Just so happens he loves red, too.

 Happy birthday to our bright and passionate 4-year-old son!  We love you and are excited to see what the next year brings!

Finley's Birthday at School

We had fun celebrating Finley's birthday at school this week!  We brought in cupcakes and stayed to read a favorite book to the class.  Nate even got to leave work for a little while so the whole family could be there!

Elise made herself right at home with the big girls.

Sweet, silly boy.

Photo Catch Up

Playing on the field at school on a beautiful sunny day. It was a public holiday, so the field was mostly empty (for once). Elise pushed Lulu around in the stroller and Finley worked on his scootering skills. 

Nate and I went out to dinner this weekend and this is what was on the menu: "calamari soaking cook in alcohol stove w/ chili and lime". No idea what it means. 

Gorgeous morning at the beach yesterday with the kiddos while Daddy was working. Don't be fooled by this photo- they'll wear sunglasses for all of 3 minutes at a time!

Ring Around the Rosie

It's just so beautiful when they get along and play together, even if it is only for 30 seconds at a time!

The View

How's this for a view from the dr's office?

Elise @ 18 Months

Elise is 18 months old!  She went in for some vaccinations and we found out her height is around 82 cm (65%) and weight 10.7 kg (50%).  Elise knows a ridiculous number of words now-- so many I can't possibly begin to list them.  For example, when talking about our trip to the doctor, Elise said the words: ouchy, cry, bandaid, leg, sad.  One of the trickiest words for her to learn was "Finley", but she even has a word for that now: "Pliney".  She drops the E on her name and calls herself "Lise".  Whenever Elise wants to do something by herself, she proclaims, "Lise!"  Yep, we're already in that independent toddler phase!  Elise talks a lot, and Finley talks nonstop (and loudly), so don't come to our house if you have a headache!

When I try to sing Elise a song at bedtime, she interrupts me about 10 times with her fascinating and adorable thoughts.  This is how it might go:  "Twinkle twinkle little star, how I..." She'll look around the room, see her baby and say, "Baby....eyes!"  I'll say, "Yes, the baby has eyes.  How I wonder what you..." "Opme!"  "Yes, Baby's eyes are open.  Up above the world so..."  Then she'll close her eyes and say, "Close".  "Your eyes are closed.  Like a diamond in the sky..." "Teekle!"  "That's right, I'm singing Twinkle Twinkle."  (Or at least trying to!) "Twinkle twinkle little star, how I wonder..." "Milk.  Bottle."  "Mmm hmm.  You had milk after your bath.  How I wonder what you are."  Ha!  It's a wonder I can get through a song in less than half an hour!

Elise is an active little one, forever trying to keep up with her active big brother.  Her recent obsession is learning to jump.  She does know how to jump up yet, but she loves to hold our hands and jump off furniture.

Playing doctor at home is much more fun than the real thing!