workplay

The other morning Josh was here when the kids woke up in the morning. And upon finishing her morning milk Hallel said to Josh matter of factly, "Let's play daddy". It got me thinking how God made little kids to learn through play and how hard they work at this job. I love observing them figuring things out and growing through just trying something over and over.

One of Hallel's new hobbies is taking care of her lady bugs in her bug catcher. We have gone through a few as Simeon or her free them often but tonight Josh and her caught about 4 new ones. We have named the previous bugs "Lady" since there has been only one at a time so i'm not sure what we'll call this batch.

Well here are some pictures from these two hard at "workplay".

eagerly watching mommy bake cupcakes (yes I did gate them out to cook)

eating the finished product

morning and evening milk ritual

 the entertainment of a drill

 hangin with the gang

Simeon's new trick

and another trick

cool shades dude!

Hallel had gotten out her sunglasses and Simeon wanted to try a pair on too. He just stared out of them for the longest time mezmorized by the shade. Hallel thought he was so funny she gave him a big ole kiss!

waiting for Friday

All week Hallel was talking about and waiting for Friday. Her anticipation was bubbling over with excitement. She would dance in circles and randomly burst in screams of delight! You might ask what was so special about Friday April 8th, 2011?
As only a 2 year old can express the exhilaration of excitement for family.
It was a visit from Grandpa, Grandma, and Aunt Sara, of course.
As usual we packed it in with as much fun as possible in a 3 day weekend. Starting out with Yummy burgers grilled by our very own gourmet chef Josh and apple pie by yours truly and to top it off with homemade vanilla bean ice-cream, again a Josh specialty.
We spent a beautiful sunny day in the city of San Fran via the ferry boat which Hallel is still talking about. The boat ride was a first of several experiences in the city which have been on our "wish to do" list. We also went to the Farmer's market at the SF ferry building for the first time, where we sampled all kinds of organic cheeses, preserves, fruit, even lavender sugar and rosemary salt. Another first was at the market where Sara and I saw Nicole Kidman and her daughter sampling at the bread vendor. Josh and I have been disappointed that most of our friends have seen stars at a grocery store or park and we never have in our 4 yrs in SF. I have always wondered if I would really recognize someone famous or not so now I know. I kind of felt bad for her having to be covered with sun glasses and hair in hat but she seemed to be fitting in just fine. (on a side note of conviction it made me feel funny for being so excited to see a normal person who happens to be well known and made me wonder why i am not so excited to tell people about knowing Jesus, probably because He is God and was hated by some and still is today but i wish i was more open still).
All in all it was a great day at the pier in the city! We had a great time having them come to our church on Sunday and love how our church family is so welcoming and made them feel so at home! Then on Monday we were treated to breakfast at the Half Day Cafe, yet another first, and it won't be the last! It was rated best of Marin 2011 and we know why, soooo good!
Lots of laughing, talking, playing, and hugs. It was worth the wait...for Friday to come.

bacon cheese burger with grilled veggies

pie a la mode

fun with aunt Sara

silly with hats

 hanging out at pier 39

 enthralled with aunt sarah's iphone on the ferry boat

 readin the news before breakfast

 getting ready to say good bye

Who could not love those blue eyes and irresistible chubby cheeks?

I had to take a picture of Hallel's first ever braids. I love having a girl!

 All ready for church!

 Rainy, cold wintry days are gone. At least for the last week! Yeah Spring!

 My boys on St Patty's day.

 "the girls" in green

scootin around

 best buddies and playmates

lil athletes

Since their mother is less than coordinated I am hoping these two have inherited daddy's athletic gene.

Hallel sat down one day across from Simeon and said, "catch this". 

 Simeon is kind of a ball hog and didn't want to throw it back. So much for fair play!

 We tell Simeon to go get the football and he happily plays "fetch" any time we are willing.

 Trying to hold it like daddy.

A few small steps with a HUGE smile!

 Hallel trying out her birthday skates from G & G Mathews.

 Rockin the 70's skate outfit.

 SO proud of herself. 

She gets jealous these days of Simeon getting praise for taking a step. So she is happy to put on her skates and say, "I walkin".

put a bird on it

You know how a one liner floats around your conversations for awhile and makes you laugh every time you hear it (one of the things I love about marriage is having jokes between Josh and I that make me smile)?  Well this one has stuck around for about a month or more and I thought it was just too fun not to share. If you don't get my humor, sorry, it's part of my quirky side.
There is a show on TV about the town of Portland, Oregon were Josh grew up and I spent 10 years living there. It's called Portlandia and I have only seen a couple shorts online so I am not giving my recommendation. But this short was hilllariouuuuus!!!!! It is sooooo Portland and so me!
I absolutely LOVE the bird craze. So much so that I tried starting an etsy shop with handmade bird cards (much to no avail but it was fun), have birds in my living room decor, a bag with birds and the list goes on...so here is the video

12 months old

Yes, our little man turned 1!  What a great time to reflect on so much change in 12 quick months.  Simeon has changed from being an 11lb chunk who could not distinguish night from day to a 25lb chunk who is trying to stabilize those wobbly legs to take a step. He clearly says dadda, momma, and to the correct person. His other favorite word being "quack, quack" which he shouts for any animal we talk about. He loves his sister and he and Hallel have created such a unique bond from being so close in age and sharing the same room. Hallel tells us all of the time how Simeon is talking to her and she repeats back his baby talk in their conversations.
I think one of the most real reflections for me is the memory of birth. It is just an amazing experience forever imprinted on my heart. I will never forget the excitement when Simeon was delivered. The cheers of the nurses in the room when they put him on the scale and yelled out 10lb 8oz! The nurses rushing in when he stopped breathing and the realization of God's constant presence when he started breathing again. Holding him for the first time. The feeling of being so close to Josh by going through something so intense and life changing together. Hallel's tears the first time she saw her brother cry. Such a significant day to be celebrated over and over!
So enough sentiment now to the day. Simeon was actually sick on his BD with the stomach flu a few days earlier and then a bronchial virus. Usually Simeon loves to eat but because of being sick he lost his appetite. We put his cake in front of him and he was less than impressed. So we thought we would give him a few days and try it again. Once again, big tears and sadness even when Josh fed him chocolate frosting! That's our boy, always a goof! Oh well, someday he'll figure cake is amazing.