"Tay Momma. Me Won't."

Time is flying. It just is. I can't slow it down. I never will. Maybe it's time for me to GET OVER IT. Yesterday (and everyday before) Peyton said,

"Me want milk."

"Me go potty."

"Me did."

"Me do it!"

"Tay Momma, Me won't."

"Me want tuptakes!"

"ME WANT TUPTAKES!"

I never correct her because I know kids acquire language and evolve when they're ready, not when we are. Then today I went to work. And then I came home.

And Peyton said, "I want milk."

"I go potty."

"I did."

"I do it."

"I want tandy (candy)."

"I eat tuptakes."

I watched her age right before my eyes, and tried not to panic. They're just pronouns. I should save my panic for things like playground bullies, meltdowns over long division and boys, right?

They're just pronouns.

And besides, she still refuses to call water anything other than "dah." We know she can say it. She refuses. It's her little game. That's alright. "Dah" it is, sister. We've got all kinds of time.

Goodbye Three....

Four years ago today it was Black Friday. We'd traveled to Bend for Thanksgiving against my doctor's wishes and I'd stuffed myself with turkey dinner at Marge's without reservation. At three weeks before my due date I was already huge and didn't worry about adding some holiday pounds to my growing baby weight. People swore I would never make my due date. I swore I would. I didn't. The next day our lives changed forever. Our Libby made her way into the world on a snowy Saturday, November 25.

That means tomorrow my baby turns four.

Four.

FOUR.

She loves school, has friends and likes the idea of learning how to read. She loves to snuggle, watch Olivia and will sit still forever if I'll scratch her back. She's excited to be turning four. A sharp contrast to the protest she put up at turning three. She is growing up. With no amount of effort am I able to stop the clock. I love you my four year old. Good bye three.

Posing with the first of her birthday cards....

Winchester Bay

Two weekends ago we went camping with our friends, the Priaulxs. (Jamie, how DO I write the plural form of your last name, anyway? I Googled it, but I'm not confident that I have it right.) Anyway, we camped at Winchester Bay and had one day of great weather. As for the other days, we had a Duck game to distract us from the drizzly outdoors.

Look Ma, no hands!

Beautiful....

We took the girls down on the dock to go crabbing. We may as well have taken them onto a 100 foot high rock cornice and let them play. I was so sure that one of them would get bumped into the water that I couldn't relax. There was a wobbly dock, lots of yelling, some gasps (from me and Jamie) a few tears and the seagulls stole all of our bait when we weren't looking. I'm sure the locals were entertained. I can tell you this: Not one of them would guess that Shane is a "professional in the outdoors" (Yes, those are his own words.) Here's an idea.... I think next time I'll put my kids in life jackets so I don't have to be on high alert every second. You'd think I would have thought of that....

Shane and Devin got Libby and Kendal set up for fishing. They fished for a grand total of..... five minutes, maybe?

Jamie and Kolbi

It looks peaceful enough.

This pelican hung around for a while and once Peyton spotted him, she wouldn't loosen her grip on whatever adult was watching her at the moment. We need to work on her fear of most wildlife.

Friday night sunset.

On Saturday Shane and Devin took the kids down to the Jetty to look at the bar. Jamie and I both gave strict orders to come back with all kids. They came back wet, sandy and happy. Good job, dads. Peyton took a bath in the sink to get warm.

Peyton and I watched the first half of the Oregon/Cal game in our bed. By the end of the game the whole crew piled in.

Sunday was a little soggy....

....but the kids didn't care.

Wedded Bliss

We made a quick trip to Portland this weekend for the wedding of our friends Bret and Kate. It was a beautiful wedding in Happy Valley. Aptly named. We're so happy for the two of them.

First though, we drove up yesterday and spent the night with Amy and Lucy. The girls alway have so much fun together, though this time I had to edit what I put on the blog. For most of our time together all three girls were wearing nothing but skivvies.

Libby takes a very serious (though imaginary) phone call.

Then, she stopped cold to tell me about a boy in her class who has eye medicine because his eye itches. Great. Here's (knock on wood) hoping we don't spend Thanksgiving weekend treating a family case of pink eye.

To trim or not to trim the bangs. That is the question....

Lucy tries Libby's pillow pet to see if it's a good fit. Looks like a winner.

Amy made a delicious quiche for breakfast this morning, and we played at the park while it baked.

Follow the leader.

Libby helps get Lucy strapped in.

A hungry crew.

Worn out.

Mr. and Mrs. Larson.

The picture I didn't get was of the ring bearer, Bret's (and now Kate's) dog Bri. When asked if they'd be exchanging rings, Bret said, "Yes.", and then turned and yelled, "Bri, come!" Bri came running and I got teary. It was significant because she's the reason they met. Kate is Bri's vet. Does it get better than that?

The cake. If you look closely at the bottom tier, you can see where Peyton stuck three of her fingers right before I snapped the picture. Then, in response to my gasp, she burst into loud wails while attracting all kinds of attention to what she'd done. Oops. We really should keep a better eye on our kids. Or at least teach them to be a little more stealthy.

Libby tries to blow out a candle just before we headed home.

Congratulations Bret and Kate! We are so happy for you guys! Here's wishing you a lifetime of friendship, happiness and love.

Finding Her Inner Monkey

When I wasn't working I didn't like the weekends as much. I felt like the rest of the world retreated to their own families, and I preferred the hustle and bustle of the weekdays. Now, I LIVE for the weekend. And while I sat on the kitchen floor this morning with my camera, Peyton provided the entertainment. Maybe it's time for gymnastics....

Pushing her limits. She'd climb up and then shout, "Mom, me monkey!"

Yes you are.

Healthy Teeth and the Gabba Gang

Guess who had their first trip to the dentist this week? It was Libby's idea. After reading some books about the dentist, and knowing other kids who've already gone, she pestered me to make and appointment and so I did. She told me that she'd be the first to have her turn and promised to be an example to her little sister who might not love the idea. But, when the time came, look who was the only one who would sit in the exam chair....

They did both have their teeth examined, however, and both were given the thumbs up for clean, healthy mouths. Both chose a princess toothbrush afterward.

Later that night....

Yo Gabba Gabba came to town on Monday, but we'd already decided we weren't going to take the girls to see the show. School night, expensive etc. But, I got home and got online to see if there were tickets left and when I saw that there were, I couldn't not go. Letting things go is not my strong suit. I knew the girls would LOVE it.
We didn't tell them where we were going. Instead we just told them to put their shoes and coats on. We were going somewhere, but it was a surprise. In the process I discovered that if, in the future, I'd like them to move faster, all I have to do is tell them we're taking them for a surprise. If I'd only known earlier.... Anyway, we walked into the lobby of the Hult Center and Peyton yelled, "MOM! YO GABBA GABBA!!!" There were kids in costume, adults in costume and an excitement you could feel.

First, we ran up and down the stairs while we waited for the doors to open.

Once the doors opened....

We found our seats....

....and put on our D.J. Lance Rock glasses....

....and waited.

....and waited. And reassured the girls that the show WOULD start.

The curtained opened, the music started and our girls FREAKED out. Not in a good way. Libby jumped into Shane's lap, Peyton clung to me and yelled, "MOM! I HAVE TO GO POOOOOOOOOOP!" The Gabba Gang literally scared it out of her. I tried to convince her that she could wait, because after all Babe, these tickets cost Mommy and Daddy lots of money. And you were supposed to love this. It's Yo Gabba Gabba. You love these guys. They don't scare you. Remember Muno and Brobie? Let's stay and watch them. Wanna? You can probably guess who won. We went to the bathroom and she did not produce what she promised.

Anyway, we made our way back to our seats and by intermission the girls decided they were having fun. The lights came up, there were balloons to play with and Shane took Libby to the lobby to buy himself a beer her a cookie.

By the second half of the show they abandoned the safety of our laps and threw caution to the wind to dance in the isles with the other kids.

Getting funky with their bad selves....

On the way home, everyone was tired.

I'm including this picture for those who knew me as a kid. Look at the stance here. Genetic? For sure. This is the exact pose my family would mock me with as a child. This was my move when I was mad and my family would imitate me, setting me off further. She's even got the lips right. Keep it up, Peytie. Hold your ground, Babe. I'm with you.

Airborne!

I went to Target last Thursday and thought I'd look around their Halloween clearance isle just to see what was left. I got some killer deals on some costumes the girls can dress up in year round. The turtle is actually a costume made for a big dog. But, it was three bucks, so who cares?

I also got some dry erase markers for their easel and their calendar. Now, if I could just get them to keep their clothes on....

Peyton chose this lion costume (also three dollars). It had to be washed in the first hour of wear though, because it's hard for a cub to keep her tail out of the potty when doing her business.

You and I both know it. This is the cutest cowturtle you've ever laid your eyes on.

My kids are big climbers and jumpers. Usually at the expense of my slow and steady heart rate. And it always seems they have the most energy at bedtime.

Peyton looks on as Daddy makes the girls their own fishing rods.

The weather today is cold, but dry. A nice change, and it gave us the chance to spend some energy outside.

Seat drop!

Tickles.

All smiles.