Go Karts!

 We took Sophie on her first Go Kart ride, and she loved it!  She literally squealed with delight around every corner.  She had such a good time that we started thinking Disneyland thoughts... Cade is not ready yet, but maybe fall '14.

 Sophie just wanted to go faster!

Someone really wanted to go too! Sorry Cade, the Go Karts have a height restriction.  I have a feeling it's going to be a looong wait for this little guy!

Bee Sting

Our poor little Cade got stung by a bee, and swelled way up.  He seems to have inherited my bee allergy.  Poor baby.  He got stung right above the lip, and his lip swelled way up, as well as his cheek- all the way up to his eye.  After mixing up some concoction made out of baking powder and giving him a Benadryl, the swelling started to go down.  Mean bees!

Summer School

Sophie started begging me to go to preschool as soon as we got back from Hawaii.  She would literally ask me every single day if she could go.  I finally relented and started her in summer school in the beginning of August.  She goes twice a week, for half days.  She loves it!  Her new preschool is super close to our house and has a great summer program.  So far she has walked to multiple parks and had picnic lunches, walked to the library for story time, had theme days- including pirates, and superheros, had water day where everyone comes in their swimsuits for outside play, and bike day where everyone brings their bikes and bike around the neighborhood. I was particularly nervous about her eating lunch there, but she eats everything in sight. I nearly fainted when I saw her eating a pulled pork sandwich one day.  Her new teacher said that Sophie came in the first day like she had been there forever, and hasn't looked back.  I am so glad that she loves her new school!

If only summer could last forever!

 We have had a wonderful summer at the lake.  Summer has absolutely flown by- I cant believe it's nearly over!  We have gotten into our routine of driving out to the cabin on Fridays, and then coming back Sunday evenings. The weekends always fly by with lots of company, and we feel very fortunate that all of the cousins play so well together. Sophie will be very sad to not see them every weekend.

 Sophie and Elly became quite the team this summer and watched a movie (usually Barbie) every night while we got dinner ready.  They were very good about taking turns picking out the movie, and would even remember from week to week whose turn it was.

 Sophie and Elly played a lot with rocks.  Rocks at the lake have never been so clean.

 Sophie became quite brave in the water this summer.  She had no fear, and couldn't care less about how cold it was. She would simply jump in, and stay in, for several hours at a time.  I usually had to drag her out of the lake for juice and snack breaks.

Sophie also was quite the tuber this summer.  She now likes to tube several times a day.  We have tried hard to get her interested in skiing on the trainers, but she keeps telling us that she,"will ski when it snows," or "When I am five."  We'll see if this happens.  

  Cade loves the lake as well.  He is our little water baby.   Unlike Sophie, who didn't put a toe into the water till she was three, Cade jumps in without any worry.  The cold seems to have no effect on him, and I usually take him out when his little lips turn blue.

  

Some of Cade's favorite lake activites- splashing in the water (and eating rocks).

Cade likes to swim in the lake as well, he kicks his little legs in a frog kick and will doggy paddle his little arms.  He loves to be in the water- he's a natural.  I cant wait to see what next summer at the lake brings!

Hawaii

 We had a wonderful time in Hawaii!  Once we got there, we began to forget about the horrors of the plane ride with Cade, and were instantly able to relax.  (It wasn't that Cade was outright naughty, but he would not sleep in my lap, got overtired from missing 2 naps, and is loud to begin with.) The kids did shockingly well with the 4 hour time change, and everyone slept great a nights!  Sophie was so excited to be in the warm weather and by a pool that she wanted to swim all day everyday.  We usually persuaded her to wait to get in the water till after breakfast.

 Sophie got braver each time she got in the water, until she was doing running leaps into the pool.

 In Maui, we took a ride on the Sugar Cane Train.

 Sophie Loves Thomas the Train, so she was excited! The first half was a lot of fun!  She watched from her window the entire time and was thrilled to be on a real train.  The second half was hot, the kids were hungry and tired- so not so fun. We were excited to get off.

 Sophie had been to the Oregon coast before, but never in a warm ocean.  She loved it!

Cade loved the water too!  He didnt however like the salt water and would spit it out.  He also loved putting sand and rocks in his mouth, which is why he had to have his passie in at all times.

Aunt Jen helps Cade swim!  We loved having extra hands around!

 Sophie learned the time honored tradition of jumping waves.

 It was hard to tell who enjoyed making sand castles more- Carl or Sophie?

 All of us together again!  When everyone lives in different states it is rare that we all get together.

 Sophie loved swimming with Bekah.  Swimming with Bekah helped Sophie learn to use her goggles and dive underwater.

 We took a glass bottom boat ride in Kona.  This was a great way for the kids to get a "snorkling" experience.

 Sophie followed Bekah everywhere and did everything she did.  We are at the open air market in Kona where we got the best produce I have ever tasted!  It was amazing!!

Nana and all her grandkids. Even though it was hard for all of us to get to Hawaii, I am grateful that we did it and now have the great memories!  We would love to go back, but maybe when the kids are a little older and can experience all that Hawaii has to offer.

Catching Up

The month of May flew by, and it's time to catch up! Cade is quickly becoming a toddler and has taken his first steps.  His current record is 7 steps- and it might have been the shortest distance ever covered by 7 steps, but we are counting it.  He still prefers to crawl, but I think he will be up and walking within the month of June.  He now seems like a really big boy!

Sophie has quickly changed from a tomboy into a girly-girl.  She now loves princesses, Barbie, wearing dresses, and putting multiple bows in her hair.  I must admit, I love this stage!  I have long waited to play Barbie and ponies. However, she still loves to play soccer in the backyard and play in the dirt- she just now gets her dress dirty.

Cade's favorite hangout spot is in the fridge.  Whenever he hears me making lunch or dinner he comes crawling into the kitchen and clings to my leg crying for samples. (much like a dog begging) It is hard to make anything with him attached to my leg, so the only way to distract him is to let him play in the fridge.  I'm sure our electric bill has gone up the past couple of months.

 We took a quick trip to Missoula and went on the carousel.  Sophie, of course, picked the highest and fastest horse possible- while I tried hard not to get sick going round and round.  Not my favorite activity.

 Sophie had her last day of preschool and celebrated with a pizza party.  I was shocked when she ate 1.5 pieces of cheese pizza. (She has never before even touched pizza.)  It was sad to say goodbye to her teachers, but I will be happier to have her at a closer preschool next year.

 We spent memorial day at the cabin and enjoyed the nice weather. Cade seems to be following the little boy  book and loves cars and trucks.

 All the kids taking golf cart rides. Fun, Fun!

Swim Lessons

 Sophie has been enjoying going to swim lessons lately.  She has a great deal of enthusiasm and has a hard time waiting for her turn.  Instead of just sitting and waiting patiently for her tun she comes up with all kinds of games and activities to do.  These games are such fun, that often the other kids in the class decide to join her.  In other words, we have the trouble maker. But, swimming is a great activity for her and it gets out a lot of energy.  At least once a week, Cade and I will join Sophie in the water after her lesson.  Cade loves the water and happily splashes and crawls around.  unfortunately, Cade thinks that he can breathe under water and will continue to crawl into deeper and deeper water.  He needs constant supervision.  I am thankful that Sophie can now touch throughout the entire pool so she can be independent.  Swim lessons have been very good for her, and I hope to continue having her in them.