Weekend Ups & Downs

Well, this weekend has been overall, a good one, but it has come with its setbacks.  Friday afternoon we had a super fun surprise of a spontaneous dinner with some of our best friends, Hilary, Alex, Delia and Huck.  It was busy with all the kids enjoying one another and the four adults trying to catch up on life, but I did catch a special picture as Penn took a liking to Alex and played happily with him for a bit in the living room (this is amazing because Penn usually just cries whenever he is left with an adult other than me or Doug).

It's a preaching weekend, so our family time was short on Saturday morning, but we enjoyed every minute of it.  Doug took Koen and Tavin on an early bike ride and when they got home they played in the backyard for a bit.  Doug headed out around 11am, but first he tested some tie options on the boys.  They loved it.

Soon after Doug left I woke Penn up and the boys and I headed to Osceola for a picnic and playtime.  It was a super nice visit there as the boys showed some real progress in their playground manners and played really well with a little boy they met.  Phew!  Koen also spent some sweet time with Penn blowing him bubbles to pop.  

In addition to bubble fun, Penn had a big event occur at the picnic as it was his first time not being nursed at lunch, so I offered him some milk for the first time (hoping we wouldn't have some crazy allergic reaction at the park!).  He was quite interested in it and had some good sips.  I was snapping away at this exploratory first.

And he's so cute, I even took a video...

After about an hour and a half at Osceola, we headed home for naptimes.  Koen and I continue to enjoy some special (and intentional) time while the little guys nap.  We've been particularly working on his reading skills.  The motivation I mentioned a few weeks ago is working!  With every book he reads, we make a link for his paper chain.  For every three links, he picks a prize.  He was super excited (and oh, so proud!) to get 6 links on Saturday and his second prize.  Here's my big reader!

So, those were the highlights from Friday and Saturday.  Now for the lowlights of Sunday.  I'm photoless for this day of the weekend, so I'll keep it brief.  But, spare me a pity party???  I could use one tonight.  So, with a preaching weekend it means that I'm carless.  I'm the momma-mobile, just me and my feet.  I love the challenge and the exercise, but some days it is just a lot of effort and very draining.  We got out of the house on time and had a nice (albeit sticky and hot) walk to church.  The big boys happily checked into their classrooms and Penn and I headed up to worship.  Penn usually goes down for a nap in his stroller in an office under the nursery workers' supervision, but I had the bright idea that he might like the crib better this week.  Not the case.  Thankfully, after one interruption from the service I was able to yank him out of the crib and settle him down into the stroller and he went right to nap.  Ugh, why didn't I just stick to the regular drill!  Anyways, after the service I changed the boys into their swim gear as I had planned to go to the nearby spray park at Mellon Park.  They were super excited.  It was fun, but also frustrating.  I was sad for Penn as he basically had spent much of his day in the stroller and then was eating lunch in it.  Not to mention, I have been constantly second-guessing myself about Penn getting enough to eat or not at lunch.  And it just takes forever to feed him.  Meanwhile, I'm noticing that Koen and Tavin are playing well together, but unfortunately they have become the bullies of the playground area.  Ugh!!!!  Cut me a break!  Tavin is pretty much getting beat up because he and his brother have turned all the little boys on the playground against them with their mean faces, "bad guy" declarations and blocking of chosen pathways.  It eventually hit my limit and we were out of there.  I think all the moms there must have thought I was the meanest mom on the block.  Tav came over crying his head off because a boy kicked him down the slide and I launch into a sermon on how that's what you get when you are mean to others.  Yep, we're done here folks.  Let's go home.  But yep, that means pushing kiddos and gear for 30 minutes uphill in the heat.  Upon arrival home, which is right at Tav's naptime, in my rush to get all the stuff inside and Penn (who is quite cranky) up the stairs and able to finally crawl around for a bit, I folded up the stroller and forgot to grab my phone out of the back of it.  You guessed it.  The phone fell on the sidewalk.  I didn't realize this though until 30 minutes later after I laid Tav down.  Of course it was no longer there.  Let the crying begin.  I feel stupid, but also oh, so annoyed!  Who would pick up a phone and not try to find the owner?  I, of course, called my husband (amidst his long day of preaching) to just absolutely lose it.  Not my best moment.  Thankfully after Doug got my phone locked and de-activated via phone I felt a lot more comfortable with the thought of some stranger with my personal device, I was able to come to grips with my day again.  I had a good chat with Koen about the whole situation and I have to say he was a total sweetheart about his mom flipping out for a bit.  Unfortunately the post-nap walk we took to Aldi (we HAD to make a grocery run), brought on more frustration as it ended in Koen and Tavin getting very disobedient and frustrating upon our arrival home.  I was sad, frustrated and totally defeated.  Then, my husband, who wasn't supposed to be home until late, walked in the door around 7pm when I was bathing the big boys (Penn just in bed).  He knew my heart was downtrodden, that I had had SUCH a rough day.  He cancelled his post-service plans and came home to be with me, the wreck.  Now, that's a great (and very brave) guy.  Thanks, babe.  I've come to terms with my day and know all this stuff is not that big of a deal, but I appreciate that you value me and what I go through trying to be the best I can be (even though I have moments like these when I feel like such a failure).  Love you.  Here's to tomorrow.  Oh, and readers...thanks for putting up with my pity party.  Very therapeutic on my end.  I hope you're not depressed.

Kidz Gig 2013

Our church's vacation Bible school is called, Kidz Gig.  Kidz "Growing in God."  This was Koen's third year in attendance, but it was Tavin's first.  Koen started attending after he had already been in preschool and was used to being left somewhere for a few hours, etc.  Tavin will not enter preschool until the Fall, so this was a whole new experience for him.  Thankfully Kidz Gig was full of familiar faces and routines that Tav enjoys from Kidz Church every Sunday, but still, it was an adjustment.  He was happy there, but tentative and reserved much of the time.  On Monday, I got to hang out with him at the end after taking him to his speech therapy appointment.  He was pretty happy getting into the wiggly song.

We actually had a little Kidz Gig preschool friend over afterwards on Monday as his mom needed a hand until the older kids got dismissed at 2pm.  Tavin loved having him over.  He called him, his buddy, Logan.  Precious!  Here they are at lunch and at play.

The second day of Kidz Gig was "Crazy Hair Day."  Koen and Tavin were both pretty excited to have Daddy gel their hair.  

They had fun all week and today was the grand finale.  We, as parents, got to attend the final group session and then a picnic.  Tavin LOVED his Kidz Gig experience.  Here's the big boy singing and doing the motions to one of his favorite songs.

Here's a little glimpse of the session time and Koen enjoying it too.

After the session, we had the picnic and then headed outside for some fun.  Koen was on the water slide, but Tavin spent all his time at the bounce house.  I love this happy kid!

Well, it was a super fun week for both the boys.  A fantastic first experience for Tavin and Koen's favorite year yet.  Thank you to all the staff and volunteers who put such enthusiastic effort into this week-long event.  It makes a big difference in the lives of these kids.  I know first-hand.  This week Tavin received a plastic cross necklace at the end of the Thursday Kidz Gig to represent that day's Bible story time (clearly what Christ did for us).  Later that evening Tav was wearing the necklace and said, "Mommy, Jesus died on the cross."  (I'm writing this in real English as translated from Tavinese).  I said, "yes, bud, he did.  Do you know why?"  And then he said, "for our sins!"  I was so excited that he made that important connection.  Then I asked, "do you know why he did that?"  Tav said, "because God loves me."  That's right, Tav.  God loves you.  He was definitely riveted to the Kidz Gig activites, but now I knew he was really listening to what they were saying too and I was thrilled to know that he was starting to awaken to the amazing truth that God loves him so much that he sent His Son, Jesus, to die on the cross for his sins.  Yep, a good week.

Happy Birthday to Penn Rye!

All day today Tavin has been singing, "Happy Birthday to Penn Rye..." so that had to be today's title.  It was a family affair celebrating the youngest member's first birthday.  That's why we decided to go out for a family treat...pizza!  Koen and Tavin LOVE going out for pizza and they do so well with the restaurant wait and then they chow down!  Penn had a funky day actually running a fever again (who knows why this time) and so he wasn't very adventurous in the food department and wasn't interested in trying pizza, but he did enjoy his baby food as usual.  We brought his cards and present with us.  That was so fun to watch. Here he is enjoying his homemade card from Tavin (Tavin says that it says, "Happy Birthday to Penn Rye, I love you.").

Koen's card was very clever.  He said, "We are Penn's fans."  He came up with that on his own (if you don't know, the Pens are the hockey team here, so it's a play on words).

Next Penn "read" Aunt Abbie's card.  He's very thoughtful.

Then he opened his card and present from Gramma and Grampa. The card was fuzzy and he loved that.

But he was super excited about the book he received.  It has a big button you push that makes a funny monkey sound.  He caught on right away and did it over and over and over...

Here are the big brother on-lookers.  So patient with all the attention on Penn (and no pizza at this point).

When our pizza came the attention shifted from Penn to satiating those T-Rex-sized appetites Koen and Tavin have.  They ate an incredible amount of pizza and Penn played with Tupperware and random toys I had in my diaper bag.  Finally after the pizza was cleared, our server brought over a surprise piece of chocolate cake for Penn (she thought he was so cute and was super sweet about it being his birthday).  Penn wasn't in the adventurous mood, but we attempted a bite anyways (he denied it).

That was OK though because the rest of us split it and polished off just fine.  Here's Penn and I at the close of our celebratory dinner out.  I can't believe my baby is one!

And of course, just to pull at my heart strings and yours.  Here's a glimpse of Penn exactly one year ago upon his arrival on 6/26/2012.

Oh, Penn.  Happy Birthday!  I can't believe it's been a year.  In some ways it seems to have gone so quickly, but as I think back through all the sweet memories, all the ways you've changed, all you've learned, how you've grown, I know it's been a big year.  You have been such a blessing to me.  We've shared moments when I could just cry because I was frustrated, scared or overwhelmed with life at the moment and no one else would know.  We've had super silly tickle-fests as I blow kisses on your tummy or nuzzle my nose in your neck.  I love our prayer times before your naps and bedtime...just me, you and the Lord - so many important, comforting and personal conversations.  The countless snuggles have been so precious to me and I will hold them dear to my heart for the rest of my life.  Your sweet smile that so easily appears has warmed my heart, brought me joy and changed the tone of my days on so many occasions.  This year has been amazing enjoying you and the addition you are to our family.  I thank God every day for you, Penn.  I love you.  (Starting to tear up, so I'm going to end now before my keyboard gets soaked).

Sprinkler Soccer

Doug came home in an upbeat mood today and burst forth with a fabulous idea for the boys.  Who wants to play "Sprinkler Soccer?"  And that is how the best game of the summer so far was born.   The boys loved it.  Penn and I cheered on and got some great action shots.

Here's a few pictures of the audience.  Penn is such a little pal (and I think he's dying to be out there playing with his big brothers!).

Bathtime Cuteness with Penn

Penn still usually has his bath in the early afternoon.  It just makes the evening routine easier not to have to bathe all children at that time.  Not to mention, I love letting this little water baby enjoy a long, leisurely bath after Tav's started his nap and I can give him some one on one attention.  He will happily stay in the tub for 20 minutes or more if I give him a chance.  He loves it.  

One of his newest discoveries is that he can watch himself in the metal fixture at the front of the tub.  I caught him clapping at himself and squealing with delight, so I had to try to capture it on video.  Sorry about the length of the video, but if you appreciate Penn's adorableness, you won't mind a bit.

Happy Birthday to Me (& Hidden Valley Holiday Wrap-Up)

On the eve of my birthday, before heading to bed I peeked out the sliding door at the moon.  I'm not sure if you heard, but it was supposed to be amazing and indeed, it was.  It was particularly fun to be out in the wide open space to really appreciate it's bright hue without the distraction of city lights.  These pictures don't do it justice, but it was amazing.  Perhaps an early birthday present from the Lord?  =)

I didn't really think Doug or the boys had anything up their sleeves for my birthday (which was fine), but it turns out I underestimated them.  Doug is such a sweetheart and while I was out on a morning walk before the boys got up, he snuck them out of their rooms and they baked some chocolate chip muffins for their chocolate-loving mom.  He had also had Koen prepare a card ahead of time and he helped Tavin make one as well.  So sweet (not to mention I loved my time alone on my morning walk in the woods).  Here we are at breakfast.

Koen was so proud to review his card with me.  

My birthday just means that Penn's is only days away.  He's pretty excited (and I'm an emotional wreck that he's already turning 1)!

After our lovely breakfast we did some prep work for our departure from Hidden Valley and then Koen, Tavin and I left Penn to nap at the house while Doug did the final packing jobs and we went for our last swim.  I had so much fun with my big boys!  I'm a fish and love to be in the water swimming around, so this was a birthday treat to be playing with Koen and Tavin in the pool for most of an hour.  After that, we headed back to the house to change and then leave.  But don't worry, the adventure isn't over yet!  During the wedding festivities this weekend, the bride's grandmother took an interest in Doug (this is not the first-time that the family matriarchs have taken a liking to Doug).  She lives right in Ligonier near the fort, so she thought we might enjoy a trip to the Fort and its museum.  She gave Doug passes for us the night of the wedding...so sweet and thoughtful!  That sealed our plans that we should indeed take the boys into Ligonier on Sunday before heading back to the city.  Doug had staked out the restaurant options for wifey's birthday lunch and chosen, "The Kitchen."  Great choice!  They have amazing eggs benedict and they serve breakfast until 3pm, so we both tried some.  Very happy customers.  Here's the quaint spot.  We ate outside of course (it's my birthday, so of course, as much as possible needs to be outside).

After our yummy meal, we walked down to the Fort.  It turned out that it was a special event day...a re-enactment!  The little guys were nervous about the super loud blanks being fired out of the muskets, but Koen, of course, was intrigued.  It was about 85 and there was no shade, so for all those reasons Tav and Penn and I spent most of our time there in the air conditioned museum.  Koen and Doug braved the elements and gunfire.  Here you can see the Indians moving towards the fort.

A little while later the British were holding them back outside the gate.

Doug and I were very impressed with the museum and we would like to return to be able to walk through the fort area (we couldn't do it due to the re-enactment and honestly, the heat was a little too intense anyways).  Koen and Doug did a quick walk-through inside too.  Here are all 3 boys sort of at the end of their stamina around the cannon.  Tav loved his map and here is practically eating it for some reason.  Koen looks half asleep and Penn is holding both his feet.  Now that's a picture.

At this point it was past 2pm and the boys were starting to show it, but we had one more stop.  The Ligonier Creamery.  Koen had been hoping for a family ice cream date throughout the entire holiday weekend, so finally he was getting his wish in honor of my birthday.  We also got to combine it with a meetup with a sweet couple from our church in Oakland who are from the area and happened to be in Ligonier as well.  It was fun to catch up and of course, we all enjoyed our sweet treats.  I had "5 chocolates."  It's their best-selling flavor: chocolate chips, chocolate chunks, chocolate fudge and two kinds of chocolate ice cream (one from Eastern PA and one from Western PA).  Yum!  After that we hit the road (around 3pm).  We were home by 4pm.  Who knew Ligonier was so close?  Doug and I hadn't been there since our first anniversary and we both didn't recall how cute, quaint and pleasant it was.  We look forward to making that day trip several times in the future with family, friends or just the boys.  Back to the end of our trip.  When we arrived home the boys were totally tired out.  Penn decided to somehow not fall asleep on the way home, so he caught a catnap in his crib upon arrival back home.  Koen sort of "helped" unpack with Doug and Tav was so excited to be home with his toys he just stayed upstairs playing.  Once Doug and I were done scurrying around unloading and unpacking we got the boys outside in the sprinkler through dinnertime and then they went straight to bath and then were in bed (and shortly thereafter asleep) at 6:45pm.  Doug, the awesome husband he is, had arranged for a friend to come over and hang at the house so that we could walk to dinner in Shadyside.  It was a perfect end to our getaway weekend and my birthday.  We went to Girasole.  The food was delicious, the atmosphere was quaint and the pace was relaxed.  I loved it.  Oh, and for the second time in one day, the server brought me a birthday dessert on the house (it happened at lunch too!).  

Well, it was a super full and fun day with my boys.  I'm so thankful for all the Lord has blessed me with...my husband, my sons, my family, my friends.  The gratefulness and happiness from that totally helps me overlook the fact I'm actually a year older. =)  Well, after several days away and then a day devoted to making me feel special it's going to be tough getting back into the swing of things!