Message from Raif and Bailey

To Mom and Dad:

You're half way through your trip, here's a little message from Bailey and Raif. Raif had his best day yet, only one pee accident and a little #2 accident. He still doesn't want to sit on the toilet to go #2, but he did sit on the toilet to try.

Love,

Bren

Mom's Night at Preschool

Last night Bailey and I attended mom's night at preschool. We decorated our own kite and had strawberries dipped in a chocolate fountain for a treat. After mom's night, Bailey and I had a girl's dinner at her favorite, Open Sesame. Such a fun night!

We were driving in the fire truck.
Such a long way she's come, last year I don't think she even touched the jungle gym.

What her preschool is all about, getting dirty and being a kid!

Bailey's 2nd serving of strawberries!

Annabelle and Bailey

Wish me Luck!

Potty training has begun!

Pretty cute, huh? Back view in case you didn't think the first one was cute enough!

Now, if I'm still smiling at the end of the day, and think his underwear are still cute, you'll know we had a successful first day!

What a Beautiful Weekend!

This weekend we did back to back bay days. The weather was so gorgeous! Saturday we packed up the kids late afternoon and had fun in the sun. Sunday, we were supposed to meet the Irelands, but due to a fire near PCH and over an hour attempt to make it to the bay, they decided to call it a day and head back home. Bailey's friend from preschool happened to be there, so we joined their family for a fun afternoon!

A ladybug kept us entertained for a while.
Playing in the sand

Digging a hole, it's always so much better when Daddy is there!

Day 2-the kids were transforming themselves into mermaids

Finished product.

Bailey and Raif Having Fun

This is in the corner of our living room. Bailey built a "bunny hole" for Raif and her. Raif had the top bunk and Bailey the bottom. Raif's bunk is on top of their toy chest. I'm not sure if Raif would ever do this on his own, I'm sure his big sister talked him into it.

Swim Lessons

I rarely talk about the kids swim lessons, and I think I only have one other video of Bailey at swim and no pictures of Raif. Swim lessons have been tough for us, at least with Raif. Bailey has been making tons of progress, she is now at the point where she can swim on her own, but is still lacking confidence. Raif, in a year of swim lessons, has made little progress. He battles each week with his instructor, and has such a hard time calming down.

It gets frustrating watching other children progress, while your child struggles each and every week. We are such huge water people, constantly out on our boat or hanging out at the bay. It's just one of those things. Nothing you can do about it, your kids are going to get it when they get it. Colby was the same way when he was a child, his mother said he hated the water, and now look at him! If he could take a pill to grow gills I think he would.

This week at swim lessons Bailey made me proud. She went on the slide, twice! She will do almost anything once, but to ask to do it again was pretty huge. Raif calmed down for about 2 minutes, which was huge for him. We're getting there, slowly, but we're doing it! If you have these same issues, know you're not alone. Kids grow at their own pace, figure things out when they're good and ready. All that you can do it give them the opportunity to grow, learn and experience. The rest is up to them. Probably one of the hardest things parents have to accept.

Swimming on her back
He looks pretty calm, right?

Not kicking his feet, huge for him!

Strawberry Picking at Tanaka Farms

My neighbor Anne and I packed up the 5 kids and headed over to Tanaka Farms for strawberry picking. It was perfect weather and was not overly hot. The kids had a great time and this year Bailey tried even more of the vegetables along our tractor ride. This is such a great little outing and doesn't take up too much time, but the kids seem inspired to try new things. We missed out last year on the watermelon ride, but hope to go on it this year in July/August.

Sunglass kids!
On the tractor ride.

A view of the fields

Samuel enjoying the ride

Out in the fields

Being silly!

Vicki and Annabelle

4 out of the 5, not bad!