Monterey Bay

We left Josh to work in a quiet house and took the littles on a day trip to Monterey. Outings are so much more fun with our own "Mary Poppins" (Beck). Clara loved chasing birds, riding the elevator, and being Ariel in the shell. Noah was brave, chatted with everyone, enjoyed the tides and waves. Rowan loved to splash in the water!

On the way home we stopped at a local growers stand and picked up artichokes for dinner. Lovely, lovely.

b-day review

Back in January we had a Sanders gathering and Darcie brought a beautiful cake she was experimenting with. I am blown away by her talent! I let Rowan enjoy it like it was her own first birthday cake (shared with all the rest of the February birthdays...Carson, Tami, Sadey, and Mark.)

Day of included playing in the sand, taking a long bubble bath, opening a few beloved presents and enjoying a few treats. Aunt Beck got back from her trip and brought Sprinkles cupcakes down for Rowan's Big day. She was sweet, tentative, enjoyed a little icing and called it good (don't worry I cleaned up the leftovers myself...mmm strawberry)

First birthday at the beach house was about as low key, stress free, and enjoyable a special day can be!

blue eyes

Dear Little Row,

One year ago today all my worries and prayers (at the time) were answered.  You came healthy and happy and have continued in that fashion ever since.  Sweetness radiates through your twinkly blue eyes and soft round cheeks.  Your mellow ways have helped me survive this past year of growing pains from your siblings.  I already rely on you,  I hope that is not too much pressure for a one year old.  I find myself whispering thank you into your ear as I rock you. I love, love, love you!

Here is a little glimpse of some of your favorites and insights right now..

You love: baths, the beach, smiling, watching the horses out the window, pointing, laughing with/trying to be Noah and Clara, chasing  Scout, crawling, snuggling in (esp. with beck and liss), knocking down others block or sand creations, Noah walking you around,  Daddy throwing you, and having mom near by.

You are funny... you have a cute belly laugh, you make a ton of sound effects (darth vader, rolling your "r's"), you lean in to give kisses, you can entertain yourself with spices, paper etc.

You don't like: having anything taken away, day care at the gym (we're 0 for 3 and have given up), diaper changes, and sleeping through the night (probably because you prefer mommy milk to real food).

Happy first birthday my Rowan Abigail.

California I'm coming home...

Josh headed off to surf.

 

We are here. One month. Steps from the beach. Sunshine streaming through the windows.  Treats from Trader Joe's filling the cupboard.  I can't believe a week has already passed!  We had a great time visiting Grandma and Grandpa on the way out...(that will have to be a seperate post).  We figured the weather in Santa Cruz would be in the 50's most of the time we were here and hoped that we would get a few days of sunshine here and there.  So far,  60's and 70's the whole time!  A breeze through my hair, sunshine on my shoulder, has definately given me a skip in my step and a song in my heart.  Kids have slipped into the routine pretty quick (beach, treats, naps, repeat) We are happy.

old school volcano

Noah's has had a love/fear of natural disasters for a while...tornados, floods, and volcanoes.  We make volcanoes erupt on somewhat a regular basis.  This old school project starts with making salt dough (equal parts salt and flour and add a little water at a time until you can knead it/add coloring at this point). The same recipe my mom made for us as our play dough.  After forming a volcano, poke a hole center, you just spoon in baking soda and then pour vinegar on top (use red food coloring in the vinegar for the lava color).  I seriously buy vinegar at costco just for this purpose.  Last time we made these Clara's dough was formed in a lumpy flat mound.  Noah chimed in. "Looks like Clara's making a shield volcano"...impressed, I asked what kind he was making, "Cinder-cone",  ofcourse!  I wish I could take credit for teaching those facts (esp. because I taught a unit on it back when I taught first grade).  Noah really was self taught from his own library items (he only brings home nonfiction books and movies).