Good Bye Grandma and Grandpa. . . And Cousins Too!

As far as cousins go, we couldn't ask for a more energetic and same aged bunch as these kids. My kids played with them EVERY day we were at Alex's folk's house. They LOVED every minute of it!  Three thousand miles is just too far when we could have this. . .

Good Bye Grammy and Papa

Washington

Here are some lasting memories of our trip.

We were able to get our hands on my childhood boat and take the girls out on the Columbia River.  This was the first time that their toes touched down in fresh water.  The girls were surprised by the cool temps and lack of waves but eventually found their groove.  Savannah proved to be most nervous while on the boat. She and I were took a ride behind the boat on the tube and she hated every minute of it.  After being on the river with my girls, I realize how different they are when compared to me at a young age.  I was up on two skis by the time I was Savannah's age.  I was a go-getter while they are Nervous Nellies. 

We also went to the local firehouse again. In theory, Adeline loves to look at firetrucks, but in reality they terrify her. Not to worry, Lila made up for Adeline's lack of participation by asking the fireman if she could wear his coat and helmet.

Our lasting impression is always how much our kids love their cousins.  They only see each other once a year but boy, do they enjoy them.  We are so lucky to have such wonderful family.

855 Years Old

The girls' celebrated an early birthday again at my parent's house.  We were lucky to have my brother and his family join in on the festivities.  Costco was gracious enough to make us a cake with each girls' name and favorite color flower.  We sang three different times and let each girl blow out their individual candle.  Then, of course, the girls were inundated with a ton of gifts.  Lots of Car's toys, Hello Kitty and Cozy Critters. 

Adeline's favorite gift was one that we gave her cousin. Angry Birds has a plastic version and is most fun if you play with an older cousin who will build the structure and retrieve your catapulted birds.

Did You Really Wait?

While putting my oldest to bed, she asked me, "Do you remember when I was in preschool and asked you to wait in the parking lot?  You always told me you would.  Did you really wait?"  It was like a light went off in her head and she uncovered yet another one of my many white lies.

I came clean and told her I didn't wait.  She giggled and looked back at me with big smiling eyes.  Moments like these make her feel so grown up because she can look back at her young self and find amusement.

A day later she continued to grow up before my eyes with this:

"Mommy, you should move to the middle of the country so that we will never have a chance of living 3,000 miles apart when I grow up (stemming from the fact that I live 3,000 miles away from my own parents)." 

I looked at her with quizzical eyes and reminded her that she has always has claimed she wants to live with me forever - in my house.

She responded with. . . "Well, I really want to live with you forever and that is definitely what I am planning.  The thing is, well, I think you change your mind when you become an adult and don't end up wanting to live with your parents forever."

Gulp!

Washington

We are finishing up our three week stint here in Washington. The girls have had another wonderful summer break here in the warm but dry heat. There has been much time spent in water, whether it be by slide, pool, or boat. They have reconnected with cousins, met new cousins, and in general fallen in love with their cousins all over again. It has been good. We are lucky to have such strong ties to family that only see us a few days out of the year.

Here are some of our more memorable moments thus far. .

Upon arriving, we met the newest addition to our family. Savannah enjoyed learning how to hold a new born while I sat in the corner and sulked after realizing my BIG GIRLS are no longer the babies that I envision them as. Welcome to family Vivian.

We found some fantastic playgrounds which Bella and Lila traversed together.

The Point Defiance Zoo is a must see for the kids.  They enjoy the playgrounds there more than the animals.  Here the twins are pretending to be their hermit crabs, Crusty and Seasa.

Once the weather warmed up on the west side of the mountains, the girls took a dip in Grandma and Grandpa's pool.  It would be the first of many.  I can honestly say, my girls are burned out of swimming! 

While crossing the mountains to Grammy and Papa's house, we decided to stop and see a waterfall. Oddly enough, neither Alex or I have seen Snoqualmie Falls. It was a beautiful day and the girls were impressed by the falls.   I loved how I caught the girls pairing off and having fun together.  My girls really do love each other.  I eat up moments like these.

Almost two weeks ago today, we landed at Grammy and Papa's.  The girls had much fun reaquainting themselves with their toys, familiar bike rides, couch tricks and, of course, the water slides.   This year Lila navigates the slides solo while Adeline still prefers a lap.  Savannnah took a couple of trips down but now prefers deep pools where she can dive.  She was able to put those diving skills to use during the Quincy Coin Drop.  Four hundred dollars were dropped in the pool.  The whistle blew and it was every man for himself so to speak.  Savannah proudly came up with nine of those four hundred dollars.  Not too shabby.  I am proud to report that she wants to use some of that nine dollars to buy something for her sisters since I sent them back to the house for naps and didn't let them participate.  Savannah's love of money has inevitably sprouted but she continues to push herself to put her money to good use.

Below is the annual Amazing Couch Trick.  Adeline discovered this trick last year but was much more animated and vocal when doing it this year.  Now, it is always coupled with a bow - even though she almost forgets it in the clip below.  Turn up the volume because the Belle is a soft speaker.



more to come. . .

She Did It!

I am so proud of Miss Lila Grace.   This girl set her first goal and achieved it!

Leaving training wheels behind was not easy.  Lila could barely reach her toes to the ground and had no previous experience riding a bike without the safety net of training wheels.  A situation like this, is often recognized as a difficult and looked upon with great reluctance by Lila.  She isn't one to "pony up."

This time was different.  Lila wobbled, stretched her toe to the ground and immediately recognized that learning to ride on two wheels was going to be hard work and require some bravery.  She hunkered down, said she wanted to keep trying and was riding without us holding on ALL of the time on her first try.

By day two, mission was accomplished. . . at least in her eyes.  Lila still doesn't know how to start on her own but has figured out how to stop (unlike in the video below.)

Here is a clip of her second try.  The day got away from us so she was sporting two wheels in the dark.

I am so proud of her determination!