On growing up

some firsts happened this weekend...

 first time riding a bike without training wheels

mr. handsome

I can't believe how grown up you are becoming sweet Caleb Lincoln.

 

 first time mom flew solo with the boys while dad was on a business trip and got sick (fever and sore throat and I never ever get sick! but we rocked it! )

oh target. yes we love you!!!

 

first time noah got croup and a double ear infection. He's a hot mess, but a happy hot mess as you can see in the picture.

so not all of that was exciting but the bike riding (on two wheels) was! Wahoo

And after those new and exciting things happen (or not so exciting) things happen. We can look back proudly knowing, we did it! Fist pump. And can see God's hand holding us through all of it (or maybe in the pictures dad's hands specifically, and noah's hands literally)

still last week was a big week for us with dad being on a business trip (the boys did awesome) and this weekend was pretty special in learning something new.

Funny how even if we may be the grown ups, we are still growing up right alongside our boys. Feeling more at peace. Got a letter back from the district, Caleb's able to stay at the school he is already at this year which makes us happy and it feels right for now. Still waiting to hear back from the dual language. But keeping him where he is feels right, and good. And I'm thankful for God's peace and direction over that. And thankful Dave is home. We missed him (Well, I did.  I think the boys were having too much fun getting a special ice cream treat with me after school on Friday and having some dance parties)

Hope your week is wonderful!


and here is to trying something new. and to being brave. and if you need to
play this song a few times over (like I did) and have a dance party (like we did) that's okay.

and then if you have some tissue handy sit down and enjoy this. This video was just so sweet.


Happy Monday

weekend fun

hello ocean our dear old friend, it's time we said hello again.

 Saturday took us to our very favorite place....

 I don't know why but when I look at this I get a little teary eyed. Caleb you look so grown up. I can't believe you are almost done with TK and well on your way to kindergarten. I can't believe how much you've grown this year! You amaze us everyday sweet Caleb Lincoln.

 This trip to the beach was the first time Noah could walk everywhere. It was so fun to watch him figure out how to walk on the uneven sand. He found this bucket and was so proud carting it all around. We love watching you explore your world Noah Samuel.

 I love their joy

We spent a little time at Gilroy Gardens Sunday afternoon after church and naps. It was short and sweet. We thought the water oasis was open but it wasn't! Not till May. However they have a new green barn full of nature and books and it is the coolest space. Quotes about art and nature on the walls from famous people and the kids get to study and explore nature. I was seriously about to fall over from excitement about this! They can trade in and earn points and it is all about learning and discovering art in nature. Just one of the many things that makes Gilroy Gardens more than just a park with rides. There is so much nature, history, art, and education all wrapped up in this beautiful park. We can't wait for our family to come with us this summer!!

 Oh Lucas. You gave me the hardest time about your gymnastics class this morning. Sobbing away. But once we got in the car you were fine and today you did so many things by yourself without me. I'm proud of you for trying even though I know you didn't want to and I'm glad you feel safe enough to let those tear drops fall and tell me all that you are feeling. New things are hard, but they are good things that stretch us. And you are definitely getting out of your comfort zone and finding a happy place to learn and grow with me just a safe distance away. I'll always be here for you boys. With arms wide open.

 check out those chunky thighs and little shoes on Noah. I can't even.

 

 I love you boys so much!

Caleb you have grown by leaps and bounds this year in your maturity and knowledge. What a blessing it is to know that letting you take flight in school this year has brought even more blessings than we could have imagined. We were so nervous for you to go to school everyday and now that your year is almost over in TK I just can't believe how amazing you did and are doing. The beauty of letting go and trusting God over this has been huge this year. We are so proud of you sweet boy!

Another sweet weekend of family time, these are the moments I always hold close to my heart. I am so thankful for these sweet boys God has blessed me with.

Easter 2015

Here are some pictures from our Easter and a few from our home days last week on Caleb's break.

 

Easter Egg Hung (I need to clean my camera lens!!)

 Snuggles with dad (such a sweet scene I walked in on while Dave was putting Noah down for a nap)

 Oh what fun it is looking for Easter eggs (the hiding of Easter eggs continues into this week:)!

 What did you find Lucas?

Just trying to snag some kisses in (but somebody wasn't haven't it!)

 oh how I love my little guys (can you guess the most common question I'm asked?...."Wow! 3 boys???" and my response?? "yep and I wouldn't have it any other way!"

 our lovely attempt at a family photo :)

 More sun in our eyes :)!

 our Friday sillies

 someone found the mud.

I don't even know what was going on out here. Just some stroller-izing on the front lawn it seems.

 

Back to school this week...Hope you had a wonderful Easter with loved ones.

some moments from Easter and our home week captured on camera....

slo in the spring time and our garden

slo day with family

  and working on the yard. I love how patient Dave is with the boys and in the way he teaches them as they do special projects together. The garden is a favorite around here. It is in the beginning stages right now.  Lots of planting and the watering as we wait expectantly for those tiny vegetables to grow tall and strong.

 The boys love to be right in there with Dave and I love watching their hands work together in the soil as they dig and plant and wait for new life to come through.

 string for the beans

 A bike ride in Avila and some jamba juice to refresh us after.

 

Catching up some here :)

 

This week I'm loving warm days in the sunshine playing. Mornings of sleeping in for the boys and backyard play right after breakfast. I'm loving our long and slow afternoons of nap time and quiet play with Caleb after he rests. I'm loving homemade dinners and new recipes that we can linger over without having to pack lunches for the next day. I'm loving long evenings with Dave watching movies and just talking. I'm loving this time to rest and be together more during the day without having anywhere to go and anything to do and I'm loving the fact that summer is just around the corner!!!

 

Happy Spring!