I am pretty sure we say this every year... she's 1,2,3,4,5... where did the time go?
We don't really realize how much the kids change until we play an old video or a see a photo where they just look so small compare to now. 5 seems like a big milestone... although every birthday seemed like a big milestone to us. So many things to look forward to, and also so many which are now behind us... things that we can't experience again... it's those things that make me a bit sad and weepy on every birthday, but then I remember about all the wonderful things I have to look forward to and I begin to feel normal again... Yes it's an emotional roller coaster .. especially on a special day like your child's birthday. To see that excitement on their face when they wake up, it's hard to describe the emotions! She could hardly fall asleep the night before, i think we heard movement in her room until past 10pm. She's really been looking forward to turning 5!
We got to go to Sascha's preschool to bring little treats for the kids and see their traditional celebration that they do for their kids birthdays where they light a candle which represents the sun and they carry the earth around the sun 5 times (= 5 years old). She proudly carried the earth while Ms. Heather showed the class her photos and talked about her year. We brought a treat for the kids, took a few photos. That evening Sascha requested Hawaiian food for dinner and Pinkberry Yogurt. We enjoyed both and then went home to have a little cake that we had for her along with a couple of gifts. She could hardly wait for the weekend of her Birthday Party to come.
A few months ago we started asking Sascha where and what she would like to do for her birthday party. She picked Pump it up, after we've gone to 2 parties there, and was set on it, no changing her mind. She also requested a theme for her party. This changed from Hello Kitty to Strawberry Shortcake.
Since it was at Pump it up, there was really not much planning involved. We did go to Party City where she got to pick out a few decorations, balloons, and lollipops to give out as party favors. She really enjoyed running around the store looking for things, making suggestions, and gathering stuff to put into our basket, it was a lot of fun for both of us.
I can honestly say this is the 1st party of hers where she really enjoyed herself. I think she was super overwhelmed by the previous parties she had... but not this one. It was fun for the kids and adults as well. She was thrilled to see all her friends and jumping, sliding and everything else that Pump it Up had to offer. Oh and the gifts, she could hardly wait to open her gifts once we got home and brought them all out.
Definitely a successful Birthday Bash for our big 5 year old girl!
As for her favorites well there was a list made:
At the moment Sascha really enjoys letters and books. She is starting to put sounds together and read short 3 letter words which is so cool to watch. She loves dance class, and Tumble bus and Music class.
She has also started Rhythmic Gymnastics in fall, and is doing well in it. She attempts cartwheels and does all sorts of stretches that she couldn't do before. Baba especially loves watching her because she is the one taking her to the classes on Mondays. On the playground her absolutely favorite thing to do is to go on the monkey bars. In fact if the playground doesn't have any monkey bars she starts to complain. It's crazy how fearless she is on them, going all the way through and then turning her body around and going right back.
She is doing well in her Kindergarten class. It's fun to watch her take an interest in writing and reading. Sometimes she will see words written on something like a yogurt bottle and she will sit down and start copying the letters on the paper asking me to read it back to her. She also really likes signing Birthday cards as well as making them. She has figured out how to get Cereal from the pantry, by pulling up a chair to grab the box as well as the bowl and although the milk carton is pretty heavy for her to tip over and pour out of, I am pretty sure if we had it in a container that was smaller she would be able to have breakfast ready for her and Cameron on her own. May be soon...
She is really starting to get into some pop songs, she requests to hear One Direction and Katy Perry songs while riding in the car with daddy because she knows he can play anything she wants in his car.
Majority of the time she plays very well with Cameron. Of course there are fights over things, but in general, she loves to show him new things, or teach him, or play ball with him. On rare occasions, they will go in the room and play quietly together where we get at least 10 or 15 minutes to finish our dinner and look over at them and enjoy their sweet interaction.
Happy Birthday sweet girl. We love you to the moon and back!
Monday, December 10, 2012
Saturday, November 24, 2012
Cameron - 2 years old
Well it's that time of the year. Yes, the time where things get a bit crazy for us with everyone's birthdays and the holidays. First up - Cameron! Our big guy turned 2 years old. He's hardly a baby anymore... even though he'll always be my baby boy.
We decided that we are going to skip a party this year, so we headed to The Old Poway Park for a train ride. A few friends decided to join us.
Your stats (Yes you're a skinny little dude):
Weight - 24 lbs - 17%
Height 35.5 inches - 64%
We didn't want to have a big overwhelming party for you this year, but just wanted to enjoy time together as a family, so we decided to take you to Old Poway Park for a train ride. It ended up to be a super cold day and even rained all night the day before, but we bundled up and went on with the plan. I mentioned this to a few friends of ours and they decided to join us as well, so we even had a few friends on board. You had a great time, and couldn't wait to get on the train. We played a few games and ran around the big grassy field and even had little mini-cupcakes that looked like little baseballs.
A little more about you...
I love your happy and outgoing personality. In the last few months you have really started to be a little chatter box. Repeating just about everything after us and especially Sascha. The only thing you were not willing to say is your name... not sure why that is, but a few weeks after your birthday you saw a picture of you and Sascha and I asked you who that was and you finally said "Cam" in your adorable little voice. You now even use a few Russian words like "Smatrie" to tell me to "Look". Or the word "dye" (means "give") which I remember Sascha used to say very well too at a similar age.
Your favorite birthday toy was a car that you absolutely love. When you push a button, it starts going on it's own and even does a wheely. You sit down and ask us to play with this car so it can go back and forth between the 2 of us. You were also excited about your balance bike and spider man helmet. You tried to ride it at home, but it seems you are just a little bit too small for it. I think in a month or two we can give it another try.
You are super fun and loving little boy. You get super excited when you see school buses on the way to get dropped of at your daycare, so now I always point them out and you say "Oh school bus, fun", "more?". You always want more.
Also as soon as you get up, you ask for "cereal?" It's like an expectation, you get up, get dressed, eat cereal, and may be even watch a little elmo on the weekends.
You have also gotten very independent. Everything I used to do for you, you now yell with authority "MY TURN", and insist on doing it yourself. It started with eating: I have relinquished all control in trying to feed you. If you are going to eat, it's going to be you feeding yourself with a fork or spoon.
You are obsessed with baby beluga, the story and now the animal too. After daddy took you to Sea World and you picked out your white beluga toy, you now go to sleep with it (yes along with the doggy blanket, the giraffe we got you at the zoo, and now a beluga). You give it hugs and even rock with it on the chair attempting to sing the baby beluga song which you insist on us reading/singing every single night.
We've had a a few trying moments with you hitting, mainly it happens when you get frustrated at Sascha because she took something that you wanted and isn't willing to give it back, but we always get you two to kiss and make up. You are actually very giving - when you are being asked nicely to give something back, to our surprise you listen 9 out of 10 times. You have already learned the meaning of the word "share" and yell it out loud all the time when you want Sascha to give you something that she has. It's a lot of fun to watch your relationship together. You definitely look forward to seeing her every day when you guys both come home, and you look up to her so much, trying to do just about everything your big sister does.
What fascinates us the most is you throwing. Mostly I am talking about you throwing a ball, however you like to throw other objects around as well. The ball throwing is getting really fun, you aim and you throw pretty well for a little 2 year old dude. You also try to catch. Throwing and catching is by far your favorite thing to do.
We didn't want to have a big overwhelming party for you this year, but just wanted to enjoy time together as a family, so we decided to take you to Old Poway Park for a train ride. It ended up to be a super cold day and even rained all night the day before, but we bundled up and went on with the plan. I mentioned this to a few friends of ours and they decided to join us as well, so we even had a few friends on board. You had a great time, and couldn't wait to get on the train. We played a few games and ran around the big grassy field and even had little mini-cupcakes that looked like little baseballs.
A little more about you...
I love your happy and outgoing personality. In the last few months you have really started to be a little chatter box. Repeating just about everything after us and especially Sascha. The only thing you were not willing to say is your name... not sure why that is, but a few weeks after your birthday you saw a picture of you and Sascha and I asked you who that was and you finally said "Cam" in your adorable little voice. You now even use a few Russian words like "Smatrie" to tell me to "Look". Or the word "dye" (means "give") which I remember Sascha used to say very well too at a similar age.
Your favorite birthday toy was a car that you absolutely love. When you push a button, it starts going on it's own and even does a wheely. You sit down and ask us to play with this car so it can go back and forth between the 2 of us. You were also excited about your balance bike and spider man helmet. You tried to ride it at home, but it seems you are just a little bit too small for it. I think in a month or two we can give it another try.
You are super fun and loving little boy. You get super excited when you see school buses on the way to get dropped of at your daycare, so now I always point them out and you say "Oh school bus, fun", "more?". You always want more.
Also as soon as you get up, you ask for "cereal?" It's like an expectation, you get up, get dressed, eat cereal, and may be even watch a little elmo on the weekends.
You have also gotten very independent. Everything I used to do for you, you now yell with authority "MY TURN", and insist on doing it yourself. It started with eating: I have relinquished all control in trying to feed you. If you are going to eat, it's going to be you feeding yourself with a fork or spoon.
You are obsessed with baby beluga, the story and now the animal too. After daddy took you to Sea World and you picked out your white beluga toy, you now go to sleep with it (yes along with the doggy blanket, the giraffe we got you at the zoo, and now a beluga). You give it hugs and even rock with it on the chair attempting to sing the baby beluga song which you insist on us reading/singing every single night.
We've had a a few trying moments with you hitting, mainly it happens when you get frustrated at Sascha because she took something that you wanted and isn't willing to give it back, but we always get you two to kiss and make up. You are actually very giving - when you are being asked nicely to give something back, to our surprise you listen 9 out of 10 times. You have already learned the meaning of the word "share" and yell it out loud all the time when you want Sascha to give you something that she has. It's a lot of fun to watch your relationship together. You definitely look forward to seeing her every day when you guys both come home, and you look up to her so much, trying to do just about everything your big sister does.
What fascinates us the most is you throwing. Mostly I am talking about you throwing a ball, however you like to throw other objects around as well. The ball throwing is getting really fun, you aim and you throw pretty well for a little 2 year old dude. You also try to catch. Throwing and catching is by far your favorite thing to do.
Thanks to Sonya we have a few photos from our outing to the Old Poway Park!
Love this photo she got - it really captures your little boy personality at the moment
So excited to blow out your candle and eat a cupcake
Saturday, November 10, 2012
Halloween Party
The Smith's hosted their annual Halloween bash, and we finally came in full costumes. Yes it was a bit last minute, daddy was still working on putting his costume together right before we left, and even though it may look impressive in the picture, we didn't do a very good job of making it comfortable for him to walk in... or even stay put, so most pieces came off shortly after the photos were taken. It was so fun for the kids to see us dressed up, and I think will definitely do our best to try and dress up with them at least while they are small. It was also fun to have a family theme this year. Daddy definitely encouraged it to Sascha by having her watch the Wizard of Oz. She also had a good time walking around Party City to get accessories for all of our costumes. I had a hard time finding red sparkly shoes for her, and ended up ordering them online and luckily they came right in time for her first dress up at the School Festival so all worked out in the end. Sascha was Dorothy, Cameron was a little Scarecrow, Mommy was the Wicked Witch, and Daddy was the Tin-man. I was not planning on putting the green paint on my face, but of course was encouraged by Tin-man himself since he was putting silver paint on his face. I put some one and showed it to Cameron to make sure he wouldn't get scared and he just laughed pointing at my face. I think Sascha was more scared of my green paint than Cameron.
Before we left our house for the party Cameron managed to open a mini snickers bar and shove the whole thing in his mouth. Once I noticed it was too late... so this is how we find out that he is NOT allergic to Peanuts like we thought he was. So yay, we didn't end up in ER and got to enjoy our evening at a friends house and going trick or treating. Definitely a huge relief to not have to worry about a peanut allergy!
So all ready to go we joined our friends at their house which was decorated even more this year than the previous. Their inspiration came from the tv show "The Walking Dead". It looked pretty awesome! There were a lot of kids this year... what a challenge to try to do a group photo, but of course we attempted anyways! After taking photos of all the kiddos and the families, we were off to go Trick or Treating.
I am always a bit strict with the candy and was worried the kids will want to eat all their candy right away, but it really wasn't a problem. I let both of them eat a few out of her bucket and told them they can have the rest on another day. I did go through the buckets once they went to bed to sort the good stuff out, and get rid of the not so great candy, but they pretty much forgot about it the next day...so not much to worry about.
Grandpa David, Baba and Deda came to see us walk around in our costumes. Cameron went to all the same houses, he did not want to be carried around, and wanted to go everywhere by himself. He did fall a few times, but dusted himself off and kept on moving along... seriously? Like a little man that he is... he didn't get scared and did not want our help with anything, even carrying his bucket which was getting heavy from collecting all the candy. (More pics to come)
Before we left our house for the party Cameron managed to open a mini snickers bar and shove the whole thing in his mouth. Once I noticed it was too late... so this is how we find out that he is NOT allergic to Peanuts like we thought he was. So yay, we didn't end up in ER and got to enjoy our evening at a friends house and going trick or treating. Definitely a huge relief to not have to worry about a peanut allergy!
So all ready to go we joined our friends at their house which was decorated even more this year than the previous. Their inspiration came from the tv show "The Walking Dead". It looked pretty awesome! There were a lot of kids this year... what a challenge to try to do a group photo, but of course we attempted anyways! After taking photos of all the kiddos and the families, we were off to go Trick or Treating.
I am always a bit strict with the candy and was worried the kids will want to eat all their candy right away, but it really wasn't a problem. I let both of them eat a few out of her bucket and told them they can have the rest on another day. I did go through the buckets once they went to bed to sort the good stuff out, and get rid of the not so great candy, but they pretty much forgot about it the next day...so not much to worry about.
Grandpa David, Baba and Deda came to see us walk around in our costumes. Cameron went to all the same houses, he did not want to be carried around, and wanted to go everywhere by himself. He did fall a few times, but dusted himself off and kept on moving along... seriously? Like a little man that he is... he didn't get scared and did not want our help with anything, even carrying his bucket which was getting heavy from collecting all the candy. (More pics to come)
Sunday, October 28, 2012
Pumpkin Patch and other Fall Festivities
Our annual tradition of going to the Pumpkin Patch continues. Instead of Bates Nut Farm, we finally made it to Oma's Pumpkin Patch this year. I actually ended up up taking a day off work to take the kids w/a friends playgroup. Once again we went on a HOT October day, by no means did it feel like fall, but we made the best out of it. The kids weren't thrilled to take many photos, but I managed to get at least a couple. Our hay ride went right through the farm and we got to see a 2 day old little cow.
We followed up that visit with another visit to the Pumpkin Station, full of rides, and jumping fun. The kids had just gotten hair cuts right before we came, so of course I had to a lot of photos. Cameron was even willing to get into the jumpies this time, he is no longer scared. The giant slide was Sascha's favorite, she had a grin from ear to ear going down every time. They loved the train ride as well as the rotating swings. They had just gotten their hair cuts before we got there, so they looked so pretty cute with non-messy hair and matching pumpkin shirts.
Another fun outing we had was to the Del Sur Festival, I think this is our 3rd year that we had come, and every year we have such a good time enjoying all the rides and hanging out w/the Slavin Family. Sascha and Matty were now old enough to ride a few of them on their own or together which was a lot of fun for them. I took both kids on the Ferris Wheel. Cameron got impatient and tried to get out, and I must say he could have totally slipped under the bar so I had to hold him tight and keep asking him to wait... patience is not something an almost 2 year old has much of, but I think he did enjoy the ride and the view from the top. You also got to pet a few bunnies and ride a pony.
Pics from the Pumpkin Patch with my friend's playgroup
I just liked this serious expression on your face (taken by a photographer at the festival)
We followed up that visit with another visit to the Pumpkin Station, full of rides, and jumping fun. The kids had just gotten hair cuts right before we came, so of course I had to a lot of photos. Cameron was even willing to get into the jumpies this time, he is no longer scared. The giant slide was Sascha's favorite, she had a grin from ear to ear going down every time. They loved the train ride as well as the rotating swings. They had just gotten their hair cuts before we got there, so they looked so pretty cute with non-messy hair and matching pumpkin shirts.
Another fun outing we had was to the Del Sur Festival, I think this is our 3rd year that we had come, and every year we have such a good time enjoying all the rides and hanging out w/the Slavin Family. Sascha and Matty were now old enough to ride a few of them on their own or together which was a lot of fun for them. I took both kids on the Ferris Wheel. Cameron got impatient and tried to get out, and I must say he could have totally slipped under the bar so I had to hold him tight and keep asking him to wait... patience is not something an almost 2 year old has much of, but I think he did enjoy the ride and the view from the top. You also got to pet a few bunnies and ride a pony.
Pics from the Pumpkin Patch with my friend's playgroup
I just liked this serious expression on your face (taken by a photographer at the festival)
Family photo
Sunday, October 21, 2012
Palm Springs - our post Summer getaway with friends
Shortly after our trip to Florida we already had another trip to look forward to, Palm Springs with 4 other families. We somehow were able to book a weekend when everyone was available and got a pretty good deal to stay at Las Palmas resort for 1 night. The main attraction there is Splashtopia... awesome place for kids complete w/Sand, lazy river, splash park and multiple pools. Unfortunately there was construction going on and the slides were not open, but we still had plenty to do.
We got there nice and early Friday and enjoyed 2 days in Splashtopia. We even rented a Cabana for Saturday which was really nice to have for the kids to take naps in.
The weather was still HOT, I am pretty sure it hit 100, but we hardly even noticed being in the water most of the day.
The kids were troopers in the hotel, dinner and in even in the water. Sascha got braver and braver, even took the floaties off at one point to practice her swimming skills.
We went all went to dinner at the Spaghetti Factory on Friday evening. The kids had their own table (except for the little ones who sat with us - Cameron & Isla) and Sascha sat there the whole time. It was a bit crazy with 10 small children - all under 5, but everyone did so well!
It was a really nice little get away and we'll definitely be back next year! Unfortunately I brought my camera without a memory card so all the photos I thought I was taking were actually not there (big Ooops!) Luckily our friends took a few :) so no memories are lost!
Saturday, October 13, 2012
Summer fun
Well it's nearly October and I am just now looking back at our summer. Once again we blinked and it was behind us. I do love the summer months. I love taking a day off here and there and spending it at the beach, or just having a lazy night at home, watching kids run around in the back yard. I always do wish I could do that more often then I actually get to. We are so lucky to be able to play outside in the warmer weather and the longer days which we tried to enjoy to its fullest.
Sascha stayed at her preschool and did 2 summer sessions where she had a lot of fun. On the weekends we were busy with Birthday Parties, going to the beach, pool, or parks. A few times we went to the splash park in 4S Ranch which the kids loved.
We even attempted a 1 night camping trip in Carlsbad. I am pretty sure I spent more time packing, and unpacking and cleaning than the actual time we spent camping, but all worth it! We were able to wake up and just go to the beach and spend the whole day having fun in the sun with friends.
We checked out a padres game, thanks to a friend of daddys we got some awesome seats pretty close to the field. Cameron was in awe of everything going on, so he definitely enjoyed his very first Padres game. He started goofing off towards the end so we moved up a bit higher where we had the whole row of seats to ourselves so he could get up and walk around whenever he wanted.
We took Aaron Paddle boarding for his Birthday. It was so much fun. We got lots of photos because my dad stayed behind and took them of us. Luckily I stayed on the board the whole time, and we had an awesome time.
(Pics to add...)
Sascha stayed at her preschool and did 2 summer sessions where she had a lot of fun. On the weekends we were busy with Birthday Parties, going to the beach, pool, or parks. A few times we went to the splash park in 4S Ranch which the kids loved.
We even attempted a 1 night camping trip in Carlsbad. I am pretty sure I spent more time packing, and unpacking and cleaning than the actual time we spent camping, but all worth it! We were able to wake up and just go to the beach and spend the whole day having fun in the sun with friends.
We checked out a padres game, thanks to a friend of daddys we got some awesome seats pretty close to the field. Cameron was in awe of everything going on, so he definitely enjoyed his very first Padres game. He started goofing off towards the end so we moved up a bit higher where we had the whole row of seats to ourselves so he could get up and walk around whenever he wanted.
We took Aaron Paddle boarding for his Birthday. It was so much fun. We got lots of photos because my dad stayed behind and took them of us. Luckily I stayed on the board the whole time, and we had an awesome time.
(Pics to add...)
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