Summer Wrap Up

So it is the end of summer...where did it go? I have no idea. Well, summer never "really" ends in Hawaii, but I guess I associate the end of summer with the start of school. Dayton starts back tomorrow. We are hoping for less illness this year. He is super excited to meet new friends and see who his new teacher is. Unfortunately, the only two friends he made have moved and his teacher from last year retired. I'm sure he will adjust, but it makes me sad because I'm not sure if he completely understands that his "old" friends won't be there anymore, and he keeps talking about his teacher Miss Maria. Hopefully he is at least in the same classroom and has the same teacher assistant so something will seem familiar to him. I am excited for him...ok, I am more excited for myself, but he doesn't need to know that. With the excitement is a bit of dread because I know that Saige will become 100 times more clingy and whiny than she already is. I am looking to maybe get her signed up in some sort of class. It is hard to find things that will allow you to bring a younger sibling because they want you to participate "with" your child. It is the same problem I faced finding things for Dayton to do when Saige was a baby. Oh well, we will find something. Today the kids are at the zoo with Miss Katie so I am trying to get caught up on things I don't get much time to do...like blog. I've been using up my free time finishing thank you notes and designing and finishing Addley's birth announcement. I hope you all enjoy it - I am getting a little bit better at designing but not necessarily any faster. We went on two mini vacations this summer, had a baby, had a stream of visitors and just got home from our second vacation. We went to Maui for 4 days. If you all recall, this is the same trip we made last year via the Super Puker Ferry. This year we flew. The ferry isn't running anymore (the tree huggers were more worried about the whales than the economy), not that we would have taken it again anyhow. Scott always things going anywhere with any number of kids is a big production, I personally thought it wasn't so bad...but maybe I had the easy job of looking after the baby. I suppose the hard part is going through security - do you really think I have something hidden in the bottom of my toddler's size 7 flip flop? They also don't allow you to walk through the "scanner" with your kids - they make them walk through alone. Of course both just sort of wander through and head off in their own directions...Saige especially. She'd be on a flight to Kazakhistan before she'd realize she wasn't with her parents. She is so off in her own little world. It's really kind of funny to watch but aggravating to deal with. I suppose I should stop talking about our recent vacation because I don't have pictures ready to upload...so I'll save details for when I get around to doing that. Instead I'll post pictures of some random "fun-ness" from our summer together.Saige's new thing is to wear her brother's big boy undies. My little T-Rex.
And of course giving the camera her biggest smile.
Saige's version of playing baseball is to run off with Dayton's balls.
Saige has been practicing her Miss Hawaii pose.
Oh and her movie star beach look.Dayton can finally reach the pedals on his trike so he's been practicing riding to the end of the driveway and speeding down the slope back to the house. It completely freaks me out so I can't even watch. A total accident waiting to happen. He apparently got this trait from his daddy.Dayton practicing his "Better Batter Baseball". He's actually really good!
Dayton picking my flowers as he always does and has done since he was old enough to walk. No wonder my plants always die.
A parade we went to in honor of King Kamalikakamakaiki...or something like that.
The view of Waikiki beach from our staycation before the baby was born.
Another view of Waikiki beach.
A beautiful rainbow in our backyard.
Addley's first trip to the beach.
Mommy's first trip to the beach with Addley.
At the beach with all 3 kids.
Daddy and the kids looking for crabs and fish.
Dayton's first time slip and sliding. It was painful to watch but he finally got the hang of it.

Photo Shoot #2

Addley is 1 month old now (I can hardly believe it and am not really sure how it just slipped on by) so I decided to attempt another photo shoot with her. This time both Dayton & Saige were in attendance and decided they wanted to be part of it too. I thought it might be kind of nice to get some pictures of the 3 of them. Let me tell you...photographers that specialize in shooting children have a hard job! I mean, how hard can it be to point and shoot right? Well, try pointing and shooting at subjects that a) don't listen and b) don't sit still! Surprisingly, Saige was the most cooperative. Dayton just wanted to be silly and strike ridiculous poses with his tongue hanging out (typical boy) and Addley was busy pooping, peeing and spitting up. Dayton was fussing b/c Addley spit up near him and at one point I was wiping poop off of Saige's feet. Ugh. No wonder photographers often have assistants! Remind me to get one. All in all, I was happy with a few of the shots and despite all the laundry it created, I'm happy that I took the time to do it. Addley has already grown out of her newborn clothes and I'm finding the 0-3 month size is tight length wise. How heartbreaking and sad it is to see them grow up so fast. She is awake a lot more (unfortunately) and is holding her head up really well. She sleeps one 4hr stretch and then a 3hr stretch following that one at night...so not too bad. But bad if you look at the overall picture of 3 kids not sleeping through the night! But hey, it is all worth the joy they bring into our lives. At least that is what I tell myself as I stumble out of bed in the morning in search of a strong cup of coffee.

Grandparents

I've often wondered where the term grandparents came from but I've never looked into it. I can only assume they are similar to parents, only more grand maybe? Less responsibilities in the parenting department and more of a focus on being grand? Regardless, this title somehow gives them entitlement to spoil their grandkids. Some of my most fond memories are of my grandparents. Their cooking, magic tricks, vacations, gifts and let us not forget the sweets and staying up late. Perhaps I'll have more of an understanding one day when I am a grandparent. Grandpa and Mom Mom came for a week long visit after Addley was born to help out and visit with Dayton & Saige. I'm pretty sure my kids were thoroughly spoiled by the time they left. But that's okay, it's part of their duty as grandparents. We managed to get a bunch of nice photos with the kids. Thank you Mom Mom and Grandpa for all your wonderful presents (the kids play with their crayon sets almost every single day) and for helping out Mommy. We miss you and hope to see you again really soon!

Addley's First Photo Shoot

I managed to capture a few good shots of Addley without any spit ups, pees or poops. Note to self..next time attempt it without Saige around. Mommy's little helper kept putting her hand in front of the lens, adjusting Addley, standing in the light and casting shadows and in general fussing for no good reason despite my offer to take some pictures of her. Take two tomorrow.

Saige's 2nd Birthday

Usually we are in the middle of a move during birthdays or have already moved...this year we were fortunate enough to be able to celebrate Saige's 2nd birthday with family. In fact, we celebrated it twice. Celebration #1 was a bit sad - it was the same day the kids had to part with their beloved yaya, 4 teeth were complicating matters and a 3 year old brother stole her day. Dayton was very excited to help bake the cake but wasn't so good at letting Saige help. He blew out her candles before the cake was even in front of her. Then when it was present time he would hand her the presents and then proceed to open them for her before she even had a chance. "Open this one Saige...do it like this." The dogs were eating tissue paper and giving plenty of unwanted but excited kisses. All of it was captured on video. I'm quite sure Saige won't particularly care for her brother when she watches it one day. Celebration #2 was spent with a few friends and Grandpa & Mom Mom. The kids enjoyed playing with their friends upstairs and UNSUPERVISED. A bright idea on our part. Imagine a 2 year old, two 3 year olds and one 6 year old having run of the house! You think with baby gates and a baby proofed house they couldn't get into too much trouble right? Hmmm Many thank you hugs and kisses to family and friends for all the presents.
At least she is using a fork!
Dayton enjoying his ice cream cupcake in a chocolate shell. Yes it was a pink cupcake!
A yummy ice cream cake from coldstone. Not quite Zoe's, but still delicious.
Saige checking out the adults outside.
A true princess pose.
What happened to my baby girl?
Saige's princess party hat.
Saige opening her presents...well, more like Dayton opening Saige's presents.
Wearing the party hat and not so happy about it.
Watering plants.
The birthday cake that Mommy, Dayton and Saige made. Note that Dayton is removing the candles that "he" blew out and Tula's nose is about to get a taste of cake.