A morning with friends

When I mention to people that I will be driving to Orange County to visit a friend for the morning, I get crazy looks. Truthfully though it is only a 45 minute drive if you time it right and only 35 miles to our friend's house. That is nothing. My boys have been doing an 1.5 hour drive since they were born to their grandparents house, we're use to it.

My philosophy with driving is to do nothing. Every once in a while I will turn on a kids cd if the boys seem to be a bit too stir crazy, but I think it is good for children to be still or learn to be still and not over stimulated. I want my boys to stare out windows, look at the cars around them and enjoy the view. Lately we have been playing "I spy" and I love all the creative responses I have been getting from both boys with that game in the car. I have owned a car with a dvd player for a year now and we have NEVER used it; it could be broken for all I know. I am waiting for our next LONG drive, meaning 6 hour drive to use it. That's coming up in a couple weeks.

So when we go to Huntington Beach for the morning my boys don't even break a sweat. As a matter of fact on the way down Elliot kept exclaiming about all the different cars he saw and Erik was telling me all about Enzo's house and what he would do there. So a playdate with good friends 35 miles away is worth it, of course we hadn't been there in about 4 months but that is not the point...

I am really enjoying watching our boys match up. Today Elliot just did his own thing, while Erik dragged Enzo along on his adventures. Eventually I have to explain to Erik that Enzo was a bit younger and couldn't do the more complicated activities he had planned, but he definitely tried. I also love being around this friend because with the exception of a few minor details we are just so similar in the way we handle things. All of her toys stay outside and inside, we don't care if they go back and forth and her door stays open so the boys can just go back and forward between inside and outside, exactly how I do it!

Unfortunately my friend owns a cat and Erik has been having asthma like symptoms to cats. So we stayed for an hour before we headed out for lunch and some ice cream. I have no pictures at lunch because it is rather chaotic with two moms and three toddlers, but I do have to say the boys were amazingly well behaved. Erik has just been listening and behaving so well lately and Elliot follows whatever Erik does so it is a dream taking them out. We have also been practicing at restaurants a lot so they are use to eating out and its not a nightmare anymore to take them.

Afterwards I bribed Erik with Pinkberry which of course worked since he is on good behavior today. I had been thinking for a while that Elliot might do well with his own ice cream cone so I took a chance and just did it. He was surprisingly clean and hardly dripped. I did end up putting most of the ice cream in a cup and letting him eat the cone, but definitely something I'll do again!







 





Then after our 3 hours were up we had to say good-bye after running around to burn off the ice cream and drove home. It started off insanely smooth, Elliot fell asleep within 10 minutes of being on the road then the famous last words, "I have to go potty" and we still have 30 minutes left. I really did take a moment to decide if I really would stop, ELLIOT WAS SLEEPING and I was by myself, then I heard "Mommy I am having trouble keeping the poo poo in," so I knew I had to stop. I choose the worst exist with nothing but a Ralph's to stop in. Dragged both kids into the grocery store and of course Elliot wakes up.

From there is just goes down hill, both kids are over tired and they are egging each other on. I lost it a few times in frustration because I knew Elliot needed his sleep. Then of course with 10 minutes left to go Erik sleeps, but not Elliot. UGH! So I drove around for an extra 15 minutes in my neighborhood willing Elliot to give in to sleep. It worked. So we ended the day with two sleeping kids and mommy getting her valuable me time in. Couldn't ask for more honestly.

 

Library Fanatics

We love the library. I mean LOVE the library. The boys and I have been going to storytime for over a year now and we just adore it. Honestly it took me a long time to find the time and the courage to bring two boys there amid the books and a crawling baby who wanted to tear everything off the shelves, but eventually we found our rhythm and never looked back.

Every Wednesday we head over to one of our local branches and go to our special room right when the library opens. I never have to tell my boys to listen or pay attention or pull them away from rambunctious activities, they just naturally love sitting down to hear a story.

Erik is the worse. He gets completely engrossed in storytime and is oblivious to almost everything around him and barely notices if a friend walks in the door. When it is time for songs he jumps around with great enthusiasm and claps his hands loudly. He dreams of this place.

We have a little routine going right now. Once storytime ends we go out with all our friends and do the craft. Erik usually lasts about 2 seconds and Elliot sometimes a little longer. My boys are not very big fans of art. Then we wait for our friends to finish because my boys never want to leave without them and everyone holds hands as we head to the playground. After about an hour of playing we all head inside to pick our library books. Its our routine, us moms like it because anytime we deviate from this routine we notice it turns into chaos. Our kids actually calm themselves down when they are together, or maybe it is a different mom yelling at them that makes the difference.

Well today we just couldn't go. I tried to squeeze in Elliot's doctors appointment and the only slot available was right at storytime. Darn, I hate missing it when we aren't on vacation or sick because the boys love it so. We did head to those same friends house for a playdate so they got half their routine/fun. When we were there Erik saw his friend's library books and made the connection immediately that we didn't get any today, but returned our old ones. Oh well, it happens no big deal we moved on.

Then he woke up from his nap, is in a terrible mood and throwing the biggest tantrum. I finally figured it out to discover he is just really sad about not having library books and wants to go to the library. Now I don't give into tantrums, but can I deny a boy a book? Not this mom who encourages Erik's reading addiction at any opportunity.

I live about 1/4 miles from the library but it is all hills and almost 100 degrees today so we hopped in the car and headed over. I expected it to be dead and us be the only people, but it was buzzing with activity. I had no idea the library was such a popular place at 5 pm at night?!

The first thing Erik does it pull a bunch of random books off the shelf. He use to just read Bernstein Bears, but I got really sick of it and encouraged him to look for other books. It actually worked and now I just let him browse all he wants and pull down any book at that looks good to him. He usually sticks to one section, multiple books, but its about the process right?

I have to confess by letting Erik pick any book we do come home with some strange ones that I would rather read only once. Today since we had the extra time we sat down and skimmed and looked through a few of the books to make sure they are age appropriate. For some reason Erik loves books about Halloween and checks them out constantly.

Our libraries are nice because there are carts of books for the littlest ones like Elliot to shift through. Today he was stuck on a book that we have at home and it took a lot of convincing for me to put it back. I draw the line at checking out books we already have.

While Erik reads though his books, Elliot likes to play the puzzles.

Until Elliot found a Thomas book and wouldn't stop obsessing and insisting I look at it even when I had already looked at it. He was screaming about it in the library in a way I couldn't control, he was so excited. It wouldn't be my pick, but it was Thomas poems. We can have fun with that book.

Then one last quick look at our books to make sure they are the ones we really want to take home. We keep them for an entire week only to come back for more.

Our final picks to be taken home and read all week. One of the reasons why I love the library, we return them and I don't have to read the same books for longer than a couple days. Erik really likes the variety too.

Elliot Two Year Doctors Appointment

I messed up a bit on this appointment. I forgot to schedule it until two weeks before his birthday so we were late in getting in. Then I lost my sitter so I couldn't ask her to watch Erik while I took Elliot and Carl doesn't have a job anymore that allows him to work from home easily so I can't ask him to stay home and watch Erik either so I braved it, a doctors appointment with two boys in the middle of their full of energy play time. It didn't go well.

I came prepared with both their computers, food, water anything to keep them away from the toys that all the sick kids played on. I even explained to Erik that he can't put his fingers in his mouth because he'll get sick and have an asthma attack, so guess what happened.

They just ran wild around the waiting room. See one child I can control and manage the energy level, its when you have more than one it gets a bit crazy. Its not because they want to misbehave, but my boys just feed off of each other's energy in a hyper way making it 10 times more stressful than just taking one child.

Finally, after hurrying up to make it to his appointment we get called into the back 30 minutes later and I am already exhausted! Then we do all of Elliot's measurements and there is nothing cuter than watching a 2 year old getting measured.

Here are his stats which always surprise me because I expect my kids to be taller, but they are just not growing tall. 

Height: 34.5 in (49%) Erik wanted to be measured for height too and he was 41 inches. Good to know!

Weight: 31 lbs (82%)

Head: 19.5 cm (70%)

Then we wait for the doctor which is even harder with two boys. The toys I brought sat in my bag since they had zero interest in playing with them, but again the iPhone saves the day. I love how that thing will stop them in their tracks and give them 5-10 minutes of mellow time. I am not a big fan of video games and don't want them for my kids, but educational iPhone games hit the mark more often than not.

I did make the mistake of putting Elliot on the table while waiting for the doctor. I wonder if any 2 year old can sit on an exam table without tearing the paper to shreds. Unfortunately my 3 year old got in on the action as well today.

The good news is that Mr. Elliot only needs one immunization today and he is good for another couple years. Erik showed him his sticker and distracted him while he got the shot. Elliot didn't even flinch and barely noticed. He definitely didn't shed a tear, but Erik had a look of horror on his face watching his brother get a shot. It's pretty adorable that he got so worried about his brother.

I debated whether to put this on my blog but mostly family reads it so I am adding this for you. We did get some bad news today at the appointment. The doctor heard a heart murmur so she recommended we go to a pediatric cardiologist and just double check to make sure everything is ok. Carl, his mom and sister all suffer from this problem so I am trying to keep perspective, but it is still scary news to hear that your baby isn't perfect. I'll update on that appointment after we go. 

On Wednesday mornings we usually go to storytime with our friends and hit the park afterwards. Today Elliot's appointment was during storytime and it was almost 90 degrees out so the park wasn't really a good idea. So our friends invited us over for a quick playdate letting everyone get their usual friend time in. It also served as a good bribe when I remembered to threaten the kids at the doctors appointment with their playdate. 

Yes, Erik is falling under the table while sitting on the ball. Lately he is the class clown and tries to get a good laugh from everyone and had the kids cracking up by the end of the meal.

My little brother, my protector

Every Monday for the last couple months Erik has had soccer practice. Then because you can't deny a kid his friends because his little brother needs to make a nap, we stay an extra 20-30 minutes and I let the boys play at the playground with all of their friends. Its very sweet because one of Erik's friends from preschool is there during soccer and I get to witness how their friendship is growing every week from seeing each other a little extra.



Well today per our usual, all the boys headed to the playground right after their soccer practice and Erik and Elliot headed straight for the stairs. There was another boy up there, I am guessing about a year older than Erik, on the jungle gym. I am noticing this with older boys and Erik, they like to be bossy and control him. It makes Erik upset and he starts getting mad or sad. It actually has happened twice now with aggressive boys and I am still learning the best way to deal with this behavior.

When this was happening today, I was watching very closely to make sure Erik responded appropriately and that the boy doesn't try something too aggressive. Elliot was standing right next to Erik witnessing the whole verbal exchange. What was happening is that Erik was holding two sticks and the child was trying to communicate to Erik that he wanted them, but Erik didn't want to give them up and the other child was being very persistent in wanting them. What happened next is what shocked me and made me write this.

Here, is my two year old, who looks up to his big brother and loves him dearly and doesn't know how to control his emotions yet. All he see's is his brother being bullied a bit and then his brother yelling back. I was just about to run up on the jungle gym to interfere with the two boys when all of a sudden, Elliot start hitting the other boy. I could tell immediately Elliot was doing it to protect Erik. Although hitting wasn't an appropriate response and I made him apologize to the little boy, inside I was smiling a bit and this is why. My boys love each other so much, that when something was happening to his older brother, Elliot's first instinct was to protect him. I remember feeling like this as a kid and protecting my little brother and sister without thinking about the risk to myself. I would threaten boys twice my size just to make sure my siblings were safe.

I had actually forgot about this incident at the park and went on with my routine of the day, but when we got home Erik really caught on to the words I used with Elliot. When Elliot hit I said, "Elliot I know you were protecting your brother, but it is not ok to hit this boy so I need you to tell him your sorry." When we were reading book for Elliot's nap Erik couldn't stop saying to his brother, "Elliot I love you so much and I want to protect you and keep you safe. Its my job to protect you."

Now I don't want Erik to bear the burden of being his brother's keeper and protector, but I do want them to love and watch out for each other. Secretly I smile to myself, but I know this was the first in a long battle of the boys versus other children in their life. Also to disclaim, the mother of the aggressive child instantly came over there with me and watched how her son was acting and made sure he behaved. I love it when parents get it and don't tune out to their child's actions even when they are with friends at the park.

Kauai, its all about the color

It's a little bittersweet to go through these images from just two short weeks ago and remember that I was in such a gorgeous place. As I look through these images I am again reminded of one of the major reasons I loved Kauai, the color. Everything was just colored differently there than in California. The flowers were more vibrant, the green much greener and the most interesting part, the beaches were redder. I just loved that when I was photographing our special beach moments, how the color of sand had such rich, warm tones. It worked even in the middle of the day.

I have a confession to make, I am lazy about editing pictures and even lazier about editing nature pictures. Lately it is more about quantity than quality and I am trying to stop myself when it comes to these images. So I kept it down to just a few of my favorite moments. Also I am going to have to do some tutorials on editing nature images. I use to be good and it was always what I shot, but I am very out of practice. I am out of practice taking them and mostly editing them, so here is my best shot.

One thing I can't do to these images from Kauai is convert them to black and white, I just can't do it. I tried it several times with my images, but the colors in Kauai are just so gorgeous that I can't hide them behind monochromatic colors, even when there is so much fog and clouds it dims the view.

A view spot on the way to Waimea, I didn't catch the name.

Then there is Hawaii and Kauai's version of the Grand Canyon. On this day I went in the middle of the day, worst time to take nature pictures, and it was cloudy and rainy so I was out of luck, but look at the range of colors in this mountain, how can I possibly show anything differently?

Waimea Canyon

The colors of vibrancy shows up everywhere and Kauai is specifically known for its red dirt, does it get any redder than this little mountain stream? I am not sure if I have seen colors like that anywhere.

Waimea Canyon Drive

Then there are the flowers, there really is a reason this is known as the garden state. The flowers are in so many shades and so colorful and everywhere. I just love flowers.

Koke'E State Park

When I went to Hawaii and Oahu the first time I had this vision of what Hawaii should be and Oahu was just too crowded and touristy and I just never really saw what I wanted to see there. One day Carl and the boys and I went off the beaten path and here in this private residence I saw the view that I thought was very Hawaiian and how I envisioned the state. Also as all my family members know, I am a sucker for rolling green hills, so this picture is how I imagined the meadows and open space of Hawaii the first time I went.

Hoopii Trail

I have made no secret that I was obsessed with fresh water and waterfalls in this very natural and garden like island. So here is my own private waterfall and my favorite river. I finally got to be next to a river. I have wanted to be near a forest and river for ages that is not crowded and full of people. We are headed to June Lake soon so my wish will come true again. It was peaceful to be here, until one of the kids fell in. Just kidding!

Hoopii Trail

Hoopii Trail

Ho'opi'l Falls

Can wild boar be cute? I guess if there are little babies like this guy here and not fattened up yet. I just liked his little prance.

Kilohana Plantation

Carl says, this obsession comes from him, but I think I need to go through all my images because I have been taking these pictures for a while, curving road. Or in this case curving rail road tracks. I just like the motion of going somewhere when nothing is moving. It is abandoned, often used, does anyone notice it but me, I just love it.

Kilohana Plantation

If there is one tourist attraction on the island it is spouting horn and there are vendors all the way up the sidewalk until you reach this spot. I bet there are millions of pictures taken at this little spot and it is actually very boring. The boys said, yep there is a bunch of water spraying up, now let's play on this bench it more fun than this thing. I liked this picture because all the water is spraying up at the same time.

Spouting Horn

The only cool thing about Spouting Horn is that the geyser makes a continuous rainbow right next to it, but as I proved to myself you can't capture the geyser and the rainbow at the same time. So I settled for a picture that would remind me of Hawaii in that typical way; rainbows, shoreline and hotels.

Spouting Horn

I am not sure if it was bad luck, our spot on the island or just this island, but I didn't get very good sunsets. It was too cloudy and for an island that was full of beautiful vibrant colors, the sunset was the exact opposite. Of course you can't go there without one beach sunset shot, so here are two.

Brennecke Beach

Poipu Beach

These are the colors and nature and moments I loved about Kauai and why I really want to go back. I have rarely felt this way about a vacation spot, but I loved how uncrowded and natural this island was. The beaches were free of a lot of people and every spot was a hidden gem. That means no major tourist spots for those who are looking, but all the same I like the search.