Neighbors Come to Play

We had an impromptu visit from our neighbors on Sat morning. It was super fun for Zion to have a baby to play with as most of our play-dates are with kids Eden's age. Eden was feeling slightly neglected and out of sorts but it was good for her I suppose.

Zion & Hazel

Even Klamath had a buddy to play with

Nanny

Its been a long time since I've gotten Eden to sit down and take a picture with Nanny. I don't think I have ever gotten a picture of Zion with Nanny. I'm a little bummed that I didn't get one with just Zi and Nanny too, but I will have to make that a goal for next time.

Eden's 1st Crush

An Eden story that I never want to forget....

Recently the big surf contest came to town, the world tour or something. We were at one of our local beaches having a beach day, the contest had just ended but the waves were still good so there were a lot of good surfers out at this particular beach. While Jon was surfing and the kids and I were playing one of the young surfers lost his board and it washed up next to where we were playing. When he came up to get it he said hi to Eden and Eden said hi back. Seems harmless right? Well later Eden explained to me very excitedly that he said hi to her cause he loves her and she loves him too. She also explained that she was not going to tell daddy about it and I was instructed not to say anything either. Later we did get her to tell daddy. She was not super happy about it though. I'm not sure where she came up with all that love and secrets stuff especially for that particular kid but it was pretty cute.

Botanical Gardens with Grampy & Grammy

My parents met us down at the botanical gardens today. Every time we go there we have so much fun and I feel like we {I} have such a hard time leaving. It was so special to share this place with my parents today, and I think they had fun too. It's funny because there is really not much there {at the closest children's area anyway} but Eden could just play and play there all day. I think it has to do with the setting and the serenity it provides. On another note, Eden was really looking forward to seeing her friend Aga, but when we got there, Aga had an eye missing /: Eden was a bit taken aback, and acted a bit afraid, such a bummer on so many levels.

Zi was super into the train this time, here he is climbing to try to get a better look.

Zi would likely be walking/running by now if this didn't happen every time he took two steps. 

Meet Bunny

Poor sweet Aga....

Eden named her "the cupcake lady"

SCHOOLYARD ROMP

Once we got home and after naps, we headed over to the school to let Klamath run around. We are so lucky to be able to utilize this space to just run free.

I am obsessed with these two!

"Zion how big are you?"

"So big!"

Zi does a one-handed so big, its pretty cute.

Earlier in the afternoon Eden asked if I thought she and Klamath looked alike. I think it has to do with the fact that everyone comments on how alike she and Zion look. I told her klamath was her brother so of course they looked very alike.

EDEN PICS

Here are a couple more Eden pics. She sneaks the camera, so when I downloaded the pics on the computer tonight I was shocked to see these. Especially the one of Zi. I thought it was such a good picture of him but I didn't remember taking it, then I realized it was Eden who took it. 

I don't even know what is going on here, but for some reason I'm into it.

Meet Aga

If you spend any time alone with Eden these days you are sure to hear about her good friend "Aga". She met this guy in the botanical gardens some time ago and has been "hanging out with him" ever since. She is always {pretend} calling him and expecting him to come over to play with her. Normally he comes with his friend "bunny" whom I do not have a picture of but I hope to get one with "bunny" next time we are at the gardens. 

Beach Day Boogie

We have had such beautiful weather here all summer that I can't help feeling like we live in Hawaii. I can't remember a summer with such consistently warm air and water. We have spent almost every day at the beach, and I am starting to wonder what the kids and I will do with our time once the weather finally cools down.

Eden has gotten pretty into boogie boarding this summer. And every time we take her out Zi throws a fit, gesturing to the boogie indicating he would like to go out too. So we have taken him out a few times, but I have to admit it is a little scary for me and I am appalled at myself for not having him in a life vest in these. I would have never let this happen with Eden. I don't even know what to say except he has to wear a life vest from now on... 

Watermelon is to Zi as blueberries are to Eden

"I want to boogie!!"

Our semi-controlled chaos

Back To School

Eden and I went back to Mommy & Me preschool today. Part of me feels guilty about keeping her out of regular preschool this year but there is a bigger part of me that believes nothing is more important than these lazy days we are able to spend at home together with no real schedule to keep. All too soon we will all be subject to the constraints of school routine, and I think the longer we can put that off, the better. That being said Eden loved school and spent most of the night tonight entertaining Zion with songs from circle time which continues to be her favorite part of preschool. And despite how much fun she was having, about midway through Eden said: "Mommy, I want to go home to play with Zion." 

This is my classic grumpy 3 y/o Eden pose

This one is so much more like it. Once we got to school she was so excited she couldn't help but smile for the picture.

Time to Sow

Our poor garden has a tendency to fall into disrepair because Jon and I just have a really hard time slowing down. But Zi was sick over the weekend so it sort of forced us to spend a little more time at home. We spent all of Sunday afternoon planting in the garden beds and working on odd projects around the house. And I must say I think we all had so much more fun than we could have imagined. Eden was such a good little helper, and she seemed to have the most fun of all. At the end she helped me paint a bench which had been bugging me for some time. We ended up just painting it with some left over paint from Eden's room that we had in the garage. Once we were finished she thanked me so much for letting her help paint and told me what a "special treat" it was for her. My heart was melting! I told Jon that Eden and I may have to paint the bench a new color every month just for fun.

Arugula, chives, garlic, onion, beets, swiss chard, and lettuce planted. 

More of Eden's Lens

More random Eden pictures. I love to see her perspective in these and I know I will enjoy looking back on these someday.

I love this one of Jon. Eden calls him "The Cleaner Man" so it is very appropriate that she captured him with this bottle of windex behind him