Fireman's Park

We went to Ferndale on a nice Sunday afternoon to visit Grandma and Grandpa Tipple and go for a bike ride to Fireman's Park for a picnic.  Well, we were surprised to find that there was a gathering of the a Humboldt County Accordion group.  They were picnicking and playing music for all to enjoy.  It is a little surreal to swing to a polka.

It proved to be a great afternoon.  The sun came out.  The kids got some exercise on the playground and Erik and I got some on our bikes.  Jonah was on his best and cutest behavior for his Great Grandparents... and we got to Polka!

Going Potty

 From a very young age when Cairo had to go #2 she would always hide in a corner or in the closet to take care of business.  This doesn't seem to be something unique to Cairo; rather, it is some innate behavior that comes out when kids become more aware of the world around them.  When Cairo was still in diapers she would make sure to say, "Go away, Mommy.  I'm pooping," and then turn back into the corner. Now that she's uses the potty I am always banned from the room because she needs her privacy.  You see, I have this devilish streak that occasionally comes out and my kids are not spared from it.  I can't help it.  Sometimes when Cairo is going potty and she tells me to go away, I purposefully ignore her request, stare at her, and taunt, "I'm watching you, I'm watching you."  I know it's immature.  Like I said, I can't help it.  Well, I decided to try something new.  Cairo needed to go potty and she told me to go away.  So, I ran into her room, grabbed her stuffed animals, set them up so that they were all staring at her, taunted, "your stuffed animals are starring at you," and, then, I had to grab that camera and take pictures.  I really hope that I don't cause any permanent emotional damage... but this sure is a lot of fun.

Six Years

Happy Anniversary!  Six years and still going strong.  To celebrate our 6th (can that much time have passed already?) anniversary we spent a nice day together.  For dinner Erik and I went out for a romantic dinner with Cairo and Jonah, where Jonah only made a slightly larger mess than usual.  We came home, put the kids to bed, and enjoyed a yummy chocolate torte. Here's to another 60+ years!

Cairo's 3rd Birthday/ Father's Day

This year Cairo's birthday landed on Father's Day.  For her birthday, we rushed up north to our house in Arcata- leaving and arriving on the day I got out of work.  On Saturday Erik quickly assembled the kids new swing set (purchased on super sale at Christmas time as a half birthday and Christmas present for both kids), while my parents, Xander, the kids, and I went to the Oyster Festival and lunch.

The new Swing Set-

To celebrate the occasion, we had family and extended family over for a BBQ.  The day ended up being beautiful and warm.  Cairo was lucky to have four of her cousins (Mei-3, Xander ~2, Carrie-4, and Cynthia-2) and one surrogate one (Miss Lili-1) to play with.  The best part of it all was that, with the exception of X, these kids were GIRLS- a rarity in Cairo's life.

Playing with bubbles-

Expanding small bug shaped sponges-

Katie and Miss Lili-

Grandpa Lee and Ba-chan got Cairo her first Big Girl Bike... complete with a basket, streamers, and a name plate!

 

Lili and Jonah ending the afternoon with a mouthful of puffy snacks.

How can you be three already?

My sweetest Cairo-

How can you be three already?  Wasn't it just yesterday that I brought you home- so small and so perfect?  Wasn't it just yesterday that I sat there and awaited your first smile, first word, first step?  Wasn't it just yesterday that I held you in my arms and rocked you to sleep?  Wasn't it just yesterday that I sat their wondering what type of little person you would turn into?  Weren't you just my baby?

Three years have flown by with extraordinary speed.  Now I have a little girl, no more a baby or even a toddler.  I have seen and enjoyed your many smiles and laughs.  You have showered me with songs, questions, funny comments and observations.  You have gone from crawling, to walking, to running, and skipping, and jumping, and climbing... and, yes, though you still trip all the time, your new found agility makes me imagine all the things you will soon begin to conquer.  I have been at the receiving end of millions of hugs and kisses and returned them all with much joy.  Being rocked to sleep has been replaced with story time, giggling, and cuddling in bed.  I love seeing you bloom into the person you will become- intelligent, stubborn, independent, loud, bossy, nurturing, and precocious.  Your imagination constantly brings me back to when I was so young and lost in my imagination- the world was full of magic and indefinite possibilities.  That naughty gleam in your eye reminds me of how truly great it was to be a kid... and it reminds me that I have a lot more coming if my behavior at that age is any indication of what yours will be.

I know you have to grow up but I will always miss my baby Cairo.  I know that the hugs and kisses will be fewer.  I know that the opportunity to cuddle and giggle will slowly evaporate as you grow into a young adult and head out into the world.  I know that the words and the conversations we have will become more difficult.  You will soon realize that mommy and daddy don't know and can't fix everything.  You will be introduced to heartache, disappointment, failure, embarassment- all of which I wish I would protect you from, but all of which are a part of the experience of life.  You will also be introduced to the world of academia, adventure, love, friendship.  You will learn and experience so much- compassion, tolerance, perseverance, passion for life, calculus! I look at your future with optimism- at this point the possibilities are endless!  You really CAN be whatever it is that you chose to be. Dream big and then go out there and get it!

Weren't you just my baby?  While I may not always get to hold you close, fix all your problems, and sooth all your fears, you will always be my baby girl.  Happy 3rd Birthday Baby Girl.  May you have a lifetime of love, laughter, and adventure!

Love always and forever,
Your Mommy

Soccer Season has come to an end

Soccer has come to an end.  Cairo made some progress over the last few weeks, but I think that she still needs some work on the overall concept of the game- kicking the ball in the goal.  All in all she had fun and we will be signing her up for it again next year.  She liked chasing after the kids and always had a big smile plastered on her face when she did something good.  The positive atmosphere of the league she was in and the great coach she had made her first time playing in team sports a confidence building experience.  Over the next year we will do practice drills like controlling the ball, trapping the ball, shooting, and running.  I am sure that some day Cairo will gain better use of her long legs, but for now she is the slowest one out there and trips constantly.  I would have it no other way.  That's my Cairo.

All kids get a trophy at the end of the season.  It has a boy soccer player on top, but Cairo didn't seem to care.

This is a picture if the guy who runs the soccer program.  He is super tall and a deep booming voice.  He is great with the kids, though, and the kids are only intimidated with his large stature for a short while.

Team Picture-

Happy 30th Birthday to Mommy

I turned 30.  Many of my friends are mourning the loss of their 20s, but I say bring it on!  I have heard that the 30s are the greatest decade.  Let's see if I have heard right.  To celebrate my birthday I was treated to a pedicure (ahhhhh!), I went out to a yummy brunch at a fancy hotel with my friend Dominique and her son Frankie, and had a lovely dinner with Erik.  Of course, no birthday is complete without Gold Medal Ribbon ice cream cake- my favorite!

Oh, and I did get the best of presents!