Joyful Kids

Yesterday we decided spur of the moment to head up to Lake Tahoe for an overnight trip.  We made it there in time for dinner, and then a long session of putting the kids to bed.  This morning they were both up early and eager to get to the hotel pool.  For over two hours we all played in the water--even Trace was able to get in for a bit--and relaxed as a family.  It felt like twenty-four hours to me,with no dishes to wash or laundry even a remote possibility.  My only job was to play with my kids.  That makes me relaxed.

I think the best part of our quick trip came after lunch, which we ate on the shore of Lake Tahoe.  It was a wonderful meal, followed by a walk outside on the beach.  The waves today were as big as I've ever seen on Tahoe, so I wasn't too worried about Jack and Caroline getting wet--it was really windy, with threatening clouds overhead. 

I was wrong.  They started simply playing with the waves, staying out of the water, especially Caroline, who was running away from them before they got within four feet of her.

 Jack's still dry in this picture, but getting close to the waves, with a feather "treasure" in his hand.

 Trace watched all the action from up by the firepit, with his foot elevated.  Caroline kept running up to tell him about the waves.  In the last eight weeks Trace has been at home since his surgery they've become fast friends.  It's a sweet thing.

 Then Jack kept getting closer, and his sister did too!

They played chicken with those freezing cold waves, laughing their heads off, for as long as their mother would let them. 

 Caroline is wet now!

 You can see how choppy the water is in this picture.

 The ballerina was slowly getting braver, and following her brother further in.

Jack is about to get whacked with a big wave.  I think this is the one that knocked him down. 

 Caroline running.

 This doesn't even look like Caroline because she's contorted her face in such a gleeful manner.

 Not a good picture of Jack, but don't you love that toothless grin?  Notice his entire face has been splashed at this point.

 Whoa, now you're getting deep enough to make me worried about needing to come in after you!

 Time's up.  Two soaked and happy kids!

That's my saggy bottom girl, climbing the incline to the car.  They were so happy, and Trace and I were so delighted watching their capers and giggles.  We couldn't have had a better Sunday morning!

Friends

I've known Betsy and Lindsey since we went to high school together--actually I've known Betsy since we were in the church nursery at the same time. I know that I am extremely privileged to have such true and longstanding friends.

We now each have two kids, a boy and a girl each, and Betsy has one more coming in six weeks. Yeah for new babies!

Yesterday Linds and I, who both live in Nevada City, drove to Foresthill to visit Bets. We took this passel of kids to the park. Here are a few pictures I took on my phone of this second generation of friends playing together. Who would have pictured this back when we were in high school? And how did we become older than eighteen anyway?!

Caroline, age 4

Elizabeth, age 4

Jackson, almost 6

Andrew, age 2

Graham, age 1 1/2

Marilyn, age 3

Lindsey and Betsy, age . . . well, not 18!

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A Snowman in May

Last night, just before bedtime, Trace and the kids went outside to build a snowman.  After a few minutes, I followed them to take a few pictures of their creation.  It was harder than I thought, since by the time I got outdoors there was a snowball fight going on between Trace and Jack.  I got a lot of pictures like this:

 Caroline already had her pajamas on, so she added a hat, boots, and mittens to complete her ensemble.  We had to look for the mittens, since I had already put them away for the year.  Apparently I was premature in my switch to summertime accessories!

 Caroline was entranced with the snowman, maybe because they were the same size.

 Putting on the final touches--wait, weren't those sticks supposed to be arms?  Do your arms come out of the side of your head Jack?

 Coming back across the yard after visiting the "stick store" as Caroline named it.  Only since she doesn't say "s," you can only imagine how hard that was to understand!

 Run from the snowballs Jack!

 I tried to get a posed picture with Mr. Snowman, but everyone kept talking.

 This one was cute, but I was done taking pictures as soon as this snowball hit me.  I took off running!

Happy May!

Girl play

This morning Caroline was playing shoe store. Jack has never thought to spend his time trying on shoes. She had baby dolls all lined up, with shoes on each. It's awfully fun to have a little girl!

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Number Five

Number Five is Jack's t-ball number.  His team is the Nevada City T-Ball Giants, and today was their first game.  It was also the Spring Carnival at his school and the Car Show downtown, so it was a busy day for our family.  The highlight, though, was definitely this game.  Jack was so excited to play, and the other spectators and I agreed that it was the best entertainment in town.  The clueless kids were so stinkin' cute!  It was their first game, so there was a steep learning curve.  They were tackling each other (literally) to get the ball, so eager to play.  Well, the pictures tell the story better than I can . . .

 Warming up before the game--Jack hits it hard into the fence.

 The first inning Jack got to play first base.  It's a tough position when you have never done it before, and never even seen it played.  First is pretty much the only position that matters in t-ball, since every player hits on both teams, and they each take one base at a time.  There are no outs, but the ball goes to first every time.  He made several good plays--and missed the ball coming at him several times too.  My favorite was when the first base coach for the other team held out his hand for the ball and Jack gave him a high-five instead.  Giggle.

 Trace went out as the second base coach for the second two innings.

 Jack running for home.

Jack had a whole bench taken up with his cheering squad--and we were loud.

 Looking up to see who's cheering for him.

 Waiting to run to third with dad.

 Go Giants! 

 Chewing on bubble gum after the game with his fans.

I love this picture, of Trace, Jack and Caroline sitting and watching the next team warm up.  They were much older, and Jack wanted to stay and watch, but after watching them warm up for twenty minutes, we decided to head home.  It had been a long day.  Good job Jack!  I'm proud of you.

A Day with the Wards

Yesterday my kids got to spend the afternoon with their friends Marilyn and Graham, while their mom took her mom to a doctor's appointment in Sacramento.  We're all glad that Gigi is recovering well from her surgery, but shhh! don't tell, but I don't think we missed them at all.  These four friends had so much fun playing together that I thought I'd share the photos I took of the day.  These are in chronological order. 

First they played dress-up and I took pictures so that we could make a frame craft later.  Do you think the lizard and the princess are good friends?

Miss Caroline in her elephant costume which she loves--it's size 2T and somehow she can still squeeze herself into it.

Three kiddos all dressed up.  It's awfully hard to get a snapshot with all three looking at you/smiling.  I can't imagine how professional photographers take family photos.  Experience I guess.

Mister Graham was willing to wear a hat for about 30 seconds, and he was very serious about it.  This was pre-nap, which may explain the look.

Jack the lizard is one cute boy, but I may be a little prejudiced.

Gluing buttons on popsicle stick frames.

Marilyn has an amazing sense of order and an ability to concentrate on detail work that you don't often see in a three year old.  She glued on her buttons and said, "now I will wait for my friends to finish."  Darling!

While our frames dried and Graham took a nap, the three other kids planted flowers with me.  The best part was that the rain stopped, so after planting they could run around outside.

Caroline helping plant in her third outfit of the day.  She loves to get herself dressed, and re-dressed as the day progresses.

The finished product.  They were good helpers, and my pots are full!

We printed the pictures we took earlier and put them in the homemade frames.  Aren't they creative?

This was my favorite part of the day.  The kids went out back and had fun "golfing," swinging, climbing and generally running around.  After an hour, the girls came inside and had a bath.  They were done, but these two boys, age 5, and 1.5, played golf in the backyard for another hour.  Graham followed Jack around, carrying his golf club and trying to imitate Jack's every move.  They were both completely entertained. 

Graham and his ball.

Trying hard to hit it.

Big boy and little boy, playing together.

Thanks for sharing your kids Lindsey.  I'll babysit anytime!