Day at the beach

On one of the few sunny days we had this summer we loaded the monkeys up and headed to the beach. We went to Dash Point where I spent many a summer day as a kid. I have such sweet memories of this beach...the salty smell in the air, seaweed squishing between my toes, the feeling that you can run into the water forever and it only comes up to your ankles and of course sand in every crack and crevice of your body! I feel it my duty and pleasure to introduce all these wonders to my children and they loved every moment of the beach with one exception...Maggie wasn't digging the sand in every crack!
Sam had a great time trying to master the skim board, Millie loved digging in the sand and throwing it everywhere and Maggie, like me, just enjoyed being in the sun and soaking it all up! I can't think of a better way to spend the day with my family!

Future surfer

Where or Where...

.....did summer go? It just seems like yesterday the kids were counting down the days until summer break and now I'm counting the hours until they go back! Just kidding, well not totally. I love having the kids home and we enjoy many days of fun together but this has been an interesting summer. I think we've had a total of 7 sunny, warm days in July and August. I may be exaggerating a bit but not much. Since we didn't plan any vacations and instead put a chunk of money into building a deck around our pool (my dad built it and it's beautiful) we have spent many a day looking out the window longingly at our pool and deck only to ask ourselves is it August or October? I grew up in the Northwest so you'd think I'd be used to the rain and gray skies but c'mon..it's summer! I try to remind myself that this is the day the Lord has made let us rejoice and be glad in it...rain or shine but I have to be honest it's been tough! Especially now as the kids load their backpacks and look forward to the first day of school I can't help but feel that they were a little jipped this summer. So what I must do is look back and cherish the wonderful days we did have and hold on to those to get us through until next summer. Here's a few highlights of our summer.

Movie night...I think Millie lasted about 24 seconds!

With Olivia and Navid on the 4th of July...we were blessed to

have a beautiful 4th! Thanks to Auntie Ali who brought the fireworks..I'm a bit of a dud in that department! We had a great time with the cousins and of course Auntie Kristen and Uncle Ry...the highlight of the kids' day!!!

Sam enjoying the deck and pool (did I mention it's not heated)?

Lu and Millie driving around

Meet the Monkeys

Maggie, Amelia and Sam

Some days....most days I feel like a zoo-keeper. My charges are three dear, funny monkeys. Two of these three monkeys start their day running with all the energy and gumption they will require to sustain their 16 hour day. The other monkey....the monkey in the middle, is more like me. She is slow to wake and needs a reasonable amount of time before anyone is allowed to socialize with her. I adore these three monkeys and can't remember what life was like before them....cliche I know, but true. They are each so wonderfully unique and yet there are moments when I can see traces of Rocky and myself in them.

Sam is so full of life and always has been...even in the womb that kid couldn't hold still! He is a deep thinker which I believe has a hand in the sensitive heart he possesses. He loves animals and like most boys is intrigued by the slimy scaly variety such as snakes, lizards, frogs and of course sharks. He is a whiz at math and science and even though he complains about it he is a great reader and writer. Athletics have always come easy for Sam and with the exception of soccer he loves to try any new sport. He has a passion for music and whenever sent to his room for some down-time..aka..."time-out" he sits and plays his guitar. He is my first born and my only boy so of course he is able to tug at some deep parts of my heart!!

Maggie is our "monkey in the middle" and she lives up to every aspect of "middle!" We often joke that Maggie (lulu or lu) was a middle child before she was a middle child. In the safety of close family and friends she will demand to be center of attention but in new situations such as school or extra-curricular activities she clings to my leg and begs me to stay. In the past this has meant getting soaked sitting at the side of the pool during swim lessons and holding her hand while she was playing soccer! When Maggie finally conquers her insecurities she excels at whatever task is at hand. As a mother it is a struggle to find the fine line between comforting and protecting her and pushing her a little out of the nest. If I don't push enough she won't take the risk and if I push too much she ends up more discouraged and frightened. Someday she will be confident in the beautiful talents and gifts that God has blessed her with.

Finally, the baby monkey...Amelia or Mille as she has been re-named. What a joy this girl is!! In her 18 months of life she has brought us nothing but happiness and laughs. She is truly a "cool kid." I can't think of a better way to describe her. She's just cool...she goes with the flow of this crazy household but at the same time has her own very strong personality and need for independence. Her brother and sister prayed for her for so long and waited in such anticipation that they still can't stand to leave her alone for a few minutes. While the love is reciprocal she has boundaries! She tries with great effort to keep up with her older siblings and already blows us away with her skills and talents.

Well, it must be quite obvious how proud I am of my position as head monkey keeper at the zoo. The Lord has so blessed Rocky and I with the most amazing family and it is our honor to raise and tame these wild ones to the best of our ability!