Playdates, parties and more

May just flew by with us having activities almost every weekend. We thought about heading to the cabin at Hood Canal for Memorial Day, but thought it would actually be nice to lay low at home. Last weekend was especially busy with two parties - Avery Cohen's first b-day and 3rd birthday's for friends from Little Gym - Jackson and Avery. Jackson and Avery's party had a special featured guest - Chris Ballew of the Presidents of the United States. Locally-based, he now does various performing gigs, including as a Children's music performer (referred to as Caspar Babypants).

Both Avery and Jackson's mom's bid on the package at a PEPs auction last year and it was a huge success - both with the kids and parent's. Here are some snapshots from the day...

Trying to wrangle several kids for one picture - not so successful

Mason and Chloe- like brother, like sister

Chris jamming with the kids

The kids loved it

Mason really loved it

Chris Ballew and Mason

The weekend before that, we also met Kusak's for dinner and some playtime. Mason and Blake can never seem to get enough of one another and expend a lot of energy. Our happy and quiet girls just sat and watched their crazy brother's.

Blake and Mason

Charlotte and Chloe

Mason's first movie

With the big 3 just around the corner, we thought that it might be a good time to take Mason to his first movie. With Shrek III out, it seemed like he would enjoy it. While he didn't sit still the whole time, he loved getting popcorn, hanging out on our laps (most of the time) and gasping at the scary scenes. I think Toy Story III might capture his attention more, so maybe we will try that down the road.

After his first movie - you can't see the licorice remnants on his face :)

Chloe is 6 months!

My sweet Chloe,
You turned 6 months on May 17, but I've been a little behind with my blog updates. You have added so much joy to our lives in the last 6 months, and bring a smile to all of our faces. You are becoming so observant of your surroundings and your brother especially. That's why we keep telling him that he has to show good behavior because you are watching. There are so many smiles from you every day, it's hard to keep count. The only time we hear you cry is when you are hungry - and then you usually wail.

I love it when I hold you and you look up at my face with your big blue eyes and shoot me a gumless smile. I also love it when I hold you and you bury your face in my shoulder. You love the boys in your life and whenever day or brother walk in a room, you shoot them a big grin. Hopefully, that love and adoration for your brother continues. And, while I like to think you're a mama's girl, I think you're definitely a daddy's girl.

Consistently for the last 6-8 weeks you are sleeping through the night for  at least 10 hours - if not longer. Hallelujah!! Napping isn't your favorite thing, but as long as you sleep like you do at night, I'm ok with it.

We're looking forward to upcoming milestones! You're now holding your bottle and will roll over - usually just from your tummy to your back - especially since tummy time is not a favorite of yours. You are getting a little better at sitting up, but most of the time topple over pretty quick so we have to prop pillows around.

You are still miss petite - weighing in at 14 pounds/11 oz. (25th percentile/a growth of about 2 pounds since your 4-month appt); measuring 25 1/2 inches (30th percentile/a little over an inch growth since your last appt) and your head circumfrence is 17 inches. We just discovered that your brother almost weighed 3 more pounds than you at 6-months - wow!

This summer will be lots of fun with your first trip to the cabin, Cannon Beach and more!

\Figuring out how to roll - usually quite content just hanging out

Playing with her feet

Not a toddler anymore

Each day I am realizing that Mason is turning more and more into a little boy and leaving his toddler phase. He says such big boy things, is getting so tall and older looking, and demonstrating more and more independence. Many times each week we hear him say "I do it by myself." And brace yourselves, we're just steps away it seems from him being full potty trained. In fact, today, he wore big boy underwear for about 3/4 of the day with no accidents. It was so exciting!

Enjoying a pb&j - sitting down is a rare occasion for him

Look at that swing

Trying on a Coug basketball outfit from dad's student teacher

Helping papa washing the car

AHOY!

Who let him loose on Papa's computer

Mother's Day

Well, it's officially mid-May and we're just a few days from Chloe turning 6 months. Where has time gone?! The weather has been nice the last several weekends, and so we've been savoring time outdoors. Last Sunday, Mother's Day, we packed up a picnic and headed to Newcastle Beach Park for the afternoon.

I just loved having time with my three favorite people - relaxing and enjoying one another.

We're going on a picnic

Me and my kiddos - couldn't have spent Mother's Day a better way

Me and my little guy - not so little anymore

Mason waits patiently to go bouncing in the bounce castle

Kisses for my girl

Great Grandma Turns 90!

Last weekend we celebrated a very special occasion - my grandma Carmen's 90th. It was a wonderful gathering with many family and friends. My uncle and cousins came into town for the party and it was the first time they met Mason and Chloe. I think Mason had a slight crush on Madison as he kept throwing her glances. He also loved playing ball with Zach who is quite the athlete. We got to hear stories about all of the different sports he plays. Miss Chloe also loved being held by Madison.

Happy 90th, Nana. We love you so much!

Happy birthday to you!

Madison gives Chloe a swing

Mason and Madison

Playing ball with the boys

Madison and Chloe

Uncle Kent, Zach, Madison and Chloe

Manchester Sleepovers

Almost every Thursday, Mason gets a special treat of going to Grandma and Grandpa Sams' for a sleepover. After they watch both kids on Thursday, they pack things up (he even takes his big boy potty sometimes) and off they go. It's a special treat for him because he gets 1:1 time with grandma and grandpa, and it's also a nice treat for us because we can have a night with our little girl and one another.

They do lots of bike riding, movie watching, have taken in some walks on the beach and I'm sure lots of great eating and music/dancing.

Beach stroll

Taking it all in

Baseball with papa

Grandma and the kids

What a nice view for a bike ride