Leavenworth WA (about 2 months late!)

It was the first weekend in April - and we drove into snow! This is about as far East that Jude has been since living in Florida. It's fun to get away for the weekend, and through one Mountain pass is an exciting start! (the drive is beautiful!)

Jude: Sleeping and driving, or wearing tough face?

The drive up (and especially getting closer to Leavenworth) we see tons of wineries and a few breweries. Under different circumstances, we will have to hit those up!

Morning after we arrive, we get more snow. My brothers so kindly started the day throwing snowballs at my dad. I told my kids that, "That's not nice." Hoping that I won't get one in the kisser someday... Sheesh!

Poor dad. (these are kinda dark. I did not edit any of them.)

We weren't really expecting snow...so we made due with what we had. Grey has socks on her hands. But, we always put socks on her hands. Not only are they a great fit, but you can get super fuzzy cozy socks to make it even better! (and just change them as needed. Depending on how much snow she wants to play with/eat.) 

The weekend we happened to be here the "Pear Festival" was going on.  We roamed the streets which are basically filled with shopping, wine and beer tasting, and food. Mostly German fare. It's the Leavenworth theme. When we came up to the main tent with all the samples and whatever, Grey was given a little pink Umbrella. (I thought that was really sweet!) And got to meet "Pear Bear." Although, she wasn't too sure of him...I scooped her up and reassured her, he is a friend.  Much better.

There we sampled tons of food. All free. Pear beers, ciders, pear gelado, salsas, meats, cheeses, chocolate...so much. fresh baked pretzels and the mushroom brie was my favorite. I could just eat that for at least a week and be in heaven. Everyone was dressed up in traditional German clothes, feeling festive and just jolly as can be. (Hmmm...the booze?!) Just kidding.

I liked all that, but just hanging in the cabin was nice. It held 4+ couples and the hot tub was all I wanted!! Yes, hot tub, outside in the snow.

We ate a lot of junk food. I tried to keep our little family clear of it, but I am still learning to let go a little. Grey is eating...ughhhh...chocolate!! (She calls it "Choc-o") She knows how to say chocolate. TV has tainted her (it's these music videos that she likes...Choc-o-lot in my pock-o-lot...)

Silas was in the johnny jump-up for a hot minute, so I thought I'd bring it. He just ended up dangling from the beams. He liked it though, so we went with it. I promise we aren't cruel!! 

Also, to go with our junk food weekend habits, we sat around a lot and played cards. I never won.

And with all the distraction, Grey still got glued to the telly. Sigh.

Although she (shockingly!) did look at me for a quick smile. And she never does that, the girl is not a fan of the camera.

 

Luckily, Aunt Kirstie made a little fun out of telly time and made a fort around it. Much better!

Meanwhile, more cards going on. Either Jude or Matt is about to win here...

 And a little camera fun with Uncle Mark.

The weekend goes by so fast. That was all I got from the Leavenworth trip. We'd love to go again...who's with us? We need at least 3 other couples to fill the cabin. So. Let us know.  ;)

Drive back home was even better. We went through the Steven's Pass and it was more scenic. No problems going through any of them (Phew!) Which is great because we did not have chains for the tires.

Down hill. Well, then uphill. But then down hill again. So that's pretty good. Little one's tuckered out and slept most the way home! Leavenworth get-away was to celebrate my dad's 60th Birthday. Happy Birthday Pops! We had a blast.

Ape Crawl

Silas is coming out of his baby shell...

We went to the Children's Museum of Tacoma today (we LOVE that place!) And both kids played completely different than they did last time. They have 5 different playscapes: woods, water, invention, voyager, and and art studio. Grey usually gets held up as soon as she enters the doors in at Woods. This time, she was all over the place!

Si. I usually have to hold him or have him in the Gerry pack the whole time. This time he was on the floor, playing with tons of stuff, splashing in the Water section. Loving it.
So I was too.

Here is the crawl vid I got. Best one so far...(although quite shaky, specially at the beginning sorry!)



Yeah, I'm totally being "Cheerleader Mom" here. Ugh. Annoying to hear myself!! I was talking with some girls beside us who were working there. They were cheering him on. So a lot of the talking (to them) might not make sense as you listen to a one sided conversation. But, Silas...he looks good.  ;)

Can't believe he's crawling! I have 2 kids getting into everything!!

Here are some pictures of more museum fun:

This is the tip of an old timey airplane looking, thing.You have to crawl though a netted tube to get to it. Grey is on the phone here. There are about 5 phones throughout the areas and they're all connected to each other. So she is probably telling someone, 

"Brrruubabh lanaana ddriizaanana, shoes. Bye."

She got completely soaked. Don't think the smock helped at all! Si had fun splashing too. This is about the 3rd of the water area (it's not huge.) There were tons of kids in there, but Grey still managed to be the crazy! She had one mom cracking up as she kept continuing to drink the water and I continued to try and stop her. She won. Till she started dunking her hair - I won and ended that one! We had a lot of fun though.  ;)

The interest in the simplicity of life keeps me constantly taking pictures of these two. And many videos of Si as he is discovering. Here he is entertaining himself as Grey gets into some clay...

He loves to drum.

And we love the Children's Museum! If you are in Tacoma (or even if you aren't) it's worth a visit! It's graciously on a donate as you can. So please go and support it! Such a blast for the kids...

Lunch and ladybugs ends our adventure. Till after naptime...  

Forgotten Elephant.

Grey drew this the other day, and said "Elephant" I loved it! I know it was by chance that she drew it, but I like that she was creative enough to relate her drawing to what it looked like. I meant to add it in the last post.

Elephants, pages, dress-up, and sitting up. Basically.

Today was a fun day. Not because we did anything special, but because my kids crack me up!! After my last blog complaining that Silas might not be progressing as fast as I thought...he has done something new everyday. Today he was flipping the pages as I read to him his book. And at the appropriate time! Woo! Go Si. Yesterday he went from crawling position to sitting up. He is getting pretty good at getting where he wants to go, and general control of his limbs. Love it. Grey.... Loves dressing up. Not 'princess-ish" but her own little way...

She loves hats. Wearing everyone's shoes (or boxes on her feet.)

We've been having lots of fun in the sun...can't say enough how happy we are to have a bit of Summer! Finally!

Happy Day to Me!

Alright, my family did good. I had a great day today. Silas, Grey and I are all sick too, so that's saying a lot!

The sun was out, so that's the first God given gift. Went to church, Then grabbed lunch at a new place. Okay, and it was burgers and fries, but it was delish. We never have burgers and fries and Fatburger (which is so worth it) reminded me a little of Five Guys, or I wanted it to or something. Nostalgic.
We took lunch And picnicked at a new park. Beautiful! It was just perfect the kids were loving it, and just laughs and all fun all the time. I am so shocked at how well behaved they are (sometimes. ) It makes me very proud.

Then Jude and Grey slyly gave me a much unexpected super sweet gift...

I am overwhelmed by my family! I feel unbelievably blessed to get their company every day. I could never dream up such a perfect son, daughter, and husband. I love these sweet faces!! Almost can't stand it....

Can only prove: God is such love. (and I thank Him!)

First Wave! (?)

Alright, so I don't leave you on a depressing note... I think I got Silas' first wave today and I was even doing a video at the mo! I've been working on the wave...you see what you think:

The Second Child

I always though the second child progressed faster because they learned from you + their older sibling. I'm going to hope that is still true for somethings. Lately I've been feeling down and a bit of pressure...Silas has not said a word, and he's never really even babbled much.
No teeth. He's getting around, not on all 4's but still army crawling. He has got up once (that I've seen) to an "almost stand".

I remember feeling pressure at around 7-8 mo with Grey, but just about how much solids to give her. She was on all activities and progression! Or...do I just not spend the time with Si that I was able with Grey? I have noticed that he starts to do something and G gets directly in his way, blocks the poor guy altogether. Usually when he's trying to climb or stand. I try and pull her off, that usually results in a shriek that distracts him from any goals he previously had...

I've tried to put him up standing, that works okay. He gets a workout that way.

As I'm busy I don't feel like I'm focusing on his needs. Instead of talking with him all the time, I feel like he observes me talking with Grey. I don't stimulate him with questions and explanations. Instead of, "Silas, are you hungry? Do you want to eat?!" (and signing while asking...) He usually gets, "Okay buddy, into the chair you go!"

I can't believe he just turned 8 months and I feel like it's been way to fast for me to handle!! In the middle of the night when he wakes up, I feed him, and he falls asleep in my arms, I can't help but feel how huge he is! ...my little sleeping baby... Oh, and I can't even cradle him! He is asleep on my shoulder. (but I guess that's the way it's always been.) When either of the kids are sleepy and we pick them up to put them to bed, they are held upright and tuck their arms in-between our bodies. My mom mentioned that she thinks it's the way I hold them that they do that. (not sure, but I love it!)

Anyways, I'm just getting a little sting of "This is all going to fast." and "Am I doing enough?!" Mostly with Silas.

I know he'll learn everything, and all children have their own pace. But it makes me feel like I'm not doing my part. I feel like I was always working with Grey, challenging her. Now I'm lucky if I fed Silas solids a few times a day. He is toted from room to room as we follow the tornado/his sister. She is great with him. She always wants him near. When she's on the phone I hear her say his name, when she's talking to her babies, she tells them about him. First thing when she's up from a nap it's, "Where's Si?"
"Is Si eating too?"
"Si poo poo too?"
"Si have bath?"

She loves him. (this is her idea. She asks to hold him, and even on her lap (of course) she says he is too heavy. Then she flips over...thinks she's holding him still.) He goes with it....like everything. What a sport!!

This mothering thing is awesome but it also hurts really bad too! I can't even imagine what I will be like when they move out.... Good thing I have Jude to help keep me together....and for the best company (ever!)

Okay...I feel better just getting some of that out. At the end of it all, I have some sweet kids who will be just fine. Hopefully better than that! But I'm the mom, so I know I don't count, I'll just go by all the love that is around them. That's got to stand for something!

Some of the crazy:

Some of the most smiley guy ever:

cruisin' around...

Blogging is hard.

I think of what I can blog about everyday. But I only frequently do it. I have more info and pictures than time to sort, Photoshop and write about. So, as I'm too lazy to go through pictures at the end of the day...but disappointed about not blogging at all - I'll do the easy "couple of videos"

They are pretty uneventful. But here is Grey doing some singing. Not the best footage. She does not take to a camera in her face (yet.) So I tried to get her without being noticed. Short but cute (says mom.)



And Silas. Sweet Silas, trapped in his body unable to communicate (yet.) Lately his moves consist of excited arm flaps, and a long inhale noise that I MUST get on video! It's too good. For now, the arm slaps:



Hee hee...I forgot that Grey is all cuddly in this. She is trying to be close with him (hold his hand, ear...you know. Whatever.) Must have been near nap time.

She is really sweet with him. Then the rest of the time too rough with him, of course. I try to tell her that soon she won't be able to knock him over. And he'll run just as fast as her. And he'll want toys for himself and watching her take everything won't be so entertaining. But she'll learn this the hard way...
But then, just like now - most of the time, they'll be buddies.

(notice Grey's "extra" pants in this last picture? She put them on herself! Ha!)

 One last video....

Easter Traditions (begin) at the Jude Kahle's Casa

All just spare you most details and let the pictures do the talking. That's most fun anyway...

Pre-eggs, just playing with colors. Making pretty circles of color on a paper towel. Till the tutorial from Dad. Learning how it's done:

To no one's surprise... Grey has a taste of the vinegar.

Dad says, "Oh Grey, you're silly." And Silas is scared.

(Seriously, Si's face is so funny!! Hee hee...)

Now Grey shows us her eggs, first with a blank face (why are you making me do this?) Secondly with glee and pride.

Silas thinks,"What's the big deal?!"

We finish up. Recoloring the eggs, the tissue towels, and all our fingers.

Back to Silas. 

We have smooches.

Giggles.

And stares...

"Okay" Silas says. "Easter is fun!!"