Father's Day

Our Father's Day spanned two weekends so that's why I am only getting around to posting now. 

We started off the day with a 5K race in our town. Tom and I both wanted to run it but given we had three kids to look after and it was Father's Day, I let Tom run it. 

After the race, we were off to the beach in Michigan to enjoy what turned out to be a beautiful day. This has kind of become a tradition with my dad joining us. The water was still kind of cold but the Kids and Papa still went in. Can't wait to someday have our own summer home so all the dads can enjoy Michigan! 

This past weekend, we followed up on Father's Day by enjoying a Chicago architecture tour on the river. We took the train from our house with Papa joining us.

We all learned some things we didn't know about Chicago architecture and Austen was pretty attentive too. 

Peyton kept asking when it was time for lunch - which we did have after. It was nice to eat in Millenium Park, outside, among all the tourists. 

Can't say I miss the city but it was nice to go back and visit (even though I am there every day for work!)

Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there. It is hard work raising kids. Us moms know that.

Hailey Turns 8 Months

Hailey is starting to grow up! She is now 8 months old. She can sit up, she is eating her baby food (she only does not like peas), she is actively playing with her baby toys. Her favorites are a big cube with lots to do and Elmo! She likes to watch him dance. 

She also is developing a little personality. Peyton took a toy away from her. She screamed. Peyton promptly gave it back. She knows when one of us leaves the room. I hate this when she is up before I leave for work in the morning and I have to say goodbye to her and I can hear her crying as I walk down the stairs (even though Tom is right next to her). I am sure it doesn't last long but it still sucks.

Hailey is still a stomach sleeper and still has her dark hair. It has grown in thick and even. She may be my one brunette. I will take it as she is stunning with piercing  blue eyes. 

Hard to imagine in just four short months, we will be celebrating her turning one.

Sporty Austen

This spring, we spent our time running from soccer game to baseball game to soccer game. Austen played on three teams this spring. Rec soccer, traveling soccer and baseball. He practiced four days a week and never complained about going to practice. In fact, he only complained when he didn't have enough time to continue to play after practice or a game. When all the kids ran to the park after practice or the game, Austen would be kicking the ball in the goal or throwing pop ups to himself or begging us to play with him.

It's safe to say that Austen likes sports! He doesn't discriminate between sports either. Ask him to choose and he'll say he likes them all. As my only boy, that makes me very happy even though Peyton or Hailey could turn out to be my athletes too and that would be just fine with me.

So this means that my life as a soccer or baseball mom or whatever sport Austen chooses has begun.  The running him around to practices or games; the constant laundry to clean a uniform before the next game and get out the grass stains (no wonder my mom was so good at getting out everything - she had a lot of practice!); the snack mom; the deciding which game he should attend if he has conflicts;  and the sideline coaching (can't help myself in soccer!).  I love it all and I'm sure, like my parents, I will miss it when my children are grown. So for now, I'm going to savor every minute.

That's My Girl

I have three of them. Adler. Peyton. Hailey. But I am talking about Peyton. Is she me when I was her age? Maybe. But she is very definitely her own person. Here are some of my favorite Peyton actions from the last few weeks:

"Peyton, you can't have four cookies for dessert. Put at least one back please." No response but she quickly takes a bite of each cookie so she can't return any.

"Peyton, that is enough marshmallows for tonight." She reaches her hand in the bag and stuffs two more big ones in her mouth.

"Austen, why do you have that stick in the lock on the outdoor chest?" It needs to be there, he says. Okay. Two minutes later, Peyton grabs the stick runs to the other side of the deck and throws it off. Austen melts down.

"Austen and Peyton, let's go down the water slide at the pool." Austen shakes his head and cowers away. Peyton follows her brother's lead until we can convince her it's fun and she is braver than Austen. Takes us less than five minutes to do. She loves it. The sibling pressure has Austen now try it. He loves it too. Success.

"Austen, we are going to the doctor after school today." Complete meltdown into tears crying, "I don't want shots!" "Peyton, we are going to the doctor after school." She simply asks, "Am I going to get shots? I don't know, I say honestly. I'll get shots she says. Because I don't want to die." She does and she doesn't cry (Austen thankfully didn't need any!)

This is just a glimpse of my beautiful, tough, independent, strong little girl who is growing up so fast.