July 27, 2012: Food

Food at our house lately looks a lot like this...

Overall we've made a lot of changes over the last 6 months as far as trying to live and eat more naturally.  The hardest change has probably been cutting back on processed foods such as cereal and snacks.  But my veggie/fruit/flaxseed smoothies, eggs, oatmeal, yogurt, cheese sticks, veggies/dip, turkey roll-ups, and peanut butter apple slices seem to going over so well that the kids don't really notice those foods missing from the pantry anymore :)  

And while focusing on health I am still using my treadmill and back to my yoga classes.  I have mini yoga sessions for the kids who wanted to do it too one day after watching me.  So cute, I'll have to get pics of them in downward facing dog :)  Nick started up with a new soccer league and we went to cheer him on...

And Nick has signed up for his first half-marathon later this year!  I think I'll stick to my treadmill while watching Bravo, but we'll all be there to greet him at the finish line :)

I am always telling Liam about how all his foods not only nourish his body but also his brain...

Sometimes after Daddy has been working long nights and weekends, he deserves a good old-fashioned home-cooked meal....complete with real mashed potatoes!  And because I can't imagine it any other way, I let the kids lick the beaters after making them just like I used to with my mom...

You know it's special meal when Liam says, "Look Dad, this is a new protein...it's called steak!"

July 21, 2012: Splish Splash

Ready...

 Set...

 Jump!

 Jump!

 Jump!

Splash!

 Splash!

 Splash!

 Swim!

 Swim!

 Swim!

Liam has really come far with his swimming this summer.  He's like a whole new kid in the pool!  I think there are some people who have an innate feel for the water and Liam is one of them.  Maybe it's because he was born 10 blocks from the Pacific or that he spent weekends at the beach before he could even sit up on his own...either way, he is LOVING the water and really becoming confident with his skills.  

After a few times, he tried it without his water wings...

We are just so proud!  I already started talking about the Olympics with him, and think he'll be really excited to see the swimming events.  And just in case you wanted to see it in real time, here's a video of his jump...

And of course Bryn has been swimming and jumping too!  She is also loving the water and I can't wait for her to do lessons next year, as I know she'll be anxious to keep up with Liam.   However, no one looks cuter in her little suits and hats than Brynnie!

July 16, 2012: Like Mommy, Like Brynnie

Although she still loves her daddy, I think I am finally back in Bryn's good graces.  Maybe it was the potty training and endless hours we spent together in the bathroom, but recently Bryn wants to hang with mommy.  And that couldn't make me happier :)  Today when Bryn was helping me with laundry, she went to close the drawer for me.  Then I saw her do it...with her foot...just like me :)

Never mind that I kick it shut cause I'm too lazy to bend down.  I had no idea how close she was watching me...something I am trying to be more mindful of...

Hope I can always be the positive role model that Bryn deserves!

July 15, 2012: Family

Since the last post was about friends, it seems only fitting :)  Liam and Bryn are so fortunate to have such a large, loving family.  Some are near, some are far, but all are involved in their lives.  Nick and I learned very quickly that it truly takes a village and we feel very blessed for the role that each of you play in their lives.  

This weekend was a nice, low-key weekend with the fam.  Nick got home early Friday and came to the playgroup photoshoot with us.  So of course we tried to get one of us...

 And Grandma came in town so of course we got a pic of the girls...LOVE Bryn's face!

 Mal, Dal, Meha, Daniel, and Linds came over for dinner that night and then we all went to get some ice cream and let the kids stay up late...

 Hopscotch challenge...

 Liam learning to mad-dog...I guess this is a skill that every school-age kid will need??

Saturday involved a trip to the book store...

 and swimming...(and Luby's kids-eat-free for dinner!)

Sunday morning we continued our tradition of finding new breakfast spots before everybody drove home...so fun to spend the weekend with you girls!

 Sunday afternoon we did a little grocery store run, grilled out, played soccer in our pajamas, and then watched Big Brother, a favorite summer show in this fam...

So thankful for healthy, happy kids and low-key family weekend :)

July 14, 2012: Batman, Bryn, & Friends

Before I get into the post, here is the TNT team photo from the last game in June.  It was a great season and Liam is looking forward to playing again this fall!

Liam is really into Batman and superhero stuff right now.  He loves watching old Batman reruns from the 1960s and the Batman cartoons of the present.  We are reading his first chapter book without pictures...and of course it's Batman vs. the Penguin.   And he usually looks like (and answers to) Batman these days as well...

I asked him what is the strongest thing he could do as Batman. "Mom, I'm holding the world in my hands!"

 Okay okay I know Batman doesn't really fly, but we tried to make him anyway...

 The strongest man in the world...

Batman out of uniform is also a big help with the potty training.  Although, I guess you could say she's officially trained.  She does great in her big girl panties all day at school and home, out in public, and doing "all her business" in the potty.  We are very, very proud!!

My beautiful big girl...

This weekend we played with friends at the splash park...

 Best buddies Jackson, Liam, Davey and James...

We met this playgroup December of 2009.  Our kids were all 12-15 months old.  This is one of the first group shots of all the moms and our babies Easter, April 2010...

And here are those babies now!!

 Since so many have moved away (Irene/Ari, Rachel/Presley, Daphne/Davey, and Melissa/Michael) we  got everyone together for another picture...

 And now there's even a second generation of most of the playgroup...

So thankful to have such a great group of beautiful, awesome women as friends and their sweet kids as playmates for mine!

 Lara (Jackson/Lydia), Meredith (Addison/Logan), Alison (Jackson/Brenna), Lori (Michael), Melissa (Michael/Matthew), Kristy (James/Sophie), (Davey) minus Daphne, Ashley (Mia/Cate), me and Liam/Bryn...just missing Meredith (Emma Kate/Jackson)