Let’s Hear it For The Dads
Family
Safe, Hydrated, Fun in the Sun
The last 3 weeks / San Diego
My Bookend Sisters
Before we found out we were expecting Mabel, I had a recurring daydream about what a 4th baby would look like in our family. For whatever reason, I always envisioned Ivy confidently holding this hypothetical baby on her hip, with her tiny legs, knobby knees, and her signature well-loved Birkenstocks beneath her, supporting them both. I loved this image my mind had created, and I had a feeling that a little baby brother or sister to help take after would really light something up inside of Ivy. For once I was right about something, and these two have had such a special bond since day one. Watching Ivy love on Mabel in such a caring, maternal way this year has been so heartwarming. (And helpful, I don’t know how we’d do it without Ivy!)
It makes me think back to some of my favorite memories with my oldest sister, and it makes me even more excited about their 10 year age difference. Being an 8 year old girl I got to help my sister pick out a Winter Formal dress, and I got to send handwritten letters (and quarters for the laundromat!) to her weekly while she was away at college. I got to brag to other kids in elementary school that I was an aunt (!), and when I was in junior high, I got to fly out to her house after she had a newborn to entertain her busy toddler for a week.
Ivy tells me daily that she can’t wait to “drive Mabes around one day”, and that she “would do anything for Maybe” and it’s truly the stuff Mom Dreams are made of. I guess what I’m saying is, there’s really no such thing as too big of an age gap when it comes to siblings. Like all relationships in life, they’re going to be close or they’re not. You just have to do your best and cross your fingers that they are.
Labor Day Weekend
Yesterday we decided to head north for some adventure and we had… a bit of a rocky start. Twenty minutes in, one of our kayaks nearly flew off the roof of our car on the freeway, which left us with no other choice but to cram 3 kayaks IN the van with us. 😂 In theory the drive was pretty short so any potential discomfort would have been tolerable, but then we hit holiday traffic and road work, and our 3 hour drive there turned into a 5+ hour one. 😅 We were losing the day light from our day trip, and I began to get frustrated and curse Arizona and Labor Day for ruining our plans. Eventually we got there though, and it was so fun and peaceful and beautiful. We were able to make some priceless memories with our girls and, I don’t know, I think there’s a life lesson there. One that I’ll likely forget again next time things aren’t going smoothly, but, hopefully not.🤞🏻
An escape to the mountains
A couple weeks back we met Geoffs family in Show Low, AZ where we relearned an important life lesson: a body of cold water and fresh air really does make life better. We were able to put our kayaks to use, spend some time outside (a luxury in Arizona!) and simultaneously get frustrated/grateful for the terrible cell service. Already planning the next weekend getaway.
Groundhog Day
Recently I heard someone compare their life as a parent to Groundhog Day, and I laughed and could relate pretty well. Each day I wipe down the same countertop spills after every meal, fold the same tiny clothes into 4 different piles on the floor, drive the same carpool route, buy the same groceries, brush out the same tangles, etc. But sometimes! Sometimes I look over at a moment like this 👆🏻 and I’m smacked in the face with the realization that these days (though hard/monotonous/long/chaotic) are the best days. (cliche, I know!) Seeing the light pour through our dirty windows just enough to highlight Lola’s messy crown braid, her rosy blush-covered cheeks, and her sweet grin as she caught me sneaking a picture of her in dress-up and a candy necklace? Oh man. IF ONLY I could freeze time and ‘Groundhog Day’ life with these little girls right now. They may coat all my belongings in spit up, nail polish, and/or Nutella most days, but boy are they magic. ✨
Maui 2019.
Our first time to Hawaii as a family, and it did not disappoint. Bouncing back between the pool waterslide and the beach for a quick snorkeling session made for the most convenient, family friendly trip. Since I was 20 weeks pregnant, there were a few things I had to sit out on and watch from afar (parasailing and cliff jumping!), but we were still able to hit a snorkeling excursion, a luau, Road to Hana (only 3/5ths of us puked!), and lots and lots of shaved ice. I can’t wait to go back with all 4 girls again some day soon!
2018 Highlight Reel
I didn’t get around to holiday cards this season so enjoy this 3 minute recap of our year instead. 😉 2018 was filled with lots of tears and tantrums, tattling and mood swings. It included lots of eye rolling from the kids, lots of parenting fails from us, too much junk food, and an overall theme of being late to every single place that we went. But! It was also filled with laughter and dancing, tickle wars and road trips. It was filled with wiggly teeth, movie nights, road trips, and exciting milestones for all.
2018– you were a good one. ❤️
ICELAND 2018
A few months back we scored cheap stop-over tickets to Iceland and we couldn’t pass them up! We were able to see so many breathtaking places all in a matter of a few days and it left me so grateful we were able to cross it off our bucket list. Enjoy a long mash-up of our short time spent there, set to some Sigur Ros, of course. 🙂
