One Fabulous Fourth

Some highlights from this wonderful day were watching our kids play and form friendships, sipping on delicious sangria and margaritas, eating yummy bbq and APPLE CRISP (Oh My!), enjoying my sisters relaxing backyard and very efficient misters, and delighting in a fantastic fireworks show, without any tears!

Farm Freshman

Today was my very first trip to a farmer's market. So fun!

I coaxed my mom to wake up early on her day off and meet me in Rancho at 8:00am so I could stop by the Soil Born farm stand when they opened and pick up some eggs. She was the perfect companion, along with Harlie, my mini foodie.

The farm stand was fun, they have a big chicken coop that Harlie went bonkers over, and the stand itself is charming and inviting. If I lived in the neighborhood, I would definitely visit often. The prices are a little high compared to the farmer's market, but once you turn down the drive, it feels like you've escaped to the country instantly.

Our next stop was the farmer's market on Sunrise and Folsom. It's a new location and I was so excited to visit, since it's just a short drive from my house. At first I was intimidated when we drove in, so many people and so many vendors (this is why I don't go to the mall). But once we walked up and could hear the live music (accordion players) and see all the amazing produce, I got kind of giddy like a kid at a carnival. Now, unfortunately I was on a budget, so I didn't get to spend my money on olive oils, flavored nuts and honey (someday!). Instead, I stocked up on fruits and veggies for the week and allowed myself to splurge on a loaf of sliced foccacia bread.

Yum! Yum! Can't wait to go back.

A Reason to Explore

I think it's pretty fair to say I am not an adventurous person. I like the outdoors and love to travel, but I'm not much of a true explorer. Even my travels are carefully planned. I'm definitely not a fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants kinda gal, but so wish I was.

However, having so many free daylight hours these days, and a toddler at home makes me want to venture outside and see new places. And it's really kinda neat, because there are so many places in Sacramento I've never been. Today, I knew it was going to be cooler than it's been and wanted to get Harlie outside so she could run around. Several times in the past, Scott and I have driven past the Charles C. Jensen Botanical Garden in Fair Oaks, and each time, Scott has mentioned that we should take Harlie there, so we finally did, today. And it was fun. The weather was perfect and the garden was beautiful. There were some volunteers planting new flowers, and a couple artists with their easels up, painting away.

Harlie is at the age where she has no fear and will run off a cliff if you let her, so she wanted to climb all the rocks and run down the hills. It was cute to watch her, so excited about all the new things she was seeing.

Maybe we'll go somewhere new tomorrow.

Well Baby - 18 months

Today was Harlie's first visit at Dr. Wang's Roseville office. It's definitely farther than the Carmichael office was, but probably takes about the same amount of time to get there, and boy is it much nicer and practically brand new. Harlie didn't burst into tears as soon as Dr. Wang came in this time. She stood in the corner and just stared as he talked. It was when he put the stethoscope up to her chest, that she freaked. Poor doctor. He said she looks good and commented on how fast she's been growing (uh, YEAH!), but that height and weight were proportional, so I needn't be concerned. Here are her stats:

Weight: 29 lbs. (94%)
Length: 33 in. (83%)
Head: 47cm. (61.5%)

P.S. Harlie is totally afraid of the scale. She will not stand on it. This time Scott had to weigh himself first and then again holding her. So glad it wasn't me! Sorry honey!

P.P.S. It was fun to see our Christmas card on their cork board. I had been looking for it whenever we'd take Harlie to the Carmichael office, but was never able to spot it. It made me smile to know they had made room for it somewhere.

3.5 GPA Baby!

No Senioritis (or is it Eightgradeitis) over at the Wilson house! Austin busted a 3.5 GPA on his report card and we couldn't be prouder. I think it may be his best report card of the year.

Also, a week ago, Austin informed us that his English teacher nominated him for Honors English next year! And you know what that means? Summer freakin' reading list (oh, the memories!).

A boy after my own heart, that kid.

Happiness

is...


complimentary champagne...


a third twin sista...


sharing a hammock...


friends who feel like home...


annual birthday dinners, lunches, brunches (and sushi with cola)...


my girls...


being spontaneous...


watching the next generation play...


and being together.

Austin's 8th Grade Promotion

18 Months

Harlikins,

Today you turn 18 months old. Before you were born, I heard from many people that this was the absolute best age. I think they may be right. Even though you are a full on toddler now, so often you become my baby again when you lay your head on my shoulder, or I watch you sleep with your butt stuck up in the air, clutching your beloved seahorse. And at the same time you are such a little kid, my little girl. Your hair flies as you go chasing the cat, your cousins, or the sound of the door bell. You are learning to put things together, open and close, push and pull, twist and shake. Just recently you started using "yes" (or "ya") and "no", "please" and "thank you". You are learning new words everyday, that I stopped counting. You call by name: Nana and all your Papas, Auntie Keri ("Keh, Keh"), Austin, Killian, and Maz (or Max?? :-)).

You are learning to share and when I ask you to give or put something back, you usually listen. You have a love/hate relationship with shoes. You love to sing, dance and play music. It makes me smile that you still love Bob Marley and MGMT, your favorites as a baby. And now we can add Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift and AC/DC to the list.

Some more of your favorite things include: airplanes, puppies, kisses, playing horsey, pushing baby strollers or shopping carts, slides, being outside, jumping on the bed, Elmo, Blues Clues (you always make jazz hands when it comes on), playing in fresh laundry, applesauce and bathtime.

But Snuggle Bear, you are also testing your independence. You want what you want, when you want it and that means RIGHT NOW! And most of the times the things you want are what you can't have. Where you want to go is in the street or on the highest ledge. You kick and scream and slap, and most times we have to lay you down on the carpet so you can throw your fit without hurting anything or yourself! Luckily these tantrums don't last very long and suprisingly, the threat of timeout seems to work pretty well (although I think you kind of like being on timeout, since you smile through it mostly).

However, you are generally very kind to your friends and cousins and I hope this lasts. You want to give everyone and everything kisses. I'm hoping that doesn't last forever, but I love it right now. We're working on you being gentler with Killian. You mean well but he doesn't really appreciate your love smacks or how you try and pick him up by his bladder. I'm sure you will be best buds someday, I know you love him so.

You are so much more that we could have ever hoped for and you bring Daddy and I so much joy. Happy Half-birthday Bubbies!

Perfect Attendance

Awards Night was yesterday and Austin received a medal and certificate for perfect attendance this year! I can probably count on one hand the number of days he has ever missed school, thanks to his ferocious immune system. In fact, it has never been a problem getting him to school. Even when he was little we could always get him out of bed without a struggle . He never even whined or asked for "just 5 more minutes" and I've always been so grateful for that. I'm sure he must have inherited this trait from his mom. ;-)

Food and Family

Dinner at La Boheme on Friday night was fantastic and romantic...the perfect place for us to celebrate our anniversary.



The next morning we dropped Austin off with Jenny (because she's on baby watch) and the 3 of us headed up to John and Florence's cabin up in Sly Park. It was great to get out in the fresh air, smell the pine trees, eat more good food and hang out with family.