Goodbye Westy, Hello Golf?

It was a sad day for our family as we let our beloved Westfalia Camper Van go. A huge factor in deciding to have three kids was the knowledge that we would no longer fit into our Westy. We discussed adding a 'jump' seat behind the front passenger seat to give us 5 seat belts. In the end, we knew that even if we could all safely ride in the van, where would we all sleep?

Since it was summer and good camping weather we listed the Westy one Sunday night. Immediately our inbox was full. See, we are not the only people to love these vans! A lady came that evening to look at it ready to buy the van. We were not so ready to say goodbye. The deal was done as she also fell in love with the van at first sight. She had already planned a camping trip with her 8-year old daughter and was so excited to have this van. One kid, totally you can camp in it, three not so much.

We still had to break the news to the boys. I had hoped to have one last farewell ride in our beloved van but it was not to be. When we told the older boys we were selling the Westy because we did not all fit, they asked if we could send Finn back. See, we all fit just fine when it was the four of us.

When we said goodbye for the final time, I had all the boys climb in the van (well, Finn was just placed in there) fora final picture. We had some good times in this van. Micah's first camping trip at 3 months, 11 days spent camping in it last summer, and countless adventures with Dad around Seattle. I even spent a week driving it around Seattle when our old car was dying. I made my husband promise me, we would one day have a Westfalia for just us. While tent camping is not my favorite thing to do, I did love camping in this van.

As we said goodbye to the Westy, we said hello to a little VW Golf. This car was intended to be used as my commuter car to Bellevue and for quick errand with one or two boys. It is VERY small but can fit all the car seats in it. Why is this important, you ask? Because since being rear-ended last week, it is the only car I have been driving. We were lucky to have just bought this litter car with 5 seat belts as our van quickly became un-driveable. You could probably drive it if you didn't mind stopping to pick up the bumper when it finally fell off the car you were driving.

As my husband reminded me just the other day, we were lucky to have the Golf as a second car since all the boys fit. The Golfy (as the boys call it) has been very useful but every time I see a Westfalia on the road my heart hurts a little. One day, I say, you will be mine again. But until then, I will just have to hold on to the memories.

A Perfect Imperfect Moment

Today I decided we are going to do some sort of water activity. At first I had planned to do a wading pool near my house that the boys always ask to go to. Even though it is hideously crowded with very little shade, I was going to suck it up and go. Then I woke up today to clouds and mist. Not cool. So, plan B was to go to a local beach. My husband swore the older two boys loved to go there and that it wasn't crowded. I figured on an overcast Friday I would probably be okay.

In my mind I was going to spend nap time leisurely getting ready, have the car packed, wake the boys and skedaddle. Of course, my two year old won't go to sleep, my four year old wants to do what I am doing, and my 2 month old was in serious "hold me" mode. I spend 45 minutes running around the house trying to finish getting ready (the one day I do not put on my make-up before my husband goes to work), packing food, clothes, and diapers. Trying to figure out how to get everything from the car to the beach with only one adult, and so on.  And the weather is still cloudy. I figure that if we are going to the beach it will probably be even more overcast and windy there, so I better pack for cool weather. Sweats, long sleeves, definitely no swim clothes - brr! Wake up my two year old who is now tired and clingy, continue to carry the baby, and try to force the four year old to go the bathroom and get dressed. Because everyone is still in their pajamas! 

For one brief moment I thought I would bring my camera. I wanted to be able to post these amazing pictures of my kids at the beach. The boys would be in cute clothes, smiling at the camera, showing their sweet, angelic, faces.  By the time we were out the door, with all the crying and whining from everyone, the camera was purposely left on the mantle.  All I wanted to do now was hit the new drive through espresso stand (which of course was closed) and get to the beach. 

Did I mention that the weather was overcast at my house? Apparently, the beach was the only sunny place in Seattle this afternoon. By the time we got there the clouds were gone and the sun was brightly shining.  We were all sweating a little by the time I got the three boys, two bags, two buckets with shovels, and beach blanket to an area equal distance from the bathroom and the beach.  My baby of course was hungry so I settled down to feed him, confident the older boys would be content digging in the sand next to me. Of course not, how could I be so silly! They wanted to go to the water or walk on the logs or run as far away as possible as I sat in the sand and tried to discreetly nurse while also calling out in a sweet/scary voice "Boys that's too far!"

Finally I had the baby in the bjorn, all the stuff packed back up and headed down to the water with the boys. It was at this point that I wished I had my camera, the weather was beautiful, the sun was sparkling on the water, and the boys were awfully cute. Then I realized that my older son's shirt was on backwards.  His response whenever I mention that his clothes or shoes are on wrong is "I like it that way" so I had stopped checking. And yes, today his clothes were on backwards. And since I did not bring swimsuits all the boys wanted to do was swim. Before long both were wet up to their  knees, then their thighs, then OH MY!, up to their heads and then under. I just laughed as my oldest came sputtering up from underwater, drenching wet and looking at me like "what just happened?".  A little too deep I think, but all was well. I had extra clothes, albeit, sweats and sweatshirts, but whatever.

All in all we had a great time. Three trains went by much to the excitement of my toddler, the weather was beautiful, the baby finally fell asleep, and no TV was watched! At the end, I did not have a photograph to show and amaze you with, but tonight when I tucked my boys in and asked them what made them happy today they both said "Playing at the beach".  That was a moment I want to capture.

What Made You Happy Today?

We started asking this question at the dinner table after hearing about it in a parenting class. We start with what made you happy, then mad, then sad.  We try to do this most evenings, but since Finn was born dinner time has become even more chaotic.

The other night I had gone up to check on my 2 older boys, to see if they were finally asleep. One was, but Jack was laying there awake. I laid down in bed to snuggle him and realized we had not asked our question at dinner. I asked him what made him happy today.  "Seeing D/L" was his immediate response. "D/L" are his 14 and 12 year old cousins, respectively. We only saw "L" today but their names seem to always be said as one.  I should have known this would be his response. We were lucky enough to have "L" stay with us on a sleep over. We went to a bike race, ate my favorite ice-cream, went to lunch, and even got to spend time at the beach. It had been a busy 24 hours, but his favorite part was just seeing "L".

I knew how much both my boys love their cousins but I was reminded of it again today. We had to take "L" up to meet her mom as our sleep over was at an end. I told the boys we were taking "L" home and we loaded up the car. Both of them fell asleep and slept all the way through the drop off and did not wake up until we were safely home. I had had some bad traffic and it had been a long day, so I did not think anything of it. I woke up Micah and carried him inside and sat him on the couch, where he immediately began screaming. I went back for Jack but he refused to get out of the car. I brought in Finn, went back and unloaded all of our beach gear and finally forced Jack out of the car. I put him on the couch and went back to get Micah, who at this time was SCREAMING, not crying or sobbing mind you, and clawing at the back gate. I carried him back inside and found Jack standing in the middle of the room.

He looked at me and his lower lip stared to quiver. "Where is "L"?" he asked. Oh no, was my first thought as I stared in horror at the big tears rolling down his face. I just assumed the boys were as tired and cranky as I was. I totally forgot they did not see "L" get out of the car and only woke up once we were home. They both thought she was still here. I scooped him up and held him close as I told him "L" was at her house. Then he just started crying. I can handle screaming, yelling, temper-tantrums, but the truly sorrowful crying just breaks my heart.  

I went back to Micah and asked him if he was looking for "L". He was. We had to go back to the car, look inside, before he finally stopped screaming. By this time he was bright red and starting to hyperventilate from all the screaming. I felt so bad.

I got them both settled on the couch, and even though it was not our schedule, I asked them if they wanted to watch a show. Oh, that would make them so happy.  I had one moment of peace before I turned on the TV only to find it broken. Oh, the tears started again.

We ended up being okay, and I was glad to know that seeing "L" made him happy, especially after the disastrous homecoming we had. 

Although, when I asked him what made him sad he did say "falling off the sled".  Hmm... not exactly sure where that came from.

Feet

I hate feet. I think this is partly because mine are both very dry and very ticklish. A very challenging thing, when  even putting lotion on your feet makes you laugh.  I do not like to have my own feet touch, much less touch someone else's feet.

This is proving to be a challenge for me because my oldest son loves to touch me with his feet. During quiet time he sits on one end of the couch. I am passed out on the other - hoping to catch a few minutes of sleep.  My son loves when we "snuggle" on the couch. This usually means, he stretches out his legs and puts his feet on me. I might be able to handle it, if the feet were still. But, nope, they are in constant motion. They are on my legs, they are on my back, they are slightly kicking me, now they are rubbing me. I keep making myself smaller, and smaller, hoping he can no longer reach me, but apparently he has really long legs. I tell myself, I can do it, I can have him put his feet on me, but pretty soon I am off the couch and moving far away.

We continue to have the feet problem even at dinner. I sit next to my older son at dinner. Everything starts out good. We are sitting, eating, talking. Then pretty soon, I feel a tap against my leg. Then a rubbing motion, then finally just a constant touch. His foot has found my leg again. I have tried to explain that we don't touch feet at dinner, but his only response is "why not".  

The feet, that at one time were this tiny, are now big, dirty, smelly, and being rubbed all over my body.

What a Difference a Year Makes

This was on our 10 year anniversary last year. We went to our very favorite place, Winthrop, and stayed at the Sun Mountain Lodge.  It was the farthest away we had ever been from our children, but we loved the beauty of the place and the time together.

               

This was us on our 11 year anniversary. We knew we would either be at the hospital in labor, have a days old newborn, or be days away from having our baby. A big date was not really in the plans.  Instead, we thought it would be fun to do something as a family.  A few years ago we went to Maggie Bluffs for dinner and then walked around the Ballard Locks. We weren't up for a restaurant but thought we could pick up some teriyaki or something similar and have a picnic at the Locks.

Apparently, our anniversary was the day all of Seattle was having some sort of festival. We knew about the Rock'n'Roll Marathon, and the Gay Pride Parade, but we did not know about the Greenwood Car Show - where we tried to pick up take out. Or, the wedding at the Locks just as we were trying to find a parking spot.

We ended up at a neighborhood park in Ballard. All the kids wanted was a playground and because it had been so hot, we wanted a shady place to eat. This park was perfect.  Until we sat down and had a mini-wind storm. The kids were shaking and asking for jackets I did not pack. Finn only had a light receiving blanket because I wasn't expecting it to be cold.  And, all the leaves and tree debris was falling into our meal. Luckily, you couldn't really tell what was a spice and what was dirt so we just ate it anyway.  

The kids ended up having a great time. Brandon and I smiled at each other and said, not quite as relaxing as last year, but exciting to have our family all together.

11 years, 3 boys, countless bike races and cups of coffee, later and here we are.

My Three Sons

Jack Oscar

3/27/05

Leaving NW Hospital for the first time.

Micah Allen

4/16/07

Getting to know Micah

Finn Carlson

6/23/09

Leaving NW Hospital for the last time.

Bath - Yes, Baby - No, Up - Not So Much

We have a functioning bath again, complete with a real floor! 

The boys are so happy to have a bath in their house. Each night they ask to take a bath before bed!

After several false starts I have decided this baby has no desire to be born. So after church I was doing this:

For a family outing this afternoon we decided to take the boys to see Up. We knew it was a risky move to take Micah to a movie, but we thought with popcorn and candy we would make it.  20 minutes into the movie he was on the stairs eating fallen popcorn and slowly making his way out the door. Brandon and I have a rule, no movies while I am pregnant. I tend to cry at anything. I knew the beginning was sad, unfortunately that is all I got to see. I was able to be in the theater just long enough to cry and then follow Micah outside. I did hear from Brandon that it was a pretty good movie. I guess I will see it on DVD.