Baby Beach

So I think this place is actually called "Mother's Beach" but Kyle calls it Baby Beach. It's a quiet, less-trafficked strip of sand on the peninsula side of Balboa that has calm waters perfect for young kids. Over the weekend, we invited our friends, the Hutchens, to join us for fishing, kayaking, swimming, and some "paddle-boarding."

Kyle loved using his boogie board as a raft.

He also used it as a makeshift surfboard and got some balance practice in. This picture was my late/missed all the moments/feeble attempt to capture his efforts. He did a great job!

This little dock is within swimming distance. Rudy and our friend Kalman gave several kids a little fishing lesson.

Gavin got some time in the kayak in the shallow waters (his first?). He squealed with glee while Kyle got a little ride spinning around.

Then, Kyle's friend, Nate, got a turn.

Ru is such a fun dad. There's never a dull moment...

The kids had a blast! 

Kyle's 4th Year

This year was a big one! I thought I'd try to recap the highlights by using a Top 10 List. So in no particular order (except the last one!) here goes... 

Kyle's Top Ten 

10. The Little Gym's Sports Class

9. Christmas in Chicago

8. Swim lessons

7. Days with Grammie and Miss Esther

6. Knott's Berry Farm 

5. GG visits

4. Catching his 1st fish

3. Riding his bike without training wheels

2. Staying in a hotel 3 different times (the bugs, Illinois, and Calabasas)

1. Becoming a big brother!!!!

Though this has been a challenging year, there have been many, many sweet moments. Giving Kyle a sibling was by far the highlight of the year! 

Kyle's 4 year stats: 29.4 pounds and 38 inches tall 

And his favorite - 

Food: pasta, mac n cheese, yogurt, string cheese, quesadillas, pancakes, fish sliders, granola cereal, broccoli, and most fruit

Close friends: Holden, Nate, Elsie, and Kellen

Wheels: bike, skateboard, scooter, and big wheels

Places to go: Back Bay, beach, parks, on trains, Auntie's house, Grammie's house, Knott's, and The Pretend City

Shows/Videos: anything on PBS Kids (especially Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood and Super Why!), Curious George, Bob the Builder, and Madagascar

Things to do: figure out how things work, play on educational websites, ride anything with wheels, play anything outside, read books, cook with Mommy, work on projects in the garage with Daddy, swim, go on adventures, go see family, hug and kiss Brother, and play make-believe (mostly being a doctor or a worship leader in church)

Books: Bible, Berenstain Bears, Clifford, Curious George

Sports: Hockey

Future profession: a doctor

There ya have it. Our firstborn is growing up so quickly. He's so proud to be four and just can't wait to be five (because that's really BIG!). He's so excited to go to school in the fall. We are excited for all that is to come and a bit nostalgic for the things already long gone. I'm glad we have this blog to look back and remember.

Happy Birthday, Kyle!!!!

Kyle turned 4 today! First thing in the morning, he ran out to wake up his Auntie Michelle (who stayed the night for a sleepover just for him)!

After opening presents we walked to "the pancake store" and had some yummy breakfast. 

Instead of a party this year, Kyle invited a couple of his closest friends to Frogg's Bounce House!! The boys had so much fun! 

Even the little brothers enjoyed themselves. :)

Blowing out his candles in his bread stick...

...then again in his cupcake! ;)

Nate and Kyle

My parents and sister joined us for dinner. We walked down the street to an Italian restaurant. Kyle loved eating on the "special plate."

More presents back home.

 At last, Kyle got to blow out his last set of candles on his Ferris-wheel birthday cake.

 Each bucket had pictures of our family members (IL and CA).

We love you, Kyle! Happy 4th Birthday!!!

"I miss that train!"

Kyle frequently talks about how much he misses the big train and wants to go back on "that train." One of our summer fun, to-do outings was to take a family trip on the train. So, we revisited a favorite route and stopped at the San Clemente Pier and then hopped back on the train to go to lunch in San Juan Capistrano before heading back home. We had a lot of fun and most of all enjoyed our time together with Grandpa, Grammie, and Auntie Michelle.

Silly Kyle can hardly contain his excitement!!

Daddy love.

"I see the train!!!!"

We hopped on the train in waves, from 3 different stations; first my parents, then us, and finally Auntie came on board.

Gavin and his Auntie Michelle at the San Clemente Pier. Sweet love and giggles.

Back on the train to go home and Gavin was out like a light!

Getting ready to say good-bye to Auntie at her stop.

So sad to say good-bye. "I never want to get off this train!!"

Back at home, and Kyle says (repeatedly), "I miss that train!"

The Pretend City (a few years later...)

It's amazing what a difference a few years make. Kyle enjoyed his previous visit to The Pretend City with my mom, sister, and I, but this time I couldn't have held Kyle back if I tried! He ran from place to place trying everything on and playing make-believe. Here were some of his favorites: 

The stoplight. Yes, we stood here while repeatedly waiting for the walk sign to come on in order to cross the street. 

Checking out books at the library.

Building like "Bob the Builder."

Even Gavin enjoyed the building project.

They also had a whole room filled with climbing sponge shapes for babies/toddlers. Gavin loved it. (Yes, he was wearing his jammies as we came straight from his nap.)

Playing doctor. Kyle gets really into it and we do this at home nearly every day. It was super cool here with all the extra, real-like stuff to play with.

Firefighters to the rescue!!

And he loved stamping letters to people and mailing them at the post office.

Every part of the city has a punch card for these working kids to log their hours. After punching out and hitting up the "grocery store," we headed home. :) 

Gavin - 10 months

Gavin likes to "walk" with his firetruck!

A silly Gav.

Our baby, aka Gav-man, Gavie, Guero, Baby G, Shabu, Brother, Zzzz, Zizzer is 10 months old today!! Though he's still super easy-going and happy almost every second of the day, he's now starting to really assert himself and express his wants and dislikes! He's very vocal and isn't afraid to tell ya exactly what's on his mind. He thinks many things are funny and loves to giggle. Our little guy is a charmer and likes to be in the center of all the action. He may be "easy" but he's not to be underestimated!! :)

At 10 months, Gavin:

• weighs 17 lbs 4.7 ounces
• has 4 teeth
• is getting some hair (it's hard to see, but it's there!!!)
• cruises around and pulls up on absolutely everything 
• is quite verbal (and starting to say Dada - we've heard Dada and Mamamama but not consistently yet)
• beginning to sign "All done!"
• waves hello/good-bye and claps his hands

Gavin likes:

• his brother (he really, really wants to be with Kyle and smiles whenever he hears or sees him!)
• wrestling (really!!)
• playing with his toys (can entertain himself very well!)
• chewing on anything
• to feed himself and eat big people food (forget that spoon and cereal!)
• loves pickles, bananas, and Plum Organics "Little Cremes" (kale, apple, & sweet potato) made with rice milk 
• music (especially from his little Leap Frog animal, Scout)
• jumping/bouncing
• being outside and riding in his little red car
• holding/chewing matchbox cars
• swimming in the pool
• when Daddy comes home!!!
• also, seems super fond of his mommy, I must say! :)

Gavin dislikes:

• car rides!!!
• when Daddy goes to work
• being left behind/out of the action

Rudy and I look at this little person who is growing and changing so much and comment to each other (repeatedly) how blessed we are to have this special little guy. It's been a very happy (though tiring!) 10 months! ;)