Summer!

It's summer and we're having fun.  We've had a lot of company come visit us, great weather and lots of trips to the beach with friends.  We weren't planning on a big summer vacation this year and it's a good thing -- because an unexpected job opportunity presented itself and I took it!  Which means our sweet little Jackson started preschool!  He goes every morning with sissy and thinks he is the coolest kid in class.  Lucca also went to her first summer camp and LOVED it.  She asks every day if she can go to camp again.   The camp theme was Around the World and they told the campers on the last day of camp, they would be visiting different countries.  The next day Lucca, in all seriousness, asked me, "Do you think I need to bring a suitcase to the hairfort?"  I asked where she was going.  "We are going to visit the countries around the world, Mom."   I had to tell her they were just going to use their imaginations to travel, and they wouldn't be getting on a real airplane hairplane. I think she probably slept better that night.  Oh, how I wish the sweet innocence would last forever.

Bedtime prayers are getting more magical as the days go by.  Lately, Lucca's prayers have been sounding like this. "Dear God, thank you for making my beautiful smile and beautiful heart.  Thank you that you never go to sleep in heaven and keep us safe."  And Jackson's are sounding a little more like this: "Dear Jesus, thank you for my sister and a suuuuper duuuper fun day at the beach.  In Jesus name, Hey Man."

In other news, Lucca wants to be 16 so she can drive.  She also thinks she wants to be a 12th grade teacher when she grows up.  This is new, since for the past two years she has wanted to be a dentist, for kids and for grown-ups.   She also told me last night that when she is 11, I can give away all her toys because she probably won't like them anymore.  When she is 11, I should probably buy her jewelry. Told her to talk to her Daddy about that one.  Also, at any given time, if you ask Lucca what we should do, her answer will always be "Go to the bakery!"

Jackson's favorite thing to do at the moment is hide under the covers from monsters and dragons.  A DRAGON IS COMING, CLOSE THE WINDOWS!!!  he says.  The teachers at school can't get over his vocabulary.  I guess we are just used to it.  That, and singing Home on the Range 7,000 times a day.  He is the BEST sleeper.  Who would have ever thought?????  Don't sleep train your kids y'all.  They all turn out to sleep just fine :)

We've been loving all the live music around Marin.  Every Friday night, from Sausalito to Novato, some where, some band is playing outside and it's fabulous.  We usually pick up some pizzas, grab a bottle of wine and a blanket and the kids just love it.   

Just another reason why summer is my favorite season of all.

 Loving every crazy minute of this sweet life.

Celebrating 2.

Tomorrow is the last day of the omg-not-even-close-to-being-terrible TWO'S.

Seriously, two year olds are the best.

We shall celebrate the last day of being 2 by doing some of your favorite things. We plan on going to Cibo in Sausalito for (coffee &) a muffin. Going to music class. Eating peanut butter and jelly for lunch. Watching Berenstain Bears before nap (a big deal). Having dinner with Grammie & Pops. Picking out new jammies to wear to bed on the last night of being two.

And giving you all the cuddles and smooches we possibly can before you become a 3 year old.

Holy moly.

Sweet Lulu

You were such a doll today. We just had an ordinary Thursday, without a set agenda, and it turned out to be the loveliest of days. We took a trip to Trader Joes, the park, had a lunch picnic in the backyard, jumped on the trampo, didn't nap (!) and took a slow & sunny walk to the country club down the street and watched the ducks swim in the pond.

Today filled my heart with love & laughter & a whole lotta pride for the beautiful, sweet and most fun girl that you are. And you really are the best big sister. Jackson just adores you.

And I do too.

My beautiful girl.

Each morning you want to wear make-up. Lip gloss and blush. And tights. No dress, no skirt, just tights.

And sparkly shoes. Tia (Karla) nicknamed you "sparkle" over Christmas and I can't think of a more perfect word that describes you right now...you just SPARKLE. It's true, and everyone agrees.

Every day you ask to go on "adventures" ... and often ask if we need anything at Target or Whole Foods. Yesterday you asked if we needed to go to Old Navy? What the ??

You can't wait for your birthday, when you turn "free" & you often let people know you will be having a kitty party. And then you remind me that on your birthday, you will get to eat pink & white cookies, cupcakes, chocolate, candy and cake. Wow.

You go to sleep every night singing This Old Man. And seven? It's up to Kevin, not heaven. Kevin, Wyatt and Parker. Your first crushes. Amazing that this starts so early. We're in trouble.

Your favorite show is Olivia.

Your favorite book is Good Night, San Francisco (fitting) and a Berenstein Bears book that only Daddy can read.

You like to go on "dates" to Starbucks and drink special milk for a treat. This is fun, and started right before Jackson was born.

Your favorite game is hide & seek with the monkey that Mimi bought you for Christmas. You and Daddy play this foreverrrrr.

Jumping on the trampoline is your favorite activity. And every time you jump, you sing the same song: "It's a hoppy Spring day, Hooray! We want to learn to sing with bunnies" over and over and over.

Some favorite Lucca sayings:

"When I'm 25, I can drink coffee"

"Maybe when I'm 3 I'll be tall enough"

"Love you to the moon Mom"

"Daddy's old, Mommy's new"

Lucca, you are still our gem. Turning into a little lady before our very eyes. Such a beautiful little lady. I always dreamed of having a girl, and you are fulfilling every bit of the girl I dreamed of, and a whole lot more.

Best Sister EVER

Jackson is a lucky dude - because Lucca is his sister. Actually I can't get over what an amazing sister she is. She has so much patience with her brother, soo much love for him, and she's such a helpful little mommy. I am so proud of her. She is so understanding, beyond her 2 years, of why she is loaded and unloaded last into the car, why her dinner is ready after his dinner, why I have to nurse Jackson before we have a tea party, why I need to put buddy down for his nap before we can go in the backyard, etc etc etc. Sometimes it feels like I am always telling her "just a minute" so I can take care of Jackson. She never throws a fit over any of this -- never seems to get jealous -- never resents that the world doesn't revolve only around Lucca anymore. Tonight in the bath, Jackson kept taking every toy away from Lucca. Every single one. And she never got upset with him. When he took her ball, I was waiting for her to tell him nooo buddy, but she didn't. She would just grab something else.

She is seriously the best big sister.

Jackson stealing her water

Best Friends

Playing music together (Sis always brings Jackson an instrument to play)

Playing together in the ball pit

Buddies

Sausalito Friday nights

Lucca loved her time at Sausalito's Music by the Bay tonight. We met Rustin at the ferry and then enjoyed some good food, fun music, a gorgeous setting and friends! We had a picnic dinner on the waterfront...A fresh olive baguette from the farmer's market with Cowgirl Creamery cheese and heirloom tomatoes on top. So yummy! Lucca couldn't get enough of the cheese & bread, go figure, we're related! Then we had berries and chocolate coconut macaroons for dessert. And vino! Lucca danced with daddy, herself, and anyone else who felt like movin' and shakin'... Always the life of the party, our little shining star. Not sure where she learned the one leg hop dance, but like everything else at this age, we are sure it's just a phase. let's hope :). And in case you didn't know: Age 2 is the bomb.

Cleaning Lady

It's about time she starts cleaning up her messes!

My heart.

My sweet Lucca,

I've so appropriately called you a little gem since you were a wee babe and today this nickname could not have been more fitting. You melted my heart about a billion times today. Two years old is a crazy age -- some days are amazing, some days test every bit of patience that exists in my body. Your personality is larger than life and most days the sky is your limit.

Today you wore a pretty little white dress, sweet as could be. Daddy woke you up and made you breakfast and let me stay in bed. I woke up to you climbing into my bed asking me to read you a Curious George book. "Mommy wakes up," you said. We watched your favorite show, Super Why, which you dance and sing the intro to every single time. We walked to the park and went straight to the swings of course. On the swings you like to sing Doe-a-Deer, play the Rhyme game, and count, both in English and Spanish. Then you made a birthday cake in the sand, used sticks for candles and sang happy birthday to Muno. You ran in the grass, chased a butterfly until it flew away, and then you came running back to me saying "Excuse me mommy, do you know where that butterfly went?" ... I died.

You ate three bean salad and a mini Cibo muffin for lunch. We had lunch with Daddy, so that was a treat. You touched the flamingos and crocodiles (people in Sausalito have wacko yard ornaments..) on the way back to our house the way you always do. We galloped. We hopped. We jumped.

After nap, you didn't want to go anywhere - you just wanted to play at the house. You love to use your imagination. You played with your animals, lined them all up on your surfboard so they could surf. Then they had a tea party. The gorilla stayed in the bag like he always does...you play with all the animals but him.

We went to the grocery store and you got two balloons from the nice old guy that loves when we come in. You also took a bath with those balloons tonight. We watched Gabba and got ready for bed. Jackson was having a rough time settling down and was crying which sometimes makes you cry, you sweet little thing. I got him to sleep and then read your Mickey Mouse story that you waited so, so patiently for. Sometimes it's rough being the big sister and being second in line to the newborn baby, but you do it so well - you really are the best big sis.

You sang your way to sleep to the song of choice lately, This Old Man. I hope you have the sweetest dreams tonight my little lady Lucca-Lu.

You. Are. A. Gem.

Creative Genius

Lucca Elizabeth: Age 2

Counting the bricks on our steps.

May I remember days like these forever.

And that voice!

Ladies who Lunch

2 going on 20. Can't believe my own eyes sometimes when I stare at this little lady, becoming exactly that -- a little lady! Today she asked to go to the coffee shop, with her sunglasses and purse in tow. Why did she want to go there? To eat a pastry, of course. Such a chick!

We love Instagram

I love my clunky Canon EOS, but when it comes to snapping quick pics of the kiddos, my iPhone is always within arms reach. Some of my iphone favorites this week..

Painting

Smoochin brother

Being a diva, sunglasses indoors

Helping Mommy pick flowers

Coloring with chalk on our doorstep

Oh poop

Ahhh, potty training! We finally did it. Lucca was ready at 16 months and here we are, pooping and peeing on the potty at 2 years old. I missed the window at 18 months. We bought a potty and Lucca pooped on it once and wanted nothing to do with it after that, until this past week when we made diapers disappear and Yo Gabba Gabba undies appear. I am still waiting for the "it's so freeing" feeling to hit, because right now we plan our whole day in small increments based on when/where/how often she will have to pee.

After spending 5 pretty solid days at home, boy oh boy were we all ready to get out of the house. So far, we are on Day 8 and haven't had any accidents since Day 2. I'm convinced potty training is more of a mommy accomplishment than a child's. I didn't realize how exhausting it would be -- sitting on the bathroom floor reading stories for hours on end, making up potty songs and word games while sitting on the potty, bribing with treats, asking every 5 seconds if she had to pee, waiting patiently for the glorious poop to come, and doing it all over again and again. Not to mention packing the change of clothes or two every time we go somewhere, just in case.

It all makes sense to me now why so many mom's post facebook status updates about their kid finally pooping on the potty. Because it is a FREAKING BIG DEAL!! Never again will I mock the mama who proclaims victory over potty training on a social network, because it is a victorious feeling indeed.

Mission Accomplished.

Lucca in a Nutshell.

This photo makes me laugh because it pretty much sums up Lucca. A happy girl, always on the GO...laughing, dancing, singing, running, hopping, galloping, jumping, spinning, or just plain moving! Non-stop.

"Animals are going to Hawaii"

Oh, how I love the imagination of my girl. This morning, after lining up all her animals, I asked her where they were going. Her reply? To Hawaii, of course.

Rainy Day Tea Party

Pouring the tea...

Kissing the teapot...(?)

Stirring in some honey...

Delicious!

Lucca, I sent these photos to your Daddy and his response: "She's growing up too fast on us. I wish we could just freeze her at this age." So sweet. We are in love with you baby girl. And I didn't even tell him that you set aside a little blue cup of tea for him at the party, too. Maybe I should have and he'd be on the next ferry home.

Lucca & the Beach Ball

Parents of two year olds: run to Target and get a beach ball out of the $1 bin. Result = super happy kid and super cute photos.

two-year old talk

Me: Are you ready to go, Lucca?

Lucca: No, I need to just do one more somersault first, Mommy.

You got it babe.

Heartbreaker

Her daddy's gonna be in trouble someday don't you think?

My pretty little Starbucks date

(also, the scratch that is never-going-away dang it)

Drama Queen

LUCCA, LUCCA, LUCCA! Your mommy and daddy sure do love you. You have become quite an emotional little girl over the past few weeks since your baby brother has moved in. While you adore your buddy, your emotions are in full swing with mommy and daddy. And let me tell you...a two-year-old emotional roller coaster is a FUN ride! The latest? Every time you come back from the park with Daddy-O you burst through the front door asking me for a special surprise. I made the mistake once of having a "special surprise" waiting for you when you got back from playing outside, and now you think this is part of the routine. You try to demand a surprise, mommy tells you we don't have a special surprise every day, and you burst into full on tears. This happens every day. Oh the DRAMA.

You also have a little scratch on the top of your nose right by your eye. Not sure how you got this, but you can't leave it alone and you pick the scab off every day. Today I told you to stop picking the scab on your "ouchie" so that it can heal. As soon as I say the word "ouchie" you start totally sobbing. Tears galore. As if it still hurts. All because I pointed out the scratch on your nose. So, I told Lucca not to touch it about three times today, and every time we talked about it, the same reaction from my drama queen. Sobbing. And needing big hugs from mommy. At this rate, I am pretty sure that scratch is never going away.

No clogged tear ducts around here, that is for sure. The best part? Every time Lucca cries, she goes and stands in front of the mirror to watch herself crying. Totally normal, right?

Best Big Sister Ever

Lucca LOVES Jackson. It just melts my little heart to watch her with him. She asks to see him as soon as she wakes up each morning. She smothers him with kisses, hugs, snuggles, etc - and I mean smothers. We have to keep a very close eye on her because the love she has for her "brand new baby brother!" is immense and sometimes pours out by laying right on top of him. Or squeezing him. Or poking his eyes.

I am incredibly thankful Lucca has responded so well to Jackson. During my pregnancy, I would be up in the middle of the night worrying about her, wondering how she would react to a new baby in the house. On her turf. Uninvited. I felt guilty and nervous -- mostly scared that our new baby would change my relationship with Lucca. I was scared she would be mad, and jealous over all of the attention the new baby would require. But thankfully it's the exact opposite. We hear "Can we bring brother? Can I hold brother? Can I touch brother? Can I kiss brother?" And when she isn't asking us these questions, she is squealing with excitement over him. All his noises make her laugh. She likes when he yawns, sneezes, squeaks, toots. And when he cries? "It's okay buddy! What do you need buddy? I think he needs some milk from mommies boobies..."

She loves to love him. Thank you God. We are blessed, and know it. <3