We have officially enjoyed over 365 days in Boise! I've been especially reflective the past couple of weeks as I think back to the transition we made last April. The sun's light on the now-green foothills, the budding trees, the cool wind, the afternoons spent on the front porch, the bike rides to get the mail, the first stage of planting in the farm behind us.... each detail reminds me so distinctly of those first weeks of anticipation when we arrived here one year ago.
Our days and weeks have blurred together with our normal routine-- Sophie continues to thrive at preschool. Like her mommy, she loves to play school, so afternoons are spent writing and reading, teaching and learning. She is such a little person, no longer is there anything toddler-like about her mannerisms or ideas or behavior. Sophie continues to love soccer, swimming, and tap/ballet, and later today, she has her first yoga class! She has drop off play dates and birthday parties, she giggles and tells secrets to her best friends, she informs the family that she's going to "do my own thing" and shuts her bedroom and loses herself in her imagination. She is curious, inquisitive, fiercely intelligent, and focused. She and I completed the first stages of our fairy garden, and my awe in this magical space matches hers.
Cameron is crashing head first into his 2nd birthday next month. I believe in the Terrible 2s. I believe in tantrums where nothing but the reward of candy help stop the escalating drama! He is hysterical, though, charming all of us with his funny faces and expressions. His language continues to develop and expand. He always asks "Why, mommy, why?" and wants explanations for everything. He reprimands Louie the cat and pretends he is a dog chasing Louie back home. He always has cars in his hand. He hugs and kisses and cuddles like no other. He runs quickly, jumps high, kicks balls with force, and looks the same size as children 2 years old than he is. Cameron's independence and confidence always make me laugh whether we are at his gym class, on a playdate, or picking Sophie up at school. My big baby boy's behavior is either hot or cold, and perhaps this wild spectrum of behavior is one of the reasons he brings
so much fun and laughter to this house. Sometimes I close my eyes and try to permanently absorb and retain the overwhelming love I feel from Cam when he holds my hand, kisses me, or gives me a giant hug. I don't know if it's because he is my baby or because he is my son, but there is something distinctly sweet and tender about his affection for his mommy. After days of his meltdowns and irrational tantrums, I savor the hugs and kisses he gives me as we quietly rock to sleep.
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| "Mine, mine." |
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| "Mine, Gaga, Mine!!" |
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| Victory. |
Doug and I enjoyed 48 fast and furious hours in Las Vegas with two of our best friends from Seattle whom we miss dearly. The sun, the food and drink, the freedom to be spontaneous and free of children... it was a much appreciated break! And coincidentally, we even overlapped for a few hours with the always fun, Auntie Pippy and Uncle Josh! Meanwhile, Sophie and Cam were beyond thrilled to spend the weekend with Grandma during our absence. She took them to the neighborhood Easter Egg hunt to kick off this holiday week and showered them with love and attention.
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| visit to Zoo Boise |
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| While the kids are away, mommies and daddies will play... |
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| (With or without champagne), I love this man! |
Today was a busy and hectic day running the kids around everywhere. Everybody had a meltdown at the same time, and I felt like a drill sergeant with my list of commands or a judge with my list of consequences. Today was a full-on day as a mom, where the biggest meal I ate consisted of jelly beans and cheese, and I continued to check the clock to see if it was bedtime yet. I longed for another amazing weekend away with Doug and friends....
So, I packed the kids up in the double stroller and we headed out for an evening run. Both kids rocked their stylish sunglasses, each kid brought a snack of choice, and they got to wear whatever they had on (one in jammies and mismatched socks and another one in a shirt too small and winter boots). As we ran through our wonderful neighborhood, I told each child what I appreciated about them from our day. I appreciated Cameron's patience during Sophie's swim lesson and the way he took turns at his gym class. I appreciated Sophie's enthusiasm for her drop-off playdate and how she did her best at her swimming lesson even when it was exhausting. I also told them how I appreciated their understanding that mommy wanted an after-dinner run that took them away from playing. As I shared my praise with them, Sophie leaned across and squeezed Cam's hand and said "Thanks, mommy. You're the best mommy in the whole world." It was a good end to a chaotic day.
(Followed by Cam crying because Sophie touched him and Sophie crying because all of her snacks were eaten and Cam wouldn't give her his...and then Cam crying because he wanted to go home and Sophie whining because I ran over a bump in the sidewalk and it allegedly/apparently hurt....)
