Flying with kids

Michael and I decided it was finally time for a family vacation a few months ago.   We gathered up our courage and got on a plane headed for the Big Island of Hawaii.   Planning and packing for a family vacation is a lot more complicated that the glorious days of just the two of us.     Armed with many kid toys, dvds, electronic gadgets and snacks, we boarded the plane.      We were just about the last ones on the plane due to two parents not paying attention, and one surprise diaper change that was demanded at the very last second.    

The plane ride was difficult, but we made it.   Every hour seem to go on forever.   Maddy was really good and kept herself entertained most of the time.  Makena required both of us to keep distracted.   We had one grumpy old man in the seat before us that was turning around and complaining not even and hour into the flight.   A few more complaints and I finally stood my ground and told him to take it to the Flight Attendants if he had an issue, which he never did.  I realize kids are a huge pain in the butt on planes, but I assure you that as a mom I was doing everything possibly to keep the peace, keep my kids entertained and everyone mellow.  There was no crying, little screaming, and two very good kids.   But the man was on high alert for any kid issues, so any bump to his seat made him angry.  Well yes, my kids will bump your seat.  After all they are 2 and 4 years old, so sitting still for 5 hours is not something their capable of.  Hell, I am not really capable of it at 38 years old.    Michael nicely pointed out an empty seat in the next row over suggested he make a change.  He grumbled and left us alone. 

View from Hot Tub

I will admit about half-way through I tried to give Makena a little something to make her sleep.   I have used it before and it just mellowed her out.  Well Karma bit me in the ass, as it wound her up and made her irritable and ancy.  This is about the LAST thing you want from a 2 year old with 3 hours to go in a flight.   Makena must have climbed into and out of her seat about 150 times.   Oh man, it was dicey for awhile there....and somehow we eventually got here.    Lesson learned and I won't attempting that again.

Anaeho'omalu Beach

The girls are still on Seattle time, so were up at 5:30am each morning thus far.   But its light by 6am and gorgeous, so not that hard to take.   Its simply gorgeous and so wonderful to be in warm breezes with two girls who are loving it.  

*Images are not mine; just stolen to for viewing pleasure!

Pumpkins

We went out to Craven Farms in the first week of October for Tate's First Birthday. What a fantastic place to have a birthday party!     The weather wasn't great, but it still worked out really well.  All of us had fun, even Makena and I who were deep in the land of sickness. 

  Once in awhile they let me take a good picture with them, not often.

 If I could only get this thing in gear!

 Pumpkin Sling!

 This is amazing.  My girls never do the photo with the scene and put their head through. 

I think this might be the first time.  Maddy looks so thrilled.

 Birthday Boy.   Adorable. 

He loved his cupcake and had no problem devouring it.

Makena's Pumpkin.  

Maddy and Molly, smiling yet again.

The Many Faces of Makena

I had the camera with me in the car one day a few weeks ago.   I was parked and turned around to say "Makena Smile" and this is what happened.     I can't really qualify any of these as a 'smile'.    But they do send a shiver in me of what kind of devilish things this girl may get into in the future.  Just look at that face.... oh help us.  We are going to need it. 

 This is a smile?   Mmm, try again

Okay, we'll a bit closer but could do away with

the scary eyes 'I'm going to get you look'?

 Smile, not point....smile.   Still this is the best yet.

And back to the 'Are you done yet?' look.

What happened?

I just looked at the date of the last blog entry and it said August!   What happened?  Where did the time go?  Its October!!   The leaves are turning, the heat is on in the house, and my toes are cold.   I'm not really a summer type of girl, but clearly I'm getting older as I already am mourning the loss of my sandals.   I want to live where I can where sandals year round.  Is it really so much to ask?   

So what have we been up to?  I have to go through some pics to remember.

My friend Carrie was in town from Colorado.   We had some a fun time hanging out at CarKeek Park with her son, Will.  What a cutie and loved the beach.   My girls, weren't so thrilled with the beach and we had a few whines, cries...but after I pulled out some treats...smiles returned.  Funny how that works.

We headed out to Remlinger Farms one weekend in Carnation.   Molly and her family joined us.   Love this picture of the girls.   It was too much fun and not enough time to experience everything from rides to farm animals, and of course a very enticing market and gift shop.   We will have to return again to see more.

Taste of Edmond in Mid-August with the family.   I have to be honest and had higher expectations for this event and remember it being well, more fun.   I'm not sure if we were there too early or what..but it was just a bit dismal.    Madelyn was not dismal as you can see she got berries on a stick covered in sprinkles.  Makena got a fruit chew.   Doubt that will work next year.     As you might expect, the berries looked fantastic but were a mess to eat and really not worth it.  But I guess that is all part of being a kid.

And last but not least toward the end of August, was Big Truck Day in Redmond.      The girls and I had signed up through the City of Redmond, which meant they all got pink plastic hard hats and big truck cookies.  Its a very fun event with local companies bringing in Big Trucks from fire engines, garbage truck, Dizzy's Tumblebus for the kids to play on, SWAT vehicles, Police Vehicles and more.   You name it, they got it.    They hold the event at Farrel McWhirter, so you have farm animals, trucks, and a ice cream truck.  Perfection.

We end the day by hitting up the popsicle truck.   What could be better? 

Summer Fun

A few pictures of what we've been up to since our Summer has truly begun, meaning Late July.    Once the rain stops, and the sun come out, and the mold dries off your skin...you can have quite a bit of fun around this town.  



Beach Day with Hannah and Claudia. Donuts to start, of course!

Ice Cream Cones, homemade!  Huge Treat, big squeals of delight. 

Even the picky one gave it a try.

Fishing Birthday Party for Leandro!

Girlfriends, goosip, sangria, and reminscing about old times.  Perfect.

Mom & Maddy picture.  Increasingly difficult to get good pics with my girls.

Cake time.  Happy Birthday Leandro!

Mosh Pit on the wagon.  Michael pulling six kids. 
Much laugher, and one not so happy.  Poor Makena.

Girlfriend Reunion.  Next year, Vegas.  No kids, of course.

Jump my way to Four

Maddy's  Fourth Birthday was held at Jump Planet.   Warehouse full of large bouncy houses in every variety.    Kids love it, parents run around and chase their kids, and after an hour everyone is tired.  Perfect.   We had 14 kids jumping their hearts out, screaming like crazy.    It was chaotic, fun,  hilarious, exhausting, and over in 2 hours.    Jump Planet is a well organized Birthday Machine.   After jumping their hearts out,  we headed upstairs into a room for Pizza , Cupcakes and Presents.    Madelyn wanted a Dora & Diego themed party and that is what we did.    Next year, were skipping this craziness.  At least that is what I say now.

Birthday Girl

Hannah and Molly going crazy

Line up ...most popular Bounce House

Group Picture,  #1

Group Picture, #2  (Many more attempts, but I won't bore you) 

Dora and Diego Cupcake Cake.  Maddy loved it. 
Mom loved picking it up at a store, so easy!

Birthday Girl Chair.   Maddy wanted no part of being the
center of attention.  Everyone other kid was all about that chair.

Cupcake Love.  

Presents!!!!

Four Years Old

Maddy turned Four on July 8th.  It goes by so fast.  I will admit that some days I feel like time has stopped and I'll be stuck in tantrum-hell with them forever.  But then you look up and your "baby" is turning Four.  I know we'll turn around and she'll be in High School.

At the zoo, after a tantrum of not getting a huge lollipop.   Trying Dipping Dots for the first time and discovering they actually are really good.  But definitely not wanting to admit it to Mom.

We went for her yearly check up last week.   Her doctor comes in and takes a look at her stats and says "Wow, she is tall!"   Maddy is 42" tall and 40lbs.  She has consistently been in the 95% for height since she was a baby.   For both my girls the number one comment I receive is "Wow, she is tall".    Yep, they are.   They can thank their Dad for that trait, not Mom.    

We had two shots that day, which I was dreading.  At four years old, your way more conscious of what is going on and therefore, the screaming associated with shots could be potentially a lot worse!   I was prepared with gummy snacks.   But Madelyn surprised me.   Her Doctor explained to Maddy she would be getting two shots.   Maddy seemed not to care much and didn't have too much of a reaction.  Nurse came in to give the shots...and Madelyn's big concern was the band aids.  She was very clear that she did not want band aids.   Two shots went in with barely a whimper and Maddy's big comment was
"Can I have my gummys now?"    Wow!!!  I was very impressed.

Maddy is all big emotion lately.   I keep hoping this is a phase, but am thinking it just might be her.  She all or nothing, and rarely a mellow kid.    She is loud and loves to be loud, laughing, yelling and generally making sure the house is not quiet.    The loud part she gets from me.  I know this.  I'm pretty sure we weren't meant to have quiet kids.  

Favorite Birthday Presents

As Maddy's language increases, she comes out with some funny things.  I try to keep track of them as they are precious.     Here's a few -

Maddy - I think your orange thing is on the BBQ is done
Michael thinking she doesn't know what she is talking about....then discovers his cedar plank has caught fire on the grill! I guess she did know what she was talking about.

Maddy - at the Pirate Party on Golden Gardens Beach, very upset about the sand.
I don't like this sand...crying crying.....I don't like this beach there is sand everywhere...all around...get me out of here!

Mom - What do you want to be when you grow up, Maddy?
Maddy - I just want to be myself. I don't want to be anything else.
(Perfect. Let's come back to this in 12 years and discuss further)

Maddy - Mom, can I tell you something?
Mom - What honey?
Maddy - I just want to be a kid forever. I don't want to grow up to be a big person.
Mom - Yeah, me too. Oh wait...too late.

Maddy - Mom, aren't you coming to the park?
Mom - No Maddy. I'm staying home to clean and get some things done.
Maddy - Well don't forget to clean the garage
Mom - Thanks kid, I didn't have enough to do.

Maddy - I have a lot of friends and I have to play with all my girlfriends.  But not my boyfriends.  Boyfriends are dumb!

Here is hoping that this year goes just a wee bit more smoothly than last year.   As Three was definitely challenging.  Four has yet to prove any easier.  I keep hoping and Maddy keep it real.

Catch Up

We've been slacking on the blog lately.  Time to play a a bit of catch up.
Madelyn and her friend Molly went hiking in early July, with Dads of course.   The girls had a great time, with one large wipe out by Madelyn. Elbows and Knees have healed, but I heard it was pretty loud crying mess on the trail. Luckily they recovered and moved on.

 Maddy and Molly on a hike, being silly.   

 Another great 4th of July at the Neighbors. We are so lucky to have a fantastic neighbor behind us who throws great 4th of July parties, with an extensive display of Fireworks. The kids mostly love running around and playing on the bouncy house.

What is Fourth of July without Elmo.  He had to come.

 Bouncy slide fun.

 Playing with the neighbor kids, Fox and Maverick, on the hammock. 

 Hula-hooping sweetheart.

Once in a while you catch the girls being very sweet to one another.  

This was a family trip to the Zoo.

Whidbey Island

Its been awhile since we've done a weekend away with the girls.   I was determined to get the girls to the beach and to get myself out of this house.  Michael went along with the plan, though, I am sure he thought I was crazy.   

We rented a house up on Whidbey Island.  Beautiful old farmhouse with a porch I could have sat on forever.  The view was straight out over Useless Bay - just gorgeous.  So peaceful, we'll till nap time was over...and then chaos started up all over again.   

It was a good weekend, but not an easy weekend.  The girls loved it.   I enjoyed being away from our regular routine.  We checked out local beaches, took in the Bayview Farmers Market, and headed up to Coupeville for lunch.   

The girls loved playing in the yard at the Farmhouse. There was no neighbors nearby, so all the screaming, running, and chaos could be enjoyed without limitations.   

Our low point of the weekend was visiting a local mexican restaurant, La Casita, or something like that.  The clock is always ticking as soon as we sit down, as Makena is not so good at dining out.  In hindsight we should have bought frozen pizza at the grocery store and ate in.  Nope, naively we went for Mexi.    Neither of the girls were listening or acting nice, and then Makena in one quick move, shoved her plate, with rice and chips, across the table and careening off onto the floor, food flying everywhere.   I swooped her up and took her outside for a timeout, which she sort of understood...I hope.    Michael said the hostess came over and said "Oh Dear".  You know you've really hit rock bottom when your making too much of a mess at a Mexi restaurant!    Not two minutes later I look up and Makena has somehow reached over and has grabbed two large fistfuls of Madelyn's hair and is pulling them and yelling, like she was grabbing the reigns on a horse...only it was her sister's head.   All I could do was say something like "Aghhh ...Ahhhhhgggg" and point.    Michael just about ran with Makena out of the restaurant, while I yelled "check please!!" 

We had more than our fair share of tantrums, screaming, whining, and horrible behaviors while eating in a restaurant. But overall, it was still a good weekend. Or at least I'm trying to convince myself. I crack up when thinking about it because I have multiple friends who have taken their kids traveling far and wide. To places complicated and way more exotic locations - Thailand for a month, the Phillipines for a month, Hawaii, Boston, etc...and all of them seem to do rather well. We tried Whidbey for a weekend and I am pretty sure Michael was ready to hitchhike back home at several points. Somehow, someday this will get easier. When...and how we will get to that point is a complete mystery to me.

I guess we just keep trying.