Bike Ride to the park

When its not too hot outside I try to have the kids ride their bikes down to one of the small parks by our house. It is quite nice to be able to walk and follow behind them. They both do really good riding their bikes all by themselves. 

I do have to say I am enjoying how spoiled my life is right now with 2 really good kids that are somewhat independent. Scarlett just went from being a baby to a big girl SO fast. Even though I know all this, seeing that I have 4 weeks left of being pregnant I struggle to really appreciate my kids. I am tired a lot, my feet, legs, and back hurt by the end of the day, and I just don't sleep the best. 

With all that being said I am very ready to be done being pregnant, BUT I don't know that I am quite ready to have an infant. Our life is going to change, but I know it will be a good change for our family. 

These 2 loves of mine are quite excited for baby sister to come out. I know they will both adore her! I am sure Payton will be a big help at first, but once the newness of it wears off he won't want to do as much. Scarlett I am sure will want to do everything. I am sure she will think she is the mommy and baby sister is a doll. 

I just love watching Payton and Scarlett play so well together. They definitely don't always agree or get along, but the good times totally trump the bad times. 

I just love Scarlett so much! She is a very special girly in our family. She brings a lot of laughter and joy into our home. She is VERY opinionated and knows what she wants.  I sometimes forget how young she really is. She adores her brother and wants to be just like him. She can ride a bike, get dressed by herself, get her own clothes, open the car door, get into her seat and buckle and unbuckle her seat belt, she has been out of diapers since she was 22 months, she never wets her bed, she can put on her own shoes (any kind), she loves Dora, she loves wearing big poofy princess dresses to church, she loves having her toe nails and finger nails painted, she loves to swing at the park, and she is a total girly girly when she wants to be, but is way tough and rough at the same time. 

Payton just melts my heart! He has grown up so fast over the last year. He will be starting school in August and I know he is ready! He knows the alphabet without hesitation. He is obsessed with GI JOES. He loves being in the go joe room with his dad. He is able to go in there at time without Josh because he knows he has to be super careful. Payton is such a sweet boy, he has a very sweet personality. He and Scarlett are not the same at all. Payton retains everything. He has begun quoting movies more and more, he loves watching GI Joe, Fireman Sam, Bob the Builder, Super Why, and Leap Frog. He can count to 30, he can write his first name, he is currently learning his address, he doesn't love to wear shorts, or short sleeved shirts and would rather wear pants and a sweatshirt. Many days I have to compromise with him and allow him to wear pants and a short sleeve shirt or he can wear shorts with a long sleeve shirt. He definitely has an opinion of his own. He does best when we keep with a simple routine in our life. He thinks he is big enough to go into the mens restroom all by himself (I don't love this). He can just about get everything in the kitchen by himself. He hates crust on bread, and has decided he loves homemade strawberry jam! He thinks the bathtub is a pool and is such a little fish. He is taking swim lessons again this year and has improved 100%. He is no longer afraid of the big pool, and loves to put his face under the water. He does a wonderful job at the dentist and hasn't had a cavity yet. He is an awesome big brother. He gets excited each morning when Scarlett wakes up. They usually say morning to each other and sometimes hug. He helps her when she needs help, and he only calls her Bum. He gets concerned with she gets hurt and tries his best to make her happy.

He loves to take my camera and take all types of pictures. This picture on the right is one that he took looking out a hole at Scarlett and I. 

I am a very proud mom! I just adore both Payton and Scarlett with all my heart! They both bring a lot of joy into our home. They definitely cause challenges, but its from those challenges that makes us and them stronger. I wouldn't change a thing!

Scarlett loved that Payton was chasing her on their bikes. They both had huge smiles on their faces while playing together. 

I am definitely a blessed and lucky mom. I know I am the one that writes everything, but I know Josh feels the same way. Every day the kids say they miss him at least 2 to 3 times, and the minute they hear the garage door opening they are both running to the door yelling "yeah, daddy is home". Josh loves these moments. I am grateful to be an eternal family!

Stockton Ports Game

A few weeks ago we went with our good friends the Toutai family and headed to the Stockton Ports baseball game. It was $2 tickets, hot dogs, and soda night. Definitely an opportunity that we had to take advantage of. 

Payton, Mapuana and Mo played with my camera for the first little while so these few pictures are from them. I love them, but these kids are so silly!

Payton, Mapuana, Mo, and Melanie

Mapuana 

Mo

Payton

Viliami and Scarlett

After sitting in our seats for less than 30 minutes, the kids were getting antsy of course, so we decided to move to the grass area. It was all open and we knew the kids would enjoy it a lot more, plus this way we didn't have to worry about them bugging all the people around us. 

We actually all enjoyed sitting in the grass. The view of the game was actually a little better than in our seats, and we were right next to the food stand. 

Scarlett!

Mapuana, Payton and Mo rolled around in the grass. We were on a little hill so they enjoyed that. The ran and played and had a great time. Scarlett joined in with them once in a while, but she seemed to much rather be with us 4 adults and Viliami.

These 3 were quite crazy! We actually stayed for the whole game. The Ports ended up losing, but not by much. The weather was beautiful and the company was great! We really have enjoyed doing lots of different things with our kids. I hope they remember all these fun family activities we have done together. I know I remember a lot of the activities my parents did with us kids. Family time is such a blast, and its even more fun when we have such great friends to join us!

Quick visit with Grandpa!

A few weeks back the Grandpa with Calvin (Payton's words) came to visit us for a quick visit. He had to work down in the LA area for 2 weeks so he came and saw us on the weekend. He had a 2012 Mustang Convertable that his work rented for him for the 2 weeks. My kids thought it was the coolest thing ever. 

The first thing that they wanted to do was go for a ride in the car with the top down.

It's a good thing they are small. The back seats in those cars have NO space.

The kids loved it. Anytime we had to leave the house they wanted to take grandpa's car. Payton enjoyed climbing in and out on the sides instead of using the door! Scarlett just loves everything Payton loves!

Scarlett will still ask me randomly to see a picture of grandpa's car on my cell phone. It just amazes me that they are both so young, but yet thought this car was the coolest. I guess they have never been in a car like this before so they were excited to try something new. I doubt I will ever own a car like this. I did not enjoy the fact that if I had my hair down while driving it was all in my face. 

Payton loves being tied up. He got grandpa to tie his arms and legs together. It was funny to watch him try and get out.

It was a nice day out so we headed out and enjoyed some mini golf.

The kids had a great time. Payton is getting so big. Scarlett just had fun trying to hit the ball and then putting it in the hole. 

Father and Son relaxing while they wait for grandpa to take his turn.

Payton did a really great job hitting the ball into the holes. He did cheat sometimes, but who doesn't!

After a while Scarlett would just pick up her pink ball and put it into the hole.

Josh tried to help her out some with the club, but it was a little too big for her. She did hit the ball a few times though with the club!

Grandpa, Josh and I all had at least one hole in one!

Cute pictures of Scarlett. My baby girl is growing too fast. She is definitely a 2 year old, but thinks she is going on 4!

Payton is silly! Lately when I take pictures of him he is doing some kind of weird pose. He is also getting so big and growing so fast. 

It was a warm day out so we enjoyed the cold waters that I had brought. After about the 15th hole the kids were both getting done! We did make it to the end and grandpa got 1st, Josh got 2nd and I got last!

After some mini golf Payton, Josh and Grandpa went on the water boats. It was grandpa and Payton against Josh!

Payton loved every minute of it! 

He was laughing and trying so hard to get his dad all wet. At one point they were trying to get Scarlett and I wet as we were watching them. Scarlett did not like that! I thought it actually felt pretty good!

We had such a fun/short visit with grandpa. We were all so glad we got to see him even if it was a short visit. I am very blessed to be able to see my parents as often as I do considering they live 14 hours away from us. Thank you guys for always making an effort to come and visit!