no shoes, shirt, anything required

 This week is in the 90s, and we just purchased a little pool for the backyard (small kid pool). This has meant one thing: POOL TIME ALL THE TIME. Which of course means, no clothes. I have now put clothes on these kids for two days in a row, after pool time, only to have them both back in the water fully clothed within 30 minutes. Therefore, we spent the afternoon naked. No. THEY spent the afternoon naked. I haven't completely lost all sense of reality yet. 

So what better thing to do than take a few pictures of these buns? 

 Hudson takes eating almost as seriously as he takes pool time. Almost. 

 Today, after morning time in the water, Hudson took a 3 HOUR NAP. If that tells you at all how much he loves that pool.

Meanwhile, Stella took every opportunity to get on the train while Hudson was preoccupied by the water. 

days at home with these characters

Well we've been home together for a little over a month now, and we are beginning to get into the swing of things. Routine is still developing, but I'm working to make sure we mix things up enough that no one is getting terribly bored or stir crazy (especially me). Hudson will be starting a preschool program two days a week starting next week, and that will keep him learning new things and making some new friends! We also just joined a local club - yes, we are moving up in the world! - that offers work out classes, 3 pools, and FREE DAYCARE while you work out. Yes. That is the main reason we signed up. That and we can cancel anytime, so we're just giving it a shot to see if it works for us.

Our days at home have begun to reinforce something with Stella and Hudson for me - Hudson is ALL boy, and Stella is ALL girl. Hudson could drive cars, crash things, play airplanes in the dirt, drive tractors through his dinner plate, all day. And Stella, (i have NO idea where she gets this from) finds random things that look like jewelry and puts them on. She's petite already, but how on earth does this ONE year old know about jewelry (i don't wear much, especially because she yanks on it!) and how to wear it!? She's girly. It's so amazing to watch their characters develop, their innate personalities. So much of our parenting can influence who they become, but these two are born to be who they are, and it's very cool to see it begin to take shape, even in the smallest of ways. 

So i've been unemployed for over a month now. Or, i should say, i've only been working one full time job instead of two. :) And i have to say, i do miss my coworkers, and the position I was able to have at Front Range. I met some amazing friends, and look forward to our paths crossing again. I don't really miss Denver. I do miss the kids' daycare teacher, Lina. She was awesome. And i do miss the freedom I had to drop the kids off and not have to worry about them all day. But I think I can honestly say I am enjoying my time with them - most of the time. Of course there are moments throughout the day when i just want to crawl in a hole for a minute. But then nap time comes, gives me a 20 minute break (maybe more, depending on who wants to sleep well that day), and i get to spend a few minutes cleaning the house by myself. Wait a minute, that does NOT sound like something I would say. I don't like doing that. In fact, I don't really know if i can explain how I feel about all this change. It's been a LOT. A LOT. These kids are handling it amazingly though, and I love that. I've LOVED connecting with old friends, meeting our neighbors, exploring parks, and just figuring out things to do together. I also love when Andy gets home at the end of the day. :) 

Sure there have been hard days, hard moments, second thoughts, and concern that we made a mistake. But in two days we're driving up to Santa Barbara for my cousins wedding. DRIVING. My entire family will be there. And though we would have gone even in we lived in Denver still, it's different. We spent Easter with family. Yesterday I took a friend to lunch for her birthday. Last weekend Andy and I went on a REAL DATE, while a babysitter watched the kids. It was awesome. 

So, so far, life here isn't perfect, but it's pretty darn good. I'm blessed, thankful, hopeful, and trying to keep the cup half full for our family, no matter what comes our way. 

And i think i'm going to take more pictures WITH my kids from now on. :) 

adventuring out to California

 On our last sunday in Denver, we visited my wonderful friend from work, Mary. It was a great way to end our time in Colorado, with her and her family! The next day the packers came, and the day after the moving truck came and loaded all our things for the drive out to Claremont. Wednesday, March 26th we began our trip…the four of us and Lego, in the car. For three days. No, we have not gone insane. And somehow, we did survive. But it wasn't easy!

 Our first night we stopped in Moab, thinking we could take the morning to hike and see the beauty. Our plans were spoiled when Stella started vomiting the day before…for the ENTIRE TRIP. So we limped along…by day two Hudson was sick, and by the end of day two I was sick. SO we rolled into Claremont, VERY anxious to get out of the car!! Thankfully we arrived to this beautiful home!!

 Two trips to urgent care, medication, furniture arriving, and help from Grandma Rosdil, we were on the mend. The first week we were here we headed out to Aunt Susies house to visit with Oma, Auntie and Uncle Travers, and the great grandparents! We checked out the aquarium in San Pedro and had LOTS of FUN! Which was a wonderful change from the week before!!

And Stellas in her first pair of SHORTS! :)