Grace Turns The Big Three

My little girl turns three today.......how can that be?!

Wasn't it just yesterday I was pacing the family room trying to settle my colicky baby? I remember thinking, "everyone says they grow so fast, but it doesn't feel like it." Time seems to go so slow when your sweet baby cries...and cries some more. I know, that is not the dearest memory to share, but that is SO how i felt in those early weeks and months after Grace was born. But now, I look back on these most amazing three years and realize everyone was right. It does go fast. Too fast.

Wasn't it yesterday she was babbling and staring intently at my lips as I sang the ABC song to her while changing her diaper? Now she's putting ABC puzzles together with minimal help from me.

 

Wasn't it yesterday I was watching her face light up as we shared a popsicle for the first time? Yesterday she requested I make pink cupcakes for her friends at school to celebrate her big day.

 

Wasn't it yesterday she was bear crawling around the yard pulling my flowers and picking unripened strawberries? Now she has her own gardening set and enjoys helping me with the plants.

Wasn't it yesterday I wept listening to her cry herself to sleep because I insisted she learn to sooth herself at night? We haven't totally cured her of that. She still finds any excuse to sleep in our bed or cuddle with me in the middle of the night when she wakes up. I always loved sleeping with her and it's no secret, I still do, to daddy's dismay.

Wasn't it yesterday she was covered in rolls, so plump the sight of her just made you smile from ear to ear? Now she is more beautiful than ever, with a personality so imaginative and bright.

Happy Birthday to the girl who blesses us each day as we get to watch her grow!   *Sniff Sniff*

Dirt Boy

Sam is really "digging" the dirt. Pun intended.

Backyard Progress

Our landscapers are officially back working hard on the yard. They were here on Saturday and finished one of the walls. Sod is tentatively getting placed down later this week. If that's the case, Grace's b-day celebration is a go! Batting my eyes must have worked! Although Scott and I still have our doubts. There is still so much to do.

 

Yet again Sam is captured just being a boy. Nothing more exciting than marker flags, rocks, dirt, and left over sprinkler pipes. And yes, he's a true Pacific Northwesterner, sporting socks and Tevas :)

Flashdance

When I am home in the evening hours I am usually the one to put Grace to bed. It has just become "our routine." As Grace finishes using the bathroom and brushing her teeth I am usually doing the same. Lately she has been adding a bit of entertainment to our nightly ritual. This consists of dancing, jabbering/singing, and/or making faces in the bathroom mirror. I would not be entirely surprised if this kid goes into acting/entertainment industry. I would have never thought such a character could come from my brood!

 

 

Backyard Update

The backyard is coming along. Although much slower than we initially anticipated. Apparently business picks up for landscapers when the weather is crazy warm and nice, not to mention everyone wants their job done by Memorial Day. Well we just want it done before June 2nd. Scott leaves for 7 weeks on the 3rd and we hope to throw a birthday party for Grace on the 2nd. Can you believe she will be turning 3?! We tried playing that pity card with the landscapers last week, and I batted my eyes. We will see if it works.

After over a week of zero work being done on our yard, we had some action back there today. A large pile of drainage rock now sits in our driveway. Besides having to park the new car on the street (boo) it's quite amazing how entertaining a mound of rock can be for two toddlers. Rocks and dirt are Samuel's new favorite things to play with...and eat. I'm not even kidding.

Chambers Bay

In 2015 the PGA will hold one of their premier events, the US Open, hosted here in Tacoma at one of it's newest courses, Chabers Bay.  Along with the links style 18 hole golf course is a great play field, dog run, playground, 3 mile loop trail, and this bridge over the railroad tracks to the beach.  An excelent location to let Sam run and explore.

Fickle Spring

One day it's in the mid-low 40's, then just a day or two later, as warm at the mid 80's.  No matter - Grace and Sam can, and sometimes do, enjoy playing together.  Bribing them with food can help.

The Best Mom

I thought it odd Sarah left herself out of the "Fort Flagler Family Fiesta" blog post, so, in honor of mother's day, I'm spreading the cheer she brings our children.  Here we have Sarah in her native habitat; sun, snacks, and smiling children fighting for a few more square inches of that most precious of real-estate, the lap.  Thanks for being such an amazing Mom, even if that means I have to share you with two other Templins most of the time.

Fort Flagler Family Fiesta

Our view a few yards from the front of the house. Mt Baker to the left, Mt Rainier to the right!

We spent the Cinco de Mayo holiday weekend with friends of ours up north at Fort Flagler, and boy did we hit the jackpot! Scott and I deliberated about how to divulge (or NOT) our newly discovered vacation spot, as it seems to be a well kept secret and we plan on taking full advantage of this on a yearly basis from here on out.

The grounds are bountiful with bike trails, beaches, grassy meadows, playground equipment, and acres of underground batteries begging for exploration. Our friends and I made an impromptu reservation in one of the old NCO houses, originally made into a duplex. Perfect to house the two families and perfectly located above a scenic bluff overlooking the inlet. Best part...we were blessed with the most amazing spring weather. If you didn't hear, Seattle tied Phoenix with the nations highest temperature that weekend!

The duplex was fully equipped except we had to bring our own linens. We ate every meal outside on the picnic table in front of the house and the three kids [Grace-almost 3, Joey-2 and Samuel-16 months] loved all the new adventures offered and seemed to relish in each others company.

Grace "directing" as usual, handing out sidewalk chalk to the boys.

Grace and Samuel tested out a borrowed double bike trailer for the first time. Since they seemed to thoroughly enjoy it, a trailer might be in our future for plenty of summer biking fun. Add a workout for mom and dad, bonus!

 The bike rides were broken up with picnic lunches, playground fun, and chasing each other in the underground tunnels within the batteries. The kids loved the sound of the echoes!

The kiddos flew a kite for the first time. Of course Joey and Grace bickered over who got to hold the string.

Overall rating of the location and vacation: A. Give it a few years when the kids are older and go off playing on their own leaving moms and dads to enjoy an uninterrupted glass of local beer or wine, that grade turns into an A+!