Busy Summer Days

It's only 10 days into summer vacation and we're finally able to take a small breather. It won't last long since we're headed for camping NEXT WEEK! And then it's the twincesses' birthday when we come back. I'm not ready for camping and I'm barely ready for their birthday party. I did finish birthday shopping for them. The invites have been mailed. I'll need to buy tableware, a pinata, make cakes and pick up snacks, but overall, I'm not as unprepared as I feel. Camping is another story. Daddy doesn't get to join us this year. The girls are bummed, I'm bummed and stressed. I've never set up the tent before, but luckily Papa will be there and Unky Eck gets to come home just in time. Adia's started a countdown on when she sees him again. And DiDi's coming camping again too.

Mira and Leia had their last day of school on June 13th. Mira had a little preschool program. It was so cute! You could definitely hear her singing. She was really into the songs and performing for everyone. She gave both her teachers huge hugs and has been asking nearly daily when she'll be going back to school. Summers are tough when you're little and still love school. Adia actually hugged her teacher goodbye this year. That's a first ever and tells you how wonderful her teacher was. I think we'll all miss her. At least she'll still be at the same school so we can drop in and say hi. I can't believe how much the girls have grown this year. Adia can read and write and has gained so much confidence. She is even willing to order for herself at restaurants and talk to adults. Before this year she was painfully shy with adults she didn't know. While stranger danger is important, hers nearly led to anxiety attacks. Truthfully, I understand completely. I hate talking to people I don't know and I suck at small talk. It's just not who I am. And I still avoid phones and calling people. I'm definitely an email/text message/twitter/facebook person.


After school ended, we headed to the coast to celebrate Daddy's birthday. Daddy's now 30! He took a week vacation for his birthday and we had some wonderful days on the beach. He also got to attend Mira's preschool program. We had a small party for Daddy at Gramma and Papa's house on Friday. Auntie Colie was able to come, but Brad had to work. We were bummed, but we hope to see him soon. The girls really love him. I made Daddy a Earl Grey Cake with lemon curd filling and vanilla butter cream. It was a hit. It actually tasted like lemon poppyseed. DiDi took the girls home with her and Daddy, Auntie Colie and I passed out on the couch. We're such partiers. It's weird to think that that was the last birthday party we'll ever have there. Gramma and Papa accepted an offer on their house and put an offer on one 35min from us so they'll be moving this summer!



The next morning we went out to breakfast and then met up with DiDi and the girls. Gramma and Papa were having a showing so they had to clean their house. DiDi, Daddy, the girls and I headed up to Heceta Beach. The last time we were there the twins were only a few months old and Adia tried to get swept out to sea. The weather seemed pretty awful. It was foggy and sprinkling off and on, but the wind was almost non existent. We decided to "hike" up to the lighthouse. The girls have never gone up there. They complained most of the way, but when we reached the top, they were in awe. They loved it and now whenever they see a lighthouse, they get crazy excited. After hiking down from the lighthouse, the girls played on the beach. They got thoroughly soaked themselves and got completely sandy. In true Cheeto fashion, he just wanted to sit in the car. The dog doesn't do outdoors for very long.


We then headed back to Florence to meet up with Gramma on Bay Street. We had lunch at Mo's, which Adia loves because she likes their lemonade and they have a gluten free menu! After some time at Gramma and Papa's house, Adia went home with DiDi and we got the twins to sleep in Auntie Colie's bed. They sleep really well in the same bed and generally sleep all night on their own. We're working on sleeping all night in their own beds and going to bed without a parent in the room. It's slow, but seems to be working for the twins. The next morning, we ate breakfast and headed to the beach. Daddy wanted to go for a run so Papa dropped him off at Honeyman, told him how to get to South Jetty and off he went. He got lost, ended up going 8+ miles, but he eventually found us again. DiDi and Adia also met us on the beach. Once again, the weather seemed icky. It was really foggy, but no wind. By the time we left a few hours later, it was hot and sunny and we were a tad pink.


That water is crazy cold, by the way. My feet were numb by the end, but the girls loved it. After a shower and nap at Gramma and Papa's house, I met with DiDi at the bowling alley for Tanae's 7th birthday party. The twins have never been bowling before and it's been a few years since Adia went. Mira and Adia loved it. Leia lost interest, but came back after hanging out with Tanae. They used bumpers and the twins used a cool contraption for rolling the bowling ball. Adia actually picked up her ball and chucked it almost like really bowling. The finger holes were a bit big for her. And in true Leia fashion, she wasn't really paying attention and still got the highest score.


After bowling, it was time to head home. Adia stayed with DiDi and Daddy, the twins and I headed home. The twins and I just hung out for the next couple days and on Wednesday we went to story time. Later that afternoon, DiDi and Adia came back and the twins headed home with DiDi. Adia and I hung out for a few days and on Friday, DiDi and the twins met us at the movie theater for Monsters University. The girls loved it, or they loved the goodies, I'm not sure. DiDi spent the night and the next morning we headed to Addi's. The twins requested a giant pancake to share.


Later that afternoon we tie dyed shirts. The girls did really well. I stripped them down to their undies and they only slightly dyed themselves. Their shirts turned out awesome though. I think they're the best ones we've ever done.

Strawberries

It was fishing last weekend and strawberries this weekend. I took the girls to pick strawberries for the first time. We've done blueberry picking a few times, but we've never picked strawberries. We tried to go last year, but the place was unexpectedly closed. This year was a total success. Adia and Mira were my star berry pickers, as usual. Leia picked a dozen or so, ate a couple and declared she was done. She spent the rest of the time dancing along the rows and "helping." Adia filled her entire bucket by herself and Mira's was almost completely full. She was also covered in strawberry juice. Thank you Oxyclean. After picking nearly 15lbs of berries, they got to play and meet some animals.


Adia really loved the goats. Mira fed one of the sheep.


Then it was back to the playground.


Today Adia had her last field trip of the school year. She played miniature golf for the first time and loved it. It's definitely something we'll have to do again this summer. She had trouble eating the pizza though because her second bottom incisor was barely hanging on. Daddy and I offered to pull it out all day long, but she wouldn't let us. She hardly ate at dinner because biting and chewing proved difficult. She's also getting her 6 year old molars on the opposite side as before. Mira and Leia devoured dinner, however. Mira's eyes lit up when she saw meat on a stick. That's her kind of food.


After dinner, when the girls were supposed to be cleaning up the playroom, they started horsing around. I told Daddy that I bet Mira punches Adia in the face and knocks her tooth out. I was close. Mira hit Adia in the face with a plastic chair and out came her tooth. She's now 2 teeth down, the tooth fairy was out of cash so she had to use nickels and dimes, and Adia's speech is rather interesting.


And the girls all piled onto Daddy's back which reminded me of a similar picture from almost 2 years ago. They've all grown and changed so much.

Fishing

The girls went fishing for the first time last weekend. It was free fishing weekend. Adia caught 2 fish while Mira caught 1. They did really well for quite a long time before getting bored and restless. The twins ended up playing in the sand. Now Adia wants to go fishing again.


After fishing we went to the beach. It was crazy hot and no wind! The girls were upset because it was low tide so there wasn't any water.


The next morning, it was foggy and chilly. We went for a "curb walk" that the girls like to do with DiDi.


It was then time for A&W and a walk down Bay Street. The girls loved stopping at the candy store, but the ant farm they wanted was sold out at the toy store. Next time.

We had to stop by Gramma and Papa's house to pick up the fish to take home. The girls snacked a bit before leaving.

Yesterday was an awesome day around here. I walked Adia to school and then the twins and I picked up Starbucks. After Starbucks it was library storytime. They were awesome and listened to the stories.


Then it was time to pick up Adia. Since they girls had been so terrific and Daddy needed to sleep (graveyard sucks!), I thought I'd take them out to lunch. We went to Red Robin. The girls were awesome. They sat calmly at the table and actually ate their food. It was so wonderful not to have them diving under the table, yelling or trying to walk around. I think it's the best they've ever been on restaurant. As a reward for good behavior, we picked up a wading pool. It was exactly what the girls needed. They loved playing with it yesterday and can't wait to play with it again today.


And today Adia finally lost her first tooth! That tooth has been hanging on for 6 weeks now. When she finally knocked it out, it flew across the living room and Daddy and the girls couldn't find it anywhere! Luckily I found it when we came home from school drop off. It's so incredibly tiny.