San Diego

At the end of September, Jason and I headed to San Diego, CA for a good friend's wedding. Jason was the best man in the wedding, and I did a reading during the ceremony. We had a fabulous time. We flew in Thursday night and took the red-eye back on Sunday. I can't say that we did that much beside the wedding events. Our hotel was on Mission Bay near Pacific Beach, and we spent a lot of time walking around there with friends. It seems like we ended up in an outside bar overlooking the ocean a few times, but how could we resist with such beautiful weather? We're so thankful that my parents took care of the kids and Kasey while we were gone. It's so nice to go somewhere and have no stress about the kids. Landon, Noah, and Lilah all said that their weekend was fantastic. Kasey had an extra wag in her tail, and Max was in heaven at the kennel getting to play with dogs who play as hard as he does. So, it was a happy weekend for our Seabolt family--no matter where we were. I'm just glad Jason and I were in San Diego that weekend. ;)

There were 4 or 5 big birds in an outside area of our hotel. Pretty cool.

Our friend, Shelby, drove down from LA to spend the weekend with us.

Jason and the boys

The gang hanging out Friday night.

Jason and I on the wedding day.

At the wedding

Four years old, really?!?!

I can't believe my baby boy has turned four! I also can't believe that it's taken me almost a month to get anything posted about the kid. I think this was by far his favorite birthday (that's saying a lot since he's had 4 whole birthdays). We finally threw a birthday party for him with his friends. He was so excited! We went to a local park and rented out the pavilion (for free, I might add) which worked out wonderfully!!! Every time we pass the park, he still says "there's my birthday party". The kids were so entertained by running from playground to playground, so no extra activities were necessary (my kind of party). He was a very happy boy that day!

Happy birthday, NoNo. You still make me smile by just looking at me with those big eyes of yours, and you fill my heart with that belly laugh of yours. I love you!

Noah opening some presents at home on his actual birthday.

Noah on the swing with his girls-Kate and Brinley
Some of the kids eating pizza.

Getting ready to blow out his Buzz Lightyear candle

Everyone grabbing a string for the pinata.

Pinata goods...

Noah opening presents from his friends.

The party totally wore our girl out. She fell asleep in her Aunt Sally's arms.

Soccer is back, and there's a new kid playing!

Well, we're back at the soccer fields every Thursday and Saturday, but this season, we have an addition to the schedule. Noah is getting to play his first season of soccer. Like Landon did his first season, he's fortunate to have his dad as his coach. So far he seems to like it and even scored a few goals his first game. Landon is playing on the same team he played on last season, and we're happy that there are 6 returning players (out of 10) on the team. They are really learning to play together and starting to pass the ball a lot more. Each kid is finding his place on the team, and it's fun to watch. I didn't realize how much I enjoyed watching Landon's game until after Noah's game. Although Noah's games are entertaining, I have to admit I like the older kids playing. I think that's the soccer player in me coming out. :) It could also be that it was much harder having Max at the fields with us when I had to watch Lilah on my own since Jason was coaching. No matter what, I enjoy our soccer-filled Saturdays.

Noah playing in his first game (I love the smile on his face).

Landon playing keeper in the first half.

Lilah at the fields. Two games is a bit much for her right now, but popcorn always helps. :)
Landon and Noah play with brothers on each team-fun and crazy!

My newest soccer player

Finally, The Preschool Opened Their Doors.

The day after Labor Day, I found a couple of hours of freedom-Noah and Lilah both started preschool! Noah was beyond excited. He already loves it, loves being in the 'big kid' class, loves that he gets to go four days a week. The only thing he was upset about this week is not being able to stay for lunch (that starts next week). Lilah walked in like she's been going there every day for a year. No tears, no calling of "Mommy", no begging for me to stay. I did not cry that day either (which I thought I would as I cried for both boys). Lilah provided me with enough difficulty that morning that I was more than ready to go shopping for Noah's birthday presents SOLO. She seems to like it a lot and has already started naming a friend or two when I ask her. When I dropped her off this morning, she just said "bye bye" and blew me a kiss. She will go two days a week this year and stay for lunch both days. Although I didn't cry her first day, I did tear up today when I opened her backpack and saw her first school work. I can't believe she's growing so quickly.

I think I'm going to enjoy the little bit of freedom each week. I've already lined up helping with Landon's class, and I'll be able to work some with no kids around. Yippee!!!

Not sure what Noah was doing...

Noah trying to convince Lilah to smile for the picture.

Noah's "First-Day-of-School" silly face.

Our not-so-much-a-baby girl

He continues to make me proud...

Last Friday, Noah, Lilah, and I were honored to join Landon at Cooper Elementary to witness and celebrate his earning of the "Citizen of the Month" award for August. I can't tell you how proud I am of our kid. In the two years that he has been in elementary school, he's earned this award both years in the first month or two of school. Not too shabby!

Keep up the good work, LCS! I know you will because that's just who you are. You make your mom and dad shine with pride.

Side story: On the morning of the award ceremony, he called to me from the top of the stairs. He was dressed in the collared shirt that I had picked out. He is not a fan of said shirts and tried to get out of it the night before. When I asked him what was up, he responded in a sweet voice with "Mom, do you really want me to wear this? I have P.E. today, and I really don't want to mess up my nice shirt". Yeah, whatever kid. Notice, he is not wearing his collared polo shirt. Sheesh--did I screw it up by making him wear too many of them when he was a baby/toddler?!?!?

Make her stop...

Our girl has been climbing out of her crib for over a month now. She was very careful about it-slowly inching herself down until she was on safe ground. However, yesterday I decided it was time to convert her crib to a toddler bed. She has taken to the bed way too easily, and once again, she's shown us that she's not stopping for anyone or anything. With the boys, I pushed them to grow up and get out of any baby stage. With Lilah, I've tried to slow her down. That determined girl has another idea. She's growing up whether we're on board or not. Fasten those seatbelts, people, because this girl moves fast.

Celebrating Seven

On August 27th, my oldest turned 7. Wow--what does that make me? Old! I can remember the day he was born like it was yesterday. I can remember the intense look he gave to me and his father when he finally decided to enter this world. I can't believe that was seven years ago. There are so many ways that he's still like that little baby who took his time to join this family.

Like last year, Landon begged to open his presents in the morning before school. I'm a birthday sucker, so of course, he did. Then Lilah, Noah, and I joined Landon for lunch at his school. We brought his class the cupcakes that I made the day before. Landon chose to go to Mexican for his birthday dinner (big surprise), and we ended the day with the half-eaten cake. For those of you who don't know, here's the story on that. I had made the cake earlier in the day and was pretty much done frosting it when I had to go outside to open the gate for the Trugreen guy. In less than a minute, Max put those two huge front paws of his on the counter and went to town on my almost done cake (which was for Landon's party). I was able to salvage half of it, so that's what Landon used to blow out his candles the night of the party. We bought a cake for the party. ;)

Landon opening his presents in the morning Finding his new bike in Daddy's car.

It must have been a pretty serious wish (notice the half cake)...

On Sunday, Landon had a birthday party at Pirate's Cove--a miniature golf place. Everyone had a great time, and my birthday boy seemed happy as can be.

Landon with some of his boys...

Lilah doing one of her favorite things--hanging with Aunt Sally

Another group shot--but this one with silly faces.

I forgot to bring forks (bad Mommy), so the kids had to use their hands.

Here's Landon trying to clean up his messiness.A picture of the present opening madness.

This weekend we'll head to the lake for a couple of nights of camping. We'll celebrate both boys' birthdays with my family while we're there. Landon is excited his birthday isn't quite over, and Noah is excited that his is just getting started. Lucky boys, I tell ya...