Big E

He is my tenderhearted peacemaker.

He is four, but often acts so. much. older.  Sometimes I forget he is only four, but he is only four and is great at it.

Yesterday he told me I was his favorite girl in the whole world.  I know one day all too soon that sentiment will change, but for now it is all mine.

He woke up and stumbled out of his bed with his prized cars that were honored to spend the night tucked right under the covers with him.  Only to find his baby brother is crying.  So, he joyfully hands him each car until the youngest is happy.

He can swing all by himself, but still really likes a starting push from mommy.

California has made him blonder and tanner.  He looks the perfect surfer boy part. {even with much sunscreen and hat wearing. it is obviously meant to be.}

Batman still reigns supreme, but he has become interested in all things super hero. Superman, spiderman, the green lantern, they all are part of the daily conversation.

He is super photogenic and needs a haircut.

August

There is so much to say and remember from the last month.  I'm feeling my words return as autumn and change are coming upon us.  Here are some highlights to catch us up with more to come hopefully.

There was park play and more going down "the big slide."


Really, a big slide.

As many times as their little legs could carry them up the steps.

There were new bikes and new bike riding adventures.


Someone got a broken arm out of these adventures.


It was (of course) Eli who gathered another boy battle wound.  It has not slowed him down a bit, and he even got a fancy green arm for a while.


There were more adventures in Santa Cruz, and we even sprung for some tickets this time.  You know, to ride the rides a bit.


And icees, we sprung for icees.  Honestly, you have no idea how cute Colin is when he asks for an icee, but Colin knows how cute he is so mommy and daddy obliged.


Grandma broke her hip, I simply had to be with her.  So, with the support of my amazing husband our housemates, the Wyrosdicks, off I flew to see with my own eyes that she was going to be just fine.

(and she is)

There was that time we took all the kids to the Chili's bar so we could watch the kick-off to college football.

(it actually went pretty well and everything here is smoke-free)

There were more thrill rides at the amusement park.


Seriously, how did he get old enough for this?


This summer is flying away, but I am doing my best to tuck it all deep inside.  I feel pretty strongly that this time and these experiences are going to be with us all for a long time.

Quiet

I know it has been quiet around here lately.  It doesn't mean I don't have things to share, I just can't seem to get things settled enough to write them out.

There is much going on in this little house in California.  The guys have demo days over the next three days.  They will be presenting to investors and making some big decisions about the future of their company and our families. {prayers appreciated}

For those in want of some McCay boy pictures, there are some new ones on flickr photostream. You will just have to wait for the blog with the story.  You know, someday, when I can put it all together.

Some Mondays are Mondays

Colin's tummy is upset.  No eating, lots of fussing, lots of laundry, and lots of the things that cause laundry.

Finally a Strawberry Shortcake movie and some Pedialyte settled him.

Well, really all the boys enjoyed the Strawberry Shortcake movie.  And that's okay.  I'm not sure what the movie was actually about. I mean everyone was named after fruit and there were very odd looking talking strawberries, but it never really arrived at a point.  But, the boys were quite for a good 40 minutes. {ahhh}

It had been a nice run of us all being healthy.  Here's hoping tomorrow we will all wake up and start a new streak of being illness free.

Since we are trying to make sure we try all the ways to arrange the kids in this house {HA!} we swapped the kids rooms, after dinner, dangerously close to bedtime.  This whole thing is just trial and error.  Let's hope this is more trial turned success than error. {'Cause moving bunk beds is no piece of cake.}



What with all the tools, out of place furniture and tired kids we took an evening walk while the room swap was completed.



The boys loved the walk.  We went a different direction and there were new sights all around.  We stumbled upon a whole strip of houses that have American flags in the front of their homes just a few blocks down.  It was quite charming.

I'm sure there will be more Mondays in our future that behave like Mondays, but that is okay. I know the memories that will remain are the snapshots of joy tucked in the creases.

Short Legs, Floppy Ears, Wagging Tails, and Giant Hearts

I miss our dogs.  I really didn't think I would miss them this much.  I thought I would enjoy the dog-free house a bit more.

Now, I haven't cleaned up a doggie accident in a two months, so my mind might be making things a bit nostalgic, but I do miss them.

They are living with Jason's parents (also known as doggie paradise), but I wish they were here.

I miss the joyful welcome each time we return home.

I miss the warm snuggles while movie watching.

I miss them vacuuming up all the kids' crumbs.

I miss always having happy company who just wants to be with you.

The boys miss them, too.  They've always been there, and now they are not.



Turns out the church we are a part of here has "The Highway Wiener Nationals."  Every year they host about 60 dachshunds for races.

We thought this would be a good opportunity to see some sweet dachshunds, pet some floppy ears and feel a bit better.  Of course, it only made us miss them more, but I'm still glad we went.



It was hilarious and fun.

The one where the dachshund runs so fast, she runs right out of her jersey.


I like the dog in the yellow who takes an immediate hard right to the awards stand.


And the grande finale.


This is a sight everyone should see once in their life.

Chasing the Light

For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.  2 Corinthians 4:6

I am chasing the light.  That is the only way we can show the light.



We will swing and run and play and these will be my glimpses of heaven.



I will be grateful and pray.

My heart is so heavy for those suffering in the drought and famine in Africa right now.  I will flee from the darkness and joyfully look for the day our Blessed Hope comes and frees us from all this pain.  While we are the light-bearers here, can you help? Click Here.

Gilroy

South of San Jose, east of Santa Cruz not far of the 101 is Gilroy.  The garlic capital of the world and the location of the best young kids family park around.  Gilroy Gardens is perfectly themed for families with kids in the under 10 set.

The boys could ride just about all the attractions.  Colin could ride most things with a parent.  The lines were short and quick.  Everything is beautifully landscaped, clean, and well shaded.

First (and possibly most importantly) there is a train.




There are adorable little fire trucks that little boys can drive all by themselves (and we already have experience with this excitement).


There are rides that go round and round.


And boats that float through the flowers.
 


*Note the sound of velcro being separated halfway through.  That would be the 2 year old removing his "safety" belt.

A waterfall to run underneath.

Daddy got the wettest, because he kept running through with little boys with varying degrees of joy/terror. (Colin=love, Eli=not love).

There was people watching with Walker


Because he chose not to ride the hot air balloons

Which went a little higher and faster than mommy expected, but Colin squealed with the delight the whole time and Eli immediately informed me he had, "so much fun on that ride."

There were fried artichoke hearts and lemonade icees.



We drove the cars, just one more time, and then walked merrily out of the gate.



Already looking forward to the next trip.