Beach and Party Fun

This weekend has been one hot weekend.  With temperatures in the 80's we've been trying to get out, stay active, and yet stay cool.  One of our expeditions this weekend was the tide pool at Moss Beach.  We left at 9:15 am, got there around 9:45, and realized that about 200 other people had the same idea as us.  Parking was so hard to find and we just walked a few blocks to get to the beach.  When we got there, the tide was low, the sun up, and so many things to see in the tide pools.  

We saw some mussels and fish, and tried to find some star fish but non were to be found.  After all the searching, Phoebe and Allie built some sand castles with the toys we brought, and Daddy provided them with the water.  It was a perfect way to start off the weekend!  

After the tide pools we had lunch at Barbara's Fish Trap and Phoebe ate a total of almost four fish and chips.  We were all amazed at how much she had eaten and in the end her belly was so full.  Allie also ate well, as she had the majority of the crab from the crab salad.  Though the bill was pricey, the food was good and watching the girls eat well was totally worth it.  

For Mimi and I, it was just a precious time to be with the kids and enjoy the beautiful day.  It was also one of the first times in a long time that Mimi felt her appetite had returned, and she also was able to enjoy the meal.  I think in the end, that is what made the day special, that everyone really had a great time.  

On Sunday June 30th we all went to Lauren McLinden's birthday party at Junior Gym.  That was a lot of fun for both Phoebe and Allie.  It was like all their friends from the daycare were all together having a blast.  It was just as nice for us as parents to get to know some of the other parents too in a more informal setting where we are not always rushing away to get to work or get home.  Here are some pics from the birthday party.  

Finally, after a busy weekend of fun in the sun, we are home.  Sunday night, everyone fed from Tokies, and even some dessert from Nubi.  All in all, a really fun weekend.  This really is what summer is all about.  

Baby Number 3 On The Way

It is a true blessing to know that we are blessed with one more child.  The last time I had posted here was after Allie had been born and it was so few and far between.  I've been wanting to get back to journaling in order to leave some thoughts for my children in the future, but I swear, life has this way of becoming so busy.  With that said, its really no excuse for not having the time to take for myself and my family and so finally I am sitting down to just write down my thoughts and some unique experiences I'm having as a father. 

One of the first memories of this third child is a saying that Phoebe had mentioned early on.  Mimi and I were talking about babies and had let them know that we were having a baby much earlier than past the safe zone of the first trimester.  Of course, they were the ones who shared it with everyone and it was definitely hard to keep under wraps once they put it out there.  We also explained a little bit of how babies come about, with the egg from mommy and the sperm from daddy.  Then Phoebe says, "mommy, do you have sperm in your belly from daddy?"  Our response was sort of, but not in her belly.  They she said, "Do I have sperm in my belly?" and Mimi and I just looked at each other, smiled, and prayed that we would never hear those words in her teenage years.  

Now there is Allie.  She is growing so fast and she is no longer the quiet little girl who spoke very little.  I'll correct that, she does not speak as much as Phoebe does, but will certainly speak her mind.  In fact, just last night, Mimi and I were mentioning how Allie is very much like her mother, who is quite matter of fact, by the rules, and yet there is a sense of humor in her that is really dry.  Just yesterday, she went to Popo's room and when she was saying good night, she told Popo that she had to stop the video she was watching while she was saying good night.  

There is something very sweet about the both of them together.  This past week, we went for a walk and they were walking hand in hand.  

This was so precious.  Dressed up the same and enjoying a beautiful summer evening walk together.  So again, there are these moments when they are like two peas in a pod, and then there are times when they are just so mean to each other.  I guess this is what having siblings is all about.  I'm sure both Mimi and I were the same way growing up.  

So just to make it clear, we are actually having a boy for this third child, at least that is what we are told from the ultrasound.  With the third being a boy, it has certainly created some new found energy for Mimi and I, especially around the name of the child.  We are looking at some of the more common names, but also some obscure ones.  I think we'd like to go Biblical, but not tied to it since Allison is not a Biblical name either.  

For this entry, its about quickly summing up the recent events with the desire to keep going with this journal and leaving something behind for my children.  Time flies too fast, and soon enough I won't remember these little comments, sayings, and expressions and it will be lost in time.  Finally, I just can't express more my love for my family.  They are the best blessing I could ever have and they all give me meaning, purpose, and completion in my life.  Thank you God for the blessings of my wife and children.