Aren't Beaches Beautiful?

While we try to teach our children all about life,
Our children teach us what life is all about.
~Angela Schwindt

Our family took a little morning trip to Alki Beach in West Seattle. Jada wasn't thrilled to have her feet in the wet sand, but the picture tells a different story:) We saw two little sisters under the age of five playing in the water and then having a picnic with their mom. Hopefully activities like this will be more fun for Jada when she is a little older. Or maybe we have a little princess on our hands. Taking after her dad.

I Love Visitors

Kelven and I are often visitors, but have recently taken the visitee role and love it! Nicole, Nolan, and Mason came over two weekends ago. The boys went to the zoo for the first time and were so cute. Unfortunately, Jada fell out of the stroller and face-planted onto the cement (Yes, it was the biggest fall she's had in her 18 months of life. Yes, I was barely able to hold back my tears. Yes, people were judging me as a mom. Oh and yes, she was okay just a little rattled). Nolan is the greatest big brother to Mason and even took on the big brother responsibility with Jada. The first night here, Mason cracked me up! He was up until 10:30 just being a goofball. The next day (during a brief break from playing) Mason came up and hugged my legs for no reason. I know it was a little gesture, but it made my day. I enjoyed every conversation with Nolan because he has a gentleness that warms your heart. He loved playing with the toy vaccuum and being in charge of filling the pool with the hose. The boys also taught Jada what a monkey says! Nothing makes me laugh more than spending time with another mommy who also happens to be someone I've known and loved for 22 years. *Stacey, I should have also mentioned that I've known and loved you for 20 years.

Nolan held Mason and Jada's hands while Nicole and I sipped Martinis...kidding.



Mason and Jada chillin' on the couch watching Pooh.



Our little pumpkin is pretty adorable.

Happy Humor

Not only did Jada find the lipstick, but also completely lost all composure when dad finally took it away. Diva.





Jada is starting to love the camera. I love this sweetie pie pose.



I cannot even begin to describe how this little smile can bring endless sunshine on the cloudiest day...



Mommy loves me. A lot.

Simma' Down Na'

I notice Jada smiling and laughing more, yet she is a serious soul like her dad. Her personality is bright, beautiful, and sassy. She enjoys animals more than any toy or food. She no longer is satisfied with just walking and feels the need to jump in place or jog everywhere. Watching our girl become her own person is like dessert for Kelven and me. And then there is the cramping and bloating after dessert...



Every stage brings two new developments, an impressive milestone and a shocking new discipline/learning issue. Parenting can be so confusing.

Is she too young to know that screaming for EVERYTHING is not the answer?
How do I keep my patience and understanding? She is not misbehaving on purpose. It is our responsibility to teach her how to calm down, share, or make good decisions. Can you tell she is thinking about a temper tantrum here?



Every child is different and deserves discipline that suits their personality and encourages growth. I know books can only give you advice and then as parents you determine your discipline (which means to teach and not to punish!). I constantly wonder if I'm too leanient and if Kelven expects too much too early. This is the first time we've really had to sit down and discuss what we should (consistently) do to help Jada learn that she does not need to scream if we ask her to stop, or if she's done eating, or if her juice isn't ready yet, or if she is mad that her stroller is stuck in between the carpet and couch...you get the idea. I am proud of the way Kelven and I have united. My husband's support strengthens my faith and confidence as a parent. I am very lucky to have married Kman and I see that even more as we travel the road of parenthood together.

The main goal is to teach your children to be kind and not to act like tasmanian devils, right?!



The gift of a child can be summed up quite truthfully from my most recent read, I Brake for Meltdowns (How to handle the most "exasperating behavior of your 2-5 year old). The book explains, "Young children seem programmed to drive us precariously close to the cliff...Our passion for them is matched by the level of exasperation they induce. We parents carry the universal balance scales on our shoulders: equal parts love and Ugh! I think it is accurate to say that small children sometimes behave as if they are, in fact, crazy...And let's admit it; deep down we really envy their lack of inhibition. When we embrace the loveable wackiness of our little psychiatric patients, then we start to have fun - and forbearance."