Here’s what we were up to in between end-of-the-school-year activities, birthday celebrations, and camping trips. Grammy and Papa came for a visit and brought their brand new kittens, Maui & Whidbey, with them.


   

Papa was opening a bottle of wine when Avery sprang up and said, “Papa, can I open that? I’ve never used the cork screw on my pocket knife before!” Papa was happy to oblige.

Voila!

Kitten hunting (their heads are to the left of Layla).

“Can I carry that?!”

Our butterflies hatched! Time to release them!

Picnic at the beach 

Avery taking Layla for a paddle

That’s Layla throwing a fit on the way back up the hill. In case you’re wondering, I ended up carrying her.

Avery became very interested in ants toward the end of the school year, and decided he wanted to start his own colony. We told him he could, he’d just need to figure out what he needed and purchase supplies. Here is his supply list:

And here he is constructing the habitat with his brothers

It’s ready for The Queen to move in!

One weekend day Jonathan and I divided and conquered, so I took Silas & Kieron to the Sehome Arboretum for a little hike

Then we walked around the Western campus for a while

These two had a great time, and I think they really bonded on this little adventure

We’ve been working on potty training

Playing with Matchbox cars

Mother/daughter selfie

It’s warming up, so we are taking the aluminum boat out more.

On this particular day the boys were excited to find a dead fish.

Some sailing…

Yoga with my girl

Jonathan and Avery, out for a paddle together

Checking out the new Waypoint Park

Look who woke up from her nap while we were working in the yard!

Jonathan and me, out at the Silver Beach Elementary auction

Caroline and the kids came for a visit over Layla’s birthday. Here are the littles at lunch the following day.

Kieron and Silas, playing with Layla’s makeup kit.

Silas reading to Layla

Practicing riding her new bike!

She wasn’t too happy when Avery demonstrated.
  

Layla turned two on June 10th. There was so much anticipation leading up to her birth, it’s hard to believe she’s not a baby anymore, but becoming a little girl. At two she is so sweet and easy-going, but I can see she’s starting to flex her muscles and show her independence already. She adores her brothers, and loves holding everyone’s attention.

Layla loves babies and animals… especially baby animals. She enjoys listening to nursery rhymes, dancing, tumbling, and doing yoga with me. She also enjoys playing Duplo (or Legos when she can get her hands on them), running, sliding, climbing, swinging, swimming and kayaking. She prefers drawing with a pen rather than with a marker or crayon — too babyish, I guess.

After raising three boys, I am constantly surprised by how closely Layla watches and imitates me. She notices and does things her brothers never have — like wiping up the floor when she spills something, washing her hands without being asked, or looking after her dolls and stuffed animals. And on the flip side, she’s not that interested in stacking blocks or playing with cars (although she does like boats).

We celebrated Layla’s birthday with a small party with friends and family. No special theme, just lots of pink! Happy birthday, Layla Blythe! We love you!
 

 

 

Clare
  

With Kampbell & Knox

That’s Addie on the left

Me, Carolyn, Grammy, & Caroline
        

Ethan & Silas

Shortly after Layla was born, I met Laura, whose Daughter, Georgia, became a playmate. Laura also has two older boys about Kieron & Silas’ ages. We instantly hit it off. When we moved last summer, she brought me this box, to open one year later! Of course I was tempted to open it a number of times over the past year, but I made it. In fact, I forgot about it on Layla’s birthday, and remembered a few days later…

This is such a cool idea! It was so much fun wondering what was in the box!

This is what it was!

Ruffles and pearls!

Miss thang, acting like a boss!