#BoysAreDifferent

One thing that people said after Etta was born (and then kept saying after Mae was born) is, "Boys are different!"

It really rubbed me the wrong way. I mean, come on people. Can't we be a tad bit more enlightened than that? My girls are not into pink, princesses, hearts, glitter - anything even remotely "girlie".

But then we had a boy.

And then another.

I have to say ...

Boys.

Are.

Different.

If I had an Instagram account I would probably be posting many a picture daily with #BoysAreDifferent.

Because they just are.

When Etta was a toddler we would spend hours outside (not necessarily all at once) studying bugs, flowers, dirt, leaves, birds, etc. She is the one who slowed me down and made me realize that you can look at a tulip for 20 minutes. Or that watching a robin fight and eventually conquer a worm is definitely an acceptable reason to push back bed time for at least a half an hour.

But all the things that she did she did while staying fairly tidy. (Unless it was mud play. She did not stay tidy during mud play.) And while listening to directions. "Etta, stay in our yard, don't go in the street and don't touch anything you're not supposed to." And she wouldn't.

Now you hear me saying things like, "Russell!! Get out of the street and put your pants back on!!!" Or Bob's voice from outside the other day, "Russell!! Don't pee on the dog!!" Hence #BoysAreDifferent.

The example from today that finally prompted me to write this post.

We walked Mae to preschool and dropped her off. Russell was crying because he didn't want to go home. [Alone. With his boring old mom.] So I was trying to distract him.

Me: "Russell!! Look! A bug!"

Russell: "Bug! Bug!"

Me: [Poking the roly-poly causing it to roll up] "Where did the bug go?"

Russell: [Eyes light up when he spots it.] "Right dere!"

STOMP

Russell: "I got it!!"

#BoysAreDifferent

This pic has nothing to do with my post. But I've had it for awhile
and I just adore it.

I totally know that there are girls that don't follow directions and probably try to pee on their dog too. And that there are boys out there who love to sit still and follow every direction that they are given. This is just an example of my personal experience with two girls and two boys in one family. We also throw in a bit of nature vs nurture with our adoption. I did read the book "Why Gender Matters" a few years ago. Boys and girls are different. And that's okay. I personally don't believe that clothes, hair cuts or toy choices define what a boy or girl is. But there are some definite hormonal differences that make each individual person unique. If you haven't read this book, I completely recommend it.

All About Mae!

Today Mae started preschool. 

It is weird here without her this morning.

Quiet.

Kinda boring.

Say what you will but I have LOVED having her with me for an "extra" year. Four has been my favorite age so far and I am so glad that I got to experience the entire year with her by my side. Now it will be time to be more intentional about the time that we spend together. She wants to read "The Doll People" again so I think we will start this afternoon.

But she was definitely ready to go to school. "It's just 3 times a week mom. You won't miss me." It's her time to shine.

Eggs & toast. Breakfast of champions good learners.

The breakfast boys.

Birthday month and the first day of school.
Mae said to me the other day, "Mommy did you know that ALL of the pictures
on the calendar this month are pictures of ME?!" Yes, baby, I know.

Getting ready to head out.

She has been ready to ride her bike to school for over a year now.

Pose at preschool. (Russell is watching Henry get out of his car.)

Preschool buddies. "Mommy! It's a Henry Day!! Three days a week!!!"

Starting a map. "I like crayons best. Oh look! There's markers!!"

Getting down to some serious business.

Two years ago this was our mornings. The first two pictures were taken exactly two years ago today. Somedays I feel like I'm not getting anywhere. But I think that I like where I am.

Gimme 5!

Today was Mae's birthday but we celebrated on Sunday. This was her first "real" birthday party that she got to plan. It turned out wonderfully.

Posing with the Minion piñata that Grandma & Grandpa hauled back from Nevada.
And then spent three weeks in the third row of our minivan.
[Cutest photo bomber ever.]

We hired Pete Everett to put on a magic show.

He is amazing!
[If you would like to hire him to provide a show for you I'll definitely hook you up!]

Then it was time for the Costco dinosaur cake that she picked out.
But ended up only eating a few bites of.
You can't win them all I guess.

Anticipation!

Russell liked his piece!

Then came time for the piñata beating.

It was sturdy!

I think Etta was more excited for the day than Mae was.

We tried to get a group shot. This is the best we could do.

At the end of the day you could hear Mae walking around the house singing, "This was the best day EVER!"

Success!

First Day of Grade 2

Was last Monday.

I had a great idea of taking the camera to school to get first day of school pics without being rushed.

But then I forgot it.

So we have (late) "coming home from the first day of school" pictures.

Mae misses Etta so so so much. As you can see by the lean in.

[Etta on the other hand told me yesterday, "Sometimes when I am at school I don't even think about Mae." As it should be Etta. As it should be.]

Tired girl after a long first day.

Click here for former first days for Etta.

{Smoky} Back to school

We have a tradition the night before Etta starts school.

Pizza at Hell's Gate.

Not this year.

Area wild fires have created hazardous breathing conditions.

So we brought the pizza home, popped in some Looney Tunes and were very thankful that we are not in a position that we will lose our home or even need to evacuate.

Bringing the outdoors in.

Eating like a big boy!

He can hear the "shutter".

Since we didn't do cake for Ethan's first birthday here are some frosting
pictures. He loves cake!

His eyebrows are the best.
And that complexion? Oh my!

Roooaar!

Tri #3

Today Etta ran in her third triathlon. Our local Parks & Rec department puts it on every year. She was a little hesitant while we were getting ready. I finally got it out of her that she didn't want to get last place. It is definitely not a "race", but some crazy parents out there seem to think it is something close to the Olympics. Anyway .... She did her best and I think that she had fun overall.

Trying out the Ergo with a back carry.
Thanks to Annie for the how-to video. It worked with
a little bit of assistance from Bob. Hopefully I can
figure out how to do it on my own. He slept for quite a while
back there.

Getting ready to walk over. (Did I mention it is only about
three blocks from where we live? I love our neighborhood!)

Waiting for Etta's heat.
{The sun was too bright for Mae.}

Jumping in to get ready.

Etta is right in the middle. Look at that straight arm and good
form. Super Marz gave another great round of swimming
lessons this year!

Lap #2 of 4 for the bike leg. A mile is a l-oooooooo-ng way for
a 7-year old on a too-small bike. 

Heading out for two laps of running. Converse All-Stars for the win!

Mae decided she could join for the last lap.

Easy to spring when it's the only thing you are doing.

A strong, happy finish. She says that she will do the tri next year.
[The age requirement is 5-years old. So she misses it by a few
weeks this year.]

Etta reeling it in. So proud of her!

Always ready for a photo op. Can't you just hear Russell saying,
"Cheeeeeeeese!"?

Russell did really well this year. Very well-behaved. Only three
more years until he can use his energy for good.

 Here is the link for last year's. Russell has changed quite. a. bit.

Forever

Yesterday we headed up to Sun Up Bay to visit some friends and spend the day.

I, unfortunately, did not get any pictures of the early afternoon activities of playing in the lake [pooping on the shore], and Bob & Etta kayaking. (Etta kayaked like a BOSS. She got to borrow a kid's kayak and paddled all over the place. So proud of her!)

Mid afternoon we got to head out on their boat. This is when Mae turned to me and said, "Mom, I'm gonna remember this day FOREVER!"

It was a very good day.

Ethan ready to head out. This is 0.7 seconds before he
went into total screaming meltdown mode.

Getting ready to go.

"Mom! Take a picture of that boat to show Grandma Cynthia!"
Look close.

Mae and Louis catching some wind.

Russell was not so super happy about wearing the life jacket.
I learned yesterday that we do not say "no" to him very often.
Much to his detriment.

Unhappy baby selfie.
It was loud.

Etta & Louis getting ready to tube.

Louis, "Etta, you were way more fun to tube with than I thought
you would be."

I finally decided to not fight him. I laid him on the floor,
he thrashed around a bit, then he passed out.

They loved the boat!

Thanks for the great day Jim & Sarah! Until next year ...