Neskowin, OR

Summertime is not complete without a trip to the breathtaking Oregon coast. This time we tried a new town, Neskowin. It was simply beautiful. Aunt Brenda and Uncle Jerry and their awesome kids and grand kids graciously invited us to spend a few days in their rental house with them. The weather was overcast, cool and misty, and extremely peaceful. I truly think that is how I prefer the Oregon beaches.

Of course, we couldn't pass up Haystack rock

as we wandered down Highway 101.

Finn looked adorable in his big brother's jacket.

Love, love that kid.

The kids had a fabulous time playing with their 'cousins', Katie and Hannah. They played games, read books, played make-believe and hide-and-seek, and built sand castles. It's obvious that Koen really likes someone when he asks us if he can give her a goodbye kiss when we head back home. :) Sweet.

Who says you need a hot sunny day to build a sand castle?

Here, the kids actually crafted a 'sand boat'

and then proceeded to take a journey to a far away land...

possibly where the wild things are.

As we walked back from the beach that day, Koen and Katie walked up ahead of the group, holding hands, and fully engrossed in their own conversation about who knows what. So tender.

For the refreshing beach walks, lively conversation, card games, and scrumptious feasts, we send many, many hugs and thank you's to Brenda, Jerry, Jamie, Chris, Katie, Hannah, Red, Tootie, and Mauren (sp?). You were so good to the Greenleafs...as always! We hope to see you again soon!

Lost Sticker

Koen got a sticker at the doctor's office the other day and was playing with it while riding in the car. After a few minutes, he said, "Mom, I lost my sticker! Where is it?"

I told him I didn't know and couldn't find it right then because I had to focus on driving. About ten minutes later, I glanced in the rear view mirror and saw this. I burst out laughing and said, "Koen, did you ever find your sticker?" (assuming that he was 'joking' me like he does).

He was oblivious to the fact that his sticker was stuck in his hair. I pulled over, laughing hysterically, and had him put his hands in his hair. He cracked up, too. Silly boy.

Finn's 15 month appointment went o.k. except for the fact that he lost over a pound since his 12 month visit! Yikes. No one likes a skinny baby! The nurse weighed him three times in disbelief. So we're on a mission to fatten him up! He now consumes all goat milk products, including yogurt, kefir, and cheese (he still can't have dairy, part of the weight loss problem). He's not complaining because they're so creamy delicious. But I'm am complaining because they're so expensive! Sheesh!

He did get one shot at the doctor, or 'pinch' as Koen says. Koen and I were bracing for the screams, ready to comfort him in any way possible. I held him tight (the mommy straight jacket that I learned with Koen). But we were all shocked and pleasantly surprised at his reaction. When the needle went in his tiny leg, he simply winced a little and then gave the nurse a really dirty look (like only Finn can). That was all! No tears, whatsoever! At-a-boy! Then Koen got a sticker for Finn's good behavior (which promptly ended up in his hair).

Some Koen-isms to mention:

fighter fighter = fire fighter

joke you = I just played a trick on you.

ip pane = airplane

Wide Mouth Frog

Finn has been very selective (down right picky) about what he will and will not eat. He has started giving me obvious signs as to such while eating.

• When he does not like something, he opens his mouth and lets it fall to his chest (just like Oscar does when you interrupt his meal).
• When he's tired of eating something, he cranks his neck to the right or left, about 120 degrees...no mistake about that one.
• When he wants more of a particular item, he puts his hand on the table and scratches all of his fingers back and forth in the direction of the food he wants.
• And finally, the newest addition to Finn's non-ASL signing habits...the wide mouth frog (see below). When he pulls this face, it means one thing...I LOVE whatever that was you just put in my mouth, and I'm ready and waiting for the next bite.

This all came about when I gave him pureed pears mixed with chevre (soft goat cheese). He...went...nuts! Often, the spoon is not anywhere near his mouth nor the food, yet he'll just sit patiently with his mouth and eyes like this....waiting for it. We have had many laughs at the dinner table this past week.

Summer fun...

I just thought I'd share some more photos of our recent summer adventures. Now that we don't have a yard, we can usually be found at a park for at least some portion of every day. The kids LOVE to swing. I think they'd swing until they got sick actually. I'm often the one who has to end the swinging session, usually when Finn starts to look a little green in the face. Koen is now capable of riding in the regular, 'big kid' swings, but he still prefers the baby swings for some reason. This habit can't last, however. I can barely lift him in and out of those things anymore.

Funny Finnie and his faces...

Cheeseball.

Finn felt like such a big kid,

walking around and around this large tree all by himself.

Koen loves to hold Oscar's leash and lead him around the park, lately.

A few weeks ago, we took the kids on a little field trip to Golden Glen Dairy to see where milk and cheese come from. The trip was very educational for all of us. The tour guide was actually the owner who proudly showed us around his small, family run farm and dairy. We met the mama cows in the 'maternity ward', and we met (and pet) the newborn calves. They were anywhere from one day old to 3 weeks old. At the end, we all shared some cheese and chocolate milk and then thanked the cows for the delicious treat.

After the dairy, we stopped at a splash park....can't get enough of those, especially on hot summer days. Here are some photos of the boys trying to catch the spout!

My kids like to stare at other people. They get it from their dad. :)

Random, but notable...Finn has turned a corner into severe pickiness lately. At first I just thought he had an upset stomach and lost his appetite as a result. But we're going on two weeks now of him turning away from all kinds of food. I'm getting quite frustrated, and starting to wonder how long a child can survive on blueberries and bread.

On this particular day, I shelled a bunch of sugar snap peas for myself and Koen (Finn just throws them on the floor so I didn't even bother giving him any). As I sat talking to Koen over lunch, I heard crunching next to me. I looked over at Finn, and to my surprise, he was chowing down on the empty pods of all things! He didn't even try to spit them out either, just kept chomping away. Strange. So now, I guess he eats blueberries, bread and pea pods.

Oscar having a busy day.

Last weekend, we had playtime in the park with Collin & Shandy. They played a little baseball and Collin helped Koen work on his swing.

And more swinging....must...keep....swinging...

Tidbits:

Finn now says 'meh' for 'mom'. I would be overjoyed that this is his first word if it weren't such a perfect mix of the word 'mom' and his whining sound 'eh'. He also says it with such gusto and demand. 'MEH!'

He's starting to say 'Da' as well, for 'dad'. Clay is thrilled, naturally.