Georgiana's informed me that she is done 'working' absolutely no more pics and photo shoots. She has turned down two photo shoots, and it has taken every fiber in my body not to turn into a stage mom. I am embarrassed at how much I really loved my time on set with her! It's a bummer because up until recently, she LOVED it too! I realize she's only 2, and her mind could change, but for now I am going to miss the curls and the dresses and the professional pictures, just watching Georgie girl do her thing.
At Georgiana's last go see little Levi was flirting it up with the creative director, so maybe my days of beaming over my little ones on set aren't totally on hold...
It's silly I know, but I just thought I'd blog it, journal the day my two year old growled at an older model and made it very clear that she had a change of heart. The owner of the clothing line literally begged her for a test shot, Georgiana refused, and the owner said "well, you know where to find us."
Cest la vie.

Sunshine!!

Thursday we headed to the beach, on a hunt for crabs. We turned over many rocks and found ZERO crabs, what in the world!?! We managed to still have loads of fun. Barbecue picnic lunch, with an entertaining late 60's man wearing his speedo in the background. Mind you, Thursday was not rainy, but definitely not hot like the weekend weather...

 After not finding any crabs, Georgiana came up with "Feeding the water!!" She was SO entertained by this, it was cracking Kelly and I up! She was scooping up wet sand in her shovel and running it out to the water and flinging it in. I'm "Feeding the water!!" she yelled, almost like a war cry, ha!

Her face says it all, pure delight. She's feeding the Sound in all these pics, as you can see, it was a big job:

 We switched into some dry play clothes and went for a little hike/walk.

 Yes, these two FREAK me out. I have no doubt Kelly has at least one future zipline buddy, as I tried to call it quits, Georgiana said "let's do it again!"

 The rest of the weekend was filled.

Helping close friends move into their new house.

Yard work. Moss killer on the roof. Kelly getting stuck on the roof. Carrying a giant ladder to assist Kelly. Me confirming that I am probably not cut out to be a firefighter.

Playing at the park. Putting our feet in the freezing lake.

Spending the afternoon in Kirkland. We met our friend Lindsey and a few others for lunch and Georgiana's first play! Rapunzel. It was adorably suited for toddlers/young children. Georgie was singing one of the songs all day today. I couldn't help but remember all the plays my mom took me to growing up, I have always LOVED live theatre. I'll even take it in all its uber cheezy interactive children's theatre style! I can't forget Georgiana yelling out to Rapunzel to "Be kind!" She didn't approve of Rapunzel's tone to the prince.

First barbecued hamburgers and corn on the cob of the year. Yum.

May I please encourage you to be brave and not buy the frozen hamburger patties. Nearly 9 years ago when I got married and started to really try and cook, I had to wear disposable plastic gloves when I touched any raw protein. And, most of the time I couldn't eat it after I cooked it, it just grossed me out.

Fast forward 9 years later, I finally made my own hamburger patties (sans gloves even!!) and it was SO easy. I self talked (literally out loud), the whole time I made the patties, but even after repeating over and over "I can't believe I'm doing this!!" I was so thankful I did, they were delish.

Top off the weekend with church, pool time (freezing kiddie pool in our backyard), and some family fajitas, and I would say we had a mighty fine few days! Somehow during all of this Kelly also had to work nearly 20 hours of overtime. I wish I was exaggerating when I say neither of us sleeps, someday...

For now, I leave you with some more pics. The next two do require a little explanation. Georgiana was playing upstairs and informed me that she was going to go pack for school. She had her little zebra backpack on, and I assumed she was going to grab pens and paper etc. Ha, silly mommy!

I walked into her room to find nearly all of her clothes from her dresser piled on her floor. Before I could say "Georgiana Lee what..." she very proudly said "I'm packing for school like the girls!"

Let me translate, pretend school was apparently college not preschool, and "the girls" are our cousins Ashley and Makenzie. Needless to say, we just laughed!!

 And when I asked her to please look at mommy:

 How does he get SOOOOO messy? I turned away for a second, only to look back and find Levi using his prunes as 101 Dalmatian "Patch" face paint!!

Good night :)

Smiles are infectious, especially from these two!

Random note: Georgiana refers to houses under construction as "broken houses." It's adorable. Also, her princess castle is a princess hospital and for some reason Snow White is actually baby Jesus...

Things that I don't want to forget. Also, Levi presses his thumb against his pacifier like he is sucking his thumb. He still gags and refuses most food, not that you would know by his physique, but tonight he sucked on his prune covered bib and seemed to enjoy the flavor. He is still in the 50% for height and 25% for weight. He's been weighed at the hospital, the neuro clinic and at his pediatrician's office, so the scales are not off. Kelly looked at one doctor and asked, then what does the 100% look like??? She responded with "You're telling me!"

He's a cuddly, sweet, chill little guy, with rolls on his legs and the most kissable cheeks ever! He LOVES to give kisses and I soak them all up, quite literally sometimes!

We continue to feel spoiled by their fun personalities, what a blessing to have all these smiles and laughter fill our home! The Lord knows we need it :)

 Family, doesn't this next picture of Georgiana look just like Makenzie!?! 

And, a little tiny bathrobe, overload of cuteness!

 Morning story time with Georgiana.

Beautiful light and the best morning hair ever!

 Oh stage, how I've missed you.

I was blessed with such a fun opportunity to help out with a Ladies' event at my church, a spoof on the Regis & Kelly show. I played Kelly Rippa and had a blast!

 Attempting to impersonate Kelly's model walk:

 The best faux Regis I could have hoped for!

I am so thankful for the opportunity I was given to perform. I miss acting A LOT, and I hope and pray for more opportunities like this. Theatre normally requires so much rehearsal time, that it is just not feasible for me right now, but this was one meeting that I got to bring my kids to, one rehearsal night and the performance. That's about all my schedule can flex to right now, especially with my baby boy still refusing bottles! Anyway, it was so much fun, we interviewed ladies from our church with segments on, small groups, a marriage/family psychologist, exercise/running enthusiast, free family summer activities, and a very brave woman shared her testimony about how the Lord brought her through her battle with cancer. A packed night!

Another aspect that was so much fun was having Georgiana there to watch! I was surprised to hear how long she actually watched the show, then of course she played with daddy and brother in the nursery, but I was so happy to share with her a different aspect of mommy. It was nice to be out of my sweats and learn to walk in the tallest heels ever!

One last note, there was a little fashion show with the summer activities segment, and a couple of the 5 year old girls asked if that was my real hair??? I am so thankful my $17.00 Party City Wig is not my real hair. I'm not sure if blonds really have more fun, I was asked that a few times this morning, but I'm thinking girls wearing sassy heels and pencil skirts might, ha!

A Few More!

Kauai!!

I could not picture what it would be like to have an infant with us in Hawaii. To be honest, I was quite nervous about it. I am happy to report, that I strongly recommend traveling to Hawaii with your kiddos. A LOT of work, yes, worth it... Yes!

Georgiana talking on the phone watching roosters. The entire vacation we had to ask her permission to use her phone, aka the hotel phone. I recommend a ground level unit, so fun to just walk out and run around with chickens!

 Feeding Koi fish. She gave the fish one piece of food at a time. Yes, we were very much the last people there. It was nearly the fish's lunch by the time we were through with their breakfast.

 Me and Levi. I was lounging in my lovely resort wear, waiting for our bags to arrive! My cousin Ashley had generously let me raid her closet, I had been so excited to have cute clothes to wear on vacation. Ha ha, little did I know I would be sporting Walmart's finest instead!

 Kelly and Georgiana playing (pre flu).

 Levi napping in the pool. Paci's float, this we learned.

 The only girl on the island insisting to wear jeggings and long sleeve shirts. Poor girl was so sick, she just wanted to lay in bed and read books. She was freezing all the time!! This is terrible, but it was nice not having to do launder puke sheets, don't worry Kelly tipped housekeeping, poor guys!

 Georgiana perked up a bit and we went on a train ride. I was even able to talk her into wearing capris. The train made a stop to feed more animals! Thankfully Georgiana utilized a new feeding method (throw hunks of bread, not just little nibbles), and we made it "all aboard" in plenty of time.

 I was more than happy that Kelly wanted to help Georgiana. Truth be told, these real life Pumba's kind of freaked me out!

 My birthday dinner at Keoki's! The kale salad in the picture, I am still craving it!!

 I probably should have asked the lady to take another family pic, but we were happy to at least have this one!

 How is it that I find every single face she makes absolutely adorable!?! We LOVED this life jacket, totally recommend it. We bought ours at Target. 

 Playing in the sand watching the giant seal lounge in the sun.

 More of the seal. Georgiana was fascinated! Side note, I highly encourage you to try swim suits on your little ones, thankfully Georgiana insisted we pack her Minnie Mouse suit from last year because the ones I bought for the trip were huge on her! Didn't help that my little peanut didn't really eat for a week. 

 It really is the simple things. Hands down her favorite thing. Beach showers.

 As seen on Facebook. 

 Play hard, sleep hard, oh yeah!

 While in Hawaii I kept thinking, we need to take more pictures!! I said something to Kelly and he pointed out that we literally did not have any free hands to snap pics, we were busy holding and playing with babies, well a baby and a big girl (Georgie likes to correct me about that)! 

Hawaii used to be, whatever chair is going to provide me the most sun so I don't have to relocate, a giant book, tanning oil and enjoying live music during sunset dinners. 

Hawaii now, claim the chairs under the umbrellas, and the table and the extra chair for our bags so they don't get wet, did we get enough towels, a magazine just taking up space in our bags never opened, sunscreen, is the spf 55 going to be strong enough, let's reapply, do you have a table away from the speakers, maybe in the corner so I can stand with Levi, takeout, even better!

Oh, and don't forget to pre set your heat to warm up your house for your return. If you forget you may find yourself grabbing the nearest hat for your wee babe!

The practical stuff.

I like food. The kids overall were champion eating outers, we ate out a lot, here are the places I would return to:

*Keoki's both the dining room and the bar. Kids can eat in the bar/casual area, we ate in both and loved both! This is where you can get Hula Pie, yummmmm! (We had it 3 times, once with a coupon from the conceirge desk) A lot of the food in the Poipu area is organic and locally grown, so different than a lot of the Hawaiian fare we had had before. 

*Sueoka's (spelling?) The almost literal hole in the wall. It is a shed looking building attached to a small grocery/convenient store. It is the classic Hawaiian plate lunch, and it is tasty! I had the beef teriyaki and shrimp plate. We eat a ton of teriyaki in this house, and it was hands down the best beef teriyaki I've ever had.

*Pizzeta, pizza, fun staff, great food.

*Pukka dogs. Giant hot dogs in pigs in a blanket style buns. Pineapple salsa and Hawaiian sweet mustard, yes please!

*Tortilla Republic. Fancy Mexican food, not your run of the mill plates. Georgiana had the kids bean burrito, and it was so good I had to ask the server what kind of cheese was in it, how could beans, cheese and a tortilla taste so good?? Mysterious I tell ya! We were told the table side guacamole was delish, we jumped right into our entrees, but I'd like to try it in the future.

*There is a miniature whole foods style store, I am blanking on the name, it is in the same shopping center as Tortilla Republic, maybe Real Foods... Anyway, it has a lot of organic groceries, but be prepared to pay a small fortune. Example, a dozen organic eggs (normally around $4.00), $10!! A tiny container of organic raspberries we paid (gulp) $10, Fred Meyer had the exact same Driscoll berries for $4.00 the day after we got home. We only bought them because they were one of the only things Georgiana wanted to eat. Oddly enough, the prepared food (equally as quality of ingredients) is not badly priced at all. Pizzas, sandwiches, smoothies. All comparably priced to other places. We got greasey gross takeout from a restaurant right at Poipu Beach Park, I wish we would have thought to buy sandwiches from the store, would have been so much better!

*We didn't try it, but rumor is best breakfast on the island is from McDonalds, complete with Portuguese sausage, I will try that next time too :) 

*Travel tip, reserve your car in advance through Alaska Airline (or similar site), one that you don't have to use your credit card until you pick up your car. Then, the night before you go look up the going rate of a rental car, Priceline it for about 30-35% less, and book that baby for way cheaper. If for some reason Priceline doesn't come thru, you have your backup reservation. Oh, and try to remember to cancel your car reservation if you aren't going to use it, keeps the prices a tiny bit down for other last minute bookers if more cars are available. One more tidbit, love me a rental minivan. Especially 35% off.

*Lastly, I am not a super fan of credit cards, I tend not to be disciplined enough with them, but the British Airways Visa and I are good friends. A couple of years ago a friend told us about BA offering 100,000 avios (mileage points) with a new credit card. We looked into it and each applied. Scary thing, they approved both of us. Yep, stay at home mom qualifies for a credit card. Anyway, the fine print was having to spend x number of dollars within 3 months. I can't remember the x, but basically it was doable. I tell you this because using BA avios to travel domestically turns out to be way way better than most mileage programs. Example: 25,000 miles for a round trip non-stop flight Seattle to Kauai, as for taxes $5.00 per person. I've told friends and family about the deal, I don't think it is currently going on, but they offer it periodically, so keep checking, it is a great deal!! Just thought I would pass it along.

***

Aloha!

Enjoy.

There is a lot of commentary circulating around the web right now about the unsolicited advice to "Enjoy!" your little ones. I hear it ALL the time. And, not to ruffle the feathers of those who despise that saying, but I love it. And, here's why...
The women who say it to me most are typically a grandma or older age, they appear to be women who have survived the toddler years. Women who have lived to tell about it. So, until I heard all of the negative hype, I took it as encouragement. Perhaps I'm in la la land about their intentions, but I don't take it as an expectation to enjoy sleep deprivation, smelling like spit up, never finishing a conversation or a blog post for that matter! But, as a reminder. A reminder that amidst the chaos that is parenthood (particularly parenting wee little ones) to look up from the dishwasher, the laundry pile, the stove top and let myself laugh at my 2 year old walking around in high heels, yelling at the neighbor's dogs telling them, "hey, quiet, we have a baby!!" Looking down at Levi covered in sweet potatoes that he detests, watch him suck on his toes and giggle with delight when he notices sister doing a princess dance to the song we've listened to roughly 87 times that morning. A reminder that in all the hard work, hands down the most difficult job I have ever had, to reward myself with the hard earned joyful moments.
I thought of this post as I rocked Levi in the middle of the night, and instantly I thought of a lady I had a very brief encounter with when Georgiana was about 5 months old. My grandma and I were at the Tacoma Home Show and a woman very casually starting talking with us while I changed Georgiana's diaper. She started telling me how fast rearing her children went, how when they were little she hated changing them in public bathrooms because it seemed like so much work, and then how she woke up one day and they were all grown. That she had accidentally wished it all away. She encouraged me to enjoy the bathroom changes, to notice how cute they are and soak it up.
I too hate bathroom changes, her simple words didn't really change that, but as simple of a conversation as it was, so similar to dozens upon dozens that I've had, it nestled in the back of my mind. Just a reminder, that this too shall pass, it doesn't last forever.
I do not delight in lugging my life around in a diaper bag, I do recommend one with backpack straps however, but anyway the point is, I TRY (notice how try is in all caps). I most definitely do not succeed in this, but I put effort toward enjoying chubby little legs kicking at me while I  take care of poo poo in inconvenient places. Because, I don't want to end up like that lady, practically crying in a public bathroom telling a stranger that my biggest wish is that I hadn't wished it all away.
I choose to believe that I am told to "Enjoy," because the woman telling me knows it's not easy to enjoy. But, she also knows that if I don't I will greatly regret it. This is hard. I have no idea how to balance a baby boy who cries hysterically when I set him down, just to try and go the bathroom and a little toddler girl who wants to be held so badly "mommy will you hold me, mommy will you hold me (repeat x30 minimum)" badly enough that I practically rocked her while I was having time with the commode the other day (how's that for TMI!!!). Brother screamed, Georgie cuddled, and I thought, well, add this to the list of things I never dreamed I would do. Also, how in the world can I keep a clean house?? My laundry is finally caught up, Praise the Lord oh my soul, but the toys have exploded and I am a load behind on dishes. I have some friends who have immaculate homes, the kind that you could stop by at anytime and eat off of their floor if you so desired. I would love to be like that, I am trying, and I am failing. I really really really genuinely enjoy a super clean house, mine is not. But, someday I am going to be like the many retired people in my neighborhood, they have more done by 9am than I do in a week. I had an hour to clean without my helpers the other day while Kelly took the kids to the park, it was amazing what I got done, I am a much faster mopper when it is closer to noon than midnight. The point is, someday I can have a clean house, one that when I clean it it stays that way until I or Kelly mess it up. That day is not today. I read on fb a while ago something to the affect that cleaning with toddlers is the same as brushing your teeth while eating oreos. You get the point.
So, please apologize to your children in advance, I am almost certain that I am going to be one of those old lady's saying "enjoy." I only hope they'll know I say it because it is so hard to do.
Levi is waking up for the third time during this post, so I leave you with this...

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Catching up on the blog!

Just about every day I "write" a blog post or two or three in my head, yet as you can see I very rarely get the posts out of my head and onto this blog. My spirit is willing, but my flesh is so weak. I am just tired, and usually do not have free hands to get to typing. I wish I was exaggerating when I say that I literally pre-planned when I could put my hair in a pony tail today, when out and about I often hear "you've got your hands full," yep yep I do. I find that I am busy in the way that even when I have nothing planned my hands are full and I am occupied holding or playing or wiping or cooking (if you can really call it that these days!) or making doll crutches out of chopsticks. Georgiana is at the age that she likes to get out for activities as often as possible, so we do our best, and love to make play dates! But, sometimes it is all I can do to get us presentable enough to walk to the mailbox. Other days we go to gymnastics and the park and out to eat,  not so secretly I will admit that sometimes I like the car ride because it is the only time I do not have little ones physically crawling on me, please don't gasp and think I'm horrible, it's just physically exhausting to carry one or two little Smith's around. I am thankful every day for my two true blessings, but I am in a season of where I am just spent. I guess I've emphasized the fact that I am tired a few times too many already in this post. I just feel behind in nearly every area, laundry, thank you notes, emails, Bible study, meal planning... I wore dirty socks today and used a wash cloth to dry myself off the other day!! 

On a different note...

Kelly turned 31 yesterday! We celebrated with Legendary Doughnuts in the morning, a giant birthday banner created by Georgiana Lee, and the cutest little serenade of "Happy Birthday Daddy!" Georgiana and I baked cookies, she decorated them, we had sushi take out, ice cream, a family "jam session" I say it in quotes because that's Georgie's new thing "let's jam!" Then a bike ride and princess puzzles. 

Since getting back from Hawaii last month we've survived the flu (Levi, Kelly and myself, thankfully Georgiana was spared this time!) and visits (including being admitted) to the children's hospital. I've played the hospital blog post in my head dozens of times, but I don't know that I will actually get to typing it all up. Spoiler alert, Levi is 100% healthy, but it took quite a bit of testing to confirm that. He was having multiple possible seizures, but after two Video EEGs, we learned that all of his symptoms are benign and he should outgrow them within 18 months. He was officially discharged from the neurological clinic on Monday, and we celebrated with Hello Cupcakes! Yes, even Levi dove on in and took a handful of my lemon frosting. I tried to stop his hand from reaching his mouth, but let's just say that his first birthday cake will not be his first taste of frosting.  

Kelly returned to patrol, he loves it and is already back to firearm training as well. I must say, I didn't realize how much I enjoyed him having a desk job. I like to think that I don't worry about him on the beat, but truth is, I sort of miss his regular (semi-flexible) hours and "safety" of being a secretary. He doesn't miss it at all, and I too am so grateful that he is healthy enough to return back to his normal duties. 

Here are some pictures mostly from Easter. Hawaii and birthday pics are yet to be sorted through. For now I leave you with these. I always hope to blog more often than I do, so here's to hoping I'll be back soon!

***

Georgiana walks ridiculously well in heals. 

 Levi has started eating solid foods. If it is not lemon frosting he makes a face like this. No, he is not chocking (is that spelled right??), he just makes quite the expressions!

Dying eggs!

Easter smiles!

Sporting her shades for an Easter egg hunt.

Please add jelly beans to the list of candy that my two year old finds grotesque but I will eat!

I sit up and wear suit jackets. Growing up WAY too fast!

Georgiana refers to my Grandma as "Grandma Grandma," I love it.

Me and my white boy. Makenzie helping Georgiana count her eggs in the background. Georgie had so many eggs they were literally falling out of her basket as she ran around.

PS Thank you Ashley for letting me raid your closet!! The dress is my cousin Ashley's :) Yesterday I was wearing a dress and Georgiana said "Is that yours or Ashley's?" I said "mine." She said "Is it Ashley's but she is just letting you borrow it for awhile?" I said "no, it's mine, why do you like it?" She replied, "Yes!" It was like she was shocked that I owned something that she actually likes, ha ha! Have I blogged about how she will say to me "Do you usually wear that to church..." Oh dear.

Our attempt at a family photo, ha ha!

Yes, I look exactly like my dad, but I have ginormous hands and blue eyes, and possibly more of a face shape like my mommy's. But yes, otherwise I am my daddy's mini me.