In the morning {work week}

As you can imagine our mornings are pretty hectic with getting ourselves ready, the kids ready, feeding the dogs, making lunches and bottles, grabbing last minute coffee, loading everything {and everyone} into the vehicles and then fighting the traffic to get to work on time. For the most part we have it down to a science with Ryan and I working as a very efficient team {it took a lot of tweaking, but I think we're there}. We both get up at the same time and while Ryan showers and gets ready, I make the bottles, grab my coffee, feed Aveyn, get her dressed, do her hair, then get Cael dressed and brush his teeth {depending on Ryan's timing he will help}. We head downstairs where Ryan and I make our lunches {if I haven't already made mine} and then we load the kids into his car. I say my goodbyes and then rush into the house with about 45 minutes to get myself ready and out the door. Believe it or not, it works and everyone seems happy :)

{Cael} Kids Say The Darndest Things

I have been eagerly awaiting the 'kids say the darndest things' posts because I know that Ryan and I {and the kids} are going to look back at some of the things that they have said and howl with laughter. They are so innocent and have such a different perspective on life that it is refreshing to hear how they process and interpret various events, words, phrases, etc. This isn't the first time that Cael has said something adorable, but it is the first time I actually remembered it well enough to capture it in writing. Cael's full name is Cael Ryan Zikas and we have been working on teaching him his name {both full name and last name}. I asked Cael what his full name was and he responded with 'I am Cael Daddy Zikas'. Talk about howling with laughter. He was so proud of himself for remembering. {sigh} Out of the mouths of babes!!!

Drew and Drake

Unfortunately, the kids in our neighborhood are quite a bit older than Cael with one of the few exceptions being Drew. He is about 6 or 7 and loves to play with both Cael and Drake. Drake is a few months older than Cael and lives next door to Drew who lives just a few houses down the street from us. Over the last year or so, Drew has come to the house several times asking if Cael can come out and play. A couple of times we have had to turn him down (family in town or going to the hospital to have Aveyn), but for the most part he is welcome into our home. Sometimes Drew seems to forget that Cael is quite a bit younger than he is, but that doesn't seem to stop him from wanting to play. Drew came over the other day for a bit and Cael was completely enamored following him all over the place; showing him his room and his toys. I have to admit I am a little torn because Drew only magnifies how quickly Cael is growing up, but at the same time, I want Cael to have friends in the neighborhood {and Drew and Drake seem like a great place to start}.

**I would tell them to say 'cheese' and Cael would say it, but only while looking at Drew to make sure he was saying it too or to watch him say it. I finally got a picture of the two of them WITHOUT Cael looking at Drew, but only because Drew told Cael to 'look at the camera'. In the first picture, they are looking at the dogs through the screen door. Drew seemed both frightened and fascinated by our furry four legged friends.

In her shoes

I remember like it was yesterday. We bought Cael's first pair of shoes at the beginning of November before he turned one. The daycare had recommended it because he was going to be going outside in his new room and they wanted his feet to be protected. I had to go to Phoenix for business so it was up to Ryan to make the purchase. I remember he did a great job picking out shoes from Walmart and that I was amazed at how much older a pair of shoes can make a baby look. Cael was a lot closer to walking than Aveyn is, but we decided to get her a pair anyway. We now buy Cael's shoes at Stride Rite, but his first pair came from Walmart so we decided to continue the tradition. They didn't have a very big selection, but I found a pair of pink ones {so sick of pink - there should be more purple} and Ryan stamped them with his seal of approval. I can't believe how much older they make her look {you would think I would get used to it}. Our little girl is growing up!!!

She was, of course, fascinated by her new shoes and would not stop looking at them long enough for me to get a picture of her face. She studied them, tried to eat them and then wanted to pull them off her feet so she could play with them!

The Park

There is a park within walking distance from our house and I am only going to find so many different ways to post about the fact that we are merely taking a walk to the park. I have been doing my best to get the dogs {and the family} our for some exercise. On Saturday morning I asked Ryan if he was interested in joining the kids, dogs and I for a walk around the neighborood {he isn't a fan of 'walking'}. We headed out, but some how ended up at the park, which is fine except for the fact that it was HOT outside. Ryan took the kids to the playground while I ran around with Potter and Bodie. It was great to get out for a bit, but I think Ryan and I are reconsidering our timing the next time we go. I love Colorado, but I don't care where you are, it is too hot to be outside at 12:00 in August. Cael had fun, the dogs had fun, I got to walk/run for a bit - not sure how Ryan and Aveyn felt about the whole trip, but regardless this will not be our last walk or our last trip to the park.

{Cael} - Quick Update - Diego and Dora

Cael loves {LOVES} Diego and Dora who have now replaced Mickey, Curious George, Monsters, Nemo, Cars and Shrek!

He graduated {swimming}

Cael has been in swimming lessons since he was 18 months and from the minute he set foot in a pool he has proven to be an excellent swimmer {not just good, but AMAZING - and no, this is not just his mother talking}. For the past 15 months or so Ryan and I have watched him blossom into a proverbial fish {he may have found his calling - can we say Michael Phelps}. Typically kids do not move up to the next class until they are three years old and for the last 4 months {EVERY week}, Cael's teacher has been asking Ryan his age, mainly because of how well he does and because he is such a big kid. Cael has far surpassed the current curriculum and Ms. Brenda told Ryan that starting in August, Cael would begin swimming in the 2A class {preparation for the 3+ age group}. We are so proud of him. He doesn't always listen that well or do what he is told, but it is quite clear that he is ready for new challenges and luckily SafeSplash is happy to oblige. Once again, thank you to Grandma for making it happen and making it possible {we love you and so does Cael}.

Unfortunately because Aveyn is napping during Cael's class and Ryan is in the water we weren't able to take very many pictures. I did ask Ryan to take the camera to Cael's 'last day' in the Parent/Tot class so we would at least have something to post on the blog {the pool in the far background is the one he will be swimming in going forward}! Honestly, sometimes it is SO hard to explain things on the blog. Cael is an unbelievable swimmer and words or pictures just can't convey it well enough. We're not bragging {well, a little}; we are in awe and based on what we have been told, we are not alone.

Peek-a-boo

She is my daughter and I think she is just about the cutest thing EVER!! And that's all I have to say about that {little Forrest Gump reference for you}!

Cael is a PRE-SCHOOLER!

Our little boy is growing up and I am not sure I am ready. For the most part he has mastered going potty in his big boy potty so at the request of his mother {I was anxious} the daycare moved Cael up to the next room. He is officially a PRE-SCHOOLER!!!!! Normally they take a week to transition the kids into their new classrooms, but I asked that he not transition as long as they thought he was doing okay with everything. So far so good. He still has a couple accidents during the day, but that is pretty standard and it shouldn't be long before he is completely potty trained! He is no longer wearing diapers, is a pre-schooler, got a bike {with training wheels} and graduated to a new class at swimming {more to come}.....all in a week's time! So much change and so fast. It isn't supposed to happen this quickly. I haven't had a chance to really savor any of it {where is the pause button for life}?