Tennis

Jake just finished 4 classes of tennis lessons, and I think he liked it! He was actually pretty good, too. I got some pictures of this last class...

Happy Summer!!

Jake joined friends Max, Ruby, and Eleanor at a playground/waterpark today.

Thanks to my friend Ellie for the picture!

To the Beach!

We went to Tolovana Beach, which is just south of Cannon Beach. This is the beach I spent the most time at while growing up.
Jake was so, so happy to be here!

And we were so happy that it was the perfect day.

Gotta love the combination of sunscreen, jam, and sand.
Jake and Daddy at the waves. Jake was squealing with delight and couldn't get enough of jumping in the waves.
Uh oh, someone fell in the surf :) (And someone else didn't think it would be warm enough for a swimsuit, but apparently she was wrong.)
Warm sand after cold water!
Someone needs a bath.
But is happy, regardless.
And wanted to be buried in the sand.

Baby is getting some sun, too.

Jake wanted to know if we could stay for a long, long time, but it was eventually time to get out of the sun and head home.

Hi!

4 Years Old!

He's 4!! Sunday morning, opening presents from Mommy and Daddy.

Painting one of the presents he received.
Dear Jake,

You are 4 years old. I can hardly believe it has been 4 years since you came into the world into my arms and I held you and loved you. My love for you just grows and grows.

I am so looking forward to you being a big brother, and all of us being a family. You are the sweetest boy and love to give lots of hugs and kisses throughout the day. You are already starting to extend this affection to the baby -- you love to jiggle my belly and blow raspberries on my belly for the baby, and have started talking to him/her. The baby is going to love you!

I see you growing and changing. You went through a big physical growth spurt earlier in the year but now I am seeing some huge developmental leaps. Your imagination has recently started taking off -- you like to pretend play at going to school, race cars/planes/jets, and be a superhero. You are also really enjoying all sorts of games and puzzles, and I especially love to watch you working with letters -- putting them together and sounding them out. Today you were looking at Calvin and Hobbes comics and sounding out the random exclamatory words (whap! augh! etc.) It won't be very long now before you are reading.

Bedtimes have changed as well. Almost every night now, you and Daddy wrestle around on the bed together and I can see how wonderful this is for you. At the same time, in the last few weeks you have not wanted Mommy to sing you to sleep anymore -- this is very bittersweet for me. I am not sure if you have finally figured out that Mommy isn't a very good singer or if you have just outgrown it, but I enjoyed it while it lasted. Also, for the first time in your short life you are starting to prefer that Daddy put you to sleep, which is a good thing with the new baby coming!

You stood on my legs today and I couldn't believe how tall you were. I used to hold you on my legs and be able to look straight ahead into your big, brown eyes, but now I have to look so far up. Soon you won't be able to stand on my legs anymore but I'm glad it will still be awhile before I'll have to look up while we're both standing.

You'll keep growing but you'll always be my wonderful, sweet boy.

Love, Mommy

4th Birthday Party!

Getting ready... it was a "sea animals" theme party.
Showing off his decorations for the front door windows.
The cake is all ready! (Another yummy cake from Robots Love Cupcakes).
My 4 year old! (Notice the cool new haircut!)
Cole arrives. Let the party begin!
Making their bags to hold the party goodies.
Max, Serena, Skylar, Cole, Jake.
Baby Porter with her mom and grandma.


With their bags in hand, hunting for sea animals in the backyard.
We got so lucky and the sun came out!! It was supposed to be a grey, rainy day. Lucky us! (Sierra with her dad -- the only picture I got of her.)




Sea animal comparison conference.

Ooh... there's an octopus!
Max.



Found a shark.


Counting animals with Gramma.

Time to fish!

Skylar caught a green one.
Luke got a red one.
Max getting a fish.
Hugh and Kingsley.


Skylar, Kingsley, and Hugh.Fish! There were treats inside the fish -- lollipops or bubble gum.

Happy birthday to you!

Yum! Chocolate cake layered with strawberries and topped with vanilla-flavored blue icing. (The blue dye came from purple cabbage!!!)

Opening presents. Luke and Max look on.

Time to run off all the sugar! The daddies joined in playing.

Who's hiding behind the tree?
Ahhhh! Grandpa monster!
After the party, having fun looking at the presents and starting to play with them.
Giant fish balloon.