Sand and Sun

We've spent less time climbing trails than last summer, but I think we've spent a lot more days at the beach. Mostly because that's easiest with Wynn. The past week has been GREAT weather and we spent several mornings at the beach. Sydney got to find urchins, shrimp, crabs, and other sea creatures at low tide and Wynn got to play in the sand. I love living by the ocean and being able to drive only 10 min. to get there. 

I decided to share these particular pictures because they show the kids personalities right now the best. Sydney is constantly exploring things and asking, why why why why. She wanted to know what the inside of the can looked like. She also isn't as compliant when I ask her to smile and say cheese. She's too busy pretending, dancing, exploring, etc. Wynn is always on the go and opinionated. When he's happy (which is most the time) he squeals, shakes his hands around, and laughs like in the pictures below because he wanted the camera. When he gets upset, he also shakes his hands around but he also kicks/stomps his feet and has a very loud, very cute pouty cry.

Sydney's Growing Up

Sydney's growing up faster and faster it seems. She's doing really well with her potty training. She does her best when I don't remind her and is motivated by preschool that starts here in a few weeks! Her drawing skills have improved a lot lately. The other day while we were working outside she was so excited to show me this picture she drew. "I drew a whale, mom!" Turns out she really did. 

She has finally grasped the idea of having friends and really loves to play with other kids. We are excited for the school year to start and a lot of people's schedules slow down so we can get together with other kids more often. She asks me everyday if a friend is coming over to play. Another thing I've noticed is her desire to participate in group activities. She talks about dancing, playing soccer and basketball, and most recently gymnastics. We've been watching a lot of Olympics the past week and a half, and yesterday when I went into her room after quiet time she said she had a trick to show me. I was impressed by her creativity in lining up her stools to create her own "balance beam" and her efforts to jump from stool to stool and twirl around on them. She's such a fun little girl and its awesome to see her personality and preferences emerge more and more.

(I realize her head was kind of cut off some and she's in panties... but I wanted to show it anyway :D)