Summer is coming!

We had a fabulous weekend getting ready for summer fun. On Saturday we relaxed around the house, did some chores (like taking Jameson to get his nails trimmed) and then went out to dinner at Station Tavern since Madeline wanted to "eat out." She has begun making this request at least once a week. Matt and I usually say yes since, if she asks to go out, Madi tends to be in a great mood for the whole meal. It has been getting easier to go to dinner, Ella is starting to be in a better mood at the table though she grabs everything her hands come into contact with!

Ready for bed

Saucer time - Ella is able to reach, pull, and chew all of the toys now!

Sunday was a full day. The girls and I went to church in the morning. Eleanor struggled a bit due to being exhausted but refusing to nap, but Madeline was awesome! She ate her snack, sat in the pew and tried to follow along with what I was doing for mass. Post-church we picked up Matt and headed to Mission Bay for a birthday party for twins in Madeline's class. It was wonderful to see Madi playing with friends she knows. She is such an introvert that in new situations or with new people, Madi becomes very shy and drops back to observe. This means that she often spends time with people being very quiet and not playing. She also tends to need warm-up time with our friends' kids since many are bigger than she is or are already playing together when we get somewhere. Matt and I worry that we model this introvert behavior ourselves (unconsciously) and have both been trying hard to jump right into conversations with people when she is with us. Seeing Madi be able to go up to a group of kids she knows and get right to playing, running, etc was something we both needed to witness!
After the party, we headed home to try to get naps out of the kids (we failed at this). Then we packed up and went to the Sullivan house for a pool party. Of course, the kids fell asleep in the car. Matt hung out in the driveway with them (Ella lasted about ten minutes, but Madi lasted half an hour). Jeremy and Soledad were there with their 5 year old daughter, Lilah. After some shy time and with help from Mom talking to Lilah, the girls eventually began playing together in an out of the pool. Madeline had no fear in regards to getting right in the pool (I am sure this was helped by the super warm temperature) and was excited to show Matt some of what she has been learning in swimming. She did ice-cream scoops using the pool noodles and lots of kicking. Madeline also learned about how great pool loungers are. She and Lilah spent quite some time on and off the floating loungers! Eleanor had a quick dip in the pool. She didn't cry and seemed to enjoy it. She then spent the remainder of the afternoon in the exersaucer or in the Bjorn. I finally got a nap out of her and that helped the evening along tremendously! It was a gorgeous night and just the fun we needed. I was so sad driving home to realize that I still have a week (and more) of work left!

Pool time

Pool play with Daddy

Noodle fun!

Ella borrowing William's saucer. She was entertained for hours.