Warning: little person on the loose

Well it is hard to believe that it has been 6 months since my last post. Kierran is one and half now and we are busy chasing him around the house, beach and park. It is a little complicated trying blog while chasing a toddler, hence the big hiatus.

joy riding, toddler style

Since his first birthday in February we had been having loads of fun amidst all the other parts of life. We were fortunate to join my mom, dad and brother in Kauai to celebrate my mom's 60th birthday in April over our spring break. Kierran was 14 months and started walking the day before we got on that airplane. Coincidence? We also got to visit Danny's brother Ryan, our sister in law Brooke, our nephew Nate and our niece Bailey while were there. They had moved to the island about five months prior to our visit and were well adjusted to a wonderful life there by the time we arrived. We are so happy for them.





We finished off the school year and headed full force into summer in the beginning of June. Neither one of us opted to teach summer school as the family time outweighed the benefits of teaching for the summer. We have savored everyday with a morning beach visit. (and most days and afternoon and an evening one too just to round out the day with more full fledged beach bumming) We had a great stay-cation.

Fourth of July, Capitola Beach with Grandpa Martin

We got to be good friends with the tractor that drives on the beach every morning. We also befriended the man who drives the street sweeper so he goes extra slow to let Kierran get a better look everyday. Kierran even got to sit in a firetruck for the first time while down in the Capitola village one morning. Needless to say, our mornings are filled with trucks, boats, dogs and surfboards. It is a little boy's dream come true. We spend a lot of time with things with wheels and wings.

swimming lessons

Kierran was quite the ladies man this summer, always wanting to play with older women. ha.

Often in the mornings we spent some time on the sand. We run into neighbors and friends everywhere and spend a lot of time digging holes, running away from (or into) waves, snacking and chatting.

future husband in training, accepting applications for betrothal (dowry negotiable =)

Petting the kitty as a kitty. Kierran did his own face painting on his forehead.

Kierran continues to surprise us daily with the funny things he says and does. He is such a toddler now. He loves to say, "ya" as much as he loves to say, "no" (which is a lot.) He loves to put things in the trash can (and take things out). He enjoys turning on the washing machine (and turning it off, and on and off and on). He loves to say, "I want dat one" and "I don wan it", even in his sleep. He is such a Linus, dragging his blankets with him everywhere. He is a snugly boy full of kisses and hugs and if you're lucky he will identify your eye for you when you hug him (and poke it).

He asks for his nap by trying to scale the crib or saying, "I want dat one, zzzzzzz(insert fake snore here)." hilarious. Language development at it best. We feel so fortunate to have all this time together to be able to witness Kierran's development. It has been such a blessing.

We took a couple of trips this summer. One to Redondo Beach to visit Grandma J which included a stop off in Buellton to visit Danny's mom and Mike and one to Portland to visit Danny's dad and Jennifer.

We also took a 6 week Music Together class this summer. He still loves Raffi, but we are expanding his interests from "Rafa", as he calls it. At first he was shy and clung to me during class but by the end he was trying to rule the roost! Kierran loved it and continues to show a strong interest in music, as most toddlers do. He loves to sing, play drums and clap. It is one of his preferred activities. I am thinking he gets his drumming style from his late Great Grandpa Martin, who was a Jazz drummer.

playing the drum at the Portland Zoo

In other news I recently accepted a new teaching position much closer to home. I will be teaching Kindergarten at Green Acres Elementary in the Live Oak School district. It also happens to be the school my very close friend Katy has been teaching 4th grade at for four years. It is about five minutes from our house and even closer to Kierran's daycare, which is same as last year. We are thrilled that this opportunity presented itself and came to fruition over the summer.

When we stopped to breath at the end of the school year we knew something was going to have to budge soon for a family life to flow a little easier. With the budget cuts so severe to education in our state, we thought it was going to be years until this change could really occur, but it seems as if there was another, and better, plan. We had been very stressed about our schedules for the upcoming year possibly shifting even earlier and and a bit overwhelmed by my working a half hour away, making me unavailable for emergencies, illnesses and other mommy or teacher duties. Although my commute was not bad compared to most, I am stoked to spend that hour each day on my class and family.

Orange you glad things don't always work out how you expect? Looking forward to hearing from you all.