"My handsome man" aka Levi

Levi turned four... he is four.  It's hard for me to wrap my mind around it, that my second child is four years old. He's huge! he's old! It's very strange.

On his birthday, birthday, -- we started the day off with leopard pancakes and a birthday shirt.  Levi loves biking... and he obviously loved his shirt.  It's tradition to get a birthday book too... this year he got "Big Cats" by Seymour Simmons.

I adore the picture of Raya and Levi on the lion.  I should have it framed -- they have become such great friends lately.  They take care of each other.  -- anyways, for his birthday activity we took Levi up to Cat Tales in Spokane.  We got close to large cats like lions and tigers.  Levi got to see his leopards; Seth wants to go to California for his birthday because he read that their is a zoo in California that has cheetahs.... oh Seth.  -- The kids favorite exhibit might have been the gift shop, they love their little tokens they took home with (thanks Grandma and Granpa!)

Levi's shirt says, "Levi Loves Leopards" -- that's what he wanted on his shirt and he also wanted a leopard cake.. (I hope this is just a phase)  Happy birthday my sweet boy! We love you.

p-p-p-p-pictures

It's Levi's birthday tomorrow (!!) -- so I thought I better upload pictures to make way for the birthday festivities coming up... I have to admit I was a bit surprised at how many pictures I actually had, a family can do a lot in five days.

Some general cuteness: While Seth was at school I took Raya and Levi to the craft fair -- doesn't Levi look studly?? He took the picture of me below -- and Raya likes to wear her helmet... a lot, and go up the slide the wrong way... I pick and choose my battles.

The long awaited chess club began!!  Seth was so thrilled.  To the right is Seth winning his first game :)

Last Saturday we went to two soccer games and a birthday party... all before 12:00. It was Levi's last practice.. he loved being a goalie, and Seth loved coaching him from behind the goal.

Raya loved stepping on my feet, "Mom, Mom, Mommy!"

... I love it ... she's my little shadow :)

Seth's game: He was team captain and lead the group in stretches.  Seth loves being a goalie... Seth's coach is always telling him he is a natural goalie... and mentioned to me last practice he should play hockey.  -- High pain tolerance and extremely focused.... I guess that does fit the description of a hockey player, but I think we'll stick with soccer.

Ali's Birthday party: Cute kids in cute costumes... the boys were "soccer players" since we came straight from their games.

The boys' first "concert" ! -- It was a neat experience for them to see children playing solos, and joining in at the end with their box violins, practicing their rhythms to "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star."

I think I know what I'm getting Seth for his birthday.... his first time on a skateboard and I think he did pretty well.

I love fall... and this little girls' face.  She loved throwing leaves at me :)

This is what these two do during Seth's soccer practice.  I love that Raya already has a biking buddy.

Halloween party!  My Paul Bunyans and Babe the blue ox:

Seth lost his second tooth!

... I'm pretty sure that was like 12 posts in one... whew!

Insert creative title here.

I uploaded pictures from my camera phone... (I need to take out my real camera more often...)

We went to the WSU organic farm pumpkin patch on Saturday.  We've gone to it for five years now! That's crazy.  Hay ride... "corn maze"... the kids love picking out their own little pumpkins. 

I love that Raya found the tiniest green pumpkin and instantly became attached to it.

Levi named his pumpkin "Sweet Juicy" and is very excited to cut and eat it raw. I hope he doesn't get disappointed when I wont let him eat it... maybe we will toast the seeds?

Raya named her pumpkin "Sweet Juicy too"

Seth named his pumpkin "Cheetah.

-- since I'm on this thread of new namings, Levi named his violin "Leopard," and Seth named his violin (can you guess it?) "Cheetah."

Seth's soccer game... when he was goalie he saved the ball with his head! (He may or may not have meant to... but it was still pretty cool).  His coach said it was the best save of the game.

My sister made Raya the most adorable knit doll for her birthday, seriously.  I'll get more pictures of it later, Raya loves it.

The kids were invited to a superhero themed birthday party -- don't be fooled by Levi's face, they had a great time (I love that picture of Levi.)

Last thought of a rambling mother.... Raya's two year check up yesterday.  

Doctor: "What does a cat say?"

Raya: "C-c-c-c" -- she's making the c sound... because cat starts with the letter c....  

Go Seth!

(... and Go Cougs!) -- Seth lost his first tooth!! It was at the WSU soccer game on Friday.  He looks so old now... (sigh). 

On Wednesday we went to Seth's open house at school.  I loved his excitement -- he took our parent guide sheet and read and showed us everything on the list.  I love this boy, I'm always in awe that I have helped mold this child, seriously how could I?  He is amazing: 

 Last thought on Seth: soccer. -- He is doing INCREDIBLE.  He scored his first goal yesterday.  His skills have grown so much in a few weeks and even better -- he loves playing.  (And I love cheering him on).  Go Seth!

biking, biking, ... a little violin, oh and more biking

The kids (ok... and me..) are addicted to biking.  Levi in particular... he is incorrigible; actually as I'm typing this blog Levi is pleading to go to the skate park....  

This is so cute... I love watching all these little boys (+ Raya) ages 5 and under at the skate park.  They were playing cops and robbers.

Don't you love that Levi is still wearing his biking helmet still? -- I think he would sleep in it.  Anyways, the boys love playing their violin.  Right now they are practicing on box violins.

And more pictures @ the skate park... practicing on the half pipe.