Big Boy Bed

Kai got a "big boy" bed!  It took several months and tons of going back and forth between insurance and our home health care shop, but we finally got the bed!  We all love it, and when I say "we," I mean "we."  The kids love to climb into the bed with Kai.  Zuri climbs in all the time.  I will set River in the bed when I am doing stuff with Kai.  J and I will even get in with him.

I absolutely love that the bed seems to be bringing us all closer to Kai.  The bed itself is also pretty awesome.  The side rail can be brought down (on both sides).  The bed can be raised or lowered horizontally, at the head (like a hospital bed) so that he is in a sitting position, and at the knees. 

Kai has so much room to move around!  He is now moving a lot more and even completely flipping himself around.  I love it!  I do think he misses having the bars of his crib to run his ballard along, but overall he seems to be enjoying it!

Pioneer Day

For Pioneer day this year (for those of you who aren't aware, Utah celebrates July 24th as a state holiday: Pioneer Day), we took a day trip to Mill Creek Canyon.  We walked along the river boardwalk and hiked up a trail; we had Kai with us so we stuck to easy trails.  It was beautiful and green and much cooler than the desert valley.  Utah really is amazing with its diverse climate, and close proximity to the mountains no matter where you live. 

 

 A rare moment of stillness caught.  She looks so contemplative there, but I think she was really looking for fish. 

 ....and....back to the silliness.  Oh, yeah, did I mention she lost her front tooth?  The other one is loose.  She might be wishing for her two front teeth for Christmas!

 Daddy's doing double-time with the kids.  River had fun "riding" on the top of the stroller

When we returned home for the evening, we had decided to forgo seeing fireworks (the thought of hauling Kai around to a crowded venue was just not appealing after being out all day; not to mention, River), but Zuri saw some from our bay window and was so excited that I couldn't say no, so she and I went out while J stayed home with the other two kids.

 It was already pretty late and there were tons of firework displays already started, so we went to the Pioneer Days because I knew they started later.  Last year I was really impressed with how close we were and the fireworks they had, so I was expecting another great event this year.

I was sadly disappointed.  There were still some beautiful, amazing fireworks, but overall, the display was very short.  Next year I think we will go to another venue.  Zuri and I did have fun with just the two of us....and look, I am getting better at selfies (this was taken with my camera and not my phone, so I had no idea how it would turn out)!

Zuri was pretty funny about the fireworks.  She wanted to make sure I was taking pictures of them.  Every time I put my camera down she would get after me and tell me to get more pictures of all "the pretty fireworks."  

 

 

 

6 Months

Kindergarten Graduation

Taking it back to the beginning of summer.  Zuri's kindergarten class put on a cute graduation, where they each had a little part to say and they sang several songs.  Afterwards, they all received their "diplomas," and had a little party.

While chatting with one of the other moms in the class, I discovered that Zuri and her daughter will also share the same class together for first grade.  I'm sure Zuri will enjoy having at least one other person she knows in her class.

Zuri's teacher got teary-eyed saying goodbye and you can tell that she genuinely cares for the kids in her class.  She was always singing praises for Zuri and loved having her in her class.

Zuri and one of her friends

Trip of a Lifetime

At the end of June, I had the opportunity to spend a few weeks abroad with my sister, Emily.  We spent a week in Japan, a day in Amsterdam, a week in the highlands of Scotland, and a couple days in London.  It was so much fun--Japan and Scotland are just gorgeous--pictures don't even do them justice.  Needless to say, I have a TON of pictures, and in order to prevent picture overload, instead of posting days, I will post by place/event.  I may include other posts (ie newer events) mixed in between posts, so stay tuned! 

As if I didn't have the travel bug before, I really have it now, and I can't wait for our next adventure!

Playing Dress-Up

Zuri is really into playing dress-up lately.  She has to wear her princess dresses or her fairy costumes.  She loves when I take videos on my phone of her playing.  She will then take over my phone and watch the videos, laughing at herself.  She will often do silly things like pretend to be sneezing or pretending a witch is coming.  About a month ago I found a hoop with netting on it (designed to be hung above a bed--the name is eluding me right now) that she calls her tent.  I have it in her toy room and she uses that as her "safety zone."  I love watching her imaginative play.

Happy Independence Day!

Hope you all have a wonderful 4th of July!

I couldn't choose my favorite picture, so you get a bunch--enjoy!

River and Kai

There is an interesting dynamic between River and Kai.  Sometimes it seems as though they are competing for our attention.  Often when one gets upset the other will as well.  Makes for fun times.  Whenever we stick them together, Kai will look over at her and smile.  He is definitely aware of her.

River loves his equipment and tries to stick it all in her mouth.  He is just another part of her world and she will sleep through his alarms, which is amazing because she doesn't sleep through anything else.

I love to watch them together.  Kai, who is more aware than he seems, will often watch her.  After a time his attention will wander and he will go back to his own world, but out of everyone, he watches her the most!