Simply Different

I have been asked a lot lately about Haley and Ryan and how they are similar or different. I have just been noticing the nature of Ryan. He has about 5 words. Other than that he is always talking and pointing. He will get frustrated and scream the most high pitched scream human ears can take. This is not a fit or accompanied by tears. It is simply a "listen to what I am TRYING to tell you!" It is short and loud. Haley did not do this. We figure she didn't really get that frustrated since she was talking at this age. I have been fascinated by the boy vs. girl stuff. I am one to think that gender does not determine personality. I have seen wild girls and some calm boys and vice versa. I was just telling my sisters -in-law that I think it is so interesting that Ryan is exposed to so many girlie things (dolls, strollers, dress ups, etc) from Haley, who also has hammers, tools, instruments. In a mixed basket he will throw the "girl" stuff aside and find the drumstick or truck. He turns anything into a bat and tests everything out by pounding it. Haley used to have full access to the Tupperware drawer. She would surely make a mess of it, but she would take things out one by one and make piles and stacks. Ryan has access to the same drawer and pulls things out by piles and chucks them across the floor. Just so different. He is just about to walk and has already started to climb the stairs (time for those hideous gates). Haley never had a "thing." Ryan LOVES this stuffed turtle Uncle Mike and Aunt Gayle gave him. Haley would crawl to the book basket and ask for books ALL day. Ryan is happy with the stories he gets during the day and at bedtime, but never asks for them.  We are so enjoying learning who Ryan is. Our kids are pretty different, but both so darn delightful.

Summer Fun

Great America. Each year we are invited to Lockheed Martin Day by the Garcias and get season passes for dirt cheap. I have been going for the past 3 summers. The other day Caithlin, who I teach with, asked if I ever see students there...never have. Of course on Monday, I am packing the kids up in the car and hear, "Mrs. Russell?" Yes, first time.

Father's Day in Santa Cruz. See how Aaliyah and Ry are staring at each other?
End of our beach day. Ryan is passed out and Haley is crying. That was a bit chaotic to do without the daddies.


Drewers!

Ryan's Big Day

Ryan had his 1st birthday party and blessing yesterday. It was a perfect day in the Rasul backyard. Family enjoyed lunch and the sunshine. Jane did his blessing and it was really very special. Ryan wanted nothing to do with his cake (this is twice now). Quite the opposite of his sister. He did enjoy crawling and walking around the yard and playing with his family. He also loved his new toys that he will be able to ride on and walk around with. He pointed to may things with his normal "dis" and "dat." He has a cold, so he had a few times of pure sadness. He was much better after his nap. He's been here a year. I keep saying it, but I can't believe it.

Haley's Big Day

Saturday was Haley's dance recital. We were quite the proud parents. This was seriously one of the cutest things I had ever seen. I thought that she would come out with her class and I would spend the whole time laughing at it all. Oh no...down came the water works. I was a huge cry baby! This was not what I expected, but there she was, on the big stage with a huge smile on her face dancing her little butt off. She had never done anything like this. It was funny because in the car on the way she asked "What if people don't like my show? What if they think the dance is boring?" She was experiencing nerves! I was surprised by it. She and her friends did an outstanding job. I am so glad that I didn't pull her from dance when I was having some doubts about this big show. Thanks to everyone who assured me that it was all appropriate. It was a special day.

Volunteer Day

Saturday morning we participated in a Volunteer Day for the city of San Jose. Josh knew about it through his Leadership Board and invited all of us to come. I am so sorry I didn't have the camera there. We worked at Emma Prusch Farm shelling fava beans, potting tomato plants, pulling carrots, and tying up cucumber vines. Haley was in heaven. She is quite the worker bee. She loved planting a tomato and especially loved pulling the carrots out of the ground, washing then and eating them immediately after. I think it is important to expose the kids to volunteer work even at this age. It felt good to spend our Saturday morning helping and getting our hands dirty. It also helped that there was another little girl there that Haley made friends with immediately. They followed the roosters and peacocks, imitating their sounds. Ryan stayed in his stroller and watched the action. It was a lovely morning.

Done

I just finished my 10th year of teaching. HOORAY!

And Here He Was 1 Year Ago

Happy birthday RJ

I can't believe that Ryan is 1 year old today. Crazy. Here's a photo of the birthday boy

A Very Monday Morning

I woke up this morning and hopped out of bed. This is the last Monday of the school year! Unlike most Mondays, I looked forward to this day because I know once a week is in motion it goes by so fast. Come Friday, VACATION! So, I was showered and ready before Ryan woke up and I thought I was so ahead of the game...until...I walked into Ryan's room. The smell immediately alarmed me of the situation. There was Ry, standing in his crib, facing the door with a huge smile on his face just like every morning. I walked up to see poop EVERYWHERE. Smashed all throughout his crib, all over his hands, head, feet, and a bit near his mouth (I can't talk about it). I took him out and went to wake Josh from his slumber. He could choose between taking care of Ryan in the bath or taking care of his room. I clearly warned him of the situation and he chose the bedding. I so wanted to fill the tub with boiling water to kill all bacteria off the little guy's body. Instead I scrubbed him from head to toe as he enjoyed this unanticipated bath.

This happened once with Haley too when I came in after a nap time a couple of years ago. Nothing prepares you for the shock or the clean-up for that matter. The worst part is seeing poop on your kids' face. It's horrible.

Very stereotypical Monday for sure.

I Told You I Had Fun in May!

Good Speller, Bad Typist

I pride myself on being a good speller. Somehow this concept with all the rules and all the exceptions has stayed in my brain since school. Even if there is a new word I can usually figure out how to spell it. This does not come across in my emails as I am always making typos. I never learned how to type so I do not know the rules of the board. I type fast, but will often miss a key or reverse order. I do not take the time to spell check or read over personal emails, but I probably should. I always want to write back and say " I swear I know how to spell that word. I know that 'student' is not 'sutdent'."
I guess I should have taken keyboarding instead of home ec in middle school. What can you do?

Family Update

Oldest to Youngest

Josh- Things are good. Work is busy, which is a great thing in these times. He had a major event a few weeks ago that was a great success. He gets home each day and gets down and dirty with the kids and they both love it.

Jen- 9 more days until summer vacation!!!! I am really excited for the summer. I know I will have my hands full, but in the best way. I have had the luxury of enjoying 2 Girls' weekends in May. One was a trip to Vegas with Courtney and friends and the other was this past weekend in Healdsburg with Joy, KC, and Kim. I am so lucky to have such special friendships and the time to get away with my girlfriends. I treasure it.

Haley- She has been so interested in vocabulary lately. If you say a sentence or read from a book and there is a word she does not know she will stop you and ask about it. Some of the words are hard to explain. Kind of like if someone asked you what chocolate tastes like...it tastes like chocolate! She continues to be awesome with her brother. She helps him reach things in the car and tries to teach him new words. I brought home a stack of books I used when teaching elementary school and you would have thought it was Christmas morning. We have been reading a ton at home. She will start preschool in the fall so this will be the end of her going to Diane's house. That has been such a blessing for our family.

Ryan- He is turning 1 next week! This time last year I was a very pregnant woman. He is a busy boy. Starting to cruise around, pulls up on stuff, points to everything. At 1 Haley wasn't pulling up yet, but had over 30 words. Ryan is pulling up and cruising and has only a handful of words (not Mama or Dada yet!). It is so interesting to see how different they are in ways (physical and verbal development) and how similar they are in other ways (both have always loved food, and have been good sleepers). Ryan is a joy and we are loving every new phase.

This summer should be fun. We are signed up for swim lessons, going camping, going to Tahoe and other little small things. I am sure it will be crazy, but I can't wait.