Dressing Alone

This morning, Sara woke up, got dressed and came out. I thought it would be nice to showcase her outfit. I have to give her points for creativity. I think it's one of God's ways to help me stop being a control freak :)

Just a Box

It's true, you buy all these great presents, but at the end of the day it really is the little simple things they enjoy. We received a package in the mail and for two days Sara played with the box and paper inside of it. One day, when she was cleaning up her room after playing with the box I asked her how clean-up was going and she said, "I'm almost done. I just have a lot left to do" (see photo 3).

Pumpkin Patch and Jenny's Farm Stand

On Sunday, we took a trip to the pumpkin patch. I can remember saying last year when we took Sara to the pumpkin patch, "Next year we'll have a baby with us." I can't believe we really do. At the time, it seemed like a distant future, but now it seems like a long time ago that I said that. Sara had a blast running through the pumpkin patch finding just the right pumpkin for her. She also chose one for Jonas. We got a shot of both of them on the pumpkins. Sara was holding on to Jonas, but let go when she decided she was ready to move on. Luckily, I was close enough to grab him. Note to self, do not let a 3 year old hold a baby :) We also rode on a hayride. Sara really enjoyed that part. Jonas took it all in and seemed to enjoy just being outside. After the pumpkin patch, we headed over to Jenny's farm stand. We were able to see chickens, horses, goats and donkeys. Sara was able to pet all of them (except the chickens :). We ate really yummy, warm donuts. They have this huge hay maze/stack for kids to climb on. Sara loved doing this too. She would to in one hole and pop out somewhere else. I love doing stuff with kids. It just puts lots of joy and excitement in everything.

Getting It

The other day I was reading "Elmo's Potty Time" to Sara. In the story, Elmo's Baby David is using the potty. Sara asked, "Mommy, did Baby David really use the potty?" I told her no they were pretending. I thought it was pretty cool that she was catching on to pretending and reality in the story. She is constantly putting things together that amaze me. I am just amazed at where babies begin, like Jonas, and how in 3 years they are able to walk, talk, potty on the toilet, dress themselves, and on and on. It really leaves me in awe of God. I can't wrap my brain around how humans work, but I know it's sweet.

San Francisco

Aunt Sharen and Gigi also took us into San Fran one evening. We went to Pier 39. There is a huge amount of Sea Lions there. We thought Sara would enjoy seeing them. She did not. She was frightened by them, which is understandable. They were loud and really stinky. She kept asking, "what is that smell?" For the rest of the night, she wanted to know where we were in relation to the sea lions because she didn't want to go back near them. So much for her enjoying them:) She also rode on the carousel. We walked down Fisherman's Warf. We got to watch the bakers at the Boudin Bakery making bread. The head baker saw Sara and asked her if she wanted a turtle bread. She of course did. He came out and met us so she could have it. That was really fun. Then, we went to dinner at the Rain Forest Cafe. Sara thought this was a blast. She even received a balloon that was in the shape of a butterfly. This later became a very sore point when we had to leave it in CA. She did not want to say goodbye to the butterfly. Jonas did a great job in the city. He just took it all in. He didn't fuss. I'm sure it was very fun for him :)

Celebrating Sara's Birthday in CA

Sara's great-grandma, Gigi, threw a little party in honor of Sara's birthday. She made a very yummy dinner, some brownies, and took Sara shopping. Sara received some cute outfits, which she wants to wear all the time. She also got a stuffed cow, who has received the name "Bessie". Sara loves celebrating her birthday, and believes that she can do pretty much everything now because she is 3 :)

Santa Cruz - the beach

Well, you can't be near the ocean and miss the beach. Jon's Uncle Scott and Aunt Sharen took us to the beach in Santa Cruz. It was a warm 60 degrees. Needless to say, we did not go in the water (except our toes:). It was still a great time. Sara built her first "sand castle". Jon helped make a hole big enough for her to stand in. She also flew a kite. Jonas hung out in a tent for babies and just enjoyed looking around. We were able to see a lifeguard rescue some kayakers who fell out of the kayak. We ate pizza at this great local pizza place, and we saw the surfers waiting for waves that didn't look like they would come.