Haircut

Cutting baby hair is so hard for me, but I think I am finally over the hump with Reade's hair. It was hard for me to buzz off that long, wispy hair in the back. Thank goodness I will have a new head of baby hair to fuss over so I can let Reade grow up and move on to the next level. This was the first time he sat by himself for the haircut. Note to self: remember to charge the buzzer before the haircuts so you don't have to wait a couple minutes between buzzes.

Goodbye silky hair:


Accoutrements:


The key to Reade's hair is to leave the front long and just cut the back and sides. He now looks totally blonde like Blake. Thank goodness it still looks a little red in the bathtub:

Hitched

Our wonderful weekend away from our kids has come to an end. Blake and Reade had a great time hanging with their grandparents from Friday night until this afternoon. It felt so good to romp around SF with Andrew and act like a married couple instead of parents. We were lucky guests of Andrew's co-worker and got to share his wedding ceremony and reception at the Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park. It was a great time.

The beginning of the ceremony under the leopard:


The rings and kiss:


Sitting down to a dinner near the albino alligator:


Blurry photo taken by tipsy table mate:

My 4 Year Old

Yesterday, Blake turned four years old. My blogging has been slow because my sister, mother, and father have been treating Blake to some great, overnight stays.

Birthday pancake breakfast:


His Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle/Ariel/Transformers birthday cake:


Happy Birthday to Blake:


So many great gifts:


Blake got to invite his friend Chase to his birthday party. Watch out, for there are two Darth Vaders running around the world!


Such a wonderful big boy I have.

Plant

Does anyone know what plant this is? We saw it on our walk to the park and have never seen anything like it. The buds look like roses, but the plant looks like maple leaves:


The buds look much bigger in person:

Bicyclist

I was putting books on a bookshelf and heard Reade playing behind me. My camera was on top of the bookshelf so I tried to start the video without him catching me. He knew what I was up to, but I really want to capture his personality at this age. It is my favorite age for kids and I love their innocence. Before I started videotaping, he was pretending he was riding a daddy bicycle with his water attached to it:



Blake and Reade playing canoe surfing in the top and bottom of an orange box:

Camp

I can't believe I bought my first pair of shinguards for Blake. Who knew four-year-olds need these for summer camp? Don't they just become a beehive and kick each other instead of the ball (ah, now putting two and two together)? So it begins. The cost of sporting goods/accessories:

Names

Why is it hard to find a name I like for a girl? Ever since I was little, I knew my daughter would be named Hallie Kay. I have an issue with Hallie since people will mispronounce her name by calling her Hayley.

In my head her name will be: First (Something?) Middle (Hallie Kay) Last (Hurst)

If I were to follow the pattern we currently have she would be: Elizabeth Hallie Kay Hurst. Today, I opened those big books of names and came up with these:

Rosie Hallie Kay Hurst (I vowed to not repeat the first letters of my kid's names)


Lollie Hallie Kay Hurst (a little much)


Dixee Hallie Kay Hurst


Ivee Hallie Kay Hurst
Scratch that, I like Ivey Hallie Kay Hurst


I liked the idea of having the name end in "E" like Blake and Reade. This is the first my husband will see of my choices so rest assured, I am sure 100% of these will be vetoed. Vote amongst yourselves. Oh, and my absolute name of choice would be Dolores Hallie Kay Hurst (after my mother), but she fights that one tooth and nail. I love the idea of calling her Dee. Oh well.