McCoy Family: July 2011

Dan, Norah, and I are having a fun summer- busy with work and school during the week and enjoying weekends at the beach or with visitors. Norah started going to the daycare/preschool program at Fresno State in June. It has made for some early days for her (I have to be at work at 7 in the summers, so I drop her off around 6:45), but she seems to like the teachers and the other kids and it's nice for me having her nearby. Dan and I have even been able to join her for lunch a couple of times. She is definitely exploring her messier side there, since she often comes home with paint in funny places (i.e. her armpit or her hair). Dan and I have had to establish her "school" outfits, which are the same 2-3 pairs of shorts and shirts that she wears every day so we don't ruin her entire wardrobe:) I know, she's just learning and being creative!

Norah is also starting to come up with some pretty funny sayings (most of which are variations of things she must hear Dan and I say to her a lot). For example, she now answers most yes or no questions with a short pause, and then "Um, probably yes." or "Um, probably no." As in, "Would you like some yogurt for a snack?" "Um (let me consider that for a moment), probably yes." She has also come up with some very polite ways of saying no when I ask her to do things that she does not want to do- "Not right now" and "Maybe tomorrow" are current favorites; "Ma (I'm) full" (pointing to stomach) applies to dinner. ("Can you help me clean up your toys?" "Maybe tomorrow." or "How about another bite of your chicken?" "Ma full.") So endearing!

We've been lucky to be able to head over to the beach for several long weekends- trying to escape the Fresno heat! My mom and dad, Maggie, Jake, Laura, Norah, and I enjoyed a fun 4th of July weekend there, with Dan joining us for the last couple of days. Norah was a little unsure about the fireworks (especially since it was WAY past her normal bedtime), but she is otherwise turning into quite a beach baby. Dan got to spend most of the weekend in Festus celebrating his Grandma McCoy's 90th birthday. It was a special time for his whole family- and a very fun party, I hear- so Norah and I were sad to miss the festivities.

Sweatshirts in July? (we're definitely not in Fresno!)... Run faster Daddy!

The next weekend, my cousin Julia and her family traveled from Idaho to visit us (they're brave to make the drive from Boise to California with toddlers, but we sure loved seeing them!). Norah enjoyed playing with her cousins Liam (almost 3) and Owen (1)- and even did a pretty good job of sharing.

Liam helping Norah on the bike... Playing together... Cousins!

We made another trip to the beach last weekend for some quiet family time. It's nice to be able to get away at the spur of the moment:) As you can see in the pictures and video below, a trip to the beach is a little more involved with a toddler- get sunscreen and beach outfit on, pack up all the toys/blankets/chairs, walk to the beach, build sandcastles/play in the water, get VERY dirty (don't even think about sitting down and reading a magazine Mommy and Daddy), walk back (make a stop at the park on the way), take off beach outfit, hose down entire body, catch naked toddler who is now running at full speed around the backyard, put on new outfit, etc. Norah loves it!