1st day of school

August 8th 2016 - First day of 2nd grade was a great success.  Lily and I walked by ourselves and chatted about how it was ok to be nervous, how she is always scared the first day but always ends up loving school, etc.  After a brave front, she teared up once it was time for me to leave.  But upon pick-up..."Mom, it was the BEST day.  Mr Robinson is the BEST teacher.  And I saw all my friends!  I can't wait to go back tomorrow!"  Lily is having the best year and we've never seen her happier or more confident.  It's going to be a great year!!  

William's first day of the "Fish" class, or young 4's, started the following day.  I'd post a picture of him actually at school but was too busy trying to escape the chokehold he had on me.  In other words, drop off wasn't successful but after settling in, he loves his school and the fact that he can see his best buddy James.  

We are so very lucky for great schools and the amazing community of friends we've found in Arizona. 

4 years old

I can not believe this boy is 4 years old! We had a great day.  Balloons first thing in the morning and a gorgeous poster Lily created, followed by his second day of school.  His teachers greeted him with a birthday crown and he shared fruit snacks with all his friends.  After Daddy was home from work, lots of fun birthday gifts and of course a cake rounded out a perfect day for our special 4 year old.    

Interview with a 4 year old

August 10, 2016

Weight - 37.5 lb 64 percentile
Length - 42.75  inches. 93 percentile

A few thoughts from the birthday boy himself!

1. What is your favorite color?  Green

2. What is your favorite toy? Hot Wheels track

3. What is your favorite fruit? Grapes and apples.  I mean, just watermelon!

4. What is your favorite tv show? Hot Wheels show.

5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch?  A turkey sandwhich

6. What is your favorite outfit? My soccer shirt and shorts.  (orange nike shirt and black shorts)

7. What is your favorite game? The marble run Sissy gave me for my birthday

8. What is your favorite snack? Peanut butter and jelly sandwhichs (which is news to Mom, he always requests a Clif bar and milk)

9. What is your favorite animal? A horse and a cow 

10. What is your favorite song? Shut up and Dance with me

11. What is your favorite book? The Hungry Caterpillar

12. Who is your best friend? James!

13. What is your favorite cereal? Cheerios

14. What is your favorite thing to do outside? Play baseball.  Dad pitches it to me.

15. What is your favorite drink? Juice.  Apple juice and orange juice.

16. What is your favorite holiday? Halloween because you get candy!

17. What do you like to take to bed with you at night? Night-night

18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? Bar (Kids Cliff Bar) and Milk

19. What do you want for dinner on your birthday? Cupcakes and cake.  I want to go to the train park too. 

20. What do you want to be when you grow up?  I want to be a conductor.  Not a doctor, a conductor!  

**21.  From big sister.  William, if you could pick you favorite girl in the whole world who would you pick?  Emi, Paige, and Ali.  No, I mean who is your favorite sister.  Oh, you sissy ! And your name is la-la-Lily!!

Thoughts from Mommy:

1.  What is your favorite personality trait?  William is absolutely the sweetest boy and loves his mommy more than anything in the world.  He is such an actor and loves to be the center of attention and life of our family.  He is definitely showing an ornery boy streak though!

2.  What is your favorite memory this year?  William has a very best friend, James, and has developed the sweetest friendship.  I've loved watching him show camaraderie, empathy, and a strong bond with a friend as such a young age.  

3.  What is your favorite book to read together? Anything with trains, planes, or automobiles.  William doesn't have a favorite but loves to read books together. 

4. What is your favorite activity to do together?  The train park.  While his big sister loved this favorite venue, it is truly William's happy place.  We have a routine each time - first the train, then the carousel, the train table, and finally the train museum.  

5. What is the most difficult part of parenting this year?  William has always been "all boy" and the older and bigger he gets, the louder and more destructive he is.  The noise and messes drive me a little batty!

6. What is the best part of parenting this year?  My favorite part of parenting William this year is just watching him grow from a toddler to a little boy.  He is developing opinions and preferences which he is loud and clear on, but he is still so sweet and loving.  

7. What is your favorite song William sings? He still loves "Shut up and dance with me" and is known to bust it out at school, the park, etc.  Not very appropriate for a 4 year old, but pretty cute!

9. What is one parenting trait you wish to improve.  Saying no to William and following through.  It's often easier to just give in to him, especially when he snuggles and gives me that sweet smile.  The other day, he asked me to hold him when he really should have walked himself...I asked him why he needed me to carry him and he said "because Mommy.  I just love you so much!"  How can you say no to that?!?!

10.  Any last thoughts?  We love you William Tommy more than words.  Your sense of humor, your love for life, and your silliness make each and every one of us so very happy.  

Thoughts from Daddy:
1.  What is your favorite personality trait?  His orneriness and his warmth…he can be goofy when he wants to be and never fails to put a smile on your face, but he’s also a lover and loves his snuggles.  He definitely brightens up our days!

2.  What is your favorite memory this year?  Taking him to spring training baseball.  He’s at an age where he understands what is going on and he was so interested in the Royals practices.  And now, every day when I get home from work (literally), he wants to play catch or hit in the backyard.  “Dad, you ready to play baseball???”  

3.  What is your favorite book to read together?  I don’t have a favorite to read with him b/c he’s not the reader that his sister is, so he doesn’t seem to have a “favorite” book.  But I love when we go to his room for bedtime, picks out a book, and w/o fail, says, “Oh Dad, we have to read this one – we haven’t read this one before!”…he gets so excited.   

4. What is your favorite activity to do together?  Playing baseball in the backyard or in the cul-de-sac.  He takes it so serious – taps the bat on “home plate” before the pitch comes in, when he hits it, runs the bases to celebrate his “home run,” and then slides every time he crosses the plate.  Love seeing him so passionate about something.   

5. What is the most difficult part of parenting this year?  Although he is typically in a great mood, this boy also has a major stubborn streak.  Unfortunately, I know exactly where he gets it from, so it’s hard for me to deal with.  We butt heads fairly often, and I’m sure that will continue as he gets older. 

6. What is the best part of parenting this year?  Seeing him experience new things and really understand what’s going on and being able to communicate with us how he feels.  At this age, he is able to express his feelings in a much better way, and it’s great to share those experiences with him.   

7. What is your favorite song William sings? All of them!  I know that is the easy answer, but honestly, whenever I walk in on him or catch him just singing to himself – vacation bible songs, songs from the radio, commercials from TV – I love hearing all of it.  Let’s me know he’s paying attention and retaining information :)

9. What is one parenting trait you wish to improve.  With William, I would say to live each day like’s there is no tomorrow.  He constantly wants to play together, and there are certain times I just don’t feel like it, or I’m too tired, etc.  I want to live each moment being present with him – both kids really – but to remind myself to really enjoy these times.  It goes too fast. 

10.  Any last thoughts?  William is such a joy and we are so lucky to have him in our lives.  He is such a great piece to our family – he keeps things light, always making everyone laugh, even in those serious moments.  He’s got a great sense of timing – knowing exactly when we need a little comic relief, or maybe just a hug.  We love you more than anything William Tommy!!!  

Summertime fun wrap up

William has been begging to bowl for almost a year, and was thrilled with a surprise Sunday activity. 

 Late July, we drove north to Payson for a family fun day hiking the Horton Creek Trail.  Lily loves to hike and is always up for an adventure.  William complained at first about hiking ("how much further!") until we found the creek.  Lots of butterflies, sticks and throwing rocks into the water made for a fun morning!

Before school started, we decided on a last minute 'staycation' at the Westin Kierland.  Lily and William were the perfect age to enjoy the lazy river, water slide, and huge pool.  After a delicious taco bar dinner on the patio and fun at Kids Club, both kiddos were ecstatic to spend the night in the 'fancy' hotel.  A perfect getaway just minutes from our house!  

4th of July weekend

What made the trip to Kansas even more special...Lily stayed behind with her grandparents for six days all by herself.  She had an AMAZING week.  She played with Nanny, did Meals on Wheels and lots of lunches with Grandma, swam with cousin Maggie and spent time with Uncle Matt and Aunt Kristin.  This is the #1 thing we regret and miss about moving away from Kansas...our children having everyday, normal experiences with their families...nothing extraordinary or out of this world, just comfortable, silly, laidback time with those who are number one in our lives.  

Lily had an incredible week, with just a few tears toward bedtime each night.  Luckily her nanny was primed and ready with FaceTime and we all survived the days apart.  But the reunion was pretty sweet....

After a quick night at home, we put Lily back into vacation mode and headed north, out of the heat, and into the amazing town of Flagstaff.  Nanny and I had the kids to ourselves for a day and had fun driving through Bearizona.  I wish videos translated well on the blog...William and his fear of rolling down our windows is an absolute treasure. Bear, buffalo, wolf, or tiny bird.  It didn't matter, the rules said windows up and he was terrified any time we'd even put our fingers on the button.  #dying laughing.  #while he was absolutely petrified

Once the boys joined us, we spent one day at the south rim of the Grand Canyon.  Papa Kurt had been numerous times as a child, but Nanny had never seen it.  We took the bus along the Rim route and were ALL amazed at this world's wonder.  The beauty and magnitude are truly indescribable.  And Ryan's tendency to lean the kids over the edge....divorce material, right there!  :)  Have I mentioned my fear of heights?  

Speaking of which, we walked down the Bright Angle trail for maybe 100 yards (this was the trail I came up after hiking 25 miles from the north to the south rim...but we ended in pitch darkness and could not see behind, in front, or below us).  I was completely freaked out at the steepness and the pitch of the drop off....Papa Kurt and I high tailed it outta there while the rest giggled at our nervousness and joined us at the top.  Guess it was better I hiked in the dark??!??

The best part of Flagstaff in the summer (beside the 30 degree temp difference) is the 4th of July parade.  While cheesy for adults, the kids can not get enough and the small town feel is something Ryan and I cherish our children experiencing.  

We are so lucky Nanny and Papa agreed to fly back with Lily so she could experience Kansas on her own and then we could all enjoy a family vacation in what Ryan and I call the "Colorado of Arizona"....we truly love Flagstaff and feel like it's our second AZ home.

Home

There truly is no place like home.  Thankful Ryan and I can both call this beautiful part of the country as ours. This tiny town in NE Kansas is such an fun destination point for Lily and William.  Fun with Grandma and Grandpa, playing on the 'farm', volunteering for Meals on Wheels (honestly Lily's favorite part of the trip!), seeing the horse and playing with the cat, just enjoying the freedom of grass and a big front yard.  And lots of one on one time with Nanny, Papa Kurt, Uncle Matt/Aunt Kristin/Maggie/Sam.  Priceless for two littles and their parents!  

While 'helping' the family move Mema out of her apartment into assisted living (which as an 88 year old strong woman, she wasn't exactly thrilled about), Uncle Tom and I took a quick break to grab sandwiches for the crew.  On our way, we stopped by Washburn to check out Tom and Pam's Christmas gift to Mema this past year.  My grandmother, her college degree in 1949, followed up with a master's later in life, is truly an inspiration.  For better or worse, Lily and I get part of our strong personality from Mema, but (and!!!) I am beyond thankful for her progressive nature, her liberal thoughts on women's rights and beyond, her 'absolutes' (ask Ryan, I am right even when I know I'm wrong), and her knowing what works for her and not being afraid or stifled over it.  We have strong women on the Saylor side that we like to call Spirited Women, and the Trusdale women should be included in that category!  I am so proud of all the strong women in our family.

Kansas City

We headed to Kansas for a week in June, with a first stop in Kansas City.

A serious highlight for William is staying at Nanny and Papa Kurt's apartment in the Western Auto Building.  He asks often if we can go to Nanny's "small house" so he can watch the trains go by from the kitchen windows.  But a close second was riding the brand new Street Cars.  I will admit, Ryan and I were pretty excited as well.  We left Kansas City just as the downtown became a destination point and very much miss it.  

But the highlight of the weekend was celebrating baby Wessel and mama Kelly.  The Saylor women threw her the sweetest shower at McClain's Bakery in Waldo and had a perfect afternoon spoiling mom and baby boy.  So fun to catch up with friends and family!  

A trip to KC wouldn't be complete without a run for me.  Union Station from the Liberty Memorial make such an amazing view.  

To wrap up an incredible weekend...Fathers' Day at the K!  I think our smiles from a fun afternoon (and incredible seats) say enough!