Family selfie in the Pearl, this is love!
I believe that moderation can be taught and as many talks as we have at our house about being a good person and doing the right thing, moderation comes up a lot. I try to lead by example first and foremost because we all know our littles are watching our every move especially at these developmental ages of 4-7 year olds. After that, comes the good old fashioned creative questions that range from what if’s to look it up on your phone mom. Recently, my 7 year old cut himself off from treats stating “two is the limit.” And too much of anything isn’t good for you. My inner mom glow lit up like fireworks on the 4th of July! YES, you my love just limited yourself by yourself. This my love is a skill that many adults don’t have. This made me so happy. We talk a lot about health and how important moderation is. When one of our conversations sticks so that it plays back to me in this fashion, for me it’s called Mom Joy! 
Kai’s first day of second grade!
Of course, some days aren’t like this and talking sense or fairness is a struggle. So, I’m going to celebrate and focus on the days where it just flows and our family values are represented. To all the moms out there that answer the questions, read the favorite book 10 times in a row, and are trying your best, you are my hero!
Walking home from lunch and wearing trucker hats. Portland style!
Getting our swim on. Family photo with 3 littles-Kai in the background and the back of Pepper’s head. Not bad for a pool selfie with 3 littles.
Just a Starbucks potty break and scoring stickers from the pearl police.
Powells Book Store. Blaize is stepping on the new books while Pepper pops out the paper dolls before we buy anything. Humbling public mom moments everyday-haha!
Fast forward 6 years later and I have 3 little people who wiggle down to the gym with me all the time. Blaize and Pepper have been saying since they were 3 years old, “mommy needs to workout so she can be healthy.” Mimi (my mom) taught my kids that mantra with lots of pep talks. Mimi talked about the importance of going to the kids club so moms can be healthy and strong. Thanks to mimi for being an inspiration and helping me teach my kids that kids club is awesome!
Sometimes you get really lucky and adorable identical twin caretakers are at kids club! I told Blaize and Pepper that you guys will be best friends when you’re 21 like these identical twin girls.
One of many reasons I’d rather work the flight over being a passenger. You can leave main cabin to find the clean air if you need to. I’m sure we’ve all been there, innocently sitting in your seat on a full airplane when you get broadsided by a neighbor letting it rip. I always assume the best in people and hope that it accidentally slipped out.
Best advice I have for finding clean air on the airplane is to secure your first class seat! Otherwise, best of luck and hope that you get some clean, nice smelling neighbors.
Squeezing in a river run before summer officially begins for all four of us. #campmommy is on my horizon and I’m ready for it!
Rocking Jameson Square when Monday threw down some heat.
Don’t miss the drool coming out Pepper’s mouth and Blaize’s chocolate coated mouth, post Kai’s birthday cupcake. Haha! Happy girls!
Pepper biking in the Pearl in her Elsa glory!
So much love! Blaize going in for the gentle cheek kiss while Pepper grabs my face and kisses me hard 🙂 
Kai reading to Blaize and Pepper. My heart is so happy. I love my littles!
Blaize, Kai and Pepper sorting the cookies at the library for a “cookie sale.
Mama and Kai enjoying those library bean bags. So comfy! haha
Pepper “hiding” the cookies under the table at the library while we went to the bathroom. Luckily, the librarian witnessed this with me and had a great sense of humor. We both giggled as she said in her LOUD 4 year old voice, “Blaize, I’m hiding the cookies under the table!”
The token Summer Reading Program poster.
The whole gang before we suited up
The Great Wolf Bear Snuggle
Mimi rocking 60 with the Great Wolf Lodge Bear!
Twin Love!
Blaize and Pepper sandwiching me while snuggling their giant Elsa dolls 
Getting our fresh air on while walking around in the pearl
So, I will continue to walk Kai downstairs to the bus stop with the 30 other kids. And plan on him learning his resilience skills from our big, little beautiful family!
babymama3pdx 