Mr Fix-It

Timo loves to tinker with, fix things and investigate how things work with almost anything. He is very mechanical like his Daddy and always at the ready to "help" you solve any problem. His new fav project to do...take the backs off the remote controls, take the batteries out, switch all the batteries around, put them back in and put the backs back on. I think he feels like he is fixing some major electrical issue...and life can't move on until he gets them all back in working order. My Mr. Fix-It!

Aquarium of the Bay

This little aquarium/museum is out on Fisherman's Warf, in the very touristy part of town. We've never been for that reason alone...parking is expensive and crowds. But it's low season here in SF for tourist and the aquarium was offering free admission to SF residence...so I figured, what the heck, it's free, let's give it a try. We headed down there with our buddies Caleb and Anjalie last Monday. It just so happened that it was Anjalie's birthday that day, so we had double the reason to get out and celebrate!
The Aquarium of the Bay's main attractions are these "underwater tunnels", where you can walk "under the bay" and see all the marine life. (giant walkways with aquariums built around them) Well, let's just say it was neat but I'm glad we didn't pay to get in. I didn't get any pictures of the tunnels because Cameron got completely scarred half way through the first one. I had to carry her the whole way, her head buried in my shoulder while I sang "you are my sunshine" to distract her. And the way the tunnels are set up, you have to go through them to get out, you can't back track. So needless to say, we hurried through that part and got to the really fun area...the petting pools!
One pool had starfish, sea urchins, mussels, etc and the other had sting rays and tiger sharks. Timo was fearless when it cam to the stingrays and sharks...he was petting them like they were cats and dogs! The sting rays actually came all the way up to the surface so they were easy to reach but the sharks where deeper and Timo had to stretch way down for a feel. I asked him how they felt and he said "wet...and soft"
There were lots of other activites by the pools as well...like puzzles(Cameron spent her time putting them all together) and a big microscope hooked up to a TV for viewing( Timo spent his time putting everything he could find under the lens).
Spinning the spiderweb required all their little hands...
They even got to pet a turtle and see him in his natural habitat...Cameron took a specail liking to Mr. Turtle.

After the morning spent at the aquarium we went out to lunch for Angalie's birthday...Bubba Gump's (told you it was touristy). But like I said, the chain restaurants have it going on for the kiddos...crayons, activity books, their lunch came in a cardboard boat and blue jello..what more could a toddler want!! And, the best part, was sitting by the window and watching all the boats go by. Happy Birthday Angalie!!


**side note**
I don't think we'll be going back to the aquarium anytime soon, even if it is free. The main turn off for me was having to walk through, not one, but two gift shops to get to the main entrance and then again to get back out. I'm sure it's fine if you have a child that can walk past hundreds of toys/games/stuffed sharks and not be phased...but for my two year olds, it was just too much. We caused quite a scene trying to leave, which ended in me carrying a screaming boy in a football hold out of door with another crying child at my heels. Clearly the museum was only thinking about making money...sooo not cool in my opinion. You can have a gift shop but put it off to the side where you can CHOOSE to go in...Ugh.

OK.

I'll get off my soapbox now...

Happy 3rd Birthday Timothy & Cameron!

You two are already 3 years old and it seems just like yesterday that we were bringing you home from the hospital. In some ways it has seemed long...but in most, it feels like a blink of an eye. You two are the best children any mother could ask for...mainly because you love me in spite of all my faults. I admit that I fall short over and over as a good mommy but you two constantly smother me in hugs, kisses, sweet snuggles and the four words that melt my heart..."I love you Mommy." I'm amazed everyday at all you can do and all you are learning..and humbled by how much I have yet to learn from you both. Your innocence and love for life inspires me to love and live as freely as the both of you do. And in a room full of kids running around everywhere, you two will be side by side, never losing sight of the other...wow, how your bond seems to grow more and more over the years. We pray daily that the Lord will guard your little hearts and minds from the things of this world and draw your spirits toward Him. We are so unworthy of the precious gift from our Father but promise to treasure you and guide you the best way we know how. I could write page after page of your qualities and personalities, but here is just a short note to each of you on your 3rd Birthday...

Timothy, your infectious laugh can bring smiles and giggles to anyone who is around you. Most people say you are "so easy" to make laugh...because you really are! I love how you are always aware of the "rules" and make sure everyone else know them...even though you don't always follow them yourself...hmmm. You love our nightly bible story time and somehow find ways to incorporate the story into our lives daily...reminding me say "I'm sorry" just like Jonah said to God...that just warms my heart. I pray these stories become a source of wisdom as you grow and grow. Your sister is your best friend and you love her from the bottom of your tippy toes to the top of your blond hair. All Cameron needs to look your way and you two are off on another adventure...or if she sheds one tear, you race to her side to aid and assist in any way. All things trucks, rockets and balls are at the top of your to-do list these days...we hope we have a future ball player in the house! I love you my son, I look forward to laughing away the years with you!

Cameron, I adore your smile, your laugh and your little voice lifting up songs to Jesus. It seems there is always a song coming from your lips...even if you have to make up the words. You have such an incredible thirst for knowledge, it makes me wonder if we are feeding you all that you are capable of learning. Your emotional maturity amazes me...always asking if I'm OK when I make a troublesome sound or asking "what's wrong?" if you see a disturbed look on some one's face. You're the first to offer up praises to the Lord for beautiful sunshine or prayers for a speeding ambulance going by. I pray your compassion for people continues to grows. I love how you have nicknamed your brother, Buddy..and that he is, your best buddy. You two might not always see eye to eye but your unconditional love for each other keeps you inseparable. Your stuffed animals, puzzles and crayons play a big role in your daily fun as well as the occasional baby doll but nothing is more important that your blankie and Jesus Love Me dogie. I love you Punkin, I look forward to the next year being as full as the past three were!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TIMOTHY & CAMERON! Mommy and Daddy love you with all our hearts!

Safety First!

Gotta make sure we're wearing our safety goggles when we use a chainsaw!
We were watching an episode of "This Old House" and the guy was wearing safety goggles while using a saw. It's almost as if a light went off in Timo's head..."Oh, that's what those glasses are for..." He ran over, found his safety goggles and now wears them anytime he is using his power tools. Who says TV isn't educational??!!

Our Little House

This post is long over due but I kept taking pictures of the kids playing with their new playhouse, the post just kept longer and longer. This was the twins Christmas gift from Uncle Kevin and Aunt Angie, Kenzie and Kaylee...how cute is this??!! It's a playhouse that they can color!!

Untitled from Sara ko on Vimeo.

About a week later they really started coloring it and bringing it to life...
Then, when most of the outside work was done, it was time for some repairs on the inside. Just like homeowners...always something to fix up around the house! (and you can see the coloring wasn't just limited to the outside either)

Now the house is used as a hiding place...I peeked inside one of the windows but was quickly "shooed" away". The twins will go with pens, paper, scissors, etc and spend unlimited amount of time just doing their own little art projects...or sharpening pencils, their new fav thing to do!

Thank you Uncle Kevin and Aunt Angie...We love our playhouse...

Cameron's Boo Boos

I'm not really sure how Cameron busted her upper lip...all I know is she was running toward the bouncy duck at the play ground, I turned to look at Timo coming down the slide and then Cameron came running back to me screaming and blood running down her mouth and chin. Eeeesh! My guess is she tried to climb on the duck, slipped and hit her lip...but that's just a guess.

Then....on Sunday, during "nap time" when they weren't napping at all, Cameron climbed into her brother's bed and started bouncing around. When Young went in to separate and give warnings, she tried to bounce off Timo's bed really fast, as to not get in trouble, and ended up banging her eye on the edge of the bedpost! OUCH! We put ice on it but a big goose egg still popped up..but thankfully, no black eye.
These are only a few in the multitude of boo boos Cameron has had over the past few weeks...I feel like she is going through toddlerhood all over again....I hope it passes soon or we'll need to dip into saving to keep a supply of baidaids in the house!

Haircuts and Lunch

With our "3rd Annual Ko Family Photo Shoot" just around the corner, not to mention birthdays too, I took the kids out for haircuts all by myself! (I'm starting to sound like Cameron, all by myself!) I was a little nervous taking them both without the help of Young, especially after Timo's last performance getting his hair cut, but both children have been in really good, cooperative moods lately so I thought I would give it a try. (I think the warm sunny days have something to do with it)

Cameron was first and was a champ! I think she just likes looking at herself in the mirror for 20 whole minutes...but hey, whatever works! The stylist had a tough job on her hair because it's coming in really thick now (like mine) and has about 4 cowlicks on top (like mine). So it's always a struggle to get her bangs even without more hair falling forward. I wish she would ear bows, ribbons or clips in her hair...it would make it a lot easier...but, hey, we work with what we've got, right?
Timo was next...and it took a little bribing to get him in the car, but a promise of a lollipop did the trick. He sat so still, I wasn't sure he was breathing!
And as if he wasn't sitting enough, she pulled out the buzz clippers and he froze...didn't move one muscle the whole time! Can you see the apprehension in his face??
Both kids did so well, I decided to treat them out for lunch...another biggie, going to restaurant by myself. They had skipped snack time because of all the haircut excitement (and lollipops) so I knew they were hungry, which I'm finding is the best time to take them out to eat. They are so hungry, they just sit and eat. It's when they aren't so hungry that they goof off and cause us to ask for the check and to-go boxes as soon as the food hits the table.

But not this day...I was so proud of Timo and Cameron. They really are growing up. We headed over to Noe Vally for a little Pasta Pomodoro, which is super kid friendly. As much as I love the small mom and pop restaurants, the chain restauants totally cater to kids and families. Crayons, kids cups and an activity book are a must for us in restaurant dinning now. I mean, come on, what could be better than coloring tomatoes and eating cheese raviolis or spagetti with meatballs for lunch?!

Timo finished his raviolis and wanted the rest of my pasta...even though he makes a mess, he cleans it up...gotta love him!

The waitress was so nice to bring out two tiny scoops of ice cream for them too! So even after eating a huge lunch, they both finished off their ice cream! I chalk it up the big growth spurt they are going through. (Timo outgrew almost all his clothes literally overnight!)

Now don't get me wrong, we don't get these pleasent, drama-free days very often, but when we do...it's so precious and sweet! Makes me forget all the bad days....I love my kids!

Snapshot of Our Day

Yup! This pretty much sums up naptme around here these days...one is out like a light and and the other trying their best to play quietly in their bed. This day is was Timo who didn't sleep but it switches back and forth on any given day...some days neither sleep, some days both sleep. Guess it's just another sign that they are growing up...snif, sniff...

Little Drummer Boy

I'm not really sure where Timo learned how to play the drums like this but he set up each drum himself and just started playing away. I think he might have been watching our worship ban play during big church...it's the only place I can think of that he would have seen a drum set. But nonetheless...here he and Cameron are playing a duet of Jesus Loves Me! They aren't really singing in unison but it's the thought that counts, right?

Untitled from Sara ko on Vimeo.

Beach Time in January

I feel guilty posting these pics right now while the rest of the country is buried under snow and having a deep freeze...but the weather here has been amazing! We've had 60+ temp almost everyday with plenty of sunshine all around. Everyone is so confused out here...even the trees and flowers are blooming!

On one of our spring-like days, we loaded up all our sand toys and drove the 1 1/2 mile to the beach for some water and sand fun. The kids kept asking for their bathing suits but we quickly got past it with the promise of taking beach chairs.


We found some big holes in our exploring...

...and a tide pool...


A little sand art...

And chasing seagulls...

Since the kids arent' in preschool yet, I try to turn little outings like this into learning experiences...like seagulls eat fish, what animals or machines made all the different tracks in the sand, where does the seaweed we just found come from, how did the little crabs get in the tide pool and how God made the ocean waves move and crash down. It ends up being mentally and physically exhausting day for them. It was also a messy but fun day! I brought water from home to wash the kids down before we got in the car...no argument there...any excuse to take off all their clothes! The kids keep asking to go back to the beach so I'm sure we'll make there again one day next week...