The Coombs Family

Mr. Calvin turned 6 years old this year and had a Paw Patrol birthday party with a ton of kids. We decided to use the church building and play dodgeball, have pizza delivered, and let the kids run around like crazy. It turned out perfect. Calvin is a huge fan of playing tag at school. Every chance he gets he wants to be running and playing with friends. He will only wear clothes that don't make him sweat very much and shoes that make him run fast and won't come untied. When we pick him up from school, he's usually completely sweating and exhausted and really thirsty. Having a birthday as school is ending and summer is beginning is so fun. The weather wasn't great this year so we opted for indoors, but it turned out to be tons of fun. Calvin wanted both boys and girls at his party and was very worried about Shelby and Ronin having enough friends there for them to also be happy. He has a big heart and always wants to make sure everyone has a good time. For being so ...

We went with friends back to Sunriver and there was still snow! We had the best of both worlds, snow, sunshine, warm weather and happy kids. The Knapp family went with us and their four kids. We did all of the usual adventures but this time we went to the mountain and went sledding. It was hilarious. The kids went down a hill repeatedly and almost every time Shelby would get enough speed to head straight for the door to a bathroom that was down by the parking lot. Nobody else made it quite that far but she did and she loved it. Even Ronin hit the sled with dad. Shelby loves to ride to the duck pond and can find her way around Sunriver without much help. It's frightening because I worry she will take off because she is so confident and she won't tell anyone. Calvin didn't quite have his riding legs ready in early April for miles and miles of riding. He needs a bigger bike now and that didn't help. He rode in the trailer for long rides with Ronin. ...

Last weekend I decided to pack up with kids and head to Bella Beach between Depot Bay and Lincoln City Oregon. Caleb was out of town doing continuing education in Colorado. Rhoda and her whole family went with me and we rented an adorable house. Ronin hates the sand. He wouldn't stand on it or play with it. He wore shoes most of the time and was fine unless he fell and got it on his hands. He took a nap for over an hour laying on a pile of blankets and my beach mat. He was a trooper other than that and had a great time. At the marine center he wanted to touch everything! So I don't know why the beach wasn't his thing. Calvin learned how to throw a Frisbee and he did really well. He has been obsessed with football lately but this was much easier for him to learn. If he would keep his eyes open, it would go a little better on the catching part. He also is in love with board games. We have been playing Sleeping Queens, Uno, Sorry, and he's trying to get us ...

We surprised our kids with a trip to Disneyland this year after Christmas. We were so excited to tell them, and about four days before the trip we sat them down in a climatic moment and told them. They said "What's Disneyland?" I guess we haven't ever talked about it before. It was pretty funny. So over the next few days as we packed, we let them look at the website and learn more about it. We flew in on a Saturday and flew back out late on Wednesday. We ended up at the park four straight days, open to close, every day. We stayed at the Californian Hotel right there on the park, so we got this thing called "Magic Hour". It's when you get into the park an hour before it opens with other hotel only guests. This sounds like magic, but is it really? We had to wake up extra early, stand in line for the magic hour opening an hour before it opens, and then rush like mad people to the most popular rides. Yes, Shelby and Caleb would tell you it's magic. Ron...

What a fun kid we have on our hands. Ronin is an absolute dream of a baby. I really didn't think any of my kids were difficult when they were little. I just adapt to their style, what they need, and we get through it. But this little man just goes with the flow. I think because he's the third kid and he doesn't get to be super picky. He sleeps almost anywhere, but definitely prefers his crib. He loves his big sister and brother and cries if he gets into the car and their seats are empty. He is very easy to make laugh and cracks up over everything. He loves our two cats that live in the garage. And for some unknown reason, they like him back. He loves to read book, play with cars and trucks, and any ball he can find. He learned how to go down the stairs at 10 months and we never had to use the baby gate. He says mama, dada, ni-night, and he meows like the cat. He waives goodbye and hello, claps, signs for more and all done, gives five, and blows k...