This morning we removed our second tic of the trip. Lucia was brushing her hair and Susan noticed it on the back of her head.
Coronado Island
Yesterday after we moved across the park we headed to Coronado Island, a small town just outside San Diego, right on the coast. It is a beautiful town with a luxurious old hotel where people were ice skating. It was fun to watch the ice skating, especially because Californians don’t spend much time ice skating.
We spent the afternoon at the beach and then we were planning on watching a boat parade through San Diego Bay, but Lucia was not feeling well so we headed home. Lucia definitely had something going on for a few hours, but by bedtime she was nearly back to herself.
Lucia’s 5th Birthday!
Lucia turned 5 over the weekend. It was a bit of a crazy time because on her actual birthday we spent most of the day in San Francisco with the Liess clan. We still tried to make it a special day and then on Monday night we had cake and ice cream.
Lucia at 5 continues to be an angel. She is smart, sweet, and enthusiastic. She loves life and socializing with other people. She is showing an interest in learning her letters this year, even though it is not something we encourage. She shares a bed with Rose in the RV and helps out when Rose needs it, either helping her find her pacifier or cuddling in the morning.
She loves to bike with all of the kids and she is a master with her two-wheeler. It would be awesome to be back in Des Moines to try out some of the single track trails.
Favorite song: Victor Vito
Favorite color: Purple
Favorite food: Noodles
Favorite book: Thumbelina
Lucia Accidentally Catches a Fish
The kids have been enjoying fishing in the lake at our campground. No one has been having much luck so far, but today Lucia accidentally caught a fish! I had set the pole down on the dock, with the line in the water. She picked it up and started playing with it. I was worried she was going to drop it in the water and when I went to take the rod from her there was a fish on the line!
Using her same technique each of the kids actually caught a fish later in the week.
Lucia’s Imaginary Friends
Lucia is definitely our most social child. Instead of having imaginary friends, like many kids do, she becomes one. Sometimes on our hikes or when we are just hanging out she insists that we call her Kenzie, short for McKenzie, and she also insists that we don’t know her. She will spend 5-30 minutes conjuring up different scenarios in which we, the Lieslands, hang out with Kenzie.
She also still tells us about many adventures she has with Veda, our friends’ daughter who attended Susan’s preschool. We hear all about their adventures and experiences regularly.
Savannah from Asheville
Lucia made a friend, Savannah, at our campground in Pigeon Forge. Savannah’s family arrived on Friday, and they didn’t have much time together, but Lucia enjoyed having a friend to play with.
Morning Routine
The girls have been getting up at around 7:45 this week and each morning we get to go for a short walk. This always includes a trip to the pond to look for bullfrogs.
Lucia Singing
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As Rose grows up, I am aware that we are passing through many phases of parenting. When Susan and I had our first apartment together we set up one room as a nursery, but within a few days of Andrew being born we realized that room would never be used. All of our kids slept with us in their earliest years, gradually moving from our bed to the mattress beside our bed, eventually moving to another room.
For the past few weeks Rose has been on the move. She has been nursing less frequently and we decided it was time to night wean her. This means that she can move to the mattress on the floor and when she wakes up at night I cuddle with her to get her back to sleep. We also decided that it is time for her to start going to sleep laying down.
Historically we got her to sleep in the Boba, our carrier. This worked well and we still use this technique for naps. We moved Lucia back into our room and she and Lucia go to sleep at the same time. I lay in between them. Eventually I will move to a chair, to a chair by the door, to a chair in the hallway, to a goodnight kiss. I am ready for this transition, but it is definitely bittersweet.
Lucia Rides a Bike
Mari worked with Lucia off and on all day today helping her to learn how to ride a bike. Susan and I were not so sure she was ready yet, but Mari and Lucia’s patience both paid off! There is still some work to do, but she is off to a good start.