Fun With Toddlers

Henry, completely naked, yells "One, two, three. . . Happy Mother's Day!"  He hands me a card he colored.  It is 10:00pm and it is not Mother's Day.  I love two year olds.

Henry is Two!

Make a wish, my love!



Evelyn and Henry, getting married.  I love that the groom has a wand.

Henry was thrilled to have his own basketball hoop. 

Henry learns to drill.

The school bus tent is a huge hit! I think every member of the household has been inside this tent at some point.  Great call, Auntie Sarah!



If the Sun Won't Come to Us. . .

For my birthday this year, I wanted to spend time outside in nature with my family.  I love hiking and I love the mountains, so we thought a little hike would be lovely.  I also really wanted some sunshine.  It has been difficult for me to accept that June in Seattle is not like June elsewhere.  It is not the beginning of warm summer days.  May is spectacular here and we saw plenty of the sun then; for some reason, however, the sun takes a month off in June before giving us its all in July and August (and into September).  Luckily, we were able to go where the sun does shine by crossing over the Cascades for the day.  We drove through 60 degree drizzle, up into 45 degree fog, and we admired the snow covered mountain sides and snowy peaks.  Then, we cheered as we saw blue sky ahead. 

We hiked for a short while at the Icicle Gorge Loop in the Wenatchee National Forest.  Unfortunately, it was chilly in the river gorge and a bit drizzly at the start of the hike.  It did clear up for us.  The kids raced ahead and we kept them from falling off the trail and into the raging white waters of the river below.  They admired saplings, sticks, rocks, and mud.  We enjoyed ourselves.  The hike was cut short when I slipped backward over a downed tree and gashed my left calf.  Evelyn was happy to help out by getting the first aid kit to me.  (Tonight, my leg features some major bruising and a nasty cut that I hope looks better in the morning!)  Chris helped me clean up and we trekked back and drove into the town for some sunny dining and strolling around the main street. 

The kids danced to an oompa band and enjoyed ice cream before we called it a day at around 7:45.  It really was a lovely early birthday present.

A slightly wet start to the hike

rushing waters

The kids loved this little bench!

The Sleeping Lady

Happy Hour and an early dinner at a pub

Cuddly Henry and Mom in the sunshine

Sunny and 70.  It is June, after all.

Henry, nearing two years old

Henry has a few favorite saying lately:

"I know an idea.  I have an idea!"

"Toss ball with me, Mommy?"

"There's Gregory's house!" (Every time we drive downt the street)  This one is particularly cute because when they see each other, neither boy actually speaks.  They do seem to get excited by the prospect of playing nearby though.

Mother-Daughter Time

On Sunday, Evelyn and I used Henry's nap as we usually do.  We did arts and crafts.  This time, Evelyn really wanted to make an aquarium.  So, here it is.  She also made some sea creatures and named most of them "Evelyn."  One is "Henry."

Sweet Henry

Tonight, Henry was wide awake well past the time Mommy and Daddy would like to see him in bed.  I was growing frustrated and Henry could tell.  He asked me "Wrong, Mommy?" and I told him I was frustrated.  I asked if he was tired and he told me "play blocks, Mommy.  Want to play blocks with me?"  How could I say no?  Once we began to build, Henry asked "Feelin' better, Mommy?"  My heart just melted.  He gave me a gentle pat and kept asking if I was feeling better yet.  It was so sweet. 

A Very Happy Mother's Day

I've been wanting to take the ferry ride over to Bainbridge Island for a while and today, for Mother's Day, we went!  The kiddos were both great!  They loved the ferry and did great even when we needed to wait to board.  Evelyn and I had a ladies' lunch while Henry napped and Chris read a book in the car and then we all walked around the cute main street and got ice cream/ sorbet.  It was sunny and warm today, so the breeze and salt water air were especially nice.

Skyline.

Look!  We're moving.

Windy!

Waiting in line for ice cream at Mora's!

Worth it, yum!