Trip Down Memory Lane

While in Washington, Alex and I decided to go back and visit Washington State University (my undergrad and grad, and his grad school).  It had been ten years!!  The kids stayed with my parents and while we revisited our premarital stomping grounds.  We enjoyed seeing our old apartments, department buildings and, most of all, navigating our way through a town we lived in for many years.  Luck had it that our good friends from graduate school still live in the area.  We were able to crash at their place after a nice authentic Mexican meal and visit to our favorite pub.

Possibly, the most enlightening part of the trip, was our introduction to yard games.  Sue and Jon have many and Molkki, a Finnish throwing game, was my favorite.  We plan to incorporate it into our outdoor life at home - it was really fun!!.  Here are some pictures of our competition.

Pool Time

Now that we are on the sunny side of Washington, the girls are enjoying a lot of pool time.  Oddly enough, they seem to still have fun in the backyard pool as well.  All three girls were splashing around in it today.  Unfortunately, I didn't get my camera until the big girl had already climbed out.  She had decided to dry off on her little sister's bike.

Drawing

Savannah bought her sisters some birthday stickers a few days ago.  They came in handy as I was able to get my not so willing artist to do something other than "coloring colors."  Lila loves to color large spotches of color on a page but rarely comes up with a story on her paper.  Today was different.  I asked her if she wanted to draw herself at her birthday party.  Immediately, Lila drew her head.  She added all the appropriate facial details and even some crazy hair.  Next, she added a belly and arms and legs.  The stickers were the best part.  She enjoyed putting balloons in her hand a cake in the other.  I didn't touch a marker but was there to give her ideas along the way.  I thought it turned out pretty good.

After she was done, I asked her if she wanted to draw Bobby, our cat, on his birthday.  She started drawing a head and belly as if she was making a person.  I quickly drew a circle and oval on another sheet of paper which helped Lila organize Bobby's body on her second try.  She decorated it with stickers and was pretty proud of her creation.

Point Defiance Zoo

While the sun was shining and the rain clouds were at bay, we decided to join our cousins for a day that the Point Defiance Zoo.  It was one of the rare opportunities we have to be together as a group.  Too bad Daddy had to stay behind and work.

Upon arrival, it was clear the kids were going to enjoy the play equipment more than anything.  Once we pried them off, they found interest in the baby tigers being licked by their mama.   The tarantula and touch and feel sea life tank ranked high as well.  After we sufficiently got our wiggles out we headed to the carousel for a quick ride before heading home.  Once again, the zoo proved to be a great outing.

Westward Bound

After a week of procrastinating, we finally filled our suitcases. Savannah's suitcase was packed and sitting idle at the top of the stairs for a good four days, but the rest of us decided to shove everything in just hours before our flight. With great anticipation, we headed to the airport in search of planes and grandparents.

Even after arriving, I am still not sure if the little girls understand the distance traveled or that it will take a plane to get us back home. What I do know is that the girls were great travelers. I didn't pack toys, tons of snacks or much of anything for our journey west. Traveling light proved to be the better choice yet again. The girls watched their ipods, enjoyed looking out the window and  slept a good portion of the flights (Adeline skipped out on the sleeping bit).  Adeline was her typical self and slept little but was content watching movies.

I should note that there wasn't any illness or puking this time around. Although Adeline wasn't hooked up the pulse ox, her disposition remained happy and content which leads me to believe that she can handle the less than 21% oxygen saturation of the airplane air. What a relief!

Pretend Play

Lila, when left on her own, gets lost in her pretend play.  She is rarely in a room by herself because she and Adeline are always together.  This weekend, she found herself alone with her Bunny and Ducky.  This is what I found.

It reminded me of all the times I have scrutinized her play so that I can check off the pretend play milestone - REAL pretend play.  Well, that milestone has been checked for quite sometime but it is always nice to walk into a sweet little scene like this.  The only thing that was missing was her serenading Bunny and Ducky.  Little Miss barely has time to pretend play between all of the singing she does!

Old Fashioned Fun with Friends

Savannah and her neighbor friend spent hours working on their Club House. They decorated, drew in furniture, moved it out to the grass and coned it off from the little girls (with very little success), and finally gave painting a try. The little girls caught wind of the it and joined in too. It always amazes me how much fun kids have with cardboard boxes

Here is the beginning of being covered from head to toe in paint. Miss Lila just had to get her finger in it and then her hand. Next thing I knew, I was being beckoned to the garage because Lila was painting her legs and feet.



Adeline's sun (on top of the house)

Lila's sun