Making Trains

1) Line up all things with wheels into a choo-choo.

 2) Push choo-choo off the table.

 3) Throw a fit because the choo-choo is on the floor.

 4) Still not done with the fit.

 5) Oh wait, I'm actually fine.

 6) Repeat.

Fisher the Cat

Fisher is the most patient, calm cat ever. Thank god. Zane sure does love "meows" at the moment, so when we went over to our friends' house and Fisher was sitting on the counter it made his day!

 Kisses for meow.

Our friends Brian, Sarah, and Wally are moving to New Hampshire soon and while this makes us tremendously sad, we are happy for them and their future adventures. They were having a yard sale and Zane and I 'helped.'

Last night we went back over for one last visit (we can't get enough of these guys) so Mason could say good-bye since he was at work during the yard sale/meow love fest. I brought my camera along.

I'm upset that our group photo is blurry. That's what I get for putting the camera on the deck and attempting to smoosh my face down on the ground next to it to peak at the viewfinder...sigh.

 After photos the boys relaxed on the couch.

 And then they mobbed Mason for some of his cupcake.

Berry Picking

Today we went to The Pumpkin Patch Farm out on Sauvie Island with our neighbors, Tara, Zoe, and Jack. Zane checks the front window constantly to see if Zoe is outside, rushes to look when he hears their car, and calls out her name and points across the street often...needless to say he was delighted to be on an outing with her, but holding her hand was extra special.

There are rows and rows of bushes and no shortage of huge, ripe blueberries ready for a pickin'. Zane is still working on "we only eat the blue ones" but he was getting the hang of it. Jack is an old pro and lead by example.

Today's lesson for me was that you have to pick berries faster than the little hands can eat them or you don't go home with anything. Here's the crew snacking on something OTHER than berries.

 Exploring a wheat field that had lots of ladybugs in it!

Rules of Photography

1) Acquire camera. In this case, Maggie's.

2) If the angle isn't working for you, change it.

3) Be aware of your peripheral.

4) Frame your shot. Remember the rule of thirds.

5) Sometimes the most interesting shot is behind you.

6) Know when to put it down and have fun.

 

Our friend Brad watched Zane for a few hours on Sunday so the ladies (Annie, Jo, and I) could go have some much needed girl time. We went and got pedicures and dinner. Now every time I look at my lovely toes (that now have flowers painted on them!!!) I think of how lucky I am to have such amazing women in my life and of how awesome Brad is for not being intimidated at the thought of watching 2 2-year-olds. (OK, Z is ALMOST 2). All of these great pics were taken by Brad - click his name to see more on his blog from their day.

"A Meow." Not a cat. A Meow.

Zane also spent an afternoon recently playing with Oliver and Leo. Photos from that can be seen on Jo's blog.

Children's Museum

Zane and I were invited to the Children's Museum this morning by our good friends Brad and Maggie (Annie was in Seattle and Mason was at work, they were both very missed). This was our first trip there and it is an amazing place. Pretty much anything a kid would want to get in to is in there. We started out playing with light.

The colored pegs are removable so you can make any design you want. Zane and Maggie were mostly concerned with reorganization.

Then we played with opaque building materials on a light box.

Slid down the volcano.

We took a break while the kids exercised. Hahaha...I wish.

Brad and I tried our hardest to keep them out of the water area...but alas. At least they provide adorable smocks. Zane is the one on the left next to the water tank.

Once we'd passed the gift shop too many times to keep them out of it, we diverted their attention with the promise of a choo choo. Look, they're holding hands!!

 A big choo choo.

Dance Party

Sometimes in life you just need to dance it out.

Mr. Defiance. "Yes, I WILL put my feet on the table."

Sprinkler

The summer temps are finally here! You know what that means....SPRINKLER time!!! This is the coolest sprinkler, it has one spout on top and 3 around the sides for maximum soakage. Plus, not only does it squirt water, it is also a "ball ball."

I'm not sure what the goofball was doing, but he was laughing and smiling up a storm as he took a break in the shade.

Zoo Outing

Yesterday Zane and I were invited to the zoo with our good friends JoAnn, Oliver, and Leo. Papa was sleeping off a night shift so it was good that we were able to get out of the house and give him some peace and quiet! After watching the polar bears sleep, the sea lions dive, and the star fish...uh be starfish, we hit the sandbox.

Yikes, dino teeth!!

 Oliver was running as fast as a Cheetah!! The littles loved it.

 Ollie climbing an ant hill (at least I think that's what it was).

 Zane loved the drums in the African section...

...but not as much as he likes running.

Choo-choo!! On the way out the train that goes around the zoo went under us and I think it made little man's week. He was soooo excited! You can't tell from the photo, but the conductor waved at him and everything. He talked about the choo-choo the entire trip home. Love this little guy. One day soon we'll have to ride the train!