Progress

It clicked! We're on day 4 with no accidents in the potty training department!! Zane and I layed low over the weekend because I had a horrible head cold, which he thankfully never got, but it gave us plenty of time to focus on the task at hand. Mason and I are so proud of him!

Before all that, the boys spread some mulch that our neighbor gave us after he cut down and ground up a huge Birch tree in his yard. Zane really likes to help Papa with projects and Papa understands that it's not really about the project when Zane is helping. Now our project is to put all the mulch back inside the rock circles around the trees since Zane was "helping" by scooping it all out. 

 But he was very intent and happy to be doing his part!

And then Papa went to work for the weekend, I got sick, and we potty trained, took long naps (thankfully), and played inside. Zane discovered my old treasure box from when I was little. I LOVED the California Raisins! It was fun to get them all out again.

We also rolled cars and balls through the tunnel in the living room, read a lot of books, and watched some episodes of Lomax and the Hound of Music which was loaned to us from Z's friend, Leo. Thanks Leo!

Getting There...

Well, it's about that time. Potty training time. We've been at it for about a week and a half and have had successes each day but we're still waiting for it to "click" with him. I think it'll be soon. He's a smart boy. He does think underwear are pretty cool.

 And they make fun hats!

Visit

Uncle Matt and Aunt Audrey were in Portland for a little R&R for Matt's birthday (Happy Birthday (on the 15th) Matt!) and came by on their way back to Seattle. It's so nice that we live close enough to them to get little pop-ins like this. I wish we could pop in on them more often, but with a kiddo and a dog, we don't do much popping in.

We took a wagon walk over to Peninsula School to exercise the boys. Zane had a great time running around the black top, zooming trucks down the slide, eating snacks, and this time he was interested in chasing the dogs...which isn't the best idea. Here Matt is rescuing him from the fray.

 He also liked negotiating the jungle gym with their help.

Baby Girl!

Baby GIRL (!!!!!) Rippey due on 7.5.12. Big bro is excited!

Here she is :)

 Here I am. 20 weeks and feeling well!

Bobble Heads and Carrot Cake

Sometimes ya just gotta make a mess! In the process of opening the free bobble head we got at the grocery store, Zane discovered that the "snow" was much more fun to play with than the actual bobble head. Vacuuming the snow was also fun (it didn't get so spread out until we started cleaning up)!

Today we attended a very fun birthday party at the swap n' play for Zane's good friend, Ada. Did someone say carrot cake cupcakes?! Yes please. Zane informed me he was done and needed another once he'd eaten all the icing off of his. Hahaha...nice try little man (though I was smiling on the inside since I would have done the same thing at his age!).

One of the best things about swap is all the toys that no one in their right minds would want in their own home. Prime example: this dump truck! It was so loud, with no volume control, and would shake and drive on it's own. It was like being yelled at by a toy. Of course Z loved it.

Birthday love for Ada.

Fresh Air

We've had an excellent patch of weather lately and have been getting as much outdoors time as possible. If we're staying around the house that means playing with trucks in the rocks, kicking balls around the yard, running (in general), sidewalk chalk, and/or bike riding. This afternoon we decided to mix it up a bit and headed over to Peninsula School, which is a K-8 within walking distance of our house. After school hours and on the weekends it doubles as a dog park and Virgil was in DESPERATE need of some good sprinting. So while he was doing this....

 ...we were doing this.

 Hat issues.

 "Gooooooooo!"

 Once back home, he shot some hoops before dinner.

High Class

Mason's co-worker gave him an espresso machine that wasn't getting any use around his house. Well, it's getting plenty of use around ours! My barista skills from my days at Panera Bread are coming back and I can make some mean foamy milk for my hot chocolate and chai (I don't drink coffee). Mason on the other hand, is enjoying the whole gambit from straight up espresso shots and lattes, to americanos and the occasional cappuccino. Come on over people, 'cause we're brewing up some high class. Haha!

Speaking of swanky, I was invited to a special luncheon the other day.  We had a private table and everything.

 Mason had a date to play cars.