summer!

The local wading pool opened this weekend. Girl and boy even got to try out their new summer swim suits.

msmile2

msmile2, originally uploaded by meganursula.

And here she is looking up at dad at the start of the class.

gettingready

gettingready, originally uploaded by meganursula.

Here is the girl arriving for her big ballet performance. She was practically vibrating. We've got a bunch of pictures of the actual performance, but i've gotta sort them.

william2

william2, originally uploaded by meganursula.

And every once in a while he is still - although that might just be the high-speed camera.

rolldice

rolldice, originally uploaded by meganursula.

I'm a gonna roll this die loudly across the floor and then chase it!

timetorun

timetorun, originally uploaded by meganursula.

The best part is all that clear space to run.

The boy at ballet

william, originally uploaded by meganursula.

William rarely gets the run of the ballet studio, but boy did he enjoy it.

Off to story time

best buddies

I got out of the shower to find the girl reading to the boy. They wouldn't sit still for the photo, though.

Friends!

Our family is so lucky. We're lucky for our family. And we're lucky for our friends.

We made friends with a neighboring family this past year, and the girls really hit is off! Here they are enjoying a surprise visit by a Red Robin at story time. (Yes, it was surreal to me, too. But, hey, books and shake-a-shake-a.)


And in a quieter moment:



One of our idyllic 'family' dinners.



These guys are gonna be trouble!



We also get to go on field trips with people.


And get in a lot of princess time.

3.9

Somehow, the girl's first year of school has come to an end. It is hard for me to believe - it seems like just yesterday that she was begging me to start school earlier. We have some plans for the summer, but are also looking forward to laying low, devouring books, and getting in some quality swimming.

On Friday she has her first ballet 'performance' (a half hour class demonstration, marked by the excitement of getting to wear a skirt, and more importantly, having her dad watch). She still delights in ballet, and likes to practice often.



In the past few months we have also seen the girl make great leaps in her self confidence and creativity. She often sings songs to herself, has been experimenting with more complex art, and just recently has been sounding out words to spell or read.



Of course, she still delights in sartorial expression, and is still our sweet little girl.


(after a haircut)


(enjoying an idyllic Seattle day in the Market.)

18 months

The boy hit the 18 month mark on Wednesday. Today we had his well-child doctor's visit. Of course, he was declared fit and happy.

At about 33.5" tall (82%), 27 lbs (57%), and 49.5cm head (90%), he is a bundle of energy, and coordinated to boot. He loves spending time outside, and throwing and chasing frisbees and balls. He will make a drum out of just about any stick and round disk he can find. And he eagerly joins the girl in bringing me a book when we sit down for reading.



We are delighting in watching him develop. It feels like he is on the verge of a language explosion, and has acquired a number of words and demonstrated a lot of interest in more. He seems to understand a most of what we say to him. He also has a growing interest in ducks, drums, frisbees, balls, and trucks.

Also, recently, he moved into his big-boy bed, after an early morning visit to mom and dad's room demonstrated his ability to climb out of his crib. (An impressive feat that he made look easy.) We think he likes his new bed, although he is not quite as willing to fall asleep with a good book-shelf as his sister was.



Some of my happiest moments are watching the girl and the boy together - they have a growing relationship and often seem to delight in each other's company. The girl takes good care of him, and he aspires to take part in all of her fun.

But these are better pictures with Dad!

From an idyllic Seattle day at the Market:



Playing Frisbee with Dad (Frisbee is his best buddy):

Ducks!

More recently - last weekend Dad's company (www.cozi.com) had a publicity event - Get Your Ducks in a Row!



Have we mentioned that the boy loves ducks? His first word was probably duck. And 'duck' and 'quack' are the things we hear most often. He loves ducks.

Behind

I'm a terrible blogger. Let's face it. There are many things that should be here, even many photos. Starting with, but not ending with a wonderful trip to the east coast. For, example, we found this great playground near the Brooklyn Bridge.