Summer Cuts for Everyone

We had fair warning that the city would be trimming the fir out front to "clear the lines". I've been dreading it since I've seen what they've done to the trees along Ballinger Way - they took so much off they may as well have cut them down.

During the limbing.



After.



Cole enjoyed the show.



We then went to his last swim class at Mountlake Terrace Pool. He'll be taking lessons in the summer but at Meadowbrook Pool instead since it's so much closer.





This is the first time I've seen them wear life jackets during his lessons. They were learning about boating safety - how to call for help, what to do if you fall overboard, ALWAYS wear a life jacket, etc.



Teacher Susan and her "seahorses".



Cole's report card from Mountlake Terrace Seahorse lessons. In case you wondered what he does at the pool.



Cole's report card from Meadowbrook Pool Kinders lessons.



We went to Greenlake for an after dinner outing. Audrey wore her CUTE Peanoonie's outfit my mom got her in Sacramento for the first time. We've broken into to the 12-18 month clothes. Audrey actually notices her clothes (as opposed to Cole at that age). She loves to wear shoes and sticks out her little feet to make it easier to get them on. She delights when her dad combs her hair and puts in barrettes.





Boy, that's a short cut. He looks like a different kid. We did it because his hair was starting to tangle and was like straw from the chlorine in the pools.



Audrey.









Audrey and Dad.



What's Cole up to?





A great dad.

Christina Graduates

Christina couldn't have looked more excited when she walked to her seat at commencement.



Walking here with her diploma next to the school's valedictorian, Manisha Narayanan.



The traditional tossing of the caps.



A family shot taken by Alex. The school mailed 8 tickets to share between us and Christina's mom. The letter made it sound as if there weren't any extra to be had. As it turned out there was definitely room in the stands for more people. I suppose they have to limit the number of people in case each graduate had 20 family members and friends that wanted to come to the ceremony.



Congratulations Christina!

Today is your day.
You're off to Great Places!
You're off and away!

You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes
You can steer yourself
any direction you choose.
You're on your own. And you know what you know.
And YOU are the guy who'll decide where to go.

excerpted from Oh, the Places You'll Go by Dr. Seuss

Rain, Rain, Go Away!

Alex is back to work and on nights this week. It's also been very dreary and raining much of the week. This makes for a very antsy Cole. Before Audrey was born, it was comparatively easy to keep Cole engaged with trips to the science center, park, swimming pool etc. But Audrey needs 2 naps a day and it's hard to fit anything in between the hours of 11:30 and 1:30. Maybe 100 years ago I'd have sent him out to milk the cows or fetch firewood but ... alas we've no meaningful work around the house that doesn't require full parental support and supervision.

Something's got to give and that is Audrey's naps. Poor tired girl. She just won't sleep on the go even though she is clearly exhausted.

We went to the zoo twice this week. It's not as much fun for Audrey as it is for Cole since she's confined to the stroller most of the trip.

Cole loves everything about the zoo. I'm not a big fan of zoos, I feel sad for the animals. Woodland Park zoo is a relaxing semi-natural oasis in the middle of the city though and for that reason I love it there too.

We spent a lot of time in the farm area. Cole is listening to a cow's heartbeat in this photo. The educational sign lets them compare the heartbeat of a cow, sheep, rabbit and human. He was also totally fascinated by the butter churn and fake cow with udders that you can "milk".



We went specifically to see the new flamingo exhibit.



Brother and Sister.



This giraffe was trying desperately to reach the leaves above his head.



Mama Lion.



Viewing the lions.



Cole goofin' while showing off his USA and Canada puzzle.



I tried something different at bedtime today. We went for a walk/bike ride after dinner, had something else to eat, then did the bedtime routine. He wasn't in bed until 8:30 BUT he was asleep by 9. Yesterday I was tearing my hair out trying to get him to fall asleep.

Carkeek Park

We met friends at the park today to explore the tide pools at low tide.

Alex and Cole playing baseball with some boys who were on a field trip to the park.





This was not posed, Cole is just cool like dat!



The "Bubbleman" was there. Audrey was adorabubble chasing the bubbles down with dad. Audrey then had to go home with dad for her afternoon nap.



The Bubbleman in action.



Exploring at low tide.



Gently touching a crab, he also found a sea anemone.



One must dig!



Playing in the incoming tide with friends.



The salmon slide.



Playing a game - don't step on the pottery sea creatures embedded in the rocks.



So much running around caused Cole to doze on the drive home so I got some reading in while watching Cole sleep in the van and Audrey sleep in the Subaru. I'm reading Three Cups of Tea loaned to me by another co-op mom.

We finished up the day with a bike ride to a neighborhood park and home for bed by 7:30. Cole wasn't asleep until 9 though - ah, summer....

At the park we met a 5 year old boy who was riding a "pocket motorcycle". Cole was captivated and mused aloud that he "should try that someday." NO WAY!

Audrey is walking!

Dear Audrey took her first solo steps in the sandbox at Cole's preschool two weeks ago. She has since taken more tentative steps as well as walking a lot while holding onto my hand but still drops down to all fours when she really wants to get somewhere quickly.

I like this picture because it looks like Audrey and the plastic buckets are swaying together in a backyard dance.



Cole still likes to play with the Radio Flyer walker (this was his birthday present for his 1st BD) but now he zooms around the yard and calls it "bobsledding".



Bobsledding wiggled the nuts free on the walker so Cole and Dad fixed it with tools. Cole LOVES tools and work.



Making mud pies, more back yard fun. You really don't need toys if you've got a pile of dirt, shovel and bucket.



Audrey enjoyed her first solo trip on a merry-go-round recently.





Audrey and Dad.



Profiles.