First Foods and Fathers

Jude is 6 months old!! He's sitting up on his own (for a few minutes), rolling over, has 2 teeth, loves being in his bouncer and jumping, thinks Ellie is hilarious and has now tried a few table foods.

We spent Father's Day at Grammie and Grampie's house. It's always relaxing to have the family together and walk around the garden or the beach.

Jude joined us at dinner by sitting in Ellie's old high-chair. (However, Ellie was a little annoyed to be relegated to a regular chair) Egg yolk . . . . hmmmmm . . . .

So far he has tried avocado, banana and egg yolk.

He makes the most offended face and then reluctantly swallows.

Ellie was "love at first bite" when it came to table foods so we'll see if Jude turns out be our picky eater.

Ellie showing off her bounty from Grammie's garden.

I love that she pulls carrots right from the soil and crunches them, dirt and all.

Today was the first day of summer and it was beautiful. I'm really hoping for sunny days filled with sprinklers and popsicles!

6 great kids!

Last week we went to visit family in Olympia. Ellie is so lucky to have cousins that love her so much!

Anne and Jude snuggling.

We have a rule that at Anne's house, anything goes - snacks before dinner, unlimited juice, treats galore. Of course, Ellie is in heaven! She said "I like Auntie Anne's house, it's spoil-y!"

Looking rather sly - eating snacks right before dinner. Such sweet girls!

Roddie Lee prepared a beautiful tea party complete with cinnamon buns, donuts, gum drops, peppermints, marshmallows and Ritz crackers - did I mention it was 1/2 hour before dinner?? Oh well, like I said - no rules at Auntie Anne's house.

Pretty pearly lips

Dress up with Roddie and Quade

Jude loves his cousins too

Cute cousins

Auntie Nana let Ellie roll our her own cinnamon buns and put them in her own dish to bake.

She was pretty proud of her baking abilities! Hanging with Hannah Ellie asked today - when are we going to the spoil-y house again??

Teacher Betsy

Ellie has been attending Northshore Community Coop Preschool since she was 14 months old. Before NSCCP I used to scoff at the idea of preschool for toddlers but looking for a way out of the house I joined the co-op.

It was one of the best parenting decisions I made!

For the first year and half, Ellie attended with me. The parent education piece of the program taught me so much, from potty training tips to positive discipline.

Then this year she started 1 day of drop off and one "stay day", as Ellie called it. I was so shocked on the first day of school when she dropped off without a fuss!

She has loved school and I guess I do too cuz now I'm the board chair!!

But the best part of our 2.5 years has been Teacher Betsy.

She really has a gift for teaching little ones (can you imagine - 18 2 and 3 year olds?? ahhh)

Next year we will move on to a new teacher and 2 drop off days and 1 stay day a week.

I am so glad Ellie's first teacher was as special as Teacher Betsy!

Very important part of preschool!

Jude was packed around in the carrier this year. Maybe we'll start class with him in 2012.

Now the big question - what to do with our Tuesday and Friday mornings . . .

Looking Back

It's amazing to see the difference in just 1 year of preschool.

Ellie looks so much like a toddler and now she's a preschooler! Her friend McCormick on the first day of school

And here are the two big kids on the last day!

Sweetness

Well, I am now officially in my 30's!!!

Drew planned a fabulous weekend including shopping, spa treatments, lots of champagne and a circus/dinner theatre.

So far life is my 30's is great! Life with 2 kids seems to have found a rhythm and being back at work is a perfect balance.

Here are a few photos of my sweet little fam

2 teeth! Oh, don't be fooled. It was only sunny for 5 minutes!

Thanks for the birthday fun, Drewby! Here's to the next 30!

Maarrrryyy Poppins!

This weekend marked a milestone in Ellie's life. Her first broadway calabre play.

Mary Poppins at the Paramount in Seattle.

We were so excited to take her to such a beautiful theatre and watch her experience a big musical. Mamop and Bapop came too and saw the sparkle in her eyes.

She's was such a good girl . . . watching intently . . . clapping after songs . . . being careful not to kick the seat in front of her . . . whispering very quietly . . . and she only fell asleep for a few minutes.

I hope she loves the theatre as much as her mummy and daddy.

When I was little I watched Mary Poppins every single day, sang the songs incessently and wore this red cape constantly.

It's a jolly holiday with Ellie . . .

Laugh Attack

It's pretty awesome to see the relationship between Ellie and Jude start to develop.

So far, he thinks she's hilarious.