So much family

Last week, Ellie, Jude and I went up to Canada to visit family.

I remember loving family vacations in Campbell River. So much family, good food, delicious baking, the beach . . .

1st of July party at Auntie Dena's - the weather the COLD! But luckily no rain. Funny to see Jude in his Patagonia jacket in JULY! Jude and Ellie with Great GREAT Auntie Lois! My cousin Melissa with our kiddos, Jude and 11 month old Mila

Hannah loved holding Juder in the carrier. He was almost as long as she is.

Hannah, Roddie Lee and Ellie playing in the playhouse. This little A-frame playhouse has been cherished by 2 generations of girls in our family.

The weather was nice enough ONE day to head to the beach.

Ellie loved the tide pools and even went in the ocean up to her chest. It was freezing!

Jude and his cousin Nora-Lynn. It is too funny that these two were fussing in tandem because Nora-Lynn's daddy, my cousin Shea, and I used to fight like siblings. Our mum's used to get SO mad at us for arguing constantly.

Looks like these two are plotting ways to drive us crazy.

The grandma's think it's perfect pay-back!

Multi-Talented!

This boy has changed so much in the last few weeks!

Here is a sampling of his new tricks

He eats!

Tonight he tried a mum-mum crisp (rice wafer) and LOVED it.

He sits!!

Not only does he love his bumbo seat but he sits all by himself without toppling!

He spits!!!

He thinks his tongue is the coolest body part and he loves to spit at his sister!

Direct Quote

Ellie just said . . .

"Mum,

the bad news is: there is a big rain cloud outside.

But the good news is: we're going to live happily ever after!"

Love that kid.

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!