Stone Gardens

We tried out Stone Gardens with some friends today.  Blake and Evan went to preschool together and now the little sisters are great preschool buddies too. I was impressed with all of the kids, lots of muscles in this group! They had climbing walls for all levels and a giant pirate ship  for climbing too. 

sweet valentines

My little artist wanted to make Valentine's Day cards for her classmates.  She started by painting lots of paper, then we cut them out, folded them, she wrote her name on each one and then we tucked a little piece of candy in each one.  All in one day. I'm always impressed by Lauren's focus, when she sets out to do something she usually finishes the job.  I used to be like that...before I had kids!

Super Bowl Champs

Sometime Tuesday afternoon it occurred to me that my parents' condo, conveniently located on the parade route for the celebration of our Seattle Seahawks, was sitting empty.  A free parking spot, warm condo and private deck seemed too good to be true.  Thank you Grammy and Grandpa!  The kids and I got to their building at 8:15 this morning, we were later joined by Chad and my inlaws. It was fun to watch the crowd grow and to cheer on the Hawks as they drove by.

 4th & Virginia at 8:45 a.m.

 same spot at 10:30 a.m.

 After it was all over I asked Lauren if she was bummed she didn't watch the parade, she said "I did, I watched it on tv".

 Just a quick video of the crowd, it doesn't do the noise level justice! (I was freezing, so the video is a little shaky.)

www.youtube.com/watch?v=lc_wgeYFPoU

Lauren

Time is really flying by this year. Lauren is on the downhill slide to the big 4!  She still has a few toddler words left (that I beg Blake not to correct).  Sometimes she flops down on the couch and say she's "zhausted". And when ever she goes into Blake's room she says its a "zaster"...and it usually is.   The other day she and I were eating a quick lunch at PCC next to two little old ladies sharing cookies over coffee.  One of the ladies had a bun in her hair. Lauren turned to me and asked "is that the Old Maid?".  I tried (and failed) to hold in my laughter.

Here are a few pics of Lauren from our walk with Lou today.  We've been trying to walk our dog every day, the vet said he needs to lose a few pounds.  He will live to be 14 regardless, but we're trying to be good to Lou.

FINALLY

Blake started to get two of his permanent teeth this last summer.  His baby teeth weren't the slightest big loose.  By August he had what his dentist called shark teeth - two rows of teeth.  Dr. Cody assured me he would lose the baby teeth and the permanent teeth would then move into place.  He was right, but it took FOREVER! After about four months or so I didn't gag every time I looked at all of those crazy teeth.  And then this last Friday Blake lost his first tooth. He is beyond excited to finally join the club!