Tuesday, August 5, 2008

It's ours!!

Almost - the house deed will be recorded tomorrow! I have the car packed for our first trip over (around 10:30 in the morning), and am looking forward to letting the kids play in the house. We have a bit of a wait there tomorrow, as the local cable/internet/phone provider is sending out a tech to install an extra cable jack (or two or three... we can't remember what the cable jack situation is). I'm hoping to get in at least one more car load before we have to wait for the cable guy, but the timing will be close, and the kids may refuse to wait in the car while I unload the first, load the second, and unload the second. I guess I'd better go pack some more just in case I can squeeze in a second load!

I will try to remember my camera and take pictures and post said pictures within a reasonable amount of time. ("A reasonable amount of time" is at my discretion!)

For those of you who are looking at buying a house with another person: do NOT allow them to give you a power of attorney for closing!! Signing for a house is tedious enough. Signing "First MI Last by First MI Last, attorney in fact (AIF for most documents) AND THEN adding your signature is a royal pain. E is gallivanting off in the wilderness (legitimately for work), but somehow the timing of it all just sucked. For me.

And here's a link for parents and kids: Tinkering School.

Sunday, August 3, 2008

July

Gretchen loves walking around with my Crocs on her hands. I have no idea why, but she's always so proud of herself!
I think Dada may be a tad color blind....
Our friend, Sean, decided to go to the local water park for his birthday (his 38th...). We all had a great time, although both kids were a little scared of the water splashes at the bottom of the toddler slides. Quin and Gretchen both enjoyed splashing in the water, and Quin adored playing on the pirate ship. Gretchen became tired rather quickly, and cuddled close as we went around the lazy river again and again and again and.... She went around with pretty much everyone, and got to the point of exhaustion (and being overwhelmed by the sounds and sights of the indoor water park) that she didn't even bother lifting her head to look around, but instead just laid her head on a shoulder and sucked her fingers.

Gretchen had her choice of bathing suits, and continued to chose this one, regardless of how many I showed her. Quin, on the other hand, immediately picked one out, and stayed with it, giving me looks of "Mama, I already have one, see?"
Quin and E at the bottom of the slide; a random child wanted to get splashed, and jumped in front of my two boys. Humph.
An unfortunate experience. Yes, she was stuck, but she wanted a particular toy so much that she continued to get stuck in her quest to reach that toy.
Gretchen's first puddle stomping experience. No rain boots in this shot, but she has some now. Due to the lack of availability, both kids have the same boots. It should be an interesting autumn for puddle stomping and getting boots mixed up.... Gretchen loves puddle stomping as much as her brother!!Spending time with Dada.

"Gretchen, you ride the ladybug and I'll ride the horse."
Art time!
Eating at the table like a big girl. (Ignore the phone book....)

Camping

We went with friends to Hatcher's Pass on July 3rd. (I'm now a firm believer in camping with other people - one preschooler and one toddler to six adults was perfect!) It was the first time the kids had gone camping (we had an abortive backyard/trial attempt last summer when we first bought the tent, but we ended up sleeping in the house). Gretchen enjoys walking on uneven surfaces (she loves to walk on people when they're laying down), so the squishy tundra was a HUGE hit with her! Quin was enthralled with the idea that he didn't need to pee on the potty (although we had his little one, just in case).

Paul and Robin found a great campsite, close to the river but off the road, that fit three tents and a screened shelter. Luxury camping at its best!
Due to the last minute nature of our departure, we managed to forget some items, like jackets. Gretchen wore a silk-weight shirt of mine for warmth, and was quite cute!
Sean "allowed" her to try on his hat - stylish!
Dinner was a unique affair, as the kids aren't used to eating while standing up. Gretchen wandered around with her vegetarian hot dog, chirruping at everyone, while Quin mostly stood in one place until he'd finished eating one item, then wandered around between "courses." "Marshmelons" (aka marshmallows) were a huge hit with both kids.

Quin loves sleeping in his sleeping bag, and had no problems going to bed in the tent. Gretchen, on the other hand, had a difficult time sleeping. She cuddled with all six adults throughout the evening, but was happiest on Dada's lap. Around 11pm we decided to try to go to bed; I say try because "she-who-always-falls-asleep-by-7pm-at-the-latest" was still wide awake. By midnight, I gave up and took our darling baby daughter (not the words that were used at the time...) to the car to go to sleep. I love our Prius, but it is NOT a good sleeping place! I made a blanket nest in the back of the car, put Gretchen in the back, climbed into the passenger seat with my sleeping bag, and proceeded to watch her play happily for about 15 minutes before passing out. She just needed to have some quiet alone time before going to bed. She woke up several times during the night, but was easily comforted back to sleep.
Our plan of pancakes for breakfast was a flop. Do you remember me saying we had a hurried departure? Well, we managed to forget several items, like the griddle top for the stove. Oops. Fortunately we had leftover hot dogs.

After breakfast we walked down to the creek. Quin loves playing next to rivers! E stayed with Quin and Paul played with Gretchen while I took some photos of the scenery.
We then packed up our stuff and figured out who was riding with whom. The kids and Eric were exhausted, whereas the rest of us were interested in hiking, so I caught a ride with Paul and Robin. Unfortunately, we didn't find any good hiking trails on that side of the pass, and we didn't want to turn around, so we headed home. I got the best end of the deal: I didn't have to drive, and I didn't have to be in the car with two exhausted kids who took the best naps of their lives that afternoon.
We had a fantastic time, and I hope we can get in at least one more camping trip this summer!

June

Yep, it's been a while since I've updated the blog. My excuse? I packed the camera cord, and we all know what happens when I post without pictures: Toki and my parents complain. We can't have that happen, now can we? ;) We packed for most of June and July, and we're finally getting ready to close next Tuesday! More about the move on another post.

Gretchen's hair is finally long enough to put into a pony tail.
Isn't she the cutest?? I'm just a tad biased, I know....
"I'm smarter than the president." as modeled by Gretchen:
"I'm smarter than the president." as modeled by Quin (May 2006):
What a silly boy!!
Forrest was extremely kind and sent Quin some of his PlayMobile; Quin loves playing with it! Thanks again, Forrest!
Quin managed to convince himself that the mosquitoes would leave him alone if he covered his ears. I have since managed to convince him that wearing his light jacket and his hat will give him better mosquito protection. Leila insisted on wearing her swimsuit, even though it was about 50 degrees out.
Who's a silly girl?!
We have bookworms!
Look, Mama, Ethan has a belly button too!