Floor Playtime

Bears and Boots

Allie found these wedding bears while I was digging through some craft boxes. She has barely left them out of her sight since she got her hands on them. Then she thought why not stick them in daddy's new boots?! This kept her occupied for about 30 minutes taking them in and out. It was really cute.

Finger Painting

So for our second art project I finally got finger paints. What kids doesn't like to get their hands (and everything else) all smeared in color?! The first day was fun for her but I didn't have the right paper. Who knew finger painting had special paper?! Not me. So yesterday the kids and I went to Michaels to get more supplies, more paints, the right paper and something to hold the paint. I even have an art drawer now for all her stuff.

Allie's Artwork

I decided yesterday it was time to start getting Allie into crafts (supervised of course) to give her some creative outlet. I probably should have started this a long time ago, but just hadn't. So, my goal is to do one art project a day with her, even if it is just coloring on our paper covered coffee table.

Last night we stopped by target and I bought construction paper, stickers, glitter glue (probably to advanced for her yet but pretty), some little pompom things and sequence confetti. While Adrian happily played on the floor in front of the fire (he loves staring into it), Allie and I started our first art project. We did a pumpkin (since it is after all Halloween this Friday) covered in fun stuff and then a card in an attempt to get her to let the pumpkin dry before she tore everything off.

She did pretty good considering everything I got, except the construction paper, was suggested for ages 4 and up. I am going to go get finger paints tonight for some messy fun tomorrow. Can't wait! I bet you all are just so excited to start receiving your personalized Allie Art!

Nothing Cheers Like a Photo!

This is pretty funny. Allie was upset because Daddy was getting his hair cut and couldn't hold her on his lap. In an attempt to cheer her up I sat her on mine and took these pictures. The progression is pretty funny. What a ham she is for the camera!

Dad and Mishael

My dad and sister Mishael are here this weekend for a visit. Having my family around makes me wish so much that they were more of a constant presence in my children's lives. We've had a lot of fun with them the last couple days. Today we all (Dad, Beth, Mishael, Amber, the kids and myself) went to the mall and walked around shopping for a couple hours. Poor dad... following his daughters from store to store! But he was just content to hold Adrian (who didn't seem too keen on his stroller) and follow us around. What a guy!

Adrian

I feel like I don't take many pictures of Adrian since he's been doing the same thing day after day... sleeping. But that has been changing recently with more awake time and he actually smiles now. He loves too look around and can even hold his head up for a bit now. His favorite place is on the floor in front of the fire or in his swing where there is a little mirror to look at himself. I like to think it isn't vanity yet since he doesn't even know it's him he's looking at.

Holding Hands

Self Portraits

Jake is the self portrait professional! You can always tell who is taking the pictures when one of just Jake (usually a goofy looking head shot) shows up in the mix. He just loves snapping pictures of himself... vanity? Maybe ;)

Anyway, I am taking a lesson from him since I can't seem to get any pictures of me and the kids as I'm usually the one on the other end of the camera. I remember looking through pictures of my childhood and rarely did I ever see pictures of my mom because as is typical... she was the one taking the pictures.

So, here are some pictures I took of the kids and myself! Not to bad huh Jake?

Friend

I was reading an article about your child's snuggli (pillow, blanket, favorite stuffed animal, etc.) and how you should always have a stunt double. But having the stunt double isn't good enough, you need to make sure that they are wearing at the same time so when one gets lost you can quickly and without notice pull out the other and have the same stinky, dingy looking snuggli to take the place of the lost one.

Allie's snuggli, or Friend as she calls him, is her gloworm. We had a perfect stunt double... up until Hawaii last May where we think the cleaning ladies wrapped him up in the sheets while changing the bed and carted him away. It was half way into our 8 day trip and we thought the world was going to end... but amazingly she didn't seem to miss him at the time. Not sure that would be the case today. She carries her friend all over the house with her and bedtime preparations is usually spent searching the house for 5 minutes (ok, maybe slight exaggeration since our house isn't that big) trying to find where she last put him down.

I'm not going to get a stunt double again. Since she never leaves the house with him anymore I think we are safe with just the one. I know... famous last words right?!

Pictures

Greenlake

Sunday we took Lori and Marlin to Greenlake in Seattle, Jake's and my favorite place. If we could ever afford a house there we'd buy without hesitation! Anyway, we took Allie to the big kids play area for a bit, then walked part of the 3.1 miles around the lake. Adrian really enjoyed this outing too... once again with his eyes closed.

I think Marlin was having more fun with this toy than Allie was.

Adrian REALLY enjoying the walk... with his eyes closed of course.

Allie helping Lori push the stroller

Looking at the ducks

Jake can't have a camera in his hands without taking the self portrait shot.

Allie pooped out at the end of the walk, but really enjoyed the ride on Adrian's stroller... Don't worry, he's wasn't still in it.

The Zoo

Allie had her first trip to the zoo this weekend. Jake's parents came up for a few days so we all (except Jake who was riding) made the trip to Seattle's Woodland Park Zoo Saturday morning. Allie had a blast and WOW'd to all the animals, especially the elephants. Adrian enjoyed it too... with his eyes closed.