Walking & Talking!

As of 7:30pm tonight, Mari is officially walking.

I consider it official - because it was more than 5 steps, several times over, and unprovoked. Before this, she would take a few steps if we set her up and stood in front of her, saying "come on, Mari". But tonight she was walking all of Ian & Ashley's place, and you could tell she was loving it.

She also showed off some of her new words "Whassat" (what's that) and "Bob" (when they put in a Veggie Tale video she starting yelling excitedly "Bob-Bob-Bob-Bob-Bob"). On the way home, talking to Dadda on the phone, she said her usually "Hi" and "Dadda", but also added "Shoe" as she was pulling at her shoe and later stuck the grimmy thing in her mouth.

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Someone once told me:

You spend the first year or so of your child's life trying to get them to walk and talk. You spend the next 18 years trying to get them to sit down and shut up.

Guess we are on our way to phase two :)

Accidents Happen

Today at playgroup Calli got bonked in the head with a giant frisbee. It was by a friend she was playing with, and was not intentional. But she cried, and cried, so I went over to talk to her about it.

"Calli" I said. "He is our friend. He did not mean to hit you - it was an accident."

Calli looks back at me and says "Sometimes we have accidents in our panties Mamma, but we do not hit."

Too funny!

Sneaky, Sneaky

Ever since she gave up her pacy, Calli asks regularly for us to lay with her when she can't fall asleep. Last night, she asked for a chocolate (M&M) and for me to lay with her. I don't want her to think she can always get what she wants, so I said she could have one - I would lay with her for a minute, or a chocolate. She put up two fingers and said "two" - meaning she wanted both.

I repeated "you can have one - solo uno". I wondered what she would pick, and told myself not to feel bad if she thought an M&M was better than my company :) She picked me. So I laid with her for a minute or so.

Then she says something like "okay, you can go now". I thought - good, I'm getting out of here early, and without falling asleep. And she asks, "Can I have a chocolate?", I say "Sure", figuring she just changed her mind.

As I walk out the door to get her chocolate she says "I have two" with this mischievous grin on her face. LOL! She got me - and she's only 3 years old!

So tonight, she asked me to lay with her. I did. Then she asked for a chocolate. I said "no". And she has been crying for the last 10 minutes or so. But bless her heart, Miss Mari has managed to sleep through it. Amazing, considering it is only the second night of them sleeping in the same room. Thank you Mari! you go girl!

Trip to the Zoo

This morning, we braved the heat and humidity and headed out to the zoo.


Since we were there mid-morning, we got to see the cow milking demonstration. Calli thought it was really cool, but she's a little mixed up. She thinks the cows drink milk, and then the tubes and pipes collect their pee.


We visited the "Farm-in-the-Zoo" and saw the just hatched baby chicks.


Calli and Mari sat in the big tractor. Calli wanted to wear the seat belt, and explained to me that only one person could sit in the seat at a time.


Mari loved crawling back and forth through the big hatching eggs and peaking her head up.

Other highlights included:
* the resting pig, who was pregnant
* the goats
* the gorillas
* the 3 zebras
* the deer with big antlers
* the tiger (we only saw 1 tiger today, and no lions)
** and stopping for a snack of ice cream & a banana inside the air conditioned cafeteria

Library Launch

Today, Calli started a new library program with her friend Chloe. The library has a outer space theme for all their programs this summer - and even has a cardboard rocket that Adam & Mari loved playing in while we were waiting for the girls.

Adam & Mari - trying to drive the rocket to Mars by pounding on the keyboard.

I love Lily's smiles.

All the kids - with their movie of choice.

Far Away Friends

This weekend, we were fortunate enough to be able to see 2 sets of family friends who live out of the area: one in Florida, the other in Uganda. Both visits were very fun, too short, and left us wanting more. Come back soon!!

Kathleen & Brad (check out their blog)

Jamie, Owen & Steph

Izumi & Sam

Me, Mari & Erika

Jamie, Carol, Me & Mari

Carol, John and our family

Rooftop Pool

Today it reached a steamy 90 degrees. So when Ana & Lucas invited us to come with them to this beautiful rooftop pool - we were so grateful!

Calli jumped off the side a couple of times, going completely underwater, and even remembered to keep her mouth closed. Good job Calli!

Introducing Owen

Today we were privelged to be able to share breakfast and spend some time with Sam, Erika & their new baby, Owen. Owen was born May 21st - and is a adorable, content little guy!

Our girls loved him. Mari kept peeking into his car seat to talk to him, and Calli wanted to hold him. During breakfast, Mari would yell "Baby" from her high chair.

Calli even got to help give him his bottle.