Planting Flowers

A few weeks ago we planted our pots. It has become an annual family tradition. Before kids, Marty and I would just do it and now Josie has become involved in every step. This time both kids went with Marty to pick out all the flowers.

When they got home, Josie chose which flowers were to go in each pot.

She helped get the soil ready and poured the fertlizer into the hole where the flower would go.

She poured more water over the roots and helped put the flower into place.

Of course, I forgot the take a photo of one of the finished pots on the day of planting and took this a few days later... raining outside which it has done off and on since we planted them. I guess the rain (and a sun break here or there) is good for the flowers at least.

Taking Turns

Catch-Up

I've had very little time to update the blog lately but I know if I get too far behind I won't ever catch up. So.. this post will be a random mix so that I can feel that the posts are still in a somewhat chronological order.

TULIPS:
We were very late in visiting the Tulip Festival this year. Josie kept asking to go and I kept trying to find an open day. Finally, the first week of May we headed up to see the tulips on their final leg. Most of the fields were plowed under already and a lot of the pedals looked like they were ready to fall but we found one fun garden with a ton of varieties and enough life left in them to make a few pretty pictures.

Josie took the camera the minute we got there and took 200+ photos!! Times have certainly changed. There is no way she would've been able to do that with a film camera as film and developing were so expensive. But she had a blast taking photos.

Here are a few of her favorites:

A few weeks ago we meet up with some friends at the Zoo. Josie and friends enjoying some climbing time.

Benjamin had fun looking at the elephants with his friend, Gavin.

Josie just recently finished her 4th year at Co-op preschool. Next year will be year #5; she will be in the 4's class 4 days a week. I can't believe she only has one more year until kindergarten!!
Here is a photo of her class this year. Because her birthday is in September she will always be one of the oldest and because she has a giant for a father she will probably always be one of the tallest. The three girls in the middle all have fall birthdays... can you tell by how tall and old they look compartively?

Before leaving on their road trip we joined Julie, her parents and her friends at Pegasus for one last Seattle meal. Josie fit right in with the blonde German girls.

Benjamin's favorite place to eat breakfast... in daddy's lap.

Julie's parents brought us all gifts from Germany when they visited. Marty's was the biggest hit with 3/4 of the family :)

Josie always puts on protective ear wear and Benjamin, unless strapped in his high chair, goes completely bizerk trying to catch it and usually ends up face down on the floor. Obviously, I'm only posting the video of him in his chair.

Mother's Day

Marty and the kids created a very nice Mother's Day for me. The day before, Marty took both kids for a few hours to "run errands"

What that translated into were three beautifully framed photos which were creatively wrapped and decorated by Josie.

Later in the day we went down to Alki and spent some time at the park and ate dinner at Pegasus.

Josie finished off the day with a scoop of her new favorite ice cream, Maui Zowie.

What a great day! I feel so lucky to be their mom (and his wfe)

Vacation Part 1 - Redondo Beach

Josie was ready to go on vacation the day before we left. She got her goggles out and wore them most of the night.

Josie is becoming such a great traveler. She always helps Marty get our luggage out of baggage claim and is getting really good at pulling even a medium to large sized bag.

We didn't to a whole lot at Redondo Beach other than play at the pool and walk along the pier and play in the sand. No photos of the beach, unfortunately. But both kids LOVED the pool. Benjamin is such a water baby and Josie's swimming skill really improved after so many days and hours in the pool.

Benjamin praticing his 'high 5's"

Julie and her parents spent 3 weeks traveling in an RV from Seattle to LA. We finally reunite with them in Redondo Beach and all pile in the RV to drive to Anaheim.

Vacation Part 2 - Disneyland

The "Happiest Place on Earth" wasn't so happy the first few hours of our visit. It rained.. in Southern California, in mid May, the only day out of 7 of our vacation, it RAINED. It wasn't a downpour but a consistent light rain where you are drenched after being in it for more than 5 minutes.
Our first stop on our walk to Disneyland was to get a couple of rain ponchos. Crazy that I didn't think to pack rain gear :)
But we made the best of it.

Benjamin wasn't ever too sure about any of the rides but he went along each time and, for the most part, enjoyed himself. Marty and Benjamin on Dumbo.

Josie's first ride is the carousel

We decided to take refuge from the rain in the "It's a Small World" ride

As if Walt Disney was trying to mock us himself, this was one of the wall decorations. We laughed, kind of, as we were soaking wet and trying to make the best of it.

The sound machine in Benjamin's room is almost always set to the sound of rain.... he felt right at home and settled in for his first nap of the day.

while Josie waited in line to drive the cars at Autotopia

She had a ball!! Marty said that he hasn't heard her giggle like that is a very long time.

Waiting in line for Mr. Toad's Wild Ride

And then the sun came out. Happy, happy, happy. You would not haven't wanted to see my face before. The rain ponchos were put over the stroller and thankfully not needed again for the rest of the vacation.

Josie was mesmerized by Goofy

And got big hugs from Pluto

We took a break and left the park for lunch. The entrance sign looked so much happier in the sun.

After lunch, Benjamin settles in for his second nap of the day.

The Tea Cups were closed in the morning due to rain. Thankfully, they reopened after lunch.


Right after she got off with us she wanted to go back on again with Julie.

Near the end of the day was her highlight. She was able to see and get her photo taken with 3 different princesses. I don't even know who this one is. Josie says it is Sleeping Beauty but I'm not so sure. We'll have to ask Bryn :)

Jasmine

Cinderella

All in all, it was a very fun day. A bit overwhelming and loud but very exciting for both kids. We came home to the hotel exhausted. But, of course, they were up and ready to go again at the crack of dawn the next day.