Jealous brother

Henry was not happy how much attention we gave to Lilly as she was learning to ride her bike. So we gave him a ride (after a few tantrums)!


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Look who is riding a bike!

Thanks to the balance bike- Lilly learned in 30 seconds. So proud- and no skinned knees like we had. This was one of those moments as a parent that really makes you realize they are growing up!


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Henry is 2!

Henry is 2- where did the time go! 

Few things that we love about Henry:
1. He points out every H! "H!H!" and now of course other letters like L.
2. He loves trucks and buses. He insists when he points them out- "Bus! BUS" that you repeat what he says and recognize him.
3. Orange- he loves the color. Every time he picks a pen at school it is orange. He throws a fit if he does not get an orange Popsicle.
4. Puzzle man- he can do 50 piece puzzles by himself. And he has the focus to do it multiple times.
5. Thomas the Train- loves cars and trains. He plays will balls but prefers cars and trucks.
6. Loves to wear a hat- if we let him he would wear it all the time. It really reminds us of his cousin Nolan.
7. On his terms- he likes to do things on his own terms (as aunt molly reminds me what 2 year old does not!)   If it is his idea- he will do it. The trick is to convince him it his idea that it is his idea- this can be tough in the mornings on the way to day care.
8. Entertain him self- Possibly it is too early to tell- but we do think he is an introvert. He does well doing something by himself after a big party. And he loves smaller groups. (could also be a 2 thing!)
9. Lover- Henry give hugs and kisses every day. He even gives them to his sister before they leave each other every morning. It is so cute. He is a lover!
10. Speech- his talking has exploded in the past few weeks. The doctor wanted to make sure he was liking words by 2. And he is in full sentences. He is finding ways to express his emotions too.

Ross Lake

We tried something new. .. backpacking with the kids. Thanks to Aunt Molly and Uncle Brooks they headed up early and got a permit for the lake and then found a great car camping spot for us to all meet at. Great trip- Dan- Devon and Ellery (10 months) and Brooks Molly and Caroline (2 years) and the four of us. Great company- perfect group- everyone was helping out one way or another. The hardest part was not the 1.5 mile hike in rather it was the 2 hr boat ride up the lake. Could not have been a more beautiful weekend. The kids loved the swimming and the "kissing fish". Somehow they loved Dan! Lilly kept saying "are we going into the wild! are there wild animals there?" Long talk about what backpaking was. The kids did great. We cannot wait to do it again!

Cousins!

There is something about cousins that really amps the kids up! it does not matter how long it has been or what they are doing! Lilly and Henry love seeing their cousins. We were lucky to go to Hawaii cousins. Lilly loved sleeping with Cece. Henry was a bit rough with Monica.

Girlfriends!

We are so lucky to have such great friends in West Seattle. Lucia - Bree- and Lilly are best buds. They all three go to school together and the best part is that we love their families (and they all have siblings Henry's age!). We are so lucky to have these girls and their families in our lives- it is really what community is about. We help support each other emotionally (through the rigors or raising girls) and physically (helping on Friday's off and with pick ups at school).

And how fun it is to watch Lilly learn how to be a friend - learn how to share - learn how to give- to forgive - smile - laugh and play. What a treat to have these girls in our lives!