SJU dinner at the Vanderploegs

Laura, Glenn, Ben & Sophie hosted our SJU young families group this past Saturday for a yummy Mexican themed potluck. Cora loved the beans with sausage (after previously rejecting meat-less beans) and Cole had fun in the sand box, on the hammock and with the chickens.

Driving around

Today we went to the Ballard toddler gym and had a lot of fun. Cole met two new friends and the chased each other on tricycles for almost an hour.

walking across the yard

Cora was pushing the trike like a walker

Standing on my own

Today Cora was standing without hanging on to anything, walking is just around the corner. She may be practicing at night, that could explain why she is up half the night.

Sun, fish and wind

Today Cole originally requested the science center, but when it appeared the sun would unexpectedly be out all morning we changed the plan and went to the waterfront. We rejoined the aquarium, and both kids enjoyed crawling around the orca exhibit and the fish dome. Cora especially enjoyed the stairs (probably because our house has none for her pleasure). We snacked some near the tropical fish and Cole got to watch a ship crane at work in the sound (his highlight of the day). We then plugged the virtual meter, played on pier 66 and trekked to Pike Place market. I introduced C&C to both Piroshkys and Hom Bows. Yum!! We topped it off with a sack lunch at dads building and a visit up to his office, complete with train sighting. Got home later than normal and C headed right to bed for a rest. The sun was wonderful, the wind was cold, and hill up to the market was daunting with a double stroller, but it was an awesome day!








Today at the aquarium I was reminded of Cole's first outing there. We looked at all the beautiful fish, then walked down the waterfront to Anthony's and tried to get him to eat fish n chips for lunch. He petted the fried fish and refused to eat his "friends." Pretty funny kid. Too bad we don't have different words in English for the fish in the sea and the fish on the plate.

Girls Breakfast (plus Cole!)

Brandon's Mens' Breakfast group was doing heavy work at church this morning, so Cole joined the Girls Breakfast with Margie, Savannah, Cora and I. We went to Serendipity and the kids all enjoyed the play area.

Playing in the dirt

Cora got down and dirty with the big kids today at Wallingford. She loved scooping sand into the trucks.

Snuggle with daddy

Cole knows best

Our friend Joey comes over for dinner regularly, but Cole refuses to believe that Joey is a doctor. Tonight we found out why: "he's only a man mommy, doctors are girls." :)

Rainy day in the Neighborhoodood

C&C and I stayed around our neighborhood all day. We walked/scooted to the community center by the lake and played inside at the toddler room. Cole test drove all the cars and cooked me a taco, while Cora played the piano and watched all the big kids in awe. Afterward, we went to Mockingbird Books for story time and then hustled home in the rain with the BOB. Cora fell asleep on the way back and slept long enough at home to let Cole and I put two loaves of banana bread in the oven. We all had pbnj & Mac n cheese for lunch (Cora's was actually macaroni noodles mixed with carrots due to her dairy issues). Cole went to take a nap, while Cora and I got to snuggle and bake cookies. Not sure yet what we will do post nap.