We are family

We have the smallest of dilemmas in our family.  What kind of family activities will entertain an eleven year old but work with a two year old?   We've been really good at finding ones that don't quite work.  Like driving all the way down to Point Defiance for a special biking trip only to have Jonah scream bloody murder for the half mile we tolerated it in his new bike seat. Or the Harry Potter exhibit where the quick little guy slipped behind the ropes every time we turned around.  Or the baseball game.  Our PTA sold group tickets for the Mariners vs White Sox (Go Chicago!), so we had to go.  I bought four tickets but then we debating all week whether we should really bring Jonah with us or find a babysitter and an extra friend.   At the last minute we decided to go as a family.  For good or bad.

Jonah started off GREAT and was so excited.  The entire way to the stadium all we heard was "Lukey, go to baseball game!"  He thought the crowds and seats and people and music was just fabulous.

While Lukey was upset about something. I truly don't remember what.

But a two year old doesn't stay put, especially our two year old.  We knew this going in but we didn't realize we would be sitting in the nose bleeds on the edge of 50 steeps stairs that this kid would want to climb up and down 50 times.  Aaron and I tag teamed the kid while the other sat with Lucas.  Let me tell you, we only lasted until the 5th inning.  My legs had gotten their workout.  Luckily the seats were cheap and the weather wasn't too cold.  And we'll wait another couple years before we try it again.

One activity we've found that works for everyone?  Swimming.  Well, almost everyone.  {I have to admit bathing suits are not my favorite.  Sweetly, the last 2 times we've gone, Aaron has wrangled the kids while I take pictures from the sides lines.  I'm determined to just get over myself and join in the fun and cold, which most people know I hate!  Cold, not fun.}

Jonah just gets a whiff of the word "swimming" and he's off to get ready.  Why he still puts it on his head, I do not know.

Swimming, bowling, arcades, and parks have all been winners and we're always looking for more.  We'll try biking again with a different seat for Jonah.  And no one can argue with the zoo. I can't wait for summer and having the warm and dry outdoors again.  Those possibilities are endless.  Plus there have been a few times where we get a babysitter and take Lucas to dinner and a movie.  Like old times.  But believe me, none of us are complaining of the "new times" with the Kid.  Life wouldn't be the same without him. We are so blessed for our smallest of dilemmas.

It's not that hard, Anne Geddes

After his bath Jonah climbed up on his dresser and decided to take a rest.  I couldn't resist a picture even if I could only find my phone. 

All I needed was a cabbage to put on his head and it would be true art.

It's official, though it's been unofficial for months

Last week I asked Lucas to play with JB outside while I fixed dinner.  A few minutes pass and he comes in and asks if he could pull weeds and prepare the garden for seeds. 

Hmmm.  Let me think. Of course, young man.  Weed away.

Jonah helped by walking around menacingly with a log, keeping Lucas on task.

We're officially ready for spring.

Happy Easter!

Ok. I forgot to take pictures on actual Easter. I had even bought matching outfits for the boys and I still forgot. I've never bought anything special for Easter before but then I thought  to myself if these kids were girls, they would be having Easter dresses galore with hats, purses and matching gloves! Okay, maybe not that crazy, but they would have matching something. So this year I bought matching shirts and pants. Lucas was just barely in the size range of actually having matching sibling clothes. Next year I will have much more difficulty finding clothes that coordinate with a toddler.   He'll be disappointed, I know.

For the very first time in his life I took Lucas to a professional to get his haircut.  Oh-so-many years ago when we were engaged, a friend taught me how to cut Aaron's hair and so I have always been the barber in our household.  Everyone comes out looking like Aaron but so far that hasn't been a problem.  At least I don't think so.  But then Jonah came along and I am lost and his hair is out of control. 

So I thought I'd take both boys someplace to get tips and tricks to cut their hair better.  The first thing Lucas said after the cut was, "Wow.  It's never been so straight before."   I guess he's right.  I never professed to know what I was doing!   But now that I look at his new haircut I realized that I tend to cut it a little "shaggier" in the front because...well...I think his straight haircut...is not my favorite...as Grandpa J would say.  Sorry, Lucas.  I know you like it and won't let me "fix" it my way now. You have difficult hair to cut, super thick and a huge cowlick that makes your hair go straight down in front.  I thought I could get a new idea of how to cut it but...nope.  I've been doing the best job so far.  I'll let you keep the "straight" look until the next cut but since I'm holding the scissors, I get to choose the style.  :) 

{Unless you ask me nicely and then really I'll do almost anything you want.}

"To the beach!"

"We're going to the beach?  We're going to the beach!"  
This was literally repeated 50 times as we were getting our gear together one morning during spring break.  {We cannot tell Jonah we are leaving until we're ready to walk out the door or he will drive you cah-razy trying to get his shoes on or yelling for his coat for hours.}  We hadn't been to the beach in at least a year and I knew Jonah had NO idea what the beach was. 
So I asked, "Jonah, what's the beach?"
He thought for a moment and then just as estatically he replied, "Outside the door!"
This kid truly doesn't care where we're going or what we're doing, as long as he's outside.
It turned into a great morning, cold and windy, but beautiful.

The boys built log forts...

 
 
Created sandcastles...

Explored the woods...

And played in {near} the water.

I tried to recreate one on my fav Seattle pictures of Lucas...

We have always loved Richmond Beach.