June 2015 Recap

Are you ready for another photo-heavy post? June was a really busy month for us with lots happening.

At the beginning of the month, we visited Ohio. 

Shortly after getting back, I ran my first half marathon and braved the expo the day before with the kiddos at lunch/nap time. Madeleine was unsure of the gecko, and Elliott was focused on his snack.

It was the hottest June on record, so we spent a fair bit of time doing this. 

Elliott discovered built-in musical instruments, and Madeleine happily joined in the (loud) fun.

Madeleine loved picking (wild) raspberries from our backyard at every opportunity. I love anything that bears fruit and requires nothing of me. 

We celebrated Father's Day by inviting a favorite chef to make dinner for us and another couple. Yum is an understatement.

"I need some help, Mummy. Elliott wants to wear these." And so it begins.

We thoroughly enjoyed hosting our cousins (my first cousin and his family), including taking them to our wedding site at Gas Works Park. 

Around town, Elliott was incredibly patient to adjust naps or take them on the go.

Standing on the steps where we said our vows had a lot of extra meaning given that it was the day of the (awesome) SCOTUS decision clarifying marriage. 

The birthday girl jumped for joy at riding a ferry for her birthday. 

Once she opened her bike helmet, she refused to take it off, even during birthday cake time.

I will never tire of this. 

...or this.

Summer, must you go so fast?

Friday I'm in Love

Things (decorations, activities, social obligations, etc.) are in full holiday swing over here. Through all the hustle and bustle, I have a few things to share that I love this week. Be sure to check out what Misha, Kendra, Mary Beth, and Laura are loving this week, too. 

ONE: Getting Christmas Cards
Please tell me that I'm not the only one who loves getting the mail at this time of the year. Every time I wonder if cards are worth the money and energy, I recall how much I adore getting holiday cards. I hang them up and enjoy them well into the new year. Photo cards live on for the whole year - as the faces on my contacts and in Madeleine's book for learning and remembering names.

TWO: The Newlywed Kitchen Cookbook
I'm far from being a newlywed, but I still love this cookbook that I picked up shortly after George and I were married. Last night, I made the chicken potpie recipe. When I brought up the idea of making it during menu planning last week, George reminded me that he loves everything I've made from that cookbook. Maybe it's time to revisit some more old favorites.

THREE: 90 Day Fiance
My current television guilty pleasure is 90 Day Fiance. While I would never advise a client to go on a TV show like this, I find it super interesting to catch a glimpse into the lives of the couples who are participating. I know that it's highly edited to create drama, but I still enjoy it.

What are you loving today?

Friday I'm in Love

Welcome back to Friday I'm in Love. Be sure to check out what Misha, Kendra, and Mary Beth are loving this week, too!

ONE: Change of Seasons
The chill of winter is in the air, and I'm once again reminded of why I love living in a place with four distinct seasons. We had a few days of gorgeous blue skies and sunshine this week, and I was inspired to get (the kids) outside and make the most of them, knowing that the days like this - even 30-degree ones - are going to be limited until next June or July.

TWO: Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood
Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood - the modern animated show inspired by Mr. Roger's Neighborhood - is one of two shows Madeleine is allowed to watch, and it has had a major impact on her ability to handle some difficult situations, most recently potty training. Each 30-minute episode contains a lesson, neatly packaged in a catchy jingle. As you may imagine, our house's recent repeating soundtrack is "When you have to go potty - stop! and go right away. Flush and wash and be on your way."

THREE: Trader Joe's Candy Cane Joe-Joe's
I was introduced to these this week, and I can see why they have their own Facebook page. I'm not usually a big TJ's fan, but these might draw me in a time or two before the end of the holiday season.

FOUR: Kate Middleton's appearance at the Royal Variety Performance
I am loving Kate's dress, casual yet formal updo, pregnancy glow, and itty bitty baby bump. Check them out here. Yes, royal watching is one of my guilty pleasures.

What are you loving this week?

Friday I'm in Love

Two posts in one day - what?! It's Friday and time to get back on the Friday I'm in Love wagon. Be sure to check out what Misha, Kendra, and Mary Beth are loving this week, too!

ONE: Matching Rainboots

This fall, Madeleine and I are rocking matching rainboots. They're comfy, easy for her to put on and off, and oh so practical in the Pacific Northwest...especially for a kid who leaps into every puddle she sees like her life depends on it.

TWO: CARES Safety Harness

I mentioned that our flight to San Jose was Madeleine's first one in her own seat. We debated about what to do with her because carrying a car seat onboard is a hassle, but a lap belt is not really safe for a toddler and also may not contain her if she decides she wants to open it. The CARES harness worked perfectly for giving her the familiar feeling of a 5-point harness and keeping her safe without creating a big hassle. Even better: it's small and light enough for her to carry it in her little backpack.

THREE: Cold Stone's Marshmallow Ice Cream

Cold Stone has done it again! One of their current seasonal flavors is marshmallow, and let me tell you: that ice cream is delicious! I thoroughly enjoyed it in the seasonal signature flavor Campfire Classic (marshmallow ice cream with chocolate shavings and graham cracker crust pieces) and hope to try another combination or two while it lasts. Yum!

What are you loving this week?

More May Weekends

Here we are...more than halfway through June...and I still haven't shared the rest of our fun May weekends. The first weekend, Denaye, David, and Nico visited from Texas, and the second weekend, Pierre visited from New Zealand.

The third weekend, Robyn and Andrew visited us on their way through North America. Madeleine did her standard hazing ritual, which is to demand that guests read to her almost continuously...sometimes the same book on repeat. They were good sports and even shared their tablet with Madeleine, which she thought was fantastic. As a result, Madeleine joined us in being sad to say goodbye.

The following weekend, we celebrated Memorial Day with a trip to the Willamette Valley. It was great fun to spend vacation time with "Cooper's family" even though George and I were zombies after Madeleine turned into a sleeping nightmare. Let's just say that we won't be sharing a room with her ever again. But...at least we all enjoyed our daytime fun!

A trip to Willamette Valley isn't complete without a visit to our favorite, Eyrie Vineyards. This time, Madeleine got to join in on the tasting with her very first juice box. What a treat!

We also carried on our tradition of snapping a photo of a growing Madeleine next to barrel #78. Compare with last November and last May, when she wasn't even walking yet. 

As you can tell, May was a packed month for us..but oh so fun!

No Stress Sundae Bar

I'm quickly learning that hosting parties is way more fun if you can take care of the labor in advance. It was this motivation that led me to my latest discovery: pre-scooped ice cream.

The week of the party, I simply washed and dried a bunch of canning Mason jars...in adult and toddler sizes, of course. Then, I scooped some vanilla ice cream into them, and sealed the jars for freezing. Mason jars come in such fun shapes and sizes these days! 

The day of the party, the jars went into a cooler of ice, where they stayed frozen until it was time to dig in. Each guest could pull out a jar, take off the lid, and top as desired. 

When it's all said and done, the jars go into the dishwasher to be used again. Eco-friendly. No stress. Delicious. {Psst - this could also work well for root beer floats.} 

What's not to love?

Weekend Visitors

We were so happy to have Denaye, David, and Nicolas visit us this past weekend from the great state of Texas. We only had a day and a half of good weather before rain set in for the rest of their visit. Despite the grey skies, we had a great time catching up, taking in a few local attractions, eating delicious food, and laughing pretty hard. And you would never know this was Nico's inaugural trip; he is a natural born traveler!

Madeleine and Nico were fast friends. He hardly took his eyes off of her, and she was all too willing to bring him toys and offer cuddles. Of course, she also nearly sat on top of him while trying to sit by him and ripped toys out of his hands on more than one occasion. Nonetheless, it was fun to see the beginning of a friendship and get some more confirmation that Miss M is ready to be a big sister.

Kisses for Nico

Denaye and I did some (mostly window) shopping at a few of my favorite local kid stores (for locals who are curious: Hanna Andersson outlet, Merry Go Round, Wee Tots). David was able to get out and explore a few miles of our local utility/horse/walking/running/biking trail before the rain. He said that he enjoyed it, and I'm seriously impressed at anyone who can run those hills!

All six of us took in Pike Place Market on a busy, sunny Friday. The kiddos loved having so much to see, and Madeleine enjoyed the dried apple sample she scored from a vendor.

Denaye and David requested a visit to Din Tai Fung, which they had visited on a trip to China. We are a dumpling-loving family and were more than happy to make it happen. Spicy wontons continue to be a favorite of all three locals. Yum!

Living so close to the heart of wine country, we had to do a few tastings. We visited an old favorite and some new-to-us wineries and were pleased on all accounts. It was particularly cool that Denaye and David caught a rainbow when they had popped out for a quick tasting one afternoon.

Finally, do you think that the visit would be complete without matching outfits? No way.

There aren't enough words for me to say how much we all enjoyed spending the long weekend with the B family! Perhaps Madeleine said it all when she whimpered the whole way home from taking them to the airport. I kept telling her, "it's okay to be sad. I'm sad, too." Our next connection, whether in Washington, Texas, Ohio, or somewhere else entirely can't come soon enough!

Weekend in California

We spent this past weekend in California. I'll spare you the details of the various illnesses that caused us to modify the trip on both ends and the sleeping disaster that was our daughter. Instead, here are some photo highlights from the happy parts of the trip. 

On Saturday morning, Madeleine and I were out the door by 5:20am to catch our flight to SJC. She was an angel, and this was probably my easiest flight with her except for her very first one (at six weeks) where she slept virtually the entire time. Knowing that so much is about to change, I especially treasure these little adventures with my girl. And, yes, Mama, belly, toddler, and bear all fit in a seat. Barely.

Each time we see the Midglets, the kids interact more and more and their six-week age gap gets smaller and smaller. In all of their joyful chaos, somehow this photo of the three kids trying to figure out how to play catch in a triangle was the only photo that captured all of them.

John and Sally graciously invited us along to a fun BBQ at their friends' house, and I was able to snap this shot of the boys in their own personal heaven: climbing on a slide while being fed strawberries and cream by their doting parents. True happiness, I tell ya.

Madeleine was a big fan of the strawberries and cream (on top of pound cake that had been flown in from NC!), too. 

One of our favorite things about visiting the south bay is the density of parks. It's a great way for Madeleine to spend some energy and all of us to get some fresh air. 

I have very fond childhood memories of playing on play structure bridges, but they are one of the few things that gives Madeleine serious pause. 

Love this Peek-a-Zoo shirt!

For Sunday brunch with our friends Mike and Tracy, Madeleine wore a dress made by another friend. She sent it to Madeleine for her first birthday, but it fits just about perfectly right now. 

While this trip wasn't the disaster we experienced in Phoenix, it certainly didn't go to plan. Nonetheless, I'm happy to take away these happy memories from our sunny spring weekend.