Edy wants a Parrot

We were at the Ballard Farmers Market last Sunday when a man with a parrot happened to be walking by. Edy got to hold the parrot on her shoulder, and she loved it.

Ed also asked to hold it, but given his reaction at feeding the birds at the zoo, when he panicked when they tried to land on his hand, I thought it was not a good idea.

Edy has been wanting a pet for a while now. Yesterday she said to me, "dad, I want a parrot because they live a long time, longer than 14 years, and don't die, so I won't have to be sad.

So true.

Grandma T's 70th Bday

Grandma Tonjia turned 70 last Friday, so we partied all weekend to celebrate. On Friday, we went to dinner at Canlis, a fancy restaurant overlooking Lake Union, and ate very good food without small children.

Geoff made the trip up from California and surprised Tonjia at the restaurant.

On Saturday, Tashana put together another surprise yard party for Tonjia with streamers and balloons, and a potluck where everybody brought their favorite foods.

We partied into the evening with Tashana's handmade yard Jenga set.

Tonjia said she liked it so much, she can't wait until next weekend when we expects we will do it again. :-)

Eighth Anniversary Dinner

We had a low key steak dinner on the patio for our Anniversary on Tuesday. Grandma was there too, (she took the photo.)

It's not as often as I should, but these moments are when I take the time to be grateful for the beautiful, smart, and ever patient woman I married, and for the children she is raising with me.

Even when life seems a little rough, it is difficult to be unhappy when I go home to this family each day.

More Saturday Action

After the zoo in the morning, we went to the street fair on Greenwood Ave. they closed the main arterial down for a day so kids could ride bikes in the street and play games.

Local businesses participated - like the piano rental store put pianos in the street for anyone to play, and others had Plinko or beanbag throwing games.

Most favorite, however, was that the fire station was open to the public, and we got to crawl around inside the fire trucks. Super cool!

Busy Saturday

Mom was working on Saturday, so Dad took the kids out for a busy, busy day. We started out at the zoo, where we fed the birds. Edy really has fun with this. You buy a Popsicle stick with birdseed glued to it, and the birds come land it, and many times on you, and have a snack. It was a good idea for Edison in concept until the bird flapped down and actually tried to land on his stick, at which point he started waving his arm around trying to get it off him.

From there we moved on to the Snow Leopard exhibit, where is was hard to spot the sleeping leopard, but we did climb on the sculpture and get a picture.

We capped it off with a ride on the carousel. And that was all before 11:AM!

Chilling by the Grandma's Pool

It has been hot in Seattle the past few weeks - no rain and in the 90's earlier this week. Lucky for us, Grandma Tonjia has a pool at her apartment complex that she lets us use.

Here are the kids relaxing (and warming up in the sunshine) after a swim. Of course, as soon as they see pictures being taken, silly things start to happen.

Safety First

I've described my job in Construction Management to Edy and Edison as "I tell the workers on the construction site what to do, and answer questions they have if they don't know how to do it."

Edison has been to the jobsite and seen the excavators and dump trucks and other heavy equipment, and he was very excited.

This morning before leaving for work, I gave Edison a kiss, said goodbye and told him to have a good day. He responded by saying bye, then bringing my ear close to his and telling me "Tell the workers don't get smushed by the big machines."

Fourth of July Camping Part 2

We cooked all of our meals over the open fire, roasted marshmallows, and played down by the river. Edy and Edison even managed to find a dead fish to examine.

The last two times we stayed in a yurt. This time we got the refitted shipping container, which was small but pretty good to stay in. It was hot and could have used screens on all the windows to keep the bugs out.

Edison managed to burn his toes on the fire pit, which was not much fun. It wasn't too bad, however, since he seems all healed up as of yesterday. We all managed to get home safely and in one piece beyond that.

The other great part about this campground is that is was a 15 minute walk to the fireworks show, which both the kids managed to stay awake for after 2 1/2 hour naps that afternoon. We think we might go back next year if we can get a reservation. Anyone care to join?

Fourth of July Camping Trip Part 1

Last weekend we spent the 4th of July at Tolt-McDonald State Park. It was our third visit there, but this time there were Independence Day activities in the nearby town of Carnation.

We met friends at the campground for dinner and guitar playing and sandbox playing. We walked into town to ride in the kid's parade, then watch the Grande Parade with so many tractors and horses the kids were in awe.

Fun x 3

Sprinklers are fun. Trampolines are fun. Jump ropes are fun. Let's combine them all together and have 3 times the fun!

Edy thought we should try putting the sprinkler under the trampoline to see what would happen, and it turns out it shoots through it, and makes little water mist rainbow too. Since the sprinkler goes back and forth, there was a game invented where you have to jump over and around the water.

And the jump rope was just thrown in for good measure.

Adorable! Best Show My Daughter Has Ever Done

...were the reviews given by the crowd watching a group of 5-7 year olds sing.

Edy went to Broadway Bound theatre camp last week - every day from 9-3, which culminated in a performance of songs from the movie "Frozen" on Friday. Each little girl, (there were no boys) did a little acting part introduction before the song, then they sang the songs as a group, including hand motions.

Just after the performance, I asked Edy how she felt and if she was nervous. She told "I was really nervous right before I got on the stage, but then I got really excited." An actor in the making!

That is Edy just to the right of the microphone stand while some other girls are doing their acting introduction. I will post some videos if I can get them uploaded to the blog.

Fremont Solstice Parade

The family went to the Solstice Parade last Saturday in Fremont, and sat in the sun for about 2 1/2 hours watching floats and bands and all sorts of other things.

Edy's new haircut

Edy came back from the grown up haircut place with a grown up haircut! I think she aged about 3 years in the hour she was gone.

Sunny and 50 degrees

Means it's too hot to jump on the trampoline with all our clothes on.

Birthday Present

Finally got the lawn leveled and the present built. Just in time for Mothers Day/Edy's Birthday.

They both seem very happy with their birthday present. It was a total surprise. Mom had a big smile on her face too when she tried it out, you know, for safety, before the kids got home.