Weekend family outings

We went on a joint family fun adventure to a very cool park/playground called Clemyjontri (check out the aerial view of this playground times 10) with Addie's friend Maya and her family. Armed with sunblock, hats, and a picnic, we had a blast! (psst...keep an eye on the blog, I've got 2 more posts to put up this week! Just getting caught up!)


Addie and Maya go to "school" together (a cooperative playgroup) and here they are practicing driving the school bus to school.


Addie's first ride on a carousel! Here she is before the ride starts.
And here's a mid-ride action shot.



Despite Addie's very serious face in the video, she really did have a good time and asked for "more" immediately after it was over.

20 months! (and other summer fun)

Addie is in a new "decade"--she turned 20 months. It's still 1/3 of a year away from 2, but doesn't it seem like she's already a 2-year-old? I know we haven't done "month" pictures in awhile, but we went out and tried to do them this time.




(we're already training Addie to be a masseuse)
Giggle mania


In other summer fun, she's been cooking up a storm in her kitchen and still loves dress-up (What--who doesn't wear a crown while cooking?)


The ever present boots--she can put them on herself (and generally gets them on the right feet!) and thus wears them all. the. time.

Last summer Addie had her first trip to the zoo with the wonderful Hoffman Byer family and we reprised the visit now that the little ones aren't chubby little potato babies anymore. They both were really into the monkeys and the seal show and big sister Pearl was very helpful in showing the little ones the ropes.



Addie's friend Riley turned 3 this month and we got to go to his super fun Curious George birthday party. Happy birthday, Riley!

Addie has been to birthday parties before, but this was the first time she could really participate in the fun.

He even had a cool pinata that the older kids took a whack at.

Addie enjoyed sharing the search for candy.
And we let her have a piece.
And a cupcake...let's just say that no lunch was eaten today. :)

Addie's independence day

Addie loved celebrating Independence Day! In the morning we decked Addie out in a red and white checked shirt an blue jean shorts and went to a neighborhood parade. Addie's first parade! She got to ride on Daddy's shoulders to get a good look.
She had fun cheering on the kids marching in the parade. YAY!! *clap clap*



We hit the playground for some swinging action


and then went home for some splash time....

...and a picnic snack.


(just had to show off those gorgeous lashes)

Our friends Joe and Renelle live on the same block and they had us over for a BBQ where their nephew Riley helped keep Addie entertained. They had so much fun jumping...
and charming us with their winning smiles!

Addie enjoying some ice cream cake

Being a kid sure is hard work.


Happy 4th of July, everyone!

New camera!

We got a new camera! Nothing fancy, but this *amazing* piece of equipment manages to capture our beautiful daughter consistently and without weird periods of "shoot, the camera isn't working today."

I fully predict more frequent posts due to this new piece of machinery--so get off my back--you know who you are!!! ;)

If Addie were in 5th grade and had to write a piece on "what I did on my summer vacation" it may look a little something like this:

Dear Teacher,

On my summer vacation, I did a lot of fun things.

I helped my mommy cook...


...and eat. See how neat I am?

....not always :)


I go to the pool with mommy...


Go out for lunch with Daddy...

...chillax on the couch while I watch mommy do housework

Okay, so sometimes I help out...

You want me to clean what now?

Teacher, I love being outside! Daddy took a picture of this beautiful butterfly near our house


I love playing in water and throwing rocks, even when I'm dressed all fancy-like



And I got to go to hang out in Old Town with Gaga




But the most fun of all I am having this summer is being "nakey." I pull on my shirt and say "nakey nakey" as much as possible in attempts to get mommy and daddy to take off all my clothes and let me dance to Michael Jackson's "Black or White" or Abba's "Mamma Mia" (my two current faves). In fact, if I could be naked allll the time, I would.



I'm having the best summer ever.

A conversation

Now that Addie is so verbal, we have regular conversations with her. Granted, her "sentences" contain usually one word--sometimes two--but it's still so much fun. Yesterday I was fixing dinner in the kitchen and Addie was in the playroom when I hear her walk by me, I look down and she has a purse in one hand, a lunchbox in the other and a hat on her head (which she put on herself) and she says brightly:

Addie: Bye!
Me (Monica): Bye sweetie, where are you going?
Addie: Work.
Me: Oh, how fun. Who's going to be there?
Addie: (R)eese.
Me: Well say hi to Reese for me.
Addie: Yup.

30 seconds later, Addie walks back into the kitchen.

Addie: BACK!
Me: You're back from work, how was it?
Addie: Goo(d).
Me: Can I have a hug?
Addie: Yesh. (H)ug.

After a big "welcome back" hug, she's back to the playroom...sigh, I love this little girl!

More quick snaps

Anne came over last week to play in Addie's inflatable pool now that the weather is warm.

Waiting for a quick snack before swimming (I don't think the "wait 30 minutes before swimming" rule counts if the water is 3 inches deep).



And here's one from when I hosted mom's group a few weeks ago. We can never get all the babies in at once--not everyone can make it and then when it comes time to take the pic it's like wrangling cattle to get them all into one place at the same time.
It still amazes me at how different these babies are from last April (when they sat happily and peacefully for the photo shoot)

From Left to Right: Reese, Mateo, Anne, Chase, and Addie

And in case you want to see the same crew (minus Mateo--he hadn't joined the group yet)
From Left to Right: Anne, Addie, Chase, and Reese