Little Lexie

My sister was able to make a day trip to Seattle with her husband, Mike, and newest kid, Lexie.  I took the day off and we went out to brunch, went to Bainbridge Island, and hit Pikes Place Market.  Not bad for less than 24 hours together!  We had a wonderful visit and look forward to spending a few days next year with her entire family!

 

At Brunch.  Emma wanted to sit next to Lexie.

 Hanging with aunt Angie

 Ready for the market!

 Lexie and Mike got to spend some time checking out the chickens.

 Look at those amazing cheeks!  Such a doll!

 Group Pose!

Adventures with Charlie

One morning a week Emma gets to hang out with our good friend Charlie. 

They get to do all of the stuff that I would rather being doing. . . . .

 

Baking pies

playing in the rain

going to the children's museum

hanging out at the foam pit at the gymnastics academy

talking with Cheer Bear at Seattle Center

lunching in the grass while people watching

pretending to be monsters

 making wishes in a fountain

 and laughing. . . lots and lots of laughing

Emma loves her Monday mornings with Charlie. . . .

wouldn't you?

 

With a blink of an eye

Summer is almost over. 

How did that happen? It's amazing how time flies. . especially when living with an almost 4 year old.

What have we done this summer?

Em has moved up to 4 days a week at Europa Kids International preschool.  With the extra day, her use of the Spanish language has exploded.  She's using Spanish frequently at home and  I often find myself thinking, "Did she just ask me for a cookie or call me a dirty name?"  Time for a Spanish refresher course!

Em spends one morning a week with our good friend Charlie going on adventures throughout the city. 

 

My sister came for a visit during her few weeks back in the states from Saudi Arabia.  I finally got to meet my adorable little niece Lexie.  What a doll!

 

We've been to bbq's, birthday parties, block parties, greyhound parties, and off site vendor events.

 

Whew, just typing all of that out made me tired.

 

What do we have to look forward to in fall? 

 

We are going to meet my brother's new twins in VA in September.  In October we're heading to IL to spend time with Brian's family and grandmother. 

 

Needless to say I feel like we're in constant motion.  Maybe things will slow down by spring.

 

 

Maybe not.

Old Man and the Sea

Old Man Tuck loves the water. 

He always has.  

I'm sure if you asked him what his favorite activity in the whole world was .. .

he would tell you that it was going to the beach. 

As he's gotten older and our family has gotten bigger I am sad to admit that we've often left him home during our family camping trips and adventures to the coast.  Travelling with three big dogs and a kid is impossible.  There's no room.  When we were forced to choose which dogs get to go on vacation, the greyhounds usually won by default.  The two greys love everyone, and Tuck is definitely more particular of who he lets into his social circle.  Because of this, Tucker often got the short end of the stick and was left  at home with a sitter while we took the two greyhounds on our adventures.

For Father's Day we took a trip to the Washington coast and we decided that this time we would take Tucker with us.. .

As I walked with him down the beach for the first time in many years, I was overcome with an intense wave of emotions.  The tears started flowing and I couldn't make them stop.  Behind the tears there were immense feelings of joy, sadness, guilt, and hope.  

Joy, to see the old man spring to life again.  My 14 year old was 3 again.  He ran, swam, frolicked, and had the time of his life.  He had no care in the world and was the happiest I've seen him in years.

Sadness, that this may be his last time at the beach and that our time together may be limited.   Tucker is my first dog.  He's been with me for over 12 years.  He was my main man for a lot of that.  He's been my confidant, my support system, my inspiration, my motivation. . . He's helped me through the rough spots, been with me through the good times, and has been a part of some of the most amazing moments of my life; my move to Seattle, my meeting and marrying Brian, the birth of Emma. 

Guilt, that I haven't given him the attention that he deserves.  Tucker would have been the perfect only dog, but I've forced him to share his life with two other dogs and a child.  Over the last several years we have deprived him of his one love, swimming, because we didn't want to be bothered by managing him. 

Hope, that he forgives me.  In that moment on the beach, he looked at me as if to say, "Hey, it's okay.  Things are alright," followed by a, "Now throw the stick, lady!" 

That's my dog! 

. 

I have a problem . . . . .

My child is a princess, no doubt about it. 

But what is point of being a princess if you can't flaunt it, right? 

In search of all things pink for a reasonable price I found my newest addiction, Zulily. 

www.zulily.com

 Zulily is an online site that offers children and women's clothing/accessories at bargain basement prices.  It's kind of the Groupon of all things frilly.   And boy do they have frilly things.  Cute dresses, adorable shoes, cheap cheap prices. . .all at the click of a button.  They even have a phone app, so I can access this site from just about anywhere. 

Emma now recognizes the packages and prances around the house saying:

"Another Zulily package just for ME!"

Ah. . I've created a monster. . . .a well dressed, adorable monster. . . but a monster nonetheless.

Here she is in her newest Zulily purchase: a princess dress and pink flats.

Tea Party in the Park!

I wanted to try something new with Em and her quarterly photo sessions.  

I wanted a photographer who was more artistic and free form. 

 Someone that would let Emma's true personality shine and let her lead the way.  

I had admired my friend Heather's photography for some time and she agreed to take on project Emma.   She met up with us one morning for a tea party in the park. .  . .she let Em lead the way, and not only did Em have a fabulous time, but Heather captured some amazing photos. 

I had a really hard time narrowing them down, but here are a few of my favorites!!

If anyone is interested in non-portraity photos; Heather is your lady!  

www.heatherballisonphotography.com

(**Heather B. Allison Photography. All rights reserved. www.heatherballisonphotography.com)

Folklife

Last weekend we headed down to the Seattle Center for the Folklife festival.  It was a perfect day.  We ate fresh mini donuts, listened to international music, got to see a guy swallow a sword, watched a bunch of street performers and Emma got her face painted. 

Why is the face painting such a big deal you ask? 

This is our normal scenario:

Emma insists on getting her face painted. 

I oblige.

We endure the long wait.

It's Emma's turn.

Perfect!?!

Not really.

Emma then refuses allow the person to paint her face and offers her hand instead.  This is usually accompanied by some sort of spectacle and tears.   Sounds like fun, right?

This time was different. 

She announced immediately upon entering the park that she wanted to have her face painted. 

We found a stand and she picked a unicorn out of the painters book.  

We waited patiently in a line that seemed to inch along. 

Brian and I took bets on what would happen.

Emma's turn came around and she hopped in the chair, pulled her hair back, and let the woman paint. 

I about died.

Em wore her unicorn with pride, and I took as many photos as humanly possible. 

Definitely a perfect day!