Skagit Valley Tulip Festival

Yesterday we visited the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival. Here's photos of our excursion, lunch at La Conner Brewery, and of course, fields and fields of tulips!

A Birthday, Fro-Yo, Wedding Dresses, Work, and Play

A Birthday, Fro-Yo, Wedding Dress Shopping,Work, And Play.

Yup, that about sums up our last couple of weeks. 

I had a birthday. We got to do some shopping with my parents, and then did an evening downtown for dinner and the Sounders match.

Do I look too happy to be out, childless?

This weekend Isaac and I ventured to Bellevue Square to see friends and go to dinner. The playground there is always a big hit.

Fro-Yo after play time

I got to go wedding shopping with my sister! Such a fun and special day. I can't show a picture of her in the dress, but here is a silly one of me trying on accessories.

I.O. is really adjusting well to preschool, and loves to "work" -- what they call the lesson and learning time. Here he is working on his cutting skills -- just working away at his desk.

 And of course, hard work is rewarded with play!

Checking out the new playground at north acres park - Lodi got to run around at the dog park too. Bonus.

A strong climber

 Tractor at Central Market!

He looks a little bigger than last time, huh? (2 years ago...)

While Eric's Away, Mommy & Isaac Will Play!

Eric just got back from a business trip to China. Isaac and I filled our time with lots of fun activities as to not miss him too much. Okay, so we missed him a lot but we did have some fun times. Isaac had 2 days off preschool for spring break, so I took two days off too. It was nice to have a relaxing stay-cation. Here are a few photos of the last week.

We went to the zoo:

We went swimming two times and had a play date (I was too busy chasing around toddlers for pictures!).

We took Lodi for walks in the sunny spring weather:

We built a lot of "creations":

We had a breakfast date: 

We enjoyed the sunshine and rode bikes: 

And... we were happy to see Dad!

Happy Birthday to Me!

We celebrated with dinner out on Friday at a great wood fire pizza restaurant on Main Street.  

The gelato sampler is always amazing.

Isaac & Mom

Waiting for the bus up to main street.  Looking like a big boy in his stylin newsboy hat.

Yum!

More silly faces!

Eric got a gold star by bringing flowers to me at work!

I guess 32 isn't so bad afterall...

Impromptu Swim at Carkeek Beach

A little wet after a few 'dips' in the ocean.  I never would have guessed the water would be so warm, so we didn't have any 'swimming' gear with us. Oh well!  Swimming in his clothes, it is! And don't worry, I was SO that Mom that was applying sunscreen every 2 minutes.

 

checking everything out at first....

Playing with other kids

Play area at Carkeek

Lovin this weather!

Do we live in a gorgeous place, or what?!

Back at home... rinsing off all the sand.  He was in baby heaven: naked AND a hose!

I say this all the time, but every time we visit Carkeek park I am amazed by the beauty of where we live.  We're so lucky to have this park (practically) in our backyard!

Fridays Rock

On Fridays I work a half day from home. I work when Isaac naps, and I get to chase him around the other part of the day. A flexible schedule is one of the great perks of my job, and I love the extra time with the little dude.

Today, we walked to the neighborhood park after lunch.  The playground was very busy with school-age kids (maybe on spring break or there with their school?).  Isaac was very curious about them, but cautious.  We had fun going down the slides together.  He's still a little ho-hum about the swings.

As you know, our wild and crazy guy just loves to get into everything.  He's all about figuring out how objects go together.  We've had our cabinets baby proofed for a while now, but occasionally I'll open the cupboards for him and let him pull out all of the pans and strainers.

One of his new favorite things is to play "one for me, one for you" while eating. Also known as feed the dog or feed the mamma.  When he starts to get full, he drops food on the floor for the dog (or Lodi takes it right out of his hand.... which we're trying to nip in the butt) or he wants to put the food in our mouths. I suppose it's his way of saying he's full...  And, sharing is never a bad thing either!

Bumbo & Fremont Brewing Co.

We borrowed a 'bumbo' seat from our friends Nick & Heidi, a molded chair that helps infants learn to sit.  Isaac seems to dig it! And, it's great because he can hang while Mom or Dad works in the kitchen. I wish I would have heard about them sooner---  I highly recommend it!

"How do I get thing into first gear?"

Since I work from home in the morning on Fridays, and since Eric is off by 3, it's becoming a tradition to get 'out and about' on Friday afternoons.  This week we went to Fremont Brewing Co. They have a kid and dog friendly tap room!  We tried the cask IPA (dry hopped with centennial hops and thai basil), the summer solstice ale and their regular IPA and pale ale.  The summer solstice ale and cask IPA were our favorites!

The 'urban taproom'

An attempt at a family picture

 A "first"! Riding on Daddy's shoulders