Happy 4th Birthday, I.O.!

Our little (big) guy turned 4!

Highlights of his birthday included a celebration at preschool, a super-hero themed birthday party at our house, and surprises from both of his grandpas! Grandpa M made a surprise visit to his party, and Grandpa J dressed up head to toe as Spiderman and surprised the whole party.

(Click Photo to Enlarge)

Family Portrait (Age 3 3/4)

Isaac's family portrait, age 3 3/4.

Isaac is really enjoying coloring, drawing, and cutting at school and at home right now. He really wants to learn how to read. And, although that is still a ways off, we are having fun with sounds and words.

He can write his name on his own, and can write most letters and numbers from memory. Although, for the harder ones (like the difference between 5 and 2) he likes to see an example or trace. It's so fun to see the fine motor skills develop more each week - heck, each day!

Christmas 2013, Happy New Year, and a Winter Catch-Up

Christmas and new years have come and gone! We spent most of the holidays close to home, enjoying time with family and friends, and enjoying the holiday (back) in our Seattle home. Here's what we've been up to.

Christmas 2013

Picking out an xmas tree

Amused with "elf on the shelf"

Visits with family - Isaac and Aunt Lisa

Isaac's Holiday Program at preschool

Still skeptical about santa, but gave him the full rundown of his "wish list"

Christmas Eve at G&G J's - Lisa, Justin and Oma

Christmas Day at Lisa & Justin's - G&G J and Ruxin

A little G&G time

Happy New Year!

NYE party - dress as yourself as a child

Great time catching up with old Seattle neighbors - Grace, Phil and daughter Irene

Lots of time at the zoo with our new membership!

our focused artist

happy 2014!

And... a Little Bit of January

Discovered a new train set at a nearby coffee shop

Celebrated Eric's Birthday... with a BIG Seahawks win!

Dad & I.O. at Hilliards to watch the game

Gymnastics! Found a great kids open gym in Ballard

Fun discovering new breweries

Ahh... sunset at Carkeek park

When Did My Baby Boy Get So Grown Up? [Preschool Pictures 2013]

Isaac had preschool pictures last month at school (age 3.5 years).

When did he get so grown up!?

Thanksgiving in Tricities 2013

Highlights of Thanksgiving in the Tri-Cities with the Merhar gang:

• A frosty 5k Turkey Trot
• Many gourmet meals
• Dune Racer!
• Time with family 
• Hours (upon hours) with the train set
• Wine tasting

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...)

Trick or Treat :: Happy Halloween from The Incredibles!

Have you seen the movie "The Incredibles"? We have. A few times. 

Here is Isaac's costume -- all ready for his Halloween party at preschool. I stayed up late sewing him those black briefs and when it came time to wear them he refused - saying they were too much like diapers (hence his look of discontentment in photo 1 below). He was a much happier super hero without them.

After preschool, we went trick-or-treating as the whole family of Incredibles (including Lodi). Isaac had so much fun. He walked up to each door very confidently on his own. As I was tucking him in he said "Mom, Halloween is Awesome!". The holidays just keep getting more fun!

Fall Festival, Spider-Man, and Family

Between Isaac's fall festival program at preschool, visits with family, and enjoying some fall sunshine, we had a great week. Oh, and Isaac got Spider-Man PJs that he (literally) hasn't taken off since opening up the package....

Dad & I.O at his preschool's fall program

signing songs to the parents

Even Spider-Man eats his veggies

visit with grandma and grandpa!

story time

More hiking through Carkeek Park

Portraits of the Bug

A couple very nice shots of our Isaac bug. Taken by our photog friend Ryan Carlson at last weekend's Halloween party. I thought he did a nice job capturing his spirit.