Spring Showers

Well, as we all know: the sunny days won't last long in Seattle.

I woke to the sound of rain this morning.

Don't worry, we did not let that stop us from wearing our swimsuits and jumping in the pool...
The indoor heated pool up in Mountlake that is! We had so much fun at the co-op pool party there that we decided to go back. And then we got back home and Matt turned back around and went to the pool again...
to get the swimsuits I left behind. Oops! At least I packed them there and we were able to play in the pool. It would have been a big bummer if I forgot them at home. I am actually not surprised I left them; between life jackets and goggles and towels and combs it seems like something is bound to get forgotten. What better thing than the wet suits that we took off in the showers there?! (Confession: this is not the first time Matt kindly retrieved a swimsuit I left behind at a pool.)

We did not take any pictures today, but here are some from the co-op pool party.

Spring Sun

The weather was predicted to hit 70 so Seattle responded appropriately: pull out the shorts, the sandals, the sundresses, the sunblock, and hit the parks and beach!

Matt & I pulled the playhouse out of its cramped garage spot.

 I happened to still have my camera in hand and was walking a few steps behind Etta when she took a tumble. So I snapped a picture.

Addie especially has been finding that warm weather means more bumps and bruises. Wearing shorts exposes the knees. Wearing sandals provides a little more open-toe tripping experience. Good thing there are cute bandaids in the cupboard!

Mothers Day weekend

On Friday Addie gave me a plant in a clay planter that she had painted.

On Saturday Matt took the girls out for a bike ride (their first time sharing the bike trailer). When they returned, Addie knocked on the door and when I answered she said "Happy Mothers Day" and gave me tulips. That night Matt & I went to the PNA auction, some of the proceeds of which help benefit our co-op.

Today we went to Discovery Park for a walk then Red Mill for burgers and fries. When we were getting the girls dressed beforehand, I got to pull the "it's mothers day and this would make me happy" statement out a few times in choosing the girls shirts and doing their hair: coordinating big sister/little sister shirts and pigtail loops in their hair (sorry, no pictures of their cuteness this time). Addie did a great job walking at the park and also did a lot of balancing on logs. Etta showed off her winning smile and friendly attitude by repeatedly saying hi to anyone within shouting distance (especially the kindergarten age girls at the table behind us).

It was a nice relaxed weekend. I sure love being mom to these two fabulous girls!

Etta's 18 month stats

Weight: 23 lbs (30%)
Height: 31 (35%)
Head: 18 1/2 (75%)

I have started pulling out the 24 month and 2t clothes for Etta. As I pull them out I think "how are you big enough for these? It seems like Addie just outgrew them!" Which I know isn't technically true because Addie was in size 3 clothes by 2 1/2 so she probably started wearing the 24 month even before 18 months since she is so tall. But it does feel like the time has gone by fast.

A family gathering at Myron & Lori's house

Sunday was a fun, busy day for us. Church in the morning of course, then after abbreviated naps we got together with Matt's family. Then mid-way through that we left for a co-op pool party, then re-joined the family. Becka & Ellie were in town so it was great to see them, but I think the kids all gave Maya the dog more attention then they gave each other :)

Myron & Lori's old apartment was not a viable option for Marston family get-togethers. But their new house worked great for the group of us this weekend!

The co-op pool party was a blast! The pool was amazingly kid friendly and both girls just come alive in the water. There was a lazy river, there was more than one shallow pool with a padded floor that kids Addie's height could stand on, there were fountains and lots of play toys and even big floating mats that the kids could walk along then jump off of into the water (or the arms of a waiting parent). We will definitely be returning for more pool fun!

Getting pictures of multiple kids is never easy, even if they are all awake, well fed and in decent moods. Here are a few attempts to get the cousins in a picture together.

Notice that Addie takes on the caregiver/oldest cousin role. When we play make-believe at home she either pretends she is Lion's mommy or she pretends she is a baby & I am her mommy. Today she was being a baby but then pretended to pump milk from her own boobs for herself (baby Addie) to drink. Funny & disturbing at the same time.

Silly girls

Just a few cute shots from the past week or two...

Etta enjoying her berry-delish breakfast

(no she does not have a gap between her two front teeth like Matt, it is just a berry seed!)

Addie fighting fires outside in her boots and tutu

These two can sure be friends/enemies.

They love copying each other (in fun behavior as well as naughty).

If one has a toy, the other automatically wants it.

They are starting to want to wear the others clothes: 

Addie's tshirts become dresses on Etta, Etta's dresses become shirts on Addie 

(I failed to get a picture of this yesterday, but Addie decided they will do a sharing system: 

one gets to wear it, it gets washed, then the other gets a turn).

They also can entertain each other & have fun together. 

Today Addie was making Etta into a pizza (rolling her out, sprinkling toppings on, etc).

Did I mention that they fight? Etta pulled out a huge chunkful of Addie's hair last week.

(Which actually reminded me of my fights with my little sister growing up)

Sisters for life, friends sometimes!

Easter weekend

We celebrated Easter at my parents house and had our big family get together on Saturday. Aubree's little sister Lauren got baptized that morning, so that was a memorable, meaningful start to the weekend.

The weather was gorgeous on Saturday. Which was really lucky because Sunday was rainy. We had 8 kids at the house so I can only imagine how crowded and chaotic it would have been if we had all been stuck inside due to rain. As it was, we had perfect weather for a huge Easter egg hunt. We even hid an egg in the coop where the chickens lay their real eggs. By the time a kid discovered it one of the hens had already pecked it open, good thing there was not candy inside!

 We always have to attempt a picture with all the grandkids together, But attempt is all we can do.

 Addie has a favorite swing at Papa & Grandma's house & she spent a lot of time on it over the weekend.

 Lauren will be a fun play-buddy cousin once she is a little older :)

 Naked at the piano, need I say more?