Santa 2013

Let's get out of the way that I've been a bad blogger.  Multiple reasons include flickr's change in their format, vimeo not working for me anymore, and I can't do posts on the normal computer I'd usually do it on (I could only do it if I knew all the HTML code otherwise it would look like a hot mess).  But, I feel like I need to at least give a Santa update, right?  :-)

We went to go visit Santa recently. I wasn't sure if we would get a classic crying child photo or if he'd be okay. Well, he walked in like he and Santa were old pals, saying "Hi Santa!" and came right over to hop into his lap. He asked for the train from Cars 2 and Chick Hicks. I am loving how simple his request was (although it was a step up from last year, when all he wanted was for Santa to sing Jingle Bells). I suppose after this he'll really understand that you can ask Santa for things that you can have. So here's Santa this year. I'm also reposting the prior years photos for comparison.

Early birthday party - 3 years old!

This past weekend, we had a birthday party for Oliver with a few friends and family members.  Since O's birthday falls on Memorial Day weekend, we didn't want to hold people hostage in case they had plans already.

A side note, I am going to be uploading videos to YouTube now.  For some reason, Vimeo does not think my videos are valid files.  I've also updated my YouTube channel so that my prior videos are public, however it made them out of order.  Just a little FYI for you.  :-)

One of Oliver's request was for pumpkin pie (in May, sure, why not?), but we of course had cupcakes. 

One of his gifts was a parachute.  Since we had enough people, we broke it out.  I love how Oliver just walks right through it like it wasn't even going up and down!

We all had a great time.  Oliver loves his new toys and enjoyed the day.

Bonus video of my mom with Oliver playing with Zurg!

April fun time

The sun did not want to shine this weekend, so we went to Bellevue Square on Saturday to window shop.  O's favorite part was watching the glass elevators in the center of the mall. 

On Sunday we ran a few errands in the morning.  Our friend Tenzin came over with her son, Sam (previously featured on this blog here).  I could not find my camera for the life of me, and they were moving around too quick for my phone on my camera. 
After naptime, we went outside (even though it was COLD) - and while I BBQ'd, we blew bubbles.

It was made extra special that Tim was off on Saturday, so we really had good, quality family time. 

Easter

Has it really been a year since this cuteness happened?  And two years since this??  We were so excited to see another stellar weather report for this past weekend. 

Oliver has finally figured out the peddling on his tricycle, so just about every day (weather permitting), we are out riding his bike.  I still have the push bar on since sometimes he doesn't feel like going (and I don't feel like putting my back out pushing on the seat).

We really didn't have a need to dye eggs, but I haven't done it in years and it gave me a reason to hardboil some eggs. :-)  I only colored 6 (one in each color), and made some rookie mistakes.  I got very excited by all the fizzing, and put the eggs in early (causing bubbles), and didn't put in any water, just vinegar!

Sunday, we headed down to beautiful Burien, and had a great morning hanging with Papa, Grandma Jana, Jim, Ali, and Chelsea.  It was such a beautiful day!

Sorry for all the photos, but it was so nice out and Oliver and Chelsea were being so cute!  We had a great time, and I know Oliver did - when we were leaving, Oliver kept saying, "That was fun!" 

Snow? WTH.

We were so excited that Spring was finally here!  And then this happened this morning...

Oliver kept picking it up and eating it, saying, "Yummy yummy snow!"  I'm still waiting on the day we can retire the winter coat (you know, since it's almost April and all).

Some other photos from the past week or so... a visit from baby Lincoln!  He is the sweetest lil' guy.  He gave me lots of smiles and sweet coos.  It set my ovaries on fire.

When all else fails and Oliver wants to go run errands and you've gotten done all the errands you need to do - hit up the train table at Barnes and Noble.  We used to frequent the one down at Ballard Coffee Works - it was so nice to be able to have a latte while Oliver got to play with trains!

Here's a little video of Oliver and Chelsea jumping like crazy monkeys in his crib.  It's a great way to get a lot of energy out, I found out.

And a bonus video - his imaginative play is really blossoming, as demonstrated by telling me to get off the road.  Our front room looks like a disaster in this video - I've since cleaned up.  ;-)

Seattle Aquarium!

After buying a Groupon a while back for discounted tickets to the Seattle Aquarium, we went Tuesday morning.  It's been a VERY long time since I've been.  They've made quite a bit of updates throughout the years so we were excited to go.

The touch tank was HUGE!  As expected, Oliver wanted no part of it, but he really loved looking at everything.  Tim was so excited to show him things and explain stuff to him (hense the reason why it looks like Tim is in mid-sentence in every photo :-) )

How excited am I to get a photo of all of us smiling nicely!

So I also got some cute video - I'm listing it twice, one in Vimeo and one in YouTube.  I've been having some issues w/ Vimeo lately so I am contemplating changing to YouTube but I wanted to see how the quality was first...

Weekend update

This past weekend was BUSY BUSY BUSY.  It was also coupled with Tim coming down with the stomach flu, so taking care of him and Oliver along with all the other jazz of cleaning and cooking and such made it fly by!  We got a few pics from my phone from this past weekend.

Coming back from visiting Papa Carl and Grandma Jana, Oliver fell asleep in the car.  This hasn't happened in a long time but he conked out pretty quickly after we left so there was no hope to keep him awake to our place.

We had an unsuccessful transition from car to crib so he had a very short nap on Saturday.  He seemed unaffected by this and was a sweetheart in the afternoon into evening.

The sun was shining Saturday afternoon - Tim was still sick so O and I continued on by playing outside and going for a walk.  Nona came over to watch Oliver while I went out with some friends to celebrate birthdays.  I had a great time but didn't stay out too late since Daylight Savings was starting and O would be up early anyway.

The next day, O and I went down to the Ballard Farmer's Market - our old stomping grounds.  We didn't buy anything, but enjoyed listening to the street performers and walking around.  I stopped in to Ballard Coffee Works and had an Americano while Oliver played with some toys.  And wouldn't you know it, guess who fell asleep AGAIN in the car??

Even with Daylight Savings, it was still really early - but he did a lot of walking and playing.

We ran a few errands after nap, and checked out Heritage Park.  I had seen a train parked there and wanted to check it out, only to find out it is actually an old trolley.  They had other buildings on site but they were all closed.  We'll have to go back once they are open this summer to have a tour.

                   

Busy weekend, check!  Let's keep our fingers crossed that Tim doesn't get Oliver or me sick! 

Painting and other fun stuff

We broke out some paint this weekend after Oliver decided he wanted to make his cousin Chelsea something in return for the heart she made for Valentine's Day.  We got messy, but thank you washable paint for coming off the clothes so easily!

Some other fun stuff we've been doing... like making party hats...

Playing with Chelsea...

Floating in bubbles and wearing Nona's reading glasses...

Oliver is also having lots of fun playing with water - in it or pouring it.

We also went to an indoor playground with Ali and Chelsea the other day.  Ali snapped this photo which makes Oliver look like he is five years old!  What a little man he is becoming.

Other Oliver ramblings... I'm really proud of being Oliver's mom - he makes my heart happy.  He still loves cuddles (on his terms, of course), and I will stop what I'm doing if he wants to.  He is always on the move right now.  He wants to run, tumble, climb, swim, paint, puzzles, build blocks... he has so much energy!  Luckily he is still taking a nap after lunch.  He's not very adventurous with food lately.  He still eats really well, and we still are doing mostly organic and no processed foods.  He plays VERY well with Chelsea.  They are very close and is always asking, "Can Chelsea come over?"  I hear that the reverse is true - Chelsea will ask, "O-ber soon?"  Tim can always make Oliver laugh and he doesn't mind acting the fool to make his boy happy - if that means making a tent in O's crib and climbing in with him, then that is what Tim will do!