Tulip Festival

I dragged out John- yet again- to another miserable outing of mine (eye roll), hours away from our home and TV. I really, really wanted to see all of the tulip fields (in Skagit Valley- Mt. Vernon, WA) and take pictures of the kids. I did get some beautiful ones, but mostly of Amelia. Evan would not look at the camera and when he did, Amelia did not. Same with our Disneyland pics. Someday I would like to get a good pic to send people, geesh.

I am sending out a few of these to family, but I couldn't resist sharing them on here right away, I'm sure you see why!

More Cali pics

 Mommy and Evan on the Orbiter

 pelicans

Bye, Bye California!

We just got back from 8 nights in California (4 near Disneyland, 4 in Carlsbad by the ocean). It was 65-80 degrees and mostly sunny, a nice break from the rain we have been having up here in the PNW. We came back last night to not only rain, but heavy rain, then ice pellets! Ick, I want to go back!!

During the trip, both kids took turns getting sick with high fevers. Unbelievable considering how hard I tried to disinfect them the two weeks before we left. Motrin kept the fevers down pretty good and we just relaxed on those days.

As for Disneyland and California Adventures, the kids got wore out pretty quickly. I mean a few hours and they were done. I'm so thankful for the military salute tickets; I didn't feel so bad about ditching out on the parks too much. We did all of the usual rides (tea cups, Dumbo, carousel, small world), added some we hadn't ridden before (circus train, Nemo's submarine, the Orbitor), and met Mickey and three princesses this time (Ariel, Belle, and Jasmin). Evan has a huge crush on the princesses, particularly Belle. I can't believe I missed it, but Belle said to me, "He just kissed me on the cheek!" I have to go on the website and see if there are some good pics we can purchase, because the pics with my camera were a bit blurry. I think they put the lighting at the exact level so that peoples cameras don't know whether to flash or not. Then we all have to go buy them!

Then we went on to Carlsbad, CA, which is between LA and San Diego, but considered a San Diego beach suburb. It was very nice, lots of shops and food, and of course the beach. The hotel gave us shovels, buckets, and an umbrella. I could lay on the beach (under an umbrella) everyday!

Here are some of the cuter pics, though there are plenty more:

 Finding Nemo submarine ride

Mickey's piano 

Evan in the Toontown Jail

this is where Evan stole the kiss 

Case Jr. Circus Train, Evan loved it of course

Seals in La Jolla 

Evan's first train ride- an actual train! (Coaster commuter train)

Motor Skillz

It's not like me to go this long without posting. We've been very busy. A week or so ago we met Maggie and her mom and brother again for a play date (Maggie has a right arm just like Evan's left). They enjoyed each other very much. I will post a video of them dancing at the pizza place on Bainbridge Island. It was sunny and 60. I wore sandals!!

Another big thing is that I walked into Evan's occupational therapy room (I leave him and run to the store now) and he was riding a scooter (razor scooter, but with 2 wheels in the front and still very skinny)! I had to fight back the tears. He has tried the scooter many times before and I didn't think he would be doing that until at least another year from now. His balance is just so good even with all of his issues. Even Amelia can't ride the scooter, but I think it's because she's so crazy; she goes super fast and doesn't concentrate.

But he does do headstands on the couch....Why should I be surprised about anything?

On Wednesday, I am taking Evan to Puyallup, to Good Samaratain Hospital. Apparently they have a state of the art splinting/casting/orthodics department for kids. That would have been nice to know, eh? I've haven't been too impressed with the splinting service from Seattle Children's, who do not use the latest techniques like I just discussed with the specialist at Good Sam's. So we'll see. Then we will be all set when we move.

Other than that, we are taking a family vacation to Southern California next week, so I'm sure I'll be posting pictures. We are are so excited to see the sun!!!

My little man has glasses!

We went to the eye doctor this week and I was completely shocked that Evan's left eye was not seeing so well. I had no clue. Last year his eyesight was perfect. A couple of years ago it was brought to our attention that because Evan has a tendency to tilt his head to the left (residual torticollis), we need to make sure his eyes are both OK, especially the left. I guess I've been used to having a whole year go by with nothing to worry about. I know it's not a big deal, but I was bummed at first because it's like "what next".  If theses glasses don't help improve the left eye in the next two months, we will have to patch it a couple of hours a day.

Anyway, his head is so small it was hard to find a pair that fit half way decent. He wanted blue, but will have to wait until we get to Auntie Amy, who will undoubtedly spoil him with tiny, trendy glasses. Copper it is for now.

Pajama Week

We've all been sick for about 1.5 weeks now. My mom is visiting and we haven't gone anywhere. Oh well, plenty of Grandma time for the kids. She's really great at blowing noses. We have been busy reading books and drawing on Magna-Doodles.

Evan drew his first person- Mommy! I'm so proud it's rediculous.

Different hands

Still cute when she's sick

Getting in trouble when Mommy isn't looking