Flat Anya

In her class last year, my niece Anya read the book Flat Stanley. In this book, Stanley makes a flat version of himself and then the Flat Stanley goes on adventures around the world. So the students made flat versions of themselves and mailed them to friends or family in other parts of the world to take pictures and write about the adventures that they have together. Anya mailed hers to me (because I have such an adventurous life). The project was done at the end of the school year, so we had the "Flat Anya" for a good part of the summer before we mailed her back. Here are the pictures we took:

Helping Atticus and me fold laundry

Reading with Netty our favorite book:

The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear

With Netty's favorite red boots, in the rain. It is Washington, after all.

Taking a nap with Netty

In Cle Elum to visit some of Jon's family

Kisses

In Leavenworth, Washington with Jon and me

After the "after the baptism" family party for my nephew LaMar, just as everyone was getting on pajamas and getting ready to go home

In Sync

Look familiar?

Being Brave: Potty Training, Day 1

1 infant in diapers + 1 toddler in diapers = expensive.

Netty is two now.

I decided to be brave.

For a week now, we have been telling Netty that she was almost a big girl, and that on Big Girl Day, she was going to get to go potty like a big girl and we were going to throw away her diapers. We were really talking up her "special day."

After breakfast, we gave Netty a special "Big Girl Day" present to open--Minnie Mouse panties. She loves Minnie Mouse, and was so excited.

She picked out which pair she wanted to put on.

(And Atticus was thinking, "You gave her underwear? Lame...")

And then Netty decided to be modest.

Netty did the honors of throwing away her diapers.

And she was happy to do it.

After six changes of clothes and a lot of tears on her end and almost-tears on my end, we were successful one and a half times.

Good start today. Hopefully better tomorrow.

What I Know

One of the very first memories I have is of my mom rocking me in our old rocking chair. I remember feeling my blanky on my cheek and looking up at my mom in the dim light while she sang "My Heavenly Father Loves Me." I have no idea how old I was. I just know that I was little enough to fit snugly in my mom's arms.

Flash forward 25+ years, and this same song, now known as "HoneyGram's Song," is part of our nightly ritual. I sing it to both of my children every night. When it was time to sing it tonight, Netty started singing along. She's done this once before, and on both occasions, it has surprised me. Although she can't verbalize most of the words, I know that she knows them. Once we were through, she said, "Again," and I grabbed my camera.

Yes, I know Heavenly Father loves me.

Cousin Love

I love that my children have lots of opportunities to see some of their cousins. We see those who live in Washington at least once a months, if not more. I grew up near all of my cousins, and many of them were and still are some of my best friends. I wish we could live by all of our children's cousins, but I am grateful that at least we can live near some of them.

Shortly after Braylin (Sarah's son) was born, I came to Washington for a few months to nanny for Sarah. I felt as though Sophie and Braylin were practically my own children. Since we have moved back to the area, Braylin and Atticus have developed a special bond.

My aunt comes over from time to time. She has a daughter about a year older than Netty. At first, Netty had a hard time sharing her Minnie Mouse tea set, but now the two girls love playing together.

Watch Me Grow

Netty is in full toddler mode. Every day is filled with uncontrollable laughing fits, temper tantrums, frustration at not being able to communicate, and pure joy with even the simplest things. And Netty's day is usually about the same.

Netty went potty in the potty chair twice a couple of months back, but she hasn't shown any interest since then. Some days I can talk her into wearing her "big girl panties" over her diaper, but she refuses to sit on the potty chair at all. Potty training tips are welcome! I want to get this little girl out of diapers!

A couple of weeks ago Netty had her first official time-out for hitting and kicking me when she didn't get her way. It didn't take her long to calm down, and she's only had one or two more time-outs since then.

She has suddenly become interested in setting the table. When we were at my aunt and uncle's house she unloaded the lids from their cupboard and set them around the table. She's also helped me set the table a few times. It's fun having a little helper!

Since I found out I was pregnant with Netty I have been waiting for the day to come when she would walk around the house in my shoes. Well, she's been walking around the house in someone's shoes all right. I just didn't think it would start with Jon's shoes.

At least she doesn't always try to grow up to quickly.....

Being Cool

People wear sunglasses.

Cool people wear sunglasses in the house. At 7:00 at night.

People wear pants.

Cool people wear pants below their butt.

Grandma's Birthday

 My grandma turned 84 in January, and we celebrated with two low-key birthday parties.

My uncle put the candles on the cake so as to not make Grandma feel self-conscious about her age.

Grandma received a present from a "friend" at church--someone whom Grandma has done a lot for and who acts ten years older than grandma even though she is younger. When Grandma opened the present, she found this "portrait" in a frame. "Eeeee," she said. "Is this really what I look like?" We laughed and laughed. I said, "If one of your grand or great-grandchildren drew this for you--" and she said, "I'd hang it up in the living room for everyone to see. I might hang this in the garage." It didn't even make it there. It's in Grandma's room facing the wall.

Seahawk Fever

Number one reason why it was the perfect time for our family to move to Seattle when we did? SEAHAWK SEASON! We watched the games at my sister Sarah's house, decked out each week in our best blue and green attire. We even wore blue and green to church on the Sunday of the NFC Championship and Super Bowl Sunday (see "Go Hawks!" post from January).

For one of the games, Sarah bought cupcakes with blue frosting. Netty had one. Or two. All over her body.

"Why won't anyone come near me?"

Braylin and Atticus on Super Bowl Sunday--I love these boys!

Sarah's Family's Half-Time Shot

Our Half-Time Shot

Another Snow Day

 A few weeks ago we had another snow day--the second since we moved to Washington! This time the snow was much deeper and the roads were slicker. Church was cancelled. And Netty and I were sick, so we couldn't even go out to play in it.

It was oh, so tempting, too!

How I miss the days of being sick of the snow...