We painted pumpkins today.

Actually Elliot wanted me to paint a capital E on his. Love that smile!

Trav just wanted to eat paint. Sweet baby!

Here’s what went down on this party day. Elliot was in school so Trav and I hit the mall for some helicopter fun.

Yes, in fact, he did toss his shoes out of the stroller. After helicopter we went to retrieve them.

But he would not wear them anymore. I think they are still in the stroller basket in the trunk of the car.

Here is my party crew! Boo-yah! This was the hap-nin’ place to be today in Newcastle!

Many thanks to Elliot for helping me blow out All. Those. Candles.

They both began the cake eating with decorum…

But quickly forgot all allegiance to the queen and displayed caveman behavior.

After that we had to hit the dance floor with some sweet moves and party favors.

And then they became two blurs, refusing to stand still so I could document the hilarity.
In this photo Elliot has a balloon tied to his train that he holds like a kite. And trav is wearing a cardboard paper towel ring as a sleeve.

Yes I like to dress them alike during the day and night. It’s my birthday and also my right and they are so cute!

The blur stopped when the kids went to sleep. Sweet dreams, candy inspectors!

Chez Dunn has been inundated with a terrible, merciless bug. We moaned and rolled around all weekend, drank Gatorade, and finally were able to stand upright today. Trav, however still requires a sheet change every morning along with an entirely new outfit. So he has been on a BRAT diet: bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast.

To help boost morale today we made chocolate doughnuts! Yum! Elliot had a hand in making them too. His help was crucial in figuring out what to do with the leftover chocolate glaze. You can see that doughnuts were greeted with the solemnity they deserve.

A doughnut a day…

And some doughnut holes…

Keep the blues away for sure!

We went to the Seattle Museum of Flight this morning. I’m not sure the kids saw any planes. But they left little fingerprints on every button, lever, and flipping flap in the building.

Trav was trying on shoes this morning. He’s ready to go!

Elliot said “mom I was so happy when you left and you left me at school.” There you have it! Here is the non-blurry picture I meant to post this morning. He has had this face all day long–he is still so excited!

This is one excited boy. He couldn’t wait to go.

These guys love to examine things. Like hinges.

And holes.

And dandelions.

Sometimes they need special equipment to get a closer look.

Shells and rocks are interesting up close.

You use a magnifying glass to find clues.

Elliot knows all about finding clues.

These scientists will always be good friends!

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We went to Snoqualmie today and rode the train from Snoqualmie to North Bend. We had a lovely lunch in North Bend and then rode the train back to Snoqualmie where we toured the beautiful waterfall there. On the way home we experienced our first side-of-the-road emergency potty situation. All will be relieved to know that it was a success!