Trav has begun talking. His words might be suspect to the untrained ear, but our family understands him perfectly. Today in the car he was goading Elliot by saying “red means go. Green means stop.” I had to explain to Elliot that Trav was making a joke! So then Trav busted out with this gem:
T: knock knock
Me: who’s there?
T: choo choo train.
Me: choo choo train who?
T: a joke train!

What could be more hilarious than a 23-month old cracking jokes?

Elliot, however, was not joking when we picked him up from school and I asked what he wanted for his birthday. He listed his desires in the order that he desires them:
1) a choo choo train
2) an ordinary rock
3) a play Earth

How sweet is that little list! These two boys are so funny and sincere.

Here are some sand art pics:

Train table and wrestling:

Have you seen Elliot’s new trundle bed? He likes to sleep on the “bottom bunk”.

These guys love to bounce! This past Monday was cold here so we went to an all-trampoline bounce house. These guys sure had fun! Trav even got in the foam pit! Elliot had fun running across all the trampolines, but Trav stayed on the path between trampolines because they didn’t wiggle quite as much.

While I was brushing his teeth, Elliot told me he wants to be called Elliot Rock Star. I am not one to judge others who want to change their names. Here’s our rock star now in his pirate pajamas.

Today we celebrated Fletch’s 35th birthday. We got ready for the party all day.
We stacked his presents.

Trav lined up all the cars.

Elliot studied the interior of this dump truck

And decorated his sweater with stickers.

Finally the birthday boy came home from work and the party began!

He got the typical sorts of presents… a nice shirt and sweater.

An accordion…

And a rockin’ guitar/piano/drum. (from the kids!)

Then, faster than you can start a family band, he blew out his candle.

Mmm cake!

No photos were taken at the after party. We watched Mary Poppins on the big tv. The kids enjoyed all the songs and music. I finally learned what “barley water” is. Fletch even watched the boring bank scenes. Everyone stayed up past their bedtimes, hearts full of song and tummies full of cake. Happy birthday, Fletch!

What fun we have around here when we receive packages! The kids got an early valentine’s package yesterday.

How do we open this?

Ah!

Rip!

Team work!

Rewarded! (slash don’t bump your head on the counter!)

Snow globes! (reverence)

Beary nice valentine! (it’s a stuffed bear with a plastic fan that plays music when you press its paw and the fan spells out sweet valentine messages. Elliot took his in the dark pantry so he could see the glowing words.)

For me?

Does my tongue go in the fan?

Does my mouth go on its face?

Love!

Here they are today. Not watching tv. Playing both bears at the same time. Bears in stereo!

A beautiful, sunny, warm day in Seattle! We went to the zoo and rode the carousel.

Then to the beach park.

Now we are watching Veggie Tales and eating popcorn. These guys know how to have fun!

Here’s Elliot earlier making funny words out of his letter blocks.