Grumpy Baby

We spent this week in Springfield celebrating Gramdma Kathy's 60th birthday. Although we got some good video, we didn't get any good still shots. Here, Erika practices the face she calls "gumpy baby". When we get some photos from grandma's camera, we'll post those here. Until then, just join Erika in a scowl.

Grandma Glady's 80th Birthday

Here we made our way to Vashon Island to Aunt Jayne's house to celebrate Gramdma's 80th birthday! Cupcake and Mommy enjoy the ferry ride.

Happy Birthday Gramma!

Mrs. Beasley Glasses

Erika is quite interested in glasses these days; she has stolen a pair from Mrs. Beasley.

Swings, Bees, and Binkis

It's time for fun on swings!


Despite the alarming and mysterious shortage of honey bees these days, we've got plenty of bumble bees in our yard.

A two binki habit forming?

Playgroup and bubbles

Today, May 31st, Erika and I (Jackie) went to our playgroup at Zane's house. This is the playgroup of moms and babies that started when we took the same parenting class at the local hospital. Even after 2 years, we are still meeting and enjoying each others company.

Zane's Mom provided the backyard and bubbles for all the kids. Erika learned to blow bubbles all by herself. Even when she is swinging in the cool toddler bucked swing, she is practicing blowing bubbles. Oh, the pink hat is her Easter outfit hat, and the only one that reliably stays on her head.

Here Erika demonstrates the finer points of bubble blowing to Zane. Zane is happy to chase and pop the bubbles the other kids and moms produced.

Zane's mom also provided frozen chocolate treats for everyone. Erika took one lick and pronounce it "tasty". That's my chocolate loving girl!

Kelsey Creek Park

We explored a different park today. Besides the play area and the toddler swing, there is a farm with an assortment of animals. Erika was only somewhat interested in the Rabbit Show which was wrapping up when we got there.
Cows, pigs, horses, and goats didn't do anything for her. Chickens? Forget about it.
In Erika's world, there are cats, and then there are the lesser animals.

Sticking tongue out

What could be more fun than stamping yourself with Hello Kitty symbols?

May 12th

Erika is mostly occupied these days with stacking, unstacking; putting things in and taking them out. Here she has filled her doll stroller with an assortment of items which were each placed most carefully.

This evening we went to one of our favorite parks. No one was there but us! A perfect time to play on the tire swing.

More evidence of that nasty winter storm. Many trees came down in the park. Here Jackie and Erika are in front of the root system for a Douglas Fir which was uprooted. Interesting to note that the roots to these trees are not deep at all. I estimate the tree was around 100 years old.

Humorous video

Click here and watch a funny video starring Will Ferrell. The girl looks a lot like Erika! See for yourself!

Pink Moods

What kind of look is this?! This is the "do not photograph me!" look. Right after this shot was taken she turned away and would not face me until I gave up photography completely. That's a stick of mozzarella string cheese in her hand in case you were wondering.


Actually, I just pretended to put the camera away. I shot this next one from the hip and she was none the wiser.

As a side note, a couple hours before this picture Erika was down for the count with a 103F fever. Amazingly enough, she responded well to acetaminophen and sprung back to life requiring both an apron and a wide-brimmed hat.

Swimming class

Sunday morning means toddler swim class! Erika is very good at the back float pictured here. She really dislikes climbing out of the pool. Why can't daddy just lift her out and place her on the edge? Climbing out is very inconvenient and bothersome in her opinion.


Erika and I both enjoy the bonding experience of swim class. Although I suffer soft-tissue damage at nearly every encounter with her, I think it's well worth it.

After swimming, we always go to CrossRoads Mall in Bellevue and have Thai food. Erika is hooked on Phad Thai with chicken. She and I share a plate and it is lots of fun. Jackie tried to photograph Erika feasting on noodles, but the camera batteries were spent at the pool!

Tulip season

Yes, we found the camera!

Camera? What camera?

Please excuse our blogging haitus. Seems that mommy lost touch with the location of our camera. I'm sure she'll find it. Right?

Easter weekend

Saturday was very busy. We went on the neighborhood Easter egg hunt. Erika, consistent with last year, did not like said event. She could not be coaxed into hunting anything. She does like putting candy in a basket and then dumping it out. Wearing the basket as a hat is optional.

The Hayatsus spent the morning with us, so we dyed eggs, and even frosted cookies. As you see, Erika tries everything... except the egg hunt.

Squirrel Time!?

Today we celebrated Squirrel Time. This is a new spring holiday invented by Erika's friend Takara. In this first picture, Erika puts her arm around Takara who is reading a book aloud... more or less. Squirrel Time events are pants optional.


Earlier this week, Erika enjoyed a pony ride!


Erika also obtained a tiara which she would only wear as a visor. Then I stepped on it accidentally. Oh well. I'm sure there will be another.



In this fourth picture, Erika sits in her car seat. The car seat is in the living room because I was doing some maintenance and adjustment to it, but she insisted on using it as a lounge chair and watching cartoons. Buckling and un-buckling are great fun. Each stuffed animal has it's turn. Her favorite animal, named Meow-meow, appears exhaused in this picture. Also that blanket freaturing Strawberry Shortcake is called "Strawberry doh-doh." All blankets are doh-dohs of one kind or another.

Spring-ish weather!

Erika's friend Takara came for a visit. They ate an entire container of raspberries, some crackers, and washed lots of rocks in the wading pool which is not in this picture.

Road trip to Portland

Sometimes the best part of a trip is the return home. Although the "digging" exhibit at the Portland Children's Museum is cool.

Erika's important work

Erika has lots of important things to do. For example, she needs to watch Hello Kitty video clips on youtube.com. She also has a pink Hello Kitty stamp which fortunately washes off. And she also likes to play with shredded paper. yay!

Erika's Bus trip to the Aquarium

This past week was a fun one with at trip to the Aquarium. To add some excitement, Erika and I (Jackie) took the bus to downtown Seattle with our friends Bethany and Takara. Here Erika enjoys the bus trip with a breakfast bar and no car seat. You can see Bethany's knee in this shot. Takara is an old pro at bus rides and did not deign to appear in any of the pictures commemorating Erika's first bus ride.

Erika's favorite exhibit - the touch tank. Here she demonstrates the proper way to wake up the various echinoderms such as star fish by gently splashing the water.

One of the few shots of Erika's face I was able to get. She loved looking at the various exhibits and did not understand why Mommy kept asking her to look at the camera.

Mortal Kombat Theme with Hello Kitty Montage

Erika *LOVES* this video. Crank up the sound and enjoy what we get to listen to a million times. Actually, it is kinda cool if you are a nerd... or are 2 years old.