Record for heat

I'm softening a bit on my hypothesis that the Northwest is temperate.
Our backyard themometer records an all-time low of 13.3F from the winter storm, and now the high of 110.3F
It has never been over 100F in Seattle, I guess. Ever. Until now. Unlike most of our neighbors, we had whole house A/C installed when we moved in. Note that we had just arrived from Texas and were scandalized that even new homes do not have A/C. People here say it's not worth it. Maybe they are right, but I'm 99% sure I would have lost the money in the stock market anyway, so I'm cool with it.

More Fun and Games

Erika lined up all of her stuffed animals on the stairs for an imaginary ride on a merry-go-round.


We also got a new couch delivered. Here Erika impatiently waits for the boxes to be unloaded so she can start playing in them.


Catie in the green, and Miranda in the white show their approval of the new couch by crawling and dancing to some of Mommy's 80s hits. In this case, "We've got the Beat"

Artistic expressions

Miranda shows off her Jackson Pollack phase



Catie shares a laugh with her favorite muse, DragonBoy.


And Erika dances in her ballet recital costume.

It's hot

While the rest of the country is having colder and wetter weather, we have been having a hot summer. How hot is it? It's been so hot that the pre-teens next door are offering to babysit to be in the AC. (Ahh AC, what a great thing to add to the house) Today it reached over 100 degrees. So here are some pictures of us trying to keep cool.


A big thanks to Aunt Kmi for the sprinkler ball. All three girls enjoy it.


Catie likes to catch the water in the air with her mouth.


Miranda just loves to shimmy and shake in the water.


And big sister Erika loves to dance around and collect the water in a bucket. The bucket is then dumped on various plants or her sisters.

Please send our rain back to us. We are just not used to this.

Miranda finds the sugar

Erika's new "doll"

Erika has long been fascinated with toys which show internal organs.
Finally, she talked us into this guy who has squishy stuff inside. You have to assemble him with toy forcepts if you want.
It's too advanced for her because it's hard to get stuff to fit, so we have to help.

I like the fact that she is interested in something that is not princess-based, but I find it rather much to demand an autopsy be performed before breakfast. Here she is holding up the lungs.

Tea Party and grandma Gladdy's visit.

Erika and Jackie attended a proper tea party. The girls learned etiquette, and crowns/tiaras were allowed.


grandma Gladdy came to visit!

June whatnot

Well, it's been a while since we have posted. Unfortunately it is not due to any fun things like family visits or dance classes. No, Catie and Miranda are in the throes of separation anxiety, crawling and cruising, and switching to one nap a day. Let's just say Jackie will be very happy when this phase has passed.


Catie plans her sleep protest while smiling.


Miranda is excited about the sleep protest and her newfound cruising abilities.



Here Catie, Miranda, and Erika show off their new bumble-bee PJs, courtesy of Grahms and Gramps. Erika found the same set in her size and wanted to look like the twins, so we bought them. Jackie hopes that all the PJs will inspire more sleep for the 4 and under set. (Erika and Catie are in the yellow tops)

First Ballet Recital

Erika is on the right. The far right.

She and her pals were flowers. Erika had no interest in clumping with the other flowers and did a surprisingly good job given the chaos of the situation.

The Fairy Strikes Again.

Catie suspects something.

First Birthday: Part 2

Now that Grandma Kathy and Grandpa Keith have arrived, we can complete the birthday event.

Catie was very serious this whole weekend.

She's saving her enthusiasm for the candle.

Miranda knows exactly what to do with the cake. I think she is starting to tell jokes actually. The centerpiece being that things on one's head are funny.

Catie and Miranda's 1st Birthday - part 1

Auntie Jayne and Uncle Mark both stopped by to mark one year of Catherine and Miranda.

Unlike Erika's December Birthday, we can get some wading pool action - while wearing our birthday outfits too. Sorry mommy! We had to get dried off for cupcake time and presents.


We didn't have a big cake, since our party is somewhat fractured around the Memorial day weekend. Their birthday is Wednesday, so we are having party part 1 today, and part 2 with Kathy and Keith next weekend.


Miranda uses her foot for almost anything inappropriate for a foot.


Catie dives into her cupcake and actually manages to eat some. Then it's back to the pool for some serious splashing.

dual usage

This toy is great; so easy to share! Or is it?

Catie is in the dots and stripes with the Look.

Sisters and fingerpaints

A sunny day is a good thing. What better time to strip down to your diaper and/or panties and do some finger-painting? Catie shows off her first art project as big sister Erika looks on. Miranda had decided to have a long nap.


Dual walking practice. When you have twins that insist on walking, you do anything to help them. The speck under Catie's nose is just some dirt she was eating.

Beep!

Catie and Miranda have mastered the art of Beeping.

Figure 1. Classic Nose-Beep. Arm straight, index finger rigid and extended.
Catie dips her finger in baby-food to really test how tolerant her parents are.


Figure 2. Triple Beep (aka, the Flux Capacitor). A highly advanced maneuver. Scholarship potential. Go Miranda go.
Mommy's finger makes an appearance.


Figure 3. Self-feeding. Almost all Wetzels are now self-feeding. Catie can even manage the spoon sometimes.

Misc. pictures

Well, we haven't been posting as often this month. Blame a series of colds and jumps in development for that. So here are two pictures to tide you over.



Erika and Miranda have fun the the Pack and Play



Jason finds the only spot in the house where he can get some rest. Yes, that is under the dining room table.

Weird week at the Wetzels

Being four means that you are fully capable art-wise. (clothing optional)


Miranda has clearly heard enough.


Catie gets some very good stuff in that sippy cup.


Can't quiet walk yet, but they can do this. (Miranda is holding the Tagret receipt)

Twig

The wind blew briefly earlier this week and this twig was found in the yard.
This is a 3.5-in diameter branch which fortunatly missed our roof. There is simply no mowing over it.

Carter's Birthday bash

Erika's buddy Carter celebrated his birthday on April 5th. Erika went and enjoyed hanging out with her pals. Here Erika, Madeleine, and Carter await the Thomas the train cake.



This is the only other picture of Erika that came out. She is playing a toss the bean bag game and was too busy concentrating to look at the camera.