Cabin Fever

There's a lot of silliness around here when it rains for 10 days straight.



Zoe wanted her picture taken, too.

Backyard Picnic

Jed and I are kind of crazy about picnics. We had a picnic twice this particular day--one for lunch, one for dinner. Because one just wasn't enough. And we didn't want dad to miss out. And it was such a beautiful evening. And the blanket was already there on the grass, beckoning to us in the golden evening sun.

Zoe peeks over the top of the slide.
Dad is home!

Jed loves nothing so much as the the whole family gathered together. And it's even better when we're all outside eating for dinner! "MMmmmmm, I LOVE hummus wraps!" he declared.. (Much to his mother's delight, though I think the love of the hummus stemmed directly from the love of the atmosphere.)
Zoe tackles Mom

Oh dear. Everybody on!

Up!

I can do it myself, Dad!





(I won Zoe's absolutely darling outfit last year in a giveaway from etsy seller Auntie Bubbles. She even let me pick out the style, fabrics, everything. Don't you love it!? You really have to see the ruffles in action to get the full effect. Zoe runs swinging her little tummy from side to side just to make the ruffles poof.)

Zoe learns her body parts

Nose

Chin

Ear

Mouth

Eye

Snack Time!

Eating honey-cakes for an afternoon snack.
I love the light in Zoe's hair.

Notice my son unlatching his jaw like a snake to cram an absolutely humongous bite into his mouth.

Zoe follows suit. I think that's an entire cup of oatmeal.

Then drinks all around.

More, please!



Then

A few moments collected

A couple nights ago Zoe woke up about 3 AM. When I went to get her, I saw her room door was open and the crying was clearly coming from down the hall. I found her laying on the dining room floor, spread-eagled belly down, special blanket clutched beneath her, sobbing because she was lost. I picked her up and wrapped the blanket around her, carried her back to her little bed and laid down beside her. In a moment, her sobs stopped and she fell quietly asleep, my fingers clutched in hers.

For a long time, Jed was committed to being a waiter in a restaurant when he grows up, just like Uncle Eric. “I want to serve people,” he said. Then several months ago, he changed his mind and he wanted to be a dump truck driver, and Uncle Eric and Zoe could drive trucks with him and it would be really fun. Today, however, announced that he didn't want to be a dump truck driver anymore. “That would be too much work.” Instead, he wants to be a teacher. Who would he teach? Daddy. What would he teach Dad? “I will teach him all about race tracks. I will be a RACE CAR TEACHER!” he announced, eyes all aglow.

Last night at dinner, Zoe was scooping up ketchup and eating it off a pickle slice. I thought she must be pregnant. “Ew.” said Michael. “That looks YUMMY!” exclaimed Jed.

Rain

Zoe Loves Books

Jed's Drawings

Here are a few examples of Jed's new drawing skills. Here is a picture he drew of our family visiting a park. Zoe is in the car and Dad is at work. All the important people and objects are represented, though, don't worry. I especially love my big belly and rosy cheeks-can't say the boy isn't observant.
We have been sending letters and packages to some missionaries for FHE the last month. Jed grabbed a piece of paper and drew this surprisingly recognizable man for our friend Stas.

Another picture of our family playing soccer. With lit up eyes he told me this is a "very, very special picture just for my mommy!" Awwwwwwwww. Michael is slightly disturbed that he isn't present in a single picture drawn yet by our son. Sorry, Sweetheart, but hey, there's almost always a car in the picture and you can count that as your fatherly influence ;)

In the backyard

We've been enjoying our backyard so much this week. It's turning into a little kid paradise, with new playset, dirt pile, chickens, and sandbox to play in. The kids run outside the moment they're allowed and I have to bribe them back in to eat. Yesterday a few friends came over for a picnic, the weather was perfect, trees blossoming, kids running and playing, the food was tasty, and it felt like heaven.

Auntie Lisa

My sister Lisa flew out from Orange Co. California to see us while we were in Utah. We had SO MUCH FUN with her over the weekend! We skype with her every Monday, so the kids know her well and Jed especially is crazy about her. Right before she left we had a fairly amusing photo op. Michael wants to know how it is possible to have so many bad photos. I'm not sure, but I'm pretty sure we had more fun than we would have had with a tripod. :)


Jed loves these photos with his grumpy face. I'm not sure why he thinks this is so charming.



Both my kids are total nosepickers. I have given up on my valiant efforts to stop it, and now we just embrace the pick. Zoe makes it look pretty cute. Maybe someday they will be socially ostracized enough to give it up on their own.

Playing at the park

I would just like to announce that spring has DEFINITELY not arrived in the west. It snowed every.single.day. we were in Utah and rained every day in California. We attempted to enjoy some outdoor play time with the Dowdle gang but our cavorting was brief and chilly.

Breakfast Dishes

Zoe Ann and Granny Zo'An doing dishes together at Granny's house.

Visiting Great-Grandma Janete

New Toy

We have a new "outdoor play area" (as Jed insists we call it at all times) and the kids are loving it.