Extended Weekend Getaway

We took an awesome trip over the weekend that we'll be sharing with you over the next several days.  Our excursion to another country (Canada - eh!) started with an overnight and half day in Seattle.

We took a trip on the Monorail downtown to see the flying fish at Pike's Public Market.

A trip to Pike's Market wouldn't have been complete without a ride on Rachel the pig.

Charlie had a blast walking around hearing and seeing all of the city sounds and sites.

We lucked out with this hotel...look how close to the Space Needle!

Overlooking the city from the top of the Space Needle.  It was a perfectly clear day in the city!

Chillaxin' before we hit the road again.

Transition

Charlie ROCKED his transition to his big boy bed.  Much like getting rid of his binkie, the transition to the toddler bed was completed with very minimal effort on our part.  The hardest part of the whole thing was probably taking apart the crib.

I had been anticipating that I would have to give Charlie many trips back to bed after trying to climb out, but nope, that didn't (and still hasn't) happened even once.  The night that we converted his crib, he was so excited for his "new" bed so we let him jump around on it to get his wiggles out and make sure it was out of his system.  Then we established the rule that he was not allowed to jump on his bed.  He still tries to do that every now and then but only during the day, as if it was one of his toys.

Evenings have been extremely easy.  We don't have to tell Charlie to settle down and go to sleep any more than we had to do when he was in his crib (which is not a lot).  Mornings have been great too.  He doesn't even attempt to get out of bed until we come in to get him.  We never even had to tell him to do that.

Could this really be happening?  I am pinching myself and reveling in the success.  I think I'll just wait to come down from the clouds when either a) the novelty of the "new" bed wears off and Charlie realizes it's much more fun to get in and out multiple times a night,  b) baby #2 arrives and gives us a run for our money.

Storybook Ending

Once upon a time there was a boy named Charlie.  On his last day in California, he took a trip to the zoo.  

                           There he saw Orangutans

Giraffes, and Kangaroos in the Outback.

Then he went to a far, far away land called Fairytale Town.

He visited the Little Old Lady Who Lived in a Shoe

and ran the Crooked Mile.

Then he visited the Owl's House

and took a trip Down the Rabbit Hole, 

with Ashley.

He then clicked his heels three times and ended up in Oz, with a slightly odd bunch.

At a few minutes before midnight, he hopped up into the pumpkin to catch a
ride with Cinderella to head home.

And he lived happily ever after

(a nap).

THE END!!

Easter Day

A cloudy morning turned into a perfect day for celebrating Easter.

Coloring Easter Eggs

Proud of his stash

Like Father, like Son

Could barely drag Charlie out of the bounce house

Go Ashley Go!!

Puddles

These just aren't any regular puddles...these are the best kind - MUD!

Clean up is also a blast!

Cousins

Charlie LOVED spending time with his cousins!!

Easter Vacation

As our family returns from a fun-filled trip to California, I always like to post several blogs over the course of a few days to re-live the fun memories.  

Our first stop was Sonora, CA...

Smelling the Spring flowers

Snuggles with Mimi

This boy can't get enough of slides

Celebrating Daddy's Birthday

Jesus Loves Me

A two year old's rendition of a family favorite...



I'm astounded at how quickly he memorized the words after only a few times singing this to him before bed.  Listen carefully because the sound isn't very loud.  And sorry for the lighting...