outside and in

Contrary to what a certain one of M's aunties might think, it really doesn't rain every day here in the Emerald City. In fact, if the clouds hold off for the rest of this afternoon, we officially will have seen a rainless July.

With weather this nice, we're spending lots of time outdoors. M's had two bikes rides with dad now, which seemed to go fine--except for the part where the helmet goes on and off...

We've also logged a few more hours at our local sprinkler park. I can't believe that M is the only kid in these pictures, because every time we go there, the place is absolutely mobbed. When she's not handing me cigarette butts and broken water balloons, M has a great time chasing the big kids and trying to make all the sprinkler heads stop spraying by covering them with her hands. So far, it hasn't worked, but our kid's no quitter.

We're regulars at our playground--the awesome one, not the sketchy one. M's new thing is climbing all the toddler equipment without Mama's help, thank you very much. She is getting bigger, after all.

Unfortunately, she has yet to outgrow her stick- and wood chip-eating habit.

Even when it's nice out, we can't be outside every minute, if for no other reason than that Mama cannot stand the afternoon heat. This week, M has used her downtime to read the junk mail,

enjoy a post-nap cuddle with the cats,

and bring together two of her favorite things: shoes and snacktime.

She's also started wearing tiny, mouth-sized things in her hair, although it's going to take a lot more practice--and binks--to keep her from trying to eat them all...

weekending

We had some small adventures over the weekend. On Saturday, we visited the Ballard Locks to look at boats and watch the salmon run. Once she escaped the prison that is her stroller, M had a lovely afternoon, running around like a tiny, crazy person. We had several opportunities to sell her to besotted grandmotherly types, but for some reason, we kept saying no.

You can't see her face here, but you can tell it's my child by the multiple sticks in her hand.

Only thing better than carrying sticks: hitting things with sticks.

While Mama's prime motivation in going to the Locks was seeing the salmon, M wasn't particularly interested in them. She took a break from entertaining tourists to occasionally glance at the travelers on the fish ladder, but she didn't seem to be terribly impressed.

On Sunday morning, we left Daddy at home to sleep in and went to Golden Gardens with Cousin Joyous. We stomped around the beach during low tide and enjoyed the cool, gray weather.

M managed to flop over and soak herself almost immediately after hitting the sand, a helpful reminder that responsible Mamas always travel with extra clothing, especially when they're going to very wet places, like, um, the beach. M wasn't really phased by it, though. She poked at anemones, sloshed through lots of seaweed, and expressed some mild interest in the sea stars and jellyfish we came across.

Mostly, though, I think she just came along for the sticks...

around the block

Apparently, it's the middle of July. I can't explain it, but that's what the calendar says, so I guess we'll just have to go with it.

Instead of making excuses for not posting, or scrambling to catch you up on everything that's been going on around here--maybe someday I'll tell you about Father's Day--I'm just going to share pictures of a walk that M and I took last week.

Lately, pretty much any trip that M takes out of the house can be categorized under Fun With Sticks. Sticks are one of her very favorite-ist things and collecting them is her prime motivation for traveling down the sidewalk.

The neighbor cats are also a big draw. Meet Rosie. She lives next door and is surprising patient.

We played peek-a-boo for awhile. When you have only been on this planet for fourteen months, peek-a-boo is pretty much the most hilarious thing ever.

When M noticed that there was a stick-sized hole in the neighbor's water meter cover, we had to stop and figure out how to jam a stick into it.

Success!

At the peak of our three block walk, M was carrying six sticks simultaneously. I think there are only three in this particular picture, but she still looks pretty proud. Imagine how proud she'll look when she takes down her first six point buck.

I'm kidding. I think.