DeeDee and YiYi

Silas has begun saying his name, and since one of the names we call him is Sy-Sy, he has taken to calling himself Yi-Yi.

When he wants a turn doing something he says, YiYi!

And he calls Sadie DeeDee. Which Sadie likes, so she calls herself DeeDee when she talks to YiYi, who she calls YiYi.

Confused yet? All you need to know is that it's really cute.

And they've been playing together more and more.

And she's been helping him, too. Today I watched her put his sandal back on when it came off while they were playing in the yard. And she even nibbled on his toes to be silly before she stuck it back on.

It warmed the cockles of my heart.

These pictures are from the other day when YiYi decided he should come in and lie down on the kitchen floor. DeeDee joined him.

Hey, I don't ask why.

Actually, I do. But I understand that I am not going to get any kind of an answer.

But I am going to get a good photo op.

Berries

My friends, it is finally summer here. And the only thing that makes it okay that we are tortured with cold weather every spring is the absolute gloriosity* that is an Oregon summer.

It totally kicks your summer's arse.

So we were out enjoying some summery air and noticed that in the previous two days the raspberries had started ripening.

Our raspberries aren't big enough yet to supply us with jam makings, but there are enough to pick off the bush and eat whilst standing there.

There might even be enough to go and sit down and eat. But no one makes it that far. They suck those berries up like little vacuums.

In the last two days Sy has even figured out which ones he should pick. He pretends to pick the unripe berries and then says uh-uh and shakes his head. Funny guy.

Oh, and excuse the cotton-candy looking hair on that kid. It looks like that after sleep until I run a wet brush through it. And, as you can see, that doesn't always make the list of things that get done.

From the looks of things it appears to rank somewhere below picking the ripe raspberries.

Those grubby paws just grab those raspberries before I can get any. But that's not so bad since I don't really like raspberries.

Yes, you heard right. They're okay, but they just don't do it for me.

These two don't mind.

More for them, right?

*Totally made up the word gloriosity.

Recital Redux, The Video

Okay, so these had to make it from Granny's camera, through 3 computers and onto YouTube to get here.

But here they are.

The dance, Sadie is second from the left:

Sadie's tumbling across the stage:

Recital Redux

Sadie was a star at her recital. For those of you who remember last year you'll know that she didn't like the lights, the noise, and pretty much anything else.

This year we had a real dress rehearsal and she knew what to expect on the big day. And she was thrilled to learn that her dress looked like a wedding cake.

Pink? Check.

Poufy? Check.

Extra bow for hair? Check.

They had her at pink.

And getting to wear makeup? That is a thrill like no other. This kid loves makeup.

Right here would be where I insert the video, but you'll have to wait until later as my card reader appears to be broken. So I need to get Dada on his computer to get it.

Coming soon, promise!

And after a (surprisingly long) while where Silas was content to watch the dancing and like clap like a madman, he began to get bored of being in one spot. Not to mention that it was directly in his nap time window. Why do they schedule things for little kids at nap time?

Anyway.

So between Sadie events we went out into the lobby. Where Sy learned it's big fun to run in an echoing lobby. And yell. And drink out of a water fountain.

Then he went back to the auditorium doors and said "Deedie! Dadie!" Which is Sadie, of course.

Then she got her flowers.

She said, I thought I would be scared but it's not as scary as I thought. Recitals are fun, Mama! It's like dance class but not exactly like dance class. It's special.

It's true. It was a special day.

Thankfully I got the My-baby-is-so-big-and-growing-up-and-I-can't-believe-it-look-at-her-onstage-and-doing-so-well-by-herself-and-it's-amazing-and-wonderful-and-bittersweet crying out of the way at the dress rehearsal.

But I still teared up a tiny little bit. It just can't be helped.

When Life Hands You Lemons

Eat Them.

Coastal Showers

We went out to the coast a week or so ago. As is the case out here often in the spring, the promised lovely day was actually overcast and grey and cold and rainy.

But we made the best of it.

Sadie wrote her name in the sand. Sort of. She knows the letters go in a special order but she also believes it's fine to just put 'em all out there and let you figure it out.

She won't be controlled by all your rules and regulations, man.

Silas thought walking in the sand was pretty silly. He kept pointing at his feet and laughing.

And we even took a tour of the lighthouse. Here we are, up high. It was the best of the bunch with wind, glare, runny nose (mine) and hungry kids.

A delicious seafood lunch (no, not for me- blech!) took care of most of those problems, though.

And some hot cocoa. Is there anything hot cocoa doesn't make better?

Let's Go Fly A Kite

It was a sunny, windy day, so we did.

We rode our bikes.

We hugged.

We ran.
We ate goldfish and threw a gigantic tantrum about needing a bike helmet on. Right now. Doesn't matter if we're not getting back on the bike anytime soon.

Then we relaxed and enjoyed spring finally, finally, making an appearance.

Pony

Today.

Sadie: Do you know what I want to ask Santa for, Mama?

Me: What's that?

Sadie: I want him to bring me a pony.

Me: Hm, I don't think Santa can bring you a pony.

S: Why?

Me: Well, it won't fit on his sled.

S: Oh, okay. How about just a small toy pony, then?

Me: Oh yeah, he can do that. A smooth pony or one with fur?

S: A small pony with fur. That's what I'll ask for!