Train picture

 

Nate, proud of his most recent train picture on the chalkboard. Sidenote: we were watching TV, and Nate read out "SCHOOL!" when the word flashed on the screen. Is he reading, we wondered? I brought out a piece of paper and wrote "T-R-A-I-N"...he said "train". Then wrote "D-O-G"...he said "dog". Then wrote "C-A-T"...he said "dog!" Okay, so we're starting to recognize words, but only a few. Amazing, we had no idea.

The Wagon

 

 

 

 

With the garage sale / cookie sale money, Julie and Nate bought a red wagon complete with a sun top, ideal for those walks to the Redwood City Friday concerts at the downtown square. Now our days our spent between pullers (Nate, Daddy, Mommy, Julie) and common routes (around the garden, house, block).

Artwork

 

The title is "Nate standing on one foot" per the artist.

The Cookie Operation

 

Garage Sale

 

 

 

 

Our street held the annual block garage sale today, and since it was our first weekend we've been around for it, we were out in full force. Nate and Julie baked chocolate chip cookies (whole wheat, Ghirardelli chocolate) to sell for money to buy their new red wagon. Nate was a great huckster, running down people saying "You want something? You want to buy a cookie??" for a quarter and we ended up selling almost our entire batch, earning $14. I also ended up selling all of my old stereo equipment and much more, so we ended up putting the cookie money in Nate & Julie's new piggie banks (see above) and will be shopping for the red wagon tomorrow.

Graduating to Bicycle

 

Gina bought Julie a new helmet yesterday, and there was no stopping her trying the pink bicycle. It seemed like it was only a few weeks ago Julie was pushing herself by her feet on the tricycle.

Big Day for Nate

As we started getting closer to the fun summer school sessions at Nate's new preschool, we wanted to make sure he was potty trained, a prerequisite for attending. So on Saturday June 2, we told Nate pull-up diapers were now only for night time since it was his birthday month. He cried, ran around naked for about an hour, and said how scared he was of having an accident. Only when Gina started leaving for the grocery store did he put on his underwear. We all went along, and Gina nearly cried with pride when she learned Nate and I had used the bathroom in Safeway. Now, 5 days later, he hasn't had an accident for several days; and when someone asked him how old he was, he replied "I'm almost four years old, and I'm already wearing underwear!" With Julie potty trained for the past few months, our garbage can is considerably lighter.

Happy Hollow

 

 

 

We finally visited the Happy Hollow Park and Zoo in San Jose today.

Sunflowers

 

Nate and Julie planted these sunflower plants that were started by seed. Sad and droopy now, we anticipate great things in the next 2-3 months.

Painting Outside

 

Hiking in Huddart Park

 

 

 

 

We took a short hike through some redwoods before sitting down to peanut butter & jelly sandwiches and Rose'. Yes, they actually do go well together. But what doesn't when you're eating/drinking outdoors? We even managed, using a sweater, to catch one of our lightning fast lizards.

Haircut

 

 

Julie had her first haircut today!

Napa trip

Our friends Kelly & Christian (and their twins Megan and Trystan) were down from Issaquah for Kelly's sister's wedding in Napa. We joined them on Mother's Day for a few days and filled our time with languid picnics, wine tastings and some chilly pool swims. Some of our highlights: swimming at the Silverado resort, playing with the twins who are Julie's age, taking the sky tram at Sterling Vineyards, feeding the fish at Robert Sinskey Winery, and having the Wine Train honk at Nate.

Uncle Mark

 

Nate and Julie always love seeing their fire fighting uncle, Uncle Mark.

Wine Competition

 
On a lark, I entered my first year wine in the largest international wine maker's competition last month. Surprise of all surprises, I received a note that the 2004 Dawson Cabernet won a bronze medal. Pretty cool.

Warmer Weather

 

 

 

Unprecedented 90 degree weather + new water sprinkler toy + extremely cold water = screaming kids

SF Zoo Day

 

 

 

 

Backyard Carnival

 

 

The Mt. Carmel neighborhood carnival this year wasn't well suited for 2 & 3 yr olds. So while Gina took the kids for a ride, I set the backyard up for our own Nate and Julie Carnival action with 5 games, snacks, and small prizes.