Bumpy times with the Bumpo

My good friend Kim, who moved to Alaska last year and who I really miss, gave me her daughter's Bumpo before they left. She raved about it, sure my baby would love the Bumpo as her daughter did.

All I can tell you is Emmeline is not a fan of the Bumpo! She will tolerate it for about 60 seconds, then straightens her body like a ruler and wants out. Oh well. At least it's an adequate baby holder for a quick picture.

Here I am again. I really don't like this much!

Oh my mommy is so silly, maybe I'll sit here for a quick second.

Wow, you should get a look at the funny faces my mommy can make!

She is making me smile!

Mommy, time's up!

The Final Day

It's the last day of spring break, and parents across our state are rejoicing! Seriously, after a long, rainy Thursday -- did I mention it was LONG? -- we had some brief clearing today and I forced the kids outside, where they played so nicely together. Sweetly even, like kittens.

Lego Chronicles

Hi, as the world knows I am Piglet. I have lived with these kids for a LONG time. Since 1995. Once there was also an Eeyore and Pooh. Eeyore was deemed too sad to have around and for Pooh ... well, let's just say a being a birthday cake topper was his final show. They only get us out on rare occasions now, spring break and the like.

"Dude, what are you doing on the floor? Monkeys don't do that!

"I dunno, the young guy just dropped me! That always happens..."

"Auuugh, my aching legs. I have been sitting here for days on end. Probably will go back in the box before I get straightened out again, too. And dog, stop watching me! I would let you out if I could!"

"Oh rats. Thought I would be safe from the animals up here, but now I realize I stepped on the transformer! Where will they take me next?"

"Haven't seen you around much. Where have you been?"

"In the back of the girls' sock drawer. It stinks to be the coveted Lego Indian Chief!

"I know what you mean -- I was lost under the Suburban's car seat for all of 1999."

"At least they kept the pot warm for us."

"Yeah, for kids they're not so bad. At least they're done standing us up in playdough. We always smelled like Kool Aide afterwards."

"I hear they have a new one!"
"Don't worry, she'll be all alone as she grows up, no one to collaborate with."

"I'm not so sure. She looks crafty to me."

"Better here with her than at that preschool they almost gave us to!"

"Yeah, you got a point there."

Ramona by Beverly Cleary

We don't live anywhere near this park. It's a long drive, even longer with a crying baby in the car. But, it's spring break and we are staycationing. A long drive was in order.

Burning off pent up energy

This park intersects Klickitat Street. If you have read any Ramona in your life you will recall it is whereupon she and her buddies made a ruckus. Gotta love that Ramona Quimby! Nolan polished off all the Cleary books last year, so time to visit the neighborhood.

Nolan and the infamous Ribsy

Nolan and Ramona

Brian and Otis Spofford

Two of my girls and Ramona, who would probably fit right in

EDIT: Statue of the boy is actually Henry Huggins, not Otis Spofford.

She's a GIRL-- Part II

She's a GIRL for crying out loud!

Ahem.

I am getting tired of people calling Emmeline a boy. Yesterday my friend, who was at Emmeline's baby shower, came over and said, "What a cute baby boy! He's so cute!" I said, "She's a girl!" to which my friend said, "Oh, I knew that but when I looked at her face she looked like a boy!" OK, not helping!

So, in reaction to my insulted maternal pride here are some new pictures of Emmeline. She looks girly to me!

Fort Vancouver

Today we visited Fort Vancouver. The weather cooperated and the kids had a good time.

Nolan making friends with the carpenter

We were in awe of the huge bellows hanging from the ceiling in the blacksmith's shop

In the kitchen -- they were making salmon

In the kitchen with a super-friendly volunteer

To the lookout!

The bakery was a separate building from the kitchen. Check out those ovens!