Sounders game with the family

On Saturday, April 25th we took the boys (and Gramps) to their very first Sounders game. Jeromy, our friend who bought seats next to us couldn't make this game so we were happy to be able to take the boys along! Since Bryson is under 3 and can be a "lap child" we brought along Gramps as well:)

We showed up really early and went over to a booth where I've scored some mardi-gras-style soccer beads before so that the boys could get some too. Bryson especially loved these beads! This booth was also giving out free ticket holders and pictures as well, so we all got one.
Then Mighty practiced kicking a soccer ball to a goal at another booth (for some reason J did not want to try this).

But he still posed on the steps;)

We watched the Sounders practice, ate some food and took lots of pictures before the game started.

I love this picture because it is totally my boys. . . J being a goofball and Bryson sucking on a lollipop!

Did I mention that Bryson LOVED the beads!

It was a fun game but much harder to pay attention to with a 2 1/2 year old in tow, who wanted Mama's attention!

Gramps and J "Go Sounders!"

J showing off his peace-sign pose.

The Three Billy Goats Gruff

On Tuesday, April 14th Jaden 's preschool performed the play The Three Billy Goats Gruff. Jaden was a part of the chorus (next year in Kindergarten he will get to be an actor). The play was held this year at my old high school gym. Here he is all dressed-up and ready to sing (recognize the jacket from Easter and my blog header;)
Bryson had to look dapper as well.

Not the best picture but here are several of the actors on-stage.

Nana and Grandpa Albert and Jaden after the play. Grandpa Wayne, Grandma Jane and Aunt Rachelle also came to watch.

Eating a cookie after the play.

Jaden and his buddy Graison.

Bryson was very good during the performance and really enjoyed watching the actors onstage. He also loved running around afterwards!

Funny story about Bryson. During the play the troll says to each of the 3 billy goats when they want to cross the bridge, "I don't charge a dime, I don't charge a nickel, but I'll eat you up like a crunchy pickle!" This line really stuck with Bryson and the other night while Jaden was at swimming lessons, I was talking to another woman and Bryson (trying to get my attention) bit me in the leg. I made him sit down for a time out, afterwards I asked him what he did wrong. He said, "I eat you up like a crunchy pickle!" So hard not to laugh:)

Happy Easter!

We had a really nice Easter weekend this year, the weather could have been better but it is Seattle;) On Saturday I took the boys to 2 Easter egg hunts. The first was at Thriftway, by the time we found parking 2 blocks away (this should have been my first hint) and got inside we were 5 minutes late. Already there were NO eggs to be found. It was a madhouse! There were many signs asking parents to only let their children collect 20 eggs each (there were something like 50,000 eggs hidden throughout the store), but of course no one listened! Some kids had 100+ eggs in their baskets and J and B couldn't find a single one:( Jaden and Bryson were both becoming frustrated that they couldn't find a single egg and I was regretting taking them. Fortunately, some nice dad saved the day and started putting back some of his kids eggs:) Note to self: Get there early next year or don't go at all! Apparently some of the eggs contained a raffle prize for a chance to win groceries, a bike, a wii, etc. No wonder it was insane!
Since that egg hunt wasn't a big success I decided to take the boys to a local park for another egg hunt, and we showed up early this time;) The boys had a much better time at this one, since it was outside and not nearly as crowded!

Bryson wanted to open every egg that he found as soon as he found it.

J was on the hunt to try to get as many as possible (no limit here:)

Yes, that is a doggie doo-doo bag that Jaden is collecting his bags in (actually it is a bag for dirty diapers that I carry a roll of in my diaper bag). Silly Mom forgot to bring their Easter baskets to the hunt so I had to make do!

While we were out hunting, Todd was picking up some woodchips for the playground area. When we got home the boys were happy to go and help out.

Saturday evening Todd and I went to the Sounders game and Nana came over to babysit and dye Easter eggs with the boys.

Easter morning brought a scavenger hunt from the Easter bunny, with hints hidden in eggs throughout the house. They were very excited to find their baskets at the end of the hunt:)

J's new Mickey shirt to wear in Disneyland!

Bryson with his Wall E toy.

Jaden is a (soccer) basket-head!

Watching Pinnochio (which came in J's basket) with Daddy on Easter morning.

We hosted Easter dinner this year, here's the kiddie table:)

We were so happy to have the Boyer family over for Easter this year. Amy, Tom, and their sweet boys Brody and Jackson.

Brody, J and B eating some dinner.

After dinner we had an indoor egg hunt (since it was pouring outside). Jackson found some eggs!

Bryson searching

Jaden showing off his loot!

Brody (in green) and Jackson loved the Smarties:)

A picture at the end of the night of my dad (Grandpa Albert) riding down the steps with Bryson--so funny!

As I was getting Bryson's pajamas on that night, he asked what the words said on the front of his shirt. I told him that it said, "I (heart) love mom". He replied, "No it doesn't! It says I yuv (love) Grandpa Albert!" So sweet:)

Sunny Weather

We had a few days of absolutely gorgeous weather last weekend and the beginning of this week, which gives me hope that winter is finally over in Seattle!

After dropping Jaden off at preschool on Monday, I didn't go to the gym as usual instead I took Bryson down to Alki so I could rollerblade. This is one of my favorite forms of exercise during warmer weather and I remember first taking Jaden when he was just 3 months old after we bought our jog stroller. Bryson had a great time pointing out boats and birds as we quickly rolled along. We started over by Todd's work and went to the sandy beach where I stopped so that Bryson could get out and walk around for a bit.
Had to get a picture with the gorgeous snow-capped Olympic Mountains in the background. (If you click on the picture you can see I caught Bryson in mid-drool--at 2 1/2 yrs. I didn't think he'd still be a drooler!)
Checking out his shadow.

Then we went back and I let B get out on the other end of Alki so that he could look at the "BIG boat" and try to spot the water taxi.

Bryson with the Seattle skyline in the background.

Afterwards we went to the Y for his 2nd "big boy" swim class:)

Such a fun day! On a side note: I just LOVE living in West Seattle, so close to downtown (10 min.), the airport (15 min.), the mountains (45 min.) yet we are our own "little" town with so many things to do and see. Even though I was born and raised here (and have never even moved away!), I feel like I appreciate the beauty, convenience, and neighborhoods more and more. . . especially on nice days such as this;) Admittedly, during a long spell of rainy, grey days Hawaii sure sounds nice!

Australia

A place that I have always wanted to visit and hope and pray that I get the chance to go there before I die. . . wait this is not about me. . . it is about Jaden's latest map. He brought home this beauty yesterday from preschool and I am super impressed!
You can click on the photos to see the beautiful craftsmanship and hard 5 year old work that went into tracing, pinning, painting, and labeling his map (the same way that he made his beautiful globe).

He told me that he is starting on South America next. . . don't worry I'm sure that I will brag blog about that one as well!