Memorial Day Weekend

This weekend the three of us decided to head down to Bend, OR for the three day weekend. The forecast was for cool rainy weather, but since we are from Vancouver, WA, why should that stop us?!? We had a great time, but should have taken the forecast as a sign of what was to come.

We made the drive on Sturday morning, arriving at Bob and Bev's about 1:30. Later in the afternoon, we went bowling!

Drew poses for his bowling picture with Dad.

Sunday morning, time to head outside and enjoy the cool weather. Heading to Nana's for dinner later. For now, enjoy the fact that it is not raining!

Drew's favorite Bend activity... throwing things for dogs to catch. Here Drew throws a frisbee for Tuck.

Drew loves Mr. Patterson

Wilderness Drew

3:00 Sunday. We head over to Nana and Grandpa Steve's for dinner and more hanging out outdoors. I know that we were bummed to learn that Amos and Andy were going away in a couple of days. Drew had been asking to be able to feed them some hay all weekend.

Drew brings some hay to Amos and Andy. Nana and Grandpa Steve are getting rid of them this week. Drew will miss them a lot!

I told you, Drew's favorite Bend activity. Mom watches proudly. This time Drew is tossing the "football" for Rowdy, the most accurately named dog of all time.

Drew and Grandpa Steve having fun on the "Red Racecar"

Oohhhh... pointy. Drew likes a little danger.

Dad is proud of this picture.

Drew and gnarled tree.

Nana and Drew having fun.

Good times in the great outdoors. Drew and Nana.

As I alluded to earlier, we should have taken that stormy forecast as an omen. The car was acting suspiciously before we left, but the desire to get outta dodge was just too great. We made it about half way home this afternoon before the car quit. Let this be a recomendation to all who read this blog. GET AAA PLUS!!!! As it turns out, we were 97.5 miles from the mechanic. AAA+ takes care of towing up to 100 miles. It would have been $5.00 per mile over 100. We eventually made it home (about 5 1/2 hours after we started) We'll find out tomorrow how the car is. We are hoping only a couple hundred bucks. Keep your fingers crossed!

The Honda. Not moving.

Mom and Drew seem to be handling the wait with no problems!

The family waits patiently for the tow truck to arrive.

Killing time waiting for the truck, Drew and Mom stretch their legs and take in the scenery.

Boppin' Schmoes

So Thursday night after dinner, we all get a craving for ice cream. Being the frugal family that we are, we remember that we have a coupon for Boppin' Bo's, a malt shop and burger joint out by the mall. The plan is set! We decide on our plan and tell Drew what is about to happen.

Mom and Dad :"Drew, we are going to go to Boppin' Bo's for some ice cream."

Drew: "Hot Schmoes"

After a few rounds of this, we figure out that Drew is thinking that Boppin' Bo's is Hot Schmoes, what Buzz Lightyear accidentally calls Hot S'mores in Toy Story 2. AS we pack into the car and head on our way, we were able to get Drew to at least call the restaurant Boppin Schmoes (hey, we got halfway there).

When we got to BB's, we are seated in a window booth as Drew is proudly proclaiming at the top of his lungs "BOPPIN' SCHMOES!" We get him settled down, Jill ordered a Banana Rama I ordered a Peppermint Patty, and Drew got a scoop of chocolate ice cream.

As we were waiting for our dessert to arrive, I noticed a lot of activity outside. There were at least 4 different police cars with their lights flashing tearing through the parking lot in a variety of different directions. From my seat I could tell that the cops were definitely confused, especially since I saw the same thing happen about 15 minutes later. Turns out this (click here) was going on. Holy cow, Drew almost witnessed his first police shooting! This whole thing happened about 1 block from where we were, and the police were looking for the suspect that was found a mile away.

Everything turned out OK for us, though the way we would normally go home was blocked by a fire truck, ambulances and about 15 police cars. It definitely made for an interesting trip to Boppin' Schmoes on a Thursday evening!

New Pool!

After 2 days in the mid 90's (97 on Friday and 94.7 on Saturday) we had a break in the weather today. As the temperature hovered around 83 degrees, Drew had some watery fun. It was another really good day.

I know, I know... Drew is pouting, but this is the only picture that shows the whale with his spouting action!

Action Drew, hopping out of the pool.

Splash!

Here is a short video of Drew and his sliding action!


Dad busted out the sprinkler, Drew busted out the acrobatics.

Summertime!

Well... The record high temperature in Portland for May 16th used to be 86 degrees. We beat the heck out of that record today. If you are wondering... yes, our temperature sensor is in the shade on the North side of the house.

Hot weather brings out... water hoses!

Drew put "Band-Aids" on Mom's knee to make her feel better
(we didn't know she wasn't feeling well!)

Hot weather also brings out the ice cream trucks.
Notice the kids running to the truck in the background.

Height Weight Update

Right before bed tonight we weighed and measured Drew (it has been about 5 months). He is currently 34 pounds and 38 inches tall. This puts him in the 85th percentile in both categories. Looking at his past data, this means he is finally filling out a bit. He used to be in the 95th percentile in height and the 50th percentile in weight.

Otherwise, things are great. Awesome 85 degree weather today, 90's expected for the next two. There are sure to pics in the update this weekend!

Dueling... Harmonicas?

Monday evening we were all outside enjoying the mild weather. Drew had just recently rediscovered his harmonica and was having a grand old time playing it in the backyard. After a couple of minutes, we began to hear another harmonica from beyond the fence!

I now present to you... Drew and (we thought it was Isaac initially, but found out later that it was Emily, because Isaac won't use her harmonica because of the germs...)and their dueling harmonicas...

Bossy Butt Blaesing is his new name for now!

I remember reading how two year olds can be kinda bossy. We hadn't hit that phase yet until recently. Today I had the Reading Rainbow theme song stuck in my head. (Yes, it was my own private nightmare and, I guess, Drew's too). For he promplty told me, "No mom! No more songing about Rainbows!" Then I told him in my own two year old attitude that, "I will SONG if I feel like SONGING!" I proceded to belt out "Just take a look, it's in a book, Reading Rainbow..." into my thumb microphone. Bossy-butt then shouts, "No! No songing! Don't use your thumb like a microphone! It's killing me!!" And then he poked a hole into in his "butter sammich" with his index finger, crossed his arms, and pouted. Such Drama.

Mother's Day

We had a varied weather day here in Vancouver for Mother's Day today. Drew and I started the day by bringing a Fuschia plant and a mocha to the front door for Jill. Later, Jill decided that a trip to Marine Park on the Columbia River was in order. Here are some pics from the day. Overall, it was a good day!

Drew, cruisin' on the path.. It is beautiful this time of year!

Drew and Dad at the riverside.

Peek-a-boo!

Drew and Mom... tickle fight under the covers!

Roughousing

It's been a busy, lazy week. Here are some pictures to fill the time until I can post a more meaningful post.

Drew and Jill playing in the backyard Sunday

Drew likes reading books

High flying fun

Rehydrating with some cranberry juice

Congrats...

To our friends Jenn and Brian. Jenn gave birth to a healthy baby girl at about 11:30 this Saturday morning May 3rd.

Her Name: Leisl Jane
Weight: 6 lbs 11oz

Congratulations!!! We're all so happy for the three of you!

New Wheels!!!

Inspired by the awesome 70 degree sunny weather, Jill and I purchased Drew his first real bike today. It did not take him long to figure out how to ride it. Not too shabby for a not quite 2 1/2 year old!!!

It's a Drew movie... neat!

Let go of my leg you mugger!

After work today I was driving to pick up Drew from Day Care when my Dad called. He mentioned this blog and how he appreciated it, and asked whether or not I had found out the source of Drew's "I'll never, never give up." I think I got it.

One of Drew's favorite movies is Robots. It is about a robot who goes to the big city to be a big success and make his dad proud. At one point in the film the son is getting ready to get on the train to go to the city and leave his family, and he is saying his goodbyes to his mom and dad. He then tells his dad that he will never, ever give up. Even though this gesture that Drew did to his mom was a memorable one that was totally awesome to experience, it makes me also think of the other phrase he got from the film. This one he saves for me. When I am changing his diaper, and I am holding his leg, sometimes Drew will shout "Let go of my leg you mugger!"

We took another walk today after dinner. Here is a picture of Drew enjoying one of life's simple pleasures... dandelions!

Details, Details...

Drew has entered into a very rule oriented and precise phase. I've been corrected by him several times over the past few days. For instance, this morning while he was drinking his morning "coffee," I heard a "Hey! That's not supposed to be up there! That goes in the garbage!" He came around the corner with a stink eye, looking straight at me holding my empty pint of ice cream from last night.

He was talking to Kim, his babysitter, yesterday just before going home. He told her he was going to go home and play baseball. She said, "Oh yeah, you're going to go play baseball at your house!" And he said, "No.. not in my house! In the backyard!"

The other day I was sitting on the couch going through mass amounts of junk mail. In the end, I tossed the pile on the floor. "Hey! You can't do that! That doesn't go on the floor.. that goes in recycling!" (Okay, Musselini....Sheesh!)

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We went for another walk tonight... our number one way to tire out Drew before bed time. It was sunny and 60 degrees. Not too shabby considering the weather we've been having recently.

Drew and his favorite... a fire hydrant. He's addicted to these things.

Pretending he's a bunny, hiding in the grass.

Jill, Drew and a flower

Drew on the run, Michael Jordan style