Rock Climber

LT loves climbing! He's often found climbing up and over furniture, trying to climb into exhibits in museums, standing on chairs etc, but last weekend, he was able to legitimately rock climb (well, as legitimately as an almost 18 month old can). Our dear friends Quinn and Roxanne had us over for their daughters 3rd birthday party. Quinn is an avid climber and has built quite a wall in their backyard. He took LT for his first climb. LT even held on himself for a few seconds!

First golf lesson, by mom, ha!

At Isis's third birthday, LT found a little golf club and a beach ball. I took the opportunity to give him a little lesson, dad might have been a better choice. He was so proud when he hit the ball (not hard to do given the size of the ball.)

Playground fun with Dad and Hailie

Sometimes Bowen needs some one on one special time with mom to wear himself out so that mom keeps him around. On Saturday, he and I went for a run while Brian took LT and Hailie to the park. Here are a few cute shots from their park time.

New Table and Chairs

LT got a new table and chairs. He absolutely loves all aspects of it, helping build it, tuning up the blue chair, long after it was already built (as shown above and below) and enjoying morning "waba" and breakfast at it.


LT has had a little kitchen with plates, fake food etc for a few months now, but he has rediscovered it and added make believe play at his new table. He has tea parties for the dogs and his parents and even cleans it up when he's finished.
Besides all of these activities, probably his favorite thing to do is to stand on the chairs and rock it, almost tipping over backwards. He is proud, happy and terrifies his parents doing this (which is why no pictures are shown).

Thomas plate and fork

I did live in Nepal for nearly a year and ate every meal with my hands, but have embraced American eating manners after returning home and figure it is about time that LT learn the same manners. He went to the store today and picked out his first plate, bowl and fork (Thomas was the theme he wanted, must be Z's influence). He was so proud sitting at the table with his own fork and plate. He's been using forks and spoons for a few months now, but for some reason, taking away the highchair tray and putting him up to our table was a big milestone in his eyes.

Building furniture

LT and Brian built a new bookshelf for all of LT's toys this weekend. LT was a huge help (except the temper tantrum he threw when Brian said he couldn't use the power drill, minor detail...) After a few bumps in the road with the building, it is finally done and our house is finally pile free (toys at least).

Watching Z

Shawn and Albert had a friend in town this weekend and so we happily watched Z last night (and they are returning the favor and watching LT tonight for us!)
Z came prepared with a whole train set, which entertained the boys for quite awhile.

But then LT decided it would be a good idea to try and call some chicks on his new phone to come play (too bad they were all already in bed, so the boys opted for second best.... sweeping).
And of course, the two had to do what they do best, eat together and have a conversation about who knows what.

Cooking Rissoto for the dogs

As I have mentioned before, cooking with LT has become more challenging over the past few months. I am always searching for something new to entertain him. Last night, I was making risotto and got out a pot and spoon for LT to play with. That wasn't enough, he wanted to do exactly what I was doing. I added a little risotto into his pot and voila, life was good for LT again. He watched intently as I stirred and he copied my every move.
I got to the part of adding wine and tried to discretely add it into the risotto, but he wouldn't let me do anything he couldn't. I poured a little water into a cup and he poured that right into his risotto (after taking a sip of it as his mom had done with the wine).

And when boredom had set in again, I added some dry lentils to his concoction. At that point, the dogs couldn't resist his cooking skills and budged right in to eat some. LT was entertained and the dogs were a great clean-up crew.

A few months late... Birthday party photos

I wanted to write something funny and entertaining about the LT's birthday party but couldn't really come up with anything and before I knew it it nearly five months had passed and I hadn't even posted any pictures. All that time and I've still got nothing funny to say so I'll have to refer back to the party invite for the jokes. Pictures and uninspired commentary below...

My wife holding the youngest baby at the party. Anyone surprised? No, I didn't think so.

Amelia and her dad, Peter.

Riley.

Papa and LT checking out the cake. The cake is from The Market and the same kind we had at our wedding. Lucky for us we had way too much so we got to enjoy leftovers.

Z showing off his guns (I asked and, yes, he does have a license for them).

LT, Phoebe, Cade & Joss.

Dylan & Seth playing in the water.


LT wasn't too sure about the cake at first but...

it didn't take long to decide that this cake thing is pretty good.

Seth playing on the 'easy-peasy' slide.

Dylan knows how to party!

LT and Joss saying their goodbyes.

Election Night

LT and Z are showing their support.

Zoo with Grandma and Papa

My mom kindly gave LT his zoo membership for Christmas last year. We have been trying, for nearly a year, to go to the zoo with her to thank her, but the timing hadn't worked out until yesterday. It was a beautiful, sunny, Colorado day and we thought it was the perfect time to go wit her.... and all of the rest of Denver because it was free day, oops. Besides parking difficulties (my parents were smart and rode their bikes), the crowds didn't end up being too bad.
Brian and I fondly remember playing in this wagon when we were younger. It is definitely much smaller than I remember it being.
He ate a little picnic lunch with us, but mostly wanted the chocolate for desert, go figure. How these little guys know what candy is already when they have never had it is beyond me, but they do.
He made friends with this little baboon through the window.
It was a perfect fall day.