The Countdown Begins

Well, we're almost three weeks out from the first day of school.  Matthew is so excited to start kindergarten.  We made a trip to the uniform store last week to stock up.  He looked so cute in his uniform.  His school backpack and lunchbox arrived last week as well and he's been using it every chance that he gets.  As for mom and dad, we're enjoying having him at home every moment that we can.

Grandpa Mike and Karen made a recent visit to see us as well.  Mom and dad thought that they were being funny when they had grandpa build the 1000+ piece Lego airplane that he bought for Matthew's birthday.  Our plan may have backfired though, as grandpa really seems to enjoy putting Legos together.  Needless to say, we now know what to get him for Christmas :)

We also went to the Lake Union boat pond while Matthew's grandparents where here.  There is a new spray park at the pond.  However, we were not prepared to have Matthew running through the water, so we improvised...

Yep, that's him running through the water in his underwear :)

This is the best pic we could get of the four of them.  It's a little tough with two wiggly kids. 

Jacob's new adventures these days include trying solid food.  He's only had a few things, but seems to really like oatmeal with bananas.  He's not too thrilled with peas, however.  We're going to try green beans this week.  So I'm sure we'll have a gassy baby on our hands.  Unlike this picture, he is one very messy eater.  He likes to take his hands and put them in his mouth, get food all over them, and then put them everywhere else (his face, his hair, the chair and on us).  

He's also taken a turn or two in what we affectionately refer to as the "circle of neglect".  He doesn't last long, but at least it gives me 5 minutes or so to empty the dishwasher or fold some laundry.

Matthew borrowed a concept from our neighbors and has made a "bucket list" of things to do before summer vacation comes to an end.  One of those was a trip to NW Trek.  It's a animal park about an hour or so from us.  We got to see lots of cool animals, some pretty close up as well.

Caribou cooling off in the lake

A juvenile caribou protecting the herd

I love summer in the NW.  So beautiful!

A couple of brown bears

One of his other things on the list was a trip to Alki Beach.  He just wanted to hang out and play in the sand.  I have to say, it was one of the most enjoyable days of the summer so far (except for parking).  We're going back next week.

Well that's all of the Taylor news for now.  Stay tuned for the big "First Day of School" post.  I had to chuckle the other day when the Weather Channel issued a heat advisory because it was going to be 90 degrees.  Yay for NW summer!