Scar-ism

Scarlett and I came home from a weekend away.  Charlie hasn't shaved his face while we're gone.  At bedtime, she says to him:

"Maybe all that hair that's supposed to be on your head is on your cheeks."

Max

Our adventure to Seattle included a lot of time with some of our other favorite people: Max and his parents.  I've learned that once you have kids, you become less important and your kids are more important- nobody wants to see you, they just want to see the kid.  I don't care what I wear, but I like Scarlett to be dressed cute.  Anyway, Max was the highlight but his parents were pretty great to see too.  The last time we were all together, we all went to a wedding and also ate some Voodoo donuts:

 Scarlett was Max's age, and Max was still in utero.  Oh how times have changed! 

While Max slept in his stroller, Scarlett decided she reaaaaaaaaaallly had to run in this fountain.  I think it was probably 65 degrees, but that doesn't deter her.  I stripped her down to just undies, because we didn't have anything to dry her with.  Then she ran around the perimeter of where the fountain water can reach, just barely getting wet, until at least she ran straight through the flow (probably by accident).  Then she was cold.

Scarlett's Arnie, meet Max's Arnie.  What followed this was a series of conversations between Scarlett and Tina about what is different between the two Arnies.  And Scarlett pretending she couldn't tell them apart.  Which is funny, because her Arnie is a wreck (we say he's 'loved on') and Max's is in pretty ship shape so far.

We walked to Pike Place Market for donuts.  We ate fish & chips on the sound.  We went to the pool where Scarlett climbed around on the edge and Max followed suit as best he could.  It was adorable all around, and certainly if they lived closer (!!) we could have weekend funtimes more often, right?

Car conversation

S: "Are we in Portland?"
Grandma: "No, we're in Washington."
S: Grandma, how come they aren't washing things in Washington?"

Elladay

We had a whirlwind weekend, saw a few of our most favorite people, and ate cake for breakfast.  It started out with my return trip from Charleston- I flew straight to Seattle, Charlie and Scarlett came to get me there.  Charleston is really lovely, and it was great visiting my brother, but OH BOY did I miss my little frog!  She's been overly affectionate since I returned- extra hugs, extra kisses, extra complaints when can't be rightthisclose to her at all times.  It's good fortune, because I feel the same way.

Ella and Scarlett decorated the birthday cake.  Morning birthday parties are the best.  Cake is the best breakfast.  I wish we could have this every weekend.

Pre-party, we took some walks around the block.  This picture on the right really sums up their personalities for me perfectly.  Ella is active, she's laughing, she runs faster than I do.  Scarlett is pensive, she takes her time, she holds Arnie by his sad, loved little neck.  

Pinata time...  [Not pictured here are: bouncy house time, bouncy house with ball pit time, balloon animal time.]

I remember the first time I saw Ella, sitting in her car seat with a head full of really dark hair.  Now she is four, which is unbelievable.  How time can pass this fast, I just don't know.

Loganisms

Logan: "Aunt Emily, do you like flowers?"
Emily: "Yes, do you?"
L: "Yes!"
E: "What else do you like?"
L "Trees"


"Alligators swim slow.  I'll get on a boat and I'll go faster faster than everyone else.  I'll turn up the radio so the sharks and the alligators will go away."

"Aunt Emily, I never seen you at my house."

"Aunt Emily, do you like nightmares?"

 These are my brilliant nephews, Logan and CJ.

En Route to Charleston

Yesterday we had a low-key and perfect Mother's Day.  Every day as Scarlett's mom is pretty great, really.  Charlie made me banana pancakes, then we just spent the day at home and running a few errands.  We got sushi for dinner, and Scarlett ate homemade ice cream that the neighbor gave us.  We read lots of books, she gave me lots of kisses, she promised to pick me lots of flowers.

Then today, I'm at the airport again, going on a work trip again.  I thought, after 3 trips in 3 months, this would be easy.  I'm going to Charleston, and I'll also get to visit my brother there which is incredibly exciting.  But always, going away from this little person is hard.  She's been saying that she's 'honeyed' to me- like stuck to me- so that I can't be away from her.  It sounds nice.

Mama and Baby

Scarlett is still sleeping in, and all week she's still been in bed when I left for work.  Yesterday, I also had a work outing in the evening so I didn't get to see her all day.  I missed her, just look at that cute face!

Venice Beach on a Monday

The Disneyland Recap

My dear Scarlett,

The research says that you are unlikely to remember much or anything about this trip to Disneyland once you grow up.  But we took so many pictures, and already we've been remembering, and I hope to record enough of it here that the memory won't disappear.  We had a blast and you were so happy.  You and your cousins were troopers throughout the whole 16+ hour drive in each direction, we are so proud.  At home we are regimented- you nap at 1:30, you take a bath at 7, we are in your room reading books at 8.  On vacation, there are no routines and very few rules, and you took it all in stride.  As always, I find myself feeling so blessed for the time we had and the happy, sweet, affectionate girl I got to spend it with.

• Your favorite thing at Disneyland was Mr. Toad's Wild Ride.  "I like the part where we go into danger." (I think that means hell)
• You also liked It's a Small World and started singing the song in the shower today.
• You rode the carousel a lot, and the tea cups, because the lines for those were short.  
• We spent two days at Disneyland and both afternoons, you fell asleep in my arms.  The first time, we were in line for a little kid train ride, so daddy and I rode it and held you.  The second day, I sat on a bench in the shade.  All those times I've said, Scarlett only sleeps when it's dark and quiet, I bite my tongue now.  You fell asleep twice in the middle of a loud, bright, chaotic place.  I could fall asleep with a few minute's notice, almost anywhere.  Maybe you're like me after all.
• We rode on a Nemo submarine where we get swallowed up by a whale and spit out, you love this and keep mentioning it.
• You loved walking around, holding Grandma or Grandpa's hands.  
• We had a scare where we temporarily lost Arnie one afternoon.  We tore the hotel room apart.  You say "I think he's lost" and "I'm okay if he's lost" but luckily we didn't have to test that second statement.  Grandma found him later, hidden in a drawer in her hotel room.
• On our last 3 days, you slept in until almost 9 am.  This is unheard of for you.
• The car ride consisted mostly of coloring, books, snacking, and singing songs from Johnny Appleseed, over and over.  At one point I think you played with a shoe lace for over an hour.
• I rode Splash Mountain three times.  Hope rode it twice, she was fine and without fear.  On my third round, your Uncle Tom tricked me into taking the front seat. It was frightening, and also wet.
• We spent a day at the beach, and I forgot to put on your sunscreen until it was almost too late.  Your skin was bright pink.
• You rode Pirates of the Caribbean twice, and mostly you were afraid.  Today you said "I think there's nice pirates. I heard them talking in there."

Cuddle party with the grandparents

Princesses

See, it's fun for grown-ups too!

Teacups made mama dizzy

A sleepy girl, and her daddy

Mr. Toad

Riding It's a Small World, on grandpa's birthday

Princess Hope, and Grandma

In the treehouse

I call this 'All Disney'd Out'

Two sleepy girls, at the end of day 1

I look forward to taking you back to Disney when you're older and we can brave Splash Mountain together.

Love, Mama

Scarlett, what do you love?

S: "Arnie!"
E: "What else?"
S: "My bed."
E: "Anything else?"
S: "Herman and Willie."