Pacific Science Center

 

 Last weekend, Clem and I hit up the Pacific Science Center to celebrate Sissy's birthday. Just the two of us went down as Dutchy wasn't feeling so well so the boys stayed home, snuggling.

 It worked out to be just the thing this little lady and I needed. A little time for just the two of us to adventure. (In this picture, we thought we were getting the Space Needle behind us. The selfie didn't quite work out, but I love Clem's sweet grin so I'm keeping it.)

 Can you find Clementine at the base of the space needle?

 We met up with Sissy and fam with Yaya just outside the Science Center gates.

 "MOM! I just touched this! It's Dinosaur POOP!" Hilarious!

 

 

 

Super Park!

 Last month, while the rest of our state was busy cheering for a football game, our little foursome took advantage of the empty parks, clear roads, abandoned skating rinks and we made a little day of it.
A new park opened up here in town and it packs a wallop! Unfortunately, we'd gone twice before to discover ALL OF BELLINGHAM there with us.

You see, the new park has a zip line. That's all I really need to say, but I will detail the other cool features.

 Slides galore!

 OMG. Is that a spinner (of doom)??!! (I'm sure you remember that Clementine fell off of a spinner last spring, breaking her elbow...mama gets a little protective.)

 A swing to corral Dutch.

 Good lord! This thing spins around WHILE CHILDREN CLIMB IT!!

 The fort is outfitted like a tree house in the woods so the climbing structures are built like stumps, for example. Perfect for posing on.

 My children paid attention to the musical components for approximately a split second.

And Dutch could hardly be torn away from these, the stairs. That's all they are. But he loves 'em!

It's Happening

 

 It's happening (yeah, no thank you).

 

 

 His baby fat is melting off of his cheeks. The dimples have disappeared from his chubby little hands. He is using the potty to take care of his needs. He wants to do it himself (shoes, coat, socks, pouring milk) and he wants to get it himself (hello climbing the pantry shelves in search of snack). He is sleeping in a big boy bed instead of his crib. He wants to do chores like his Shoo-Shoo. And I can't wrap my mind around it. My baby! My last baby is suddenly turning into a wee boy. My heart is simultaneously breaking and exploding with pride.

And at the same time he is initiating kisses and hugs. He puts  his hand on either of my cheeks and says "Pretty girl." He is in his car seat after daycare and says "Guess what? I missed you today Shoo-Shoo." He is singing along to familiar songs and telling me the story of the three little pigs.

 

(And he looks at Cameron with a frown on his face and says "You be quiet, CAMERON!" with extra emphasis on the "Cameron" part because he knows. Oh, he knows.)