The art of play

It's really interesting to see the differences in the way Erin and Patrick play.  Take blocks for instance.  Erin haphazardly stacks them on top of each other, trying to see how high she can get the tower without really paying attention to how it'll balance.  I think she enjoys it falling over as much as she enjoys stacking them.

Patrick, however, is very methodical.  He starts with the thicker blocks so it's steadier, and always thinks a moment and then places the block very carefully.

This is his concentration face.  Matt makes the EXACT same face.

Another good comparison is the slide.  Erin is quite timid.  She need to be holding a hand to go down (though by the end of this particular playground trip we got her to start going down herself)

She was celebrating going down all by herself: "I did it, Mommy! I did it!!" and jumping up and down.

Patrick, however, is a little too fearless for my own comfort.  He was going down completely on his own within just a few minutes.

And we always love Gidget

My Hallween costume is done

Catching up

We went to Eldorado State Park on Friday for Matt's company bbq lunch.  Google maps took us the wrong way, but we got some pretty pictures!

And when we finally got there, we let Erin and Patrick play in the water a bit.

Then Sunday I made the MOST fabulous blueberry pancakes ever for dinner.  Patrick loved them.  He ate four.

Erin didn't eat any.  But she let me take a cute picture!

Mom! Take a pitoh!

Snickerdoodles and Gidget

Erin and I made snickerdoodles yesterday during Patrick's nap.  She loves to make cookies.  I think it makes her feel grown up.
(Im)Patiently waiting while I un/loaded the dishwasher before we got started

Mixing

Enjoying the fruits of her labors

And she stole the camera and took this one of Matt

And after dinner we went out to run an errand.  By the time we got back, Erin was completely asleep (an hour before bedtime).  But our downstairs neighbor was outside with her dog Gidget, and Patrick was so excited I decided to let him play with her for a bit.

Our neighbor's grandson was over with his bike, and Patrick was very curious.  At one point he put his hand on it and lifted his foot like he was going to try to ride it!  He makes me laugh all the time.

He now does it on demand

His crinkle-nosed smile that is.  Well, you have to do it at him first, but he'll readily do it back.  It's great.

And Erin was yelling "Mommy! Hewwp, I stuck!" from her bedroom.  I go in there, yeah, she's just playing around.

Park Playdate

Whoever invented Relief Society park playdates was a genius.  I decided to go today, even though it was kind of hot, and I'm so glad I did.  I didn't realize how much I need to just sit and talk to some other adults until I did. And the kids just loved running around outside with other kids.