Zoo Trip and More

This morning we went to the zoo with the Grandparents Russell and G.G. (Great Grandma). Fun was had and lots of pictures were taken! Nico enjoyed sitting in the jeep at the zoo with Grandpa.

Then this afternoon the Grandparents came over to hang out. They leave to go back to Washington tomorrow morning.

BIRTHDAY BOY!

Today Nico turned 2 YEARS OLD! I can't believe it.

Grandpa and Grandma Russell came into town today!! They brought G.G. (Great Grandma) over with them so we could have a small party. We sang Happy Birthday to Nico, he attempted to blow out candles, and then we opened presents. I think he's getting the hang of opening gifts and understanding that underneath the wrapping paper is something that he gets to play with! He got a lot of great gifts today, including a handmade play mat and carrying case (made out of Guy's jeans when he was younger!). Nico loved this, and spent a lot of time moving his new cars (and old micro machines) around the mat. And get this: the mat is made from Richard Scarry fabric!! Made by Grandma Russell. It was a hit.

This morning the Grandparents Salisbury came and visited Nico at the nursery at our church before they headed to the airport so they could say Happy Birthday to the birthday boy! They brought him a lego set (large blocks) that he loves!

Coloring

Today I brought the crayons out for the first time in a long time, and Nico colored in his very own coloring book. It was a gift to him from my Aunt Jill and her girls. Nico mostly scribbled back and forth really fast.

Xylophone

This morning we hung out with Sarah. She brought Nico a birthday present from her and her mom, my Aunt Ellen. A xylophone! Nico loved it.

Grandma Snuggles

Today Grandma Salisbury came over for a quick visit, but Nico wanted her to stay longer, so she did. He laid his head on her shoulder and held on for quite a while.

Zoo Again

We went to the zoo today with Allicia and Evie. All of the animals were out and about and very easy to see. Nico was very very excited to see each of the animals. I think he's starting to enjoy our zoo trips! While we were there we heard the lion roar several times. You could hear him from across the zoo. Every time he roared, Evie would roar and then Nico would roar.

And the end of the zoo trip, I took Nico's pants off and gave them to Allicia for Evie. They were too small around his waist and not long enough for his legs, so I thought it would be a good time to pass them on.

Zoo

We went to the zoo this morning to see the butterfly exhibit. Nico enjoyed it, and actually had a butterfly land on his shoulder. I told him it was there and he kept turning to try to see it.

We also fed the goats. Nico was pleased to hold a pellet of food out for the goat to grab with his lips.

Tonight we went for a few walks, one with all 3 of us and the Strider, and one without. I was surprised on our second walk, Nico just took off down the sidewalk. He isn't one for walking, so this was a surprise. He didn't ask for his bike or anything. For part of the journey we both took our shoes off to walk barefoot.

The picture is of Nico with a butterfly on his shoulder, this was taken as he was starting to turn to see if he could see it.

Birthday Party!

Today was Nico's birthday party. We had it up at the cabin and it was tons of fun. Hot dogs first, then "cupcakes" (apple-cinnamon muffins and banana muffins with optional cream cheese frosting), then presents. The cousins had such a fun time playing.

Nico got an awesome garbage truck that was an instant hit. Some books, balls, other toys.

There was a huge grass fire off of highway 21, so bad that the road was closed for a while and David and Jaynelle weren't able to make it out to the cabin! And we were stuck out at the cabin for a few hours. The roads opened again at about 7 PM and we were all able to leave.

Sitting on the Strider!

Today we went for two Strider walks. One in the morning and one in the afternoon. During the one in the morning, near the end of our walk, Nico actually sat on his Strider seat. When he did this, he got a big smile on his face and looked up at me excitedly. I praised him for figuring out how to sit on it and keep moving. He shakily took a few steps while sitting, but soon went back to standing.

He walked on his Strider the 2nd time out today.

We also went to the Saturday market and bought some dried apples, a pint of strawberries, and a bag of fresh, organic green beans. Yummy!

No picture today :(

Striders Striders Everywhere

Picture is of Nico watching a video of a child riding a Strider bike.

This morning we hung out with Allicia and Evie and another mom and baby. Come to find out that Evie and the other child, Miles, both had Strider bikes, too!

In the evening, Nico and I went out and took a walk with his Strider bike. He wanted me to be on my bike, too, so I brought my bike out and just walked next to it. Nico actually walked on his Strider bike the entire time (instead of wanting to be carried most of the way), we went around the block and were gone for 45 minutes. I think I will raise the seat a bit on his bike because I think it may be too low and that's why he hasn't thought to sit on it yet.

Sarah, Park, Strider

This morning we met Sarah at the park again. I brought along Nico's strider bike in case he wanted to play with it. He played on the park for a while and then wanted to get on his Strider.

Tonight I wrapped all of Nico's birthday presents. His birthday celebrations will be spread over a few weeks, it should be pretty fun!

Strider and Zoo

Nico received two of his birthday presents today, from Grandparents Salisbury. We went to the zoo this morning to get a zoo membership. We were hoping to visit the butterflies, but they don't open until 10 and we had to be home by then. So we just saw the lions and a few random monkeys before heading home.

Then later this afternoon, his strider bike came in the mail! The strider is a bike with no pedals. When kids first use it, they just walk with it, until they feel comfortable sitting. That's what Nico did when he got on it.

Later this evening, we watched some videos of kids on strider bikes on YouTube, and he went and got his strider bike and got on it and walked back and forth in the living room with it while continuing to watch the videos. He even asked for his helmet after seeing the kids on the video wearing theirs. He has already perfected getting on the bike. He holds both handlebars and then picks up his leg over the seat. To get off the bike, he just pushes it to the ground and steps over it.

Batman

Nico wore his Batman shirt today that he received from my cousin Molly. It has a cape that attaches to it with velcro on the back. He enjoyed wearing it!

This morning we went to the park where he climbed a big rock for the first time. In the picture you can see his Batman cape.

This evening he spent some time with Grandma Salisbury at the mall while I went to  CPR class. Guy had a migraine so he stayed tucked into bed. Nico had a blast at the mall and I came home in just enough time to hug Nico goodnight and put him to bed.

Rained Out

We got rained out at the park this morning! So we came home, smelling like wet dogs, and sat on the couch and watched a 10 minute video of a parade of emergency vehicles, all with their sirens on. Nico has really been enjoying watching car videos. He'll hand me the iPad and sign "car" if he can't figure out how to get to the videos in YouTube. He can literally watch the same 10 minute video a few times in a row, sirens blaring!

He also likes to watch car hydraulic competitions on YouTube.

Kale Chips

We went up to the cabin today. Aunt Ellen, Sarah and I made kale chips with different spices. They turned out very tasty! (See the almost empty plate on the table)

Sarah

We hung out with Sarah today! Nico wasn't in the mood for pictures, but he was having a blast with Sarah there.

Printer

Nico now can climb up onto the printer. He doesn't know yet how to get down on his own, but he can sure get up there quick.

More Fun

Nico had a lot of fun today with the Grandparents Russell. Pushing a car back and forth across the table was quite entertaining to him. They headed back to Washington today but we'll see them again soon for Nico's birthday!

Russell Reunion

Nico had a lot of fun at the Russell reunion. He played in the water, played with the dogs, and ate a lot of dried apples.

Grandparents Russell

The Grandparents Russell came into town today!

Slides

A picture of Nico and me on the slides at "Old Park". My cousin Sarah came with us and she is the one who took this picture.

Pool Time

We filled up the baby pool today and let Nico play in it with his bath toys.