Fort Worden State Park - Part 1

Hi everyone,

We live in such a beautiful area! We went camping recently over on the peninsula and were treated to two beautiful sunny days and two not so sunny days. When the weather was nice we got out and explored. There was so much to do whether it was the beach, the woods, the fort, and heading in to town. I love camping! In fact I presented a deal to mom and dad on our way over on the ferry. I offered to buy the truck and trailer from them for $1.00 when I get old enough to drive. What do you think? Will they take me up on it?

Did you see Dad trying to show me how to skip rocks on the water? Did you get a load of the rock that I tried to skip across the water in that last shot? We had a great time biking down to the lighthouse and walking down on the beach. Little girl even threw a few rocks in the water too.

We saw a lot of deer throughout the park. They were so tame it was amazing. I think if I was a deer I would choose to live in a state park too!

Until next time, when I take you on a tour of the fort . . .

Future Track Star

Hi everyone,

During the summer months our community puts on a track meet that is open to anyone from ages 2 on up. Last year I wasn't here when they held the meets but this year I was finally able to participate. I was so excited to be able to run the hurdles, especially since mom told me about them when I was making my own hurdles at home using my step stool.

Smoothly gliding over each hurdle . . .

Down the runway for the long jump . . .

Leaping through the air . . .

Softball throw, where I am exhibiting the fact that I am a true lefty . . .

Until next time . . .

Moving Furniture

Hi everyone,

Am I going to be one of those kids who rearranges his room often just for a change of pace? Who knows. Mom sure did when she was a kid. Kind of funny that she was always changing her room around and yet she can keep the furniture in our house in the same place for years. I guess she must have gotten it all out of her system when she was little. As for me, I guess we'll have to wait and see.

As you know, I started out in the nursery in a crib. I was then moved to a twin bed on the floor but I chose to stay in my nursery room. Once we decided to get our foster care license I told mom and dad that I could handle sleeping in the back bedroom so all my stuff was moved into there and the nursery housed the crib once again. That should pretty much bring you up to speed.

The big change now is that my furniture was moved around and I got BUNKBEDS! As you can see we are still waiting to get a mattress for the top bunk, but that's okay because I am super excited just to have it in my room. The best thing about them is that they were free! I know, amazing, huh.

Until next time . . .

Race Season Begins

Hi everyone,

It's running season again. At least for me that is. The runs and races I usually participate in happen during the summer and fall months. I was super excited to be able to participate in my first organized race since this past November! I almost didn't get to run because mom went and ran her 12 miles before I even woke up so I knew she wasn't going to be doing the 5K or 10K that they offer for adults. Mom must have been in the running mood though because they ended up deciding to drive over to the race just so I could participate in the kid's dash. How nice is that?

Mom gave me a pep talk before the race but I still decided to have her start out with me so that I could have some company while running.

 Getting close to the finish line. Look at that form.
Look at that concentration.

Waiting in line to have my tag taken and my time marked. 

I was so happy to get a ribbon at the finish line!

Dad occupying his time. Looks like he managed to do a pretty good job of that. He probably would have tried to get the swing to go over and around the top if he could have.

Until next time . . .

Another Family Member (for now)

Hi everyone,

We are almost to real time, almost. At least this post is finally about stuff that is going on in the same month that we are in and not a few months back.

First things first. For the last 2 1/2 weeks we have had a fourth member in our family. I can't really share any information about her except to tell you that she is 2 years old and she is living with us temporarily. It doesn't look like she'll be with us much longer than a few weeks more but even in this short time it has been quite an interesting experience. Along with having to adjust to less of mom and dad's attention I have also had to adjust to someone else wanting to play with my toys (even the ones I am currently playing with). I guess the good thing about that is that she has a pretty short attention span so it is usually only a minute or two before she moves on to the next thing and I can get my toy back. Gotta look for the positives in everything, right? She seems to have adjusted to our family fairly easily. There have been some pretty big changes for her, like having a scheduled bedtime, sleeping in a crib, being weaned off the pacifier, going to the dentist for the first time, and things like that so I am sometimes amazed at how happy she is (you know considering all that she has been through). Kids, we sure are resilient.

Are you wondering why I am holding a slice of cheesecake with a candle in it? Oh, you weren't. But I thought for sure you were just dying to know. I'll tell you anyway. We don't usually celebrate half birthdays at our house but mom and dad thought it would be fun to do something special for me since I have done such a great job welcoming someone new into our house. Also, it's really the first year that I realize that now I can say I am 4 1/2 and understand what the half means. And if you can believe it, I love cheesecake. This was the first one of mom's that I had so I was pretty excited to get a slice. I wanted more but they cut me off after one.

Until next time . . .

Disneyland - A Final Farewell

Hi everyone,

I'm sure you'll be excited to know that this is going to be my last post about our trip to Disneyland. I know I'm excited! Who would have thought we could have taken so many pictures and have done so many things in the 6 days that we were there.

If you can believe it our non-risk taker actually went on the Tower of Terror. In case you think I'm referring to me let me set you straight. I'm actually referring to mom. Yes, I went on the ride as well, but mom is the one who is the non-risk taker who I managed to convince to go. And no, she did not like it one bit and will NEVER go on it again!

 Family picture before the ride - a bit nervous but all smiles!

Far away of the action shot . . . we are in the top right corner in our matching Mickey shirts. 

I'm sure you can see that mom and dad are looking at each other over my head.

Close up of the action shot . . . this is so classic of me. I am all serious when 

I don't really know how to feel about a situation. No expression whatsoever. 

You can see by the others on the ride that this was not the case for them.

And back to all smiles after the ride! I just have to say that this is the ONLY ride in Disneyland or California Adventure that I did not get off and immediately say I wanted to ride again.

Last photo op with Mickey . . . he really liked my shirt!

On the last night we actually stayed for the firework show and we are so glad we did. We were 

able to see the fireworks every night from the RV resort but all we heard was the booming of 

the explosions. To actually get to sit on Main Street and watch the show and hear the music and 

voices that went along with it were great! And we had prime seats!

And the sweetest for last . . . this was our very last line while waiting for a ride before we 

headed to stake out our seats for the firework show. We didn't even get to go on it 

because the ride broke down while we were in line. Bummer.

Until next time . . .

Disneyland - California Adventure - Part 2

Hi everyone,

I can't believe how much there was to do in Disneyland! I'm sure you are getting a little tired of seeing pictures but I think I'm down to the last few posts.

The giant ferris wheel! Mom, Dad, and I went on it together and we were in a stationary car. Mom freaked out! I guess she really doesn't like heights. Then Dad and I went on it by ourselves in a swinging cart!

The view from the top. I'm surprised the camera isn't shaking \

since Mom was the one taking the picture!

Finally  . . . a picture with Woody and Jessie!

Mom won these for me at the Midway arcade while Dad and I were on the swinging ferris wheel car!

Me playing the Midway game with all the Toy Story characters! 

Do you like my 3D glasses?

So excited to see these guys! Wish the section for them was already finished.

First time at bumper cars!

First time on giant swings! You can tell I had a lot of first times!

Watching a show over in Hollywood Backlot!

Until next time . . . who knows I may be able t finish up in my next post. Although you may get an onslaught of pictures if I do that!

Disneyland - California Adventure - Part 1

Hi everyone,

I forgot about a few photos that I had left from Frontierland. I should probably post them before I take you into California Adventure.

Mom and Dad got me into trouble. I guess it wasn't really their fault though. I wasn't supposed to be sitting on this wagon but some other people moved the barrels that were supposed to be blocking it so we didn't know any different. That is until a worker feeding the cow told us I wasn't supposed to be on there. Oops.

I waited and waited and waited for Woody to come out for his appearance. Unfortunately, Woody and Jessie wouldn't really stand still. I was very disappointed that I couldn't get a still picture with them. I guess if mom was better at charades I could have had a picture walking with them without the big crowd behind. She should probably brush up on her charade skills so she can know what Woody is saying next time he tries to tell her something.

So we saved the last two days of our trip for California Adventure. I thought it might only take a day to see everything, but there was actually more to it than I thought. The first ride we went on was Soarin' Over California. I was pretty excited to be up in the air watching the big screen like we really were flying. After that we went on the Grizzly River Ride. That was a blast, and it was a good thing that it was already warm because we got soaked.

Next we headed over to the kid adventure area where they had a zip line, rope netting to climb up, logs to go through, and a rock wall. I didn't get to go on the rock wall because I didn't have closed toe shoes but that was the only thing I didn't do there.

 

First time doing the zip line . . . I was a bit timid and only went halfway up the hill.

The next time I rocked it and went all the way up the hill!

Notice the glasses askew! When you hit the tires you get a bit of a jolt!

Until next time . . .where I continue California Adventure.