The Soothing Sounds of Nap Time

I don't know about you, but after a long day, I sure like to scream myself to sleep.  And apparently, so does Ben.

Another fun and sunny weekend!

When summer finally arrives in Seattle, it definitely does not disappoint...(unless you are like me, a true Pacific Northwest girl who melts when the temp reaches above 75).

Callie and her family were on vacation last week, so it gave me the perfect excuse to take a few days off from work and enjoy my time with Ben! 

On Friday, my mom took a vacation day and we took him to the Forest Park Animal Farm in Everett.  It was fun to see his (non)-reaction to all of the animals - he was far more curious and excited about the other kids that were surrounding him.  He did, however, enjoy the rooster.  Every minute or so when the rooster would crow, (crow, right?) he would jump and get a little startled!

That evening, we called up our friends Dan and Jeannette to see if they were, by chance, having an infamous Christensen Happy Hour (margaritas in their front yard).  Not surprisingly, they were - and when I asked when we should come by, they said, "30 minutes ago"!  Gotta love friends you can count on for an impromptu cocktail!  They invited us to stay for halibut tacos for dinner (fresh halibut, BTW, from their recent fishing trip to Alaska), so we made an evening out of it.  So much fun!

Laryd, their 4 year old son, did a great job of entertaining Ben.  I could tell he was annoyed that Ben wasn't playing back, but we assured him that given some time, he would get up to par.

On Saturday, we took Ben to PEPSaPalooza, a kids music festival that took place at The Bowl at Redhook Brewery.  When we arrived at 11 am, it was BLAZING HOT.  We enjoyed Casper Babypant's performance, (say what you want about the music, but dude puts on a cute show for the kiddos), ran into our friends Denali, Kylie and Oliver, and then were out of there by about 12:30.

On Sunday Morning, I was able to escape for a few hours for brunch and mani/pedi's with Rachel, which was super fun and relaxing :)  The rest of the day was spent napping, snacking, taking a dip in the pool - generally trying to escape the heat.  (I'm a wimp).

Ducks at Silver Lake

Ben at 10.5 Months

I'm not posting this video because it's particularly interesting or cute, but more because I want to be able to look back and remember how Ben was at this age.  I love watching him move from toy to toy, how he shuffles himself along toys taking little steps with the help of something to hold on to.  I feel like we are enjoying the last few pre-walking days right now!

Last night Ben took 3 steps away from the couch before falling.  I don't feel like we can really consider this him "taking his first steps", but he is so dang close.

Jamie and Collin's 5th Annual Seafair Party

 

 

I cannot believe that this was our 5th time celebrating Seafair with Jamie and Collin!  (Well, actually the 4th - I was on a pregnancy strike last year and decided that folding baby clothes and organizing the nursery sounded better than sitting in the sun and NOT drinking beer margaritas).  I remember a little over 5 years ago being with them out on their boat and discussing the home that they were thinking of purchasing, (which they obviously did).  Their house is in the Seward Park area, which is prime location for watching the Blue Angels, and their backyard is one of our favorite ones to gather in and enjoy a summer afternoon :)

Collin and Jamie are the host/hostesses with the mostest.  They know how to throw a PARTY.  They always mix in just the right amount of "tradition" (ladder golf tournaments, beer margaritas - served via a jug by Collin out on the corner where we watch the Blue Angels fly, shotgunning beers on the back deck...) and always have a great group of people to mingle with.  This year, there were several new additions to the group (babies!) which was fun.

We weren't sure how long we would be able to stay, but made the wise decision to bring Ben's pack and play and monitor, so when the time came, down he went for a nap in the basement bedroom.  Yes!  We were able to stay a LOT longer than we thought!

I would have the say the only part of the day that Ben wasn't quite ready for was the Blue Angels.  Every time one roared by, Ben would let out a terrified cry.  Greg quickly took him back to the house to hide.  We are hoping in a year or two he will understand just how cool they really are!

And yesterday, by far the HOTTEST day of the year we have had, Ben took two of his longest naps ever.  I think it was the heat, but I also think he was still wiped out from the long day of fun he had on Saturday.



My Little Yogi

Whenever we let him roam around our bedroom, Ben will go straight for the bookshelf and pull the same books off the shelf every single time.  He starts with all of my yoga teacher training manuals - my Asana Manual, my 12 weeks of homework, Policies and Procedures... and then will grab The Heart of Yoga, The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali and my Sanskrit flashcards.

Om.

Well, that settles it...

...we may need to have a little girl someday.  Ben just looks way too cute in pink hearts.