Curious George Goes to the Doctor

I hate playing catch-up. Usually, I just choose to skip over blogging about whatever's been too long past, but these are some memories I don't want to forget!

In May, Chris went to Ecuador for a study abroad program. It was a HUGE blessing for us that he was able to go. It looks like it has/will open some educational and professional doors for him. He traveled there with a group from the U, with Dr. Bill Johnson, a geochemist/professor. There, they studied the effects that small gold mining operations are having on the environment; mostly, to see if mercury is making its way into their food supply. They took various samples (trust me, you don't want to know) to bring back to the lab to test for mercury. This trip has turned into a summer (and possibly fall) job that is giving him excellent experience. I'm going to try to nudge him a bit to write a post about Ecuador because he has some really cool photos and stories.

Anyway, while he was gone, I definitely didn't want to have to handle these two yahoos by myself, so I flew to my parents' in Washington to have some fun, and pass the time. When my dad found out that W is a self-proclaimed "city kid," he made it his responsibility to put a little country in him. Every day, my dad left work early and W followed him around, doing various "country kid" things, such as:

*fixing sprinkler heads
*riding around the neighborhood in the golf cart
*helping to mow the lawn
*taking walks to the park
*playing golf in the yard
*Etc.

Before Pop-Pop got home each day, we would have fun with my mom, whom W calls Higg. We'd go for walks around the "lake," watch the birds, listen to W's imitations, go to the mall for pretzels, go grocery shopping, etc. Usually the kiddos were so wiped out that they fell asleep in the car (even W!), providing a bit of downtime for me, as I'd wait in the car and read The Hunger Games series while I waited for them to wake up. It fun and relaxing, and Ada took some of her first steps one night while Mom and I were out to her ward's BBC night.

One major thing that I wanted to accomplish was to show W and Ada that doctors are nothing to be afraid of. At their last appt, both had meltdowns of phenomenal proportions. It was humiliating for everyone involved. I ended up carrying both screaming children out at the end of it. A rite of passage? Maybe. But I'll do whatever I can to not repeat it. So, we went to my dad's office, where we showed W that Pop-Pop is a doctor, too. We brought W's Curious George friend with us, and Pop-pop showed W all the things he does, and how going to the doctor isn't scary, doesn't hurt, etc. Ada's one-year appt is next week. We'll see if it did anything to help her. Anyway, here are some photos of the big event:

getting prepped for his cast

applying cast

W cutting off casting material

c'est magnifique!

smiles for the car ride home

Ada's First Birthday

Yesterday, Ada-girl turned 1. It was such a busy day, I didn't even have time to stop and reflect on the year gone by. At her party, a friend asked me something along the lines of how the first year went with two. I realized I hadn't really thought about it in those terms, but before I could answer, she piped up, "I think it was successful!" I have to agree. It's been a good year, which is not to say it's been without its ups and downs, but.. when life feels like it's going right, you just don't stop to question. You give your thanks and move on. Am I right?

It was a lovely day and a lovely party. We have this fantastic rooftop garden/party area in our building that I never utilized until last night, but it was a great space; lots of space for people to move around (read: for kids to run around crazy) and socialize. Once the sun went down some, it cooled off a bit and was quite comfortable, even if the ice cream had turned into soup. At least there were lots of mix-ins.

I got the idea of an ice cream buffet from Pinterest (where else?). And I'd been collecting little bits of pink party decor here and there ever since she was born. Perhaps before. All in all, it was inexpensive and lots of fun. We're so grateful to have amazing people in our lives who come to celebrate our kids with us.

Eating her pink lemonade cake. She wasn't shy.

We played a variation of pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey; it's called dip-a-marshmallow-in-powedered-sugar-and-try-to-throw-it-in-Ada's-mouth. Will did it twice. Good aim!

Ada played, too.

I love this pic of my brother and sister-in-law so I had to share it. Aren't they precious?

So sweet.