Just a few more things...

Over Christmas Logan started calling his grandpa "Lorne" and started calling Garrett "Lollie." Because Garrett likes to sleep in past 5 a.m. (who doesn't?), Logan often wandered around in the morning saying "Lollie night-night" and pointing downstairs to where Uncle Lollie sleeps. So sweet. Logan was a big fan of giving hugs to uncle Lollie this Chrismas.

And because the photos are too cute not to post:

What is in this?

Cleaning up before Christmas Eve Mass


Being Mischievious

Getting ready to go to the Christmas Tree Farm with Preschool

Christmas Day and yes, Logan eats food other than cheddar bunnies

By the time Christmas rolled around, Logan had settled into staying at Grandma and Grandpa's and slept past 4:45 a.m. Yeah! He promptly asked for Nana. And also asked "Nana night-night?" When told that Nana was indeed asleep, Logan responded "Nana get down!" Fortunately for all of us, she complied shortly thereafter without much proding from our insistent toddler.

Logan was really into the opening of Christmas gifts and managed to be great about everyone else opening their own. He even helped distribute gifts a little bit.

Logan was the lucky recipient of a tee-pee from his grandparents, a traditional Arizona jersey from his Uncle Lolly (Garrett), and an art easel from Auntie Keely and Uncle Phil, not to mention a myriad of other gifts from his grandparents, parents, great-grandparents, and other miscellaneous loved ones.

He had a fantastic time during the Christmas holiday up in Bellingham where, ironically, it snowed less than it did at our house.

Christmas Eve

Mass with a toddler is always a source of entertainment but Logan was in rare form for Christmas Eve mass. He began mass by saying hi to everyone and would continue to say it until he got a response from everyone.

He then proceeded to eat as many cheddar bunnies as would be possible. However, as a charming addition to the feast on cheddar bunnies after he would eat one he would ask for "just one more" including the hand gesture below. It was hilarious.

He also spent a great deal of time saying hi to the other babies in church. As it was a children's mass there were many babies to say hi to. Especially at full volume. Good thing we were in the last pew so the sounds may have been muffled a bit.

About an hour into mass, Logan reached his max ability to stay in a pew. We went for a bit of a walk and when we came in, Logan decided to give everyone in our pew a high five - including the family who was not ours. As he proceeded down the row, he tripped over his boots and smacked his head on the pew - With Logan the accident count is always zero. The sound was so loud even the priest stopped talking. We left shortly afterward... Not exactly a peaceful introduction into the celebration of Jesus's birth...

Christmas came early this year...

Logan received his big Christmas gift a few days early this year because we honestly ran out of activities to do in the house after so many snow days. He loves his diner and spent hours making coffee. (It has sound effects much to Logan's delight and our chagrin).

He cooks, he cleans, he serves, he washes dishes in the sink. He has so much fun. It is fantastic! And, it has expanded his vocabulary to include the essentials: hot dog, ice cream, daddy juice (coffee), and pie.

Is she home yet?

Snow day number 4 - Logan and Ollie waited in the front window for me to come home from work. Aren't they cute?

Just like a grown-up

In his new quest to be a grown-up Logan has started imitating everything those around him do. Perhaps we are taking too many pictures and talking on the phone too much?

Snow Day Activities

Stuck inside for multiple days due to the snow, the boys got very creative in their playtime activities. Doesn't he look so happy to be in his tent? (the pink blanket is my blankie from childhood and Logan has decided no fort is complete without it.)

And, for those of you who think we Seattleites are wusses about snow, this time it was a genuine blizzard. And no, that patio furniture is not unusually low to the ground.

Rocky and his vintage sweater

Logan's sweater in this photo was originally his grandpa's. We were telling this to Logan and he was proudly explaining it to the lady in the checkout line at the grocery store.

Note the black eye in this photo: As his preschool teacher often tells me - "if there was a sign in our school showing the number of days accident free, most days it would be zero because of Logan."

In the mad dash to see whose parent was at the door to pick up their kid, Logan took a dive into a mini table and wound up with a black eye. Preschool injury number 5 already...

The best outfit ever

Toddlers dressing themselves might possibly be the best assessment of individual personality imaginable. The penguin hat, poloshirt, baby legs/ hockey socks, and giraffe boots are a stunning combination only a toddler could unselfconsciously adore wearing.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Although a little untimely to discuss now, we had an excellent thanksgiving. My family bravely agreed to allow us to host it at our house this year. We had a great time! It was fantastic to have Keely and Phil stay with us. Logan loved every minute with his Auntie - as evidenced by this photo. I don't think he could be any happier.

Trick or treating

"DOOR!!"

Logan completely got into the Halloween spirit. He was thrilled to be a sea turtle and even happier that Oliver (our pug) joined him as a lobster. The "boys" went trick or treating to about six houses on our block tonight after Logan's trial run at Mike's office yesterday. Logan loved the whole process but decided that only red candy would be acceptable to take. Absolutely hilarious!!

Logan's grandparents joined us for trick or treating and Logan was so excited to show his grandpa his full outfit, including his pumpkin bucket. (Grandma had already seen the full outfit and Logan had received her praise)

We had a fantastic time trick or treating and were shocked by how well Logan understood the whole process. My favorite moment is that Logan began yelling "door!" when we came to people's homes instead of trick or treat.

Another fantastic moment - Logan began taking one step and then pulling out treats from his bucket to show off. Then another step and a moment to show off.

The evening was surprisingly successful and full of fun for all of us.

Hopefully video of Logan trick or treating will be posted soon...

Life transition update

Logan, although initially resistant to day care, now really enjoys going. Although he is still less than thrilled with the "mommy goes to work every day" situation, he has adjusted really well to pre-school. We found a terrific place that takes Logan to gymnastics weekly and goes on a monthly field trip. (October was a trip to the pumpkin patch with Logan's Grandma and Grandpa as chaperones)

I have to leave for work early and sometimes can only sneak in moments with Logan. However, some mornings we have time for dance party before work. Logan's favorite new song to dance to is "Love Lockdown" by Kanye West. Logan dances in circles until he gets dizzy and has to lay down. As soon as we get it on video, I will post it.

Logan is typically up to his usual rare form antics. He has started to climb everything - and has started to use other objects as tools. The drawers in the kitchen have become steps to climb onto the counter. A toy drum is useful for getting up to the top shelf to reach the best toys. Somewhere karma is punishing me for climbing the Christmas tree at the same age...

My Social Life is better than Mommy's

Halloween Party 2 - Logan's Pre-school threw a halloween potluck party this week. Logan was the happiest kid in his costume.

Grandpa's Revenge

And then this happened...

Tough Guy

Logan, ever the tough guy, wrestled Grandpa to the ground and then wondering what happened

The Simplest things

When Logan's Grandma took care of him she let him ride in the laundry basket back from the laundry room. At that time he couldn't even see over the edge. Now inches taller the ride is still extraordinary fun!

Saying Goodbye to Friends

Logan thinks that the sign language for "thank you" is actually to blow kisses. So to say goodbye or thank you he blows kisses to everyone. This photo is stage 1 of the kiss blowing.

Halloween and a Toddler's social life

Logan has four Halloween parties to attend this year. Four!! Our sociable little toddler has a much better social life than us grown-ups.

Party 1 was the PEPS party with his (thus far) life long friends. They have graduated from babyhood to doing craft projects.

(Ok... so maybe I made this pumpkin but the general idea was there)

The girls were lady bugs and puppies, Logan is a sea turtle, and Sam is a dragon. Aren't they so cute?

A far cry from last year when they all cried every minute they were in their costumes! (Although it is still a bit tough to get them all lined up on the couch) This year we have to cajole logan to get him out of it.

I still cannot get over how this cute child is mine. Oh the luck!

Sometimes this is the best way to eat...

Logan occassionally eats a meal with great exuberance. However, lately that only involves plain tomato sauce - no pasta, nothing dipped in it thank you anyway. Just the sauce. At least we get him to eat something occassionally...

Walking Charlotte's Dog

So much easier to walk than our dog...

Preparing for "School"

Knowing that the transition to daycare would be a bit difficult for Logan we tried to make it really fun. So, what better way to make it seem cool than to buy more stuff? (ummm, this may not be the best message to teach him) Anyway, we took Logan shopping and let him choose his very own backpack. He wears it to school everyday.

Farm Tots

Last friday Logan and I went to Farm Tots - a local farm hosts lots of babies and moms, takes the kids on tractor rides, introduces them to farm animals (goats, alpacas, and chickens), and gives a lesson of the week (this week was about growth from a seed to a plant). Logan loved the farm, particularly the goats and also almost freed the chickens. Perhaps a lesson to me to not let him explore quite so much.

To chants of "goats, goats, goats" by Logan, we picked fresh herbs and ate lunch with our friends before heading home. As this is my last week to be a stay at home mom, I am reveling in this little moments.

At the end of the day, Logan climbed up a small ladder and popped his head through for a photo op all on his own. So sweet!

Who doesn't love fake grass?

Given the opportunity to pick anything out of a bin at Michael's, Logan decided on this lovely piece of fake grass with fuzzy fronds. It is a car ride favorite...

My Little Traveler

Continuing on our quest for halloween costumes we instead found these fantastic french puzzles in lunchboxes. However, Logan is so little, they look more like suitcases. He immediately took both of them and began walking to the front of the store. Needless to say, they both came home. I couldn't capture his face but he was so delighted with them - one woman strolling by said Logan was easily the cutest thing she had ever seen.

Once we got them home we played with them a little more - made one of the puzzles and also used the box as a seat.

Logan is still busy carrying them around the house most days.

Logan Loves Costco

On a search for a new halloween costume (last year's shark sadly does not fit) Logan and I went to Costco. Although Costco does not have costumes available yet, they did have samples. My silly boy - who does not want to eat anything at all lately - wanted every sample they had to offer. Bean burrito - yes please! Pineapple-coconut sorbet - why not! Please mummy may I have a burger? (To this I had to say no)

The whole expedition was hilarious. And, to top it all off, about halfway through our time there Logan decided to wear my sunglasses. I have officially decided he is the cutest kid ever.

My very first art project

1 grumpy toddler + 1 large roll of white paper + 4 tubs of non-toxic fingerpaint = 1 fantastic art project & 1 majorly improved mood!

Things Logan likes to say

I know we all think our babies are geniuses (and of course they are) but I wanted to quickly keep track of the things that Logan has started to say with words (before my bar review filled brain forgets everything).

"Look, balloons"
"I want that"
"Ollie the Dog"
"I get it"
"I did that"
"ball"
"bubbles" (my new favorite)
"dog/doggy"
"go"
"that" (in reference to anything and everything he wants i.e that, that, that with finger pointed)
"What is this?"
"thank you"
"cat"
"daddy"
"mama"
"grandpa"
"grandma"
"cracker"
"hi"
"bye"
"owl"
"yes"
"okay"
"alright"
"squirrel"
"vache" (French for cow - thanks to Grandma and Auntie Lannie for the French baby books!)


I know there are way more words he has been using but at least this is a start.

Someday I will be a runner like my mum...

But until then I am just going to laugh and walk around in one of her shoes.

Logan took my running shoe, got it on, and actually tried walking around in it today. He was laughing so hard!