Bubbles

Mommy got a recipe for amazing, huge bubbles - and tremendous fun was had by all!

Teddy Bear Picnic

Our town has an AMAZING parent support network as part of the public school system.  It's a fabulous resource, as well as a fun place for Asa to go to playgroup.  Recently, they had their end-of-the-year picnic in the park by our house, and M., who's done with school for the summer, got to join us.

(Sorry about the color - these are all cell-phone shots, and it's hard to check the white balance when you're having a hard time even seeing the screen properly.  But don't they kinda look awesome and hand-tinted?)


Watching the woman with the guitar play "Old MacDonald".

The nice policeman who let the kids scramble all over his car.  A friend watched her daughter emerging from the backseat of said police car, snapped a picture, and said, "That had better be the last time I ever witness this."

The biggest firetruck in town - this is the rear cab of the jointed truck.  Asa and I climbed into the main cab, but he freaked out and wouldn't let go, so we didn't get a good picture.

With the friend and daughter of the abovementioned police car episode.  Her son is about Asa's age... unfortunately, they're moving in a week or so.  BOO.  We'll miss you guys!

It's really interesting to see your child in the context of so many other kids.  There's a whole perspective that we wouldn't normally get - like knowing that Asa is actually very shy and clingy, which is not at all how we see him at home (of course).  He also talks more than most (although not as much in public) and is very compassionate towards his peers - until the sharing of toys is at stake, at which point he reverts to being incredibly normal and kinda... well... TWO.  (ish.)

And awesome.  Did I mention awesome?

Blocks

Asa the architect!

He's in the Dr. Seuss school of architecture, I think.

The Quotable Asa, Video Edition

Turn the volume way up...

First Glimpse

Sprout seemed pretty sleepy for this ultrasound - only when the tech really pushed into M.'s belly did we see a protesting wave of arms and legs.  So here you go - our adorable sea monkey.

Asa said it looked like a seagull.  I kinda see what he means.

Pride 2011

A cold and rainy day, but spent with Uncles... it really doesn't get much better!

And it really only rained for the first... hour?  hour and a half?  something like that.

On the ride home, with all his treasures.

Happy Pride!

Aquarium!

Our local library has passes to several museums and cultural centers, so we took advantage this week, to celebrate the end of M.'s school year.  And really, where better to bring a Nemo-obsessed toddler than the Aquarium?

We got our first thrill before we'd even walked in the door - harbor seal training!

The great sea tank was a huge hit - the fish were huge!

So were the turtles.

There were also a bunch of smaller tanks that were great fun.

Jellyfish are rather magical to watch.

At the end of this section, Asa said, "Bye bye, Jellies."

Another recent obsession is the book And Tango Makes Three, which meant a necessary stop to see the penguins:

Mommy got to pet some sting rays:

And, of course, we had to see some old friends.
The little obnoxious fish:

Gil and Dory:

And, of course, Nemo and Marlin:

After that, it was time to head home - including one more trip past the harbor seal tank.  (see us there?)

And a quick walk down the wharf, at Asa's request, to see boats.

By the time we got back to the train station, only one of three tired people had fallen asleep... the other two got coffee.

He woke up for the jazz tuba player on the subway, though - how often does that happen?  Very cool, and a nice way to end the day.

More pictures here, if you're interested.  It's a hard place to photograph, especially with thousands of schoolchildren on field trips swarming around, but still - I think these came out decently well.