Fire Safety

Elliott's been learning about fire safety in school and has taken it very seriously. We've made a diagram of our house and identified all of our escape routes...which made it very obvious that our options are limited from our bedrooms.  So we've been researching fire escape ladders and have decided on something like this:

Fire Escape Ladder

When I showed Elliott the picture of the mother and son climbing down the ladder in their pajamas, he thought it was a very safe idea. But he had one question that was concerning him:

"When will they eat breakfast?"

Elliott is beyond hungry these days, eating multiple breakfasts and dinners.  Forget the scary dangers of fire- Elliott is just worried about food.

Emerson wanted to show off some of his artwork too: His carefully painted snowman.

Emerson has been going through an I-just-love-mommy phase. And I don't mind at all!

Pacific Science Center

 Yesterday my mom took us on an adventure to the Pacific Science Center.  Cousin Klaire joined us and seemed to have a great time too although we kept her busy with chasing around the 2 little guys.

We enjoyed it all but Elliott was really interested in the insects, naked mole rats, spiders and snakes! (and no we are not going to get any pets, especially those sorts!)

The butterfly house was a huge hit, especially for Emerson who was very meticulous about identifying all the butterflies on his info sheet.

We tried to pose for a group photo, but the butterflies kept trying to join in and they'd scare everyone away!

Thanks for the fun trip, Mom!

Where is the snow!?

We are ready for the snow. After we got a taste of the winter wonderland of Leavenworth, we have been  impatiently waiting for snow of our own.  We've been digging out our winter clothes, searching for big-kid winter gloves and finally, yes, buying sleds.  (This is a serious upgrade from last year's cardboard sled).

Our "santa" picture

Yesterday we set out to get our Christmas tree. We started with our traditional breakfast & treats at Starbucks. Our kids won the "make-the-biggest-mess" award and then headed out to find a tree.

Usually we go to a favorite Christmas Tree Farm, but on a whim we decided to check out the Adopt a Stream foundation near our house because we saw a sign that said "Live Christmas Tree Rentals."  We headed there and found a crowd of people scouting out there picks for the perfect tree - one that is potted and can be returned or planted in your own yard.  The official shopping didn't start till 10 am so we had a few minutes to check out the trees. There were several small ones, and about 30 tall spruce trees which everyone was eyeing.  

We decided we were going to get in line (the 2nd people in line!) and wait for the big go.  While standing in line, I plotted with Jason how to get the kids quickly to our tree and decided I would carry Emerson and Jay would walk quickly with Elliott.

 Finally, at 10 am, they released us with our tags to basically run to your desired tree and tag it for yourself. Although we were 2nd in line, other people took off toward the trees (it was not nearly as orderly as I had imagined), and so Elliott and Jason picked up the pace a bit. 

Jay guided Elliott and told him to pick whatever tree he wanted. As soon as Jay said that, Elliott immediately stopped and said "this one". We were like, are you sure?  Yep, he was. He was totally happy. We tagged our tree, then went inside for coffee, cider, candy canes and of course to meet Sammy the Christmas Salmon.

Emerson wasn't so sure about Sammy. 

 We didn't have far to go home (maybe 2 minutes), so we just plopped our tree in the van and took off.

Now the trick is keeping our little tree alive for the next couple weeks!  We accidentally watered it like you would water a regular cut tree and pretty much drowned it. But we have adjusted and are learning how to take care of our little tree. I think we should plant it and dig it up to use again next year! How frugal is that?! Jay suggested getting a tree every year there and then planting them behind our deck and gradually increasing our privacy barrier over the years....it would be so slow and subtle the HOA probably wouldn't notice....

First rain

After the first rain of the fall, we found our rain boots and went to make sure our puddle was still there.  

This summer, our roads were recovered with asphalt and I was really tempted to call the company and beg them not to take away our puddle. For two days, our complex was blocked off in random ways which resulted in us being unexpectedly trapped at home one day as they repaved. It looked like they were just laying a coating on top of our asphalt and not fixing any of the bumps, cracks or sunken areas (really, what was the point of "repaving" our roads I wondered?). 

So when it finally rain after such a dry summer, we went make sure our puddle was okay. 

And it was!

Within minutes, both boys fell into the puddle. Same body language, very different reactions!

And we played and played and played. And in-between pictures taking and Emerson screaming "car coming!),  I read my kindle (boy I love that thing).

Pumpkin Time!

It is truly fall when we get to bundle up, drive way far out into the country (you know, Snohomish) and then play at a real farm!  On Saturday morning, we meandered out to Bailey's Farm with our good friends and enjoyed a hay ride, a hay maze, kettle corn, toy tractors and of course, searching for pumpkins.  

Clearly the adults in the pic above know how to follow instructions. They are all looking at the camera.

Running on the hay bales. Brave (Elliott) and fearless (Emerson) boys!

Eco Spaceship

Elliott built an eco-spaceship this evening.  His explanation:  "the trees grow grow grow and control the ship and the lights turn on when its dark at night and and and and also um and also and the walkie talking can talk if there are any bad guys in trouble."