That's not Gertie . . .

With a playroom littered with a slew of puzzles, books, CARS, dolls, various stacking things, and even a tunnel, Evie isn't at a loss for things to do. Which makes it all the more intriguing that the fun she chooses most often involves stuff we never imagined she'd go for.

Take for instance, our front doormat. This rug is currently Evie June's favorite spot. Its her home base during games of chase, a place to park her bike, or a quiet spot to arrange her stuffed animals. Looks ordinary right?

But it doesn't stop there. Evie has learned that while Mommy is perfectly okay with the permanent mess in the playroom, I'm a little compulsive about the rest of the house being tidy. Her game? Mess up the rug and non-slip pad beneath and see how long it takes Mommy to fix it.

Sometimes, she even reenacts the trick or treating scene from ET. She's got the walk, the funny little alien voice AND the love for Neil Diamond music.


Anybody know where I can find a Speak-n-Spell so she'll give me back my cell phone?
Jen

Amazing Facts

If you ever received a newsletter from me (Jimmy) when I was employed with Youth Dynamics (a Christian non-profit youth ministry in the Pacific NW - learn more at www.yd.org), then you may be familiar with the quaint and highly popular section called "AMAZING JEN FACTS." Since it was probably the most read part of my letter, I'm going to resurrect it and give some AMAZING FACTS about our family without any of those lengthy, contemplative musings to distract you from the real goods.

AMAZING EVIE FACTS

* We're pretty sure she's a secret agent. She's always using words we can't understand, mysterious hand signals, and just looks the part . . .


* Evie has been clocked at a cheese eating speed of 97 sph (sticks per hour.) Here's a demonstration of what our speedy mouse can do:


* Our daughter is a triathlete. Though she's just in training mode right now, her running, cycling, and water skills are improving daily. Have a look see:







* She loves to point out flying things (birds, planes, bees), pick up and taste tiny things ( leaves, pebbles, bark, lost cheerios), make music (xylophone, CASIO Magical Light keyboard, random pots) and practice her growing vocabulary (dat, car, dat, nack, dat, duck, dat, dog, dat, dada.)

AMAZING JEN FACTS

* My wife did yard work. And I've got the shot to prove it. (I think Evie's enthusiasm inspired her.)


* She's been teaching English at Burlington-Edison High School for 8 years and has managed to become department head, participate in the Fulbright overseas teaching exchange, develop many new classes from scratch, and write a young adult novel to be published next year all in that time. (Not to mention becoming a mom and maintaining her awesome wifeness.)


So in about 3 weeks, she'll put a pause on the teaching chapter of her life and "kick back" with Evie at home for the next few years. Those high school kids coudn't really compete with Evie June's coolness and hangoutability.

* Jen competed 2 weeks ago in the annual Ski-to-Sea race from Mt. Baker to Puget Sound with her friends on team "Kiss My Tiara" and they took second place in the Women's Rec. Division! She canoed 18 miles with our friend Susan and felt the victory in most all of her upper-body muscles the next day. (For pictures, click HERE and enter 403 for the bib #.)

AMAZING JIMMY FACTS

* I'm famous on the world wide web. Well, actually my picture is just on a friend's blog site and pictures of built in cabinets that I made for her are on a realtor's slide show. So, not exactly famous, but accessible. I'm going to be building her brand new house soon. Here I am pouring over the blue prints from the architect and engineer to make sure they match before we submit for permit approval. Just like playtime...


* That's about it for me. Actually the first Jimmy fact was Jen's suggestion. Tough to sell your own amazement. Oh here's one, I finally BLOGGED!

I hope you've been both amazed and amused by the two most beautiful and wonderful women in my life. Here's a little somthin' special to tide you over until next blog . . .


Jimmy