Summer (sort of) School

So there's a long list of reasons we've been so slack on the blogging of late. The laptop crashed twice, two kids are really exhausting, we've made two trips back to see family since we posted last, two kids are really exhausting, I've been finishing a book, Jimmy's been crazy busy with work, and well, two kids are really exhausting.

But we're resolved to get back on the blogging train, so consider the collection of random photos and highlights below as sort of a warm up. Here we go.

We're loving Arun's new bike almost as much as he does. Its a walking bike--no pedals--and he's already cruising and starting to pick up his feet to balance a bit.


And Evie continues to be a blur of speed on her bike, often upping the degree of difficulty by riding in costume. Seriously.


We also slipped in a few hikes this summer. This one was at Pomona Grange.


And this was on the trail to the Beaver Pond off Chuckanut.


In July we reached the end of a very long marathon and finalized Arun's adoption. Here we are in the judge's chambers, with Arun a few seconds from passing out (the hearing was in Seattle during his naptime!).


Evie surprised us all by going tubing for the first time with her heros, Peyton and Logan. She loved it and can't wait to go again next summer.


And Arun shocked us when it was time for a haircut. He sat COMPLETELY STILL the entire time he was in the chair. Spooky.


Evie had her first violin recital in May, successfully bowing for the crowd of families and other students. Her Twinkle Twinkles are coming along nicely.


We enjoyed a great visit from MeeMee and PopPop. We only lured PopPop out here by promising to put him to work building the new patio. Here he and Jimmy spend a rare moment relaxing together.


Arun launched himself out of the crib (darn those crazy climbing skills!) prompting us to go ahead and purchase his big boy bed. He's still not sleeping in it, but he and sis love to play there.


And its been a hard battle, but Arun is now an enthusiastic reader. The first few months we were home, he found books to be even more foreign and useless than spoons. Now he marched up with books in his hand, chanting, "BOOK!" until you sit and give him space on your lap. It does a washed up English teacher's heart proud . . .


And Evie is progressing with her literacy nicely, reading more and more words, and surprising us with some creative writing of her own.


Now Evie's back in school, Arun's enjoying kindermusik and swimming, and we're finding the routine and rhythm of the season a comfort. Let's hope that regular postings become part of that routine.

Happy Fall!