"Take a picture of..."

One day this week Timo has just woken up from his nap and I was taking photos of some things (in the basement, where he has his bedroom) to post on Craigslist. He asked me to take his picture and tell him when to smile! Yes, at 2 1/2 years old, he has figured out how this whole photo thing works.

"Take a picture of Timo smile", he instructed.

"Take a picture of Timo crib," he said next.

And finally, "Take a picture of Timo pink chair and George cousin," he said. (The wool sock monkey he is holding was MY monkey as a kid, made by my Great-Aunt Mamie. I named it "George's cousin" and it was much loved in my childhood!)

 

Brothers in the crib (rap it for best effect)

Playing and tackling and giggling together in Timo's crib is their new, favorite thing. When we go downstairs for Timo's afternoon nap, you should see Mattias light up and start kicking with such excitement! And when Timo wakes up, the first thing he usually asks is, "Put baby 'tee-tas in Timo crib?" They sit in there and giggle, and Mattias slobbers on animals, and Timo throws his blankie around and then eventually crashes into his brother. But they LOVE it.

Here they are playing a game of peek-a-boo (Timo's idea). Timo calls out, "Where are you, babe 'tee-tas?" and at some point Mattias will figure out how to grab the blankie. And then they both get so excited and start laughing.
 

Can you see the look of joy on Mattias's face?!

I've wanted to make sure I got a photo of T & M playing together in the crib, because it reminds me of sweet times for Gemma & Timo - two years ago when we lived in Durham, Gemma would ask for Timo to come in to her bed after she woke up from her nap, too!

Spring-to-summer Thunderstorms

June 1st arrived with such a welcome - sun and temperatures into the 70-80s! We had so much rain in May; the 2nd most waterfall on record for Colorado and nearly triple the average. And with every big thunderstorm we got hail - to be expected along the mountains. Perhaps it has something to do with the weather patterns and the way air moves along mountains and eastward to flat areas. I guess that is just the norm. It's also typical to get afternoon or evening rain throughout the summer months. Beautiful, blazing sunshine in the morning, then clouds and rain in the afternoon.

Good thing I found these rain boots for Timo at a thrift store because he wore them every day last month! And is it just me, but isn't there something adorable about kids in gum boots?

One evening just after the boys were in bed we had a glorious, loud and quickly-moving thunderstorm. I tried to capture it on camera because the light outside was beautiful with the contrast of the rain, the bright green trees and grass, and the sunset blazing through as the clouds moved over us and onto the east. Of course it was difficult to photograph purely, so after five minutes I gave up and just sat on the front porch and watched.

Our neighbors, Henry and Chloe, were outside splashing and having a great time.

Oh, hello, squirrel! You pesky thing. Stop digging in my garden and rooting around in my compost pile!

Saturday lunch out - !

Weekends are always wonderful because we get to be together and have a change of pace from the weekly routine - and slowly we are exploring all the interesting places that Colorado Springs has to offer. This is a big town (not a big city but a big, spread-out town with a lot of variety) and it is a slow venture for us at this stage of life for the boys and working around their naps. So Saturday lunches are a good time to get out. Last weekend we went to Ivywild School: A Community Marketplace. It was an elementary school built in 1916 but closed in 2009. Last year it reopened and houses a coffeeshop, restaurant, bakery, brewery, small local grocery and community garden, art gallery and venue space, bicycle shop and offices. Very interesting use of space, and the most interesting part is that the owners have maintained some of the school's architecture and interior design. For example, the bathroom walls still are covered with murals made by school children, of dinosaurs and planets and nature scenes. The coffee bar is called "The Principle's Office".

Timo was very proud to sit on the old tractor out front. And yes, I gave him a haircut later that afternoon. It grows so fast now!

We had a nice lunch (veggie sandwich, roasted veggies & french bread with eggplant/olive spread -somehow we resisted the huge cinnamon rolls and almond croissants). I've been here a couple of times before but it was Jim's first time. The photo below makes it look empty, but it was actually quite busy.

Of course we didn't end up taking many photos because we were too busy looking around and keeping up with Timo, who was running everywhere, so excited about all the artwork and the big globe and the basketball gym (now used for concerts/bands).


And.... back at the house... another day - I just couldn't help but snap a photo of handsome Mattias, happily playing with his crinkly cat-tails book.

The exploits of Mattias - at 6 months

Mattias had his 6 month check-up yesterday (at 6 months and 3 weeks old) and received a clean bill of health from the pediatrician - and 3 immunizations. We are so thankful for his good health & growth! Here are the stats on our Mr Solid: 

2 ft 4 inches tall (85%), 19 pounds 8 oz (75%)

He is a very happy, easy little boy (despite somewhat unpredictable nap duration on some days...). He LOVES his big brother, and absolutely lights up when he sees Timo. They like to try and wrestle/tackle each other now, and play together in Timo's crib. Mattias also loves the jolly jumper, going for walks, and bathtime.

We've had a lot of cool, rainy days this month but on a few occasions he has gotten to sit outside on a blanket and watch Timo play basketball. One day he sat happily playing with toys the whole time I mowed the grass (no small task!). Don't worry, it's a push mower, so it's safe and quiet.

Classic scene of a happy childhood!!

Here's Timo and Jim hard at work "shoot basketball hoop", as Timo says.